Latest news with #TonyYang
Business Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Business Times
Starbucks joins China price war with discounts for tea drinks
[BEIJING] Starbucks on Monday (Jun 9) announced price cuts for a slew of its tea-based beverages at its stores across China, as the American coffee chain takes a more aggressive approach to revive sales at its second-biggest market. Starbucks will reduce prices by 5 yuan (S$0.89 cents) on average across more than a dozen Frappuccino, iced tea and tea latte options in its latest campaign to appeal to Chinese consumers for non-coffee offerings during summer, according to a statement posted on the company's official account on Chinese social media WeChat on Monday. 'Improved 'non-coffee' product matrix will go side by side with core coffee offerings to better meet the diversified needs of customers,' said Starbucks China chief growth officer Tony Yang in the statement. It is rare for the US coffee giant to promote price cuts on its own official social media channels as the chain has long defended its premium positioning in China amid rising competition from cheaper rivals. Persistent price wars across product categories from autos to fast food have pushed China's consumer prices into deflationary territory for four months in a row, according to government data released on Monday. Starbucks' push to offer more tea-based beverages in China stands in contrast to chief executive officer Brian Niccol's effort to turnaround the US business by streamlining its menu to emphasise coffee. Still, the push for more tea drinks in China could help the US company contend with local tea chains to win back customers in the world's second-largest economy. With the newly announced price cut, Starbucks said consumers can sip a cup of tea drink for as little as 23 yuan in its spacious lounge-like coffee shops. That brings its prices closer to those at more upscale local tea chains, which often make their beverages for customers to grab on the go. BLOOMBERG
CBC
19-05-2025
- Science
- CBC
UBC researchers develop new shock absorption system for highrises to withstand big earthquakes
A team of researchers at University of British Columbia have developed a new design for highrises that could help tall buildings withstand major earthquakes, while keeping people safe inside. Led by structural engineering professor Tony Yang at UBC's faculty of applied science, the project aims to prepare cities like Vancouver for the "big one." "We are expected to have very large earthquakes," Yang said. Traditional highrise designs rely on a rigid concrete core, which typically place elevators and stairwells inside the central core. But the new system, the researcher says, allows buildings to move and absorb energy through dampers, outriggers and rocking foundations, rather than resist the shaking rigidly. "These are like the shock absorbers in your car," he said. "The design philosophy for the traditional system is to protect the people who live inside, but not the status of the building afterwards," he added. "[With the new system] the owner can feel confident that the building, its occupants and its contents are protected during and after significant shaking." Earthquake simulations The system was tested at the International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering in Shanghai, China, a facility with a large enough "shake table" to simulate a full-scale, magnitude-9 earthquake. Researchers say UBC's one-fifth scale model remained fully functional after more than 100 simulated quakes. According to Yang, the system allows for lighter construction and more usable space inside the building, making it both more resilient and cost-effective. "In traditional construction, [builders] put a lot of reinforcement inside central concrete, putting money and labour into it," he said, explaining that the new design philosophy puts less stress on the concrete core and foundation. He says it may offer long-term savings by reducing the need for large foundations or post-quake repairs, making the new design "much cheaper" to use. According to a report released by the City of Vancouver last November, modelling suggests a magnitude 7.2 earthquake would cause significant damage to many aging, privately owned buildings — the majority of which are rental properties. While the new system is aimed at new construction, Yang said it could also be incorporated into some older buildings — though the process would be more complex. Brent Toderian, Vancouver's former chief planner, says any advancement that makes concrete buildings safer is important — but says builders need to shift toward greener materials. "Concrete has a large carbon footprint," he told CBC News. "We are in the process of this hopefully continuous transition to more sustainable building materials." WATCH | Builder pushes for mass timber homes: Builder pushes for mass timber homes as B.C. lumber industry faces tariff pain 2 months ago Duration 2:28 As B.C.'s softwood lumber industry, which is heavily dependent on U.S. exports, faces a double whammy of tariffs, some say that mass timber construction in the province could be a way forward. Toderian pointed to mass timber as a renewable and climate-conscious alternative, and said long-term planning should account for both safety and environmental impact. City of Vancouver Coun. Lisa Dominato said the city is interested in learning more about the research and its potential applications. "We anticipate more density and development in the future," Dominato said. "If we can benefit from that technology, and the research is happening at UBC, I think it's a good thing for the city." Looking ahead, Yang says he hopes to work with engineering firms and local governments to explore integrating the design into new building projects.
CTV News
17-05-2025
- Science
- CTV News
New technology from UBC will help Vancouver high-rises endure major earthquakes
Vancouver high-rises aren't adequately protected under the current building code, says UBC structural engineering professor Dr. Tony Yang.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tony Yang and Melinda Wang's household continues to grow
25 Mar - Tony Yang and wife Melinda Wang are radiating excitement as they prepare to welcome their third child this year. The couple, who married in 2020, shared their heartwarming news through a sun-drenched Instagram post that captures their genuine happiness and lets Melinda's growing belly do the talking. Melinda's playful caption, "Vol. 3 coming this year" is brief and to the point. With daughters Anah and Kya already bringing love and laughter to their home, the couple are embracing this new addition with love. The couple did not mention the gender of their unborn child though Melinda had revealed in an interview that she did not feel any discomfort during this pregnancy. (Photo Source: Tony IG)
