Boston fast food workers planning to stage strike

BOSTON — Fast-food workers across Boston are preparing to walk off the job to protest what they say are low wages and poor benefits.

The protests are part of what organizers say are similar walkouts planned in dozens of cities Thursday to push chains such as McDonald's, Taco Bell and Wendy's to pay workers more.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey is planning to attend an afternoon rally in support of workers on Boston Common.

Organizers say they expect the nationwide strike to be the largest ever by fast-food workers. It follows a series of strikes that began in New York City last November.

McDonald's has said workers' pay starts at minimum wage but the range goes higher, depending on the employee's position and experience. It said raising entry-level wages would mean higher overall costs, which could result in higher prices.

16.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

Global stocks rise as talk of a Syria strike eases

BANGKOK — Global stock markets rebounded Thursday as jitters began to ease about a possible international military response to the Syrian conflict.

The U.S. appeared to be edging closer to intervention in Syria after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Tuesday that American forces were ready to act on any order by President Barack Obama. But the prospect of an immediate multinational response diminished Wednesday after the U.N. Security Council's permanent members failed to agree to a proposal to use force against Syria.

Investors have been reducing exposure to Asia's emerging markets for several weeks, anticipating that the U.S. Federal Reserve will begin withdrawing its monetary stimulus. The sell-off accelerated this week when the U.S. said it had proof that chemical weapons had been used against civilians in Syria's civil war.

The respite in tensions sent investors on a bargain-hunting spree.

"The market already had a significant drop," said Linus Yip, strategist at First Shanghai Securities in Hong Kong. "So I think for some traders, it's a good time to bet."

In early European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.7 percent to 6,475.45. Germany's DAX advanced 0.4 percent to 8,193.73. France's CAC-40 added 0.4 percent to 3,976.58. Wall Street futures signaled a higher open. Dow Jones futures rose 0.3 percent to 14,848. S&P 500 futures rose 0.3 percent to 1,637.20.

Asian stocks also posted solid gains. Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 0.9 percent to close at 13,459.71. South Korea's Kospi advanced 1.2 percent to 1,907.54. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.7 percent to 21,704.78. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.1 percent to 5,092.40.

The benchmark PSE index in Manila rose 3.6 percent after data showed the Philippine economy expanded by 7.5 percent in the second quarter, one of Asia's fastest growing, as robust domestic spending insulated it from weak global demand.

"The most encouraging aspect of today's data was the continued strong growth in investment," said analysts at Capital Economics. "Recent improvements in the business environment as well as an ongoing clampdown against corruption should further support investment in the next couple of years."

Among individual stocks, energy shares rose sharply after oil prices hit a two-year high Wednesday. Japanese energy explorer Inpex Corp. jumped 5.2 percent. PetroChina Co. rose 1.8 percent.

Qantas Airways soared nearly 14 percent after the Australia flag carrier reported a modest annual profit, a sign of recovery after a record loss the year before.

Benchmark oil for October delivery was down $1.10 to $109 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.09 to close at $110.10 a barrel on Wednesday, its highest finish since May 3, 2011.

In currencies, the euro fell to $1.3271 from $1.3337 late Wednesday. The dollar rose to 98.08 yen from 97.74 yen.

___

Follow Pamela Sampson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pamelasampson

16.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vodafone confirms talks to sell Verizon stake

LONDON — Vodafone, one of the world's largest mobile phone companies, has confirmed it is in discussions with Verizon Communications to sell its operations in the United States.

The British wireless provider is mulling its options for its 45 percent stake in the U.S.'s Verizon Wireless, of which Verizon Communications owns the other 55 percent.

Analysts have suggested that Verizon wants to pay around $100 billion for Vodafone's stake, although reports have said that U.K. group is pressing for as much as $130 billion.

Vodafone, which has wide-ranging interests and is expanding in Europe, has long been rumored to be interested in a U.S. exit.

Net income at Verizon Communications was $2.25 billion last year.

16.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

Three intrigue for next Microsoft CEO

Microsoft — the largest software maker in the world and a critical Kendall Square anchor — needs a new grand marshal following longtime CEO Steve Ballmer's sudden announcement that he is retiring within a year.

