In yet another clash, climate activists in Spain's Ibiza islands attacked a superyacht that belonged to Walmart heiress nancy walton laurie. The vessel was vandalised by members of a Spain-based climate activism group.

Climate activists deface Walmart heiress' $300m yacht

In a federal court ruling on Friday, Patrick Crusius, the perpetrator of a mass shooting that occurred on 3 August, 2019, at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms. The lone gunman, in one of the deadliest attacks in US, entered Walmart and opened fire, targeting Latinos.&nbsp;

The mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart resulted in the deaths of 23 people. Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to 90 federal charges, including hate crimes and firearms offenses.&nbsp;

Prosecutors had recommended consecutive life sentences for each charge. Prior to the sentence announcement, Crusius' defense attorney delivered a formal address to the court on behalf of the shooter, asserting that his actions were due to severe mental illness.&nbsp;

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However, the prosecution vehemently rejected this claim, referring to Crusius as a "vessel of insidious violence."

<h2>Potential death penalty in separate state trial</h2>

Although the federal sentence marks a significant punishment for Crusius, his legal battles are far from over.&nbsp;

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In a separate state trial, Crusius has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and could face the death penalty. His defense attorney, Joe Spencer, argued that his client is not a racist but suffers from a "broken brain" and a long history of severe mental illness. The state trial is expected to take place sometime in 2024 or 2025.

<h2>Lasting pain of victims' families</h2>

Throughout the sentencing hearing, victims' loved ones and survivors had the opportunity to share their victim impact statements, expressing their anguish and the enduring effects of Crusius' actions.&nbsp;

Some family members became emotional as they confronted Crusius in court, condemning him as an "ignorant coward," an "evil parasite," and a "racist."&nbsp;

It was revealed that Crusius specifically targeted Mexican people and immigrants during his rampage, with at least eight of the victims being Mexican nationals. Prior to the shooting, he had posted a hate-filled post online espousing xenophobic and white supremacist beliefs.

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During the proceedings, Crusius mostly remained silent, with shackled hands and feet. However, on Thursday, he engaged with a relative of one of the victims, responding non-verbally to questions posed by Dean Reckard, who had lost his mother in the shooting.

When asked if he sleeps well at night, Crusius shook his head in a no. Reckard then questioned Crusius about remorse and whether he was a white supremacist, to which Crusius shook his head in denial but nodded when asked if he was sorry for his actions.

Some speakers admonished Crusius for apparently rolling his eyes during their statements, while others dismissed his lack of remorse and expressed their desire for him to suffer in jail.

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In a federal court ruling on Friday, Patrick Crusius, the perpetrator of a mass shooting that occurred on 3 August, 2019, at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms.

In a federal court ruling on Friday, Patrick Crusius, the perpetrator of a mass shooting that occurred on 3 August, 2019, at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms. The lone gunman, in one of the deadliest attacks in US, entered Walmart and opened fire, targeting Latinos. The mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart resulted in the deaths of 23 people. Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to 90 federal charges, including hate crimes and firearms offenses. Prosecutors had recommended consecutive life sentences for each charge. Prior to the sentence announcement, Crusius' defense attorney delivered a formal address to the court on behalf of the shooter, asserting that his actions were due to severe mental illness. Also Read | Ditch baggage, rent clothes: What is the new trend sparked by Japan Airlines? However, the prosecution vehemently rejected this claim, referring to Crusius as a "vessel of insidious violence." Potential death penalty in separate state trial Although the federal sentence marks a significant punishment for Crusius, his legal battles are far from over. Also Read | Wagner boss Prigozhin never went to Belarus, used body double to appear as if he fled Russia: US official In a separate state trial, Crusius has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and could face the death penalty. His defense attorney, Joe Spencer, argued that his client is not a racist but suffers from a "broken brain" and a long history of severe mental illness. The state trial is expected to take place sometime in 2024 or 2025. Lasting pain of victims' families Throughout the sentencing hearing, victims' loved ones and survivors had the opportunity to share their victim impact statements, expressing their anguish and the enduring effects of Crusius' actions. Some family members became emotional as they confronted Crusius in court, condemning him as an "ignorant coward," an "evil parasite," and a "racist." It was revealed that Crusius specifically targeted Mexican people and immigrants during his rampage, with at least eight of the victims being Mexican nationals. Prior to the shooting, he had posted a hate-filled post online espousing xenophobic and white supremacist beliefs. Watch | The unstoppable Chhetri × During the proceedings, Crusius mostly remained silent, with shackled hands and feet. However, on Thursday, he engaged with a relative of one of the victims, responding non-verbally to questions posed by Dean Reckard, who had lost his mother in the shooting. When asked if he sleeps well at night, Crusius shook his head in a no. Reckard then questioned Crusius about remorse and whether he was a white supremacist, to which Crusius shook his head in denial but nodded when asked if he was sorry for his actions. Some speakers admonished Crusius for apparently rolling his eyes during their statements, while others dismissed his lack of remorse and expressed their desire for him to suffer in jail. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

US: Mass shooter in El Paso Walmart attack sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms

US retail giant Walmart will be procuring toys, shoes and bicycles from suppliers in India as it seeks to boost exports from the subcontinent to $10 billion annually by 2027.

A spokesperson from the firm told PTI news agency that it is looking to establish new supplier partnerships in various industries, such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, as well as apparel and home textiles.

"Walmart's efforts to expand sourcing from India involve strengthening collaborations with existing suppliers and facilitating the development of new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, as well as apparel and home textiles. We are also exploring opportunities in the areas of toys, shoes, and bicycles," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The move comes after representatives from Walmart held a virtual meeting with many Indian toy manufacturers to communicate their specific requirements and expected quality standards.

<h2>India was once net importer of toys</h2>

Once a net importer of toys, India has made great efforts to boost its local manufacturing capacity in order to meet external demands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative played a significant role in this turnaround as it generated $326.63 million in export revenue in the financial year 2021-22, up from $96.17 million in 2014-15.

Walmart joins other global retailers like IKEA who are already sourcing toys from India for their international operations, underscoring the country's growing clout in the toy industry.

