петък, 1 април 2011 г.
Texas Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Offense
ND0328111
ALBANY, N.Y. ? New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has begun an investigation into price gouging for gasoline because of complaints from consumers in central New York, WKTV reports. Residents brought the alleged price disparity to the attention of Schneiderman, whose office noted that the national average price for gasoline is $3.55 per gallon, while New York?s average cost is $3.74.
Schneiderman said he is not accusing gasoline stations of wrongdoing. ?We know this is happening in Central New York and all over, and our goal is not just to catch the people doing it, but also to let the industry know, we are watching you,? he said. The study will investigate whether the price hikes are because of market conditions or are unjustified increases.
Meanwhile, the New York Association of Convenience Stores has responded to the attorney general?s study with a statement from its president, James Calvin. ?We respect the Attorney General's interest in reviewing gas prices, but we wonder how objective the inquiry will be if he's accusing us of ?slamming? consumers before the investigation has even begun,? said Calvin.
?We empathize with the financial and psychological distress experienced by our gas customers during this period of price volatility. It?s no picnic for local retailers either, having to buy motor fuel 10,000 gallons at a time and forfeit more than half of their gross profit margin to Visa or MasterCard just to electronically process purchases made with credit cards.
?If people suspect the seller of any product or service is overcharging, the marketplace has a solution ? competition. Whether it's motor fuel, fresh produce, or restaurant meals, those who overprice lose business to those who price competitively. Pointing fingers may be a great way for consumers to vent frustration and politicians to make headlines, but the best and simplest recourse for price disparities between gas stations is to just buy from the lower-priced one,? he said.
?Our retail members have always been convenient scapegoats for the escalating cost of motor fuel. But the reality is that they have no control over events in the Middle East and on Wall Street that precipitated the surge in wholesale prices they have had to reluctantly pass along in the form of higher prices at the pump,? said Calvin.
ND0401113
NEW YORK ? Blockbuster?s brick-and-mortar stores may be flailing, but the kiosks keep popping up outside convenience stores nationwide.
NCR Corp.�is installing its Blockbuster Express-branded movie kiosks in 309 RaceTrac convenience stores located in five states throughout the Southeast. Nearly 200 kiosks already are installed, with remaining kiosks to be completed by June 2011.
RaceTrac customers can rent their favorite new movies 24 hours a day from the kiosks, which will be located either inside or outside most RaceTrac stores.
As part of the new partnership, RaceTrac will be running a two-month promotion from April 3 to June 5, where customers renting a DVD can purchase a two-liter Coke product and any one of Lance popcorn, 5 oz. Sour Patch Kids, or 5 oz. Sour Patch Watermelons�for $3,�by showing the RaceTrac associate their DVD case at checkout.
"Because RaceTrac guests are always on the go, we strive to provide them with value and convenience with everything we offer," said Eric Williams, vice president of marketing and category management at RaceTrac. "With Blockbuster Express, our guests are guaranteed a great selection and a great price on their favorite movie each time they visit."
Illinois Man Convicted on Drug Charges
Syria releases Egyptian-American accused of espionage
Florida Man Sentenced in Tennessee on Drug and Firearms Charges
Velez was convicted at trial of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of oxycodone; the use, carry, and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; four counts of using a communication facility in committing, causing, and facilitating the commission of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
