PROFITS AT PHILIP MORRIS DOWN 9 PERCENT IN QUARTER

Cigarette maker Philip Morris International says second-quarter profit fell 9 percent as the stronger dollar shrunk profit earned in other currencies. Still, it raised its 2009 profit estimate.

EARNINGS DECLINE 15% IN QUARTER AT AT&T

The company also activated more than 2.4 million iPhones in the quarter. More than a third of those were for new customers.

ECONOMY AND IPHONE SUBSIDIES TRIM AT&T'S 2Q PROFIT (AP)

AP - AT&T Inc.'s earnings fell 15 percent in the second quarter as it subsidized a record-setting launch of the newest iPhone. The weak economy also continued to sap its landline business.

HAYE TO FIGHT VALUEV FOR WBC BELT ON NOV. 7 (AP)

AP - Former cruiserweight champion David Haye said Thursday that he's signed a contract to challenge Nikolai Valuev for the WBA heavyweight title.

FORD RESULTS LIFTED BY DEBT REDUCTIONS

One-time restructuring gains gave Ford a quarterly profit of $2.3 billion, despite a loss at its automotive operations.

AT&T PROFIT AND REVENUE BEAT STREET (REUTERS)

Reuters - AT&T Inc on Thursday posted a smaller-than-expected drop in quarterly profit as strong sales of Apple Inc's iPhone helped boost wireless subscriber growth.

JAPAN'S DOCOMO, KDDI SHOW AUGMENTED REALITY PROTOTYPES (PC WORLD)

PC World - Japan's two largest cellular carriers, NTT DoCoMo and KDDI, are demonstrating this week some of their latest research into augmented reality systems. Augmented reality fuses the real world with digital data and is seen as a potentially popular technology for future cell phones.

EMC PROFIT FALLS BUT BEATS FORECAST

Data storage company EMC says second-quarter profit plunged 43 percent on a sales decline of 11 percent.

WOK-IN WOK-OUT FACES FINES AFTER TWO ILLEGAL WORKERS ARE FOUND

Two Chinese nationals were arrested in Cleckheaton yesterday

FINAL CUT STUDIO (MACWORLD.COM)

Macworld.com - It has been more than two years since Apple released Final Cut Studio 2—but today, a new version of Apple's marquee pro video editing package has arrived.

APPLE INTRODUCES NEW LOGIC STUDIO (MACWORLD.COM)

Macworld.com - Apple on Thursday released the second iteration of its Logic Studio suite of multimedia tools with the musician in mind. The new version includes Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, Soundtrack Pro 3, Compressor 3.5, and WaveBurner 1.6. Additionally, Logic Studio includes all six of Apple’s Jam Pack loop sets along with its bundled sound effects, surround sound music beds, EXS24 samples, and impulse response files.

HERSHEY POSTS HIGHER PROFIT AND RAISES FULL-YEAR VIEW

Hershey Co posted a higher quarterly profit Thursday, helped by price increases it made last year, and raised its full-year forecast.

WAL-MART WOOS LAPTOP SHOPPERS (REUTERS)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc has expanded its laptop selection by 40 percent and will be aggressive in pricing the computers and the accessories to go with them as the discount retailer looks to win sales from frugal back-to-school shoppers.

CME GROUP PROFIT DROPS 15 PERCENT, BEATING FORECAST

CME Group Inc?s second-quarter profit slid 15 percent, less sharply than expected, as slumping volumes weighed on the world?s top derivatives exchange operator.

ABB NET PROFIT DROPS 31 PERCENT

Swiss-based electrical engineering company ABB Group on Thursday posted a 31 percent drop in second-quarter net profit as orders fell due to the global economic recession.

STRONG SALES BOOST BRISTOL-MYERS SECOND QUARTER PROFIT

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. posts a 29 percent jump in second-quarter profit due to higher sales of several key products and lots of cost cuts.

NEW UNDERSEA CABLE GIVES AFRICA HIGH-SPEED INTERNET (AFP)

AFP - A 13,700-kilometre (8,500-mile) undersea fibre-optic cable to provide high-speed Internet access on Africa's Indian Ocean coast went live on Thursday, its operator said.

ARMSTRONG VIES FOR PODIUM IN TOUR'S 18TH STAGE (AP)

AP - The 18th-stage time trial is under way at the Tour de France, with Lance Armstrong needing a comeback if he wants a place on the podium when the race ends Sunday in Paris.

