โพสต์
Giant truffle sets record price
One of the biggest truffles found in decades has fetched $330,000 (£165,000) at an auction held simultaneously in Macau, London and Florence.
A Macau casino owner, Stanley Ho, made the record-breaking bid for the white truffle, which weighed 1.5kg (3.3lb).
Luciano Savini and his son found the highly-prized fungus after it was dug up by his truffle dog near Pisa, northern Italy, last week.
He said he was overwhelmed by the high price paid for his discovery.
He said: "I thought we were going to beat the record, but not to really get to this amount.
"The biggest truffle of the century and the most expensive truffle of the century. There are no more words to say - it is all very beautiful."
Mr Ho outbid British artist Damien Hirst and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi to the prize, according to the South China Morning Post.
All proceeds from the auction were donated to charities.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/e ... 123414.stm
Published: 2007/12/02 04:37:49 GMT
© BBC MMVII
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 62
Climate cause fires ice cream guru
By Tom Feilden
Science Correspondent, Radio 4's Today Programme
Ben and Jerry's likes to portray itself as an ethical brand.
One of the company's recent initiatives has been to sponsor a Climate Change College - a project which is sending six young European environmentalists to study and explore the high Arctic.
While they're there, working alongside the scientists monitoring global warming, the students - or "ambassadors" as they are known - will be expected to soak up as much information and practical experience on the impact of climate change as they can.
Then, once they're back home, they will be expected to spend at least a year passing on what they have learnt to other people.
Spreading the word
In short, spreading the word about climate change.
The first expedition into the Arctic wilderness set off in April 2007.
Ambassadors won their places at the Climate Change College with their boundless enthusiasm, but also by coming up with energy-saving campaigns of their own
We believe that climate change is the biggest problem that we face today and we all want to do something about it
Neil Jennings, Climate Change College ambassador
Lesley Butler, from County Westmeath in Ireland, got around 30 small businesses in Dublin to reduce their environmental impact by composting their waste and switching to low energy light bulbs.
Neil Jennings, from Kingston-upon-Thames, devised a "Student Switch Off" campaign which encouraged university students to turn off lights and unplug their phone chargers in halls of residence.
He even went so far as to swoop in on freshers week dressed as superhero Power Ranger complete with leotard.
"We believe that climate change is the biggest problem that we face today and we all want to do something about it," he says.
'Ethical contradiction'
But not everyone is impressed by the Climate Change College.
While environmentalist George Monbiot believes in ethical businesses and is in favour of raising awareness about global warming, he is worried that schemes like this fail to grasp the scale of the problem.
"There is an inherent contradiction and that is between solving climate change or any other environmental problem and continuing to support economic growth," he says.
If you want to have a business that is based on values, you can do that and still make money
Jerry Greenfield
Jerry Greenfield does not deny that the bottom line is important.
"Well you certainly need to be profitable. But I think the question is, does the profit come first, or does the profit follow operating in a certain way? If you want to have a business that is based on values, you can do that and still make money".
The Climate Change College is a start, but what if initiatives like this end up obscuring a "business as usual" attitude in corporate boardrooms?
When the company was bought by Unilever in 2000 critics said Mr Greenfield and fellow co-founder Ben Cohen had 'sold out'.
Jerry Greenfield is still involved with the company as president of the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, which supports social and environmental projects like the Climate Change College.
He admits the sale of the company was not what he, or Ben Cohen, had wanted at the time, but says some of the original Ben and Jerry's philosophy now informs Unilever's corporate identity.
'Every little helps'
It is an argument that is backed up by John Elkington, from the London-based environmental consultancy Sustainability.
He says that, over time, there is a cross-pollination of ideas.
While Jerry Greenfield accepts the Climate Change College is a drop in the ocean, he still believes change is possible if everybody does their bit.
"I hope that people will have a sense that we have a choice over the kind of world we have," he says. "That it's not pre-determined and we can create our own destiny."
The two young people who visited the Arctic, Lesley and Neil, are in no doubt that they have benefited by one company's bid to highlight environmental damage.
"It's quite astonishing to think that us living our lives are destroying this amazing habitat in our northern hemisphere," says Lesley Butler, who has continued meeting new businesses and researching new ways of making them more environmentally friendly.
"EcoBiz went into full swing when I got back," she says. "We launched a website, held a concert in Dublin and organized the Ecobiz Awards."
Neil Jennings has also been busy, setting up The Student Switch Off at seven universities across the UK since September.
"The overall sense that I've been left with is one of the urgency of taking action on climate change for future generations," he says.
Neil has recruited Eco-Power Rangers - students who pledge to use their energy carefully - and says there has already been a 12% reduction in electricity usage at Kings, 7% at Bradford and UEA and 5% at Birmingham City University.
"It just goes to show that small actions can have a massive difference when enough people adopt them," he says.
"The challenge is to build on the initial good results and to maintain interest in the initiative".
You can download the programme as a podcast or listen online for seven days after broadcast at Radio 4's listen again page.
The Ice Cream Man Cometh will be broadcast on Tuesday 4 December at 1100 on BBC Radio 4.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 121472.stm
Published: 2007/12/03 23:52:23 GMT
© BBC MMVII
By Tom Feilden
Science Correspondent, Radio 4's Today Programme
Ben and Jerry's likes to portray itself as an ethical brand.
One of the company's recent initiatives has been to sponsor a Climate Change College - a project which is sending six young European environmentalists to study and explore the high Arctic.
While they're there, working alongside the scientists monitoring global warming, the students - or "ambassadors" as they are known - will be expected to soak up as much information and practical experience on the impact of climate change as they can.
Then, once they're back home, they will be expected to spend at least a year passing on what they have learnt to other people.
Spreading the word
In short, spreading the word about climate change.
The first expedition into the Arctic wilderness set off in April 2007.
Ambassadors won their places at the Climate Change College with their boundless enthusiasm, but also by coming up with energy-saving campaigns of their own
We believe that climate change is the biggest problem that we face today and we all want to do something about it
Neil Jennings, Climate Change College ambassador
Lesley Butler, from County Westmeath in Ireland, got around 30 small businesses in Dublin to reduce their environmental impact by composting their waste and switching to low energy light bulbs.
Neil Jennings, from Kingston-upon-Thames, devised a "Student Switch Off" campaign which encouraged university students to turn off lights and unplug their phone chargers in halls of residence.
He even went so far as to swoop in on freshers week dressed as superhero Power Ranger complete with leotard.
"We believe that climate change is the biggest problem that we face today and we all want to do something about it," he says.
'Ethical contradiction'
But not everyone is impressed by the Climate Change College.
While environmentalist George Monbiot believes in ethical businesses and is in favour of raising awareness about global warming, he is worried that schemes like this fail to grasp the scale of the problem.
"There is an inherent contradiction and that is between solving climate change or any other environmental problem and continuing to support economic growth," he says.
If you want to have a business that is based on values, you can do that and still make money
Jerry Greenfield
Jerry Greenfield does not deny that the bottom line is important.
"Well you certainly need to be profitable. But I think the question is, does the profit come first, or does the profit follow operating in a certain way? If you want to have a business that is based on values, you can do that and still make money".
The Climate Change College is a start, but what if initiatives like this end up obscuring a "business as usual" attitude in corporate boardrooms?
When the company was bought by Unilever in 2000 critics said Mr Greenfield and fellow co-founder Ben Cohen had 'sold out'.
Jerry Greenfield is still involved with the company as president of the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, which supports social and environmental projects like the Climate Change College.
He admits the sale of the company was not what he, or Ben Cohen, had wanted at the time, but says some of the original Ben and Jerry's philosophy now informs Unilever's corporate identity.
'Every little helps'
It is an argument that is backed up by John Elkington, from the London-based environmental consultancy Sustainability.
He says that, over time, there is a cross-pollination of ideas.
While Jerry Greenfield accepts the Climate Change College is a drop in the ocean, he still believes change is possible if everybody does their bit.
"I hope that people will have a sense that we have a choice over the kind of world we have," he says. "That it's not pre-determined and we can create our own destiny."
The two young people who visited the Arctic, Lesley and Neil, are in no doubt that they have benefited by one company's bid to highlight environmental damage.
"It's quite astonishing to think that us living our lives are destroying this amazing habitat in our northern hemisphere," says Lesley Butler, who has continued meeting new businesses and researching new ways of making them more environmentally friendly.
"EcoBiz went into full swing when I got back," she says. "We launched a website, held a concert in Dublin and organized the Ecobiz Awards."
Neil Jennings has also been busy, setting up The Student Switch Off at seven universities across the UK since September.
"The overall sense that I've been left with is one of the urgency of taking action on climate change for future generations," he says.
Neil has recruited Eco-Power Rangers - students who pledge to use their energy carefully - and says there has already been a 12% reduction in electricity usage at Kings, 7% at Bradford and UEA and 5% at Birmingham City University.
"It just goes to show that small actions can have a massive difference when enough people adopt them," he says.
"The challenge is to build on the initial good results and to maintain interest in the initiative".
You can download the programme as a podcast or listen online for seven days after broadcast at Radio 4's listen again page.
The Ice Cream Man Cometh will be broadcast on Tuesday 4 December at 1100 on BBC Radio 4.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 121472.stm
Published: 2007/12/03 23:52:23 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 63
Abramovich buys gold mine stake
Billionaire Roman Abramovich will pay $400m (£194m) for a 40% holding in Russia's fourth-largest gold miner.
The Chelsea owner is buying the stake in Highland Gold Mining through his investment vehicle Millhouse.
According to press reports, another Russian oligarch, Alexei Mordashov of steel giant Severstal had also been eyeing a stake in Highland.
Gold prices have soared this year as market instability has seen investors buy assets perceived as less risky.
The price of gold has climbed by almost 25% during the past six months and by 50% since 2005.
'Growth potential'
Highland Gold operates mines on Russia's eastern borders with China, and last year produced 3.2% of Russia's total gold output.
The firm also owns a range of projects in Russia - including one in Chukota the region in north-east Russia where Mr Abramovich is governor.
"This investment fits perfectly with our approach of taking strategies in business with strong growth potential," a Millhouse spokesman said.
London-listed Highland Gold said that it would use money raised from its share issue to cut its debt levels and finance its operations.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 126837.stm
Published: 2007/12/04 13:05:26 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Billionaire Roman Abramovich will pay $400m (£194m) for a 40% holding in Russia's fourth-largest gold miner.
The Chelsea owner is buying the stake in Highland Gold Mining through his investment vehicle Millhouse.
According to press reports, another Russian oligarch, Alexei Mordashov of steel giant Severstal had also been eyeing a stake in Highland.
Gold prices have soared this year as market instability has seen investors buy assets perceived as less risky.
The price of gold has climbed by almost 25% during the past six months and by 50% since 2005.
'Growth potential'
Highland Gold operates mines on Russia's eastern borders with China, and last year produced 3.2% of Russia's total gold output.
The firm also owns a range of projects in Russia - including one in Chukota the region in north-east Russia where Mr Abramovich is governor.
"This investment fits perfectly with our approach of taking strategies in business with strong growth potential," a Millhouse spokesman said.
London-listed Highland Gold said that it would use money raised from its share issue to cut its debt levels and finance its operations.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 126837.stm
Published: 2007/12/04 13:05:26 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 64
Last Updated: Thursday, 6 December 2007, 00:12 GMT
Could India make Jaguar a success?
By Supriya Menon
India Business Report, BBC World, Mumbai
"India is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world "
Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of alliance partners Renault and Nissan
India prepares for car boom
Weaving nimbly in and out of the traffic like seasoned circus performers, India's motorcyclists are set to be displaced by the country's fast-growing car fleet.
India's car industry is booming, with passenger car production set to treble from about one million in 2003-2004 to more than three million by 2015, according to government estimates.
And as the cars increasingly jostle for space with rickety buses and decrepit trucks on the country's crowded roads, the value of the industry is set to rise from some $30bn (£15bn) to almost $150bn.
Such optimistic growth predictions in their home market have enabled some of India's leading automotive groups to look beyond the country's borders for growth opportunities.
Two of them are eager to acquire the British luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover, which have been valued at $1.5bn by Merrill Lynch and have been put up for sale by parent company Ford Motor. A deal could propel the winner onto the global automotive stage.
"We will probably have something to announce by the end of this year, toward the first part of next year," says Ford Motor's chief executive, Alan Mulally.
Rival bidders
Leading the race to acquire the two marques is one of India's oldest and strongest brands, Tata Group, whose flagship subsidiary Tata Motors is India's largest car and commercial vehicle maker, as well as the world's second-largest manufacturer of medium and heavy buses.
