Unrest spreads in violence-hit South Africa mining belt

RUSTENBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Labour unrest in South Africa's platinum belt spread on Wednesday, raising concerns that anger over low wages and poor living conditions could generate fresh violence after 34 striking miners were shot dead by police last week.

The strike that started last week at Lonmin's Marikana mine has driven up platinum prices and stoked worries about investing in Africa's biggest economy, where chronic unemployment and massive income disparities threaten social stability.

The world's top platinum producer, Anglo American Platinum, said on Wednesday it had received a demand for a pay increase from its South African workers, while a trade union said miners at Royal Bafokeng Platinum's Rasimone site had been blocked from reporting for work by colleagues.

The price of platinum leapt to its highest since early May on Wednesday, driven by concern about supply from South Africa, which holds 80 percent of the known reserves of the metal, used in jewelry and for catalytic converters in cars.

Spot platinum rose by as much as 1.5 percent to touch $1,524.49 an ounce, trading at $1,521.75 by 4.41 a.m. EDT.

Ten people had been killed last week before police opened fire on striking miners on Thursday, shooting dead another 34 in the worst such bloodshed since the end of apartheid white rule in 1994. President Jacob Zuma has ordered an inquiry.

The labour troubles were touched off by a violent turf war between labour unions at the Marikana mine. Similar rumblings have emerged at other mines.

CONTAGION

"There is a very high chance that this is going to be contagious," said SBG Securities platinum analyst Justin Froneman. "Whether or not it has been orchestrated and arranged remains to be seen, but certainly the fact that this has spread in what we viewed as a previously stable labour force is slightly concerning."

Workers have trickled back to Lonmin's Marikana mine this week, but most have stayed away for fear of being caught in the conflict between the long-established National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the militant breakaway Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU).

AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa told a news briefing in Rustenburg that reports of disturbances at Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) and wage demands at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) had nothing to do with his union.

Asked if he thought unrest would spread, he said, "I do not want to be a prophet of doom."

President Zuma has tried to reassure investors their money is safe while appealing to all sides to end the violence.

Zuma's political foes have been piling pressure on the president. They accuse him and his African National Congress (ANC), which has placed several former NUM members in senior government positions, of adopting poor policing policies and of not caring enough about workers laboring deep underground.

(Additional reporting by Peroshni Govender in Marikana, Sherilee Lakmidas in Johannesburg and Amanda Cooper in London; Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Pascal Fletcher and Alastair Macdonald)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/unrest-spreads-violence-hit-south-africa-mining-belt-095700291--sector.html

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How a Plumber Can Improve the Value of Your Home | Computers ...

There are numerous ways through which a plumber can help you in improving the value of your home. The leaking pipes and faucets cam greatly affect the hygiene standards in the home. To curb such problems, you will certainly need the assistance of an expert. Fixing these faults will certainly lead to a significant reduction in your water bills.

Apart from saving on the bills, you shall have immensely improved the comfort of your home. An experienced plumber will ensure that these slight repairs are completed in appropriate time. Some complications such as leaking toilets can even risk the life of your family if not checked properly.

These professionals can also be of importance during the winter. This is when the pipes contain frozen water. With the freezing of water, the pipes are most likely to burst. This is when you shall need the help of these experts to ensure that you still have a full supply. They will also help you to erect preventive measures for the pipes not to burst.

When you become tired of the old bathroom and kitchen, call on these individuals. They will help you in remodeling these key sections of the house. They will also ensure that the remodeling process improves your comfort ability. The renovation process can only be done well when you hire professionals.

To significantly conserve water, you shall need their services as well. This is the best way to end up with the best appliances for your home. Such appliances may include water heaters for your home. With the right sizing of this appliance you shall conserve both water and energy.

With the purchase of any new appliance, a plumber will guide you on the basic facts about it. They will ensure that the installation is done in the correct manner. This way, you will not have to worry whether the installation was done properly. You will also be informed about the safety measures when handling the appliances.

