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 / June 19, 2011, 8:43 am

Turn to abductions a sign of al-Qaida cash squeeze

Pressured by increased scrutiny of terrorist money sources and strikes aimed at its financiers, al-Qaida's core organization in Pakistan has turned to kidnapping for ransom to offset dwindling cash reserves, according to U.S. officials and information in ... (Source: Santa Maria Times 2011-06-19T14:48:49Z)

Redknapp: We must keep Modric

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on Saturday issued a statement insisting the 25-year-old was not for sale "at any price" to any club. Redknapp reckons selling Modric would send the wrong message about the club, but has no reason to doubt Levy's word. (Source: FOXSports.com 2011-06-19T05:51:57Z)

When the Cards needed it most, Matt Holliday stepped up

The cleanup hitter was a non-factor for nearly a month with a strained quad. The losses of David Freese, Allen Craig and Nick Punto made a difficult situation worse. The Cardinals had to summon players from Class AAA Memphis - and even Class AA Springfield ... (Source: Boston Herald 2011-06-19T13:01:27Z)

Nintendo May Fail to Replicate Wii Success as IPhone Games Bloom

The world's largest maker of video-game players this month said the Wii U will go on sale next year, though it didn't disclose the price. Sales may peak at about 30 million units, less than half of the original Wii, Pachter said. A $200 tag would help ... (Source: Bloomberg 2011-06-19T15:17:27Z)

Necktie sales make huge leap in New Orleans for Father's Day

In their 87 years of business, Rubenstein said they've always been focused on neckwear, referencing a 1929 ad hanging up on the store wall advertising six different types of cravats for sale. "This is a dress up City," he said. "And the trend is back to ... (Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune 2011-06-19T14:20:11Z)

Spurs should not cave in and give Modric away to Chelsea: Walker

Though Modric has made it clear he wants to move across London to Stamford Bridge, but Walker has backed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy's decision to make it clear that none of the club's top players are for sale at any price. The Sun quoted the England ... (Source: Newstrack India 2011-06-19T13:08:36Z)

Rory McIlroy's run continues at U.S. Open

For the doom-and-gloom crowd, it should be noted that the largest final-round collapse in major championship history occurred in the 1996 Masters, when Greg Norman blew a six-shot lead and lost to Nick Faldo. But the way McIlroy has played this week ... (Source: Miami Herald 2011-06-19T04:18:53Z)

New dad's new life

Source: Census Bureau "As soon as it was time, I grabbed the baby," Soria said, describing how he caught little Raquel, with help from a nurse-midwife, as she was born Thursday afternoon at Kaiser Medical Center in Santa Rosa. "I'm a new father," said ... (Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat 2011-06-19T15:38:56Z)

Katy Perry twinkles for tweens at Garden

Last night at her sold-out TD Garden show, Perry skipped through a set filled with cotton-candy clouds, candy-cane catwalks and a few bright, beautiful pop-tart hits. Basically, a girl's got to have a gimmick to stand out from all the Britneys ... (Source: Boston Herald 2011-06-19T12:47:08Z)

Redknapp not expecting Defoe departure

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy responded by ordering the Blues to drop their pursuit of the player, insisting he was not for sale "at any price" to any club. Redknapp now wants Tottenham to bolster their own squad and prove to Modric he does not need to join ... (Source: FOXSports.com 2011-06-19T14:05:52Z)

Awesome McIlroy fires 68, 14-under par

In 1996, Australia's Greg Norman went into the final day of the Masters leading by six strokes before his game disintegrated, allowing Englishman Nick Faldo to surge past him and win by five. "Overall, I'm very happy with the way I played today ... (Source: Global Nation 2011-06-19T14:41:40Z)

McIlroy cruising at U.S. Open

The biggest final-day lead ever surrendered at a major was six strokes, when Greg Norman lost to Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters. "When you go in 12 behind somebody, you can play as well as you'd like to play but it's still going to be a matter of the ... (Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2011-06-19T12:39:58Z)

Noah Wyle returns to TV with sci-fi drama 'Falling Skies'

After all, his 11-year weekly hitch as Dr. John Carter on NBC's "ER," which ended in 2005, established him as a mainstay of the last blockbuster drama viewers may ever see. What follow-up series could measure up? "After 'ER,' I wanted to be a ... (Source: Bangor Daily News 2011-06-19T14:48:49Z)

Some evacuees return home from wildfires

Investigators from New Mexico State Forestry and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway said Saturday that fire apparently was started June 12 by engine exhaust from an all-terrain vehicle. (Source: CBS News 2011-06-19T13:37:14Z)

Fathers need public relations help

You find a discarded piece of wood, take out a pocketknife, put a nick in it and present it to your mother, he said, and she'll cry and loudly proclaim how beautiful it is, then display it prominently. Present the same thing to your father, Cosby said ... (Source: msnbc.com 2011-06-19T13:44:24Z)

Clarence Clemons, Longtime Saxophone Player for Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band Remembered

In addition to his saxophone, Clemons also provided background vocals, with a deep baritone probably most recognized as the voice of Santa Claus in Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." When introducing Clemons in recent years ... (Source: ABC News 2011-06-19T12:39:58Z)

Some Fire Evacuees Return Home, While Weather Fuels Flames

Fire officials said existing fire lines were holding despite strong winds in the area. Investigators from New Mexico State Forestry and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway said Saturday that fire apparently was started June 12 by engine exhaust from ... (Source: FOX News 2011-06-19T06:56:22Z)

Jersey salutes sax man Clarence Clemons

"He created a wondrous and extended family." The sentiment was echoed by Ellen Albrecht of Ocean Grove who told the News: "He was a beautiful man. He was a warm and friendly soul." (Source: United Press International 2011-06-19T15:17:27Z)

Some Ariz., N.M., fire evacuees return

Fire officials said existing fire lines were holding despite strong winds in the area. Investigators from New Mexico State Forestry and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway said Saturday that fire apparently was started June 12 by engine exhaust from ... (Source: USA Today 2011-06-19T13:15:46Z)

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