DRUGMAKER WYETH POSTS 13 PERCENT JUMP IN QUARTERLY PROFIT

Drugmaker Wyeth posts a 13 percent jump in second-quarter profit and trounces Wall Street forecasts, as cost cuts overcome lower sales due to generic competition and the strong dollar.

CHRISTIE'S FIRST-HALF SALES FALL 35 PERCENT (REUTERS)

Reuters - Christie's auction house, the world's largest, sold art worth 1.2 billion pounds ($1.8 billion) in the first half of 2009, a fall of 35 percent from the same period last year.

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(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in String list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

A VIEW FROM COMIC CON: COSTUMES, COMICS, CROWDS (AP)

AP - Every summer, Comic Con brings together thousands of colorful and costumed fans for four days of pop-culture indulgence.

SOUTH KOREA FINES QUALCOMM $208 MILLION IN ANTI-TRUST CASE (REUTERS)

Reuters - South Korea's anti-trust agency on Thursday imposed a $208 million fine on Qualcomm Inc and ordered the U.S. wireless chip and technology company to stop discriminating against companies using competitor's products.

RED SOX MADE 2 TRADES AFTER FALLING OUT OF FIRST (AP)

AP - The Boston Red Sox added some depth a day after they dropped out of first in the AL East, and got rid of shortstop Julio Lugo in one of Wednesday's deals.

SOUTH AFRICA TO WCUP FANS: ENJOY, THEN GO HOME! (AP)

AP - As South Africa gears up to host next year's World Cup, steps are being taken to make sure fans go home when it's over.

RANGERS PUT SQUEEZE ON RED SOX TO COMPLETE SWEEP (AP)

AP - Clay Buchholz pounced on the bunt near the first-base line, yet all the Boston starting pitcher could do was watch one Texas runner slide across home plate while another ran safely to first.

WALTER CRONKITE'S FUNERAL TO HONOR CBS NEWSMAN (AP)

AP - A funeral for Walter Cronkite, widely considered the premier TV journalist of his time, will be a private family service.

CHINA NEWS BLACKOUT ON GRAFT CASE LINKED TO HU'S SON (AFP)

AFP - China's Internet censors blocked news Thursday about a graft probe in Namibia involving a firm linked to the son of President Hu Jintao, as the state-run media ignored the sensitive issue.

CHINESE BROTHEL CLOSED FOLLOWING UK BORDER AGENCY RAID

Two people have been arrested in Darlington and the brothel where they worked shut down.

CHINESE BROTHEL CLOSED BY UK BORDER AGENCY

Two people have been arrested in Darlington, and the brothel where they worked shut down, following an operation to tackle illegal working.

GRAVATAR WIDGET

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MAN UTD TO OFFER PARK NEW CONTRACT (AFP)

AFP - The hard-working Park Ji-Sung is to be rewarded with a new contract by Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, who praised the South Korean midfielder's intelligence and penetration on the field.

9TH ANNUAL PORTLAND ZINE SYMPOSIUM JULY 24-26

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#10: 2 PIECE SET: WOMENS BODY GLOVE BIKINI TOP & BOTTOM SET - X-LARGE

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#2: 2 PIECE BIKINI SET: HALTER TOP AND MATCHING THONG

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#5: OPTIONAL SEAMLESS PADS FOR BLUE SKY SWIMWEAR TOPS (TOP AND BOTTOM SOLD SEPARATELY)

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(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in String list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

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(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in String list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

MANNY MAKES MAGIC WITH HIS ONLY SWING FOR DODGERS (AP)

AP - One pitch. One swing. One spectacular drive into the heart of Mannywood. Even Manny Ramirez thought his pinch-hit, tie-breaking grand slam Wednesday night was the most improbable happening to date in his 12 awfully eventful months with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

CONTADOR MOVES CLOSER TO SECOND TOUR DE FRANCE WIN (AP)

AP - Alberto Contador used the third and final Alpine stage of the Tour de France to take a further step toward a second victory in cycling's showcase event.

TBS BRINGS MORE "PAYNE" (REUTERS)

Reuters - What such sitcoms as "Cheers," "Seinfeld" and "Friends" accomplished in seven or eight seasons, Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" has been able to do in only two years.

BAYREUTH OPENING UNDER NEW WAGNERS (AP)

AP - A new generation of Wagners is at the helm as the annual Bayreuth festival opens this weekend, with composer Richard Wagner's great-granddaughter saying that she hopes to help bring "opera to the people."

