http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/30/justice/mississippi--hate-crime/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Jackson, Mississippi (CNN) -- A white Mississippi teenager accused of murdering an African-American man in a hate crime pleaded not guilty in his arraignment Friday.
Deryl Dedmon, 19, is charged with capital murder and a hate crime in the death of James Craig Anderson, stemming from an incident involving a gang of white teenagers who allegedly attacked Anderson early in the morning of June 26.
Dedmon showed no emotion, expressed no remorse, and made no further statements at the hearing before Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill Friday morning.
Friday, September 30, 2011
CTUSA - U.S. stocks ended significantly lower Friday as a lousy quarter winds down
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/30/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?iid=Lead
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Stocks ended a dismal quarter with heavy losses Friday as investors remain worried about the debt crisis in Europe and the outlook for global economic growth.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) fell 240 points, or 2.1%, according to early tallies. The S&P 500 (SPX) slid 30 points, or 2.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) fell 65 points, or 2.6%.
The losses capped the biggest quarterly drop for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq since the fourth quarter of 2008. The S&P 500 lost 14% and the Nasdaq fell 13% over the last three months.
The Dow fell 12% in the quarter, marking its worst quarterly performance since the first quarter of 2009.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Stocks ended a dismal quarter with heavy losses Friday as investors remain worried about the debt crisis in Europe and the outlook for global economic growth.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) fell 240 points, or 2.1%, according to early tallies. The S&P 500 (SPX) slid 30 points, or 2.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) fell 65 points, or 2.6%.
The losses capped the biggest quarterly drop for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq since the fourth quarter of 2008. The S&P 500 lost 14% and the Nasdaq fell 13% over the last three months.
The Dow fell 12% in the quarter, marking its worst quarterly performance since the first quarter of 2009.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - CHASE BANK HAS NO PLANS TO FOLLOW BOA
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - CHASE BANK HAS NO PLANS TO FOLLOW BOA: As of last week I spoke to A Vice President at Chase bank and it was confirmed that Chase bank has NO PLANS follow Bank of America;s chargi...
CTUSA - CHASE BANK HAS NO PLANS TO FOLLOW BOA
As of last week I spoke to A Vice President at Chase bank and it was confirmed that Chase bank has NO PLANS follow Bank of America;s charging $5.00 fee for all debit cards..
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/09/bank-of-america-hits-debit-card-users-with-5-fee/
Bank of America will slap a $5 monthly fee on some customers who use their debit cards to make purchases starting early next year, reports Dow Jones Newswires.
“The economics of offering a debit card have changed with recent regulations,” a spokeswoman told Dow Jones.
Most basic checking accounts at BofA will see a 40 percent jump in monthly costs and the bank says the debit fee will be waived for customers that upgrade to “premium” accounts which require higher minimum balances.
In October, the Dodd-Frank financial reform law will lower “interchange fees,” which is the amount banks can charge retailers for debit transactions. Fees for retailers will shrink from 44 cents to a cap of 24 cents, which has led some debit card issuers to seek other ways to make up that revenue.
“This new fee allows us to continue to offer the convenience of a debit card with the full range of added features customers have come to expect,” including fraud protection and monitoring, special savings programs and other services, a bank memo stated, according to Dow Jones.
Until this BofA decision, less than 2 percent of checking accounts charged a monthly or annual fee for using a debit card, says Bankrate.com. The multinational bank serves one in two households in the United States, according to its 2010 annual report.
CTUSA - Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. NOT HAPPY WITH BOA OVER $5.00 FEE
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/30/durbin-slams-bailed-out-bank-america-over-ne/-debit-fee/
A top senator slammed Bank of America after the company, one of the largest recipients of U.S. taxpayer bailouts, announced it would charge customers a new $5 monthly fee for using their debit cards -- even if just to buy a $2 coffee.
Though the bank does not plan to charge customers for using the ATM, the fee would be triggered on a monthly basis if shoppers use their debit cards to make any purchase.
"It's overt, unfair and I hope their customers have the final say," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said.
An industry representative said such fees may become more prevalent as banks try to make up for lost revenue from a different kind of fee that will be capped under a new set of financial regulations.
But the Bank of America decision drew outrage for several reasons. The company is the largest U.S. bank by deposits. And it reaped $45 billion in federal bailout money -- receiving the first chunk in 2008 and the rest in 2009 to cope with losses at Merrill Lynch.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Show yesterday
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Show yesterday: NO MORE FREE CHECKING ACCOUNTS FOR MOST!!!!! by CREDIT TALK USA in Finance on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 NO MORE FREE CHECKING ACCOUNTS FOR MOST...
CTUSA - Show yesterday
NO MORE FREE CHECKING ACCOUNTS FOR MOST!!!!!
- by CREDIT TALK USA
- in Finance
- on Thu, Sep 29, 2011
NO MORE FREE CHECKING ACCOUNTS FOR MOST!!!! Overall, 60 percent more noninterest accounts carry fees and balance requirements than they did last year. Gone are the days when free checking was a given. Fees are up, and less
LISTEN LIVE BELOW:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/credittalkusalive/2011/09/29/credit-talk-usa-live
Thursday, September 29, 2011
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Three teenage bullies face 'hate crimes' c...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Three teenage bullies face 'hate crimes' c...: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2040694/Jamey-Rodemyer-suicide-3-bullies-face-hate-crimes-charges-death-gay-boy.html Police are ...
