четвъртък, 30 юни 2011 г.

Stamford Man Indicted for Extortion and Illegal Possession of Ammunition

A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging Nicola Melia, 78, Stamford, with five counts of collecting extensions of credit by extortionate means and one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

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ND0629113

Title: EPA Issues Final E15/B20 UST Compatibility Guidelines
Description: The agency outlines final compliance guidelines for UST owners and operators storing gasoline greater than E10.
Page Content:

WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued compatibility guidelines on Tuesday for owners and operators who are storing gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol or diesel containing more than 20 percent biodiesel in their UST systems.

On December 17, 2010, NACS and SIGMA submitted comments regarding the legal, environmental and practical obstacles for storing and dispensing E15. NACS did not believe that the proposed guidelines would satisfy many existing laws and regulations.

NACS commented that if retailers were to store E15 in systems that are not certified as compatible with that fuel, they could expose themselves to a multitude of legal difficulties, which could threaten the future of their businesses. Absent certification, retailers could be held in violation of:

  • State UST regulations that require UL certification (Massachusetts, for instance, announced that storing E15 in a legacy tank will not be permissible);

  • Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations;

  • State UST insurance policies;

  • Local fire codes; and

  • The terms of their mortgage or other loan agreements, which routinely include compliance-with-law provisions.

The compliancy guidelines issued yesterday by EPA cite ?acceptable methods? for owners and operators to demonstrate compatibility:

  • Use components that are certified or listed by a nationally recognized, independent testing laboratory (for example, Underwriters Laboratories) for use with the fuel stored;

  • Use components approved by the manufacturer to be compatible with the fuel stored. EPA considers acceptable forms of manufacturer approvals to:

    • Be in writing;

    • Indicate an affirmative statement of compatibility;

    • Specify the range of biofuel blends the component is compatible with; and

    • Be from the equipment manufacturer, not another entity (such as the installer or distributor); or

  • Use another method determined by the implementing agency to sufficiently protect human health and the environment. EPA will work with states as they evaluate other acceptable methods.

Owners and operators are allowed to use the 2nd edition of the American Petroleum Institute?s (API) Recommended Practice 1626 to meet the compatibility requirement for ethanol-blended fuels. The original version applies to up to 10 percent ethanol blended with gasoline and is not applicable.

EPA notes that state UST program regulations may be more stringent than the federal UST regulations, and that UST system owners and operators may be subject to other federal, state or local regulatory requirements (i.e., Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Fire Prevention Association and International Fire Code), and that UST owners and operators should check with their state and local agencies to determine other requirements.

?NACS is generally supportive of the provisions in the final guidelines issued by EPA,? said John Eichberger, NACS vice president of government relations. ?Without alternative methods for determining the compatibility of equipment with new fuels, there is no alternative for retailers but to replace equipment at significant cost ? even if that equipment is technically compatible with the new fuel.

?However, the guidelines do not provide the legal protection retailers need to move into new fuels without replacing equipment,? he continued. ?That is why NACS is pursuing legislation that will give these guidelines the legal authority necessary to ensure retailers are compliant with applicable laws and regulations.?

Eichberger continued that additional changes to the guidelines may be required once NACS-supported legislation is enacted because those issued today apply only to underground storage tank equipment, not dispensers. Given the significant issues surround dispenser compatibility it is critical that guidelines be developed to give retailers the ability to have existing dispensers recertified.

Content Subject: Government Relations
Formatted Article Date: June 29, 2011

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Edgewood Man Sentenced to 77 Years in Prison for Robbing a Business Resulting in the Death of Its Owner, and Two Home Invasion Robberies

Nikolaos Mamalis, age 55, of Edgewood, Maryland, was sentenced to 77 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, three counts of commercial robbery and three corresponding firearms charges in connection with an armed commercial robbery and two home invasion robberies in Maryland.

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Syrian military raids villages; protests in Aleppo

Syrian tanks and helicopters opened fire and killed at least two civilians as the military advanced through a series of villages in northwestern Syria on Thursday, a push that sent residents running for the hills, several villagers said in phone calls with CNN.

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Stamford Man Indicted for Extortion and Illegal Possession of Ammunition

A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging Nicola Melia, 78, Stamford, with five counts of collecting extensions of credit by extortionate means and one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

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ND0628112

Title: McDonald?s Adds New Menu Items
Description: Nationwide, the QSR is introducing a new smoothie flavor while more than 160 Florida locations are brewing up caf� con leche.
Page Content:

OAK BROOK, IL ? This week McDonald?s is introducing a new smoothie flavor, mango pineapple, nationwide in addition to its strawberry banana and wild berry flavors.

?The move is part of McDonald?s efforts to remake itself as a hip, healthy place to eat,? writes the Boston Globe.

According to Sofia Therios, McDonald?s director of marketing for beverages, the smoothies drive customers to stop in for snacks between meals, which, writes the Globe, is important because analysts predict that snacks and breakfast ?will be the restaurant industry?s only growth categories for the near future.?

Also, beginning this week, more than 160 McDonald?s restaurants in Florida around Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties are serving caf� con leche.

?At McDonald?s, our customers are at the center of everything we do. From time-to-time we enhance our menu with items that are local favorites and uniquely relevant to a community,? Bianca Olivas, McDonald?s vice president of operations for Florida, told NBCMiami.com, adding that in 2010, several owners and operators in South Florida asked about adding the beverage.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 28, 2011

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Red Lake Man Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter in Connection with 2009 Incident

A 20-year-old Red Lake man was indicted in connection with the death of a teenage girl following an automobile crash that occurred between Redby and Ponemah on August 28, 2009.

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Edgewood Man Sentenced to 77 Years in Prison for Robbing a Business Resulting in the Death of Its Owner, and Two Home Invasion Robberies

Nikolaos Mamalis, age 55, of Edgewood, Maryland, was sentenced to 77 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, three counts of commercial robbery and three corresponding firearms charges in connection with an armed commercial robbery and two home invasion robberies in Maryland.

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ND0623115

Title: Customer Satisfaction With QSRs, Pizza Brands on the Rise
Description: Pizza Hut tops ACSI?s QSR ratings, while Olive Garden and Red Lobster lead full-service restaurant category.
Page Content:

LOUISVILLE, KY ? A report released earlier this week by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) reveals a rising consumer approval for QSRs and pizza brands, QSRWeb.com reports.

Consumer satisfaction with full-service restaurants increased 1.2 percent to an ACSI score of 82, while the QSR segment rose 5.3 percent to 79.

Pizza dominates the QSR ratings, with Pizza Hut holding the top spot with an ACSI score of 81, followed by Little Caesars 80.

Wendy?s topped burger satisfaction with a 77, followed by Taco Bell at 76 and KFC and Burger (both 75). McDonald?s made the largest improvement of all companies, rising 8 percent to a score of 72 ? last place among QSR chains.

"Since the gap to its competitors has narrowed, this may well be the sweet spot for McDonald's," said Claes Fornell, founder of the ACSI. "It's not that the Golden Arches operation is so big that its revenue is immune to low customer satisfaction, but rather it is less impacted by low satisfaction compared with the competition."

