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Italian watchdog fines Amazon $1.3 bn for abusing its market position

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The Italian Competition Authority on Thursday fined e-commerce giant Amazon $1.3 billion (1.1 billion euros) for using its dominance in the online shopping world and harming competing operators in the logistics space via its ‘Fulfilment by Amazon’ (FBA) service.

The antitrust watchdog called AGCM was particularly concerned with the benefits Amazon gives to sellers on its platform that also pay to use its FBA logistics service.

“The investigation found that these are functions of the Amazon.it platform that are crucial for the success of sellers and for increasing their sales. Finally, the stringent performance measurement system to which Amazon subjects non-FBA sellers is not applied to third-party sellers who use FBA, and failure to pass this can also lead to the suspension of the seller’s account,” the AGCM said in a statement.

In doing so, said the authority, Amazon has harmed competing e-commerce logistics operators by preventing them from proposing themselves to online sellers as providers of services of a quality comparable to that of Amazon’s fulfillment.

“These conducts have, thus, increased the gap between the power of Amazon and that of the competition in the e-commerce order delivery business,” the statement read.

In a statement to Engadget, Amazon said: “We strongly disagree with the decision of the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) and we will appeal. The proposed fine and remedies are unjustified and disproportionate.”

The Italian watchdog said that Amazon must grant sales and visibility privileges on its platform to all the third-party sellers. The ACGM has given Amazon a year to comply with its rulings.

The fine is one of the largest levied by a EU country over online anti-trust issues.

Last month, the AGCM fined tech giants Apple and Google around $11.3 million each over violations of the Consumer Code – one for lack of information and another for aggressive practices regarding the acquisition and use of consumer data for commercial purposes.

This was the second time Apple was fined by the Italian regulator last month, after it and Amazon were hit with fines totalling over around $225 million for restricting who’s allowed to sell Apple and Beats products on Amazon’s Italian store.

Earlier this month, a significant report from a US-based nonprofit organisation claimed that Amazon is exploiting its position as a gatekeeper to impose steep and growing fees on third-party sellers, raking in big moolah.

In 2019, Amazon pocketed $60 billion in seller fees and this year, its take will soar to $121 billion, according to the report titled ‘Amazon’s Toll Road’ by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Business

‘Take A Trip To Vietnam For Your iPhone 16’: X User Proposes Cost-Effective Way To Buy The Latest Apple Smartphone

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Apple recently launched its latest iPhone series, the iPhone 16 series. In addition, the company also launched the latest Apple Watch along with the latest version of Apple AirPods.

Trip To Vietnam For Apple

Apple products from time immemorial have been known for their exorbitant and sky-high pricing. Many have often made memes about having to sell their organs to be able to afford one of their iPhones.

Now, with the latest launch, and X user has found a way to cut corners by taking a trip.

According to the user, an aspiring iPhone buyer in India should take a trip to the East Asian nation of Vietnam to be able to get the new iPhone 16 at a cheaper rate.

However, the user also notes that these savings can only be made, if the buyer is intending to buy the advanced iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Savings Only iPhone 16 Pro

The user said, “Plan your #iPhone16 purchase with a trip to #Vietnam and spend the same amount you would be spending buying it here in India.”

In addition, the user also added, “But the savings work only if you are planning to buy the #iPhone16Pro or the #iPhone16ProMax”.

In addition, the user also surmised an instance of users travelling to the UAE an purchasing these phones.

According to the user, the Visa fees & fight rates don’t make Dubai that lucrative unless flying somewhere via UAE or planning for the #iPhone16ProMax only”.

As per the statistics produced by the user, the most expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max will cost an Indian buyer Rs 1,44,900 a piece. In Vietnam, however, it would cost a buyer Rs 1,18,992.

This marks a difference of Rs 25,908. Meanwhile, in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, the same phone would cost the buyer Rs 1,16,550, marking a difference of Rs 28,350.

The iPhone series will be available in India from September 20, with the pre-order for the phone starting on September 13.

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Business

Mumbai: MahaRERA To Launch New ‘MahaCRITI’ Website On September 1, Existing Portal Offline For Migration On August 30-31

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Mumbai: MahaRERA To Launch New 'MahaCRITI' Website On September 1, Existing Portal Offline For Migration On August 30-31

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s (MahaRERA’s) new website ‘MahaCRITI’ will be launched on September 1 at 00.00 hours. To enable the migration to the new portal, the existing MahaRERA’s website will go offline on August 30 and 31.

During this transition period, the back-end team will perform various technical tasks to provide better user experience.

MahaRERA will also conduct classroom and virtual training for all real estate stakeholders to facilitate familiarity, easy navigation and user friendliness of MahaCRITI.

The training, that commenced on Thursday, will continue on August 30 and September 1 at MahaRERA’s head office situated in Bandra-Kurla Complex. The housing regulator has announced training schedule on the website. Videos on the training demo shall also be made available on MahaRERA’s portal.

The stakeholders are encouraged to participate in these sessions for a hands-on experience with the new system.

The training’s second phase will be available for two weeks after the website goes live on September 1. The training module will also guide the complainants as well as lawyers on complaint registration and its further process.

Developers, promoters and their self-regulatory bodies will be guided on how to use the website effectively for routine tasks such as registration of new housing projects, corrections, extensions as per requirement, quarterly progress reports, annual progress reports and project completion Form 4.

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Business

2025 Yamaha YZF-R15 Launches Globally with Exciting New Features and Color Choices

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Yamaha has launched an updated version of its YZF-R15 in Indonesia, enhancing its entry-level sports bike with new features and a fresh look. The updated model now offers smartphone connectivity, similar to the version available in India. It also introduces a striking-black color option, along with grey/silver/, grey/black, and blue. Despite these upgrades in features and appearance, the bike maintains its original mechanical design, ensuring reliability while appealing to new and existing riders.

The 2025 Yamaha YZF-R15 for the Indonesian market maintains its familiar 155cc single-cylinder engine with VVT, producing 18.1 bhp and 14.2 Nm of torque, and is paired with six-speed transmission. It features a monoshock rear suspension and inverted telescopic front forks, along with dual-channel ABS and disc brakes on both wheels. While it lacks the traction control found on the Indian model, it retains its Deltabox frame, an 11-liter fuel tank, and a total weight of 141 kg, all supported by 17-inch alloy wheels.

The 2025 Yamaha YZF-R15 comes equipped with a range of advanced features, including dual-channel ABS, traction control, a slipper clutch, and a quick shifter. It also features a fully digital instrument cluster that provides not only essential ride information but also ride tracking, onboard diagnostics, and periodic maintenance reminders, enhancing the overall riding experience.

India Yamaha Motor has marked a notable milestone in its manufacturing history with the success of the Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi-Hybrid in Europe. This scooter, produced in India, has gained considerable traction across several European nations. From January to July this year, approximately 13,400 units of the Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid were sold across 27 European countries.

Consumers have responded positively to the Yamaha Ray ZR 125 Fi Hybrid, appreciating its well-rounded design and features. The scooter has received a positive response across major European markets such as the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Switzerland, Greece, and Portugal.

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