Japan's Softbank acquires 70 percent of Sprint for $20 billion.

Santander walks away from $2.7 billion RBS deal.

Microsoft makes new push into music via Xbox.

Red Bull basks in post-skydive glory.

ABA sues New York City over soda ban.

Advent offers to buy beauty retailer Douglas.

Allstate scores points with peers with "Mayhem" campaign.

Amazon flags e-book refunds.Continue reading...

Activision goes bigger with Skylanders line extension and marketing effort.

AIG pays $1.7 billion for ING Malaysia.

ANA conference poised to set attendance record.

Android robot is a hit with 3-D printers.

Audi and BMW starting to leave behind Mercedes-Benz in global premium-auto race.

BAE in play for U.S. buyers as report says EADS merger failed because of discord among participating European governments.

BP moves closer to overall settlement of Gulf spill as Louisiana blames company for perma-sheen.Continue reading...

As if there were any doubt that mobile wallets are the future, Barclays just launched what it's calling Europe's first person-to-person service for sending and receiving money using mobile phone numbers, and saw 20,000 Brits sign up in the first two days. The bank's free mobile app, powered by Pingit, is free to download and use, and promises secure transfer of funds in seconds, which will show up immediately on customers' bank statements.

The Barclays Pingit mobile payment system is available to any UK resident with a UK registered mobile number, users must be 18 or older and need an Android phone, BlackBerry or iPhone smartphone with with web access. Barclays current account customers can send up to £300 a day to family, friends and small businesses. Non-Barclays customers with a current account can receive payments, and "soon they'll be able to send money too," according to the bank.Continue reading...

The United States Postal Service is on the brink of financial collapse, reports the New York Times.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hosts political town hall on Tuesday.

Amazon.com tests a site redesign as founder Jeff Bezos sees spaceship misfire.

American Apparel is in talks to raise up to $160 million in financing.

Apple retains appeal without Steve Jobs, while iconic designer Jonathan Ive stays on.

Baidu launches app store.

China’s Bright Foods looks to Australia for growth.

Cisco is accused of abetting Chinese government in Falun Gong crackdown.

CW marketer Rick Haskins attracts attention with provocative campaigns.

Domino's Pizza wants to be the first fast food joint on the moon (offer only good in Japan).

Glee star Heather Morris criticized for domestic violence-themed photo shoot.

Google Doodle pays tribute to Queen's Freddy Mercury.Continue reading...

Maria Shriver (who recently hinted she's in transition) and Arnold Schwarzenegger prepare to divorce as he announces movie comeback and their son Patrick responds on Twitter.

Bristol Palin lands reality show on History Channel's BIO cable channel.

Facebook asks to be exempt from US political advertising rules.

Audi launches roadside assistance app.

Australian advertisers face opposition on self-regulation and children's marketing.

BMW launches eBay store in the UK.Continue reading...

Bank of America agrees to $137 million fine as US inquiry continues.

Contrave cleared to become first prescription diet pill in US in more than a decade.

Donald Trump says he's "seriously considering" a run at the White House.

Elizabeth Edwards loses battle with cancer.

Google unveils laptop with Chrome OS.

Oprah continues promotional blitz with Dec. 9th Jeopardy! appearance.

Royal Bank of Scotland is on the hot-seat in UK parliament.Continue reading...

Executives from BP, Halliburton and Transocean defend themselves as hearing begins in Washington. Meanwhile, BP faces boycott as it prepares a second dome and considers stuffing uncapped oil well with golf balls and tires.

Paid brand blogging and "sponsored conversations" are on the rise.

P&G prepares branding campaign for London 2012 Olympic Games.

Claire's hit by recall of children's jewelry.

Coca-Cola China launches eco-friendly bottles for Ice Dew water brand.

Disney launches women's website with Teri Hatcher.Continue reading...

Berkshire acquires remaining stake of Burlington Northern. [WSJ]

Sony Ericcson unveils first Android smartphone, on sale early next year. [NY Times]

Starbucks dumps "Gold" loyalty program in favor of "My Starbucks Rewards." [Business Insider]

Lloyd's and RBS agree to sell assets for further federal aid. [NY Times]

UBS expects further client hemorrhaging. [NY Times]

Year-for-year sales at Toyota decline. [WSJ]

Carmakers grapple with pronounciation of "2010." [NY Times]

Embattled Liz Claiborne CEO renews contract for three years. [WSJ]

(More headlines: Peets, Illy, Starbucks, Vegemite iSnack rises).Continue reading...