Latest news with #EAS
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Anand Sharma slams Piyush Goyal for calling ASEAN the B team of China
Hitting out at Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for his remarks against the India-ASEAN trade agreements, former Commerce Minister and Congress veteran Anand Sharma on Friday said that labelling the Southeast Asian countries as the 'B team of China is irresponsible and insulting'. Mr. Goyal, speaking at the India Global Forum (IGF) session on UK-India Science, Technology and Innovation Collaboration at the Science Museum in London on Thursday, had said that 15 years ago India was more focused on doing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries 'who were our competitors'. 'So, if I am doing an ASEAN agreement, it really is silly because (that is) opening up my market to my competitors, many of whom have now become the B team of China. So, effectively and indirectly, I have opened up my market for goods that find their way from China into India,' he had said. Watch | Piyush Goyal optimistic about India-US trade pact ahead of July 9 tariff deadline Rebutting the statement, Mr. Sharma said successive Indian governments have consciously pursued this policy and elevated India-ASEAN relations to a strategic partnership. 'Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's statement belittling India ASEAN Trade Agreements is unwarranted, ill advised and unfortunate. India and ASEAN group of countries are for over three decades engaged in a multi-faceted relationship which is mutually rewarding and important,' he said in a statement. 'Integral part of Look East policy' 'This is an integral part of the Look East policy to deepen and diversify India's relations with a region that is economically vibrant and of enormous Geo-Strategic importance for engagement with the Asia-Pacific region,' Mr. Sharma said.1 The Congress leader said India is also a member of East Asia Summit (EAS) of ASEAN + six (Japan, India, South Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand) and Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia are strategic partner countries. 'Piyush Goyal's statement terming the Trade agreement with ASEAN as silly and labelling these countries as B team of China is irresponsible and insulting. He has forgotten that President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest for 2025 Republic Day Parade,' Mr. Sharma said. He said the CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement) with ASEAN and trade agreements with Japan and South Korea are aimed at promoting investments and trade in goods and services. 'Suboptimal trade agreement with USA' 'Piyush Goyal needs to be reminded of the fundamental rule of trade: 'No country can export what it does not produce nor imports what it does not need'. It needs mention that ASEAN is India's fourth largest trading partner accounting for over 11% of India's total global trade with bilateral trade at 120 billion USD and accounts for over 11% of India's Exports. FDI inflows from ASEAN to India account for over 18% of total FDI inflows since 2000,' the Congress veteran said. Mr. Sharma argued that the agreements were diligently negotiated considering India's interests with this vibrant region and in-built checks and review mechanisms were put in place. He added that trade in goods with ASEAN countries includes essential imports: iron ore and coal from Indonesia, palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia, oil - petroleum products from Brunei Dares Salam and Malaysia and pulses from Myanmar. 'In an interconnected and interdependent world, partnerships are the way forward and not exclusion and isolation. The commerce minister should be prioritising strengthening trade relations with partner countries and not insulting them while bending backwards to negotiate a suboptimal trade agreement with USA on its terms,' Mr. Sharma said.
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Telaid Launches Integrated Security Strategies to Balance Retail Theft Prevention and Customer Experience
Photo Courtesy of: Telaid NORCROSS, Ga., June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Telaid , a trusted technology integrator, has rolled out its integrated security strategies aimed at helping retailers reduce theft while maintaining a positive customer experience. As retail crime continues to rise nationwide, the company's approach combines physical security infrastructure with intelligent technology and staff training to support retailers in adapting to evolving threats. According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2023 National Retail Security Survey, inventory shrink reached $112.1 billion in 2022, up from $93.9 billion the year before. More than 70% of retailers reported an increase in aggressive and violent organized retail crime (ORC). In response, many stores have resorted to visible deterrents such as locking up products or placing guards at entrances—measures that can create friction for everyday shoppers. 'You shouldn't need to find an associate just to buy a toothbrush,' s aid Steve Collins, Vice President of Business Development at Telaid. 'It's a friction point that erodes customer trust, especially when it's not balanced with thoughtful strategy.' Telaid's integrated security strategies are designed to offer a more balanced alternative. The company provides end-to-end solutions that include network infrastructure, wireless capabilities, and physical security systems. These systems are layered with intelligent tools such as AI-powered video analytics, RFID tags, and self-locking shopping carts, which can detect and deter suspicious behavior without disrupting the shopping experience. 'When layered strategically, these technologies can reduce loss without turning stores into fortresses,' Collins said. Integrated platforms are also helping retailers improve response times and make better-informed decisions. Telaid's unified systems bring together video surveillance, access control, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and analytics dashboards into a single interface. This enables asset protection teams to identify trends, track incidents, and coordinate responses more effectively. 'These systems don't just alert you to theft—they help identify when and where it's happening, how often, and under what circumstances,' said Collins. 'That data becomes actionable when you're trying to decide whether to invest in personnel, tech upgrades, or operational changes.' The strategies also include design elements that limit the visibility of security features. To avoid making customers feel watched or distrusted, many retailers are choosing discreet surveillance options such as ceiling-mounted AI cameras, low-profile sensors, and intelligent shelving. Training is another critical component of Telaid's strategy. The company works with retailers to train store associates not only on how to use the new technologies, but also how to identify threats, follow non-confrontational protocols, and maintain a safe environment. According to the NRF, many retailers are implementing safety-first policies that discourage direct engagement with suspected offenders. The emphasis is on de-escalation and staff safety. Decision-making in retail security is also becoming more localized. Telaid supports this shift by equipping district managers and local asset protection leaders with tools and data that allow for real-time responses tailored to local conditions. 