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Citroen India has began a month lengthy service campaign for its customers this festive season. The service program will likely be lively in all L’Atelier Citroen workshops in 20 cities throughout India. The service campaign will begin from October 15 and can finish on November 15, 2022.
During the month-long campaign, Citroen will likely be providing unique advantages comparable to assured reward for service journey, 15 % off on automotive care therapies together with exterior/inside enhancements, underbody anti-rust remedy, 20 % off choose Citroen C5 Aircross of low cost. Festive gives on SUV equipment and merchandise and the C5 Aircross SUV and the brand new C3 Extended Warranty Package. However, Citroen has stated that each one these gives will likely be legitimate for a restricted time, and will likely be relevant on choose fashions, elements and equipment.
Also learn: Citron C3 worth hiked for the primary time since launch, turns into costlier by Rs 18,000
The service campaign will begin from October 15 and can finish on November 15, 2022.
Saurabh Vats, Brand Head, Citroen India stated, “With the festive season approaching, Citroen India will proceed to give attention to offering top quality buyer expertise as at all times. We are thrilled to open the model’s first month-long Festive Service Camp for our customers. This campaign will present customers a possibility to get their automobiles inspected by our skilled technicians and avail enticing value-added providers and packages.”
Also Read: 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross Review
Currently, Citron India has two fashions on sale in India – the Citron C3 and the C5 Aircross. The Citroen C3 is priced from Rs. 5.88 lakh to Rs. 8.15 lakh, whereas the C5 Aircross is obtainable in just one variant – Shine, which is priced at Rs. 36.67 lakh (all costs ex-showroom, Delhi).
#Citron #monthlong #service #campaign #customers #festive #season


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Richard Kessler, who founded Kesslers Diamonds in 1980, is no longer working at the diamond retailer. The company confirmed his departure on Nov. 7, but declined to provide specifics about it.
[caption id="attachment_361474" align="alignright" width="300"] Richard Kessler and Joe Gehrke[/caption]
“Since it is a personnel matter, we cannot share more detail,” the Kesslers board of directors said in a statement. “As a 100 percent employee owned company, our employee owners are committed to continue moving the company forward. We have had a leadership succession plan in place since July of 2017. Our clients can expect the same high quality of product and service going forward, including our miraculous warranty.”
Joe Gehrke, a longtime commercial banker at Associated Bank, was named president of Kesslers in June 2017, and Richard Kessler became chief executive officer in a planned succession. At that time, Kessler said it would take at least 18 months to onboard Gehrke, and he planned to transition out of the company at an undetermined time.
Kesslers formed an employee stock ownership plan in 2011, and transitioned the company to a 100 percent ESOP in 2016.
The retailer’s projected 2018 revenue is $35 million. It has grown to seven locations in the region and has plans to open a store near the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets. Its rapid growth earned Kesslers a Future 50 Master Mettle award in September.

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(Beyond Pesticides, March 9, 2017) A recent European Parliament (EP) report concludes that organic agriculture and food offer clear human health benefits over chemical-intensive agriculture. The report, Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture, which was written by scientists from universities across Europe, used existing scientific literature to assess the human health effects from organic agricultural systems. The authors determined that organic agriculture has considerable benefits, including reduction in antibiotic resistance, lowered levels of cadmium in organic crops, and decreased dietary pesticide exposure levels.
According to the EP report, “Overall, consumption of organic food substantially decreases the consumer’s dietary pesticide exposure, as well as acute and chronic risks from such exposure.” Organic farming is a systems approach that values healthy, biologically active soils to support plant life and provide critical environmental benefits, such as improved water infiltration, pest suppression, and carbon storage. It is through this preventive, systems approach that organic agriculture eliminates the necessity for pesticides, and instead relies upon soil health to prevent the problems that chemical-intensive agriculture cannot.
This report adds to the growing body of evidence on impaired learning and lowered IQs in children prenatally exposed to low levels of certain pesticides, such as organophosphates. The combined evidence in the report suggests that human exposure to pesticides in the European Union (EU) “may cost at least €125 billion per year, as calculated from the loss of lifetime income due to the lower IQs associated with prenatal exposures.” The authors also note that this number is almost certainly an underestimation, as it does not account for the “possible contribution made by pesticides to the development of other prevalent diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.”
In terms of antibiotic use and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, organic agriculture offers a clear solution according to the European Parliament report. Globally and domestically, more antibiotics are used in conventional animal agriculture than for treating sick humans. The development of antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health, and according to the report, “Organic production may offer a way of restricting and even decreasing the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Organic broilers and pigs, but not dairy cows, are less likely to develop diseases related to intensive production compared to animals in conventional production.” It is also important to note that until 2014, antibiotics were allowed in domestic organic apple and pear production, but are now prohibited. To learn more about agriculture’s uses of antibiotics in the U.S., refer to Beyond Pesticides’ report, Agricultural Uses of Antibiotics Escalate Bacterial Resistance.
Another notable difference that the report found are the significantly lower levels of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in organically grown foods compared to conventionally grown foods. According to the authors, the “long-term use of mineral phosphorus fertilizer has contributed to increased cadmium concentrations in agricultural soils” when compared to crops fertilized with animal manure, as is allowed in organic systems. In the short-term, ingesting high levels of cadmium residues can cause vomiting and stomach irritation, and prolonged exposure to low levels can cause kidney damage and bone fragility. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry cites research showing that cadmium tends to accumulate in plant leaves, and therefore is more risky, especially for leafy vegetables grown on contaminated soils.
The document also includes policy recommendations for the EU and offers five choices based on the science that was reviewed and the existing EU policies. The five options are:
- No action;
- Pursue and intensify EU policies for food safety;
- Support organic agriculture by investing in research, development, innovation and implementation;
- Improve the business environment of organic agriculture through fiscal instruments; and/or
- Support sustainable food consumption patterns.
Without a clear investment in organic agriculture across all sectors in Europe, as well as in the U.S., it is less likely that supply will match the growing demand for these products. Organic production and demand for organic products has been rapidly expanding in the U.S. and the EU. In 2016, U.S. organic farmland reached its highest level yet, at 5.4 million acres. However, this is dwarfed by the 27 million acres, or 11.1 million hectares, of organic farmland in the EU as of 2015.
Support for organic agricultural systems is especially timely, following the release of a report by the United Nations that concluded that industrialized agriculture has not succeeded in eliminating world hunger, and has only hurt human health and the environment in its wake. With a growing understanding about the false promises that chemical-intensive, industrial agricultural systems have provided, policy makers and citizens around the world must push for fair food systems that place biologically regenerative, organic agriculture at the center.
Beyond Pesticides has long promoted the importance of organic in a sustainable food system, and works to promote the widespread transition of conventional farmland to organic production. Organic law requires that farmers adopt an organic systems plan to support soil biology, ecological balance, and pest prevention. Beyond Pesticides provides many opportunities to get involved in protecting and advancing the integrity of the organic label, and encourages public action to ensure organic’s strong standards remain intact. To find out more about the work Beyond Pesticides is doing on organic integrity, check out Keeping Organic Strong, or to see all the reasons to go organic, visit Eating with a Conscience.
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.


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Consumer minister Nick Boles pledged last week to look into ways supermarket price comparisons can be made simpler for shoppers.
The study is in response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) investigation into Which?’s super complaint, which alleged misleading pricing practices in the groceries market.
Misleading pricing practices
Responding to the government probe Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “It's good to see the government supporting our super complaint and committing to end the confusion around supermarket pricing by strengthening the rules.
“These changes now need to be implemented without delay to ensure consumers are no longer subjected to misleading pricing practices. Cracking down on dodgy offers will be good for consumers and competition.”
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is to launch a consultation later this autumn to examine options to improve unit pricing, including measures to simplify existing unit pricing legislation.
Taking compliance seriously
The CMA report did not find systemic problems in the way that supermarkets display prices and found that generally retailers were taking compliance seriously, said a government spokesman. But the CMA plans to take action where it has identified examples of potentially misleading and confusing practices, he added.
Consumer minister Nick Boles said: “Shoppers need to be able to get the best deal and make comparisons easily so we will look at how we can make information on price as clear and as simple as possible.
“The government takes the Competition and Market Authority’s findings and recommendations seriously and it is important that the supermarkets do too.”
Meanwhile, last week the Chartered Trading Standards Institute launched its consultation on the Pricing Practices Guide clarifying how the legislation applies to certain promotional practices – a key recommendation made by the CMA.


