It News

July 13, 2012

U.S. Mac sales slump in Q2, says IDC

Overshadowed by double-digit contraction of Windows PCs, Apple's market share actually climbs to 11.4%
By Gregg Keizer
July 13, 2012

Computerworld - Apple may finally be feeling the PC sales slump in the U.S., research firm IDC said Thursday.

According to IDC, Apple sold fewer Macs in the U.S. during the second quarter than it did in the same period a year earlier. If the research firm's forecast is accurate, the decline would be Apple's first in three years.

IDC estimated that Apple sold 18.1 million Macs in the U.S. during the quarter that ended June 30, down 1.1% from the 18.3 million machines sold in the same quarter of 2011.

"We looked at the sequential movement for Apple, which generally is a good predictor of what to

Sarah Palin: Condoleezza Rice would be ‘wonderful’

By KEVIN ROBILLARD | 7/13/12 6:59 AM EDT
Sarah Palin is shown. | AP Photo

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the last GOP running mate, predicted former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would make a “wonderful” vice president for Mitt Romney.

“I think that Condoleezza Rice would be a wonderful vice president, and she certainly has much more experience than our sitting president does today,” Palin said Thursday night on Fox News’ “On the

Chinese economic growth slows to 7.6%

By Simon Rabinovitch in Beijing
July 13, 2012

Over the past two months, as evidence of the slowdown has mounted, the government has shifted its policy to a pro-growth stance, which analysts say is likely to bring about a recovery in the second half of the year.

“The expectation for weakness in the second quarter was pretty strong. But the investment number is the surprise. There appears to have been a significant pick-up. That is policy beginning to work”, said Ken Peng, an economist with BNP Paribas in Beijing. “We are looking for a small rebound in the third quarter and a bigger rebound in the fourth quarter.”

8 Retirement Realities in a Stumbling Economy

By Philip Moeller | U.S.News & World Report LP
7/12/2012
For the third straight year, the economic recovery has stalled in the spring after showing promise early in the year. Job creation is anemic. The stock market seems poised to do nothing--at least nothing good. Interest rates are still so low that lots of so-called "safe" investments are losing money. Whatever you call it, it's bad news for retirees and would-be retirees concerned about living on a fixed income. As economists restart their advisory machines, so are we. Here are the major realities of the new retirement, updated to reflect stronger doses of conservatism and defensive postures.
[See Top-Rated Mutual Funds by Category Ranked by U.S. News Mutual Fund Score.]

Teemu Selanne returning for another season

By Mike Brehm, USA TODAY
7/12/2012

Teemu Selanne says age is just a number. Attitude is what matters.
So he's signing up for another year with the Anaheim Ducks— at $4.5 million — a little more than a week after he turned 42.
"It all depends how good you feel, how healthy you are and how much passion you have for the game," Selanne said in a conference call from Italy. "That is why I still enjoy the game. It's fun to go to the rink every morning."
MORE: NHL free agent tracker
Selanne is still going strong, playing all 82 games last season and finishing as the Ducks' leading scorer with 66 points.
This will be his 20th season in the NHL. Last season, he moved past Jari Kurri to become the highest-scoring Finnish-born NHL player.
"While I'm still amazed by his speed and skill level, it's Teemu's love for the game and his teammates that make him so special," general manager Bob Murray said. "Anaheim is where he belongs."

Griffin leaves Team USA after suffering knee injury in practice

By Sam Amick, SI.com
7/12/2012

Blake Griffin's knee injury at a Team USA practice Wednesday forced him to return to L.A. for an exam by Clippers doctors.

Team USA's big-man problem just got bigger.
Clippers power forward Blake Griffin suffered a left-knee injury during practice in Las Vegas on Wednesday and was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Thursday for an examination. Hornets power forward and Team USA alternate Anthony Davis has been summoned to replace Griffin, who signed a five-year extension worth up to $95 million with the Clippers on Tuesday.
It's the same knee that Griffin injured during the playoffs last season and caused him to miss the entire 2009-2010 season. While it's not known how serious Griffin's injury is, the source said the severity was "not good." Griffin woke up with swelling on Thursday morning before deciding to head to Los Angeles.
Team USA was already dealing with a lack of depth in its frontcourt, with Griffin, Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love and Knicks center Tyson Chandler seen as the primary rebounders.
Davis, the No. 1 pick in last month's draft, is expected to suit up for Team USA's exhibition against the Dominican Republic on Thursday at UNLV. He's been a

Once a Social Media Star, Digg Sells for $500,000

July 12, 2012
By JOSEPH WALKER And SPENCER E. ANTE

Digg Inc., a social-media pioneer once valued at more than $160 million, is selling for the deeply discounted price of about $500,000, three people familiar with the matter said.

