Comcast has reported increase in dividends

Comcast, Media and Communications company, has reported an increase in the dividends by 44%, which has been reached to $0.65 per share on annual basis.


Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation, said,

Last year was a very important year for our company. Cable continued to drive innovation, increase new product introductions and transform the customer experience, and we successfully integrated NBCUniversal. We also reported strong financial and operating results in both the fourth quarter and for the full year. Specifically, cable had another terrific quarter of improving customer metrics, demonstrating that our new XFINITY brand and our intensified focus on service and innovation are making a real difference. Our results at NBCUniversal underscore the strong performance of the cable networks and theme parks, and we continue to make progress enhancing the franchise values of its businesses.

The company has announced the repurchase program authorization of $6.5 billion stock for the Board of Directors in which $3.0 billion to be repurchased in 2012.



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Sinusitis can't be treated with amoxicillin

Researchers have recently published in The Journal of the American Medical Association that amoxicillin, an antibiotic, is not effective in treating the common type of sinusitis i.e. rhinosinusitis.

“We feel antibiotics are overused in the primary-care setting,” says Jane M. Garbutt, MD, research associate professor of medicine and the paper’s first author. “There is a movement afoot, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to try to improve the judicious use of antibiotics. We hope this study provides scientific evidence that doctors can use with patients to explain that an antibiotic is not likely to help an acute sinus infection” as one in five antibiotics in the U.S. are prescribed for sinusitis.

“It’s a nasty disease,” Garbutt says. “People have significant symptoms. They feel miserable and miss time from work. If an antibiotic is not going to be of any benefit, then what is? That’s a question we haven’t answered yet. But we are working on it.”

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Samsung is separating LCD business

Samsung Electronics has planned a new business strategy for the improvement in competitiveness. This strategy is the separation of LCD businesses and operations.

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This separation is considered as one of the potential steps in the success and growth of the company and shares of the company rose by 5.1% i.e. historic high value.It is expected that LCD unit will be merged with Samsung Mobile Display unit, which is currently developing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for mobile devices.

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LightSquared has gotten another blow

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has suspended the LightSquared's network late Tuesday based on the reports from National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which said that the network is constantly interfering with the GPS devices.

NTIA said in a letter to FCC,

Based on NTIA's independent evaluation of the testing and analysis performed over the last several months, we conclude that LightSquared's proposed mobile broadband network will impact GPS services and that there is no practical way to mitigate the potential interference at this time.

On the other hand, the company has reported that the results are coming from "severely flawed testing process"  but the company "remains committed to finding a resolution with the federal government and the GPS industry to resolve all remaining concerns. LightSquared is confident that the parties will continue the on-going efforts to explore all engineering options and alternatives to find a solution to this difficult issue."

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Angry Birds integrated into Facebook

Angry Birds has been launched on Facebook a day earlier than previously announced.

 “This launch is just the beginning for Angry Birds on Facebook,” said Petri Järvilehto, SVP of Game Publishing at Rovio. “We have great new features and gameplay lined up for the fans in the upcoming weeks. Angry Birds on Facebook will offer a unique experience for our fans, and we’re really excited to finally be on the platform.”

This game comes with a new feature of "Power-ups". There are four different types of power-ups to add thrill into the game.

"There are four different types of power-ups and they can be accessed via the lightning bolt button at the top of the screen," the company said. "You can use two power-ups per level. All power-ups have a different effect but ultimately make you more competitive against your friends by making your birds stronger or more accurate or even by shaking the earth itself!"

Moreover, Adobe Systems' Flash Player 11 with support for 3D graphics has been used for Angry Birds on Facebook.

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Different new flights and "Go Pack" package by JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways has doubled the flights between Tampa International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport along with the announcement of new service from Washington's Reagan to Tampa.

"By seizing the opportunity to invest in the rare slot pairs made available in our hometown of New York City and in our nation's capital, JetBlue is comfortably poised for organic growth," said JetBlue's Vice President of Network Planning and Partnerships, Scott Laurence. "Together with our low fares, award-winning product and customer service, we're pleased to be able to double the flights, new destinations and more options to customers in both of these vital regions."

There is an announcement of Jet Service from Boston to Nantucket from May 17 to September 4.

JetBlue has announced "Go Pack" packages for flight between Long Beach Airport (LGB) and San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) or Sacramento (SMF) International Airports.

"Whether customers are traveling between Long Beach and Northern California for work or leisure, Go Pack offers greater convenience and value for their travel needs," said Director of Revenue Management Roger Johnson. "As the largest carrier in Long Beach, we offer a flexible and frequent daily schedule between these markets, with three daily flights to choose from on each route. Plus, our customers are rewarded with customer loyalty points with their Go Pack purchase, so they're that much closer to another free flight!"

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Google -Motorola deal has been cleared by U.S. and European regulators

U.S. Department of Justice has cleared the investigations on Google's acquisition of Motorola in $12.5 billion. Moreover, European Commission has given approval to the deal.

Joaquín Almunia, Commission Vice President in charge of competition policy, said,

"We have approved the acquisition of Motorola Mobility by Google because, upon careful examination, this transaction does not itself raise competition issues. Of course, the Commission will continue to keep a close eye on the behaviour of all market players in the sector, particularly the increasingly strategic use of patents".

The deal will "enhance competition and offer consumers faster innovation, greater choice and wonderful user experiences," Don Harrison, Google's deputy general counsel, wrote in a blog post.

Now Google has to get approval from China, Taiwan and Israel in order to get full control of Motorola Mobility.

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