Leading the restaurant category was Olive Garden and Red Lobster at 82, with Outback Steakhouse third at 81.

The ACSI is updated quarterly and factors scores from more than 225 companies in 47 industries and from government agencies.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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McLaughlin Woman Sentenced for Destroying Document

Shirley White Buffalo, age 64, was sentenced to three years of probation and $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund.

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ND0629117

Title: Another Winning Million-Dollar Lottery Ticket Sold at Rutter?s
Description: The $1 million Pennsylvania lottery ticket was purchased at a Wrightsville location.
Page Content:

YORK, Pa. ? Pennsylvania Lottery Million Dollar Cash Fever has struck again at Rutter?s in York County.

A winning million-dollar ticket was sold at Rutter?s store #4 in Wrightsville, Pa. The winner claimed the prize for the ticket, which was purchased in early June, at the Pennsylvania Lottery headquarters.

News of the million dollar winner comes just two months after a set of two $250,000 winning Mega Millions tickets were claimed by Rutter?s customers at two different Rutter?s locations in York County.

Unlike the Mega Millions tickets, which require participants to choose numbers, June?s winning ticket was a $20 instant scratch-off ticket for the Million Dollar Cash Fever game. The game features three top prizes of $1 million and more than $44 million in total cash prizes.

Since Jan. 1, 2006, there have been 25 tickets worth $100,000 or more sold at Rutter?s stores. These 25 tickets alone add up to more than $8.6 million in winnings for Rutter?s customers.

In 2004, Rutter?s sold a winning ticket to what was at the time, the largest Powerball jackpot in history totaling $221.5 million dollars. The prize was split with a second winner from South Carolina.

Rutter?s offers all Pennsylvania Lottery terminal-based daily number games as well as a variety of instant lottery games to hundreds of thousands of customers who visit its 56 convenience stores throughout Central Pennsylvania each week.

Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: June 29, 2011

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Former City Councilman and County Commissioner Indicted for Taking Bribes

Kevin L. White, 46, of Riverview, and George Hondrellis, 45, of Tampa, were charged.

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ND0629117

Title: Another Winning Million-Dollar Lottery Ticket Sold at Rutter?s
Description: The $1 million Pennsylvania lottery ticket was purchased at a Wrightsville location.
Page Content:

YORK, Pa. ? Pennsylvania Lottery Million Dollar Cash Fever has struck again at Rutter?s in York County.

A winning million-dollar ticket was sold at Rutter?s store #4 in Wrightsville, Pa. The winner claimed the prize for the ticket, which was purchased in early June, at the Pennsylvania Lottery headquarters.

News of the million dollar winner comes just two months after a set of two $250,000 winning Mega Millions tickets were claimed by Rutter?s customers at two different Rutter?s locations in York County.

Unlike the Mega Millions tickets, which require participants to choose numbers, June?s winning ticket was a $20 instant scratch-off ticket for the Million Dollar Cash Fever game. The game features three top prizes of $1 million and more than $44 million in total cash prizes.

Since Jan. 1, 2006, there have been 25 tickets worth $100,000 or more sold at Rutter?s stores. These 25 tickets alone add up to more than $8.6 million in winnings for Rutter?s customers.

In 2004, Rutter?s sold a winning ticket to what was at the time, the largest Powerball jackpot in history totaling $221.5 million dollars. The prize was split with a second winner from South Carolina.

Rutter?s offers all Pennsylvania Lottery terminal-based daily number games as well as a variety of instant lottery games to hundreds of thousands of customers who visit its 56 convenience stores throughout Central Pennsylvania each week.

Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: June 29, 2011

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ND0628111

Title: Walgreens Rolls Out Online Ordering, In-Store Pickup
Description: The new service is rolling out in 480 Chicago-area stores, with select stores to offer curbside delivery.
Page Content:

DEERFIELD, IL ? Walgreens announced earlier this week a new Web Pickup service at locations throughout Chicago, which enables consumers to shop online at Walgreens.com and pickup orders at a store in as little as an hour.

"Our customers value choice, control and convenience and Web Pickup brings all of these together to cater to on-the-go shoppers," said Walgreens President of E-Commerce Sona Chawla. "We've developed many innovative ways to engage our growing numbers of online shoppers and to make Walgreens.com a great shopping experience. By adding the convenience of in-store pickup and soon curbside delivery, we're making shopping easier than ever before."

Currently, Web Pickup is available at nearly 300 locations in the Chicago metropolitan area, with full market rollout to 480 stores expected to be complete in August.

The service offers most non-prescription items at the Web Pickup site, where shoppers can build a cart of any size and dollar amount. Payment is provided online and a text message or email notifies shoppers when their order is ready.

In the coming months, select Chicago stores will offer curbside delivery, with designated parking spots set aside for Web Pickup customers. A $20 minimum order will be required for curbside delivery.

"To shop online anywhere, any time and be able to pick up in as little as an hour is a great convenience, especially for busy moms, those who might have kids in the car, our mobility challenged customers and many others," Chawla said. "Traffic to Walgreens.com has grown 50 percent over the last two years, so we know that more and more customers enjoy the convenience and intuitiveness of our website as well as the wide product selection."

Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: June 28, 2011

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ND0629114

Title: Skimming Devices in Pay-at-the-Pump Continue to Increase
Description: Authorizing transactions would halt the growing trend, NACS says.
Page Content:

TUSCON, Ariz. ? Oro Valley is the latest locality to issue warnings to residents about pay-at-the-pump skimming incidents, BankInfoSecurity.com reports. From coast to coast, law enforcement officials have been launching public awareness campaigns to alert the public about potential card skimming at gasoline pumps. One Florida police department even recommended that motorists eschew pump terminal payments altogether and pay inside with cash instead.

Despite all the recent press about card skimming devices found at pay-at-the-pump terminals, the incidents are a fairly low percentage of card fraud, said Gray Taylor, PCATS executive director and NACS consultant on payment issues. However, these public awareness campaigns and media reports have driven the problem to the forefront.

?Most convenience stores are concerned about pay-at-the-pump skimming,? he said. ?But they can only focus on so much.?

Instead, credit card firms and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard have put more pressure on retailers to focus more on network security within stores. ?There are 900,000 pay-at-the-pumps out there, and, literally, I have four keys in my desk that will open up every dispenser in the United States that has not been upgraded,? said Taylor. ?Today, you can buy new dispensers that have unique keys. The problem is doing something with the dispensers that are out there; getting these guys to upgrade.?

Card skimming at pumps have been around for years, mostly because the industry continues to use universal access keys that easily open pay-at-the-pump casings, which make it more vulnerable for thieves to insert the skimming devices. ?We recommend these operators use security tape, to easily see if the enclosure has been tampered with; and we're encouraging those who can't afford to upgrade to rekey their dispensers,? said Taylor. ?Those are the two lowest-hanging fruits.?

Taylor also recommended that each transaction be required to have a PIN for authentication. ?Signature debit, we know, has more fraud. If it were up to us, we'd have done this a long time ago. It comes down to authenticating the transaction,? he said.

