Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holdings utility agreed to buy the $2 billion Topaz project in southern California, branching into solar power after the industry was battered by stock markets around the world.The Topaz Solar Farm will be one of the world’s largest photovoltaic power plants and is being developed by the seller, First Solar Inc. of Tempe, Arizona, according to a joint statement Wednesdday. Terms weren’t disclosed. The project’s 550- megawatt capacity is equal to about half a n

Foreign firms, employees under tough pressure from pension, tax changesBEIJING (AP) ― Foreign companies that are looking to China to shore up wilting global sales have been hit by higher payroll taxes, surcharges to subsidize unions and other changes that are making conditions tougher just as economic growth slows. The biggest worry for many is an abrupt order for foreign workers and their employers to start paying up to 40 percent of their wages for pensions and other welfare. Automakers face a

Most global investors predict China will face a banking crisis within the next five years, paring their appetite for the nation’s shares and eroding confidence in its leadership, a Bloomberg Global Poll indicated. Sixty-one percent of respondents said they anticipate a crash in the financial industry by late 2016, and only 10 percent were confident China’s banks will escape trouble, according to the quarterly poll of 1,097 investors, analysts and traders who are Bloomberg subscribers conducted D

TOKYO (AP) ― The world’s oldest dog according to Guinness World Records has died at the age of 26 years and eight months.Pusuke, a fluffy tan Shiba mix, died Monday after suddenly falling ill and refusing to eat, owner Yumiko Shinohara told reporters at her home in Sakura, a city outside Tokyo.“I would just like to thank him for staying alive so long,” Shinohara told TV network FNN. The report said Pusuke’s lifespan would have been the equivalent of about 125 years for a human.According to Guinn

CAIRO (AFP) ― Egypt’s caretaker premier named a new cabinet on Wednesday with increased powers to tackle worsening crime and a sliding economy as Islamist parties made fresh gains in the country’s parliamentary election.Interim premier Kamal el-Ganzouri announced his administration following nearly two weeks of delays, reportedly caused by problems in finding a suitable candidate to fill the highly sensitive interior ministry post.He finally opted for Mohammed Ibrahim Yusuf, who headed police in

Putin officially registers to run for president; ex-Soviet leader Gorbachev calls for new voteMOSCOW (AP) ― Popular anger against Vladimir Putin’s ruling party and alleged election fraud have boiled over into a third straight night of protests, and police in Russia’s two largest cities arrested scores of demonstrators.The demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg on Wednesday appeared to attract fewer protesters than in previous days, roughly 300 in each city, but Russians’ willingness to risk

CANTON, Ga. (AP) — A 20-year-old maintenance worker was arrested in the beating death of a 7-year-old north Georgia girl who was abducted and killed at an apartment complex and her body left in a trash bin, authorities said Wednesday.Ryan Brunn, who lived and worked at the apartment complex, w

Alexei Navalny, one of Russia`s best-known bloggers, chants anti-government slogans during an opposition rally in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011.(AP)MOSCOW (AP) _ Popular anger against Vladimir Putin's ruling party and alleged election fraud have boiled over into a third straight night of prot

China sees an increase in domestic costs and a slowdown in overseas demand putting “severe” pressure on its exports next year, a sign that policy makers may have little appetite to allow faster gains in the yuan. Premier Wen Jiabao’s embrace of higher wages, along with a jump in land and raw-materials prices and a stronger yuan are restraining shipments, the Commerce Ministry said Wednesday. While the nation can achieve export gains as long as Europe’s crisis doesn’t deepen, it will need to focu

E-book publishers owned by Lagardere, Pearson Plc, News Corp.and two other firms  under investigationBRUSSELS (AP) ― The European Union’s antitrust watchdog is probing whether Apple helped five major publishing houses illegally raise prices for e-books when it launched its iPad tablet and iBookstore in 2010.The probe, announced Tuesday by the European Commission, offers a glimpse into the fierce fight for share of the growing e-book market as Apple tries to take on Amazon and its Kindle e-book r

ATHENS (AP) ― Greece’s lawmakers overwhelmingly approved next year’s austerity budget early Wednesday, extending tough spending cuts that have already left Greeks struggling as the country tries to slash its vast debts and tame a severe recession.With three parties, including the majority socialists and their rival conservatives, participating in Greece’s new coalition government, the budget was passed with a 258-41 majority in the 300-seat Parliament.“This is a difficult budget ... with ambitio