In December 2020, Walmart had committed to triple its exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, which it said, would greatly benefit micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India.

<h2>Walmart to invest heavily in automation for e-commerce</h2>

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"The expansion in sourcing will include helping develop hundreds of new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health &amp; wellness and general merchandise, along with apparel, homeware and other key Indian export categories," it had said.

On May 15, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital New Delhi where he reiterated that the company planned exports from India worth $10 billion a year by 2027.

Commenting on the interaction, Walmart said, "We have a long history in India and we're continuing to grow an ecosystem that creates opportunity."

"We look forward to continuing to work together with our partners to make quality, affordable, sustainable products for our customers and members, help businesses grow, create jobs, strengthen resilient communities, and accelerate India’s progress as a manufacturing destination. This ties into our goal to expand our exports of ‘Made in India’ products from India to $10 billion each year by 2027," McMillon stated during his visit to India.

(With inputs&nbsp;from&nbsp;agencies)

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US retail giant Walmart will be procuring toys, shoes and bicycles from suppliers in India as it seeks to boost exports from the subcontinent to $10 billion annually by 2027.

US retail giant Walmart will be procuring toys, shoes and bicycles from suppliers in India as it seeks to boost exports from the subcontinent to $10 billion annually by 2027. A spokesperson from the firm told PTI news agency that it is looking to establish new supplier partnerships in various industries, such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, as well as apparel and home textiles. "Walmart's efforts to expand sourcing from India involve strengthening collaborations with existing suppliers and facilitating the development of new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health and wellness, as well as apparel and home textiles. We are also exploring opportunities in the areas of toys, shoes, and bicycles," the spokesperson was quoted as saying. The move comes after representatives from Walmart held a virtual meeting with many Indian toy manufacturers to communicate their specific requirements and expected quality standards. India was once net importer of toys Once a net importer of toys, India has made great efforts to boost its local manufacturing capacity in order to meet external demands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative played a significant role in this turnaround as it generated $326.63 million in export revenue in the financial year 2021-22, up from $96.17 million in 2014-15. Walmart joins other global retailers like IKEA who are already sourcing toys from India for their international operations, underscoring the country's growing clout in the toy industry. In December 2020, Walmart had committed to triple its exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027, which it said, would greatly benefit micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India. Walmart to invest heavily in automation for e-commerce "The expansion in sourcing will include helping develop hundreds of new suppliers in categories such as food, pharmaceuticals, consumables, health & wellness and general merchandise, along with apparel, homeware and other key Indian export categories," it had said. On May 15, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital New Delhi where he reiterated that the company planned exports from India worth $10 billion a year by 2027. Commenting on the interaction, Walmart said, "We have a long history in India and we're continuing to grow an ecosystem that creates opportunity." "We look forward to continuing to work together with our partners to make quality, affordable, sustainable products for our customers and members, help businesses grow, create jobs, strengthen resilient communities, and accelerate India’s progress as a manufacturing destination. This ties into our goal to expand our exports of ‘Made in India’ products from India to $10 billion each year by 2027," McMillon stated during his visit to India. (With inputs from agencies)

Walmart to source toys, shoes, bicycles from India to boost exports

In its Q1 earnings call on Thursday, Amazon made no mention of India, a notable departure for the e-commerce behemoth which has consistently emphasised the South Asian market's rapid growth and positive outlook.

This comes after Amazon's closure of several services including food delivery and wholesale distribution in the nation. The absence of India from the Q1 2023 quarterly earnings and investor call is the first since early 2014. Many analysts are now wondering if the American giant is reducing operations in the nation amid global restructuring.

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Over the past 10 years, Amazon has invested over $7 billion in its operations in India and fiercely competes with Flipkart, which is backed by Walmart. According to a Sanford C. Bernstein assessment, Amazon is behind Flipkart and finding it difficult to gain traction in smaller Indian cities and villages.

Walmart, a competitor on a worldwide scale, is investing significantly more money in India . It has spent nearly $2.5 billion in the nation this year.&nbsp;

An earnings call is a conference call between a company's management team and investors and analysts to discuss the company's financial results for a particular period, such as a quarter or a year.

During an earnings call, the company's executives typically provide an overview of the company's financial performance, including revenue, earnings per share, and other key metrics. They may also discuss the company's strategic direction, new product developments, and other business updates.

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Investors and analysts can ask questions during the call to gain a better understanding of the company's financial performance and prospects for growth. Earnings calls are an important tool for investors and analysts to stay informed about a company's financial performance and make informed investment decisions.

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After Thursday's call, Amazon in a press release said its net sales have increased 9 per cent&nbsp;to $127.4 billion in the first quarter, compared with $116.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

Excluding the $2.4 billion unfavourable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 11 per cent&nbsp;compared with the first quarter of 2022. 
 
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In its Q1 earnings call on Thursday, Amazon made no mention of India, a notable departure for the e-commerce behemoth which has consistently emphasised the South Asian market's rapid growth and positive outlook.

In its Q1 earnings call on Thursday, Amazon made no mention of India, a notable departure for the e-commerce behemoth which has consistently emphasised the South Asian market's rapid growth and positive outlook. This comes after Amazon's closure of several services including food delivery and wholesale distribution in the nation. The absence of India from the Q1 2023 quarterly earnings and investor call is the first since early 2014. Many analysts are now wondering if the American giant is reducing operations in the nation amid global restructuring. Also Read | Over 210 migrant bodies recovered on Tunisian coast in less than two weeks Over the past 10 years, Amazon has invested over $7 billion in its operations in India and fiercely competes with Flipkart, which is backed by Walmart. According to a Sanford C. Bernstein assessment, Amazon is behind Flipkart and finding it difficult to gain traction in smaller Indian cities and villages. Walmart, a competitor on a worldwide scale, is investing significantly more money in India . It has spent nearly $2.5 billion in the nation this year. An earnings call is a conference call between a company's management team and investors and analysts to discuss the company's financial results for a particular period, such as a quarter or a year. During an earnings call, the company's executives typically provide an overview of the company's financial performance, including revenue, earnings per share, and other key metrics. They may also discuss the company's strategic direction, new product developments, and other business updates. Also Read | 'We thought we could die': Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi on visiting Ukraine last year Investors and analysts can ask questions during the call to gain a better understanding of the company's financial performance and prospects for growth. Earnings calls are an important tool for investors and analysts to stay informed about a company's financial performance and make informed investment decisions. Watch | Pope Francis on a three-day visit to Hungary, meets Ukrainian refugees × After Thursday's call, Amazon in a press release said its net sales have increased 9 per cent to $127.4 billion in the first quarter, compared with $116.4 billion in the first quarter of 2022. Excluding the $2.4 billion unfavourable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 11 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2022. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In a first since 2014, Amazon omits India business from earnings call

