Headlines

GAO Report Critical of Homeland Security

The U.S. Homeland Security Department fared poorly in overseeing the purchase of equipment and technology since its inception, a federal report says.

Business

Top Companies Urge Congress to go Green

A group of companies including Starbucks, Nike and Sun Microsystems has banded together to urge Congress to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and promote investment in renewable energy. The companies on Wednesday announced a partnership with Boston-based Ceres, a national network of environmental advocates and investors, which will lobby on energy policy.

Auto Industry

Electricity Surrounding The Chevy Volt is Palpable, Even in Park

The Chevy Volt has a lot riding on it. Amid the chaos surrounding carmakers these days, the Volt represents a spark of hope. Buzz about the Volt has been building for years. Perhaps it will prove to be the smartly designed paradigm changer that can pull venerable GM out of the doldrums. Expectations are also high among car enthusiasts, futurists, and environmentally conscious consumers.

Peugeot to Cut another 2,700 Jobs as Sales Dwindle

PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Europe's second-biggest carmaker, announced a fresh wave of job cuts on Thursday as a decline in European car sales is seen continuing into 2009.

Finance

Subprime Mortgage 'Rip-Off' has Legitimate Roots

At the height of the real estate boom, lenders paid mortgage brokers as much as $15,000 or more to steer borrowers into overpriced loans. Called yield-spread premiums, these kickbacks increase with the gap between what loan borrowers qualify for, and the higher interest rates and terms they actually accept. And they are part of nearly all subprime mortgages. Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released new requirements for disclosing the premiums, aimed at helping borrowers figure out if they're worthwhile.

Hispanic Arts & Entertainment

Who Needs CBS and Kimbo Slice? ESPN Deportes Targets Furious World of MMA

Now ESPN will take a swing at mixed martial arts. The rise and rapid fall of EliteXC on CBS apparently has not discouraged other companies and television networks from trying to take advantage of the popularity of MMA. Starting in April 2009, the Bellator Fighting Championships will begin weekly TV broadcasts aired exclusively on ESPN Deportes. The deal has been three years in the making.

HB Entrepreneur of the Year
eoy

More than 700 Hispanic entrepreneurs and business luminaries filled the Millennium Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 6 for Hispanic Business Media's 2008 EOY awards celebration. It was an exciting night, so be sure to check out our coverage of the gala event and photos of the winners.

HB Rankings

Top 15 Hispanic-owned Companies in Illinois

The Hispanic Business 500 has served as a barometer of the U.S. Hispanic economy for more than 25 years. We believe that applying our criteria on a statewide level can yield interesting results for our readers. Here's a look at the Illinois-based companies on the list.

Technology

Seminar Addresses Growth of Cyber-Bullying

As millions continue to use social networking sites like Myspace.com and Facebook.com, a growing number of teens is sending each other threatening or crass messages. It's not a new phenomenon, as teens more than a decade ago used profiles and chat rooms with America Online in similar ways. Whether it's off-color e-mails, malicious text messages or mean-spirited Web postings, cyber-bullying continues to be an issue among teens.