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AP Top News at 12:36 p.m. EDT
(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Economy grows by only 0.6 percent in 1st quarter of 2008WASHINGTON (AP) _The bruised economy limped through the first quarter, growing at just a 0.6 percent pace as housing and credit problems forced people and businesses alike to hunker down. The country's economic growth during January through March was the same as in the final three months of last year, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The statistic did not meet what economists consider the classic definition of a recession, which is a retraction of the economy. This means that although the economy is stuck in a rut, it is still managing to grow, even if modestly.
GM posts loss of $3.3B on weak US auto market, chargesDETROIT (AP) _ General Motors Corp. struggled to a $3.3 billion first-quarter loss, due in part to a weak U.S. market, a strike at a major parts supplier and plummeting sales of sport utility vehicles and pickups. The nation's biggest automaker also cut its industrywide U.S. sales outlook for the year. The company disclosed earlier this week it was cutting production of some of its slow-selling trucks and SUVs.
Obama looks to put controversial pastor behind himWASHINGTON (AP) _ Barack Obama is looking to get his campaign back on track today after making a strong effort to distance himself from his controversial former pastor. An angry Obama told reporters yesterday he was "outraged" by what he called a "performance" by Jeremiah Wright at the National Press Club in Washington on Monday and added that he was "saddened by the spectacle."
Austrian incest suspect may be linked to unsolved murderAMSTETTEN, Austria (AP) _ Police are looking into possible links between a young woman's killing and the man who confessed to holding his daughter captive for 24 years and fathering her seven children, a senior law enforcement official said Wednesday. Alois Lissl, the chief of police of Upper Austria province, told The Associated Press that although no evidence had surfaced so far, police have widened their investigation into the unsolved murder 22 years ago to include the incest suspect.
Fed expected to cut rates one more time, then pauseWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Federal Reserve, which began the year aggressively fighting a severe credit crunch and economic weakness, may push the pause button after delivering perhaps one more quarter-point cut in interest rates. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues began their second day of discussions on Wednesday. Financial markets widely expected that those talks would end with an afternoon announcement that the Fed will cut a key interest rate by a quarter point.
People of Lesbos take gay group to court over term 'Lesbian'ATHENS, Greece (AP) _ A Greek court has been asked to draw the line between the natives of the Aegean Sea island of Lesbos and the world's gay women. Three islanders from Lesbos _ home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love between women _ have taken a gay rights group to court for using the word lesbian in its name.
Albert Hofmann, father of drug LSD, dies in SwitzerlandGENEVA (AP) _ Albert Hofmann, the father of the mind-altering drug LSD whose medical discovery inspired _ and arguably corrupted _ millions in the 1960s hippie generation, has died. He was 102. Hofmann died Tuesday at his home in Burg im Leimental, said Doris Stuker, a municipal clerk in the village near Basel where Hofmann moved following his retirement in 1971.
Shannon Elizabeth is eliminated from 'Dancing With the Stars'LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Shannon Elizabeth won't have to shed any more tears over "Dancing With the Stars." The 34-year-old actress, who cried at the judges' harsh remarks last week, was eliminated Tuesday from the ABC dance-off. "The show has been amazing. I've learned a lot," she said as her professional partner, Derek Hough, stood by her side. "I've made a friend for life, and hopefully a bunch of friends for life, and I'll be here to support everyone as much as I can."
Prom invite is written on lacrosse players' bare bottomsANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) _ Thirteen members of a high school lacrosse team have been disciplined for baring their bottoms on which was written a prom invitation from one player to a girl. Carolyn Campbell, a senior at Huron High School, accepted the invitation to go to the prom with fellow senior Kristoff Wennersten.
Rangers forward Sean Avery hospitalized with lacerated spleenNEW YORK (AP) _ New York Rangers forward Sean Avery has been hospitalized after lacerating his spleen during a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In a statement Wednesday, the team said the noted agitator was taken to St. Vincent's hospital after New York's 5-3 loss Tuesday night and was admitted following a CT scan.
Copyright ? 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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