Apple to make app development more flexible (Reuters)

Reuters - Apple Inc said on Thursday it is relaxing strict guidelines on how software developers create applications for its popular App Store service even as it faces competition from Google Inc's in the wireless sector.

Nigeria: 2 kidnapped Russian sailors released (AP)

AP - Authorities say two kidnapped Russian sailors have been released after a month in captivity in Nigeria's oil-rich and restive southern delta.

Apple to publish guidelines for app approval (AP)

AP - Apple Inc. said Thursday that it will publish the guidelines it uses to determine which programs can be sold in its App Store.

Questions, worries, arguments preceded Gulf blast (AP)

AP - Something was wrong.

Questions, worries, arguments preceded Gulf blast (AP)

AP - Something was wrong.

Pentax's new DSLR is packed with creative features (Macworld.com)

Macworld.com - Pentax on Wednesday announced the new K-r, a successor to last year's well-received K-x mid-level DSLR. The K-r improves on the core features of the colorful K-x in a number of ways. It has a new 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor optimized for low-light, 720p HD movie recording at 25 frames per second, in-body image stabilization, and 6 fps continuous burst shooting. There is also a bumped-up 11-point autofocus with a focus assist lamp.

British MPs to grill BP CEO Hayward (Reuters)

Reuters - British Members of Parliament (MPs) will next week grill outgoing BP Plc Chief Executive Tony Hayward, as part of an investigation into risks around deepwater drilling in the North Sea.

British MPs to grill BP CEO Hayward (Reuters)

Reuters - British Members of Parliament (MPs) will next week grill outgoing BP Plc Chief Executive Tony Hayward, as part of an investigation into risks around deepwater drilling in the North Sea.

"BP Spillcam" deemed top TV word."Guido" close behind (Reuters)

Reuters - The Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the success of the TV show "Jersey Shore" made words like "BP Spillcam" and "Guido" among the most used words of the 2009-2010 TV season, according to a global language survey released on Thursday.

Oil prices rise before US inventory data (AFP)

AFP - Oil prices rose slightly on Thursday as the market awaited key inventory data from the United States -- the world's biggest consumer of energy.

iTriage gives you more medical information than you'll probably ever need (Appolicious)

Appolicious - In a world where everyone is an expert on everything by virtue of Google, an app like iTriage is a double-edged sword. But if you're the sort of person who is okay with self-diagnosing yourself with all sorts of crazy illnesses, there might not be a better option than the iTriage app.

Google unveils faster Internet search (AFP)

AFP - Search engine Google is giving Web users the thrill of speed with a new feature that displays suggested links as fast as a person can type.

10 Killer Google Chrome Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts (Mashable)

Mashable - As Google's Chrome browser celebrates its second anniversary, we thought it appropriate to commemorate the occasion with some handy tips and tricks.

How Facebook got involved in human rights film (Reuters)

Reuters - A harrowing trip to Africa cemented a filmmaker's bond with Facebook and created a new way for human rights activists to spread the word -- while promoting the social networking site's month-old streaming video channel.

IDC: Smartphone Market Exploding, Android is 'Wild Card' (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - The worldwide smartphone market is expected to grow 55.4 percent in 2010, and while the Android operating system is expected to see major gains in the coming years, no one mobile OS is expected to dominate the market, according to IDC.

Regret, apology not part of BP's oil spill report (AP)

AP - BP's long-awaited internal report on what it believes went wrong when a rig exploded and started the massive Gulf oil spill never mentions the words blame, regret, apology, mistake or pollution. The word fault shows up 20 times, but only once in the same sentence as the company's name.

Regret, apology not part of BP's oil spill report (AP)

AP - BP's long-awaited internal report on what it believes went wrong when a rig exploded and started the massive Gulf oil spill never mentions the words blame, regret, apology, mistake or pollution. The word fault shows up 20 times, but only once in the same sentence as the company's name.

Oil rises to near $75 amid US crude supply drop (AP)

AP - Oil prices rose to near $75 a barrel Thursday in Asia after a report showed U.S. crude inventories fell more than expected, suggesting demand may be improving.

Morning Brief: iOS 4.1 Jailbreak, T-Mobile's Next Android Phone, Max Mara's iPad App (Mashable)

Mashable - This series is brought to you by HTC EVO 4G, America's first 4G phone. Only from Sprint. The "First to Know" series keeps you in the know on what's happening now in the world of social media and technology.

For iPhone 4 Buyers, AT&T is Bigger Issue Than 'Antennagate' (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - The iPhone 4's connectivity issues prompted some cell phone customers to shy away from purchasing the device, but the main reason customers have avoided Apple's popular new smartphone is because it is offered on the AT&T network rather than Verizon Wireless, according to a Wednesday report.

Pacific sockeye salmon return in record numbers (AFP)

AFP - After years of scarcity, the rivers of the US and Canadian Pacific Northwest are running red, literally, with a vast swarm of a salmon species considered to be in crisis.

BP seeks to shift blame for oil spill (AFP)

AFP - BP sought to spread the blame for the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, setting off a battle of oil industry giants with tens of billions of dollars in potential fines and legal liabilities at stake.

Google search accelerates with 'instant' results (AP)

AP - Google Inc. stepped on its Internet search accelerator Wednesday by adding a feature that displays results as soon as people begin typing their requests.

Quick Hit football video game gets NFL makeover (AP)

AP - Thursday marks the kickoff of the 2010 NFL season, and along with it, a renewed interest in fantasy leagues and video games that let Monday-morning quarterbacks feel as if they're part of the action.

Immune System Genes Show Links to Type 1 Diabetes (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Sept. 8 (HealthDay News) -- The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is still unknown, but international researchers have found a link between the blood sugar disorder and a network of immune system genes.

