Bush Close to Naming New AG. Former Solicitor General Ted Olson leads the pack to head the Department of Justice, reports the NYT. In choosing Olson, the Times says President George W. Bush is defying Democrats' calls for a more moderate candidate who is not seen as a Republican stalwart. Olson, who lost his wife Barbara Olson during the 9/11 attacks, formerly argued the Bush campaign's case in the 2000 election before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Not So Fast. The District of Columbia and six other states, including California, have asked the District's court to extend Microsoft's anti-trust settlement -- which is set to expire in November -- through 2012. Intended to correct Microsoft's anticompetitive practices, the consent decree was issued in 2002 by U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotely. Stephen Houck, the former New York anti-trust state attorney who represents D.C. and the California group, says Microsoft still dominates operating system and Web browser markets. However, the Department of Justice and a group of other states, including New York, have filed briefs saying Microsoft has complied with the judgment. For more, read PCWorld's report.
Toy Flaws & Recalls. It turns out that lead-laced paint is not the only source of Chinese toy recalls. Most often than not, it's design problems by U.S. companies, the WaPo reports on its business front today. While more U.S. companies line up to announce safety tests, Mattel's Chief Executive Robert Eckert and Toys "R" Us Inc. Chief Executive Gerald Storch will testify before the Senate's Financial Services and General Government subcommittee at 11 a.m. today.
Surge Off. President George W. Bush, following up on the Iraq status reports by the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus to Congress on Monday, is expected to announce a troop reduction of 30,000 during his address to the nation at 9 p.m. Thursday, CNN reports. Bush ordered the 'surge' to stem a violent wave involving sectarian and insurgent attacks in Baghdad in January. The first withdrawals are expected to start in late September and run through next summer.
In China, Red Rules. The WSJ reports consumers there are confused now that Pepsi has gone 'red' with its cans as it competes with Coke ahead of next year's Summer Olympics in Beijing. Coca-Cola officials in Atlanta seem amused, but it's unknown whether they will ask their rivals to stop their red incursion or take further action.
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