Written By Unknown on Minggu, 29 September 2013 | 12.33
Two years after filing for bankruptcy, Friendly's Ice Cream continues to churn away at a tall order: reinvigorating a 78-year-old chain competing against the likes of Applebee's, Panera, IHOP and Chipotle.
While analysts cite progress important to a turnaround — in customer service, and menu and restaurant updates — some question whether the Wilbraham-based chain can survive in the long run.
Customer satisfaction surveys show consumers like the changes, according to Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic, a Chicago food industry consulting and research firm.
"The important element is will they be able to sustain that positive reaction?" he said. "It will take continuous effort. As some of these older brands continue to age, it gets increasingly difficult to turn them around."
Friendly's CEO John Maguire — a Weymouth native and former Panera COO who joined the company in April 2012 — said Friendly's has seen steady progress in three focus areas: the friendliness and retraining of employees; food quality and menu changes; and the cleanliness and energy level of its restaurants.
By year's end, Friendly's expects to have renovated 45 restaurants, with another 50 planned for 2014.
"We have a long ways to go," Maguire said. "We're just starting out, so sales increases will come as we get more consistent and make the improvements we need to make."
Friendly's expects about $500 million in revenue this year — down from $700 million in 2011 — from 355 restaurants and ice cream sales at 7,500 supermarkets and other retailers.
"We're going to exceed our profit expectation for 2013," Maguire said. "We grew in 2012, and we'll grow our earnings in 2013."
Friendly's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2011, citing the economic downturn and rising commodity prices. Over time, it had stopped investing in its employees, quality of its food, and the cleanliness and upkeep of its restaurants, according to Maguire. "If we (address those issues), we'll survive," he said.
Friendly's closed about 100 restaurants before emerging from bankruptcy protection in January 2012 as a leaner chain under an affiliate of private investment firm Sun Capital Partners, which acquired Friendly's in 2007.
Maguire disagrees with those who view Friendly's as past its time, noting the chain holds a special place for many customers who visited as children with parents or grandparents.
"There are people who love and always did love and probably always will love Friendly's," agreed Michael Tesler, senior marketing lecturer at Bentley College. "But I don't know if there is enough. Time has sort of passed by Friendly's between Panera and Chipotle and Shake Shack and Tasty Burger."
A Boston-based MassChallenge finalist is taking baby-monitoring beyond devices that record only sight or sound.
The SensibleBaby SmartOne is a onesie with a front pocket containing an embedded sensor that sends a constant signal to a nearby smartphone via an app that alerts parents when a sleeping infant is too hot, too cold or sleeping on his or her stomach.
"We want to be a co-parenting tool that empowers people with information so that they don't have to worry about their child," said SensibleBaby CEO Ben Cooper, who's expecting his first child in December.
Cooper and his three co-founders — Jeff Tagen, Jill Ju and Jack Sivak — met as strangers in March at Start-up Weekend, a 54-hour marathon during which aspiring entrepreneurs form teams, pitch an idea and make it a reality.
The four decided to try to create something better than baby-monitoring audio recorders and video cameras on the market.
"Audio monitors are wonderful, but if you're not listening, they don't help," said Cooper, 29. "We wanted to only alert parents when they need to act."
By the end of the weekend, they had a name for their new company, a logo, a website and a working prototype consisting of a taped-together sensor that dropped into a hand-sewn sock.
"It wasn't very pretty," Cooper recalled with a laugh, "but it worked."
It worked well enough that the four won, and one of their prizes was a waived application fee to MassChallenge, the Boston start-up accelerator and $1 million competition, which wraps up on Oct. 30.
In the meantime, the team won $100,000 through Founder.org and is using the money to refine and test their product for what they hope will be a launch in the first quarter of next year.
SmartOne sets will contain a sensor and three onesies, and will sell for between $100 and $150 in baby boutiques and on the company's website, mysensiblebaby.com.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 September 2013 | 12.32
What are you calling a toy?
Born with the heart of a '60s muscle car, the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS pays homage to its forefather with curvy fenders, a low profile and rippling exhaust notes, yet manages decent mileage from a monster 6.2-liter, 426-horsepower power plant.
The low-slung, high-waisted, slit-windowed Camaro handles well, although the firm suspension and oversized tires let you know what's on the road, but point this roadster down the freeway and you're driving All-American muscle.
Our tester, which included a special "Hot Wheels" edition for $6,995 and other add-ons, featured 21-inch low-profile rubber mounted on red-trimmed alloys, blue metallic paint scheme with a matte black racing stripe, special edition decals and badging, and contrasting red stitching on the black interior.
The interior is a bit plain, with uninspired plastics and some leather accents. But it's what's under the hood that you're paying for.
A quick jab of the accelerator and the V-8 roars, pushing you back into the driver's seat as the heads-up display rolls through the miles per hour. A smallish, tight steering wheel responds immediately to switching lanes, leaving you looking in the mirrors for blue lights.
Even at low speeds, the snarling exhaust has heads turning, admiring the handsome lines of this meaty machine. The gas mileage for the roadster is 15 in the city and 24 on the highway.
High-end, rear-wheel-spinning power packed into a sleek shell has always been the muscle cars' calling card and this Camaro coupe delivers — zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds with huge Brembo brakes that bring the car to a solid stop. Quick, agile steering and solid footing as you work the curves with minimal body roll.
Our tester SS had the six-speed automatic with Tap Shift paddles in it, but for better command of the vehicle, order a six-speed manual. I've tested the manual and thought it added immensely to the driving experience.
Sling yourself into the comfortable and supportive leather driver's seat to pilot the Camaro. A simple two-gauge dash is tucked into a sleek minimalist design, while a multi-gauge cluster is mounted a bit out of sight on the center console.
I think the 7-inch navigation/Mylink display screen drops down to muddy the view, so perhaps there's a slight ergonomic rework needed in future models.
The navigation package, which I found tricky to work, includes a backup camera, which is a must, because peering out the highly set and smallish rear window, you do lose sight of the rear end.
The aggressive feline styling comes with a cost elsewhere as well, as all the sight lines in the car are tight, so being aware of your surroundings is critical. To use old fighter pilot jargon, "check your six" frequently — look behind you often.
You can get a really well-decked-out SS for about $36,135. Although the $46,010 Hot Wheels edition is an interesting co-branding idea, I'd prefer the badging and embroidered seats toned down a bit.
However, the Camaro is a excellent contender in the pony-car class. So start your engines and lay down some rubber at the next meet with the Ford Mustang GT and Dodge Challenger SRT.
With a government shutdown looming next week and no clear solution in sight, failure to reach a deal, or even a short-term stopgap spending bill, could push key issues onto the back of the critical debt ceiling showdown in mid-October when legislators debate raising the nation's borrowing limit, an expert said.
"All the things we are debating over the shutdown could carry over to the debt ceiling," said Nigel Gault, co-chief economist at the Parthenon Group.
