BBC Georgia has become a hub for international used cars The small South Caucasus nation of Georgia has become a multi-billion dollar hub for the international used car market. The vehicles are mostly sourced from the US, and many appear to be ending up in Russia. On the dusty outskirts of Rustavi, an industrial town … Read more
In a major California workers’ comp insurance case, authorities have charged an Orange County man who was twice convicted of fraud, along with a San Diego neurosurgeon and two others, in connection with allegedly billing nearly $100 million in fraudulent fees. Following a three-year investigation, the Orange County district attorney’s office said on Friday that … Read more
It might be too early to pop the Champagne corks, but Manhattan’s big-picture retail leasing scene shows strong signs of putting the pandemic carnage behind it. Even before anyone heard of COVID-19, online shopping depressed demand for brick-and-mortar stores by perhaps 10%. Lockdowns made things worse. Readers of this column know we’ve been skeptical about … Read more
NEW YORK — The choices on the movie marquee this weekend included Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, a film about Donald Trump, a “Saturday Night Live” origin story and even Pharrell Williams as a Lego. In the end, all were trounced by an ax-wielding clown. “Terrifier 3,” a gory, low-budget slasher from the small distributor … Read more
SpaceX pulled off its boldest test flight yet of the enormous Starship rocket on Sunday, catching the returning booster back at the launch pad with mechanical arms. Towering almost 400 feet, the empty Starship blasted off at sunrise from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border. It arced over the Gulf of Mexico … Read more
PHILADELPHIA — Inside a converted warehouse in one of Philadelphia’s poorest neighborhoods, students circle around Jackie Robinson as he quizzes them about a 1980s furnace. Although they’ll encounter older equipment like this, the program is cutting edge, aimed at training people to work on homes in ways that address climate change and make clean energy … Read more
Retailer Bath & Body Works is apologizing and rushing to pull a holiday-themed candle from its shelves after online users highlighted its label being reminiscent of the white hoods synonymous with the Ku Klux Klan. The Columbus, Ohio-based company, known for its personal care and home fragrance products, is apologizing to those it offended after the product label … Read more
A £1bn investment in an Essex port will take place, despite a row over comments made about the owner of P&O Ferries, the business secretary has said. It had been suggested DP World might shelve the plan after Transport Secretary Louise Haigh described P&O Ferries as a “rogue operator”. But Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC … Read more
BANGKOK — China agreed Sunday to assist Vietnam on cross-border railway development and take steps to expand agricultural imports from its smaller neighbor, Vietnam’s official media said. Premier Li Qiang, on an official visit to Vietnam, pledged that China would further open its market to high-quality fruits, seafood and other Vietnamese products, a state media … Read more
NEW YORK — After sipping pumpkin spiced lattes in August and putting up Halloween decorations in late September, Samantha Kowalczyk already looks forward to drinking eggnog-flavored coffee and filling her Wilmington, Delaware, home with cinnamon and sugar cookie scented candles and other holiday aromas. The 30-year-old thinks seasonal flavors and scents should be available year-round. … Read more