BusinessKnowMoreMedia: August 2006 Archives

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Aug31	Schering-Plough Agrees to Pay $435 Million Marta Wells August 31, 2006 Know More: Pharmaceutical 2.0, Pharmaceutical Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP) has agreed to pay $435 million and will plead guilty to conspiracy to settle a federal investigation into its drug sales and marketing practices and its clinical trial programs. Schering-Plough said the settlement resolves an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston that began before a new management team took over at the company in April 2003. As part of the settlement, the drugmaker also said it would add a section to an existing corporate integrity agreement it has with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Know More about pharmaceuticals at ThePharmVoice.com. Posted at 11:25 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug31	Ford Considers Selling Aston Martin Marta Wells August 31, 2006 Ford Motor Co. (F), which owns the Aston Martin brand, considers selling all or a portion of this 92-year-old British auto brand. The company lost $1.4 billion on the first half of the year and has been shopping its Jaguar... Continue Reading Posted at 11:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Lockheed Wins Multibillion-Dollar Contract Marta Wells August 31, 2006 Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) won the contract to build a vehicle to replace NASA's space shuttles, put a human on the moon for the first time since 1972 and be the precursor to a manned spaceship to Mars, according to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	American Funds Fined $5 Million Marta Wells August 31, 2006 A NASD panel imposes a $5-million penalty, the first ever against American Funds for improper deals with brokerages, reports the LATimes.com. The fine comes from the firm paying improper incentives to brokerages that pushed the company's mutual funds to their clients.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:08 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wi-Fi Phones & eBay Owned Skype Marta Wells August 31, 2006 With Wi-Fi phones you can make calls for free or very low cost through Skype, the Internet telephone communications company recently acquired by eBay Inc. (EBAY). The latest in phones is the Wi-Fi device that can work in any spot that... Continue Reading Posted at 8:56 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	UPS Pilots Approve New Contract Marta Wells August 31, 2006 United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) pilots approved a new contract ending a lengthy battle that included threats of a walkout. The Independent Pilots Association reported that 56.5 percent of UPS pilots who voted approved of the deal with the world's... Continue Reading Posted at 8:43 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug30	GM Pulls 'Survivor' Sponsorship Marta Wells August 30, 2006 General Motors Corporation (GM) decided to end its sponsorship of the CBS hit series "Survivor" but they state it had nothing to do with the controversial decision to divide contestants in the upcoming season by race and ethnicity. The company... Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	MetLife Puts 80-Acre Manhattan Apartment Complex Up For Sale Marta Wells August 30, 2006 MetLife Inc. (MET) has put up the Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village complex on Manhattan's East Side, a multibillion dollar property, for sale with some of the biggest names in real estate as possible buyers, according to this MSNBC.com article. The... Continue Reading Posted at 7:07 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wal-Mart Goes Upscale Marta Wells August 30, 2006 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is moving into the last untouched market in their enormous growth-the urban and upscale suburban markets. They are coming at it from two angles-changing their image with urban politicians and anti-Wal-Mart activists and adding upscale goods... Continue Reading Posted at 4:41 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Samsung Launches Ultra Edition 3G Handsets in Europe Marta Wells August 30, 2006 Samsung Mobile launches a new line of 3G mobile phones as part of their Ultra Edition design. The launch took place at the Louvre Museum in Paris and includes the world's slimmest 3G mobile handset ever, the Ultra Edition 8.4.... Continue Reading Posted at 2:44 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Meal Assembly Kitchens Trend Takes Off Marta Wells August 30, 2006 With names like My Girlfriend's Kitchen, Dinner Divas, Dream Dinners and Dinner My Way the meal assembly kitchen franchise business has really taken off. With life getting more and more busy people are turning to these national chains to help... Continue Reading Posted at 7:48 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Amtrak Hires New CEO After Firing President Marta Wells August 30, 2006 Alexander Kummant has been named president and chief executive by Amtrak's board of directores. He will assume the job Sept. 12 and will be replacing David L. Gunn, who was fired last November. Kummant is a veteran railroad and industrial... Continue Reading Posted at 7:31 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug29	H&R Block Lawsuit Settled For $39 Million Marta Wells August 29, 2006 A federal judge has approved a $39 million settlement against H&R Block Inc. (HRB) by customers who claimed they paid too much for refund anticipation loans. Block has agreed to pay in cash in addition to an estimated $850,000 in... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Google CEO Joins Apple's Board of Directors Marta Wells August 29, 2006 Google Inc. (GOOG) CEO Eric Schmidt is named to Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL)'s board of directors today, creating a link between two of Silicon Valley's most prized companies moving towards a toppling of Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), as Newsweek.com likes to... Continue Reading Posted at 10:49 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Why Are Democrats Bashing Wal-Mart? Marta Wells August 29, 2006 Newsweek columnist Robert J. Samuelson surmises that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) are receiving a bashing from Democrats under the idea that America's political culture demands at least one hideous corporate villian to villify in the upcoming elections. In the recent past... Continue Reading Posted at 10:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Apple Ordered By Japan To Investigage Laptops Marta Wells August 29, 2006 Japanese authorities reported the first case of an Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) laptop catching fire in Japan and ordered the U.S. company to investigate the trouble involving faulty Sony batteries and to report back within a week, according to this... Continue Reading Posted at 3:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug28	Prudential Avoids Fund Trial By Agreeing to Pay $600 Million Marta Wells August 28, 2006 Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU), insurance giant, agrees through one of its subsidiary to pay $600 million in fines and restitution to avoid being prosecuted on charges that it helped favored customers to make improper mutual fund trades, as reported by... Continue Reading Posted at 10:56 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	In-Q-Tel Hires Intel Corp. Manager As New CEO Marta Wells August 28, 2006 The WashingtonPost.com reports that In-Q-Tel has hired Christopher A. R. Darby as their new chief executive, a former manager at Intel Corp. (INTC) with a background in cyber security. In-Q-Tel, an Arlington-based not-for-profit organization, was created by the CIA in... Continue Reading Posted at 9:13 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug25	Microsoft Modifies Office 2007 After Complaints Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) tried a different approach in their Office 2007after dropping their Window's drop-down menu in favor of the ribbon, which displayed menu options in a strip across the top of the screen. The approach has been nixed due... Continue Reading Posted at 10:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Verizon and BellSouth DSL Customers Denied Price Cuts Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and BellSouth Corp. (BLS) DSL customers won't see a reduction in their bills despite an elimination of a special fee that had been added on to pay for a federal program. Last year, the Federal Communications... Continue Reading Posted at 10:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Rubin Resigns From Ford Board Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Ford Motor Co. (F) announced that former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin has resigned from the board citing a potential conflict of interest with his duties as a member of the chairman's office at the banking company Citigroup Inc.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:47 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Northwest Moves to Block Strike Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK) goes to court to attempt a last minute block fo the strike flight attendants have threatened to carry out. After the ruling last week by bankruptcy Judge Allan L. Gropper in favor of the attendants, stating... Continue Reading Posted at 7:59 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug24	Apple Computer and Creative Technology Settle Lawsuit Marta Wells August 24, 2006 Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) will pay $100 million for a license to use Creative Technology Ltd.'s (CREAF) patented technology in its iPod music player, settling their legal disputes, as reported by MSNBC.com. Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the agreement... Continue Reading Posted at 6:44 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Capitalist Wal-Mart Meets Communist China Marta Wells August 24, 2006 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) has fought efforts to form unions in its worldwide operations since its beginning but in recent weeks it has agreed to work with the state-sanctioned labor federation to allow unions in its China outlets, with its... Continue Reading Posted at 6:26 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	McDonald's Number Two Executive Resigns Abruptly Marta Wells August 24, 2006 McDonald's Corp. (MCD) shares are holding steady after the recent and abrupt resignation of No. 2 executive Mike Roberts, a 29-year veteran of the company. Ralph Alvarez, is likely being groomed to someday succeed Jim Skinner, CEO, and become the... Continue Reading Posted at 6:07 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Rite Aid Will Acquire Brooks, Eckerd Marta Wells August 24, 2006 Rite Aid Corporation (RAD) announced that it will acquire and rename Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains, both of which are owned by the same company, Jean Coutu Group of Quebec. This acquisition would further consolidate this retail pharmacy industry that... Continue Reading Posted at 3:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Barr Laboratories Given Approval For OTC Sales of Plan B Marta Wells August 24, 2006 The Food and Drug Administration has approved an application by Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BRL) to make Plan B, commonly refered to as the 'morning-after pill,' available to women 18 and older without a prescription. Women will be required to show... Continue Reading Posted at 2:38 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug23	Yahoo and Points Economy Marta Wells August 23, 2006 Loopholes and inefficiencies abound in the Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) 'points economy' of Internet search leading to free service questions such as "Is the sky blue?" A points economy is like a regular economy, with currency being points, not actual currency. Although... Continue Reading Posted at 5:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Tower Records Bankrupt and Up For Auction Marta Wells August 23, 2006 Tower Records, is up for sale in bankruptcy court, left behind by consumers who have turned to digital music and big-box superstores and their discounted prices. The shift in how people buy music signals corporate problems for Tower, started in... Continue Reading Posted at 4:57 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Harman Without A CEO Marta Wells August 23, 2006 Although Sidney Harman, chairman of Harman International Industries Inc. (HAR), has never given up running the company he founded, at 88 years old he himself admits that the search for a new CEO, after the sudden departure of Douglas A.... Continue Reading Posted at 4:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug22	