CTUSA - Three teenage bullies face 'hate crimes' charges over suicide of gay boy, 14
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2040694/Jamey-Rodemyer-suicide-3-bullies-face-hate-crimes-charges-death-gay-boy.html
Police are looking to bring criminal charges against three or more teens following the suicide of a 14-year-old who had been bullied for being gay.
Jamey Rodemyer, who had blogged about being suicidal after classmates incessantly taunted him for being gay, was found dead outside his parents home in Williamsville, near Buffalo last weekend.
At least three teens are said to be of particular interest to police and may be charged with hate crimes, harassment or cyber-harassment following the tragic death.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Dow ends h...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Dow ends h...: CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Dow ends higher after a wild day : http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/29/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm...
www.credittalkusa.com
www.credittalkusa.com
CTUSA - Dow ends higher after a wild day
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/29/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Stocks went on a roller-coaster ride Thursday, as investors parsed through positive news in U.S. and Europe. After storming out of the gate in the morning, the Dow and S&P 500 bounced between positive and negative territory before a late rally put both firmly higher.
Investors initially dove into stocks following better-than-expected readings on U.S. economic growth and some signs of stabilization in Europe
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Stocks went on a roller-coaster ride Thursday, as investors parsed through positive news in U.S. and Europe. After storming out of the gate in the morning, the Dow and S&P 500 bounced between positive and negative territory before a late rally put both firmly higher.
Investors initially dove into stocks following better-than-expected readings on U.S. economic growth and some signs of stabilization in Europe
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - X FACTOR HOLDING INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - X FACTOR HOLDING INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE: http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/29/x-factor-the-good-the-bad-and-the-weird/?hpt=hp_bn7 'X Factor': The good, the bad and the weird I...
CTUSA - X FACTOR HOLDING INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE
http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/29/x-factor-the-good-the-bad-and-the-weird/?hpt=hp_bn7
I'm not quite sure if this show had more qualified singers than last week, but I'm certain it had more diverse singers. Here's who I'm betting will be most likely to succeed:
'X Factor': The good, the bad and the weird
I really didn't think that Fox's "X Factor" could find more interesting people than it did the first week, but then I watched Wednesday's episode. It definitely gets better with time.
It's the second week of auditions, this time in Chicago and Seattle. The best WTH moment took place when a middle-aged lady took the stage and said that she wasn't there to sing. Rather she wanted to audition to be a judge!! The actual judges put up with her for a couple of seconds before they told her "no" and kept the show moving. I do give her credit for finding a unique way to get on stage in front of millions of people when singing was not an option for her.I'm not quite sure if this show had more qualified singers than last week, but I'm certain it had more diverse singers. Here's who I'm betting will be most likely to succeed:
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA Entertainment News - X FACTOR WINS THE NIGHT...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA Entertainment News - X FACTOR WINS THE NIGHT...: http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/09/x-factor-ratings-wednesday-night-fox It looks like Simon Cowell could have another TV h...
CTUSA Entertainment News - X FACTOR WINS THE NIGHT FOR FOX!!!
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2011/09/x-factor-ratings-wednesday-night-fox
For it's second week on the air, The X Factor was watched by 11.1 million viewers and posted a 3.9 rating among adults 18-49 and is projected to go up to a 4.1 in the finals.
It looks like Simon Cowell could have another TV hit on his hands.
Despite going head-to-head with a historical night of baseball action, The X Factor was a success on Wednesday - and even helped Fox break ratings records, RadarOnline.com has learned.
With the reality talent singing competition, which is based on a U.K. show of the same name, Fox had the highest ratings in the Adults 18-49 market again, making it the first time in it's history that the network has won the first two Wednesdays of the season. Fox also won the night among Adults 25-54 and Teens.For it's second week on the air, The X Factor was watched by 11.1 million viewers and posted a 3.9 rating among adults 18-49 and is projected to go up to a 4.1 in the finals.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - NYC WALL STREET PROTESTERS!!!
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - NYC WALL STREET PROTESTERS!!!: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44719682/ns/us_news-life/ NEW YORK — A standoff near Wall Street between protesters opposed to what they s...
CTUSA - NYC WALL STREET PROTESTERS!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44719682/ns/us_news-life/
NEW YORK — A standoff near Wall Street between protesters opposed to what they say is corporate greed and police may drag on into winter, with a march on police headquarters the likely next test of whether tensions escalate.
The Occupy Wall Street movement was planning on Friday an unauthorized demonstration on the streets outside the New York City police center of operations.
The group is adding complaints of excessive police force against protesters and police treatment of ethnic minorities and Muslims to its grievances list, which includes bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment.
Police have made about 100 arrests and used pepper spray, which they called a better alternative than night sticks to subdue those blocking traffic.
NEW YORK — A standoff near Wall Street between protesters opposed to what they say is corporate greed and police may drag on into winter, with a march on police headquarters the likely next test of whether tensions escalate.
The Occupy Wall Street movement was planning on Friday an unauthorized demonstration on the streets outside the New York City police center of operations.
The group is adding complaints of excessive police force against protesters and police treatment of ethnic minorities and Muslims to its grievances list, which includes bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment.
Police have made about 100 arrests and used pepper spray, which they called a better alternative than night sticks to subdue those blocking traffic.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Student Loans Coming Due
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Student Loans Coming Due: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/27/student-loans-coming-due-advice-for-unemployed-college-grads/ For those who graduated college this ...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/27/stu...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/27/stu...: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/27/student-loans-coming-due-advice-for-unemployed-college-grads/ For those who graduated college this ...