Stocks fell yesterday for the sixth day out of seven, ending the week with a decline as investors watched while Democrats and Republicans battled over the spending bill and Obamacare. The U.S. Senate passed a spending bill that has little chance of passing in the House, where Republicans oppose funding in the measure for the health care law.
President Obama yesterday called on House Republicans to put aside their differences.
"House Republicans will have to decide whether to join the Senate and keep the government open, or shut it down just because they can't get their way on an issue that has nothing to do with the deficit," Obama said.
Congress will work through the weekend, but it's unclear if it can come to an agreement before the midnight deadline Monday.
If the government shuts down, it will have an "irritating" effect on the economy, Gault said.
About 800,000 nonessential government workers would be furloughed, resulting in the closure of national parks and monuments, among other departments. And the jobs report scheduled to be released next week may not come out, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the 17 government shutdowns since 1976, the markets have not plunged — the average decline in the Standard and Poor's 500 index for a shutdown lasting more than 10 days is 2.5 percent.
Hitting the debt ceiling, however, would be "catastrophic" and uncharted territory, opening the possibility of the government defaulting on its debt, Gault said.
"The potential impacts are far more severe," he said. "It's going to cut federal spending overnight by 20 percent."
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 27 September 2013 | 12.32
A bipartisan committee on Capitol Hill has crafted a bill intended to prevent a public health crisis like the fatal meningitis outbreak last year that was linked to a Bay State compounding pharmacy.
The Drug Quality and Security Act would give the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over compounding pharmacies, which currently are regulated by states, by putting some in a separate category that would require them to register with the FDA, submit to inspections by the agency and notify authorities in the event of a problem.
"Compounding pharmacies have been governed by fragmented regulations for too long, leading to one of the worst public health disasters in recent memory," U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey said, referring to the New England Compounding Center debacle, which led to the deaths of more than 60 people and the sickening of another 700 nationwide. "We need to end this regulatory black hole by giving the FDA new, clear authority to protect patients and oversee these companies, and this bill is an important step."
However, the bill leaves it up to compounders "who wish" to register with the FDA as outsourcing facilities, while others would continue to be regulated by state boards of pharmacy.
"It'll be incumbent on physicians and hospitals to purchase drugs made under a higher quality standard from FDA-registered facilities," said Allan Coukell, a drug policy expert at the Pew Charitable Trusts.
The bill also would replace the current patchwork of state prescription drug tracing laws by creating a uniform framework for tracking drugs from the manufacturer to the pharmacy.
The state's congressional delegation is urging House and Senate leaders on Capitol Hill to fix a federal law they say could result in "devastating" increases to flood insurance premiums, while the state attorney general is vowing to explore every option to block those rate hikes.
A letter yesterday, signed by all 10 Bay State congressmen, asks for an affordability study mandated by the Biggert-Waters National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, which was designed to keep the National Flood Insurance program solvent.
The delegation also is asking for premium increases to be delayed for small businesses and homeowners so that the Federal Emergency Management Agency can use that study's recommendations as FEMA adopts new flood zone maps.
"I want an affordability fix, not simply an affordability study about impacts of new flood maps," U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, who organized the letter, said in a statement. "The fear of rising flood waters should not be compounded by the fear of an unaffordable spike in insurance premiums. We need immediate action to ensure that business and homeowners who cannot afford these potential increases are helped."
The letter came as state Attorney General Martha Coakley vowed to explore every legal avenue to stop exorbitant premiums, including going to court.
"If we can, we will," Coakley said. "We're going to try to move on as many fronts as possible."
The lawmakers also want FEMA to improve its outreach to inform homeowners how the new maps will affect them, and to change its appeals process.
The rate hikes go into effect next Tuesday and FEMA has been rolling out the new flood zone maps and meeting with local officials as the law phases in this year, but the changes have caught many homeowners off guard.
Before Chase White and his wife bought their Scituate home in July, he checked FEMA's website and made sure it wasn't in a high-risk flood zone. But they decided to buy flood insurance anyway because it was only $350 per year. Now, according to FEMA's redrawn maps, their house is at greater risk of a flood, and they expect their insurance to soar to $5,500.
"I feel duped," said White, 33. "We wouldn't have bought the house if we'd known this would happen."
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 September 2013 | 12.32
YANGON, Myanmar — The World Bank is lending Myanmar $140 million to upgrade an aging power plant in southeastern Mon state in a small step toward overcoming the country's chronic power shortages.
Myanmar, which exports natural gas to neighboring Thailand under contracts signed by its former military government, has suffered an energy deficit for years.
The World Bank said Wednesday the interest free loan will fund a refurbishment of the Thaton gas-fired power plant, increasing its generating capacity by 250 percent without an increase in its gas consumption.
It is the first World Bank loan to Myanmar since the development lender forgave $440 million of unpaid debt in January.
Myanmar only recently emerged from a half-century of military rule and isolation, during which time its once promising economy withered. More than 70 percent of people are without electricity.
A lack of funds, rising demand for energy , aging hydroelectric plants and poor grid infrastructure have resulted in frequent power cuts and rationing of electricity during the hot summer months when hydro power generators cannot operate at full capacity due to depleted reservoirs.
"It affects industries, it affects common people, kids cannot study at night because they do not have electricity," said Kanthan Shankar, World Bank country manager for Myanmar.
The bank said the 106 megawatt Thaton plant will provide 5 percent of peak power demand for the entire country and 50 percent of peak demand in Mon state.
Power shortages led to protests early last year in several cities. The government made an uncharacteristic appeal for understanding, saying that rationing was required to cope with greater demand.
BANGKOK — Worries about the U.S. economy and a looming budget battle in Washington kept Asian stock markets in check Thursday.
Data released Wednesday showed orders for long-lasting durable goods increased by only 0.1 percent in August after a sharp drop the month before, raising concerns that third quarter U.S. economic growth may not be as strong as anticipated.
Meanwhile, two financial deadlines for the U.S. government loom. Congress needs to pass a funding bill to keep the federal government operating after Oct. 1, when its new fiscal year starts. And the nation's borrowing limit needs to be raised before Oct. 17.
"The prospect of a U.S. Federal government shutdown is likely to undermine equity prices further in the coming days," said analysts at Capital Economics in an email commentary.
The White House and Republican lawmakers, who disagree on spending cuts and other key budget issues, have just days to reach a compromise. In 2011, a similar situation roiled markets at a time when Europe's debt crisis was flaring, and prompted Standard & Poor's to strip the U.S. of its triple A credit rating.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index overcame initial losses to advance 0.3 percent to 14,668.60. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.4 percent to 2,005.45. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.1 percent to 5,282.40. Benchmarks in Indonesia and Thailand also rose, while those in Singapore, Taiwan and the Philippines fell.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.4 percent to 23,112.66 and the Shanghai Composite Index shed 1.5 percent to 2,166.17. Chinese banking shares fell after reports showed a sharp drop in total yuan deposits.
"The banks in China lost about 200 billion in deposits. The money probably went into shadow banking, which means they created a liquidity problem for banks," said Francis Lun, chief economist at GE Oriental Financial Group in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong-listed China Construction Bank fell 1.8 percent while Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world's biggest bank by market value, lost 1.4 percent.
