Latest news with #Skoog
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rhude Faces French Lawsuit Over Monaco-themed Illustration
RUDE AWAKENING: Imagine waking up to your designs on a major musical artist — only to discover they're under someone else's name. That's the gist of a lawsuit filed at the Judicial Court of Paris by French design brand Tokiko against Rhude, the Los Angeles-based streetwear label of Rhuigi Villaseñor, in April. More from WWD Steve Madden Claims 'Adidas Does Not Own All Stripes' in New Lawsuit Hi-Yo, Silver: Architect Harry Nuriev Arrives in Paris' Beaux-Arts District EXCLUSIVE: Fred's New High Jewelry Celebrates Its Early Days and Iconic Yellow Diamond A preliminary audience is slated for June 19 in Paris. According to the filing, the brand discovered videos posted on Jason Derulo's Instagram account in June 2024 that featured the singer sporting a black-and-white printed set by Rhude, composed of a short-sleeve shirt and shorts. Part of the American brand's spring 2024 collection, the motif dubbed 'Strada' was used on four pieces, which include a long-sleeve shirt and matching trousers. The point of contention is the print, which figures a stylized map of Monaco with its major landmarks and remarkable avenues labeled in capitals. The French company, which specialises in decorative objects including posters and home goods, alleges that the one used by Rhude is a counterfeit of the 'Monaco Grand Prix' illustration that it has been selling since 2022, a design created by Tokiko cofounder and illustrator Anna Skoog. Contacted by WWD, a publicist for the American brand said it had no comment. Court documents provide side-by-side close-ups of the motif on Rhude's clothing and Tokiko's print, as well as those who have been spotted in the so-called infringing items such as Derulo, professional skateboarder Kyjah and TikTok dance sensation Hugo Hilaire. Tokiko also says in the filing that it sent cease-and-desist notices to Rhude and the RVRG Holdings LLC company, without getting a response. The garments the French brand deemed infringing were subsequently no longer on Rhude's website but remained available at a number of retailers, including Ssense and Fwrd, which still offer them for sale. Rhude is also accused of putting the garments in question back on sale on Rhude Bowl, its archival item platform. With its lawsuit, Tokiko is pursuing damages for economic losses, moral harm and parasitic exploitation, totaling 850,000 euros. Skoog is additionally independently seeking 50,000 euros for violation of her moral rights as the illustration's creator. Further requests from the French brand and the illustrator include the destruction of unsold inventory and recall of infringing products as well as the publication of the judgment on Rhude's homepage and in two media outlets in the fashion industry of Tokiko and Skoog's choosing. Best of WWD The Biggest Legal Battles Shaping the Fashion Industry Today PETA Asks Lululemon About Slaughterhouse Practices China's Livestreaming Star Viya Fined $210 Million for Tax Evasion
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Black and Veatch plans new $1.1 billion headquarters development
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Overland Park based Black and Veatch wants to build a new world headquarters on its existing property near 112th and Lamar. But its plan adds more than just office $1.1 billion project would also bring in residential, retail and a hotel. But they are looking for Overland Park's help to finance the project. American Airlines add flights to KCI after Chiefs schedule is released The finance committee will hear the engineering giant's pitch this week on why it should get about $250 million in funding support. Mayor Curt Skoog is excited about the potential redevelopment. Just north of Sprint's former world headquarters, now Aspiria and soon to be the home to Fiserv, Black and Veatch's towering building sits on a sprawling site surrounded by grassland and parking, 'This is one of our strategic investment areas where we are wanting to transform College Boulevard from the suburban office corridor that is today to the work place of today and tomorrow,' Skoog said. After three years of discussions, according to the mayor, Black and Veatch has decided it wants to keep its headquarters on Lamar between 112th and 115th Street. The engineering firm said in a statement 'Black & Veatch continually explores ways to enhance and optimize our workplaces to create vibrant, collaborative environments that attract and retain top talent while meeting our growing demands and our clients' evolving needs. That includes consideration of a new, modern global headquarters currently being proposed on our existing, longstanding Overland Park location. We are working with the city of Overland Park for approval requirements, which is part of the process as we strategize how to best enhance our workplace. While no formal decisions have been made, we've been a strong, grateful member of the Kansas City-area business community since our founding more than a century ago, and we certainly don't expect that to change.' It plans to build a 610, 000 headquarters for its 2,200 employees. They'd also add 233,00 square feet of office space, 550,000 square feet of retail and commercial, 1,884 residential unit and a 160 room hotel. They would also build a parking structure with nearly 6,000 spaces. The company is asking the city to create a redevelopment district which would create an estimated $227 million in TIF funding and about $20 million in CID funding for Black and Veatch to use on the project. FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up for daily forecasts and Joe's Weather Blog in your inbox 'When all of the complete project is done, which is more than the Black and Veatch headquarters, you are talking about over a billion dollars of investment, which is great for our community and investment in our industry which is office space.' Overland Park's Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee will discuss the project Wednesday. If approved developers estimate they'd be building what's been deemed the Overland Park Plaza II Redevelopment Project in phases all the way until the year 2038. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Voice of America
31-01-2025
- Business
- Voice of America
EU: Human rights progress needed to preserve Pakistan's trade privileges
The European Union is linking Pakistan's access to European trading markets as a duty-free exporter to progress on the country's 'most pressing' human rights issues. Olof Skoog, the EU's special human rights envoy, issued a warning Friday following a weeklong visit to the South Asian nation, where authorities have faced increasing accusations of suppressing civil liberties, political dissent, and free speech. 'The trade benefits under [the human rights development plan known as] GSP+ depend on the progress made on addressing a list of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential,' a post-visit EU statement quoted Skoog as saying. He referred to the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, commonly known as GSP+, which grants developing countries, including Pakistan, tariff-free access to the EU market in exchange for its adherence to specific human and labor rights obligations. The EU statement noted that its envoy highlighted areas of concern during meetings with Pakistani leaders, including blasphemy laws, enforced disappearances, freedom of expression, media independence, impunity for rights violations, due process, fair trials, civic space, and the death penalty. 'As we approach the midterm of the current monitoring cycle, we encourage Pakistan to continue on its reform path as it prepares for reapplication under the upcoming new GSP+ regulation,' Skoog stated. The declaration noted that 'Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP+' since the implementation of the trading plan in 2014, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108%. The EU envoy's visit coincided with the swift passage of controversial amendments by Pakistan's parliament this week to cybercrime laws that critics warned would curtail freedom of speech, not only for the conventional media but also for social media users. The legislation criminalizes the 'intentional' spread of 'false news' with prison terms of up to three years, a fine of up to $7,100, or both. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's coalition government, accused of growing censorship, has defended the law, saying it is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation. Pakistani and international free media advocacy groups, along with human rights activists, have condemned the amended law and are calling for its immediate repeal. The Committee to Protect Journalists said in a statement that the law 'threatens the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens and journalists while granting the government and security agencies sweeping powers to impose complete control over internet freedom in the country.'