POLICE RAID OFFICES OF JACKSON'S DOCTOR (AFP)

AFP - Federal agents and detectives swooped on the offices of Michael Jackson's doctor, as lawyers for the physician revealed police are treating the star's death as possible manslaughter.

CONSUMED: MARKETING POSE

Saluting the sun in a downward-dog economy.

HYUNDAI REPORTS RECORD PROFIT

Hyundai Motors outshined its global rivals by reporting a record quarterly profit, as a weak won helped overseas sales and government incentives boosted domestic demand.

PORSCHE CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEPS DOWN

The German sports car maker said that Wendelin Wiedeking, its longstanding chief executive, would step down, clearing the way for a merger with Volkswagen.

OFFICIALS PROBE JACKSON'S DOCTORS IN STAR'S DEATH (AP)

AP - Investigators looking into the death of pop star Michael Jackson have seized new information to analyze as they narrow their focus in what could become a criminal investigation.

WHERE TO WATCH USA VS HONDURAS (CONCACAF GOLD CUP) IN PORTLAND | JULY 23

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RAFA FACING DIFFICULT PERIOD AT LIVERPOOL (AFP)

AFP - Rafael Benitez is facing a mini crisis at Liverpool with no wins in three pre-season games, a captain on trial for affray and his top midfield duo looking to leave the club.

CHINA BLACKOUT ON GRAFT CASE LINKED TO PREMIER'S SON (AFP)

AFP - China's Internet censors blocked news Thursday about a graft probe in Namibia involving a firm linked to the son of President Hu Jintao, as the state-run media ignored the sensitive issue.

CREDIT SUISSE REPORTS $1.5 BILLION PROFIT

Improvement in its investment banking business led Credit Suisse to a second-quarter net profit of 1.6 billion Swiss francs, or $1.5 billion, the bank reported Thursday.

'ETERNAL SUNSHINE' DIRECTOR TO DO 'GREEN HORNET' (AP)

AP - "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" director Michel Gondry has replaced Hong Kong comedian Stephen Chow as director of the Columbia Pictures adaptation of the TV series "The Green Hornet," a studio spokesman said Thursday.

NIKKEI RISES AMID EXPORT DATA AS ASIAN MARKETS GAIN

Asian stock markets climbed Thursday amid sustained hopes for a recovery in major economies from Japan to the U.S.

STOCKS AND BONDS: SHARES OF ENERGY PRODUCERS FALL AS OIL PRICES DROP

After recent gains, investors stepped back to reassess corporate profits and the global economy.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S DEATH CERTIFICATE OVER-MANHANDLED (E! ONLINE)

E! Online - Let us just say, we are shocked?shocked!?by the news that Michael Jackson's death certificate has been improperly accessed, like, 300 times.

INDIAN FARMERS USE MOBILE PHONES TO CONTROL IRRIGATION (PC WORLD)

PC World - Mobile Operator Tata Teleservices is testing technology that allows farmers to use their mobile phones to remotely monitor and switch on irrigation pump sets in far flung locations.

MANNY GETS PINCH-HIT GRAND SLAM FOR DODGERS (AP)

AP - Manny Ramirez hit a tie-breaking pinch-hit grand slam in the sixth inning on his bobblehead night Wednesday, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 victory over Cincinnati, their 12th consecutive at home against the Reds.

INTRODUCING: THE JOURNALIST OF THE FUTURE

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U.S. BACK-TO-SCHOOL; WAL-MART WOOS LAPTOP SHOPPERS (REUTERS)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc has expanded its laptop selection by 40 percent and will be aggressive in pricing the computers and the accessories to go with them as the discount retailer looks to win sales from frugal back-to-school shoppers.

OBAMA MOVES TO RECLAIM THE DEBATE ON HEALTH CARE

President Obama sought to convince an increasingly skeptical American public that proposed changes to the health care system would benefit them and strengthen the economy.

DISNEY CEO BULLISH ON DIRECT WEB MARKETING TO CONSUMERS (REUTERS)

Reuters - Walt Disney Co chief Robert Iger said on Wednesday advertising will rapidly grow more sophisticated as media firms begin tracking consumer preferences and selling the data on to advertisers.

WI-FI GROUP'S BASIC TEST WON'T CHANGE WITH FINAL 11N (PC WORLD)

PC World - The Wi-Fi Alliance will not change the basic requirements of its IEEE 802.11n certification process when the current draft specification gives way to a formal standard later this year.