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The year 2021 saw several notable Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) from companies such as Coinbase Global, UiPath, Roblox, Bumble, Coupang, Oatly Group, and Krispy Kreme. An IPO is a significant event for a company as it allows it to raise capital, increase its visibility, and potentially provide an exit for its early investors and founders. While going public can bring credibility, prestige, and help attract new investors, customers, and business partners, the IPO process itself can be both time-consuming and expensive.
Initial public offerings (IPOs) are a big step for the companies that manage to reach such a stage. IPOs represent a significant milestone for a company to be able to access funding, helping them to grow their business to the next level.
Every year there are a number of exciting companies that go public with their company shares. Here we’ll explore what IPOs are, the pros and cons, and the most notable IPOs of 2021.
Notable IPOs of 2021
Coinbase Global went public on April 14, 2021, offering 114.8 million shares. The company’s shares opened at $381 and closed at $328.28 on the first day of trading. Coinbase’s IPO raised a whopping $4.4 billion, making it one of the most successful IPOs of the year so far. The market debut of Coinbase was a significant event for the cryptocurrency industry, highlighting the growing mainstream acceptance of digital currencies as a legitimate asset class.
Coinbase Global is a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows customers to buy, sell, and trade digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
UiPath went public on April 21, 2021. With over 23 million shares offered, the company raised a whopping $1.34 billion. The IPO opened at $65.50 per share, and by the end of the day, the stock price had climbed to $69 per share, marking a successful debut for UiPath on the public market.
UiPath is a software company that provides a platform for robotic process automation (RPA), which allows businesses to automate repetitive and mundane tasks.
Roblox had its IPO on March 10, 2021, with 199 million shares offered at $64.50. The share price rose during the day, closing at $69.5, and the IPO raised a total of $2.3 billion. The popular gaming platform’s IPO was eagerly anticipated and saw strong demand from investors.
Roblox is an online gaming platform and game creation system that allows users to create their own games and play games created by other users.
On February 11, 2021, Bumble, the dating app catered to women, went public with its IPO. Bumble offered 50 million shares at $76 per share, raising a whopping $2.15 billion. Despite its impressive debut, Bumble’s share price closed at $70.55, lower than the opening price.
Bumble is a dating app that allows users to make meaningful connections and build relationships. It is unique in that it requires women to initiate conversations with matches.
South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange on March 11, 2021, offering 130 million shares at $63.50 per share. However, the stock closed lower at $49.25 per share, marking a 22.4% drop. Despite this, Coupang still managed to raise an impressive $4.6 billion, making it the biggest IPO of the year so far.
Coupang is a South Korean e-commerce company that offers a wide range of products and services, including home goods, groceries, and clothing.
In May 2021, Oatly Group went public with 84,376,000 shares offered at $22.12. While the stock price closed lower at $20.20, the IPO raised $1.4 billion, highlighting the growing demand for plant-based alternatives in the food industry.
Oatly Group is a Swedish-based food company known for its oat milk products. The company produces a range of plant-based dairy alternatives, including milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
Krispy Kreme, the popular donut chain, went public on July 1, 2021, offering 29.4 million shares at $16.30 each. The shares opened at $16.30 and closed at $21.00, raising $500 million.
Krispy Kreme is an American doughnut company that offers a variety of doughnuts and other baked goods.
What is an IPO
IPO stands for Initial Public Offering, which is the process by which a private company becomes a public company by offering shares of its stock to the public for the first time. The proceeds from the sale of the shares go to the company, which can use the funds for various purposes, such as funding growth, paying off debt, or making acquisitions. An IPO is a significant event for a company, as it allows it to raise capital, increase its visibility, and potentially provide an exit for its early investors and founders.
The Pros and Cons of IPOs
On the plus side, going public can bring a level of credibility and prestige to a company’s name. By being listed on a major stock exchange, it can help attract new investors, customers, and business partners, as well as provide a way to raise more capital for expansion and innovation.
A major downside of IPOs is the cost and complexity of the IPO process itself, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. Public companies also face greater monitoring and regulation, as they are required to disclose financial information and meet reporting requirements to shareholders and regulatory bodies. Also, public companies may experience pressure from shareholders to prioritize short-term profits over long-term growth and innovation.
Here is a list of the benefits and drawbacks to consider.
- Access to capital.
- Enhanced visibility and credibility.
- Increased liquidity.
- Employee incentives.
- Being part of the stock market can help a company secure better terms from lenders.
- Additional regulatory requirements.
- Founders may lose control of their company.
- IPO transaction costs.
What happened to the stock market in 2021?
Despite modest losses on the last day of the year, the stock market had a successful 2021 due to key trends like a sagging bond market and a sector rotation away from high-growth companies, which helped boost the broader market. On the final day of trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all experienced losses of varying degrees. However, overall, the stock indexes performed well in 2021, with gains driven by these trends.
What is the largest IPO in history?
The largest IPO (initial public offering) in history was the IPO of Saudi Arabian oil company Saudi Aramco, which was launched in December 2019. The company raised $29.4 billion by selling 1.5% of its shares on the Saudi stock exchange, the Tadawul. The IPO surpassed the previous record held by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, which raised $25 billion in its IPO in 2014.
How many companies went public in 2021?
In 2021, a total of 1035 companies went public through initial public offerings (IPOs) in the United States. More than double the number from 2020.
- IPOs can bring a level of credibility and prestige to a company’s name and provide a way to raise more capital for expansion and innovation.
- The notable IPOs of 2021 are Coinbase Global, UiPath, Roblox, Bumble, Coupang, Oatly Group, and Krispy Kreme.
- Going public can also be complex, time-consuming, and expensive, with greater monitoring and regulation, and pressure from shareholders to prioritize short-term profits over long-term growth and innovation.
View Article Sources
- Latham, S., & Braun, M. R. (2010). To IPO or not to IPO: Risks, uncertainty and the decision to go public. British Journal of Management, 21(3), 666–683
- IPOs — Nasdaq
- Number of IPOs in the U.S. 1999-2022 | Statista
- S&P 500®. (n.d.) — S&P Dow Jones Indices
- Companies That Had Their IPO In 2017 — SuperMoney
- Companies that had their IPO in 2015 — SuperMoney
- Companies That Had Their IPO in 2011 — SuperMoney
- Companies That Had Their IPO In 2016 — SuperMoney
Allan Du is a personal finance writer passionate about helping people take control of their finances. Allan strives to present readers with the right knowledge and tools, so they can make informed decisions about their money and build wealth. When he is not writing about finance, Allan enjoys pursuing his other interests, including powerlifting, kickboxing, and investing. He is an active follower of economic and political trends, always keeping watch on the latest developments that could impact the financial world.


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The value of alleged fraud fell by 36% to £724m in 2020, down from £1.1bn in 2019, despite lockdown fraudsters taking advantage of consumer uncertainty.
According to the annual KPMG Fraud Barometer, which records fraud cases of more than £100,000, the volume of cases seen by courts also declined, down by 51% in 2020, with a total of 180 cases compared to 369 cases in 2019.
KPMG suggested that if one film piracy case was successful, it would have cost the industry an estimated £200m, nearly doubling the value of fraud committed up to July 2020.
By excluding this outlier, the data for the whole of 2020 demonstrates a “significant” decrease in the value of fraud cases compared to last year.
Procurement fraud rose by 200% from £16m in 2019 to £49m the previous year, however. Additionally the value of loan and mortgage fraud “ballooned” 675% from £9.7m to over £75m with the number of cases reportedly falling by one.
Roy Waligora, head of UK investigations at KPMG, said: “As we reflect on the 2020 fraud data, the brewing backlog of untried cases continuing to build up like water behind a dam cannot be ignored.
“Businesses and the general public must be cognisant of the fact that the drop in both the value and volume of fraud cases is not reflective of a downturn in economic crime, but rather fallout following the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on the courts.”
He added: “We know that disruption and uncertainty make for inviting economic components for fraudsters. COVID-19, coupled with Brexit, which tipped the scales towards the end of 2020, means that 2021 will remain at high risk for fraud and economic crime.
“While a tsunami of fraud is still expected to hit the courts in 2021, it is evident that progressive measures, such as virtual courts, being put in place to manage the upcoming cases will likely ease the backlog.”


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TOKYO (The Japan News/ANN) — Many distribution businesses are welcoming the new trade agreement between Japan and the United States, which they expect to reduce tariffs on U.S. agricultural products.
However, discussions over eliminating U.S. tariffs on Japanese automobiles are to continue and the automotive industry remains worried that the United States is considering imposing additional tariffs for national security reasons.
One item expected to benefit from the new agreement is American beef. The current tariff rate of 38.5 percent could drop to 9 percent by fiscal 2033.
“If tariffs are reduced, it’ll be easier for us to procure ingredients. The benefits will be big,” said a representative of Royal Holdings Co., a leading restaurant business that serves American steaks at its Royal Host chain.
“We want to come up with measures that will please our customers, like rewards or price cuts,” said a representative of Pepper Food Service Co., which runs the restaurant chain Ikinari Steak.
Expectations are also high for the elimination of tariffs on U.S. wines. A representative of Aeonliquor Co., which handles wine imports for the Aeon Group, said, “Once things like the date [that the pact] will go into effect are decided, we’ll start thinking about putting American wines on sale.”
“Lower prices could energize the wine market,” a Mercian Corp. official said.
Some Farmers Concerned
While some domestic farmers see opportunities for increasing exports to the United States, others are worried about competition from U.S. products.
Starzen Co., a meat wholesaler that has exported Japanese beef to the United States for more than 10 years, is bullish on the prospect of expanding its U.S. Market.
This is because the maximum amount of beef that Japan can export to the United States at the low tariff of 4.4 U.S. cents (about ¥5) per kilogram is expected to be expanded from the current 200 tons per year to about 65,000 tons. The new limit covers total exports from several countries.
“If a lot of high-quality U.S. beef comes in, Japanese beef will be at a disadvantage,” said a 41-year-old livestock farmer in Maebashi with about 150 cattle.
A rice farmer in their 40s from Niigata Prefecture had complicated feelings about shelving the tariff-free quota for imported rice, saying, “It’s good that the Japanese market will be protected in the short term, but it won’t necessarily last over the medium to long term.”
Talks on Auto Tariffs to Continue
Tomomi Nakamura, president of Subaru Corp., which sells about 60 percent of its automobiles in the United States, was pleased that vehicles exported to the United States would avoid high tariffs. “I’m grateful that the agreement was signed,” he told reporters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
However, talks are expected to continue regarding the Japanese government’s request that the United States eliminate its 2.5 percent tariff on passenger cars and auto parts.
“I hope the certainty of future production and employment in Japan will be maintained and strengthened,” said Noritada Okano, chairman of the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association and chairman emeritus of Riken Corp.
the United States is the largest destination for big Japanese carmakers. In 2018, Japan exported 1.73 million vehicles to the United States, or about 20 percent of its production.
“Even having avoided punitive duties, I don’t feel reassured,” a representative of an auto parts maker said.
“The risk that the administration of [U.S. President Donald] Trump will use tariffs as a negotiating card has not gone away,” said Masaki Kuwahara, a senior economist at Nomura Securities Co.
By Kentaro Matsumoto and Hironari Akiyama


