IN THE PAPERS
In The Papers 16 October
16-10-2009
by Deirdre McArdle
Higher level maths take-up declining | Profits, revenue jump at Google
The Irish Times reports that the number of students taking higher level maths in the Leaving Cert is continuing to decline, according to new analysis by a leading educationalist. Just 16 percent of students took higher level maths last year, the lowest for any honours subject, according to Dr Sean McDonagh, a former director of the Dundalk Institute of Technology and the Government's Skills Initiative Unit. This 16 percent figure is well behind the Government's target of 25 percent participation.
The paper also reports on Nokia's surprise quarterly loss, which knocked tech shares on European exchanges. Read more about Nokia's figures on ENN.
According to the same paper, 12 tech companies from the North and the Republic will have an opportunity to impress some of Silicon Valley's most influential executives and investors in Belfast next week. A group of US business leaders from technology and venture capitalist organisations will be in the North to take part in a special two-day event showcasing high potential technology talent. Companies attending include Dublin-based decaWave, Ntera, Muzu and Locle, and Belfast firms Kainos, SiSaf, Vertical Wind Energy and B-Secur.
Finally in the Irish Times, Finland will make access to a 1Mbps broadband service a legal right for citizens from July next, according to media reports in the country this week. Last year the Finnish government said access to 100Mbp broadband would be a legal right by the end of 2015; the current legislation is seen as an interim measure towards that goal.
The Irish Independent reports that a file has been submitted to the National Juvenile Liaison Office on allegations that two boys used a mobile phone to film young children engaged in sex acts. The file was prepared by Gardai who investigated the alleged incidents which took place in Mitchelstown, Co Cork three months ago. The file has now been submitted to the office which will decide what action, if any, will be taken.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Google posted third quarter revenues of USD5.94 billion, 7 percent up on the year-ago quarter. As Google restrained its costs during the quarter the internet giant saw profits grow 27 percent to USD1.64 billion from a year ago. The results beat analysts' expectations, which had risen in recent weeks as CEO Eric Schmidt had dropped hints that business was looking up. Shares in Google rose 3.3 percent to USD547.30 in after-hours trading.
In more results news, the same paper reports that South Korea's LG posted a net profit of SKW559 billion (USD482.5 million) in the three months ended 30 September, up from SKW295 billion a year earlier. Sales jumped 55 percent in the quarter to SKW5.974 trillion from SKW3.861 trillion in the year-ago period. The firm, which makes LCD screens, cited the steady rise in prices of flat-panel screens as one of the key reasons for its good quarter.
The Financial Times reports that IBM recorded revenues of USD23.6 billion for its third quarter, some USD200 million more than had been expected. Earnings at the firm grew by 18 percent from the year-earlier period, and IBM said it expects full-year earnings per share of at least USD9.85, up from a previous estimate of USD9.70 per share last quarter and USD9.20 earlier in the year. The firm's solid results were put down to the positive impact its diversification plan, which has seen it move into a range of new sectors, including analytics, business intelligence and technology support, is having on the company.
The same paper reports that chip maker AMD displayed a similar optimism to its rival Intel when it released its quarterly figures on Thursday. The firm posted sales of USD1.4 billion, beating analyst estimates of USD1.26 billion, and a loss of USD0.18 a share, compared to Wall Street expectations of USD0.42. The firm said a strong demand for chips had led sales to jump sequentially by 18 percent.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 