To paraphrase the late US Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois: "A billion dollars here, a billion dollars there—pretty soon you're talking about real money."

That's why investors, analysts, journalists and CEOs all tend to listen to activist investor Bill Ackman: He can throw around $1 billion at a time, and it is very real money. Right now, for example, he's got a $1 billion short position on Herbalife, betting that the multi-level-marketing company's shares eventually will be worthless.

But for today, at least, there's reason to doubt the acumen of Ackman on Herbalife, a marketer of weight-loss shakes and skin lotions that he has condemned as a pyramid scheme. The company beat analysts' expectations about its quarterly earnings again this week and raised its full-year outlook, as well as celebrated the growing influence of Carl Icahn, an old-school corporate raider who's increased his stake in the company and publicly defended it against nouveau gadfly Ackman.Continue reading...

Amazon ships Kindle Fire and Kindle Touch early.

Apple searches for next retailing genius, recalls first-generation iPod Nano devices.

Audi A7 wins car of the year nod.

Barbie links with Stardoll for premium collection.

BMW promotes sustainability with China roadshow.

Boeing cements wide-body lead over Airbus with biggest ever deal, with Emirates.

Borders demise parsed by Bloomberg Businessweek.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launch smashes records.

China 'ready' to allow foreign companies to issue stock.

Chevrolet woos Sonic buyers with perks program, while GM slows Chevrolet Cruze production.

Citrus Australia introduces new seal of authenticity.

Crowne Plaza tilts makeover toward young travelers.

Deutsche Boerse defends NYSE Euronext deal.

Disney buys Babble.com for $40M to reach 'hipster parents.'

Estee Lauder co-founder Evelyn Lauder dies, lauded for launching Pink Ribbon campaign for breast cancer research.

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Major economies try to reassure investors with joint statement, but markets continue to swoon.

HP defends hasty hiring of Meg Whitman as CEO, as Whitman hits the ground running.

Chanel files sweeping Internet trademark suit in Nevada.

Boeing plans a celebration for long-delayed delivery of Dreamliner.

Alibaba gets major investment from abroad.

Apple opens fifth (and largest) China store, in Shanghai.

Borders name and IP sale to Barnes & Noble blocked by judge.Continue reading...

Post Carol Bartz ouster, Yahoo may look for next leader in advertising as site retains financial advisers and mulls sale.

President Obama is expected to seek a $300-billion jobs package in his address to Congress tomorrow night.

AT&T could cut price of buying T-Mobile if regulator demands become too onerous.

BP casts about for new growth strategy.

Bank of America executes major shakeup of leadership.

Benetton unveils sexy image overhaul.

Borders is sued over layoffs.Continue reading...

Bandit brand pulls ultimate spoof on fellow Michigan native Chrysler with "Imported from Remus" ad for its wood chippers.

Denny's new Mac'n'Cheese Patty Melt will melt your arteries.

On eve of New York Fashion Week, Lady Gaga disses New York Times fashion critic and releases six-part "fashion film" series to promote new single:Continue reading...

Amazon to release new album by Blondie as an exclusive.

Apple criticized for China supply chain pollution.

AT&T's T-Mobile setback seen as test case for tougher US antitrust limits.

BNY Mellon ousts chief in shake-up.

BP offices in Moscow continued to be raided by government officials in document search connected to lawsuit.

Bennigan's begins brand-wide overhaul.

Billie Jean King launches USTA-backed arthritis PSA campaign at US Open.

Conde Nast aggregates popular content with Social Sidekick.Continue reading...

Books-A-Million wants to acquire 14 old Borders stores.

Google CEO faces unexpected challenges.

Harley-Davidson rides into Russian spotlight carrying Vladimir Putin.

Heinz looks to capture cost-conscious shoppers.

Innkeepers USA sues Cerberus.

Lady Gaga is accused of ripping off Annie Lennox.

LG Display cuts spending on flat-screen manufacturing.

News Corp. loses contract over hacking scandal.Continue reading...

Adidas reintroduces Originals in new campaign.

Apple officially exceeds Exxon to take the biggest market cap crown.

Borders and Waldenbooks brand auction is now scheduled, with bids due by Sept. 8.

CBS sees "EcoAd" unit gain traction.

Cisco shares soar as company earnings beat analyst projections.

Facebook traffic declines in the U.K.

Gap expands Athleta brand with bricks-and-mortar stores.Continue reading...