US widens probe of HP bribery allegations (AP)

AP - U.S. investigators have widened their probe of alleged kickbacks paid to Russian authorities by employees of a Hewlett-Packard Co. subsidiary in Germany.

Nokia brings in Microsoft exec to replace CEO (Reuters)

Reuters - Nokia has hired Stephen Elop, a Canadian Microsoft executive of Silicon Valley pedigree, to replace its embattled chief executive and renew its drive to compete with Apple.

US court lifts ban on state-funded stem cell studies (AFP)

AFP - A US appeals court suspended Thursday a ban on state-funding for embryonic stem cell research pending a full appeal of the case, in a major boost to President Barack Obama's administration.

Namco hints at Game Center plans, details upcoming apps (Macworld.com)

Macworld.com - Look for Game Center compatibility to take the form of a familiar face, as Namco Networksâ Ms. Pac-Man will soon work with the new iOS 4.1-friendly gaming service launched this week by Apple. Namco made the announcement as part of a preview of its mobile gaming lineup for the rest of 2010.

Nokia appoints Microsoft executive as new CEO (AFP)

AFP - The world's largest mobile phone maker Nokia on Friday named a new software-savvy chief executive from Microsoft to help it battle slumping profits and an eroding market share in the smartphone segment.

Stock futures track oil up in low volume, semis eyed (Reuters)

Reuters - Stock index futures rose slightly on Friday in low volume and were up for the seventh day in eight, buoyed by a jump in crude oil prices.

UN climate chief urges flexibility in talks (AP)

AP - The United Nations' climate chief on Friday urged countries to be flexible in order to make progress at weeklong climate talks in China next month, the last formal negotiations on climate change ahead of a major year-end meeting in Cancun, Mexico.

One-Third of Americans Back Ban on Synthetic Biology (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Engineering new synthetic organisms offers promise of fighting disease and even global warming, but also comes with risk. Now two-thirds of Americans surveyed in a new poll say the field should move forward, while one-third supports a ban until researchers better understand the possible consequences.

Oil jumps to near $76 on U.S. supply outage (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. crude approached a three-week high near $76 on Friday, after record U.S. inventories were offset by the shutdown of a major pipeline, but a leading forecaster said oil demand would remain tepid.

BP delays Q3 results due oil spill complexities (Reuters)

Reuters - BP Plc said it would delay the release of its third quarter results by a week because of added complexities in its accounts due to costs associated with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Google plans research base in France (AFP)

AFP - Google will open a research and development centre in France aiming to lure young French IT engineers as part of a major investment programme, the Internet giant said.

Oil climbs to near $76 on economic indicators (AP)

AP - Oil prices climbed to near $76 a barrel Friday in Asia as better economic indicators from Japan to the U.S. boosted confidence that demand for fuel will improve.

iLoveHandles Turns the iWatch Dream into Reality (Mashable)

Mashable - When you see the new iPod nano and its beautiful, tiny touchscreen, one of the first things that come to mind is: hey, I could turn this into an iWatch!

'Here you Have' Virus Tries to Delete Your Security Software (PC World)

PC World - On Thursday, a new worm hit the Internet, and itâs been spreading by emailing the address books of infected users, according to McAfee Labs. By masquerading as a benign PDF, the worm looks something like this when it shows up in your inbox:

Adobe Responds to Apple's New Rules (Mashable)

Mashable - Yesterday, seemingly out of the blue, Apple issued a statement saying it will ease up restrictions for development tools used to create iOS party apps. Now, Adobe has reacted with a statement of its own, calling Apple's decision "great news for developers".

Facebook inches past Google for Web users' minutes (AP)

AP - U.S. Web surfers are spending more time socializing on Facebook than searching with Google, according to new data from researchers at comScore Inc.

Enbridge pipeline leaks oil in Chicago suburb (AP)

AP - Oil was sent onto a roadway and into a retention pond in suburban Chicago on Thursday when Enbridge Energy Partners officials said one of their pipelines in the area leaked.

