Netflix and Starz contract renewal talks break off, ending one of Netflix's "most important" (though less so, lately) content deals.

Hostess Brands, maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, retains restructuring advisers.

Oracle $1.3 billion verdict against SAP overturned by judge.

Accera Inc.'s Axona milkshake raises hopes for Alzheimer's patients.

Air Australia reveals new livery.

Airbnb expands into sublets.

Amazon bargains to avoid online sales tax in California.

American Airlines disputes survey saying it had the longest call-waiting times during Hurricane Irene, hires pet detective to track missing-at-JFK passenger Jack the Cat.Continue reading...

Tiger Woods loses $10 million Tag Heuer endorsement deal.

Groupon addresses accounting complaints as rivals fall by wayside.

Verizon hit by strike action affecting 45,000 workers.

Airbnb continues beefing up security.

Alexander McQueen show at New York's Metropolitan Museum breaks records in final weekend.

American Apparel expands ASOS partnership.

Bank of Scotland launches integrated campaign.Continue reading...

Airbnb is taking a page straight out of PR 101, using a straightforward, unconditional apology as the best antidote to bad press.

In a lengthy blog post Monday responding to customers' concerns about ransacked homeowners who trusted the home rentals site, CEO Brian Chesky admitted that the company mishandled the robbery/ransacking issue — and paid the price.Continue reading...

U.S. House is expected to pass debt ceiling bill tonight, with the Senate set to vote Tuesday.

Amazon launches AmazonLocal daily deals in Groupon's hometown of Chicago; launches MyHabit app to compete with Gilt Groupe; beefs up streaming offering to compete with Hulu by adding Universal titles; and looks to expand Kindle library.

Apple iPhone 5 now rumored for October; Apple TV lets users buy TV shows with streaming update; and Apple blocks Samsung tablet release in Australia.

Twitter confirms "significant" ($800M?) funding round led by Russia's DST Global; adds Dutch and Indonesian local sites; and opens NYC office.

Adobe bows to Apple and builds Flash alternative.

Airbnb looks to defuse user security concerns by offering $50,000 guarantee to homeowners.

Allstate to shut banking unit, posts $620M in losses on tornado claims.Continue reading...

Markets rally as Sunday night's U.S. debt limit deal goes before Congress for a vote today as Twitter explodes over deal.

Airbnb investor suggests ransacked woman is lying.

Al Jazeera English launches in New York.

Ambassador Coffee brand changes hands.

Apple wins dispute over iPods.com domain.

Bank of America hit with new Countrywide lawsuit.

Bloomberg Businessweek to hike paid circulation.Continue reading...

The White House and Republicans in Congress have reached a deal to raise the debt ceiling, agreeing to about $1 trillion in cuts over the next 10 years to lower the deficit and prevent the first government default in U.S. history.

HSBC plans global layoffs as banks sells 195 U.S. branches to First Niagara for $1 billion.

PBS plans to launch a digital TV channel in the U.K. as network's president talks it up to TV critics.

Airbnb sees another crime victim come forward as suspect is arrested in first incident.

Alibaba resolves dispute with Yahoo.

Apple's Taiwan vendor FoxConn to replace workers with robots, while iPhone rises, iPad tops tablet brand survey for customer satisfaction, and iPod sinks.Continue reading...

Airbnb crime victim claims company tried to silence her.

Apple iPhone ousts Nokia as world's best-selling smartphone, has more money than the US government.

AT&T plans to throttle data-hogs.

Bloomberg reportedly plans Arabic-language TV channel.

BMW i sub-brand starts to take shape with new concept cars.

Bulgari sales rise 23%.

Delta partners with LivingSocial to offer local deals.Continue reading...

Airbnb image takes a hit with customer horror story.

Amazon helps consumers shift from a physical to a digital future.

BMW lands prime sponsorship of U.S. team in 2012 Summer Olympics.

Boeing slows 787 deliveries.

CNN host Piers Morgan accused of hacking on his watch while editor of News of the World.

Chrysler and Fiat prepare to merge and finish their turnaround stories.Continue reading...