China warns US against sanctions over currency (AP)

AP - China's commerce minister warned the United States on Sunday against imposing trade sanctions over Beijing's currency controls, and said his country was likely to report a trade deficit in March.
Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 4:08 am

GM's SKorean unit recalling nearly 60,000 vehicles (AP)

FILE - In this March 17, 2006 file photo released by the GM Daewoo, GM's Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, thrid from right, poses with GM Daewoo's President and CEO Nick Reilly, second from right, next to GM Daewoo's new SUV Winstorm car at the GM Daewoo's assembly factory in Bupyung, west of Seoul, South Korea. A total of 45,957 small SUVs sold in South Korea as the Winstorm and Winstorm Maxx are being recalled due to the possibility that the steering wheel can become separated. (AP Photo/ GM Daewoo Corp, HO, File)AP - General Motors is recalling nearly 60,000 automobiles in South Korea due to potential problems with steering wheels, fuel hoses and seats, the company's local unit and the government said Sunday.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 4:06 am

Dems predict historic House vote on health care (AP)

Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., seated left, has a verbal exchange with Chair Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., center, as Ranking Member David Dreier, R-Calif., left, and James McGovern,D-Mass, right, listen as the House Rules committee meets to discuss the health care legislation on Capitol Hill in Washington, Saturday, March 20, 2010.(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)AP - House Democrats are predicting that a rare Sunday session will produce one of the most significant legislative triumphs in decades: passage of a historic bill to overhaul the nation's health care system to provide coverage to millions of people who currently lack it.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 3:35 am

British Air aims for 60% operations during strike

British Airways, targeted by a cabin-crew strike on Saturday, is aiming to operate 60% of its flights, and U.K. press reports on Sunday say the carrier is training more staff to work in place of the strikers, while the government scrambles to bring the two sides to agreement.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 21 Mar 2010 | 2:45 am

BA and union clash over walkout

The strike by British Airways cabin crew has entered its second day with both sides claiming the advantage.
Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:50 am

China to begin trial of 4 Rio Tinto employees (AP)

Shanghai No. 1 Intermediate People's Court is seen Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Shanghai, China. Australia expressed disappointment Thursday that charges of stealing business secrets against one of its citizens would be tried in a closed court in China, and some lawmakers doubted the mining executive involved would get a fair hearing. Australian national Stern Hu is one of four employees of mining giant Rio Tinto who are due to face a court in Shanghai on Monday charged with stealing commercial secrets and taking bribes. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)AP - An Australian executive and three other employees of mining giant Rio Tinto face charges of stealing secrets and offering bribes in a Shanghai trial beginning Monday that is viewed as a barometer of China's handling of foreign business.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:32 am

Japan planning 14 nuclear plants: report (AFP)

A control room of one of seven reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata prefecture, northern Japan. Resource-poor Japan is planning to build at least 14 nuclear power plants over the next 20 years to reduce its reliance on other countries for its energy needs, a report said Sunday.(AFP/Tokyo Electric Power/File/AFP/File)AFP - Resource-poor Japan is planning to build at least 14 nuclear power plants over the next 20 years to reduce its reliance on other countries for its energy needs, a report said Sunday.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:06 am

HUD scrutinizes 'admin fees'

Charges on top of commission are illegal if no extra services are performed, the agency says.

Does it matter whether a real estate agent charges you a flat commission rate -- say 6% -- or quotes you a flat rate but adds hundreds of dollars on top of that as a separate charge labeled an "admin" or administrative fee?



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Here we go again: Candidates pledge to search for 'waste, fraud and abuse'

Meg Whitman will "root out fraud" and "cut wasteful spending." Carly Fiorina wants to eliminate "the billions of dollars of waste and bloat that sits in our federal budget."