CTUSA - Student Loans Coming Due
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/09/27/student-loans-coming-due-advice-for-unemployed-college-grads/
For those who graduated college this past spring, the clock is ticking toward the end of the student loan grace period: All of their loans will become "due and owing" starting in November and December. That's going to be tough for some borrowers, since the class of 2011 likely faces "the highest unemployment rate for young college graduates since the Great Recession began," according to an analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. So what should these recent grads do if they can't afford to start making those payments yet? DailyFinance's Laura Rowley asked John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education for SmartCredit.com, to discuss their options.
Entertainment News: Lady GaGa Has Chosen Her Next Single!
Lady Gaga will be giving her vows to the stars in the dark sky, according to the Mother Monster-endorsed fan site Gaga Daily, which reports today that “Marry The Night” will be the fifth single released off Born This Way. Back in May, we noted of the song, “We could just crouch down and kiss Lady Gaga (we’re tall) for ‘Marry The Night.’ It’s moody! It’s dancey! It’s rockin’! It’s even got creepy old-school horror movie synth-organ riffs!” Needless to say, we’re pleased with this single choice (if true). Are you?
Incidentally, Born This Way will mark Gaga’s first album to produce five singles in the US. The Fame had four (”Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “LoveGame” and “Paparazzi”), while three were released off The Fame Monster (“Bad Romance,” “Telephone,” “Alejandro”).
So far Born This Way has offered up four Top 10 singles on the Hot 100: “Born This Way,” “Judas,” “The Edge Of Glory” and “You And I.”
“Marry The Night” is great and all, but we’ll admit that we’ve still got our fingers crossed for “Heavy Metal Lover,” too.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Bank of America to charge $5 monthly debi...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Bank of America to charge $5 monthly debi...: http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/29/pf/bank_of_america_debit_fee/index.htm?iid=Lead NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Get ready for a new wave of bank f...
CTUSA - Bank of America to charge $5 monthly debit card fee
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/29/pf/bank_of_america_debit_fee/index.htm?iid=Lead
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Get ready for a new wave of bank fees. Bank of America will begin charging a $5 monthly fee at the beginning of next year for customers who make debit card purchases.
Whether you use your card for one purchase a month or 20, you will pay $5 per month starting in 2012. If you don't use your card at all, you won't be assessed a fee. And you can still use ATMs as much as you want without getting hit with the new fee.
Other banks have been flirting with the idea of introducing a fee for debit card usage, but Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) is one of the first major institutions to announce that it will make this a reality for all active debit card customers
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
CTUSA - MasterCard Reaches $4 Million Fundraising Goal Benefitting Stand Up To Cancer
http://pymnts.com/mastercard-reaches-4-million-fundraising-goal-benefitting-stand-up-to-cancer-through-eat-drink-and-be-generous-campaign-20110927005582/
MasterCard Worldwide announced today that the company has reached its goal of raising $4 million for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) through the Eat, Drink and Be Generous campaign. Through the program, which launched during the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game in July, MasterCard made a donation to SU2C every time cardholders used their MasterCards when dining out. Qualifying purchases included everything from a single cup of coffee or quick meal, to take out and fine dining.
To keep the momentum moving forward with additional support for SU2C, MasterCard has partnered with Rewards Network, who powers the leading dining rewards programs in North America, including iDine®. Beginning now through Oct. 31, 2011, Rewards Network will donate 50 cents to SU2C when diners use a registered MasterCard in qualifying transactions over $15 made at participating iDine restaurants. Enrollment in iDine is free and a complete list of participating restaurants can be found on the website. Diners simply enroll and register the MasterCard they use when dining out at over 10,000 participating restaurants.
“We are thankful to everyone who participated in Eat, Drink and Be Generous; from our cardholders to our restaurant partners, we could not have hit our $4 million goal without their generosity,” said MasterCard Group Executive of US Market Development Craig Vosburg. “Because of the great response we have received, we are excited to keep the momentum going by partnering with iDine for the next phase of our fundraising efforts. Each and every one of us can make a difference by helping SU2C’s Dream Teams of scientists who are working tirelessly to find a cure. No donation is too small and every penny counts
CTUSA - No Cards Necessary: Starbucks and Google Up Their Mobile Payments
http://pymnts.com/No-Cards-Necessary-Starbucks-and-Google-Up-Their-Mobile-Payments-Game/
Within nine weeks of the national launch of mobile payment, customers in stores paid more than 3 million times using our mobile payment app, and this number continues to grow at a steady rate” says Adam Brotman, VP of Digital Ventures at Starbucks, in an interview with e-Marketer. Bortman contributes the overnight boom of the Starbucks mobile payment app to the brands core mission: enhancing the customer experience.
eMarketer: Why did Starbucks get involved with mobile payments?
Adam Brotman: Innovation, responding to customer feedback and enhancing the customer experience are at the core of Starbucks’ mission. Starbucks’ mobile platform builds on the success of the Starbucks Card, which has grown from a popular stored-value card to a significant method of payment in stores. Extending the program to a mobile platform was a natural opportunity to enhance the experience and allow customers to manage their Starbucks Card on the go.
eMarketer: Why did the company go with the Starbucks Card mobile app and how does it work?
Within nine weeks of the national launch of mobile payment, customers in stores paid more than 3 million times using our mobile payment app, and this number continues to grow at a steady rate” says Adam Brotman, VP of Digital Ventures at Starbucks, in an interview with e-Marketer. Bortman contributes the overnight boom of the Starbucks mobile payment app to the brands core mission: enhancing the customer experience.
eMarketer: Why did Starbucks get involved with mobile payments?