'The stakes are too high. Retailers that blend smart technology with a customer-first mindset will be the ones that stay competitive as expectations change,' Collins added. As retailers face increasing pressures from theft, evolving threats, and customer expectations, Telaid's integrated security strategies aim to provide a practical and scalable solution. The approach enables loss prevention efforts to become part of a retailer's overall strategy—supporting profitability, safety, and the shopping experience. About Telaid Telaid is a leading technology integrator specializing in the rapid deployment of IT infrastructure, physical security, and wireless solutions. With over 40 years of experience, Telaid helps enterprises in retail and other industries achieve operational efficiency and business resilience through turnkey technology deployment and support. The company delivers customized solutions that meet evolving business needs across hundreds of locations nationwide. Contact Information:Name: Jill ZylstraWebsite: Telaid Email:[email protected]
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sirens in 4 Iroquois Co. towns to sound again Monday
WATSEKA, Ill. (WCIA) — Outdoor warning sirens in four Iroquois County towns are going to sound again next week due to a need to test them again. Scott Anderson, Coordinator of the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency, said in a news release that the sirens in Buckley, Iroquois, Milford and Wellington will sound between 10 a.m. and noon on Monday. This comes after the EMA had to test nearly all sirens in the county on Monday, June 9, because all except Watseka's didn't sound during the original test date. Champaign Fire, Police Departments pushing for fireworks safety this summer Anderson again reminded people to remember that outdoor warning sirens are designed to be heard by those who are outside, not necessarily inside buildings or homes. He also again recommended a number of other sources people can use to receive real-time warnings, including: NOAA Weather Radio: A national network that broadcasts continuous weather updates from the National Weather Service (NWS). Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Sent to mobile phones by authorized government agencies such as NWS. Mobile Weather Apps: These apps provide severe weather alerts and more information. Local Media: Important sources of official storm watch and warning information. Emergency Alert System (EAS): This distributes alerts through a number of different media channels. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Essential Air Service's funding might be cut
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The Trump administration wants to slash the budget for the federal Essential Air Service program and that could affect three of South Dakota's airports. State Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt briefed the South Dakota Aeronautics Commission about the situation. Roads flood in northeast SD, western MN The program currently is budgeted at $588 million, Jundt told the commission members on Thursday, and Trump wants to reduce the amount by $380 million. 'So that would be a fairly substantial cut relative to that program,' Jundt said. But, he pointed out, the U.S. House version of the reconciliation bill doesn't have that cut in it, while the U.S. Senate has yet to consider it. Jundt said airport managers at the three South Dakota cities that receive EAS subsidies — Watertown, Pierre and Aberdeen – have been in contact with U.S. Sen. John Thune and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds asking that the cut not be supported. The Trump administration's 46-page outline says this about EAS: 'The EAS program funnels taxpayer dollars to airlines to subsidize half-empty flights from airports that are within easy commuting distance from each other, while also failing to effectively provide assistance to most rural air travelers. Spending on programs is out of control, more than doubling between 2021 and 2025. The Budget reins in EAS subsidies by proposing a mix of reforms to adjust eligibility and subsidy rates to help rural communities' air transportation needs in a more sustainable manner. This would save American taxpayers over $300 million from the 2025 level.' In other action Thursday, the South Dakota commission: Approved state 5% funding participation to accompany Federal Aviation Administration grants for airport projects at Canton, Faith, Vermillion, McLaughlin and Wall. Chose Bob Huggins of Sioux Falls as the panel's new chair. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New Zealand PM Luxon to meet President Xi in China, then head to Europe
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attends the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) at the National Convention Centre, in Vientiane, Laos, October 11, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo New Zealand PM Luxon to meet President Xi in China, then head to Europe WELLINGTON - New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit China and Europe next week, meeting with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and leaders of the European Union, the government said in a statement on Friday. 'China is New Zealand's largest trading partner and a vital part of our economic story,' Luxon said. 'The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand.' This is Luxon's first visit to China since he became prime minister in late 2023. His predecessor, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, visited in June 2023. The visit to China will focus on growing trade, which was worth over NZ$38 billion ($23 billion) last year, as well as look to strengthen education and tourism links and to maximize opportunities for New Zealand businesses, the government said. Luxon will then head to Europe to undertake bilateral visits to Brussels and The Hague where he will meet with leaders, including from the EU, to discuss trade, security, and the shifting geopolitical landscape, the statement said. He will also participate in the NATO summit in the Netherlands and hold one-on-one talks with several NATO leaders. 'Prosperity is only possible with security, and our discussions will focus on connections between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security environments,' Luxon said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