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Check for best fit as credit card issuers squeeze rewards programs

As the financial firms face high default rates and limits on interest rate hikes, some are weakening their programs, raising annual fees or adding new fees, experts say. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Some homeowners facing the prospect of repeated foreclosures

Aided by flimsy lending practices, many borrowers got into real estate investing during the boom years. Now they're defaulting on multiple properties. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

You don't need to spend big bucks to make your home greener

Many innovative products hold great promise, but the return may not be worth the investment. Retrofitting toilets or replacing light bulbs and fixtures will save energy and money. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Here we go again: Candidates pledge to search for 'waste, fraud and abuse'

Meg Whitman will "root out fraud" and "cut wasteful spending." Carly Fiorina wants to eliminate "the billions of dollars of waste and bloat that sits in our federal budget."
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

HUD scrutinizes 'admin fees'

Charges on top of commission are illegal if no extra services are performed, the agency says. Does it matter whether...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

House on Little Balboa Island is a mix of modern and Mission

The two-story house with views of Newport Bay and the Grand Canal features touches inspired by the work of architect Irving Gill, including the use of natural light and heavily framed windows. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Two presidents, two recessions

Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama both took office facing economic crisis. Many lessons from the '80s no longer apply, though a strong display of optimism is never unwelcome.

A charismatic president sweeps into office amid economic turmoil, promising to turn the country around. Instead, things get worse. The unemployment rate climbs into double digits and the federal budget deficit soars, sending his approval ratings plummeting and triggering unrelenting criticism of his economic strategy.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

You don't need to spend big bucks to make your home greener

Many innovative products hold great promise, but the return may not be worth the investment. Retrofitting toilets or replacing light bulbs and fixtures will save energy and money.

Homeowners who believe they've been left out of the so-called green movement have every reason to feel that way.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Kept awake by neighbor's lights

Board can intervene when the actions of one owner interfere with another's quiet enjoyment. If mediation fails, there's always Small Claims Court. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

House on Little Balboa Island is a mix of modern and Mission

The two-story house with views of Newport Bay and the Grand Canal features touches inspired by the work of architect Irving Gill, including the use of natural light and heavily framed windows.

Modernist architect Irving Gill wasn't known for designing houses with the main rooms on the second floor, but some touches inspired by his work -- such as a creamy white exterior, the use of natural light and heavily framed windows -- make this custom home stand out on Little Balboa Island.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Banking laws leave business customers vulnerable to Internet fraud

If hackers drain a personal account, the bank usually must cover most of the loss. But commercial deposits get no such protection. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Kept awake by neighbor's lights

Board can intervene when the actions of one owner interfere with another's quiet enjoyment. If mediation fails, there's always Small Claims Court.

Question: I live in a town house complex where all the units have indoor open-air atriums. My next-door neighbors' unit directly abuts mine, and the owners use their atrium for growing some exotic plants. They've got a lighting system switched on 24 hours a day inside their atrium. The atrium's ambient light keeps me awake at night and causes distress. I've asked them to turn the lights off at night but they responded: "Sleep in a different bedroom."



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

How I Made It: Hilary Estey McLoughlin

The president of Warner Bros.' Telepictures Productions has been fascinated with television since she was a schoolgirl in Queens, New York. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Some homeowners facing the prospect of repeated foreclosures

Aided by flimsy lending practices, many borrowers got into real estate investing during the boom years. Now they're defaulting on multiple properties.

Every morning at 6 a.m., Brenda Duchemin kneels down on two plush throw pillows in front of a carved teak shrine in her Diamond Bar home and chants.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Two presidents, two recessions

Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama both took office facing economic crisis. Many lessons from the '80s no longer apply, though a strong display of optimism is never unwelcome. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNPaperBusiness | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Check for best fit as credit card issuers squeeze rewards programs

As the financial firms face high default rates and limits on interest rate hikes, some are weakening their programs, raising annual fees or adding new fees, experts say.

Dear Liz : Could you please write about the way credit card companies are trashing their frequent flier programs? I have plenty of points from vendors but now find them worthless.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

How I Made It: Hilary Estey McLoughlin

The president of Warner Bros.' Telepictures Productions has been fascinated with television since she was a schoolgirl in Queens, New York.