The Redmond, Wash.-based company needs a leader who doesn't want every product to be centered around Windows and Microsoft Office. Both have excellent brand recognition, but the problem is what people are actually recognizing — something old and stodgy. If Microsoft wants to excel as a consumer electronics company — an ecosystem of laptops, mobile technology and home entertainment via the Xbox — it needs to promote one of the following three people to the top job:

Vice President for Windows Phone Program Management Joe Belfiore: He's created the best smartphone interface on the market — and also the most under-appreciated, due to incompetent branding. But branding is something Belfiore understands. That's what is behind his recent hipster makeover, which has been striking for the few of us who watch Microsoft Windows Phone presentations. In fact, he kind of looks like a young Apple fan, with his greasy long hair and blazer. He's the perfect face for a company that needs to be cooler and hipper. He knows how to give a great presentation just like the late Steve Jobs. And it's an added bonus, at least for me, that Wall Street would absolutely freak.

Stefan Weitz, director of Bing: Imagine breaking into the search engine market and having to take on the absolute domination of Google? Weitz did just that and he did it well. Bing has clawed its way to just below 20 percent of search-engine market share, which is no small accomplishment given the barriers. But Weitz's vision goes beyond search. With Bing, he's building a knowledge base for a future mobile personal assistant that aims to leapfrog Siri and Google Now. In fact, he said in a recent interview that he wants to "recreate the physical planet inside of Bing." He's a sagacious thinker and would cause a similar stir on Wall Street, while simultaneously drawing the right buzz and attention to a consumer products segment that desperately needs it.

Scott Guthrie, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Developer Division: Also under 40 and an incredible technical leader, Guthrie isn't afraid to go open source — meaning that he's led the quest to allow developers to build applications using any language, tool or framework and publish them on the Internet. His developer tools have been a huge boon to the startup community. If he could bring his entrepreneurial mindset to the upper echelons of Microsoft, the company could be really fun to watch.

16.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nonprofit created to wage food fight

Two Bay State groups dedicated to improving lives through food are teaming up to create a new nonprofit that aims to bring more fresh, local food to school cafeterias.

Project Bread, an anti-hunger organization, will bring Massachusetts Farm to School, a grass-roots organization that connects local farmers with school cafeterias, under its organizational umbrella.

"We, as well as Project Bread, are really excited about things where we can work together," said Kelly Erwin, executive director of Mass. Farm to School. "It's great to give it more oomph and more stability."

Project Bread will help Mass. Farm to School with human resources and financial oversight, aspects of a nonprofit that had been missing because of Farm to School's small size.

"This allows us to professionalize the organization," which will be called the Mass. Farm to School Project LLC, Erwin said. And, she said, it will allow them to continue their mission without worrying about the effort and time needed to set up a nonprofit administration.

"It does allow Mass. Farm to keep their brand and their independence," Project Bread executive director Ellen Parker said. "It's just a really simple thing. When kids get to know their farmers, they start to have a different view of their food."

Mass. Farm to School is in 200 school districts, with programs such as Local Lunch Thursdays, which features menus crafted from local food in Boston schools.

Project Bread and Mass. Farm's specialties complement each other, Parker and Erwin said.

"We bring that economic development, business-based perspective, they bring that food-justice, anti-hunger perspective," Erwin said.

Mass. Farm will help Project Bread with its overall goal, Parker said.

"For us, the right way is to be always investing in local communities and leave something there when we leave," including an appreciation of local food, she said.

"What will change is for us to be more sensitive to the needs that they see," Parker said. "They're very in touch with the Western Massachusetts agricultural economy."

16.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Economists: future deficits top US fiscal problem

NEW YORK — The biggest fiscal challenge facing the U.S. is the size of projected deficits in the 2020s and 2030s, according to a survey of business economists.

The National Association for Business Economics surveyed 220 of its members in July and August. The survey found that members were more concerned about the size of deficits in the next two decades than current deficits or deficits over the next 10 years: 43 percent of the economists named budget gaps in the 2020s and 2030s as the top fiscal challenge, compared with 37 percent who chose projected deficits over the next 10 years.

The policy survey found that no consensus on the best way to address those deficits.

The NABE said 39 percent of those surveyed felt the best way to address the deficit-to-gross domestic product ratio in the next few decades is a mix of spending restraint and increased revenue. It said 32 percent believe the best single tool would be greater spending restraint, and 20 percent said enacting policies designed to encourage economic growth would be the best tactic.

Ballooning costs for Social Security and Medicare as the U.S. population ages are expected to result in growing long-term budget deficits.

The NABE said there is broader agreement about monetary policy, as a majority of panelists think the Federal Reserve's current policy is "about right." But the respondents widely diverged on when they think the Fed will stop its policy of buying bonds to prop up the economy.

The Fed's bond buying has helped keep U.S. interest rates near record lows. But speculation about when the Fed will slow or stop the program has fed volatility in the financial markets.