Ford Soon To Unveil New Truck Series Marta Wells August 22, 2006 Ford Motor Co. (F) will soon unveil its new series of large F-Series pick up trucks with a 6.4 -liter diesel engine that boasts better fuel economy. It will also comly with new federal regulations for diesel engines that call... Continue Reading Posted at 10:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug21	Pixar Software Put To Work By NASA Marta Wells August 21, 2006 Pixar, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Co. (DIS), has inspired NASA to send some of its employees to a movie matinee-just to see what their Hollywood counterparts are up to. NASA Goddard Space Center employee Horace Mitchell states, in this WashingtonPost.com article,... Continue Reading Posted at 12:52 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug17	Boeing Will End In-Flight Internet Access Marta Wells August 17, 2006 Boeing Co. (BA) announced that it will end its in-flight Internet service, Connexion, stating the reason as the market for it hasn't progressed fast enough to warrant keeping it. The cost was $26.95 for long flights or $9.95 an hour. The... Continue Reading Posted at 4:26 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Judge Refuses to Block Northwest Airlines Strike Marta Wells August 17, 2006 Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK) was denied a request to block a strike by its flight attendants by a federal bankruptcy judge. The strike could begin as early as Aug. 25. Northwest reported they would appeal. Newsweek.com reports flight attendants have... Continue Reading Posted at 3:13 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Merck Ordered to Pay $51 Million In Vioxx Case Marta Wells August 17, 2006 In its fourth loss in nine trials Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) is ordered to pay $51 million to a former FBI agent because its Vioxx painkiller caused his heart attack. The painkiller was pulled from the market in 2004 after... Continue Reading Posted at 1:54 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	New Orleans Hotel Chained Sued By Workers Marta Wells August 17, 2006 Decatur Hotels LLC. is being sued by Latin Americans hired as "guest workers" contending that they were recruited with false promises of good earnings but have been left with thousands of dollars of debt for the cost of visas, recruitment fees,... Continue Reading Posted at 1:27 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	AOL Announces Dramatic New Business Plan Marta Wells August 17, 2006 AOL Time Warner Inc. (TWX) laid off a quarter of its workforce and then went on a shopping spree to pick up two new companies hoping to entice new users to its AOL.com Web site, as reported by the WashingtonPost.com. The companies... Continue Reading Posted at 10:07 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug16	Sprint and Verizon Get In On Cellphone Advertising Marta Wells August 16, 2006 Will cellphones overtake the Internet? With the latest phones equipped with Internet access the wireless giants in the U.S. are overcoming years of hesitation to allow advertising on their cellphone networks. Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) is just one of the... Continue Reading Posted at 5:02 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug15	Nationwide Insurance Wins Katrina Insurance Lawsuit Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Nationwide Mutual Insurance, although privately held, has a publicly traded subsidiary Nationwide Financial Services Inc. (NFS) is off the hook and will not have to cover damages to property caused by Katrina flood waters according to a federal judge's ruling.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Dell Recalls 4.1 Million Batteries for Laptops Due to Fire Hazard Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Dell Inc. (DELL) announced that it is recalling 4.1 million lithium-ion batteries for laptop computers due to several incidents where the batteries burst into flames damaging property. This recall, one of the biggest safety recalls in the history of consumer... Continue Reading Posted at 3:47 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Struggling Mills Corp.Sells Stakes to Canadian Firm Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Mills Corp. (MLS), in a move to stay afloat, sells its interests in three foreign malls--Vaughan Mills, St. Enoch Centre, and Madrid Xanadu, to a Candian firm. The WashingtonPost.com states in a recent article that the deal is expected to... Continue Reading Posted at 3:33 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Pepsico Appoints Female CEO Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Pepsico Inc. (PEP) announced that president and chief financial officer Indra Nooyi will replace Steve Reinemund, who will retain the title of chairman and remain on the board until May. This places her second in the top female executives in charge... Continue Reading Posted at 3:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug10	Viacom Stands Behind Degrading Cartoon Marta Wells August 10, 2006 Viacom Inc. (VIA-B) released a statement this week defending an episode "Where My Dogs At?", and animated program that depicted black women being led around on leashes on all fours. as social satire. This MSNBC.com article states: The cartoon has drawn... Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Fannie Mae Estimates a Third of Outstanding Mortgage Debt is Set At An Adjustable Rate Marta Wells August 10, 2006 Fannie Mae (FNM), the country's largest source for home mortgage funding has made that estimate while Consolidated Credit Counseling Services estimates that up to 10 percent of those seeking counseling are hurting from adjustable-rate mortgages or home equity loans. This... Continue Reading Posted at 2:03 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Heightened Security at Airports Leads to Carry On Restrictions Marta Wells August 10, 2006 If you want to take any of your makeup, lotions, shampoos and other liquid items you will need to check your bag. Security checkpoint lines snake around airports as travelers have their carry on luggage searched and liquid contents removed... Continue Reading Posted at 12:22 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 9	Toyota's Luxury Brand, Lexus, Tops Dependability Study Marta Wells August 9, 2006 Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) and their luxury brand Lexus, won top honors in eight categories of a closely watched vehicle dependability study. Lexus was the top-ranked nameplate for the 12th consecutive year. It was followed by Ford Motor Co.'s (F)... Continue Reading Posted at 2:28 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wal-Mart, Ford and More Advertising in College Papers Marta Wells August 9, 2006 The newspaper industry has been losing the attention of young readers but the trend hasn't translated to one segment of the industry:college papers. Big advertisers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Ford Motor Co. (F) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) are going... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Johnson & Johnson Gets Big Tax Break Marta Wells August 9, 2006 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are buying products such as Benadryl and Visine from their current owner, Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and will be receiving a tax break of at least a quarter of the $16.6 billion cost, according to this Newsweek.com article.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:32 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Fannie Mae Not Able to File On Time Marta Wells August 9, 2006 Fannie Mae (FNM), a giant in the mortgage arena, informed the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would not be able to file its second quarter financial report on time. They didn't even request a five-day extension since they said... Continue Reading Posted at 9:59 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 8	Aramark Agrees to $6.3 Billion Buyout Marta Wells August 8, 2006 Food service company ARAMARK Corp. (RMK), voted Fortune America's Most Admired Companies 2006 #1 Industry Champion, has agreed to be acquired by an investment group led by its longtime chief executive for $6.3 billion. Aramark shareholders will get $33.80 in... Continue Reading Posted at 2:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 7	Martha Stewart Reaches Settlement Marta Wells August 7, 2006 Besides being ordered to pay $195,000 in fines she is also barred from serving as a the director of a public company for fiver years, including Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (MSO), under an agreement announced by the Securities and... Continue Reading Posted at 5:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	BP Oil Field Shut Down Spikes Oil Prices Worldwide Marta Wells August 7, 2006 BP Oil plc (BP) announced that it was shutting down its Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska following the discovery of a small leak and corrosion in a pipeline, according to this WashingtonPost.com article. With oil prices already under severe pressure... Continue Reading Posted at 4:55 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 4	Ford Recalls 1.2 Million Vehicles Marta Wells August 4, 2006 Ford Motor Co.(F), already reeling from business setbacks, has recalled 1.2 million trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans amid concerns about potential engine fires. The speed control deactivation switch system, which could corrode over time, overheats and ignites, and is... Continue Reading Posted at 9:16 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 3	Coca-Cola, Microsoft and IBM Top Three Brands Marta Wells August 3, 2006 According to this BusinessWeekOnline.com article Coca-Cola Co. (KO), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) are one, two and three in the 100 Top Brands annual survey compiled by BusinessWeek and Interbrand. There are hot brands on the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:16 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Apple's Profits Bite? Marta Wells August 3, 2006 Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) has issued a warning that they might need to revise their profits dating back to 2002. The stock option scandal worsens but without providing any specifics the California based maker of iPod and Macintosh computers said it... Continue Reading Posted at 8:45 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Microsoft Asks Hackers to Test Vista Marta Wells August 3, 2006 Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has invited some of the world's best-known computer experts to take a stab at Vista, the next generation of its Windows operating system. This tactic is new and a direct result of the embarrassing security snafus they... Continue Reading Posted at 4:31 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 2	Real Estate Auctions Don't Equal Bargains Marta Wells August 2, 2006 According to this Sun-Sentinal.com article auctions are fast becoming a popular way to buy and sell property but don't expect bargains or you might be dissappointed. The article states: Residential home auctions are becoming popular with sellers nationwide, as properties are... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Can Alcohol Save Floyd Landis? Marta Wells August 2, 2006 According to this WallStreetJournal Online article, that might just be what Landis hopes. Floyd Landis says he drank two beers and "at least" four shots of whiskey after the worst day of his professional career. This might cost him the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:23 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 1	Cool Your Heels With Haute Hosiery Marta Wells August 1, 2006 Sock designer Vivek Nagrani has contributed immensely to the switch from power tie to power sock. "Men who dress up are beginning to treat the socks like they started treating ties 20 years ago," says Trish McHale, the executive vice president... Continue Reading Posted at 11:36 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Toyota Trounces Ford For First Time Marta Wells August 1, 2006 For the first time Toyota Motor Corp. (TOYOF.PK) beat out Ford Motor Co. (F) in sales in the United States last month. Toyota sold 241,826 cars and trucks, up 11.7 percent from last year. Ford had sales of 239,989, down 34... Continue Reading Posted at 10:51 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Will Harry Potter Die? Marta Wells August 1, 2006 And if so what would that do to the huge market of Harry Potter products if he were to be killed off in the seventh and final book in the series? J.K. Rowling hasn't given anything away other than two... Continue Reading Posted at 3:01 PM \| Permalink \| Comments

« July 2006 | Main | September 2006 »

