Nafas Bertasbih

Business - BostonHerald.com

Written By Unknown on Senin, 10 Desember 2012 | 00.52

Business - BostonHerald.comBusiness - BostonHerald.com

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/?srvc=rss The Boston Herald online: The closest distance between you and the news en-us Copyright 2012, Herald Interactive, Inc. Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:47:16 -0500 systems@heraldinteractive.com (Web Developers) 120 http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/images/siteImages/rss_logo.jpg http://www.bostonherald.com/business/?srvc=rss 100 48 The Boston Herald online: The closest distance between you and the news http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180667&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180667&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180667&srvc=rss DHAKA, Bangladesh - A Bangladesh war crimes tribunal has accused the British magazine The Economist of hacking... business Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:02:49 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180505&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180505&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180505&srvc=rss The singing voice behind the hard-rock tune "Sober" has uncorked his wines in Massachusetts. Arizona Stronghold... business Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:00:14 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180647&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180647&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180647&srvc=rss LOS ANGELES - The union representing freelance technical employees who work on live sporting events for Pac-12... business Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:15:12 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180533&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180533&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180533&srvc=rss UsTrendy wants to give one budding collegiate fashion designer his big break. The Brookline-based fashion e-commerce... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:39:24 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180543&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180543&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180543&srvc=rss I own a 1997 Dodge 3500 pickup I bought used about 10 years ago, and this problem came with the truck. When it... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:28:04 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180489&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180489&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180489&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - The Agriculture Department is responding to criticism over new school lunch rules by allowing more... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:30:19 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180311&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180311&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180311&srvc=rss Hurricane Sandy largely spared U.S. employment numbers last month, but one expert says the looming "fiscal cliff"... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 11:30:53 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180436&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180436&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180436&srvc=rss DOHA, Qatar - A U.N. climate conference with nearly 200 countries has adopted an extension of the Kyoto Protocol... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 11:22:58 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180430&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180430&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180430&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has some harsh words for rural America: It's "becoming less and... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:33:47 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180425&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180425&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180425&srvc=rss Keep an eye on the Fiat 500L. The little retro-Italian crossover is one of the early surprises and stands a good... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:02:25 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180377&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180377&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061180377&srvc=rss LONDON - A nurse found dead days after she took a crank call about the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was originally... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 09:25:37 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180407&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180407&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180407&srvc=rss The chief executive of cash-strapped Fisker Automotive Inc. is in Europe looking for investors and business partners. The... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 08:38:58 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061180379&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061180379&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061180379&srvc=rss WALTHAM - The Massachusetts Medical Society has produced a series of brochures to help parents deal with topics... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 06:35:38 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180374&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180374&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180374&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Saturday that Republicans in the House are blocking a bill that would... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 06:19:13 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061180305&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061180305&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061180305&srvc=rss This Melrose Victorian features lots of hand-carved woodwork that has been meticulously restored, and the home... business Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:20:43 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180312&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180312&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180312&srvc=rss Boston lawyer Paul McDonough remembers when burlesque queen Ann Corio burst into genteel Locke-Ober to confront... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:10:17 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180336&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180336&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180336&srvc=rss Supporters of the Massachusetts Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund celebrated the announcement tonight... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:34:26 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180304&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180304&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061180304&srvc=rss The new Volvo S60 is a practical, sensible luxury car for those who don't need the ego boost of driving one... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:29:04 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180261&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180261&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180261&srvc=rss Look for Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Sunday. Pierce will be visiting American... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:26:46 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180306&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180306&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180306&srvc=rss US Air offers merger US Airways Group Inc. has made a formal merger proposal to American Airlines parent AMR... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:20:57 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061180327&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061180327&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061180327&srvc=rss Development firm Pappas Enterprises has cashed in on the investment craze around the South Boston waterfront, selling... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:16:46 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180277&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180277&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180277&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission says the nation's four largest wireless carriers have agreed... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:37:36 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180273&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180273&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180273&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - Goldman Sachs & Co. is paying $1.5 million to settle civil charges that it failed to properly supervise... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:05:59 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180272&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180272&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180272&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - Reaction to the monthly jobs numbers isn't what it used to be. Friday's unemployment report - the... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:04:04 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180268&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180268&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061180268&srvc=rss DALLAS - A Texas man who has described himself as a spokesman for the hacker-activist group Anonymous faces new... business Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:37:53 -0500

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Business - BostonHerald.com

Written By Unknown on Senin, 03 Desember 2012 | 00.52

Business - BostonHerald.comBusiness - BostonHerald.com

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/?srvc=rss The Boston Herald online: The closest distance between you and the news en-us Copyright 2012, Herald Interactive, Inc. Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:38:55 -0500 systems@heraldinteractive.com (Web Developers) 120 http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/images/siteImages/rss_logo.jpg http://www.bostonherald.com/business/?srvc=rss 100 48 The Boston Herald online: The closest distance between you and the news http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178770&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178770&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178770&srvc=rss Hub ad agency Hill Holliday has learned its lesson: Business and politics - especially Beacon Hill politics - don't... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:28:58 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178779&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178779&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178779&srvc=rss Stadium Holdings has a lot to cheer about. The operator of Stadium Sports Bar & Grills in South Boston, Quincy... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:28:40 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178884&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178884&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178884&srvc=rss PORTLAND, Maine - Regulators say the Gulf of Maine shrimp population is in such poor shape that the upcoming shrimp-fishing... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:01:29 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178852&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178852&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178852&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - What would happen to home values in the event that popular real estate deductions for mortgage interest... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:37:43 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178851&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178851&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178851&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - President Obama is ready for difficult concessions to reach a deficit deal, but GOP lawmakers must... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:14:18 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178845&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178845&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178845&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - It's health care brinksmanship, with hundreds of billions of dollars and the well-being of millions... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:17:38 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178831&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178831&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178831&srvc=rss BEIJING - China has approved a proposal by auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group Corp. to purchase the assets... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 06:10:08 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178729&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178729&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178729&srvc=rss Entering multiple competitions for money and exposure is a strategy that's paying off for some startups, but it... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:33:28 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178774&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178774&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178774&srvc=rss I have a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 5.3-liter 4x4, which I bought new and has served me well for 235,000 miles.... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:23:44 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178732&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178732&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178732&srvc=rss Time-shifting trend A new survey finds that digital video recorders are now in more than half of all U.S. homes... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:05:00 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178718&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178718&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178718&srvc=rss CHICAGO - The now familiar term "Asperger's disorder" is being dropped. And abnormally bad and frequent temper... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:49:31 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178699&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178699&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178699&srvc=rss NEW YORK - Media conglomerate News Corp. is set to appoint Robert Thomson, a veteran journalist and the managing... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:02:42 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178696&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178696&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178696&srvc=rss NEW YORK - Bank of America is postponing an increase in monthly fees for checking accounts, according to a report... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:56:42 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178691&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178691&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178691&srvc=rss PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A political scientist and deputy dean at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:21:33 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178567&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178567&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178567&srvc=rss Staples is getting into the three-dimensional printing business. The Framingham office products retailer has... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 12:42:15 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178657&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178657&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178657&srvc=rss Several New England college students have received research fellowships from the U.S. Environmental Protection... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:14:44 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178572&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178572&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178572&srvc=rss A Cambridge real estate developer's bet on an Everett industrial site could pay off big if Las Vegas tycoon Steve... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 09:14:05 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178585&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178585&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178585&srvc=rss The U.S. trustee overseeing the Upper Crust pizza chain's bankruptcy case wants the court to order the owners to... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 05:56:25 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178145&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178145&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178145&srvc=rss In an epic Facebook meltdown, the owner of one of the Hub's fanciest French dining destinations went schoolyard... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:27:44 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178563&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178563&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178563&srvc=rss This just-built townhouse in Jamaica Plain is one of six units in three architect-designed duplex buildings off... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 23:31:51 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178527&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178527&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178527&srvc=rss Mathew Martoma knew from an early age he wanted to blend his interests in health care, business and law into a... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:22:00 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178587&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178587&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178587&srvc=rss On her daily bicycle rides to and from the MIT Media Lab's Information Ecology Group where she is a research assistant,... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:07:34 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178589&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178589&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178589&srvc=rss Dollar bill endangered? Congressional auditors say doing away with dollar bills entirely and replacing them... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:58:45 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178562&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178562&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178562&srvc=rss Despite being one of the best sellers in the crossover class and having the gravitas of 11 production years... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:12:53 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178540&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178540&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178540&srvc=rss A Canadian man was charged yesterday with using kickbacks in order to trigger investments in two lightly traded... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:44:08 -0500

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http://www.bostonherald.com/business/?srvc=rss The Boston Herald online: The closest distance between you and the news en-us Copyright 2012, Herald Interactive, Inc. Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:38:55 -0500 systems@heraldinteractive.com (Web Developers) 120 http://cache.heraldinteractive.com/images/siteImages/rss_logo.jpg http://www.bostonherald.com/business/?srvc=rss 100 48 The Boston Herald online: The closest distance between you and the news http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178770&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178770&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178770&srvc=rss Hub ad agency Hill Holliday has learned its lesson: Business and politics - especially Beacon Hill politics - don't... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:28:58 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178779&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178779&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178779&srvc=rss Stadium Holdings has a lot to cheer about. The operator of Stadium Sports Bar & Grills in South Boston, Quincy... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:28:40 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178884&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178884&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178884&srvc=rss PORTLAND, Maine - Regulators say the Gulf of Maine shrimp population is in such poor shape that the upcoming shrimp-fishing... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:01:29 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178852&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178852&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178852&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - What would happen to home values in the event that popular real estate deductions for mortgage interest... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:37:43 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178851&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178851&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178851&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - President Obama is ready for difficult concessions to reach a deficit deal, but GOP lawmakers must... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:14:18 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178845&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178845&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178845&srvc=rss WASHINGTON - It's health care brinksmanship, with hundreds of billions of dollars and the well-being of millions... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 08:17:38 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178831&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178831&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178831&srvc=rss BEIJING - China has approved a proposal by auto parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group Corp. to purchase the assets... business Sun, 02 Dec 2012 06:10:08 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178729&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178729&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178729&srvc=rss Entering multiple competitions for money and exposure is a strategy that's paying off for some startups, but it... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:33:28 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178774&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178774&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178774&srvc=rss I have a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 5.3-liter 4x4, which I bought new and has served me well for 235,000 miles.... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:23:44 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178732&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178732&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178732&srvc=rss Time-shifting trend A new survey finds that digital video recorders are now in more than half of all U.S. homes... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:05:00 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178718&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178718&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/view.bg?articleid=1061178718&srvc=rss CHICAGO - The now familiar term "Asperger's disorder" is being dropped. And abnormally bad and frequent temper... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:49:31 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178699&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178699&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1061178699&srvc=rss NEW YORK - Media conglomerate News Corp. is set to appoint Robert Thomson, a veteran journalist and the managing... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:02:42 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178696&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178696&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178696&srvc=rss NEW YORK - Bank of America is postponing an increase in monthly fees for checking accounts, according to a report... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:56:42 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178691&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178691&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178691&srvc=rss PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A political scientist and deputy dean at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:21:33 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178567&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178567&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178567&srvc=rss Staples is getting into the three-dimensional printing business. The Framingham office products retailer has... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 12:42:15 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178657&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178657&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178657&srvc=rss Several New England college students have received research fellowships from the U.S. Environmental Protection... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:14:44 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178572&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178572&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178572&srvc=rss A Cambridge real estate developer's bet on an Everett industrial site could pay off big if Las Vegas tycoon Steve... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 09:14:05 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178585&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178585&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178585&srvc=rss The U.S. trustee overseeing the Upper Crust pizza chain's bankruptcy case wants the court to order the owners to... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 05:56:25 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178145&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178145&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178145&srvc=rss In an epic Facebook meltdown, the owner of one of the Hub's fanciest French dining destinations went schoolyard... business Sat, 01 Dec 2012 01:27:44 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178563&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178563&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061178563&srvc=rss This just-built townhouse in Jamaica Plain is one of six units in three architect-designed duplex buildings off... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 23:31:51 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178527&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178527&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178527&srvc=rss Mathew Martoma knew from an early age he wanted to blend his interests in health care, business and law into a... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:22:00 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178587&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178587&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178587&srvc=rss On her daily bicycle rides to and from the MIT Media Lab's Information Ecology Group where she is a research assistant,... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:07:34 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178589&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178589&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178589&srvc=rss Dollar bill endangered? Congressional auditors say doing away with dollar bills entirely and replacing them... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:58:45 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178562&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178562&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1061178562&srvc=rss Despite being one of the best sellers in the crossover class and having the gravitas of 11 production years... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:12:53 -0500 http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178540&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178540&format=comments#CommentsArea&srvc=rss http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1061178540&srvc=rss A Canadian man was charged yesterday with using kickbacks in order to trigger investments in two lightly traded... business Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:44:08 -0500

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Big sales on Small Business Saturday

Written By Unknown on Senin, 26 November 2012 | 00.52

When Joanne Rossman opened her namesake gift store 12 years ago she didn't bother buying a cash register — instead stuffing her profits in a Dunkin' Donuts cup behind the counter — because she thought her boutique amid empty storefronts could never compete with large retailers.

But her Roslindale Village business has flourished in recent years, and mom-and-pop shop supporters gave Rossman an extra boost yesterday on Small Business Saturday.

"It's been incredible. Every year it just gets better and better," said Rossman, who racked up huge sales during the shopping event sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The campaign to support independent mom-and-pop businesses amid the holiday rush at big-box retailers and Internet sites is a way for shoppers to show love of community, said Karen Mills, head of the federal Small Business Administration, who browsed Roslindale stores yesterday.

Mills said 100 million shoppers participated in last year's campaign — including President Obama, who headed to another independent book store yesterday — and she expects that number to rise this year.

"It's really become a movement. I think it's not just about supporting the community. It's about saying 'thank you' to people in our community," she said.

Maureen Tisei of West Roxbury has done her Christmas shopping locally on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the past three years.

"I come out to support my community. I look forward to it," she said.

Business owners said many customers whipped out credit cards from American Express, which created the campaign in 2010 and offered $25 credits for those spending at least that amount at local stores.

"Last year Small Business Saturday was my best sales day ever — in the three years I had been open at the time. We're hoping for a repeat," said Elizabeth Swanson, owner of Birch St. House & Garden.

Antone Wilson, who stopped into Diane's Bakery yesterday, said he prefers locally made sweets over chain-store goods.

"I like a real doughnut. If you've never had one, you don't know what you're missing," he said.

"Small Business Saturday has really helped highlight local retail," said Ruth Kennedy, whose family opened Birch Flower Shop 70 years ago.

"It's a great idea. We always shop locally to help the little guy," she said. "You get better service."

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Egypt's stock market plummets after Morsi's decree

CAIRO — Egypt's benchmark stock index has plunged 9.5 percent halfway through the first trading session since the country's Islamist president issued decrees to assume near absolute powers.

Sunday's losses on the Egyptian Exchange's EGX30 index are among the biggest since the turbulent days and weeks after the ouster of authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak last year.

The fall follows the announcement Thursday by President Mohammed Morsi of a package of decrees that place him above any oversight, including judicial, and extend the same protection to two Islamist-dominated bodies: a panel drafting a new constitution and parliament's upper chamber.

Morsi says his measures are designed to "protect the revolution," but they triggered an uproar among non-Islamist political groups now vowing to press on with street protests to force him to back down.

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Hobbits, superheroes put magic in New Zealand film industry

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A crate full of sushi arrives. Workers wearing wetsuit shirts or in bare feet bustle past with slim laptops. With days to go, a buzzing intensity fills the once-dilapidated warehouses where Peter Jackson's visual-effects studio is rushing to finish the opening film in "The Hobbit" trilogy.

The fevered pace at the Weta Digital studio near Wellington will last nearly until the actors walk the red carpet Nov. 28 for the world premiere. But after "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" hits theaters, there's more work to be done.

Weta Digital is the centerpiece of a filmmaking empire that Jackson and close collaborators have built in his New Zealand hometown, realizing his dream of bringing a slice of Hollywood to Wellington. It's a one-stop shop for making major movies — not only his own, but other blockbusters like "Avatar" and "The Avengers" and hoped-for blockbusters like next year's "Man of Steel."

Along the way, Jackson has become revered here, even receiving a knighthood. His humble demeanor and crumpled appearance appeal to distinctly New Zealand values, yet his modesty belies his influence. He's also attracted criticism along the way.

The special-effects workforce of 150 on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy a decade ago now numbers 1,100. Only five of Weta Digital's workers are actual employees, however, while the rest are contractors. Many accept the situation because movie work often comes irregularly but pays well. Union leaders, though, say the workers lack labor protections existing in almost any other industry.

Like many colleagues, Weta Digital's director, Joe Letteri, came to New Zealand in 2001 to work on the "Rings" trilogy for two years. The work kept coming, so he bought a house in Wellington and stayed.

"People come here because they know it's their chance to do something really great and to get it up on the screen," he said in a recent interview. "And you want to do it in these next two weeks, because the two weeks after the movie's finished are useless."

Jackson, who declined to be interviewed for this story, launched Weta in 1993 with fellow filmmakers Jamie Selkirk and Richard Taylor. Named after an oversized New Zealand insect, the company later was split into its digital arm and Weta Workshop, which makes props and costumes.

Loving homages to the craft are present in Weta Digital's seven buildings around the green-hilled suburb of Miramar. There are old-time movie posters, prop skulls of dinosaurs and apes, and a wall of latex face impressions of actors from Chris O'Donnell to Tom Cruise.

Its huge data center, with the computing power of 30,000 laptops, resembles a milk-processing plant because only the dairy industry in New Zealand knew how to build cooling systems on such a grand scale.

Little of Weta's current work was visible. Visitors must sign confidentiality agreements, and the working areas of the facilities are off-limits. The company is secretive about any unannounced projects, beyond saying Weta will be working solidly for the next two years, when the two later "Hobbit" films are scheduled to be released.

The workforce has changed from majority American to about 60 percent New Zealanders. The only skill that's needed, Letteri says, is the ability to use a computer as a tool.

Beyond having creativity as a filmmaker, Jackson has proved a savvy businessman, Letteri says.

"The film business in general is volatile, and visual effects has to be sitting right on the crest of that wave," Letteri says. "We don't get asked to do something that somebody has seen before."

The government calculates that feature films contribute $560 million each year to New Zealand's economy. Like many countries, New Zealand offers incentives and rebates to film companies and will contribute about $100 million toward the $500 million production costs of "The Hobbit" trilogy. Almost every big budget film goes through Jackson's companies.

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Jeff Kaye, voice of NFL Films, dies at 75

PHILADELPHIA — If you were going to follow John Facenda on the air, you had to have a great voice.

Maybe nobody could match the legendary Facenda, whose familiar baritone was called the "voice of God" when he broadcast for NFL Films.

But Jeff Kaye brought it off. After Facenda died in 1984, Jeff became the voice of NFL Films, lending his own sonorous baritone to the pro-football features of the Mount Laurel, N.J.-based company.

Maybe not quite God, but close to it.

"I can say to this day, when I look at some of the shows Jeff narrated over the years, I am still fascinated by the way he told a story," said Kevin McLoughlin, director of post-production for NFL Films.

"His voice — so smooth, yet booming — was always a pleasure to listen to. He had some big shoes to fill after John Facenda passed away.

"Jeff narrated hundreds of films for NFL Films over the years, from team highlights, to 'Road to the Super Bowl.' One of best voices of NFL Films."

Jeff Kaye, born Martin Krimski in Baltimore, winner of four Emmy Awards for broadcasting, whose radio career surged in Boston and Buffalo, N.Y., died of cancer Friday at the age of 75. He lived in Binghamton, N.Y.

Jeff's voice was a familiar presence in Philadelphia for some 30 years, yet hardly anybody knew his name. For years, it was his voice that announced the news broadcast on WPVI-TV: "Action News, the Delaware Valley's leading news program."

He also did voice-overs for Phillies games and commercials, advertising products and services ranging from Budweiser to NJ Transit. In Buffalo, Jeff became something of a legend in 1968 when he scripted and produced his own version of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" as program director of WKBW-AM.

The broadcast wasn't as terrifying as Orson Welles' version in 1938, but it still scared the pants off many listeners with its realistic-sounding reporting by actual WKBW staffers of a supposed Martian invasion.

Jeff was a popular boss in Buffalo. Sandy Beach, a former WKBW staffer, said Jeff "had such class, style, and talent. He encouraged us to 'go for it' every time we were on the air. He recognized, hired and nurtured talent."

In the early '80s, Jeff moved to WHEN Radio in Buffalo, before coming to Philadelphia and NFL Films, where he worked with the late Harry Kalas. Jeff almost lost his voice in 1996 when a cancerous tumor was found on his left vocal cord. The growth was successfully removed, and he returned to the air.

His first broadcasting job was in Providence, R.I., after his service in the Air Force, where he was a meteorologist. He retired in 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Suzanne; three daughters, Anne Schoonover, Judith Krimski and Sarah Krimski-Smith; a son, Peter Krimski; and seven grandchildren.

———

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In need of a bailout, FHA trying to raise more revenue

WASHINGTON — You may have seen headlines last week about the Federal Housing Administration needing a taxpayer "bailout" by the Treasury and wondered: Uh oh. Is the FHA heading down the fiscal drain like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have required billions in federal assistance just to stay in business?

The good news answer for FHA's traditional borrowers — who are primarily moderate-income, first-time purchasers, people with limited cash for down payments and less-than-perfect credit histories — is no. There is a strong possibility that FHA will not require any money transfer from the Treasury, which in any event would not occur until next September. Meanwhile FHA is making tweaks to its program rules that could affect some loan applicants in the months ahead, and which are designed to improve revenue flows to the agency and cut back on losses.

Among the most immediate changes, new borrowers early next year are likely to be charged slightly higher annual mortgage insurance premiums — 1.35 percent of the loan balance rather than 1.25 percent at present. On loans above $625,500 in high-cost areas such as California and metropolitan Washington, D.C., the annual premium will go from 1.5 percent to 1.6 percent. This will not be a major problem for most people, but it could cause some buyers to check out FHA's competitors' private mortgage insurers whose monthly premiums on loans for applicants with high credit scores may be more attractive than FHA's.

To increase revenue streams long term, FHA is also abandoning its practice of allowing borrowers to cancel their annual mortgage insurance premium payments when their loan balance drops to 78 percent of the property value. In effect, this will mean that borrowers obtaining 30-year FHA loans could be paying premiums for decades.

Is this a big deal? Clem Ziroli Jr., president of First Mortgage Corp. in Ontario, Calif., thinks it could encourage some higher credit quality borrowers to "refi out" of their FHA loans and seek better deals in the conventional marketplace. But Paul E. Skeens, president of Colonial Mortgage Group in Waldorf, Md., sees it differently: With fixed 30-year mortgage rates in the mid- to upper-3 percent range and virtually certain to increase — maybe significantly if the economy improves in the coming years — "everybody is going to want to keep these loans forever," he predicts. "They're not going to want to refi."

Other changes on the FHA horizon:

L More financial counseling for applicants who have low FICO credit scores, are purchasing their first homes, and are seeking to make minimum 3.5 percent down payments.

L A new short-sale program that reaches out to existing FHA homeowners who are seriously delinquent and heading toward foreclosure. FHA Acting Commissioner Carol J. Galante said the agency plans to streamline the short-sale option — where owners are permitted to sell their house for less than the balance on the mortgage — in order to avoid the huge costs of foreclosures.

L Structural alterations to FHA's reverse mortgage program, which allows senior homeowners to withdraw funds based on the equity in their properties. The program dominates the industry and accounts for the vast majority of outstanding reverse loans in the country, but has produced inordinate losses to the FHA insurance fund because of home-value declines and the failure of some borrowers to make their property tax and insurance payments, thereby triggering foreclosures. Though few details are yet available and Congress would have to approve any statutory changes, Galante said the agency plans to restrict the amounts that seniors can draw down in a lump sum up front, among other remedial actions next year.

The bottom line on FHA's forthcoming program tweaks? Jeff Lipes, vice president of Rockville Bank in Hartford, Conn., put it this way: FHA isn't making fundamental changes. Its basic mix of enticements — low down payments, low credit score requirements and generous underwriting rules compared with competitors — aren't going away, "so I don't think the tweaks will have that great an impact on most FHA buyers."

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Cyber Monday to be super

Experts estimate that Cyber Monday will top a record-breaking $1.5 billion in sales to become the largest online shopping event in history, with blockbuster deals that rival or exceed Black Friday doorbusters.

"We believe you'll find better deals and savings if you shop online from the comfort of your home or work," said Howard Schaffer, CEO of the Internet deal aggregator Offers.com. "We don't see any reason to risk going to the store and having to deal with the chaos of parking."

Consumers are increasingly savvy about online discounts. And in an increasingly mobile landscape, 45 percent of consumers are likely to use a smartphone or tablet to shop this holiday season, according to RetailMeNot.

Fueled by this growth in mobile commerce, the number of U.S. online holiday shoppers is expected to grow 3 percent from last year. But the amount of money those shoppers spend is increasing even more, according to a recent report by Forrester Research. The average U.S. holiday shopper will spend $419 online, a 12 percent jump over last year, Forrester estimates.

Cyber Monday spending has more than doubled from the time the term was coined in 2005 to last year, when consumers spent $1.25 billion.

This year, shoppers are expected to "showroom" certain products beforehand, with 42 percent heading to stores to do an in-person check of an item with the intention of purchasing it on Cyber Monday, according to CouponCabin.com.

The online bonanza is shaped by market conditions that have retailers offering better deals than last year because they are more focused on marketshare than profits, said PriceGrabber spokesman Rojeh Avanesian.

"We got politicians talking about the fiscal cliff, high unemployment and the recent Hurricane Sandy," he said. "Retailers are responding accordingly with deep discounts."

Avanesian said shoppers should be able to purchase a 55-inch 3D LCD TV for under $1,400 for the first time this year, and get a decent laptop for under $200.

Other Cyber Monday highlights include:

• Walmart.com will offer the Xbox 360 Skylanders Family Fun Bundle for $159, a nearly $100 savings.

• Radioshack.com will offer 24 so-called amazing deals in 24 hours, including a digital camera at 44 percent off and a GPS Navigation System for $70 off at $60.

• Macys.com will lower its free shipping threshold to a $75 minimum on all online purchases.

Kmart.com and Sears.com are expected to pull out all the stops this year, Schaffer said. But as with most retailers, the details of sales won't be divulged in advance.

One big reason to shop Cyber Monday: Four in 10 online retailers are expected to offer free shipping without conditions, according to Shop.org's eHoliday survey.

The online analytics service comScore advised retailers: "Consumers are showing renewed signs of optimism heading into this year's shopping season, and it's never too early for online retailers to win a fair share of their spending."

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Tablet app to teach languages

Vicky Wu Davis has always wanted her son to embrace his heritage, but a year ago, when he was 3, he began to shun all things Chinese.

So Wu Davis developed the Adalia Enrichment Program, a weekly class in Andover that teaches children ages 2 to 6 Mandarin Chinese through storytelling, play and scientific discovery.

"I didn't want glorified flash cards," she said. "If you wrap it up in fun things, they don't even realize they're learning another language."

By making ice cream from scratch, for example, the children learn in Chinese about water, solids, temperature and taste.

They also learn how plants grow and how bees make honey.

They dance to Chinese songs. And in milder weather, they go on treasure hunts.

It's a formula that has paid dividends. Wu Davis' son now teaches her husband Mandarin.

But while other children in her class also have flourished, their parents, some of whom speak only English, often ask her how they can reinforce at home what their children learn in class.

Last week, Wu Davis, a serial entrepreneur, launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $60,000 by Dec. 17 to fund Peach Ice Cream Adventures, the first of several planned language learning games for tablets.

Built from an existing technology platform, PICA is designed for 3- to 6-year-olds and comes with a dashboard to allow parents to watch their children's play and switch languages.

Like Adalia, it teaches language by spiraling: Children cycle back to prior words and build vocabulary through repeated use in different contexts.

"Having no Chinese background, we would love to have some way for us to learn together as a family," said Juliet Correll Wright, whose 4 1⁄2-year-old daughter, Willow, takes Wu Davis' class. "PICA would reinforce what she's learned and would engage her with technology in a meaningful and purposeful way."

Correll Wright wants her daughter to learn Chinese because it has becoming an increasingly important language as China has become an economic powerhouse, and she feels there's a narrow window of opportunity for children to naturally pick up another language.

Waipeng Lee, another Andover parent, signed on to develop the content for PICA after enrolling her own 5-year-old daughter in Wu Davis' class.

"With an application, she would be able to learn (Chinese) any time," said Lee, 45. "I feel like if my daughter can be more independent using an app, she'll be more confident speaking Chinese."

As of Friday, 90 people had pledged a total of nearly $5,000 to fund the Kickstarter campaign.

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UN to launch new round of talks on global warming

DOHA, Qatar — As nearly 200 countries meet in oil-and-gas rich Qatar for annual talks starting Monday on slowing global warming, one of the main challenges will be raising climate aid for poor countries at a time when budgets are strained by financial turmoil.

Tim Gore of British charity Oxfam said Sunday that developing countries, including island nations for whom the rise in sea levels poses an existential threat, stand before a "climate fiscal cliff."

Existing commitments for climate aid expire this year, as does the only binding treaty to limit carbon emissions — the Kyoto Protocol. Negotiators in the Qatari capital of Doha will discuss renewing both, and will start work on a new global climate pact that is set to be adopted in 2015.

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Anti-gambling Holyoke mayor now backs casino plan

HOLYOKE - A western Massachusetts mayor whose opposition to casino plans helped him win last year's election at age 22 is now supporting a bid to bring a gambling resort to town.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is expected to announce Monday that he is backing plans for a casino near Interstate 91 on the side of Mount Tom.

Morse says he changed his mind because a casino would be a big boost to the city's struggling economy. He acknowledges flip-flopping on the issue and is prepared for a backlash, but he says it's in the best interests of the city.

A 1-year-old law allows up to three resort-style casinos in Massachusetts, but just one in the western part of the state. Three major casino operators have proposed gambling resorts in Springfield.

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Lorillard appeals in Mass. cigarette samples case

BOSTON - Willie Evans remembers all the things his mother tried to quit smoking: the patch, the gum and even hypnotism.

Her attempts all failed. Marie Evans died of lung cancer in 2002 at the age of 54.

Willie Evans sued Lorillard Tobacco Co., arguing that the company got his mother hooked on smoking by giving away free cigarette samples to children in her Boston housing project in the 1950s and '60s.

A jury awarded $152 million in damages, an amount that was later reduced to $116 million.

Lorillard's appeal is set to go before the highest court in Massachusetts next month. The company argues that the trial judge made a series of rulings that prevented the company from getting a fair trial.

For Willie Evans, the appeal is another step in the process for finding justice for his mother.

"We think today of what our reaction would be if a tobacco company were to go into a playground and give cigarettes to kids, and we would be outraged," he said.

"My reaction is one of outrage that they would target kids at such a young age."

During the 2010 trial, Evans' lawyers said Marie Evans first received free samples of Lorillard's Newport cigarettes when she was 9 or 10 years old. She said she initially gave them to her older sisters or traded them for candy, but then began smoking Newports herself regularly when she was about 13.

One of Marie Evans' sisters testified that the cigarettes were delivered in a white truck that attracted adults and children in the Orchard Park housing project in the Roxbury section of Boston.

In a videotaped deposition shown to jurors, Marie Evans said the giveaways had a "large impact" on her.

"Because they were available ... I didn't worry about finding money to buy them," she said.

Evans said she made about 50 attempts to quit but always went back to smoking.

"I was addicted. ... I just couldn't stop," she said.

Lorillard's lawyers argued during the trial that Evans made the decision to start smoking and continued to smoke even after she suffered a heart attack in 1985 and her doctors urged her to quit.

The company denied giving away cigarette samples to children. In its appeal, Lorillard said it was denied a fair trial, in part because the judge allowed the jury to hear about Evans' claim that the company marketed its cigarettes to African-Americans and children.

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Health care stakeholders reflect, prepare to tackle 'cost monster'

Written By Unknown on Senin, 19 November 2012 | 00.52

Health care providers, business leaders, lawmakers and policy experts looked back Thursday at the passage of the state's new health care cost control and payment reform law, contemplating the changes it will make to the health care market.

During the Massachusetts Association of Health plans annual conference at the Seaport Hotel, a panel of experts discussed the upcoming impacts of the law signed by the Gov. Deval Patrick in August. The law implements and enforces cost growth goals and regulates alternative payment methodologies.

Television and radio talk show host Jim Braude, who moderated the panel, said discussions about health care generate more interest than any other topic. Braude said he wonders if it is because there is interest or confusion. Many listeners and viewers tell him they don't know how to "pick one phone company" never mind decide on a health care provider, he said.