Land Rover's top-end technology is attractive to Indian car makers
Crucially, Tata has already made inroads into the global markets. It is working with Italian car maker Fiat, making some of its models in India, and it has set up a major European vehicle development centre at Warwick University, just a few miles from where Jaguar and Land Rover design their cars.
Hot on Tata's heals is Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), which made its name producing tractors and army trucks - initially assembling Jeep kits imported from America.
M&M, which is part of the Mahindra Group, has since moved into the passenger car market. Earlier this year it joined forces with the alliance partners Renault and Nissan to produce budget cars designed especially for developing countries.
M&M, which has linked up with private equity firm Apollo, is already the leading producer of sports utility vehicles in India.
Acquiring Land Rover would enable it to upgrade its existing vehicles with technologies developed by the British 4x4-maker. M&M would not want to keep Jaguar, which would instead be taken on and developed separately by Apollo.
Made in India ?
An Indian buyer for Jaguar-Land Rover would not necessarily mean that production of the British marques would be shifted to India.
AUTOMOTIVE AMBITIONS
The value of India's automotive industry is set to double by 2010, then double again
Fresh investment of $35-40bn by 2016 should ensure this
However, an Indian assembly plant for cars imported as kits would make sense if the cars were to be sold in the domestic market, which is shielded by import duties totalling 122%.
In essence, local assembly would enable either Tata or M&M to more than halve the price of Jaguar and Land Rover models in India.
Indian parts makers could also stand to gain if Tata or M&M were to take over the marques, though only those able to compete on both price and quality.
Exporting cars
But the big question is whether or not Indian ownership will damage the images of Jaguar and Land Rover.
Industry experts say Jaguar customers would want the Big Cat to be produced in Britain and would be loath to accept Indian exports.
Buyers of Land Rover's luxury models, such as Range Rover and the Discovery 3, would be similarly sceptical.
But Land Rover also supplies armies and aid agencies who might be happy to continue buying the vehicles even if they were made in India, as long as their quality was not compromised following a move of production, industry analysts say.
Either way, industry observers agree that the only way to make Jaguar and Land Rover succeed is to invest heavily in the marques. Whoever buys them will need big pockets.
Could India make Jaguar a success?
By Supriya Menon
India Business Report, BBC World, Mumbai
"India is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world "
Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of alliance partners Renault and Nissan
India prepares for car boom
Weaving nimbly in and out of the traffic like seasoned circus performers, India's motorcyclists are set to be displaced by the country's fast-growing car fleet.
India's car industry is booming, with passenger car production set to treble from about one million in 2003-2004 to more than three million by 2015, according to government estimates.
And as the cars increasingly jostle for space with rickety buses and decrepit trucks on the country's crowded roads, the value of the industry is set to rise from some $30bn (£15bn) to almost $150bn.
Such optimistic growth predictions in their home market have enabled some of India's leading automotive groups to look beyond the country's borders for growth opportunities.
Two of them are eager to acquire the British luxury marques Jaguar and Land Rover, which have been valued at $1.5bn by Merrill Lynch and have been put up for sale by parent company Ford Motor. A deal could propel the winner onto the global automotive stage.
"We will probably have something to announce by the end of this year, toward the first part of next year," says Ford Motor's chief executive, Alan Mulally.
Rival bidders
Leading the race to acquire the two marques is one of India's oldest and strongest brands, Tata Group, whose flagship subsidiary Tata Motors is India's largest car and commercial vehicle maker, as well as the world's second-largest manufacturer of medium and heavy buses.
Land Rover's top-end technology is attractive to Indian car makers
Crucially, Tata has already made inroads into the global markets. It is working with Italian car maker Fiat, making some of its models in India, and it has set up a major European vehicle development centre at Warwick University, just a few miles from where Jaguar and Land Rover design their cars.
Hot on Tata's heals is Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), which made its name producing tractors and army trucks - initially assembling Jeep kits imported from America.
M&M, which is part of the Mahindra Group, has since moved into the passenger car market. Earlier this year it joined forces with the alliance partners Renault and Nissan to produce budget cars designed especially for developing countries.
M&M, which has linked up with private equity firm Apollo, is already the leading producer of sports utility vehicles in India.
Acquiring Land Rover would enable it to upgrade its existing vehicles with technologies developed by the British 4x4-maker. M&M would not want to keep Jaguar, which would instead be taken on and developed separately by Apollo.
Made in India ?
An Indian buyer for Jaguar-Land Rover would not necessarily mean that production of the British marques would be shifted to India.
AUTOMOTIVE AMBITIONS
The value of India's automotive industry is set to double by 2010, then double again
Fresh investment of $35-40bn by 2016 should ensure this
However, an Indian assembly plant for cars imported as kits would make sense if the cars were to be sold in the domestic market, which is shielded by import duties totalling 122%.
In essence, local assembly would enable either Tata or M&M to more than halve the price of Jaguar and Land Rover models in India.
Indian parts makers could also stand to gain if Tata or M&M were to take over the marques, though only those able to compete on both price and quality.
Exporting cars
But the big question is whether or not Indian ownership will damage the images of Jaguar and Land Rover.
Industry experts say Jaguar customers would want the Big Cat to be produced in Britain and would be loath to accept Indian exports.
Buyers of Land Rover's luxury models, such as Range Rover and the Discovery 3, would be similarly sceptical.
But Land Rover also supplies armies and aid agencies who might be happy to continue buying the vehicles even if they were made in India, as long as their quality was not compromised following a move of production, industry analysts say.
Either way, industry observers agree that the only way to make Jaguar and Land Rover succeed is to invest heavily in the marques. Whoever buys them will need big pockets.
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 65
FA 'makes approach' for Mourinho
The Football Association has contacted Jose Mourinho's agent about the former Chelsea boss taking over as England coach, BBC Sport understands.
Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes has been approached by the FA about the job, although reports that the Portuguese is already in London are wide of the mark.
It is thought the FA has drawn up a shortlist of five or six contenders.
Mourinho, 44, is on the list and he is considering whether he is prepared to meet FA bosses to talk about the job.
Some newspaper reports claimed Mourinho was either in London already or about to fly into England from Portugal for talks with the FA.
But BBC Sport football correspondent Jonathan Legard said he understood Mourinho was still at home in Portugal but that an approach had been made.
BBC Sport's Phil McNulty
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 132161.stm
Published: 2007/12/07 08:28:26 GMT
© BBC MMVII
The Football Association has contacted Jose Mourinho's agent about the former Chelsea boss taking over as England coach, BBC Sport understands.
Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes has been approached by the FA about the job, although reports that the Portuguese is already in London are wide of the mark.
It is thought the FA has drawn up a shortlist of five or six contenders.
Mourinho, 44, is on the list and he is considering whether he is prepared to meet FA bosses to talk about the job.
Some newspaper reports claimed Mourinho was either in London already or about to fly into England from Portugal for talks with the FA.
But BBC Sport football correspondent Jonathan Legard said he understood Mourinho was still at home in Portugal but that an approach had been made.
BBC Sport's Phil McNulty
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 132161.stm
Published: 2007/12/07 08:28:26 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 66
Three dead in Colorado shootings
A gunman who shot at least five people in the car park of the New Life Church, Colorado Springs, has been killed by a security guard, police say.
One person was killed in the shooting and several others were injured.
In an earlier incident, also in Colorado, two people were killed and two injured by a gunman in a Denver missionary training centre.
Police have not yet determined whether the incidents - which happened some 70 miles (110km) apart - were linked.
Similar description
The first shooting happened just after midnight, local time, at a dormitory in the Youth With a Mission centre, in the Denver suburb of Arvada.
Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 23, were killed and two men aged 22 and 23 were wounded, police said in a statement.
Police said the description of the gunman in the second shooting was similar to the first - a white male wearing a dark hat and dark jacket.
The Youth With a Mission organisation is reported to have a small office on the New Life Church site.
The New Life Church is one of the largest in Colorado, with a congregation of over 10,000.
It was founded by Ted Haggard, who triggered controversy last year when a former male prostitute alleged Haggard had regularly paid to have sex with him over a three-year period.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/a ... 135729.stm
Published: 2007/12/10 01:07:12 GMT
© BBC MMVII
A gunman who shot at least five people in the car park of the New Life Church, Colorado Springs, has been killed by a security guard, police say.
One person was killed in the shooting and several others were injured.
In an earlier incident, also in Colorado, two people were killed and two injured by a gunman in a Denver missionary training centre.
Police have not yet determined whether the incidents - which happened some 70 miles (110km) apart - were linked.
Similar description
The first shooting happened just after midnight, local time, at a dormitory in the Youth With a Mission centre, in the Denver suburb of Arvada.
Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 23, were killed and two men aged 22 and 23 were wounded, police said in a statement.
Police said the description of the gunman in the second shooting was similar to the first - a white male wearing a dark hat and dark jacket.
The Youth With a Mission organisation is reported to have a small office on the New Life Church site.
The New Life Church is one of the largest in Colorado, with a congregation of over 10,000.
It was founded by Ted Haggard, who triggered controversy last year when a former male prostitute alleged Haggard had regularly paid to have sex with him over a three-year period.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/a ... 135729.stm
Published: 2007/12/10 01:07:12 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 67
Ads' impact on children probed
The government is launching an inquiry into the possible harmful effects of advertising on children.
The probe, part of a 10-year plan for children in England to be published next week, comes amid fears about the commercialisation of childhood.
It will look at evidence of links between adverts and dissatisfaction, anxiety, eating disorders and drinking.
Children see some 10,000 TV adverts a year and recognise 400 brands by age 10, Children's Secretary Ed Balls says.
'Sexualisation' of girls
He said many parents were concerned about youngsters being bombarded with adverts and media images that encouraged the "sexualisation" of girls.
Mr Balls said the inquiry would be carried out by leading child psychologists and academics.
They would look at the cumulative impact of advertising on different aspects of childhood and well-being, to see whether commercial pressure had a "negative impact".
"We need to look at the evidence around commercialisation before we jump to any conclusions," he said.
Mr Balls said a ministerial group would examine the links between advertising and binge-drinking among children, including the effects of a "spike" of alcohol adverts on television between 4pm and 6pm.
Mr Balls said he would not rule out introducing new regulations, but stopped short of suggesting a ban on alcohol advertising before the 9pm watershed.
10-year plan
A survey by education inspectors Ofsted last month found that one in five 10 to 15-year-olds regularly got drunk.
The BBC's James Westhead suggested that, rather than trying to ban adverts targeted at children, the government was more likely to try to foster a sense of responsibility among advertisers.
The details of the inquiry and the rest of the 10-year children's plan are due to be announced by Mr Balls on Tuesday.
It is set to look at all aspects of children's lives and could include changes in the design of schools, as well as attempts to get parents more directly involved in school activities and to improve the provision of safe play areas.
It is also expected to include a review of Sats tests and the primary school curriculum as well as an announcement of free nursery care for children as young as two from poorer families.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/u ... 134943.stm
Published: 2007/12/09 05:20:27 GMT
© BBC MMVII
The government is launching an inquiry into the possible harmful effects of advertising on children.
The probe, part of a 10-year plan for children in England to be published next week, comes amid fears about the commercialisation of childhood.
It will look at evidence of links between adverts and dissatisfaction, anxiety, eating disorders and drinking.
Children see some 10,000 TV adverts a year and recognise 400 brands by age 10, Children's Secretary Ed Balls says.
'Sexualisation' of girls
He said many parents were concerned about youngsters being bombarded with adverts and media images that encouraged the "sexualisation" of girls.
Mr Balls said the inquiry would be carried out by leading child psychologists and academics.
They would look at the cumulative impact of advertising on different aspects of childhood and well-being, to see whether commercial pressure had a "negative impact".
"We need to look at the evidence around commercialisation before we jump to any conclusions," he said.
Mr Balls said a ministerial group would examine the links between advertising and binge-drinking among children, including the effects of a "spike" of alcohol adverts on television between 4pm and 6pm.
Mr Balls said he would not rule out introducing new regulations, but stopped short of suggesting a ban on alcohol advertising before the 9pm watershed.
10-year plan
A survey by education inspectors Ofsted last month found that one in five 10 to 15-year-olds regularly got drunk.
The BBC's James Westhead suggested that, rather than trying to ban adverts targeted at children, the government was more likely to try to foster a sense of responsibility among advertisers.
The details of the inquiry and the rest of the 10-year children's plan are due to be announced by Mr Balls on Tuesday.
It is set to look at all aspects of children's lives and could include changes in the design of schools, as well as attempts to get parents more directly involved in school activities and to improve the provision of safe play areas.
It is also expected to include a review of Sats tests and the primary school curriculum as well as an announcement of free nursery care for children as young as two from poorer families.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/u ... 134943.stm
Published: 2007/12/09 05:20:27 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 68
Mourinho out of England running
Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the running to become England coach.
The former Chelsea boss revealed he had held talks with the Football Association following Steve McClaren's dismissal last month.
