Tuesday, April 1, 2014

China's Xi wins EU pledge to consider free-trade deal

By Robin Emmott and Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping won a promise from the European Union on Monday to consider a multi-billion-dollar free-trade Printable Coupons with his country, a long-held goal for Beijing which divides Europe.

Xi, the first Chinese leader to visit the EU institutions in Brussels since ties were established in 1975, pressed senior EU officials to consider such a pact, despite European concerns that Chinese state-owned firms flout international trade rules.

The 28-nation EU committed for the first time to opening talks on a free-trade accord (FTA) if current negotiations on an "investment agreement" to improve business ties are successful.

"Concluding such a comprehensive EU-China Investment Agreement ... will convey both sides' joint commitment towards stronger cooperation as well as their willingness to envisage broader ambitions including, once the conditions are right, towards a deep and comprehensive FTA, as a longer-term perspective," the two sides said in their summit statement.

Talk of a free-trade deal, which would create a market of almost 2 billion people, seemed unthinkable just a year ago, when Brussels prepared to levy punitive import duties on billions of dollars of Chinese solar panels, setting off the biggest ever trade dispute between the two partners.

Relations have improved since the sides defused the row, setting a minimum price for exports of Chinese goods to the EU.

Both China and the EU have something to gain from increased trade. Europe's economy is barely growing after years of recession and the continent is suffering from near-record unemployment, while China's much faster growth is cooling.

British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed strong support during a trip to Beijing in December for such a deal, but many other EU members including France, Italy and Spain are wary, saying China tries to dominate European markets with cheap, subsidised exports.

'PANDA DIPLOMACY'

China's Xi, on the last leg of a European tour, has put a free-trade deal at the center of his EU policy, even using "panda diplomacy" during his trip to Belgium by visiting two Chinese pandas on loan to a Belgian zoo to charm officials.

Beijing has a long tradition of using pandas, which are indigenous to China, to improve relations with other countries.

According to one EU official at Monday's summit, Xi pushed hard for the EU to consider the free-trade pact. "China wanted to go further on an FTA," the official said after Xi's meeting with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

"Europe agrees to go ahead with this target in the medium term. We prefer to go ahead first with an investment agreement."

Negotiations towards such an investment agreement are under way and should make it easier for European countries to do business in China, a big step that many see as a potential forerunner to a trade deal.

European companies complain of poor treatment in China, such as being forced to share sensitive know-how to win access to Chinese funding and local contracts.

In a statement, China's foreign ministry said both sides "should start the feasibility study on a free-trade agreement, and jointly improve the quality and level of China-EU trade".

Europe is China's most important trading partner, while for the EU, China is second only to the United States. Trade between the EU and China has doubled since 2003 to more than 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) a day.

But the bilateral relationship has been bedevilled by a series of trade rows ranging from steel and wine to solar panels. China's ambition to produce more sophisticated products to compete with European goods also unnerves some Europeans.

(Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Gareth Jones)

Thursday, March 27, 2014

"VERIZON30รข€³ Coupon Code Will Get You Two New HTC One (M8)s for $140

Verizon is currently running a BOGO (buy one, get one free) offer for the all new HTC One (M8) that is certainly something to consider, though you'll have to sign a 2-year contract to get in on the deal. If contracts do not scare you, then to save some extra cash, there are a couple of Online Deals codes that could save you up to 30% on the $199 2-year contract price.

A long-standing "VERIZON30″ code has worked for both readers and our staff in the past. I actually tried it again this morning as a new customer and saw success, with the price of the One (M8) dropping to $139.99. That's a whopping $60 off.

If for some reason that code doesn't work, feel free to try "VZWDEAL," which should drop the price to $149.99.

All codes are applied at checkout. "VERIZON30″ seems to work with the BOGO deal, as seen in the image below.

Verizon Link Cheers Craig!

MLB, players union near deal on tougher drug policy

<Promotional Codesp>Major League Baseball and the players association are negotiating the most stringent drug program in the sport's history, a high-ranking Major League Baseball official told USA TODAY Sports, and the updated policy is expected to be finalized early next week.

BORAS: Loses in grievance against Beltran

The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the agreement is still being negotiated.

The new agreement will not only increase the drug penalties, but also implement widespread carbon isotope testing, the official said, hoping to dramatically increase the detection of a synthetic testosterone. There were 14 players suspended last season for receiving performance-enhancing drugs from South Florida wellness clinic, Biogenesis, but none failed a drug test.

The official said first-time offenses will be 80 games, an increase from 50, and a second offense will be for an entire 162-game season instead of 100 games. There will be a lifetime suspension for a third offense.

GALLERY: PLAYERS SUSPENDED FOR VIOLATING THE DRUG PROGRAM

Also, players who tested positive because of inadvertent use, will now have their suspensions reduced from 50 games to 25. Phillies infielder Freddy Galvis was suspended 50 games in June 2012 for Clostebol Metabolite, which he insists contained foot cream. San Francisco Giants reliever Guillermo Mota was suspended 100 games in May 2012 for Clenbuterol, saying it was included in his cough medicine. ​

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Xbox Live and PS Store Super Sale Features Rockstar Games

<Amazon Dealimg src="http://cdn.segmentnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Red-Dead-Redemption-1024x574.jpg">

Both the Xbox Marketplace and PlayStation Store are hosting an awesome sale which includes a large selection of titles from Rockstar Games at highly discounted prices.

