American Morning
AM Minding Your Business for Oct. 14, 2011
Today on American Morning, Christine Romans reports on the morning business news headlines.
Today we're watching:
* U.S. stock futures are up ahead of the big G-20 meeting of the world's finance ministers in Paris today.
* Ratings agency Standard and Poor's has cut Spain's long-term credit rating by one notch from 'AA' to 'AA-'. And ratings agency Fitch put 13 major banks on notice for a potential downgrade.
* Here in the U.S., you could be seeing fewer Gap stores soon. The company says it plans to shut-down 21% of its stores in North America over the next 2 years.
* The rise of gas and oil prices is hitting American consumers harder than ever before. According to a new report from the Consumer Federation of America, you could spend up to $600 dollars more on gas this year – that amounts to about $2,900 per household.
* Get it while it's hot – people are already lining up for the new iPhone 4S this morning. It goes on sale in stores this morning
Tune in to American Morning at 6am Eastern every day for the latest in business news.
Talk Back: Should companies require interviews with minority job candidates?
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From CNN's Carol Costello:
The black community is hurting with 16.7 percent unemployment. Many in the African-American community are saying President Obama is trying, but not hard enough.
Robert Johnson, CEO of Black Entertainment Television, and an influential guy in the world of politics, recently said, "I think the president and the Congress, both sides - I'm not picking on one or the other - they need to go the extra mile to increase opportunities for African-Americans."
Johnson's idea of "going the extra mile?" Expand the NFL's "Rooney Rule" throughout the business world, for executive level jobs. That's the rule requiring the NFL owners to interview at least one African-American candidate when there is a vacancy in a coaching or G-M position.
Johnson claims that there wouldn't be any discrimination happening here because "There's no mandate to hire anybody. It simply - it's what I call best practice enhanced commitment to diversity and inclusion."
Talk Back: Should companies require interviews with minority job candidates?
Let us know what you think. Your response could be read on our program.
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
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