Deals of the Hour

Trying to find out what's the deal with the world, tracking what's on sale and who's talking about it on Twitter. Update hourly.

Deals of the Hour / August 12, 2010, 3:40 am

Pakistan shuts down two TV stations

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for the Pakistani government to allow GEO TV and ARY News stations back on the air. The shutdown, coupled with demonstrations by government supporters outside the ... (Source: Ethiopian Review 2010-08-12T09:30:27Z)

Toad-licking chef ticketed

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa restaurant owner says he'll pay a fine after his head chef was videotaped kissing and licking toads in the kitchen. The Scott County Health Department reviewed the video Wednesday and ... (Source: Omaha World-Herald 2010-08-12T09:01:49Z)

Liverpool in Talks Over Sale, Kirdi Says; Huang Denies Making Formal Bid

Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi said he and a group of investors from Canada and the Middle East are in "advanced negotiations" to acquire 18-time English soccer champion Liverpool. Separately, Hong Kong ... (Source: Bloomberg 2010-08-04T16:13:39Z)

UPDATE 3-GM could file IPO as soon as Friday-sources

NEW YORK, Aug 11 (Reuters) - General Motors Co [GM.UL] could file a registration for its initial public offering of stock as soon as Friday, a day after it reports quarterly results, three people with ... (Source: Reuters 2010-08-12T10:06:15Z)

Pakistan Flood Victims Already Dying of Hunger As Ramadan Fasting Begins

Multan , Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani flood survivors already short on food and water began the fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday, a normally festive, social time marked this year by misery and fears of an uncertain ... (Source: CNS News 2010-08-12T09:30:27Z)

Heat adds more hardship to Ramadan observance

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Hundreds of millions of Muslims across the Middle East sweated their way through the start of Ramadan on Wednesday, beginning a monthlong daylight fast in sweltering summer heat. With ... (Source: Philadelphia Daily News 2010-08-12T07:14:27Z)

Syrian Kirdi says he is close to buying Liverpool

In this image dated November 10, 2009, issued by GameDay, showing owners of Liverpool soccer club George Gillett, left, and Tom Hicks, right, with Middle East financial representative Yahya Kirdi, during an ... (Source: San Jose Mercury News 2010-08-11T22:17:35Z)

Syrian businessman Kirdi: Close to buying Liverpool

The statement from Yahya Kirdi, who is representing a group of investors from the Middle East and Canada, came hours before Chinese investor Kenny Huang said he is also contemplating a takeover of the Premier ... (Source: CBS Sports 2010-08-04T21:14:18Z)

Muslims in Mideast begin Ramadan in heat of summer

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Over a billion Muslims in the Middle East and around the world have begun observing the holy month of Ramadan — a period devoted to prayer and dawn-to-dusk fasting. This year's ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-08-12T06:52:59Z)

GM Said to Aim for Up to $16 Billion in Stock Sale

(Updates with fund manager's comments in fourth paragraph.) Aug. 12 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co., the automaker 61 percent owned by the U.S., is seeking to raise $12 billion to $16 billion in an initial ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-08-12T06:38:40Z)

Phillies' Utley cleared to start hitting (AP)

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has been cleared to start hitting, six weeks after surgery on his right thumb. Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock says the news is encouraging, but the team is sticking to its ... (Source: Bayou Buzz 2010-08-11T23:22:00Z)

Iowa restaurant to pay fine after chef videotaped licking toads in kitchen

DAVENPORT, Iowa — An Iowa restaurant owner says he'll pay a fine after his head chef was videotaped kissing and licking toads in the kitchen. The Scott County Health Department reviewed the video Wednesday ... (Source: Pioneer Press 2010-08-11T23:14:51Z)

Pakistan: Flood relief efforts scale up as Ramadan begins

As the scale of the crisis in Pakistan continues to grow, World Vision is stepping up efforts to meet the needs of families affected by the flood and who now face a month of fasting during Ramadan*. On Wednesday World ... (Source: Reliefweb.int 2010-08-12T08:18:52Z)

Zimbabwe proceeds with certified diamonds sale

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, center, chats with Mines and Minerals Minister Orbert Mpofu, left, and Zanu PF Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo after the granting of a Kimberley Process certificate to ... (Source: Monterey County Herald 2010-08-12T08:47:30Z)

Rangers' sale one step from finalizing

MINNEAPOLIS — Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and sports lawyer Chuck Greenberg have had a long and difficult struggle to gain ownership of the Texas Rangers. It's almost over. The MLB ownership committee and ... (Source: Shreveport Times 2010-08-12T07:07:18Z)

