CHICAGO – McDonald’s Corp. (MCD) Wednesday said sales at its namesake restaurants open at least 13 months rose 6.8 percent in March and reported preliminary first-quarter earnings that beat analysts expectations. The company said preliminary earnings in the first quarter were about 56 cents a share, boosted by $179 million …
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SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The mother of Michael Jackson‘s (search) accuser told jurors Thursday a bizarre story of weeks during which she was shuttled around by Jackson’s associates, made a virtual prisoner and warned that “killers” were after her. The woman said that during the entire period, she never tried …
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MONACO – Prince Rainier III’s (search) chances of recovery from heart and kidney failure and respiratory problems were very slim, his palace said Friday, a day after his son and heir took over as regent of the Mediterranean principality. Rainier remained in “precarious” health Friday and “hopes for a favorable …
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Two new studies question whether vitamin D and calcium supplements can protect mobile, high-risk, over-70 seniors against future bone fractures. Earlier studies showed that vitamin D and calcium supplements reduced the risks of fractures in elderly women. But two new studies fail to show a fracture prevention effect for the …
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VATICAN CITY – The new pope is elected by cardinals under the age of 80. Here is a breakdown by region and country of the cardinal electors (search) expected to attend the conclave, followed by a list of the 117 electors and of the 66 cardinals aged 80 and over. …
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SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The unfamiliar sound of laughter has punctuated Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial with the recent witness-stand appearances of three comedians and a comedy club owner whose wisecracks have reminded everyone that this is still a show-business case. “I was thinking that between the comedians and the …
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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Security forces battled the biggest group of Islamic militants in a nearly two-year campaign against terror, killing seven in a gunbattle Monday and cornering up to 10 others in an isolated desert town, Saudi officials said. The forces were besieging the building in which the remaining …
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LOS ANGELES – Emmy officials decided against an extreme makeover for the ceremony but are cutting back on acceptance speeches in a bid to woo more viewers. As winners in some categories walk to the stage, short taped interviews with them will be played in lieu of “spontaneous” remarks, it …
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In a new study of women at higher risk of breast cancer, few said they were willing to take the drug tamoxifen to prevent the disease. Only about 18 percent of the 255 women surveyed said they were inclined to take tamoxifen, says the study in Cancer’s May 15 edition. …
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LOS ANGELES – A recent close call with paparazzi at a traffic light in Beverly Hills gave Jennifer Lopez (search) “goosepimples.” Lopez says she was almost involved in an accident when a car went “screeeech” right in front of her vehicle. “It was the paparazzi (search) trying to beat the …
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