NACS Anti-Skimming Solution
We Care is a tamper-evident label that can help retailers identify potential security breaches if skimming devices are inserted at fuel dispensers or other unattended PIN-entry devices. The labels can also help retailers address some of the PCI compliance mandates that are now required.

The security labels are to be used on fuel dispensers near the credit/debit card transaction area. If the label is lifted to insert a skimming device, a ?void? message appears on the label, providing a visual alert to store employees so that additional action can be taken. Because the labels clearly indicate that they are to prevent tampering, the labels help assure customers that their data is secure, and discourage criminals targeting the store.

Protect your business and your customers ? NACS recently produced a video to show you how. You can also order the We Care decals for your stores.

NACS also has a fact sheet that examines retailer concerns about card skimming.

Content Subject: NACS, Risk Management & Security
Formatted Article Date: June 29, 2011

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ND0629111

Title: Debit Card Swipe Fee Rules Announced Today
Description: Today the Federal Reserve will issue the final rules on debit card swipe fees ? watch a webcast of the meeting live.
Page Content:

WASHINGTON ? Today at the 3:30 EST the Federal Reserve Board of Directors will convene to discuss and vote on the final rules pertaining to debit card swipe fees.

The meeting will be live via webcast from the Fed's public website. You do not need to register to view the webcast. A link to the meeting documentation will also be available at approximately 3:10 EST prior to the start of the meeting. Both links may be accessed from the Board?s public website at federalreserve.gov.

Conventional wisdom is that proposed rules should resemble final rules. The Federal Reserve, as in independent agency, cannot be influenced by politics and does not receive funding from the federal government. Therefore, should the final rule deviate too far from the proposed rule, the Fed?s credibility is at stake.

With implementation of the Durbin amendment in 2010, the Federal Reserve was instructed to ensure that interchange fees were ?reasonable and proportional? to issuers? costs and specific to processing an individual transaction ? and its survey found that the actual cost to process a transaction rang in at 4 cents. The proposed rule increased that amount to allow either 7 cents or 12 cents.

NACS hopes that the Federal Reserve will stick to the letter of the law and its proposed rule when formulating the final rule.

Be on the lookout later today for an update from NACS on the Fed?s final debit card swipe fee rules. Once the rules are released, NACS will analyze the report and share topline findings in NACS Daily.

Content Subject: Government Relations
Formatted Article Date: June 29, 2011

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Plymouth Man Charged in Connection with Trevor Cook Ponzi Scheme

A 54-year-old Plymouth man was charged, via an Information, with lending credibility to and ultimately persuading others to invest in a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Trevor Cook.

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ND0630115

Title: Waitrose Intensifies C-Store Push
Description: The U.K.-based retailer has upped its initial goal of 300 convenience stores to 500.
Page Content:

LONDON ? Buoyed by strong results from pilot openings, upscale British retailer Waitrose has boosted the number of convenience stores it expects to open by the end of 2020, Reuters reports.

Waitrose managing director Mark Price said he sees a chain of up to 500 convenience stores, up substantially from an initial goal of 300.

Price said strong demand for ?food on the go? as well as a trend toward more frequent shopping at local stores produced strong returns for Waitrose?s first 20 convenience stores.

Britain?s retailers have been struggling as rising prices have curbed consumer spending, and Waitrose is stepping in.

?I think there are a lot of people who are taking advantage of all the beneficial things that come from continued, very low interest rates," Price said.

Waitrose has long outperformed Britain's grocery market, aided by its lower-priced ?essentials? range as well as premium foods, a tradeoff for Brits who cut back on restaurant meals but still want quality meals.

Price said Waitrose will also begin expanding its online grocery business in London next month, following the expiration of a non-compete agreement with another chain, and that he expects that segment to grow quickly for the company.

Content Subject: International
Formatted Article Date: June 30, 2011

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ND0623117

Title: EZ Energy Helps Support U.S. Troops
Description: The retailer has teamed up with Support U.S. Armed Forces for a point-of-sale fundraising campaign, with proceeds going to military families within local communities.
Page Content:

RALEIGH, NC ? Convenience retailer EZ Energy USA has teamed up with Support U.S. Armed Forces to support families of military personnel currently deployed around the globe.

?This is yet another wonderful opportunity to partner with a great retailer to support our U.S military families,? said Neal Clark, founder of Support U.S. Armed Forces. ?As with all our partners, EZ Energy cares mightily about those who?s job it is to keep our nation free and secure. Moreover, this is a fundraiser that is designed for the sole purpose of supporting those military families within local communities. All proceeds that come from this direct point-of-sale fundraising campaign [running through July 4] will go to support military families within the Ohio and Pennsylvania area where EZ Energy operates.?

?We are proud to partner with Support U.S. Armed Forces and completely share in their vision and commitment to aid the families of our U.S servicemen and women within Ohio and Pennsylvania. At this point in time, when our ongoing military efforts seem to take a ?back seat? to the endless flow of economic news, we here at EZ Energy understand that for those military families who have loved ones deployed in the theater of war, supporting their soldier(s) is the most important thing in their lives...and that support is constant ? 24/7.? said Frank White, director of marketing at EZ Energy.

Founded in 2009, Support U.S. Armed Forces has delivered more than 10,000 care packages to the military and their families along with sponsoring numerous military appreciation events.

EZ Energy USA is the owner and operator of convenience store brand EasyTrip Stores in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Markets.

Content Subject: Corporate
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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ND0623112

Title: Green Bay Considers Prepay at the Pump
Description: The ordinance was temporarily put aside, despite two retailers who urged the council to pass the measure.
Page Content:

GREEN BAY, WI ? The Green Bay City Council voted to not move forward with an ordinance requiring motorists to prepay at gas pumps throughout the city, WBAY.com reports.

Supported by the Green Bay Police Department, the ordinance was temporarily put aside, despite two station owners urging the council to pass the measure.

"I believe Green Bay is the kingpin. If you guys pass this ordinance, I think other areas will do so, too," said station owner Tom Matuszak to the council.

"This is the only retail business that depends on trust. Unfortunately, there are some people who don't come back and pay," another local gas station owner said.

The council?s debate focused on local government?s role and whether station owners should just require prepayment on their own.

"If the City of Green Bay does pass this policy, the customers who don't like it will definitely go to De Pere, Allouez, Ashwaubenon," Alderman Jerry Wiezbiskie argued.

"I?m angry that whenever the criminals are taking advantage of everybody else ? these people that are stealing gas ? we're all paying for it," Alderman Tony Theisen said.

While not directly rejecting the proposal, the council decided to send it back to a committee to revise the language. Additionally, some council members were trying to delay the issue for a few months to see whether nearby Brown County would take action.

Legal questions also surround the issue: Council President Tom DeWayne said the county is exploring whether it can legally require residents to prepay for gasoline.

Content Subject: Petroleum Retailing
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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Fifth Member of CD and DVD Counterfeiting Ring in Atlanta Sentenced to Prison

Ibrahim Diallo, 27, of Atlanta, was sentenced to three years, 2 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,867.

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Worley Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Involuntary Manslaughter

Joseph Michael Matt, Jr., 26, of Worley, Idaho, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter.

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Volcano ash disrupts air travel, again

An ash cloud from a Chilean volcano is disrupting air travel in Australia and New Zealand once again, airlines said Wednesday.

