Roland S. Martin's Blog, page 686

Apple Now Has More Cash Than The U.S. Government

Source: Brandon Griggs / CNN According to the latest statement from the U.S. Treasury, the government had an operating cash balance Wednesday of $73.8 billion. That's still a lot of money, but it's less than what Steve Jobs has lying around. Tech juggernaut Apple had a whopping $76.2 billion in cash and marketable securities at the end of June, according to its last earnings report. Unlike the U.S. government, which is scrambling to avoid defaulting on its debt, Apple takes [...]

TMZ: Soulja Boy Spends $55 Million On Private Jet

Source: TMZ Soulja Boy doesn't know the meaning of the word recession — because TMZ has learned, the 21-year-old rapper is spending $55 MILLION on a new private jet. A member of Soulja's management team told TMZ the rapper bought a $35 million G5 jet as a birthday present to himself this week. TMZ was also told that Solja Boy is spending an additional $20 million to customize the jet (some of the upgrades include 12 custom Italian leather seats, [...]

President Obama Dismisses House Debt Plan, Urges Senate Compromise (VIDEO)

Source: Alan Silverleib and Tom Cohen / CNN Washington - President Barack Obama urged Senate Democrats and Republicans to take the lead in the congressional debt ceiling talks Friday — one day after House GOP leaders temporarily pulled their plan back from consideration due to a lack of support. The House plan "has no chance of becoming law," Obama said at the White House. "The time for putting party first is over. The time for compromise on behalf of the American people [...]

The U.S. Debt As A Credit Card (VIDEO)

CNN's Richard Quest explains the U.S. debt in everyday terms: as a credit card. A platinum credit card. WATCH:

What If The Debt Ceiling Isn't Raised? (VIDEO)

CNN's Nina dos Santos explains where the U.S. will need to put its money if the debt ceiling isn't raised. WATCH:

Utah Accused Murderer Shuns White Supremacy Past To Marry Mixed-Race Woman In Jail (VIDEO)

Source: Reshma Kirpalani / ABC News Accused murderer and reformed skinhead Curtis Allgier called longtime friend Erika Herrera from a Utah jail this month and asked her to marry him. Allgier, 31, is a maximum-security prisoner at Salt Lake County Metropolitan Jail who is accused of murdering corrections officer Stephen Anderson with his own gun in 2007, for which officials will pursue the death penalty. His face is a mosaic of tattoos, including swastikas. On his chest is an inky [...]

Will Chicago's 8:30pm Weekday Curfew Keep Children From Being Victims Of Gang Violence? (VIDEO)

Roland Martin appears in the CNN Newsroom with Michael Shields, Dr. Steve Salzman and host Randi Kaye. The City of Chicago has imposed a new curfew for children under 12. Will the Windy City's new 8:30pm weekday curfew help keep Chicago's children from being victims of violence?

Boehner: 'I Stuck My Neck Out A Mile' On Debt Bill (VIDEO)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Speaker John Boehner speaks on the House floor, Friday, regarding the events leading up to the current debt standoff between Democrats and Republicans.

LIVE VIDEO: President Obama Speaks On The Status Of Debt Ceiling Negotiations

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Bank CEOs: Raise Debt Ceiling This Week — Or Else!

Source: CNN Money NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The CEOs of the nation's leading banks, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, sent a letter to the White House and Congress on Thursday urging them to hurry up and reach a debt agreement. In the letter, sent by the Financial Services Forum to President Obama and members of Congress, the CEOs said an agreement needs to be made this week, or else there will be "grave" consequences. "A default on our nation's [...]