| Yahoo Beats Google in Customer Report
For the first time, search engine Yahoo Inc. beat rival Google Inc. on the University of Michigan's annual American Customer Satisfaction Index report, which was released Tuesday. According to the report, Yahoo received a customer satisfaction score of 79 out of 100 on the report's scale. Google, meanwhile, came in with 78 points in its second consecutive yearly decline. ForeSee Results, which sponsors the survey, said IAC/InterActiveCorp.'s Ask.com had the largest increase in customer satisfaction over last year with a score of 75. Time Warner Inc.'s AOL.com, on the other hand, declined the most with a 9 percent drop to 67 points. .
Federal lawyers defend water use at Nevada's Yucca Mountain
LAS VEGAS (AP) - In advance of a scheduled court Wednesday hearing, Justice Department lawyers argue that the federal Department of Energy didn't violate a court-approved agreement in using Nevada water during drilling near the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear dump. Justice Department lawyers Stephen Bartell and Ronald Tenpas made the argument in papers filed Monday in U.S. District Court in efforts to block the state engineer's cease-and-desist order against the water use. The lawyers said the state engineer is wrong in maintaining that the water use is governed exclusively by state law. They also cited the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, arguing it prohibits state interference with DOE's water use on federal land. Scientists at Yucca Mountain, 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, have continued to use water from two nearby wells despite state Engineer Tracy Taylor's June 1 cease-and-desist order that was reinstated July 20 after he determined that it is not in Nevada's interest to allow the water to be used in drilling bore holes.
Auto industry profit rises 65.79% despite price cuts
China's automobile industry experienced a 65.79 percent profit rise in the first half of this year, despite heated market competition and wide-ranging price cuts, according to an industry body, the Xinhuanet reported today. Major domestic automakers reported a total profit of 30.21 billion yuan (US$3.99 billion) in the first six months, an increase of 11.99 billion yuan over the same period last year, statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show. .
Area 1 Court Dispositions
Seth Geisler, 315 S. Locust St., Oxford, wrongful entrustment, $1,000 and costs, $600 suspended, 180 days in jail, 180 days suspended, two years good behavior. Eric R. Gessner, 655 Sundance, Cincinnati, disorderly conduct, $150 and costs. Gary M. Henry, 112 E. Spearmint St., E, Union City, attempted theft, $1,000 and costs, $1,000 suspended, 180 days in jail, 180 days suspended. Troy V. Holmes, 110 Homestead Ave., Oxford, safety disregard, $100 and costs. Stephanie R. Hughes, 218 Northridge Drive, Oxford, improper backing, $35 and costs. James Jones, 123 Main St., #25, College Corner, Ohio, resisting arrest, $500 and costs, 90 days in jail, 90 days suspended, two years reporting probation. Brandon R. Kocher, 3400 Som Center, Pepper Pike, assault, $1,000 and costs, $500 suspended, 180 days in jail, 180 days suspended, restitution.
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-08-13 09:23 GMT: Prudential raises stake in China fund management JV to 49 pct vs 33 pct
LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Prudential PLC said it has raised its stake in CITIC Prudential Fund Management, its joint venture with CITIC Group in China to 49 pct from 33 pct following the transfer of stakes by two Chinese shareholders. Shareholder China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Ventures Co has transferred its 16 pct stake in the fund to Prudential, while the other, Suzhou New District Economic Development Group Corp, has transferred its 16 pct in the fund to CITIC Trust & Investment Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the CITIC Group. Following the transfers, CITIC Trust & Investment and Prudential now hold a 49 pct stake each in the fund management company, while China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Ventures holds the remaining 2 pct. The joint venture CITIC-Prudential Fund Management, which has registered capital of 100 mln yuan, was founded in 2005.
Boxing - News & Results - World Boxing News
The Russian Giant is back! Nikolai Valuev will return to the ring on September 29 when he takes on Jean-Francois Bergeron in Oldenburg, Germany. "I want to be world champion again," the previously unbeaten 33-year-old vowed. "I am eager to get back into the ring."Valuev, who won the WBA belt from John Ruiz in December 2005, made three successful defences before Ruslan Chagaev clinched a close majority decision in April. "I have learned from the first loss of my career," Valuev stated. "I have something to prove and the fight against Bergeron will be the first step. I will beat him no matter what."The Russian Giant (46-1, 34 KOs) has nothing but the best memories of Oldenburg. "That´s where I won the eliminator against Larry Donald back in October 2005. It was a tough fight. On September 29 I will again put myself into a position to fight for a world title." Valuev is sure he will take care of business against Bergeron, a 34-year-old Canadian southpaw who is undefeated in 27 fights (19 KOs).
Business Briefing
The nation's jobless rate inched up to a six-month high of 4.6 percent in July, from 4.5 percent in June. The Labor Department said Friday that new job creation has slowed. Employers increased payrolls by 92,000 last month, down from 126,000 in June.
The unemployment rate included jobs eliminated by the government, construction companies, factories and retailers — in part reflecting the toll of the sour housing and auto markets.
Florida Power & Light Co. has requested a "refund" from the Florida Public Service Commission for money it spent on planning a coal-fired power plant in Glades County, a proposal regulators rejected on June 5. Opponents argued the new plant, on the western edge of Lake Okeechobee, would emit toxic mercury and harm the Everglades.
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-08-04 08:05 GMT: Judge: Fen-Phen lawyers owe $62 million
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Three attorneys accused of bilking their clients in a diet drug settlement must repay at least $62.1 million in settlement funds and interest, a judge ruled Friday. Special Judge William Wehr ordered William J. Gallion, 56, Shirley A. Cunningham Jr., 52, and Melbourne Mills Jr., 76, to repay $42 million taken from the settlement and $20.1 million in interest. Wehr said the interest was 8 percent over the six years the attorneys had the funds. The attorneys are being sued by about 400 former clients who claim the lawyers took too much money as part of a $200 million fen-phen settlement. Gallion and Cunningham own a 20 percent stake in Curlin, who won the second leg of the Triple Crown in May. A federal grand jury indicted the attorneys last month, charging them with conspiring to commit wire fraud in representing more than 400 people in a lawsuit over the diet drug.
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