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The mecca for all Filipino gamers, Electronic Sports and Gaming Summit, better known as ESGS 2019, is back for their 6th consecutive year! Co-presented by PLDT Home Fibr and Smart Telecom and organized by Gariath Concepts, this year’s event will definitely be awesome and more epic than ever before.
What to expect?
This year, ESGS is taking the whole of SMX and by that I also mean its bigger than it’s ever been before. Honestly it’ll be like walking into the Philippine’s biggest Cyberzone, (if you pardon the SM naming) except there’s a lot more free stuff, brands you never see in malls, lots of discounted gaming products, merchandise, tournaments for your favorite eSport, and gaming brands and communities come out of the woodwork to celebrate and enjoy this hobby we’ve gotten ourselves into.
ESGS 2019 Cosplay Competition
You can’t have a big esports event without cosplay. This has been the norm for the past years in gaming conventions. For 2019, contestants will compete in their best fighting game costumes, along with their best moves.
ESGS 2019 Featured Games
ESGS 2019 has a couple new and old games up there feature sleeve like Just Dance 2019, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, and Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, these are just to name a few.
Game Testing and Preview
One of the reasons why ESGS 2019 is a must-attend is because it’s an event where major, local, and independent game developers get to introduce their games. It has become a great avenue for both players who are avidly waiting to upgrade their systems, and developers looking for feedback on their products.
Companies selling computers, consoles, gaming systems, and accessories were present at the event to showcase and sell their products at a special event discount.
Free Play and Activities
Games and gaming rigs are not the only things to expect every ESGS. This year, companies took it further and let event attendees participate in activities, and even held raffles for various game items, merchandise, and products.
E-Sports is the highlight of ESGS–and this year, tournaments were held both on the main stage and sponsor booths. Mobile and PC game tournaments happened almost every hour of the three-day event, including the Road to Nationals tournament for Tekken 7 and DOTA 2.
ESGS 2019 will also set the spotlight for homegrown talent, as indie game developers will be able to showcase their creations at the Indie Fiesta. The Independent Game Developers Association will go full support for the young and aspiring developers, where attendees can try out a total of 40 upcoming games. The Game and Developers Association of the Philippines will also conduct workshops and seminars at the GameOn Area.
Learn more about Esports and Video Games! Listen to in-depth talks from industry experts as they present actual case studies, get to know the stories behind successful Esports campaigns, and network with the biggest brands in the industry. Take a look at the business side of Esports.
Merchandise and Artist Alley
Expect a lot, yes, a lot of merchandise at ESGS 2019. With the Artist Alley, fans can check out fan arts, ask for artwork commissions, and purchase other awesome works from talented artists. There’s also a merchandise area for those who want to buy action figures, apparels and other cool stuff. Of course, ESGS-Exclusive merchandise will also be on sale!
Find a current favorite artist/shop or discover a new one! Here’s the current list of Official Artist Alley Sellers that was announced:
- Ascendance Group of Artists
- Cookie Crusader
- Floof Factory
- Graphic Geeks
- HMT Studios
- Minami Yokai
- Owo Whats Dis
- Pixel Hero
- Poring Prints
- Psycho Potato Arts
- Random Artist
- Ronin Panda
- Silaw Publishing
- Tabby Draws
- Team Eight
- The Izzy Peasy
- The Magic Conch
- Timelax Mini Creations
- We Draw Things
Of course, we will also be an official exhibitor during the event. Drop by our booth and learn how to get wallet code using your phone’s load.
A career in Esports has always been regarded with skepticism in the Philippines but as the rise in popularity of gaming, and conventions like ESGS 2019 introducing young talents and developers, there is no doubt that the future would be A-Ok. See you there!


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The accord signed last week between Iran and six other countries designed to curtail the former’s nuclear programme involves the lifting of certain restrictions on the trade of vehicles and automotive parts, which could be of particular advantage to carmakers with previous links to the country, including Renault, PSA Peugeot Citroën and Kia Motors. The announcement also bodes well for business amongst transport and logistics providers active in the region.
The deal was struck on November 24th in Geneva and involves the US, Russia, China, France, Germany and the UK. Part of it involves the suspension of sanctions imposed on trade in the automotive and aviation sectors, as well as on petrochemical exports and gold and precious metals.
Iran’s economy has been crippled by the sanctions and on its access to the global financial system. The cost to Iran in lost revenue since the sanctions were imposed in 2010 is estimated to be $120 billion, according to US Treasury estimates.
In terms of automotive trade, the easing of sanctions will restore $500m in lost trade to Iran over six months, according to officials from the Obama Administration quoted by news and analysis source Bloomberg.
French carmaker Renault has welcomed the joint plan of action but said it would be looking at the details before making any further announcement. "The first step is to study the deal closely," a spokesperson told Automotive Logistics. "We are monitoring the implementation of this agreement carefully and plan to resume operations accordingly as and when details become known."
Iran was an important market for Renault and rival French carmaker PSA Peugeot in terms of complete knockdown (CKD) exports and the prospect of renewed business could be welcome news given the continued slow performance in the European market.
Cost of withdrawal
Iran was PSA’s second biggest market for CKD exports and it was the top carmaker in the country, selling 458,000 vehicles there in 2011. When the company’s automotive division recorded an operating loss more than €1.5 billion ($2.04 billion) for the year in its 2012 financial results, the suspension of sales of CKD kits to Iran was among the factors.
Renault, meanwhile, built Logan and Megane sedans in conjunction with Tehran-based automakers Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) and Pars Khodro. It sold 103,000 vehicles there last year. Following its withdrawal later in 2012, Renault had to write off the value of its business in Iran, which hit the company’s profits in the first half of this year. First half operating income and expenses showed a deficit of €832m, of which €512m represented its entire exposure in the Iranian market.
However, share prices at Renault and PSA were seen to improve following the announcement of the Iran accord. Shares in Peugeot rose 4.45% to €10.68 this week and Renault’s shares increased 1.4% to €65.35.
Iran was also an important market for Kia Motors in terms of both CKD and finished vehicle exports. Prior to sanctions imposed by the South Korean government in 2010, it was exporting more than 4,000 vehicles to the country and more than 17,000 in CKD form for local assembly. Kia’s Pride hatchback accounted for between 30-40% of vehicles driven in Iran.
A spokesperson for Kia Motors said the announcement of the nuclear pact did not have any immediate impact of on its current business because it had yet to be notified by the related government parties about any consequent action on the easing of sanctions.
Logistics providers are also waiting to see how the situation develops and how trends in imports and exports are affected.
Grimaldi’s commercial and logistics director, Costantino Baldissara, who is also president of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics, said that finished vehicle logistics providers hoped to benefit from a pattern change “that definitively triggers new possibilities on the market”. He added that they would try to serve OEMs’ logistics plans by granting the right capacity for new potential flows.
International meeting for carmakers
Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade is holding an international conference for foreign carmakers in the capital Tehran on November 30th designed to revive its cooperation with them and introduce the capabilities of the automotive industry in the country. One of the stated aims of the conference is to discuss Iran’s potential as an export location for cars and parts to neighbouring countries, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Iran Khodro, Iran’s biggest carmaker with a 40% share of the market, which is a major sponsor of the conference, recently held meetings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss the impact sanctions and the devaluation of its currency were having on its business.


