The UK is prepared for “all eventualities” if Donald Trump slaps import tariffs on goods from Britain, Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said. The US president-elect has already announced plans to hit China, Canada and Mexico with tariffs as part of his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. But he has indicated he is prepared to use tariffs far more widely as part of his plan to protect American industry. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the UK was ready for all eventualities ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) The UK could retaliate in the form of tariffs targeted at symbolically important US products such as whiskey, blue jeans and motorbikes – hitting brands like Jack Daniel’s, Levi’s and Harley-Davidson – as Britain and the European Union did during trade wars in Mr Trump’s first term in the White House. Mr Reynolds would not be drawn on what actions he would take but insisted the UK was prepared. He told the Commons Business and Trade Committee: “This is the big question facing global trading relationships.” The UK should be an advocate for “open, transparent, free trading relationships around the world”, he said. “Yes, it’s true to say, if any country imposed tariffs on UK companies exporting, it would hurt our companies. “But let’s also remember that it also hurts the consumers in whatever country are being asked to pay those tariffs. And there’s an inflationary pressure, there’s an impact on the cost of living.” Asked if the Government had options ready to respond to tariffs from Mr Trump, the minister said: “I wouldn’t want to speculate, but the committee should assume that all eventualities have been prepared for.” The options in any dispute would be to do nothing, retaliate or negotiate. Asked if retaliatory tariffs on goods such as Harley-Davidson bikes were already prepared, the Trade Secretary said: “You would expect this department to prepare for every eventuality. But I think we should just be a little bit sensitive at this stage about speculating about how we would respond to something which hasn’t happened.” Mr Reynolds said the trade deficits with the US in relation to other European countries did not apply to the UK so Mr Trump might not feel the need to act in the same way as he would with other nations. He said: “There are a whole range of areas where we, as a country, I think could and should – if we could do it – welcome closer trading relationships with the US. “The US is a fundamental ally of ours. We have an incredibly strong trading relationship as it stands, and when I look to areas like services, technology, critical minerals, if there was the opportunity to work more closely together, I don’t think anyone should turn around immediately and say ‘not interested in that’.” He acknowledged there were “challenges” in seeking a closer trading relationship, or even a free-trade deal, which would have knock-on impacts with other important markets for the UK in the EU and China. “I don’t see the need at this stage to rule anything out or in, but to be realistic about where our national interest lies and being frank with the committee about the fact that any negotiation in any major principal market that we might do has to be considered not in isolation, but its relationship to other key markets, and what the consequences of that negotiation would mean for business and trade in those areas.” But he insisted he did not see the coming years as a “binary choice” between trading more closely with the US or EU.Cognizant Could Dominate AI, But Its Valuation Likely Deters New BuyersInvestors should put these 2 top ASX tech shares on the watchlistWild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekend
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry, together with a Ukrainian manufacturer, has begun testing a command post for UAV-equipped units, which should operate both in stationary conditions and on the move. Source : Ministry of Defence press service Quote : "The Ministry of Defence's requirements for the command post include maximum autonomy, modern communications and electronic warfare equipment. The new model of equipment should ensure the control of unmanned systems units in all weather conditions, both stationary and on the move. The control room will be equipped with automated workstations with an interactive panel. The commander will have the ability to quickly analyse the situation and make decisions quickly when managing units, which will increase the effectiveness of their use." Details : A specialised off-road vehicle is planned to be the basis for this innovative development. The all-wheel drive vehicle should solve the problem of sufficient manoeuvrability and movement of the command post off-road. The Defence Ministry also said that the Defence Innovation Directorate of the Ministry of Defence is supporting the project's implementation. Quote : "Unmanned units have significantly scaled up and require specialised combat control equipment. Domestic arms manufacturers have offered a technical solution to this request. The new equipment will be tested and evaluated by combat unit commanders. If the design meets the requirements, we will codify it, and it will be able to go into mass production. We have to be technologically superior to the enemy," said First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk. Support UP or become our patron !
