AOL shares jump on advertising revenue
Shares in AOL have jumped 22% after the US internet firm reported a sharp rise in advertising revenues.
Advertising sales jumped 7% to $340m (£212m), boosting net profit for the third quarter to $20.8m, compared with a loss of $2.6m a year ago.
Overall revenue was flat at $531.7m, the first time year-on-year revenue has not fallen in seven years.
The firm has struggled to reinvent itself as a media and news group since its spin off from Time Warner in 2009.
'Right direction'
"We just reported the best relative revenue performance in seven years and the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year profit growth, exceeding our expectations," said group chief executive Tim Armstrong.
Analysts said the results showed the company was finding its feet again after a difficult three years.
"Things look great," said Andre Sequin from RBC Capital Markets.
"This company is continuing to make steps in the right direction."
The company is still losing subscribers, however, albeit at a slower pace.
Subscriptions during the quarter fell by 10% against a year earlier, an improvement on the 22% fall recorded in the third quarter of 2011.
President Barack Obama wins re-election
President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
With results in from most states, America's first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race.
Mr Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a well-funded challenge by Mr Romney.
Mr Obama's margin of victory is not yet certain because three states have yet to report results.
With swing states Virginia and Florida still too close to call, Mr Obama has won 290 electoral votes to Mr Romney's 203.
The state of Alaska, where polls have yet to close, is expected to vote for the Republican.
Under the US constitution, each state is given a number of electoral votes in rough proportion to its population. The candidate who wins 270 electoral votes - by prevailing in the mostly winner-takes-all state contests - becomes president.
The popular vote, which is symbolically and politically important but not decisive in the race, remains too close to call.
On Tuesday, the president held the White House by assembling solid Democratic states and a number of important swing states such as Colorado, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. His narrow victory in Ohio, a critical Mid-Western swing state, sealed the victory.
Mr Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, won North Carolina and Indiana, as well as the solid Republican states.
But he was unable to win in Ohio or other states needed to breach the 270 threshold.
Also on Tuesday's ballot were 11 state governorships, a third of the seats in the 100-member US Senate and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives.
Republicans are projected to keep control of the House, while Democrats are tipped to remain in control in the Senate.
Mr Obama's re-election victory came despite lingering high employment - 7.9% on election day - and tepid economic growth.
But voters gave him credit for his 2009 rescue of the US auto industry, among other policy accomplishments, and rewarded him for ordering the commando mission that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan last year.
He and Mr Romney, as well as their respective allies, have spent more than $2bn (£1.25bn) - largely on adverts in swing states.
Source-BBC
David Cameron attacks 'ludicrous' EU budget increase
David Cameron has attacked a 'ludicrous' proposed rise in the EU budget in advance of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The leaders are due to discuss the issue at Downing Street later.
Mr Cameron has indicated he wants a freeze and he is under pressure from some in his party to campaign for a reduction in real terms.
Germany has indicated it is sympathetic to the UK's arguments but says some rise is necessary.
The talks between the two leaders come less than three weeks before a summit of EU member states at which they will try to work out the next set of long-term spending plans for Brussels.
Tough outcome
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, during his three-day visit to the Middle East, Mr Cameron said he would make a "very robust and strong argument" for an arrangement that forced the European Commission to limit its budget.
He said: "They are proposing a completely ludicrous 100 billion euro increase in the European budget.
"I'll be arguing for a very tough outcome. I never had very high hopes for a November agreement because you have got 27 different people round the table with 27 different opinions."
Last week the government was defeated in a Commons vote on the EU budget after 53 Conservative MPs defied their party over the issue.
Tory rebels joined with Labour to pass an amendment calling for a real-terms cut in spending between 2014 and 2020.
The amendment was not binding on ministers, but was seen as a blow to David Cameron's authority on Europe ahead of the EU budget summit.
Signs of exasperation
Mr Cameron said: "I feel I am in there fighting for Europe's taxpayers, particularly British taxpayers.
"We have a rebate, we are keeping that rebate. But over and above that rebate I also want to see a good budget outcome for the UK."
The BBC's correspondent in Berlin, Stephen Evans, says many in Angela Merkel's parliamentary party show signs of exasperation at what they see as the British hard-line.
Any deal agreed by EU leaders later this month would have to be put to the Commons for approval.
Mr Cameron has said he would be prepared to veto any unacceptable proposal - which would mean that a deal would not go ahead.
If no agreement is reached by the end of next year the 2013 budget will be rolled into 2014 with a 2% rise to account for inflation.
French gays' 'marry and adopt children' bill considered
Plans to legalise same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt are to be discussed at a meeting of the French Socialist government.
France already allows civil unions between same-sex couples, but it was a campaign pledge of President Francois Hollande to extend their rights.
