President Barack Obama says the US "does not seek to contain" China's rise as a big player on the world stage.
"The rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations," Mr Obama said in a speech in Japan's capital, Tokyo.
Better US ties with Beijing do not mean a weakening of relations with US allies in the region, he said.
Describing himself as the first "Pacific" US president, he said the US was committed to the area's security.
Monday, November 16, 2009
New small firms 'need tax break'
Newly established small firms should be given some form of tax exemption for their first year or two of business, a report has concluded.
The suggestion is one of 10 core findings in the study produced by the British Library's Business & IP Centre.
It adds that a fast-track scheme should be created to help firms patent ideas, and that broadband speeds must rise.
The report has been produced to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week, which starts on Monday.
The suggestion is one of 10 core findings in the study produced by the British Library's Business & IP Centre.
It adds that a fast-track scheme should be created to help firms patent ideas, and that broadband speeds must rise.
The report has been produced to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week, which starts on Monday.
Eurostar toasts 15th anniversary
Relations between Britain and France have had their strained moments over the years, but it is fair to say that the Eurostar railway service between London and Paris has been a great boost to the famed Entente Cordiale.
In little over two hours, Britons can swap central London for lovely food and wine in an atmospheric Parisian bistro.
While French travellers coming in the opposite direction can perhaps enjoy a pint or two in a branch of UK pub chain Wetherspoons, or maybe visit an Aberdeen Angus steakhouse.
But not before the French visitors had - until two years ago - first arrived at Waterloo Station, named after the nearby bridge over the Thames that was so called to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo - Britain's 1815 victory over France.
In little over two hours, Britons can swap central London for lovely food and wine in an atmospheric Parisian bistro.
While French travellers coming in the opposite direction can perhaps enjoy a pint or two in a branch of UK pub chain Wetherspoons, or maybe visit an Aberdeen Angus steakhouse.
But not before the French visitors had - until two years ago - first arrived at Waterloo Station, named after the nearby bridge over the Thames that was so called to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo - Britain's 1815 victory over France.
Rethink defence, 'declining' UK urged
A report by defence experts for the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called for radical changes in British security and defence policy.
The think tank's report is basically a plea that Britain should stop punching "above its weight" and start punching at its proper, much lighter, weight.
The report should be seen as part of a sequence since World War Two in which Britain has had to adjust its defence policy to fit its diminishing place in the world, often against resistance from entrenched political, military and industrial interests.
The think tank's report is basically a plea that Britain should stop punching "above its weight" and start punching at its proper, much lighter, weight.
The report should be seen as part of a sequence since World War Two in which Britain has had to adjust its defence policy to fit its diminishing place in the world, often against resistance from entrenched political, military and industrial interests.
Rolls-Royce in $2bn engine orders
UK engineering firm Rolls-Royce says it has won orders to make $2bn(£1.2bn) of aircraft engines to power Airbus planes for Air China and Ethiopian Airlines.
The orders were announced on the first day of the Dubai Airshow on Sunday.
The $1.5bn Air China order involves providing Trent 700 engines to power 20 A330 aircraft that will be delivered from 2011.
And the $480m Ethiopian order covers Trent XWB engines for 12 A350-900 XWB planes that will begin service in 2017.
The orders were announced on the first day of the Dubai Airshow on Sunday.
The $1.5bn Air China order involves providing Trent 700 engines to power 20 A330 aircraft that will be delivered from 2011.
And the $480m Ethiopian order covers Trent XWB engines for 12 A350-900 XWB planes that will begin service in 2017.
Street View under fire in Japan
Google's Street View service suffered a second blow this week after numerous complaints in Japan forced the firm to start reshooting all the photos.
Cameras attached to the Street View car were "too high" for Japanese buildings, allowing them to see over walls into private areas.
Google said it would lower the cameras on its cars by 40cm (16in).
On 12 May, Greece's data protection agency ordered Google to stop filming because of privacy concerns.
In a statement, Google said it would make "locally appropriate modifications to ensure a better user experience".
"We have lowered the height of the camera due to the unique characteristics of many Japanese roads; they tend to be narrow, without pavements and driveways, and houses are built close to the street," the statement said.
Cameras attached to the Street View car were "too high" for Japanese buildings, allowing them to see over walls into private areas.
Google said it would lower the cameras on its cars by 40cm (16in).
On 12 May, Greece's data protection agency ordered Google to stop filming because of privacy concerns.
In a statement, Google said it would make "locally appropriate modifications to ensure a better user experience".
"We have lowered the height of the camera due to the unique characteristics of many Japanese roads; they tend to be narrow, without pavements and driveways, and houses are built close to the street," the statement said.
Switzerland takes Google to court
Web search giant Google faces a court case in Switzerland because of privacy concerns over its Street View service.
The application allows a 360-degree view of any street-level location.
"Numerous faces and vehicle number plates are not made sufficiently unrecognisable," said data protection commissioner Hanspeter Thuer.
Google said it was disappointed by the move. The firm says it is sure that Street View is legal in Switzerland and will "vigorously contest" the case.
The application allows a 360-degree view of any street-level location.