Walmart plans to automate about 65 percent of its stores by the end of the fiscal year 2026. The move comes as Walmart invests heavily in technology to speed up order processing at its e-commerce fulfillment facilities. Walmart also plans to reduce the need for lower paid jobs the retailer expects increased efficiency and improved unit cost averages by about 20 percent. "Walmart wants to keep jobs that require less physical labor but has a higher pay rate," said Walmart CEO Doug

Walmart to invest heavily in automation for e-commerce

Walmart said on Tuesday (April 4) that 65 per cent of its stores will be serviced by automation by the end of the fiscal year 2026. The latest announcement comes just days after the grocery chain announced that it plans to lay off more than 2,000 people at stores that fulfil online orders.&nbsp;

The announcement, amid the US retail giant's annual investor meeting in Tampa, Florida, comes as Walmart increasingly uses its huge stores to handle online-order deliveries and invests heavily in automation to speed up order processing at its e-commerce fulfilment facilities.

It was not immediately clear if this move would lead to more layoffs at the country's biggest private employer, with about 1.7 million US&nbsp;workers and another 60,000 abroad. The company said the move&nbsp;would reduce the need for lower-paid roles.

"As the changes are implemented across the business, one of the outcomes is roles that require less physical labour but have a higher rate of pay," the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer said in a filing.

"Over time, the company anticipates increased output per person&nbsp;due to automation, while maintaining or even increasing its number of associates as new roles are created," it added.

The company said that about 55 per cent of packages that are processed through fulfilment centres will be moved through automated facilities by January 2026. It said that this would improve unit cost averages by about 20 per cent.

"This increased efficiency will not only support better inventory management, but it will also support Walmart's rapidly growing e-commerce business," Stephens Inc analyst Ben Bienvenu wrote in a note.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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Walmart said on Tuesday (April 4) that 65 per cent of its stores will be serviced by automation by the end of the fiscal year 2026. The latest announcement comes just days after the grocery chain announced that it plans to lay off more than 2,000 people at stores that fulfil online orders.

Walmart said on Tuesday (April 4) that 65 per cent of its stores will be serviced by automation by the end of the fiscal year 2026. The latest announcement comes just days after the grocery chain announced that it plans to lay off more than 2,000 people at stores that fulfil online orders. The announcement, amid the US retail giant's annual investor meeting in Tampa, Florida, comes as Walmart increasingly uses its huge stores to handle online-order deliveries and invests heavily in automation to speed up order processing at its e-commerce fulfilment facilities. It was not immediately clear if this move would lead to more layoffs at the country's biggest private employer, with about 1.7 million US workers and another 60,000 abroad. The company said the move would reduce the need for lower-paid roles. "As the changes are implemented across the business, one of the outcomes is roles that require less physical labour but have a higher rate of pay," the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer said in a filing. "Over time, the company anticipates increased output per person due to automation, while maintaining or even increasing its number of associates as new roles are created," it added. The company said that about 55 per cent of packages that are processed through fulfilment centres will be moved through automated facilities by January 2026. It said that this would improve unit cost averages by about 20 per cent. "This increased efficiency will not only support better inventory management, but it will also support Walmart's rapidly growing e-commerce business," Stephens Inc analyst Ben Bienvenu wrote in a note. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Aiming for 65 per cent of stores to be automated by 2026: Walmart

Five US Walmart facilities that cater to e-commerce orders are now downsizing their workforce and laying off hundreds of employees by asking them to find their next job within 90 days at the company's other locations, reported Reuters quoting a spokesperson.&nbsp;

Many companies recently laid off their employees for various reasons such as budget cuts, reorganization, mergers and acquisitions, shifts in business strategy, or declining profits.

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As per the representative, a decrease in evening and weekend shifts resulted in the layoff of about 200 employees in Pedricktown, New Jersey as well as hundreds more in Fort Worth, Texas; Chino, California; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Davenport, Florida.

Layoffs can be a challenging experience for the affected employees because of the uncertainty and financial hardships. However, they are becoming more common as companies try to remain competitive and profitable in a rapidly changing industry.

The spokesperson also said that individuals who are laid off will be eligible for 90 days' pay till they find a new job at other locations including Joliet, Lancaster, Texas and Illinois where the firm opened up new e-commerce distribution centres.

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The five fulfilment centres' employees who are laid off will be qualified for positions at Walmart's 5,000 US shops, which the corporation has been using as a platform to deliver goods to consumers' doorsteps. With nearly 1.7 million US employees, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country.

During the past several years, Walmart has made significant investments in automation working with businesses like Knapp.&nbsp;Walmart CEO Doug McMillon expressed his excitement about the automation possibility on a post-earnings call in February. Walmart has plans to raise investments in automation technologies as part of its more than $15 billion capital expenditure budget this year.

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According to a Reuters analysis of labour department records, Walmart did not issue a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice for the layoffs other than in Pedricktown, New Jersey. It is pertinent to note that US labour law requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice in advance of plant closures and mass layoffs.&nbsp;

The spokeswoman stated that Walmart did not send out a WARN letter for the other locations because it does not know how many workers will ultimately be let go and rehired.&nbsp;The Walmart representative also refrained from using the term "mass layoff" and said that business as usual continued at the warehouses.

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Five US Walmart facilities that cater to e-commerce orders are now downsizing their workforce and laying off hundreds of employees by asking them to find their next job within 90 days at the company's other locations, reported Reuters quoting a spokesperson.

