Apple Sued In China Over Siri Patent Claims

Allisa Hwang Eun Sol
3.29.2013

http://news.sky.com/story/1070385/apple-sued-in-china-over-siri-patent-claims

published March 27, 2013

by Sky News 

Its subtitle is "The technology giant has appeared in court accused of copying software used in a similar voice recognition system". Apple's Siri was sued by Zhizhen, a company from China. Zhizhen's technology is 5 years faster than Siri. Lawyer for Zhizhen said "The company will ask Apple to stop manufacturing and selling products using its patent rights, once Apple's infringement is confirmed". 

I think this is very complicated. I thought that Siri is the first and Samsung is following them, but actually there was another one that started earlier than Apple. While I was reading this article, I thought why didn't Zhizhen sued Apple earlier. Anyways, this was interesting story, and by this I could understand more about how people trying to get technological monopoly. 

Will raising minimum wage help New Yorkers?

Allisa Hwang Eun Sol
3.22.2013

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2970495.shtml?cat=566

published March 20, 2013

by Lynette Adams

WHEC

This article is says minimum wage should not raise. People thinks raising minimum wage is needed to help those who earn minimum wages. However, there are people says it will harm more than good. History supports this opinion. According to the Employment Policies Institute, "history shows us that raising the minimum wage hasn't helped ease poverty or put money in the pockets of people who are the poorest in our society". Saltsman says if minimum wage increases, it will be herder for businesses to hire and train workers. So this article suggests to find other way instead of rising minimum wage if you really want to help people who are in real hard situations. 

I agree with this opinion, because when minimum wage, the input cost, increases, supply decrease. Also then, equilibrium price will increase. As its price increases, consumers may think that it is time to find other supplementary products, then the owner will eventually close his or her business. Then, it will led to decreasing jobs, and finally unemployed person will increase. I'm pretty sure real poor people will be there. And if so, setting minimum wage to help employee will finally kick them out. So if government wants to help people who live by minimum wage, they should find other way to help.  

With the arrival of yellow dust, retailers see gold

Allisa Hwang Eun Sol
3.15.2013

http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2968472

published March 13, 2013

by Kim Jung-yoon

Korea JoongAng Daily

Every spring, Korea is influencing by yellow dust from China, that causes some illnesses. This year, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, many areas of Korea had been attacked since mid-January. Since yellow dust is not good for our health, consumers try to buy things to protect themselves immediately when dust arrives. As a result, according to many big convenience store chain, such as CU and GS25, sales of masks, hand sanitizes, mouthwash, soap, wet wipes, and contact lens cleaner increased rapidly compared to usual sales. Also, sales of every other dust-related supplies, or air-cleaning goods like air purifiers, stroller covers, children’s capes, and plants, increased significantly. 

I think it is funny that sales of air related things increases a lot because of yellow dusts. I guess it will drops after yellow dusts go. I think it will be a great time for producers to cell air cleaning things or dust-related goods in higher prices, because consumers' demand is higher than usual. If there are some new goods, related dust, consumers will try to buy that even though that is quiet expensive than others. Especially mothers would do that more, for their children. 

Tax Credits Help With Higher Education

Allisa Hwang Eun Sol

3.8.2013

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/03/05/tax-credits-help-with-higher-education/

published March 06,2013

by Kay Bell

Foxnews

There are many tax credits in U.S.A., and among them, American Opportunity credit and Lifetime Learning credit can help you and your parents pay educational expenses like tuition. However, they are credits, not deductions. So they will take more tax bill. The American Opportunity credit is worth $2,500, and 40% of them are refundable. then, you can get $1,000 back even though you don't owe any taxes. It is improved, but still it has some restrictions. It is just during the first four years of college, and it is temporary. However, the lifetime learning credit can be used for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses for everyone. 

There are other many restrictions on both the American Opportunity credit and the Lifetime Learning credit. Even though they have restrictions, I think it has better conditions than others. However, I'm very sad that it is only for Americans, and I cannot get it.