Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – The world’s largest tunnel boring machine finished drilling a 10.2-kilometer (6.3-mile) long and 14.4-meter (47.2-feet) high tunnel under the Niagara Falls on Friday.

The 4,000-ton machine, known as Big Becky, had been drilling the tunnel under the world famous waterfalls since 2006.

The project, which aims to redirect water under the Niagara River to hydroelectric operating stations, is four years delayed and $600-million over budget. The delay is attributed to the faulty assessment of the rock formation.

The power project, expected to generate enough electricity to light 160,000 homes, is operated by Ontario Power Generation.

On hand to witness the last phase of the drilling were Ontario workers, politicians, officials and students, who cheered when they saw falling rocks giving way to Big Becky.

When the tunnel is finished, it will be part of a hydroelectric infrastructure project that will be completed in 2013.

View full post on Economy, Business And Finance Stories

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – In a bid to cut lines at Canadian airports, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority relaxed some security rules for air passengers.

CATSA allowed travelers to bring in their hand carry bags small manicure scissors and eyeglass screwdrivers. However, the items should not exceed 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) in length, excluding the handle.

The two items were allowed in line with recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization. But the existing ban on liquids, gels, aerosols and Swiss Army knives stays.

Airports will provide new dedicated lanes for families and travelers with special needs.

The gateways would also have security equipment to accommodate larger items such as baby strollers. There would also be new lines for frequent travelers with pre-approval under the Nexus card program.

Transport Minister Chuck Strahl said the changes were made in response to feedback from the traveling public, while ensuring sufficient aviation safety for air passengers, and after a review of CATSA regulations.

View full post on Economy, Business And Finance Stories

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States (AHN) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Pepin Heights Orchard are advising consumers to avoid drinking Pepin Heights Orchard brand apple cider after department laboratory tests found the product may be contaminated with a type of mold toxin called patulin.

Any consumers with this product on hand are asked to discard it.

The product was sold in half gallon and one gallon plastic jugs. The affected lot codes are:

USE BY JAN 27 11

USE BY JAN 30 11

USE BY JAN 31 11

USE BY FEB 01 11

USE BY FEB 05 11

USE BY FEB 06 11

This product was sold and distributed in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arizona, Texas, and Florida.

Pepin Heights Orchard, of Lake City, MN, is cooperating fully with the MDA to find the source of the patulin.

The cider was tested as part of a routine surveillance sampling program by the MDA which confirmed that the apple cider contained patulin at levels higher than the limit established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Patulin is a mycotoxin (mold toxin) that may be found in fruits, vegetables and other foods.

Patulin is formed by certain kinds of fungus that sometimes grow on or in these products. No illnesses have been associated with this patulin contamination. While the short-term health effects of patulin are not clearly established, FDA has identified long-term exposure to the substance as a potential concern.

Consumers and retailers should discard any of the apple cider and direct any further questions to the Pepin Heights Response Center at (800) 652-3779, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST).

View full post on Economy, Business And Finance Stories

View full post on Finance Stories

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – The battle for a larger share of the $16.8-billion Canadian cellphone market continues to be waged by industry players.

In a bid to make as many hand held units available to consumers, more Canadian supermarkets are including mobile phones on their aisle offerings.

Loblaws announced on Wednesday new partnerships with majority of Canada’s cellphone makers, which would add five new brands to over 500 Loblaw chains across the country. Loblaws has actually been offering cellphones in its retail outlets since 2005.

Shoppers Drug Mart made a similar move in July when it carried Rogers Communications hand held units in its 36 stores across Ottawa. The deal with Shoppers, which sells cosmetics and drugs, was timely for Rogers which ended its dealership with electronics chain The Source after the latter was purchased by Rogers’ rival Bell Canada in early 2009.

Loblaws Vice President of Telecom Services Maria Forlini said the company decided to expand its cellphone offerings because of their belief that the market still has room for growth. Forlini cited Canada’s 70 percent mobile phone penetration rate – which is one of the lowest in the world.

Forlini said with 13 million consumers shopping at Loblaws weekly, the supermarket chain could be a major retailer of cellphones in Canada.

Even new telecom companies such as Wind Mobile and Public Mobile have entered into deals with supermarkets to make their products within reach of more consumers in an attempt to have a larger share of the cellphone market.

According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch estimates, cellphone subscriber growth would continue to expand at an annual rate of 7.5 percent. That would translate into at least 3.9 million new clients.

The growth is also expected for the more expensive smartphone market, particularly in the U.S. Technology trends company ComScore reported on Wednesday that Research in Motion’s BlackBerry is still the top smartphone in the U.S. with a 37.6 percent market share, followed by Apple’s iPhone with 24.2 percent.

On third spot were phones that use Android operating systems, which includes Samsung, LG and Motorola.

View full post on Economy, Business And Finance Stories

This real estate business plan will serve a number of different purposes, and it is important for any would be real estate investor to understand just how important such a plan can be.

Attracting Capital To Close The Deal

On the one hand, a well thought out, professional and polished real estate business plan will help the real estate investor to attract the capital he or she needs to close those once in a lifetime deals.

The secret to success in the world of real estate is that so many of the transactions can be done using other people’s money, and that is where the real estate business plan comes in. The real estate business plan will detail to all those would be investors and money lenders just how the business is destined to succeed.

Using Your Business Plan To Help Guide The Business As It Grows

In addition, a well written real estate business plan can also serve as a blueprint and a guideline as the real estate business moves forward.

It can be quite difficult to get such a business off the ground, especially when a slowdown in the market makes the world of real estate a bit more challenging. Having a real estate business plan at hand will help to guide the business as it grows.

Getting Help From Qualified Professionals

Preparing a high quality real estate business plan is well within the means of most real estate investors, but it is a good idea to ask for help from qualified professionals when preparing such an important document.

For instance, having an accountant or other tax professional take a look at the real estate business plan can provide some much needed insights.

In addition, having the real estate business plan reviewed by a qualified real estate or business attorney can ensure that the document is legally sound and that it contains no errors or omissions. After all, this real estate business plan will form the cornerstone of the new enterprise. It is important that it be a quality document.

Author: Shaunta Pleasant
Article Source: EzineArticles.com