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India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Apple chief Tim Cook snubs Donald Trump, gives another gift to India as tech giant to open...
(File) Amid Donald Trump's recent threat to impose 25% import tariffs on Apple if the tech giant increases its iPhone production in India, the company has announced to open its third retail store in the country. The new Apple Store will be opened in the Phoenix Mall of Asia in Bengaluru, according to a Business Standard report. New Apple Store to open in Bengaluru As per the report, Apple's new retail store, its third in India, is spread across over 8,000 square fee, almost equal to its counterpart in Delhi, but smaller than the company's flagship store in Mumbai, which is spread across a whopping 20,800 square feet. The upcoming Apple Store in Bengaluru will feature all the distinctive and recognizable features associated with the company's retail outlets, including a minimalist design, professional staff dressed in Apple uniforms, and an abundance of glass. Apple has leased the space for 10 years, and will pay 2 percent of its total earnings as rent for the first three, which will increase to 2.5 percent for the remaining lease period, according to the report. The lease period began from November 8, 2024, and rent will start August 8, 2025, which means the store will likely open in next few months, presumably in late July or early August. Apple's India plan Experts believe that the new Apple Store is more than just another retail store, but a part of company's larger plan to strengthen its roots in India as it plans to stay in the country for a long period, despite Donald Trump's tariff threats. Apart from being a giant market for Apple products, India is also emerging as a manufacturing hub for the company, which is evident from its recent assertion that the majority of iPhones that will be sold in the US from June 2025, will carry a 'Made in India' tag, while iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirPods will be shipped from Vietnam. However, things are expected to become difficult for Apple if it chooses to increase iPhone manufacturing in India, defying Donald Trump's diktat, who has threatened to impose 25% import tariffs on iPhones manufactured outside the United States.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mike Duggan, Dan Gilbert chat about downtown Detroit and what Bill Clinton saw in 1991
'You can't be just book smart being a mayor, you've got to be street smart — which you've proven," Dan Gilbert, the billionaire businessman, told Detroit mayor and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan on Thursday, May 29, as they shared a stage at the Mackinac Policy Conference. For about 40 minutes, the two leaders had a formal one-on-one, focusing mostly on Detroit and the improvements in the city since Duggan took office as mayor in January 2014. Their chat touched on an array of Detroit subjects, including the controversial Renaissance Center redevelopment plan, the expected future downtown Apple Store and the surprise discovery about the city that future U.S. President Bill Clinton made during an early 1990s visit. The mayor gave Gilbert credit for his firm's numerous investments that helped to dramatically revive downtown, attracting many new visitors and new residents. Duggan recalled how on weekdays in downtown Detroit in the 1980s, people would arrive at 8:30 a.m. to start work, and by 5:30 p.m., nearly everyone was heading back out for home. 'If you were still on the streets at 6 o'clock, it was empty ― I am not exaggerating," Duggan said. Duggan said he was part of a group in fall 1991 that welcomed Bill Clinton to the city for a presidential campaign visit. The event ended around 5:30 p.m., and the gregarious Clinton, who was then still just an Arkansas governor, was adamant on going out to walk around downtown and shake hands and introduce himself to people. 'I said, Governor, that's not really going to work," Duggan recalled. "He said, 'Oh no, you haven't seen me work. I can do this anywhere.' I said 'Oh no, you really don't understand.' "He said, 'What's your Main Street. I said Woodward. He says, 'We're going.' ' Clinton ended up outside near the vacant yet then-still-standing J.H. Hudson department store. It didn't take long for the future president to realize that his Detroit hosts weren't exaggerating about downtown's desolation. "And he's on the street — 'I'm Bill Clinton. I'm running for president,' " Duggan said. "And people walked around him like he's a homeless guy. He looks up and down the street and says, 'Nobody is here.' And I said 'I was trying to explain this to you.' " More: Duggan's $4.5B education plan includes firing unsuccessful principals, superintendents In 2025, downtown Detroit is a different story. 'You come downtown today, there are more people on the street and weekends than there are at noon at lunchtime. It is a completely transformed city," said Duggan, a Democratic mayor who is running for governor as an independent. Duggan marveled to Gilbert about the influx of new retailers to downtown in recent years, many of them tenants in Gilbert's Bedrock-owned buildings, including Nike, Gucci and the athleisure brand Alo, which is set to open this summer in the new Hudson's Detroit development. 'What's amazing now is we get calls from retailers all over the country," Gilbert said. 