Adam Brotman: Innovation, responding to customer feedback and enhancing the customer experience are at the core of Starbucks’ mission. Starbucks’ mobile platform builds on the success of the Starbucks Card, which has grown from a popular stored-value card to a significant method of payment in stores. Extending the program to a mobile platform was a natural opportunity to enhance the experience and allow customers to manage their Starbucks Card on the go.
eMarketer: Why did the company go with the Starbucks Card mobile app and how does it work?
CTUSA - Citibank discontinuing AAdvantage checking debit card - AAdvantageGeek
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/aadvantagegeek/2011/09/28/citibank-discontinuing-aadvantage-checking-debit-card/
New Federal Reserve regulations take effect October 1 limiting the fees that banks charge retailers for processing debit card transactions. As a result, Citibank has decided to discontinue the AAdvantage debit card:
New Federal Reserve regulations take effect October 1 limiting the fees that banks charge retailers for processing debit card transactions. As a result, Citibank has decided to discontinue the AAdvantage debit card:
After December 9, 2011, Citibank will no longer offer the Citibank AAdvantage debit card rewards program. Here are some other important things you need to know:
• You will retain the American Airlines AAdvantage miles you’ve already earned, provided that once every 18 months you: (i) redeem AAdvantage miles; (ii) earn them on Amerian Airlines, American Eagle, or the AmericanConnection carrier; or (iii) earn AAdvantage miles with an AAdvantage participant.
CTUSA - Britney Spears dad gets 100 Million for Femme Fatale Tour
http://www.tmz.com/2011/09/27/britney-spears-dad-jamie-spears-larry-rudolph-manager-conservator-tour-manager-seven-figure-deal-femme-fatale-tour/
TMZ has obtained legal docs in Britney's conservatorship case, which show Britney's overall manager, Larry Rudolph, wants to give up 2% of his cut to Jamie, because daddy Spears has done such a great job -- Larry's cut is 10% of the gross.
We've learned Jamie has not gotten an extra penny for his work as Tour Manager -- a position he's held since February.
According to the docs, Jamie negotiated a sweet deal for Britney with Live Nation, the tour promoter. He's also coordinated Britney's personal schedule, and supervised her arrivals and departures. He's handled finances, managed Britney's security to protect her from the paparazzi and made 200 - 400 calls and other communications a day on Brit's behalf.
Even though Larry Rudolph is voluntarily giving 2% of his cut to Jamie, it still has to be approved by the court, but that's just a formality.
TMZ has obtained legal docs in Britney's conservatorship case, which show Britney's overall manager, Larry Rudolph, wants to give up 2% of his cut to Jamie, because daddy Spears has done such a great job -- Larry's cut is 10% of the gross.
We've learned Jamie has not gotten an extra penny for his work as Tour Manager -- a position he's held since February.
According to the docs, Jamie negotiated a sweet deal for Britney with Live Nation, the tour promoter. He's also coordinated Britney's personal schedule, and supervised her arrivals and departures. He's handled finances, managed Britney's security to protect her from the paparazzi and made 200 - 400 calls and other communications a day on Brit's behalf.
Even though Larry Rudolph is voluntarily giving 2% of his cut to Jamie, it still has to be approved by the court, but that's just a formality.
CTUSA - Michigan couple honored for paying off $92,000 credit card debt
17 credit cards
How did the Baileys end up in such a predicament? From 1992 to 2005, they ran up bills on 17 different credit cards. During that time, they paid for two weddings for their daughters (at a cost of $5,000 each), replaced the transmission in their car when it blew out, made numerous repairs on their home and replaced the roof when it started to leak.
Everything went on a credit card. "We got caught up with 'More is better' and 'How much is enough'," says Jerry Bailey, a pastor. He handled the family finances but didn't let his wife, a nurse, know how much debt they were amassing.
"My first clue was when the people started calling our house," Sue Bailey says, describing calls from debt collectors about unpaid bills. "My husband is very loving and very protective, to a fault sometimes."
The magnitude of their financial woes hit home when he told her they had to put the cost of their daughter's wedding reception on a credit card. When they added up all the bills, the $92,000 total debt was staggering. (See the Baileys' video testimonial about their debt loss.)
"I never thought it would happen to me. It happens to other people," Sue Bailey says of their massive debt. "You feel kind of ashamed that you got there because you believe in paying your debt and paying what you owe."
How did the Baileys end up in such a predicament? From 1992 to 2005, they ran up bills on 17 different credit cards. During that time, they paid for two weddings for their daughters (at a cost of $5,000 each), replaced the transmission in their car when it blew out, made numerous repairs on their home and replaced the roof when it started to leak.
Everything went on a credit card. "We got caught up with 'More is better' and 'How much is enough'," says Jerry Bailey, a pastor. He handled the family finances but didn't let his wife, a nurse, know how much debt they were amassing.
"My first clue was when the people started calling our house," Sue Bailey says, describing calls from debt collectors about unpaid bills. "My husband is very loving and very protective, to a fault sometimes."
The magnitude of their financial woes hit home when he told her they had to put the cost of their daughter's wedding reception on a credit card. When they added up all the bills, the $92,000 total debt was staggering. (See the Baileys' video testimonial about their debt loss.)
"I never thought it would happen to me. It happens to other people," Sue Bailey says of their massive debt. "You feel kind of ashamed that you got there because you believe in paying your debt and paying what you owe."
