Apple on Wednesday lowered its forecast to USD 84 billion in revenue for its fiscal first quarter ended Dec.”China’s smartphone market has dropped sharply this year, with Apple and South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd leading the fall, even as some domestic peers have performed more strongly.(Source).Apple is now the highest-profile multinational corporation to warn that the economic slowdown in China could hurt its business.“We would anticipate the company increasing share buybacks on the weakness to return capital to shareholders at discount prices,” said Trip Miller, managing partner at Apple shareholder Gullane Capital Partners. That growth came entirely from higher prices.“The question for investors will be the extent to which Apple’s aggressive pricing has exacerbated this situation and what this means for the company’s longer-term pricing power within its iPhone franchise,” James Cordwell, an analyst at Atlantic Equities, told Reuters. And after several component makers in November forecast weaker-than-expected sales, some market watchers called the peak for iPhones in several key markets. Even before then, local rivals like Huawei had been gaining market share over Apple.Apple Inc on Wednesday took the rare step of cutting its quarterly sales forecast, with Chief Executive Tim Cook blaming slowing iPhone sales in China, whose economy has been dragged down by uncertainty around US-China trade relations.

That all came before the damage to the Chinese economy from trade tensions with the United States and long-simmering structural issues became evident. In the broader market, the S&P 500 futures fell 1.“(That’s) almost three times as expensive as phones from other vendors that are filling the mass market.7 billion. 29, below analysts’ estimate of USD 91.”But some investors were heartened by Apple’s plans on using its cash pile.“The much larger issue is the slowing of the (Chinese) economy, and then the trade tension that has further pressured it,” Cook said.In his letter, Cook said Apple has USD 130 billion in net cash and that it intends to continue its efforts to reduce that cash balance to net zero, which the company has so far accomplished through dividend increases and share buybacks. But Cook specifically said he “would not put China in that category” of countries with troubled growth.The news, which comes as a spotlight grows on Beijing’s attempts to revive stalling growth, sent Apple shares tumbling in after-hours trade, hammered Asian suppliers and triggered a broader selloff in global markets.“While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a letter to investors. Apple originally forecasts revenue of between USD 89 billion and USD 93 billion.In the latest fiscal year, ended Sept.Cook told CNBC that Apple products have not been targeted by the Chinese government, though some consumers may have elected not to buy an iPhone or other Apple devices due to the firm being an American brand. In November, the Cupertino, California-based company said it would quit disclosing unit sales data for iPhones and other hardware items, leading many analysts to worry that a drop in iPhone sales was coming.

Apple’s move was not entirely a surprise.7 per cent in after-hours trade, dragging the company’s market value below USD 700 billion.5 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.In November, Cook cited slowing growth in emerging markets such as Brazil, India and Russia for lower-than-anticipated sales estimates for the company’s fiscal first quarter.Since the arrest last month, at the request of the United States, there have been sporadic reports of Chinese consumers shying away from Apple products.Apple shares skidded 7.Hal Eddins, a chief economist at Apple shareholder Capital Investment Counsel, said Cook’s comments on the impact of the US trade tensions with China “might be a dig at (US President Donald) Trump, but mostly he may be using the trade turmoil as an excuse for some missteps they’ve made over the last year.But Apple has held firm on its premium pricing strategy in China despite the risk of a slower economy.Apple finds itself in a tricky position in China, a key market for sales and where it manufactures the bulk of the iconic products it sells worldwide, after the high-profile arrest in Canada of the CFO of domestic rival Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.This marked the first time Apple had issued a warning on its revenue guidance ahead of releasing quarterly results since the iPhone was launched in 2007.

