Obama on Labor Day: Don't take rights for granted

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is asking Americans this Labor Day to think about the rights and benefits that people often take for granted.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says he's optimistic about the growing economy. He says decisions made now will determine whether the recovery will pick up speed.

Obama says workers and unions fought for things like Social Security, Medicare, workplace safety laws and the right to organize. He says those fights built a stronger middle class.

Obama says to strengthen the modern middle class, the U.S. must raise its minimum wage. He says states and businesses have raised wages already and Congress should, too.

In the Republican address, Rep. Larry Bucshon of Indiana says Republicans are focused on creating jobs, lowering costs and restoring opportunity.

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Online:

Obama address: http://www.whitehouse.gov

GOP address: http://www.youtube.com/user/gopweeklyaddress

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Tripled California Film-TV tax credit heads to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk

A bill to more than triple California's film-TV tax credit program from $100 million to $330 million a year has cleared its final legislative hurdle and is headed for the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown.

The State Assembly approved AB 1839 late Friday night, following the State Senate's approval in the afternoon -- two days after Brown and legislative leaders had worked out a compromise that reduced the annual allocation from $400 million to $330 million.

That's still short of the $420 million offered by New York each year but backers assert it will enable California to remain a leading production center and compete more effectively against Georgia, Lousiana and New York. The new bill will expand the program to offer credits of 20% and 25% to most one-hour network TV dramas, movies with budgets over $75 million and one-hour TV pilots.

The new program, which will go into effect in the 2015-16 fiscal year for five years, will also do away with the current current lottery selection with a new competitive system based on a "job creation ratio."

The current program went into effect in 2009 during Arnold Schwarzenegger's second term as governor.

The California Film & Television Production Alliance - which has focused on spotlighting the impact of runaway production on below-the-line workers -- issued a statement late Friday:

"On behalf of hundreds of thousands of middle class California workers, creative talent, small businesses, vendors, local governments, film commissioners, theatre owners, and tourism, hotel and lodging associations - all across the state - we are elated by the successful votes on both the Senate and Assembly floors, securing the California Legislature's passage of AB 1839. When we began this effort in the winter of 2013, with an ever-growing cascade of film and television production leaving California, there were many who told us that this would be a failed effort, that nothing could be done to bring back the thousands of jobs that had already left the State, and that the voice of the working men and women in our business could never overcome the glamourous stereotype of Hollywood. Today's votes show they were wrong.

"First and foremost, we would not be standing where we are today without the unwavering dedication, leadership, and guidance of our two authors, Assemblymembers Gatto and Bocanegra, who stood with us every step of the way in support of thousands of working Californians who create films and television shows and want to remain valuable contributors to this great State. Our success, and our thanks, is also due to those in the Legislature who share our concerns and commitment including Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff, and especially Senate President pro Tem-elect Kevin de Leon for his commitment to achieving the best possible version of the bill."

© 2014 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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Infiniti Q50 gets sharp redesign

The 2014 Infiniti Q50 Premium AWD four-door sedan was rolled out last fall but everything about this year-old redesign is spot-on for curbside appeal and performance.

The feline-shaped sleek body looks good parked and even better in motion as the famous curvy fender rolls have been sharpened, creating a much more refined-looking car. Wraparound LED headlamps blend into the fenders without the bug-like appearance Nissans have and the lines pull your eye to a tightly packaged flared rear. Having tested a wide range of Infiniti ­sedans over the past couple of ­seasons, this one is the best ­offering to date.

Powered by a 3.7-liter V6, the quick and agile machine makes 328 horsepower with a 7-speed transmission. It's glued to the ground by all-wheel drive yet still manages almost 24 miles per gallon combined. This is the same base engine the Nissan Z370 sports car uses. In Sport, the transmission and suspension are re-geared for quicker pickup and more torque but the Direct Adaptive Steering technology was the biggest surprise. Basically, you can customize the steering response to your driving style or to the road conditions using a combination of settings from heavy to light feel and by changing the steering wheel turn ratios and angle of the wheels. In other words, you can set it for a racing-style response or something more leisurely.

Myriad options boost the base $41,800 to a healthy $52,405, include premium leather surfaces, and a tech package that sports a huge array of safety features such as lane departure prevention, forward and rear radar, and predictive forward collision warning, which I really liked in stop-and-go traffic. This common feature in many premium cars automatically brakes the car if it senses you are too close to the car in front of you and slows or stops the car without hitting the brakes.

