In the News: BP, H-P, Blackberry

BP tells U.S. officials its cement plug for damaged well was a success, and that its Gulf clean-up costs have passed $6 billion.

H-P faces questions over whether its board acted too rashly in demanding the resignation of CEO Mark Hurd, as the woman at the center of his ethics scandal identifies herself. The New York Times writes, "turning the page on the scandal won't be easy" for HP.

BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion faces a deadline of today to test proposed solutions to its security challenges in Saudi Arabia, as a temporary agreement keeps its services intact there.

Brand embrace social gaming, as McDonald's signs with Farmville and Honda lures auto buffs with "Car Town" game on Facebook.

Apple ushers out the executive in charge of its iPhone, Mark Papermaster, after a string of problems with the device.

AstraZeneca pays $198 million to settle Seroquel litigation.

Bausch & Lomb introduces Biotrue as first green contact lens solution.

Chrysler narrows second-quarter loss as it heads into a period full of introductions of new and upgraded models. 

Denny’s updates its value menu with five new items.

Ford restores pay to Ford family scion, executive chairman, and former CEO Bill Ford, who had foregone his salary for five years awaiting a return to consistent profitability by the company’s automotive operations. Meanwhile, top Ford executives move to restore Ford’s investment-grade credit rating.

HBO will end its iconic show, Entourage, with season six next year (and Sex and the City-like plans for a movie).

Honda plans to debut a hybrid version of its Fit subcompact, which would be the least expensive hybrid sold in Japan.

Kardashian sisters announce plans to launch home and fashion lines.

Kellogg's Pop-Tarts are being promoted with a pop-up (tart) Times Square store in New York.

Mahindra & Mahindra assembles a bid as the Indian automaker seeks to buy a majority stake in troubled South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor.

Marmite's soaring costs befuddle Brit fans.

McDonald's same-store sales increased in July.

Reebok extends EasyTone brand with a line of clothing.

Sara Lee accepts the resignation of CEO Brenda Barnes for medical reasons, and ponders successors. 

Sony's Will Ferrell-starring comedy The Other Guys beats the other guys, including Inception, in its box-office debut over the weekend.

Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse and other major U.S. restaurant chains are upping the incentives for customer loyalty programs.

Taco Bell faces a U.S. federal probe of a salmonella outbreak.

W Magazine is taking a new direction under new editor.