Archive for the ‘World Business’ Category

Productivity for all key

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama's plans to increase federal funding for tech research and the training of scientists and engineers are misguided according to economist Amar Bhidé, author of "The Venturesome Economy."

Investors accuse Citi execs of “suspicious” trades

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An investor lawsuit contends that Citigroup Inc insiders, including senior counselor and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, sold more than $150 million of their own shares at inflated prices while concealing the bank's true financial health.

Private jobs, services slump show recession toll

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Private employers cut 250,000 jobs in November, an unexpectedly large number and the biggest in seven years, while the service sector, which powers most of the economy, posted its worst slump on record.

Fed Beige Book says economic activity weakened

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Economic activity has weakened across the United States since early October, while price pressures have eased with declines in retail and energy prices, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday.

Auto union makes key concessions

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

The United Auto Workers union pledges key concessions to help the Detroit Three carmakers secure government aid.

UAW to suspend jobs bank, rework healthcare trust

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

DETROIT (Reuters) - United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said on Wednesday the union would surrender job security protections and delay payments into a retiree healthcare trust to help U.S. automakers clinch government aid to survive a sales downturn.

EDF offers $6.5 billion for Constellation assets

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

PARIS/NEW YORK (Reuters) - French power company EDF unveiled a plan to pay as much as $6.5 billion for 50 percent of Constellation Energy Group Inc's nuclear business and other assets in an attempt to torpedo a rival offer from investor Warren Buffett.

Labor market worsens

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Dec. 3 - Recession worries gained further momentum on Wednesday after a private report showed U.S. employers cut 250,000 positions in November.

American Express CEO: high earners cut spending

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chief executive of American Express Co said on Wednesday that the current financial downturn is strongly affecting the spending of people in high income levels, a departure from prior economic slowdowns.

Richardson gets US commerce nod

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

US President-elect Barack Obama names New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to be his commerce secretary.