AP Top News at 4 p.m. EDT

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07-12-2000
AP Top News at 4 p.m. EDT

Wednesday, July 12, 2000

Struggle for Progress at Camp David

THURMONT, Md. (AP) -- President Clinton continued to struggle today to push Israel and the Palestinians closer to a settlement of their half-century conflict over the Holy Land. Observing a news blackout, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart declined to say whether yesterday's first day of talks had been successful. While the atmosphere of the Camp David summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was described as good, Lockhart spoke in somber terms of the task at hand.

Dozens Hurt in Austria Crash Landing

VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- An Airbus 310 with 150 people aboard ran out of fuel today and crash-landed at Vienna's Schwechat airport, slightly injuring 26 people. The plane, which was chartered by the German company Hapag-Lloyd, was traveling from western Crete to Hanover, Germany, the Austria Press Agency reported. It was carrying 142 passengers and eight crew. Though the cause of the problem was unclear, officials of Hapag-Lloyd said the pilot could not retract the landing gear after takeoff. Such a malfunction leads to increased fuel consumption, pilots and airport officials said.

Study Cites Common Spermicide Fears

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) -- A landmark study released today offers surprising data about the widely used spermicide nonoxynol-9: It may increase the risk of women catching HIV rather than lower it, as many had assumed. Nonoxynol-9 is often used as a coating for condoms. The study was conducted on 990 prostitutes in Africa and Asia.

Gore Swipes Bush at NAACP Convention

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Democrat Al Gore swiped at George W. Bush before a cheering NAACP audience today, suggesting the Republican presidential candidate's interest in black voters is pure politics. Speaking two days after Bush addressed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Gore said, ``I have come here not just in an election year, but year after year. I have worked with you. I have stood with you. I am proud to have won some battles alongside you.''

Tobacco Lawyer Makes Appeal to Jury

MIAMI (AP) -- Tobacco attorneys urged a jury today not to make ``instant millionaires'' out of hundreds of thousands of sick Florida smokers with a ruinous verdict against the industry. The 300,000 to 700,000 smokers are asking for up to $196 billion in punitive damages, an amount the nation's five biggest tobacco companies say would break them. The smokers and their chief attorney, Stanley Rosenblatt, are trying to put the tobacco industry out of business, R.J. Reynolds lawyer Jim Johnson told the jury.

Swiss Banking Group To Buy Paine Webber

NEW YORK (AP) -- Swiss banking group UBS AG, seeking access to the wealthiest class of U.S. investors, is buying PaineWebber for $10.8 billion in cash and stock. The deal announced today is the latest international marriage of financial services heavyweights and represents the largest acquisition ever by a European suitor of a U.S. brokerage firm. PaineWebber is the fourth-biggest brokerage firm in the United States with 8,500 brokers.

Dow Rises 62, Nasdaq Up 142

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock prices surged today, fueled by strength in technology shares after Internet giant Yahoo! reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings. Just before 4 p.m. EST, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 61.52 at 10,788.71 and the Nasdaq composite index was up 142.30 at 4,098.72.

Brazilians Hurl Virtual Eggs

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) -- For anyone who has ever felt like hurling an egg at a pompous politician or stuffy celebrity, Brazil has the Web site for you. Simply go to the site -- www.ovoneles.com.br, literally ``egg on them'' in Portuguese -- click on a name and toss a virtual egg at the famous and not-so-famous -- or write in one of your own. By today, more than 140,000 virtual eggs had been tossed at over 3,300 targets and thousands more come flying each day. Not all the targets are people. The International Monetary Fund, the tobacco industry and a few soccer teams are among the top egg-getters.

Reds Deal Neagle to Yankees

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Two weeks after they traded for David Justice to put some thump in their lineup, the New York Yankees snagged left-hander Denny Neagle, one of the top starting pitchers available as the trade deadline nears. Cincinnati sent Neagle, their top starter, to the Yankees today as part of a six-player deal that essentially ends the Reds' chances of contending and strengthens New York's. The Yankees also got outfielder Mike Frank while giving up minor league third baseman Drew Henson, outfielder Jackson Melian and pitchers Brian Reith and Ed Yarnell.

AP NewsBrief by LISI de BOURBON

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