Geico and T-Mobile prepare customers in Northeast US for Hurricane Earl.

Google will continue to provide search functions on AOL's websites in a new five-year deal.

Google Maps sponsored icons intrigue brands as new geo-advertising opportunity.

HP trumped Dell for 3Par, as the WSJ ponders what all the fuss was about in the first place.

Lehman Brothers bank units face sale or closure.

News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch sees global economy in turmoil.Continue reading...

* Apple's plan to offer 99-cent TV-show rentals is "getting limited support from media companies," reports the Wall Street Journal. Amazon cut the price of some TV show downloads to 99 cents in response, while Apple's partnership with Netflix is seen as a sign the DVD rental company may weather a shift to Web video that is challenging others. Sony is also launching a digital-music service to compete with iTunes.

* Allergan settles Botox allegations with the federal government for $600 million. 

* Burger King may need a new brand strategy rather than just another new owner, as suitors start to circle.

* Chrysler posts August sales gain, but every other major automaker sees sales slide in comparison with last year’s robust “cash-for-clunkers” campaign.

* Discovery Channel gunman James Lee told NBC mid-hostage-taking that he picked up pointers from Mythbusters.

* General Motors, which is making the Chevrolet Volt, is trying to trademark the expression "range anxiety."Continue reading...

* 3Par accepts sweetened bid from Dell as an old-fashioned corporate slugfest continues and HP raises its bid to $30/share.

* 8th Continent aims new marketing campaign for soy milk at U.S. moms.

* American Airlines vows to fight a record U.S. fine over alleged maintenance violations.

* Asahi extends push into Australia.

* Audi gets promotional push in gear in Hollywood.

* Boeing postpones delivery of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft once again.Continue reading...

* RIM falls to 17-month low as India's BlackBerry ban looms; suggests forum to resolve standoff.

* HP tops Dell's bid for 3Par again, this time offering $1.8 billion.

* Toyota and GM are recalling 1.3 million vehicles, impacting GM's Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Corolla and Matrix models.

* Google is testing real-time search - here's the link.

* All Nippon Airways is now Japan's top carrier, knocking JAL to #1.Continue reading...

Dell says 3Par accepted its raised bid, trumping HP for control of the computer-storage company. (Updated).

US egg farmers launch a public reassurance campaign in the wake of nationwide salmonella outbreak.

Facebook is the leading social networking site in India for the first time, overtaking Orkut.

Academy Awards telecasts could move to Mondays to make room for NFL games on Sunday nights.

Alibaba Group, China's biggest e-commerce operator, expands travel business to include international airline-ticket sales and plans to undercut rivals' prices.

BHP, undeterred by rivals, vows restraint in its bid for Potash.

British Heart Foundation calls for more labelling on food after UK salt survey cites KFC, McDonald's, Pret a Manger and others.Continue reading...

Apple gains more acceptance in business, winning corporate IT support for the iPad.

Chrysler faces pushback from US dealers who are wary of the expense of carrying a separate Fiat brand as the 500 model looms.

HP and Dell continue their battle over 3Par; struggle underscores the need for data storage the business world.

Barneys hires former Gucci CEO to revive the luxury-retail brand after a two-year talent search.

Benihana’s reports improved sales, thanks in part to stepped-up promotional activities at its restaurants.Continue reading...