Aug31	Schering-Plough Agrees to Pay $435 Million Marta Wells August 31, 2006 Know More: Pharmaceutical 2.0, Pharmaceutical Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP) has agreed to pay $435 million and will plead guilty to conspiracy to settle a federal investigation into its drug sales and marketing practices and its clinical trial programs. Schering-Plough said the settlement resolves an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston that began before a new management team took over at the company in April 2003. As part of the settlement, the drugmaker also said it would add a section to an existing corporate integrity agreement it has with the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Know More about pharmaceuticals at ThePharmVoice.com. Posted at 11:25 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug31	Ford Considers Selling Aston Martin Marta Wells August 31, 2006 Ford Motor Co. (F), which owns the Aston Martin brand, considers selling all or a portion of this 92-year-old British auto brand. The company lost $1.4 billion on the first half of the year and has been shopping its Jaguar... Continue Reading Posted at 11:18 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Lockheed Wins Multibillion-Dollar Contract Marta Wells August 31, 2006 Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) won the contract to build a vehicle to replace NASA's space shuttles, put a human on the moon for the first time since 1972 and be the precursor to a manned spaceship to Mars, according to... Continue Reading Posted at 9:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	American Funds Fined $5 Million Marta Wells August 31, 2006 A NASD panel imposes a $5-million penalty, the first ever against American Funds for improper deals with brokerages, reports the LATimes.com. The fine comes from the firm paying improper incentives to brokerages that pushed the company's mutual funds to their clients.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:08 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wi-Fi Phones & eBay Owned Skype Marta Wells August 31, 2006 With Wi-Fi phones you can make calls for free or very low cost through Skype, the Internet telephone communications company recently acquired by eBay Inc. (EBAY). The latest in phones is the Wi-Fi device that can work in any spot that... Continue Reading Posted at 8:56 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	UPS Pilots Approve New Contract Marta Wells August 31, 2006 United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) pilots approved a new contract ending a lengthy battle that included threats of a walkout. The Independent Pilots Association reported that 56.5 percent of UPS pilots who voted approved of the deal with the world's... Continue Reading Posted at 8:43 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug30	GM Pulls 'Survivor' Sponsorship Marta Wells August 30, 2006 General Motors Corporation (GM) decided to end its sponsorship of the CBS hit series "Survivor" but they state it had nothing to do with the controversial decision to divide contestants in the upcoming season by race and ethnicity. The company... Continue Reading Posted at 7:19 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	MetLife Puts 80-Acre Manhattan Apartment Complex Up For Sale Marta Wells August 30, 2006 MetLife Inc. (MET) has put up the Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village complex on Manhattan's East Side, a multibillion dollar property, for sale with some of the biggest names in real estate as possible buyers, according to this MSNBC.com article. The... Continue Reading Posted at 7:07 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wal-Mart Goes Upscale Marta Wells August 30, 2006 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) is moving into the last untouched market in their enormous growth-the urban and upscale suburban markets. They are coming at it from two angles-changing their image with urban politicians and anti-Wal-Mart activists and adding upscale goods... Continue Reading Posted at 4:41 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Samsung Launches Ultra Edition 3G Handsets in Europe Marta Wells August 30, 2006 Samsung Mobile launches a new line of 3G mobile phones as part of their Ultra Edition design. The launch took place at the Louvre Museum in Paris and includes the world's slimmest 3G mobile handset ever, the Ultra Edition 8.4.... Continue Reading Posted at 2:44 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Meal Assembly Kitchens Trend Takes Off Marta Wells August 30, 2006 With names like My Girlfriend's Kitchen, Dinner Divas, Dream Dinners and Dinner My Way the meal assembly kitchen franchise business has really taken off. With life getting more and more busy people are turning to these national chains to help... Continue Reading Posted at 7:48 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Amtrak Hires New CEO After Firing President Marta Wells August 30, 2006 Alexander Kummant has been named president and chief executive by Amtrak's board of directores. He will assume the job Sept. 12 and will be replacing David L. Gunn, who was fired last November. Kummant is a veteran railroad and industrial... Continue Reading Posted at 7:31 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug29	H&R Block Lawsuit Settled For $39 Million Marta Wells August 29, 2006 A federal judge has approved a $39 million settlement against H&R Block Inc. (HRB) by customers who claimed they paid too much for refund anticipation loans. Block has agreed to pay in cash in addition to an estimated $850,000 in... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Google CEO Joins Apple's Board of Directors Marta Wells August 29, 2006 Google Inc. (GOOG) CEO Eric Schmidt is named to Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL)'s board of directors today, creating a link between two of Silicon Valley's most prized companies moving towards a toppling of Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), as Newsweek.com likes to... Continue Reading Posted at 10:49 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Why Are Democrats Bashing Wal-Mart? Marta Wells August 29, 2006 Newsweek columnist Robert J. Samuelson surmises that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) are receiving a bashing from Democrats under the idea that America's political culture demands at least one hideous corporate villian to villify in the upcoming elections. In the recent past... Continue Reading Posted at 10:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Apple Ordered By Japan To Investigage Laptops Marta Wells August 29, 2006 Japanese authorities reported the first case of an Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) laptop catching fire in Japan and ordered the U.S. company to investigate the trouble involving faulty Sony batteries and to report back within a week, according to this... Continue Reading Posted at 3:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug28	Prudential Avoids Fund Trial By Agreeing to Pay $600 Million Marta Wells August 28, 2006 Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU), insurance giant, agrees through one of its subsidiary to pay $600 million in fines and restitution to avoid being prosecuted on charges that it helped favored customers to make improper mutual fund trades, as reported by... Continue Reading Posted at 10:56 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	In-Q-Tel Hires Intel Corp. Manager As New CEO Marta Wells August 28, 2006 The WashingtonPost.com reports that In-Q-Tel has hired Christopher A. R. Darby as their new chief executive, a former manager at Intel Corp. (INTC) with a background in cyber security. In-Q-Tel, an Arlington-based not-for-profit organization, was created by the CIA in... Continue Reading Posted at 9:13 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug25	Microsoft Modifies Office 2007 After Complaints Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) tried a different approach in their Office 2007after dropping their Window's drop-down menu in favor of the ribbon, which displayed menu options in a strip across the top of the screen. The approach has been nixed due... Continue Reading Posted at 10:28 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Verizon and BellSouth DSL Customers Denied Price Cuts Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and BellSouth Corp. (BLS) DSL customers won't see a reduction in their bills despite an elimination of a special fee that had been added on to pay for a federal program. Last year, the Federal Communications... Continue Reading Posted at 10:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Rubin Resigns From Ford Board Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Ford Motor Co. (F) announced that former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin has resigned from the board citing a potential conflict of interest with his duties as a member of the chairman's office at the banking company Citigroup Inc.... Continue Reading Posted at 9:47 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Northwest Moves to Block Strike Marta Wells August 25, 2006 Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK) goes to court to attempt a last minute block fo the strike flight attendants have threatened to carry out. After the ruling last week by bankruptcy Judge Allan L. Gropper in favor of the attendants, stating... Continue Reading Posted at 7:59 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug24	Apple Computer and Creative Technology Settle Lawsuit Marta Wells August 24, 2006 Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) will pay $100 million for a license to use Creative Technology Ltd.'s (CREAF) patented technology in its iPod music player, settling their legal disputes, as reported by MSNBC.com. Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said the agreement... Continue Reading Posted at 6:44 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Capitalist Wal-Mart Meets Communist China Marta Wells August 24, 2006 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) has fought efforts to form unions in its worldwide operations since its beginning but in recent weeks it has agreed to work with the state-sanctioned labor federation to allow unions in its China outlets, with its... Continue Reading Posted at 6:26 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	McDonald's Number Two Executive Resigns Abruptly Marta Wells August 24, 2006 McDonald's Corp. (MCD) shares are holding steady after the recent and abrupt resignation of No. 2 executive Mike Roberts, a 29-year veteran of the company. Ralph Alvarez, is likely being groomed to someday succeed Jim Skinner, CEO, and become the... Continue Reading Posted at 6:07 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Rite Aid Will Acquire Brooks, Eckerd Marta Wells August 24, 2006 Rite Aid Corporation (RAD) announced that it will acquire and rename Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains, both of which are owned by the same company, Jean Coutu Group of Quebec. This acquisition would further consolidate this retail pharmacy industry that... Continue Reading Posted at 3:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Barr Laboratories Given Approval For OTC Sales of Plan B Marta Wells August 24, 2006 The Food and Drug Administration has approved an application by Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BRL) to make Plan B, commonly refered to as the 'morning-after pill,' available to women 18 and older without a prescription. Women will be required to show... Continue Reading Posted at 2:38 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug23	Yahoo and Points Economy Marta Wells August 23, 2006 Loopholes and inefficiencies abound in the Yahoo! Inc. (YHOO) 'points economy' of Internet search leading to free service questions such as "Is the sky blue?" A points economy is like a regular economy, with currency being points, not actual currency. Although... Continue Reading Posted at 5:34 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Tower Records Bankrupt and Up For Auction Marta Wells August 23, 2006 Tower Records, is up for sale in bankruptcy court, left behind by consumers who have turned to digital music and big-box superstores and their discounted prices. The shift in how people buy music signals corporate problems for Tower, started in... Continue Reading Posted at 4:57 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Harman Without A CEO Marta Wells August 23, 2006 Although Sidney Harman, chairman of Harman International Industries Inc. (HAR), has never given up running the company he founded, at 88 years old he himself admits that the search for a new CEO, after the sudden departure of Douglas A.... Continue Reading Posted at 4:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug22	