The buyer is New York technology development firm Betaworks, which is attempting to revive a news-sharing site that was outmaneuvered by Facebook Inc. FB -0.52% and Twitter Inc.

D.C. officer allegedly made threatening comments about first lady

By Clarence Williams and Mary Pat Flaherty, Thursday, July 12, 2012

A D.C. police officer who worked as a motorcycle escort for White House officials and other dignitaries was moved to administrative duty Wednesday after he allegedly was overheard making threatening comments toward Michelle Obama, according to several police officials.

The police department’s Internal Affairs Division is investigating the alleged comments and notified the U.S. Secret Service Wednesday, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give details of the investigation.
The motorman allegedly made the comments Wednesday morning as several officers from the Special Operations Division discussed threats against the Obamas. It was not immediately clear where the

Documents conflict on when Romney left Bain

By JACK GILLUM, Associated Press 7/12/2012
WASHINGTON (AP) — Documents filed by Mitt Romney's former company conflict with the Republican presidential candidate's statements about when he gave up control of the private equity firm Bain Capital. President Barack Obama's campaign seized on the discrepancies Thursday to charge that Romney was lying about his background.
Romney, in turn, said Obama was the one being dishonest, rolling out a hard-hitting television ad that accused the president of launching "misleading, unfair and untrue" attacks about the Republican's role

Yahoo password theft could affect Gmail, Hotmail, AOL users, researcher says

By Nicole Perlroth
New York Times
07/12/2012
SAN FRANCISCO -- Yahoo (YHOO) confirmed Thursday that about 400,000 user names and passwords to Yahoo and other companies were stolen Wednesday.
A group of hackers, known as the D33D Co., posted online the user names and passwords for what appeared to be 453,492 accounts belonging to Yahoo and several other websites. The hackers wrote a brief footnote to the data dump, which has since been taken offline: "We hope that the parties responsible for managing the security of this subdomain will take this as a wake-up call, and not as a threat."

Melinda Gates pledges $560 million for contraception

By Chris Wickham
LONDON | Wed Jul 11, 2012

Melinda Gates, wife of Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates, speaks at the London Summit on Family Planning in central London July 11, 2012. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

(Reuters) - Melinda Gates has pledged $560 million as part of a campaign to expand access to contraception for women in some of the poorest countries in the world.
The funding commitment was unveiled on Wednesday at the London Summit on Family Planning alongside pledges totaling $4.3 billion from the British government and leaders from African nations wrestling with the health and social problems brought on by high rates of unplanned pregnancy.

The summit launched a program to extend family planning services to 120 million women out of an estimated 220 million around the world who want, but cannot get, reliable access to contraception by 2020.

Supporters of the campaign estimate that this year will see 80 million unintended pregnancies in

Rolling Stones celebrate 50th, hint about tour

By Josie Cox
LONDON | Thu Jul 12, 2012

The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts (L-R) pose in front of The Marquee Club in London in this handout photograph received by Reuters on July 11, 2012. The picture was taken by photographer Rankin to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Rolling Stones' first ever live performance on July 12, 1962 at the iconic venue on London's Oxford Street. An exhibition of photos from Rolling Stones 50 will be held at London's Somerset House from July 13 to August 27. REUTERS/Rankin/Handout

(Reuters) - Half a century after their first live gig on London's Oxford Street, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of the Rolling Stones will mark the band's 50th anniversary at a photographic exhibition on Thursday.
Guitarist Richards said this week that the Stones have met up for "a couple of rehearsals", fanning the fire of rumors that a new world tour may be in the works.

Richards would not go so far as to say when the quartet comprising himself, Jagger, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood would be performing in public again.

"There's things in the works - I think it's definitely happening," he told British broadcaster the BBC. "But when? I can't say yet."