He is now facing tough opposition to the idea.
This is one the most divisive issues he has encountered since he was elected in May, correspondents say.
Once the draft law has been presented to Mr Hollande's cabinet, it will be debated by the French parliament in January.
More than 1,000 mayors have signed a petition against the proposed changes, there have been protests in 75 towns and cities, and one opposition politician has even suggested that legalising gay marriage could lead to polygamy, says the BBC's Maddy Savage in Paris.
Over the weekend, the head of the French Council of Bishops described gay marriage as "the ultimate deceit".
And there are also divisions within the government, with some arguing that the law should go even further by offering state funding for artificial insemination for gay couples.
At present only married couples - not civil union partners - can adopt in France.
A number of European nations, including Germany, Sweden and the UK, already allow gay adoption.
India and Canada finalise conditions of nuclear deal
India and Canada have finalised the terms for their nuclear deal, paving the way for Canadian firms to export uranium to India.
Once implemented, the deal is likely to provide a boost to India's plans to increase its nuclear capacity to meet growing energy demands.
The deal was agreed in 2010, but there had been differences over supervision of the use of uranium in India.
Canada has banned the trade of nuclear materials with India since 1976.
"Canada with its large and high quality reserves of uranium could become an important supplier to the Indian nuclear power programme," India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper said in a joint statement.
'Important economic opportunity'
India's economy has seen rapid expansion in recent years resulting in a surge in demand for energy in the country.
In a bid to meet its growing energy needs, India has been looking to increase its dependence on nuclear energy.
It is planning to set up some 30 reactors over as many years and get a quarter of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2050.
As a result it has been looking to secure supplies of uranium to achieve that target.
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that being able to be a part of India's nuclear power plans was "a really important economic opportunity for an important Canadian industry... that should pay dividends in terms of jobs and growth for Canadians down the road".
Earlier this month, India agreed to begin negotiations on a civil nuclear co-operation agreement with Australia, which holds an estimated 40% of the world's uranium.
Last year, it agreed a deal that will allow South Korea to export its nuclear energy technology to India.
British officials planning talks with Syrian armed groups
Downing Street says Britain is to begin talks with armed Syrian rebels in a bid to unite the opposition to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
The announcement came as David Cameron arrived in Jordan on the latest stage of his visit to the Middle East.
Mr Cameron will discuss the fighting in Syria with the King of Jordan and meet refugees from the conflict.
Downing Street said the talks between UK officials and Syrian rebels would take place in Jordan and Turkey.
A spokesman said Britain would not be arming the Syrian rebels, or giving them access to military advisers.
The UK is also to increase its humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees to more than £50m, making it the second largest donor after the United States.
Safe passage
The conflict has been high on the agenda in Mr Cameron's talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates during his three-day trip to the GulfHe said on Tuesday that he was prepared to see President Assad allowed safe passage out of Syria if that would help ensure a peaceful power shift.
But Mr Cameron insisted that he would "favour him facing the full force of international law and justice for what he's done."
Number 10 said the talks with Syrian rebels would help the UK "better understand the actual situation and the relationship between political and armed opposition groups."
A spokesman said: "The government will make absolutely clear to these groups that they must respect human rights and humanitarian law standards.
"We will also call on them to work with aid agencies to facilitate vital humanitarian access."
More than 30,000 people have been killed in the violence in Syria which began last year.
Defence partnership
An estimated 2.5m people in the country need humanitarian assistance, and the number of refugees in the surrounding region is predicted to almost double to 710,000 by the end of December.
It is thought that Mr Cameron is the first leader of a G20 country to visit Syrian refugees in Jordan and see for himself the conditions they face.
On Tuesday Britain and the United Arab Emirates announced a joint defence partnership, following Mr Cameron's two-day visit to the country.
Downing Street said the deal would involve "close collaboration" on the Typhoon jet - although the UAE has not agreed to buy the fighter.
Britain is looking to sell Typhoon jets to Dubai and Saudi Arabia, despite allegations of human rights abuses.
It is Mr Cameron's second visit to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as prime minister.
Wreck-It Ralph scores big at North American box office
Disney animated film Wreck-It Ralph has scored an impressive weekend at the US box office with $49.1m (£30.7m) in ticket sales.
The movie, about a video game villain who tries to become a hero, earned almost twice as much as the number two movie, Denzel Washington's Flight.
Ben Affleck's Argo, based on the true story of a 1979 hostage crisis in Iran, came third with $10.2m (£6.4m).
Cinema attendance was up this week in areas hit by superstorm Sandy.
Dave Hollis at Walt Disney Studios said audiences in areas affected by the storm were "very healthy" and had been boosted by school closures on Friday.