Ford Soon To Unveil New Truck Series Marta Wells August 22, 2006 Ford Motor Co. (F) will soon unveil its new series of large F-Series pick up trucks with a 6.4 -liter diesel engine that boasts better fuel economy. It will also comly with new federal regulations for diesel engines that call... Continue Reading Posted at 10:15 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug21	Pixar Software Put To Work By NASA Marta Wells August 21, 2006 Pixar, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Co. (DIS), has inspired NASA to send some of its employees to a movie matinee-just to see what their Hollywood counterparts are up to. NASA Goddard Space Center employee Horace Mitchell states, in this WashingtonPost.com article,... Continue Reading Posted at 12:52 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug17	Boeing Will End In-Flight Internet Access Marta Wells August 17, 2006 Boeing Co. (BA) announced that it will end its in-flight Internet service, Connexion, stating the reason as the market for it hasn't progressed fast enough to warrant keeping it. The cost was $26.95 for long flights or $9.95 an hour. The... Continue Reading Posted at 4:26 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Judge Refuses to Block Northwest Airlines Strike Marta Wells August 17, 2006 Northwest Airlines Corp. (NWACQ.PK) was denied a request to block a strike by its flight attendants by a federal bankruptcy judge. The strike could begin as early as Aug. 25. Northwest reported they would appeal. Newsweek.com reports flight attendants have... Continue Reading Posted at 3:13 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Merck Ordered to Pay $51 Million In Vioxx Case Marta Wells August 17, 2006 In its fourth loss in nine trials Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) is ordered to pay $51 million to a former FBI agent because its Vioxx painkiller caused his heart attack. The painkiller was pulled from the market in 2004 after... Continue Reading Posted at 1:54 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	New Orleans Hotel Chained Sued By Workers Marta Wells August 17, 2006 Decatur Hotels LLC. is being sued by Latin Americans hired as "guest workers" contending that they were recruited with false promises of good earnings but have been left with thousands of dollars of debt for the cost of visas, recruitment fees,... Continue Reading Posted at 1:27 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	AOL Announces Dramatic New Business Plan Marta Wells August 17, 2006 AOL Time Warner Inc. (TWX) laid off a quarter of its workforce and then went on a shopping spree to pick up two new companies hoping to entice new users to its AOL.com Web site, as reported by the WashingtonPost.com. The companies... Continue Reading Posted at 10:07 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug16	Sprint and Verizon Get In On Cellphone Advertising Marta Wells August 16, 2006 Will cellphones overtake the Internet? With the latest phones equipped with Internet access the wireless giants in the U.S. are overcoming years of hesitation to allow advertising on their cellphone networks. Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) is just one of the... Continue Reading Posted at 5:02 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug15	Nationwide Insurance Wins Katrina Insurance Lawsuit Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Nationwide Mutual Insurance, although privately held, has a publicly traded subsidiary Nationwide Financial Services Inc. (NFS) is off the hook and will not have to cover damages to property caused by Katrina flood waters according to a federal judge's ruling.... Continue Reading Posted at 7:33 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Dell Recalls 4.1 Million Batteries for Laptops Due to Fire Hazard Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Dell Inc. (DELL) announced that it is recalling 4.1 million lithium-ion batteries for laptop computers due to several incidents where the batteries burst into flames damaging property. This recall, one of the biggest safety recalls in the history of consumer... Continue Reading Posted at 3:47 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Struggling Mills Corp.Sells Stakes to Canadian Firm Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Mills Corp. (MLS), in a move to stay afloat, sells its interests in three foreign malls--Vaughan Mills, St. Enoch Centre, and Madrid Xanadu, to a Candian firm. The WashingtonPost.com states in a recent article that the deal is expected to... Continue Reading Posted at 3:33 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Pepsico Appoints Female CEO Marta Wells August 15, 2006 Pepsico Inc. (PEP) announced that president and chief financial officer Indra Nooyi will replace Steve Reinemund, who will retain the title of chairman and remain on the board until May. This places her second in the top female executives in charge... Continue Reading Posted at 3:15 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug10	Viacom Stands Behind Degrading Cartoon Marta Wells August 10, 2006 Viacom Inc. (VIA-B) released a statement this week defending an episode "Where My Dogs At?", and animated program that depicted black women being led around on leashes on all fours. as social satire. This MSNBC.com article states: The cartoon has drawn... Continue Reading Posted at 9:52 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Fannie Mae Estimates a Third of Outstanding Mortgage Debt is Set At An Adjustable Rate Marta Wells August 10, 2006 Fannie Mae (FNM), the country's largest source for home mortgage funding has made that estimate while Consolidated Credit Counseling Services estimates that up to 10 percent of those seeking counseling are hurting from adjustable-rate mortgages or home equity loans. This... Continue Reading Posted at 2:03 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Heightened Security at Airports Leads to Carry On Restrictions Marta Wells August 10, 2006 If you want to take any of your makeup, lotions, shampoos and other liquid items you will need to check your bag. Security checkpoint lines snake around airports as travelers have their carry on luggage searched and liquid contents removed... Continue Reading Posted at 12:22 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 9	Toyota's Luxury Brand, Lexus, Tops Dependability Study Marta Wells August 9, 2006 Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) and