But in a statement on his agent's website, Mourinho said: "After serious thought, I decided to exclude myself despite it being a fantastic position.
"I'm sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs."
Mourinho said he had had "useful discussions" with the FA's chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Trevor Brooking.
He said: "We exchanged ideas to evaluate the entire situation about the England squad and set the goals in case of a real approach."
After revealing he had opted against putting himself forward as a candidate, Mourinho said: "I reiterate my respect for English football and, after three good years in England, I firmly believe that the England squad will soon be back to their usual great results."
Mourinho emerged as the strong favourite for the England post following McClaren's departure.
BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Mike Ingham said: "In many ways he would have been perfect.
"The job is about giving players an extra 10% and I think he would have done that.
"Mourinho ticked all the boxes bar one - I'm not sure how much of a diplomat he would have been."
The Portuguese coach's announcement on Monday will be a blow to FA officials, who were turned down by their first-choice candidate the last time they were recruiting an England manager.
On that occasion, Portugal manager Luis Felipe Scolari rejected the chance to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson and the FA instead turned to McClaren.
Italian coaches Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi now head the list of contenders - although BBC Sport has established that neither man has been contacted by the FA.
Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been tipped as an "ideal" replacement by Franz Beckenbauer, but has so far made no expression of interest in the job.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill continues to be linked with the job, despite publicly ruling himself out.
The FA is reported to want to name its new coach by 19 December, although England do not have a fixture until 6 February when they will play Switzerland in a friendly, and the next competitive fixture will be a World Cup qualifier next September.
Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the running to become England coach.
The former Chelsea boss revealed he had held talks with the Football Association following Steve McClaren's dismissal last month.
But in a statement on his agent's website, Mourinho said: "After serious thought, I decided to exclude myself despite it being a fantastic position.
"I'm sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs."
Mourinho said he had had "useful discussions" with the FA's chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Trevor Brooking.
He said: "We exchanged ideas to evaluate the entire situation about the England squad and set the goals in case of a real approach."
After revealing he had opted against putting himself forward as a candidate, Mourinho said: "I reiterate my respect for English football and, after three good years in England, I firmly believe that the England squad will soon be back to their usual great results."
Mourinho emerged as the strong favourite for the England post following McClaren's departure.
BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Mike Ingham said: "In many ways he would have been perfect.
"The job is about giving players an extra 10% and I think he would have done that.
"Mourinho ticked all the boxes bar one - I'm not sure how much of a diplomat he would have been."
The Portuguese coach's announcement on Monday will be a blow to FA officials, who were turned down by their first-choice candidate the last time they were recruiting an England manager.
On that occasion, Portugal manager Luis Felipe Scolari rejected the chance to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson and the FA instead turned to McClaren.
Italian coaches Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi now head the list of contenders - although BBC Sport has established that neither man has been contacted by the FA.
Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been tipped as an "ideal" replacement by Franz Beckenbauer, but has so far made no expression of interest in the job.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill continues to be linked with the job, despite publicly ruling himself out.
The FA is reported to want to name its new coach by 19 December, although England do not have a fixture until 6 February when they will play Switzerland in a friendly, and the next competitive fixture will be a World Cup qualifier next September.
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 69
--
นาย วิกรม บัณฑิต
Troubled Citigroup names new boss
Citigroup has named the head of its investment banking division, Vikrum Pandit, to be its new chief executive.
He will replace Charles Prince, who quit last month after admitting that the bank could be exposed to as much $17bn (£8.3bn) in bad debt.
Sir Win Bischoff, who had been the interim chief executive, will become Citigroup's chairman.
Both men will be under huge pressure to rebuild Citigroup's balance sheet and repair the troubled bank's reputation.
It had been speculated that front runners for the job included veteran bankers Fred Goodwin, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Deutsche Bank boss Josef Ackermann.
His deep executive experience and long history as a strategic thinker makes him the outstanding choice to be Citi's CEO
Citigroup director Robert E. Rubin
The boss of the New York Stock Exchange, John Thwain - a former Goldman Sachs banker - had also reportedly been in the frame until he was pinched to head up Merrill Lynch, which has also suffered from heavy exposure to the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.
Good choice?
Citigroup said that Mr Pandit, who joined the bank less than five months ago, was the "right leader" to steer the bank - one of the largest in the world - back to its former glory.
"The combination of his deep executive experience and long history as a strategic thinker makes him the outstanding choice to be Citi's CEO," said Citigroup director Robert E. Rubin, who had temporarily stepped into the role of chairman after Mr Prince resigned.
In accepting the job, Mr Pandit hinted at substantial restricting at the firm, which has seen about $100bn wiped off its market value this year.
"Simplifying the company's organisational structure and aligning our businesses and resources with appropriate goals and economic realities will be among our initial priorities," he said.
But Citigroup's shares sank after the announcement, falling 4.43% to $33.23, suggesting that investors were unhappy with the bank's decision to put a man who has never run a public company in charge of one of biggest and most complex banking organisations.
"It's disappointing," said William Smith, chief executive of US investment firm SAM Advisors.
"Pandit is probably a decent manager, but he is a segment manager. He is not a CEO," he added.
Some investors were also disgruntled with the choice of South African-born Mr Bischoff as chairman.
Challenge
Mr Pandit is well known on Wall Street for his performance at Morgan Stanley, where he worked for two decades until 2005 and became president of that bank's investment banking unit.
He left to set up a hedge fund call Old Lane, which was bought by Citigroup earlier this year for $800m and Mr Pandit moved across to head up the firm's alternative investments, later taking on the bank's whole capital markets unit.
But neither he nor Mr Bischoff have experience in consumer banking, which accounts for half of the group's profits and has seen dull results, according to analysts.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 139733.stm
Published: 2007/12/12 02:53:37 GMT
© BBC MMVII
นาย วิกรม บัณฑิต
Troubled Citigroup names new boss
Citigroup has named the head of its investment banking division, Vikrum Pandit, to be its new chief executive.
He will replace Charles Prince, who quit last month after admitting that the bank could be exposed to as much $17bn (£8.3bn) in bad debt.
Sir Win Bischoff, who had been the interim chief executive, will become Citigroup's chairman.
Both men will be under huge pressure to rebuild Citigroup's balance sheet and repair the troubled bank's reputation.
It had been speculated that front runners for the job included veteran bankers Fred Goodwin, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Deutsche Bank boss Josef Ackermann.
His deep executive experience and long history as a strategic thinker makes him the outstanding choice to be Citi's CEO
Citigroup director Robert E. Rubin
The boss of the New York Stock Exchange, John Thwain - a former Goldman Sachs banker - had also reportedly been in the frame until he was pinched to head up Merrill Lynch, which has also suffered from heavy exposure to the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.
Good choice?
Citigroup said that Mr Pandit, who joined the bank less than five months ago, was the "right leader" to steer the bank - one of the largest in the world - back to its former glory.
"The combination of his deep executive experience and long history as a strategic thinker makes him the outstanding choice to be Citi's CEO," said Citigroup director Robert E. Rubin, who had temporarily stepped into the role of chairman after Mr Prince resigned.
In accepting the job, Mr Pandit hinted at substantial restricting at the firm, which has seen about $100bn wiped off its market value this year.
"Simplifying the company's organisational structure and aligning our businesses and resources with appropriate goals and economic realities will be among our initial priorities," he said.
But Citigroup's shares sank after the announcement, falling 4.43% to $33.23, suggesting that investors were unhappy with the bank's decision to put a man who has never run a public company in charge of one of biggest and most complex banking organisations.
"It's disappointing," said William Smith, chief executive of US investment firm SAM Advisors.
"Pandit is probably a decent manager, but he is a segment manager. He is not a CEO," he added.
Some investors were also disgruntled with the choice of South African-born Mr Bischoff as chairman.
Challenge
Mr Pandit is well known on Wall Street for his performance at Morgan Stanley, where he worked for two decades until 2005 and became president of that bank's investment banking unit.
He left to set up a hedge fund call Old Lane, which was bought by Citigroup earlier this year for $800m and Mr Pandit moved across to head up the firm's alternative investments, later taking on the bank's whole capital markets unit.
But neither he nor Mr Bischoff have experience in consumer banking, which accounts for half of the group's profits and has seen dull results, according to analysts.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 139733.stm
Published: 2007/12/12 02:53:37 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 70
Freddie Mac sees $12bn credit hit
Freddie Mac, the company that provides financing to US mortgage lenders, has become the latest firm to admit to higher losses in the sub-prime crisis.
It now expects $10bn (£4.89bn) to $12bn in credit losses on its mortgage book, its chief executive told investors.
A string of banks have registered losses because of their exposure to investment products linked to US sub-prime mortgages.
Freddie Mac is the second largest buyer and guarantor of home loans in the US.
"We would expect that our total future credit losses on our current book of business would total approximately between $10bn and $12bn, " Richard Syron, chief executive told investors.
Shares in Freddie Mac slid more than 5% on the news to $33.07.
Trickle of losses
Last month, the firm set aside $1.2bn (£580m) to cover bad debts between July and September and reported a $2bn loss.
Freddie Mac then announced that it would sell $6bn of shares to cover more bad debt losses.
"Our fourth quarter results are not going to be effectively better than they were in the third quarter," Mr Syron told investors at a conference in New York.
"We are not promising a silver bullet, a short-term quick fix."
Freddie Mac was created in 1970 by the US government, but later privatised.
Investors, however, rate its bonds as if they were still backed by a government guarantee.
Its fellow government-sponsored lender, Fannie Mae, has also admitted big losses in the credit crisis.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 138992.stm
Published: 2007/12/11 16:20:39 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Freddie Mac, the company that provides financing to US mortgage lenders, has become the latest firm to admit to higher losses in the sub-prime crisis.
It now expects $10bn (£4.89bn) to $12bn in credit losses on its mortgage book, its chief executive told investors.
A string of banks have registered losses because of their exposure to investment products linked to US sub-prime mortgages.
Freddie Mac is the second largest buyer and guarantor of home loans in the US.
"We would expect that our total future credit losses on our current book of business would total approximately between $10bn and $12bn, " Richard Syron, chief executive told investors.
Shares in Freddie Mac slid more than 5% on the news to $33.07.
Trickle of losses
Last month, the firm set aside $1.2bn (£580m) to cover bad debts between July and September and reported a $2bn loss.
Freddie Mac then announced that it would sell $6bn of shares to cover more bad debt losses.
"Our fourth quarter results are not going to be effectively better than they were in the third quarter," Mr Syron told investors at a conference in New York.
"We are not promising a silver bullet, a short-term quick fix."
Freddie Mac was created in 1970 by the US government, but later privatised.
Investors, however, rate its bonds as if they were still backed by a government guarantee.
Its fellow government-sponsored lender, Fannie Mae, has also admitted big losses in the credit crisis.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 138992.stm
Published: 2007/12/11 16:20:39 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 71
.
บวกกระทันหัน U-tern กันใหญ่เลย
Central banks act on credit fears
The central banks of the United States, European Union, UK, Canada and Switzerland are getting together to help banks deal with the credit crunch.
They are getting together to create a "temporary auction facility" that will allow cash-strapped banks to bid for loans in any of their currencies.
A first auction of $20bn is scheduled for next Monday, with another on 20 December and two more in January.
Banks judged to be in sound financial condition will be able to participate.
"The Fed in conjunction with these other central banks is providing a ton of liquidity to the markets by year-end," said Greg Salvaggio at Tempus Consulting.
"It will work in the short term as another interest-rate cut," he added.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 140771.stm
Published: 2007/12/12 14:32:44 GMT
© BBC MMVII
บวกกระทันหัน U-tern กันใหญ่เลย
Central banks act on credit fears
The central banks of the United States, European Union, UK, Canada and Switzerland are getting together to help banks deal with the credit crunch.
They are getting together to create a "temporary auction facility" that will allow cash-strapped banks to bid for loans in any of their currencies.
A first auction of $20bn is scheduled for next Monday, with another on 20 December and two more in January.
Banks judged to be in sound financial condition will be able to participate.
"The Fed in conjunction with these other central banks is providing a ton of liquidity to the markets by year-end," said Greg Salvaggio at Tempus Consulting.
"It will work in the short term as another interest-rate cut," he added.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 140771.stm
Published: 2007/12/12 14:32:44 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 72
อันนี้เจ๋งดี
Body clock 'control switch' found
Researchers say they have identified the chemical switch that controls the genetic mechanism regulating people's internal body clocks.
Although the process involves complex genes, the whole mechanism is controlled by a single amino acid - a building block of protein - they say.
It is hoped the discovery may lead to more effective drugs to treat sleep disorders and related ailments.
The University of California study appears in the journal Nature.
