PayPal preparing to expand its digital wallet service to 2,000 Home Depot stores this spring (Appolicious)

Online payment service PayPal is continuing to try out its new mobile payment capabilities, expanding its testing grounds to 2,000 Home Depot stores.

PayPal, the eBay-owned online payment company that offers mobile apps on Google?s Android operating system and Apple?s iOS platform, revealed that it was testing a ?mobile wallet? service earlier this month. Similar to other payment services that utilize smartphone apps, like Google Wallet, PayPal?s service would allow users to use their smartphones? screens in place of a credit card or other payment method. By scanning a barcode, users could make payments at Home Depot stores using their PayPal accounts.

The new service was being tested by PayPal employees in January, using Android and iOS apps as well as a ?PayPal card? that would replace a credit card. According to a story from Bloomberg, PayPal is now looking to further expand that service beyond just internal testing. PayPal plans to expand the service to 2,000 PayPal stores by March this year, hoping to pull customers away from using credit cards and toward using its service.

Bloomberg says PayPal kicked the payment service over to public testing last week, expanding it to 51 Home Depot stores in the San Francisco area. The company, which is the fastest-growing arm of eBay, doesn?t expect the in-store payment system to have much effect on its bottom line anytime soon, even with the expansion to other stores. But in three to five years, PayPal expects a lot more people will be willing to use their phones and PayPal service in stores, and that?s when the initiative will be substantial.

eBay and PayPal intend to expand the service beyond Home Depot before long, as well, and have plans to make it available with 20 other retail partners by the end of the year. Bloomberg also reports that eBay has created a larger ?mobile wallet? app that allows users to store their payment information, including credit and debit cards as well as PayPal. Using that app, you?ll be able to choose which payment form you want to use on a transaction and wait as long as 30 days after the sale to decide, as well.

Just when all these new mobile payment capabilities will be available, eBay hasn?t said outright. It seems fair to expect to at least sample what PayPal and eBay have to offer in a store near you by the end of 2012, however. Along with other mobile payment possibilities, like Google Wallet and near-field communication technology, smartphones could play a big role in changing how we buy things in stores this year.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/appolicious_rss/rss_appolicious_tc/http___www_androidapps_com_articles10846_paypal_preparing_to_expand_its_digital_wallet_service_to_2_000_home_depot_stores_this_spring/44277044/SIG=14d09foc4/*http%3A//www.androidapps.com/tech/articles/10846-paypal-preparing-to-expand-its-digital-wallet-service-to-2-000-home-depot-stores-this-spring

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Europe should boost bailout fund, consider euro bonds: Lagarde (Reuters)

BERLIN (Reuters) ? The head of the IMF called on European governments to boost the size of their rescue fund and consider financial risk-sharing steps like common euro zone bonds as a way out of their sovereign debt crisis.

In a speech at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin on Monday, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde said the world economy faced a "defining moment" that required quick, collective action.

To help meet the challenge, she urged leading powers to back an increase in resources for the Washington-based lender to help fill a global financing hole that the IMF believes could reach $1 trillion over the coming years.

"The longer we wait, the worse it will get. The only solution is to move forward together," Lagarde said, according to an embargoed copy of her remarks provided by the IMF before delivery.

"We must all understand that this is a defining moment. It is not about saving any one country or region. It is about saving the world from a downward economic spiral."

The IMF has helped fund a series of euro zone bailouts over the past two years, but with big European countries like Italy now under threat, it wants to boost its lending capacity, currently estimated at around $380 billion.

Members of the single currency bloc have agreed to inject close to $200 billion, but countries like the United States, Canada, China and Japan have been cool on channeling more funds to the IMF. Many are keen for Europe to take more decisive steps to resolve its debt crisis first.

Lagarde said the IMF was seeking to increase its lending resources by up to $500 billion, including the funds already pledged by Europe. The Fund estimates that up to $1 trillion in global financing could be needed over the coming years.

"I am convinced that we must step up the Fund's lending capacity," Lagarde said.