The Navigation Package kicks in a touch screen with 3-D guidance, voice recognition and a Bose stereo and one-step Bluetooth connection. I think Infiniti and Nissan have one of the more intuitive and easiest to use infotainment systems in the industry. The Touring Package rounds out the features that make the car an elegant offering in the upscale field. Maple wood trim, birds-eye parking aids, adaptive headlights and a well-appointed, refined cabin make cruising around a peaceful and comfortable ride.

The cabin feels more spacious than earlier models, with convenient access to the controls. Soft-touch surfaces and contrasting aluminum enhance the look of the interior. A good-sized trunk and decent rear seat legroom make traveling a breeze. The one thing Infiniti has not quite nailed is quieting down the road noise in the cabin.

With an entry point of about $38,000 you can build your Q50 and get a fine car with some sports sedan features without going broke. Some of the competing cars that will be vying for your attention are the Volvo S60, BMW 3 series, Acura, Lexus and Hyundai Genesis.

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EU inches toward new sanctions on Russia

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Saturday warned that the apparent incursion of Russian troops on Ukrainian soil pushes the conflict closer to a point of no return, with new economic sanctions being drawn up to make Moscow reconsider its position.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who briefed a summit of the 28-nation EU's leaders in Brussels, said a strong response was needed to the "military aggression and terror" facing his country.

"Thousands of the foreign troops and hundreds of the foreign tanks are now on the territory of Ukraine," Poroshenko told reporters in English. "There is a very high risk not only for peace and stability for Ukraine, but for the whole peace and stability of Europe."

French President Francois Hollande and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said upon their arrival for the summit in Brussels the leaders will make a political decision and then ask the EU's executive arm to finalize the fine print of new sanctions.

However, because several EU nations fear the fallout of sanctions on their own economies, it wasn't immediately clear whether the required unanimity would be reached for immediate punitive measures, or whether the leaders would set Russia another ultimatum.

But Lithuanian leader Dalia Grybauskaite insisted Russia's meddling in Ukraine, which seeks closer ties with the EU, amounts to a direct confrontation that requires stronger sanctions.

"Russia is practically in the war against Europe," she said in English.

NATO estimates that at least 1,000 Russian soldiers are in Ukraine even though Russia denies any military involvement in the fighting that has so far claimed 2,600 lives, according to U.N. figures.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also warned that Europe can't be complacent about Russian troops on Ukrainian soil.

"Countries in Europe shouldn't have to think long before realizing just how unacceptable that is," he said. "We know that from our history. So consequences must follow."

Conceding ground in the face of a reinvigorated rebel offensive, Ukraine said Saturday that it was abandoning a city where its forces have been surrounded by rebels for days. Government forces were also pulling back from another it had claimed to have taken control of two weeks earlier.

The statements by Col. Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for the national security council, indicate that Ukrainian forces face increasingly strong resistance from Russian-backed separatist rebels just weeks after racking up significant gains and forcing rebels out of much of the territory they had held.

Poroshenko, meanwhile, said Ukraine would welcome an EU decision to help with military equipment and further intelligence-sharing.

The office of the Donetsk mayor reported in a statement that at least two people died in an artillery attack on one of Donetsk's neighborhoods. Shelling was reported elsewhere in the city, but there was no immediate word on casualties.

In Brussels, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said "sanctions are not an end in themselves," but a means to dissuade Russia from further destabilizing Ukraine.

"We may see a situation where we reach the point of no return," Barroso warned. "If the escalation of the conflict continues, this point of no return can come."

He provided no specifics about which sanctions the heads of state and government might adopt to inflict more economic pain to nudge Russia toward a political solution.

The U.S. and the EU have so far imposed sanctions against dozens of Russian officials, several companies and the country's financial industry. Moscow has retaliated by banning food imports.

Grybauskaite said the EU should impose a full arms embargo, including the canceling of already agreed contracts. France has so far staunchly opposed that proposal because it has a $1.6 billion contract to build Mistral helicopter carriers for Russia.

The EU's requirement for a unanimous agreement among the 28 nation has in the past blocked or softened decisions since some nations fear the economic fallout.

Russia is the EU's No. 3 trading partner and one of its biggest oil and gas suppliers. The EU, in turn, is Russia's biggest commercial partner, making any sanctions more biting than similar measures adopted by the U.S.

