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CBC
29-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Some Haligonians feeling prouder to be Canadian this year
The tension between Canada and the U.S. that started earlier this year has fuelled increased patriotism. That Canadian pride has resulted in a boom for some businesses in the Halifax area.
Irish Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Gerry Thornley: Lions in Ireland means fun and a heck of a cash cow
It is perhaps entirely apt that the British and Irish Lions' first game on Irish soil should follow such a well-worn script: a travelling red army of about 25,000 swelling the same number of Irish-based supporters who made the game a sell-out, another example of the commercial beast that the Lions represents, a whopping boost to the local economy and, eh, another defeat. The Lions really are the perfect tourists. The Lions wanted a proper warm-up game and a boost to the coffers and weren't disappointed on either count. Losing to Argentina was not especially encouraging, it has to be said. Nor was it the end of the world, but it was yet another towering example of what the Lions means to rugby fans in the four home countries. Although even 10-year ticket holders balked at prices of €195 per ticket, ie the guts of €400 a pair before even buying a couple of pints, and there were small pockets of empty seats, the official attendance was a 51,700 sell-out. It is known that 25,000 tickets were sold in the UK, and the amount of English accents especially, but also Welsh and Scottish in addition to Irish fans, was plain to hear. The environs of D4 and D2 turned red for the best part of two days, and it was also striking how virtually everyone on the streets and particularly in the Aviva on match night wore replica jerseys. READ MORE There was a smattering from the 2017 tour but the vast majority – literally as well as figuratively – bought into the brand. It's reckoned that the Lions jersey is the bestselling replica rugby top in the world. No doubt the buy-in has been accentuated by the 2021 tour taking place in South African echo chambers after the warm-up game against Japan in Murrayfield was restricted to 16,500. This first full-house since the third Test in Eden Park in 2017 was the biggest attendance since the third Test in Sydney four years earlier. All those money-saving kitties, from individuals to clubs, have been building up for eight years rather than the customary four, and word of mouth will again ensure the same four years hence. Everyone's a winner and that's the truth. Mack Hansen gets ready to enter the fray for Lions against Argentina. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho After paying the Argentinian Rugby Union a fee estimated at €1 million, the Lions will accrue some €4 million in gate receipts, to distribute equally among the four home unions. Due to sharing, the IRFU only received a quarter of the estimated €350-400,000 that the Lions paid for hiring the Aviva Stadium, but this still made for a fitting finale to the Union's 150th anniversary. Especially as the stadium owners will need to fund the stadium's refurbishments. It's 15-years-old now. Former Lions also jump aboard the gravy train. Last Thursday evening, there were queues outside various events around D4 and D2, including an official show at the RDS theatre, and nearly all those paying customers were wearing one of their replica jerseys (well, one hopes they have more than one!). Howden Insurance, the official sponsors of the Lions, hired the Lansdowne clubhouse for the week, to invite their guests and corporate clients on Friday after branding the walls with framed Lions photographs, at a cost believed to be about €100,000. A company has to maximise its window of opportunity as the front-of-jersey Lions sponsor. The glorious weather and 8pm kick-off on a Friday evening added to the carnival-like occasion, and was a boon for local businesses, compared with the early Saturday afternoon Leinster games of late. Restaurants and bars all reported good business both before and after the game, even if the clear-out of the corporate sector began before kick-off sooner than usual. Accounts vary as to how busy the aisles were with supporters carrying trays of beer. But not only would there never be a comparable sea of green for an Irish game, the crowd seemed hugely engaged; launching into a second rendition of The Fields inside the last five minutes in the forlorn pursuit of a winning try. Argentina celebrate their historic victory over the British and Irish Lions. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho A warm-up match or two in Argentina and/or elsewhere in South America would spread the gospel but one ventures a home warm-up game is here to stay now and will henceforth rotate between the four nations. Los Pumas gatecrashed the party to deservedly make their own piece of history. They don't have a fully professional league of their own, and Felipe Contepomi was also without a dozen frontline players due to club commitments and injuries. Yet they pulled together a side from all corners of the rugby world for their first game in seven months in something of a tactical coup for what was a team against a collection of individuals. As ever, Los Pumas become supermen in blue and white. Santiago Carreras gave a passable impression of the absent Juan Cruz Mallia. Justo Piccardo, the inexperienced 23-year-old centre from Los Pampas, whose sole Test cap was off the bench against Ireland last November, looked absolutely the part. The nimble-footed scrumhalf Gonzalo García, who was brilliant, started only eight games for Zebre last season. Man of the match and match-winner Tomás Albornoz was second-choice outhalf for Benetton toward the end of last season. And it was a win true to him and Los Pumas. After a well-crafted first try off two phases, the long-range tries off transition were worthy of winning any match. Albornoz finished the first and instigated the second with that feint to kick and dummy past Tom Curry before fending Henry Pollock and linking with Joaquin Oviedo. Matias Moroni, only just on, couldn't have executed his grubber any better and there was fellow sub Santiago Cordero winning the touchdown. 'It was about expressing themselves,' said Contepomi. In the final irony, on a night when a Lions side featured three Connacht players for the first time in history, Cordero is in his final few days as Connacht-contracted player. It's a pity his time there didn't go to plan but the 31-year-old still has something to offer. Los Pumas haven't always been so likable, but you gotta love them, especially these ones.
