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Thousands of protesters gathered in Chicago's Union Park to denounce Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party for not doing enough to address their concerns. Protesters criticized Harris for her role in the conflict in Gaza and accused the Democratic Party of failing on economic issues and women's reproductive rights. While Harris has gained popularity for her focus on kitchen-table issues, many progressives and leftists feel that the party has not adequately addressed their concerns. The protesters called for policy changes and expressed their disappointment with the Democratic Party. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on preparations for the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, emphasizing a commitment to preventing a repeat of the 1968 unrest. Topics include the Chicago Police Department's training for respecting protesters' rights, the efforts of protest organizers to ensure peaceful demonstrations, and the use of modern technologies and policies to manage public demonstrations effectively.

Harley-Davidson dealers in the United States have accused the motorcycle maker of prioritizing its own profits over their viability. The dealers claim that Harley-Davidson is shipping too many bikes during a time of slow sales, forcing them to spend excessive amounts of money on showroom upgrades and other measures that harm their profits. The company's focus on producing more expensive and profitable bikes has improved its bottom line but has led to a decline in sales. Some dealers are also concerned about the company's support for LGBTQ+ causes and its commitment to diversity and inclusion policies. [Extracted from the article]

Despite labor shortages, power outages, and the threat of violence due to the Russian invasion, Ukraine's furniture industry is finding success in Europe and the United States. The industry, which was growing rapidly before the invasion, saw a drop in exports in 2023 but still retains advantages such as forests, proximity to the European Union, and relatively cheap labor and transportation. Ukrainian furniture manufacturers are targeting the American market, offering better quality and a wider range of products compared to homogenous Chinese furniture. Despite the challenges, Ukrainian furniture companies are persevering and finding opportunities for growth. [Extracted from the article]

South Korean company SK Hynix plans to invest $3.9 billion in a chip-packaging facility in West Lafayette, Indiana. The facility will mass-produce high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a critical component for artificial intelligence computing. It is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs in the region. The investment is part of a larger trend of semiconductor companies expanding into the Midwest, attracted by incentives, lower costs, and access to untapped labor forces. The Biden administration's efforts to revive America's chip-making industry have also contributed to this shift. [Extracted from the article]

American manufacturers, including Ford and Spirit AeroSystems, are increasingly adopting the goal of zero-defect manufacturing. This approach aims to eliminate errors and improve product quality through the use of technology, training, and a focus on prevention. Companies in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals and snack foods, have also set zero-defect goals. While the pursuit of perfection can be costly and challenging, it is seen as a necessary step to address quality-control problems and improve customer satisfaction. [Extracted from the article]

Bill Brown, former CEO of L3Harris Technologies, has been named the new CEO of 3M. He will take over on May 1, succeeding Mike Roman, who will become the executive chairman. This leadership change comes as 3M faces costly litigation and weak consumer spending. The company is also preparing for the spinoff of its healthcare division and continues to battle litigation over PFAS chemicals. Brown will inherit these challenges and will need to address the company's operations and restore consistent revenue growth. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the ongoing debate over energy efficiency standards for household appliances. Manufacturers argue that appliances have already become significantly more efficient and that further improvements may compromise performance. However, advocates for greater energy efficiency believe that government pressure is necessary to drive innovation. The Energy Department periodically reviews and tightens efficiency standards, with new rules expected to be completed by mid-2024. The article highlights various technological advancements that have contributed to increased efficiency in appliances, such as heat pumps and smarter compressors. However, some consumers have expressed dissatisfaction with energy-efficient models, citing issues with performance and cost. [Extracted from the article]

The Energy Department has completed new energy-efficiency standards that will allow gas stoves to keep popular features such as high-powered burners and oversize cast-iron grates. The rules also cover electric stoves and were the result of an agreement between the appliance industry and environmental and consumer groups. The Energy Department estimates that the changes will lower utility bills by $1.6 billion and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by nearly 4 million metric tons. Some cities have imposed their own restrictions on using natural gas in newly built homes, citing environmental and health concerns, but the American Gas Association disputes the research linking gas stoves to increased health risks. [Extracted from the article]

As employees return to the office after the remote-work surge caused by Covid-19, many are opting for privacy booths or empty conference rooms instead of collaborative spaces. These private areas, resembling old-school telephone booths, have become popular in the office-furniture industry. While some workers appreciate the quiet and lack of distractions, others miss the camaraderie and fun that comes with open-plan offices. Office architects and landlords are now rearranging layouts to accommodate the demand for privacy. However, some workers complain about poor ventilation and aesthetics of the booths. Manufacturers argue that their products can still foster connection and interaction with co-workers while providing audio privacy. [Extracted from the article]

Water systems across the country are spending millions of dollars to filter out PFAS, or forever chemicals, from drinking water. Settlements with companies like 3M and DuPont have been reached, but they won't cover all of the costs of building new filtration systems. As a result, some water providers are passing the cleanup costs on to customers, leading to soaring utility bills. Communities such as Hawthorne, N.J., Wellesley, Mass., and Wausau, Wis., have increased water rates by 13% to more than 50% to cover the expenses. However, some argue that the companies responsible for the contamination should be the ones paying for the cleanup. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the decline of jet car meltdowns as a popular spectacle at racetracks and drag strips. These spectacles, which involve jet-powered vehicles engulfing other vehicles in flames, are becoming endangered due to the closure of venues, scarcity of spare parts, and a diminishing supply of vintage jet engines. The article highlights the history of jet car meltdowns and the challenges faced by practitioners in keeping this tradition alive. Despite these challenges, some individuals are determined to continue performing jet car meltdowns and preserving this unique form of entertainment. [Extracted from the article]