The gig: As president of Warner Bros.' Telepictures Productions, Hilary Estey McLoughlin, 47, oversees one of the biggest syndication companies in television. Telepictures has more than 1,200 employees and nine shows on the air, including "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," George Lopez's late-night talk show "Lopez Tonight" and "Extra." It also owns Harvey Levin's tabloid empire, TMZ.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Banking laws leave business customers vulnerable to Internet fraud

If hackers drain a personal account, the bank usually must cover most of the loss. But commercial deposits get no such protection.

Many tax advisors tell their self-employed clients -- including those who are "consulting" while looking for work -- to open separate business bank accounts to make it easier to separate business and personal expenses for tax purposes.



Source: L.A. Times - Business | 21 Mar 2010 | 1:00 am

Thousands of BA flights canceled as crew on strike (AP)

A member of the Unite union, supporter of the British Airways strike, chants slogans at a picket line at Heathrow Airport in London, Saturday March 20, 2010. British Airways canceled more than 1,000 flights after its cabin crew launched a three-day strike Saturday, wreaking havoc on the plans of tens of thousands of passengers just before the busy spring holiday season. Chief Executive Willie Walsh issued a direct apology via YouTube for the walkout, the airline's first in almost 15 years, saying it was a 'terrible day for BA.' The strike — backed by some unions in the United States, Germany and Spain — also risked harm to Britain's Labour government before a tough general election expected before June. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)AP - Retiree Richard Moore arrived at Heathrow with a suitcase of summer clothes for a Miami cruise only to be sent to Denver. Susan Danby wondered if plans for a joint 50th birthday celebration in Las Vegas would be a losing bet.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 12:42 am

GM Daewoo to recall 58,000 vehicles in S.Korea: government (AFP)

File photo of a Daewoo Group flag fluttering on top of Daewoo headquarters in Seoul. GM Daewoo Auto and Technology, the South Korean unit of General Motors, is recalling more than 58,000 vehicles due to manufacturing defects, government officials said Sunday.(AFP/File/Kim Jae-Hwan)AFP - GM Daewoo, the South Korean subsidiary of US car giant General Motors, Sunday recalled more than 58,000 vehicles because of defects, in the latest blow to Asia's crisis-hit auto industry.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 21 Mar 2010 | 12:00 am

Gas the next fuel to fire Australia's boom

First gold, then coal and iron ore. Now, a new bonanza is about to be unleashed from beneath Down Under: Australia's got gas. Projects being ramped up to tap huge undersea fields off the
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:46 pm

Obama urges party unity to pass health care

Democratic leaders appeared confident they had the votes needed to pass the landmark legislation Sunday, a day after President Barack Obama called on them to make history by bringing health
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:23 pm

Greek debt throws spotlight on civil service excess

The financial crisis rocking Greece has brought into focus the warped reality of the country's civil service, where a long tradition of political perks has bred fiscal disaster, analysts...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:21 pm

Greek debt throws spotlight on civil service excess (AFP)

A Greek soldier stands in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier as a rally by a communist-affiliated union passes by in Athens. The financial crisis rocking Greece has brought into focus the warped reality of the country's civil service, where a long tradition of political perks has bred fiscal disaster, analysts say(AFP/File/Louisa Gouliamaki)AFP - The financial crisis rocking Greece has brought into focus the warped reality of the country's civil service, where a long tradition of political perks has bred fiscal disaster, analysts say.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:21 pm

Greek drama reveals a more euro-cautious Germany

As Europe looks to Germany for answers on how to bail out debt-stricken Greece, Berlin has become ever more willing to defend its national interests rather than toe the European line,...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:08 pm

7 Funds Launching in a Tough Market (Screens)

It has been a tough year for these new kids on the block.