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Navajo Man Receives 46-Month Prison Sentence for Federal Assault Conviction

Kinslen Smith, 45, of Tseyahtah, New Mexico in the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to a 46-month term of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on an assault with a dangerous weapon charge.

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сряда, 29 юни 2011 г.

Nashville Police Officer Indicted in Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Metropolitan Nashville Police Officer Richard Wilson, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury for corruptly soliciting, demanding, and accepting cash in connection with transactions related to his duties as a police officer, attempting to distribute cocaine, and money laundering.

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ND0630115

Title: Waitrose Intensifies C-Store Push
Description: The U.K.-based retailer has upped its initial goal of 300 convenience stores to 500.
Page Content:

LONDON ? Buoyed by strong results from pilot openings, upscale British retailer Waitrose has boosted the number of convenience stores it expects to open by the end of 2020, Reuters reports.

Waitrose managing director Mark Price said he sees a chain of up to 500 convenience stores, up substantially from an initial goal of 300.

Price said strong demand for ?food on the go? as well as a trend toward more frequent shopping at local stores produced strong returns for Waitrose?s first 20 convenience stores.

Britain?s retailers have been struggling as rising prices have curbed consumer spending, and Waitrose is stepping in.

?I think there are a lot of people who are taking advantage of all the beneficial things that come from continued, very low interest rates," Price said.

Waitrose has long outperformed Britain's grocery market, aided by its lower-priced ?essentials? range as well as premium foods, a tradeoff for Brits who cut back on restaurant meals but still want quality meals.

Price said Waitrose will also begin expanding its online grocery business in London next month, following the expiration of a non-compete agreement with another chain, and that he expects that segment to grow quickly for the company.

Content Subject: International
Formatted Article Date: June 30, 2011

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Edgewood Man Sentenced to 77 Years in Prison for Robbing a Business Resulting in the Death of Its Owner, and Two Home Invasion Robberies

Nikolaos Mamalis, age 55, of Edgewood, Maryland, was sentenced to 77 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, three counts of commercial robbery and three corresponding firearms charges in connection with an armed commercial robbery and two home invasion robberies in Maryland.

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Former Colonial Bank Senior Vice President Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Fraud Scheme

A former senior vice president and head of Colonial Bank?s Mortgage Warehouse Lending Division was sentenced today to eight years in prison for her role in a more than $2.9 billion fraud scheme that contributed to the failures of Colonial Bank and Taylor, Bean & Whitaker (TBW).

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Plymouth Man Charged in Connection with Trevor Cook Ponzi Scheme

A 54-year-old Plymouth man was charged, via an Information, with lending credibility to and ultimately persuading others to invest in a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Trevor Cook.

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New York City Sex Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 26 Years

Tyrone Townsend, 45, New York, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking by force, threats of force and fraud; transporting women across state lines for prostitution; enticing, inducing and coercing a woman to travel across state lines for prostitution; and conspiracy to transport a woman across state lines for prostitution.

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Navajo Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Federal Assault Conviction

Calbert Henderson, a 29-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to 24-months? imprisonment to be followed by two years of supervised release based on his assault with a dangerous weapon conviction. Henderson has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 22, 2010.

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Leader of the Krazy Locos Sentenced on Charges Related to Two Homicides

Jonathan Gonzalez, the leader of the Krazy Locos criminal street gang of Lake Worth, Florida, his brothers, Ivan Isidro Santiago and Christopher Gonzalez-Chamberlain, and three other gang members and associates, Manuel Medina, Alejandro Tomas, and Itzel Candela-Campos, were sentenced for their roles in two homicides, three non-fatal shootings, narcotics and firearms trafficking, and obstruction of justice.

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ND0629113

Title: EPA Issues Final E15/B20 UST Compatibility Guidelines
Description: The agency outlines final compliance guidelines for UST owners and operators storing gasoline greater than E10.
Page Content:

WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued compatibility guidelines on Tuesday for owners and operators who are storing gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol or diesel containing more than 20 percent biodiesel in their UST systems.

On December 17, 2010, NACS and SIGMA submitted comments regarding the legal, environmental and practical obstacles for storing and dispensing E15. NACS did not believe that the proposed guidelines would satisfy many existing laws and regulations.

NACS commented that if retailers were to store E15 in systems that are not certified as compatible with that fuel, they could expose themselves to a multitude of legal difficulties, which could threaten the future of their businesses. Absent certification, retailers could be held in violation of:

  • State UST regulations that require UL certification (Massachusetts, for instance, announced that storing E15 in a legacy tank will not be permissible);

  • Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations;

  • State UST insurance policies;

  • Local fire codes; and

  • The terms of their mortgage or other loan agreements, which routinely include compliance-with-law provisions.

The compliancy guidelines issued yesterday by EPA cite ?acceptable methods? for owners and operators to demonstrate compatibility:

  • Use components that are certified or listed by a nationally recognized, independent testing laboratory (for example, Underwriters Laboratories) for use with the fuel stored;

  • Use components approved by the manufacturer to be compatible with the fuel stored. EPA considers acceptable forms of manufacturer approvals to:

    • Be in writing;

    • Indicate an affirmative statement of compatibility;

    • Specify the range of biofuel blends the component is compatible with; and

    • Be from the equipment manufacturer, not another entity (such as the installer or distributor); or

  • Use another method determined by the implementing agency to sufficiently protect human health and the environment. EPA will work with states as they evaluate other acceptable methods.

Owners and operators are allowed to use the 2nd edition of the American Petroleum Institute?s (API) Recommended Practice 1626 to meet the compatibility requirement for ethanol-blended fuels. The original version applies to up to 10 percent ethanol blended with gasoline and is not applicable.

EPA notes that state UST program regulations may be more stringent than the federal UST regulations, and that UST system owners and operators may be subject to other federal, state or local regulatory requirements (i.e., Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Fire Prevention Association and International Fire Code), and that UST owners and operators should check with their state and local agencies to determine other requirements.

?NACS is generally supportive of the provisions in the final guidelines issued by EPA,? said John Eichberger, NACS vice president of government relations. ?Without alternative methods for determining the compatibility of equipment with new fuels, there is no alternative for retailers but to replace equipment at significant cost ? even if that equipment is technically compatible with the new fuel.

?However, the guidelines do not provide the legal protection retailers need to move into new fuels without replacing equipment,? he continued. ?That is why NACS is pursuing legislation that will give these guidelines the legal authority necessary to ensure retailers are compliant with applicable laws and regulations.?

Eichberger continued that additional changes to the guidelines may be required once NACS-supported legislation is enacted because those issued today apply only to underground storage tank equipment, not dispensers. Given the significant issues surround dispenser compatibility it is critical that guidelines be developed to give retailers the ability to have existing dispensers recertified.

Content Subject: Government Relations
Formatted Article Date: June 29, 2011

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ND0623115

Title: Customer Satisfaction With QSRs, Pizza Brands on the Rise
Description: Pizza Hut tops ACSI?s QSR ratings, while Olive Garden and Red Lobster lead full-service restaurant category.
Page Content:

LOUISVILLE, KY ? A report released earlier this week by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) reveals a rising consumer approval for QSRs and pizza brands, QSRWeb.com reports.

