Monday, April 2
"DaimlerChrysler AG's Chryser Group yesterday revealed limited satellite TV service for its 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans and several other models, continuing its plan to turn the family cruiser into a living room on wheels. Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network are all channels that Chrysler is teaming with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to bring to future minivans, 2008 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Jeep Commander, and Grand Cherokee. I think that this is a good investment for the automobile company, for consumers are looking to keep up with technology, and the latest is always the best. In a generation of both full-time hardworking mothers and fathers, it is hard to keep kids entertained in the busy schedules of everyday life. Now, this makes it that much easier, and I think that consumers with the money to pay the monthly fees for the service will feel the same way. Even better for Chrysler, "it has the channels exclusively through the 2008 model year, after which Sirius can offer it to other partners." It looks as though 2008 will be a good year for this automotive company.
I wish this was around for those 11 hour drives to Virginia Beach with my little brother and sister when I younger.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2007/03/30/chrysler_will_offer_tv/
Friday, March 30, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Friday, March 30- Australia (Other)
Friday, March 30
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute leading index of economic activity measures the likely economic activity three to nine months into the future. The institute predicts that the Australian economy's growth will accelerate this year, and this is "'likely to be associated with continuing robust consumer spending, a more positive investment environment, stability in the housing construction cycle and evidence of the much anticipated surge in exports of resources.'" The US, China, and Japan may influence this growth as well. This is good news for Australia, as this shows that consumers are doing well with the economy also. If they are spending, their incomes must be well suited for this spending. This would also provide reason for their increase in investments since they have more money to invest, and more people now have the money to purchase and pay for their homes.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21420576-20142,00.html
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute leading index of economic activity measures the likely economic activity three to nine months into the future. The institute predicts that the Australian economy's growth will accelerate this year, and this is "'likely to be associated with continuing robust consumer spending, a more positive investment environment, stability in the housing construction cycle and evidence of the much anticipated surge in exports of resources.'" The US, China, and Japan may influence this growth as well. This is good news for Australia, as this shows that consumers are doing well with the economy also. If they are spending, their incomes must be well suited for this spending. This would also provide reason for their increase in investments since they have more money to invest, and more people now have the money to purchase and pay for their homes.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21420576-20142,00.html
Wednesday, March 28- European Union
Wednesday, March 28
Four years ago the EU and US began to discuss a possible deal to open the transatlantic air travel way for competition. On March 22, 2007, the EU announced "EU and US close to Clinching Open Skies Deal." October of this year is the date that this deal is expected to go into effect, and open skies will begin. Most EU Member States support this deal, while the UK is a bit unsure. The UK wants Washington to guarantee they will disgard their limits on EU airlines investing in US rivals, while the US wishes to continue their limits on foreign air companies. "The move will see up to 12 billion euros in economic benefits as increased competition brings down ticket prices, according to the European Commission, which negotiated the deal on behalf of the EU."
I like the idea of this deal going into effect. Not only will it increase benefits for the airlines, but for customers as well. It will bring down prices, and perhaps even offer more flights throughout the day, which is very convenient. Airlines will fill their planes more often with lower ticket prices. Maybe I will be travelling to Ireland sooner than I think, depending on how much ticket prices really do drop.
http://euobserver.com/19/23755
Four years ago the EU and US began to discuss a possible deal to open the transatlantic air travel way for competition. On March 22, 2007, the EU announced "EU and US close to Clinching Open Skies Deal." October of this year is the date that this deal is expected to go into effect, and open skies will begin. Most EU Member States support this deal, while the UK is a bit unsure. The UK wants Washington to guarantee they will disgard their limits on EU airlines investing in US rivals, while the US wishes to continue their limits on foreign air companies. "The move will see up to 12 billion euros in economic benefits as increased competition brings down ticket prices, according to the European Commission, which negotiated the deal on behalf of the EU."