Source: SmartMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 pm

IMF paints grim picture of fiscal tightening needs

BEIJING (Reuters) - Developed countries with big budget deficits must start now to prepare public opinion for the belt-tightening that will be needed starting next year, the No. 2 official at the IMF said on Sunday.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:31 pm

IMF paints grim picture of fiscal tightening needs

BEIJING (Reuters) - Developed countries with big budget deficits must start now to prepare public opinion for the belt-tightening that will be needed starting next year, the No. 2 official...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:31 pm

Britain facing tough pre-election budget

Britain's Labour government will deliver a critical pre-election budget this week to help fix the dire public finances but some experts fear political posturing with an election around the...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:22 pm

IADB eyes $80 billion capital increase to fill coffers

CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - Member countries of the Inter-American Development Bank could hand the regional lender a capital increase of $80 billion to replenish its coffers, Colombia's finance minister said on Saturday.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:18 pm

IADB eyes $80 billion capital increase to fill coffers

CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - Member countries of the Inter-American Development Bank could hand the regional lender a capital increase of $80 billion to replenish its coffers, Colombia's...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:18 pm

China could report trade deficit in March

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's trade balance could turn to a deficit in March, commerce minister Chen Deming said on Sunday, adding that adjustments to the yuan's value would not by itself...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:22 pm

China could report trade deficit in March

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's trade balance could turn to a deficit in March, commerce minister Chen Deming said on Sunday, adding that adjustments to the yuan's value would not by itself resolve global trade imbalances.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:22 pm

Health reform: The $$$ story

The political whirlwind surrounding the health reform votes in the House on Sunday is powered by many issues. Cost is chief among them.
Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 7:16 pm

Thousands rally in Russia against economic policy (AP)

Russian Prime MInister Vladimir Putin attends a meeting outside Moscow in Novo-Ogarevo on March 20, 2010. Thousands of protesters rallied in dozens of Russian cities against Putin's government as opposition groups mobilised anger over economic woes. AFP PHOTO / RIA NOVOSTI / POOL / ALEXEY NIKOLSKY(AFP/Alexey Nikolsky)AP - Thousands of people have rallied across Russia to denounce the government's economic policy and demand more freedom in a new challenge to the Kremlin reflecting increasing disillusionment and a growing potential for protests.



Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:20 pm

Babcock poised to seal takeover

THE engineering group Babcock International is this week expected to clinch a £1.25 billion takeover of rival VT Group. The deal will create a FTSE 100 company with interests in nuclear energy and defence contracting.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

Court clue on E-Clear insolvency

THE mystery over trading at E-Clear, the card payments group linked to a string of company failures, has deepened after the disclosure that a Canadian tour operator won a High Court judgment for £46m against it eight months before it collapsed into administration.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

Santander boss Alfredo Saenz builds monster £75m pension pot

THE chief executive of Santander, the Spanish banking giant that has become one of Britain’s biggest lenders, has accumulated a pension pot worth £75m.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

EMI pawns its pop stars in £400m rescue bid

EMI is in talks to mortgage its back catalogue of music recordings in a last-ditch attempt to solve its mounting cash crisis.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

Mike Farley, chief executive of Persimmon

Sometimes, it’s not what you do, it’s what you don’t do that’s important.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

‘Do no harm’ should be Alistair Darling’s watchword

Doctors have the Hippocratic oath and a version would be useful for chancellors as they shape up for their big day. “First, do no harm” should be Alistair Darling’s watchwords for the budget this week.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

Rebuilding work gives Eric Daniels breathing space

Trading statements that pop out a few weeks after a company’s full-year results rarely contain good news. Normally a chief executive is confessing to some hidden horror that escaped the auditor in the preparation of the annual figures, or alerting investors to a sudden and detrimental shift in markets.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

It’s business as usual for Lehman Brothers chiefs

IT’S just over a week since Anton Valukas wheeled out his gargantuan report on the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Seven days isn’t really enough to absorb the weight of the bank examiner’s nine-volume, 2,200-page tome, but it’s fair to say there’s a lot of blame to go around. Oddly enough, some of Lehman’s main players appear to think otherwise.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis sets up rival to La Senza

THEO PAPHITIS, one of the stars of BBC’s Dragons’ Den, is starting a new lingerie chain months after quitting the board of rival La Senza after a bust-up with its private equity owner. He has hired a former La Senza buying director and operations director to spearhead the new national chain, which has the working name DNA Lingerie.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

Lord Mandelson hits out at US ‘protectionism’

THE Obama administration is showing “dangerous signs” of moving towards protectionism, said Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, adding there was the risk of “a real falling out” between America and Europe on trade.


