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U.S. Revokes Visas of Board Members at Costa Rica’s Top Watchdog Newspaper

The move came after the paper critically covered the country’s president, who has cozied up to the United States. Analysts view the visa decision as part of a White House strategy to punish critics of its allies.
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Huge Batch of Lexar Memory Cards Are up to 70% Off, Actually Making Them Affordable

Four Lexar Professional memory cards of different sizes and types are displayed against a vibrant background with orange and blue flames. The cards show capacities of 256GB, 1TB, and 4TB with various speed ratings.

Spring isn’t just bringing new gear cycles, it’s also delivering some of the most aggressive memory card discounts we’ve seen in a long time. Across Lexar’s CFexpress, SD, and microSD lineup, prices have dropped sharply, often paired with additional in-cart coupons that push savings even further. In some cases, these feel less like routine promotions and more like a temporary reset in the memory card market.

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CSotD: May Day, For Those Who Celebrate It

Today is May Day, which is International Workers Day, aka Labour Day, marking the Haymarket Square Riots, which began May 1, 1886, and culminated in the explosion four days later.Whamond notes the calls this year for a general strike, but I don’t think America is a general-striking sort of country. I recall that the Mai-Juin […]

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Cathay Pacific, HK Express to cut May-June flights as Mideast war pushes up fuel prices

Cathay cancellation

Hong Kong-based carriers Cathay Pacific and HK Express have said they will reduce flights from mid-May to the end of June, citing “huge cost pressure” due to surging fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.

Aircraft park near Cathay Pacific Building.
Aircraft parked near the Cathay Pacific building. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Around 2 per cent of Cathay Pacific flights will be cancelled between May 16 and June 30 “to mitigate part of the increased costs,” according to a statement issued by the aviation giant on Saturday.

The cancellations will mostly affect regional flights, as well as a small number of routes to Australia, South Asia and South Africa. 

HK Express, Cathay Pacific’s budget subsidiary, will axe around 6 per cent of flights from May 11 to June 30.

The decision to reduce capacity is due to surging jet fuel prices amid the Middle East crisis, Cathay said.

“In the past month, we have pursued every suitable means to keep our flights operating as normal. This includes adjusting the fuel surcharges in an attempt to mitigate the surge in jet fuel prices,” it said.

“Despite our best efforts, the measures we have taken to mitigate the heightened fuel costs have not been enough… Cutting back on capacity has always been our last resort.”

Hong Kong Express
HK Express planes at the Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: GovHK.

All affected passengers will be offered alternative flights within 24 hours of their original departure times.

Cathay raised fuel surcharges on all flights by 34 per cent on April 1, two weeks after doubling the fees. HK Express also hiked fuel surcharges on most flights, except to and from mainland China.

It also said it would extend the suspension of Dubai and Riyadh flights until at least June 30 due to “the ongoing situation in the Middle East.”  

The outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, sparked by Israeli-US attacks on Iran on February 28, has significantly impacted global oil prices.

Citing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Cathay said the global average jet fuel price had doubled, from US$99.40 per barrel for the week ending February 27 to US$209 per barrel for the week ending April 3.

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ProGrade Digital Forced to Increase Prices as Memory Shortage Continues

The logo reads "ProGrade Digital" in bold black letters. The "O" in "Pro" resembles a camera shutter icon, emphasizing a digital or photography theme. The background is white.

ProGrade Digital, makers of memory cards, card readers, and solid state drives, has announced that it will be forced to raise prices in May as the flash memory shortage has put too much pressure on its business.

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