SOLVENCY CRISIS RISK

She praised decisions by euro zone governments to enforce stricter fiscal discipline and a move by the European Central Bank to provide long-term liquidity to banks, but said these steps formed mere "pieces" of a comprehensive crisis solution.

Lagarde warned specifically about the risks that higher funding costs for Italy and Spain lead to a solvency crisis, saying this would have disastrous consequences for systemic stability.

"Adding substantial real resources to what is currently available by folding the EFSF into the ESM, increasing the size of the ESM, and identifying a clear and credible timetable for making it operational would help greatly," Lagarde said, referring to the euro zone's current and future rescue funds.

She urged European leaders to complement the "fiscal compact" they agreed last month with some form of financial risk-sharing, mentioning euro zone bonds or bills, or a debt redemption fund as possible options.

Lagarde also called for bolder steps from countries outside of Europe, saying the United States had a special responsibility as the world's largest economy.

She said emerging and advanced countries with large current account surpluses should take steps to encourage domestic demand as a way to support global growth.

In an apparent reference to Germany, she said there was a "large core" in Europe where fiscal consolidation could be more gradual. Lagarde also stressed the need for timely easing of monetary policy as euro zone economies and inflation fall.

(Reporting by Noah Barkin)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/eurobiz/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120123/bs_nm/us_imf_europe_lagarde

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A Sketchy Rescue, a Messy Cleanup, and Mitt?s Money

Romney Parks Millions in Cayman Islands, ABC News
Mitt Romney has millions in investment funds set up in the Cayman Islands, but it is not apparent on his financial disclosure firm. A Romney representative said Romney would pay the same in taxes regardless of where the funds are based.
Contributed by @ABC

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=7ddb139a81d9f44a84365a035b680f13

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Police arrest Ala. man in post-BCS video (AP)

NEW ORLEANS ? An Alabama man was arrested late Wednesday in connection with a video appearing to show someone in a University of Alabama jacket abusing an unconscious Louisiana State University fan after Alabama beat LSU for the BCS football championship.

Brian Downing, 32, of Smiths Station, Ala., was booked on charges of sexual battery and obscenity. He was videotaped Jan. 9 "placing his genitals on an LSU fan's face. The LSU fan appears to be heavily inebriated and practically unconscious," a police statement said.

That videotape, the last minute of which shows a man in a red Alabama jacket simulating a sex act, went viral on the Internet.

Police said sex crimes detectives met Downing at his attorney's office in New Orleans, where officers arrested him. Downing looked at the ground as officers escorted him in handcuffs into the jail. Neither he nor the officers answered questions.

Downing's actions were videotaped about 11:45 p.m. Jan. 9, at a restaurant on Bourbon Street, police said.

They said LSU and Alabama University campus police helped them collect information and evidence needed to get a warrant for Downing's arrest.

Downing is a second cousin of Russell County, Ala., Sheriff Heath Taylor, who earlier Thursday had said Downing was on his way from Alabama to New Orleans to surrender.

Taylor told The Associated Press that he learned from other family members Thursday morning that Downing had been identified as the man shown exposing himself and then simulating a sex act above the head of an apparently unconscious man in an LSU-purple shirt. Taylor said he had not seen the video or asked Downing about the case.

After hearing from his relatives, Taylor said, he called Downing's dad and told him to bring him to the sheriff's office in Phenix City, Ala. He said he then called New Orleans police to ask whether they wanted him to jail and extradite Downing or send him to New Orleans to surrender. "New Orleans made that call," he said.

Taylor said he did not speak to Downing. "I gave his attorney the card with the detective's name on it and cell number."

The relationship was first reported by the Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus, Ga., which is about nine miles east-northeast from Phenix City.

Scott Myers, a spokesman for Birmingham, Ala.-based Hibbett Sports Inc., confirmed Thursday that the company fired Downing on Wednesday because of his part in the video.

He said the company had been aware of the tape but did not identify the person on it until Wednesday. He refused to say what the man did for Hibbett or how the company became aware of his alleged involvement. Hibbett Sports lists about 800 stores in 26 states.

