Outlets

WASHINGTON -- Passengers on Amtrak's premium, high-speed Acela service who tried to plug in their laptops or recharge their cell phones in recent weeks have been unexpectedly disappointed. Acela turned off the juice to the electric outlets on the trains, which run from Boston to Washington, two weeks ago after at least six incidents in which the outlets were short-circuited by unwitting passengers. The electrical problem comes roughly one year since Amtrak resumed its Acela service, which was taken down for three months following the discovery of cracks in many of the trains'...

More than 800 full- and part-time jobs are being offered at a job fair for a New Hampshire retail outlet complex expected to open in June. Nashua Community College is hosting the job fair from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. When it opens, the Merrimack Premium Outlets will feature 100 clothing, home goods, and other stores. Available jobs include management, sales, stock positions, security, custodial work, and others.

ROME -- The silk-swathed signora behind us, inky hair pulled into a simple low ponytail, was not about to wait any longer. Leather-tipped toe pointed at Hotel Mediterraneo's enormous marble concierge desk, she sighed loudly, waiting as we wrestled with our day's agenda and waffled over the city's shopping areas. "Castel Romano," she half snapped, half purred. It seemed to be the answer to a very important question that we had missed. "Sorry?" we asked. "Is shops. In a castle.

The White House said Tuesday afternoon that President Obama's older daughter Malia was unharmed by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that shook Mexico, where she was traveling on a school trip. "In light of today's earthquake, we can confirm that Malia Obama is safe and was never in danger," said Kristina Schake, communications director for First Lady Michelle Obama. The quake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico at 12:02 local time, according to the US Geological Service, and spread over roughly 10 miles.

HOUSTON — Oil giant BP PLC is floating a financial lifeline to the owners, operators, and suppliers of the gas stations around America that bear its name and have been struggling because of boycotts prompted by the Gulf spill. The head of a trade group that represents distributors of BP gasoline in the United States told the Associated Press yesterday that the company is informing outlets that they will be getting cash in their pockets, reductions in credit card fees, and help with more national advertising.

The White House said Tuesday afternoon that President Obama's older daughter Malia was unharmed by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that shook Mexico, where she was traveling on a school trip. "In light of today's earthquake, we can confirm that Malia Obama is safe and was never in danger," said Kristina Schake, communications director for First Lady Michelle Obama. The quake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico at 12:02 local time, according to the US Geological Service, and spread over roughly 10 miles.

The specialty grocery store chain Trader Joe's plans to open its first store in upstate New York, and it's going to be located in Wegmans' backyard. Executives with the Wilmorite development company tell Rochester media outlets that California-based Trader Joe's will build a store at a shopping plaza in suburban Pittsford. Construction is expected to begin in January, with the store scheduled to open by the fall of 2012. The store's location will be just a few hundred yards from one of Rochester-based Wegmans' supermarkets.

The maid accusing Dominique Strauss-Kahn of assaulting her in a Manhattan hotel room is speaking out publicly for the first time. The accuser, Nafissatou Diallo, had rejected media attempts to interview her since the story broke in May. But her photograph appears on the cover of the new issue of Newsweek, and ABC News says it will carry an exclusive broadcast interview with her on three of its programs on Monday. Diallo's name had not been reported by major media outlets in the U.S., which generally protect the identities of people who say they've been sexually assaulted.

MUMBAI - Starbucks aims to open 50 outlets in India by year's end, through a 50-50 joint venture with Tata Global Beverages, the companies said yesterday. Tata Starbucks Ltd., as their venture is known, hopes to capitalize on the rising aspirations - and fattening wallets - of many Indians, who are eager to partake of the global latte life. "What we are seeing is an evolution in lifestyles," said R.K. Krishnakumar, vice chairman of Tata Global Beverages. "In some ways the distinctions between the developed world and the developing world are blurring.

KUWAIT CITY -- The US military will begin its own news service in Iraq and Afghanistan to send military video, text, and photos directly to the Internet or news outlets. The $6.3 million project, expected to begin operating in April, is one of the largest military public affairs projects in recent memory, and is intended to allow small media outlets in the United States and elsewhere to bypass what the Pentagon views as an increasingly combative press corps. US officials have complained that Iraq-based media focus on catastrophic events such as car bombs and soldiers' deaths, while giving short...