Wall Street stocks fell for a fifth straight session. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.4 percent to close at 15,273.26. The Standard & Poor's 500 fell 0.3 percent to 1,692.77. The Nasdaq composite dropped 7.16 points, or 0.2 percent, to 3,761.10.
Benchmark oil for November delivery was down 35 cents to $102.33 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 47 cents to close at $102.66 a barrel on the Nymex on Wednesday.
In currencies, the euro rose to $1.3522 from $1.3517 late Wednesday. The dollar rose to 98.81 yen from 98.48 yen.
___
Follow Pamela Sampson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pamelasampson
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 24 September 2013 | 12.32
Boston Herald - Boston HeraldToys R Us to add 45,000 seasonal hiresRental unit fee draws ire at City HallBlackBerry sells to investor for $4.7BMassive Gmail outage finds Google off messageStriking a new balanceCitations pending for Calif. nuclear plant flawThe TickerFormer Qualcomm exec charged with insider tradingTycoon plans $8B Chinese Hollywood studio complexAllegiant: 1 in 10 tickets affected by MD-80 rehabBank of America told to pay in discrimination caseADM looking to move longtime headquartersTD Bank pays $52.5M in charges tied to Ponzi scamGerman government to stay course in euro crisisDisney changing line-jumping program for disabledApple's sales of new iPhones off to fast startMicrosoft unveils new Surface, fixes shortcomingsLong, strange trip ending for VW's hippie vanPopular bathroom wipes blamed for sewer clogsAbercrombie settles Calif. suits over head scarves
http://bostonherald.com/feed/4 en http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/toys_r_us_to_add_45000_seasonal_hires <p>NEW YORK — Toys R Us plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers at its stores and distribution centers, the same number as last year, as it ramps up for the all-important holiday season.</p><p>Coming off a slower-than-expected back-to-school season, analysts and stores are bracing for a tough holiday shopping period, which accounts for as much as 40 percent of stores' annual revenue.</p><p>Stores typically begin to hire for the holidays in mid-September and ramp up hiring in mid-October.</p> Business & Markets Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:02:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063317431 http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/2013/09/rental_unit_fee_draws_ire_at_city_hall <p>A large, sometimes raucous turnout by landlords at a City Hall hearing yesterday turned up the heat on Boston lawmakers to repeal an ordinance that requires rental property owners to register and pay a $25 fee for each apartment they own and submit to an inspection every five years.</p> Real Estate Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Marie Szaniszlo 1063316756 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/blackberry_sells_to_investor_for_47b <p>Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry has agreed to sell itself for $4.7 billion after failing to turn around a business that floundered despite new phones and a new operating system — in a move by a BlackBerry investor to stabilize the company, experts said.</p> Technology News Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jordan Graham 1063316776 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/massive_gmail_outage_finds_google_off_message <p>Gmail users may be in the market for backup alternatives after Google experienced a massive service outage yesterday that affected millions of users.</p><p>Google first acknowledged a problem at 10:25 a.m., when its apps status dashboard said the company was investigating reports of "an issue" with Gmail, as well as Google Documents and Google Presentations.</p> Technology News Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Marie Szaniszlo 1063316856 http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/2013/09/striking_a_new_balance <p>New Balance broke ground yesterday on its new world headquarters in Brighton, part of a 14-acre development that city and company officials say could be the start of significant redevelopment in the area.</p><p>The project, called New Brighton Landing, includes a hotel, retail space, office buildings and what New Balance describes as professional-caliber sports facilities. The New Balance facility will get started first, to be followed by the other components.</p> Real Estate Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jordan Graham and Richard Weir 1063316861 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/citations_pending_for_calif_nuclear_plant_flaw <p>LOS ANGELES — Federal regulators announced Monday they are considering slapping a California utility with two violations for problems that eventually led to the permanent closure of the San Onofre nuclear power plant.</p><p>The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a report that Southern California Edison failed to identify a flawed design for four replacement steam generators, which led to excessive wear to hundreds of tubes that carried radioactive water.</p> Technology News Mon, 23 Sep 2013 23:03:21 -0400 Associated Press 1063314626 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/the_ticker_6 <p><strong>Chrysler files for IPO</strong></p><p>Chrysler Group filed for an initial public offering of stock yesterday.<br />Share price and number to be sold have not been determined. JPMorgan is listed as the investment banker.<br />All the shares to be sold will come from a 41.5 percent stake in Chrysler held by a United Auto Workers retirement trust, the registration document says. The trust wants to cash out so it is liquid enough to pay benefits and not be so heavily invested in a single company.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 22:43:00 -0400 herald.staff 1063317176 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/former_qualcomm_exec_charged_with_insider_trading <p>SAN DIEGO — A former senior executive at Qualcomm Inc. made nearly $250,000 in illegal profits from using inside information to buy stock in the wireless technology company and an acquisition target before major public announcements, according to an indictment unsealed Monday.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:50:01 -0400 Associated Press 1063315701 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/tycoon_plans_8b_chinese_hollywood_studio_complex <p>QINGDAO, China — China's richest man plans to spend 50 billion yuan ($8.2 billion) to build the country's version of Hollywood in the northeastern city of Qingdao.</p><p>In a glitzy, star-studded red carpet event Sunday, Wang Jianlin said his company, Dalian Wanda Group, will build a state-of-the-art film studio complex in a bid to dominate China's rapidly growing movie market.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:27:47 -0400 Associated Press 1063313756 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/allegiant_1_in_10_tickets_affected_by_md_80_rehab <p>LAS VEGAS — More than one in 10 weekend Allegiant Air passengers were affected by schedule shuffling after the airline grounded its MD-80 fleet for maintenance of emergency exit slides, a company official said Monday.</p><p>After canceling 12 flights on six routes Monday and rescheduling those customers to fly Tuesday, company spokesman Brian Davis said administrators believed the Las Vegas-based airline would eliminate its backlog of flights for at least several days.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:15:51 -0400 Associated Press 1063315061 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/bank_of_america_told_to_pay_in_discrimination_case <p>CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An administrative law judge with the U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Bank of America to pay black job applicants more than $2 million in back wages and interest to settle a discrimination case.</p><p>A statement from the agency said the Charlotte-based bank applied unfair and inconsistent selection criteria, leading to the rejection of qualified black applicants for teller and entry-level clerical and administrative positions.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:07:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063316476 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/adm_looking_to_move_longtime_headquarters <p>DECATUR, Ill. — Agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Company said Monday that after 44 years in the small central Illinois city of Decatur, it is looking for a new location for its headquarters with better access to its global customers.</p><p>ADM said it is already considering a list of potential locations for what it's calling its new global headquarters, but doesn't plan to publicly discuss where it could be headed or how long it will take to make the decision. Chicago is among those candidates, city officials said.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:59:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063315596 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/td_bank_pays_525m_in_charges_tied_to_ponzi_scam <p>WASHINGTON — TD Bank is paying $52.5 million to settle U.S. allegations it failed to report suspicious activity in accounts linked to a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme and lied about the accounts to investors.</p><p>The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced settlements Monday with the Canadian bank.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:38:42 -0400 Associated Press 1063315646 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/german_government_to_stay_course_in_euro_crisis <p>FRANKFURT, Germany — The big win for Angela Merkel's conservative party was an endorsement by German voters of her tough policies in tackling the euro currency union's government debt troubles. So don't expect any big change in course from her.</p><p>Merkel ran for re-election on her basic formula: help financially weak countries but impose harsh conditions, such as deep budget cuts and politically painful economic reforms.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 17:12:34 -0400 Associated Press 1063314641 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/disney_changing_line_jumping_program_for_disabled <p>ANAHEIM, Calif. — People with disabilities will no longer go straight to the front of lines at Disneyland and Walt Disney World after growing abuse of the system, park officials said.</p><p>Under the change, visitors will be issued tickets with a return time and a shorter wait similar to the FastPass system that's offered to everyone.</p><p>Currently, visitors unable to wait in the regular line can get backdoor access to rides or go through the exit and wait in a shorter line.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 17:08:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063315936 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/apples_sales_of_new_iphones_off_to_fast_start <p>SAN FRANCISCO — Gadget lovers still can't resist the iPhone's seductive call, even amid a bevy of enticing lower-priced alternatives that offer similar features.</p><p>In a Monday announcement, Apple Inc. said it sold 9 million units of its top-of-the-line iPhone 5S and less-expensive iPhone 5C during their first three days on sale. That trounced the performance of last year's model, the iPhone 5, which sold 5 million units in its opening weekend.</p> Technology News Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:36:23 -0400 Associated Press 1063314436 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/microsoft_unveils_new_surface_fixes_shortcomings <p>NEW YORK — Microsoft refreshed its Surface tablet computers Monday, giving them longer battery life and better comfort on laps as the software giant continues its transformation into a devices and services company.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:12:52 -0400 Associated Press 1063314721 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/long_strange_trip_ending_for_vws_hippie_van <p>SAO PAULO — It carried hippies through the 1960s, hauled surfers in search of killer waves during endless summers and serves as a workhorse across the developing world, but the long, strange trip of the Volkswagen van is ending.</p><p>Brazil is the last place in the world still producing the iconic vehicle, or "bus" as it's known by aficionados, but VW says production will end Dec. 31. Safety regulations mandate that every vehicle in Brazil must have air bags and anti-lock braking systems starting in 2014, and the company says it cannot change production to meet the law.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:00:23 -0400 Associated Press 1063313656 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/popular_bathroom_wipes_blamed_for_sewer_clogs <p>BEMUS POINT, N.Y. — Increasingly popular bathroom wipes — pre-moistened towelettes that are often advertised as flushable — are being blamed for creating clogs and backups in sewer systems around the nation.</p><p>Wastewater authorities say wipes may go down the toilet, but even many labeled flushable aren't breaking down as they course through the sewer system. That's costing some municipalities millions of dollars to dispatch crews to unclog pipes and pumps and to replace and upgrade machinery.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:50:11 -0400 Associated Press 1063313781 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/abercrombie_settles_calif_suits_over_head_scarves <p>SAN FRANCISCO — Trendy clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has agreed to make religious accommodations and allow workers to wear head scarves as part of a settlement of discrimination lawsuits filed in California, lawyers announced Monday.</p><p>The retailer will now allow hijabs, the traditional head scarves worn by many Muslim women when in public.</p><p>One judge determined the Ohio-based company fired a Muslim worker from a California store, while another judge said it refused to hire another woman in the state because of their refusal to remove their hijabs during work.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:35:17 -0400 Associated Press 1063315161
Boston Herald - Boston HeraldToys R Us to add 45,000 seasonal hiresRental unit fee draws ire at City HallBlackBerry sells to investor for $4.7BMassive Gmail outage finds Google off messageStriking a new balanceCitations pending for Calif. nuclear plant flawThe TickerFormer Qualcomm exec charged with insider tradingTycoon plans $8B Chinese Hollywood studio complexAllegiant: 1 in 10 tickets affected by MD-80 rehabBank of America told to pay in discrimination caseADM looking to move longtime headquartersTD Bank pays $52.5M in charges tied to Ponzi scamGerman government to stay course in euro crisisDisney changing line-jumping program for disabledApple's sales of new iPhones off to fast startMicrosoft unveils new Surface, fixes shortcomingsLong, strange trip ending for VW's hippie vanPopular bathroom wipes blamed for sewer clogsAbercrombie settles Calif. suits over head scarves
http://bostonherald.com/feed/4 en http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/toys_r_us_to_add_45000_seasonal_hires <p>NEW YORK — Toys R Us plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers at its stores and distribution centers, the same number as last year, as it ramps up for the all-important holiday season.</p><p>Coming off a slower-than-expected back-to-school season, analysts and stores are bracing for a tough holiday shopping period, which accounts for as much as 40 percent of stores' annual revenue.</p><p>Stores typically begin to hire for the holidays in mid-September and ramp up hiring in mid-October.</p> Business & Markets Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:02:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063317431 http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/2013/09/rental_unit_fee_draws_ire_at_city_hall <p>A large, sometimes raucous turnout by landlords at a City Hall hearing yesterday turned up the heat on Boston lawmakers to repeal an ordinance that requires rental property owners to register and pay a $25 fee for each apartment they own and submit to an inspection every five years.</p> Real Estate Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Marie Szaniszlo 1063316756 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/blackberry_sells_to_investor_for_47b <p>Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry has agreed to sell itself for $4.7 billion after failing to turn around a business that floundered despite new phones and a new operating system — in a move by a BlackBerry investor to stabilize the company, experts said.</p> Technology News Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jordan Graham 1063316776 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/massive_gmail_outage_finds_google_off_message <p>Gmail users may be in the market for backup alternatives after Google experienced a massive service outage yesterday that affected millions of users.</p><p>Google first acknowledged a problem at 10:25 a.m., when its apps status dashboard said the company was investigating reports of "an issue" with Gmail, as well as Google Documents and Google Presentations.</p> Technology News Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Marie Szaniszlo 1063316856 http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/2013/09/striking_a_new_balance <p>New Balance broke ground yesterday on its new world headquarters in Brighton, part of a 14-acre development that city and company officials say could be the start of significant redevelopment in the area.</p><p>The project, called New Brighton Landing, includes a hotel, retail space, office buildings and what New Balance describes as professional-caliber sports facilities. The New Balance facility will get started first, to be followed by the other components.</p> Real Estate Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jordan Graham and Richard Weir 1063316861 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/citations_pending_for_calif_nuclear_plant_flaw <p>LOS ANGELES — Federal regulators announced Monday they are considering slapping a California utility with two violations for problems that eventually led to the permanent closure of the San Onofre nuclear power plant.</p><p>The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a report that Southern California Edison failed to identify a flawed design for four replacement steam generators, which led to excessive wear to hundreds of tubes that carried radioactive water.</p> Technology News Mon, 23 Sep 2013 23:03:21 -0400 Associated Press 1063314626 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/the_ticker_6 <p><strong>Chrysler files for IPO</strong></p><p>Chrysler Group filed for an initial public offering of stock yesterday.<br />Share price and number to be sold have not been determined. JPMorgan is listed as the investment banker.<br />All the shares to be sold will come from a 41.5 percent stake in Chrysler held by a United Auto Workers retirement trust, the registration document says. The trust wants to cash out so it is liquid enough to pay benefits and not be so heavily invested in a single company.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 22:43:00 -0400 herald.staff 1063317176 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/former_qualcomm_exec_charged_with_insider_trading <p>SAN DIEGO — A former senior executive at Qualcomm Inc. made nearly $250,000 in illegal profits from using inside information to buy stock in the wireless technology company and an acquisition target before major public announcements, according to an indictment unsealed Monday.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:50:01 -0400 Associated Press 1063315701 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/tycoon_plans_8b_chinese_hollywood_studio_complex <p>QINGDAO, China — China's richest man plans to spend 50 billion yuan ($8.2 billion) to build the country's version of Hollywood in the northeastern city of Qingdao.</p><p>In a glitzy, star-studded red carpet event Sunday, Wang Jianlin said his company, Dalian Wanda Group, will build a state-of-the-art film studio complex in a bid to dominate China's rapidly growing movie market.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:27:47 -0400 Associated Press 1063313756 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/allegiant_1_in_10_tickets_affected_by_md_80_rehab <p>LAS VEGAS — More than one in 10 weekend Allegiant Air passengers were affected by schedule shuffling after the airline grounded its MD-80 fleet for maintenance of emergency exit slides, a company official said Monday.</p><p>After canceling 12 flights on six routes Monday and rescheduling those customers to fly Tuesday, company spokesman Brian Davis said administrators believed the Las Vegas-based airline would eliminate its backlog of flights for at least several days.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:15:51 -0400 Associated Press 1063315061 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/bank_of_america_told_to_pay_in_discrimination_case <p>CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An administrative law judge with the U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Bank of America to pay black job applicants more than $2 million in back wages and interest to settle a discrimination case.</p><p>A statement from the agency said the Charlotte-based bank applied unfair and inconsistent selection criteria, leading to the rejection of qualified black applicants for teller and entry-level clerical and administrative positions.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:07:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063316476 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/adm_looking_to_move_longtime_headquarters <p>DECATUR, Ill. — Agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Company said Monday that after 44 years in the small central Illinois city of Decatur, it is looking for a new location for its headquarters with better access to its global customers.</p><p>ADM said it is already considering a list of potential locations for what it's calling its new global headquarters, but doesn't plan to publicly discuss where it could be headed or how long it will take to make the decision. Chicago is among those candidates, city officials said.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:59:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063315596 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/td_bank_pays_525m_in_charges_tied_to_ponzi_scam <p>WASHINGTON — TD Bank is paying $52.5 million to settle U.S. allegations it failed to report suspicious activity in accounts linked to a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme and lied about the accounts to investors.</p><p>The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced settlements Monday with the Canadian bank.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:38:42 -0400 Associated Press 1063315646 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/german_government_to_stay_course_in_euro_crisis <p>FRANKFURT, Germany — The big win for Angela Merkel's conservative party was an endorsement by German voters of her tough policies in tackling the euro currency union's government debt troubles. So don't expect any big change in course from her.</p><p>Merkel ran for re-election on her basic formula: help financially weak countries but impose harsh conditions, such as deep budget cuts and politically painful economic reforms.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 17:12:34 -0400 Associated Press 1063314641 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/disney_changing_line_jumping_program_for_disabled <p>ANAHEIM, Calif. — People with disabilities will no longer go straight to the front of lines at Disneyland and Walt Disney World after growing abuse of the system, park officials said.</p><p>Under the change, visitors will be issued tickets with a return time and a shorter wait similar to the FastPass system that's offered to everyone.</p><p>Currently, visitors unable to wait in the regular line can get backdoor access to rides or go through the exit and wait in a shorter line.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 17:08:00 -0400 Associated Press 1063315936 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/apples_sales_of_new_iphones_off_to_fast_start <p>SAN FRANCISCO — Gadget lovers still can't resist the iPhone's seductive call, even amid a bevy of enticing lower-priced alternatives that offer similar features.</p><p>In a Monday announcement, Apple Inc. said it sold 9 million units of its top-of-the-line iPhone 5S and less-expensive iPhone 5C during their first three days on sale. That trounced the performance of last year's model, the iPhone 5, which sold 5 million units in its opening weekend.</p> Technology News Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:36:23 -0400 Associated Press 1063314436 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/microsoft_unveils_new_surface_fixes_shortcomings <p>NEW YORK — Microsoft refreshed its Surface tablet computers Monday, giving them longer battery life and better comfort on laps as the software giant continues its transformation into a devices and services company.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:12:52 -0400 Associated Press 1063314721 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/long_strange_trip_ending_for_vws_hippie_van <p>SAO PAULO — It carried hippies through the 1960s, hauled surfers in search of killer waves during endless summers and serves as a workhorse across the developing world, but the long, strange trip of the Volkswagen van is ending.</p><p>Brazil is the last place in the world still producing the iconic vehicle, or "bus" as it's known by aficionados, but VW says production will end Dec. 31. Safety regulations mandate that every vehicle in Brazil must have air bags and anti-lock braking systems starting in 2014, and the company says it cannot change production to meet the law.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:00:23 -0400 Associated Press 1063313656 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/popular_bathroom_wipes_blamed_for_sewer_clogs <p>BEMUS POINT, N.Y. — Increasingly popular bathroom wipes — pre-moistened towelettes that are often advertised as flushable — are being blamed for creating clogs and backups in sewer systems around the nation.</p><p>Wastewater authorities say wipes may go down the toilet, but even many labeled flushable aren't breaking down as they course through the sewer system. That's costing some municipalities millions of dollars to dispatch crews to unclog pipes and pumps and to replace and upgrade machinery.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:50:11 -0400 Associated Press 1063313781 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/abercrombie_settles_calif_suits_over_head_scarves <p>SAN FRANCISCO — Trendy clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has agreed to make religious accommodations and allow workers to wear head scarves as part of a settlement of discrimination lawsuits filed in California, lawyers announced Monday.</p><p>The retailer will now allow hijabs, the traditional head scarves worn by many Muslim women when in public.</p><p>One judge determined the Ohio-based company fired a Muslim worker from a California store, while another judge said it refused to hire another woman in the state because of their refusal to remove their hijabs during work.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:35:17 -0400 Associated Press 1063315161
Written By Unknown on Senin, 23 September 2013 | 12.33
Boston Herald - Boston HeraldLong, strange trip ending for VW's hippie vanNew Surface expected from Microsoft at NYC event5S: game, but no game-changerColor us meh on 5COn the surface, Seaport boom makes parking more difficultGreece resumes talks with its creditorsComputer mishap delays space station supply shipPope offers hope to Sardinia's poor, unemployedTests: New iPhones less durable than iPhone 5AP: Records show Maine gov. tried to jam wind planCasinos tap intelligence network to beat cheatersVenezuela's president in China, signs agreementsCo. shows how garden growsHarvard launches a record $6.5B fundraising campaignHarvard launches $6.5 billion capital campaignWal-Mart driver honored for 4 million accident-free milesWest Hollywood institutes nation's first fur banChiquita seeks dismissal in Colombian caseRussia warns Ukraine against EU dealGunman's employer sought Navy consulting work
http://bostonherald.com/feed/4 en http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/long_strange_trip_ending_for_vws_hippie_van <p>SAO PAULO — It carried hippies through the 1960s, hauled surfers in search of killer waves during endless summers and serves as a workhorse across the developing world, but the long, strange trip of the Volkswagen van is ending.</p><p>Brazil is the last place in the world still producing the iconic vehicle, or "bus" as it's known by aficionados, but VW says production will end Dec. 31. Safety regulations mandate that every vehicle in Brazil must have air bags and anti-lock braking systems starting in 2014, and the company says it cannot change production to meet the law.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:26:53 -0400 Associated Press 1063313656 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/new_surface_expected_from_microsoft_at_nyc_event <p>NEW YORK — Microsoft Corp. is expected to announce new Surface tablet computers, including a version with a smaller screen to compete with Google's Nexus 7 and Apple's iPad Mini.</p><p>The company has an announcement event scheduled in New York on Monday.</p> Technology News Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:05:38 -0400 Associated Press 1063313626 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/5s_game_but_no_game_changer <p>At first blush, the iPhone 5S looks virtually identical to its predecessor, the iPhone 5. Apple's midcycle "S" upgrades are reserved for iterative changes. So while owners of the 5 might find themselves a bit let-down by Apple's promise that this new smartphone is its "most forward-thinking," consumers can rest assured that this is surely Apple's best iPhone to date.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jessica Van Sack, Booting Up 1063313051 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/color_us_meh_on_5c <p>IPhone 5C ($99 for 16GB, $199 for 32GB version, on contract):</p><p>The iPhone 5C is the iPhone 5 dressed up in five bright new color options, with a rounded plastic casing to complete this new look.</p><p><b>The Good: </b>Apple declared its new iPhone 5C as "beautifully, unapologetically plastic." And it is. Its rounded edges actually sit more comfortably in the palm than its predecessor, the sharp-cornered 5, and its exterior twin, the new 5S.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 herald.staff 1063313071 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/on_the_surface_seaport_boom_makes_parking_more_difficult <p>Booming Seaport District development comes at a price for South Boston waterfront and Financial District workers who park in the evaporating sea of surface lots there.</p><p>Construction projects have resulted in the loss of 630-plus parking spots since last November, and 160 more will soon be added to the list.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Donna Goodison 1063313106 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/greece_resumes_talks_with_its_creditors <p>ATHENS, Greece — Greece resumed talks with its creditors to review progress in stabilizing the indebted country's finances.</p><p>Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras met for more than four hours Sunday with representatives of the so-called troika of creditors — the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. At stake is the continuation of the financing of Greece by the creditors, including a €1 billion ($1.35 billion) bailout installment to be paid in October.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 17:24:56 -0400 Associated Press 1063310511 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/computer_mishap_delays_space_station_supply_ship <p>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A brand new commercial cargo ship making its orbital debut experienced navigation system trouble Sunday, and its arrival at the International Space Station was delayed at least two days.</p><p>The rendezvous was aborted less than six hours before the scheduled arrival of Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Cygnus capsule, packed with 1,300 pounds of food and clothes for the space station crew.</p> Technology News Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:59:59 -0400 Associated Press 1063310376 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/pope_offers_hope_to_sardinias_poor_unemployed <p>CAGLIARI, Sardinia — Pope Francis denounced what he called big business's idolatry of money as he traveled Sunday to one of Italy's poorest regions to offer hope to the unemployed and entrepreneurs struggling to hang on.</p><p>"Where there is no work, there is no dignity," he said.</p><p>Francis left aside his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff to thousands of people in Sardinia's capital, telling them he knew well what it was like to suffer from financial crisis. He recalled that his Italian parents, who immigrated to Argentina before he was born, spoke about it often at home.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:19:58 -0400 Associated Press 1063310211 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/tests_new_iphones_less_durable_than_iphone_5 <p>NEW YORK — As Apple pitches its newest smartphones, users may find something lacking compared with last year's model: They could break more easily.</p><p>SquareTrade, a provider of protection plans for gadgets, tested five smartphones, including Apple's new iPhones, to see if they could withstand drops, dunks and other common hazards. Its finding: The latest models aren't as durable as last year's iPhone 5.</p> Technology News Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:12:01 -0400 Associated Press 1063311426 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/ap_records_show_maine_gov_tried_to_jam_wind_plan <p>AUGUSTA, Maine — Before its public push to have Maine reconsider wind energy proposals, Gov. Paul LePage's administration worked behind the scenes to explicitly derail Norwegian company Statoil's multimillion-dollar agreement with the state for an offshore wind project, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 12:16:28 -0400 Associated Press 1063310861 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/casinos_tap_intelligence_network_to_beat_cheaters <p>UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The man at the poker table had a ball cap pulled down almost to his nose, but his glance up at a television screen revealed a familiar face to Mohegan Sun's surveillance cameras: A photograph of the known card cheater had been sent by bulletin to casinos around the country.</p><p>Within hours, the bettor was arrested, accused of marking cards with invisible ink.</p><p>"The officer who identified him, basically she had a 'Holy crap!' moment," said Jay Lindroos, the casino's surveillance director. "She saw the face and said, 'I recognize that guy!'"</p> Technology News Sun, 22 Sep 2013 11:11:22 -0400 Associated Press 1063310971 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/venezuelas_president_in_china_signs_agreements <p>BEIJING — China and Venezuela signed several agreements Sunday during a visit by the Venezuelan president that is meant to strengthen economic ties between the South American nation and its leading creditor.</p><p>President Nicolas Maduro told his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that the main goal of his trip was to further consolidate and expand the strategic partnership between the two countries that late President Hugo Chavez began with Chinese leaders. Chavez died in March after 14 years in power.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 10:22:01 -0400 Associated Press 1063310456 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/co_shows_how_garden_grows <p>Before this fall, Samantha Swanick had eaten vegetables many times, but the 8-year-old had never thought she would actually grow one.</p><p>"After a few days, you can see them get bigger and bigger," she said Friday at Centerville Elementary School in Beverly, where she and other third-graders carefully tend to three, raised-bed, organic vegetable gardens each week. "You have to put the tall stuff like tomatoes in the back and the small stuff in the front so all of them can have sun and grow. I like the lettuce."</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Marie Szaniszlo 1063308361 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/harvard_launches_a_record_65b_fundraising_campaign <p>Harvard University launched a $6.5 billion fundraising campaign yesterday, an effort that — if successful — will be the biggest fundraiser ever in higher education and will allow the Cambridge university to expand its mission, the university said.</p><p>"No institution of higher education has a more exciting opportunity for innovative growth," Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust told an audience of university officials, alumni and donors. "This campaign must help us support the structures and modes of academic inquiry."</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jordan Graham 1063308471 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/harvard_launches_65_billion_capital_campaign <p>BOSTON — Harvard University launched a $6.5 billion capital campaign Saturday that, if successful, would be the largest fundraising effort in the history of higher education.</p><p>The school said the campaign had broad goals spanning all its schools and would fund research into neuroscience, stem cell science and low-cost energy for the developing world.</p><p>The campaign would target major renovations of the university's undergraduate housing and increase its study of new learning and teaching strategies.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 19:02:35 -0400 Associated Press 1063306361 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/wal_mart_driver_honored_for_4_million_accident_free_miles <p>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A long-distance truck driver for Wal-Mart has been recognized for traveling 4 million miles without an accident.</p><p>Warren Greeno of Loveland, Colo., reached the milestone this year. Today, Wal-Mart executives in Arkansas presented him with a new rig painted red.</p><p>The 59-year-old rolled up the mileage over 31 years and four months, an average of about 500 miles each working day.</p><p>Greeno said in an interview this week that there were half-dozen near-collisions. He said he waited for "the thump and the crash" but they never came.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:49:52 -0400 Associated Press 1063306511 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/west_hollywood_institutes_nations_first_fur_ban <p>WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — West Hollywood is now the only city in America where it's a crime to sell fur apparel.</p><p>The Los Angeles Times reports that after years of debate, the ban took effect Saturday.</p><p>It only applies to apparel that's made to be worn, such as shoes, hats and gloves. Ugg boots can't be sold because they contain shearling, a sheepskin or lambskin pelt that's had limited shearing.</p><p>The Southern California city calls itself a cruelty-free zone for animals and is famous for animal-friendly laws.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:11:44 -0400 Associated Press 1063306406 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/chiquita_seeks_dismissal_in_colombian_case <p>MIAMI — Faced with potentially billions of dollars in legal liability, Chiquita Brands International is asking a federal appeals court to block lawsuits filed against it in the U.S. by thousands of Colombians whose relatives were killed in that country's bloody, decades-long civil war.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:57:43 -0400 Associated Press 1063305776 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/russia_warns_ukraine_against_eu_deal <p>YALTA, Ukraine — A top Russian official on Saturday warned Ukraine against signing a landmark trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union, saying Moscow would retaliate with trade restrictions that could push this ex-Soviet republic toward default.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:10:22 -0400 Associated Press 1063305806 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/gunmans_employer_sought_navy_consulting_work <p>WASHINGTON — A little more than 24 hours after an IT contractor shot dozen workers at the Washington Navy Yard, the company's CEO told the Navy secretary he had the experience to help improve military security.</p><p>The email from The Experts chief Thomas Hoshko, which included descriptions of his background and expertise, stunned some Navy leaders in the wake of the shootings Monday that left 13 people dead, including the gunman, former Navy reservist Aaron Alexis.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:03:33 -0400 Associated Press 1063305866
Boston Herald - Boston HeraldLong, strange trip ending for VW's hippie vanNew Surface expected from Microsoft at NYC event5S: game, but no game-changerColor us meh on 5COn the surface, Seaport boom makes parking more difficultGreece resumes talks with its creditorsComputer mishap delays space station supply shipPope offers hope to Sardinia's poor, unemployedTests: New iPhones less durable than iPhone 5AP: Records show Maine gov. tried to jam wind planCasinos tap intelligence network to beat cheatersVenezuela's president in China, signs agreementsCo. shows how garden growsHarvard launches a record $6.5B fundraising campaignHarvard launches $6.5 billion capital campaignWal-Mart driver honored for 4 million accident-free milesWest Hollywood institutes nation's first fur banChiquita seeks dismissal in Colombian caseRussia warns Ukraine against EU dealGunman's employer sought Navy consulting work
http://bostonherald.com/feed/4 en http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/long_strange_trip_ending_for_vws_hippie_van <p>SAO PAULO — It carried hippies through the 1960s, hauled surfers in search of killer waves during endless summers and serves as a workhorse across the developing world, but the long, strange trip of the Volkswagen van is ending.</p><p>Brazil is the last place in the world still producing the iconic vehicle, or "bus" as it's known by aficionados, but VW says production will end Dec. 31. Safety regulations mandate that every vehicle in Brazil must have air bags and anti-lock braking systems starting in 2014, and the company says it cannot change production to meet the law.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:26:53 -0400 Associated Press 1063313656 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/new_surface_expected_from_microsoft_at_nyc_event <p>NEW YORK — Microsoft Corp. is expected to announce new Surface tablet computers, including a version with a smaller screen to compete with Google's Nexus 7 and Apple's iPad Mini.</p><p>The company has an announcement event scheduled in New York on Monday.</p> Technology News Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:05:38 -0400 Associated Press 1063313626 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/5s_game_but_no_game_changer <p>At first blush, the iPhone 5S looks virtually identical to its predecessor, the iPhone 5. Apple's midcycle "S" upgrades are reserved for iterative changes. So while owners of the 5 might find themselves a bit let-down by Apple's promise that this new smartphone is its "most forward-thinking," consumers can rest assured that this is surely Apple's best iPhone to date.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jessica Van Sack, Booting Up 1063313051 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/color_us_meh_on_5c <p>IPhone 5C ($99 for 16GB, $199 for 32GB version, on contract):</p><p>The iPhone 5C is the iPhone 5 dressed up in five bright new color options, with a rounded plastic casing to complete this new look.</p><p><b>The Good: </b>Apple declared its new iPhone 5C as "beautifully, unapologetically plastic." And it is. Its rounded edges actually sit more comfortably in the palm than its predecessor, the sharp-cornered 5, and its exterior twin, the new 5S.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 herald.staff 1063313071 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/on_the_surface_seaport_boom_makes_parking_more_difficult <p>Booming Seaport District development comes at a price for South Boston waterfront and Financial District workers who park in the evaporating sea of surface lots there.</p><p>Construction projects have resulted in the loss of 630-plus parking spots since last November, and 160 more will soon be added to the list.</p> Business & Markets Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Donna Goodison 1063313106 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/greece_resumes_talks_with_its_creditors <p>ATHENS, Greece — Greece resumed talks with its creditors to review progress in stabilizing the indebted country's finances.</p><p>Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras met for more than four hours Sunday with representatives of the so-called troika of creditors — the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. At stake is the continuation of the financing of Greece by the creditors, including a €1 billion ($1.35 billion) bailout installment to be paid in October.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 17:24:56 -0400 Associated Press 1063310511 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/computer_mishap_delays_space_station_supply_ship <p>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A brand new commercial cargo ship making its orbital debut experienced navigation system trouble Sunday, and its arrival at the International Space Station was delayed at least two days.</p><p>The rendezvous was aborted less than six hours before the scheduled arrival of Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Cygnus capsule, packed with 1,300 pounds of food and clothes for the space station crew.</p> Technology News Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:59:59 -0400 Associated Press 1063310376 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/pope_offers_hope_to_sardinias_poor_unemployed <p>CAGLIARI, Sardinia — Pope Francis denounced what he called big business's idolatry of money as he traveled Sunday to one of Italy's poorest regions to offer hope to the unemployed and entrepreneurs struggling to hang on.</p><p>"Where there is no work, there is no dignity," he said.</p><p>Francis left aside his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff to thousands of people in Sardinia's capital, telling them he knew well what it was like to suffer from financial crisis. He recalled that his Italian parents, who immigrated to Argentina before he was born, spoke about it often at home.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:19:58 -0400 Associated Press 1063310211 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/tests_new_iphones_less_durable_than_iphone_5 <p>NEW YORK — As Apple pitches its newest smartphones, users may find something lacking compared with last year's model: They could break more easily.</p><p>SquareTrade, a provider of protection plans for gadgets, tested five smartphones, including Apple's new iPhones, to see if they could withstand drops, dunks and other common hazards. Its finding: The latest models aren't as durable as last year's iPhone 5.</p> Technology News Sun, 22 Sep 2013 13:12:01 -0400 Associated Press 1063311426 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/ap_records_show_maine_gov_tried_to_jam_wind_plan <p>AUGUSTA, Maine — Before its public push to have Maine reconsider wind energy proposals, Gov. Paul LePage's administration worked behind the scenes to explicitly derail Norwegian company Statoil's multimillion-dollar agreement with the state for an offshore wind project, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 12:16:28 -0400 Associated Press 1063310861 http://bostonherald.com/business/technology/technology_news/2013/09/casinos_tap_intelligence_network_to_beat_cheaters <p>UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The man at the poker table had a ball cap pulled down almost to his nose, but his glance up at a television screen revealed a familiar face to Mohegan Sun's surveillance cameras: A photograph of the known card cheater had been sent by bulletin to casinos around the country.</p><p>Within hours, the bettor was arrested, accused of marking cards with invisible ink.</p><p>"The officer who identified him, basically she had a 'Holy crap!' moment," said Jay Lindroos, the casino's surveillance director. "She saw the face and said, 'I recognize that guy!'"</p> Technology News Sun, 22 Sep 2013 11:11:22 -0400 Associated Press 1063310971 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/venezuelas_president_in_china_signs_agreements <p>BEIJING — China and Venezuela signed several agreements Sunday during a visit by the Venezuelan president that is meant to strengthen economic ties between the South American nation and its leading creditor.</p><p>President Nicolas Maduro told his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that the main goal of his trip was to further consolidate and expand the strategic partnership between the two countries that late President Hugo Chavez began with Chinese leaders. Chavez died in March after 14 years in power.</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 10:22:01 -0400 Associated Press 1063310456 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/co_shows_how_garden_grows <p>Before this fall, Samantha Swanick had eaten vegetables many times, but the 8-year-old had never thought she would actually grow one.</p><p>"After a few days, you can see them get bigger and bigger," she said Friday at Centerville Elementary School in Beverly, where she and other third-graders carefully tend to three, raised-bed, organic vegetable gardens each week. "You have to put the tall stuff like tomatoes in the back and the small stuff in the front so all of them can have sun and grow. I like the lettuce."</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Marie Szaniszlo 1063308361 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/harvard_launches_a_record_65b_fundraising_campaign <p>Harvard University launched a $6.5 billion fundraising campaign yesterday, an effort that — if successful — will be the biggest fundraiser ever in higher education and will allow the Cambridge university to expand its mission, the university said.</p><p>"No institution of higher education has a more exciting opportunity for innovative growth," Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust told an audience of university officials, alumni and donors. "This campaign must help us support the structures and modes of academic inquiry."</p> Business & Markets Sun, 22 Sep 2013 00:00:00 -0400 Jordan Graham 1063308471 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/harvard_launches_65_billion_capital_campaign <p>BOSTON — Harvard University launched a $6.5 billion capital campaign Saturday that, if successful, would be the largest fundraising effort in the history of higher education.</p><p>The school said the campaign had broad goals spanning all its schools and would fund research into neuroscience, stem cell science and low-cost energy for the developing world.</p><p>The campaign would target major renovations of the university's undergraduate housing and increase its study of new learning and teaching strategies.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 19:02:35 -0400 Associated Press 1063306361 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/wal_mart_driver_honored_for_4_million_accident_free_miles <p>LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A long-distance truck driver for Wal-Mart has been recognized for traveling 4 million miles without an accident.</p><p>Warren Greeno of Loveland, Colo., reached the milestone this year. Today, Wal-Mart executives in Arkansas presented him with a new rig painted red.</p><p>The 59-year-old rolled up the mileage over 31 years and four months, an average of about 500 miles each working day.</p><p>Greeno said in an interview this week that there were half-dozen near-collisions. He said he waited for "the thump and the crash" but they never came.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:49:52 -0400 Associated Press 1063306511 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/west_hollywood_institutes_nations_first_fur_ban <p>WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — West Hollywood is now the only city in America where it's a crime to sell fur apparel.</p><p>The Los Angeles Times reports that after years of debate, the ban took effect Saturday.</p><p>It only applies to apparel that's made to be worn, such as shoes, hats and gloves. Ugg boots can't be sold because they contain shearling, a sheepskin or lambskin pelt that's had limited shearing.</p><p>The Southern California city calls itself a cruelty-free zone for animals and is famous for animal-friendly laws.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 15:11:44 -0400 Associated Press 1063306406 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/chiquita_seeks_dismissal_in_colombian_case <p>MIAMI — Faced with potentially billions of dollars in legal liability, Chiquita Brands International is asking a federal appeals court to block lawsuits filed against it in the U.S. by thousands of Colombians whose relatives were killed in that country's bloody, decades-long civil war.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 13:57:43 -0400 Associated Press 1063305776 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/russia_warns_ukraine_against_eu_deal <p>YALTA, Ukraine — A top Russian official on Saturday warned Ukraine against signing a landmark trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union, saying Moscow would retaliate with trade restrictions that could push this ex-Soviet republic toward default.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:10:22 -0400 Associated Press 1063305806 http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/09/gunmans_employer_sought_navy_consulting_work <p>WASHINGTON — A little more than 24 hours after an IT contractor shot dozen workers at the Washington Navy Yard, the company's CEO told the Navy secretary he had the experience to help improve military security.</p><p>The email from The Experts chief Thomas Hoshko, which included descriptions of his background and expertise, stunned some Navy leaders in the wake of the shootings Monday that left 13 people dead, including the gunman, former Navy reservist Aaron Alexis.</p> Business & Markets Sat, 21 Sep 2013 11:03:33 -0400 Associated Press 1063305866