Dolores Mitchell, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission, said when she was first hired 25 years ago by Gov. Michael Dukakis, "The governor said to me, 'the one thing I want you to do is get your arms around the cost monster.' "

"That was 25 years ago. I do not feel at this moment in time that I have yet gotten my arms around the cost monster," she said.

Mitchell said she feels confident the state's recent request for bids for health insurance will make a dent in costs because the request for proposals sets aggressive fiscal restraints. The bids are due Tuesday.

"We are telling bidders that we will not accept anything higher than a 2 percent increase in the commonwealth's cost for the next two years. And we expect them to move from flat to a minus trend for the next five years of the contract," she said.

Health insurance providers are also expected to move a substantial number of GIC employees into integrated delivery plans, Mitchell said. There will be penalties for those who fail to meet targets or set up integrated delivery systems, according to Mitchell.

"There are some who say this is too much change with too little time to implement it. We say in response we have waited long enough," she said. "We do know that the provider community is already moving in this direction. Our goal as a very large purchaser is to seize the goal and the momentum. The major changes we are seeing is providers merging and getting stronger. I have yet to see the economies of scale. There will never be a better time for change than now."

Rick Lord, president and chief executive officer of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, said his organization got involved in the health care debate because business leaders realized the status quo was not sustainable. Employers, when surveyed two years ago, said the cost of health care dwarfed all other concerns. A.I.M. represents 6,500 employers across the state.

"And frankly, it was not sustainable for state government. State government cannot continue to spend 40 percent of its budget on health care," said Lord, who was appointed to the new Health Policy Commission created under the law. "It is part of the fiscal cliff facing us in the state. Our economy will deteriorate and so will state government's ability to take care of its most vulnerable citizens."

The health care cost containment law sets targets to slow the rate of health care costs to match the growth in gross state product. Lord said his organization advocated for a lower growth rate, but they are pleased there is a target.

Rep. Steven Walsh, co-chair of the Health Care Financing Committee and one of the author's of the new law, said lawmakers did not want to cap rates or create rate regulations. When the law was crafted, Walsh said, lawmakers sat with providers, patients and hospital executives to "figure out how far we could push without tipping over."

"Government was smart enough to figure out we are not the experts. We left the real details to the people who know how to do it, you people," he said.

Lawmakers did not tell health providers how to cut costs; they just asked them to not make fee-for-service the primary form of payment, Walsh said.

Braude asked the panel about the charge made by some critics of the law that it does not have enough teeth in it. Walsh said this law was the first step in reforming health care costs, and if changes need to be made, lawmakers will revisit it.

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Crave a Twinkie? The price is going up fast online

SAN FRANCISCO — Twinkies are being sold on the Internet like exquisite delicacies.

Hours after Twinkie-maker Hostess announced its plans to close its doors forever, people flocked to stores to fill their shopping baskets with boxes of the cream-filled sponge cakes and their sibling snacks — Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and Zingers.

Late Friday and Saturday, the opportunists took to eBay and Craigslist. They began marketing their hoard to whimsical collectors and junk-food lovers for hundreds — and in some cases — thousands of dollars. That's a fat profit margin, when you consider the retail price for a box of 10 Twinkies is roughly $5.

Greg Edmonds of Sherman, Texas is among those who believe Twinkies are worth more now that Hostess Brands Inc. has closed its bakeries. He lost his job as a sales representative eight months ago, so he is hoping to make some money feeding the appetites of Twinkie fans and connoisseurs

After spending a couple hours driving around to stores Friday, Edmonds wound up with 16 boxes of Twinkies and Ding Dongs. He started selling them Saturday on eBay, advertising three boxes for a hefty price of $300.

"I could really use the extra money since I'm unemployed," Edmonds, 50, said. "I figure I better sell them pretty quickly because I am not sure how long this novelty is going to last."

Contrary to popular belief, Twinkies don't last forever. Most bought in stores Friday carry an expiration date of early December,

If buyers don't bite, Edmonds isn't sure what he will do with his supply. He doesn't even like Twinkies. "I do like to have a Ding Dong, every once in a while though," he said.

John Stansel of Tampa, Fla. blanches at the thought of eating a Twinkie. He's a self-described health nut.

Yet he, too, rummaged shelves late Friday at a neighborhood Walgreens and then again early Saturday at Target and a grocery store. He spent about $100 for 20 boxes of Twinkies and Ding Dongs. His goal: sell them for about $1,000 and put the money to good use.

"Maybe I will hire a personal trainer for myself or go do some shopping at Whole Foods or donate the money to a charity to fight diabetes," Stansel, 40, said. "No matter what, I figure I am getting sugar off the streets."

Although Hostess is shutting down, it's still possible that Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos could make a comeback. That's because Hostess is planning to sell its brands and other assets at an auction to be overseen by a U.S. bankruptcy judge in New York. Several potential buyers could emerge for Twinkies, particularly with the recent outpouring of affection.

A hearing on Hostess's liquidation request is scheduled for Monday morning.

Not all online sellers are demanding top dollar. Some boxes are being listed at $5 to $20. Others are willing to barter. "I am willing to trade a box for some good microbrew. A real quality six pack," offered a thirsty New York seller on Craigslist.

Despite his disdain for junk food, Stansel confesses he won't sell a few of his individually wrapped Twinkies. He plans to give them to his nostalgic friends and family as stocking stuffers for Christmas.

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It's OK to run your car on lower-octane gas

The owner's manual for my new vehicle recommends gasoline with 87 octane or greater. On a recent trip in Montana, I noticed their regular is 85.5 octane and their next level up is 88 octane with 10 percent ethanol. I used a half-tank of 85.5 and noticed no difference, but after reading the owners manual about 87 or better I used the 88 octane for as long as I was in Montana. Why does Montana rate theirs at 85.5, and would it have made a difference in the long run if I used that rating?

As I said in my response to a previous question about octane, a key measure of octane is the fuel's resistance to pre-ignition or detonation. In other words, higher-octane fuels require more heat and pressure to ignite. At higher elevations, air is less dense, meaning fewer air molecules per cubic foot of air that is drawn into an engine. Less dense air effectively lowers the compression ratio of the engine, meaning the cylinder will develop less heat and pressure during the compression cycle. That means a lower-octane fuel can be used without pre-ignition and/or detonation.

The Montana Weights and Measures Bureau has this to say: "While the minimum antiknock rating in Montana is 85.5 for regular unleaded fuel, that is not necessarily what is found. Due primarily to competition and/or multiple suppliers of refined products, regular unleaded gasoline found in western and northeastern Montana usually has an octane rating of around 87.0. Central and southern Montana's fuel octane rating is generally found to be between 85.5 and 86.0."

Since your vehicle apparently operated well on the lower-octane fuel at those altitudes — no worries. Today's computer-controlled engine management systems can and will adjust fuel-air mixture and ignition timing to safely operate on a variety of octane ratings.