Amazing Alex, The New Game From Angry Birds Creators, Launches For iOS And Android

BY NIDHI SUBBARAMAN | 07-12-2012

News updates all day from Fast Company. Amazing Alex, the second game from Angry Birds maker Rovio, is now out for iPhones, iPads and Android devices. Like Angry Birds, the mobile game is based on physics and falling, but in Amazing Alex you don’t break, you build. As the teaser video below shows, the game is about balancing regular

'Black market' cash-for-kidneys trader Rosenbaum gets 2-1/2 years in prison

By msnbc.com staff and news services

NEW YORK -- An Israeli man who pleaded guilty to illegally brokering kidney transplants for profit in the United States, the first such conviction under federal law, was sentenced on Wednesday to two-and-a-half years in prison, prosecutors said.
Levy Izhak Rosenbaum, a 61-year old Israeli citizen who lived in Brooklyn, pleaded guilty last October to charges that he brokered kidney transplants between paid donors and recipients on three occasions.
Prosecutors said Rosenbaum charged between $120,000 and $150,000 to help three New Jersey residents find kidneys for transplant between 2006 and 2009.
He also pleaded to a count of conspiracy to broker a fourth kidney transaction following a sting operation leading to his arrest involving an undercover FBI agent who pretended to have a sick uncle.
NYC man pleads guilty to kidney trafficking

French Alps avalanche

12 July 2012

French Alps avalanche: Six killed near Chamonix

Mont Blanc with Mont Maudit and Dome du Gouter (File pic)

At least six climbers have been killed and nine injured in an avalanche near the French Alpine ski resort of Chamonix, police say.

Two German, two Swiss and two Spanish nationals were killed, according to AFP. The news agency added that five Britons and two Spaniards were missing.

The alarm was sounded at 05:25 local time (03:25 GMT) by one of the injured on the slopes of Mont Maudit.

The route is a popular one for tourists heading for the summit of Mont Blanc.

ECB Rate Cut Has Instant Impact on Bank Lending

12 Jul 2012 By: Reuters
The European Central Bank's new zero deposit rate had an instant impact as it came into force, with banks more than halving the amount of cash parked there overnight and one ECB policymaker saying he expected the move to increase banks' lending.
The unprecedented deposit rate cut to zero means banks will now get nothing if they park cash at the ECB , and the bank hopes it will nurture a return of more significant interbank lending by encouraging
banks to look for more profitable options.

China Signals Readiness for South China Sea Talks

Scott Stearns
July 12, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi pose for photos before their meeting on the sideline of the ASEAN regional forum in Phnom Penh, July 12, 2012.

PHNOM PENH - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Cambodia to discuss how best to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea. American officials say China is prepared to join talks about a code of conduct to manage competing claims.

New foreclosures jump 9% in second quarter

By Les Christie @CNNMoney July 12, 2012

More than one million homes had foreclosure filings -- notices of default, auction notices and bank repossessions -- during the first six months of 2012.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Foreclosures showed few signs of slowing during the first half of the year, with a sharp increase in new filings occurring during the second quarter.
More than one million homes had foreclosure filings -- notices of default, auction notices and bank repossessions -- during the first six months of 2012, up 2% from the previous six months, according to RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed properties.
And while the number of filings was down 11% from the first six months of 2011, 20 states still saw a marked year-over-year increase. Foreclosure filings in Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Connecticut, Florida and Illinois increased by 20% or more.

France, Germany tax evasion inquiries target Swiss bank clients

French and German authorities raid the offices and homes of Credit Suisse and UBS bank officials and their wealthy customers as part of an investigation.
By Kim Willsher, Los Angeles Times
July 11, 2012, 4:49 p.m.

French and German authorities target Swiss banks and their clients in a crackdown on tax evasion.

PARIS — France and Germany have launched a series of raids on the offices and homes of bank officials and their wealthy customers in an ongoing inquiry aimed at cracking down on those who evade taxes by using Swiss banks.

On Tuesday, German police searched the homes of an unspecified number of Credit Suisse bank customers suspected of tax evasion. In France, detectives raided the offices of Swiss banking and finance house UBS in three major cities: Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg.

Officials in both countries refused to say whether the raids were coordinated or coincidental.