2 Genes Have Possible Link to Deadly Ovarian Cancer (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Sept. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Mutations in two genes may be associated with one of the most deadly types of ovarian cancer, U.S. researchers have found.

Microsoft's Xbox ready for bigger battle in Japan (AP)

AP - Battling its Japanese gaming rivals on their home turf hasn't been easy for Microsoft Corp. Its Xbox 360 game console runs a distant third in sales here behind Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 console and Nintendo Co.'s Wii.

New Arm Chip to Stretch From Smartphones to Servers (PC World)

PC World - Arm Holdings has taken the wraps off its next major chip design, promising a five-fold increase in performance that the company hopes will take it beyond smartphones and into new types of equipment such as high-performance routers and servers.

Researchers find genes linked to ovarian cancer (AFP)

AFP - Researchers said Wednesday they have identified two new genetic mutations linked to the deadliest types of ovarian cancer, which may play a key role in suppressing tumors.

BP points fingers in oil spill blame game (Reuters)

Reuters - BP Plc and its Gulf of Mexico oil well partners traded blame on Wednesday after an internal BP investigation tried to downplay the company's role in the world's biggest offshore spill.

US asks court to lift stem cell funding ban (AFP)

AFP - President Barack Obama's administration asked a federal appeals court to lift a court order blocking federal funding for research involving human embryonic stem cells.

ND PSC approves selling renewable energy credits (AP)

AP - North Dakota regulators on Wednesday endorsed most of an Xcel Energy Inc. plan for selling its renewable energy credits and sharing the money with its electric customers in the state.

ND PSC approves selling renewable energy credits (AP)

AP - North Dakota regulators on Wednesday endorsed most of an Xcel Energy Inc. plan for selling its renewable energy credits and sharing the money with its electric customers in the state.

BP and partners trade blame for oil spill (Reuters)

Reuters - BP Plc and its Gulf of Mexico oil well partners traded blame on Wednesday after an internal BP investigation tried to downplay the company's role in the world's biggest offshore spill.

Transocean, Halliburton blast BP report on cause of blowout, oil spill (The Christian Science Monitor)

The Christian Science Monitor - Former partners with BP in the drilling operation that led to a blowout aboard the Deepwater Horizon drill rig â and a massive oil spill â are striking back at a report they say unfairly paints them as equally responsible for the disaster.

Business Highlights (AP)

AP - BP report blames itself, others for oil spill

Analysts: BP report supports case, buoys investors (AP)

AP - BP took a step Wednesday towards reassuring investors that it wasn't solely to blame for the Gulf oil spill — and that it won't have to foot the entire cost.

Analysts: BP report supports case, buoys investors (AP)

AP - BP took a step Wednesday towards reassuring investors that it wasn't solely to blame for the Gulf oil spill — and that it won't have to foot the entire cost.

Court asked to keep stem cell money flowing (AP)

AP - The Obama administration is asking a federal appeals court to lift an order blocking federal funding for some stem cell research, a day after being turned down by the judge who issued the order.

Governor Rendell: Natural Gas Severance Tax Needed to Continue Protecting Environment, Aid Impacted Communities (PR Newswire)

PR Newswire - CHESTER COUNTY, Pa., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A proposed severance tax on the natural gas industry could help to continue Pennsylvania's investments in important environmental projects well into the future and help affected communities deal with the impacts of drilling, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today while addressing a coalition of organizations dedicated to protecting the state's natural resources.

U.S. asks appeals court to stay stem cell funding ban (Reuters)

Reuters - The Obama administration on Wednesday asked an appeals court for an emergency stay that would lift the ban on federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells.

Salazar: New inspectors headed to drilling agency (AP)

AP - The Obama administration said Wednesday it will spend $29 million to increase the number and training of offshore drilling inspectors, upgrade enforcement and take others steps to improve the beleaguered agency that oversees offshore drilling.

Salazar: New inspectors headed to drilling agency (AP)

AP - The Obama administration said Wednesday it will spend $29 million to increase the number and training of offshore drilling inspectors, upgrade enforcement and take others steps to improve the beleaguered agency that oversees offshore drilling.

Oil higher as stocks rise, Europe worries ease (AP)

AP - Oil prices followed stocks higher on Wednesday, as worries about European debt problems eased and buyers returned to the market.

Rural Pennsylvania town fights big gas (Reuters)

Reuters - In the rush to develop America's biggest new source of domestic energy, one community is fighting to protect its rural way of life from the environmental strains that accompany shale gas drilling.

Cybercrime is Rampant Around the World, Says Study (PC World)

PC World - A new study by security vendor Symantec reports that Internet crime has grown into a widespread problem globally. It also provides intriguing insights into consumers' lax attitudes toward online piracy, plagiarism, and other illegally or unethical activities.

TVA Forum Promotes Electric Vehicle Network in Tennessee (PR Newswire)

PR Newswire - NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leaders from federal, state and local governments, the automotive industry and electric utilities met Wednesday in Tennessee â soon to host what is believed to be one of the nation's largest electric vehicle charging networks â to discuss a national transition to electric transportation.Â Â

NIH to use BP cash to study oil spill health effects (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. National Institutes of Health said on Tuesday it would use $10 million from BP to start a multiyear study to look at the potential health effects from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Protect corals with reef networks, U.N. study says (Reuters)

Reuters - The world should safeguard coral reefs with networks of small no-fishing zones to confront threats such as climate change, and shift from favoring single, big protected areas, a U.N. study showed.

Two missing after China oil rig accident (AFP)

AFP - Two oil workers were missing but more than 30 others were rescued from a listing Sinopec rig off China's northeast coast, the government said Wednesday, as the company insisted no oil was spilled.