About 39 percent of survey respondents think the Fed will begin slowing the program in the fourth quarter of this year. Some, about 7 percent, think it won't happen until 2015 or later. About 39 percent think the Fed will wait until 2015 or later to begin raising its interest rate targets, its traditional tool for balancing economic growth with keeping inflation in check.

Majorities also said that a path to citizenship or other legal status for people who entered the country illegally will strengthen economic growth, and that the 2010 Affordable Care Act will increase federal spending on health care.

16.31 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buick LaCrosse gets stuck in park

My car is a 2008 Buick 
LaCrosse with the automatic shift on the steering column. It has begun sticking when in "park" and won't release even though I press the brake pedal hard. I had to push the car forward and back before the shift-lever would release. This has happened about five times, the last time while at a GM dealership. They told me that when the car is parked on any type of incline the pressure on the parking "pawl" may cause the problem. They suggest that while the engine is still running in "drive," set the parking brake, then step on the brake pedal, shift into park and then shut off the engine. This seems a rather strange and unorthodox way to solve my problem. And why did it take four-plus years to develop?

Actually, the procedure outlined by the dealer — and the owner's manual — is correct. In setting the parking brake first to immobilize the vehicle, there will be no pressure or leverage on the parking pawl, which physically locks the transmission. This eliminates what's known as torque lock — where the weight of the vehicle is "leaning" on the parking pawl, making disengagement difficult.

The other remote possibility is an issue with the automatic transmission shift-lock mechanism, which requires depressing the brake pedal with the ignition switch turned on to electronically release the shift mechanism.

I don't have a solid answer for why this problem has developed recently other than wear on the pawl or final drive internal gear that the pawl locks when in park. I'd ask the dealer to use the "range selector lever cable adjustment" procedure to check that the shift cable is correctly adjusted.

•      •      •

I have a 1988 Ford F150 with a 4.9-liter engine and a manual transmission. I have an intermittent problem with the engine cutting out at high rpm. Sometimes it cuts out at a lower rpm or sometimes not at all. The ignition system is the TFI-IV system, which requires no timing adjustment. Any ideas?

The most common cause for intermittent ignition problems with this generation Ford is the module itself. I've removed problematic modules for inspection and found visible air bubbles on the surface of the PC board sealed with a thick layer of silicone. You may be able to find a parts store that can test the module to determine if you need a new one.

•      •      •

I have a 2006 Toyota 
Sienna V6 with 59,200 miles. A notice from the dealer indicated that a valve adjustment should be done on the vehicle. Is this something that needs to be done at this low mileage? The maintenance manual does not have any mention of this requirement.

According to my ALLDATA automotive database, Toyota recommends inspecting that valve adjustment at 60,000-mile intervals. Inspecting valve adjustment requires removing the valve covers, rotating the crankshaft into specific positions and using a feeler gauge to measure valve clearance. On the other hand, adjusting the valves is listed as a 5.9-hour job, meaning a cost of $600 or more.

I can't recommend not having the inspection done at 60,000 miles, but if it were my vehicle and I wasn't hearing any clicking, tapping or unusual valve train noises, well, let's just say I'd keep driving the vehicle.

•      •      •

I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander, 6-cylinder, that I purchased new. I have an issue that seems to be getting worse since I've had the car. Sometimes when the car is shifting into third gear and going between 35 to 40 miles per hour, the car jerks. If you accelerate quickly it doesn't do it. The Toyota dealer and a transmission shop have looked at it but could not find the problem.

Remember my comments about torque-converter slippage described as shudder, chatter or flutter? Could this be the "jerks"? If this only occurs shifting into third, service literature points toward the "direct and overdrive clutch."

Readers may write Paul Brand at Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com.

16.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

Patent sought for infant-saving AIR

A pioneering MIT researcher is tackling the huge problem of infant deaths with a simple device he put together on the night he learned that nearly 2 million children die on the day they are born.

"I had a few sensors literally lying in the trash in my lab, so we built it and it works," said Kevin 
Cedrone, whose Augmented Infant Resuscitator might just become the next international lifesaver. "When you want to save a life, you really don't want to have to wait until a baby dies to find out you're doing it wrong."

The so-called AIR — 
designed to attach to existing infant ventilation equipment — relies on tiny sensors to measure the rate and pressure of air entering a newborn's lungs.

This way, doctors and nurses can immediately tell if they need to speed up or slow down the air flow, or just readjust the ventilation mask covering the baby's nose and mouth.