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An engineering firm being sued by the state of Minnesota says it's not responsible for the fatal collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge two years ago. The Star Tribune reports that URS Corp. filed its response Thursday to the lawsuit. The San Francisco-based firm notes that as recently as last year, state officials were praising the firm's work on the old bridge and that the state has hired URS for subsequent projects.
An Arizona sheriff who has aggressively cracked down on illegal immigration sent deputies into a Phoenix paper plant where they arrested 44 employees suspected of identity theft or immigration violations. Sheriff Joe Arpaio says Thursday's raid on the Royal Paper Converting Co.
Boeing Co. agreed Thursday to pay the U.S. government $25 million to settle claims the company did defective work on critical military refueling planes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The settlement arose out of a whistle-blower lawsuit filed in Texas by two former Boeing workers who will now receive $2.
PPG Industries, a maker of paints, coatings and other specialty products, said Thursday one of its subsidiaries received a contract to redesign laminated glass windshields for Boeing's next-generation 737 airplanes. Pittsburgh-based PPG said its aerospace transparencies business was awarded the contract by Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing supplier based in Wichita, Kan.
Ford said Thursday it will build more of its popular Focus and Escape models and boost total vehicle production later this year to help dealers restock depleted showrooms. The automaker needs to keep up with demand for its Focus compact car and Escape crossover, both ranked as top sellers under the federal government's Cash for Clunkers program.
“It was a scary night,” says Quandt, of the blaze that broke out around 8 pm back in May at the chemical distributor’s Columbus, WI facility. “We have a lot of inventory; there were well over 1,000 chemicals involved in that fire. Those of us who work here thought we’d lost it all.
A: The recent economic crisis has obviously had an effect on most companies around the world. The credit crunch, along with instability and uncertainty, has temporarily reshaped how business is done and some of those changes may prove to be permanent. As demand has dropped off in many areas, manufacturers are facing increased pressure for high quality service.
The old adage that a rising tide lifts all boats used to apply to the American economy. It used to mean that good economic policy could grow all sectors of the economy, which would raise the living standards of all Americans. It was a time when the American Dream was truly attainable by any American worker with determination.
As a maintenance professional, you know that for every preventive maintenance measure you take, you save dollars, time, and headaches in the long-run. Your pest management program is no different. By implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, you can help prevent disease-carrying pests from ever entering your facility, reducing possible product contamination and destruction, lost profits, or negative media attention.
by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO It seems the concept of personal responsibility has become skewed over time. What used to be a matter of pride—something one could accomplish based on his or her own volition—is now carrying a more negative connotation. Responsibility has become a matter of who is “at fault” for a certain situation, or how one’s efforts can be excused by sharing the burden of accountability.
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt represents a direction for GM, and maybe you guessed by the name, one that is focused on electricity. In fact, although technically a hybrid, the Chevy Volt uses only electric power to move the wheels. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered by electricity stored in its lithium-ion battery.
General Motors Co. boss Fritz Henderson says a new $43 million plant in southeastern Michigan will assemble battery packs for its new rechargeable electric car. GM's president and chief executive held a news conference Thursday morning at the plant site in Brownstown Township, 20 miles southwest of Detroit.
NextEngine's 3D Scanner — Everything you need to scan and digitize 3D models at a reasonable price. Made in America. Via Jay's Garage . See why 3D scanning and rapid prototyping could change the game for hobbyists, restoration specialists, and even the most mainstream of manufacturers.
3 tips for communicating the right product information to your suppliers every time. Tucked between the hills in a dense patch of pines halfway between Boise and Idaho City is the home office of Fogg Island Tackle. The brainchild of a cadre of entrepreneurial fishing enthusiasts who met as engineering undergrads at Stanford, FIT is a hip, young company frequently profiled in the trade press for its cutting-edge design and manufacturing processes and for pushing the technological envelope of recreational fishing.
Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO One of my favorite all-time movies is Steve McQueen’s Bullitt . It’s not that the movie itself is all that special, but anyone familiar with it knows exactly why it’s among my top picks. It contains a scene that is considered to have revolutionized the way Hollywood filmed car chases.
Robot maker iRobot Corp. said Wednesday it received a $5.1 million order from the U.S. Army for its bomb-disposal robots. The order calls for 14 of the company's iRobot PackBot 510 robots with spare parts. The robot is used by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to help investigate dangerous areas where explosive devices might be present.
A former buyer for Kraft Foods Inc. will spend more than two years in jail for accepting bribes from a Central California supplier of the company's tomato products. Robert L. Watson of White Plains, N.Y., is the first defendant sentenced in the widespread corruption case involving Lemoore, Calif.
Wyoming's cattle population dropped 21 percent during the past decade as ranchers struggled through a persistent drought that gripped much of the state from 1999 until last year. The cattle count in Wyoming dropped from 1.66 million in 1998 to 1.
New federal legislation designed to reduce the risk of salmonella in eggs will cost the industry $81 million, the United Egg producers trade group estimates. Several salmonella scares in recent years linked to other foods, such as peppers, tomatoes, cookie dough and peanut products have caused increased government scrutiny.
Kia Motors Corp said Wednesday that second-quarter net profit quadrupled to a record, boosted by weakness in the local currency and robust vehicle demand in South Korea. Kia Motors, South Korea's second-largest automaker, earned 347.1 billion won ($279 million) in the three months through June, the company said in a regulatory filing.


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Florence Pugh Wore The No-Pants Look In Her Valentino Campaign
She rocked the shoes that dominated the 2010s.
Florence Pugh is officially a Valentino diva. After countless headline-making fashion moments wearing the Italian label, their partnership has finally been hard-launched. I mean, who can forget the Internet-breaking pink sheer dress or this sheer skirt look from PFW fans tried to replicate? Or, more recently, her billowing underwear-as-pants look at the Oscars? Yep, this collaboration is going to be good.
The Don’t Worry Darling star rocked the no-pants look again in her first-ever Valentino campaign, shot by industry heavyweight Steven Meisel. “As you can see.. I’m pretty shocked and ecstatic to announce that my @maisonvalentino campaign is here,” Pugh announced on main yesterday, sharing images from the shoot.
The campaign was all about the Rockstud — studded bags and iconic shoes worn by virtually every style star since they were launched in 2010. In one image, Pugh clutched a metallic silver Rockstud23 bag and the classic pointed pumps. She matched the cult favorite accessories with a saucy ‘fit: a gray long-sleeve bodysuit sans pants.
She wore a similar no-pants look in another campaign image, where she donned a black bodysuit and a rosette choker (one of the Carrie Bradshaw-approved trends blowing up this year). This time, the look was merchandised with a hot pink bag and heels.
In his own Instagram announcement, Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli explained the brand’s choice of muse. “I met Florence right after my couture show, and I was impressed by her intelligence and bravery, the way she stand for herself, the ability to handle any circumstances with such grace and acumen,” he wrote.
This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting pairing, which will begin with the 2023 Met Gala on May 1. Pugh already confirmed she’ll be attending the annual bash wearing a “big” Valentino ensemble. Personally, I can’t wait.


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Final Fantasy 15 is the latest video game in the long running Final Fantasy series, and from what we can tell, this latest addition might turn out to be the best one yet. It won’t be an easy task to carry out, but it is not impossible either.
In a recent Square Enix E3 livestream, Final Fantasy 15 game director, Hajima Tabata, explained that the game will feature over 200 hours’ worth of gameplay, something that will certainly cause for excitement among fans and new players alike. The 200 hours include extra content, which will likely be DLC
From what we have come to understand, it should take players around 40 to 50 hours to complete the main story. But like most players, they will likely finish all the quests before tackling the last aspect of the storyline in order to be strong enough to face the final boss.
Here’s what Tabata had to say via the Square Enix E3 2016 livestream:
“In terms of clearing the main story, we’re anticipating about 40 to 50 hours of gameplay,” Tabata said on the Square Enix E3 livestream. “So at the very least, there’ll be 40 hours’ worth of content to enjoy in the final game.”
He also spoke about upcoming DLC the company is working on for later release.
“With just the extra stuff alone, we’re looking at maybe 100 hours of gameplay,” he said. ”So if you count all of that, maybe we’re looking at 200 hours of gameplay… the final version of the game coming out–about 200 hours total.”
“Final Fantasy 15” in its current state is not perfect, so fans should expect improvements when the final game hit store shelves later in the year when it releases on September 30, 2016, for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.


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The widespread proliferation and popularity of artisanal foods began during the lockdown and continues to move full steam ahead
Updated : March 1, 2021, 10:05 am
Here are few changes that must be required in 2021 for the professionals working in the fashion design industry.
Updated : February 17, 2021, 10:44 am
A long list of foreign investors and businesses set up their bases in Myanmar as soon as the nation began its democratic transition 10 years ago, but this week’s military coup is likely to decelerate all the good work done thus far. It will also lead to the withdrawal of western businesses and possibly expedite China’s expansion.
Updated : February 12, 2021, 12:35 pm
Future Retail Ltd (FRL) on Wednesday said it has filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court against the status quo order on its Rs 24,713-crore deal with Reliance.
Updated : February 3, 2021, 8:52 pm
Where would we be without fashion? To understand that, we must first understand the many roles fashion plays in society, including the following.
Updated : December 11, 2020, 10:08 am
As part of the transaction, Mahindra secures a stake in TVSASPL and in turn, MFCSL will become a subsidiary of TVS ASPL.
Updated : November 26, 2020, 8:07 pm
Triumph India seemed to have fast-tracked the launch of Trident for India, with bookings already open it is likely that the motorcycle may make it to showrooms in line with the rest of global markets.
Updated : November 24, 2020, 3:53 pm
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson will be produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Ulsan, Korea, with deliveries set to begin by the end of next year.
Updated : November 10, 2020, 1:31 pm
As Amazon and Reliance lock horns over the Future deal, a bigger fight seems to be in the offing as two of the richest men in the world eye a bigger share of India's lucrative retail market.
Updated : November 3, 2020, 2:29 pm
The new club of the country's power elite, still dominated by moguls and mavens, is a celebration of India's creative brio as well.
Updated : September 17, 2020, 8:37 pm
As we celebrated National Handloom Day, designers speak to us on whether the modest indigenous fabric has received its due and India's youth have connected with it
Updated : August 8, 2020, 1:23 pm
Not everything is lost in the jewellery industry. New, innovative methods are being adopted to keep businesses running
Updated : July 30, 2020, 12:01 am
Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani made a series of important announcements about the company's future at an annual general meeting. Ambani announced that Google will be investing Rs Rs 33,737 crore in Reliance's Jio Platforms and that that company will be launching its own 5G platform soon.
Updated : July 15, 2020, 6:00 pm
What is a fashion trend all about? That is what Fashion Communication degree deals with. Here’s why it is now a great degree to choose for an off-bear career in fashion!
Updated : June 29, 2020, 7:20 pm
Multi-centre Phase-II drug trial being done by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) shows that its drug can cost lesser by at least 20-30 per cent of the current price. As per the results, it could lead to a major reduction in the cost of the drug required for the treatment of mild and moderate symptoms of coronavirus.
Updated : June 22, 2020, 8:42 am


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Polyphony Digital has revealed that Gran Turismo 5 cost $60 million (£36m) to make.
The figure was confirmed by boss and lead producer Kazunori Yamauchi, but played down the cost by comparing it to other expensive projects.
"There are other games that cost more," he told AutoWeek. "Considering the size and scale of the game, I think it's probably a fairly small amount."
It has been speculated that the most expensive game was Grand Theft Auto IV at $120 million (£72m), while Dreamcast adventure Shenmue was reported to cost $70 million (£42m)
Gran Turismo 5 will be released in March 2010 in Japan.


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Alimentation Couche-Tard says its earnings surged 35% to a record US$435.3 million in its latest quarter as the CST Brands acquisition more than offset the negative impact of hurricanes in the U.S. south.
The Quebec-based convenience store operator, which reports in U.S. dollars, says it earned 76 cents per diluted share in the second quarter of its fiscal year, up from 57 cents or $321.5 million a year earlier.
"This is even more remarkable in light of the challenges faced by some (of) our network due to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and the continued softness in the industry in general," Couche-Tard CEO Brian Hannasch said in a news release.
Couche-Tard said the two hurricanes reduced sales and caused property damage in Texas and Florida costing $4.8 million.
Excluding one-time charges, Couche-Tard earned $458 million for the three months ended Oct. 15. That compared to $328 million in the prior year.
Revenues were $12.1 billion, up 44% from $8.44 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.
Couche-Tard said its fuel revenues were $8.8 billion, with acquisitions contributing about $1.8 billion, while higher selling prices added $819 million.
Excluding the CST network, fuel volumes for stores open at least a year decreased 0.7% in the U.S. as the hurricanes caused store closures and fuel shortages. The CST network, which has 666 stores in Texas, suffered a 5.1% decrease in same-store fuel volumes.
In Canada, fuel volumes excluding CST fell 2.3% mainly due to poor weather conditions in the eastern part of the country. CST Canadian same-store volumes decreased by 6.1%.
European same-store fuel volumes decreased 2.1%.
Merchandise same-store sales grew 0.7% in the U.S. and 1.6% in Europe. Distribution challenges in Western Canada and poor weather in Eastern Canada caused a 1.6% decrease in same-store sales.
Couche-Tard said it had achieved $84 million in cost savings from integrating the San Antonio-based CST Brands network. It expects to realize $150 million to $200 million in savings over three years.
The convenience store retailer purchased CST Brands and its 1,300 locations last August for US$3.4 billion.
The company also purchased and cancelled 4.4 million shares sold by Metro.


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Taipei-Shares of Taiwan-based smartphone brand HTC Corp. moved sharply higher to outperform the broader market Monday after the Investment Commission issued a green light last week to a deal for the company to dispose of part of its smartphone assets to U.S. tech giant Google Inc., dealers said.
The deal is expected to lead HTC to book more than NT$30 billion (US$1 billion) in proceeds in the first quarter of next year, a move that could improve the loss-incurring manufacturer's bottom line significantly for 2018, the dealers said.
More importantly, the massive proceeds are expected to boost liquidity for HTC, which is expected to use the funds to further develop its virtual reality (VR) operations, aimed at reducing the impact from escalating competition in the global smartphone market, they added.
HTC shares rose 5.95 percent to close at NT$73.00 with 26.40 million shares changing hands on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, where the weighted index was up 0.14 percent to end at 10,506.52 points.
"The news of the approval for the deal with Google prompted investors to chase HTC shares soon after the local equity market opened," KGI Securities analyst Phil Chu said. "It seemed that many investors have high hopes that the deal will boost HTC's profitability next year."
On Friday, the Investment Commission announced that it had issued a green light for an application in which HTC will sell its smartphone ODM assets to Google for US$1.1 billion.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year, with HTC to book the earnings for 2018. Foreign institutional investors have estimated that the sale will boost HTC's earnings per share by about NT$40 for next year.
"HTC incurred net loss in the third quarter of this year for the 10th consecutive quarter. The funds from the deal with Google are likely to strengthen HTC's bottom line," Chu said.
HTC's loss per share for the third quarter grew from NT$2.37 in the second quarter to NT$3.8, marking the 10th straight quarter in which the company had reported a net loss. "In addition, the money is expected to be used in VR development, on which HTC has set its sights to climb out of its doldrums in the global smartphone market, where the company is facing stiff competition in both high-end and low-end models," Chu said.
The Vive is one of HTC's gambits to diversify from its core smartphone market and create new revenue streams to turn around its money-losing business.
Jointly developed by HTC and U.S. video game supplier Valve, the Vive was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress show in March 2015 and officially went on sale worldwide in April 2016.
Chu said that investor sentiment has also got a boost from an HTC announcement last week that its Vive Focus, a standalone VR headset unveiled in Beijing in mid-November, has become a hit in the Chinese VR market. The new device helped HTC secure about NT$4.5 billion-worth of orders in China.
"HTC shares are riding the wave of positive news in recent sessions. I expect that the stock could move higher ahead of the nearest strong technical resistance level of around NT$78," Chu said.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel


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Maricris Albert, Fila
Philippines president and CEO, notes that the brand is consistently competitive in the C market on account of its affordable MIC (made-in-China) styles.
After gracing the spring/summer 2019 show of the Milan Fashion Week, Fila
tied up with other brands such as Plain Sneakers by Danke and Weekday.
"In terms of sales results, Fila
Middle East has seen an increase of over 26 per cent in 2017, its fifth year of activity, compared to the previous year," he told the Gulf Industry.
Ranked 19th in the world (out of the top 100 DJs) by Mix Mag in 2012, Aly & Fila
began their DJing journey at the young age of 18.
"As surface protection specialists, the Fila
R&D team has been working on this protection for a while now and we are very excited that our award-winning treatment is now available in the GCC and South Pacific Asia markets."
notes that its solution does not alter the stone and therefore leaves its surface intact.
Born in May 1975, son Yoon joined Fila
USA in 2007 when Fila
Korea took over its global headquarters.
In the transaction, Ravi Shankar was named chief executive officer of Fila
Group and Jonathan Keough was named president and chief operating officer.
M2 EQUITYBITES-June 7, 2017-The Fila
Group Acquires US IT Firm Next Digital Solutions


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Tapestry said Tuesday it had appointed its interim chief executive, Joanne Crevoiserat, to the top job three months after her predecessor left the company amid misconduct allegations, destabilizing the company just as the pandemic sent its business into a tailspin.
Crevoiserat had previously served as the finance chief of the company, whose portfolio includes the steady Coach brand, along with the struggling Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman. She joined Tapestry in August 2019.
The appointment of the Crevoiserat, who has worked at retailers such Kohl’s, Walmart, and Abercrombie & Fitch before joining Tapestry, keeps the number of women CEOs in the Fortune 500 at 37, but she is the rare woman in that cohort to lead a fashion company.
“Since taking on the role of interim CEO in July, Joanne has led with a customer-centric, data-driven approach, an understanding of the unique needs and advantages of our house of brands and a focus on execution and growth,” said Susan Kropf, Tapestry’s chair in a statement.
Crevoiserat, a well-regarded executive known for, among other things, laying the groundwork for Abercrombie’s improved performance, will have her hands full at Tapestry. For one thing, she is the third CEO in three years: Jide Zeitlin, her predecessor and one of the handful of Black CEOs in the Fortune 500, left after less than a year.
In 2017, Tapestry, which had been known for decades by the name of its Coach flagship brand, decided under Zeitlin’s predecessor to become a portfolio of high-end brands in the mold of European conglomerates. It later added Kate Spade, which, along with Stuart Weitzman, proved difficult to turn around and have dragged down the company’s performance.
In December, Crevoiserat took the Kate Spade brand CEO job on an interim basis. That, coupled with her operations experience at Abercrombie—also a portfolio company that owns the Hollister brand—and finance chops, made her an obvious candidate for the top job at Tapestry.
Coach and Stuart Weitzman have also seen changes at the top over the past year, creating a lot of instability at a company that is in the midst of a sales decline, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 outbreak. There were signs of improvement this summer, however: in August, Tapestry reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss for its fiscal fourth quarter, despite total sales falling 53% to $715 million. The company also said sales had returned to growth in China, a key market.
Tapestry will announce its first quarter report for fiscal 2021 on Thursday.


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New MagicBands were announced again today and they are EVERYTHING! The new thing is going to the Magic Kingdom and taking a picture in front of the notorious Purple Wall. Disney jumped on the bandwagon and will be releasing a Purple Wall MagicBand! BUT it will only be available for 2 weeks starting on March 5th!!
Disney also released a new Star Wars MagicBand wrapped in the Rabel Alliance symbols! It is different shades of grey with a pop of royal blue! This MagicBand will be available online starting March 12th and then available at Walt Disney World stores on March 16th.
Happy Birthday Animal Kingdom!
Finally, this year is Animal Kingdom’s 20th Birthday! There will be a special limited-edition Animal Kingdom MagicBand with only 2,000 released! You can purchase it starting March 26th. The earth-toned colors are perfect for your safari adventure!


