Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Judge sends tanker work back to Boeing
A federal appeals court has reversed a ruling that overturned Boeing Co.’s $1.1 billion contract for maintenance of an Air Force refueling tanker jet. The decision Tuesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reinstates Chicago-based Boeing’s 10-year contract for work on the KC-135 Stratotanker — the Air Force’s primary mid-flight refueling aircraft. Boeing, which built the KC-135, was awarded the maintenance contract in September 2007. The company had already held similar contracts for nearly a decade. But rival bidder Alabama Aircraft Industries Inc. filed suit, claiming the contract was not properly awarded to Boeing, citing issues such as pricing and past performance. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled for Alabama in 2008 and ordered the Air Force to re-solicit bids for the deal.
Huge TVs, GPS among holiday buys
Wal-Mart Stores is confirming some of the deals it will push to draw crowds for the day after Thanksgiving. They include a 50-inch Sanyo plasma HDTVs for $598 and $3 children’s sleepwear. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is considered the official kickoff for the holiday shopping season. It is an important barometer of shoppers’ willingness to spend for the holiday period. Melissa O’Brien, Wal-Mart spokeswoman, says that the deals that will be heavily advertised in its Black Friday circular also include Magnavox Blu-Ray disc players for $78, TomTom GPS systems for $59 and $7 reversible fleece jackets.
High lead levels found in some toys
Children’s toys carrying the Barbie and Disney logos have turned up with high levels of lead in them, according to a California-based advocacy group — a finding that may give consumers pause as they shop for the holiday season. The Center for Environmental Health tested about 250 children’s products bought at major retailers and found lead levels that exceeded federal limits in seven of them. Lead can cause irreversible brain damage. Among those with high lead levels: a Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit and a Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily necklace. The group said it also found excessive lead in a Dora the Explorer Activity Tote, two pairs of children’s shoes, a boys belt and a kids’ poncho.
Consumer repairs replacing purchases
Consumers are buying washers to fix leaky faucets rather than replacing the faucets themselves, and professional contractors are spending less overall on projects, Home Depot Inc. reported. The nation’s largest home-improvement retailer said third quarter profit fell 9 percent as demand remained soft. No. 2 home-improvement chain Lowe’s also reported a third-quarter drop in revenue and profit a day earlier. “There is still a great deal of pressure in the housing and home improvement markets, though there are some positive signs of stabilization,” said Home Depot Chief Executive Frank Blake.
From Herald news services
Huge TVs, GPS among holiday buys
Wal-Mart Stores is confirming some of the deals it will push to draw crowds for the day after Thanksgiving. They include a 50-inch Sanyo plasma HDTVs for $598 and $3 children’s sleepwear. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is considered the official kickoff for the holiday shopping season. It is an important barometer of shoppers’ willingness to spend for the holiday period. Melissa O’Brien, Wal-Mart spokeswoman, says that the deals that will be heavily advertised in its Black Friday circular also include Magnavox Blu-Ray disc players for $78, TomTom GPS systems for $59 and $7 reversible fleece jackets.
High lead levels found in some toys
Children’s toys carrying the Barbie and Disney logos have turned up with high levels of lead in them, according to a California-based advocacy group — a finding that may give consumers pause as they shop for the holiday season. The Center for Environmental Health tested about 250 children’s products bought at major retailers and found lead levels that exceeded federal limits in seven of them. Lead can cause irreversible brain damage. Among those with high lead levels: a Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit and a Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily necklace. The group said it also found excessive lead in a Dora the Explorer Activity Tote, two pairs of children’s shoes, a boys belt and a kids’ poncho.
Consumer repairs replacing purchases
Consumers are buying washers to fix leaky faucets rather than replacing the faucets themselves, and professional contractors are spending less overall on projects, Home Depot Inc. reported. The nation’s largest home-improvement retailer said third quarter profit fell 9 percent as demand remained soft. No. 2 home-improvement chain Lowe’s also reported a third-quarter drop in revenue and profit a day earlier. “There is still a great deal of pressure in the housing and home improvement markets, though there are some positive signs of stabilization,” said Home Depot Chief Executive Frank Blake.
From Herald news services
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