Utley cleared to start hitting

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has been cleared to start hitting, six weeks after surgery on his right thumb. Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock says the news is encouraging ... (Source: CNN Sports Illustrated 2010-08-11T21:34:38Z)

Pakistan Seeks Relief Supplies as Floods Ravage South

(Updates with new flood warnings in fifth paragraph; Zardari visit in sixth.) Aug. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistani officials battling the most destructive floods in the country's history appealed for urgent ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-08-12T09:59:05Z)

Zimbabwe gem sale raises alarm about abuses

Zimbabwe auctioned 900,000 carats of rough gems Wednesday from a diamond field where human-rights groups say soldiers killed 200 people, raped women and enslaved children. It was the first public sale of ... (Source: Arizona Daily Star 2010-08-12T07:00:08Z)

Ramadan or not, hunger hits Pakistan flood victims

Pakistani flood survivors already short on food and water began the fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday, a normally festive, social time marked this year by misery and fears of an uncertain future. The U.S. announced a ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-08-12T09:59:05Z)

After midnight, Perseid meteor shower may steal show

Showers are forecast for late tonight, showers of the celestial kind, that is. The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to begin around 10, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said, with the ... (Source: Boston Globe 2010-08-12T08:26:02Z)

Searing summer heat adds hardship to Ramadan fasting for Muslims in Middle East

Gaza City, Gaza Strip: Hundreds of millions of Muslims across the Middle East are sweating their way through the start of Ramadan, beginning a month-long daylight fast in sweltering summer heat. With ... (Source: NDTV 2010-08-12T06:02:52Z)

General Motors Co.'s CEO expects good demand for GM shares but doesn't announce date for IPO

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — General Motors CEO Ed Whitacre says he is optimistic there will be good demand for GM's stock when the company sells shares to the public, but he gave no timetable for the sale ... (Source: Chicago Tribune 2010-08-05T16:48:15Z)

Iowa restaurant ticketed for toad-licking chef

DAVENPORT, Iowa— An Iowa restaurant owner said he'll pay a fine after his head chef was videotaped kissing and licking toads in the kitchen. The Scott County Health Department reviewed the video Wednesday ... (Source: Boston Globe 2010-08-11T23:57:48Z)

Crises test leadership of US-allied Pakistan

ISLAMABAD—Not for the first time, Pakistan appears to be teetering on the edge with a government unable to cope. Floods are ravaging a country at war with al-Qaida and the Taliban. Riots, slayings and arson ... (Source: Denver Post 2010-08-12T06:17:11Z)

MLB notes: Phillies' Utley cleared to begin batting

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has been cleared to start hitting, six weeks after surgery on his right thumb. Assistant GM Scott Proefrock says the news is encouraging, but the team is ... (Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch 2010-08-12T04:08:20Z)

Coghlan undergoes season-ending surgery

WASHINGTON -- As the Marlins prepared to face the Nationals on Wednesday night, Chris Coghlan was back in South Florida recovering from surgery. Coghlan underwent surgery in the afternoon to repair a torn ... (Source: Major League Baseball 2010-08-11T23:57:48Z)

Zimbabwe gem sale stirs fears of 'blood diamonds'

JOHANNESBURG -- Zimbabwe auctioned 900,000 carats of rough gems Wednesday from a diamond field where human rights groups say soldiers killed 200 people, raped women and enslaved children. It was the first ... (Source: Delaware Online 2010-08-12T07:50:15Z)

Perseid meteor shower, planets, moon to grace night sky

F ORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Stargazers who cast their eyes skyward Thursday should enjoy two-for-one celestial treats. A heavenly threesome will appear after dusk, when a trio of planets glides above a fragile crescent ... (Source: Boston Herald 2010-08-12T09:01:49Z)

Marlins' Chris Coghlan has surgery on left knee

Florida Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan had surgery on his left knee Wednesday and is beginning rehabilitation after he was hurt during a victory celebration. The reigning National League rookie of the year ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-08-12T03:03:55Z)

Skywatch: Annual Perseid meteor shower to put on a good show tonight

Moon: Below Saturn, Mars, and Venus tonight. First quarter 8/16, 12:14 p.m. Full moon (smallest of 2010) 8/24, 11:05 a.m. Other data: Perseid meteor shower tonight (peak: 6 p.m., best viewing after 1:45 a.m.) Every 133 ... (Source: Twin Falls Times-News 2010-08-12T07:00:08Z)

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