Fewer Hollywood movie studios will show up for Comic-Con

Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate will attend the event this year, but 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures are skipping it.
By Ben Fritz, Los Angeles Times
July 11, 2012, 3:30 p.m.
Hollywood's movie studios are heading to Comic-Con with less spring in their step this year.
Stung by splashy presentations in the past that resulted in costly box-office duds like"Scott Pilgrim vs. the World"and"Green Lantern,"the major studios will not arrive in full force in San Diego for the annual event that begins Thursday.

Reacting to Fed Minutes, Indexes Dip but Recover

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 11, 2012
The stock market bounced back from an afternoon slump Wednesday after the Federal Reserve released disappointing minutes from its June meeting.

At the meeting, the most recent, Fed policy makers cited several threats to the United States economy, including a slowdown in China and a looming budget squeeze in Washington.

Egypt's President Morsi leaves for Saudi on 1st foreign trip

Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood has said his administration has no plans to 'export' Egypt'srevolution, an implicit reassurance to Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies, who have been nervous over the possibility of Arab Spring revolts reaching their shores.
By Hamza Hendawi, Associated Press / July 11, 2012

Egypt's Islamist president flew to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday at the start of his first foreign trip, underscoring the traditionally close ties between the two regional powerhouses.
Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood has said his administration has no plans to "export" Egypt'srevolution, an implicit reassurance to Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies, who have been nervous over the possibility of Arab Spring revolts reaching their shores.

He has also asserted his country's commitment to the security of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies, a thinly veiled reference to the tension between

Unable to Make It Work, Nets Halt Bid for Howard

By HOWARD BECK
Published: July 11, 2012

LAS VEGAS — The flirtation was fierce and enduring, covering many months and nearly the full range of human emotions: Dwight Howard wanted Brooklyn, and Brooklyn wanted Dwight Howard, badly.

Web Video Inflames Fight Over TV Fees

By SHALINI RAMACHANDRAN
July 11, 2012
The disappearance of Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central from the TV sets of 20 million American homes on Wednesday marked a line in the sand drawn by one of the biggest pay-TV distributors in a dispute over programming fees with a major entertainment company.

What might once have been a run-of-the-mill spat has taken on heightened importance because it

Vietnam War’s Legacy Is Vivid as Clinton Visits Laos

By JANE PERLEZ
Published: July 11, 2012

VIENTIANE, Laos — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made a brief stop on her Asia tour on Wednesday in Laos, the first visit by an American secretary of state here in 57 years and one that brought into stark relief the enduring legacy of the Vietnam War.
At an artificial-limb center, Mrs. Clinton met a 19-year-old who lost his forearms and eyesight when a bomb, dropped by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and unexploded for decades, finally blew up three years ago.

The young man, Phongsavath Sonilya, gesticulated with his arm stumps as he explained to Mrs. Clinton that more than three decades after the end of the war, not enough had been done to stop the use of cluster bombs and to support those who may be injured in the future by bombs still lying

Mitt Romney booed at NAACP. Could that be good for him?

Mitt Romney booed at NAACP. Could that be good for him? (+video)

The jeering started when Mitt Romney told the NAACP crowd that he would eliminate 'Obamacare.' Conservative analysts say the incident gives him credibility on the right and among independents.
By Peter Grier, Staff writer / July 11, 2012

Mitt Romney was booed on Wednesday while speaking at the NAACP annual meeting in Houston. The moment occurred a little past the halfway mark of the presumptive GOP nominee’s address, when he talked about what he’d do to curb government spending.
“I’m going to eliminate every nonessential expensive program I can find. That includes ‘Obamacare,’ ” said Romney.

NBA salary cap to stay at $58 million for upcoming season

Jul 10, 2012
By Kevin Connelly, USA TODAY

The NBA announced their salary cap and luxury tax for the 2012-13 season, which will remain the same as it was the past two seasons: $58.044 million for the salary cap and $70.307 million for the luxury tax threshold.

While the NBA's free agency period opened July 1, teams and players could only verbally agree to deals until the moratorium period ended.

As of 12:01 am EDT Wednesday, unofficial agreements can now become written contracts.

San Francisco plans to ban officials from buying Apple Macs

10 July 2012 by bbc news

City officials in San Francisco plan to block local government agencies from buying new Apple Macintosh computers.

