Tag Archives: middle east

World Politics: Balance of Power Between the U.S. and China

By 1 commentEconomy, Politics, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For the first time since establishing itself as a world super power following World War I, the United States appears like it may be losing its footing. The prosperous nation’s economy is tanking. Thousands of Americans are jobless, with houses being foreclosed left and right. Americans have little confidence in their beleaguered government, which is in serious debt. There is little consensus amongst politicians or citizens regarding important issues, which has led to great party-based divisions in the country. The country is fighting a losing battle in the Middle East, and has been at war continuously since World War II.  (more…)

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Learning the Truth not Effective in Battling Rumors About NYC Mosque, Study Finds

By Culture, Politics, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Evidence is no match against the belief in false rumors concerning the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero in New York City, a new study finds.

Researchers at Ohio State University found that fewer than one-third of people who had previously heard and believed one of the many rumors about the proposed center changed their minds after reading overwhelming evidence rejecting the rumor.

The false rumor that researchers used in the study was that Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Imam backing the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque, is a terrorist sympathizer who has refused to condemn Islamic attacks on civilians. (more…)

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IBM Reports 2010 Second-Quarter Results

By Economy, Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

ARMONK, N.Y. – 19 Jul 2010:

  • Diluted earnings per share of $2.61, up 13 percent;
  • 30 consecutive quarters of EPS growth, 12 of last 14 at double digits;
  • Full-year 2010 EPS expectations raised to at least $11.25;
  • Net income of $3.4 billion, up 9 percent;
  • Pre-tax income of $4.6 billion, up 7 percent;
  • Pre-tax margin of 19.3 percent, up 1 point;
  • Revenue of $23.7 billion, up 2 percent, as reported and adjusting for currency;
  • Growth markets revenue up 14 percent; first-half revenue as large as total Euro zone revenue;
  • BRIC countries revenue up 22 percent;
  • Business Analytics revenue up 14 percent;
  • Software revenue up 2 percent, 6 percent excluding divested PLM operations;
  • Systems and Technology revenue up 3 percent;
  • Services revenue up 2 percent;
  • Services backlog of $129 billion, up $1 billion, adjusting for currency.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced second-quarter 2010 diluted earnings of $2.61 per share compared with diluted earnings of $2.32 per share in the second quarter of 2009, an increase of 13 percent.

(more…)

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