Alfa Romeo delays full return to US.

Amazon introduces digital textbook rentals.

American Airlines splits order between Airbus and Boeing.

Apple directors ponder succession.

BMW grows cautious on developed markets.

Borders succumbs to digital era as Barnes & Noble focuses on e-books.

Campbell expands lower-sodium soup options.Continue reading...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 featured seven branded products. That is seven more than the second part of the film, the just-opened, record-smashing (biggest midnight opening, opening day and opening weekend box office) finale in the entire Harry Potter movie franchise.

Yes, the eighth and final Harry Potter film feature not one identifiable brand… except, of course, the biggest brand of them all: Harry Potter.

The seven brands we spotted in the seventh film (Deathly Hallows Part 1) also represents the highest pre-movie brand tally of any of the record-breaking series.Continue reading...

News Corp. shares tumble as company goes on PR offensive with print apology as News International's former head Rebekah Brooks was arrested Sunday, London's police chief quits and actor Jude Law claims his phone was hacked. Prime Minister David Cameron called in Parliament to deal with the scandal, as speculation rises about possible harm to Murdoch's US empire.

ABS by Alan Schwartz balks at design copyright protection.

Amana introduces new online shopping tool.

Australia's government launches campaign for carbon tax.

Borders faces liquidation.Continue reading...

While Washington DC continues to fight over the nation's finances, the Harry Potter franchise has voted unanimously to increase its profit ceiling.

The total budget for the eight films was $1.15 billion, which has turned into $6.34 billion in profits, without the last film's take even added in yet. Deathly Hallows Part 2 had already earned $43 million overseas before even opening in America, where it's expected to break midnight show records. But the films aren't the only endeavors conjuring up cash.Continue reading...

Google posts record revenue as site expands beyond search ads, Android passes 6B app downloads, and CEO Larry Page takes swipe at Facebook.

Spotify — the second biggest digital retailer in Europe after iTunes — finally launches in the US.

Warner Bros. opens final Harry Potter film at midnight.

Amazon moves strike fear into retailers' hearts.

Dupont faces greenwashing claims.

Groupon comes under scrutiny in Connecticut.Continue reading...

AT&T critiqued for not delivering on 4G promises.

Bank of America $8.5 billion pact comes under scrutiny by New York Attorney General.

Cisco CEO vows faster innovation.

Gisele Bundchen launches clothing line for C&A.

Netflix price hike draws criticism on its blog announcement and a counter-promotion from Blockbuster.

NBCUniversal accused of million-dollar Harry Potter font theft.

Walmart is no longer perceived as offering the lowest prices.Continue reading...

For a generation of muggles, the Harry Potter brand has defined childhood.

Thousands of those fans camped out this week in London's Trafalgar and Leicester Squares, just to catch a glimpse of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as they and their co-stars hit the red carpet today for the worldwide premiere of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the eighth and final film in the quintessential battle between good and evil wizarding.Continue reading...

Barack Obama participates in first Twitter town hall on Tuesday.

Casey Anthony trial verdict blows up on Twitter, YouTube and the mobile web, garnering reactions from celebrities and presidential candidates.

Google retires Blogger and Picasa brand names in Google+ push.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe admits to alcohol problem.

JPMorgan Chase drops credit card collections in some states.

Justin Bieber fails to sell non-teen magazines.

News International's News of the World tabloid shocks with dead girl's phone hacking, amidst calls by Hugh Grant and others for editor's resignation.

Tiger Woods says he will return to golf in August.Continue reading...