Apple sales in China have not been doing well for a few quarters now, part of the reason is that their price points have gone too high - past the USD 1,000 mark,” said Kiranjeet Kaur, an analyst at market research firm IDC. In the US government bond market, a typical safe-haven, the yield on the benchmark 10-year, which moves inversely to the bond’s price, sank to an 11-month low. Automakers such as Ford Motor Co, Hyundai Motor Co and Nissan Motor Co Ltd all previously said they planned to cut production in the country.Samsung said last month it would cease operations at one of its mobile phone manufacturing plants in China, after seeing its share of the Chinese market drop to 1 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 versus 15 per cent in mid-2013.The revenue drop for the just-ended quarter underscores how China wholesale silicone rubber an economic slowdown in China has been sharper than many expected, catching companies and leaders in Beijing off balance and forcing some to readjust their plans in the market.Some analysts, however, questioned the impact of Apple’s own actions, such as its unyielding pursuit of high selling prices for its products.

It is perceived as something that has a snob appeal and a niche and intimidating space. And I’ve consciously kept it that way. She loves her floral collection, her style is nature and abstract. So we started with daily products like coasters and trays.

The best thing about abstract art is that you can never recreate it. The idea is to get people to speak about art and contribute their writings. One leg of the business model is products, because that’s where the revenue is generated. This is something that’s just mine, so I don’t have any timelines or restrictions. The blog is shared on our social media platforms.I’m not oil Seal Manufacturers looking at what could be called competitors, and I’m not looking at their pricing and trying to figure if can I do better. She studied it in college and then lost touch when life got in the way. She took up art again seven years ago. It’s about getting in new age ideas about how people perceive art. That’s something we’re building right now. So one days it’s about products, the next day it’s about the blog, and the third day it’s something else. I have my mum, my fiancé, and my friends who are extremely supportive of this idea and who consider themselves part of the journey.Where do you see Artique going?n It’s been a very conscious decision to keep the map fluid at the moment.

Nazneen Dharamsey is on a mission to bring art into our every day. The idea is more about changing a mindset, as opposed to just selling a product. Now we’re also in the space of fashion and actually taking things out. So for Artique, it’s not about pegging yourself against anyone We are just creating our own thing and taking each day as it comes.How do you choose your designs? How do you decide which pieces make the cut?There are two kinds of paintings my mum does.

Stuff that she does for exhibits and sales, and the ones she does purely for pleasure.Of course I don’t think anything is really done in isolation. That’s where the idea came up from for making art part of your daily consumption.com. While art is very interesting, it is a small space and so unexplored. There’s no other restriction.Tell us about Artique’s journeyArtique turned three in November this year. Abstracts, as an art form on merchandise and home décor, is something you don’t see too often. The crux of Artique remains the same: we will always be about the everyday person, the everyday life and the role that art plays in that.

By arrangements with thecitystory. She studied it in college and then lost touch when life got in the way. I love the story behind each piece of art.Did you study art/design? And do you do all the work yourself or do you have a team?Artique is just me.

The minute you bring in other people, it’s different minds that get in the way. At the same time, on the side I’ve started conducting these little groups, like a book club, but where people get together to discuss art and artists. My mum is an artist. My mum is an artist. Even the artist can never really recreate it exactly the same. Her brand, Artique, sells products ranging from mugs and business card holders to bags and umbrellas, and she’s making sure we’re surrounded by art and beauty wherever we go. It’s a constant fight picking on the ones to use. Nazneen Dharamsey is on a mission to bring art into our every day. It started in the home scape; soon we realised offices are another space where people spend a lot of time. Art is such a holistic, expressive field and has so much untapped potential. Even a nine-year-old would have a clear view on how she perceives a particular piece of art. I love her abstracts. I try and inculcate that story when I’m trying to sell a product or talking to a prospective buyer: what’s the story behind this piece of art.What do you think makes Artique stand out?n I think the fact that we’re just not playing the game. Chatting Chai, for example, is things like the blog where we have everyday conversations over a cup of chai and try to bring art into the conversation. The other leg we’ve worked on and we’re building right now its experience. So at times my friend and I visit galleries around Mumbai and the blog about the experience. It comes straight from the heart.

