In response to concerns that Thames Water could fail, health minister Neil O’Brien has sought to reassure customers about their bills and water supply.

According to their bills or availability to water, “absolutely nothing is going to change,” he told Sky News.

Plans were in place “to handle any challenging situations,” he added.

The largest water provider in the UK, which provides services to a quarter of the country’s residents, is attempting to get additional cash as it struggles to pay its bills.

On Wednesday, the government declared that in the worst-case scenario, if Thames Water failed, it would be prepared to take action.

According to Labour MP and Chair of the Business and Trade Committee Darren Jones, “taxpayers will be exposed to the debt and running costs of a very large company” if the government is compelled to take over the management of Thames Water.

According to reports, the corporation is having trouble finding the funding it needs to pay down its $14 billion debt load. The rate of inflation, which has increased dramatically over the past year, is correlated with interest payments on more than half of its debt.

Thames Water has “significant issues to address” and needs to strengthen its “financial resilience,” according to water regulator Ofwat.

It did mention that the business still has access to finances, though. “It has £4.4 billion in cash and committed funding, including £500 million in recent additional shareholder funding.”

Ofwat further stated that it would keep a close eye on the financial stability of UK water firms to make sure “they have the financial backing to deliver for customers and the environment”.

The government was “carefully monitoring” the issue, according to the prime minister’s official spokeswoman, but Ofwat should “in the first instance” be keeping an eye on the financial stability of water providers.

“Ofwat are focused on doing their job to keep companies’ financial resilience under close scrutiny,” the statement continued.

Due to increased debt interest rates and costs like higher energy and chemical prices, other water firms are also under comparable challenges. Last year, Ofwat expressed concern about the financial stability of Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, SES, Southern, and Portsmouth Water.

Yorkshire Water stated that it saw the need of having “robust financial structures in place and we’ve listened to Ofwat’s concerns and taken action,” while Southern Water informed the BBC that its shareholders “continue to be supportive of the business and its financial resilience.”

Ofwat had expressed reservations over the building of a new reservoir, but Portsmouth Water claimed that since the regulator’s remarks, finance for the project had been acquired.

The current economic situation, according to SES Water, has “proved to be a challenge,” but the company is “confident that its financial standing remains strong.”

A number of sewage breaches and releases have led to harsh criticism of Thames Water’s performance. More water escapes from the corporation than from any other UK water utility.

The business has stated that it will keep Ofwat updated on its fundraising efforts.

However, in the event that the company is unable to raise further funds, it may be temporarily taken over by the government until a new buyer is identified, under a special administration regime. Bulb, an energy provider, experienced this in 2021 after experiencing financial troubles.

After only two years in the position, Thames Water’s chief executive Sarah Bentley resigned on Tuesday. It happened a few weeks after she was instructed to decline her bonus due to the way the business handled sewage spills.

She left the company, but the company didn’t explain why. Ms. Bentley had earlier this year attributed the company’s poor performance to sewage management mistakes made before she came.

According to The Times, City veteran Sir Adrian Montague is being considered to succeed Ian Marchant, who was named chairman in 2018, as chairman of Thames Water.

Sir Adrian has already been asked to assist the government. In order to find a solution when British Energy had financial difficulties in 2002, he was appointed chairman of the nuclear power plant operator in the UK.

Inordinate payments
Given the firms’ records on leaks and sewage discharges, there has been criticism of the amount of money paid to investors, through dividends, and to executives since the water companies were privatised.

Water firms have distributed £50.6 billion in dividends between 1991 and 2021.

There is “no doubt there have been excessive payments to executives,” according to Conservative MP and chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Philip Dunne.

“Keep in mind that water firms don’t need to worry about their top line because it is delivered every day without them having to do the job that typical businesses must do, which is for management to concentrate on creating income. Of course, as soon as everyone turns on their taps and begins drinking water, money starts to flow in.

The cost to the taxpayers would likely not be high if the government was compelled to take over the management of Thames Water, according to Prof. David Hall of the University of Greenwich.

He told that if the company enters special administration, the shareholders will suffer because that is what shareholders are for.

Then, instead of renationalization, you should create regional local authority bodies to take over, and you should transfer the corporation to those regional local authorities as a going concern. That is how the rest of the world operates.

A spokesperson for the clean water movement, Feargal Sharkey, told that “no public funds should be used for any kind of bailout for these companies.”

The performer continued by saying that the government may resolve the issue by issuing an enforcement order that would specify how to invest and how to pay off debts.

“The stockholders who invested relatively little money in these companies may suffer greatly as a result. The final result will be debt-free, big, productive firms with a forward-looking outlook, even if it takes five or ten years.

A “strong safety net” was required, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which speaks for water customers, to shield poor homes from any bill increases that would be used to finance investment.

“Nearly one in four households say they are currently struggling to pay their water bill amid the cost of living crisis, and this will add to their worries,” senior director Mike Keil said.

Water bills have increased, with the average household’s annual bill in England and Wales reaching £448 in 2016.

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After the first quarter, Sandip Sabharwal of asksandipsabharwal.com predicts there may be no further earnings reductions. When you wish to purchase these stocks, it becomes crucial. Regardless of the news flow, if Infosys drops from its 1,400-odd level by 15-20%, you should purchase because the worst possible news is already built in. That is how we must approach these substantial IT stocks.

This is the first occasion that the management of IT corporations has publicly acknowledged a problem. We had a conversation with you about this a year ago. These equities had been penalized by the markets for the previous six to eight months. Are we approaching the point where you have to accept the management’s bad news or are we in for a lengthy winter?
The winter will not endure too long, but it will continue for a while. Because IT spending, especially the discretionary side, has a lot to do with sentiments, people need to understand that this phenomenon will last at least one or two quarters. We all assume that businesses and their management make logical judgments, but many of these choices are also influenced by how they see the future. This perception is now more unfavorable than what might actually occur. The management of these IT organizations are now aware of it to some level. I’ve been stating for a while that if people accept the truth, the stock price will rise to levels that could be considered buy levels. That’s where we are, in my opinion.

regardless of the news flow, you buy when the 1,400-odd level drops 15-20% since the worst bad news is built in. Because these companies have no debt, generate enormous amounts of cash, engage in regular buybacks, and distribute significant dividends, that is how we must trade these large IT stocks because we cannot be persistently bearish on these corporations.

However, the scenario is now unfavorable, and based on what these managements are saying, things could get a little worse.

Let’s think of it in terms of levels. Brokerages have taken to cutting the price objectives down with knives. When it comes to IT, everyone has experienced a downgrade since last year. Is it currently too late to sell?

You might decide not to invest since the stock might decline by 5% or 10%, but when the turn does happen, it will be equally sharp.

Yes, I will advise that long-term investors shouldn’t sell Infosys even if it opens 10% lower than what the ADR predicted. Perhaps another 10% could be lost from that, but I do not see it sliding any lower than that. Therefore, those looking to buy should wait. There are numerous other industries that currently provide better career chances. For those who held onto their investments and held off on selling from 1,800, 1,900, or whatever top it reached, until 1,200. They have no reason to sell at 1200.

DLF recently achieved record sales in the luxury sector. The growth coming from Kolte-Patil is unprecedented. In my conversations with Prestige, they also refer to record booking and record coaching. What is the source of the growth? Although there is talk of a slowdown, job losses, and the effects of increased interest rates, real estate companies are only doing things correctly.

The economy is shaped like a K, with luxury vehicles, four-wheelers, and consumer durables all experiencing declines, but sales of luxury brands are reaching all-time highs in India. This luxury sales craze is a world-wide phenomenon. That is a characteristic of the K-shaped economic model. Since many pre-sales need to be transformed into cash flows and actual deliveries, real estate is currently a challenging investment. We have frequently observed in the past that events frequently do not proceed exactly as they are supposed to.

Since you explicitly questioned about DLF, they are in a good position. That business has controlled its balance sheet, among other things, and has been quite cautious in recent years. Like you indicated and the corporate management mentioned, many of the new projects are selling out very quickly. Therefore, I believe that there is opportunity in a few stocks, and DLF may be added on top of it.

Given that the shares of HDFC Bank has already reached a 52-week high, what should you do at this time? It increased by roughly 7-9% in the past month alone. What happens next, given that the Street expectations were a touch too high and that HDFC Bank has successfully met the projections so far?

The outcomes didn’t have any drawbacks. People are searching for drawbacks. There weren’t any drawbacks. Data on credit growth has previously been released. All factors are favorable, and they could deliver significantly on the net interest. The major concern at the moment is what will happen after the merger with HDFC, when they would need to generate a sizable amount of CASA deposits. That is not how you can grow. Since they are a phenomenon with stable growth that results from long-term client acquisition, the majority of it will likely come from fixed deposits with higher interest rates, which will have an immediate negative impact on their net interest margins.

Furthermore, if they receive any leniency on specific points, the entire HDFC book will still need to adhere to the SLR, CRR, etc. criteria. Since there has been no word of any RBI easing, we must wait and watch.

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Following the UK’s approval of Ford’s BlueCruise technology, drivers will be allowed to lawfully take their hands off the wheel while driving.

The use of the “hands-off, eyes-on” technology on several roadways has been allowed by ministers.

While a camera will keep a watch on the driver’s eyes to ensure they remain aware, it can regulate steering, acceleration, and braking.

The technology will initially only be offered for Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E SUV versions from 2023.

In traffic congestion, it also implies that the model may maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and even bring them to a complete stop.

It is crucial to remember that this is not a self-driving car, but rather “the next development in assisted driving technology,” according to Thatcham Research, an automotive research company.

The fact that drivers will be able to take their hands off the wheel for the first time ever distinguishes it from other situations. But they must keep their focus on the road in front of them, ” said Tom Leggett, a Thatcham automotive technology specialist.

Crucially, the motorist is not allowed to use a phone, doze off, or engage in any activity that diverts their attention from the road, he continued.

The hands-off technology in the £50,830 Ford will be free for the first 90 days, after which time users must pay up for a monthly subscription.

The new model has begun to be delivered since last month. It can travel at a top speed of 80 mph and makes use of cameras and sensors to identify lane markings, speed signs, other vehicles’ locations, and speeds.

“The newest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also help make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error,” said Transport Minister Jesse Norman.

According to Lisa Brankin, managing director of Ford in Britain and Ireland, the car will only take control when “the system feels it’s safe” in specific “blue zones” that have been determined to be secure along 2,300 miles of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales.

“If your eyes are closed, the vehicle will signal for you to take the wheel and take control… If the driver doesn’t answer, the car will gradually slow down until it comes to a stop, she explained.

She continues by saying that as the technology “does not support autonomous driving,” the driver will still be entirely liable for insurance claims in the event of an accident.

As a “Level 2” driver assistance system, Ford’s BlueCruise technology still depends on a human driver to take over in the event of an accident.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, there are six stages of autonomous driving:

• Level 0: Very limited automation, including features like automated brakes that offer some alerts or assistance.
• Level 1: Driver aid, in which a single aspect is controlled by technology, such as cruise control
• Level 2: Partial automation, in which at least two parts of driving are managed by technology, such as speed control and self-parking.
• Level 3: Conditional automation, in which almost all driving decisions are made by technology, but the driver must still be there to correct any potential errors. At this point, drivers may occasionally avert their eyes from the road.
• Level 4: High automation, when technology typically doesn’t need human contact. Currently, this is only possible in a few locations with low speed restrictions and clearly marked roads. Regulation currently limits this kind of automation.
• Level 5: Complete automation, where no driver assistance is required at all
• Since 2021, Ford’s technology has been accessible in the US and Canada. According to the article, more than 190,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have used the technology to go more than 60 million miles over the past couple of years without any incidents being reported.

The first technology authorised for hands-free driving in the UK is Ford’s BlueCruise. On UK highways, it will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel at speeds of up to 70 mph for possibly hundreds of miles. But how sophisticated is it?

Today, a lot of cars have level 2 vehicle autonomy. Although they can brake, steer, and accelerate on their own, the driver must always be in charge and paying attention.

Level 2 still applies to Ford’s BlueCruise and Tesla’s Autopilot, for instance. This is due to the fact that the driver must still pay attention, and measures are in place to make sure they do.

Mercedes has created the most cutting-edge system currently available. Drive Pilot is a system that enables drivers to take their hands off the wheel and focus totally on something else, including watching films.

However, it can only operate at a certain pace and in certain “geo-fenced” zones. It is accessible in Germany and Nevada but has not yet received approval for use in the UK.

Presentational grey line of 2 px
After safety regulators expressed concerns that it could let drivers to go over the posted speed limit or navigate junctions dangerously, Tesla, which has been testing autonomous cars in the US, recently issued a recall affecting 363,000 vehicles.

Despite the “safety benefits” that technology aspects of assisted driving or lane positioning systems would provide, according to Edmund King, drivers must remain vigilant.

It shouldn’t mislead drivers into believing they are safe. The driver retains control of the vehicle even when using hands-free technology, according to Mr. King.

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Vital point: At the beginning of the year, Bitcoin has increased by 80%. History demonstrates that the Bitcoin typically performs well before its alleged “halving.“

The incentives for successfully mining new bitcoin are cut in half every four years due to the bitcoin halving. The goal is to gradually decrease the supply of bitcoin.

The price of bitcoin rose by 19% from the same day a year prior on May 11, 2020, before the last halving.

Although there are other factors that affect price, the halving is a significant event for investors and essential to the case for bitcoin as a store of value due to its restricted quantity.

A significant technical development for Bitcoin is still over a year away, and it might serve as the impetus for a sustained increase in the value of the cryptocurrency.

The next so-called “halving” of bitcoin is anticipated to occur in April or May 2024, however the precise date is not yet known.

Although a likely U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut competes with the risk of slow growth and tightened credit conditions brought on by problems in the banking sector, bitcoin has been gaining in recent weeks in anticipation of the halving.

Data from CoinGecko shows that as of Wednesday morning, one bitcoin was worth almost $30,000. From the beginning of the year, the largest cryptocurrency in the world has increased by more than 80%.

The rise in the price of bitcoin above $30,000 at a period of bank failures and economic unpredictability, according to Vijay Ayyar, vice president of corporate development and international at cryptocurrency exchange Luno, indicates that the cyclical “bottom” for bitcoin is emerging.

Ayyar told CNBC via email that “this tends to happen a year or so prior to the Bitcoin halving event, which is scheduled for approximately April 2024.”

What does halving bitcoin mean?

A Bitcoin halving occurs every 210,000 new “blocks” that are added to the blockchain, or roughly every four years. The occasion reduces by 50% the rewards given to bitcoin miners, who work voluntarily to validate network transactions and create new currencies using specialised equipment. The goal is to limit the quantity of brand-new bitcoin units that are placed onto the market.

For every successfully mined block, bitcoin miners currently receive 6.25 bitcoin. This indicates that their machine had sufficient processing capacity to solve the cryptographic conundrums that guard the bitcoin network and keep it safe from hostile actors.

This prize will be cut in half at the subsequent bitcoin halving, reaching 3.125 bitcoin.

Supporters of the cryptocurrency claim that by increasing the scarcity of bitcoin, this will help drive up the price.

21 million bitcoins are the absolute most that will ever be in circulation. This is ensured by the halving mechanism, which reduces mining rewards for bitcoin to zero ultimately.

According to data from CCData, the price of bitcoin climbed by 19% in the previous 12 months, from $7,191.36 to $8,568.88, before the most recent halving, which happened on May 11, 2020.

The halving before that, which took place on July 9, 2016, saw a rise in bitcoin of 142% over the previous year, from $269.14 to $651.83.

Bitcoin halving occasions and record highs

According to CCData’s statistics, the price of bitcoin increased by 384% to $12.35 from $2.55 after the first-ever halving on November 28, 2012.

Although the precise timing and magnitude of returns after halving can vary, it appears that investors frequently accumulate Bitcoin in the lead-up to the event, according to Jamie Sly, analyst at CryptoCompare, who spoke to CNBC.

“The accumulating period has typically lasted at least 500 days from the market bottom following the breakout to the halve date.”

Sly continued, “This would suggest that we are only 142 days into the current cycle if we were to assume that the market bottom for this cycle was in November of last year (when Bitcoin hit a yearly low of $15,760). This would be in line with the following anticipated Bitcoin halving date, which is 378 days away.

Gains since the halving of Bitcoin

In the months that follow the price halving, bitcoin often experiences an even greater increase.

Since its inception, Bitcoin has climbed to record highs.

According to CCData, the cryptocurrency rose 688.31% in the 546 days that followed the May 11, 2020, halving, to hit a then-record high of $67,549.14 on November 8, 2021.

Before to it, on July 9, 2016, there was a halving that caused bitcoin to soar 2,824% to an all-time high of $19,065.71 by mid-December 2017.

A turbulent 2022 for bitcoin was marked by the demise of important businesses and initiatives, including the stablecoin terraUSD and the cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

Higher interest rates in the US and other major nations as a result of rising inflation drove investors away from bitcoin and other risky assets.

As a result, the prices of numerous popular digital currencies have fallen precipitously from their record highs.

Bitcoin is still down more than 50% from its highs in November 2021, despite its latest rise near $30,000.

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A massive Whole Foods in downtown San Francisco that only recently built is momentarily closed. The business claimed that worker safety issues compelled them to close. Despite the fact that crime has largely decreased over the last six years, theft incidents in San Francisco have drawn attention from throughout the country.

A Whole Foods representative stated that the closure of the almost 65,000 square foot store at Trinity Place in the city’s Mid-Market neighbourhood was necessary to “protect the safety” of its staff. The representative for Whole Foods said it was a “tough decision to close the Trinity location for the time being,” even though the company withheld any further details regarding the circumstances that led to the store closing. Employees impacted will be moved to neighbouring businesses.

The store at 8th and Market streets won’t be operating on Tuesday, according to the spokeswoman. Also gone is the store’s website.

The Whole Foods was one of the biggest supermarkets in downtown San Francisco when it opened in March 2022 and was hailed as a “flagship shop.” According to a news release, the store included 3,700 locally produced goods and was built with ‘nods to historic San Francisco’.

According to The San Francisco Standard, an independent news source, this Whole Foods store has already cut back on hours due to theft and remodelled its facilities after staff discovered syringes and pipes.

Matt Dorsey, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, tweeted that the closure left him “very upset.”

“Our community waited a long time for this supermarket, but we are also well aware of the troubles they have encountered with drug-related retail thievery, nearby drug markets, and the various safety hazards associated to them,” wrote Dorsey.

Because of multiple eye-catching recordings of criminals in action, property crimes in San Francisco have attracted national attention. The city had a 23% increase in property crimes between 2020 and 2022, with surges in burglary and theft serving as the surge’s focal points, according to data from the San Francisco Police Department. This increase was still significantly below 2017 levels.

Statistics on violent crime in San Francisco, though, have remained largely stable in recent years. 12 homicides have been reported in San Francisco so far this year, according to preliminary police data, a 20% increase from the same time last year. In all, San Francisco witnessed 56 homicides in 2022, matching the number of homicides the city recorded in 2021.

National merchants have been complained about thefts that have affected locations in recent months. In response, chains recruited more security guards and locked up common items like toothpaste and deodorant. The impact of the thefts, however, might have been exaggerated, a Walgreens executive recently acknowledged.

Temporarily closing in October 2022 due to theft and staff safety concerns, a Cotopaxi store in San Francisco reopened in the middle of November.

At the time, the “large-scale theft and raiding” put the store’s employees in danger, according to Cotopaxi CEO Davis Smith in a LinkedIn post. However he said that he lamented the fact that the closure of the store sparked a political argument over crime in San Francisco and other places.

“We had many rushing to our support, others who felt upset by my article, and a few who politicised our store’s closure,” Smith wrote. “Unfortunately, these are the times we live in. For the record, I had no idea that the closure of our Hayes Valley store would arouse political controversy.

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Due to poor productivity and ageing populations, interest rates in major economies are predicted to drop to pre-pandemic levels.

Increases in borrowing costs are anticipated to be “temporary,” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), once excessive inflation is brought under control.

Since December 2021, the Bank of England has gradually increased interest rates, bringing them from 0.1% to 4.25%.

As a result, many homeowners now have higher mortgage payments.

In order to slow the rate of price increases, sometimes known as inflation, central banks in the US, the UK, Europe, and other countries have raised interest rates.

The UK’s inflation rate has reached its highest level in almost 40 years as a result of rising energy and food prices. Inflation is being fueled by a number of factors, including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has increased energy prices.

The IMF, however, stated that “recent increases in real interest rates are likely to be temporary” in a blog post.

The statement said, “When inflation is brought under control, central banks of advanced economies are likely to ease monetary policy and bring real interest rates back to pre-pandemic levels.”

However, the precise date that interest rates will return to lower levels was not provided by the IMF.

The banking company based in Washington claimed that one factor that will probably cut inflation would be an older population.

George Godber, a portfolio manager at Polar Capital, explained that elderly individuals have an impact on inflation since they often spend less.

In his words, “The amount that you spend relative to your income is highest when you’re in your 20s, 30s, and 40s – often that’s maybe young families, when you’ve got households forming, you’ve got couples coming together, they tend to spend the most when they decorate and buy a car or whatever, and you as you get older in life you slow down your consumption.”

Because fewer people are going to Glastonbury and having evenings out, more people are staying in and watching Antiques Roadshow. As a result, spending habits tend to change and more people conserve money.

The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, recently stated that the percentage of adults in the UK between the ages of 20 and 59 has decreased to below 65% over the past ten years and “is set to decline further in the coming years.”

In addition to individuals living longer, he claimed that this has been caused by a fall in birth rates.

Low productivity, which is a measure of how many goods and services are created, would lower inflation, according to the IMF.

In a speech last month, Mr. Bailey claimed that the UK’s industrial sector had increased productivity before the financial crisis of 2008 hit.

“However, manufacturing productivity growth dramatically slowed down after the financial crisis. The fundamental reason behind the slowdown, according to him, is this decline in manufacturing productivity.

The UK’s interest rate was 0.75% just before the Covid epidemic, but the Bank of England reduced it twice to 0.1% in March 2020 as the nation went into lockdown.

Over the previous two years, inflation has increased gradually and reached 10.4% in February, which is more than five times the Bank of England’s 2% target.

The Bank of England declared that it anticipated inflation “to fall sharply over the rest of the year” after the decision to increase UK interest rates once more in March.

This is because wholesale petrol prices are declining and the government continues to provide assistance with residential heating bills through the Energy Price Guarantee programme.

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Google had previously announced that, in order to comply with CCI’s directives, it would allow app developers to offer an alternate billing system for in-app purchases within India beginning April 26, 2023.

The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF), a New Delhi policy think tank comprised of prominent Indian internet companies such as Matrimony, Paytm, MapmyIndia, TrulyMadly, and other local entrepreneurs, announced on April 5 that it has asked the CCI (Competition Commission of India) to investigate Google’s user choice billing system “immediately.”

In order to comply with CCI’s directives, Google announced in February 2023 that it will allow app developers to offer an alternate billing system for in-app purchases within India beginning April 26, 2023.

According to the new policy, if a user pays through the alternative billing system (also known as the User Choice billing system), the transaction will still incur a service fee, but at a 4 percent lower rate.

This effectively means that developers will have to pay Google a service fee ranging from 6-26 percent for in-app purchases and subscriptions, depending on the type of app/service and the annual revenue it generates on Google Play, rather than the standard 10-30 percent service fee.

Following the CCI’s antitrust order on Play billing, Google paused the enforcement of its in-app billing policy in India in November 2022. For users outside of India, the policy is already mandatory for in-app digital content purchases.

CCI directed Google in October 2022 not to prohibit app developers from using third-party billing or payment processing services to purchase apps or for in-app billing on Google Play, in addition to a variety of corrective measures to modify the company’s app payment policies.

It also fined Google Rs 936.44 crore for abusing its dominant position in the Play Store’s policies.

‘Abusive dominance behaviour’

Google’s plan to implement the user choice billing system in India is referred to by ADIF as a “abusive dominance practise” by the company.

“Unfortunately, there is no quorum at the CCI; and thus Google is taking advantage of an institutional lacunae, bringing in user choice billing in haste, harming the start-up story, and also disregarding the CCI order,” the think tank said in a statement.

It also mentioned Twitter Blue, the social media platform’s subscription service, which has different pricing on the web and its mobile app to compensate for the 15-30% commission fee charged by Google and Apple on subscriptions.

Twitter Blue is currently available in India for Rs 650 per month on the web and Rs 900 per month on mobile devices. Moneycontrol reported on March 29 that Facebook parent Meta’s paid subscription service Meta Verified will also be available for a monthly fee of Rs 1,099 on the web and Rs 1,499 on the mobile app.

“This would deprive Indian app developers and startups of a significant portion of their revenue and would render many young startups’ business models unviable, particularly those that rely on in-app purchases, paid apps, or subscriptions,” it said.

Google, on the other hand, has maintained that the service fee it charges is never just for payment processing. “It reflects the value provided by Android and Google Play, as well as all of the developer services we offer, such as app distribution and discovery, the commerce platform, developer tools, analytics, training, and more,” a Google spokesperson said earlier.