The move follows the firm's decision to pull out of a green certification scheme designed to identify which electronic devices pose the least risk to the environment.

CIO Journal reported the ban was designed to encourage Apple to reconsider.

FBI warned U.S. Labor Department data might be leaked-report

Jul 11, 2012
(Reuters) - The U.S. Labor Department's recent tightening of security around sensitive economic data came after the FBI and market regulators expressed worries that the data could be leaked, according to a report posted on a government website on Tuesday.

The report highlighted concerns that financial institutions had in effect gained access to the Labor Department's press room to get an early glimpse of economic reports.

Man Admits to Plot to Bomb Pentagon

July 10, 2012
By EVAN PEREZ

A Massachusetts man plans to plead guilty to federal terrorism charges in a plot to bomb the Pentagon with a remote-controlled model airplane.
A plea agreement Rezwan Ferdaus signed was filed Tuesday by federal prosecutors in U.S. District Court in Boston. In it, he admitted to attempting to damage and destroy a federal building, and providing material support to terrorists.

Mr. Ferdaus's attorney confirmed the plea deal, which includes agreeing to accept a 17-year prison sentence, followed by 10 years of supervised release. The plea deal is contingent on approval by a federal judge, who has set a hearing for July 20.

Mr. Ferdaus, of Ashland, Mass., is a U.S. citizen and graduate of Northeastern University with a degree in physics, authorities said. He was arrested in September 2011 in a Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation in which FBI agents provided him fake explosives. The plot never posed a danger to the public because it was controlled by the agents, authorities said.

Annan says Iran must be player in Syria crisis talks

Annan says Iran must be player in Syria crisis talks
By Douglas Hamilton
BEIRUT | Wed Jul 11, 2012 4:35am IST

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (3rd R) meets U.N. Syria peace envoy Kofi Annan in Damascus July 9, 2012, in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA. With them are: Bouthaina Shaaban (R), adviser to Syria's president, and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem (2nd R). REUTERS-SANA

(Reuters) - U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan waded into big power politics on Tuesday, insisting regional heavyweight Iran should be involved in efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Syria crisis despite the West's firm rejection of a role for Tehran.

The United States and its NATO and Gulf Arab allies are opposed to involving the Islamic Republic, which strongly backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and is regarded as their main adversary in the Middle East.

Such diplomatic rifts have prevented effective international action to end the 16-month-old conflict in Syria.

Live: Verlander rocked in first, NL leads 8-0

Jul 10, 2012

Live: Verlander rocked in first, NL leads 8-0

Major League Baseball's 83rd All-Star game is set in Kansas City with the National League team going for its third-consecutive win.

The American League - which won the previous 12 games with a 2002 tie squeezed in - will look to regain home field advantage for the World Series.

BOX SCORE: NL 8, AL 0

Kansas City is hosting the Midsummer Classic for the third time and second at Kauffman Stadium. The city hosted the game in 1973 - when Kauffman was known as Royals Stadium - and 1960.

Euro wallows around two-year lows against dollar

By Lisa Twaronite
TOKYO | Wed Jul 11, 2012
(Reuters) - The euro wallowed around two-year lows against the dollar on Wednesday as investors waited to see if a German court would approve the use of euro zone's bailout fund to help contain the region's debt crisis.

The euro was changing hands at $1.2253, with Monday's EBS two-year low of $1.2225 in sight, opening the way to a test of $1.20 support. If that level is breached, the pair could move to test its June 2010 low of $1.1875.

Global stocks wary on China trade, Europe talks

Global stock markets monitor China June trade growth figures and Europe talks
2012/7/10
By Toby Sterling, Associated Press

<p> FILE -- In a July 3, 2012 file photo trader Stephen Holden, right, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday, July 3, 2012. The U.S. economy added a less than expected 80,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department said Friday July 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- Stock markets showed tentative signs of recovery Tuesday in spite of weak trade figures from China and nervousness over European finance ministers' progress at a meeting focused on easing Spain's banking crisis.
In early trading in Europe, Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.6 percent 5,663.38. France's CAC-40 was up 1.05 percent at 3,190.27 while Germany's DAX was also up 0.9 percent at 6,446.29. Futures augured slight gains on Wall Street. Dow futures were up 0.22 percent at 12,713 and S&P 500 futures were up slightly, 0.16 percent, at 1,351.30.