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU warns Pakistan that duty-free exporter status depends on progress in human rights, media freedom
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The European Union on Friday warned Pakistan that its status as a duty-free exporter to the bloc will continue to depend on the progress the country makes in addressing concerns about civil and labor rights, and freedom of speech. The warning came as Olof Skoog, the EU's special representative for human rights, wrapped up a weeklong visit to Islamabad. The visit was aimed at engaging 'Pakistan on the most pressing human rights and labor rights issues and discussing Pakistan's plans to address them, including in view of the ongoing assessment under the GSP+ trade scheme,' the EU said in a statement. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Pakistan's exports to Europe have doubled since 2014 when it was awarded the status of duty-free exporter under the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, or GSP+, incentives for developing countries. However, the EU statement warned Pakistan that the trade benefits enjoyed by it "under GSP+ depend on the progress made on addressing a list of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential.' It said that the 'EU welcomes the fact that Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP+, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108% since the launch of the trade scheme in 2014.' But, the statement said that 'as we approach the midterm of the current monitoring cycle, we encourage Pakistan to continue on its reform path as it prepares for reapplication under the upcoming new GSP+ regulation.' The statement said that Skoog, during his meeting with Pakistani authorities, 'highlighted areas of concern such as the application of blasphemy laws, women's rights, forced marriages and conversions, enforced disappearances, freedoms of expression, religion or belief, independence of the media, impunity for rights violations, due process and the right to a fair trial, civic space, and the death penalty.' Though international community and human rights groups often express their concern over increasing government curbs on media, violation of human rights, the latest development came days after Pakistan's parliament passed a bill that critics argue is designed to suppress freedom of speech. The bill, which now has become a law after President Asif Ali Zardari's approval, grants the government extensive powers to impose heavy fines and incarcerate social media users for spreading disinformation. Journalists rallied on Friday across Pakistan, vowing to resist any laws aimed at suppressing freedom of speech. Pakistan's media has faced growing censorship in recent years, but the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.
The Hill
31-01-2025
- Business
- The Hill
EU warns Pakistan that duty-free exporter status depends on progress in human rights, media freedom
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The European Union on Friday warned Pakistan that its status as a duty-free exporter to the bloc will continue to depend on the progress the country makes in addressing concerns about civil and labor rights, and freedom of speech. The warning came as Olof Skoog, the EU's special representative for human rights, wrapped up a weeklong visit to Islamabad. The visit was aimed at engaging 'Pakistan on the most pressing human rights and labor rights issues and discussing Pakistan's plans to address them, including in view of the ongoing assessment under the GSP+ trade scheme,' the EU said in a statement. Pakistan's exports to Europe have doubled since 2014 when it was awarded the status of duty-free exporter under the EU's Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, or GSP+, incentives for developing countries. However, the EU statement warned Pakistan that the trade benefits enjoyed by it 'under GSP+ depend on the progress made on addressing a list of issues, including on human rights, and tangible reforms remain essential.' It said that the 'EU welcomes the fact that Pakistan has become the largest beneficiary of GSP+, with Pakistani businesses increasing their exports to the EU market by 108% since the launch of the trade scheme in 2014.' But, the statement said that 'as we approach the midterm of the current monitoring cycle, we encourage Pakistan to continue on its reform path as it prepares for reapplication under the upcoming new GSP+ regulation.' The statement said that Skoog, during his meeting with Pakistani authorities, 'highlighted areas of concern such as the application of blasphemy laws, women's rights, forced marriages and conversions, enforced disappearances, freedoms of expression, religion or belief, independence of the media, impunity for rights violations, due process and the right to a fair trial, civic space, and the death penalty.' Though international community and human rights groups often express their concern over increasing government curbs on media, violation of human rights, the latest development came days after Pakistan's parliament passed a bill that critics argue is designed to suppress freedom of speech. The bill, which now has become a law after President Asif Ali Zardari's approval, grants the government extensive powers to impose heavy fines and incarcerate social media users for spreading disinformation. Journalists rallied on Friday across Pakistan, vowing to resist any laws aimed at suppressing freedom of speech. Pakistan's media has faced growing censorship in recent years, but the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says the law is necessary to limit the spread of disinformation.