In terms of app downloads and users, India is one of Google Play’s most important markets. The country is also emerging as a key monetisation opportunity for Google Play, owing to the country’s increasing adoption of digital transactions.

Android antitrust ruling by the NCLAT

However, on March 29, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) overturned four of the ten remedial measures ordered by the CCI in a separate antitrust order pertaining to Google’s Android business.

According to the NCLAT ruling, Google is not required to allow the hosting of third-party app stores on the Play Store and can continue to restrict the distribution of apps via the sideloading process. The company also does not have to share its proprietary Play Services APIs with competitors, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and developers, or allow users to uninstall pre-installed apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube.

The tribunal, on the other hand, upheld the CCI’s Rs 1,338 crore penalty against Google, stating that the competition watchdog’s order is free of ‘confirmation bias.’

In January 2023, the tribunal also denied Google interim relief on the Rs 936.44 crore penalty. The case is scheduled to be heard on April 17.

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The Wisconsin State Fair Park will host the Home & Garden Show from March 24 to April 2.

Spring is quickly approaching. Visitors to Wisconsin State Fair Park can find gardening and outdoor inspiration just in time for the season.

The Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors’ annual Home & Garden Show opens Friday and runs through April 2 at the park’s Exposition Center.

People are taking on more home projects since the pandemic, especially in their backyards, according to Mike Ruzicka, president of GMAR.

“People are making investments in their homes. They’re spending significantly more time there. They’re decorating in a unique way “Ruzicka explained.

Guests can meet contractors and get ideas for their homes, both inside and out, at the show. Here are some of the exhibitors.

Flowers, greenery, and a succulent bar

Visitors to the Forrest Farms succulent bar can select decorative pots, succulents, mosses, and rocks.

Forrest Farms was founded last year by Jackie Bell and Danny Forrest, who used their spare bedroom to house their plants.

They’ll be teaching classes on how to care for and arrange succulents at this year’s show. For those with greener thumbs, Forrest Farms will also sell houseplants such as orchids, African violets, ferns, and palms.

Water features add interest to landscaping.

One of this year’s sponsors, Aquatica, created a “treasure beach” inside the Expo Center, complete with treasure chests, gold bricks, and a central waterfall.

“Water is the one thing that can bring your landscape to life,” owner Dean Pipito, also known as The Pondfather, said.

More homeowners wanted to transform their backyard spaces during the pandemic, according to Pipito. Aquatica installs water features that can withstand the harsh Wisconsin winters. The water features, according to Pipito, attract butterflies, dragonflies, and songbirds during the warmer months.

One of this year’s sponsors, Aquatica, created a “treasure beach” inside the Expo Center, complete with treasure chests, gold bricks, and a central waterfall.

“Water is the one thing that can bring your landscape to life,” owner Dean Pipito, also known as The Pondfather, said.

More homeowners wanted to transform their backyard spaces during the pandemic, according to Pipito. Aquatica installs water features that can withstand the harsh Wisconsin winters. The water features, according to Pipito, attract butterflies, dragonflies, and songbirds during the warmer months.

Food, drinks, and grilling, of course.
It’s almost grilling season as the weather warms up. Grilling enthusiasts can hone their skills at the show.

Midwest Grill’n’s Mad Dog and Merrill will be doing seven grilling demonstrations and handing out samples. The meat featured is all sourced locally, according to the duo.

There are also refreshments available at the show. A wine tasting bar is being hosted by PRP Wines.

A special pool display is one of the options for backyard entertainment.
Seven landscaping displays showcasing outdoor entertainment features are featured in the show. Visitors can look around at outdoor kitchens, bars, and fire pits. Loomis Landscaping created a pool specifically for the show.

Excel Custom Contractors will display its deck hub, which combines a fridge, stereo, and gas-fired fire pit.

Food, drinks, and grilling, of course.
It’s almost grilling season as the weather warms up. Grilling enthusiasts can hone their skills at the show.

Midwest Grill’n’s Mad Dog and Merrill will be doing seven grilling demonstrations and handing out samples. The meat featured is all sourced locally, according to the duo.

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Following the rebranding of an iconic hotel with a memorable history at a crossroads shared with some of the world’s most recognisable casinos, a name associated with poker and Las Vegas lore now has a place on the neon-lit Strip.

The Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and its corporate owner, Caesars Entertainment Corp., held ceremonies Friday to commemorate the hotel’s rebranding from Bally’s Las Vegas, ahead of the upcoming 54th World Series of Poker.

“We are not only excited for guests to experience the redesigned resort and its latest offerings, but we are also proud to reintroduce the historic gaming brand to Las Vegas,” said Jason Gregorec, Horseshoe senior vice president and general manager.

The 2,800-room property was formerly the MGM Grand Hotel, which burned down in 1980, killing 87 people. For 36 years, it was Bally’s Las Vegas.

Renovations and renamings pay homage to Binion’s Horseshoe, a hotel and gambling hall in downtown’s “Glitter Gulch” where the World Series of Poker first took place.

It also places the Horseshoe marquee across the street from the Bellagio’s fountains, Caesars Palace’s statues, and the glitzy Flamingo Las Vegas.

Jack Binion, 86, a former casino executive and member of the American Gaming Association and World Series of Poker halls of fame, was scheduled to present a lucky horseshoe from his family’s ranch at an event that also featured “Jubilee!” costumes reminiscent of the feathery Bally’s revue that ran for 35 years before closing in 2016.

Binion’s father, former Texas gambler Benny Binion, hosted the first World Series of Poker in 1970 as an invitation-only game at his downtown Horseshoe, a 366-room hotel he opened in 1951.

Jack Binion and his brother, Ted Binion, worked at the downtown property, which is now known as Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel and is owned by the same corporation that owns the neighbouring Four Queens. Ted Binion’s death in 1998 sparked a sensational murder trial that resulted in the acquittal of his ex-stripper, live-in girlfriend, and her secret lover in 2004.

In 2004, Harrah’s Entertainment purchased the poker tournament and relocated it to the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino. A year later, Harrah’s purchased Caesars Entertainment, which was later purchased by Eldorado Resorts, now known as Caesars Entertainment Corp., in 2020. Bally’s hotel-casino was included in the deal. The renaming process began last year.

The tournament that popularised championship bracelets and Texas Hold ’em now lasts more than seven weeks. Last year, it drew nearly 200,000 players to Bally’s and the adjacent Paris Las Vegas, awarding nearly $350 million in prizes. It is set to begin this year on May 30.

Officials stated that after it concludes in July, an 18-table poker room will offer tournament-style play all year.

The MGM Grand, a 26-story hotel, opened in late 1973 as the Horseshoe. It had 2,100 rooms and was one of the world’s largest hotels.

Seven years later, the deadly fire was one of the deadliest in US history. It resulted in legislation mandating fire safety and sprinkler systems in hotels and high-rise buildings. The hotel was rebuilt, and a second tower with 700 additional rooms was added in 1981.

In 1986, Bally Manufacturing purchased the property. In late 1993, MGM Grand Inc. relocated a block down the Strip and opened the movie-themed MGM Grand Las Vegas resort. That 30-story property, with over 5,000 rooms and an emerald green exterior, opened as the world’s largest hotel complex.

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The Ogun State chapter of the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers of Nigeria has asked the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, to grant loans and purchase trucks for its members as part of an empowerment programme.

The union also urged the governor to reinstate daily ticketing as a means of raising funds for the union.

In a statement signed by its state chairman, Taiwo Oyeneye, the transport association congratulated the governor on his re-election.

In the statement, Oyeneye urged the state government to implement an open-door policy that would create a welcoming environment for truck drivers and employers in the state.

While praising Gov. Dapo Abiodun’s reelection in the recently concluded governorship election, he said it was an expression of the people’s will.

The union chairman, who also serves as the Baale of Oluwo Onikolobo in Abeokuta, stated that the victory was well deserved in light of Abiodun’s administration’s positive impact on the lives of the people of the state.

He pleaded with the governor, however, to be gracious in victory, adding that the people of Ogun State should expect more historic projects.

“The transport union, which has thousands of members across the state, maintains that Abiodun’s re-election was divine and promises to give his administration full support,” Oyeneye said.

“This congratulatory statement was issued following our general meeting and signed by the entire house.”

“We hereby thank the Secretary to the Government of Ogun State, Tokunbo Talabi, for his open-door policy.” “We also want to thank the party’s State Secretary, Prince Adeleke Aderibigbe Tella, for giving us a second chance and always being there for us whenever our Union requires the assistance of the state government,” he said.

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