Here are some of the contenders for today's biggest...news...of...the...day...

• Lower-than-expected earnings from Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM)...
• Earnings from Starbucks (SBUX) that met the recently lowered expectations...results were said to be hurt by "a real reduction in consumers discretionary spending habits..."
• Word that United Online (UNTD) is buying FTD Group (FTD), a flower company...
• More information about the legal dispute between eBay (EBAY) and Craigslist...
• Optimism on Mosaic Co (MOS) as it is said "despite the massive runup in its shares, they actually look underpriced..."
• A look into what tomorrow's employment report may bring...
• Better-than-expected earnings from both Atmel Corp (ATML) and Amkor Technology Inc (AMKR)...

While those are all stories worth watching, I think it is obviously clear that the biggest story is this -

• Hiding teen sends text message to foil alleged intruders - "A teenager home alone pulled bed sheets over her head to hide from two intruders and sent a text message to her mother..."
• Web sites promote "hypermiling" to save on fuel - "As U.S. gasoline prices hit records on almost a daily basis, an increasing number of motorists are following a radical driving technique designed to eke out every last mile from a tank of fuel...hypermiling includes pumping up tires to the maximum rating on their sidewalls, which may be higher than levels recommended in car manuals; using engine oil of a low viscosity, and the controversial practice of drafting behind other vehicles on the highway to reduce aerodynamic drag..."
• Don't get drunk on Father's Day, German minister urges - "On Father's Day in Germany, which always falls on Ascension Day, men traditionally head out into the fields with a hand cart full of beer and schnapps -- and get drunk..."

I want to start off by saying that I am extremely happy the first story worked out well for the teen and her family. Though, I do have wonder when texting someone became the default response instead of actually calling 911. I am pointing the second story out because I think we are going to see more about this. I have a sinking feeling that it will involve drafting and it won't be a happy story.

I thought the third was worth pointing out for three reasons. One is that I was unaware there was a tradition that involved "a hand cart full of beer and schnapps". That sounds awesome. The second point involves the quote from Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen who said her husband "gets Father's Day flowers and presents and gets special attention on this day..." Perhaps my exposure to other guys is limited to a non-representative sample but I don't think I know a single guy who would be okay with replacing a hand cart full of beer with some flowers.

In fact, I can't think of virtually anything that I would replace with flowers. I was going to say maybe I would rather get flowers than get shot in the hand with a nail gun, but that isn't true. The nail gun injury would at least leave a cool scar and I could tell everyone about the story...

The third reason is related to the FTD Group buyout. Is United Online banking on a new trend developing? Short the brewers and go long the flower companies? I have trouble seeing that trend play out but I have been wrong before...