msnbc.com: World business

Link found between Chinese drywall, corrosion

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:29:16 GMT

The federal government said Monday that it has found a "strong association" between problematic imported Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires.

2009 Chinese drywall controversy - United States - Corrosion - Chinese - Consumer Product Safety Commission

GM asks Europe for up to $4.9 billion handout

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:27:05 GMT

General Motors Co. on Monday asked European governments to help pay most of the $4.9 billion it needs to restructure its struggling European operations.

General Motors - Recreation - Autos - Makes and Models - Opel

IMF chief: Global economy still fragile

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:54:35 GMT

The international economy is still fragile to shocks despite recent improvements in financial markets, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund said Monday.

International Monetary Fund - World economy - Economic - Financial market - Business

Report: Hershey may launch bid for Cadbury

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:16:23 GMT

Hershey Co. may make a $17 billion bid for UK candy company Cadbury PLC, topping the recent $16.5 billion hostile offer by Kraft Foods Inc., the Wall Street Journal reports Friday.

Wall Street Journal - Cadbury plc - Kraft Foods - Cadbury - UK

Europe: Drop some financial system crutches

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:34 GMT

It is time to withdraw some of the policy measures that supported the financial system through the credit crunch, ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet says.

European Central Bank - Jean-Claude Trichet - Business - Financial Services - Banking Services

Dutch give ABN Amro billions in new bailout

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:49:42 GMT

The Dutch government Thursday announced a new $6.5 billion (euro4.4 billion) bailout package for nationalized bank ABN Amro, intended to help the bank restructure and return to a strong financial position.

Business - Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 - Financial Services - Banking Services - Banks and Institutions

Hershey, Nutella-maker mull Cadbury bid

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:21:40 GMT

Chocolate makers Hershey and Ferrero International SA confirmed they are considering a possible offer for Cadbury, which is already the target of a hostile bid by Kraft Foods Inc.

Chocolate - Confectionery - Ferrero Spa - Food - Nutella

Newsweek: Why Mary Kay thrives in China

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:18:50 GMT

Mary Kay did not have any easy transplant to China upon its arrival in the mid-1990s, but it has emerged as a juggernaut.

China - Mary Kay - Health - Asia - Business

Slew of offshore tax evaders settle with IRS

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:44:58 GMT

The Internal Revenue Service said more than 14,700 U.S. taxpayers with offshore accounts in 70 foreign countries voluntarily came forward to settle their tax debts.

Internal Revenue Service - United State - Tax - US - Business

Cisco raises bid for Tandberg to $3.4 billion

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:37:41 GMT

Cisco Systems Inc. said Monday it raised its bid for Norway's Tandberg ASA after only a fraction of Tandberg shareholders agreed to Cisco's initial offer.

Cisco Systems - Norway - Tandberg - Vendors - Data Communications

Intel to remain open on Sabbath in Jerusalem

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:31:33 GMT

Intel said it has no plans to close a factory in Jerusalem on Saturdays, despite violent protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews who accuse the chip maker of desecrating the Sabbath.

Jerusalem - Israel - Shabbat - Haredi Judaism - Middle East

Mutual financial reliance binds U.S., China

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:17:02 GMT

The U.S. and Chinese economies have become intertwined, locked in a kind of co-dependency that neither side thinks is particularly healthy, but which neither will move to break.

Chinese people - China - Asia - United States - Government

Currency a low priority in Obama’s China visit

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:10:06 GMT

In his visit to Beijing this week, President Barack Obama is expected to tread lightly when pressing China to let its currency rise against the dollar.

Barack Obama - China - People's Republic of China - United States - Beijing

Chinese official says low U.S. rates dangerous

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:18:22 GMT

China's top bank regulator said Sunday the weakening U.S. dollar and low interest rates are spurring speculation in stocks and property, threatening the global economic recovery.

China - United States dollar - Interest rate - Asia - U.S

Obama tops Forbes world’s most powerful list

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:42:06 GMT

Power has been called many things.

Forbes - Business - Electronics and Electrical - Company Rankings - Major Companies

Ambassador: Tax amnesty affects UBS case

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:49:31 GMT

Few American account details from Swiss banks may be given U.S. tax authorities because of amnesty, the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland said in an interview Friday.

Switzerland - Banking in Switzerland - UBS AG - U.S - United States

Dell smartphone to debut in China, Brazil

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:56:08 GMT

Dell is officially jumping into the smartphone market this month in a deal with China's biggest wireless carrier, China Mobile Ltd.

ChinaMobile - China - Smartphone - Android - Asia

BA, Iberia say merger a plus for passengers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:12:40 GMT

British Airways PLC and Spain's Iberia SA talked up the benefits of a proposed $7 billion merger on Friday, dismissing criticisms that the deal could increase fares.

british airway - Iberia Airlines - Airline - Willie Walsh - Transportation

Mexican business groups call for U.N. troops

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:34:08 GMT

Business groups in a Mexican border city are calling for U.N. peacekeepers to quell the drug violence that has given their city one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Mexico - Mexico – United States border - Business - U.N - United States

Apple can see Microsoft on the horizon

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:28:20 GMT

Apple’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes has propelled its market value to $180 billion, raising the possibility that it could challenge Microsoft for the technology crown.

Russia’s leader urges modernization

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:57:22 GMT

Russia needs to shed its dependence on exports of raw materials and to build a new high-tech economy to survive, President Dmitry Medvedev said in his annual state-of-the-nation.

Russia - Dmitry Medvedev - President - Raw material - Business

Chinese automaker aims to compete globally

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:03:24 GMT

A state-owned Chinese automaker announced Tuesday it will take over several smaller producers amid a government effort to build up domestic car companies that can compete globally.

Cadbury rejects hostile bid from Kraft Foods

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 21:18:17 GMT

British candy maker Cadbury rejected a renewed $16.4 billion (9.8 billion pound) hostile bid from Kraft Foods on Monday after the U.S. company refused to sweeten a previous offer.

Nokia will recall 14 million faulty chargers

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:23:05 GMT

Nokia Corp. announced Monday that some 14 million mobile phone chargers could be dangerous for users and said it will replace them free of charge.

China promises billions in aid, loans to Africa

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 11:20:21 GMT

China's premier pledged $10 billion in concessional loans to African nations and said Beijing would cancel the government debts of some of the poorest of those countries

Plans approved for Disneyland in Shanghai

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:14:42 GMT

China's planning agency has approved plans for a Disney theme park in Shanghai, the Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday, a major step toward setting a deal for the long awaited project.

Move over New York, London is new No. 1

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:39:32 GMT

London has officially dethroned New York as the world's top financial center, according to an index released this month by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum.