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03 Feb 2010 21:19

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U.S.: Michigan Governor: We aren’t just about cars anymore

  • Where the old Michigan economy was all about autos and manufacturing…the new Michigan economy is much broader: clean energy, life sciences — like bio-economy and medical devices — homeland security and defense, advanced manufacturing, film and tourism.
  • Micigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm • In her final State of the State address before being term-limited out of office. The state, which has felt the worst effects of the recession, needs a change in mentality. Granholm says she plans to help the state leapfrog the auto industry in its entirety, while not quitting it entirely. With less than a year left, can she pull it off? With the economy in such dire straits, she needs to. source

02 Feb 2010 09:51

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U.S.: The recession’s leaving more people hungry, in need of charity

  • 46% rise in need at a leading hunger-relief charity source

01 Feb 2010 10:00

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Biz: Super Bowl ads: A symbol of a quickly-disappearing era?

  • It’s so expensive to buy time and produce a Super Bowl ad, and you have so much competition and so many distractions, that you must hit an absolute home run to be able to get return on investment.
  • Quell Group senior vice president Jim Cain • Regarding the evolution of the Super Bowl ad. In recent years, many companies have balked at the $2.5-$2.75 million price tag per 30-second slot, the latest being Pepsico. Despite this, ads have been selling for as high as $3.2 million and are still in high demand. But with the added diversity in the advertising sphere – the Web is a pretty formidable option nowadays – along with the recession, many big brands are staying out of it altogether. Which used to be unheard of. source

31 Jan 2010 20:25

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U.S.: Our yearly federal budget deficits will get better … eventually

  • $3.8 trillion budget for fiscal 2011, starting in October
  • $1.4+
    trillion
    the budget deficit in 2009, which was a record level already
  • $1.6
    trillion
    the anticipated budget deficit for 2010, which is an even bigger record
  • $700
    billion
    the budget deficit planned by 2013, which is a bit better source

31 Jan 2010 10:18

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Biz: Speaking of scams, 419 scams via e-mail a big business in 2009

  • $9.3 billion went from your hands to the Nigerians source

29 Jan 2010 13:56

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Biz, U.S.: Small businesses, not fat cats, winners in Obama’s job plan

  • $33 billion in tax credits for businesses that hire people
  • $5,000 in tax credits per employee hired under Obama’s jobs plan
  • $500k the limit on the size of the tax credit, to ensure it helps small businesses
  • zero what small businesses will have to pay in capital gains taxes source

29 Jan 2010 09:24

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Biz: The economic picture: Growth’s happening, but jobs aren’t

  • 5.7% growth in the last quarter, which is the best quarter since 2003 (!)
  • 208,000 jobs were lost last quarter, which isn’t awesome at all source
 

28 Jan 2010 20:17

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U.S.: Ben Bernanke reconfirmed because he recovers well after a fall

  • Chairman Bernanke’s performance in addressing the economic crisis and his current efforts to significantly enhance financial regulation to help prevent future crises outweigh his past mistakes.
  • Michigan Sen. Carl Levin • Discussing why Ben Bernanke was worthy of getting reconfirmed as Federal Reserve Chair, despite populist sentiment against a guy seen as one of the main causes for the financial crisis. Ultimately, it was his inventive solutions to tough problems that saved his job. While not always graceful, he did successfully help get the economy back on track. source

27 Jan 2010 10:27

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Biz: 2009: Airlines’ worst year ever. Can the Apple Tablet save them?

  • 3.9% decline in overall worldwide passenger loads in 2009
  • 10.1% decline in overall worldwide cargo
    loads in 2009
  • no this story has nothing to do with the Apple Tablet at all source

24 Jan 2010 10:48

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U.S.: Hatin’ on the stimulus: Obama’s key legislation gets no love

  • 56% of Americans don’t want the stimulus anymore source