After putting together the makeshift model, Cedrone met with a team of doctors and engineers to tweak it. The team includes Santorino Data, a pediatrician who specializes in neonatal resuscitation; Craig Mielcarz, an electrical engineer who has produced low-cost, battery-operated medical devices; and Dr. Kristian Olson of Massachusetts General Hospital's Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies.

They're seeking a patent for their product, and hope to sell it someday for as little as $3 each.

Meanwhile, AIR has won top prizes in a variety of competitions, including MIT's IDEAS Global Challenge, Dow's Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge program, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Saving Lives at Birth partnership.

"It has great potential to change something that has a huge impact on the quality of life of infants all around the world," said Kate Mytty, who used to run the MIT IDEAS challenge. "People are trained on infant resuscitators all over the world, but they're still not working well. This makes it possible to understand why these resuscitators aren't working."

Money from those awards will pay to create more models and conduct a clinical trial in Uganda, 
Cedrone said.

As for Cedrone, who earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering last year, there's no telling what's next.

"I don't know what the future holds," he said. "Less than a year ago, everything I was doing was aimed at energy. This just kind of came across my radar."

16.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

3-D Pancam's big potential

Video cameras can do a lot today, but picture one that has such varied uses as entertainment, surveillance, facial recognition — even interior design — and you've pretty much got the Pancam — or Eric Prechtl's vision of it, anyway.

With enough seed investment, the founder and president of Axis Engineering Technologies says, he's six months away from producing a polished, three-dimensional, panoramic camera that can send video to a 3-D television. And with the right analytics partners, AET could develop later models with each of those other capabilities.

At MassChallenge, the startup accelerator and competition that's named his company a finalist, "We're analyzing different markets and trying to figure out what is the best one to go after first," he said.

As unlikely as it might seem, the 43-year-old Prechtl's quest to build a smarter camera actually grew out of his efforts more than a decade ago to build a smarter helicopter.

While he was working on his doctorate in aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he developed an actuator to reduce the amount of vibration in a helicopter, helping it to fly more smoothly and quietly.

"A similar thought process led us to figure out a way to make cameras smarter, including to make them see in 3-D instead of 2-D," Prechtl said.

He describes his working prototype as a "gnarly laboratory device," 24 inches in diameter, with six spokes, each with two cameras at the end.

Each camera, in turn, is capable of capturing 20 frames per second, "creating a panorama very fast."

Because human eyes are spaced only about 2.5 inches apart, the next-generation Pancam will be only 4 inches in diameter.

To adapt it for interior design and renovations, the next step would be to add software to map a still image of a room, Prechtl said.

The same camera could be used for surveillance to track suspicious movements, raising an alert should someone try to access a restricted area, he said.

And because the camera can see in three dimensions, it could be used by police, the FBI and the military for facial recognition because it could distinguish a person's features better than a traditional two-dimensional camera.

All of this technology doesn't come cheaply. Prechtl estimates the finished product, if it's sold commercially, would likely cost between $5,000 and $10,000.

16.30 | 0 komentar | Read More

Implications of college rating idea unknown

Education leaders are praising President Obama's proposal to tie federal aid to a college's value, but worry that creating a single rating system to measure that might be the wrong approach and might discourage students from going into low-paying careers after they graduate.

"It does make sense to link budget allocations to performance and results and not just to enrollment," said Richard M. Freeland, Massachusetts commissioner of higher education. "But I'm not sure one formula for all types of institutions in all regions of the country will make sense."

Under the president's proposal, the federal government would create a rating system by 2015 to guide students to colleges offering the best value based on average tuition, graduation rates, student debt burden, percentage of low- and middle-income students who receive loans, and graduates' earnings.

But Richard Doherty, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, said using graduates' earnings as a criteria "builds in a perverse incentive" for students not to go into what are often low-paying professions, such as teaching and social work. And in order to improve graduation rates, colleges might be more selective about the students they admit.

Obama's proposal nevertheless could put pressure on colleges to hold down tuition and graduate more students because federal aid would depend on the value a school provides.

Over the past 30 years, average tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities have increased 257 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars, according to the College Board. Wages, meanwhile, have risen only 16 percent.

But Congress would have to authorize any shift in financial aid, and Republicans could try to block the president's proposal.

"Anytime you hear another edict from the Obama administration, you have to think twice," said Tim Buckley, a spokesman for the Massachusetts GOP. "Considering the disastrous implementation of Obamacare, members of Congress would be wise to doubt this program's usefulness. Trying to treat large public universities and small private colleges the same way is another one-size-fits-all solution that is sure to fail."

16.31 | 0 komentar | Read More