'It used to be us calling them and begging them.' Duggan asked Gilbert whether there has been a formal announcement yet for one of the worst-kept secrets in Detroit: the expected opening of an Apple Store on Woodward Avenue, just north of the Shinola Hotel. (Also in a Bedrock-owned building.) Gilbert stopped short of offering any confirmation for an Apple Store coming to 1426-1434 Woodward. He did say, however, "it's not us, they want to announce it themselves." The conversation soon turned to the city's riverfront, and how it, too, once had few visitors, but thanks to years of investments and improvements, the RiverWalk is now an incredibly popular destination for Detroiters and city visitors from all walks of life. Then Duggan added: "And if we could just get somebody to take down two towers of the Renaissance Center and build Navy Pier sitting in that hole in the middle, it would be perfect.' Bedrock and General Motors are collaborating on that $1.6 billion redevelopment proposal for the RenCen that calls for demolishing the complex's massive concrete podium and two of the five original 1977 towers, and then using the vacated space to create a park and entertainment district around the site that would be comparable to Chicago's Millennium Park and Navy Pier. The proposal was first unveiled late last year, but hinges on some $250 million to $350 million of potential public incentives, most of which would require state-level approvals that haven't yet been forthcoming. Responding to Duggan's reference to the RenCen redevelopment, Gilbert said, "If we get a governor that can support us in that, that would be great, too." Dugan: 'The good news is I think you already have a governor who supports you." Gilbert: 'She does." Duggan: "We just got to get a few legislators on your side.' Near the end of their chat, Gilbert said people from all over the country have been calling up Bedrock to tour downtown Detroit and get pointers on urban planning and "placemaking." That includes members of the family behind the retail giant Walmart, he said, who recently visited for possible ideas for the corporation's hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. 'You've done so many amazing things," Duggan told Gilbert. "I will say this. I think, at the end of the day, what you are doing on the riverfront with the Renaissance Center, if you pull that off, it will be the biggest accomplishment for the city." Contact JC Reindl: 313-378-5460 or jcreindl@ Follow him on X @jcreindl This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Duggan, Gilbert chat about Detroit and what Bill Clinton saw in '91
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
New online platform 'Aks' to showcase Oman's film productions
Oman's film industry gets a global boost with the launch of 'Aks' – a major milestone in the evolution of Omani cinema and a strategic step to promote independent productions – in Osaka In a landmark move to support the sultanate's cultural and creative industries, Omani director Fahad Ramadan al Maimani has launched Aks, the first Gulf platform dedicated exclusively to showcasing Omani films. The announcement was made on May 23, 2025, at the Omani Pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Aks is a pioneering initiative that aims to strengthen Oman's presence on the regional and global cultural map. More than just a digital platform, it represents a promising cultural project that heralds a new era for independent digital filmmaking in the region. Speaking to Muscat Daily from Japan, Maimani described Aks as an independent cultural and cinematic platform created to stimulate the artistic movement in Oman and enhance the visibility of independent cinema. The platform, he explained, provides a modern digital space where filmmakers can share their stories with both, local and international, audiences. Maimani said he deliberately chose to unveil Aks during Expo 2025 in Osaka because of the event's global scale and multicultural reach. 'Expo 2025 brings together countries and cultures from across the world under one roof. It's the perfect stage to announce a platform like Aks which is built on the values of cultural dialogue, creativity, and innovation,' he said. 'By launching at the Expo, we wanted to signal that Omani cinema is ready to step onto the world stage.' He further highlighted that Aks was developed to overcome persistent challenges faced by independent filmmakers, chief among them weak distribution networks and limited audience access. He emphasised that Aks is part of a broader global movement that positions culture not only as a form of soft power but also as an economic opportunity and a developmental responsibility. 'The platform's vision goes beyond traditional exhibition,' he added. 'It seeks to redefine the relationship between audiences and cinema, between ideas and sound, and between image and belonging.' Explaining the name, Maimani said Aks is inspired by the visual language of photography and filmmaking, drawing from icons and symbols commonly found in cameras, editing software, and film equipment. This visual connection, he noted, gives the platform a strong identity while evoking a sense of creativity and belonging in the audiovisual space. Currently, Aks features a digital library with a curated selection of short narrative and documentary films, including White Gold, Never Dive Alone, ROPE, Loss, The Art of Life, Rhythm, Athar Fatima, and Color. Maimani revealed that the platform will soon expand with the launch of a smart application that promises a unique and immersive viewing experience. The app – also named Aks – will be available on Apple Store and Google Play before the end of the year, offering audiences in Oman and beyond easy access to the country's growing body of cinematic work. He described the launch of Aks as a major milestone in the evolution of Omani cinema and a strategic step toward enabling independent productions to assume a more influential role in both the Gulf and global cultural arenas. The platform, he said, seeks to empower filmmakers from all of Oman's governorates while building a comprehensive digital archive of local film productions. In addition to promoting Omani voices, Aks is also designed to support the creative economy and attract investment into the sultanate's burgeoning film industry. (Audiences can access the platform and explore its growing collection of Omani films by visiting
