Universal take over of BMG

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6680573.stm

This story is farily old but I found it interesting.

Universals take over bid for BMG ha been given the go ahead by EU. The now super companies moved will have benefitted them greatly. They now own a massive part of the music publishing market and they will be able to push other companies out of business if they use their advantagge to the best of their aility.

new itunes competitor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6662439.stm
Amazon have announced they are to bring out a new mp3 online music store, that sells music compatible to any music player. This could prove to be a serious competitor to itunes as Amazon will be at a similar price and all its music will be DRM free.
The itunes store is currently adding music which is available for ipods and for other players (at a slightly higher pricce to the ipod versions), but much of it's music is still to be offered with this.
Amazon will also have a huge advantage of having huge numbers of record labels from the beginning, giving them a large base of traacks to start up on.

New technology, new coal

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6655043.stm

New technology is being developed has been heralded as the thing to get us out of our carbon emissions problem. Coal, which is our main source of energy, is the fuel that this can be used for. Lthough this does not sort ou the problem of diminishing supplies of coal and other fossil fuels this will be very good in the worlds fight against carbon emissions. This will be especially good if China uses the technology because of the statistic that a new coal fireed power station is made everyday and the amount of resources it is the subcontinent is using.

BAE buying US armour company

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6632613.stm

BAE has put in a $4.5bn takeoveer offer for an American military vehicle and armour company. This is a good oportunity for BAE to increase its powers in this sector and increase its foothold in america with hopefully some more American defense contracts to follow. They would also become a more respected company as they would have a big part in the American contracts and would be respected for that.