The US economy is witnessing surge in job market and attractive mortgage rates. These positive factors are expected to boost the new home market. The US economy is forecast to grow at 2.7 percent in 2016 from 2.1 percent in 2015. Economists predict that the GDP growth rate may slowdown to 2.2 percent in 2017. The market for new homes grew 15 percent during the first 11 months of 2015.
Regions
US Immigration: New Visa Requirements for European with Dual Nationalities of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria
The new regulation is being established initiated by the San Bernardino shooting in California that killed 14 people and left 22 wounded. It has drawn many concern and dismay among European citizens, especially those with the dual nationalities as mentioned. Europe could also reciprocate, restricting American with the same duality to enter Europe.
Vietnam warns China over oil rig drilling in disputed sea
Vietnam warned China against drilling an oil rig in borderline waters in the South China Sea. Vietnam's anxiety over the rig develops subsequent to a recent flight testing carried out by China on a fake island in Spratly archipelago.
Google’s Financial Documents Marked ‘Attorney’s Eyes Only’ Leaked By Oracle Attorney
Oracle has been accusing Google for violating copyright law through using Java operating system in Android for long five years. The search engine provider has failed in its earlier bid to derail the case in the US Supreme Court and lawsuit proceeding has resumed in a North Carolina District Court. The database maker’s attorney has placed to Google’s financials to claim a margin from Google’s earnings since its introduction of Androids.
Amazon Offers Full Refunds For Hoverboards, Continues Selling
Amazon, among retailers, has started offering full refunds for hoverboards in US and Canada ahead of growing concerns for reported fire incidences. CPSC is investigating two wheeler balance boards manufactured by 13 companies. Earlier, the retailing giant has offered refund for the UK customers. Intriguingly, hover boards of different manufacturers are still being sold amidst offering refunds.
Latest News
The jobless rate in the UK was recorded at 5.1 percent for the quarter ending November 2015. This showed the lowest jobless rate since October 2005. However, wage growth is slowing down in the UK industry. The employment rate was at high of 74 percent since 1971, according to the latest data released by Office for National Statistics.
Boeing will report a $569 million after-tax accounting loss in its fourth quarter. The company will also reduce production of its 747 airplane starting September this year..
Uber generated more revenue in 2015 than in the previous year. However, the company experience more losses in order to pursue growth.
As winter storm is heading toward East Coast this Friday, flight disruption is expected. Airlines are offering refund and waiver to customers whose flight schedule is affected by the snow storm.
A group of students in University of Oslo set a Guinness World Record by lifting a 134.5 pounds (61 kg) payloads with drone. The drone is a multi copter drone made of eight drones chained together.
A recent report showed the declining trend of people to have driver's license in United States. Research was conducted by University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
KAIST, a Korean science and technology institute has developed the Fireproof Aerial RObot System (FAROS). FAROS is a sort of drone capable of locating humans’ position trapped inside a sky scrapper through its inbuilt thermal imaging camera. The research team, that invents fire fighting drone, has demonstrated the feasibility of the localization system and wall-climbing mechanism in a smoky indoor environment.
The adverse conditions in the global economy and weaker stocks on Wall Street may prevent the US Federal Reserve from going for a rate hike again. Some analysts forecast four more rate hikes in 2016, while Reuters' poll indicate three times hike this year. The slump in commodities, weaker global markets, slowdown in China's economy and lower oil prices are causes of concerns for the US Fed as these are upsetting the Wall Street.
South Korean currency Won has been volatile as it hit five-year low and recovered marginally. Won was tracking to Chinese currency Yuan as the dragon country is the major foreign market for South Korea. China's GDP rose 6.8 percent during fourth quarter marginally lower than the forecast of 6.9 percent. This disappointed the market.