All the discounted items are listed below. The PlayStation Store has a larger choice of titles that span across the PS3, PS2 and PSP.

Xbox Live Deals

  • Red Dead Redemption - £4.99/$7.49 (£19.99/$29.99 without Gold)
  • Max Payne 3 - £3.74/$4.99 (£14.99/$19.99 without Gold)
  • Max Payne 3 Season Pass - £2.99/$3.74 (£11.99/$14.99 without Gold)
  • Bully: Scholarship Edition - £2.99/$3.74 (£11.99/$14.99 without Gold)
  • L.A. Noire - £4.99/$7.49 (£19.99/$29.99 without Gold)
  • Midnight Club: L.A - £2.99/$3.74
PlayStation Store Deals - PS3

  • Grand Theft Auto IV Was £19.99/€24.99/AU$29.95, now £5.49/€6.99/AU$10.35 Not available in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony Was £11.99/€14.99/AU$21.95, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • GTA Episodes from Liberty City Was £15.99/€19.99/AU$24.95, now £4.79/€5.99/AU$8.85 Not available in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • GTA IV Episodes Bundle Was £15.99/€19.99/AU$29.95, now £5.49/€6.99/AU$10.35 Not available in Kuwait, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia
  • Max Payne 3 Was £15.99/€19.99/AU$24.95, now £5.99/€7.49/AU$11.05
  • Max Payne 3 Rockstar Pass Was £11.99/€14.99/AU$21.95, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Deals ending April 2: PS3
  • GTA IV: The Complete Edition Was £24.99/€34.99/AU$44.95, now £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45 Not available in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
PlayStation Store Deals - PS2

  • Canis Canem Edit (Bully) Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Grand Theft Auto 3 Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Germany, Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Grand Theft Auto San Andreas Was £11.99/€14.99/AU$21.95, now £5.49/€6.99/AU$10.35 Not available in Saudia Arabia, UAE
  • GTA: Liberty City Stories Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • GTA: Vice City Stories Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Manhunt Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Australia, Germany, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, UAE
  • Max Payne Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35
  • Midnight Club Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35
  • Midnight Club 2 Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35
  • Midnight Club 3: Dub Remix Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35
  • Red Dead Revolver Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35
  • The Warriors Was £7.99/€9.99/AU$14.45, now £3.99/€4.99/AU$7.35 Not available in Germany, Kuwait
PlayStation Store Deals - PSP

  • Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Was £10.99/€14.99/AU$17.95, now £5.49/€6.99/AU$10.35 Not available in Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories [PSP] Was £11.99/€14.99/AU$21.95, now £5.49/€6.99/AU$10.35 Not available in Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • GTA: Liberty City Stories [PSP] Was £11.99/€14.99/AU$21.95, now £5.49/€6.99/AU$10.35 Not available in Saudi Arabia, UAE
  • Manhunt 2 [PSP] Was £6.49/€7.99/AU$11.75, now £3.19/€3.99/AU$5.85 Not available in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, UAE
  • Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition [PSP] Was £9.99/€12.99/AU$18.45, now £4.79/€5.99/AU$8.85 Not available in Bulgaria, Hungary, Kuwait, Qatar
  • Midnight Club L.A. Remix [PSP] Was £9.99/€12.99/AU$18.45, now £4.79/€5.99/AU$8.85 Not available in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Kuwait, Qatar
  • The Warriors [PSP] Was £6.49/€7.99/AU$11.75, now £3.19/€3.99/AU$5.85 Not available in German, Kuwait

This sale will run until March 26th. If you an eye on a specific deal then you should hurry.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

New Straight Talk Promo Codes are Now Available on SheNuts Website

Los Angeles, Ca (PRWEB) March 15, 2014

SheNuts, a website that offers the most current wireless promotional codes and coupons, has just added new Straight Talk promo codes that can help consumers save money on their next wireless purchase. The exclusive codes can be accessed by visiting the SheNuts website and clicking on the different offers.

For example, people who are hoping to save money on Straight Talk wireless services and products may now receive free ground shipping on any phone order from the company, as well as other savings and deals on plans and phones.

As an article on SheNuts.org notes, Straight Talk offers a variety of some of the most popular mobile phones, along with plans that are easy on the budget, and outstanding service. These include the Samsung Galaxy SIII, the iPhone 4 with 8 GB, and the Blackberry Curve. For people who are looking to get a top quality popular mobile phone at an affordable price, Straight Talk is a one stop discount shop that will allow them to do just that.

In order to help people get access to the most current codes and coupons on Straight Talk phones, SheNuts.org offers helpful instructions on how to use the website. First, an article on the website explained, once cell phone shoppers find the offer that they want to use, they should click on the handy link to get started. This will usually take them to a page where they can enter in the zip code of where they will typically use their mobile phone.