I like the idea of this deal going into effect. Not only will it increase benefits for the airlines, but for customers as well. It will bring down prices, and perhaps even offer more flights throughout the day, which is very convenient. Airlines will fill their planes more often with lower ticket prices. Maybe I will be travelling to Ireland sooner than I think, depending on how much ticket prices really do drop.
http://euobserver.com/19/23755
Friday, March 23, 2007
Monday, March 26- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, March 26
At one time or another, we have all heard bad things about Wal-Mart. I remember senior year of high school, New York school teachers went on strike and demanded that their students by their school supplies from any retailer other than Wal-Mart. Since the corporation has started, the people of the US have disapproved of how they treat and pay their employees. I guess Wal-Mart has heard enough complaining, and the disapprovals have finally paid off. The Boston Globe published an article on the 23rd titled "Under Pressure, Chain Raises Bonuses." Wal-mart released a statement saying that they are going to increase annual bonus payments this year, and also offer new rewards programs. These increases and rewards will be available to both full and part time employees. "Wal-Mart has previously defended its employment policies, saying the company creates jobs and has reduced healthcare costs for all Americans by selling prescription drugs at discount." I don't believe that this is true. Sure, they create jobs like all other retail stores, but retail stores such as Target also sell prescription drugs at discount and stay out of the negative press. Perhaps this is start, but Wal-Mart has a lot of catching up to do if they really want to impress the citizens of the US.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/03/23/under_pressure_chain_raises_bonuses/
At one time or another, we have all heard bad things about Wal-Mart. I remember senior year of high school, New York school teachers went on strike and demanded that their students by their school supplies from any retailer other than Wal-Mart. Since the corporation has started, the people of the US have disapproved of how they treat and pay their employees. I guess Wal-Mart has heard enough complaining, and the disapprovals have finally paid off. The Boston Globe published an article on the 23rd titled "Under Pressure, Chain Raises Bonuses." Wal-mart released a statement saying that they are going to increase annual bonus payments this year, and also offer new rewards programs. These increases and rewards will be available to both full and part time employees. "Wal-Mart has previously defended its employment policies, saying the company creates jobs and has reduced healthcare costs for all Americans by selling prescription drugs at discount." I don't believe that this is true. Sure, they create jobs like all other retail stores, but retail stores such as Target also sell prescription drugs at discount and stay out of the negative press. Perhaps this is start, but Wal-Mart has a lot of catching up to do if they really want to impress the citizens of the US.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/03/23/under_pressure_chain_raises_bonuses/
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Friday, March 23- China (Other)
Friday, March 23
The Chinese newspaper Xinhua released an article recently, claiming that "Beijing is gaining new fame as a shopper's paradise, with numerous malls sprouting up across the city and more in the pipeline in the run-up to the Olympic Games." Developers are fleeing to this area, each competing and desperately searching for a site to build their own mall. Beijing's first modern shopping mall opened five years ago, occupying 120,000 square meters. Today, shopping malls in Beijing occupy a total floor area of 6.33 million square meters, and more than one million square meters will be added to this total this year.
Dennis Luk, director of the retail department under Beijing Colliers International, stated that "'Developers are shifting attention from residential properties to commercial real estate, and the momentum will be sustained in the long run in a more reasonable and healthy way.'" Beijing was also said, if it is not obvious within the square footage of mall area, where consumers spend their money, that the city's income levels are rising, and have risen by 15% in the last three years.
Retailers from overseas are taking part in this development also. Perhaps the US retailers will join as well.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/20/content_5870492.htm
The Chinese newspaper Xinhua released an article recently, claiming that "Beijing is gaining new fame as a shopper's paradise, with numerous malls sprouting up across the city and more in the pipeline in the run-up to the Olympic Games." Developers are fleeing to this area, each competing and desperately searching for a site to build their own mall. Beijing's first modern shopping mall opened five years ago, occupying 120,000 square meters. Today, shopping malls in Beijing occupy a total floor area of 6.33 million square meters, and more than one million square meters will be added to this total this year.
Dennis Luk, director of the retail department under Beijing Colliers International, stated that "'Developers are shifting attention from residential properties to commercial real estate, and the momentum will be sustained in the long run in a more reasonable and healthy way.'" Beijing was also said, if it is not obvious within the square footage of mall area, where consumers spend their money, that the city's income levels are rising, and have risen by 15% in the last three years.
Retailers from overseas are taking part in this development also. Perhaps the US retailers will join as well.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/20/content_5870492.htm
Wednesday, March 21- European Union
Wednesday, March 21
The EU published an article on March 13, 2007 entitled "Blair Calls on Moscow to Play by Energy Rules." It begins, stating "Russia should play by the same rules in energy supplies as Europe and the US so as to gain trust on the international scene, UK prime minister Tony Blair has said." Russia cut gas and oil supplies to Europe in 2006 and again this year. The rest of the EU is angry with Russia because Russia has been cutting supplies without warning them, and because Russia will not agree to the international Energy Charter.
