Topic: Consumer Cyclicals

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National Spelling Bee: 10 winning business words

In the National Spelling Bee’s 85-year existence, a wide range of words have crowned the winners – from science words like ‘crustaceology,’ to musical terms such as ‘soubrette,’ and ‘appoggiatura.’ The list of winning words also includes several that could slide right into the pages of this newspaper’s business section. In honor of the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee, here are 10 business words from past years that have determined the champion. Will this year’s winning word make the list?
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.
After graduation: Five real-world steps to success

With graduation day around the corner, Modern Parenthood caught up with Cindy Brown, author of the book “The Girls Guide to Swagger,” to ask her what her top tips would be for new graduates going off into the “real world.”
Bestselling books the week of 5/24/12, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
Top 10 most expensive car repair mistakes

Better built cars and an uncertain economy mean that Americans are holding onto their cars for longer than ever and are doing more of their own repairs. Nearly half of those who already do their own auto repairs say they are doing more of them themselves this year; 3 in 4 of those who rely on a mechanic say that economic conditions are making them more likely to attempt their own repairs, according to a recent survey by AutoMD.com. But there are mistakes that even the most seasoned do-it-yourselfers can make. Whether you like to go under the hood or take your vehicle to the shop, here are 10 expensive repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid:

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National Spelling Bee: 10 winning business words

In the National Spelling Bee’s 85-year existence, a wide range of words have crowned the winners – from science words like ‘crustaceology,’ to musical terms such as ‘soubrette,’ and ‘appoggiatura.’ The list of winning words also includes several that could slide right into the pages of this newspaper’s business section. In honor of the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee, here are 10 business words from past years that have determined the champion. Will this year’s winning word make the list?
The New Economy
Top 40 richest list: Zuckerberg flames out as super-billionaire. Does it matter?

Top 40 richest list from Bloomberg drops Facebook CEO Zuckerberg as his company's valuation ebbs. But making the Top 40 richest list is probably not Zuckerberg's big concern right now. 
How 'Hatfields and McCoys' became cable's biggest-ever hit

The History Channel miniseries 'Hatfields and McCoys' is the most-watched non-sports show ever on cable. Yes, it's violent and vulgar, but it's also good, movie-style entertainment, critics say.
Global News Blog
Why Zimbabwe's President Mugabe was named UN 'tourism envoy'

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, who signed an agreement to co-host a UN tourism conference, now has an honorary position as envoy, despite a long record of human rights abuses.
BlackBerry-maker RIM warns of layoffs, operating loss

RIM also hires advisers to look at strategies to reverse its downturn. RIM has seen its share of US smartphone market fall from 44 percent to 10 percent in two years.
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.
No more big TV discounts? Samsung and Sony push to control pricing.

Samsung and Sony, two of the world's biggest television manufacturers, have begin setting minimum retail prices on their sets.
After graduation: Five real-world steps to success

With graduation day around the corner, Modern Parenthood caught up with Cindy Brown, author of the book “The Girls Guide to Swagger,” to ask her what her top tips would be for new graduates going off into the “real world.”
Obama under fire for giving Hollywood access to Bin Laden SEALs

Rep. Peter King is criticizing the President's administration for sharing too much information with Kathryn Bigelow, the director of the Hurt Locker and the force behind a movie intended to depict the raid that killed Osama bin Laden last year.
Change Agent
Community radio cuts disaster risk in flood-prone Bangladesh

Radio stations that broadcast in local dialects along Bangladesh’s coast warn residents about storms and help farmers cope with erratic weather.
Bestselling books the week of 5/24/12, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best in independent bookstores across America.
In Gear
BMW voted most valuable car brand. Where does your car rank?

BMW grabbed the top spot as the world's most valuable car brand in the BrandZ Top 100 Global survey, edging out Toyota. BMW brand value has risen 10 percent over the past year.
Big-screen blockbuster: Chinese conglomerate gobbles up AMC chain

In what some are calling a $2.6 billion prestige play, China's big fish Wanda is swallowing AMC to create the world's largest theater chain despite the steady decline in the US industry.
Facebook stock falls 11 percent in second trading day

Facebook shares close down $4.20 in Monday trading. Facebook stock dropped so much Monday morning that 'circuit breakers' kicked in to restrict sell orders.
Top 10 most expensive car repair mistakes

Better built cars and an uncertain economy mean that Americans are holding onto their cars for longer than ever and are doing more of their own repairs. Nearly half of those who already do their own auto repairs say they are doing more of them themselves this year; 3 in 4 of those who rely on a mechanic say that economic conditions are making them more likely to attempt their own repairs, according to a recent survey by AutoMD.com. But there are mistakes that even the most seasoned do-it-yourselfers can make. Whether you like to go under the hood or take your vehicle to the shop, here are 10 expensive repair and maintenance mistakes to avoid:
Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook status updated to 'married' (+video)

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg married long-time girlfriend Priscilla Chan Saturday in a small, surprise wedding. Less than 100 guests arrived at Zuckerberg's home for what they would be a party to celebrate Chan's graduation from medical school. Zuckerberg did not wear a hoodie.
Tech stocks exchange to change IPO auctions after Facebook glitches

Tech stocks IPO auctions will be revamped, Nasdaq CEO says, after delays plagued Facebook's first day of trading. SEC investigating to see if delays hurt trading in the tech stock's underwhelming IPO.
In Gear
Fiat auctions special edition car via Twitter

Fiat hosts TwitBid auction for a special-edition Fiat 500. The winning bid was €15,200. 
The New Economy
Facebook IPO? Flat. Facebook future? Bright.

Facebook IPO generated no big stock gains on its first day of trading. But Facebook has many of the traits that made Apple, Microsoft, and Google great in the long run.  
Are celebrity judges ruining American Idol and other talent shows?

Killing the Golden Goose? By relying on Jennifer Lopez (American Idol) and Britney Spears (The X Factor), are talent shows putting celebrities ahead of discovering new talent?
Superheroes arrive to rescue ... Hollywood?

Box office analysts say 'The Avengers' is only the beginning of potential blockbusters for the summer season.
In Gear
Honda recall: Acura TL sedans have potential fluid leak

Honda recall involves nearly 53,000 Acuras from 2007 and 2008. Deteriorating power-steering hoses sparked the Honda recall.
Decoder Wire
Facebook IPO: Is co-founder Saverin cheating US out of $100 million in taxes?

By renouncing his US citizenship, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin could save some $100 million in taxes from Friday's Facebook IPO. Senators call it 'tax avoidance,' and aim to block it.
iPhone: Apple to boost screen size in next version

iPhone production could begin as soon as August with a screen as much as 30 percent larger than the current iPhone 4S, according to reports of Apple's plans.
Companies question whether Facebook ads pay

General Motors has withdrawn ads ahead of the social giant's IPO, and others are asking if Facebook can really monetize its users.