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Deals of the Hour / July 6, 2010, 10:13 pm

Proctor and Gamble expand air freshener business

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Procter & Gamble Co. has completed its $470 million acquisition of air freshener business Ambi Pur from Sara Lee Corp. The deal, first announced in December, complements P&G's Febreze line of ... (Source: WHIO.com 2010-07-06T19:04:03Z)

German court clears doctor who selected test-tube babies

Berlin - A German court on Tuesday acquitted a fertility doctor of illegal abortion after he let several test-tube human embryos die when they failed tests for genetic diseases. The decision by the High Court in Leipzig liberalizes Germany's strict ban on culling unwanted embryos, though lawyers ... (Source: Monsters and Critics 2010-07-06T20:08:29Z)

CIA and Pakistan locked in aggressive spy battles

Associated Press Writers= WASHINGTON (AP) — Publicly, the U.S. credits Pakistan with helping kill and capture many al-Qaida and Taliban leaders. Privately, the relationship is often marked by mistrust and double-dealing as Pakistan runs double agents against the CIA and the agency tries to ... (Source: The Guardian 2010-07-07T03:03:39Z)

Rolling Stone writer gets Afghan war book deal

NEW YORK -- The Rolling Stone writer whose story helped bring down Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was fired from his job as commander of the Afghanistan war, has a book deal. Little, Brown and Company announced Tuesday that Michael Hastings is working on a book about the war ... (Source: Forbes 2010-07-07T02:20:42Z)

Sam's Club will offer small business loans

THE NEWS: Wal-Mart's Sam's Club chain is teaming up with a lender to offer loans of up to $25,000 to its small business members. THE BACKDROP: Wal-Mart has made several moves to offer bank-like financial services to ... (Source: Fresno Bee 2010-07-06T17:02:22Z)

TheSpec.com - Entertainment_Wire - James Patterson has 1M in e-book sales; publisher says he's 1st to hit milestone

NEW YORK, N.Y. - James Patterson's publishing company says that he's the first author to exceed one million sales in electronic book delivery. The Hachette Book Group says Patterson has moved 1.14 million units of his books for devices like Kindle and the iPad. The big seller, by far, is the most ... (Source: Hamilton Spectator 2010-07-06T21:34:22Z)

Blues, new goaltender Halak agree to four-year deal

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a four-year contract. Terms of the deal announced Tuesday were not disclosed. The 25-year-old Halak was acquired from Montreal on June 17 in a surprising trade after his stunning performance in the playoffs. He was 26-13-5 for ... (Source: CBS Sports 2010-07-06T23:07:26Z)

Magic, Chris Duhon Agree to Four-Year Deal

The day after the Knicks signed marquee power forward Amare Stoudemire, they lost starting point guard Chris Duhon, who will go to Orlando on a four-year, $15 million contract. "The Magic have had interest in Chris for a while, even before he signed with New York," Duhon's agent, Kevin Bradbury ... (Source: Sporting News 2010-07-07T03:32:17Z)

James Patterson tops 1 million in e-book sales

James Patterson's publishing company says that he's the first author to exceed one million sales in electronic book delivery. The Hachette Book Group says Patterson has moved 1.14 million units of his books for devices ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-07-06T21:20:03Z)

P&G's closes Ambi Pur deal

CINCINNATI (AP) - The Procter & Gamble Co. has completed its $470 million acquisition of air freshener business Ambi Pur from Sara Lee Corp. The deal, first announced in December, complements P&G's Febreze line of deodorizers and scents and expands the company's global reach in the air freshener ... (Source: WTOL-TV 2010-07-06T14:10:34Z)

EU court upholds decision to block Ryanair-Aer Lingus merger

The European Union's General Court ruled yesterday that the European Commission was right in June 2007 to block Ryanair's takeover of Aer Lingus on competition grounds and also was correct in stating that it could not ... (Source: Atwonline.com 2010-07-07T04:29:33Z)

Court backs EU veto of Ryanair/Aer Lingus deal

LUXEMBOURG, July 6 (Reuters) - Europe's second-highest court upheld on Tuesday a decision by EU regulators to block a plan by Irish airline Ryanair to buy Aer Lingus three years ago, saying there had been valid concerns about the deal. The General Court was ruling on an appeal by Ryanair against the ... (Source: The Guardian 2010-07-06T09:09:55Z)

Brasch Words

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- For a few days last week, the harpies of the extreme right assaulted the President of the United States for first considering, and then firing Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of allied forces in Afghanistan. In a 10-day interview with Michael Hastings of Rolling Stone ... (Source: American Reporter 2010-07-07T04:08:05Z)

Genetic screening of IVF embryos allowed

EMBRYOS created during in vitro fertilisation can be screened for genetic defects before being implanted in the womb, a landmark German court ruling says. The Federal Supreme Court in Leipzig overnight ruled in support ... (Source: The Australian 2010-07-06T18:35:25Z)

CIA and Pakistan locked in aggressive espionage battles

WASHINGTON -- Publicly, the United States credits Pakistan with helping kill and capture many al-Qaida and Taliban leaders. Privately, the relationship is often marked by mistrust and double-dealing, as Pakistan runs double agents against the CIA and the agency tries to penetrate Pakistan's closely ... (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010-07-07T04:00:55Z)