And remember this axiom: Operate your vehicle on the lowest-octane fuel that provides good performance, driveability and fuel economy. Any additional octane is unnecessary and a waste of money.

L L L

I have a 1998 Honda Civic with 47,600 miles. When I straighten the steering wheel after making a left-hand turn I occasionally hear a "ping." Is this a cable in the steering column? What is the problem, and how much would it cost to have it repaired? I'm now unemployed, so I've put off having this checked out.

The most likely cause of a "ping" or "clunk" in the steering/suspension is a worn component such as a strut bushing, control arm bushing, ball joint, steering rod end or upper strut bearing. A loose steering rack or a worn U-joint in the steering column might cause noise when straightening the steering wheel. There are no structural cables in the steering system.

There's no way to know what's causing the noise or the potential cost of repair without having the steering and suspension checked by a professional. I'd suggest making an appointment at a reputable tire shop or a dealer for an inspection and estimate. This could be a safety problem, so don't put this off.

L L L

I have a 2009 Ford Focus with 50,000 miles on it. Yesterday, the interior dome light came on while I was driving, and now it does not turn off. It does not turn off with the headlights or with the manual on/off switch, and it does not dim after a few seconds upon leaving the car. It finally turns off after about 10 minutes of leaving the car parked. What could be wrong?

The body control module (BCM) has extensive self-diagnostic capability that a scan tool can read as fault codes. Check for codes from the door-ajar switches or the smart junction box. Right now, the interior lights are finally being turned off by the battery-saver function.

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The Ticker

Hub man convicted in mortgage fraud

Sirewl R. Cox, 37, of Boston was convicted late last week on charges relating to a massive mortgage fraud case.

A jury found Cox guilty on counts of wire fraud, bank fraud and conducting an unlawful monetary transaction. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6.

In 2006 and 2007, Cox identified multiple-family buildings for sale and recruited straw buyers to purchase the buildings, prosecutors said. Cox and others then recruited straw buyers who obtained mortgages using false information to purchase individual units in buildings that Cox controlled.

Cox faces up to 60 years in prison, to be followed by 11 years of supervised release and a $1.5 million fine.

Abiomed discloses, disputes class action suit

Danvers-based Abiomed, which makes heart support technologies, disclosed Friday that a class action suit has been filed against the company and its officers over the marketing and labeling of its Impella 2.5 device. Abiomed, founded by the late David Lederman, right, said it has reviewed the complaint and believes the allegations are without merit. The company plans to vigorously defend itself.

The suit follows the company's disclosure earlier this month of a related Justice Department investigation, which sent shares plummeting 34 percent.

MONDAY

The Boston Redevelopment Authority holds a public meeting on developer First Bristol's plan for a 177-room Hilton Garden Inn and two restaurant/retail sites on Route 1A in East Boston, near Logan International Airport.

The Home for Little Wanderers officially opens its new Walpole campus following completion of an $18 million construction project and sale of its Jamaica Plain property.

TUESDAY

The U.S. Commerce Department releases housing starts for October.

WEDNESDAY

The Conference Board releases leading economic indicators for October.

THURSDAY

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Spindle app spools out hype - and investors

A new app developed by three former Microsoft workers helps people find the most interesting social media updates from businesses and organizations at any given time.

Spindle 1.1 — released on Thursday in Boston and San Francisco, with other major cities to come — mines Twitter and Facebook, using signals such as location and time of day to tell users what's happening near them, sorted by categories such as restaurants, shopping and nightlife.

"What differentiates us is timeliness and the fact that we're updating constantly, based on user feedback," said CEO Pat Kinsel, who founded Spindle with Alex Lambert and Simon Yun, all former engineers and managers from Microsoft's New England Research and Development (NERD) center in Cambridge. "There's nothing else out there like that."

Unlike apps that reshuffle a static list of businesses, Spindle evaluates in real time what each one is sharing to determine what's interesting and relevant now.

Users can filter the updates by categories such as restaurants to find what they're looking for without the extra "noise."

They can also use the map function to zoom in on a location and find out what's happening there, or search for a specific business or organization and add it to their favorites list for updates on only those places.

Users can tell friends where they're going, let them know when there's something happening in their current location or point people to something they've discovered via Facebook, Twitter, SMS or email.

The new app's release coincided with Spindle's announcement that it raised $2.3 million in total funding from Polaris Ventures, Greylock Partners, Lerer Ventures, SV Angel, Atlas Venture, Broad Beach Ventures, Project 11, Ray Ozzie and Raman Narayanan.

"They are super-smart guys with serious social search chops who've worked together before to solve hard problems," Dave Barrett, general partner at Polaris Ventures, said of Kinsel and his team. "Beyond the app itself, their big data back-end and their vision for it are incredibly compelling."

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Developer not sold on downtown

Not everyone is moved by the momentum in Boston's Downtown Crossing.

A New York developer who filed plans for a 28-story apartment and retail tower on Washington Street four years ago — in the teeth of the Great Recession — is not yet sold on the shopping district's recovery.

"We wouldn't consider doing anything until that hole across the street is filled," said John Usdan, president of Midwood Management, referring to the partially demolished Filene's block.

Another New York developer, Millennium Partners, won city approval in September to replace that eyesore with a skyscraper as part of a $620 million project that's on track to start next spring with the restoration of the adjacent Burnham Building.

But that's not enough for the $200 million One Bromfield project to make a comeback.

"We don't have a particular time-frame other than when we think conditions have improved enough," Usdan told the Herald. "We just don't think it's viable yet."

According to Midwood's mothballed plans, the developer would replace four buildings at the northern corner of Bromfield and Washington streets with a tower containing 260 luxury apartments atop several levels of retail and parking.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino trumpeted the project during a tour of Downtown Crossing in July 2008 — a promotional event that coincided with the excavation of the former Filene's building for New York developer Vornado Realty Trust's ill-fated One Franklin project.

Rosemarie Sansone, president of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, said she hasn't heard anything about the One Bromfield project "for ages."

"It is a very important location and, based on the interest and activity in the district, I would expect something to develop in the near future," she said.

A tenant in one of the Midwood-owned buildings that would be replaced is in a wait-and-see mode.

"I'm sure they'd like to do something," said Fred Rosenthal, owner of Bromfield Pen Shop. "The building is empty except for me and Payless Shoes."

In addition to the Millennium Tower project at the Filene's site, Downtown Crossing has seen a string of successes this year including the construction of the Millennium Place condo tower, Walgreens' announced takeover of the shuttered Borders store, a Chicago developer's plans for a boutique hotel and Lafayette Corporate Center switching space back to retail.