People's sleep problems tend to be very individual, but we currently have a one-size-fits-all approach
Dr Neil Stanley
Norwich University Hospital
Lead researcher Professor Paolo Sassone-Corsi said: "Because the triggering action is so specific, it appears to be a perfect target for compounds that could regulate this activity.
"It is always amazing to see how molecular control is so precise in biology."
Sensitive mechanism
The body's internal clock, a highly sensitive mechanism able to anticipate changes in the environment, regulates a host of body functions, from sleep patterns to metabolism and behaviour.
It is estimated that it regulates up to 15% of all human genes.
Disruption of these rhythms can profoundly influence human health and has been linked to insomnia, depression, heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
The gene CLOCK and its partner BMAL1 control the body's internal clock.
The latest study found that a single amino acid in a protein produced by BMAL1 undergoes a modification that triggers the genetic chain of events involved with setting the body's rhythms.
The researchers found that if this modification is impaired in any way, the switching mechanism can be thrown off, undermining the whole system.
They are currently testing antibodies that can target the activity of this amino acid.
Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert at Norwich University Hospital, said 89 different types of sleep disorder had so far been classified, but all sleep medications - hypnotics - currently targeted the same neurotransmitter called GABA.
"People's sleep problems tend to be very individual, but we currently have a one-size-fits-all approach - our armamentarium is not exactly huge," he said.
"A new target may allow us to develop more specific treatments and to offer patients more personalised care."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/h ... 140017.stm
Published: 2007/12/13 00:14:57 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Body clock 'control switch' found
Researchers say they have identified the chemical switch that controls the genetic mechanism regulating people's internal body clocks.
Although the process involves complex genes, the whole mechanism is controlled by a single amino acid - a building block of protein - they say.
It is hoped the discovery may lead to more effective drugs to treat sleep disorders and related ailments.
The University of California study appears in the journal Nature.
People's sleep problems tend to be very individual, but we currently have a one-size-fits-all approach
Dr Neil Stanley
Norwich University Hospital
Lead researcher Professor Paolo Sassone-Corsi said: "Because the triggering action is so specific, it appears to be a perfect target for compounds that could regulate this activity.
"It is always amazing to see how molecular control is so precise in biology."
Sensitive mechanism
The body's internal clock, a highly sensitive mechanism able to anticipate changes in the environment, regulates a host of body functions, from sleep patterns to metabolism and behaviour.
It is estimated that it regulates up to 15% of all human genes.
Disruption of these rhythms can profoundly influence human health and has been linked to insomnia, depression, heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
The gene CLOCK and its partner BMAL1 control the body's internal clock.
The latest study found that a single amino acid in a protein produced by BMAL1 undergoes a modification that triggers the genetic chain of events involved with setting the body's rhythms.
The researchers found that if this modification is impaired in any way, the switching mechanism can be thrown off, undermining the whole system.
They are currently testing antibodies that can target the activity of this amino acid.
Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert at Norwich University Hospital, said 89 different types of sleep disorder had so far been classified, but all sleep medications - hypnotics - currently targeted the same neurotransmitter called GABA.
"People's sleep problems tend to be very individual, but we currently have a one-size-fits-all approach - our armamentarium is not exactly huge," he said.
"A new target may allow us to develop more specific treatments and to offer patients more personalised care."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/h ... 140017.stm
Published: 2007/12/13 00:14:57 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 73
Computer knowledge 'undervalued'
Computer skills are still undervalued in the UK board room, according to software giant Microsoft.
It surveyed 500 UK business leaders and found that a knowledge of information technology (IT) was seen as the seventh most important workplace skill.
Instead, team working and interpersonal skills were seen as the core factors, followed by initiative.
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said IT skills were needed from the shop floor to the chief executive.
'Share ideas'
"One of the most important changes of the last 30 years is that digital technology has transformed almost everyone into an information worker," said Mr Gates.
" A solid working knowledge of productivity software has become a basic foundation for success in virtually any career "
Bill Gates
"In almost every job now, people use software and work with information to enable their organisation to operate more effectively."
Yet in an article written for the BBC News website, he added that team work was also a core requisite for success in the software industry.
"Software innovation, like almost every other kind of innovation, requires the ability to collaborate and share ideas with other people, and to sit down and talk with customers and get their feedback and understand their needs," he said.
In third place in the survey behind team working and initiative, came analysing and problem solving.
This was followed by verbal communication, personal planning and organising and flexibility.
Skills gap
Microsoft's survey was conducted to mark the first anniversary of the Leitch report into overcoming the skills gap in the UK economy.
TOP BUSINESS SKILLS
1. Team working and interpersonal skills
2. Initiative
3. Analysing and problem solving
4. Verbal communication
5. Personal planning and organising
6. Flexibility
7. IT skills
Source: Microsoft
Lord Leitch's review in December 2006 set out recommendations to help the UK become a world leader in skills by 2020, and overcome a skills shortage that has threatened to undermine its credentials as an economic powerhouse.
The review suggested the establishment of a new Commission for Employment & Skills, and said that employers should have a greater say in training schemes and more responsibility for improving skills in the workplace.
According to some estimates, as many as 6.8 million adults in the UK lack basic qualifications, and have skills needs in numeracy, literacy and information technology.
The government is taking steps to redress the situation and has started an advertising campaign that is aimed at encouraging people to upgrade their skills through education and training.
It plans to spend £20m over three years on TV, print and poster adverts aimed at persuading people of their natural ability to succeed.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 143417.stm
Published: 2007/12/14 12:01:22 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Computer skills are still undervalued in the UK board room, according to software giant Microsoft.
It surveyed 500 UK business leaders and found that a knowledge of information technology (IT) was seen as the seventh most important workplace skill.
Instead, team working and interpersonal skills were seen as the core factors, followed by initiative.
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said IT skills were needed from the shop floor to the chief executive.
'Share ideas'
"One of the most important changes of the last 30 years is that digital technology has transformed almost everyone into an information worker," said Mr Gates.
" A solid working knowledge of productivity software has become a basic foundation for success in virtually any career "
Bill Gates
"In almost every job now, people use software and work with information to enable their organisation to operate more effectively."
Yet in an article written for the BBC News website, he added that team work was also a core requisite for success in the software industry.
"Software innovation, like almost every other kind of innovation, requires the ability to collaborate and share ideas with other people, and to sit down and talk with customers and get their feedback and understand their needs," he said.
In third place in the survey behind team working and initiative, came analysing and problem solving.
This was followed by verbal communication, personal planning and organising and flexibility.
Skills gap
Microsoft's survey was conducted to mark the first anniversary of the Leitch report into overcoming the skills gap in the UK economy.
TOP BUSINESS SKILLS
1. Team working and interpersonal skills
2. Initiative
3. Analysing and problem solving
4. Verbal communication
5. Personal planning and organising
6. Flexibility
7. IT skills
Source: Microsoft
Lord Leitch's review in December 2006 set out recommendations to help the UK become a world leader in skills by 2020, and overcome a skills shortage that has threatened to undermine its credentials as an economic powerhouse.
The review suggested the establishment of a new Commission for Employment & Skills, and said that employers should have a greater say in training schemes and more responsibility for improving skills in the workplace.
According to some estimates, as many as 6.8 million adults in the UK lack basic qualifications, and have skills needs in numeracy, literacy and information technology.
The government is taking steps to redress the situation and has started an advertising campaign that is aimed at encouraging people to upgrade their skills through education and training.
It plans to spend £20m over three years on TV, print and poster adverts aimed at persuading people of their natural ability to succeed.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 143417.stm
Published: 2007/12/14 12:01:22 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 74
China's economic muscle 'shrinks'
China's economy, the world's second largest, is not as big as was thought, a report by the World Bank has claimed.
According to the bank, previous calculations have overestimated the size of China's economy by about 40%.
The revelation came after the bank updated the way it calculated the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
The bank said the findings meant China would not become the world's biggest economy in 2012 as forecast. It also meant China was poorer than estimated.
This in turn would influence future aid and investment plans, the World Bank said.
China gains extra aid from international institutions and has asked for help in climate change talks because of its status as a developing country.
Adjusting figures
BIGGEST ECONOMIES
US
China
Japan
Germany
India
Source: World Bank
Based on the World Bank's new research, China's economy is now worth some $5.33 trillion (£2.64trillion). Despite the drop in size, the economy was still the world's second largest, the bank said.
The US, at $12 trillion, is the world's largest economy.
The method used for the calculations is called "purchasing power parity", and corrects for differences in prices, which are lower in China than in Western countries, for the same goods.
However, the figures show that average incomes in China are still just 10% of those in the US. China averages $4,091 per person, while average income in the US is $41,000.
MOST EXPENSIVE NATIONS
Iceland
Denmark
Switzerland
Norway
Ireland
Source: World Bank
Based on current exchange rates, China's economy is only half as big, at $2.24 trillion.
In previous years, economists have tried to adjust their figures to take into account local prices in developing nations because they were often significantly lower than those in more industrialised countries.
However, the bank said that many of the prices which were being used were out of date and gave distorted GDP figures.
This time it has used updated prices to create more accurate figures.
Global shift
In its report, the World Bank found that five nations - the US, China, Japan, Germany and India - accounted for nearly half of the world's total GDP.
But they were not amongst the five most expensive places to live, with that honour going to Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway and Ireland.
In Africa, the main drivers of growth were South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Sudan, which accounted for almost two-thirds of the continent's output.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 148695.stm
Published: 2007/12/17 18:27:56 GMT
© BBC MMVII
China's economy, the world's second largest, is not as big as was thought, a report by the World Bank has claimed.
According to the bank, previous calculations have overestimated the size of China's economy by about 40%.
The revelation came after the bank updated the way it calculated the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
The bank said the findings meant China would not become the world's biggest economy in 2012 as forecast. It also meant China was poorer than estimated.
This in turn would influence future aid and investment plans, the World Bank said.
China gains extra aid from international institutions and has asked for help in climate change talks because of its status as a developing country.
Adjusting figures
BIGGEST ECONOMIES
US
China
Japan
Germany
India
Source: World Bank
Based on the World Bank's new research, China's economy is now worth some $5.33 trillion (£2.64trillion). Despite the drop in size, the economy was still the world's second largest, the bank said.
The US, at $12 trillion, is the world's largest economy.
The method used for the calculations is called "purchasing power parity", and corrects for differences in prices, which are lower in China than in Western countries, for the same goods.
However, the figures show that average incomes in China are still just 10% of those in the US. China averages $4,091 per person, while average income in the US is $41,000.
MOST EXPENSIVE NATIONS
Iceland
Denmark
Switzerland
Norway
Ireland
Source: World Bank
Based on current exchange rates, China's economy is only half as big, at $2.24 trillion.
In previous years, economists have tried to adjust their figures to take into account local prices in developing nations because they were often significantly lower than those in more industrialised countries.
However, the bank said that many of the prices which were being used were out of date and gave distorted GDP figures.
This time it has used updated prices to create more accurate figures.
Global shift
In its report, the World Bank found that five nations - the US, China, Japan, Germany and India - accounted for nearly half of the world's total GDP.
But they were not amongst the five most expensive places to live, with that honour going to Iceland, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway and Ireland.
In Africa, the main drivers of growth were South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Sudan, which accounted for almost two-thirds of the continent's output.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 148695.stm
Published: 2007/12/17 18:27:56 GMT
© BBC MMVII
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บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 75
Indian airlines in merger plans
Two of India's airlines have unveiled a plan to merge in an attempt to boost profitability amid rising costs and falling air fares.
Deccan, Indian's first discount carrier, is entering a tie-up with the more upmarket Kingfisher Airlines.
Kingfisher is owned by alcohol baron Vijay Mallya and is named after his flagship beer brand.
There is intense competition in India's aviation sector as more people become able to afford plane travel.
There are currently 10 Indian carriers, up from three in 2003, with at least 14 more airlines seeking government approval to start flying in India.
The merger follows earlier consolidation in the sector. The country's largest domestic carrier, Jet Airways, bought Air Sahara for $340m in April.
'Logical'
Deccan has struggled this year, and sold a 26% stake to Mr Mallya's UB group in June, which was raised to 46% in October.
"The merger will bring about synergies across the board and lower the cost of operating both airlines," Deccan founder GR Gopinath said.
Next August will mark five years of Deccan operating, which means that under Indian law, it can then fly lucrative overseas routes.
Kingfisher will also gain this privilege as part of the merger.
"The merger is logical under the circumstances," said Kapil Kaul of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
"But it has to be done right because the two airlines come from cultural extremes - one a low-cost carrier and the other a full-service premium airline."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 153407.stm
Published: 2007/12/20 10:14:39 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Two of India's airlines have unveiled a plan to merge in an attempt to boost profitability amid rising costs and falling air fares.