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Source: http://www.meetcoco.com/how-a-plumber-can-improve-the-value-of-your-home/

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tcl-and-tencent-form-strategic-partnership-jointly-launch-ice-screen

TCL and Tencent Form Strategic Partnership ? Jointly Launch iCE SCREEN

August 22, 2012 | No Comments

The First Large Screen Mobile Entertainment Smart Cloud Product in the World

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ ? TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited (?TCL Multimedia? or ?the Group?, HKSE stock code: 01070) and Tencent, China?s leading integrated internet service provider, today jointly launched iCE SCREEN, the world?s first large screen mobile entertainment smart cloud product, creating a new form of consumer electronic products and bringing the evolution of the cross-industry integration between China?s consumer electronics industry and internet industry to a higher level.

Featuring a large 26-inch screen, iCE SCREEN is the first large screen mobile smart cloud product in the world. With four core applications ? a ?large portable screen?, a ?high-speed video player?, a ?stylish music and photo album? and ?high-definition video communications? ? the product offers consumers the ultimate 3C (Communication, Computer and Consumer electronics) experience. Installed in iCE SCREEN is an independent operating system which enables internet connectivity, thus offering users audio visual, music, photo album, game, communications and many other major smart cloud applications. It is also equipped with a portable power source and features a slim design, allowing free and easy movement and storage. The iCE SCREEN has the characteristics of a high quality screen, ample cloud resources and portability, and represents a brand new type of smart cloud product.

iCE SCREEN is a specialty smart cloud product which was developed to cater to customers? latest needs. Its screen is bigger than that of handsets and tablets, offering stunning visual effects on a large screen, while providing portability that is not found in traditional TV sets. Meanwhile, it provides the same functions, including communications, social networking and Internet surfing, as found on handsets and computers. It has fashionable design and offers fast, convenient and comfortable use. Mr. Li Dongsheng, Chairman of TCL Multimedia, said, ?TCL and Tencent are jointly launching iCE SCREEN to create an innovative new form of 3C product, the first of its kind in the world, all in an effort to meet this new demand from consumers and to offer consumers and their families more trendy, enjoyable and cutting-edge experiences. As a new form of consumer electronics product with considerable market potential, iCE SCREEN will build a massive differentiated market much like the markets for tablet computers and smartphones. In the meantime, it is expected to drive the joint development of the relevant industries and to open up a new frontier in the global consumer electronics industry.?

As TCL?s content provider partner, Tencent brings to the iCE SCREEN a wide array of QQ services and popular applications such as QQ Video, QQ Album, QQ Music, QQ Messenger and QQ Game. Users can enjoy different forms of exciting mobile, large screen cloud applications such as online communications, leisure and entertainment. In addition, iCE SCREEN also comes with a rotary hanger which allows users to easily switch between horizontal and vertical positions. When in a vertical position, users can listen to music while viewing an automatic slide show, which combine to create a striking visual effect. When watching the online videos like those offered by Tencent QQ, the videos run smoothly on the high quality large screen with the exclusive leading ?pre-installed back platform? technology, making the iCE SCREEN suitable for the enjoyment of a number of people at the same time. Moreover, it separates itself from the other consumer electronic products on the market which are available in a very limited range of colours, breaking the tradition of black television sets to offer consumers four colour choices, namely sapphire blue, fantasy pink, champagne gold and green tea green. This revolutionary new product overturns the conventional thinking about what smart cloud end-products and screens should be, marking the first major breakthrough in the systematic innovation of China?s enterprises.

TCL and Tencent have worked together numerous times in pushing innovation in the area of smart cloud TVs. This time, the cooperation between the two industry leaders integrates the core technologies and advantageous resources of the two companies to ensure the best combination of hardware and software in the iCE SCREEN. Mr. Ma Huateng, CEO of Tencent, said, ?Cooperation across industries can facilitate the further integration of industry resources and push forward cooperation and innovation between companies in different industries. Tencent has committed itself to adapting internet services for more application environments to facilitate easy access. This is our first attempt to adapt the services for the home application environment. We aim to provide high quality internet services to hardware manufacturers in different areas, so as to fulfil the users? desire to quickly switch between different applications.?