CTUSA - FACEBOOK RUMORS FALSE THEY WILL NOT CHARGE FOR FB
http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/28/tech/social-media/facebook-rumors/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The recent deluge of Facebook changes -- both those that have already happened and those that are on the way -- have people talking.
OK ... that's an understatement. They have people shouting (with either glee or fury). And fuming. And, sometimes, freaking out.
When a site has roughly 800 million users, and each of those users has a quick and easy way to share their thoughts with others, interest is high and info starts flying fast in the face of what looks like a pretty radical overhaul.
Inevitably, that leads to things getting a bit confused sometimes. So, here's a look at some of the rumors that we've seen flying around about Facebook's big changes, along with our best effort to sort them out.
1. Facebook is going to start charging you
Do we actually have to address this one? Apparently, yes.
Every once in a while, this rumor starts cropping up in status updates -- often in all caps. Some people can't seem to get their brains around the fact that a useful service like Facebook is going to remain free. So people begin copying and pasting messages announcing the date the site is going to a pay model.
A quick glimpse and you'll find multiple "We Won't Pay For Facebook" groups. On Facebook.
So, of course, when all the new changes rolled out, the planets were aligned perfectly for the rumor to spring back up. This time, it apparently got so prevalent that Facebook addressed it.
"A rumor on the Internet caught our attention. We have no plans to charge for Facebook. It's free and always will be," the site posted on its own Facebook page.
Here's the deal: Facebook will never really have a reason to start charging you for using it. To oversimplify the situation, you aren't Facebook's customer. You're its product. The site's business model is based on advertising and it wants as many users as possible to dangle in front of the click-hungry advertisers.
Charging for Facebook would inevitably decrease the number of users. And that would decrease advertising revenue. It's not going to happen.
Verdict: False. Very false
.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
CTUSA - A fed judge dismissed most counts of a $1 billion suit against the owners of the New York Mets baseball
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/27/news/companies/madoff_mets/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
A fed judge dismissed most counts of a $1 billion suit against the owners of the New York Mets baseball team Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed by a court appointed trustee, is not only seeking $300 million in profits the Mets gained from their investments with Madoff, but also goes after the $700 million in principal that the owners deposited and then withdrew from Madoff's firm.
Judge Jed Rakoff dismissed 9 of 11 charges in the case, which is being heard in U.S. District Court in New York. Irving Picard, the trustee in the case, had alleged that the Mets' owners were willfully blind to the fraud, seeing statement after statement of excellent returns from Madoff and tapping their account when they wanted funds.
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Employers see health insurance costs jump ...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA - Employers see health insurance costs jump ...: http://www.msn.com/?pc=Z125&install_date=20110922 Family plan premiums hit $15,073 on average, while coverage for single employees grew 8...
CTUSA - Employers see health insurance costs jump 9%
http://www.msn.com/?pc=Z125&install_date=20110922
Family plan premiums hit $15,073 on average, while coverage for single employees grew 8 percent to $5,429, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust. (KHN is an editorially-independent program of the foundation.)
Workers paid an average of $921 toward the premium of single coverage and $4,129 for family plans.
The results mark a sharp departure from 2010, when the same survey found average family premiums up only 3 percent.
Although many benefit analysts say the federal health law’s requirements played only a small part in the rise, the results could provide political fodder for both supporters and opponents of the law.
“It’s problematic,” said Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, because the No. 1 concern cited about the health law is a fear that it will increase costs. Still, Lake notes that many Americans don’t know much about the law, so the news of rising premiums “could also fuel support for provisions in the law that require insurance premiums of 10 percent or more to be reviewed.”
Family plan premiums hit $15,073 on average, while coverage for single employees grew 8 percent to $5,429, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust. (KHN is an editorially-independent program of the foundation.)
Workers paid an average of $921 toward the premium of single coverage and $4,129 for family plans.
The results mark a sharp departure from 2010, when the same survey found average family premiums up only 3 percent.
Although many benefit analysts say the federal health law’s requirements played only a small part in the rise, the results could provide political fodder for both supporters and opponents of the law.
“It’s problematic,” said Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, because the No. 1 concern cited about the health law is a fear that it will increase costs. Still, Lake notes that many Americans don’t know much about the law, so the news of rising premiums “could also fuel support for provisions in the law that require insurance premiums of 10 percent or more to be reviewed.”
CTUSA - Apple to unveil new iPhone on Oct. 4
Apple confirmed Tuesday that it will hold a press event on Oct. 4 at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. Expected to be the star attraction: The long-awaited iPhone 5.
It's been 15 months since Apple's iPhone 4 went on sale, making this lag between new models the longest since the iPhone debuted in 2007. The dominant rumors for the next iPhone involve an 8-megapixel camera, longer battery life, a faster processor and availability on the Sprint (S, Fortune 500) network. Others have claimed that the device will have a larger screen, a curved display, no home button, support for 4G networks, and more memory.
In the past, about half the pre-launch rumors have turned out to be correct
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA FREE checking is a thing of the past for mos...
CREDIT TALK USA Worldwide LIVE: CTUSA FREE checking is a thing of the past for mos...: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/checking/checking-account.aspx Free checking is on the way out in 2011, while the banking industry ushere...
CTUSA FREE checking is a thing of the past for most!!
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/checking/checking-account.aspx
Free checking is on the way out in 2011, while the banking industry ushered in increases in checking account fees, ATM charges and penalties for account overdrafts.
