Showing posts with label shutdown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shutdown. Show all posts

31 December 2013

What Happened? 2013 Business News

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The business world had some nervous moments with politicians getting in the way and wars at breaking point but the always innovative tech world made sure money was made.

Tech world keeps ticking


Bitcoin, the infamous decentralized virtual currency, had a bumpy year with wild swings in it's value. Unfortunately it also suffered a dramatic set back when the Chinese government banned it's use.

Twitter finally made it's debut on the stock market with it's IPO. It wasn't all smooth sailing with the stock taking a tumble after a warning it was overvalued.

Amazon had huge sales come Christmas and gained even more attention with it's crazy drone delivery plan.

Apple released the next generation of iPhones instantly invalidating all previous models having their legions of fans waiting in line to upgrade.

Government, can't live with them...


The business world held it's breath as the US edged closer to defaulting on it's obligations. Eventually the US government closed for business when Republicans refused a budget bill in an attempt to delay Obamacare resulting in nation wide shutdown.

After pumping billions into the economy during the recent recession the Fed's tapering had markets a buzz.

The earlier NSA revelations trickled down to business with telecoms giants admitting to their part in providing the government with access to phone records of millions. Even big tech companies had co-operated from Google to Yahoo and Microsoft.


Bad (for) business?


BP has been trying to cut it's losses from it's oil clean up fines requesting proof of losses which was later turned down by the courts.

Sometimes all it takes is one employee to cause headaches, case in point IAC Communications Director Justine Sacco sending a racist tweet before hoping on a plane to Africa. She was later fired.

The big banks paid for their blunders with JP Morgan paying $13billion in fines for it's toxic mortgages part.

A garment factory collapse killing 175 people in Bangladesh and a fire in a 10 story building raised questions about the west's growing desire for cheap goods.

18 October 2013

US Government shutdown, please insert coin to discontinue

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After 2 weeks of shutdown shenanigans the US Government finally agreed to play nice and get everything up and running again, but what was the overall cost of political disobedience?

What do we want? Laws! When do we want them? Later!


It all started with Republicans digging in their heels adding superfluous legislation to the budget to delay Obama care resulting in no deal and a shutdown of all things government.

Debt ceiling has skylight installed


After the initial budget delay those most impacted were furloughed government workers. But it was the approaching debt ceiling that raised eyebrows and finally resulted in an agreement.

Guess who s*** in the woods


National parks and other government services were allowed to open as government employees returned to work.

Patients running the institutions finances


Not only did the shutdown impact current governance of the country it also impacted on the US future global standing. China has called on the Dollar to be replaced as the global reserve currency.