Five US Walmart facilities that cater to e-commerce orders are now downsizing their workforce and laying off hundreds of employees by asking them to find their next job within 90 days at the company's other locations, reported Reuters quoting a spokesperson. Many companies recently laid off their employees for various reasons such as budget cuts, reorganization, mergers and acquisitions, shifts in business strategy, or declining profits. Also Read | Finland, world's happiest country, now offering masterclass on happiness for free As per the representative, a decrease in evening and weekend shifts resulted in the layoff of about 200 employees in Pedricktown, New Jersey as well as hundreds more in Fort Worth, Texas; Chino, California; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Davenport, Florida. Layoffs can be a challenging experience for the affected employees because of the uncertainty and financial hardships. However, they are becoming more common as companies try to remain competitive and profitable in a rapidly changing industry. The spokesperson also said that individuals who are laid off will be eligible for 90 days' pay till they find a new job at other locations including Joliet, Lancaster, Texas and Illinois where the firm opened up new e-commerce distribution centres. Also Read | Nordic nations plan joint air defence to counter rising threat from Russia The five fulfilment centres' employees who are laid off will be qualified for positions at Walmart's 5,000 US shops, which the corporation has been using as a platform to deliver goods to consumers' doorsteps. With nearly 1.7 million US employees, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country. During the past several years, Walmart has made significant investments in automation working with businesses like Knapp. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon expressed his excitement about the automation possibility on a post-earnings call in February. Walmart has plans to raise investments in automation technologies as part of its more than $15 billion capital expenditure budget this year. Watch | Twitter CEO Elon Musk to give stocks to employees at $20 dollar valuation × According to a Reuters analysis of labour department records, Walmart did not issue a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice for the layoffs other than in Pedricktown, New Jersey. It is pertinent to note that US labour law requires employers with 100 or more employees to give 60 days' notice in advance of plant closures and mass layoffs. The spokeswoman stated that Walmart did not send out a WARN letter for the other locations because it does not know how many workers will ultimately be let go and rehired. The Walmart representative also refrained from using the term "mass layoff" and said that business as usual continued at the warehouses. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Walmart lays off hundreds of US employees, gives them 90 days to find job at its other facilities

In its economic outlook for 2023, U.S. retailer Walmart has struck a cautious note - this is the retail's forecast full year earnings below estimate and warned that the tight spending by consumers could pressure profit margins.

Walmart sees lower 2023 performance, strikes a cautious note about future

A new shopping app linked to China's top retailers has become the most downloaded app in the US, said media reports. The app has surpassed mighty brands like Amazon and Walmart.

Temu, a Boston-based online retailer that shares the same owner as Chinese social commerce giant Pinduoduo, made its Super Bowl debut Sunday.

Temu, which runs an online superstore for virtually everything — from home goods to apparel to electronics — unveiled a commercial during the game that encouraged consumers to “shop like a billionaire”.

The pitch? You don’t have to be one, CNN reported.

The surprisingly low prices — by Western standards, at least — have drawn comparisons to Shein, the Chinese fast fashion upstart that also offers a wide selection of inexpensive clothing and home goods, and has made significant inroads into markets including the United States.

Shein is considered one of Temu’s competitors, along with US-based discount retailer Wish and Alibaba’s AliExpress, according to Coresight Research, CNN reported.

Temu, pronounced “tee-moo”, was launched last year by PDD, its US-listed parent company formerly known as Pinduoduo. The company officially changed its name just this month.

PDD’s subsidiary Pinduoduo is one of China’s most popular e-commerce platforms with approximately 900 million users. It made its name with a group-buying business model, allowing people to save money by enlisting friends to buy the same item in bulk, CNN reported.

Since its rollout in September, the application has been downloaded 24 million times, racking up more than 11 million monthly active users, according to Sensor Tower.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A new shopping app linked to China's top retailers has become the most downloaded app in the US, said media reports. The app has surpassed mighty brands like Amazon and Walmart.

A new shopping app linked to China's top retailers has become the most downloaded app in the US, said media reports. The app has surpassed mighty brands like Amazon and Walmart. Temu, a Boston-based online retailer that shares the same owner as Chinese social commerce giant Pinduoduo, made its Super Bowl debut Sunday. Temu, which runs an online superstore for virtually everything — from home goods to apparel to electronics — unveiled a commercial during the game that encouraged consumers to “shop like a billionaire”. The pitch? You don’t have to be one, CNN reported. The surprisingly low prices — by Western standards, at least — have drawn comparisons to Shein, the Chinese fast fashion upstart that also offers a wide selection of inexpensive clothing and home goods, and has made significant inroads into markets including the United States. Shein is considered one of Temu’s competitors, along with US-based discount retailer Wish and Alibaba’s AliExpress, according to Coresight Research, CNN reported. Temu, pronounced “tee-moo”, was launched last year by PDD, its US-listed parent company formerly known as Pinduoduo. The company officially changed its name just this month. PDD’s subsidiary Pinduoduo is one of China’s most popular e-commerce platforms with approximately 900 million users. It made its name with a group-buying business model, allowing people to save money by enlisting friends to buy the same item in bulk, CNN reported. Since its rollout in September, the application has been downloaded 24 million times, racking up more than 11 million monthly active users, according to Sensor Tower. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

China-linked shopping app leaves behind Amazon, Walmart in US

The retail giant Walmart plans to close three of its U.S based technology stores asking hundreds of workers to relocate while retaining their jobs. The company is closing its offices that house technology staff.

Walmart shuts U.S stores, hundreds of workers to relocate

Walmart Inc. and other PhonePe shareholders could have to pay nearly USD 1 billion in tax for shifting its headquarters from Singapore to India. Watch this video to know more.

