Latest news with #officeworkers
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
New York City police say to avoid Times Square due to investigation
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York City Police Department on Monday advised people to avoid Times Square in midtown Manhattan "due to an active police investigation." "Avoid the area of West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan ... Expect emergency vehicles and delays in the surrounding area," the department said in a post on X. An overhead image posted online shows a two-block section of Seventh Avenue between 42nd and 44th Street closed to traffic. Normally the area - one of the busiest in midtown Manhattan - is choked with vehicles and pedestrian traffic on a weekday morning. Office workers in a building at the center of closed section of the avenue were told to move away from windows. Many were gathered in the lobby of 3 Times Square, at the corner of 43rd Street. The police department could not immediately be reached for comment.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
No printers and desktop PCs, Starbucks Korea tells customers
Starbucks customers in South Korea have been asked to stop bringing "bulky items" into cafes to do their office work, after some brought printers and desktop had brought in partitions and more than one computer to mark their office many people choose to work from home, cafes like Starbucks have been trying to strike the balance between being a casual coffee place and welcoming customers choosing to work said laptops, iPads, and mobile phones are still welcome but not items that "impact the shared space" and limit seating. Starbucks's announcement comes as the growing trend of those studying and working at cafes - cagongjok - becomes a subject of intense debate in Korean society. Since the pandemic, as the trend towards working from home escalates, many have started using the term cagonjok in not-so-friendly terms, showing irritation at those who use the seats for hours after only buying one users in Korea on social media have said cagonjok are also freeloading electricity."If you can't afford an office space and Starbucks is silly enough to let you run your office there for the price of their less-than-mediocre sugary caffeine beverage, go for it," said one user on Reddit. 'Bad manners' Koreans on social media have been reacting to the announcement from Starbucks."Good job," said one Korean user on social media. "Now that Starbucks has started, other cafes should follow suit".Another said that people working from cafes made him stop going to Starbucks, and that the announcement is a "measure against those who've crossed the line with their bad manners"."It feels like there are way too many people without common sense these days," the user wrote. A spokesperson for Starbucks said: "Starbucks Korea has updated its policy so all customers can have a pleasant and accessible store experience. "While laptops and smaller personal devices are welcome, customers are asked to refrain from bringing desktop computers, printers, or other bulky items that may limit seating and impact the shared space". "Starbucks remains committed to being a welcoming third place for coffee and connection, and where community thrives in every cup, every conversation, and every visit", Starbucks concluded, though its mild-mannered response hides the derision many feel for those seen to be hogging seats at cafes. Starbucks's in South Korea move echoes sentiment in cafes across the world, including in England where some coffee shops have introduced policies aimed at stopping remote workers from "hogging" tables and limiting turnover. Additional reporting by Hosu Lee.
Independent Singapore
01-08-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
'What's that smell?' — Netizen asks why Marina Bay suddenly reeks of manure
Screengrab from SINGAPORE: If you've recently sauntered around Singapore's famous Marina Bay and caught a scent of something less-than-agreeable in the air, you're not alone. Over the past week, locals and office workers have taken to social media—particularly Reddit—to sympathise and solve an unidentified smell that's plainly been dangling in the air — Why does the whole Marina Bay expanse smell like dung? The initial post was as candid as it was significant: 'Why does the whole Marina Bay area smell like manure? Has been for a week. Very strong smell blanketing the whole area. Is there some manure factory nearby?' Then came a torrent of replies. One Redditor, who works in an office within that zone, quickly presented some insight: 'Our offices are there, so I know a thing or two. NParks has just distributed fertiliser on all the greenery around the Marina Bay area. Will need 'a few weeks for it to dissipate' apparently. Still nasty, especially with the humidity.' That appears to be the most probable elucidation—good, antiquated fertiliser, and not just any fertiliser, but the kind that brings you memories of cow grassland on a scorching afternoon. The odour, strengthened by Singapore's dampness, has become a prominent occurrence in the otherwise unspoiled business and leisure area. Others joined in with their experiences. 