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The Original iPhone 2G Is Now Worth More Than the iPhone 7 Apple’s first generation iPhone, the 2G, is now up for sale on eBay for anything between $1,000 and $8,500. This, at first glance, may not seem so surprising — lots of things gain in value over time like toys, art and classic cars.
Are there 2 iPhone models?
The second-generation iPhone SE (also known as the iPhone SE 2 or the iPhone SE 2020) is a smartphone designed and developed by Apple Inc. It is part of the 13th generation of the iPhone, alongside the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro/Pro Max models.
How do I know if my iPhone is 2nd generation?
The SE 1st generation has a border around the screen and the power button is on the top. The SE 2nd generation has a screen that goes the full width, and the power button is on the side. You can google the pics of both generations and will know the difference right away.
How much is an iPhone 12?
The $799 iPhone 12 is the standard model with a 6.1-inch screen and dual camera, while the new $699 iPhone 12 Mini has a smaller, 5.4-inch screen. The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max cost $999 and $1,099 respectively, and come with triple-lens cameras and premium designs.
What is the most valuable iPhone?
In the US, the most expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max model costs $1,399. Here are some highlights of Tecnoblog’s report for the price of the iPhone 12 mini (64GB) around the world: Brazil: US$1,268.
Is a new iPhone coming out in 2020?
The 2021 iPhone models are not expected to feature major design changes because the 2020 iPhone models marked a significant technology and design overhaul. According to Bloomberg, Apple engineers consider the 2021 iPhones to be an “S” version of the 2020 models.
Is Apple going to release a new iPhone in 2020?
The iPhone 13 release date is likely to be in September 2021, and we expect it to hit stores on either the third or fourth Friday of the month (which makes it September 17 or 24). Before 2020, Apple has often announced its new iPhones on either the first or second Tuesday of September.
Is Apple coming out with a new phone in 2020?
Apple on October 13, 2020 introduced its newest flagship iPhones, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, which offer powerful features at an affordable price tag.
Is the iPhone SE still a good phone in 2019?
If you don’t care about camera quality, prefer a smaller screen, and don’t need to use processor-intensive apps and games, the iPhone SE is a compact, easy-to-hold smartphone that still holds up even in 2019.
Is an iPhone SE better than an iPhone 6?
The biggest differentiator between the iPhone 6 and the new iPhone SE is performance. The iPhone 6 is powered by Apple’s A8 processor, whereas the new iPhone SE features Apple’s much more powerful A13 Bionic processor. … This means your real-world CPU performance improvement might be even more notable.
Which iPhone has the best camera quality?
The biggest Apple phone has the best iPhone camera overall Now, that’s changed, and there’s only one contender when it comes to the best iPhone for photography: The iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple has squeezed all its best camera tech into its largest, most expensive phone.
How do you tell what iPhone I have without turning it on?
Find the “A” model number on all iPhones In fact, if you can’t read the text on the back of an iPhone or it isn’t there, you can just launch the Settings app and then navigate to General > About > Model. From there, tap once on Model to reveal the phone’s ‘A’ model number.
Is iPhone 12 out?
Pre-orders for iPhone 12 Pro begin Friday, October 16, with availability beginning Friday, October 23. iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available for pre-order Friday, November 6, and in stores beginning Friday, November 13.
Will iPhone 12 come with AirPods?
The iPhone 12 does not come with AirPods. In fact, the iPhone 12 doesn’t come with any headphones or a power adapter. It only comes with a charging/syncing cable. Apple says it removed the headphones and power adapter to reduce packaging and waste.
Will the iPhone 12 have Touch ID?
Regardless, Apple’s iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max have all opted to exclude the feature in favour of Face ID. … After all, there are plenty of older and cheaper iPads and iPhones like the iPhone SE that still rely on Touch ID.


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As we said in our end-of-show wrap-up, the Detroit show is back in full force after several years of being stuck in first gear in the wake of a stagnant auto industry and a horrid economic climate. This year, though, automakers from the United States, Asia and Europe all had impressive production and concept vehicles to show off. After tallying our votes, these are our five favorites.
#5: Acura NSX Concept
The 2012 Detroit Auto Show marked the much-heralded return of the Acura NSX, even if it's only a concept right now. How will the NSX faithful feel about a mid-engined, gasoline-electric supercar that's going to be built in North America? We'll have to wait and see. But here at the show, we couldn't keep our eyes off of the sleek new concept, and frankly, it's nice to see the NSX name back on the books. Interestingly enough, the NSX is the only concept car you'll see on this list.
#4: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo
This time last year, the 2012 Hyundai Veloster was the staff favorite of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. The new Turbo model certainly has a lot to love, what with a 201-horsepower forced-induction inline-four under the hood and a more aggressive exterior design (with matte gray paint!). Korea's new hot hatch certainly looks fantastic, and this car, while not our Best In Show, is perhaps the one we're most eager to get out on the open road.
#3: 2013 Dodge Dart
The Chrysler Group was missing out by not having a strong player in the booming C segment (good riddance, Dodge Caliber), but that all changes with the addition of the 2013 Dart. In a way, it sort of picks up where the Neon left off, and with Alfa Romeo DNA underneath, it could prove to be one of the better-driving compact sedans in the market. Pricing will start just below $16,000 when it hits dealerships this summer.
#2: 2013 Cadillac ATS
You really had to be at the Cadillac press conference on Sunday night to hear GM's North American President, Mark Reuss, speak about the 2013 ATS. He spoke passionately about the new sedan, citing that the automaker is demanding absolutely nothing but class domination from its new ATS – a tough thing to do when your main competitors are the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. But if we're honest, we left the press event feeling excited about the ATS, and giving it quite a few once-overs on the Detroit show floor only furthered our excitement. We only hope it's as good as Reuss says it is.
#1: 2013 Ford Fusion + Hybrid + Energi
The 2013 Ford Fusion was, hands down, the staff favorite, receiving substantially more points in our voting than any other vehicle mentioned here (scroll down to see the full breakdown). In terms of a new vehicle debut, the Fusion packs a huge punch. It brings a sexy shape to a segment that for a long time was made up of bland, three-box shapes. What's more, a grand total of five powertrains – one naturally aspirated, two turbocharged, one hybrid, and one plug-in hybrid – were revealed, and if Ford's predictions come through, the Fusion will be the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan by a huge margin. It's the one car we simply couldn't stop talking about, and when tallying the votes it came as no surprise that it's our pick for Best In Show.
How'd we arrive at this list? Each Autoblog editor in attendance ranked his personal favorites from one to five, and points were awarded to each (five points for the first place spot, one point for the fifth place spot). Points were tallied and cars were ranked, but if you're curious, here's how the actual voting breakdown looked. We weren't kidding when we said that the Fusion was the hands-down winner.
As you can imagine, coming up with our list of the five best Detroit debuts wasn't a quick and clean process. There was arguing, name-calling and automaker-branded USB stick-throwing, so the other vehicles that rounded out our personal top-five lists are indeed worth mentioning. Here are the other vehicles that caught the eyes of the Autoblog team in attendance, and how many points they received in our voting.


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Over the last couple of years, Samsung has made a real effort to step up its still camera offerings. This year's CES introductions continue that trend with more stylish designs and smattering of convenient features. You won't find any new dSLRs here, but there are six new compact cameras with pixel counts ranging from 6 megapixels to 10 megapixels. Two of the cameras fall into Samsung's L-series, which is aimed at advanced shooters, while the other four belong to the S-series, targeted at the point-and-shoot crowd. All of Samsung's new still cameras include in-camera editing, so … Read more
Although it was released overseas last fall, the Scanjet G4050 photo scanner--with its industry-first six-channel scanning technology--will make its North American debut this week at CES 2007. I got a chance to test one before I headed off to the show in Las Vegas, so check out my review of this newly released model, complete with image samples.
Just before Christmas, Hoya and Pentax quietly announced plans to merge their companies into a new entity to be called Hoya Pentax HD Corporation. The deal--which the official announcement is calling "a management integration of the two companies"--is expected to be completed on October 1, 2007. Fumio Urano, currently president and CEO of Pentax, will become chairman of the board of Hoya Pentax HD, while Hiroshi Suzuki, currently president and CEO of Hoya, will be the new company's president and CEO.
In the USA, Hoya is best known for its filters for SLR and video camera … Read more
The rumors about Photoshop CS3 started way back in August 2005, mere months after Adobe Photoshop CS2 shipped. One twist that none of the speculators foresaw, however, was Adobe choosing to test run its first public beta program using a major product. (Lightroom, the "beta" cycle for which is almost a year old, doesn't count.) It turns out that CS2 runs so slowly on Intel-based Macs that Adobe decided to throw those users an early bone.
I suspect Adobe is also using the opportunity to test its activation technology: CS3 will be available only to users with … Read more
PhotoPlus Expo is probably my favorite trade show. Yeah, CES and PMA have more new products, but PhotoPlus is the only one where I can wander around and check out all the cool stuff from accessories companies that can help me out with shooting issues I run into.
For instance, I loathe on-camera flash. Unless there's some way to diffuse it or bounce it--or use it for special effect--flash produces a stark, deer-in-the-headlights look I abhor. As I was passing by LumiQuest's booth today, the company's Soft Screen caught my eye. This ingenious little add-on snaps into … Read more
And no, that's not "Blu" as in "Blu-ray"--it's "BLU" as in LED BLU, for the "light-emitting diode backlight unit" that illumines Samsung's new 20-inch SyncMaster XL20 display. Claiming it covers 114 percent of the NTSC color gamut and 100 percent of the AdobeRGB gamut, Samsung takes on Eizo's $2,700 ColorEdge CG210 for a mere $1,999. If it works as advertised--specs include a 1000:1 contrast ratio and 8ms response time--it will be on every photo and video editor's wish list this holiday season. Okay, … Read more