"Numerous faces and vehicle number plates are not made sufficiently unrecognisable," said data protection commissioner Hanspeter Thuer.
Google said it was disappointed by the move. The firm says it is sure that Street View is legal in Switzerland and will "vigorously contest" the case.
Net talking shop kicks off debate
Egypt should not have been picked as the venue for a key net talking shop, say human rights activists.
Reporters Without Borders said it was "surprised" that the Internet Governance Forum will take place in Egypt's Sharm-el-Sheikh resort.
Set up by the UN, about 1,400 participants are expected to attend the three day meeting which gets under way on 15 November.
Delegates will debate security, access and the growth of social networks.
Reporters Without Borders said it was "surprised" that the Internet Governance Forum will take place in Egypt's Sharm-el-Sheikh resort.
Set up by the UN, about 1,400 participants are expected to attend the three day meeting which gets under way on 15 November.
Delegates will debate security, access and the growth of social networks.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
JP Morgan agrees $75m bribe fine
US banking giant JP Morgan Chase has agreed to pay a fine of $75m (£45.3m) to settle charges that it bribed local officials in the US state of Alabama.
As part of the settlement with US regulators, the bank also agreed to forfeit $647m in fees. It did not, however, admit or deny the charges.
The regulator has accused two former directors of making payments of $8m to friends of Jefferson County officials.
The county then selected JP Morgan to underwrite its bond offerings.
As part of the settlement with US regulators, the bank also agreed to forfeit $647m in fees. It did not, however, admit or deny the charges.
The regulator has accused two former directors of making payments of $8m to friends of Jefferson County officials.
The county then selected JP Morgan to underwrite its bond offerings.
The European Union (EU) has approved plans for nationalised bank Northern Rock to be split in two - paving the way for a partial sale.
The Bank of England's rate-setters have decided to pump an extra £25bn into the economy in their quantitative easing (QE) programme.
They also kept interest rates unchanged at 0.5% for an eighth month.
The Bank has already spent £175bn on QE, which involves printing money to buy assets from banks and other companies to stimulate the economy.
The extra £25bn will be spent over the next three months, which is a slower rate of spending than before.
In the previous three months the Bank had spent £50bn
They also kept interest rates unchanged at 0.5% for an eighth month.
The Bank has already spent £175bn on QE, which involves printing money to buy assets from banks and other companies to stimulate the economy.
The extra £25bn will be spent over the next three months, which is a slower rate of spending than before.
In the previous three months the Bank had spent £50bn
EU approves Northern Rock split
The European Union (EU) has approved plans for nationalised bank Northern Rock to be split in two - paving the way for a partial sale.
One business, described as the "good" bank, would hold savers' money, carry out new lending and hold some existing mortgages.
A second "bad" bank would be set up to hold the rest of the mortgages and repay outstanding government loans.
Northern Rock said the EU's approval was "an important and positive step".
It added that it was "business as usual" for customers
One business, described as the "good" bank, would hold savers' money, carry out new lending and hold some existing mortgages.
A second "bad" bank would be set up to hold the rest of the mortgages and repay outstanding government loans.
Northern Rock said the EU's approval was "an important and positive step".
It added that it was "business as usual" for customers
Darling hails Lloyds and RBS move
Alistair Darling has welcomed the announcements that Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking Group are to sell off hundreds of branches.
The chancellor said the sales, which had been demanded by the European Commission, were in the "best interest" of the wider UK banking sector.
The government also announced that it would be putting up to a further £39.2bn into the two banks.
RBS is to get up to £33.5bn, while Lloyds is to receive £5.7bn
The chancellor said the sales, which had been demanded by the European Commission, were in the "best interest" of the wider UK banking sector.
The government also announced that it would be putting up to a further £39.2bn into the two banks.
RBS is to get up to £33.5bn, while Lloyds is to receive £5.7bn
UBS fined £8m by the UK regulator
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has fined Swiss banking giant UBS £8m for failing to stop its employees making unauthorised transactions.
The FSA said four UBS employees had carried out the transactions using customer money on at least 39 accounts.
The unauthorised activities took place between January 2006 and December 2007. The FSA also said the trades involved foreign exchange and precious metals.
Earlier this week, UBS reported a loss for the July to September quarter.
The FSA said four UBS employees had carried out the transactions using customer money on at least 39 accounts.
The unauthorised activities took place between January 2006 and December 2007. The FSA also said the trades involved foreign exchange and precious metals.
Earlier this week, UBS reported a loss for the July to September quarter.
South Africa cancels Airbus deal
South Africa has cancelled a multi-billion dollar contract for eight military aircraft with Airbus, citing escalating costs and delivery delays.
The deal for the A400M planes was signed a number of years ago, when the proposed cost of the planes was significantly less.
A government spokesman said the cost was now too great given its more limited resources during the downturn.
The A400M has suffered technical problems and has been delayed.
It was due to fly for the first time in March
The deal for the A400M planes was signed a number of years ago, when the proposed cost of the planes was significantly less.
A government spokesman said the cost was now too great given its more limited resources during the downturn.
The A400M has suffered technical problems and has been delayed.
