Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble no more on eBay after August 30th.

Sales of all potions, psychic readings, voodoo dolls and “powerful money and wealth” spells will no longer be sold by eBay.com, the online auction and shopping website founded in 1995, one of the most noted success stories of the original dot-com era and a multi-billion dollar global business.

Gone, gone, gone will be a “magical demon destroyer potion” ($51), “Windfall Money Riches Fortune Gambling Good Luck Spell” ($8.99), a “djinn genie potion” ($14.97), “powerful spell of vampire transformation” ($15.68), and the “powerful female succubus lover spell” ($24.99).

Any attempts (no matter their sphere of origin or personage) to sell items of this nature will be blocked, and by September 1, eBay.com will return to selling flatware, toys, garden supplies, and the other pedestrian paraphernalia of this planet. Continue reading...

GM abruptly ousts CMO Joel Ewanick over details of Manchester United sponsorship deal and future of GM's new Commonwealth agency relationship is questioned, while automaker also found to be making risky sub-prime loans.

Apple case against Samsung carries implications for its gripes against Google, as report says Apple discussed investing in Twitter.

Avon CEO is requested to meet with federal prosecutors.

Best Buy founder reportedly mounting a buyback effort.

Chili's touts lunch menu in new video campaign.

Coca-Cola reorganizes and ramps up marketing of Sprite to Millennials.Continue reading...

Airbnb just joined the billion dollar valuation club, $1.3 billion to be precise, according to the Wall Street Journal. The San Francisco-based apartment-sharing website just closed a $112 million round of financing led by Andreessen-Horowitz, with participation from Yuri Milner’s DST Global and General Catalyst. 

The startup, launched in August 2008 by cofounders Nathan Blecharczyk, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, today boasts some impressive stats: more than 2 million nights booked (double that of four months ago), a website attracting 30 million-plus monthly views, and 54 million ‘social connections’ since the May launch of its social hub. 

As competition in its category heats up, Airbnb will reportedly use the latest cash infusion to continue expansion from its current 186 countries and “stay in front of the folks trying to emulate the service around the world.”Continue reading...

Deutsche Telekom is in preliminary talks to sell T-Mobile to Sprint, a deal that would remake the mobile landscape.

Facebook introduces movie streaming and rentals with Warner Bros., sending Netflix stock down; and launches real-time analytics for social plug-ins.

BP plans $3.5 billion bond sale as CEO apologizes for Gulf Spill and says industry must take more precautions.

Airbus receives $9.5 billion order for 100 jets.

American Apparel head Dov Charney's latest scandal: a $250 million employee lawsuit alleging sexual assault.

Bill Gates is unlikely to reclaim the world's richest title tomorrow, due to philanthropic contributions.

Bupa launches integrated marketing campaign and new tagline.

Coca-Cola invests in green bottling facility in UK.Continue reading...

Comcast acquisition of NBC Universal won't be approved by Dec. 31.

Craigslist removes "adult services" listings worldwide.

JPMorgan maintains global top spot for investment banking fees.

L.L. Bean among retailers enjoying a happy holiday season.

Lilly Pulitzer fashion brand changes hands.

Marks & Spencer celebrated with a museum exhibit in its birthplace.

President Obama signs bill repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as Senate ratifies nuclear pact.

Skype outage affects millions worldwide (and potentially Twitter).Continue reading...

* AIG sets a date for its AIA unit IPO.

* Amazon poached Microsoft's head of game platform strategy, Andre Vrignaud.

* Barclays promoted Bob Diamond, an American turned high-profile British banker, as its next CEO.

* BlackBerry-maker RIM acquired mobile startup DataViz for $50 million.

* Christian Dior's "Shanghai Dreams" ad campaign in China deemed racist by some critics.

* Coors Light launches aluminum bottles in time for NFL season.Continue reading...

* Apple is close to a deal with Disney to rent ABC TV shows via iTunes, the Wall Street Journal reports. It's also looking to trademark several of its mobile app icons.

* Burger King reported slumping sales.

* AARP research finds brand-name drug prices increased 8% last year.

* Barnes & Noble reported a tough quarter and increased legal costs due to proxy fight with investor.

* Best Buy named Aura Oslapas its new chief design officer.Continue reading...

BP says it has plugged the spill in the Gulf, earning White House accolades now that three-quarters of the spilled oil is now gone. Still, work remains.

AOL reported a $1 billion loss for the second quarter.

Cartier is suing Hautelook over the alleged sale of inferior quality (read: secondhand) goods.

Forbes is selling its Investopedia site to ValueClick for $42 million.

Google is loosening restrictions on using brand names in its lucrative European advertising business, putting the onus on retailers to protect their trademarks online.Continue reading...