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Recently it has been seen that some of the world's economic players have been directly affected by the current trade war between the United States and China. These two countries are antedating to assault each other with announcements and a trade war; nevertheless, their relationship can be defined as a love-hate relationship because the two countries have a lot of suspicion for each other, but they also need each other. “The relationship between the United States and China has no ceiling. Richard McGregor, an author and China expert, says, "We keep reaching new lows."
The rivalry between the two most powerful colonial forces is intensifying at breakneck pace. The US ordered the closure of China's consulate in Houston in July, followed by the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu shortly after. The relationship between the two countries turns to worse.
The United States needs Chinese low-wage labor and low-cost products. China also wants the United States to be an investor in its businesses. The growing rivalry has a distinctly twentieth-century feel to it. It's a global rivalry in trade, technology, and strategic control between two nuclear-armed forces with incompatible political systems. There were almost no economic relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States and China, on the other hand, trade over half a trillion dollars in goods and services per year, making them one of the top three bilateral trade partnerships in the world. Furthermore, China owns up to a trillion dollars in US government debt and is the biggest market for many US companies.
Donald Trump is a well-known businessman who owns companies and businesses all over the world. Trump's presidential campaign in 2016 raised many questions, including whether he is qualified to run for office. Trump responded by replacing Obama as the 45th President of the United States. To protect the US economy from what he referred to as the "robber from China," Trump pursued a protectionism agenda. Both steel and aluminum goods entering the United States from Europe, China, Canada, and Mexico will be subject to 25% and 10% tariffs, respectively, according to Trump's rule. China, understandably, is enraged that the US has released this order, as well as a policy on all tribal goods. The United States manufactures automobile parts, as well as agricultural and fishery products.
In addition to the tariff battle, President Trump has requested that the TikTok and WeChat apps be banned from being used in the US. We know that these two innovations are widely used by the general public. Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, has been accused of leaking US national security data to China via Huawei's deal with US security authorities, and has so far escaped Trump's "rampage." As a result, many US companies have been forced to terminate Huawei contracts or face sanctions. Google is one of the companies affected by the contract termination, which means that all Huawei mobile devices manufactured after 2019 will be devoid of Google services such as the Google Play Store, Gmail, and YouTube.
Many economic organizations around the world expect a 0.7 percent reduction in GDP in 2018 and a 2 percent increase in 2020. The global economy has become largely sluggish as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, with global economic growth estimated to be less than 1%.
In the midst of tense trade talks between the US and China, the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on their relationship. As a result of domestic pressure in the United States to control the pandemic, Trump has accused China of being the virus's source of dissemination. As a result, Trump's labeling of China as "the China Virus" has placed the future of US-China ties in jeopardy. Furthermore, the United States' absence from the World Health Organization (WHO) during Trump's presidency coincided with the pandemic, providing China with a new opportunity to extend its influence. China is taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic.
China's success in containing the pandemic has given it trust in dealing with the United States. Meanwhile, the United States' situation is becoming increasingly precarious. Furthermore, the United States' reliance on overcoming Covid-19, which necessitates cooperation from a wide range of parties, including China, weakens the country's status as a superpower. This is exactly what we wished for when Biden was elected. Many people believe that President Joe Biden is ready to "soften" the US position on the trade war with China. Biden has made several contacts with Beijing since his inauguration on January 20, 2021, to discuss a number of topics, one of which is the continuation of the trade war.
In the trade war with China, the Biden administration emphasized that it does not expect to repeal numerous regulations enacted during the Trump administration's tenure, but it also does not intend to use the same aggressive negotiating tactics as the Trump administration. Furthermore, the Biden administration must exercise caution. If Biden prioritizes domestic concerns, China would have more space to drive its policies, particularly in the areas of technology and territorial disputes.
Technology is a powerful tool. In the technology domain, the US and China are slowly "decoupling," locking each other out of their markets, cutting supply chains, and following very different privacy standards. And things are getting more zero-sum around here. Third countries are being pressured by Beijing and Washington to choose whether or not to use Chinese-made equipment for their 5G networks. There is a risk that the internet and the global tech industry could break into two competing and conflicting domains.
To summarize, the trade war between the United States and China has ushered in a new era in the global economy, one in which China is attempting to supplant the United States as the world's economic leader, something that the US fears. The door to investment is being thrown open as wide as possible, the private sector is being encouraged to participate (under strict government supervision, of course), the cost of living is that, and defense spending is increasing. Today, we can see how China's economy is progressing, with the country becoming the world's second largest economy after the United States, exporting products all over the world to challenge the United States' dominance, and even having the world's second largest military force after the United States. Will this trade war enter a new chapter during Biden's presidency, with a more "calm" relationship with China and an end to the trade war, or will it stalemate and continue the previous president's stance?
Writer is a Freelance Journalist, Researcher & Business Analyst. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org


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Huawei and Google
Huawei and Google partnered for some time now and provided us the Nexus. Come 2016, Google opted out to cooperate with Huawei.
According to a report, Google wanted to put its own branding on the smartphone in which Huawei disagreed.
Vice President of the Consumer Business Group, Colin Giles explained that Huawei is aiming the top of the industry and wants its brand to be famous globally.
The contradiction of strategies and goals resulted to Google’s partnership with HTC and the emergence of Google Pixel.


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- New ransomware shuts down aluminium giant Norsk Hydro’s global IT network
- Australian Signals Directorate will keep security bugs if it’s in national interest
- The week in security: Can the software-defined future save the Internet?
- For Cisco, the future of security is being shaped by software-defined networking
- G Suite admins can now ban staff from using insecure SMS for two-factor authentication
CSO Security Buyers Guide 2017
The pressure is on to be secure. Are you feeling the squeeze?
If you spent the past few years coming to grips with the true extent of the threat from malware, ransomware and nation-state hackers, be prepared for the rest of 2017 to play out rather differently. Sure, the threats are still there and growing but as Australia prepares to join the ranks of the nations with mandatory breach reporting regimes, you are now operating under the microscope and on a deadline.
- Brennan IT signs multi-year deals with fast-food and automotive giants
- $320M more goes into mobile blackspot program
- Microsoft brings free service to Australian political parties and candidates
- Dell Boomi takes advantage of parent company, Dell, to benefit partners
- Andy Hurt to lead new A/NZ Poly entity
- Marketing professor: For Holden, brand nostalgia ain’t what it used to be
- News Corp expands further into multimedia brand strategy
- CMO interview: Building a marketing and insights engine at Tennis Australia
- JUST Goods: Customers want to support brands that make them feel good about themselves
- 3 things we learnt about CMOs from State of the CMO


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Oct 17, 2018 · Given the nature of the potato industry, the most common potato varieties, such as Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, will soon be contaminated with GMO stock. Other GMO Foods Have Hidden Concerns, Too. My book describes the many hidden issues of GMO potatoes, but GMO potatoes are not the exception. They are the rule.
Rommens is the author of a new book, Pandora’s Potatoes: The Worst GMO’s. Rommens is the Ex-Director at J.R. Simplot and team leader for Monsanto. After spending twenty-six years in the agriculture industry as a genetic engineer, Rommens has developed over 150,000 varieties of GM potatoes.
You may have heard of Dr. Caius Rommens, the scientist who developed the Simplot potatoes.
People also ask
Are GMO potatoes genetically modified?
Who invented the Simplot potato?
Are white potatoes GMO?
What are the best known GMO crops?
Jun 01, 2009 · Pusztai conducted feeding studies on rats and found that the potatoes damaged the animals' gut, other organs, and immune system. In 1998, Pusztai expressed his concerns about GM foods on a British television program and was promptly suspended and forced to retire from his position. Dr.
Ewen Mullins is the face of modern Ireland: Young, cosmopolitan, highly educated, he is a plant scientist whose work on a genetically modified potato inherently looks to the future.
The potato is the most frequently consumed vegetable in the United States, which raises the question – are there GMO potatoes? We discussed GMO potato ‘101’ with PhD student Nat Graham, a sixth year doctoral candidate in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri Columbia.
This GMO potato, called Amflora, was approved in the EU in 2010, but withdrawn in 2012 due to lack of acceptance by EU farmers. Other than that, experiments in GMO potatoes are pretty rare to find. How to Avoid. If you are dead-set against eating any GMO products, your best bet is to eat only food you’ve grown yourself, or has a certified ...
Jan 13, 2015 · New GMO potatoes don't bruise as easily, and, when fried, they have less of a potentially harmful chemical. Yet some big chip and french fry makers won't touch them because of the stigma of GMOs.
Aug 21, 2013 · The Flavr Savr tomato was approved for sale in 1994, and GMO tomato paste soon outpaced conventional. However, after Dr. Arpad Pusztai revealed on British television that several test rats...
Jul 06, 2007 · Arpad Pusztai, "Can science give us the tools for recognizing possible health risks of GM food," Nutrition and Health, 2002, Vol 16 Pp 73-84.  Irina Ermakova, "Experimental Evidence of GMO Hazards," Presentation at Scientists for a GM Free Europe, EU Parliament, Brussels, June 12, 2007.


