Barclays Paying $453 Million To Settle Libor Probe

Automaker Tesla takes fight to North Carolina Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 9:55 am, Saturday, May 25, 2013 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Tesla Motors is fighting a bill in North Carolina that would effectively ban the company from selling its electric cars in the state, pitting it against auto dealers who say the car maker has an unfair advantage selling directly to consumers online. Tesla says it is cutting out the middleman by allowing people to view different options in a showroom, but then ordering the car direct from the company online rather than buying from a salesman. Tesla currently operates 29 stores and galleries across 14 states and Washington, D.C. Customers can order a car online at a sales location or at home but not at galleries, which exist purely to showcase cars in states where auto dealers have launched suits or state law restricts the company from discussing sales in person. Colorado was the first state to take action against the manufacturer's stores, passing legislation in 2010 that halts their expansion. [] Minnesota lawmakers unsuccessfully pushed for a similar measure. The North Carolina law, however, prevents customers in the state from making electronic purchases directly through manufacturers, said Diarmuid O'Connell, Tesla's vice president of business development. The argument from dealers in North Carolina has mirrored those from the national association and in other states: franchise dealers invest more locally, showing commitment to communities and customer service that Tesla can't match. Tesla says that its time-intensive customer service model won't translate well to franchise dealers and that most consumers would laugh at the notion that they're better served by the existing system.

Protesters march against Monsanto in 250 cities Genetically modified plants are grown from seeds engineered to resist insecticides and herbicides, add nutritional benefits and improve crop yields. Monsanto Co., based in St. Louis, said Saturday that it respects people's rights to express their opinion, but believes its seeds help farmers produce more food, while conserving water and energy.

The Westboro Baptist Church can add another group to its "hate" list: hackers. The Christian fundamentalist group, notorious for its "God Hates Fags" protests, launched a website on Monday called GodHatesOklahoma.com, just hours after a mile-wide tornado hit the town of Moore, Okla., and killed more than 90 people. The site didn't last long. Whatever content was originally published — presumably a rant about how America's "sins" are being chastised, per the group's usual protests — was hacked and replaced by a photo of Jesus Christ giving the middle finger, along with the message, "Westboro Faptist Church — Even Jesus Hates You." (Faptist being a reference to the word "fap," Internet slang for "masturbate"). Read moreMore about Donations, Hackers, Westboro Baptist Church, Us World, and Social Good

In a work environment, you've probably heard the phrase, “Concentrate on improving your weaknesses.” It’s actually quite common in many corporations. The goal is to become professionally well rounded. It’s also a great way to be mediocre. And it’s almost certainly a way not to become very wealthy.

There's a fascinating little report here about the effects of shale gas on the European energy market. The conclusion to be drawn from it is that Europe really does need to be drilling for shale gas and quickly. The reason for this though is that the US has already decided to do so: and it's the effects of the US shale revolution that mean that Europe's got to follow.