Consumer satisfaction with full-service restaurants increased 1.2 percent to an ACSI score of 82, while the QSR segment rose 5.3 percent to 79.

Pizza dominates the QSR ratings, with Pizza Hut holding the top spot with an ACSI score of 81, followed by Little Caesars 80.

Wendy?s topped burger satisfaction with a 77, followed by Taco Bell at 76 and KFC and Burger (both 75). McDonald?s made the largest improvement of all companies, rising 8 percent to a score of 72 ? last place among QSR chains.

"Since the gap to its competitors has narrowed, this may well be the sweet spot for McDonald's," said Claes Fornell, founder of the ACSI. "It's not that the Golden Arches operation is so big that its revenue is immune to low customer satisfaction, but rather it is less impacted by low satisfaction compared with the competition."

Leading the restaurant category was Olive Garden and Red Lobster at 82, with Outback Steakhouse third at 81.

The ACSI is updated quarterly and factors scores from more than 225 companies in 47 industries and from government agencies.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Aggravated Child Sexual Abuse Offense

Michael Crosby, 54, entered a guilty plea to aggravated sexual abuse of a child who had not attained the age of 16 years under a plea agreement with the United States Attorney?s Office.

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ND0628115

Title: Coca-Cola to Raise Prices on July 31
Description: Prices are set to increase up to 4 percent beginning July 31, following a 2 percent increase earlier this year.
Page Content:

ATLANTA ? Coca-Cola is planning to raise soft drink prices up to 4 percent beginning July 31, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Citing higher costs for inputs, including increased prices for corn, aluminum, plastic and oil,

Coca-Cola Refreshments and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, who together sell roughly 84 percent of Coca-Cola?s U.S. bottle and can volume, said the price increases would vary by brand and packaging.

The increase follows a 2 percent increase earlier this year.

Earlier this month, Pepsi notified its retailers that it would increase prices between three and five percent between July 10 and Labor Day.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 28, 2011

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ND0624114

Title: Restaurants Redo Menus Ahead of New Regulations
Description: Chains are scrambling to reformulate dishes to reduce calories before the new menu law goes into effect.
Page Content:

BURBANK, Calif. ? With the new menu-labeling law set for implementation by the end of this year, restaurant chains across the country are revamping their menus to lower calorie counts, the Los Angeles Times reports. Chains with 20 or more locations must post caloric data alongside every menu item sold.

For example, IHOP transformed its bacon-and-eggs breakfast (1,160 calories) into a turkey-bacon-and-egg-whites breakfast (350 calories). Panera Bread Co. slashed mayo, salami and bread to lower calorie counts in its sandwiches, while Starbucks debuted mini-cakes and donuts.

?We?re going into a new era,? said Anita Jones-Mueller, a nutrition consultant. ?Never before have calories been on every chain restaurant menu in the United States. It's a game changer.?

Some analysts are predicting that chains that quickly respond with new or reformulated options will have more success. "That's going to be the big trade-down this year ? not money, calories,? said Steve West, restaurant industry analyst for Stifel Nicolaus & Co.

?Our goal was to move away from these things that we called ?gotchas? on the menu,? those options clocking in over a thousand calories, said Scott Davis, chief concept officer for Panera.

Nutrition analysts point out that some recent studies indicate people usually make very few changes when seeing calorie counts, and experts don?t think frequent fast-food eaters to modify their choices once the new law takes effect.

?If you're going to a hamburger fast-food chain you are going to have a burger and you're willing to live with a higher calorie count,? said Brad Haley, top marketing officer for CKE Restaurants Inc. But that doesn?t mean CKE isn?t changing things, like adding turkey burgers to Carl?s Jr. menu.

NACS has a fact sheet on menu labeling regulations.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 24, 2011

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Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

Tracy Lyn Murphy, 50, of Sachse, Texas, has been sentenced to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison for committing the armed robbery of the Prosperity Bank in Sachse on June 15, 2010.

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ND0627115

Title: Nice N Easy Focuses on Food
Description: The New York c-store chain is adding hot meals to its menu and chefs to its staff to boost its foodservice offer.
Page Content:

SYRACUSE ? Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes is doing a lot of things right, including its focus on foodservice.

?Once the bastion of overpriced potato chips, pretzels and soggy hot dogs, convenience stores have looked at everything from menus to presentation, all while growing the footprint of each store and the number of stores in their posse,? writes Syracuse.com, referencing not just Nice N Easy but also Wawa, Quick Chek and Sheetz.

Nice N Easy, based in Canastota, New York, has ?a lot going on.? Fran Duskiewicz, senior vice president of the c-store chain, told the news source that the company has expanded its proprietary line of merchandise, such as chips and other snack foods. And under the leadership of John MacDougall, founder and president, the company has put together ?a creative team with extensive food-industry backgrounds,? including Jack Cushman as executive vice president of foodservice operations.

Three chefs have also joined the company to help grow the foodservice program:
  • Doug Walters, former executive chef, is now the foodservice creative director overseeing Nice N Easy?s bistro offerings.
  • Andrew Franco, former chef will help create new take-home dinners.
  • David Haynes, former restaurant owner, is running Nice N Easy?s Easy Street Diner. ?He is also a first-rate pastry chef, which could open even more doors for us,? Duskiewicz told the news source, adding, ?Will we expand from our current diner to something more ambitious? Full-blown restaurants, maybe? Who knows??

Foodservice, according to MacDougall, ?has been Nice N Easy's salvation the past five years or so, as traditional sources of c-store income from cigarettes and fuel have faded badly,'' he told the news source, adding, ?But like anything else in our business, if we don't continue to grow and evolve in foodservice, we'll get stale and predictable and we can't afford to let that happen.�Our new foodservice creative team is designed to keep us fresh, interesting and continually moving forward."

Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: June 27, 2011

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18 Charged in Fraud Cases Related to Telemarketing Operations that Solicited Over $25 Million for Indie Films

Twelve people have been arrested this week on federal fraud charges stemming from boiler room operations that solicited investments in independent movies with false promises of up to 1,000 percent returns and misrepresentations as to how investor funds would be used.

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ND0624115

Title: Foursquare Teams With American Express
Description: The social media startup will offer discounts to cardholders when checking in at particular stores and restaurants.
Page Content:

NEW YORK ? Foursquare Labs has reached its 10 millionth registered user this week and it also announced a national agreement with American Express to offer cardholder discounts, the New York Times reports.

The social media platform will give discounts when AmEx cardholders check in via their cell phones at stores and restaurants. Currently, Foursquare users get coupons or digital merit badges as rewards, but the American Express partnership will create a more substantial discount.

Last month, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that 4 percent of American adults used location services like Foursquare, which are more popular in urban areas. ?In 2010, it was all about the check in,? said Noah Elkin, a mobile industry analyst with eMarketer. ?Now, it?s about checking out.?

The Foursquare-American Express deal will not financially benefit Foursquare, but the location service hopes the promotion will bring in other partnerships and raise its profile.