Deccan, Indian's first discount carrier, is entering a tie-up with the more upmarket Kingfisher Airlines.
Kingfisher is owned by alcohol baron Vijay Mallya and is named after his flagship beer brand.
There is intense competition in India's aviation sector as more people become able to afford plane travel.
There are currently 10 Indian carriers, up from three in 2003, with at least 14 more airlines seeking government approval to start flying in India.
The merger follows earlier consolidation in the sector. The country's largest domestic carrier, Jet Airways, bought Air Sahara for $340m in April.
'Logical'
Deccan has struggled this year, and sold a 26% stake to Mr Mallya's UB group in June, which was raised to 46% in October.
"The merger will bring about synergies across the board and lower the cost of operating both airlines," Deccan founder GR Gopinath said.
Next August will mark five years of Deccan operating, which means that under Indian law, it can then fly lucrative overseas routes.
Kingfisher will also gain this privilege as part of the merger.
"The merger is logical under the circumstances," said Kapil Kaul of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
"But it has to be done right because the two airlines come from cultural extremes - one a low-cost carrier and the other a full-service premium airline."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 153407.stm
Published: 2007/12/20 10:14:39 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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Mr. Boo
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บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 76
Mittal family buys football stake
QPR secure huge investment boost
QPR have been given a cash boost after the family of the world's fifth richest man bought a 20% stake in the club.
The son-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, who is reportedly worth £50bn, will join Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore on the club's board.
"This investment is a great stepping stone towards the future development of the club," said a club statement.
"It supports the ambition of the current shareholders to reach the Premier League in the near future."
QPR are currently bottom of the Championship, but they could now potentially join near neighbours and FA Cup third round opponents Chelsea in the transfer market, should Mittal wish to spend his cash.
"The family is excited about becoming involved with QPR," said Mittal's son-in-law, Amit Bhatia.
"As a family, we love sport and particularly enjoy English football, and alongside Bernie and Flavio, we hope that we can improve the club's performance, with the ultimate ambition of a place in the Premier League."
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 154202.stm
Published: 2007/12/20 14:51:33 GMT
© BBC MMVII
QPR secure huge investment boost
QPR have been given a cash boost after the family of the world's fifth richest man bought a 20% stake in the club.
The son-in-law of Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, who is reportedly worth £50bn, will join Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore on the club's board.
"This investment is a great stepping stone towards the future development of the club," said a club statement.
"It supports the ambition of the current shareholders to reach the Premier League in the near future."
QPR are currently bottom of the Championship, but they could now potentially join near neighbours and FA Cup third round opponents Chelsea in the transfer market, should Mittal wish to spend his cash.
"The family is excited about becoming involved with QPR," said Mittal's son-in-law, Amit Bhatia.
"As a family, we love sport and particularly enjoy English football, and alongside Bernie and Flavio, we hope that we can improve the club's performance, with the ultimate ambition of a place in the Premier League."
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 154202.stm
Published: 2007/12/20 14:51:33 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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Mr. Boo
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บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 77
Ceremony inaugurates Chinese jet
China is holding a ceremony to inaugurate its first home-grown commercial aircraft.
The ARJ-21, which will be capable of seating up to 85 people, will embark upon its maiden flight in March and then go into mass production in 2009.
China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) is banking on the project to build its reputation in the industry.
With Chinese air travel booming, the authorities want to develop a competitive domestic manufacturer.
'Competitive'
It is estimated that China will require 900 medium-sized jets over the next 20 years as it caters for the growing number of people for whom flying is an affordable means of travel.
China wants to grab 60% of the medium-sized jet market, currently dominated by firms such as Bombardier and Embraer.
Friday's event for the plane - dubbed the "Flying Phoenix" - is not open to any media apart from the official news agency Xinhua.
But Lin Zuoming, AVIC's general manager, was reported by China Central Television to have said that China's aviation industry "had turned over a new leaf".
"The ARJ21 makes us part of the global aviation industry but it still faces a new journey to become successful financially."
AVIC announced a new order for 100 planes from Kunpeng Airlines, a Sino-US joint venture, raising the total number of orders to date to 170.
China's aviation industry is expanding rapidly with suppliers winning more business from both Boeing and Airbus.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 155452.stm
Published: 2007/12/21 10:30:07 GMT
© BBC MMVII
China is holding a ceremony to inaugurate its first home-grown commercial aircraft.
The ARJ-21, which will be capable of seating up to 85 people, will embark upon its maiden flight in March and then go into mass production in 2009.
China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) is banking on the project to build its reputation in the industry.
With Chinese air travel booming, the authorities want to develop a competitive domestic manufacturer.
'Competitive'
It is estimated that China will require 900 medium-sized jets over the next 20 years as it caters for the growing number of people for whom flying is an affordable means of travel.
China wants to grab 60% of the medium-sized jet market, currently dominated by firms such as Bombardier and Embraer.
China's State Council said last year that it was committed to an "internationally competitive product" and would seek international assistance where necessary.The ARJ21 makes us part of the global aviation industry
Lin Zuoming, AVIC general manager
Friday's event for the plane - dubbed the "Flying Phoenix" - is not open to any media apart from the official news agency Xinhua.
But Lin Zuoming, AVIC's general manager, was reported by China Central Television to have said that China's aviation industry "had turned over a new leaf".
"The ARJ21 makes us part of the global aviation industry but it still faces a new journey to become successful financially."
AVIC announced a new order for 100 planes from Kunpeng Airlines, a Sino-US joint venture, raising the total number of orders to date to 170.
China's aviation industry is expanding rapidly with suppliers winning more business from both Boeing and Airbus.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 155452.stm
Published: 2007/12/21 10:30:07 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 78
Bhutto killing unsettles markets
Stocks worldwide have fallen, while oil prices rose to their highest in a month after the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
UK and European shares declined, after Asian and US bourses fell. Trading on the Karachi Stock Exchange has been halted for three days of mourning.
A barrel of light sweet crude traded as high as $97.12 a barrel, while London's Brent crude rose 45 cents to $95.23.
Investors say they are concerned about a less stable geopolitical environment.
Ms Bhutto was assassinated on Thursday as she left an election rally, plunging the country into crisis
"The assassination in Pakistan pushed up oil prices and there is a worry that mounting geopolitical risks would further boost oil prices," said Kim Hak-kyun, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.
"But as Pakistan is not a country with developed financial markets and the country's connection with global credit markets is minimal, the case would have a limited and short-term impact on markets."
Markets roiled
Indian shares opened down 0.3% on fears the assassination of Ms Bhutto could see foreigners withdraw funds, but the benchmark stock index later turned positive.
The Nikkei average ended down 1.7% or 256.91 points at 15,307.78 on the last trading session of 2007.
It fell 11% in 2007, its first loss in five years, making Tokyo the world's worst-performing major stock market.
Stock indexes in Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and New Zealand fell by up to 1.7%.
The main index on the New York Stock Exchange fell 192 points or 1.4% on Thursday while prices of safe-haven government bonds rose.
In London, the FTSE 100 index lost 8.8 points to 6489, while Germany's Dax shed 0.4% and France's Cac dipped 0.3%.
The US dollar fell against the Japanese yen, euro and Swiss franc. Gold changed hands at around $828, having hit a one-month high of $830.05 overnight as investors looked for safe assets.
There are concerns that the economy of Pakistan could be unsettled by the assassination, and that the problems may spread to other nations.
"This is absolute disaster for Pakistan," said Max King from Investec Asset Management.
"Pakistan is clearly turning into one of the failed states in Asia."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 162445.stm
Published: 2007/12/28 10:37:23 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Stocks worldwide have fallen, while oil prices rose to their highest in a month after the assassination of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
UK and European shares declined, after Asian and US bourses fell. Trading on the Karachi Stock Exchange has been halted for three days of mourning.
A barrel of light sweet crude traded as high as $97.12 a barrel, while London's Brent crude rose 45 cents to $95.23.
Investors say they are concerned about a less stable geopolitical environment.
Ms Bhutto was assassinated on Thursday as she left an election rally, plunging the country into crisis
"The assassination in Pakistan pushed up oil prices and there is a worry that mounting geopolitical risks would further boost oil prices," said Kim Hak-kyun, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities.
"But as Pakistan is not a country with developed financial markets and the country's connection with global credit markets is minimal, the case would have a limited and short-term impact on markets."
Markets roiled
Indian shares opened down 0.3% on fears the assassination of Ms Bhutto could see foreigners withdraw funds, but the benchmark stock index later turned positive.
The Nikkei average ended down 1.7% or 256.91 points at 15,307.78 on the last trading session of 2007.
It fell 11% in 2007, its first loss in five years, making Tokyo the world's worst-performing major stock market.
Stock indexes in Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and New Zealand fell by up to 1.7%.
The main index on the New York Stock Exchange fell 192 points or 1.4% on Thursday while prices of safe-haven government bonds rose.
In London, the FTSE 100 index lost 8.8 points to 6489, while Germany's Dax shed 0.4% and France's Cac dipped 0.3%.
The US dollar fell against the Japanese yen, euro and Swiss franc. Gold changed hands at around $828, having hit a one-month high of $830.05 overnight as investors looked for safe assets.
There are concerns that the economy of Pakistan could be unsettled by the assassination, and that the problems may spread to other nations.
"This is absolute disaster for Pakistan," said Max King from Investec Asset Management.
"Pakistan is clearly turning into one of the failed states in Asia."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 162445.stm
Published: 2007/12/28 10:37:23 GMT
© BBC MMVII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 79
Business 'faces difficult year'
British business faces a tough year as it grapples with the global credit crunch and rising food and energy costs, business group CBI has warned.
Richard Lambert, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, also said that the balance of economic power was shifting to India and China.
But despite these "big challenges", the UK economy would likely have a soft landing as growth slowed, he said.
He also called on the government not to increase public spending.
As oil prices rise closer to $100 a barrel, Mr Lambert said rising food and energy costs would put pressure on companies' profit margins, and limit the ability of central banks to cut interest rates.
In a New Year message he said the fallout from the credit crunch, which was caused by problems in the US housing market, would pose particular difficulties for the UK because the financial sector represents nearly a tenth of the economy.
But recent weakness in the pound, together with the UK's flexible labour market, should allow the country's businesses to weather a slowdown in growth, he said.
The CBI recently forecast that the UK economy would grow by around 2% in 2008, and roughly the same again in 2009.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 166243.stm
Published: 2008/01/01 03:33:36 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
British business faces a tough year as it grapples with the global credit crunch and rising food and energy costs, business group CBI has warned.
Richard Lambert, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, also said that the balance of economic power was shifting to India and China.
But despite these "big challenges", the UK economy would likely have a soft landing as growth slowed, he said.
He also called on the government not to increase public spending.
As oil prices rise closer to $100 a barrel, Mr Lambert said rising food and energy costs would put pressure on companies' profit margins, and limit the ability of central banks to cut interest rates.
In a New Year message he said the fallout from the credit crunch, which was caused by problems in the US housing market, would pose particular difficulties for the UK because the financial sector represents nearly a tenth of the economy.
But recent weakness in the pound, together with the UK's flexible labour market, should allow the country's businesses to weather a slowdown in growth, he said.
The CBI recently forecast that the UK economy would grow by around 2% in 2008, and roughly the same again in 2009.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 166243.stm
Published: 2008/01/01 03:33:36 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 80
Thais mourn revered king's sister
The elder sister of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died of abdominal cancer at the age of 84.
Princess Galyani Vadhana died early on Wednesday morning in the Bangkok hospital where she had been receiving treatment since June last year.
An academic specialising in French literature, the princess was involved in health, education and arts projects.
Her funeral will be held at the Grand Palace and a 100-day mourning period has been declared.
Hundreds of Thais assembled at the hospital after the announcement, many of them wearing black.
"This is a great loss for me and the country," mourner Banchong Rodgan told Reuters news agency.
Uncertainty
Local media had provided regular updates as the princess' condition worsened, and King Bhumibol had visited his sister on an almost daily basis.
In October, the 80-year-old monarch was admitted to the same hospital as his sister for three weeks after suffering from inadequate blood flow to the brain.
This triggered acute public concern - the much-loved king is viewed as a key source of national unity amid ongoing political uncertainty.
Princess Galyani's death brought a temporary halt to negotiations between political parties in the wake of last month's general election - the first since the military coup in September 2006.
The People Power Party, which backs ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, emerged well ahead of its main rival, the Democrat Party, in the 23 December polls.
But it fell short of the 240 seats need for a majority and is currently in the process of forming a coalition with smaller parties.
Announcements are expected in the next few days.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/a ... 167377.stm
Published: 2008/01/02 07:33:03 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
The elder sister of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died of abdominal cancer at the age of 84.
