on tap, trump, oversight, inopportune, an opportune moment, active litigation, status conference

"I know nothing which exercises a more powerful influence upon my heart than an act of courage, performed at an opportune moment, on behalf of the weak who are unjustly oppressed."
--from CONFESSIONS by Jean-Jacques Rousseau


Europe's Lenders Find Branch Trumps a Unit

In the U.S., U.K. and Portugal, European banks are altering their legal structures or moving assets and business lines between units in ways that help them avoid local rules and oversight.

New UBS Leader Ousts Risk Chief

UBS's new CEO ousted the bank's risk-control officer and brought back a veteran who helped clean up oversight problems that emerged during the financial crisis.

Microsoft is taking the wraps off seven new Windows Phone 7 handsets, expecting the first shipments for the holiday season, with more on tap for next year.


The Trump Card at Check-In

Qantas has created the practically paperless airport in Sydney, rolling out new technology that eliminates many long lines and speeds passengers all the way to their seat.



A Weak Board at Yahoo Stumbles in a Series of Missteps The Yahoo board appears to have no vision or patience, leaving the company directionless and allowing outside players to push it in inopportune directions. 

The Deal Professor writes that the directors could take the easy way out with a sale at a low price, instead of the hard work of turning around the company.

Justice Dept. Will Not Brief Lawmakers on AT&T Challenge The Justice Department has told lawmakers that it will not brief them on its motives for challenging AT&T's proposed merger with T-Mobile USA because the matter is one of active litigation, Reuters reports.

Separately, 100 House republicans wrote to President Obama, calling for a settlement of the Justice Department's lawsuit. They argued that the challenge "will thwart job creation and economic growth."

AT&T and the Justice Department are set to discuss the prospects of a settlement at a status conference in federal district court this morning.

Samsung widened its patent litigation against U.S.-based Apple, accusing it of violating three more patents in Samsung's home country of South Korea.

inopportune (ĭn-ŏp'ər-tūn', -tyūn') 
adj.
Inappropriate or ill-timed; not opportune.

inopportunely in·op'por·tune'ly adv.
inopportuneness in·op'por·tune'ness n.


opportune
Pronunciation: /ˈɒpətjuːn/   /ˌɒpəˈtjuːn/
ADJECTIVE

1(Of a time) especially convenient or appropriate for a particular action or event:
he couldn’t have arrived at a less opportune moment
More example sentences Synonyms
1.1Done or occurring at a favourable time; well timed:
the opportune use of humour to lower tension

on tap
Available for immediate use, ready, as in We have two more trumpeters on tap for the parade. This metaphoric expression alludes to a beverage such as beer that is ready to be drawn from a cask. [Mid-1800s]

trump(trŭmp)
n.

1. Games.
   1. A suit in card games that outranks all other suits for the duration of a hand. Often used in the plural.
   2. A card of such a suit.
   3. A trump card.
2. A key resource to be used at an opportune moment.
3. Informal. A reliable or admirable person.

v., trumped, trump·ing, trumps. v.tr.

1. Games. To take (a card or trick) with a trump.
2. To get the better of (an adversary or competitor, for example) by using a crucial, often hidden resource.

v.intr. Games
To play a trump.

phrasal verb:

trump up

1. To devise fraudulently: trumped up a charge of conspiracy.

[Alteration of TRIUMPH.]

trump² (trŭmp)
n.
A trumpet.

[Middle English trompe, from Old French. See trumpet.]