Deals offered first will involve H&M and Sports Authority and some New York restaurants. ?We?ve always done marketing with merchants to make offers to our card members, like send offers through direct mail, put information about sales on the Internet,? said Edward Gilligan, American Express vice chairman. ?But those response rates tend to be low.?

Content Subject: Technology
Formatted Article Date: June 24, 2011

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ND0622114

Title: Jack in the Box Nixes Toys
Description: The fast-food chain will no longer include toys in its children?s meals.
Page Content:

LOS ANGELES ? Jack in the Box is no longer offering toys with kids? meals, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The fifth-largest burger chain is putting up signs to notify customers of the change. Jack in the Box also announced that customers have the option of apple bits with caramel instead of French fries with children?s meals. The apple side dish is one healthy option for children that the chain offers, said Tracy Dunn, director of marketing and promotions.

?Jack in the Box offers a lot of variety with our Kid's Combos, from grilled or crispy chicken strips, a grilled cheese sandwich and hamburger to low-fat milk, juice and fountain beverages,? said Dunn.

The change comes as health advocates across the country are clamoring for quick-service restaurants to not have toys associated with children?s meals. In March, a Florida Senate committee approved a measure that would forbid localities from passing anti-toy laws.

Santa Clara and San Francisco passed laws that ban restaurants from giving away toys with children?s meals that have a certain amount of calories, fat, salt and sugar. Groups like Corporate Accountability International continue to push cities and states to enact toy bans. Corporate Accountability International spokesman Nick Guroff said his organization has asked McDonald?s many times to halt promotions aimed at kids.

?[The Jack in the Box announcement is] certainly a sign that McDonald?s competitors see a market opportunity in differentiating from the industry leader and that campaigning by health advocates is changing the marketing landscape for the industry at large,? said Guroff.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 22, 2011

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Former Colonial Bank Senior Vice President Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Fraud Scheme

A former senior vice president and head of Colonial Bank?s Mortgage Warehouse Lending Division was sentenced today to eight years in prison for her role in a more than $2.9 billion fraud scheme that contributed to the failures of Colonial Bank and Taylor, Bean & Whitaker (TBW).

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Worley Man Sentenced to 36 Months for Involuntary Manslaughter

Joseph Michael Matt, Jr., 26, of Worley, Idaho, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for involuntary manslaughter.

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Iran test-fires 14 missiles during military drills

Iran has successfully test-fired 14 missiles during military drills, Iranian news agencies reported Tuesday.

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Iran test-fires 14 missiles during military drills

Iran has successfully test-fired 14 missiles during military drills, Iranian news agencies reported Tuesday.

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ND0627113

Title: C-Stores Help Foursquare Hit 10 Million Users
Description: Three convenience store chains rank among the most popular ?check in? locations on the geolocation social media platform.
Page Content:

NEW YORK ? Last week foursquare announced that it reached 10 million users ? up from just 1 million users in August 2010 ? with three convenience store chains leading the way.

On its blog, foursquare cited 7-Eleven, Circle K and Wawa as the top convenience store chains where users ?check in? the most.

Other businesses with the most check-ins in their respective categories were: Target (retail), Old Navy (apparel), Bank of America (banks) and Home Depot (home-related).

NACS is a foursquare user and has been ?checking in? at Ideas 2 Go locations this summer. More to come!

Read more about foursquare in NACS Magazine.

Content Subject: Technology
Formatted Article Date: June 27, 2011

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Hamilton: Vettel is strong F1 title favorite

Lewis Hamilton rues the poor start he made to Sunday's European Grand Prix and concedes Sebastian Vettel is now the overwhelming favorite to claim Formula One's world title.

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вторник, 28 юни 2011 г.

ND0624113

Title: Administration Releases 30 Million Barrels From U.S. Oil Reserves
Description: Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency decided to release 60 million barrels of crude oil from strategic reserves, too.
Page Content:

WASHINGTON ? The Obama administration has released 30 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to combat high gasoline prices and continued turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East, the Associated Press reports.

Also, the International Energy Agency said it is releasing 60 million barrels of crude oil from strategic reserves, half from the U.S. oil reserves, Reuters reports. The agency hopes the move will keep speculators from the market and a bubble from forming, as well as stop any near-term shortages in supplies.

?We are taking this action in response to the ongoing loss of crude oil due to supply disruptions in Libya and other countries and their impact on the global economic recovery,? said U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu to the Associated Press.

The Obama administration pointed to the Libya uprising contributing to a daily drop of around 1.5 million barrels of oil. The United States traditionally uses more energy in July and August, another reason for the release.

The government usually dips into the oil reserves during extreme circumstances. The last time reserves were drawn was after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008.

Oil prices plummeted yesterday following the Federal Reserve?s warning that the U.S. economy?s recovery is progressing slower than anticipated. U.S. retail gasoline prices fell for the 20th consecutive day to reach $3.61 per gallon.

Content Subject: Petroleum Retailing
Formatted Article Date: June 24, 2011

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Suicide bombers attack luxury hotel in Kabul

A group of suicide bombers has attacked the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, and fighting was ongoing with Afghan security forces, Chief of Criminal Investigation Mohammed Zahir told CNN.

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Former Weslaco ISD Trustee Convicted of Accepting Bribe for School Renovation Project

A former trustee for the Weslaco Independent School District (WISD) has pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe in exchange for using his official capacity to influence the award of a contract on a school renovation project.

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ND0623117

Title: EZ Energy Helps Support U.S. Troops
Description: The retailer has teamed up with Support U.S. Armed Forces for a point-of-sale fundraising campaign, with proceeds going to military families within local communities.
Page Content:

RALEIGH, NC ? Convenience retailer EZ Energy USA has teamed up with Support U.S. Armed Forces to support families of military personnel currently deployed around the globe.

?This is yet another wonderful opportunity to partner with a great retailer to support our U.S military families,? said Neal Clark, founder of Support U.S. Armed Forces. ?As with all our partners, EZ Energy cares mightily about those who?s job it is to keep our nation free and secure. Moreover, this is a fundraiser that is designed for the sole purpose of supporting those military families within local communities. All proceeds that come from this direct point-of-sale fundraising campaign [running through July 4] will go to support military families within the Ohio and Pennsylvania area where EZ Energy operates.?

?We are proud to partner with Support U.S. Armed Forces and completely share in their vision and commitment to aid the families of our U.S servicemen and women within Ohio and Pennsylvania. At this point in time, when our ongoing military efforts seem to take a ?back seat? to the endless flow of economic news, we here at EZ Energy understand that for those military families who have loved ones deployed in the theater of war, supporting their soldier(s) is the most important thing in their lives...and that support is constant ? 24/7.? said Frank White, director of marketing at EZ Energy.

Founded in 2009, Support U.S. Armed Forces has delivered more than 10,000 care packages to the military and their families along with sponsoring numerous military appreciation events.

EZ Energy USA is the owner and operator of convenience store brand EasyTrip Stores in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Markets.

Content Subject: Corporate
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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Knox: 'I don't know what happened that night'

Proceedings resume Monday in the appeal hearing of Amanda Knox, the American student sentenced to 26 years in prison for the killing of her British roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy.