Justin Bieber Tweets Support To Usher Following Stepson's Jet Ski Accident'Climax' singer's stepson was declared 'brain dead'

BY HOLLY FRITH ON JULY 10, 2012

Justin Bieber Tweets Support To Usher Following Stepson's Jet Ski Accident'Climax' singer's stepson was declared 'brain dead'

Justin Bieber has offered his "prayers" to Usher and ex-wife Tameka Raymond after the 'Climax' singer's stepson was declared "brain dead" following a horrific jet ski accident last week.

Kyle Glover, 11 was hit by a jet ski last Friday (July 6) on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, Georgia. It's since been reported by TMZ that doctors have declared Kyle to be 'brain dead'.

Despite a messy split from his ex-wife, Usher is said to have flown to be by Tameka's side in the hospital on Saturday night. Usher and Tameka divorced back in 2009 but Us Weekly have reported that he is keen

Beyoncé's Ode to Frank Ocean: "Brave," "Fearless" for Revealing He Loved a Man

by Natalie Finn Mon., Jul. 10, 2012
Count Beyoncé among the celebs who have come out in support of Frank Ocean.
The pop star has posted an ode to the "Novacane" singer on her blog, celebrating his decision to open up about a relationship he had with a man when he was 19.
"Be fearless, be honest, be generous," begins Beyoncé's free-verse poem about Ocean, whose latest album, Channel Orange, debuted on iTunes tonight in advance of its July 17 hard-copy release.
MORE: Beyoncé's sister Solange Knowles among celebs singing Frank Ocean's praises
Beyoncé continued: "Be brave, be poetic, be open, be free, be yourself, be in love, be happy, be

Internet virus affects few, if any, Iowa customers

Jul 10, 2012

A publicity push to raise awareness about an expiring court order that would have potentially left many without Internet access Monday appears to have worked in Iowa, for the most part.

Des Moines metro area Internet providers said Monday they were not aware of any customers who lost access after the FBI took temporary servers offline at 11:01 p.m. CDT Sunday.

“We are not seeing any customer issues regarding the ... DNSChanger (virus),” said Mediacom’s Des

A Champion With Great Feeling

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY
Published: July 9, 2012
WIMBLEDON, England

The morning after had a melancholy feel this year at Wimbledon: more drizzle, empty picnic tables and bare patches in the lawn on Henman Hill, which would surely have needed a new name if Andy Murray had managed to give his Union Jacked fans what they were shouting for Sunday.

Reggie Jackson: 'When timing is proper, I'll return'

Jul 09, 2012
By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

Reggie Jackson has been banned indefinitely by the New York Yankees after he made disparaging comments about Alex Rodriguez published in last week's edition of Sports Illustrated.

Jackson confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that he has been asked to stay away from the team.

Said Jackson, choosing his words carefully: "The Yankees think that the timing is not right for me to be around the team right now. When the Yankees feel that the timing is proper, I'll return.''

Consumer bureau proposes rules for risky, high-cost mortgages

By Blake Ellis @CNNMoney July 9, 2012
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau proposed rules Monday aimed at protecting more borrowers from getting stuck with mortgages carrying high rates and fees or risky terms.
The government's consumer watchdog is seeking to allow more consumers to qualify for the protections offered by the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) by expanding the definition of what qualifies as a "high-cost mortgage." It's also offering more safeguards for these borrowers.

Amid Egypt president-army struggle

Amid Egypt president-army struggle, it's unclear who's in charge

With Egypt's president and military maneuvering against each other, Egyptians are left wondering who's running the country. Egypt President Mohamed Morsi and Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi

Egypt President Mohamed Morsi and Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi

By Jeffrey Fleishman and Reem Abdellatif, Los Angeles Times
July 10, 2012
CAIRO — The power struggle between Egypt's president and military leaders is becoming increasingly murky, leaving many Egyptians confused over who is running the country and whether laws and court rulings even apply amid the persistent political disarray.