Source: Latest Business News from Times Online | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:01 pm

BA fights to limit strike impact

BA says measures to deal with a strike by cabin crew are working well but unions say scores of planes have been grounded.
Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:46 pm

Novell rejects $2 billion Elliott Associates offer

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Novell Inc spurned a $2 billion takeover offer from investment fund Elliott Associates on Saturday, calling the bid inadequate and saying it undervalued the...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:09 pm

Novell rejects $2 billion Elliott Associates offer

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Novell Inc spurned a $2 billion takeover offer from investment fund Elliott Associates on Saturday, calling the bid inadequate and saying it undervalued the business software maker.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:09 pm

Vincent de Rivaz says UK must change its energy landscape

EDF Energy's chief explains why the UK needs nuclear power
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:04 pm

Novell rejects $2 bln Elliott Associates offer

LOS ANGELES, March 20 (Reuters) - Novell Inc spurned a $2 billion takeover offer from investment fund Elliott Associates on Saturday, calling the bid inadequate and saying it undervalued the business...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsBusiness | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:04 pm

7 tips for shy job hunters

Dear Annie: I've been looking for a job for about three months. I started out contacting former colleagues and bosses to see if they knew of any openings that might be appropriate for me. But I've now come to the end of that list, and I realize I need to start getting in touch with acquaintances from professional groups, my college alumni association, and so on.
Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:38 pm

Stage set for historic House vote on health care

House Rules Committee uses daylong meeting to establish procedure for Sunday's vote on massive health-care overhaul proposed by Obama and congressional Democratic leadership.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:35 pm

Gulfsands shun takeover bid

Gulfsands Petroleum's largest shareholder, Schroders, has called on the UK-listed oil explorer to open discussions with Indian Oil Corporation that tabled an unsolicited £400m takeover approach last week.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:34 pm

Why our tax system deters trailblazers

Much has been written about the negative impact of the tax regime on UK competitiveness. Many commentators have warned that the greater focus on tax has led to companies moving their headquarters from the UK, with a consequential loss of top management and support services.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:23 pm

Google in China: we're closing tomorrow

Google will tomorrow set out plans to close down its Chinese search engine after refusing to comply with China's strict censorship laws.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:17 pm

Obama makes final pitch on healthcare

President Barack Obama made an emotional final pitch to Democrats on Capitol Hill to pass healthcare legislation, telling lawmakers that Sunday’s vote would be as historic and significant as the creation of Social Security and passage of civil rights protections
Source: Financial Times - US homepage | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:12 pm

Liam Fox attacks £2bn tank deal

The Government was accused of acting like a "bankrupt shopaholic" by the Conservatives last night after reports that it had awarded a £2bn armoured vehicle contract to a US company just weeks before a general election.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:12 pm

Banned ... by Google

In Turkey, it's a crime to defame the country's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk or to ridicule "Turkishness." So Google restricts access to videos that the government of Turkey deems illegal on google.com.tr.
Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:08 pm

Schroders press Gulfstands Petroleum

Gulfsands 's largest shareholder, Schroders, has called on the UK-listed oil explorer to open discussions with Indian Oil Corporation that tabled an unsolicited £400m takeover approach last week.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:06 pm

Budget 2010: Government set to approve banking 'pollution tax'

The Government is to give the go-ahead to a banking "pollution tax" that will be levied on the highest risk activities of any banks in the UK.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:05 pm

Labour's last ditch budget

Final suicide note or an unlikely triumph? Either way, this Wednesday matters
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:04 pm

Pell grants on the line

On Sunday, the House is set to vote on an historic overhaul of the nation's health care system. It will also take up an issue that will get far less attention but could affect the wallets of millions of Americans.
Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:01 pm

Sainsbury's sluggish after a winter cold

J Sainsbury, the UK's third biggest supermarket, will this week unveil a dramatic slowdown in sales growth when it releases fourth quarter figures.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 4:01 pm

RBS is Virgin's main target

Virgin Money has hired advisers Greenhill to make a first round bid for Royal Bank of Scotland's high street banking network by the 6 April deadline set by the bank.
Source: Finance and Business. Latest breaking news, stocks and shares from the UK and world | 20 Mar 2010 | 3:59 pm