BreakingNews.ie
20-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
JP McManus to set record straight over costs that led to International Rugby Experience dispute
Limerick horse racing mogul and philanthropist, JP McManus, is to address the Mayor of Limerick and elected representatives at a closed door meeting at Limerick City and County Council headquarters over why the Council snubbed a 'gift' from him of a €30 million premier building and €1.2 million in funding last year. McManus is understood to be deeply hurt by the joint local authority's controversial decision to decline his offer of the International Rugby Experience (IRE) building, O'Connell Street, Limerick City, as well as funding for operating costs, and he will aim to set the record straight over costs associated with the not for profit charitable venture. Advertisement A difference of opinion between the Council and Mr McManus around the costs of operating the IRE led to the deal falling flat. The red-brick vaulted ceiling monolith, built to honour the global oval ball game, which was red-carpet launched by a host of rugby stars in 2023, has been gathering dust since its shock closure last December. 50 people were employed at the IRE which delivered an estimated €7.8 million boost to the local economy and 60,000 visitors in the 12 months it was open. Mr McManus who secured the 2027 Ryder Cup for Limerick at his five-star Adare Manor Hotel, is to address the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, senior executives and elected representatives, at an in-camera briefing at Council Headquarters, Dooradoyle, next Thursday. Advertisement Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea who has been critical of the Council's decision to decline Mr McManus's 'generous offer', said: 'The gift horse is still there and the Council is still looking at it in the mouth.' 'My view is that it is a fantastic facility for Limerick and certain commitments were made by the Council and it seems to me they weren't honoured, it's a tragedy to see it closed down now. 'In fairness to JP, he has put his money where his mouth is, he invested in it and developed it to a magnificent standard, and in my opinion, there is an onus on the council to utilise it in the interests of the people not just locally, but nationally,' added Deputy O'Dea. Local Labour councillor, Joe Leddin, argued, that while he accepted the Council executive, led by Mayor Moran, had bona fide concerns about the cost of running the IRE into the future, the planned meeting with Mr McManus Ono Thursday was a 'welcome' development. Advertisement 'To be fair to JP, he expended €30 million+ on the acquisition of the old building, the design and rebuild and operations, and its unfortunate now to see the facility closed in the heart of the city. 'I along with most, if not all, councillors would like to see the building used for something, but we have to be cognisant that councillors are in charge of public monies and therein lies the challenge,' said Cllr Leddin. Last May, the IRE said that Mr McManus's 'entirely debt free, gift' to the Council to run the IRE until 2028 and then, if it wished, to use the building 'for any civic purpose' thereafter, had been agreed with the local authority when Heads of Terms were signed by both parties in March 2024. The IRE explained it was 'unable to advance' the proposed deal with the Council, leading to the IRE's closure. Advertisement The IRE stated it's thanks to Irish rugby legends Paul O'Connell and Keith Wood for their 'fantastic assistance' in getting the not for profit charitable venture off the ground. In response, Limerick City Council said it was 'disappointed' with the IRE's decision to close its doors, and it argued that it had made 'very effort' to secure the deal. The Council added that it was 'unable to secure a viable path forward' after finding it would have had to find 'substantial operational and capital funding' to continue the project. A counter offer from Mayor Moran to use €300,000 of his Mayoral Fund to help keep the facility open for the next three years, was rejected by the IRE. IRE chief executive Barry Hannon claimed that figures presented to councillors were 'over-inflated and were not included in the heads of agreement' which both parties had agreed in in principal in August 2023. It's understood Mr McManus will address councillors about his disappointment at how the deal has turned sour, and will advise councillors about what he believes is the cost of running the building going forward.