World Business Watch: Walmart gets $1 billion tax bill for relocating PhonePe headquarters to India

Walmart Inc. and rest of the PhonePe shareholders will have to pay nearly $1 billion in tax after digital payments company shifted its headquarters to India, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-%26-economy/walmart-buys-flipkart-for-16-bn-other-mega-indian-deals-135745">Walmart buys Flipkart for $16 billion</a>

Arkansas-based multinational retail chain Walmart Inc. took majority ownership of PhonePe after acquiring its parent company Flipkart Online Services in 2018.&nbsp;

PhonePe eyes $12 billion pre-money valuation

PhonePe is now separated from Flipkart and has been re-domiciled from Singapore to India. A Bloomberg report claimed that the fintech firm is raising funds at a $12 billion pre-money valuation from General Atlantic, Qatar Investment Authority and others.

PhonePe is shifting its headquarters to Bengaluru, similar to online retailer and former parent company Flipkart.&nbsp;

But isn't PhonePe India's homegrown fintech company?

Technology companies with most of their operational assets and business in India have incorporated themselves in Singapore instead of India because of a far more friendlier tax regime, ease of attracting foreign investments and simpler processes for debuts on foreign exchanges.

A report by India Briefing states that over 8,000 Indian startups have incorporated themselves in Singapore since 2000.

PhonePe's stock market listing on cards?

PhonePe is currently executing three significant moves, necessary if it has to list itself for a public offering in the Indian stock market. They include: relocating to India, carving itself out as a separate entity from Flipkart, and raising funds at a high valuation.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india75-worlds-3rd-largest-startup-ecosystem-505593">India@75: World's 3rd largest startup ecosystem</a>

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India has over 26,000 startups making it the world's third-largest startup ecosystem according to the Asian Development Bank, and at last count over 100 of these were valued at $1 billion, making them unicorns.

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Walmart Inc. and rest of the PhonePe shareholders will have to pay nearly $1 billion in tax after digital payments company shifted its headquarters to India, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Walmart Inc. and rest of the PhonePe shareholders will have to pay nearly $1 billion in tax after digital payments company shifted its headquarters to India, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. ALSO READ | Walmart buys Flipkart for $16 billion Arkansas-based multinational retail chain Walmart Inc. took majority ownership of PhonePe after acquiring its parent company Flipkart Online Services in 2018. PhonePe eyes $12 billion pre-money valuation PhonePe is now separated from Flipkart and has been re-domiciled from Singapore to India. A Bloomberg report claimed that the fintech firm is raising funds at a $12 billion pre-money valuation from General Atlantic, Qatar Investment Authority and others. PhonePe is shifting its headquarters to Bengaluru, similar to online retailer and former parent company Flipkart. But isn't PhonePe India's homegrown fintech company? Technology companies with most of their operational assets and business in India have incorporated themselves in Singapore instead of India because of a far more friendlier tax regime, ease of attracting foreign investments and simpler processes for debuts on foreign exchanges. A report by India Briefing states that over 8,000 Indian startups have incorporated themselves in Singapore since 2000. PhonePe's stock market listing on cards? PhonePe is currently executing three significant moves, necessary if it has to list itself for a public offering in the Indian stock market. They include: relocating to India, carving itself out as a separate entity from Flipkart, and raising funds at a high valuation. WATCH | India@75: World's 3rd largest startup ecosystem × India has over 26,000 startups making it the world's third-largest startup ecosystem according to the Asian Development Bank, and at last count over 100 of these were valued at $1 billion, making them unicorns. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Walmart gets $1 billion in tax bill for shifting PhonePe base to India: Report

Authorities in Chesapeake, Virginia said that the Walmart shooter had purchased the handgun legally the same day. According to the police, the 31-year-old suspect bought the gun at a local store. The shooter then opened fire in the Walmart where he had worked since 2010.

The gunman, identified as Andre Bing, had several magazines with him when he shot himself. The police retrieved a note from Bing that said that he was being harassed by his co-workers.

According to the authorities, Bing had no criminal history. But his coworkers have said that he could be aggressive at times and would tape his phone because he thought the government was spying on him.

Police said at least three people were wounded in the attack, which took place while about 50 people were in the store, a cavernous Walmart Supercenter just off Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake, a city of about 250,000 people.

The dead included a 16-year-old boy who police did not identify and 70-year-old Randy Blevins, who was planning to retire within the year, a cousin wrote on Facebook.

The others were Kellie Pyle, 52, Lorenzo Gamble, 43, and Randy Blevins, 70, all from Chesapeake, and Tyneka Johnson, 22, of neighboring Portsmouth.

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Authorities in Chesapeake, Virginia said that the Walmart shooter had purchased the handgun legally the same day. According to the police, the 31-year-old suspect bought the gun at a local store.

Authorities in Chesapeake, Virginia said that the Walmart shooter had purchased the handgun legally the same day. According to the police, the 31-year-old suspect bought the gun at a local store. The shooter then opened fire in the Walmart where he had worked since 2010. The gunman, identified as Andre Bing, had several magazines with him when he shot himself. The police retrieved a note from Bing that said that he was being harassed by his co-workers. According to the authorities, Bing had no criminal history. But his coworkers have said that he could be aggressive at times and would tape his phone because he thought the government was spying on him. Police said at least three people were wounded in the attack, which took place while about 50 people were in the store, a cavernous Walmart Supercenter just off Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake, a city of about 250,000 people. The dead included a 16-year-old boy who police did not identify and 70-year-old Randy Blevins, who was planning to retire within the year, a cousin wrote on Facebook. The others were Kellie Pyle, 52, Lorenzo Gamble, 43, and Randy Blevins, 70, all from Chesapeake, and Tyneka Johnson, 22, of neighboring Portsmouth. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Walmart shooter had bought the gun legally, police say

6 people died in Virginia, U.S. after a Walmart employee opened fire at shoppers. Less than a week ago, 5 people had died in a shooting at a gay nightclub in the U.S. How many more incidents before America takes a step towards gun control? Listen in to Molly Gambhir.

Gravitas: 6 killed after Walmart employee opens fire at shoppers

On Tuesday, United States’ retail giant Walmart offered to pay $3.1 billion to settle the lawsuits against the company for the damage caused by prescription opioids sold at its pharmacies. This comes weeks after the country’s largest pharmacy chains, CVS Health and Walgreen Co. proposed a similar $5 billion each settlement.&nbsp;

In a statement, the Arkansas-based Walmart said that it “strongly disputes” the allegations put forth by state and local governments in the lawsuits accusing its pharmacies of not adhering to the standards of filling the prescriptions for the powerful prescription drugs.

They believe that the settlement is in the “best interest of all parties and will provide significant aid to communities across the country in the fight against the opioid crisis, with aid reaching state and local governments faster than any other nationwide opioid settlement to date.” However, the company has not admitted any liability with the lawsuit.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-surge-in-demand-cvs-and-walmart-are-rationing-plan-b-emergency-contraceptive-pills-492487">US abortion ban: CVS, Walmart ration Plan B contraceptive pills as demand surges</a>

The Walmart deal was made following negotiations with a group of state AGs, however, it is not final and would have to be approved by 43 of the 50 states by December 15. While local governments can sign on by March, next year the amount received by each state partly depends on the number of local governments that agree. Currently, the governments are in the midst of devising spending plans, said a report by Associated Press.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the local governments have said if finalised the company must pay most of the settlement over the next year. In a statement, New York Attorney General, Letitia James said the retail giant would also have to comply with oversight measures, work on the prevention of fraudulent prescriptions and flag any suspicious ones.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-retailers-stock-tumble-after-walmart-cuts-profit-forecast-500722">US retailers' stock tumble after Walmart cuts profit forecast</a>

On the other hand, Nebraska AG, Doug Peterson, said that since 2018 Walmart&nbsp;had filled “significantly fewer prescriptions for opioids” when compared to CVS or Walgreens. However, it has also been “most proactive in trying to monitor and control prescription opioid diversion attempts through its pharmacies.”&nbsp;

Walmart’s settlement will add to the more than $50 billion settlements which will be aimed to reduce deaths caused by drug overdose, while the amount proposed represents at least two per cent of their quarterly revenue.&nbsp;According to the federal government, data opioids have caused nearly 650,000 overdose deaths since 1999 in the US.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cvs-walmart-walgreens-agree-to-pay-138-bn-to-settle-us-opioid-claims-reports-530570">CVS, Walmart, Walgreens agree to pay $13.8 billion to settle US opioid lawsuits: Reports</a>

Over the past two decades, different types of opioids have been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the US. In recent years, the number has soared to 80,000 a year and most of the deaths reportedly involve the use of the synthetic drug fentanyl. Therefore,&nbsp;state and local government authorities have said they will use this&nbsp;settlement money&nbsp;to combat the opioid crisis.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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On Tuesday, United States’ retail giant Walmart offered to pay $3.1 billion to settle the lawsuits against the company for the damage caused by prescription opioids sold at its pharmacies.

On Tuesday, United States’ retail giant Walmart offered to pay $3.1 billion to settle the lawsuits against the company for the damage caused by prescription opioids sold at its pharmacies. This comes weeks after the country’s largest pharmacy chains, CVS Health and Walgreen Co. proposed a similar $5 billion each settlement. In a statement, the Arkansas-based Walmart said that it “strongly disputes” the allegations put forth by state and local governments in the lawsuits accusing its pharmacies of not adhering to the standards of filling the prescriptions for the powerful prescription drugs. They believe that the settlement is in the “best interest of all parties and will provide significant aid to communities across the country in the fight against the opioid crisis, with aid reaching state and local governments faster than any other nationwide opioid settlement to date.” However, the company has not admitted any liability with the lawsuit. ALSO READ: US abortion ban: CVS, Walmart ration Plan B contraceptive pills as demand surges The Walmart deal was made following negotiations with a group of state AGs, however, it is not final and would have to be approved by 43 of the 50 states by December 15. While local governments can sign on by March, next year the amount received by each state partly depends on the number of local governments that agree. Currently, the governments are in the midst of devising spending plans, said a report by Associated Press. Meanwhile, lawyers representing the local governments have said if finalised the company must pay most of the settlement over the next year. In a statement, New York Attorney General, Letitia James said the retail giant would also have to comply with oversight measures, work on the prevention of fraudulent prescriptions and flag any suspicious ones. ALSO WATCH: US retailers' stock tumble after Walmart cuts profit forecast On the other hand, Nebraska AG, Doug Peterson, said that since 2018 Walmart had filled “significantly fewer prescriptions for opioids” when compared to CVS or Walgreens. However, it has also been “most proactive in trying to monitor and control prescription opioid diversion attempts through its pharmacies.” Walmart’s settlement will add to the more than $50 billion settlements which will be aimed to reduce deaths caused by drug overdose, while the amount proposed represents at least two per cent of their quarterly revenue. According to the federal government, data opioids have caused nearly 650,000 overdose deaths since 1999 in the US. ALSO READ: CVS, Walmart, Walgreens agree to pay $13.8 billion to settle US opioid lawsuits: Reports Over the past two decades, different types of opioids have been linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the US. In recent years, the number has soared to 80,000 a year and most of the deaths reportedly involve the use of the synthetic drug fentanyl. Therefore, state and local government authorities have said they will use this settlement money to combat the opioid crisis. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Walmart proposes to pay $3.1 billion legal settlement for opioid lawsuits

CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc have tentatively agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state and local government lawsuits accusing the chains of mishandling opioid painkillers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.&nbsp;

The proposed settlement calls for CVS to pay $5 billion over 10 years, Walgreens to pay $5.7 billion over 15 years and Walmart to pay $3.1 billion, mostly up front, according to the people. The sources declined to be identified, saying they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.&nbsp;

CVS announced Wednesday morning its portion of the deal, which includes $4.9 billion for state, county and city governments and $130 million for Native American tribes.&nbsp;

&nbsp;"We are pleased to resolve these longstanding claims and putting them behind us is in the best interest of all parties, as well as our customers, colleagues and shareholders," CVS general counsel Thomas Moriarty said in a statement. The company did not admit wrongdoing.&nbsp;

Walmart and Walgreens declined to comment. A spokesperson for the plaintiffs' attorneys in the litigation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

The proposed settlement, which would be the first nationwide deal with retail pharmacy companies, follows nationwide opioid settlements with drugmakers and distributors totaling more than $33 billion.

