Tim Devaney
Articles by Tim Devaney
Dysfunction, disarray at Homeland Security management cited in IG’s report
An agency watchdog paints a damning picture of dysfunction and managerial disarray at the Department of Homeland Security, as President Obama struggles to get a new secretary installed for the departed Janet A. Napolitano. Published December 12, 2013
GM’s Barra to be first woman to run top American carmaker
Longtime General Motors executive Mary Barra, currently the company's global product development chief, will be the next CEO of the Detroit-based automaker, succeeding Dan Akerson, who announced Tuesday he will retire next month. Published December 10, 2013
Treasury sells last shares in ‘Government Motors’
Say goodbye to "Government Motors." The Obama administration announced Monday the Treasury Department has sold its remaining shares in General Motors at more than a $10 billion loss for taxpayers, about five years after providing the country's top automaker with a $49.5 billion bailout in exchange for a majority stake in the company that helped it earn the nickname "Government Motors." Published December 9, 2013
U.S. businesses reach out quickly to partners in Iran
As the Obama administration lifts some of the sanctions against Iran as part of the West's nuclear deal with the Islamic republic, some U.S. companies are looking at Iran for possible business opportunities even as skeptics warn that Iran remains an unstable environment for business. Published December 8, 2013
General Motors ending Chevrolet sales in Europe to focus on Opel and Vauxhall
Chevy is as iconic as an American car brand comes, but that hasn't helped sell cars in Europe. Published December 5, 2013
‘Momentous day’ for in-debt Detroit
In the ongoing saga of the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, a federal judge cleared the way Tuesday for Detroit to declare bankruptcy and shed $18 billion in debt, declaring the Motor City "was and is insolvent" and it is a "foregone conclusion" that it cannot meet its financial obligations. Published December 3, 2013
Cyber Monday, Gray Thursday reflect sales shift
Retailers may have taken a hit on Black Friday, but they are banking on Cyber Monday and Gray Thursday to deliver a much-needed boost in holiday shopping season sales. Published December 2, 2013
Bye, bye American pie? China wants in on the U.S. apple market.
What's more American than baseball, hot dogs — and Chinese apple pie? China is the OPEC of apples, producing roughly half of the world's crop, and it is using its clout to press for expanded access to the long-restricted American market. But Beijing must first convince the U.S. Department of Agriculture that its apples are safe to eat and will not bring pesticides that could destroy crops and appetites alike. Published November 27, 2013
Deal with Iran can mean lower prices at gas pump
The Obama administration's deal with Iran to slow the country's nuclear production activities could be good news for drivers just in time for holiday-season driving. Published November 25, 2013
Obama administration nears trade agreement with Asia
The Obama administration is close to completing a major trade agreement with a handful of Asian countries, including Japan. Published November 25, 2013
Bitcoin virtual cash raises real issues
Capitol Hill lawmakers are turning their attention to Bitcoin and other virtual currency websites this week, as they consider how to regulate a new technology that is revolutionizing financial markets around the world. Published November 19, 2013
Dow surges past 16,000
The Dow topped 16,000 for the first time Monday morning and the S&P 500 also hit a new milestone as Wall Street continued its record run. Published November 18, 2013
Budget bickering in the U.S. concerns Japanese
The recent federal partial government shutdown and the ongoing bickering in Washington between Democrats and Republicans could scare away potential trade partners in Asia, business leaders say. Published November 17, 2013
Drivers getting a break at the gas pump
Gas prices at the pump are falling markedly all around the country, and the Washington area could soon join the growing number of states where the average price of gas is less than $3 a gallon, a level not seen in two years. Published November 14, 2013
Pentagon cuts mean more layoffs for defense giant Lockheed Martin
In response to declining defense budgets and recent sequestration, Bethesda-based contractor Lockheed Martin said Thursday it is cutting 4,000 jobs — 3.5 percent of its workforce — and closing or downscaling several facilities around the country. Published November 14, 2013
U.S. reneges on funding pledge to fight global warming
The Obama administration is among a handful of governments backtracking on a $100 billion promise they made to help poor countries fight climate change, a report finds. Published November 12, 2013
Thanksgiving travel making comeback from recession dip
More Americans are expected to travel this year to celebrate Thanksgiving, according to reports from multiple travel associations. Published November 11, 2013
Germany sees U.S. as sore loser in trade competition
It just recorded the highest trade surplus in its history, but Germany may find it difficult to celebrate the milestone as Berlin faces growing criticism that the country's prosperity is coming at the expense of its European neighbors and the health of the global economy. Published November 11, 2013
Twitter IPO blows through expectations on first day as stock almost doubles
Twitter raised the bar for social networks with an initial public offering Thursday that far exceeded projections. Published November 7, 2013
Blockbuster turning off the lights at its movie-rental stores
The demise of movie rental giant Blockbuster marks the end of an era in home entertainment, as the company goes the way of the VHS tapes and VCRs that helped it bring Hollywood into American living rooms in the 1980s and 1990s. Published November 6, 2013