This is the banking landscape revealed by Bankrate's 2011 Checking Account Survey.
Just 45 percent of noninterest checking accounts are now free, down from the peak of 76 percent just two years ago. However, banks still will offer free checking for meeting conditions such as signing up for direct deposit.
New records were set in two categories in this year's study. Fees for nonsufficient funds, or overdrafts, hit a new high for the 13th consecutive year, while ATM fees rose to their highest level for the seventh consecutive year. To find out what to do about them, check out Bankrate's Checking Account Survey
Free checking is on the way out in 2011, while the banking industry ushered in increases in checking account fees, ATM charges and penalties for account overdrafts.
This is the banking landscape revealed by Bankrate's 2011 Checking Account Survey.
Just 45 percent of noninterest checking accounts are now free, down from the peak of 76 percent just two years ago. However, banks still will offer free checking for meeting conditions such as signing up for direct deposit.
New records were set in two categories in this year's study. Fees for nonsufficient funds, or overdrafts, hit a new high for the 13th consecutive year, while ATM fees rose to their highest level for the seventh consecutive year. To find out what to do about them, check out Bankrate's Checking Account Survey
Entertainment News: - Movie Review - Warrior MUST SEE!!!
An ex-Marine haunted by a tragic past, Tommy Riordan returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh and enlists his father, a recovered alcoholic and his former coach, to train him for a mixed martial arts tournament awarding the biggest purse in the history of the sport. As Tommy blazes a violent path towards the title prize, his brother, Brendan, a former MMA fighter unable to make ends meet as a public school
This is a MUST SEE movie.... If possible see it with your brother.... LOVED IT!!!! Tom Hardy was amazing!!!
Monday, September 26, 2011
CTUSA - Middle class income falls ... but not everywhere
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/26/news/economy/middle_class_income/index.htm?iid=Lead
Nationwide, median household income fell to $50,046 in 2010, down 1.4% from 2007, according to Census statistics released last week.
But while the Great Recession wreaked havoc across the nation, wide disparity among the states shows that not all the pain was shared equally. Some Americans were still able to get ahead despite soaring unemployment and the housing collapse.
In 21 states and the District of Columbia, households in the middle of the pay scale saw their incomes rise despite the recession, according to a CNNMoney analysis of the data. These lucky folks benefited largely from the growth of the federal government, higher energy and agriculture prices, and the rebound on Wall Street.
Nationwide, median household income fell to $50,046 in 2010, down 1.4% from 2007, according to Census statistics released last week.
But while the Great Recession wreaked havoc across the nation, wide disparity among the states shows that not all the pain was shared equally. Some Americans were still able to get ahead despite soaring unemployment and the housing collapse.
In 21 states and the District of Columbia, households in the middle of the pay scale saw their incomes rise despite the recession, according to a CNNMoney analysis of the data. These lucky folks benefited largely from the growth of the federal government, higher energy and agriculture prices, and the rebound on Wall Street.
CTUSA - AT THE MOVIES
Entertainment News: At the Movies:
1 The Lion King (in 3D) $22,130,000
2. Moneyball $20,600,000
3 Dolphin Tale $20,260,000
4 Abduction $11,200,000
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/
Time for action!!! - Europe's Debt Crisis
Geithner says European leaders must do more to stem the tide of financial distress
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/24/markets/geithner_debt/index.htm?iid=HP_Highlight
U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner warned Saturday that the sovereign debt and banking crisis in Europe represents "the most serious risk now confronting the world economy."
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/24/markets/geithner_debt/index.htm?iid=HP_Highlight
U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner warned Saturday that the sovereign debt and banking crisis in Europe represents "the most serious risk now confronting the world economy."
In an official statement to the International Monetary Fund, Geithner also discussed the need to both support the U.S. economy in the short term and take steps to lower the nation's long-term deficits.
But his strongest comments were directed at Europe, where the specter of a default by the Greek government has upset financial markets around the world. The nation's long-standing debt problems are threatening to spill over into the European banking system, with possible repercussions for the fragile U.S. economy.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lady Gaga Performs Heartbreaking Tribute To Bullied Gay Teen Jamey Rodemeyer Who Committed Suicide
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/20/jamey-rodemeyer-suicide-gay-bullying_n_972023.html
Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old boy from Williamsville, NY, took his life Sunday after what his parents claim was years of bullying because of struggles with his sexuality.
His parents, Tracy and Tim Rodemeyer, say that Jamey faced bullies for years, though things intensified in middle school, according to NBC 2. Jamey recently became a freshman at Williamsville North High School.
In the wake of their loss, the Rodemeyers hope to carry on a message of anti-bullying and acceptance. "To the kids who are bullying they have to realize that words are very powerful and what you think is just fun and games isn't to some people, and you are destroying a lot of lives
Friday, September 23, 2011
Entertainment News: 4,304 people said YES to her... X Factor Melanie Amaro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3vmajqZIWY
This email from a guy:
I'm a dude, and ya I cried a little. I'm not ashamed. How often in your life do you get to experience something like that? X Factor needs to dump the other contestants and just give us an hour of Melanie every week. You dont put talent like that into a game show. She's a star.
It goes without saying but DAYMN. On voice alone, she's the best the show's shown so far. It was pretty much a perfect vocal. And she seems like a sweet humble girl, AMERICA LOOOOOOOOOOVES THAT! As for me, I'm happy we got a latina reppin it on X Factor! It's a YES from me! :-)
BREAKING NEWS: The Democratic-controlled Senate effectively rejected House Republicans' temporary spending bill in a procedural test vote today.