In more than 3,300 lawsuits, beginning in 2017, state and local governments accused drugmakers of downplaying the risks of their opioid pain medicines, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that prescriptions were being diverted into illegal trafficking.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates-kremlin-confirms-resumption-of-grain-deal-530532" hreflang="en">Ukraine-Russia war LIVE updates: Grain deal to resume, confirms Kremlin</a>

They said the resulting human toll, as well as strain on public health services and law enforcement, was a public nuisance that the companies must pay to fix.

CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are the three largest retail pharmacies in the country by market share. If their settlement becomes final, it will put much of the sprawling, years-long litigation over opioids to rest, though cases are still pending against smaller, more regionally focused pharmacy operators, including Rite Aid Corp&nbsp;and Kroger Co.&nbsp;

Plaintiffs had scored some significant trial victories against pharmacy chains, including a $650.6 million judgment in favour of two Ohio counties&nbsp;against CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart, and a ruling that Walgreens contributed to the opioid epidemic in San Francisco.

Previous settlements netted $21 billion from the three largest U.S. drug distributors, $5 billion from Johnson &amp; Johnson, $4.35 billion from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, $2.37 billion from AbbVie Inc and $450 million from Endo International Plc.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ships sail from Kyiv after Moscow exits grain deal

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Purdue Pharma LP, whose prescription pill OxyContin is widely blamed for sparking the addiction and overdose crisis, and its Sackler family owners are seeking to resolve opioid claims against them through a $6 billion settlement in bankruptcy court.&nbsp;

State and local authorities have said they will use the money from the settlements to combat the opioid crisis, which according to federal government data has caused nearly 650,000 overdose deaths since 1999 and is continuing to worsen.&nbsp;

Prescriptions for opioids rose sharply in the 1990s as companies aggressively promoted the drugs, long used primarily in cancer patients, as a safe way to treat all kinds of chronic pain.&nbsp;

Overdoses involving opioids, including prescription pills and heroin, surged further during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing 38% in 2020 over the previous year and another 15% in 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;

The agency has attributed much of the recent rise in overdose cases to illegally manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.&nbsp;

A congressional report last month put the economic toll of the opioid crisis in 2020 alone at $1.5 trillion.&nbsp;

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CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc have tentatively agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state and local government lawsuits accusing the chains of mishandling opioid painkillers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.

CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc have tentatively agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state and local government lawsuits accusing the chains of mishandling opioid painkillers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations. The proposed settlement calls for CVS to pay $5 billion over 10 years, Walgreens to pay $5.7 billion over 15 years and Walmart to pay $3.1 billion, mostly up front, according to the people. The sources declined to be identified, saying they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. CVS announced Wednesday morning its portion of the deal, which includes $4.9 billion for state, county and city governments and $130 million for Native American tribes. "We are pleased to resolve these longstanding claims and putting them behind us is in the best interest of all parties, as well as our customers, colleagues and shareholders," CVS general counsel Thomas Moriarty said in a statement. The company did not admit wrongdoing. Walmart and Walgreens declined to comment. A spokesperson for the plaintiffs' attorneys in the litigation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The proposed settlement, which would be the first nationwide deal with retail pharmacy companies, follows nationwide opioid settlements with drugmakers and distributors totaling more than $33 billion. In more than 3,300 lawsuits, beginning in 2017, state and local governments accused drugmakers of downplaying the risks of their opioid pain medicines, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that prescriptions were being diverted into illegal trafficking. Also read | Ukraine-Russia war LIVE updates: Grain deal to resume, confirms Kremlin They said the resulting human toll, as well as strain on public health services and law enforcement, was a public nuisance that the companies must pay to fix. CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are the three largest retail pharmacies in the country by market share. If their settlement becomes final, it will put much of the sprawling, years-long litigation over opioids to rest, though cases are still pending against smaller, more regionally focused pharmacy operators, including Rite Aid Corp and Kroger Co. Plaintiffs had scored some significant trial victories against pharmacy chains, including a $650.6 million judgment in favour of two Ohio counties against CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart, and a ruling that Walgreens contributed to the opioid epidemic in San Francisco. Previous settlements netted $21 billion from the three largest U.S. drug distributors, $5 billion from Johnson & Johnson, $4.35 billion from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, $2.37 billion from AbbVie Inc and $450 million from Endo International Plc. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ships sail from Kyiv after Moscow exits grain deal Purdue Pharma LP, whose prescription pill OxyContin is widely blamed for sparking the addiction and overdose crisis, and its Sackler family owners are seeking to resolve opioid claims against them through a $6 billion settlement in bankruptcy court. State and local authorities have said they will use the money from the settlements to combat the opioid crisis, which according to federal government data has caused nearly 650,000 overdose deaths since 1999 and is continuing to worsen. Prescriptions for opioids rose sharply in the 1990s as companies aggressively promoted the drugs, long used primarily in cancer patients, as a safe way to treat all kinds of chronic pain. Overdoses involving opioids, including prescription pills and heroin, surged further during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing 38% in 2020 over the previous year and another 15% in 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency has attributed much of the recent rise in overdose cases to illegally manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. A congressional report last month put the economic toll of the opioid crisis in 2020 alone at $1.5 trillion.

CVS, Walmart, Walgreens agree to pay $13.8 billion to settle US opioid lawsuits: Reports

A video of a man threatening to crash a plane into a Walmart has gone viral after he stole it in Tupelo, Mississippi.

The Walmart and a nearby convenience store had been evacuated according to the Tupelo Police Department.

It said in a Facebook post, “Citizens are asked to avoid that area until an all clear is given. With the mobility of an aeroplane of that type the danger zone is much larger than even Tupelo."

The pilot of a small airplane, which is a nine-seater 1987 Beech C90A with two engines, has been circling the store in the air for more than three hours.

