TMCnet News
Hampton Roads, state, nation and world [Virginian - Pilot](Virginian - Pilot Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) wal-mart adds dna test on food in china Wal-Mart Stores said it's adding DNA tests on food and considering legal action after discovering contaminated donkey meat in China from a local vendor. Wal-Mart said it withdrew all products from the supplier, Dezhou Fujude Food Company Ltd., after finding fox DNA in tested samples. Donkey meat is "a popular delicacy in China," the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer said. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has faced other food safety and labeling problems in China, including a 2012 citation by regulators for selling sesame oil and squid with hazardous levels of chemicals. Last year, Wal-Mart said it would invest $16.5 million over three years to upgrade food safety in China. AT&T dials up pitch to lure T-mobile users It has become clear that AT&T views T-Mobile US, a smaller carrier, as a threat. AT&T on Friday made an announcement aimed squarely at T-Mobile customers: If they switch to AT&T from T-Mobile, they can receive up to $450 in credit to spend on devices or services. To receive up to $250 in credit, T-Mobile customers will have to trade in their smartphone. Then, T-Mobile customers can get $200 more credit after selecting one of two specific AT&T plans. The move is a pre-emptive strike. T-Mobile is widely expected to announce next week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that it will cover the costs of customers' termination fees when they switch over to T-Mobile. suit says facebook intercepts messages Facebook has been sued over allegations it systematically intercepts its users' private messages on the social network and profits by sharing the data with advertisers and marketers. The practice compromises privacy and undermines Facebook's promise of "unprecedented" security options for its messaging function, two Facebook users said in the complaint filed in federal court in San Jose, Calif. Lawsuits against Internet companies and social networks are multiplying as use of the Web balloons and users become more aware of how much personal information they're revealing, often without their knowledge. Spokeswoman Jackie Rooney, said the company regards the allegations as "without merit." combi USA recalls 33K child car seats Combi USA is recalling more than 33,000 child car seats made before January 2013 because the harnesses aren't strong enough to meet federal safety standards. The Charlotte, N.C., company is recalling the Coccoro, Zeus Turn and Zeus 360. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the seat straps don't meet minimum strength requirements. If there's a crash, children may not be properly secured. A company spokeswoman says the seats are still safe to use because the harness as a whole meets safety standards. Seats made after January 2013 don't have the same problem. Combi will notify registered owners and send out free harness replacement kits starting in February. quick hits Kim Scheeler, CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, was appointed Friday by Gov. Bob McDonnell to the board of the Virginia Port Authority. Norfolk Southern said it will release its fourth-quarter 2013 earnings at 8 a.m. Jan. 22 and discuss the results via teleconference and live Internet webcast at 8:45 a.m. that day. Liberty Media said it wants to take full ownership of Sirius XM in a deal that would value the satellite radio service at nearly $23 billion. New figures show that European banks are lending less to companies - another sign the continent's economic upswing remains less than robust. - From Pilot and wire reports (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |