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☆ India says Europe trade group commits to $100 billion 15-year deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal is talking to media on EU-India trade relations. India will waive tariffs on industrial imports from four European nations for a $100 billion investment over 15 years, ending nearly 16 years of negotiations. It envisages that the European Free Trade Association, comprised of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, will invest $100 billion over 15 years in India's fast-growing market of 1.4 billion people, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said. "With the new deal, we have secured nil import taxes on nearly every Norwegian good." The five signatories must ratify Sunday's deal before it can take effect, with Switzerland planning to do so by 2025.

Persons: Piyush Goyal, Narendra Modi, Christian Vestre, Goyal Organizations: of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, United Arab, European Free Trade Association, Trade, Industry Locations: India, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein

☆ Trump uses the slow legal system to his advantage. The Supreme Court is helping
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Joan Biskupic | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The justices’ intervention in the case, Trump v. United States, also marks another milestone in the fraught relationship between the court and the former president. And in fighting special counsel Jack Smith’s case, the Supreme Court has become an ally of sorts, despite the expedited schedule. That Supreme Court ruling was expected to come soon. First Trump trial is in less than a monthFor now it appears that Trump’s first criminal trial will be in New York on March 25. Posted Trump, “Do you get the impression that the Supreme Court doesn’t like me?”But that’s not today.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Jack Smith’s, hewed, ’ Trump, Smith, ”, Tanya Chutkan, Smith’s, Trump’s, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Stormy Daniels Organizations: CNN, Trump, ., DC Circuit, Capitol, US, DC, Circuit, Appeals, Trump v ., “, Colorado Supreme, Manhattan, Attorney Locations: . United States, Washington ,, ‘, Trump v, Trump v . United States, Colorado, New York, Florida, Fort Pierce

☆ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's new cabinet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez takes the oath of office during a ceremony at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain November 17, 2023. Andres Ballesteros/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsNov 20 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday announced his new cabinet, keeping the same number of 22 ministers, 12 women and 10 men, despite reshuffling some of their portfolios. SOCIALIST MINISTERS:NADIA CALVINO - ECONOMYCalvino remains as Sanchez's first deputy prime minister and top economic expert. FELIX BOLANOS - JUSTICEBolanos saw his profile boosted by heightened media exposure while acting as Sanchez's de facto cabinet chief. SIRA REGO - CHILDREN AND YOUTHThe second-in-command and main spokesperson for the United Left, she became an MEP in 2019.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Andres Ballesteros, NADIA CALVINO, Calvino, Sanchez's, TERESA RIBERA, Ribera, MARIA JESUS MONTERO, Sanchez, Montero, FELIX BOLANOS, JUSTICE Bolanos, JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, MARGARITA ROBLES, Robles, FERNANDO GRANDE, Miquel Iceta, PILAR ALEGRIA, Alegria, Isabel Rodriguez, ISABEL RODRIGUEZ, Rodriguez, JOSE LUIS ESCRIVA, DIANA MORANT, LUIS PLANAS, Puente, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, JORDI HEREU, Hereu, Hector Gomez, ANGEL VICTOR TORRES, Torres, ELMA SAIZ, Escriva, Redondo, Podemos party's Irene Montero, SUMAR, YOLANDA DIAZ, LABOUR Diaz, Sumar, MONICA GARCIA, Garcia, Isabel Diez Ayuso, ERNEST URTASUN, PABLO BUSTINDUY, Bustinduy, Alberto Garzon, Ione Belarra, SIRA REGO, David Latona, Aislinn Laing, Grant McCool Organizations: Spain's, REUTERS Acquire, Spanish, Monday, European Investment Bank, JUSTICE, High, Culture, Social Security, Universities, Democratic, Socialist, ANA REDONDO, LABOUR, Mas Madrid, Greens, European Free Alliance, Consumer Affairs, United Left, Thomson Locations: Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain, Dubai, France, Morocco, Ukraine, Melilla, Gandia, Valladolid, Barcelona, Canary, Bolanos, Pamplona, Navarre, Mas, Podemos, Gaza, SIRA, Israel

☆ Spain's Princess Leonor Swears Allegiance to Divided Nation on Her 18th Birthday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The ceremony in parliament marked her coming of age, meaning she will now directly become queen after her father King Felipe VI, assuming he does not go on to have any male children. Those surveyed then gave Felipe VI an average score of 4.34 out of ten. Juan Carlos also did not attend Tuesday's ceremony. Juan Carlos has declined to comment on the various allegations of wrongdoing. Opponents of the monarchy see Juan Carlos' coronation in 1975 as illegitimate, saying he had been groomed to succeed dictator Francisco Franco.

Persons: David Latona MADRID, Princess Leonor, King Felipe VI, Unidas Podemos, Sinaptica, Felipe VI, Juan Carlos I, Juan Carlos, Francisco Franco, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Andrew Heavens Organizations: for Sociological Studies Locations: Wales, Spain, Catalonia, Basque, Galicia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi

[1/5] Spain's Princess Leonor arrives to swear an oath to the constitution at the parliament in Madrid, Spain, October 31, 2023. Those surveyed then gave Felipe VI an average score of 4.34 out of ten. Juan Carlos also did not attend Tuesday's ceremony. Juan Carlos has declined to comment on the various allegations of wrongdoing. Opponents of the monarchy see Juan Carlos' coronation in 1975 as illegitimate, saying he had been groomed to succeed dictator Francisco Franco.

Persons: Leonor, Susana Vera, Princess Leonor, King Felipe VI, Unidas Podemos, Sinaptica, Felipe VI, Juan Carlos I, Juan Carlos, Francisco Franco, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, for Sociological Studies, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Wales, Catalonia, Basque, Galicia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi

☆ India reviewing floor price for basmati rice exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The Indian government said on Sunday it is actively reviewing the floor price it has set for basmati rice exports even as it continues to curb overseas shipments. The decision comes after New Delhi, the world’s biggest rice exporter, said on Saturday said it will maintain a $1,200 per ton minimum export price (MEP) on basmati rice shipments, which was first imposed in August to calm local prices. Following the meeting, a review of the floor price "is under active consideration of the government," the statement said. The MEP aims to help authorities ensure that non-basmati rice is not exported as basmati rice. India in July banned exports of non-basmati white rice and later imposed a 20% duty on exports of parboiled rice.

Persons: Saturday's, Mayank Bhardwaj, Rajendra, Giles Elgood Organizations: Thomson Locations: DELHI, New Delhi, India

☆ 5 tips for small businesses that want to try SMS marketing, from a founder who saw her profits double
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Erin Greenawald | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Short-message-service, or SMS, marketing can be a powerful way to engage customers. Insider talked to Vasquez and the marketing consultant Danielle Reid to understand what small-business owners should know about setting up a successful SMS marketing campaign. Reid said it's a good idea to regularly remind customers that they can opt out of SMS marketing if they no longer want you to contact them. Offer something of valueBefore she schedules any text message, Vasquez asks herself: Is this providing value? Seventy-seven percent of survey respondents said they learned of an interesting sale or promotion from a brand's text message that they wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Persons: SBOs, —, Ashley Vasquez, Zachary Dripps, Vasquez, Danielle Reid, Reid, Britney Kelsey, they've, Dripps, it's, that's Organizations: Small, Service, Los Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Global onion prices could be set to rise with India slapping an export tax on domestic production
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A labourer sorting out onions at a vegetable market in New Delhi on May 30, 2023. The new levy announced Saturday acts to ensure domestic availability and cool inflation, and is effective immediately until December 31, according to the country's Ministry of Finance. Global onion prices are likely to get a positive price cue on account of India's decision. India's government in July also banned the exports of non-basmati white rice in a bid to ensure sufficient domestic supplies. "The government would like to rein [in] prices and ensure sufficient availability in the domestic market.