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Group, a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency, is proud to highlight its insights and contributions to Skift Meetings' Megatrends 2025 report. The report reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by transformative forces, from artificial intelligence and sustainability to mental health and generational inclusivity. Creative Group's expertise underscores how strategic event design can address complex organizational goals while delivering exceptional attendee experiences. Trends Redefining the Events Landscape 1. Events Have Become More Strategic Melissa Van Dyke , Creative Group's Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing, Design, and Innovation, highlights the shift in event strategy. "Today's events must go beyond flawless logistics to deeply align with business initiatives," Van Dyke states in the report. Events must begin with a deep understanding of their purpose. Creative Group advocates for aligning all aspects of event planning with business initiatives, ensuring every element—from agenda to attendee engagement—supports organizational goals. By starting with the "why," planners can craft experiences that not only meet attendee expectations but also drive organizational objectives forward. This more intentional design focus is the crucial middle between events that check a box and events that move the needle. 2. Addressing Generational Shifts With Millennials and Gen Z comprising an increasing share of the workforce, event strategies must reflect values like sustainability, inclusivity, and experiential depth—with more immersive and interactive experiences. Creative Group's methods integrate these elements seamlessly, ensuring events resonate with all age groups while fostering connections across diverse demographics. 3. Immersive and Interactive Engagement Understanding the purpose of an event also shapes how planners design interactions. Creative Group incorporates principles of behavioral economics—awareness, engagement, and nudges—to create meaningful moments before, during, and after the event, ensuring participants stay inspired by and connected to event messaging, brand and core business objectives. Meeting New Expectations in 2025 Sustainability as a Business Imperative As sustainability becomes non-negotiable for many attendees, Creative Group emphasizes adopting eco-friendly practices, such as waste reduction and locally sourced elements, to meet expectations while reflecting each brand's business values. Mental Health Integration Event designers are increasingly tasked with addressing attendee well-being, making it essential to create events that reduce stress and promote emotional connection. Creative Group's approach integrates wellness strategies that are empathy-based and customizable to meet the needs of the modern attendee. Looking Ahead Creative Group's contributions to the Megatrends 2025 report reinforce the idea that understanding the "why" behind every event is crucial in today's meetings landscape, especially critical given the additional scrutiny on event budgets in 2025. "Corporate events are no longer about simply gathering people for a single objective—they are about achieving complex business challenges, reinforcing organizational culture, boosting brand loyalty, and recognizing and retaining top talent," says Van Dyke . To explore how Creative Group and other industry leaders are addressing the trends shaping 2025, download the full Skift Meetings Megatrends 2025 report. About Creative Group Creative Group is a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency that delivers business results by inspiring people to thrive. An industry leader, Creative Group has been honored with numerous Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) awards and the CMI 25 Award, which recognizes the top 25 most influential meeting and incentive management companies in the U.S. Creative Group was founded in 1970, and has served clients in financial services, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, retail, technology, automotive, and hospitality. Employing 220+ people, the company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois , and maintains offices in San Francisco , Appleton, Wisconsin , and Toronto, Canada . For more information about Creative Group, visit http://www.creativegroupinc.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creative-group-spotlights-event-industrys-2025-megatrends-in-skift-meetings-report-302334125.html SOURCE Creative Group, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Labor axes R&D tax refunds for poker machines, tobacco
Over the years, different fashion trends, films and television have influenced the must-have toys of the year - and looking back, they do capture part of what it was like growing up in a certain decade. They were the kind of gifts you couldn't imagine your own children playing with now, or that your parents had to queue up for at 6am to ensure you would get your hands on it. Before there were apps, Xbox consoles or iPhones, most had plush toys, milk caps and interactive pets at the top of their Christmas wish-list. In the 1990s, we saw the arrival of the Teenage Mutant Ninja (Hero) Turtles, the 8-bit Game Boy and, of course, Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear, reported . Here are a number of the must-have Christmas toys of that decade that . Many kids will remember singing the theme tune - "heroes in a half shell" - as they rushed home after school to watch the cartoon and play with their turtle toys. The show followed Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, brothers trained in ninjutsu who fight evil in New York City. The show's popularity probably sparked a spike in national pizza sales too as it was all the characters ate. The very first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures were heavily based on the original comic series, which had a much darker tone than the later cartoon. And figures amassed 30m sales worldwide. Still popular today, a film reboot is anticipated for 2023. Despite its tiny screen and dull green background, the Nintendo Game Boy was an absolute revelation when it launched three decades ago. For games fans of a certain age, the 8-bit Game Boy is a symbol of their childhood and many will remember the Game Link cable which allowed two Game Boys to be connected together