"There's a lot to celebrate, but it's just not going to happen all at once," said David Begelfer, CEO of commercial real estate group NAIOP Massachusetts. "Companies are going to be cautious. They're not going to get ahead of themselves. We'll see some of these projects come closer to completion before others start."

Midwood's Usdan needs physical proof that Downtown Crossing has turned the corner.

"I want to see foundations poured," Usdan said from his Manhattan office. "Call me when you see some shovels."

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Best defense: Made in USA

New Balance is on a mission to provide lightweight military sneakers made in the United States, and it wants the Defense Department to equip soldiers with them, company head Rob DeMartini told the Herald.

"For whatever reason, the sneaker is the only piece of equipment for a uniform that services don't require to be" made in the U.S., said DeMartini, New Balance's president and CEO.

The Berry Amendment, originally passed on the eve of World War II, requires the Department of Defense to procure clothing and other items made in the United States. The 950 is New Balance's first Berry-compliant sneaker, DeMartini said.

Suggesting why the Defense Department doesn't require U.S.-made sneakers, DeMartini said, "They would say one of the reasons is nobody made a Berry-compliant shoe, and so we have made one."

The sneaker is "fiber forward," meaning everything that goes into the shoe has U.S.-based content, "starting from literally the grass sheep eat," company spokeswoman Amy Dow added.

Last month, more than four dozen members of Congress appealed to the Defense Department to make training shoes Berry-compliant in a letter spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter of California and U.S. Rep. Michael H. Michaud of Maine, where New Balance has three factories and close to 900 workers.

The politicians claimed the Defense Department circumvented the U.S. procurement policy by issuing cash allowances for soldiers to purchase their own training shoes, leading to servicemen and women relying more on foreign-made shoes than ones manufactured and available in the United States.

"We should not rely on other countries, particularly those who may have competing global interests, to supply our forces with basic items. This is especially true when there are millions of Americans looking for work," the letter said. "More importantly, our soldiers deserve to fight in uniforms, including footwear, that are made in the USA."

Hub-based, 107-year-old New Balance, which hopes to break ground on its new Brighton headquarters, hotel, office and athletic complex early next year, has made military apparel — including running shorts, protective fire-retardant underwear and overboots — for more than 25 years, DeMartini said.

"We do it for two reasons — one, we think it's right to serve in the military, but two, the technical demands that they have help us build a better brand," he said.

For the fourth year in a row, New Balance is the presenting sponsor of the Run-Walk to Home Base fundraiser. The 9K run or two-mile walk event supports the Red Sox [team stats] Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program, which has raised $7.3 million to provide clinical care and support to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and families affected by combat stress and traumatic brain injury.

The New Balance 950 shoe will be manufactured in Massachusetts and will sell under a contract price with military branches, DeMartini said, adding the new sneaker could create 250 jobs primarily in the company's manufacturing and manufacturing support sectors.

"It's basically ... completed and it's waiting to be called for," he said.

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Reporters Without Borders condemns Israeli strikes

PARIS — Reporters Without Borders has condemned Israeli missile attacks on two media centers in Gaza that wounded six Palestinian journalists and damaged the equipment of foreign media outlets.

Sunday's attacks on the two high-rise buildings damaged offices of the Hamas TV station, Al Aqsa, and a Lebanese-based broadcaster, Al Quds TV, seen as sympathetic to the Islamists.

Germany's public broadcaster ARD; Russia Today, a state TV network that broadcasts in English; and Sky News Arabia said they lost equipment in the attacks.

Christophe Deloire, the director of Reporters Without Borders' international headquarters in Paris, called the attacks unjustified and a threat to freedom of information. He called for an investigation into the circumstances of the raid.

The Israeli military said the strikes targeted Hamas communications equipment on the buildings' rooftops.

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Higher taxes may not hammer dividend stocks

NEW YORK — If Washington allows tax cuts to expire at the end of the year, taxes on dividends will nearly triple for the highest-paid Americans. That's led some experts to warn of a looming collapse for popular dividend-paying stocks. When Uncle Sam charges a higher tax on something, they reason, it drives people away.

But judging by the country's previous experience taxing dividends, that may not be how things play out.

"Historically, big changes in taxes just have no effect on dividend stocks," says James Morrow, a fund manager at Fidelity Investments. "And our view is that you should lean on history."

Recent studies have examined how companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 index have fared over the past half-century when taxes on dividends change. They found dividend-paying stocks performing in seemingly unpredictable ways.

Between 1990 and 1993, for example, when dividend taxes climbed to a maximum of 39.6 percent from a maximum of 28 percent, dividend-paying stocks outperformed the broader market.

"The 'fiscal cliff' will be a big deal for the stock market if it's not avoided," says Russ Koesterich, global chief investment strategist for BlackRock's iShares group. "But it's probably not such a big deal for many dividend-yielding stocks."

Tax increases and government spending cuts known collectively as the "fiscal cliff" are set to take effect Jan. 1 unless Congress and President Barack Obama reach a deal first.

Obama wants to keep the tax cuts in place, including the 15 percent dividend rate, for people making less than $200,000. Republicans want to keep the tax cuts for everyone, including the 15 percent dividend rate, but have not taken a hard line on the dividend rate publicly.

Dividend payments were taxed like everyday income, meaning taxed by increasing brackets, until 2003, when Congress passed sweeping tax cuts backed by President George W. Bush.

The 2003 cuts reduced the tax on most dividends to 15 percent.

If Obama and Congress can't make a deal, and perhaps even if they can, dividends will be taxed like everyday income again. And the top marginal income tax rate will climb back to 39.6 percent from 35 percent, where it has stood since 2003.

The country's top earners will be taxed an additional 3.8 percent on dividends to pay for the president's health care overhaul, meaning the wealthy will pay 43.4 percent on dividends — almost triple the tax they pay today.

For millions of Americans, a dividend tax increase won't matter. Stocks in most individual retirement accounts and 401(k)s will be unaffected until years from now, when the account holders cash them in.

Fidelity Investments has estimated two years ago that a third of U.S. stocks are held in tax-deferred accounts IRAs and 401(k)s. Another 13 percent are held by foreigners, who don't pay U.S. dividend taxes.

It's tricky to make any historical comparisons because nothing like this has happened before. There has never been such a large increase on dividend taxes, partly because they have generally gone down.

The closest historical parallel is probably the early 1990s, says David McGonigle, a fund manager at Copeland Capital Management. The top income-tax rate rose from 28 percent to 31 percent in 1991, then climbed to 39.6 percent in 1993.

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Crave a Twinkie? The price is going up fast online

It's OK to run your car on lower-octane gas

The Ticker

Spindle app spools out hype - and investors

Developer not sold on downtown

Best defense: Made in USA

Reporters Without Borders condemns Israeli strikes

Higher taxes may not hammer dividend stocks

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