Foxwoods Resort Casino has unveiled plans for an outlet shopping center to add to revenue at its eastern Connecticut gambling enterprise. The casino, which is run by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, announced its plans Wednesday to build 85 outlet stores. Wednesday was Foxwoods' 20th anniversary. Foxwoods said the 320,000 square-foot retail space will connect the MGM Grand Hotel to the Grand Pequot Hotel. Construction is to start in the spring, but Foxwoods did not say when the shops will open.

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. - Foxwoods Resort Casino has unveiled plans for an outlet shopping center to add to revenue at its eastern Connecticut gambling enterprise. The casino, which is run by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, unveiled its plans yesterday to build 85 outlet stores. Yesterday was Foxwoods' 20th anniversary. Foxwoods said the 320,000-square-foot retail space will connect the MGM Grand Hotel to the Grand Pequot Hotel. Construction is to start in the spring, but Foxwoods did not say when the shops will open.

By Natalie Feulner, Town Correspondent A Dedham mother has initiated a campaign to urge the clothing retail store Urban Outfitters to "clean up" its Dedham outlet by removing sexually-themed books or hide them from children. Ann Hunnewell said she was shopping with her 13-year-old daughter at the Urban Outfitters store in Legacy Place last week when she noticed the titles of some books on the Valentine's-themed display. A few that jumped out were "Images You Should Not Masturbate to," "Get Laid," and "Position of the Day Playbook," she said.

Tooks headgear with built-in headphones $19.99 to $29.99 at tookshats.com or Amazon.com Not much of a winter so far, but it's been chilly enough to require some insulating headgear when you step outside. And if you'd like a little music during your stroll, Colorado-based Tooks International has just the cap for you. A "toque," pronounced "took," is what French-Canadians call a snug cloth cap, hence the company name. But unlike most such caps, a Tooks headwarmer has been modified to hold a set of earphones, and the company makes a range...

MUMBAI - Starbucks aims to open 50 outlets in India by year's end, through a 50-50 joint venture with Tata Global Beverages, the companies said yesterday. Tata Starbucks Ltd., as their venture is known, hopes to capitalize on the rising aspirations - and fattening wallets - of many Indians, who are eager to partake of the global latte life. "What we are seeing is an evolution in lifestyles," said R.K. Krishnakumar, vice chairman of Tata Global Beverages. "In some ways the distinctions between the developed world and the developing world are blurring.

With the promise of big savings on quality name brands, outlet stores are booming. But are they delivering on that promise? To find out, Consumer Reports surveyed 17,753 readers who made nearly 39,000 outlet store visits. The results reveal winners and losers among the 58 major outlet brands included in the survey, which considered value, quality, selection, and service. Consumer Reports also interviewed experts and sent a reporter to buy $2,000 worth of shirts, slacks, socks, sweats, and other items to examine in CR's textile labs.

NEW YORK - CBS News is planning an ambitious turn-of-the-decade look at the United States’ position in the world that’s also designed as an opening competitive shot at Diane Sawyer. Called “CBS Reports: Where America Stands,’’ the series will look at issues such as health care, the military, the economy, and crime. Reporters will show what was happening 10 years ago and compare it to now, with predictions of what things will be like at the start of the 2020s. “CBS Evening News’’ will be the centerpiece for the reports.

NEW YORK - Danish Modern furniture. Flat-screen TVs. Free WiFi. You want fries with that? A McDonald’s in midtown Manhattan became the first in the United States to undergo a sleek, European-style makeover, similar to what McDonald’s has done at thousands of outlets in France and the United Kingdom. The eatery is outfitted with outlets for plugging in laptops, upholstered vinyl chairs instead of Fiberglas seats bolted to the floor, subdued lighting, and employees whose all-black uniforms suggest a hip boutique.

Beaming with pride, Eamon Frongillo-Lofstrom, 3, offers his mother a slime muffin. She accepts it with mock excitement. At a nearby table, Coco Pierce, 5, works on a bat-shaped puppet. "I like the glittery paper," she says, surveying material options. Meanwhile, a few feet away, Quentin Cooper, 4, cuts out circles with a childproof hole punch and declares, "This is sculpture making. " It is all part of the creative process at Muckykids Art Studio in Cambridge. The cozy, craft-filled space on Massachusetts Avenue gives children a chance to explore, experiment, and show off their artistic...