CBS News
09-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Mom buys product she thought was American made, but warns of misleading labels from companies
One mom's goal to buy American-made products can teach us all something How to know if products are made in the U.S. How to know if products are made in the U.S. As President Trump's trade war continues, some consumers are searching for products made in the U.S. When Mary Schubart set out to buy bedding for her twins heading off to college, she was looking for products that were safe, provided comfort and, if possible, she wanted to buy American-made. "I like the idea of buying to support the local economy, but my overriding concern was safer," Schubart said. Schubart said she thought she found the perfect mattress pads from Pottery Barn Teen. It was advertised online as "crafted in the USA," but when they arrived, she was surprised to see one of the tags read "made in China." "I knew it is one of the countries that has less stringent regulations pertaining to health and pertaining to final product production, so I was disappointed," she said. Schubart reported her findings to Truth in Advertising, a nonprofit watchdog group that investigates when companies make false claims. Laura Smith, the Truth in Advertising legal director, said they had already flagged false claims by Pottery Barn Teen to the Federal Trade Commission. "We had found 800-plus examples of products marketed as 'made in the USA' or 'crafted in America' when they were actually imported," Smith said, of the merchandise found on seven William Sonoma websites in 2019. Schubart's complaint led to the largest "Made in the USA" civil penalty in history, with more than $3 million against Williams Sonoma, the parent company of Pottery Barn Teen. In a statement, Williams Sonoma apologized for what it called an "administrative mistake," saying, "Last year, we received an FTC fine due to an unintentional administrative mistake associated with the online product descriptions of seven items we sell. We are deeply sorry for any confusion that may have been caused by the inaccurate information that was shared, and we have improved our processes to help prevent similar incidents in the future." "Civil penalties, as long as they're more than a slap on the wrist, they can have a real impact. But it needs to be a fine that's big enough to hurt," Smith said. What qualifies as "Made in the USA?" The Federal Trade Commission requires that products advertised as "Made in the USA" be all or virtually all manufactured domestically. Plus, the ingredients or components must be made and sourced in the United States, which is the issue in a current lawsuit against Reynolds Aluminum foil for its "Made in the USA" label. The suit claims the product's key raw material, Bauxite, is not mined in the U.S. Reynolds says the claims have no merit and it will defend the case. How to know if a product is American-made Amid Mr. Trump's tariffs on certain products, some companies have said they plan to invest more in U.S. manufacturing. To verify if a product is "Made in the USA," check the label for that exact wording. Beware of qualifying language like "Assembled in the USA" or "with imported parts." If you're unsure, consumers can verify with the brand by going to its website or calling directly.
Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Suspend Tory second homes tax raid, Grant Shapps urges Labour
A senior Conservative has urged Labour to suspend his party's second home council tax premium. Sir Grant Shapps has called for the double council tax to be paused in 'areas where markets are seizing up and tourism is taking a kicking'. The former housing minister has also piled pressure on Angela Rayner to conduct an impact assessment and stop making 'decisions in the dark'. He is the latest politician to back The Telegraph's campaign against the 100pc council tax surcharge on second homes, which came into effect in 230 town halls on April 1. Kevin Hollinrake, shadow housing minister, said: 'This tax should be used to keep council tax bills down, or to build affordable housing. Labour is doing neither of these. 'There has been a cavalier approach to implementing it, with Labour doing no research on its effect on the housing market and leaving local residents to pick up the tab. 'Labour is using this tax as a club to hammer middle England, and trying to pull the wool over the eyes of hard-working families while they're at it.' Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, said: 'Owning property used to be a right and a freedom. Today it is an excuse for the Government to use extortion.' Mrs Rayner's department has previously refused to investigate the impact of the second home council tax raid on local economies, housing markets or tourism. Instead, the Government said it was up to individual councils to decide whether it was 'effective'. Despite this, The Telegraph revealed that eight in 10 local authorities with the second home premium failed to carry out impact assessments. Sir Grant, who served as housing minister between 2010 and 2012, said: 'Labour's cack-handed council tax whack on second homes is walloping ordinary families with four-figure bills while doing absolutely nothing to get roofs over people's heads. 'I spent my time as housing minister cutting red tape and backing aspiration, not penalising it. So here's my three-point common-sense fix: first, commission an independent impact assessment – no more decisions in the dark. 'Second, hit pause on that 100pc premium in areas where markets are seizing up and tourism's taking a kicking. Third, hand power back to councils to target genuinely empty or derelict properties instead of clobbering every granny annexe in sight. 'Do that, and we'll help communities thrive instead of driving them into the ground.' The second homes premium was introduced in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act by Michael Gove in 2023 to fix the housing crisis. But it has since been utilised by town halls as a way of boosting depleted coffers. Since its introduction in 2017, the property market has crashed in areas of Wales. Pembrokeshire suffered an 8.9pc decline in house prices after owners raced to sell up their properties and avoid the tax raid. Despite pushing prices down, the properties being sold remain out of the budget of locals, Carol Peett, a buying agent at West Wales Property Finders said. During his tenure as housing minister, Sir Grant overhauled social housing. He abolished the Tenant Services Authority, which was responsible for regulating social landlords. The powers were passed to the Homes and Communities Agency. In 2012, the Conservative government introduced the affordable rent regime, to give housing associations a way to increase their income and carry on building new homes during the era of austerity. He left the role when he was appointed chairman of the Conservative Party. A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: 'We are determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited through our Plan for Change, and we know that having too many second and empty homes in an area can drive up housing costs for local people and damage public services. 'That is why local authorities have powers introduced by the previous government to choose to add up to 100pc extra on the council tax bills of second homes and up to 300pc on empty homes.'
