Factory

HARRISBURG - In a noisy warehouse a mile from the Capitol, workers push sheets of steel through giant machines that turn the slices of metal into polished wheelbarrows. A new one rolls off the assembly line every six seconds. The Ames True Temper plant proudly calls itself the wheelbarrow capital of the world, a distinction claimed since 1876, when the original company, Jackson Manufacturing, began industrialized production of the implements. So workers there were dismayed to learn last month that the maker of Monopoly planned to retire one of the game's familiar tokens and Las Vegas oddsmakers predicted the silvery little wheelbarrow would lose the popularity contest.

In a musical world where Adele is all-singing and all-selling, every British female vocalist in the last five years is held up to compare with 007's new favorite. Whether they're vintage soul (Duffy), operatic (Florence Welch of the Machines), or annoyingly pop-hop (Jessie J), Adele's name comes into play. Then there's Ellie Goulding, who sold out the Electric Factory on Friday. Since her 2010 album debut, Lights , the soprano with the piercing vibrato has sold records. Her reserved cover of Elton John's "Your Song" (performed in grand, soppy fashion Friday)

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has alerted its global suppliers that it will immediately drop them if they subcontract their work to factories that have not been authorized by the discounter. Wal-Mart's stricter measure, along with other changes to its policy, comes amid increasing calls for better safety oversight after a deadly fire at a Bangladesh factory that supplied clothing to Wal-Mart and other retailers. The fire in late November killed 112 workers at a factory owned by Tazreen Fashions Ltd. Wal-Mart has said the factory wasn't authorized to make its clothes.

U.S. manufacturing grew slightly in December, and factory hiring increased, gains suggesting that the economy entered 2013 with some momentum. Spending on U.S. construction projects fell in November from October's levels, however, as a steep drop in volatile federal projects offset another gain in home building. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Wednesday that its index of manufacturing activity rose in December to 50.7 - up from a reading of 49.5 in November that was the lowest reading since July 2009, one month after the recession ended.

BEIRUT - Syria's rebels stepped up attacks on strategic sites including a sprawling military complex in the country's north on Friday, while reports emerged that President Bashar al-Assad's forces continued to fire Scud missiles at rebel areas. Russian President Vladimir V. Putin told European leaders that Russia does not seek to protect Assad but that only a negotiated solution can end the conflict - an outcome that looks unlikely as rebels make gains across the country. While few observers expect Syria's 21-month-old conflict to end soon, most say steady rebel advances appear to be tipping the balance in favor of those fighting to topple Assad's regime.

COULD THERE soon be a huge wall-wrap digital ad on the Electric Factory? City Council's Rules Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would allow for a billboard on the building at 7th and Callowhill streets, near the Vine Street Expressway. A portion of the revenue generated from the billboard would go toward programs at three nearby schools as part of a community-benefits agreement. "People really feel they could benefit from this," said Councilman Mark Squilla, who sponsored the bill.

ZED'S DEAD is an electronic band that took its name from the Quentin Tarantino thriller "Pulp Fiction. " The film includes a grisly overdose scene - and at the band's performance Saturday night at the Electric Factory, fact mirrored fiction when at least four people overdosed, causing the gig to be canceled, according to the fire department and social media. Police responded to the Electric Factory, at 7th Street near Callowhill, about 8 p.m. and found nine concertgoers passed out from possible overdoses, the Associated Press reported.

Fans of the Canadian DJ duo Zeds Dead were disappointed Saturday night when the concert was shut down because several in the audience had to be hospitalized because of drug use. On the band's Facebook page, several fans said they had driven from Massachusetts, Baltimore, and elsewhere to attend the rave. Police were called at 8 p.m., before the band even went onstage. When officers arrived at the Electric Factory at Seventh and Callowhill Streets, they found at least four people who had overdosed on an unidentified drug, according to the Associated Press.

President Obama is making history this afternoon, becoming the first U.S. President to speak in front of an American flag made of 49,000 K'nex pieces. At 11:30 a.m., Marine One landed at the Rodon Group plant, in Hatfield, Montgomery County, and a crowd of about 350, including company employees, awaited his arrival at the toy factory. "Its'a once-in-lifetime experience for the people here," said company designer Rob Simon, 52, of Plumsteadville, Bucks County. He said that while he didn't vote for the President, "You've got to respect his position regardless of party affiliation.

DHAKA, Bangladesh - The garment factory in Bangladesh where 112 people were killed in a fire had been turning out clothes for Walmart, Disney, Sears, and other major retailers - some of whom say they thought they had stopped doing business with the place. The apparent confusion underscored what some industry experts say is a major obstacle to improving safety in Third World factories: Many major retailers in the United States and Europe rely on such a long and complex chain of manufacturers, vendors, and middlemen to keep their shelves stocked that it is difficult to keep track of where certain products are made.