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Apple Hits Back At Texas Online Safety Law: 'Better Proposals'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Apple has criticized a Texas bill mandating age verification for app store users, insisting that "better proposals" exist to protect children online. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law on Tuesday, requiring Apple and Google to verify the ages of app store users and obtain parental consent for minors to download apps or make in-app purchases. Why It Matters Over 80 percent of Americans support parental consent for minors who want to create a social media account, according to a 2023 Pew Research poll, and more than 70 percent back age verification before use of social media. In June 2024, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, who had regularly cautioned that excessive social media use among adolescents was linked to a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and body image issues, urged Congress to mandate warning labels on such platforms, alerting users to the potential mental health risks associated with them. What To Know Apple and Google, which own the two largest app stores in the U.S, had opposed the bill before it was signed, arguing that the law would require widespread data collection, even from Texans downloading non-sensitive apps that concern the weather or sports scores. "If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app, even if it's an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores," Apple said in an official statement, according to Reuters. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, had argued that implementing age restrictions should occur at the app store level instead of in each app. The Apple logo is displayed on the glass facade of an Apple Store, partially obscured by green foliage in the foreground, on May 20, 2025 in Chongqing, China. The Apple logo is displayed on the glass facade of an Apple Store, partially obscured by green foliage in the foreground, on May 20, 2025 in Chongqing, China. Getty Images Apple and Alphabet, Google's parent company, have recommended alternative solutions, such as providing age-range data only to apps that pose risks, rather than to every app accessed by a user. Texas follows Utah, which passed a similar law earlier this year. At the federal level, the proposed Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) advanced in the U.S. Senate but has stalled in the House. Florida has also taken action against large tech companies over children accessing their sites, with the state suing Snapchat for failing to prevent kids under 13 from accessing harmful content. What People Are Saying Apple said in a statement: "If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app, even if it's an app that simply provides weather updates or sports scores." In 2024, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during a U.S. Senate hearing that parents should not "have to upload an ID or proof they are a parent in every single app that their children use. The easier place to do this is in the app stores themselves." Casey Stefanski, Executive Director, Digital Childhood Alliance, said: "The problem is that self-regulation in the digital marketplace has failed, where app stores have just prioritized the profit over safety and rights of children and families." What Happens Next The Texas law will take effect on January 1, 2026. Another pending Texas bill would prohibit social media usage by anyone under 18, though it has not yet passed the state legislature.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Your iPad gets an exciting update that fixes a dilemma with Apple's tablets
Apple iPad owners will soon find they can keep their tablets longer thanks to a big update from Apple. We've all been there. Your iPad feels like it's on its last legs but you don't want to splash out on something new. It's often a dilemma for consumers as the screen and case might look good as new but the battery and charging ports have seen better days. Getting an iPad fixed at an authorised repair centre can be expensive and time-consuming, but from this week, it will be possible to mend things from the comfort of your own home. Apple has just announced a big update to its Self Service Repair, which now adds the iPad to the list of devices that can be DIY repaired. This basically means those who feel confident enough, can order official spare parts, tools and manuals and have a go at mending things themselves. The idea is to help users get as much life out of their products as possible, rather than sending them to landfill. iPad parts that can now be fixed on the kitchen table include displays, batteries, cameras, and external charging ports. 'At Apple, our goal is to create the world 's greatest products that last as long as possible,' said Brian Naumann, Apple's vice president of AppleCare. 'With today's announcement, we're excited to expand our repair services to more customers, enabling them to further extend the life of their products — all without compromising safety, security, or privacy.' Models that will be part of the new scheme include Pad Air (M2 and later), iPad Pro (M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16). The iPad isn't the first device to get access to self-repairs, with 65 Apple products now fixable without needing a specialist getting involved including the iPhone 16e, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. Over the past several years, Apple has also accelerated its repair footprint by expanding the number of professional service locations that have access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and training. Repair options include Apple Store locations, Apple Authorised Service Providers, Independent Repair Providers, mail-in repair centres, Self-Service Repair, and the Genuine Parts Distributor program. The iPad update starts tomorrow, May 29, and includes the UK and Europe.
