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China will impose tariffs of up to 19.8% on pork imports from the European Union, a drastic drop from preliminary tariffs of up to 62.4%, its Commerce Ministry said Tuesday. The ministry’s announcement followed an investigation the Chinese side launched into imports of pork from the trading bloc after the EU imposed provisional tariffs on China-made electric vehicles. Beijing also levied anti-dumping duties on European brandy, most notably cognac produced in France, though major brandy producers received exemptions. Imports of dairy products from the EU likewise were subject to anti-dumping probes. The EU runs a massive trade deficit with China: over 300 billion euros ($348 billion) last year. However, the trading bloc is a major exporter of pork and key supplier of byproducts such as ears, snouts, feet, and other items considered to be delicacies in China. In September, China ordered preliminary anti-dumping duties, in the form of security deposits, of 15.6% to 32.7% for pork imports from EU companies that collaborated with the anti-dumping investigation, and up to 62.4% for all others. Chinas Commerce Ministry concluded that the EU was dumping pork and pig by-products in China, selling them at prices below production costs or domestic market prices, and harming Chinas pork industry. The final tariff rates of 4.9%-19.8% are due to take effect beginning Wednesday and last for five years. Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark will be the most affected. The Commerce Ministry said the new tariff will apply to all kind of pork products, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, pickled, smoked or salted. It said it had reached its conclusions in an objective, fair and impartial manner. EU exports of pork products to China peaked at 7.4 billion euros ($7.9 billion) in 2020 when Beijing turned to imports to meet domestic demand after its pig farms were devastated by a swine disease. But it has reduced imports as it has rebuilt its herds. Elaine Kurtenbach, AP business writer
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We all have goals, but at least some of the difference in achieving those goals comes down to how you frame them. In a study published in PLOS One, the researchers separated participants goals into two basic categories: Avoidance goals: stopping or preventing an undesired behavior.Stop ignoring interpersonal issues between employees. So is stop putting off important tasks. So is stop watching so much TV. So is anything you want, or wish, to stop doing or do less often. Approach goals: adopting a new behavior. Complete the most important task on my to-do list every day. So is Compliment at least one employee every day. So is Eat at least one serving of vegetables at lunch and dinner. Why does the difference matter? Compared with people who set avoidance goals, people who set approach goals were significantly more likely to stay the course. Partly thats because its more satisfying to do something you want to do than to avoid something you dont want to do. For example, for decades I drank a ton of Diet Mountain Dew. When I finally decided I wanted to drink less soda, I set an approach goal: Instead of setting a goal like Stop drinking Diet Mountain Dew in the morning, my goal was Drink water with my protein bar and banana for breakfast. Later, I extended my water rule to lunch, and dinner, and snacks. The result, of course, was drinking less Diet Mountain Dew. But I wasnt avoiding soda; I was approaching water. The same can be true for any habit you want to change. If you tend to avoid getting involved in interpersonal disputes between employees, dont say youll stop ignoring interpersonal issues. Make it your goal to build a better sense of camaraderie and teamwork, and choose activities or behaviors that support your goal. Maybe youll spend a little time each day working in the department where two employees arent getting along. Maybe youll create situations where people can work together on something positive: A boss of mine once assigned me and an employee I was feuding with to a project with a potentially significant reward, and in the process we quickly ironed out our differences. Just about every avoidance goal can be turned into an approach goal; simply determine the positive behavior or habit that you want to have replace what you want to stop doing, and focus on doing that. If you want to watch less TV, make it your goal to read 20 pages every evening. If you want to spend less time in your office, make it your goal to walk the shop or office floor first thing in the morning. If you want to spend less time on social media, start an activity that makes it hard to engage. (If your goal is to take a walk every night with a partner or friend, and you leave your phones behind, voil: more actual social time, much less social media.) If you want to stop doing one thing, or do less of it, choose another thing you want or need to do, and make doing that your goal: Do (this), and youll naturally have less opportunity to do (that). Thats the beauty of approach goals. Stopping a habit is easier when you dont have as much time or opportunity to engage in that habit. Besides: Its a lot more fun to start doing something you really want to do than it is to try to stop doing something youve decided you shouldnt. Jeff Haden
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E-Commerce
For many people, the winter holiday period is their favorite time of the year. Its weeks full of family, friends, gifts, and cozy indoor get-togethers. But those social gatherings are among the main reasons why the flu spreads so readily at this time of year. And this year, a so-called superflu variant known as subclade K is set to make things even worse. Heres what you need to know. When is flu season? Flu season is officially in full swing. Its the time of year when flu viruses are most rampant, and infections tend to spike before finally decreasing and leveling off. Most people know that flu season usually occurs in the winter months, but the period actually lasts for longer. According to the Cleveland Clinic, in the northern hemisphere, the flu season starts in October. However, its worst period encompasses December to February, which is when the highest number of cases occur. Cases usually begin to decline after February, and flu season is typically considered over by May. But besides its conventional start date, theres another way to measure when flu season is underway. As CNN reports, health professionals often use the epidemic threshold to measure when flu season is underway. When that threshold, which measures the percentage of visits to a healthcare provider for respiratory illness, rises above 3.1%, flu season is here. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States passed that threshold last week when it hit 3.2%. And that number is likely to rise in the coming weeks, thanks to a new flu variant circulating the globe called subclade K. What is the subclade K influenza variant? The common seasonal flu going around this year is part of the H3N2 family, a strain that has been circulating for decades, notes Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. However, a new H3N2 variant has arisen with enough mutations to make it materially different, from a genetic perspective, from the reference strains scientists chose earlier this year to make this years flu vaccine. This variant is called subclade K. Because it has enough genetic differences, the subclade K variant is more resistant to this years flu vaccine than other strains. However, that doesnt mean this years flu vaccine cant help protect you against subclade K or other flu strains. As CNN reports, despite this years flu vaccine failing to neutralize subclade K viruses as well as other flu strains, the flu vaccine still cuts hospital visits for H3N2 strains in children by 75%. For adults, the vaccine appears to be less effective, but data shows that it can still cut hospital visits by 30% to 40%. Where in America is the flu most widespread? According to CDC data for the week ending December 6, the flu virus, including subclade K, is present in most of the United States. The CDCs Influenza Divisions Weekly Influenza Surveillance report shows that the states with the highest level of flu activity include: New York Colorado Louisana New Jersy Conneticut Idaho Screenshot via CDC. What are the symptoms of the flu? Common symptoms of the flu include the following, according to the CDC: fever or feeling feverish/chills cough sore throat runny or stuffy nose muscle or body aches headaches fatigue (tiredness) some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. How can I protect myself against the flu over the holidays? In winter, people tend to spend more time indoors with windows closed, which allows flu viruses to spread more easily between people. Holiday gatherings can accelerate this spread as many spend more time socializing during the period than they usually do. But just because it’s flu season doesn’t mean you cant enjoy the holidays. The CDC offers several bits of advice on how to reduce your risk of seasonal flu, including: Getting vaccinated Avoiding contact with people who are sick Cleaning your hands regularly Avoiding touching your mouth, nose, and eyes And if you think you are sick, you can help protect others by staying home and covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
Category:
E-Commerce
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