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Impressive Vettel powers to another win

World champion Sebastian Vettel proves a class apart once again, leading from start to finish to claim a comfortable win in Sunday's European Grand Prix in Valencia to extend his Formula One championship lead to 77 points.

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ND0628116

Title: Supreme Court Rejects Video Game Ban
Description: The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a California law that would block minors from buying violent video games.
Page Content:

ENCINO, CA ? On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that a California law blocking minors from buying violent video games violates the First Amendment.

The Wall Street Journal writes that the 2005 law California law prohibits selling or renting video games to minors because they stimulate "feelings of aggression," reduce "activity in the frontal lobes of the brain" and promote "violent antisocial or aggressive behavior." Then-Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law, but it never took effect because lower courts found that it violated free-expression rights.

Justice Scalia wrote the majority opinion, noting that as far as the First Amendment is concerned, viewing violent video games is essentially the same as reading books. "Reading Dante is unquestionably more cultured and intellectually edifying than playing Mortal Kombat. But these cultural and intellectual differences are not constitutional ones," he wrote.

Bo Andersen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Merchants Association, commented that the group welcomes the court?s ruling. ?We are gratified that our position that the law violates the First Amendment?s guarantee of freedom of expression has been vindicated and there now can be no argument whether video games are entitled to the same protection as books, movies, music, and other expressive entertainment.

Anderson added that video game retailers understand their responsibility to help parents make informed decisions about the video games they buy for their children and to ensure that children are not able to purchase mature-rated games without their parents? permission

Content Subject: Technology
Formatted Article Date: June 28, 2011

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ND0623117

Title: EZ Energy Helps Support U.S. Troops
Description: The retailer has teamed up with Support U.S. Armed Forces for a point-of-sale fundraising campaign, with proceeds going to military families within local communities.
Page Content:

RALEIGH, NC ? Convenience retailer EZ Energy USA has teamed up with Support U.S. Armed Forces to support families of military personnel currently deployed around the globe.

?This is yet another wonderful opportunity to partner with a great retailer to support our U.S military families,? said Neal Clark, founder of Support U.S. Armed Forces. ?As with all our partners, EZ Energy cares mightily about those who?s job it is to keep our nation free and secure. Moreover, this is a fundraiser that is designed for the sole purpose of supporting those military families within local communities. All proceeds that come from this direct point-of-sale fundraising campaign [running through July 4] will go to support military families within the Ohio and Pennsylvania area where EZ Energy operates.?

?We are proud to partner with Support U.S. Armed Forces and completely share in their vision and commitment to aid the families of our U.S servicemen and women within Ohio and Pennsylvania. At this point in time, when our ongoing military efforts seem to take a ?back seat? to the endless flow of economic news, we here at EZ Energy understand that for those military families who have loved ones deployed in the theater of war, supporting their soldier(s) is the most important thing in their lives...and that support is constant ? 24/7.? said Frank White, director of marketing at EZ Energy.

Founded in 2009, Support U.S. Armed Forces has delivered more than 10,000 care packages to the military and their families along with sponsoring numerous military appreciation events.

EZ Energy USA is the owner and operator of convenience store brand EasyTrip Stores in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Markets.

Content Subject: Corporate
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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Former City Councilman and County Commissioner Indicted for Taking Bribes

Kevin L. White, 46, of Riverview, and George Hondrellis, 45, of Tampa, were charged.

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Manassas Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Mortgage Elimination Scheme

Linda Sadr, 52, of Manassas, Va., was sentenced today to 144 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a "mortgage elimination" scheme that caused more than $11 million in losses. Sadr was also ordered to pay more than $9 million in restitution to the victims.

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ND0628114

Title: Soft Drinks Top U.S. Beverage of Choice
Description: Consumers are drinking more soft drinks than bottled water, followed by beer, milk and coffee.
Page Content:

NEW YORK ? According to data released by Beverage Marketing Corp., soda is the consumer beverage of choice in the U.S., followed by bottled water, beer, milk and coffee.

Advertising Age reports that the average consumer drank nearly 45 gallons of soda last year, which fully validates the mega advertising budgets last year of Coke ($267 million), Pepsi ($154 million) and Dr Pepper ($104 million). However, the category fell sharply from 2005, when the average consumer drank 51.5 gallons.

The bottled water category, which includes bulk containers, has been steadily increasing and represents the second-most consumed beverage ? 28.3 gallons per consumer ? followed by beer at 21 gallons per consumer.

The remainder of the top 12 are milk (20.4 gallons), coffee (18.5 gallons), fruit beverages (11.5 gallons), tea (10.3 gallons), sports beverages (4 gallons), wine (2.3 gallons), value-added water (1.5 gallons), distilled spirits (1.5 gallons) and energy drinks (1.2 gallons).

Among the top 12, energy drinks made the biggest jump in consumption, from 0.5 gallons per consumer in 2005 to 1.2 gallons per person last year.

"Two overriding trends that we've seen in recent years are consumer demand for variety and consumer demand for healthier refreshment," said Gary Hemphill, managing director-chief operating officer at Beverage Marketing Corp., adding that some of the consumption trends can be attributed to economic factors.

"White-collar consumers fared better through the economy than blue-collar consumers, so what we've seen is mass market, traditional categories like carbonated soft drinks and fruit beverages underperform the market, while some of the more premium categories, like ready-to-drink teas and energy drinks, have outperformed the market," he said. "To some extent that's consumer tastes, but it's also this tale of two different consumers in a weak economy."

Content Subject: Research
Formatted Article Date: June 28, 2011

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Hogsett Announces More Results in Fight Against Violent Crime

Cristofer Tichenor, 32, Indianapolis, was sentenced to 300 months (25 years) in prison today by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker following his guilty plea to armed bank robbery and discharge of a firearm during that bank robbery.

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ND0621115

Title: A Healthier Krispy Kreme?
Description: The doughnut chain wants to increase sales with coffee and more healthful fare.
Page Content:

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. ? Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is expanding its menu but not with new flavors of doughnuts. Instead, the chain is adding coffee and healthful options in an effort to bring in more revenue, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

Since its debut in 1937, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has built its reputation on the classic glazed doughnut. But CEO James Morgan has plans to put fruit juice, oatmeal and yogurt on the menu alongside the chain?s doughnuts.

The chain fell on hard times with the rise of the Atkins diet and too much expansion too quickly, but has lately begun to climb out the hole. To capitalize on that, Morgan wants to expand into specialty coffee and healthier fare. ?We weren't getting a lot of verbal complaints,? said Morgan. ?But we also were not getting the sales we thought we should.?

Since Morgan took the helm in 2008, he?s been working to turn around the sales by redesigning the chain?s retail locations into smaller, neighborhood stores instead of factory stores. Also, the chain jacked up expansion in overseas markets.

But in order to compete against Starbucks and Dunkin? Donuts, Krispy Kreme needs to increase sales. Morgan thinks coffee will be a big help in that regard, rolling out signature coffee starting in September. The chain will add espressos and lattes to the mix during the next 18 months.

Content Subject: Foodservice
Formatted Article Date: June 21, 2011

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Texas Man Sentenced for Hacking into Computer Servers of Local Company and NASA

Jeremey Parker, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 24 months in prison on one count of wire fraud.