Fire departments in the United States are facing challenges when it comes to extinguishing fires in electric vehicles (EVs). EV fires last longer, are harder to put out, and have a tendency to reignite. Firefighters are still trying to figure out the best approach to dealing with these fires, as EVs combust differently than gas-powered vehicles. EV fires usually start in the car's lithium-ion batteries, which can store a massive amount of energy and can release toxic fumes. As EVs become more common, fire departments are recognizing the need for specialized training and tactics to handle these fires effectively. [Extracted from the article]

Byline: Robert Manor and John Keilman CHICAGO _ United Airlines' top executive broadly hinted to employees Friday that the odds are tilting toward a bankruptcy filing. Officials at United, the [...]

3M, the Minnesota-based company known for products like Scotch tape, reported better-than-expected sales and earnings for the third quarter. The company attributed its improved performance to efforts to control costs and improve overall performance. Adjusted earnings per share were $2.68, surpassing analyst predictions, and adjusted sales were $8.02 billion. As a result, 3M raised its year-end earnings per share guidance to between $8.95 and $9.15. However, the company also reported a loss of about $2 billion for the quarter, including a charge related to a settlement over military earplugs. 3M is currently facing other lawsuits related to chemicals that could potentially cost the company billions of dollars. Despite these challenges, 3M remains focused on markets with strong growth potential, such as personal safety equipment and automotive electrification. The company is also undergoing a restructuring that involves job cuts and the spinoff of its healthcare unit. [Extracted from the article]

3M, a renowned American manufacturing company known for its innovative products, is facing concerns from investors and scientists about a decline in breakthroughs due to a shift in its research and development (R&D) strategy. The company, which has a history of successful inventions such as Scotch tape and Post-it Notes, is currently dealing with billions of dollars in lawsuit payouts related to PFAS chemicals. Some investors and company veterans believe that the cautious approach to R&D has resulted in fewer new products and a lack of blockbusters. However, 3M's chief technology officer maintains that the company's R&D efforts are focused on quality and potential high-growth areas. The company's share price has declined since 2018, reflecting concerns about its innovation capabilities. Despite these challenges, 3M continues to invest in R&D and is exploring areas such as climate-saving technology and electric-vehicle components. The company's future success will depend on how it manages the fallout from the PFAS chemicals controversy and its ability to find new markets for its products. [Extracted from the article]

The litigation has also hit the company's results, with 3M reporting a $6.84 billion loss in its most recent quarter, due in part to a $10.3 billion charge related to the PFAS settlement. "3M has been a very solid company over many decades", said Kramer, the firm's founder. Mitch Kramer of Dallas-based Fluent Financial, a firm that owns 3M shares, said he remains bullish on the company despite its continuing legal challenges. [Extracted from the article]

John Keilman If you've got a personal problem, a computer and a credit card, Susan Wright is ready to help. Just head to her Web site --- www.advicelink.com --- fill [...]

CHICAGO _ The puppy was no bigger than a dollar bill, a handful of fur and floppy ears half-hidden in the grass along the road to Kirkuk, Iraq. Even in [...]

WASHINGTON_The Vietnam-era National Guard, in which President Bush served from 1968 to 1973, was to some degree a loosely run outfit in which absences were tolerated, but it was hardly [...]

FORT MCCOY, Wis. _ After the echo of the blank charge faded in the Wisconsin air, Sgt. Joyce Crozier stood up, brushed the snow from her green fatigues and absorbed [...]

Past the shark lagoon and piranha tanks at a Park Ridge, Ill., pet store dart tiny fish that some consider far more alarming. The glowing red and green swimmers at [...]

CHICAGO _ Past the shark lagoon and piranha tanks at a Park Ridge pet store dart tiny fish that some consider far more alarming. The glowing red and green swimmers [...]

DAYTON, Ohio _ The Wright brothers made their historic 1903 flight on the windswept dunes of North Carolina, but people in this rough-edged Ohio city like to say that Kitty [...]

CHICAGO _ Illinois Gov. George Ryan said he unintentionally misled the families and friends of those slain by Death Row murderers when he told them he was leaning away from [...]

MILWAUKEE _ In a cathedral packed with eight cardinals, dozens of clerics and hundreds of enthusiastic Catholics, Rev. Timothy Dolan became the 10th archbishop of Milwaukee on Wednesday with a [...]

CHICAGO _ Largely out of sight of consumers, restaurant and grocery store chains are putting new pressure on their food suppliers to treat livestock more humanely, a snowballing campaign that [...]

MILWAUKEE _ Archbishop Rembert Weakland, one of the most respected voices for liberal causes within the U.S. Catholic Church, acknowledged that he reached a financial settlement with a man who [...]

Authorities on Tuesday charged a 21-year-old college student sought in connection with the 18 bombs left in mailboxes from Illinois to Texas, a case of domestic terrorism that injured six [...]

CHICAGO _ After the FBI said Monday that a single person was likely responsible for the bombs placed in rural mailboxes from Illinois to Nebraska, another bomb was discovered in [...]

WEWOKA, Okla. _ Here at the heart of the Seminole Nation, 61-year-old Bud Crockett feels the chill even on a warm day. Many of his fellow Seminoles, people he has [...]

HOUSTON _ At a time when most people can't put enough distance between themselves and anything Enron-related, the newly opened Ken Lay YMCA _ built in part with $1 million [...]