Obama on health care: 'Let's get this done' - CNN


Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 3:11 pm

Steve Jobs: 'I was lucky'


Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 3:02 pm

Stocks girding for more gains

The Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 are bumping up against the best levels in roughly a year-and-a-half, with little to interrupt the flow.
Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 3:00 pm

The Number One Thing Employers are Looking For in New College Grads

Wouldn’t it be great if you could enter into the mind of a hiring manager and see what they’re looking for in the hiring process? With this information, you could tailor your college life to meet their requirements and easily land a great job immediately after you graduate.

Fortunately, you don’t have to guess at the most important thing that employers are looking for in new college grads. With just a little bit of common sense and deductive logic, you can figure out the number one thing companies want in a new employee.

First, let’s go over three common factors many students think are important.

Good Grades

Sadly, if you’re a straight-A student, good grades are not the biggest factor. Don’t get me wrong, grades matter. A student with a 3.5 GPA probably has a better chance of getting hired than the 3.0 student.

But don’t put too much stock in your GPA. Employers are impressed with good grades but they know that they don’t automatically mean you will be a great worker.

Studies have shown that GPA is not really a good indicator for future success in the workplace. In fact, many of the top leaders in the marketplace were not great students.

Some hiring managers will even pause with caution if they see someone with a super high GPA (3.8 or more). They may assume that the person is a braniac robot who doesn’t have social skills and spent most of college in the dorm studying.

This is not a good perception since getting along with others is crucial for organizations.

So, are these students getting punished for being too smart? Not quite. If they can show evidence of being able to work with others, then their good grades becomes a great asset.

That brings us to a second common factor.

Extracurricular Activities

Some students believe that their extracurricular activities will help them land a good position.

It’s great for those super smart braniacs to show that they can work well in a team. But do you really think that employers are going to hire you because you were captain of the debate team or played lead tuba in the marching band?

Don’t misunderstand me. Your extracurricular activities can influence hiring managers a little but focusing too much on them is not a good idea.

References/Recommendations

A third common factor is references or recommendations. Some students think that if they can get the right people to vouch for them, they will be in a good position to land a good job.

References are evidence that you are a good person and would make a good employee.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with them. The best companies will check them to vet you. But they also know that you are hand picking them to make yourself look good.

You won’t pick the professor you butted heads with. No, you’ll pick the professor who thinks you’re a great person.

Therefore, companies won’t put as much stock in them as you might imagine.

So what is the most important thing to have? Drum roll please.

Experience

Now you’re probably thinking, “Experience? Really? But I’m in college. I’m studying to become a [insert profession here]. How can they expect me to have experience? They need to hire me so that I can have experience (sigh).”

Yes, it’s the old catch-22. Companies want experience but you can’t get any until they hire you.

But before we solve this conundrum, let’s consider why experience is the most crucial factor for landing a good job right out of college.

First, having experience shows that you can get along with co-workers (not just students) in your field of study.

Second, companies are very impressed that you were able to take the initiative, think creatively, and put in the effort to land a relevant position before graduation.

Third, you will have a great reference that you didn’t have before – a boss from the workplace in your field. This is the best reference to have because it’s the most relevant one.

Fourth, most hiring managers believe that past performance is the best indicator for future performance.

Finally, let’s face it, college life is in a whole different universe from the 9 to 5 world. Take it from someone who’s spent six years in college and six years in the workforce. They are worlds apart.

If you have experience, then employers know that you’ve experienced first-hand the vast difference between school life and work life. You’ll be much more ready to help a company than someone without experience.

Also, having experience will make your resume stand out from the crowd since the vast majority of new college grads do not have relevant experience.

How to Get Experience While in College

This topic deserves its own article but I’ll give some quick tips to get your mind thinking about how to get experience while in college.

Internships are main method to beef up your resume.

Some companies will visit colleges to recruit interns. These internship spots are usually very competitive.

But you can increase your chances of getting one of the spots by getting to know the professors and past interns. The companies will ask them to recommend students for the internship program.