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ND0623114

Title: Advertisers Consider Filing Suit Over Harsh New Cigarette Warnings
Description: The group says that the new labels would force businesses to ?carry out propaganda for the government.?
Page Content:

WASHINGTON ? Advertisers represented by the Association of National Advertisers have charged that the Food and Drug Administration?s (FDA) new mandatory health warnings for cigarette packages, which include nine different warnings accompanied by graphic pictures, run afoul of the First Amendment and that they are considering legal action, Adweek.com reports.

"The pictures are not neutral. It is unconstitutional when the labeling goes beyond factual and neutral, which these do," said Dan Jaffe, general counsel for the Association of National Advertisers, which filed in opposition to the new warnings during the comment period in January. "This is forcing businesses to carry out propaganda for the government."

The FDA proposed the warnings as required by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, maintaining the labels would help curb tobacco use.

?These labels are frank, honest and powerful depictions of the health risks of smoking, and they will help encourage smokers to quit, and prevent children from smoking,? Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius�said in a statement.�

Tobacco companies filed a federal suit in 2009 over a range of new regulations, including the then-proposed warnings, losing on a First Amendment claim. The case is now on appeal.

Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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MS-13 Soldier Pleads Guilty to Murdering Mother and Child

La Mara Salvatrucha (?MS-13?) member Rene Mendez Mejia pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death through use of a firearm in connection with the February 5, 2010, execution-style murders of Vanessa Argueta, a 19-yearold woman, and her two-year-old son, Diego Torres, in Central Islip, New York.

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Ogier upstages Loeb to win Acropolis

Sebastien Ogier wins a thrilling battling with his Citroen teammate and seven-time champion Sebastian Loeb to claim victory in the Acopolis Rally Sunday.

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Phoenix Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to $50 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Brett Matheson, 46, pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a $50 million mortgage fraud scheme based in Phoenix. Two others have also entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing.

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ND0623116

Title: Coffee Demand Brews in China
Description: High-end coffee is big business in China, with Starbucks looking to add more than 1,000 new stores in the country by 2015.
Page Content:

BEIJING ? Students and tourists will help keep China's coffee consumption moving toward a 20 percent annual growth rate, according to industry analysts.

Participants at the Beijing International Coffee Fair last week said that China remains ?a frontier for high-end coffee sales, with domestic and international firms looking at major expansion despite roadblocks such as high taxes,? writes Reuters.

The news source notes that Starbucks said it plans to more than triple its locations in Mainland China, from 450 to 1,500 by 2015, and that bean traders are taking note.

"With more and more Chinese students returning from abroad, China's coffee (consumption) will improve a lot in five years," Yang Ke, general manager of coffee trader Shanghai Walton Concepts Economic & Trading Co., told the news source.

China, meanwhile, has room to catch up in terms of coffee consumption.

?China's average coffee consumption is 3 cups per person per year, while the world's average is 240 cups, thus there is much room to improve it,? Ji Ming, chief of the Beijing Coffee Industry Association, told the news source.

To help boost domestic output, Starbucks said it would work with farmers in the Yunnan province. However, Fu Jingya, a deputy secretary general of Coffee Branch under China Fruit Marketing Association, told the news source that financing is an issue.

Growth for high-end outlets also remains a challenge in China, thanks to high coffee import taxes, where Chinese buyers pay an 8 percent to 30 percent tariff for coffee imports for raw beans and a 17 percent value-added tax.

Yang Ke of Shanghai Walton told the news source that for a coffee shop that sells 1,000 cups of coffee per day, sourcing for quality beans at competitive prices is a major hurdle for expansion.

?The stable development of the coffee industry needs the support of favorable trading conditions, otherwise high prices will curb consumption and hurt quality," Yu Peng, the general manager with Feel Cafe in the port city of Dalian, told Reuters.

For more on commodity prices, read ?Raw Deal? in the upcoming July issue of NACS Magazine.

Content Subject: International
Formatted Article Date: June 23, 2011

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ND0628116

Title: Supreme Court Rejects Video Game Ban
Description: The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a California law that would block minors from buying violent video games.
Page Content:

ENCINO, CA ? On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that a California law blocking minors from buying violent video games violates the First Amendment.

The Wall Street Journal writes that the 2005 law California law prohibits selling or renting video games to minors because they stimulate "feelings of aggression," reduce "activity in the frontal lobes of the brain" and promote "violent antisocial or aggressive behavior." Then-Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law, but it never took effect because lower courts found that it violated free-expression rights.

Justice Scalia wrote the majority opinion, noting that as far as the First Amendment is concerned, viewing violent video games is essentially the same as reading books. "Reading Dante is unquestionably more cultured and intellectually edifying than playing Mortal Kombat. But these cultural and intellectual differences are not constitutional ones," he wrote.

Bo Andersen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Merchants Association, commented that the group welcomes the court?s ruling. ?We are gratified that our position that the law violates the First Amendment?s guarantee of freedom of expression has been vindicated and there now can be no argument whether video games are entitled to the same protection as books, movies, music, and other expressive entertainment.

Anderson added that video game retailers understand their responsibility to help parents make informed decisions about the video games they buy for their children and to ensure that children are not able to purchase mature-rated games without their parents? permission

Content Subject: Technology
Formatted Article Date: June 28, 2011

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Hamilton: Vettel is strong F1 title favorite

Lewis Hamilton rues the poor start he made to Sunday's European Grand Prix and concedes Sebastian Vettel is now the overwhelming favorite to claim Formula One's world title.

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Nashville Police Officer Indicted in Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

Metropolitan Nashville Police Officer Richard Wilson, 31, was indicted by a federal grand jury for corruptly soliciting, demanding, and accepting cash in connection with transactions related to his duties as a police officer, attempting to distribute cocaine, and money laundering.

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Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

Tracy Lyn Murphy, 50, of Sachse, Texas, has been sentenced to serve a total of 120 months in federal prison for committing the armed robbery of the Prosperity Bank in Sachse on June 15, 2010.

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Leader of the Krazy Locos Sentenced on Charges Related to Two Homicides

Jonathan Gonzalez, the leader of the Krazy Locos criminal street gang of Lake Worth, Florida, his brothers, Ivan Isidro Santiago and Christopher Gonzalez-Chamberlain, and three other gang members and associates, Manuel Medina, Alejandro Tomas, and Itzel Candela-Campos, were sentenced for their roles in two homicides, three non-fatal shootings, narcotics and firearms trafficking, and obstruction of justice.

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понеделник, 27 юни 2011 г.

Baton Rouge Man Charged with Bank Fraud and Money Laundering

The charge alleges that from June 2008 to October 2008, Steve Loga devised a scheme to defraud Fidelity Bank of $1,229,745.21 by using fraudulent invoices to obtain credit advances from the bank.

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Title Company Owner Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Mortgage Fraud

Daniel E. Fink Jr., age 44, of Baltimore, who operated Homemaxx Title & Escrow LLC (Homemaxx), a title company that conducted residential real estate closings with offices in Middle River and Parkville, Maryland, was sentenced to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud lenders and homeowners of more than $2.2 million.

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