Persons: Arun SANKAR, ARUN SANKAR, Arun Sankar, Pushan Sharma, Samarendu Mohanty Organizations: Getty, Afp, country's Ministry of Finance, India's Department of Consumer Affairs, CRISIL Market Intelligence, P, Indian Meteorological Department, Pushan Sharma CRISIL, Intelligence, Potato Center, CNBC Locations: New Delhi, AFP, India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, oversupply, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka

☆ Burger King follows McDonald’s in cutting tomatoes from its India menu
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Tomatoes are off the menu in India as Burger King becomes the latest fast food chain to be impacted by rising prices of the culinary staple. Last month, McDonald’s (MCD) announced that many of its restaurants across the country would be temporarily removing tomatoes from their burgers, citing quality issues and shortages of supply. “Going forward, the spike in vegetable prices, led by tomatoes, would exert sizeable upside pressures on the near-term headline inflation trajectory,” it wrote in a statement. Last week, Subway announced its Indian outlets would charge 30 rupees ($0.40) extra for a cheese slice in most sandwiches, Reuters reported. As for tomatoes, Indian cuisine is unthinkable without the ubiquitous fruit.

Persons: Burger King, Burger, Jocelyn Boiteau, Boiteau Organizations: CNN, Subway, Reuters, Department of Consumer Affairs, Tata, Cornell Institute for Agriculture, Nutrition Locations: India, New Delhi, India’s

☆ Burger King in India says tomatoes 'need a vacation' too — they have been removed from the menu due to inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Burger King in India has taken tomatoes off the menu due to food inflation, per Reuters. Tomatoes prices have shot up drastically due to India's food inflation, which is at its highest since January 2020. "Even tomatoes need a vacation... we are unable to add tomatoes to our food," signs posted outside these two outlets said, per Reuters. Following McDonald's, Subway in India also dropped tomatoes from its menu that same month, the Times of India reported. Like McDonald's, notices outside a few Subway outlets in New Delhi attributed the unavailability of tomatoes due to quality issues.

Persons: Burger, Burger King Organizations: Service, Reuters, CNBC TV18, India's Department of Consumer Affairs, The, Cooperative Consumer's Federation of, India, New York Times Locations: India, Wall, Silicon, McDonald's, Subway, New Delhi, of India, Cooperative Consumer's Federation of India

☆ Fears of predatory land grabs mount in the ashes of Maui, opening old wounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The threat of predatory outsiders swooping in to buy up property under the ashes of Maui is sparking outrage and opening old wounds for locals. “And every time there’s a crisis, it accelerates.”Homes consumed in recent wildfires are seen in Lahaina, Hawaii, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Jae C. Hong/APA week after wildfires razed through west Maui, killing more than a hundred people and displacing thousands, locals are grieving and rallying together to take care of those who lost everything. It’s through these community-based efforts, Ing said, that the people of Maui will best find a way to equitably rebuild. An offering of flowers is left on the ground following the Maui fires in Lahaina, West Maui, Hawaii, August 16, 2023.

Persons: ”, Kaniela Ing, Jae C, insurrectionists, Queen Lili’uokalani, Sterling Higa, ” Higa, Justin Sullivan, Josh Green, don’t, he’s, ” Green, we’re, wrongdoers, ” Mana Moriarty, Ing, ” Ing, kanaka, Yuki Iwamura, Green, Higa, ” “, GoFundMe, “, “ That’s, it’s Organizations: CNN, Homes, Housing, “, Hawaii’s Department of Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Consumer, Green New Deal, Getty Locations: Maui, Hawaiian, Lahaina , Hawaii, American, Kingdom of Hawaii, United States, Lahaina, Hawaii, Lahaina , West Maui, AFP

☆ Tourists lost their summer vacations. Maui’s locals lost everything
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In an aerial view, homes and businesses are seen that were destroyed by a wildfire on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. In an aerial view, homes and businesses are seen that were destroyed by a wildfire on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. CNN Business Writer Catherine Thorbecke (center) with her late grandparents in Lahaina, Hawaii, circa 2013. People looking down to downtown Lahaina from Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 13, 2023. A woman digs through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Persons: Rick Avila, ”, –, ” Avila, Avila, Justin Sullivan, Mike Cicchino, “, Cicchino, Catherine Thorbecke, Josh Green’s, Mengshin Lin, ALICE, Rick Bowmer, it’s, ” Gionson, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Lahaina, ”, Washington Post, “, Aloha United Way, Bank of Hawaii, Hawaii’s Department of Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Tourism Authority Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, Kingdom of Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii, Maui County, Las Vegas, Oahu, –

☆ India's rice export ban could send decade-high prices spiking even further
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

India banned the exports of non-basmati white rice with immediate effect late Thursday, the latest in the government's effort to rein in high food prices. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs said the ban would help ensure "adequate availability" of non-basmati white rice in India, as well as "allay the rise in prices in the domestic market." India is the world's leading rice exporter, accounting for more than 40% of the global rice trade, as well as the second-largest producer after China. Analysts told CNBC this week's ban could send already elevated prices shooting even higher, compounding effects from the country's September ban on shipments of broken rice. Barre said Bangladesh and Nepal would be hardest hit by the ban, as both countries are top export destinations.

Persons: Eve Barre Organizations: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Analysts, CNBC, Coface Locations: India, China, ASEAN, Barre, Bangladesh, Nepal

☆ India's tomato prices surge over 300%, sparking theft and turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tomato prices surged 366.86% from 26.76 rupees per kg at the start of the year to 108.92 rupees per kg as of July 11. India is facing a tomato crisis as prices have skyrocketed more than 300% due to extreme weather conditions. Tomato prices surged 341% year-to-date, from 24.68 rupees per kg to 108.92 rupees per kg as of July 11, data from the Department of Consumer Affairs showed. "Due to excess rainfall in these states, tomato [crops have] been highly affected… A large part of the tomato crop has been destroyed due to rains and flood," the council stated. Another popular Indian dish, the Andhra Tomato Kura (tomato curry) is also widely enjoyed by locals.

Persons: Damien Yeo Organizations: Department of Consumer Affairs, National, BMI, Fitch Solutions Locations: Kolkata, India, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka

New Delhi CNN —From butter chicken to paneer makhani, Indian cuisine is unthinkable without the ubiquitous tomato. Asha, a homemaker in the capital who asked to be referred to only by her first name, told CNN the increase has hit her seven-member family hard. Some of McDonald’s (MCD) restaurants across the country have temporarily stopped serving tomatoes on their burgers, citing quality issues and shortages of supply. Of the tomatoes that were harvested, over 90% were infected by seed-born viruses, Gadve told CNN, which further exacerbated the supply shortage. Devinder Sharma, an India-based agriculture policy expert, told CNN the current shortage was also caused in part by farmers throwing away their tomatoes because no one was buying them.

Persons: Asha, “, Raghav Chadha, ” Chadha, Jocelyn Boiteau, Boiteau, Sriram Gadve, ”, Gadve, Devinder Sharma, Sharma, ” Gadve Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Department of Consumer Affairs, CNN, Connaught, Restaurants, Aam Aadmi Party, Twitter, Tata, Cornell Institute for Agriculture, Nutrition, University of Cambridge, Vegetable Growers Association Locations: New Delhi, India, Asia, heatwaves, India’s

☆ French regulators lift ban on online marketplace Wish
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 14 (Reuters) - ContextLogic Inc (WISH.O) said on Tuesday that France had lifted the ban on its e-commerce marketplace, Wish, after it was delisted from search engines and app stores over concerns about product safety. France's General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) banned the U.S.-based firm's listings in November 2021 on grounds that it had found a large proportion of products on the Wish site to be dangerous. "France is an important market to us, and we look forward to a continued partnership with DGCCRF in the future," Wish's compliance chief, Joanna Forster, said in a statement. The company said users will now be able to download the Wish app from Google's Play Store while it will be restored on Apple's App Store in the coming days. Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ How to delete yourself from the internet
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

With so much personal data floating publicly on the internet, consumers have a legitimate interest in controlling the information flow. Self-help tools to remove personal informationFor those who are so inclined, there are ways to limit the amount of personal information available on the internet. If that fails, Google says it may remove personal information "that creates significant risks of identity theft, financial fraud, or other specific harms." It can be hard to gauge the effectiveness of these services, partly because there's so much personal information in the public domain. DeleteMe's website says that 2,389 pieces of personal information, on average, are found over a two-year subscription.

☆ India joins EU in mandating USB-C charging port on smartphones, as Americans still have to deal with 3 different types of ports and cables
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

India will require mobile devices sold in the country to have the USB-C charging port by March 2025. The government will find two types of charging ports for mobile devices and wearable electronics. It's following the European Union which will require USB-C charging ports by December 28, 2024. But the company confirmed that it will make iPhones with a USB-C port to comply with EU laws. Samsung is next, with 30% of the market share in the same quarter, and Lenovo is third with 9% of the market share.

☆ India's wheat stocks to fall further but sufficient, government says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Wheat stocks in India's government warehouses will fall by about 13% by early next month from current levels but will be sufficient for welfare schemes of the country, the ministry of consumer affairs and food said on Thursday. Wheat stocks in government warehouses for December fell to the lowest in six years, as prices jumped to a record high on rising demand and falling inventories. The statement comes as wheat prices in the country have seen a surge due to a drop in yields. Wheat reserves in state stores fell to 19 million tonnes on Dec. 1 from 37.85 million tonnes a year ago, government data showed. The last time stocks for December were this low was in 2016, when droughts in the previous two years had hit wheat output.

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, Nov 21 (Reuters) - India launched a crack down on Monday against fake reviews and unverified ratings in a bid to make online interaction and e-commerce more authentic and less misleading for users. Some companies have been criticised by consumers and various industry experts for downplaying negative reviews, or accepting fake ratings, making the vetting process difficult for buyers. The Department of Consumer Affairs set up a committee in June to develop a framework on checking fake and deceptive reviews in e-commerce, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said. Online companies say they have internal checks in place to combat fake reviews, but currently failure to do so is not a compliance breach. If the guidelines become mandatory, companies could face action for unfair trade practice, for suppressing negative reviews or for enabling planting of fake reviews, Taparia said.

☆ India's electronics industry moves towards uniform charging ports for smartphones
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Electronics industry stakeholders in India have agreed to a phased roll-out of USB-C type uniform charging ports for devices including smartphones and laptops, the Indian government said on Wednesday. A different charging port may be adopted for phones lacking the more advanced features of a smartphone, such as being able to use the web to download applications, the ministry said. A group will also be formed to examine the feasibility of a uniform charging port for wearable devices like earphones and smart watches, the government said. The statement did not name any companies that attended the meeting or agreed to the proposal of a phased roll-out. The government would conduct a study to assess the environmental impact of switching to a uniform charging port, it said.

☆ New Zealand government to introduce 'open banking' for consumers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - New Zealand will introduce open banking over the next two years, the government said in a statement on Thursday, making the sector the first to have rules giving consumers full control of their financial data. "Open banking" is already in place in a number of markets overseas, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Proponents of "open banking" say it may allow consumers to share their banking data with other providers to get better and cheaper services than what they already have. Australian banks, which dominate New Zealand's banking sector, are increasing their reliance on data to approve loans and better sharing of data supports this. New Zealand Bankers' Association chief executive Roger Beaumont said it is important to get the open data sharing right for consumers and they needed time to implement.

☆ Thanks to a new rule, you can now save thousands buying over-the-counter hearing aids at stores like Walmart, Best Buy, or CVS
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The FDA estimates that the OTC hearing aids can lower the average cost of a pair of hearing aids by $3,000. Not all private healthcare plans pay for exams for hearing aids, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or hearing-aid fittings. Creed said it's important that people know OTC hearing aids are not replacing prescription hearing aids, and they don't minimize the importance of working with an audiologist or medical professional to get hearing aids. WalmartBest Buy will have around 20 different kinds of hearing aids online this week, and will sell hearing aids in around 300 stores by the end of October. If the company were to eventually sell AirPods as hearing aids, they would likely be less expensive than a pair of traditional hearing aids and break stigmas around wearing hearing aids, Dr. Nicholas Reed, an audiologist at Johns Hopkins told the WSJ last year.

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