And of course, keep your grades high especially in the classes of your major.

Don’t look down on unpaid internships. Sure, you can make more money being a waiter in the summer, but you don’t want to work that job after graduation because your resume is missing relevant experience.

Craigslist and other online job boards are places where you might be able to find relevant jobs and internships in your field.

Work your network. Ask friends and family for leads. Ask your professors if they know of any businesses that might be interested in your skills.

Offer local small businesses your help. Again, if they can’t pay you, offer to work for free.

Finally, you don’t have to work full-time or even 20 hours a week. Something as low as 5-10 hours a week can make a big impact to hiring managers.

So, what are you waiting for? Get some experience before you graduate and you’ll find that it will be easy to get a good job after you graduate.

This is a guest post by Dee Barizo. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Accounting back in 2002. He operates The Best Degrees, an online degree site.



Source: Business Pundit | 20 Mar 2010 | 2:48 pm

10 best cars: Consumer Reports


Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 2:25 pm

NewsWatch: U.S. stocks may let China, global rates set tone

Economic reports, Fed speakers and Oracle earnings also on calendar.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 2:05 pm

Fed should oversee all banks

As Congress considers limiting the Federal Reserve's regulatory authority to just the country's largest bank holding companies, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke reiterated on Saturday that the central bank should retain power over banks of all sizes.
Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 2:01 pm

iPad week 1: 190,000 pre-orders


Source: Business and financial news - CNNMoney.com | 20 Mar 2010 | 2:01 pm

Lehman exec letter warned on misleading investors: report

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A former Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc executive warned months before the bank's collapse that senior management was potentially misleading investors and regulators about the value of the firm's assets, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:39 am

Schaeuble says any EU aid would be for "most extreme" cases

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said only the most extreme circumstances could justify a bailout of a European Union state from within the union, and any such aid would have to be delivered bilaterally.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 11:01 am

ACORN sliding toward bankruptcy? (The Christian Science Monitor)

The Christian Science Monitor - The indelible images of ACORN workers helping a faux pimp and prostitute set up a tax shelter for a brothel certainly played into the advocacy group’s slide toward bankruptcy, though its problems began long before last year’s scandal.
Source: Yahoo! News: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:08 am

Ex-IMF head urges insolvency mechanism for states

BERLIN (Reuters) - An insolvency mechanism should be set up for nations that are unable to manage their debts, Horst Koehler, Germany's president and a former head of the International Monetary Fund, said in an interview on Saturday.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:03 am

Bharti board approves $9 billion offer for Zain Africa: report

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The board of India's Bharti Airtel on Saturday approved a $9 billion offer for Kuwaiti telecom Zain's African assets, Bloomberg reported, citing two people with knowledge of the negotiations.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:02 am

Signs Of The Apocalypse: Dozens Of TARP Banks Miss Payments

Among the things that the Treasury Department elects to say very little about is how many of the firms that still owe the government TARP money are not even paying interest on the capital they have been loaned. The complete list of companies and their repayment status is posted at the financialstability.gov site .   A recent [...]

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Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:01 am

Fur flies over possum profit

Possum fur industry figures lobbying the Government for help are likely to be frustrated by the realities of controlling the marsupial pests.Two initiatives are under way to create better co-ordination between those who make a...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

Gender quotas for NZX panned

The New Zealand Stock Exchange will not follow its Australian counterpart and require companies to meet voluntary quotas for increasing the number of women at the top.The NZX says it is not considering any amendments to its rules...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

Playboy store goes bust

With his Playboy mansion and Bunnies on tap, Hugh Hefner must be the envy of millions of men around the world. But the chance to buy into his luxury lifestyle failed to arouse sustained interest in New Zealand and Auckland's much-hyped...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

IRD backs off liquidation of 14 McKenna companies

The Inland Revenue Department has withdrawn its applications to liquidate 14 of embattled property developer Nigel McKenna's companies but it did have a 15th McKenna entity liquidated - Melview Halsey.The company's lawyer, Rob...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