THE WORK-UP: MORE COST CUTS SOUGHT FROM DRUG INDUSTRY

The pharmaceutical industry has remained relatively unscathed so far in Washington?s effort to overhaul the nation?s health care system, but it is too soon for drug makers to declare victory.

RED INK STAINS BANK AND BANKER

John J. Mack, Morgan Stanley?s longtime chief executive, is toning down the risk-taking as he tries to revive the bank and burnish his legacy.

A FUTURE IN BASEBALL, HINGING ON DNA

Miguel Sano, a Dominican youth considered a top major league prospect, did not object to measures that may become illegal in the United States in November.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 26-AUG. 1 (AP)

AP - Celebrity birthdays for the week of July 26-Aug. 1:

BREAKINGVIEWS.COM: GOLDMAN RELENTS, BUT NOT CHASE

Goldman Sachs said it would buy back warrants that it issued to the Treasury last October for a figure that represents at a full price, but JPMorgan Chase is taking a less acquiescent tack.

ANGELS POUNCE ON KC'S BULLPEN IN 9-6 WIN (AP)

AP - Maicer Izturis had four RBIs and Los Angeles scored five runs in the eighth inning against Kansas City's beleaguered bullpen, helping the Angels beat the Royals 9-6 Wednesday night to complete an improbable three-game sweep.

SEVERAL CORONER'S STAFFERS VIEWED JACKSON FILE (AP)

AP - Michael Jackson's death certificate was improperly viewed by at least a half-dozen employees at the Los Angeles County coroner's office who had no role in investigating the cause of his death, a coroner's official said Wednesday.

ASTROS COMPLETE SWEEP OF CARDINALS (AP)

AP - Miguel Tejada singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday night, helping the Houston Astros beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 to complete a three-game sweep of their NL Central rival.

PORSCHE SE BOARD MEETS AMID TALK OF TAKEOVER

Porsche?s supervisory board agreed to seek a capital increase of at least $7.1 billion, and threw its weight behind talks with a Qatar investment fund.

STUDY FINDS CHIMPS DIE FROM SIMIAN AIDS, DISPELLING WIDELY HELD BELIEF

The finding also suggests that an outbreak of AIDS is contributing to the declining chimpanzee population in Africa.

ESPN BANS NY POST REPORTERS OVER ANDREWS VIDEO (AP)

AP - ESPN banned staffers from the New York Post from appearing on any of its programming on Wednesday after the newspaper published photos this week taken from a video showing sideline reporter Erin Andrews nude in a hotel room.

'THE SECRET' TO BE REVEALED FOR TEENS THIS FALL (AP)

AP - It's teen time for "The Secret."

YAHOO BUYS PHOTO ORGANIZATION TECH COMPANY XOOPIT (REUTERS)

Reuters - Yahoo Inc said on Wednesday it has bought Xoopit, a privately-held company that provides technology to organize photograph collections in Yahoo's e-mail system.

VERIZON WIRELESS PROPOSES ROAMING RULE CHANGE (REUTERS)

Reuters - Verizon Wireless would be willing to make a compromise on roaming service agreements with smaller mobile operators, according to a letter it sent on Wednesday after pressure from U.S. lawmakers.

YURY VERLINSKY, EXPERT IN EMBRYONIC SCREENING, IS DEAD AT 65

Mr. Verlinsky was one of the first scientists to develop techniques to detect genetic disorders in embryos and helped make the screening available to parents worldwide.

N.Y. CLAIMS COLLECTORS OF DEBT USED FRAUD

Tens of thousands of New York consumers had money seized by collections agents using court orders that had been obtained by fraud, the state?s attorney general said Wednesday.

AFTER PENSION SCANDAL, S.E.C. SEEKS TO CURB ?PAY TO PLAY?

Investment firms would be barred from donating to government officials with an eye toward winning public business.

SLOW, COSTLY AND OFTEN DANGEROUS ROAD TO WIND POWER

As demand for clean energy grows, towns are finding their traffic patterns roiled by convoys carrying huge windmills.

SPACEWALK HALTED BY ASTRONAUT?S SUIT FLAW

Two astronauts cut short their spacewalk and hurried back to the International Space Station on Wednesday after one man?s suit malfunctioned.

STATE OF THE ART: THE IRKSOME CELLPHONE INDUSTRY

Unfair and anticompetitive practices include text-messaging fees, double billing and international roaming charges.