If this system is implemented, people of other religions may question it as ‘Jai Hind’ is connected to Hinduism. However, it is unjustifiable to use education for political benefits. The content children are taught has to be unbiased and true. The implementation can be left as a choice of respective schools. Then no rules will be necessary because the words o-ring Manufacturers will echo naturally in every heart and they will inspire the whole world to be committed to peace and prosperity. It is completely illogical to see difference in response to the roll call.This is not educationAlan Raj, lecturerThis new rule # has nothing to do with education.  The growing intolerance will slowly creep into the educational sector.

Children should be trained in a way so that they grow capable of choosing their own ideology. When India becomes the dream of every child, where communal tolerance dissolves separate identities, conscious capitalism subjugates corporate and political greed, desh ki dharti is made more precious through value creation in the economy, making the lure and shine of foreign education and jobs dull, then perhaps patriotism will sprout naturally in young hearts. Think about their innocent minds before implementing something so political. Patriotism will grow naturally in the budding youths of India when they see its development towards a better, safer and a tolerant country. Such hegemonic tactics were what people like Hitler used – syllabus that glorified the Aryan race, forcing the public to march while repeatedly playing vitriolic speeches Patriotism is not branding someone who opposes such silly, meaningless directives as ‘anti-national’. Patriotism is a feeling that should come naturally. The copies of the notification had already been sent to the district education officials with instructions to implement it from New Year.

In fact, saying ‘Jai Hind’ might encourage our future generation to be more loyal to their country. Instead of improving our education system, the authorities are pandering to certain ideologies. Forcing something on a student proves that purpose of this whole subject isn't served. Saying ‘Jai Hind’ is not the same as praising a religion, it is a slogan used by Indians everywhere in relation to their homeland, saying it in school should not matter.. Will implementing the new roll call system nourish patriotism in children? Or does it feel like an illogical move? Intolerance is growing in India in many sectors.Diversion from educationDr Madhu Gupta, lecturerSchools and education should be spared from political actions and roll call has nothing to do with patriotism.I do not find room for intolerance in this matter as long as the purpose gets manipulated. As per reports, the minister said that the system had been followed in Gujarat decades back, and there is nothing wrong in taking inspiration from such an initiative. Let’s be driven by their vision and make our country a flourishing home that every child feels immense gratitude for being born into. Living as a law-abiding citizen in our country, paying taxes, volunteerism, being honest is more than enough to nurture patriotism.

Earlier, the Rajasthan government kicked up a row by revising contents of textbooks to glorify the Modi government.Leave decision to schoolsSreelatha Nair, bloggerI don’t find anything wrong in the move. Joshi was recently recognised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad for his activities in the education field, which include making his students say ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Jai Bharat’. I believe this call system will increase differences among students of all groups. Patriotism can’t be imparted  in one day. It may help imbibe a sense of belongingness among children. We need to teach students discipline, which is the primary step to patriotism. Textbooks should be prepared with the sole intent to contain knowledge that will educate the students and not for flattering a person in power.Cannot cultivate PatriotismSuzy Singh, social thinkerPatriotism cannot be cultivated merely through force of rule; it is the pride one feels for the country as a result of the alignment with its beliefs, purpose, goals, accomplishments and ideologies that stand the test of time, particularly where the rubber hits the ground. If the move is intended to nurture patriotism, then the kids should be taught discipline first. We don’t need to teach them different ideologies and make them fundamentalists; teach them moral values and discipline. Is it spreading to education sector, too?Intolerance is creepingAllen Mathews Shibu, studentThe national anthem before the start of a movie doesn't bring or nurture any kind of patriotism in moviegoers. I would never appreciate this action because it is a diversion from the main purpose of education.

We have a rich heritage of inspired leadership. The decision was taken by State Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, who was inspired by a history teacher named Sandeep Joshi in Jalore district.I find Nothing wrongRanjani Balachander, parentThere is nothing wrong to be patriotic about our nation since the term ‘Jai Hind’ has no religious connotations; so I think there is nothing wrong with students saying it out loud in class.As per the notification issued by the Directorate of Primary Education and Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, the students of classes 1-12 in government, grant-in-aid and self-financed schools have to follow the new system.

It also caps crude oil supplies to North Korea at 4 million barrels a year and commits the Security Council to further reductions if Pyongyang conducts another nuclear or ICBM test. 18; and the North Korean-flagged Ul Ji Bong 6, Rung Ra 2, Rye Song Gang 1, and Sam Jong 2.Documents seen by Reuters in December showed Washington called on the Security Council to blacklist 10 ships for circumventing sanctions by conducting ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels or transporting North Korean coal.Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the conservative Center for the National Interest, said China would "never, ever enforce the sanctions to the satisfaction of President Trump," in spite of the effort the US president had invested in developing a personal relationship with China&Rubber Products Manufacturers39;s president, Xi Jinping."This was always bound to happen.A State Department spokesman, Michael Cavey, reiterated on Wednesday that the United States had called on all countries to cut economic ties with North Korea. China is actually more afraid of North Korea than America," Kazianis said, citing Chinese concerns about instability or collapse in North Korea if sanctions were fully applied.Washington says the full cooperation of China, North Korea's neighbour and main trading partner, is vital to the success of this effort, while warning that all options are on the table, including military ones, in dealing with North Korea.US Democratic Senator Ed Markey, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Twitter the North Korean threat had only increased since Trump took office and he had to find a way to get China to cut off crude oil supplies.In September, the Security Council put a cap of 2 million barrels a year on refined petroleum products exports to North Korea.The Trump administration has led a drive to step up global sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang's efforts to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States.China has repeatedly said it is fully enforcing all resolutions against North Korea, despite suspicion in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo that loopholes still exist.

There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!" Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!— Donald J.The ships targeted for blacklisting were the Xin Sheng Hai (flag unknown); the Hong-Kong-flagged Lighthouse Winmore; the Togo-flagged Yu Yuan; Panama-flagged Glory Hope 1 (also known as Orient Shenyu), Kai Xiang and Billions No."With President Trump's latest Tweet it seems the 'Bromance' between him and President Xi is finally over," he said."We urge China to end all economic ties with the DPRK, including tourism, and the provision of any oil or petroleum products, and expel all DPRK workers," he said, using the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Asked at a regular briefing whether Chinese ships were illegally providing oil to North Korean ships, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang reiterated that China, including the military, strictly enforced UN resolutions.

An official of the US State Dept said the US govt was aware of vessels engaged in such activity involving refined petroleum and coal.The UN Security Council last week unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea for a recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, seeking to further limit its access to refined petroleum products and crude oil.

"The solution is a coherent strategy, not bluster," he said."We have evidence that some of the vessels engaged in these activities are owned by companies in several countries, including China," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper this week quoted South Korean government sources as saying that US spy satellites had detected Chinese ships transferring oil to North Korean vessels around 30 times since October.China and Russia subsequently asked for more time to consider the proposal."The situation you have mentioned absolutely does not exist," he said.The US-drafted UN resolution seeks to ban nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum exports to North Korea by capping them at 500,000 barrels a year.Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea.US officials have not confirmed details of this report. The Trump administration has led a drive to step up global sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang's efforts to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said China has been "caught" allowing oil into North Korea and said such moves would prevent "a friendly solution" to the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear program"Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2017China earlier on Thursday said there had been no UN sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese ships to North Korea after a South Korean newspaper said Chinese and North Korean vessels had been illicitly linking up at sea to get oil to North Korea.An official of the US State Department said the US government was aware of vessels engaged in such activity involving refined petroleum and coal.