Expert says Taliban not likely accept conditional talks offer

ISLAMABAD, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani government on Monday made a conditional talks offer to Taliban and other militant groups in the country following a high-level meeting held here aimed to solve the issue as how to stop the deadly terrorist attacks on civilians in the country. Initiating ... (Source: Xinhua News Agency 2010-07-06T13:49:05Z)

Recycling groups offer alternative to tossing items

DEAR ABBY: On May 13, "Diana in Lakewood, Calif.," asked you how to reuse or donate little jewelry boxes. You offered some great tips, but you should have let folks know about two terrific resources for giving away or recycling odd things. Freecycle.org is an online network where people can give ... (Source: Chicago Sun-Times 2010-07-06T08:55:36Z)

EU court backs ban on Ryanair bid

A European Union court ruled Tuesday that antitrust regulators were right to block Ryanair's hostile 2007 bid for rival Irish airline Aer Lingus. The General Court, the EU's second-highest judicial authority, also backed the European Commission's refusal to order Ryanair to sell off the 29.8 percent ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-07-06T11:40:14Z)

Duhon Agrees To Four-Year, $15M Deal With Orlando

Chris Duhon and the Magic have agreed to a four-year, $15 million deal, sources have confirmed to Chad Ford. Duhon spent the past two season with the Knicks after playing for the Bulls over his first four. He will serve as Jameer Nelson's backup at the point guard position ... (Source: RealGM 2010-07-06T14:32:02Z)

2010 NBA Free Agency: Orlando Magic Sign Chris Duhon to Back Up Jameer Nelson

Today the Magic made their plunge into free agency, using two thirds of their mid-level exception to sign Knicks free agent guard Chris Duhon. New York, in the hunt for Tony Parker, made no effort to sign Duhon and his sub par performance last year. Still, I do like this signing for Orlando. Duhon ... (Source: Bleacherreport.com 2010-07-06T21:48:41Z)

Blues, Halak agree to 4-year deal

ST. LOUIS—The St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a four-year contract. Terms of the deal announced Tuesday were not disclosed. The 25-year-old Halak was acquired from Montreal on June 17 in a surprising trade after his stunning performance in the playoffs. He was 26-13-5 for ... (Source: San Jose Mercury News 2010-07-06T20:08:29Z)

NFL credit card changes its bank

NEW YORK — The National Football League's decision to move its branded credit card business from Bank of America to British banker Barclays is forcing customers of the Charlotte, N.C., bank to scramble to spend reward ... (Source: The Daily Advertiser 2010-07-06T19:39:51Z)

Procter & Gamble Completes Acquisition of Ambi Pur

(AP) The Procter & Gamble Co., said it has completed its $470 million acquisition of Ambi Pur, an air freshener business, from Sara Lee Corp. The deal, first announced in December, complement's P&G's Febreze line of deodorizers. It was subject to regulatory review and work councils consultations in ... (Source: ABC News 2010-07-06T19:54:10Z)

Merkel coalition reaches German health savings deal

BERLIN, July 6 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition reached agreement on Tuesday on how to tackle a deficit in the public health system, an area of bitter dispute that has threatened the unity of her embattled government. The issue had provoked slanging matches inside Merkel's ... (Source: Reuters AlertNet 2010-07-06T14:10:34Z)

James Patterson has 1M in e-book sales; publisher says he's 1st to hit milestone

The Associated Press NEW YORK, N.Y. - James Patterson's publishing company says that he's the first author to exceed one million sales in electronic book delivery. The Hachette Book Group says Patterson has moved 1.14 ... (Source: Big Hollywood 2010-07-07T02:49:20Z)

NFL great Jim Brown appeals lawsuit dismissal

NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown is asking a San Francisco appellate court to overturn a federal judge's decision to dismiss his lawsuit against video game maker Electronic Arts. Brown filed the request Tuesday with the 9th U ... (Source: San Luis Obispo Tribune 2010-07-07T01:52:04Z)

Princess Diana's Family Paintings Fetch $21.5 Million in London

"A Commander Being Armed for Battle" by artist Peter Paul Rubens. Executed in 1613-14, it is one of more than 600 items being offered by the Spencer family at Christie's this summer. The work sold for 9 million pounds with fees. Source: Christie's Images via Bloomberg "Modern Rome - Campo Vaccino ... (Source: Bloomberg 2010-07-06T23:00:16Z)

Canadiens playoff star Halak signs 4-year deal with Blues

The St. Louis Blues have signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a four-year contract. Terms of the deal announced Tuesday were not disclosed. The 25-year-old Halak was acquired from Montreal on June 17 in a surprising trade ... (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune 2010-07-07T04:43:52Z)

Rolling Stone writer who helped bring down Gen. McChrystal gets deal to write Afghan war book

NEW YORK - The Rolling Stone writer whose story helped bring down Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was fired from his job as commander of the Afghanistan war, has a book deal. Little, Brown and Company announced Tuesday that ... (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune 2010-07-07T02:20:42Z)

Art From Diana's Family Homes to Go on the Block

Art, antiques, and even carriages owned by the aristocratic family of Diana, Princess of Wales, are to go on sale in London beginning on Tuesday. The three auctions feature items which once belonged at Althorp House, the Spencer family's country estate in Northhamptonshire, and in Spencer House ... (Source: ABC News 2010-07-06T19:47:00Z)

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