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The running of Hertford market could be taken over by the town council in a bid to “revitalise” the town centre.
At a meeting of Hertford Town Council on Monday, January 17, a motion proposed by the East Hertfordshire Green Party and Hertford and Stortford Liberal Democrats was passed to look at taking over the running of the market.
A report will now be prepared looking at options, including bringing Hertford market under community control, to be provisionally discussed at a development and leisure meeting on Monday, February 28.
Read more: Latest Hertford news
The motion states: “Hertford Town Council notes that Hertford is an historic market town and recognises that the market has a critical role in the regeneration of the town centre.
“A thriving market will increase footfall to the benefit of all businesses in the town. We are concerned by the dramatic drop in the number of stalls hiring space in recent years.
“We know that many prospective hirers are put off by the high cost of stalls yet it’s difficult to see if any of this money goes towards promotion of the market.”
Taking control of the market from East Herts District Council (EHDC) was first looked at in June 2018 at a meeting of the development and leisure committee but was rejected.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Andrew Porrer (Hertford Kingsmead) said: “EHDC first announced it wanted to give up control of the markets back in 2018. Hertford Town Council looked at taking on control in June 2018 but rejected it.
“The report produced at the time setting out the case was confidential and as I wasn’t a councillor at the time, I am not allowed to see it. Therefore I don’t know why the decision was taken not to take control of our own market when Bishop’s Stortford did.”
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Cllr Porrer added: “However a lot has happened since then to negatively affect our town centre. Not least Covid and the delay of major projects like Bircherley Green. I am therefore pleased that the council agreed to look again at this.
“Taking control of their market has allowed Bishop’s Stortford to manage it for the benefit of their town by introducing things like a new trader rate.
“It would be really good if we in Hertford could do the same to help revitalise our town centre.”
In a statement on its website, the East Hertfordshire Green Party says that a strong market could bring a number of benefits to Hertford, including becoming an integral part of the shopping experience.
The party suggests that the market could help bring an improved daytime trade for Hertford’s shops, pubs and restaurants and increased spending as more people visit the county town.
The market could also provide a platform for non-commercial operations such as charities, clubs and societies, suggests the green party, as well as facilitate space for small business start-ups, and may encourage casual traders to become regular traders in permanent premises.
It adds that the market could enhance its role as a place for affordable, quality products building on an excellent fruit and vegetable offering, promotes environmental sustainability, and could integrate other trading options adding to the vitality of the market such as street musicians.
EHDC said it is has worked hard to get Hertford market “back on its feet” and is happy to share ideas with Hertford Town Council.
The market runs every Saturday, with regular stalls including fruit and vegetables, fish, plants and flowers, eggs, meat, bread, pastries, ladies fashion and more, in Salisbury Square, Maidenhead Street, Railway Street, and Bircherley Green.
Councillor Jan Goodeve, executive member for planning and growth at EHDC, said: “We’ve worked hard to get Hertford market back on its feet after necessary pandemic safety measures curtailed some of its activities.
“This includes welcoming several new stalls, working towards a new streamlined application process and continuing to champion traders as a vital part of our business community.
“Every second Saturday of the month also plays host to our popular Farmers’ Market with an array of fresh produce on sale from local rural businesses.
“We all want to see a thriving, lively town centre and are always happy to share ideas with our town council partners.”
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THE subdued economic performance in Zimbabwe has led to the country failing to adhere to key Sadc protocols on trade related to tariff reductions, the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) has said.
Although the country experienced a modicum of economic stability soon after the inception of the multi-currency regime in 2009, most local industries failed to recapitalise and achieve requisite capacity utilisation levels to effectively compete at national and regional fronts.
Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector inevitably continues to suffer in the face of an influx of cheap imports.
Government has continued to use protectionist measures for key products made by the few operating industries in the country.
However, Zimbabwe is a signatory to the Sadc Protocol on Trade where member states agreed to phase down tariffs for goods in four categories, depending on the degree of sensitivity of the goods.
The criteria for sensitivity includes factors such as revenue generation, employment creation and strategic importance, among others.
The CTC is currently carrying out consultations with the manufacturing sector under the Sadc Protocol on Trade, with a view to initiating a tariff phasedown for sensitive products classified under category C.
“Zimbabwe phased down its tariffs for categories A and B, constituting 87% of tariff lines,” the commission said.
The CTC said due to the economic challenges faced by the country, the phasing-down of tariffs under category C was supposed to commence in 2009 and end in 2012 but was not implemented.
Zimbabwe applied for derogation from implementing the phase down pursuant to the Sadc Trade Protocol.
The derogation entailed that Zimbabwe would suspend phasing down its tariffs for category C products until 2012 after which yearly reductions would resume and be completed by 2014.
However, the economic challenges faced by the country remain unabated resulting in the country failing to honour its obligations.
“The commission intends to carry out consultations with industry to gather inputs that would inform the way forward with regard to whether or not to apply for further derogation for category C,” the commission said.
Products under C category range from cements, soap, matches, sugar, fish or crustaceans, ceramic products, electrical machinery to paper, among others.
The commission said any sector affected and intending to apply for further derogation would need to submit stipulated information from a sectorial perspective.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce vice-president David Norupiri said industry would most likely prefer a further derogation as the economy was not performing well.
“Industry will certainly not entertain that, the reason why those tariffs were never adjusted is due to the need to control the inflow of imports into the country. Industry gave the nod to the Finance ministry to use those tariffs to enable industry to operate competitively,” he said.
Norupiri said Zimbabwe’s situation was not unique and pointed out that a whole lot of inconsistencies were occurring within Sadc trade as some countries were abusing certificates of origin.
He said South Africa, for example, currently has regulations governing the supply of cooking oil, where between 40 to 60% of local demand must be catered at local procurement level while the excess cooking oil would be exported using certificates of origin.


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Gucci joined Parks, a nonprofit association helping companies to promote diversity and inclusion.
American fashion capital set to soar.
Investment giant said to have paid $35 million for 10 percent of the budding retail chain.
Today’s column is written by Charles Kernaghan, director of The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights.
Shot by Santiago and Mauricio Sierra, the images feature Hilary Rhoda at a private residence in Palm Springs.
Anything goes this season, from the more expected fairy tales and films to the more eccentric like, yes, human hair.


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Google has officially unveiled Android TV today after a successful run with Chromecast among a vast array of products including Material Design, Android L, and Android Wear. Similar to Apple TV, Android TV will run on the set-top boxes as previewed at the I/O today. Google TV was earlier launched back in 2010 with a strong ambition of turning your TV into a phone - realism is happening now.
Today's announcement confirms the expectation that Google indeed is rethinking Android TV, earlier launched in 2010 and successfully followed by the Chromecast. Android TV congregates TV content from both the Play Store and partners like Netflix and Hulu. It provides you recommendations based on what you watch and gives you the usual info about cast, related shows, etcetra like its competition.
One of the best thing of Android TV is perhaps Android Wear. While everything else is almost as already done by others, you can control your TV with your Android smartwatch. Isn't it convenient? Another feature setting Android TV apart from the competition is the ability to play games on your television. Devices will come with a controller, like Fire TV, and gamers will enjoy playing multiplayer games online and achieve points using the Google Play Games network.
Google also told at the keynote that it is partnering with OEMs like Sony and Sharp to manufacture televisions with Android TV software coming out-of-box. The ones who have just updated to a new TV or do not want to change their entire television sets for Android TV will be able to get the conventional set-top boxes that will be developed by various companies including ASUS and Razer.
This year's I/O keynote has been all about consistency and unified experience. Google has reinforced that vision with Android TV too. Like smartphones, tablets and other devices, Google won't be manufacturing any devices. It will maintain the software - like it has always done - and will let the third-party OEMs to design and create new devices to carry Google's Android TV OS.
This is one of the few things that will give Mountain View a clear edge over its competitors because the user won't have to buy anything other than the TV itself. For long term too, it will benefit Google as the company would be able to seamlessly help users get content over various devices from varied OEMs using the omnipresent Play Store.


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After a series of mostly modest tryouts, smart cards are opening today in New York.
The city's two biggest banks-Chase Manhattan and Citibank-are joining forces with MasterCard and Visa not only to gauge consumer and merchant acceptance but also to show that competing brands and systems can coexist as in the credit card business.
If deemed successful, the six-month pilot on Manhattan's Upper West Side could go a long way toward proving the viability of cards with embedded computer chips. A failure in the big-city media glare would probably be disastrous.
With 25,000 cards to be distributed by each bank, the trial will be larger than any other in North America except for the one Visa conducted during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But most of those cards were simple cash replacements and not tied to banking services.
Chase will issue Mondex cards, and Citibank will issue Visa Cash cards. They can be loaded with up to $500 of cash value at automated teller machines or at kiosks in merchant locations. Among the 600 participating merchants in the area between 60th and 96th streets west of Central Park are Burger King, Duane Reade drug stores, and Gristede's supermarkets.
The companies originally aimed to begin the test during 1996. It was put on hold in part to allow MasterCard to introduce the technology of Mondex International Ltd., of which it acquired 51% in February. But the focus on "interoperability" has never changed, and the timetable culminating in today's official launching was set several months ago.
"Our intent from the beginning was to demonstrate that both products, which we think are the two major smart card programs on a global basis, could work together," said Ronald Braco, senior vice president, Chase Manhattan Bank.
Henry A. Lichstein, a Citibank vice president, echoed that: "The trial will demonstrate interoperability between two substantially different electronic purse products. It will put in the hands of consumers a capability to speed their transactions at the checkout counter, and it will give merchants the opportunity to increase sales and improve service to their customers."
"Consumers will change their behavior if there is more value or more convenience," Mr. Lichstein added. "We think that the smart card ... will offer convenience, and so the behavior will change."
Citibank plans to give out several thousand Verifone Personal ATMs, hand-sized card-reading devices that connect to phone lines, for use in consumers' homes.
Chase said it will offer a comparable Mondex device in the next few months, allowing money and account information to flow over the phone.
Retailers have been signed up by National Data Corp., the Novus Services division of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co., and Chase's joint merchant processing venture with First Data.
"I think anything that gives people more options to pay is good," said Andrew Albert, executive director of the West Side Chamber of Commerce. "It frees people from carrying cash for small purchases."
Robert G. Caballes, controller of the famous Zabar's food emporium on Broadway, said more and more customers are using ATM and debit cards for purchases. Smart cards are a next step, he said.
"Customers want" smart cards, Mr. Caballes said. "It has always been my policy to keep up with technology."
But Zabar's evaluation will be hard-nosed: "If after one month there is no usage," he said, "we will not continue."
"Smart cards are the future," said Douglas H. Levine, president and chief executive officer of Crunch Fitness International. "When you go to the gym, you can leave your wallet at home."
He said he is looking into ways to use the chip-based technology as a membership card, phone card, credit card, and for tracking shopper-loyalty points.
The Manhattan pilot is being marketed with signs at merchant locations, advertisements in newspapers, and on radio.
"We think consumers, in how they use financial products, are continuing to evolve," said Janet Crane, president and chief executive officer of Mondex U.S.A. "Our goal is to go out and begin to make the market."