for multiplayer fun. As well as the Tetris theme music from way too many hours spent playing it as a kid. Following the sale of 300,000 upon initial release in Japan, several other versions of the Game Boy consoles were created. The Play It Loud series introduced a range of case colours, with the white version exclusively released in Japan - and it remains the rarest of all the Game Boy Play It Loud models. In the late 90s, many will remember the Pokemon series becoming a staple of the Game Boy. In the Thunderbirds television series, it was the secret headquarters of the International Rescue organisation - but as a toy it meant so much more. In 1992, parents queued for hours in the hope of landing one of these. Thunderbirds had just made a TV comeback and it was in high demand. BBC1's Blue Peter famously ran a make-your-own segment for those unlucky enough not to bag a real one. It used items including a grocery box, newspapers and drinking straws to construct a replica. The island has since had more releases as a children's toy in the 2000s. But 1992 was also the year for WWF action figures from toy giants Hasbro. Based on the famous wrestlers of the WWF including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Big Bossman, the series came under criticism for the characters cartoon-esque appearance. However, the figures proved very popular, becoming one of the must-have toys of Christmas 1992, and are now very collectable. In March 1959, a doll named "Barbie" launched onto the American toy market - and the rest is history. Over the decades, we've seen different themes and variations of the popular toy doll and in the early 90s, it was one of the must-have Christmas toys in the country. In 1993, they beat all of the competition and perhaps it had something to do with the release of the Barbie Dream Motor Home that year. The Talkboy was another popular one for 1993. They came into existence due to a letter-writing campaign by young fans after seeing the fictional product used by Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. In the classic Christmas film, Culkin's character Kevin McCallister uses the toy to make a reservation at the Plaza Hotel and outsmart his enemies. The toy - which could slow your voice down, play it back or speed it up - became one of the ‘must-have’ products that Christmas, when it was promoted alongside the VHS release of the film. Back in the 1990s, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers superhero television series hit our screens, which saw kids re-enacting scenes in the playground and arguing over which colour they would be in the group. Spandex suits weren't just invented for stag dos - this American series featured teenagers who would morph into superheroes to battle bizarre baddies. In comparison to some other must have toys at the time, the figures weren't too pricey, but demand was high, making them one of the must have Christmas toys in the UK in 1994. These 'milk caps' became ultra collectable and playgrounds were full of kids swapping them. The idea was you flipped the POGS but most people didn't really bother with the playing - it was all about which ones you had. The game began getting sold commercially under the name POGS in the 1990s, with the name originating from a brand of juice whose caps were used to play the game. POGS amassed 350m sales worldwide. (Image: Mirrorpix) The release of the original Toy Story sent this toy soaring to the top of the 'I-want-one-of-those-mum' chart. Toy Story was released in March 1996 in the UK and was an instant hit with kids and grown-ups. And later that year, the toy was the most sought after product for Christmas, with kids keen to get their hands on futuristic space man Buzz Lightyear. The doll sold out so rapidly before Christmas, with such high demand, that emergency stock was shipped to the UK, arriving at selected UK stores in time for December 24, 1996. BBC reports suggested that stores sold out of the Buzz Lightyear doll within 20 minutes of opening on Christmas Eve 1996. The Tickle Me Elmo wasn't that far behind either, with worldwide sales up to one million. The children's plush toy of the Sesame Street character was also a must have and created a lot of hype at the time. (Image: Vincent Cole) Two toys shared the No1 spot in 1997. Teletubbies became a huge hit with the younger generation, who were desperate to get their hands on a plush doll of characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po. For parents of a certain age, Christmas 1997 will bring back nightmarish memories of traipsing from shop to shop trying to secure a must-have Teletubby toy for their little ones. The toys, from the hugely popular tots’ TV show, were at the top of the nation’s Christmas wish-list that year, but supplies were limited in certain areas and stores were selling out as soon as the dolls came into stock. But it was older children and teenagers who were obsessed with the virtual Tamagotchi pets from Japan. If you still own an original Tamagotchi they can be worth a lot of money today. The Tamagotchi also made somewhat of a comeback in 2017 after Bandai, the company behind the original, released a special edition of the iconic digital pet to mark its 20th anniversary. The new device is smaller than the original, but retains the familiar egg shape, pixelated LCD screen - and constant need for attention. The interactive pet pipped Yo Yo's to the crown in 1998. The gifts became a huge hit despite only launching in the October and stores around the country were inundated with parents looking to snap one up. The Furby began life speaking its own language, Furbish, and gradually learned English over time. 1.8 million of the toys were sold during their release year, with another 14 million the following year. The Furby is still a popular toy today, having evolved to a more technologically advanced model, featuring LCD eyes and its own mobile app. Everybody wanted a bit of 'Fastest Finger First' back in 1999 and Chris Tarrant took over the nation's living rooms as the interactive board game version of the show became the must-have present. Many will remember playing the game on Christmas day for the first time, and will cringe at the thought that it is now considered a 'vintage' board game. After an initial release in 1996, the Pokémon Nintendo game was another hit in 1999. The game focused on finding, capturing and training creatures known as Pokémon.