The European Union has been busy lately, deciding on and setting new energy policies, and Tony Blair says that the main reason for this is Moscow's behavior. The British government is soon to announce a climate change bill that will permit the country to shift to low-carbon energy. "The new legislation will aim to cut the UK's CO2 emissions by 60 percent by the year 2050 which would see a special carbon budget set every five years which ministers would manage 'with the same prudence and discipline' as economic budgets," reads the article. This threatens Russia's trade with the rest of the EU, since they will purchase less and less gas and oil over the next 40 years. This will effect Russia's economy substantially, for gas and oil are a big export for them.
http://euobserver.com/19/23682
The EU published an article on March 13, 2007 entitled "Blair Calls on Moscow to Play by Energy Rules." It begins, stating "Russia should play by the same rules in energy supplies as Europe and the US so as to gain trust on the international scene, UK prime minister Tony Blair has said." Russia cut gas and oil supplies to Europe in 2006 and again this year. The rest of the EU is angry with Russia because Russia has been cutting supplies without warning them, and because Russia will not agree to the international Energy Charter.
The European Union has been busy lately, deciding on and setting new energy policies, and Tony Blair says that the main reason for this is Moscow's behavior. The British government is soon to announce a climate change bill that will permit the country to shift to low-carbon energy. "The new legislation will aim to cut the UK's CO2 emissions by 60 percent by the year 2050 which would see a special carbon budget set every five years which ministers would manage 'with the same prudence and discipline' as economic budgets," reads the article. This threatens Russia's trade with the rest of the EU, since they will purchase less and less gas and oil over the next 40 years. This will effect Russia's economy substantially, for gas and oil are a big export for them.
http://euobserver.com/19/23682
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Monday, March 19- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, March 19
I recently became aware that Walmart was looking to open their own internal bank. When I first heard this, I did not think anything positive, for Walmart has always been known as a company that would do anything to make money, where I'm from anyway. This announcement brought the company negative attention, and was affecting their sales. An article from the Boston Globe reported this story on Saturday, the 17th, entitled "Wal-Mart Cancels Plans to Open its Own Bank." It begins, stating, "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. scrapped plans to open its own bank, ending a two-year dispute that roiled financial services companies that feared direct competition from the world's largest retailer." This would have had a very negative impact on the economy for the people, for Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer, and perhaps could afford different benefits to its customers than private owned, local, financial service companies. This means that more people would maybe enroll in Wal-Mart's banking system, giving them even more power globally in the economic world, which is not a good thing. Wal-Mart does not do much good for the world with the money the company makes, at least in my opinion. I never hear of them giving much money to charity, other than hear and there around Christmastime. What would be our benefit in the long run, with giving Wal-Mart power over our money? Sheila Bair, chairman of Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. stated in an interview that "Wal-Mart made a wise
decision." I agree, and it is better off for everyone for Wal-Mart to remain a retail company. They don't have any business in the banking industry.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/03/17/wal_mart_cancels_plan_to_open_its_own_bank/
I recently became aware that Walmart was looking to open their own internal bank. When I first heard this, I did not think anything positive, for Walmart has always been known as a company that would do anything to make money, where I'm from anyway. This announcement brought the company negative attention, and was affecting their sales. An article from the Boston Globe reported this story on Saturday, the 17th, entitled "Wal-Mart Cancels Plans to Open its Own Bank." It begins, stating, "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. scrapped plans to open its own bank, ending a two-year dispute that roiled financial services companies that feared direct competition from the world's largest retailer." This would have had a very negative impact on the economy for the people, for Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer, and perhaps could afford different benefits to its customers than private owned, local, financial service companies. This means that more people would maybe enroll in Wal-Mart's banking system, giving them even more power globally in the economic world, which is not a good thing. Wal-Mart does not do much good for the world with the money the company makes, at least in my opinion. I never hear of them giving much money to charity, other than hear and there around Christmastime. What would be our benefit in the long run, with giving Wal-Mart power over our money? Sheila Bair, chairman of Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. stated in an interview that "Wal-Mart made a wise
decision." I agree, and it is better off for everyone for Wal-Mart to remain a retail company. They don't have any business in the banking industry.
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/03/17/wal_mart_cancels_plan_to_open_its_own_bank/
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Wednesday, March 7- European Union
Wednesday, March 7
I would have never guessed it reading articles describing the ambitions of the European Union towards their economy. To my surprise, and possibly to the surprise of many others, Eurochambers, a business lobby located in the European Union, stated on March 5 that the United States "reached the current European Union rate of GDP per capita in 1985 and its levels in employment and research investment almost 30 years ago. The European originally had a goal of having the most competitive economy by 2010, competing primarily with the US. The Eurochambers, though, regrets to inform the European Union that the span between the economy of them and the US has grown, with the US advancing even further since 2003. Partially to blame is the adjustments between member countries that the Union is going through currently. New countries, who have yet to have time to adjust to the economy, and add to its success, have brought down numbers.
Once I read the reasons that this is true, I began to understand how this could occur. The European Union is so large, and they have so much to watch over and control, while the United States is a single country and it is easier for the government to control our economy. No one has been added or subtracted to influence our numbers dramatically. Perhaps, recalling an article about the Union's plan to improve schooling within the next few number of years, they will eventually catch up, so the US should consider them a potential threat, even if they are not threatening until fifty years from now.
http://euobserver.com/19/23628
I would have never guessed it reading articles describing the ambitions of the European Union towards their economy. To my surprise, and possibly to the surprise of many others, Eurochambers, a business lobby located in the European Union, stated on March 5 that the United States "reached the current European Union rate of GDP per capita in 1985 and its levels in employment and research investment almost 30 years ago. The European originally had a goal of having the most competitive economy by 2010, competing primarily with the US. The Eurochambers, though, regrets to inform the European Union that the span between the economy of them and the US has grown, with the US advancing even further since 2003. Partially to blame is the adjustments between member countries that the Union is going through currently. New countries, who have yet to have time to adjust to the economy, and add to its success, have brought down numbers.
Once I read the reasons that this is true, I began to understand how this could occur. The European Union is so large, and they have so much to watch over and control, while the United States is a single country and it is easier for the government to control our economy. No one has been added or subtracted to influence our numbers dramatically. Perhaps, recalling an article about the Union's plan to improve schooling within the next few number of years, they will eventually catch up, so the US should consider them a potential threat, even if they are not threatening until fifty years from now.
http://euobserver.com/19/23628
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Monday, March 5- Local/State/National Affairs
Monday, March 5
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety discovered that nowadays, most midsized cars' bumpers do not prevent costly damage to the vehicles, even at a low speed of 6mph. Only three midsize vehicles (Mitsubishi Galant, Toyota Camry, and Mazda 6) showed use for their bumpers, allowing just $1500 worth of damage in repairs in each of the four crash tests.
However, the Institute claims that $1500 worth of damage at 6mph is still a very high number.
These crash tests were performed on 17 midsized cars in very low speeds. They were conducted on front, rear, front corner, and rear corner.
The Institute conducted tests at the same speed in the same places on a 1981 Ford Escort, and the results showed only $86 in damages to the front end. This, they say, is because of "federal requirements that were in effect until 1982 that required bumpers to keep damage away from vehicle safety equipment and sheet metal parts in crashes of up to 5mph."
The article states that since 1982, the requirement for the test speed has been cut in half, providing automakers the chance to reduce the cost it takes to make the cars, resulting in more damage.
I don't think this is right at all, and although I am not surprised, it just does not seem fair. The automakers are lying to their customers, and safety is at hand in this situation. Many more studies could lead from this one, and perhaps more people have died in recent car crashes than in the 1980s because these cars are made more cheaply and damage is done much worse at lower speeds. Depending on how far these studies go, automakers may lose money and they have a lot of explaining to do.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/business/ci_5353827
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety discovered that nowadays, most midsized cars' bumpers do not prevent costly damage to the vehicles, even at a low speed of 6mph. Only three midsize vehicles (Mitsubishi Galant, Toyota Camry, and Mazda 6) showed use for their bumpers, allowing just $1500 worth of damage in repairs in each of the four crash tests.
However, the Institute claims that $1500 worth of damage at 6mph is still a very high number.
These crash tests were performed on 17 midsized cars in very low speeds. They were conducted on front, rear, front corner, and rear corner.
The Institute conducted tests at the same speed in the same places on a 1981 Ford Escort, and the results showed only $86 in damages to the front end. This, they say, is because of "federal requirements that were in effect until 1982 that required bumpers to keep damage away from vehicle safety equipment and sheet metal parts in crashes of up to 5mph."
The article states that since 1982, the requirement for the test speed has been cut in half, providing automakers the chance to reduce the cost it takes to make the cars, resulting in more damage.
I don't think this is right at all, and although I am not surprised, it just does not seem fair. The automakers are lying to their customers, and safety is at hand in this situation. Many more studies could lead from this one, and perhaps more people have died in recent car crashes than in the 1980s because these cars are made more cheaply and damage is done much worse at lower speeds. Depending on how far these studies go, automakers may lose money and they have a lot of explaining to do.
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/business/ci_5353827
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