Before the measure was even formally presented, senators cast it aside in a 59-36 vote.
Hours earlier, GOP leaders rammed the bill through the Republican-controlled House in a 219-203 vote after adding a series of cuts vehemently opposed by their Democratic counterparts.
Both chambers of Congress must agree on new spending legislation to avoid a partial shutdown after the close of the current fiscal year on September 30. Congress is tentatively set to begin a week-long recess Monday.
CTUSA - Entertainment News: The X Factor was tied for third place last night in ratings
Last week, American Idol announced it would incorporate online voting into its show. In response, X-Factor host Simon Cowell decided to up the ante, with a tool to enable paid-for voting via Facebook before the next US series.
The show’s creators are reportedly in discussions with the social network to figure out how viewers can vote via Facebook’s Credits payment system. Cowell wants Facebook voting by Credits in place by autumn when the show launches in the US.
CTUSA - Entertainment News: Rihanna - Cheers (Drink To That)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZR0v0i63PQ4#!
Cheers (Drink to That) is a song from Rihanna’s fifth studio album “Loud,” which was released on November 16, 2010 through Def Jam Recordings.
It was released as the seventh single from the album and impacted U.S. radio on August 2, 2011.
The track is written by Stacey Barthe, Corey Gibson, Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Avril Lavigne and The Matrix (a record production team consisting of Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Scott Spock) and produced by The Runners.
It was released as the seventh single from the album and impacted U.S. radio on August 2, 2011.
The track is written by Stacey Barthe, Corey Gibson, Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Avril Lavigne and The Matrix (a record production team consisting of Lauren Christy, Graham Edwards, Scott Spock) and produced by The Runners.
CTUSA - Can the Federal Reserve get banks lending?
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/22/news/economy/federal_reserve_bank_lending/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
The Federal Reserve wants consumers to apply for more mortgages and businesses to take out more loans, in order to boost the sluggish U.S. economy.
"Interest rates will come down, but the effect won't be what the Fed has envisioned," said Mike Fratantoni, vice president of research for the Mortgage Bankers Association.
The Federal Reserve wants consumers to apply for more mortgages and businesses to take out more loans, in order to boost the sluggish U.S. economy.
At least, that's the thinking behind Operation Twist, a policy announced by the Fed Wednesday that's meant to drive down long-term interest rates, thereby making it cheaper to borrow.
But will it really work? Industry experts have their reservations."Interest rates will come down, but the effect won't be what the Fed has envisioned," said Mike Fratantoni, vice president of research for the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
CTUSA - Banks: Not too big to fail
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/22/markets/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
Don't be fooled. Government will still save big banks.
BofA, which faces numerous lawsuits from investors in securities tied to pools of toxic loans, is getting hit the hardest.
Don't be fooled. Government will still save big banks.
BofA, which faces numerous lawsuits from investors in securities tied to pools of toxic loans, is getting hit the hardest.
That's why BofA's stock, despite an investment from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, is perilously close to dipping into the $5 range -- a psychologically problematic level for many fund managers
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
CTUSA - Listen Up, Netflix! Even Wall Street Thinks You Made a BIG Mistake!!
Earlier this week, As is to be expected, there was LOTS of backlash from critics and customers…and now Wall Street is telling Netflix that they messed up!
Here's what Pacific Crest Securities analyst Andy Hargreaves had to say about Netflix's big business mistake:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2011/09/15/netflix-was-the-subscription-price-change-a-giant-mistake/
Here's what Pacific Crest Securities analyst Andy Hargreaves had to say about Netflix's big business mistake:
"Netflix's recent price changes, followed by the separation and rebranding of the DVD business, have increased (subscriber turnover) and damaged the brand value. We expect near-term uncertainty to persist until the direction of content negotiations and competitive offerings becomes clearer."More from Janney Capital Markets analyst Tony Wible:
"We believe the loss of $9 billion in market value rests with the CEO and believe one of the only ways (Netflix) can reverse momentum is to change management and reverse much of what it has already committed to. Frankly, we do not believe (Netflix) is likely to take these steps. The management has not shown to care about investors or its customers."
CTUSA - Big bank bailouts less likely. Thanks Dodd-Frank!
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/21/news/economy/dodd_frank_moodys/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
When Moody's downgraded three banks on Wednesday, it gave a big thumbs up to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms that aim to ensure there won't be any more big bank bailouts. "It is more likely now than during the financial crisis to allow a large bank to fail should it become financially troubled, as the risks of contagion become less acute," Moody's wrote in its downgrade note of Wells Fargo's stock
When Moody's downgraded three banks on Wednesday, it gave a big thumbs up to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms that aim to ensure there won't be any more big bank bailouts. "It is more likely now than during the financial crisis to allow a large bank to fail should it become financially troubled, as the risks of contagion become less acute," Moody's wrote in its downgrade note of Wells Fargo's stock
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
CTUSA - The Whitehouse once again drops the the ball!!!
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/20/smallbusiness/stimulus_plan_hiring/index.htm
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The $447 billion stimulus plan that President Obama unveiled earlier this month won't change hiring plans for many small businesses, according to a survey released Tuesday.
Almost 70% of small businesses polled said that the plan, should it pass, would not spur them to add jobs, said Manta, a small business website
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The $447 billion stimulus plan that President Obama unveiled earlier this month won't change hiring plans for many small businesses, according to a survey released Tuesday.