January to June 2012 warmest first half of any year on record

July 9, 2012
By Michelle Castillo

(CBS News) January to June 2012 was the warmest first half of any year on record for the contiguous United States, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The average temperature during that period was at 52.9 degrees F, which is 4.5 degrees above the typical average. Twenty-eight states east of the Rockys were had record warm temperatures, with an additional 15 states in the top 10 for warm temperatures. Every state across the contiguous U.S. had

Obama Intensifies Tax Fight

President Calls for Extension of Bush Cuts for Some; High Earners Would See Increase
July 9, 2012
By LAURA MECKLER and DAMIAN PALETTA
WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama proposed a one-year extension of Bush-era tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 a year but would let them rise for wealthier Americans, a move that both shifts the election debate to tax rates and sets the table for a showdown with Republicans in Congress.

Mr. Obama's move didn't break new policy ground—he essentially repackaged his existing policy for the campaign season. Nor is it likely to pave the way for action from a deeply divided Congress already

Sluggers eager to show off in Home Run Derby

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com | 07/09/12
KANSAS CITY -- The Gold Balls? They've raised thousands of dollars for worthy causes since they became a pivotal part of the annual State Farm Home Run Derby.

The Gold Shoes? That's a new addition, courtesy of Matt Kemp.

Kemp debuted and donned the spectacular sneakers at the pre-Derby press conference here Monday, adding a little more flair to the pre-power proceedings.

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes Keeping Divorce Deal Strictly Confidential

BY MARY GREEN
Monday July 09, 2012
With reports swirling about everything from restrictions on Suri Cruise's nannies to her exposure to Scientology, Katie Holmes's lawyer warns the public to be wary of stories about the settlement with Tom Cruise.

"There are numerous inaccuracies in the reports regarding the purported contents of the agreement reached between the parties," says attorney Jonathan Wolfe. "The agreement is confidential and its terms will not be disclosed."

Holmes, 33, and Cruise, 50, announced on Monday morning that both sides had settled the divorce action just days after the actress filed

Jose Bautista is the Home Run Derby betting favorite

Jul 09, 2012

Jose Bautista is the Home Run Derby betting favorite

It will all come down to room service fastballs tonight but don't be surprised if Jose Bautista goes yard after yard.

The Blue Jays' star is the +350 favorite (on a $100 bet) to win the Home Run Derby tonight.

Samsung's tablet 'not as cool as iPad'

Samsung wins in UK and US as it overturns attempts by Apple to ban sales of tablet and Nexus smartphone
Charles Arthur and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 July 2012

Samsung won a victory over Apple in the UK high court as part of its world-spanning battle over intellectual property and design after a judge ruled the design of its Galaxy Tab isn't cool enough to be confused with an iPad.

The ruling, by Judge Colin Birss, means that Apple cannot stop the import or sale of the Galaxy Tab 10 under claims it has made that the designs are too close to those of the iPad.

Instead, Judge Birss ruled that Samsung's designs did not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design: "They are not as cool."

Mitt Romney raised $106 million in June

By Holly Bailey
July 9, 2012
Mitt Romney's campaign officially confirmed his record-breaking fundraising month in June, announcing Monday that he raised $106 million for his campaign and the Republican National Committee last month.

The total includes contributions to the Romney campaign and the Romney Victory Fund, a joint committee set up between the campaign and the RNC. According to a statement from the Romney campaign, the combined fundraising effort ended the month with more than $160 million cash on hand.

Government overpaid $14 billion in unemployment benefits

By Annalyn Censky | CNNMoney.com
Don't spend that unemployment check too fast. The government might ask you to pay it back.
Overpayments are a rampant problem in the unemployment insurance system. The federal government and states overpaid an estimated $14 billion in benefits in fiscal 2011, or roughly 11% of all the jobless benefits paid out, according to reports from the U.S. Labor Department.
Of the states, Indiana was the worst offender, making more improper payments than it did correct ones.

Wall Streeters Lose $2 Billion in 401(k) Bet on Own Firms

By Michael J. Moore | Bloomberg
Jul 9, 2012
Wall Street employees, who dispense financial advice to individuals and companies, aren't following a basic investing tenet with their own money: diversification.
Workers at the five largest Wall Street banks saw the value of company stock in their 401(k) accounts, sometimes the biggest holding of those plans, decline more than $2 billion last year, according to

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