Samsung Electronics said Friday that it expects to introduce flexible displays for mobile handsets during the first half of 2012.“We’re looking to roll out flexible displays sometime in 2012, hopefully the earlier part rather than the latter,” Robert Yi, vice president of investor relations at Samsung Electronics, said during its quarterly earnings conference call.“We will start with handsets and migrate to tablet PCs and other devices.”Kang Bong-ku, vice president of the firm’s television busin

NEW YORK (AP) ― The Fukushima nuclear disaster released twice as much of a dangerous radioactive substance into the atmosphere as Japanese authorities estimated, reaching 40 percent of the total from Chernobyl, a preliminary report says.The estimate of much higher levels of radioactive cesium-137 comes from a worldwide network of sensors. Study author Andreas Stohl of the Norwegian Institute for Air Research says the Japanese government estimate came only from data in Japan, and that would have

DETROIT (AP) ― Moody’s Investors Service raised the corporate debt ratings for General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. on Thursday, citing new labor agreements and improvements in their finances.The ratings were raised from “Ba2” to “Ba1,” which is one notch below investment grade. The upgrades will make it cheaper for the automakers to borrow money.Ford and GM’s debt fell below investment grade in 2005 when the companies were deeply indebted. GM later declared bankruptcy and took government loans

  Oahu’s fresh farm-to-table cuisine captivates international gourmandsOAHU, Hawaii ― When Manny Miles, 27, looks out from his farm field across the majestic Waianae Valley in Oahu, he sees a bright future for the food industry in Hawaii.Hawaii is a tourist paradise and has a long history as a favorite destination for honeymooners, but the tropical islands are now trying to receive high marks for its culinary scene.And young farmers like Miles have been at the heart of the farm-to-table movement

Classical Music“Trio Owon”: Classical music group Trio Owon, led by cellist Yang Sung-won, will hold its debut concert in Korea at the LG Arts Center on Nov. 6. The other two members are pianist Emmanuel Strosser and violinist Olivier Charlier. The name “Owon” comes from late Korean painter Jang Seung-up (1843-1897), who was depicted in Im Kwon-taek’s 2002 film “Painted Fire.” The trio will showcase German Romantic musicians in the 19th century -- Schumann, Mendelssohn and Brahms. Tickets range