Migrants share knowledge

When construction work dried up in the 1989 recession, Fijian Indian civil engineer Vinod Kumar sold the family home he had built and bought his first retail outlet.He now owns three Mitre 10s, including the country's first Mitre...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

Bernard Hickey: Time for an integrated picture

Wouldn't it be great if people could monitor their spending and saving in one place so they could forecast their financial situation from their computer or phone?If New Zealanders had been more informed about their financial health...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

Fake site shut down

A fake Trade Me website set up by internet fraudsters in China has been shut down. The site was a virtual replica of the real site, with scammers even copying the "Kev the blue Kiwi" icon.Investigators found it was registered...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

Martin Hawes: Choose a path and stick to it

Fixed or floating? This is the big question that exercises just about everyone with a home loan.There are two ways of looking at the fixed or floating question: one way says that you try to profit as much as you can, consistently...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 10:00 am

The day the bubble burst

The gong that signalled the end of the business day on the Amsterdam stock exchange sounded particularly ominous when it rang out on Friday, March 17, a decade ago.It closed the first day's trading in shares of World Online. While...
Source: nzherald.co.nz - Business | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:45 am

NewsWatch: U.S. stocks may let China, global rates set tone

Economic reports, Fed speakers and Oracle earnings also on calendar.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 9:00 am

The Unusual Suspects (ADBE, AIXG, GME, HAS, BBY, CIEN, LGF, ORCL, OSIP, PALM, SOMX, TEVA, TIF, CSCO, PFE, AMGN, RIMM)

This week is a jam packed list full of the Unusual Suspects.  We have many earnings reports, enough that we had to screen out some, and we have many issues to watch for news, charts, and coming developments to watch. This week’s list of Unusual Suspects is Adobe Systems Inc. (NYSE: ADBE), Aixtron Aktiengesellschaft (NASDAQ: [...]

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Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:58 am

Fuel rebate for those over 70

A quarter of a million pensioners will get an £80 discount off their electricity bill this summer
Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:47 am

Stocks to Watch for Monday

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trading Monday are Williams-Sonoma, Tiffany and Phillips-Van Heusen.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:35 am

Obama calls for creation of consumer agency

Says independent agency is necessary as part of Congress' reform of the banking system.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:28 am

Investors could lose their homes

Hundreds of elderly people could face the prospect of having to sell their homes after a 'geared' investment went badly wrong.
Source: BBC News | Business | World Edition | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:24 am

Bernanke: Too big to fail a "pernicious" problem

Orlando, Florida (Reuters) - Regulators must be "significantly tougher" on large and complex financial firms to limit wider risks, but big firms are still needed to keep the global economy humming, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Saturday.



Source: Reuters: Business News | 20 Mar 2010 | 8:17 am

Fed needs small bank oversight: Bernanke

Without supervision of all banks, Fed would get distorted view, he says



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 7:39 am

Barroso backs EU package to bail out Greece

Commission wants European Union governments to reach an explicit agreement on a financial standby facility for Greece to help it overcome its debt crisis
Source: Financial Times - US homepage | 20 Mar 2010 | 7:20 am

Market Snapshot: U.S. stocks may let China, global rates set tone

Economic reports, Fed speakers and Oracle earnings also on calendar.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:30 am

NewsWatch: Hedge fund-like mutual funds bid for your money

Hedge funds enjoy a certain glamour that the humble mutual fund lacks, including wealthy investors, the promise of outsized returns and billionaire money managers. Now this rarefied club is open to individual investors, and many are eagerly signing up.



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 6:05 am

The Cold War Long Over, Russian Firm Will Make Air Force Bid

Russian cold warrior Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev is long dead and with him the battle he fought with John Kennedy when Soviet–US military tensions were at their apex. Those times are remote enough in memory that a Russian aerospace company will actually bid for the Air Force contract to build a new tanker. For a time, it [...]

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Source: 24/7 Wall St. | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:34 am

Top Ten: The week's Top 10 videos on MarketWatch

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 videos that appeared on MarketWatch for the week of March 15-19:



Source: MarketWatch.com - Top Stories | 20 Mar 2010 | 5:01 am