Barroso said that the EU — a bloc encompassing 500 million people and stretching from Lisbon to the border with Ukraine — stands ready to grant Kiev further financial assistance if needed. The bloc will also organize a donors' conference to help rebuild the country's east at the end of the year, he added.

Ukrainian forces had been surrounded by rebels in the town of Ilovaysk, about 20 kilometers (15 miles) east of the largest rebel-held city of Donetsk for days.

"We are surrendering this city," Ukraine's Lysenko told reporters. "Our task now is to evacuate our military with the least possible losses in order to regroup."

Lysenko said that regular units of the military had been ordered to retreat from Novosvitlivka and Khryashchuvate, two towns on the main road between the Russian border and Luhansk, the second-largest rebel-held city. Ukraine had claimed control of Novosvitlivka earlier in August.

Separately, Ukrainian forces said one of their Su-25 fighter jets was shot down Friday over eastern Ukraine by a missile from a Russian missile launcher. The pilot ejected and was uninjured, the military said in a brief statement.

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Jim Heintz reported from Kiev. Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow contributed reporting.

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Follow Juergen Baetz on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jbaetz

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Japanese retailer Uniqlo opens first 2 Mass. stores

Japanese casual clothing retailer Uniqlo opened its first two Massachusetts stores yesterday, and plans to open two more in the next month.

More than 100 people were in line when the doors opened at both the Natick Mall and The Mall at Chestnut Hill.

"It's exciting to have one so close," said Vanessa Chong, 22, of Wellesley, as she waited outside the Natick Mall yesterday. "It has such a following here. It's just really good quality basics."

Inside, where shoppers were treated to Taiko drumming performances and sales clerks wore traditional Japanese coats called Happis, Uniqlo USA CEO Larry Meyer said the new stores — two of a total of 25 in the U.S. — will be followed by two more in the Bay State: one at the Northshore Mall in Peabody on Oct. 17, the other at Legacy Place in Dedham on Oct. 24.

"Our aim is to grow," Meyer said. "Uniqlo is 80 percent of the revenue of (parent company) Fast Retailing, and the U.S. is an important market."

Uniqlo plans to compete with other clothing stores like Gap, H&M and Zara, by separating itself from the pack, he said.

"We're more about functionality for great value," Meyer said, offering up as an example an ultra-light down vest that fits into a matching attached bag and retails for $39.90 through Sept. 7 and $49.90 afterward.

"The cleanliness and preciseness of the store and the customer service are second to none."

The store also offers items unique to the company, such as sweatshirts bearing copies of the artwork of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.

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Foreign students flock to hub

Foreign students are flocking to — and spending cash — at Greater Boston colleges and universities at one of the highest rates in the country, helping pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy in the process, according to a new report.

Greater Boston schools boast the third-most foreign students in the nation, and the $1.77 billion they spent here on tuition between 2008 and 2012 trails only New York nationally, according to the report released yesterday by the Washington think tank, the Brookings Institution, and JP Morgan Chase & Co.

International students, in turn, also spent more than $932 million on living costs during the same time frame, thanks in part to the area's 85 schools, which are home to more than 53,000 who came from abroad, the study said.

Boston has long been recognized as an international student hub, but the numbers have been driven of late by an influx of students from China and India, where an increasing middle class has helped make the dream of attending a U.S. college more realistic, according to one local college official.

More than 12,600 students from China enrolled in Greater Boston schools, and nearly 5,500 more came from India, the two highest populations from any country, according to the report.

"We have the types of programs they want to apply to," said Colin Riley, a spokesman for Boston University, which accepted 8,413 foreign students in the four-year span, the 11th most in the country.

Only Northeastern University, with 9,279, had more in Boston. Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Suffolk University were the area's other top destinations.

Riley said that BU boasts students from more than 140 countries, and international students make up roughly 20 percent of the school's population, though he emphasized it's about more than just the boost they give to a school financially.

"Anywhere where there are schools, they have a tremendous economic impact," he said. "We have a long history of having international students."

The report said that roughly 52 percent of the foreign student graduates ended up staying to work in the area.

"Metropolitan economies can potentially benefit if the federal government reforms the immigration system to increase retention of America's foreign students," the report states.

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Gumball Factory hits sweet spot

This architect-designed penthouse in a former gumball factory has Jeffries Point's highest unobstructed perch overlooking East Boston, Boston Harbor and downtown.