Monday, September 19, 2011
CTUSA - Obama's Postal Service plan would cut Saturday mail
http://news.yahoo.com/postal-plan-save-20-billion-white-house-170626630.html
The Obama administration's plan to rescue the U.S. Postal Service would allow the agency to end Saturday mail delivery and sell non-postal products, according to documents released on Monday.
The Obama administration's plan to rescue the U.S. Postal Service would allow the agency to end Saturday mail delivery and sell non-postal products, according to documents released on Monday.
The plan, introduced alongside a deficit-reduction package, also would restructure a massive annual payment to prefund retiree health benefits and refund $6.9 billion the mail carrier says it overpaid into a federal retirement fund.
CTUSA - Worries about the economy and the stock market caused 40% of consumers
Worries about the economy and the stock market caused 40% of consumers to cut their spending over the past two months, according to a study on financial security from Bankrate.com.
Americans across all income groups reduced their spending in the last 60 days. Among those earning $75,000 a year or more, 37% cut back. And 43% of households making less than $30,000 spent less
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/19/pf/consumers_cut_spending/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
Americans across all income groups reduced their spending in the last 60 days. Among those earning $75,000 a year or more, 37% cut back. And 43% of households making less than $30,000 spent less
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/19/pf/consumers_cut_spending/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
CTUSA - Overdraft fees: Next challenge for consumer panel
http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/19/news/economy/consumer_bureau_overdraft_fees/index.htm?iid=HP_LN
WATCH OUT BANKS THEIR WATCHING YOU!!!
The defacto chief of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Raj Date, said in a speech in Philadelphia last week that the bureau is going to start looking at overdraft programs with an eye toward clarifying the cost of free checking accounts
CTUSA - Entertainment News: This weekend at the movies..
2011-09-19-sarah-jessica-parker-new-comedy-i-dont-know-how-she-does-it-bombs-at-the-box-office
http://perezhilton.com/2011-09-19-sarah-jessica-parker-new-comedy-i-dont-know-how-she-does-it-bombs-at-the-box-office
http://perezhilton.com/2011-09-19-sarah-jessica-parker-new-comedy-i-dont-know-how-she-does-it-bombs-at-the-box-office
CTUSA - Obama to unveil $3 trillion all americans most pay their fair share??
President Obama will unveil a plan today to cut the national debt by roughly $3 trillion over the next decade. the president will make clear he'll veto any debt-reduction legislation that takes "one dime away from Medicare benefits without asking the wealthy to pay their fair share
Is this really the way to helping America?
CTUSA - Capital One Merger Presents Federal Reserve With 'Too Big To Fail' Test
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/18/too-big-to-fail_n_968471.html
Consumer groups will try to convince the Federal Reserve this week that rubber stamping the Capital One Financial Corp (COF.N) takeover of ING Groep NV's (ING.AS) online banking unit would prove that "too big to fail" is alive and well.
The Fed is holding the first of three nationwide hearings on Tuesday on the $9 billion deal that observers are characterizing as a test case for how the U.S. government will view big-bank mergers after the 2007-2009 financial crisis.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/18/too-big-to-fail_n_968471.html
Consumer groups will try to convince the Federal Reserve this week that rubber stamping the Capital One Financial Corp (COF.N) takeover of ING Groep NV's (ING.AS) online banking unit would prove that "too big to fail" is alive and well.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/18/too-big-to-fail_n_968471.html
Saturday, September 17, 2011
CTUSA - JACKASS 9-2011 Michele Bachmann: It's ok to spread lies about vaccines because I never said I'm a doctor
The other day, Michele Bachmann said that the HPV vaccine made someone "mentally retarded," which is not only untrue but also the sort of remark that leads to parents denying their children vaccines that could save their lives
Friday, September 16, 2011
CTUSA - Entertainment News: Rihanna's Cheers (Drink To That) has officially become the artist's
Entertainment News: Rihanna's Cheers (Drink To That) has officially become the artist's 19th top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart!!! Her most recent top 10 hits before Cheers include Loud, Only Girl (In the World), What's My Name?, and S&M.
CTUSA - STOCKS UP TODAY
Stocks up 5 straight sessions for the first time since June. Dow and S&P rally 5% for the week, with Nasdaq gaining 6%.
CTUSA - CTUSA called this back on 8-6-2011 as SONG PICK OF THE WEEK and now today its #1 on CMT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qzhngp7jh8
The Brad Paisley / Carrie Underwood duet, ‘Remind Me’ is the latest single released from Paisley’s eighth studio album, “This Is Country Music”, in stores NOW
The song is about “a husband and wife who are trying to rekindle their romance after years of being together.”
The song is about “a husband and wife who are trying to rekindle their romance after years of being together.”
CTUSA - Britney Spears in London today to start new tour and shoot her new video "Criminal"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2037570/Britney-Spears-jets-UK-film-Criminal-video.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Britney tweets: : 'So excited to stop over in the UK before I start my European tour in a few weeks. Can't wait! I LOVE London, it's like my second home.
'Decided to shoot the Criminal video in the streets of merry old England when I get there...
'Decided to shoot the Criminal video in the streets of merry old England when I get there...
CTUSA - US taxpayers could be on hook for Europe bailout
if the crisis continues to grow and the U.S. takes on a wider role, U.S. consumers and taxpayers could feel a bigger impact
Thursday, September 15, 2011
CTUSA - NO MORE CREDIT CARDS
cards up for good
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/credit/2010-02-08-creditcards08_CV_N.htm
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