Princess Galyani Vadhana died early on Wednesday morning in the Bangkok hospital where she had been receiving treatment since June last year.
An academic specialising in French literature, the princess was involved in health, education and arts projects.
Her funeral will be held at the Grand Palace and a 100-day mourning period has been declared.
Hundreds of Thais assembled at the hospital after the announcement, many of them wearing black.
"This is a great loss for me and the country," mourner Banchong Rodgan told Reuters news agency.
Uncertainty
Local media had provided regular updates as the princess' condition worsened, and King Bhumibol had visited his sister on an almost daily basis.
In October, the 80-year-old monarch was admitted to the same hospital as his sister for three weeks after suffering from inadequate blood flow to the brain.
This triggered acute public concern - the much-loved king is viewed as a key source of national unity amid ongoing political uncertainty.
Princess Galyani's death brought a temporary halt to negotiations between political parties in the wake of last month's general election - the first since the military coup in September 2006.
The People Power Party, which backs ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, emerged well ahead of its main rival, the Democrat Party, in the 23 December polls.
But it fell short of the 240 seats need for a majority and is currently in the process of forming a coalition with smaller parties.
Announcements are expected in the next few days.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/a ... 167377.stm
Published: 2008/01/02 07:33:03 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 81
Outlook for Asian tigers unsteady
The latest economic data from South Korea and Singapore suggests that the slowdown in US economic growth could be starting to hit East Asia.
South Korea's exports increased by a worse-than-expected 15.5% to $33.25bn (£16.8bn) in December, as it saw its first monthly trade deficit since 2003.
Separately, Singapore's economy shrank in the past three months for the first time in five years.
Both countries are heavily reliant upon US demand for their goods.
A slump in Singapore's semiconductor exports contributed to the country's economy contracting by an annualised 3.2% in the October-to-December period, down from an expansion of 4.4% in its previous quarter.
Emerging market support?
With higher interest rates causing chaos in the US housing market and continued strains in global credit markets, pressures on the finances of the American household are expected to get worse.
Analysts say this is likely to mean a cutback in discretionary spending on goods produced in Asia, mainly electronics and cars.
Yet many remain reasonably upbeat that solid economic growth in India, China and the Middle East will help support East Asian trade from a US slowdown in 2008.
"A slower US economy should hurt in the first half, although solid exports to the emerging markets such as China are expected to keep the growth rate at two digits," said Park Sang-Hyun, chief economist at CJ Investment & Securities in South Korea.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 167945.stm
Published: 2008/01/02 13:59:08 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
The latest economic data from South Korea and Singapore suggests that the slowdown in US economic growth could be starting to hit East Asia.
South Korea's exports increased by a worse-than-expected 15.5% to $33.25bn (£16.8bn) in December, as it saw its first monthly trade deficit since 2003.
Separately, Singapore's economy shrank in the past three months for the first time in five years.
Both countries are heavily reliant upon US demand for their goods.
A slump in Singapore's semiconductor exports contributed to the country's economy contracting by an annualised 3.2% in the October-to-December period, down from an expansion of 4.4% in its previous quarter.
Emerging market support?
With higher interest rates causing chaos in the US housing market and continued strains in global credit markets, pressures on the finances of the American household are expected to get worse.
Analysts say this is likely to mean a cutback in discretionary spending on goods produced in Asia, mainly electronics and cars.
Yet many remain reasonably upbeat that solid economic growth in India, China and the Middle East will help support East Asian trade from a US slowdown in 2008.
"A slower US economy should hurt in the first half, although solid exports to the emerging markets such as China are expected to keep the growth rate at two digits," said Park Sang-Hyun, chief economist at CJ Investment & Securities in South Korea.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 167945.stm
Published: 2008/01/02 13:59:08 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 82
Britons 'richer than Americans'
The average UK person will this year have a greater income than their US counterpart for the first time since the 19th Century, figures suggest.
Analyst Oxford Economics said the UK's GDP per head of population will reach £23,500 - £250 higher than in the US.
However, because goods and services are cheaper in the US, Americans will have stronger purchasing power, it added.
UK GDP per capita will also be higher than in Germany (£21,665) and France (£21,700), Oxford Economics calculated.
Managing director Adrian Cooper said: "The last 15 years have seen a dramatic change in the UK's economic performance and its position in the world economy.
"No longer are we the 'sick man of Europe'."
Oxford Economics said that in 1993, following the last major recession and the UK's ejection from the ERM, GDP per capita in the UK was 34% lower than in the US, 33% lower than in Germany and 26% lower than in France.
It said the improved UK position reflected the sustained strong growth it has enjoyed since then and the recent strength of sterling.
Mr Cooper said: "The UK has been catching up steadily with living standards in the US since 2001, so it is a well-established trend rather than simply the result of currency fluctuations."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 174372.stm
Published: 2008/01/07 03:22:06 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Blatter shock at Capello choice
By Matt Slater
The president of world football's governing body has voiced his surprise that England have named another foreign coach to manage the national side.
On the day Fabio Capello officially starts work, Fifa boss Sepp Blatter said England had "broken a principle of international football".
"I have never seen Italy, Germany, Brazil or Argentina with a coach from another country," said Blatter.
"In fact, most of the best teams have a coach from their own country."
In an article for the BBC Sport website, the 71-year-old Swiss also said the English game faced a "High Noon" moment after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
Blatter blamed the Premier League's taste for expensive foreign talent as one of the main reasons for England's problems at international level and said English players and coaches must be given a chance to develop at club level.
Blatter, however, acknowledged that the Football Association was faced with a difficult choice following Steve McClaren's exit, particularly as there were so few English options with the required track record.
"When I started at Fifa in 1975 (former England manager) Walter Winterbottom was working for us and English coaches were respected all over the world," he said.
"But look at the international scene now. Which foreign teams are coached by English coaches? And where are the English footballers playing abroad?
"It is clear something has changed in terms of the world's appreciation of English football."
The 61-year-old Capello is the second foreign coach to manage England, following in the steps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who held the job for the five and a half years before McClaren's dismal spell in charge.
Like Eriksson, Capello comes to England with a superb CV in club management. Unlike Eriksson, he arrives with a poor grasp of the English language - an issue that Blatter has identified as a potential problem.
"It is essential to speak the language," said Blatter. "You have to be able to motivate the players.
"I would say it is a little surprising that the motherland of football has changed a sacrosanct saying that the national team manager should be from the same country as the players."
Blatter said he welcomed the positive noises he had heard coming from England about the need to focus on player development and improving coaching standards, and pointed to the decision to go ahead with a national football centre as evidence of this.
"It is not for me to make a negative judgement on the appointment of Capello but it is definitely a good thing that English football is now talking about coaching schools," he said.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 174093.stm
Published: 2008/01/07 06:32:15 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
The average UK person will this year have a greater income than their US counterpart for the first time since the 19th Century, figures suggest.
Analyst Oxford Economics said the UK's GDP per head of population will reach £23,500 - £250 higher than in the US.
However, because goods and services are cheaper in the US, Americans will have stronger purchasing power, it added.
UK GDP per capita will also be higher than in Germany (£21,665) and France (£21,700), Oxford Economics calculated.
Managing director Adrian Cooper said: "The last 15 years have seen a dramatic change in the UK's economic performance and its position in the world economy.
"No longer are we the 'sick man of Europe'."
Oxford Economics said that in 1993, following the last major recession and the UK's ejection from the ERM, GDP per capita in the UK was 34% lower than in the US, 33% lower than in Germany and 26% lower than in France.
It said the improved UK position reflected the sustained strong growth it has enjoyed since then and the recent strength of sterling.
Mr Cooper said: "The UK has been catching up steadily with living standards in the US since 2001, so it is a well-established trend rather than simply the result of currency fluctuations."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 174372.stm
Published: 2008/01/07 03:22:06 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Blatter shock at Capello choice
By Matt Slater
The president of world football's governing body has voiced his surprise that England have named another foreign coach to manage the national side.
On the day Fabio Capello officially starts work, Fifa boss Sepp Blatter said England had "broken a principle of international football".
"I have never seen Italy, Germany, Brazil or Argentina with a coach from another country," said Blatter.
"In fact, most of the best teams have a coach from their own country."
In an article for the BBC Sport website, the 71-year-old Swiss also said the English game faced a "High Noon" moment after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
Blatter blamed the Premier League's taste for expensive foreign talent as one of the main reasons for England's problems at international level and said English players and coaches must be given a chance to develop at club level.
Blatter, however, acknowledged that the Football Association was faced with a difficult choice following Steve McClaren's exit, particularly as there were so few English options with the required track record.
"When I started at Fifa in 1975 (former England manager) Walter Winterbottom was working for us and English coaches were respected all over the world," he said.
"But look at the international scene now. Which foreign teams are coached by English coaches? And where are the English footballers playing abroad?
"It is clear something has changed in terms of the world's appreciation of English football."
The 61-year-old Capello is the second foreign coach to manage England, following in the steps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who held the job for the five and a half years before McClaren's dismal spell in charge.
Like Eriksson, Capello comes to England with a superb CV in club management. Unlike Eriksson, he arrives with a poor grasp of the English language - an issue that Blatter has identified as a potential problem.
"It is essential to speak the language," said Blatter. "You have to be able to motivate the players.
"I would say it is a little surprising that the motherland of football has changed a sacrosanct saying that the national team manager should be from the same country as the players."
Blatter said he welcomed the positive noises he had heard coming from England about the need to focus on player development and improving coaching standards, and pointed to the decision to go ahead with a national football centre as evidence of this.
"It is not for me to make a negative judgement on the appointment of Capello but it is definitely a good thing that English football is now talking about coaching schools," he said.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2 ... 174093.stm
Published: 2008/01/07 06:32:15 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 83
China boom 'cushions world slump'
By Steve Schifferes
Economics reporter, BBC News
Global economic growth will slow in 2008 as the credit crunch hits the richest nations, the World Bank says.
But the "resilience" of developing countries will cushion the slowdown, with China still booming, it adds.
Overall, the Bank projects annual world economic growth to slow to 3.3% in 2008, compared with 3.6% in 2007.
Yet it warns that developing country growth, projected at 7.1% this year, could still be derailed by further financial turmoil or over-heating.
Risks remain
The World Bank's Global Economic Prospects is the first economic forecast to look specifically at how the credit crunch has affected developing countries.
A sharper US slowdown is a real risk that could weaken medium-term prospects in developing countries
Uri Dadush, World Bank
It follows other international organisations like the IMF and the OECD in suggesting a relatively benign scenario, with swift action by central banks limiting the damage caused by the credit crunch to the US economy.
It expects US growth to slow sharply to 1% in the first half of 2008, but recover quickly by 2009. Overall, the industrialised countries are expected to grow by 2.2% this year, down around 0.5% compared with the previous year.
In contrast, China is expected to grow by more than 10% over the next two years, with India not far behind.
Overall, the two biggest emerging market countries give a strong boost to total growth in developing nations.
Without their contribution, developing country growth would be a much more modest 5.5%, and substantially less on a per capita basis, Professor Jim Rollo of Sussex University pointed out.
He warned that the World Bank might be too optimistic about the ability of policy markers to respond to the highly uncertain economic situation.
Decoupled economies?
The World says that so far developing countries have been relatively insulated from the turmoil in world financial markets.
The stock markets in many developing countries, after an initial slump in August, have continued their long boom.
And in the bond markets, the interest rates on bonds issued by developing countries have only risen modestly (by less than 1%), compared to a sharp increase in interest rates in corporate bonds in industrial countries.
But it warns that a bigger slowdown in the US, for example a housing market crash that pushed the American economy into outright recession, would have a bigger impact on developing countries.
"A sharper US slowdown is a real risk that could weaken medium-term prospects in developing countries," says the World Bank's Uri Dadush.
The Bank says that middle income countries such as Brazil would be most affected, both by a reduction in their trade and a fall in foreign investment.
However, the Bank points out that less than 20% of China's exports now go to the US, so that even a US slowdown would not substantially slow its rate of growth.
The Bank says there is also a risk on the "upside", with the economic boom leading to accelerating inflation and an over-valued stock market in China and other emerging markets.
Commodity boom
In the past few years, oil prices have risen fourfold, while the price of grains and other internationally traded foodstuffs such as oils has doubled.
The Bank points out that the commodity boom has had both positive and negative consequences for developing countries.
The increased price of commodities like oil and copper has boosted the income of the some of the world's poorest countries in Africa, such as Sudan and Angola.
However, the higher price of foodstuffs such as grains has also had a negative impact on the income of non-oil developing countries, with the urban poor especially hard-hit.
The Bank estimates that this has reduced growth by 0.5% in non-oil developing countries.
Poverty and technology
The report also looks at the long-term prospects of developing countries, and the importance of technology transfer.