"In a nice way, Wreck-It Ralph ended up actually becoming an opportunity to relieve yourself from the reality that might be going on around you," he told the Reuters news agency.
"I don't know if it was a function of cabin fever or just escaping by getting into a movie theatre, but there was definitely a gravitating towards the theatre phenomenon.Last week the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences named Wreck-It Ralph as one of 21 features eligible for next year's best animated film Oscar.
Others include Brave, which has so far earned $235.8m (£147.5m) after 20 weeks on release, and Frankenweenie, which has brought in $33.3m (£20.8m) in North American ticket sales.
The Man with the Iron Fists, starring Russell Crowe, brought in $8.2m (£5.1m) to take the number four spot in this week's Top 10.
Liam Neeson's action film Taken 2 came fifth, while Cloud Atlas, in which Tom Hanks and Halle Berry play six different roles across 500 years, was ranked sixth.
Rounding off the Top 10 was Silent Hill: Revelation, the latest in the horror film franchise, which earned $3.3m (£2.1m) in ticket sales the weekend after Halloween.
Skyfall enjoyed another successful second weekend internationally, earning $156m (£97.6m) in overseas ticket sales.
The new James Bond film, starring Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem, will be released in the US and Canada on 9 November.
NORTH AMERICAN TOP FIVE
1. Wreck-It Ralph - $49.1m (£30.7m)
2. Flight - $25m (£15.6m)
3. Argo - $10.2m (£6.3m)
4. The Man with the Iron Fists - $8.2m (£5.1m)
5. Taken 2 - $6m (£3.7m)
Source: Hollywood.com
Jay-Z, Opening for Obama, Puts Romney in Lyrics
Jay-Z has a fix for his lyrics that meets parental guidance requirements — and President Barack Obama’s approval.
The rapper and producer performed his hit “99 Problems” as he and Bruce Springsteen opened for an Obama rally in Columbus, Ohio. He changed a key word that rhymes with “witch” to make his own political endorsement. He sang: “I got 99 problems but Mitt ain’t one.”Springsteen performed first, as he did earlier Monday in Madison, Wis.
Jay-Z said Obama asked him if he would join him and Springsteen at a rally.
He says he replied: “Michelle is coming?” The first lady won’t join her husband until later Monday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Obama assured the crowd that both performers are on his iPod.
Source-TIME
Backstreet Boys release new Christmas song: Listen here (and get filled with joy)
Christmas has come early for your inner 13-year-old!
In anticipation of the holidays, the Backstreet Boys have released a new Christmas song, and, if you’re anything like yours truly, the tune will fill you with the cheer that you and Nordstroms normally reserve until after Thanksgiving. But once you listen to the infectiously sweet track, titled “It’s Christmas Time Again,” we think you’ll have no complaints about a little premature Christmasfication.
Penned in part by BSBers Nick Carter and Howie Dorough, the tune — which is the band’s first new release since becoming whole again — follows every rule of Backstreet pop song-making. There’s a catchy tune, a little boy band hook (la-ta, la-ta, da-da, ta), a five-part harmony (as it should be), and lyrics in which they never call us fat.
Rihanna tweets 'Unapologetic' tracklist, including Chris Brown duet
As if it wasn’t already stormy enough out there, Rihanna looks ready to make things even more Breezy.
After finishing up work in the studio for new upcoming Unapologetic, RiRi used old-school social media — ink on a bar napkin — to write out the Nov. 16 album’s tracklist scrawled, and then sent out an image to her Twitter followers.
The songs that made the cut look more or less how you might expect them to — titles like “No Love Allowed” and “Love Without Tragedy.” But it’s the duets that are making people talk that talk — particularly one with Chris Brown. We don’t yet know what the song’s about, of course, but it’s titled “Nobodies Business,” which could be a misspelling of “Nobody’s Business” — as in butt out of their rumored rekindled relationship. Or perhaps it’s a play on the phrase, and the song’s about an industry — the media, maybe? — that they think is full of nobodies.
Elsewhere on the album is a cred-boosting collab with rising rapper Future and a sure-to-be buzzy song with Eminem titled “Numb.”
Check out the full playlist (as per Rihanna’s bar napkin, at least) below and let us know what you think it the comments:
1. ”Fresh Out The Runway”
2. ”Diamonds”
3. ”Numb” (featuring Eminem)
4. ”Pour It Up”
5. ”Loveeeeeee Song” (featuring Future)
6. “Jump”
7. ”Right Now”
8. ”What Now”
9. ”Stay” (featuring Mikky Ekko)
10. ”Nobodies Business” (featuring Chris Brown)
11. ”Love Without Tragedy / Mother Mary”
12. ”Get It Over With”
13. ”No Love Allowed”
14. ”Lost In Paradise”
15. “Half of Me” (Bonus track)