Topic: California

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Facebook IPO: Six key dates in its debacle

Facebook's first week as a publicly traded company will go down as a terribly botched corporate launch, perhaps one of the worst in recent history for such a highly visible entity. Eight days ago, it was the tech world's most highly anticipated initial public offering in eight years. Now, the social media company faces mounting legal woes and serves as an embarrassing example of how not to run an IPO. Despite rising insider pessimism about its growth prospects, Facebook kept boosting its asking price and the number of shares it would sell. The result: billions of dollars in losses; investigations by two congressional committees, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an industry watchdog, and the state of Massachusetts; at least 13 class-action lawsuits; and thousands of resentful shareholders who days later still were unsure how many Facebook shares they had or at what price. Here are six key dates in Facebook's unfolding IPO disaster.
Spurs and Thunder star in NBA’s Western Conference Finals: 10 extra dimensions

The clash of the Spurs and Thunder in the NBA’s Western Conference finals may fly a bit under the national radar when it opens Sunday. Here are 10 factors that make this showdown intriguing.
Major gay marriage cases in federal court and where they stand

Battles over same-sex marriage have been raging in the federal courts for several years. Two could reach the US Supreme Court within a year: one challenging California's ban on gay marriage under Proposition 8, and the other seeking to invalidate the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Here are the cases to follow.
Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.
Andy Cohen: 7 stories from his new book

In his new memoir 'Most Talkative,' the Bravo executive and host recounts everything from high school to crazy experiences on his talk show.

All Content

Los Angeles in a stew over taco trucks

A new law could levy fines and jail time for taco-truck proprietors who idle.
Virtual schools see strong growth, calls for more oversight

Half of courses in Grades 9 to 12 will be delivered online by 2019, predicts a new report.
Horizons
The Phoenix’s risky landing
Creative writing for extraterrestrials

A college class, funded by a NASA Space Grant Consortium, contemplates what to say to E.T.
More Mail Bag matches

Readers relate experiences with the Monitor's old pen pal column.
High fuel prices curtail RV trips – just a little

For millions of Americans, towing the vacation home or traveling around the country in an RV is a way of life, even with the high cost of fuel.
USA
In congressional races, Republicans are losing ground

GOP leaders urge a new agenda after several key losses.
Now it's easier to play green

Parents who want nontoxic toys for their kids are finding more choices.
Superdelegates shifting toward Obama

He narrowed Clinton's lead to 13, picking up four after Tuesday's primaries.
Bright Green
Apple bruised in climate report
USA
Letters to the Editor

Readers write about war-hero candidates, youth voters, and school testing.
Will taxpayers be on the hook for subprime crisis?

Federally linked entities like Fannie Mae now back 98 percent of home loans sold by banks.
Bright Green
Grand Canyon site of renewed mining rush
California museums tell the history of computing

Bit by bit, they gather and display gadgets from the computer revolution.
More Mail Bag matches

Readers remember pen pals they found through the Monitor.
Grease bandits strike as biofuel demand rises

As the price of this waste product and biodiesel ingredient has risen, so have thefts.
Letters to the Editor

Readers write about elections and Chinese weapons in Zimbabwe.
Even big companies are embracing a democratic style

What if you could vote on your CEO's performance?
Armed to kill in national parks?

A rule that would allow visitors to carry loaded guns in US parks should be shot down.
USA
Grease bandits strike as biofuel demand rises

As the price of this waste product and biodiesel ingredient has risen, so have thefts.
Bright Green
Tesco tries out carbon labels
USA