It was due to fly for the first time in March
Eurozone interest rates unchanged
The European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates on hold at a record low of 1% for the sixth month in a row.
Earlier on Thursday figures showed that retail sales in the 16 countries that use the euro fell by 0.7% in September.
The drop came as rising unemployment and financial uncertainty continue to drag on consumer confidence.
Data this week showed unemployment levels across the 16 states that use the euro rose to 9.7% in September, the highest rate since January 1999.
Earlier on Thursday figures showed that retail sales in the 16 countries that use the euro fell by 0.7% in September.
The drop came as rising unemployment and financial uncertainty continue to drag on consumer confidence.
Data this week showed unemployment levels across the 16 states that use the euro rose to 9.7% in September, the highest rate since January 1999.
The Samsung Fashion Phone Tells Us When We’ve Eaten Too Much
Now I like a nicely styled, pretty phone as much as the next girl, but the plethora of ‘pink girly’ phones that companies produce in the hope they will lure girls into starry eyed submission is getting a little annoying. Now this offering is rather curious, as at first glance it does look nice, but moving beyond the clam-shell design, it’s packed with frankly insulting features, from a calorie counting system to a perfume matcher.
Intel in lawsuit over bullying
Anti-competition lawsuit over Intel's reported 'stranglehold' on manufacturers
As the saying goes: all’s fair in love and war. The same can’t be said for business, as it turns out, as Intel has found itself under attack by other manufacturers claiming the processor manufacturer has a stranglehold over computer companies.New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo suggests that Intel has been paying millions and perhaps billions of dollars a year to various pc manufacturers in an effort to bribe them into Intel exclusivity.
As the saying goes: all’s fair in love and war. The same can’t be said for business, as it turns out, as Intel has found itself under attack by other manufacturers claiming the processor manufacturer has a stranglehold over computer companies.New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo suggests that Intel has been paying millions and perhaps billions of dollars a year to various pc manufacturers in an effort to bribe them into Intel exclusivity.
Opel U-turn sparks German strikes
Opel workers in Germany are attending a mass rally outside US parent company General Motors' (GM) headquarters.
Thousands of the 25,000 workers from Opel's four factories are gathered in Ruesselsheim to protest at GM's refusal to sell its European operations.
GM's U-turn came just days before the agreed sale of a majority stake in Opel and Vauxhall to car parts maker Magna and Russian bank Sberbank.
Under that agreement, Opel workers were promised no factories would be closed.
Thousands of the 25,000 workers from Opel's four factories are gathered in Ruesselsheim to protest at GM's refusal to sell its European operations.
GM's U-turn came just days before the agreed sale of a majority stake in Opel and Vauxhall to car parts maker Magna and Russian bank Sberbank.
Under that agreement, Opel workers were promised no factories would be closed.
BBC iPlayer to launch on Freesat
The BBC iPlayer will be trialled to a limited number of Freesat viewers at the end of November.
A full service on Freesat should be launched in 2010, said a BBC spokesperson. All Freesat HD boxes will be able to receive it.
Rahul Chakkara, head of TV platforms at the BBC, announced the beta trial on the BBC internet blog.
He also said that a quarter of BBC iPlayer viewing is now done through the TV via Virgin Media.
The BBC iPlayer became available on Virgin Media in June 2008
A full service on Freesat should be launched in 2010, said a BBC spokesperson. All Freesat HD boxes will be able to receive it.
Rahul Chakkara, head of TV platforms at the BBC, announced the beta trial on the BBC internet blog.
He also said that a quarter of BBC iPlayer viewing is now done through the TV via Virgin Media.
The BBC iPlayer became available on Virgin Media in June 2008
EU offers hope to file-sharers
Internet users throughout Europe accused of illegal file-sharing are to receive more protection from being cut off by their service provider.
The European Parliament and Council is due to make a decision on its Telecoms Reform Package in late November.
The package will entitle users in all 27 EU states to be put through a "fair and impartial procedure" before being disconnected
The European Parliament and Council is due to make a decision on its Telecoms Reform Package in late November.
The package will entitle users in all 27 EU states to be put through a "fair and impartial procedure" before being disconnected
F1 designer unveils electric car
A new electric car created by ex-McLaren Formula One designer Gordon Murray has been unveiled.
Three prototypes of the T.27 model will be developed over the next 16 months.
The manufacturing process, called iStream, has received £9m of investment, half of which came from the government's Technology Strategy Board.
iStream plants can be just one fifth of the size of a conventional car factory, as the cars are not made from stamped steel.
All the parts are designed by computer and welded together rather than being stamped out of metal sheets, explained David Bott, Director of Innovation Platforms at the Technology Strategy Board
Three prototypes of the T.27 model will be developed over the next 16 months.
The manufacturing process, called iStream, has received £9m of investment, half of which came from the government's Technology Strategy Board.
iStream plants can be just one fifth of the size of a conventional car factory, as the cars are not made from stamped steel.
All the parts are designed by computer and welded together rather than being stamped out of metal sheets, explained David Bott, Director of Innovation Platforms at the Technology Strategy Board
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