Mr. Li Dongsheng, Chairman of TCL Multimedia, said, ?iCE SCREEN is also an important milestone for TCL to achieve its full cloud strategies. This April, TCL Multimedia took the lead to announce its full cloud strategies as the cloud era in China?s consumer electronics industry approaches. Launching the iCE SCREEN represents another strategic deployment and innovative breakthrough in smart cloud products following the successful introduction of TCL Multimedia?s 3D smart cloud TVs.?

iCE SCREEEN, the world?s first smart screen jointly launched by TCL and Tencent, expands on the forms of existing smart cloud products and will represent a revolution in smart cloud life. Besides working together on product innovation, TCL and Tencent will launch the first batch of pre-sales of iCE SCREEN through the official TCL online store and QQ?s online store at 00:00 a.m., August 23. This innovation in sharing sales channels and business models is another highlight of the partnership between TCL and Tencent, in addition to being the first time that the concept of ?one-stop online-life? was extended to the brand new smart cloud product in the Internet industry. This innovative cross-industry integration model has also set a benchmark in innovation in the consumer electronics and Internet industries.

About TCL Multimedia

TCL Multimedia Technology Holdings Limited (stock code: 01070.HK) headquartered in China, is one of the leading players in the global TV industry. TCL Multimedia is engaged in the R&D, manufacture and distribution of consumer electronic products comprising television and audio visual products. Its ultimate shareholder is TCL Corporation. For more information, please visit its website: http://multimedia.tcl.com.

Investor & Media Inquiries

For further enquiries, please contact Hill + Knowlton Strategies Asia:
Email: tclmultimedia@hkstrategies.com

Hedy Shen
Tel: (852) 2894 6323

Jonathan Yang
Tel: (852) 2894 6391

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Source: http://asiarelease.asia/tcl-and-tencent-form-strategic-partnership-jointly-launch-ice-screen/

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Bhaya Cruise Halong Tour 2 days 1 night ? Halong Tour Booking ...

If you want to take a cheap tour to an exotic place, Bhaya Cruise Halong Tour is the perfect choice for you.
Built in oriental style with contemporary luxury, 5?star Bhaya Cruises established new standards of luxury cruising in Vietnam when Bhaya Classic I entered service in summer 2007
Each Bhaya Classic vessel offers 20 luxurious cabins and suites and accommodate up to 40 passengers for either 2days/1night cruise or 3days/2nights cruise in Halong Bay. The three showpiece Bhaya Classic vessels offer an exciting array of activities and facilities for you to enjoy as you discover the scenic delights of Halong Bay.
As one of the largest cruise ships on Halong Bay, Bhaya is luxuriously appointed. No expense has been spared in order to recreate the imperial splendor enjoyed by Vietnam's Emperor's as they took their cruises of Halong Bay.

Day 1: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Bhaya Classic Cruise
08:00: Pick up from Hanoi. Take a 3-hour scenic drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay.
12:00 ?12:30: Check-in at Bhaya Caf?, Halong City. Embark on Bhaya Classic for a Welcome Cocktail followed by a cruise briefing.
13:00 ?15:30: Savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as Bhaya Classic heads to Bai Tu Long Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) Islets and Vung Vieng fishing village.
15:30 ? 17:00: Visit the fishing village by local rowing boat (01 hour) then return to the vessel for free time at your leisure or join one of the following optional activities:
Kayak into the village or swim near the boat
Optional onboard activities: Sunbathing, traditional massage, etc.
17:00: Bhaya Classic cruises through the Bay to its overnight anchorage near Ho Dong Tien. Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the Sundeck. Happy hour on sundeck
19:30: Sumptuous Seafood Set-dinner on board.
21:00: Retire to your cabin or join the fishing program. Overnight onboard Bhaya Classic.

Day 2: Bhaya Classic Cruise - Halong Bay - Hanoi
06:15: Start your day with Tai Chi on the Sundeck while complimentary tea & coffee are served.
07:00: Light breakfast Bhaya Classic weighs anchor to cruise through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves, Coc Ngoi (Toad) Islet, etc.
08:00: Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot).
09:00: Return to Bhaya Classic. Buffet brunch is served onboard. The vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor.
11:00: Disembark at Bhaya Caf? - Transfer back Hanoi

Join Bhaya Cruise Halong Tour 2 days 1 night to experence great moment.
Book this tour now! Halong Tours booking
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Source: http://www.gptboycott.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33078

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