Visa Credit Card Company has been sued by Australia’s competition watchdog for alleged “misuse of market power”. The organization has accused Visa of preventing customers from using a currency of their choice in transactions. The regulator also alleged that Visa “engaged in exclusive dealing” and barred retailers from using rival currency conversion services. The Australian… Continue reading Visa sued by Australia’s competition watchdog for misuse of market power
Category: Business
SodaStream ad banned from Super Bowl gains millions of views on YouTube
SodaStream ad that was banned from Sunday night’s Super Bowl game can now be viewed by anyone on YouTube and the company behind it is reaping the benefits. SodaStream, which makes home water carbonators used to whip up homemade soda, directly challenged Coca-Cola and Pepsi in its commercial that was set to air in the… Continue reading SodaStream ad banned from Super Bowl gains millions of views on YouTube
Barack Obama skeet-shooting photo released amid gun control row
The White House has released a picture of President Barack Obama skeet-shooting – seemingly to settle a row over whether he had fired a gun before. Barack Obama recently told the The New Republic magazine: “Up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time.” The photo, dated 4 August 2012, shows Barack Obama… Continue reading Barack Obama skeet-shooting photo released amid gun control row
Ben & Jerry’s launches Liz Lemon dedicated to 30 Rock series
Ben and Jerry’s has unveiled a new ice cream dedicated to 30 Rock series, aptly called Liz Lemon. Ben and Jerry’s launched its new lemon and blueberry fro-yo to coincide with the airing of the show’s final episode. “It’s as sweet and tart as Liz Lemon herself,” said Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder and… Continue reading Ben & Jerry’s launches Liz Lemon dedicated to 30 Rock series
PM Mariano Rajoy denies Spanish media corruption claims
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has strongly denied Spanish media claims that he and other members of the governing Popular Party received secret payments. “I have never received nor distributed undeclared money,” Mariano Rajoy said, stressing that he would not resign. El Pais newspaper published photographs of ledgers showing payments to Popular Party figures on Thursday.… Continue reading PM Mariano Rajoy denies Spanish media corruption claims
Hillary Clinton farewell address to state department staff
Hillary Clinton held a farewell address to state department staff on her last day as America’s top diplomat. Hillary Clinton, 65, leaves the post after four years, visits to 112 countries and nearly a million air miles. She will be replaced by John Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, who was sworn in at a private ceremony… Continue reading Hillary Clinton farewell address to state department staff
US economy adds 157,000 new jobs in January 2013
US economy has added 157,000 jobs in January 2013, which was slightly below forecasts, but the number of new jobs at the end of 2012 was revised up significantly, official data has shown. In November and December, the Labor Department’s revised figures showed that 127,000 more jobs were created than initially thought. But the unemployment… Continue reading US economy adds 157,000 new jobs in January 2013
US personal income increased by 2.6% in December 2012 ahead of New Year tax rise
US personal incomes were boosted by 2.6% in December, the biggest monthly increase since 2004, as high earners sought to beat a New Year tax rise. December 2012 was marked by accelerated bonus and dividend payments, the US Commerce Department said. Income tax cuts dating back to George W. Bush’s presidency were due to expire… Continue reading US personal income increased by 2.6% in December 2012 ahead of New Year tax rise
Facebook profits drop sharply
Facebook has reported a sharp drop in profits, partly due to increased spending on research and development. Facebook made a profit of $64 million in the final three months of 2012, compared with $302 million a year earlier. Revenue was up 40% at $1.6 billion, largely due to a big jump in advertising revenue, a… Continue reading Facebook profits drop sharply
US immigration deal could be achieved within six months
In an interview with Spanish-language TV channel Telemundo, President Barack Obama has said US immigration deal could be achieved within six months. Barack Obama said reform should pass in 2013 and he would put “everything” into securing a deal even sooner. Obstacles to a deal were political rather than technical, Barack Obama added. The comments… Continue reading US immigration deal could be achieved within six months
US economy shrinks in Q4 2012
The US economy unexpectedly shrank at an annualized rate of 0.1% in Q4 2012, initial official estimates indicate. If confirmed, it would be the first contraction logged by the US economy since the 2009 global recession. The world’s largest economy grew 3.1% in July to September. The fourth quarter period was dominated by the “fiscal… Continue reading US economy shrinks in Q4 2012
Russia abandons US anti-drug accord in apparent sign of worsening relations
Russian government has decided to abandon an agreement with the US on fighting crime and the drugs trade, in an apparent sign of worsening relations. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the decade-long agreement no longer addressed “realities” and had “exhausted its potential”. The agreement saw the US funding anti-crime projects in Russia. Meanwhile, two US… Continue reading Russia abandons US anti-drug accord in apparent sign of worsening relations
All Nippon Airways and JAL replaced a number of batteries in Boeing 787 Dreamliners over the past months
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways, Japan’s two top airlines, said they had replaced a number of batteries in the 787 Dreamliners over the past months. All Nippon Airways said it changed batteries 10 times. JAL said it did so in a “few cases”. Earlier this month, a battery in a JAL Boeing 787… Continue reading All Nippon Airways and JAL replaced a number of batteries in Boeing 787 Dreamliners over the past months