"Virginity Hit" a bawdy crowdpleaser (Reuters)

Reuters - Essentially the first feature-length YouTube video, "The Virginity Hit" updates the horny-teenager movie to the Internet era.

EBay wins a round in court against Craigslist (AP)

AP - In a skirmish between two Internet heavy hitters with a tangled relationship, eBay Inc. has convinced a court that it was wronged by antitakeover moves adopted by Craigslist after eBay started encroaching on its online classifieds turf in the U.S.

'Frustration-free packaging' slow to catch on (Ben Patterson)

Ben Patterson - Just the other day, I got bitten by one of those hard plastic clamshell cases that retailers still seem to love. Even with a pair of heavy-duty scissors, it took me several minutes to pry the stubborn thing open, and as I sawed away, a jagged piece of plastic tore at my finger and gave me a good scratch. At least I didn’t bleed on my newly purchased USB hard drive (this time).

Hurd's Oracle gig: Is Ellison perk or problem? (AP)

AP - As co-president at Oracle Corp., ousted Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Mark Hurd will have to adapt to a new role playing second fiddle to one of Silicon Valley's most domineering bosses — Larry Ellison.

USDA sued over genetically modified beet permits (Reuters)

Reuters - Groups opposed to genetically modified foods announced a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday over the agency's recent decision to allow limited plantings of altered sugar beets.

Alaska sues to lift Arctic drilling suspension (AP)

AP - The state claimed Thursday that the Interior Department illegally halted offshore drilling in Artic waters, even though the department said there's no such moratorium in place.

The Sky's The Limit As Business Warms Up To Cloud Computing (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - If you want Wall Street's verdict on cloud-based computing services, look no further than the stock surge Salesforce.com enjoyed last month after it reported earnings.

EPA officials: Kan. must revise air permit process (AP)

AP - Federal officials told Kansas legislators Thursday that the state will be expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions as it considers air-quality permits for power plants, large factories, and oil refineries — and if it refuses, the Environmental Protection Agency could step in.

Okla. panel studies lesser prairie chicken habitat (AP)

AP - Conservationists and wind power developers told a legislative panel on Thursday that more study is needed to determine the impact of wind turbines and electrical transmission lines on the habitat of the lesser prairie chicken.

EPA wants to know chemicals used in gas drilling (AP)

AP - The Environmental Protection Agency asked nine natural gas companies Thursday to voluntarily disclose the chemical components used in a drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing.

EPA wants to know chemicals used in gas drilling (AP)

AP - The Environmental Protection Agency asked nine natural gas companies Thursday to voluntarily disclose the chemical components used in a drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing.

U.S. appeals court puts on hold stem cell funding ban (Reuters)

Reuters - A U.S. appeals court granted on Thursday an Obama administration request to temporarily lift a judge's ban on federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells.

Sanofi-Aventis sticking to first offer for Genzyme (AP)

AP - French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA is sticking to its original offer of $69 a share to buy U.S. biotech company Genzyme Corp., a Sanofi spokesman said Thursday.

Herb Quells Cows' Methane-Laden Belches (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - For scientists concerned about greenhouse gas emissions, cow farts are nowhere near as problematic as their methane-laden belches. Now a new oregano supplement could stem the burps and reduce the potent methane emissions.

Choose these healthy alternatives to sports drinks (Y! Green)

Y! Green - Our bodies are composed of 60 percent water and it is vital for the proper functioning of cells and organs to maintain optimal hydration, especially during hot summer months.

Union: China violating trade rules in clean energy (AP)

AP - A major U.S. union is asking the Obama administration to crack down on various Chinese trade practices that it says are robbing American workers of jobs in the burgeoning field of clean energy such as solar and wind power.

Oil gives back early gains, settles lower (AP)

AP - Oil prices fell back on Thursday, after getting an early boost from lower jobless claims and crude inventories.