Unit 701 in the Gumball Factory Lofts, on the market for $799,000, underwent a $600,000 gut renovation in 2007 designed by Hub architecture firm Utile. The living/dining area ceiling heights were raised, and floor-to-ceiling custom cabinets were added in the living/dining and bedroom spaces, along with dark-stained hardwood floors throughout. A unit-wide Bang & Olufsen sound system was installed along with Lutron lighting with adjustable dimming.

The Gumball Factory, a 1920 brick building converted into condos in 1989, has just had its common spaces spiffed up, with a refinished marble tile lobby floor, new wall coverings, a new chiller system and a refurbished elevator. The lobby has photos of the old Cox Confectionary Co. factory along with a vintage gumball machine filled with "jaw teasers."

Unit 701 is on the seventh floor, a floor added to the factory when it was converted. The condo opens into a foyer with a stylish recessed-lit kitchen to the right with light wood Arclinea cabinets and black Fireslate countertops with a stainless-steel backsplash. There's a cabinet-faced Sub Zero refrigerator and Bosch dishwasher and Gaggenau electric stovetop and oven. A breakfast bar has a pocket door opening to the dining area.

Straight ahead is the unit's showpiece space, a soaring, recessed-lit living/dining space with 12-foot-plus vaulted ceilings and four windows with great Boston views. There's a full wall of floor-to-ceiling custom cherrywood cabinetry with wardrobe and storage closets with bookcases above. A custom-built sliding ladder keeps everything within reach.

A side wall has more built-ins — a Murphy bed that pulls down and a desk unit that pulls up. There's also more built-in bookcases.

Off this room through a pocket door is a full bathroom with a polished concrete radiant-heated floor, a stainless-steel vessel sink and doors that open into a deep soaking tub with a shower and ceramic tile walls. There's also built-in linen closets as well as a separate closet that holds a stacked Maytag washer and dryer.

A glass sliding door from the living/dining area leads out to a private long mahogany deck with glass balustrades offering panoramic views of Boston — from the Seaport District to the Tobin Bridge.

The master bedroom suite has one window that's a little on the small side, but it does have a wall of built-in cherrywood wardrobe and storage cabinets.

The en-suite master bathroom features a frameless glass-enclosed shower with glass mosaic tile walls and a radiant heated polished concrete floor. There's also a white quartz-topped vanity.

The unit's $523 condo fee includes heat and hot water from the building's central systems, which include central air conditioning.

It also comes with one deeded outdoor parking space on a lot adjacent to the building.

HOME SHOWCASE

• Address: 150 Orleans St., 
Unit 701, Gumball Factory Lofts, East Boston
• Bedrooms: One
• Bathrooms: Two full
• List price: $799,000
• Square feet: 1,003
• Price per square foot: $796
• Annual taxes: $2,853
• Monthly condo fee: $523 
(includes heat and hot water)
• Location: A quarter mile from shops and eateries as well as Blue Line T station in East Boston's Maverick Square
• Built in: 1920; converted to condos 1989; unit gut renovated in 2007
• Broker: Paul Campano of Keller Williams Realty at 617-304-3686

Pros:

• Architect-designed interiors including full wall cabinet built-ins
• Large mahogany outdoor deck with panoramic Boston views
• Stylish kitchen with Fireslate counters, high-end appliances
• Built-in Murphy bed pulls down, desk pulls up

Cons:

• Bedroom on the small side

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Atlantic City losing 2 casinos, 5K jobs in 3 days

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A time few could imagine during the glory days of casino gambling has arrived in Atlantic City, where two casinos and more than 5,000 jobs will be lost this weekend.

The Showboat is closing Sunday, followed by Revel's two-day closure Monday and Tuesday.

Trump Plaza is next, closing Sept. 16. To the thousands of workers who will be left behind, it still seems unreal.

Showboat bartender Chris Ireland says casino workers never thought this could happen.

Atlantic City began the year with 12 casinos, but before summer's end, it will have eight.

The contraction is due to ever-increasing competition in neighboring states.

Many analysts and casino executives say Atlantic City will do better with fewer casinos. Some have already improved their financial position since the Atlantic Club closed in January.

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A history of casino revenue, jobs in Atlantic City

Here is a look at how gambling revenue and employment have changed since casinos launched in Atlantic City in 1978:

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May 26, 1978: Resorts Atlantic City opens.

Casino revenue: $134 million

Casino employment: 3,300

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June 26, 1979: Caesars Atlantic City opens.

Dec. 29, 1979: Bally's Atlantic City opens.

Casino revenue: $325 million

Casino employment: 11,300

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Aug. 13, 1980: Sands Casino Hotel opens.

Nov. 23, 1980: Harrah's Atlantic City opens.

Dec. 9, 1980: Atlantic City Hilton opens. (It closed January 2014 as the Atlantic Club.)

Casino revenue: $642 million

Casino employment: 23,500

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Nov. 23, 1981: Tropicana Casino and Resort opens.

Casino revenue: $1 billion

Casino employment: 28,300

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May 14, 1984: Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino opens.

Casino revenue: $1.9 billion

Casino employment: 35,968

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June 17, 1985: Trump Marina Hotel Casino (now the Golden Nugget) opens.

Casino revenue: $2.1 billion

Casino employment: 37,004

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March 30, 1987: Showboat Casino Hotel opens.

Casino revenue: $2.4 billion

Casino employment: 39,351

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April 2, 1990: Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort opens.

Casino revenue: $2.9 billion

Casino employment: 45,241

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July 2, 2003: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opens.

Casino revenue: $4.4 billion

Casino employment: 42,378

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Nov. 11, 2006: Sands Casino Hotel closes.

Casino revenue: $5.2 billion

Casino employment: 45,101

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April 2, 2012: Revel Casino Hotel opens.

Casino revenue: $3 billion

Casino employment: 35,777

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Jan. 13, 2014: Atlantic Club closes.

Casino revenue: $2.8 billion

Casino employment: 30,676

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July-August 2014: Showboat, Trump Plaza, Revel announce impending closures.

Casino revenue: $1.3 billion (January-June 2014)

Casino employment: 31,960

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Aug. 31, 2014: Showboat closes

Sept. 1-2, 2014: Revel closes

Casino revenue: $1.5 billion (January-July 2014)

Casino employment: 31,777

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Sept. 16, 2016: Trump Plaza scheduled to close

Sources: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Casino Control Commission, AP research.

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Box office: 'Guardians' becomes year's top film, leads Labor Day weekend

Leave it to a ragtag band of space crusaders to save the Labor Day weekend box office.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" has edged out newcomers "The November Man" and "As Above, So Below" to once again top the domestic box office, earning $3.8 million on Friday in its fifth frame. The intergalactic pic has beat out fellow Marvel superhero film "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" to become the highest grossing film of the year to date Stateside.

The Marvel-Disney blockbuster is headed for a $20.5 million weekend, which would mark a 9% spike and raise its impressive cume to $278.8 million.

"As Above, So Below" surprised with a second-place finish on Friday, but will likely end up in fourth place behind "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "If I Stay" by Monday -- a repeat of last weekend.

This is the third win for "Guardians of the Galaxy," which recently crossed the $500 million mark worldwide and passed "Transformers: Age of Extinction" as the highest-grossing movie of the summer in the U.S. The pic helped salvage the late summer box office, which is down an overall 15% from last season's record-breaking performance.

Pierce Brosnan's "November Man" came in a distant fifth on Friday with $2.2 million and is headed for sixth place by weekend's end. Relativity's actioner, which opened to a soft $862,000 million on Wednesday, stands to earn an estimated $9.8 million this holiday weekend, behind "As Above, So Below" and "Let's Be Cops."

Brosnan stars as an ex-CIA agent who returns from retirement for one final mission: to protect a witness, played by Olga Kurylenko. The espionage thriller targets -- but failed to draw -- the same older audience that flocked to Liam Neeson's "Taken" films.

Relativity paid $3 million for the $20 million production as part of its model for low-risk films.

This weekend's other new wide release, "As Above, So Below," grossed $3.2 million on Friday. The first film from Universal's distribution pact with Legendary, "As Above, So Below" will likely earn around $11.3 million this long weekend. The thriller about archaeologists in search of a lost treasure in the Paris catacombs cost a mere $5 million to produce.

Meanwhile, Paramount's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is still kicking in its fourth frame. The anthropomorphic, crime-fighting reptiles made an estimated $2.7 million on Friday. It's en route for $14.8 million (raising its total domestic haul to $165.5 million), which would mark a 19% drop.

YA tearjerker "If I Stay" was in fourth place on Friday with $2.6 million, but will reclaim last weekend's third place finish by Labor Day. The Warner Bros. drama is headed for $11.8 million this weekend, which would barely edge out "As Above, So Below."

"Let's Be Cops" rounded out the top five with $2 million. The Fox comedy will likely make north of $10 million by Monday.

© 2014 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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