The Two-Way
11:20 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Good News, Bad News: Japanese Economy Surges, But Likely Will Slow

In a classic example of "on the one hand, on the other hand" economic analysis, the word that Japan's economy grew at a strong 4.1 percent annual rate in the first quarter is being followed by cautionary talk of slower growth for the world's third-largest economy in coming quarters.

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Shots - Health Blog
10:47 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Embattled Hospital Debt Collector Taps Politicians For Defense

So what do you do when you're accused of hitting up sick patients in the hospital to pay their bills — sometimes even before they get treatment?

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The Salt
10:06 am
Thu May 17, 2012

How To Make Healthy Eating Easier On The Wallet? Change The Calculation

Credit iStockphoto.com
Dried beans and legumes are healthy and cheap.

Originally published on Fri May 18, 2012 8:54 am

If you're already a kale and lentils kind of person (we know there are a lot of frugal foodies out there) — you won't be surprised by this finding: According to a new study from some economists at the USDA, eating a healthy diet isn't necessarily more expensive than a diet loaded with sugar and fat. In fact, fruits and vegetables are often cheaper when you calculate the cost in a smarter way.

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The Two-Way
9:56 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Romney's $40.1 Million Haul In April Nearly Matches Obama's

Credit Edward Linsmier / Getty Images
Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney at a campaign event on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Originally published on Thu May 17, 2012 10:24 am

The campaign for GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney and the Republican Party together raised $40.1 million in April, just shy of the $43.6 million that President Obama and the Democratic Party took in.

This is the first monthly report since Romney effectively wrapped up the Republican presidential nomination. And because money is one way to keep score during a presidential campaign, the news is getting a great deal of attention from the political media this morning.

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The Two-Way
8:47 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Jobless Claims Held Steady Last Week; Back To 4-Year Low

Originally published on Thu May 17, 2012 10:25 am

There were 370,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance filed last week, the same number as during the week before, according to the Employment and Training Administration.

So, after a spike to a range around 390,000 per week in April, claims have slowed again to a pace that's roughly the lowest since the spring of 2008.

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The Two-Way
8:36 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Activist Chen May Soon Have Passport, Be Able To Leave China

Credit U.S. Embassy Beijing / Getty Images
Chen Guangcheng just before he left the U.S. embassy in Beijing, on May 2.

Legal activist Chen Guangcheng has reportedly finished submitting applications to Chinese authorities and has been told that he and his immediate family could be issued passports within the next two weeks.

That would then allow him to come to the United States.

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The Two-Way
7:56 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Minorities Are Now Majority Of U.S. Births, Census Says

Originally published on Thu May 17, 2012 9:12 am

"For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S," The Associated Press writes.

As USA Today adds, that news from the Census Bureau is "a sign of how swiftly the USA is becoming a nation of younger minorities and older whites."

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The Two-Way
7:03 am
Thu May 17, 2012

As Feared, JPMorgan's Losses Are Growing; Reportedly At $3 Billion

Credit Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

The word on Monday that JPMorgan Chase's losses from risky trades that went wrong could climb from $2 billion to perhaps as high as $4 billion in coming quarters is being bolstered this morning.

There's this report from The New York Times' Deal Book blog:

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Business
6:58 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Skechers To Settle FTC Complaint

The Federal Trade Commission has announced that Skechers will pay more than $40 million to settle charges that the company made unfounded claims about its shape-up shoes. The FTC says the marketing was deceptive.

Around the Nation
6:58 am
Thu May 17, 2012

Director John Waters Hitches A Ride With Indie Band

The Baltimore legend is known for his pencil-thin mustache, and for movies like Hairspray. He's said in interviews he enjoys hitchhiking. Recently, the band Here We Go Magic tweeted photos of him in their van.

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