REGIONAL BANKS? PROFITS ARE HURT BY LOAN LOSSES

The bank said Wednesday that its earnings, which rose 47 percent from a year earlier, were aided by the acquisition of the struggling Wachovia Corporation in December.

DARING TO DREAM OF A RESURGENT AOL

Tim Armstrong, chief executive of AOL, wants to make the company the biggest creator of premium content on the Web and the largest seller of online display advertising.

JURRJENS, SURGING BRAVES BEAT GIANTS 4-2 (AP)

AP - Jair Jurrjens gave up three hits in 7 2-3 innings, Yunel Escobar hit a three-run homer and the surging Atlanta Braves beat Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants 4-2 on Wednesday night.

RAIN WASHES OUT TENNIS PLAY AT INDIANAPOLIS (AFP)

AFP - Steady rain has washed out play at the ATP Indianapolis Championships.

EBAY PLANS TO RIDE PAYPAL BUSINESS TO GREATER PROFIT

EBay continues to suffer under the weight of the economy and declining traffic, reporting its third consecutive earnings decline.

THE WORK-UP: MORE COST CUTS SOUGHT FROM DRUG INDUSTRY

The pharmaceutical industry has remained relatively unscathed so far in Washington?s effort to overhaul the nation?s health care system, but it is too soon for drug makers to declare victory.

PELOSI SAYS HEALTH CARE BILL IS STILL ON TRACK

The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, said the process had slowed due to conservative Democrats? cost concerns.

GOVERNMENT TAKES OVER DELPHI?S PENSIONS

The federal agency that guarantees pensions said Wednesday that it would assume responsibility for the pension plans of 70,000 Delphi workers and retirees.

DRUG AGENTS RAID JACKSON DOCTOR'S OFFICE (REUTERS)

Reuters - U.S. drug enforcement agents and Los Angeles police on Wednesday raided a Houston clinic owned by Conrad Murray, the doctor who was with pop icon Michael Jackson when he died, looking for evidence of manslaughter.

EARNINGS TOP FORECASTS AT 3 DRUG MAKERS

Pfizer?s earnings declined from last year, while Eli Lilly?s and GlaxoSmithKline?s increased. Lilly and Pfizer raised their profit outlooks for the full year.

HOUGHTON UNIT NAMES A PUBLISHER

The appointment filled a job that had been vacant since the previous publisher resigned amid turmoil.

BERNANKE TELLS SENATE NEW AGENCY ISN?T NEEDED

Ben S. Bernanke fought to protect the independence of the Federal Reserve and to keep responsibility for consumer protection on financial products in its hands.

NBC SAYS CLOSED ONE OF ITS FIRST UPFRONT DEALS (REUTERS)

Reuters - NBC Entertainment Co-Chairman Ben Silverman said on Wednesday that the network has closed one of its first upfront deals.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL LINKS HEALTH CARE PLAN TO FISCAL BALANCE

Peter R. Orszag, the White House budget director, said overhauling the system would raise costs temporarily but would help restore fiscal order.

THE TROJAN FROG STRATEGY

An interview with Greg Wittstock, the founder of Aquascape, about the challenges of re-inventing an industry and of turning the threat of a global water crisis into a business opportunity.

DISNEY CEO: HULU COULD CHARGE FOR CONTENT (AP)

AP - Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger said Wednesday the Hulu online video streaming site that it now co-owns could one day charge for its content instead of just offering free streams and selling advertising.

AMAZON?S EXPANDING WITH DEAL FOR ZAPPOS

The acquisition of the online shoe retailer, in a deal worth nearly $900 million, is the largest in Amazon?s history.

N.Y. CLAIMS COLLECTORS OF DEBT USED FRAUD

Tens of thousands of New York consumers had money seized by collections agents using court orders that had been obtained by fraud, the state?s attorney general said Wednesday.

ADVERTISING: FOR THOSE WHO WANT THEIR CEREAL EXTRA MANLY

General Mills is embarking on a multimillion-dollar effort to put more muscle in the Wheaties brand, focusing its efforts on men.

KILLER KID RUNS AMOK IN "ORPHAN" (REUTERS)

Reuters - The very bad seed in "Orphan," a dumb horror flick awash in red stuff and implausibility, is a 9-year-old girl with chronic homicidal urges and a Russian accent.