"We were made aware of this situation late yesterday afternoon. We conducted our own investigation, and after the investigation was concluded, we made the determination to terminate his employment," Myers said.

Taylor said that when he heard the allegation, he had no choice but to arrest Downing or send him to New Orleans. "I wasn't going to let anybody say that because he's my family I wasn't doing anything about it."

It wasn't a hard decision, he said. "You've just got to do the right thing."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/us/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120120/ap_on_sp_ot/us_bcs_viral_video

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Jim Miller back on track with choke victory over Melvin Guillard at UFC on FX 1

Fundamentals took out flash Friday night.

Melvin Guillard looked spectacular at times, but after three minutes of wowing the crowd, he was caught in another choke and had to tap to the very steady and tough Jim Miller.

Guillard, a dynamic striker, was lighting up Miller when he made a big mistake. He left his feet to attempt his fourth flying knee of the fight. Miller was waiting and dumped him to the ground where he eventually locked on a rear-naked choke to finish things at the 2:02 mark of the first round in the main event of the UFC on FX 1 card in Nashville.

"It always something I've been able to do and then from there it was just about securing the position," Miller told UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik. "I'm pretty confident that I am the most dangerous lightweight in the world. I'm willing to make you guys believe that."

The dominant victory puts Miller (21-3, 10-2 UFC) right back in the middle of the UFC lightweight title hunt. A second straight loss Friday and he would've tumbled down the rankings. Miller lost badly his last time out against Ben Henderson. He revealed this week that he was battling some medical issues entering that fight. That's all in the past now.

Guillard's regarded as one of the most explosive fighters in any weight division. He came out on fire.

Just 35 seconds into the fight, Guillard dropped Miller. As Miller scrambled, he got drilled by six more hard punches. Miller clutched and grabbed to avoid more damage. He ate another big knee as the fighters separated. With 2:48 left, Miller absorbed another huge Guillard punch, right down the pipe, but he never wilted. When Guillard tried a fourth flying knee, Miller was ready.

The 28-year-old from New Jersey dumped Guillard on his back and 10 seconds later scored a momentary mount. Guillard did himself in when he flipped to his back in an attempt to free himself. Miller's jiu-jitsu is too nasty to attempt such an elementary escape. Miller jumped on Guillard's back as he tried to stand up and instantly sunk in his hooks. Guillard's suffered seven previous choke losses during his career. He wasn't getting out of this one.

A relieved Miller gave Guillard (29-10-2, 10-6 UFC) much credit following the fight.

"I don't get knocked down often and he knocked me down. He hits hard man. There are a lot of guys, I think in this weight class and the one above, that don't want to fight that kid," said Miller.

Henderson faces Edgar for the UFC lightweight title next month in Japan. Beyond that fight, it's anyone guess who'll get the next shot against the winner. Miller certainly put himself in the conversation.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jim-miller-back-track-choke-victory-over-melvin-040255362.html

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NFL officiating getting attention this postseason (AP)

Here's the deal, football fans: NFL officials are going to mess up. Calls will be missed. Others will be made that shouldn't be.

Even the league knows that ? and it wants you to remember, too.

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson says Friday there have been some rulings this postseason that "we wish had not caused so much attention." Sometimes, he adds, "mistakes are going to be made."

Anderson says the NFL is "never completely satisfied" with officiating and always strives to do better. That's one reason why the league is considering making some game officials full-time employees for next season.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/sports/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120120/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_upon_further_review

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JCB and Motorola team up for 'work-proof' DEFY+

Motorola announced today that it has teamed up with construction equipment manufacturer JCB for the “work-proof” DEFY+, now available in the UK for RRP £259.99. The special edition will come with a JCB-patented rugged visco-elastic protective sleeve, along with push-to-talk connectivity and preloaded apps including a spirit level, theodolite, decibel meter and recorder and a unit converter. The DEFY+ JCB edition will retain the original’s 1 GHz processor, Gorilla Glass coating, 5 MP camera, and preloaded Gingerbread. Hit the source link for Moto's official announcement.

Source: Motorola Mobility

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/cS82ZBNRy6M/story01.htm

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