Teamsters Support Steelworkers Trade Case Against Illegal Activities By China (PR Newswire)

PR Newswire - USW Case Exposes Violations of Trade Law by China in Effort to Dominate Alternative and Renewable Energy Industry

Gulf oil dilemma: accept payout from BP or sue (AP)

AP - Alabama seafood market owner David Scott faces a difficult decision as he tries to rejuvenate his business after the Gulf oil spill: He can accept a piece of BP's $20 billion claims fund — relatively fast, easy money — or sue the oil giant for a bigger payday, wait years and risk ending up with nothing.

Gulf oil dilemma: accept payout from BP or sue (AP)

AP - Alabama seafood market owner David Scott faces a difficult decision as he tries to rejuvenate his business after the Gulf oil spill: He can accept a piece of BP's $20 billion claims fund — relatively fast, easy money — or sue the oil giant for a bigger payday, wait years and risk ending up with nothing.

Rural Pennsylvania town fights big gas (Reuters)

Reuters - In the rush to develop America's biggest new source of domestic energy, one community is fighting to protect its rural way of life from the environmental strains that accompany shale gas drilling.

Apple opens up on iOS app review guidelines, relaxes development restrictions (Ben Patterson)

Ben Patterson - Apple’s criteria for approving or rejecting a given iPhone or iPad app have long been a perplexing, maddening mystery to developers — but now Apple is abruptly making public its once-secret iOS app review guidelines. Among the highlights: No content that’s "over the line," nothing "cobbled together in a few days," and above all, "We don't need any more Fart apps."

Fact or Fiction? Top 8 Linux Myths Debunked (PC World)

PC World - If the idea of using Linux in your business is one that makes you nervous, chances are you've fallen prey to one or more of the many myths out there that are frequently disseminated by competing vendors such as Microsoft. After all, each Linux user means one less sale for such companies, so they have a powerful motivation to spread such FUD.

Apple publishes guidelines for app approval (AP)

AP - Apple Inc. on Thursday gave software developers the guidelines it uses to determine which programs can be sold in its App Store, yet it reserved for itself broad leeway in deciding what makes the cut.

ECTunes pioneers pedestrian-safety sounds for electric cars (Y! Green)

Y! Green - ECTunes founders Jesper Rasmussen and Thomas Gadegaard (in car): a business opportunity. (Credit: ECTunes)

Best apps to download for your new iPod (Appolicious)

Appolicious - Whether you're listening to music and downloading apps on the iPod you got for your birthday three years ago, or a new and shiny iPod Touch, Nano or Shuffle, finding the right apps is half the battle. And if you're a serious music fan, chances are you don't take what you're listening to, or what you're downloading to enhance your music listening experience, too lightly. To guide you through the best musical experience you can possibly have on your iPod — new or old — I have created this list below. Enjoy.

Feds plan more sea turtle releases in Gulf (AP)

AP - Federal officials say they're stepping up plans to release sea turtles that were stranded and rescued during the Gulf oil spill and study how they've been affected.

Board Approves Resolution to Support Marcellus Shale Tax (PR Newswire)

PR Newswire - HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a resolution to support the efforts to implement a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas extraction, and encouraged legislators to ensure that a portion of those funds are directed to the state's four resource agencies, including the Game Commission, to help fund the monitoring of the environmental impacts of the drilling processes.

Natural gas stocks expand again (AP)

AP - Natural gas stockpile levels grew last week as analysts expected, the government said Thursday.

Nigeria: 2 kidnapped Russian sailors released (AP)

AP - Authorities say two kidnapped Russian sailors have been released after a month in captivity in Nigeria's oil-rich and restive southern delta.

Questions, worries, arguments preceded Gulf blast (AP)

AP - Something was wrong.

Questions, worries, arguments preceded Gulf blast (AP)

AP - Something was wrong.

British MPs to grill BP CEO Hayward (Reuters)

Reuters - British Members of Parliament (MPs) will next week grill outgoing BP Plc Chief Executive Tony Hayward, as part of an investigation into risks around deepwater drilling in the North Sea.