NEW MUSICAL A CLASSY TRIBUTE TO BROADWAY COMPOSER (REUTERS)

Reuters - The world-premiere revue of "The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman, which salutes the Tony-winning Broadway composer (1929-2004), is a bona fide class act.

ESPN BANS NY POST REPORTERS FROM SHOWS (AP)

AP - ESPN has banned staffers from the New York Post from appearing on any of its programming after the newspaper ran photos from the video showing sideline reporter Erin Andrews nude in a hotel room.

PACERS WAIVE PG TINSLEY (AP)

AP - The Indiana Pacers have waived point guard Jamaal Tinsley, ending an often strained relationship.

WINDOWS 7 RELEASED TO COMPUTER MAKERS (AFP)

AFP - Software giant Microsoft has declared its next-generation Windows 7 operating system ready for delivery to computer makers.

JACKSON NURSE JOINS THE SUBPOENA BRIGADE (E! ONLINE)

E! Online - If you in any way examined or treated Michael Jackson over the past decade, chances are you've been in contact with law enforcement recently.

DELTA AIR LINES NARROWS LOSS TO $257 MILLION

The airline also reported a double-digit drop in unit revenue during the second quarter as demand for air travel continued to slump.

AVON TO CUT JOBS AND CLOSE 2 PLANTS

Plants in Ohio and Germany will close as the cosmetics company continues a reorganization plan that was announced in February.

PEPSICO POSTS A PROFIT, BUT IS SILENT ON BIDS FOR 2 BOTTLERS

The company , whose second-quarter report was similar to Coca-Cola?s, reaffirmed a positive full-year outlook.

MOM-AND-POP OPERATORS TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA

For many mom-and-pop businesses with no ad budget, the microblogging service is their sole means of marketing.

GILLES MARINI: MORE NEARLY NAKED PICS! (E! ONLINE)

E! Online - Can one ever get enough of Gilles Marini?

INTEL OFFICIAL TOUTS NETBOOKS AT OPEN SOURCE CONFERENCE (INFOWORLD)

InfoWorld - Intel's work promoting netbooks -- the downsized PCs that are gaining in mindshare -- was touted by a company official Wednesday, who stressed benefits in boot-up times, graphics, and network capabilities during a technology conference.

JACKSON DOC LAWYER: POLICE SEEK MANSLAUGHTER LINK (AP)

AP - The Michael Jackson investigation took a stunning turn Wednesday as authorities raided the offices of the doctor who was with the pop star when he died and the physician's lawyer said investigators appear to be building a manslaughter case.

QUALCOMM OUTLOOK DISAPPOINTS, PROFIT FALLS (REUTERS)

Reuters - Wireless chip and technology supplier Qualcomm Inc issued a revenue target for the current quarter that was below Wall Street expectations, sending its shares down about 5 percent.

IPHONE APP PREDICTS IPV4 DOOMSDAY (PC WORLD)

PC World - If you're the kind of person who walks down the street worrying about the depletion of IPv4 addresses, the iPhone can now tell you how long you have until that happens.

TROPICAL HEAT WAVE HAWAIIAN LUAU

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R.PATTZ SINGS? DEPP TURNED ON? COMIC-CON PREVIEW! (E! ONLINE)

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(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Bestsellers in String list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

DURING BROADWAY BREAK, JEFF DANIELS WILL BE 'ONSTAGE & UNPLUGGED' AT PURPLE ROSE (PLAYBILL)

Playbill - Tony Award nominee Jeff Daniels, of Broadway's Tony-winning Best Play, God of Carnage, will perform his one-man show Onstage & Unplugged Aug. 26-29 at the Purple Rose Theatre Company's home in Chelsea, MI, the stage and screen actor's hometown.

CHRYSLER AND G.M. DEFEND DEALER CUTS TO CONGRESS

At a second day of hearings, Chrysler says its deal with the Italian carmaker Fiat could fall apart if the dealerships were restored.

BITS: AMAZON TO ACQUIRE ZAPPOS.COM FOR $847 MILLION

Amazon says it has reached an agreement to purchase online shoe retailer Zappos.com.

METS TO INVESTIGATE REPORTED OUTBURST BY OFFICIAL (AP)

AP - The New York Mets will conduct an investigation into reports that vice president of player development Tony Bernazard earlier this month challenged members of their Double-A Binghamton affiliate to fight him during a postgame tirade.

CUBS WIN 10-5, END PHILS' 10-GAME WINNING STREAK (AP)

AP - Ryan Howard had Phillies fans on their feet and the tying runs on base.