'OMG YAAAR,' one netizen exclaimed. 'I was just thinking the same and wanted to post on Reddit also. LOL. Glad you asked—have to breathe shallowly every time I pass that field.' Some picked humour as their coping mechanism—'I farted… Thought no one would notice. Sorry…' Others presumed that it might be barge-related: 'Probably planting works going on somewhere… In the absence of that, maybe a barge offshore somewhere carrying a load of fertiliser.' Based on the post's responses, everything points back to the fertiliser. NParks, Singapore's National Parks Board, sporadically treats green spaces around the city with organic fertiliser to preserve the opulent landscape gardening that the tiny nation is renowned for. Regrettably, it's not always a scent-free process. So, if you're passing through Marina Bay and find yourself holding your breath—or breathing superficially, like one ingenious Redditor—you now know why. It's not a cesspit issue, not an offshore accident, and not an impish barge. It's just the price of keeping Singapore green and alive. The odour should dwindle in a week or two. Until then, maybe pack a box of handkerchiefs? () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Daily Mail
01-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
A new $20 buy from Kmart calmed my frantic, stressed mind in seconds
A $20 lamp has emerged as an unlikely favourite at Kmart this week, with the unique buy dubbed a 'hero' among the luxe new August Living collection. The Water Ripple Light, which is inspired by the trending ambient décor trend of late, projects 'soothing' wave patterns onto walls in different colours. The ripple effect is thought to transform any room into a 'calm and ambient' space, with many shoppers already reporting 'instant relaxation' and 'serenity'. Perfect for weary office workers and frantic parents, the light also comes with 16 colour options, boasts a five-hour run time after charging and has adjustable brightness for 'different moods'. The light also has intuitive touch control, a wireless remote and easy USB charging. While it may seem like a bit of a novelty 'fad', research has reported significant benefits of waterscapes and water-themed lighting on psychological health. These include a potential reduction in anxiety, a boost in creativity and a noticeable positive impact on insomnia, burnout and stress. As always, it's best to visit a health professional if you are struggling with any of these conditions or symptoms. The quirky lamp has already sold out online - but it's not the only light at Kmart causing a buzz recently. The Kmart LED Light with Sensor, $12, has been a popular buy since its launch and has received more than 120 five-star reviews. The light panel contains four white LED lights with an adhesive strip on the back that can be affixed to walls and other surfaces for an instant touch of luxury. Many creative shoppers have positioned them underneath benches, counters and cupboards to create an up-lit effect. 'Love this light, it looks amazing under the kitchen cupboard and adds a little bit of class,' noted one. One mum added that the lights have 'worked wonders' in her home, especially in the corridor, which is usually too dark to walk through to the bathroom in the middle of the night. 'My son is afraid of the dark. I placed the LED sensor lights in the corridor for him to help light his way if he ever needs to use the toilet at night. They have worked wonders. Everyone in the family is happy... it has saved my sleep,' she raved. Another way that DIY enthusiasts have used the light is to create a spotlight effect on feature points. The quirky lamp has already sold out online - but it's not the only light at Kmart causing a buzz recently. The Kmart LED Light with Sensor, $12, has been a popular buy since its launch and has received more than 120 five-star reviews For instance, one shopper shared a photo of how they'd placed it above their chic designer appliances. While some shoppers appreciated the light for its aesthetic capabilities, others were impressed by it on a purely practical level. The only complaint was that the product is so popular, it's often sold out. 'Shame that these are so hard to come by as they are fantastic,' a disappointed shopper wrote.
Wall Street Journal
30-07-2025
- Wall Street Journal
Beyond ‘Run, Hide, Fight': What to Do in an Active-Shooter Situation
It's a rare, nightmare scenario yet one that more people have confronted in recent years: A shooter shows up at your workplace—as one did at a Park Avenue office tower in New York City this week—forcing quick decisions. For years, the most commonly advised approach has boiled down to three words: run, hide, fight. But many security experts say that thinking has evolved and that additional tactics, such as building barricades, breaking through windows and creating distractions, can be critical to survival.