Barack Obama urges Congress to act on immigration reform
President Barack Obama has rallied support for “common-sense, comprehensive” immigration reform. Barack Obama made his case at a high school in Las Vegas, Nevada, a day after a bipartisan group of senators said the time was right for reform. It partly mirrors the senators’ plan, including a path to citizenship for many of an estimated… Continue reading Barack Obama urges Congress to act on immigration reform
Ford shares fall 3.9% on Europe losses
Carmaker Ford shares have fallen 3.9% in early Wall Street trading on the rising cost of fixing its European business. Ford cautioned that 2013 losses in Europe would be $2 billion, greater than its previous $1.5 billion estimate. The stock market reacted negatively, despite Ford reporting profits for the last three months of 2012 that… Continue reading Ford shares fall 3.9% on Europe losses
France is bankrupt, admits Employment Minister Michel Sapin
French Employment Minister Michel Sapin made it clear that his government’s tax-and-spend policies are just not working and admitted that France is bankrupt. Just half a year since his party came to power, Michel Sapin told radio listeners: “There is a state but it is a totally bankrupt state. “That is why we had to… Continue reading France is bankrupt, admits Employment Minister Michel Sapin
Philips sells home entertainment business to Funai Electric for 150 million euros
Philips is to sell off its home entertainment business, including hi-fis and DVD players, to Japan’s Funai Electric. Funai will pay 150 million euros ($200 million) and a regular brand licensing fee to take on the product lines. Dutch electronics giant Philips wants to focus on its healthcare, light bulbs and home appliances businesses as… Continue reading Philips sells home entertainment business to Funai Electric for 150 million euros
Dreamliner battery not faulty, find airline safety inspectors
Airline safety inspectors have found no faults with the battery used on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, Japan’s transport ministry has announced. Dreamliner’s battery was initially considered the likely source of problems on 787s owned by two Japanese airlines. The world’s entire fleet of 50 787s has been grounded while inspections are carried out. Attention has now… Continue reading Dreamliner battery not faulty, find airline safety inspectors
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 60 Minutes joint interview
President Barack Obama and outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a rare joint interview for CBS’ 60 Minutes, fanning the flames of expectations that she is going to run for his job in four years. The interview was something of a staged photo opportunity, as no news was actually broken except for the fact… Continue reading Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 60 Minutes joint interview
Diet Coke Hunk ad is back in 2013 to celebrate diet drink’s 30th birthday
Diet Coke is now bringing back The Hunk to celebrate the diet drink’s 30th birthday. The full video comes out Monday, January 28, 2013, but a teaser has been already released. Diet Coke will also bring back Robert Merrill, the handsome star of the 1998 ad, for the 30th birthday ad. Robert Merrill, who now… Continue reading Diet Coke Hunk ad is back in 2013 to celebrate diet drink’s 30th birthday
Credit card surcharge: Shops start charging you for paying by credit card from January 27
A new credit card rule going into effect Sunday, January 27, 2013, could cost you more when shopping with a credit card at some stores. Visa and Mastercard have agreed to let merchants add a service charge equal to the cost of processing a credit transaction to the bottom line. The cost of processing is… Continue reading Credit card surcharge: Shops start charging you for paying by credit card from January 27
Milos Zeman wins Czech Republic’s presidential election
Former Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman has won the presidential election – the first time the position has been decided by direct popular vote. Milos Zeman won 55% of votes in the second-round poll, compared to Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg’s 45%. Voters had braved freezing conditions to turn out in what was being seen as… Continue reading Milos Zeman wins Czech Republic’s presidential election
Sarah Palin leaves FOX News after three years as paid analyst
Sarah Palin has left FOX News after her three-year run as a paid contributor to the conservative cable news channel. “It’s my understanding that Gov. Palin was offered a contract by FOX, and she decided not to renew the arrangement,” the source told Real Clear Politics on Friday. “She remains focused on broadening her message… Continue reading Sarah Palin leaves FOX News after three years as paid analyst
Subway promises a real Footlong sandwich after investigation revealed product came up short
Days after two men filed a lawsuit contending Subway was skimping on its footlong sandwich size, the company said it regrets “any instance where we did not fully deliver on our promise to our customers”. Subway will “ensure that every SUBWAY® Footlong sandwich is 12 inches at each location worldwide”, according to a statement released… Continue reading Subway promises a real Footlong sandwich after investigation revealed product came up short
Czech election: Milos Zeman faces Karel Schwarzenberg in second round of presidential run-off
Czech voters have been casting their ballots in the presidential election, the first time the role has been elected by direct popular vote. Former Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman faces Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg in the second round. People have braved freezing conditions to vote in what is proving a nail-bitingly close election. Milos Zeman… Continue reading Czech election: Milos Zeman faces Karel Schwarzenberg in second round of presidential run-off