'50 CINK' STILL CELEBRATING BIGGEST WIN (AP)

AP - Stewart Cink came home to show off his latest trophy and new nickname.

INTEL APPEALS ANTITRUST RULING

Filing the appeal will not delay Intel?s payment of the $1.5 billion fine, the largest ever assessed in Europe in a market-dominance case.

NOLASCO FANS 10, MARLINS BEAT PADRES 5-0 (AP)

AP - Ricky Nolasco struck out 10 and combined with three relievers on a three-hitter Wednesday, leading the Florida Marlins to a 3-0 win over the punchless San Diego Padres that completed a three-game sweep.

TAKE A REAL BITE OUT OF DELICIOUS ROBERT PATTINSON (E! ONLINE)

E! Online - If Daniel Craig has a popsicle, why couldn't Robert Pattinson have a chocolate bar?

S.E.C. SEEKS TO CURB ?PAY TO PLAY? FOR PENSION MONEY

Investment firms would be barred from donating to government officials with an eye toward winning public business.

AMAZON.COM IN $850M DEAL FOR WEB SHOE STORE ZAPPOS (AP)

AP - One can never have too many shoes.

WHICH IRON MAN 2 STAR IS SEXIER: SCARJO OR RDJ? (E! ONLINE)

E! Online - Next year's obvious blockbuster hit Iron Man 2 is already deep into filming, and tons of new stills have just been released.

TWO GROUP GIFTS & A MIDNIGHT MANIA!

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DOT EARTH: CARIBBEAN REEFS FACE SEVERE SUMMER THREAT

Officials see big risks to corals in the southern Caribbean this summer from high ocean temperatures.

MWC COMMISSIONER: BCS CHANGES COULD TAKE 5 YEARS (AP)

AP - The top administrator of the Mountain West Conference said Wednesday that it could take five years to change the way college football championships are decided.

VIDEO GAME GROUP FILES LAWSUIT OVER CTA AD RULE (AP)

AP - A trade group that represents software and video game publishers sued the Chicago Transit Authority on Wednesday, saying a rule barring ads on trains and buses for "mature" and "adults only" games violates the right to freedom of speech.

COMIC CON PROMISES 'AVATAR,' 'NEW MOON,' 'IM2' (AP)

AP - From immortal bloodsuckers and 19th century forensics pioneers to flying suits of armor and an all-new breed of live-action 3-D, the essence of this year's hottest properties at Comic Con can be found deep in the past, or far into the future.

SKYWORKS EXPECTS TO EARN 19 CENTS PER SHARE (AP)

AP - Skyworks Solutions Inc., which makes chips for cell phones, on Wednesday set an earnings target for the September quarter that would beat Wall Street expectations.

SHARES OF ENERGY PRODUCERS FALL AS OIL PRICES DROP

After recent gains, investors stepped back to reassess corporate profits and the global economy.

DARK HORSE COMICS PREQUEL TO BRIDGE MASS EFFECT, MASS EFFECT 2 (PC WORLD)

PC World - Want to know all the crazy stuff that happens between the tempestuous endpoints of BioWare's Xbox 360/PC sci-fi role-playing opera Mass Effect and the opening beats of next year's Mass Effect 2?

ECONOMY KEEPS HURTING EBAY AS 2Q PROFIT FALLS (AP)

AP - The recession continued to hurt eBay Inc. in the second quarter, as earnings and revenue fell amid a sales decline in the main online marketplace, overshadowing growth in the PayPal online payments and Skype communications units.

STATE OF THE ART: CELLPHONE GRIPES WORTHY OF CONGRESS?S TIME

Unfair and anticompetitive practices include text-messaging fees, double billing and international roaming charges.

SAM RAIMI TO DIRECT 'WORLD OF WARCRAFT' FILM (AP)

AP - The director of the "Spider-Man" film franchise is set to transform "World of Warcraft" into a movie.

SAM RAIMI TO DIRECT 'WORLD OF WARCRAFT' FILM (AP)

AP - The director of the "Spider-Man" film franchise is set to transform "World of Warcraft" into a movie.

AMAZON BUYING HOT ONLINE SHOE SHOP ZAPPOS.COM (AFP)

AFP - Online retail giant Amazon announced Wednesday that it was purchasing popular Internet shoe shop Zappos.com in a stock and cash deal valued at nearly 850 million dollars.