After verifying their zip code, people will then see a list of phones that are currently available, as well as the different features for each one. Shoppers can browse through the various offers, and then select the phone that best suits their needs and budgets. Once they click on the specific phone they want, shoppers can then choose from a variety of service plans.

"The last step is the order details, where you will enter the coupon or Best Buy," the article said, adding that people should see a box that asks if they have a promo code, to enter it in the box.

"Once you have entered it click the submit button and the order will update with discount applied."

About SheNuts:

Shenuts.org has been providing the latest wireless coupons and promotional codes for over 2 years. The website is updated daily, so people are sure to find the latest promo codes and coupons for the products they are looking for. For more information, please visit http://shenuts.org/straight-talk-promo-code/


Sunday, March 16, 2014

ESO feedback results in changes to starting area, combat, sub-discount packs confirmed

Elder Scrolls Online is going through a final PC/Mac scale test this weekend, and game director Matt Firor felt it was an opportune time to discuss how feedback has changed the final product.

According to a blog post on the official website, many players felt "too constrained" during the start of the game, up until they reached level 10.

Firor said the game was originally designed in this manner in order to not overwhelm new players and all them to learn the game before "dealing with more challenging situations."

"Because ESO is about choice, we made adjustments to those opening hours of the game in response to the beta feedback," he said. "After exiting the modified, more streamlined tutorial in Coldharbour, new characters now wake up in the first major city of their respective Alliance as opposed to being forced to go through the starter islands. "

Firor also noted the team has adjusted the level curve around the cities, giving players plenty to do without running into enemies that are too powerful at the start - something I noted during my time with the beta.

"If you want to go back and experience these islands, which have been re-leveled to provide a regular content experience, the option is there, but players who prefer can just start exploring the rest of Tamriel," said Firor.

"Another piece of your feedback we've implemented addresses our combat system. We continue to identify ways to make melee combat feel even more substantial. In addition to many tweaks and changes to animations and audio, we've added player collision with NPCs, which means your character will no longer be able to run through NPC enemies. This is a frequently requested feature that we think succeeds in making melee combat more visceral and exciting."

For online support, ZeniMax has also constructed large datacenters in North America and Europe with the former fully operational as of press time, and the latter's datacenter will be soon. The location of the servers will not affect the gameplay experience, said Firor, as "millions of players from Europe and beyond" can play on the North American server without latency or lag problems.

Users who noted some lag issues in Cyrodiil during the last scale test, will be pleased to know the issue was caused by a bug, not the servers. All players, no matter where they were located, experienced the particular problem.

"Regardless of a player's location or the datacenter being used, the confirmed efficiency of our platform architecture will prevent anyone from enjoying a gameplay advantage,' Firor continued. "As both datacenters become fully operational, we will continue to add capacity to meet the demands of gamers worldwide. And just to be fully prepared, we are adding overflow servers in the event we get even more players on day one than we are now forecasting."

Firor concluded his post noting that the team has been developing "lots of additional content" and the first post launch content update will be revealed soon. It will include the adventure zone Craglorn, which is dedicated to group-based, end-game PvE repeatable content.

The Elder Scrolls Online is slated for release on PC and Mac on April 4, and various subscription Amazon Deal Online packs will become available at launch.

PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of ESO are expected in June.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

New Straight Talk Promo Codes are Now Available on SheNuts Website

SheNuts, a website that offers the most current wireless promotional codes and coupons, has just added new Straight Talk promo codes that can help consumers save money on their next wireless purchase. The exclusive codes can be accessed by visiting the SheNuts website and clicking on the different offers.

For example, people who are hoping to save money on Straight Talk wireless services and products may now receive free ground shipping on any phone order from the company, as well as other savings and deals on plans and phones.

As an article on SheNuts.org notes, Straight Talk offers a variety of some of the most popular mobile phones, along with plans that are easy on the budget, and outstanding service. These include the Samsung Galaxy SIII, the iPhone 4 with 8 GB, and the Blackberry Curve. For people who are looking to get a top quality popular mobile phone at an affordable price, Straight Talk is a one stop discount shop that will allow them to do just that.

In order to help people get access to the most current codes and coupons on Straight Talk phones, SheNuts.org offers helpful instructions on how to use the website. First, an article on the website explained, once cell phone shoppers find the offer that they want to use, they should click on the handy link to get started. This will usually take them to a page where they can enter in the zip code of where they will typically use their mobile phone.

After verifying their zip code, people will then see a list of phones that are currently available, as well as the different features for each one. Shoppers can browse through the various offers, and then select the phone that best suits their needs and budgets. Once they click on the specific phone they want, shoppers can then choose from a variety of service plans.

"The last step is the order details, where you will enter the coupon or Coupon Codes," the article said, adding that people should see a box that asks if they have a promo code, to enter it in the box.

"Once you have entered it click the submit button and the order will update with discount applied."

About SheNuts:

Shenuts.org has been providing the latest wireless coupons and promotional codes for over 2 years. The website is updated daily, so people are sure to find the latest promo codes and coupons for the products they are looking for. For more information, please visit http://shenuts.org/straight-talk-promo-code/

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/Straight-Talk-promos/SheNuts/prweb11670461.htm