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Reports: $1.9 Billion Settlement Expected In HSBC Money-Laundering Case

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The $1.9 billion settlement from British banking firm HSBC will settle allegations of allowing money laundering and transfers of billions from Iran.

By editor

Originally published on Tue December 11, 2012 10:06 am

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Update at 7 a.m. ET, Dec. 11. Settlement Announced:

Saying that "we accept responsibility for our past mistakes," the chief executive of Britain's HSBC has confirmed that the banking giant will pay a record $1.9 billion to settle charges related to a money laundering scheme in the U.S.

3:43 pm

Mon December 10, 2012

Forget The Register: Stores Use Mobile To Make Sales On The Spot

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Credit Courtesy of Nordstrom

A Nordstrom salesperson shows a customer an online selection of shoes on an in-store iPad. Like some other retailers, Nordstrom is using mobile devices to make on-the-spot sales and check companywide product inventory instantly.

Credit Courtesy of Nordstrom

More stores are processing instant payments using mobile devices, enabling customers to bypass the checkout counter.

By editor

Originally published on Mon December 10, 2012 7:44 pm

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The women's shoe department at Nordstrom's flagship store in Seattle is bustling. Shoppers are trying on everything from stilettos to rain boots — and when they're ready to buy, they can pay up right where they are.

The sales associate simply whips out a modified iPod Touch and scans the shoe box's bar code. The handheld device contains a credit card reader, too, so the customer can just hand over the plastic and sign with a fingertip. There's no trek to the cash register and no line to wait in.

3:37 pm

Mon December 10, 2012

What Porcupines Can Teach Engineers

Credit National Park Service

The barbs on porcupine quills make it easier from them to penetrate the skin.

By editor

Originally published on Wed December 12, 2012 7:04 am

Pulling out a porcupine quill is painful and slow, as many a dog discovers to its dismay after tangling with the big rodent. But those tenacious quills are inspiring efforts to develop better medical devices, including less painful needles.

It turns out that no one had really picked apart why it's so hard to remove a porcupine quill. Barbs, sure. But the barbs not only stick like mad. They also make it much easier for the quill to pierce skin and flesh.

3:33 pm

Mon December 10, 2012

After Students Are Killed, Protests In Sudan's Capital

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Sudanese students demonstrate in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on Sunday. They were protesting after four students, originally from the Darfur region, were killed last week.

By editor

Originally published on Mon December 10, 2012 3:51 pm

In the third straight day of demonstrations, hundreds of Sudanese students in the capital Khartoum rallied to protest the deaths of four university students last week.

While the recent deaths sparked the protests, some students are also calling for the ouster of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

"Revolution, revolution until victory!" has become the battle cry of the students.

3:30 pm

Mon December 10, 2012

Maine Prostitution Scandal Makes Locals Anxious

By editor

Originally published on Mon December 10, 2012 7:44 pm

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ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.

Kennebunk, Maine, is the quintessential small New England town, attracting tourists every year to its beaches and shops. But this fall, it became known for something else: a prostitution scandal. Police publish new lists of alleged patrons every other week, and those who are rumored to be patrons face months of speculation. Maine Public Radio's Patty Wight reports.

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4:08 pm

Mon December 10, 2012