It says that over the past 15 years, between 1990 and 2005, developing countries closed some of the technology gap between rich and poor countries.
But middle income countries still only have reached 50% of the technological level of rich countries, it estimates, while low income countries are at only 25%.
The Bank says that further technology transfer should allow developing countries to grow by 3.9% in per capita terms over the next decade, which should reduce poverty substantially.
It estimates that the numbers in global poverty (based on the $1 per day standard) will fall from 1.2 billion people in 1990 to 970 million in 2004 and 624 million in 2015.
However, 30% of people in sub-Saharan Africa will still be below that poverty line, compared with 10% in the developing world as a whole.
And it says that further technology transfer depends on improvements in the domestic conditions in developing countries, such as better education and technical literacy, more support for innovation, and greater efforts to diffuse technology to rural areas.
Foreign investment and transfers of money and skill from migrants who returned home have been the most important means of technology transfer so far, the Bank said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 177397.stm
Published: 2008/01/09 00:01:05 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
By Steve Schifferes
Economics reporter, BBC News
Global economic growth will slow in 2008 as the credit crunch hits the richest nations, the World Bank says.
But the "resilience" of developing countries will cushion the slowdown, with China still booming, it adds.
Overall, the Bank projects annual world economic growth to slow to 3.3% in 2008, compared with 3.6% in 2007.
Yet it warns that developing country growth, projected at 7.1% this year, could still be derailed by further financial turmoil or over-heating.
Risks remain
The World Bank's Global Economic Prospects is the first economic forecast to look specifically at how the credit crunch has affected developing countries.
A sharper US slowdown is a real risk that could weaken medium-term prospects in developing countries
Uri Dadush, World Bank
It follows other international organisations like the IMF and the OECD in suggesting a relatively benign scenario, with swift action by central banks limiting the damage caused by the credit crunch to the US economy.
It expects US growth to slow sharply to 1% in the first half of 2008, but recover quickly by 2009. Overall, the industrialised countries are expected to grow by 2.2% this year, down around 0.5% compared with the previous year.
In contrast, China is expected to grow by more than 10% over the next two years, with India not far behind.
Overall, the two biggest emerging market countries give a strong boost to total growth in developing nations.
Without their contribution, developing country growth would be a much more modest 5.5%, and substantially less on a per capita basis, Professor Jim Rollo of Sussex University pointed out.
He warned that the World Bank might be too optimistic about the ability of policy markers to respond to the highly uncertain economic situation.
Decoupled economies?
The World says that so far developing countries have been relatively insulated from the turmoil in world financial markets.
The stock markets in many developing countries, after an initial slump in August, have continued their long boom.
And in the bond markets, the interest rates on bonds issued by developing countries have only risen modestly (by less than 1%), compared to a sharp increase in interest rates in corporate bonds in industrial countries.
But it warns that a bigger slowdown in the US, for example a housing market crash that pushed the American economy into outright recession, would have a bigger impact on developing countries.
"A sharper US slowdown is a real risk that could weaken medium-term prospects in developing countries," says the World Bank's Uri Dadush.
The Bank says that middle income countries such as Brazil would be most affected, both by a reduction in their trade and a fall in foreign investment.
However, the Bank points out that less than 20% of China's exports now go to the US, so that even a US slowdown would not substantially slow its rate of growth.
The Bank says there is also a risk on the "upside", with the economic boom leading to accelerating inflation and an over-valued stock market in China and other emerging markets.
Commodity boom
In the past few years, oil prices have risen fourfold, while the price of grains and other internationally traded foodstuffs such as oils has doubled.
The Bank points out that the commodity boom has had both positive and negative consequences for developing countries.
The increased price of commodities like oil and copper has boosted the income of the some of the world's poorest countries in Africa, such as Sudan and Angola.
However, the higher price of foodstuffs such as grains has also had a negative impact on the income of non-oil developing countries, with the urban poor especially hard-hit.
The Bank estimates that this has reduced growth by 0.5% in non-oil developing countries.
Poverty and technology
The report also looks at the long-term prospects of developing countries, and the importance of technology transfer.
It says that over the past 15 years, between 1990 and 2005, developing countries closed some of the technology gap between rich and poor countries.
But middle income countries still only have reached 50% of the technological level of rich countries, it estimates, while low income countries are at only 25%.
The Bank says that further technology transfer should allow developing countries to grow by 3.9% in per capita terms over the next decade, which should reduce poverty substantially.
It estimates that the numbers in global poverty (based on the $1 per day standard) will fall from 1.2 billion people in 1990 to 970 million in 2004 and 624 million in 2015.
However, 30% of people in sub-Saharan Africa will still be below that poverty line, compared with 10% in the developing world as a whole.
And it says that further technology transfer depends on improvements in the domestic conditions in developing countries, such as better education and technical literacy, more support for innovation, and greater efforts to diffuse technology to rural areas.
Foreign investment and transfers of money and skill from migrants who returned home have been the most important means of technology transfer so far, the Bank said.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 177397.stm
Published: 2008/01/09 00:01:05 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 84
Germany-China rail freight plan
A new rail freight service between Germany and China, that would be twice as quick as sea travel, has been backed by six countries, Chinese media says.
The China Daily state newspaper says China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany are to work together on the Hamburg to Beijing train route.
The states are to ease customs and border checks to minimise travel time.
China Railway Container Transport said the 20-day-long freight journeys should start in early 2009.
"Barring any complications, a scheduled container train should be shuttling between China and Germany in a year's time," said the firm's chairman Zheng Mingli.
A trial run is under way, with a container train taking a sample of Chinese products to the north German city.
After it arrives the six countries will analyse ways to improve the rail route, including easing customs barriers, and integrating different railway types.
Moving goods by sea between the two cities usually takes 40 days and means passing through the Indian Ocean, which adds an additional 10,000km to the journey.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 180906.stm
Published: 2008/01/10 12:22:49 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
A new rail freight service between Germany and China, that would be twice as quick as sea travel, has been backed by six countries, Chinese media says.
The China Daily state newspaper says China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany are to work together on the Hamburg to Beijing train route.
The states are to ease customs and border checks to minimise travel time.
China Railway Container Transport said the 20-day-long freight journeys should start in early 2009.
"Barring any complications, a scheduled container train should be shuttling between China and Germany in a year's time," said the firm's chairman Zheng Mingli.
A trial run is under way, with a container train taking a sample of Chinese products to the north German city.
After it arrives the six countries will analyse ways to improve the rail route, including easing customs barriers, and integrating different railway types.
Moving goods by sea between the two cities usually takes 40 days and means passing through the Indian Ocean, which adds an additional 10,000km to the journey.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 180906.stm
Published: 2008/01/10 12:22:49 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 85
Tata Motors unveils cheapest car
Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest motor car at India's biggest car show in the capital, Delhi.
The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees or $2,500 (£1,277) and enable those in developing countries to move to four wheels.
The four-door five-seater car, which goes on sale later this year, has a 33bhp, 624cc, engine at the rear.
It has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, but two deluxe models will be on offer.
Tata will initially make about 250,000 Nanos and expects eventual annual demand of one million cars.
The price will be slightly more than the 100,000 once tax and other costs are taken into consideration.
The Nano release comes as India's domestic car market is predicted to soar in the coming years on the back of the country's fast-growing economy and increased consumer wealth.
'People's car'
Indian car sales are predicted to more than quadruple to $145bn by 2016.
Company chairman Ratan Tata said the launch of the Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation.
He said the car was "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all".
Environmental critics have said that the car will lead to mounting air and pollution problems on India's already clogged roads.
But Tata said the car had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles to the gallon, or five litres per hundred kilometres.
The firm also said it would introduce a diesel version of the Nano at a later date.
'Family transport'
At the unveiling ceremony Mr Tata said: "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby.
"It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.
"Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal.
"Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions."
Ravi Vangala, of Hyderbad, India, said: "I... congratulate Tata for his dream, and I will definitely buy the Tata Nano car."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 180396.stm
Published: 2008/01/10 08:55:09 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest motor car at India's biggest car show in the capital, Delhi.
The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees or $2,500 (£1,277) and enable those in developing countries to move to four wheels.
The four-door five-seater car, which goes on sale later this year, has a 33bhp, 624cc, engine at the rear.
It has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, but two deluxe models will be on offer.
Tata will initially make about 250,000 Nanos and expects eventual annual demand of one million cars.
The price will be slightly more than the 100,000 once tax and other costs are taken into consideration.
The Nano release comes as India's domestic car market is predicted to soar in the coming years on the back of the country's fast-growing economy and increased consumer wealth.
'People's car'
Indian car sales are predicted to more than quadruple to $145bn by 2016.
Company chairman Ratan Tata said the launch of the Nano was a landmark in the history of transportation.
He said the car was "a safe, affordable and all weather transport - a people's car, designed to meet all safety standards and emissions laws and accessible to all".
Environmental critics have said that the car will lead to mounting air and pollution problems on India's already clogged roads.
But Tata said the car had passed emission standards and would average about 50 miles to the gallon, or five litres per hundred kilometres.
The firm also said it would introduce a diesel version of the Nano at a later date.
'Family transport'
At the unveiling ceremony Mr Tata said: "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby.
"It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family.
"Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realise this goal.
"Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions."
Ravi Vangala, of Hyderbad, India, said: "I... congratulate Tata for his dream, and I will definitely buy the Tata Nano car."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 180396.stm
Published: 2008/01/10 08:55:09 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 86
China carmakers eye US market
By Jorn Madslien
Business reporter, BBC News, Detroit auto show
From a basement at the Detroit auto show, directly below the main show floor, several Chinese auto companies are displaying an impressive array of cars whilst eagerly eyeing the American market.
Cars made in China are set to go on sale in the US within months, industry observers predict.
"You might even see some early guys this year," says Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief, Motortrend.
The number of Chinese models on display at the show should be enough to spook the established automotive firms.
The weirdest looking of the lot is the egg shaped Tang Hua from Li Shi Guang Ming Automobile.
BYD Auto (short for Build Your Dreams), meanwhile, is showing a contemporary-looking convertible with a retractable hard top; the first by a Chinese car maker.
Yet it is Chamco, which is showing a couple of 4x4s, that is expected to enter the market first later this year.
"I think the consumers will embrace these sturdy cars," says Chamco chief William Pollack.
Slow progress
Do not, though, expect a massive influx just yet. The Chinese are not here merely to sell their wares, but also to learn.
We will keep on studying it to see when car buyers want us to come
Shufu Li, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
"We participate in this show not only to showcase our model line-ups, but more importantly to listen to the voice of our new customers in North America," says Li Jianxin, chairman of Changfeng Group, which is preparing to start selling cars in Europe in 2009.
"We're still learning about this market," agrees Shufu Li, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
"We will keep on studying it to see when car buyers want us to come," he tells BBC News, insisting that it is far from imminent.
"Maybe in five years, maybe in 10 years - but no longer than ten years."
Price and performance
Cars imported from China are likely to be priced far more aggressively than cars made by US, European or Japanese carmakers.
But it is not all about price, stresses Mr Li, insisting that Chinese carmakers are also developing technology of their own and they are hoping to compete by offering good service.
Besides, adds Mr MacKenzie, they are concerned about entering the market prematurely with products that are not good enough, the way the Koreans did a couple of decades ago, and the way the Japanese marques did before them.
"Stumbles early with product quality can be devastating," says Jack Nerad, an auto analyst with Kelley Blue Book.
Such concerns about reputation risks means some Chinese firms are loath to produce models on behalf of Western companies.
"We dropped the idea of making a car for Chrysler," says Mr Shufu.
"We don't think it would be good for us."
Home market
So clearly, China's carmakers have grand ambitions, and they are not in a desperate rush.
BYD's chairman Wang Chuanfu wants to become the world's biggest carmaker by 2025, according to China Automotive Review.
But much of that growth is likely to come from China's rapidly expanding home market.
"China has a huge consumer base," says Changfeng's Mr Li.
China is already the world's second largest market for car sales, having overtaken Japan last year.
And the rush of Western companies to invest in China is a sign that they also believe in the huge growth potential of the Chinese market.
Made in America
But whereas some Chinese car companies will simply be working flat out to serve Chinese buyers, others will still aim for global reach.
They also believe that global competition will help them improve quality at home.
Some Chinese auto firms have even started shifting production out of their home country.
Geely is already building cars in Indonesia and Russia, Mr Shufu says, while Changfeng's Mr Li says it might even set up an assembly plant in the US.
"I believe Changfeng must set our mind globally," he says.
And if that sounds incredible, consider this: Kia's labour costs are lower in its factory in Slovakia, within the European Union, than they are back in Korea.