US sanctions: Fear of the violence worsening has rippled across the region, and beyond.But the unrest fueled fears that his insistence on convening the assembly despite months of demonstrations and fierce international criticism would only plunge the country deeper into chaos. He was accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, a candidate for the new assembly.“I’m the first voter in the country.“We will continue to take strong and swift actions against the architects of authoritarianism in Venezuela, including those who participate in the National Constituent Assembly as a result of today’s flawed election,” US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.Those killed included a candidate for the new assembly, a regional opposition leader, two teenage protesters and a soldier in the western state of Tachira, which saw some of the worst violence.The number of Venezuelans living abroad has soared as the once-booming oil producer has descended into a devastating economic crisis marked by shortages, runaway inflation, riots and looting.

Senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on Venezuelans to continue defying the deeply unpopular Maduro with new protests against the election and the “massacre” he said accompanied it.But that will be difficult to ascertain, as most voters will be able to vote twice: once by region and once by social or industrial sector. Venezuelans also protested in Miami, Madrid and various Latin American cities.“The vote means the end of any trace of democratic rule. It threatened further sanctions against Caracas.Protesters attacked polling stations and barricaded streets around the country, drawing a bloody response from security forces, who opened fire with live ammunition in some cases.Maduro vote glitch: Maduro kicked off voting by casting his ballot in a west Caracas polling station.The opposition had called for a boycott and mass demonstrations against the election, which it condemned as a bid to install a dictatorship.”Maduro, whose term is meant to end in 2019, describes the election as the most important in Venezuelan history.National guard troops used armored vehicles, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters blocking roads in the west of the capital.

The US has ordered the families of its diplomats to leave after imposing sanctions on 13 current and former Venezuelan officials.A wave of bloodshed swept Venezuela on Sunday as troops cracked down on violent protests against elections to choose the members of a powerful assembly that President Nicolas Maduro has tasked with writing a new constitution.At least 10 people were killed, prompting the United States to threaten further “strong and swift” sanctions on Maduro’s government. I ask God for his blessings so the people can freely exercise their democratic right to vote,” he said. Turnout will be key to determining the legitimacy of the election.“We do not recognize this fraudulent process,” he said at the close of voting, calling for nationwide marches Monday and a mass protest in Caracas Wednesday, the day the new “Constituent Assembly” is due to be installed.“This constituent assembly is being born in a bloodbath.Soldiers also violently moved against protesters in the second city of Maracaibo, in the west, and Puerto Ordaz in the east. Maduro’s blatant power grab removes any ambiguity about whether Venezuela is a democracy,” said Michael Shifter, head of the Inter-American Dialogue research center.The socialist president is gambling his four-year rule on the 545-member assembly, which will be empowered to dissolve the opposition-controlled congress and rewrite the constitution.Several foreign airlines, including Air France, Delta, Avianca and Iberia have suspended flights to Venezuela over security concerns.“

The people are not going to give up the streets until this awful government goes,” protester Carlos Zambrano, 54, said in western Caracas.In eastern Caracas, seven police were wounded when an improvised explosive targeted their motorcycle convoy.“Maduro’s sham election is another step toward dictatorship,” tweeted US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley.According to polling firm Datanalisis, more than 70 percent of Venezuelans oppose the idea of the new assembly and 80 percent reject Maduro’s leadership.Britain’s junior foreign minister Alan Duncan China oil Seal Manufacturers also described the vote as a “sham,” as did many experts.The US, the EU, Canada and Latin American powers including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico have condemned the election.

It is born illegitimate,” said Nicmer Evans, a prominent socialist turned Maduro critic, alleging widespread irregularities.Maduro has decreed a ban on protests during and after the vote, threatening prison terms of up to 10 years.“I have come to vote to tell the gringos and the opposition that we want peace, not war, and that we support Maduro,” said voter Ana Contreras..He got a technological snub when he scanned his ID card at the polling station and the screen spit out the words, “This person does not exist or the ID was canceled.Ten dead: Prosecutors said 10 people were killed in violence around the vote, bringing the death toll in four months of protests to some 120 people.