their luxury brand Lexus, won top honors in eight categories of a closely watched vehicle dependability study. Lexus was the top-ranked nameplate for the 12th consecutive year. It was followed by Ford Motor Co.'s (F)... Continue Reading Posted at 2:28 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Wal-Mart, Ford and More Advertising in College Papers Marta Wells August 9, 2006 The newspaper industry has been losing the attention of young readers but the trend hasn't translated to one segment of the industry:college papers. Big advertisers like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Ford Motor Co. (F) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) are going... Continue Reading Posted at 12:00 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Johnson & Johnson Gets Big Tax Break Marta Wells August 9, 2006 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are buying products such as Benadryl and Visine from their current owner, Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and will be receiving a tax break of at least a quarter of the $16.6 billion cost, according to this Newsweek.com article.... Continue Reading Posted at 10:32 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Fannie Mae Not Able to File On Time Marta Wells August 9, 2006 Fannie Mae (FNM), a giant in the mortgage arena, informed the Securities and Exchange Commission that it would not be able to file its second quarter financial report on time. They didn't even request a five-day extension since they said... Continue Reading Posted at 9:59 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 8	Aramark Agrees to $6.3 Billion Buyout Marta Wells August 8, 2006 Food service company ARAMARK Corp. (RMK), voted Fortune America's Most Admired Companies 2006 #1 Industry Champion, has agreed to be acquired by an investment group led by its longtime chief executive for $6.3 billion. Aramark shareholders will get $33.80 in... Continue Reading Posted at 2:35 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 7	Martha Stewart Reaches Settlement Marta Wells August 7, 2006 Besides being ordered to pay $195,000 in fines she is also barred from serving as a the director of a public company for fiver years, including Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. (MSO), under an agreement announced by the Securities and... Continue Reading Posted at 5:12 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	BP Oil Field Shut Down Spikes Oil Prices Worldwide Marta Wells August 7, 2006 BP Oil plc (BP) announced that it was shutting down its Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska following the discovery of a small leak and corrosion in a pipeline, according to this WashingtonPost.com article. With oil prices already under severe pressure... Continue Reading Posted at 4:55 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 4	Ford Recalls 1.2 Million Vehicles Marta Wells August 4, 2006 Ford Motor Co.(F), already reeling from business setbacks, has recalled 1.2 million trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans amid concerns about potential engine fires. The speed control deactivation switch system, which could corrode over time, overheats and ignites, and is... Continue Reading Posted at 9:16 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 3	Coca-Cola, Microsoft and IBM Top Three Brands Marta Wells August 3, 2006 According to this BusinessWeekOnline.com article Coca-Cola Co. (KO), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) are one, two and three in the 100 Top Brands annual survey compiled by BusinessWeek and Interbrand. There are hot brands on the... Continue Reading Posted at 9:16 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Apple's Profits Bite? Marta Wells August 3, 2006 Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL) has issued a warning that they might need to revise their profits dating back to 2002. The stock option scandal worsens but without providing any specifics the California based maker of iPod and Macintosh computers said it... Continue Reading Posted at 8:45 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Microsoft Asks Hackers to Test Vista Marta Wells August 3, 2006 Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has invited some of the world's best-known computer experts to take a stab at Vista, the next generation of its Windows operating system. This tactic is new and a direct result of the embarrassing security snafus they... Continue Reading Posted at 4:31 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 2	Real Estate Auctions Don't Equal Bargains Marta Wells August 2, 2006 According to this Sun-Sentinal.com article auctions are fast becoming a popular way to buy and sell property but don't expect bargains or you might be dissappointed. The article states: Residential home auctions are becoming popular with sellers nationwide, as properties are... Continue Reading Posted at 11:00 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Can Alcohol Save Floyd Landis? Marta Wells August 2, 2006 According to this WallStreetJournal Online article, that might just be what Landis hopes. Floyd Landis says he drank two beers and "at least" four shots of whiskey after the worst day of his professional career. This might cost him the... Continue Reading Posted at 10:23 AM \| Permalink \| Comments
Aug 1	Cool Your Heels With Haute Hosiery Marta Wells August 1, 2006 Sock designer Vivek Nagrani has contributed immensely to the switch from power tie to power sock. "Men who dress up are beginning to treat the socks like they started treating ties 20 years ago," says Trish McHale, the executive vice president... Continue Reading Posted at 11:36 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Toyota Trounces Ford For First Time Marta Wells August 1, 2006 For the first time Toyota Motor Corp. (TOYOF.PK) beat out Ford Motor Co. (F) in sales in the United States last month. Toyota sold 241,826 cars and trucks, up 11.7 percent from last year. Ford had sales of 239,989, down 34... Continue Reading Posted at 10:51 PM \| Permalink \| Comments
	Will Harry Potter Die? Marta Wells August 1, 2006 And if so what would that do to the huge market of Harry Potter products if he were to be killed off in the seventh and final book in the series? J.K. Rowling hasn't given anything away other than two... Continue Reading Posted at 3:01 PM \| Permalink \| Comments

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