There is every chance a similar development takes place in China, according to one industry official.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 188848.stm
Published: 2008/01/15 09:11:43 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
By Jorn Madslien
Business reporter, BBC News, Detroit auto show
From a basement at the Detroit auto show, directly below the main show floor, several Chinese auto companies are displaying an impressive array of cars whilst eagerly eyeing the American market.
Cars made in China are set to go on sale in the US within months, industry observers predict.
"You might even see some early guys this year," says Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief, Motortrend.
The number of Chinese models on display at the show should be enough to spook the established automotive firms.
The weirdest looking of the lot is the egg shaped Tang Hua from Li Shi Guang Ming Automobile.
BYD Auto (short for Build Your Dreams), meanwhile, is showing a contemporary-looking convertible with a retractable hard top; the first by a Chinese car maker.
Yet it is Chamco, which is showing a couple of 4x4s, that is expected to enter the market first later this year.
"I think the consumers will embrace these sturdy cars," says Chamco chief William Pollack.
Slow progress
Do not, though, expect a massive influx just yet. The Chinese are not here merely to sell their wares, but also to learn.
We will keep on studying it to see when car buyers want us to come
Shufu Li, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
"We participate in this show not only to showcase our model line-ups, but more importantly to listen to the voice of our new customers in North America," says Li Jianxin, chairman of Changfeng Group, which is preparing to start selling cars in Europe in 2009.
"We're still learning about this market," agrees Shufu Li, chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.
"We will keep on studying it to see when car buyers want us to come," he tells BBC News, insisting that it is far from imminent.
"Maybe in five years, maybe in 10 years - but no longer than ten years."
Price and performance
Cars imported from China are likely to be priced far more aggressively than cars made by US, European or Japanese carmakers.
But it is not all about price, stresses Mr Li, insisting that Chinese carmakers are also developing technology of their own and they are hoping to compete by offering good service.
Besides, adds Mr MacKenzie, they are concerned about entering the market prematurely with products that are not good enough, the way the Koreans did a couple of decades ago, and the way the Japanese marques did before them.
"Stumbles early with product quality can be devastating," says Jack Nerad, an auto analyst with Kelley Blue Book.
Such concerns about reputation risks means some Chinese firms are loath to produce models on behalf of Western companies.
"We dropped the idea of making a car for Chrysler," says Mr Shufu.
"We don't think it would be good for us."
Home market
So clearly, China's carmakers have grand ambitions, and they are not in a desperate rush.
BYD's chairman Wang Chuanfu wants to become the world's biggest carmaker by 2025, according to China Automotive Review.
But much of that growth is likely to come from China's rapidly expanding home market.
"China has a huge consumer base," says Changfeng's Mr Li.
China is already the world's second largest market for car sales, having overtaken Japan last year.
And the rush of Western companies to invest in China is a sign that they also believe in the huge growth potential of the Chinese market.
Made in America
But whereas some Chinese car companies will simply be working flat out to serve Chinese buyers, others will still aim for global reach.
They also believe that global competition will help them improve quality at home.
Some Chinese auto firms have even started shifting production out of their home country.
Geely is already building cars in Indonesia and Russia, Mr Shufu says, while Changfeng's Mr Li says it might even set up an assembly plant in the US.
"I believe Changfeng must set our mind globally," he says.
And if that sounds incredible, consider this: Kia's labour costs are lower in its factory in Slovakia, within the European Union, than they are back in Korea.
There is every chance a similar development takes place in China, according to one industry official.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 188848.stm
Published: 2008/01/15 09:11:43 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 88
Airliner crash lands at Heathrow
An international passenger plane has crash landed short of the runway at Heathrow Airport.
All 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped down the Boeing 777's emergency chutes after British Airways flight BA038 from Beijing came down.
Six people have been taken to hospital suffering minor injuries, reports say.
The incident happened as Prime Minister Gordon Brown was due to leave Heathrow for China and India. His flight was delayed because of the incident.
Downing Street said at about 1430 GMT that Gordon Brown had taken off.
On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab
John Rowland, eyewitness
The south runway is closed while investigators examine the scene - the north runway remains open.
Eyewitness John Rowland said: "The plane's wheels collapsed, doors were flown open.
"On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab.
"It crashed into the runway, debris was flying everywhere, there was an enormous bang and it skidded sideways."
BA has set up a helpline for anyone concerned about friends or relatives: 0800 3894193
BA said the cabin crew had done an "excellent job" evacuating passengers, and that it would release more information as soon as it was available.
A telephone helpline has been set up for anyone concerned about friends or relatives on 0800 3894193.
Chief executive of BA Willie Walsh said he was "very proud" of the crew.
Fernando Pardo was a passenger on the plane itself. He told the BBC there was "no sign whatsoever of any trouble until we touched the ground".
"It was so quick that you could not even realise what exactly happened. There was no panic at all," Mr Pardo said.
Huge amount of smoke
Another eyewitness, Nick Gray, told BBC News: "We were taxiing along ready to take off and certainly out of the window I could see a plane coming in to land.
"I'm not quite sure if the undercarriage was missing or not, but certainly what we saw was the plane coming down.
"There were some sparks as the undercarriage or the bottom of the plane actually touched the runway - certainly a huge amount of smoke coming up from that.
"It was incredibly efficient the speed that people got off the aircraft.
"There seems to have been regular dousing of foam on the port engine which obviously probably was the hottest one where the plane landed.
"Certainly there is a lot of activity and lots of vehicles with flashing lights all around the plane."
Some flights bound for Heathrow are being diverted to Stansted and Luton Airports.
Are you in the area? Have you been caught up in events? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to: [email protected] or to send via mobile please dial 61124 .
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/u ... 194086.stm
Published: 2008/01/17 15:00:09 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
An international passenger plane has crash landed short of the runway at Heathrow Airport.
All 136 passengers and 16 crew escaped down the Boeing 777's emergency chutes after British Airways flight BA038 from Beijing came down.
Six people have been taken to hospital suffering minor injuries, reports say.
The incident happened as Prime Minister Gordon Brown was due to leave Heathrow for China and India. His flight was delayed because of the incident.
Downing Street said at about 1430 GMT that Gordon Brown had taken off.
On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab
John Rowland, eyewitness
The south runway is closed while investigators examine the scene - the north runway remains open.
Eyewitness John Rowland said: "The plane's wheels collapsed, doors were flown open.
"On its approach it took the runway too low, just missing the roof of my cab.
"It crashed into the runway, debris was flying everywhere, there was an enormous bang and it skidded sideways."
BA has set up a helpline for anyone concerned about friends or relatives: 0800 3894193
BA said the cabin crew had done an "excellent job" evacuating passengers, and that it would release more information as soon as it was available.
A telephone helpline has been set up for anyone concerned about friends or relatives on 0800 3894193.
Chief executive of BA Willie Walsh said he was "very proud" of the crew.
Fernando Pardo was a passenger on the plane itself. He told the BBC there was "no sign whatsoever of any trouble until we touched the ground".
"It was so quick that you could not even realise what exactly happened. There was no panic at all," Mr Pardo said.
Huge amount of smoke
Another eyewitness, Nick Gray, told BBC News: "We were taxiing along ready to take off and certainly out of the window I could see a plane coming in to land.
"I'm not quite sure if the undercarriage was missing or not, but certainly what we saw was the plane coming down.
"There were some sparks as the undercarriage or the bottom of the plane actually touched the runway - certainly a huge amount of smoke coming up from that.
"It was incredibly efficient the speed that people got off the aircraft.
"There seems to have been regular dousing of foam on the port engine which obviously probably was the hottest one where the plane landed.
"Certainly there is a lot of activity and lots of vehicles with flashing lights all around the plane."
Some flights bound for Heathrow are being diverted to Stansted and Luton Airports.
Are you in the area? Have you been caught up in events? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
You can send pictures and video to: [email protected] or to send via mobile please dial 61124 .
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/u ... 194086.stm
Published: 2008/01/17 15:00:09 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 89
Insurer reveals 'bad driving day'
The most dangerous day to be on the road is Friday, 18 January, according to car insurance provider Admiral.
After analysing 1.8 million claims received over the past 15 years, it has identified the days when accidents are most likely to occur.
Historically, more accidents happen on 18 January than any other date in the year, while Friday is the most common day of the week for crashes.
Unsurprisingly, the date with the least reported incidents is 29 February.
'Long week'
According to Admiral's research, the next safest dates are 25 and 26 December, when the roads tend to be very quiet.
For the same reason, the report highlights Sunday as the days of the week when accidents are least likely to occur, followed by Saturday.
The vast majority of problems happen on weekdays when the roads are busier.
TEN WORST DAYS FOR DRIVING
1. 18 January
2. 20 December
3. 27 October
4. 22 March
5. 20 July
6. 1 October
7. 21 October
8. 1 November
9. 15 December
10. 20 October
Source: Admiral
"It's not surprising to see that the worst day of the week for accidents is a Friday," said Admiral managing director, Sue Longthorn.
"People are tired after a long week at work and can easily get caught up thinking about their weekend plans instead of the road ahead."
But she said it was less clear why there was such a concentration of incidents on 18 January.
"It could be that people have a lot on their mind as they haven't been paid for a while, the bills are coming in, it's dark, the weather's often foul and the fun of the festive period is a long and distant memory," she added.
And she warned drivers not to be complacent on 29 February 2008 as this leap year the extra day falls on a Friday.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 195551.stm
Published: 2008/01/18 10:33:20 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
The most dangerous day to be on the road is Friday, 18 January, according to car insurance provider Admiral.
After analysing 1.8 million claims received over the past 15 years, it has identified the days when accidents are most likely to occur.
Historically, more accidents happen on 18 January than any other date in the year, while Friday is the most common day of the week for crashes.
Unsurprisingly, the date with the least reported incidents is 29 February.
'Long week'
According to Admiral's research, the next safest dates are 25 and 26 December, when the roads tend to be very quiet.
For the same reason, the report highlights Sunday as the days of the week when accidents are least likely to occur, followed by Saturday.
The vast majority of problems happen on weekdays when the roads are busier.
TEN WORST DAYS FOR DRIVING
1. 18 January
2. 20 December
3. 27 October
4. 22 March
5. 20 July
6. 1 October
7. 21 October
8. 1 November
9. 15 December
10. 20 October
Source: Admiral
"It's not surprising to see that the worst day of the week for accidents is a Friday," said Admiral managing director, Sue Longthorn.
"People are tired after a long week at work and can easily get caught up thinking about their weekend plans instead of the road ahead."
But she said it was less clear why there was such a concentration of incidents on 18 January.
"It could be that people have a lot on their mind as they haven't been paid for a while, the bills are coming in, it's dark, the weather's often foul and the fun of the festive period is a long and distant memory," she added.
And she warned drivers not to be complacent on 29 February 2008 as this leap year the extra day falls on a Friday.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 195551.stm
Published: 2008/01/18 10:33:20 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
-
Mr. Boo
- สมาชิกกิตติมศักดิ์
- โพสต์: 1841
- ผู้ติดตาม: 0
บทความน่าสนใจทางธุรกิจจาก BBC Business
โพสต์ที่ 90
Tibet railway firm seeks listing
China Railway Construction, which built the rail link to Tibet, plans to list shares on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock markets, state media have said.
The firm will issue 2.8 billion shares in Shanghai and at least 1.8 billion in Hong Kong, according to China's official Xinhua news agency.
It plans to use the cash raised to expand construction capability.
Another major railway firm, China Railway Group, performed strongly when it floated last month.
It attracted strong interest as investors tap the country's railway investment boom.
The report said China Railway Construction also helped build the high-speed Shanghai Maglev train, which whisks people between the city's airport and financial centre.
The high-altitude rail link between China's western Qinghai province and Lhasa opened in July 2006.
In the past, Lhasa could be reached only by plane or after a long, arduous road journey.
Hailed as an engineering feat by Beijing, critics fear it will undermine traditional Tibetan culture.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 198857.stm
Published: 2008/01/20 13:38:45 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
China Railway Construction, which built the rail link to Tibet, plans to list shares on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock markets, state media have said.
The firm will issue 2.8 billion shares in Shanghai and at least 1.8 billion in Hong Kong, according to China's official Xinhua news agency.
It plans to use the cash raised to expand construction capability.
Another major railway firm, China Railway Group, performed strongly when it floated last month.
It attracted strong interest as investors tap the country's railway investment boom.
The report said China Railway Construction also helped build the high-speed Shanghai Maglev train, which whisks people between the city's airport and financial centre.
The high-altitude rail link between China's western Qinghai province and Lhasa opened in July 2006.
In the past, Lhasa could be reached only by plane or after a long, arduous road journey.
Hailed as an engineering feat by Beijing, critics fear it will undermine traditional Tibetan culture.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/b ... 198857.stm
Published: 2008/01/20 13:38:45 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
Rabbit VS. Turtle
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