All Economy
IKEA apologizes for using forced labor to make furnitureIKEA 'deeply regrets' using forced labor of political prisoners in East Germany to make some of its furniture during the 1980s, the company's country manager in Germany 聽said.聽Embarrassed by media reports, IKEA聽聽launched an internal investigation a year ago into whether it had used forced labor behind the Iron Curtain.聽
BP oil spill settlement: why BP is not a criminalThe Justice Department鈥檚 criminal settlement with BP gives their top executives a free pass 鈥� allowing the public to believe justice has been done, Reich writes.
Toy Hall of Fame inducts Dominoes, Star WarsToy Hall of Fame's newest inductees include Dominoes and 聽action figures of Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and the rest. 10 other finalists, including Magic 8 Ball and the board game Twister, did not make the cut for the Toy Hall of Fame.聽
Black Friday: Freebies for in-store shoppers include coffee, video games, and gift cardsBlack Friday shoppers are doing more and more of their buying online, so some stores are taking extra steps to lure customers out of the house. Here are the best Black Friday in-store freebies for 2012, featuring everything from gift cards to tape measurers.聽
How to pick the right credit card if you are retiredRetirees should look for easy-to-understand credit-card terms and low-tech customer service. Avoid carrying a balance because finance charges can quickly diminish retirees' modest monthly income.聽
Hostess Brands: Twinkies maker to close permanentlyHostess Brands announced Friday that the company would liquidate, laying off 18,500 workers and putting its iconic brands, including Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and Ho Ho's, up for sale. Hostess Brands said production at its factories was crippled by a nationwide workers strike.聽
A fiscal cliff 'mini-deal'?A mini-deal on the fiscal cliff will give the new Congress and the White House time to craft a 鈥済rand bargain鈥� on deficit reduction without going over the fiscal cliff, Reich writes.
For big savings, compare prices onlineCompare the prices you get online with the prices you can get locally and go for whichever option is cheapest, Hamm writes.
Stocks close lower after weak retail reportsStocks closed lower for the third day straight Thursday after weak reports from the nation's retailers. Debate over the impending fiscal cliff is also weighing on stocks.
Has John Boehner really agreed to increase taxes on the rich?Since the election, House Speaker John Boehner (R) has had some conciliatory-sounding words about the need to avoid the 'fiscal cliff.' While he's said 'new revenue' might be part of the solution, it's problematic to assume he means higher taxes on the rich.
Vietnam's 'tiger' economy losing its roarGrowth next year is expected to drop due, as recent corruption scandals and splinters within the communist government weigh on the economy.
Six types of European economic trendsRecent EU data shows聽great divergences in Europe between different countries in economic growth, Karlsson writes.
Jobless claims surge by 78,000Jobless claims rose unexpectedly as initial claims jumped back above the closely watched 400K level.聽
Obama's grand bargain: broaden the base or tax the rich?If Republicans won鈥檛 budge on raising tax rates but insist on broadening the base, Reich writes, Democrats should take aim at the biggest tax loophole of all for America鈥檚 wealthy: the preference for capital gains.
Jobless claims hit 18-month high thanks to Superstorm SandyJobless claims ticked up to 439,000 last week 鈥� the highest level in 18 months. Why the spike? A large number of jobless claims were filed in states damaged by Superstorm Sandy, according to the Labor department.聽
Facebook stock jumps even as lockup period expiresFacebook stock soared over 7 percent despite more than 850 million shares in the company being freed up for sale. Facebook stock was expected to take a dive Wednesday, when the company's biggest lockup period preventing insiders from selling the stock expired.
Bipartisan politics: 'Flexibility is patriotic.'Most of the time moving forward is the ideal scenario - except for those times when we need to preserve tradition and regroup, Brown writes.
Nutella tax: Is France taking austerity too far?Nutella tax is aimed at reducing unhealthy ingredients in French food. But by taking on a French favorite, the Nutella tax is spurring a backlash.
Shop and save on tax-free holidaysKeep track of the things you need that match your state tax holiday and wait for that holiday to come around again before buying, Hamm writes.
Stocks slide as impasse over budget deficit loomsStocks聽fell sharply Wednesday despite a signal from the Federal Reserve that it could launch a program to speed job growth.