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BREAKING: Tupelo, Mississippi police fear the pilot at the controls of this plane is threatening to fly it into a Walmart. Evacuations are underway. <a href="https://t.co/3tkAygDQ3C">pic.twitter.com/3tkAygDQ3C</a>
— Griffin Frank (@GriffinFrank) <a href="https://twitter.com/GriffinFrank/status/1566043676593340416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The former employee of Tupelo Regional Airport called 911 and threatened to intentionally crash into Wal-Mart on West Main.

Shortly after 8 am that the plane had left the airspace around Tupelo and was flying near a Toyota manufacturing plant in nearby Blue Springs, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.

Highlighting that state law enforcement and emergency managers are closely tracking this dangerous situation, Governor Tate Reeves said all citizens should be on alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A video of a man threatening to crash a plane into a Walmart has gone viral after he stole it in Tupelo, Mississippi. The Walmart and a nearby convenience store had been evacuated according to the Tupelo Police Department.

A video of a man threatening to crash a plane into a Walmart has gone viral after he stole it in Tupelo, Mississippi. The Walmart and a nearby convenience store had been evacuated according to the Tupelo Police Department. It said in a Facebook post, “Citizens are asked to avoid that area until an all clear is given. With the mobility of an aeroplane of that type the danger zone is much larger than even Tupelo." The pilot of a small airplane, which is a nine-seater 1987 Beech C90A with two engines, has been circling the store in the air for more than three hours. BREAKING: Tupelo, Mississippi police fear the pilot at the controls of this plane is threatening to fly it into a Walmart. Evacuations are underway. pic.twitter.com/3tkAygDQ3C — Griffin Frank (@GriffinFrank) September 3, 2022 × The former employee of Tupelo Regional Airport called 911 and threatened to intentionally crash into Wal-Mart on West Main. Shortly after 8 am that the plane had left the airspace around Tupelo and was flying near a Toyota manufacturing plant in nearby Blue Springs, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported. Highlighting that state law enforcement and emergency managers are closely tracking this dangerous situation, Governor Tate Reeves said all citizens should be on alert and aware of updates from the Tupelo Police Department. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Watch | Man threatens to crash plane into Walmart after stealing it in Mississippi

Walmart, which is one of the largest private employers in the United States, has decided to include abortion coverage for its employees. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, they have decided to add abortions to their already existing healthcare plans.

According to a memo sent to the employees, the healthcare plans will now include abortion for employees “when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or lack of fetal viability”. The plans will be “effective immediately”, it further stated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-three-officers-suspended-in-the-us-for-brutally-assaulting-a-suspect-508991">WATCH: Three officers suspended in the US for brutally assaulting a suspect</a>

Earlier, the company policy stated that abortions were covered under healthcare only “when the health of the mother would be in danger if the fetus were carried to term, the fetus could not survive the birthing process, or death would be imminent after birth”, according to Associated Press.

However, Walmart top official Donna Morris said that they have changed the regulations completely and they will also provide “travel support” to workers living in states where abortion is outlawed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gears-up-for-intensified-attacks-following-moscow-car-bombing-509001" hreflang="en">Ukraine gears up for intensified attacks following Moscow car bombing</a>

The memo quoted Morris as saying that the changes were accepted by the company after “listening to our associates about what’s important to them” and she added that “we strive to provide quality, competitive and accessible health coverage that supports you and your families”.

The headquarters of Walmart is currently in the state of Arkansas – one of the places where abortion was completely banned. However, the company has decided to invest in a facility that “provides employees fertility services, including in vitro fertilization” and also provide surrogacy support.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Walmart, which is one of the largest private employers in the United States, has decided to include abortion coverage for its employees. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, they have decided to add abortions to their already existing healthcare plans.

Walmart, which is one of the largest private employers in the United States, has decided to include abortion coverage for its employees. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade, they have decided to add abortions to their already existing healthcare plans. According to a memo sent to the employees, the healthcare plans will now include abortion for employees “when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or lack of fetal viability”. The plans will be “effective immediately”, it further stated. Also read | WATCH: Three officers suspended in the US for brutally assaulting a suspect Earlier, the company policy stated that abortions were covered under healthcare only “when the health of the mother would be in danger if the fetus were carried to term, the fetus could not survive the birthing process, or death would be imminent after birth”, according to Associated Press. However, Walmart top official Donna Morris said that they have changed the regulations completely and they will also provide “travel support” to workers living in states where abortion is outlawed. Also read | Ukraine gears up for intensified attacks following Moscow car bombing The memo quoted Morris as saying that the changes were accepted by the company after “listening to our associates about what’s important to them” and she added that “we strive to provide quality, competitive and accessible health coverage that supports you and your families”. The headquarters of Walmart is currently in the state of Arkansas – one of the places where abortion was completely banned. However, the company has decided to invest in a facility that “provides employees fertility services, including in vitro fertilization” and also provide surrogacy support. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Walmart to include abortion coverage in healthcare plan for US employees

In an attempt to draw more people to its Walmart+ subscription service, American multinational retail corporation Walmart on Monday struck a deal with Paramount Global to offer its Paramount+ streaming service to its subscribers.

In an attempt to draw more people to its Walmart+ subscription service, American multinational retail corporation Walmart on Monday struck a deal with Paramount Global to offer its Paramount+ streaming service to its subscribers. Reportedly, starting September, members of Walmart+ will gain access to Paramount's $4.99 plan that includes commercials. The Walmart+ membership costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year which includes a free six-month subscription to the audio streaming platform Spotify as well as free shipping and discounts on fuel. “With the addition of Paramount+, we are demonstrating our unique ability to help members save even more and live better by delivering entertainment for less, too," said Chris Cracchiolo, Walmart+ General Manager. Meanwhile, Paramount's roster of shows and movies includes brands such as Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and BET. It has movies like Top Gun: Maverick, The Godfather, Star Trek and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood amongst others. Moreover, the platform has exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the National Women's Soccer League. Walmart is competing with Amazon in the segment. The latter has its own streaming platform named Prime Videos which appears to be a major driving force when it comes to the membership numbers. Read More: Beating Netflix: Dinsey+ gains 14.4 million subscribers in Q3, hits the 152.1 million mark Globally, Amazon has over 200 million subscribers in its Prime membership. Its membership costs $14.99 a month or $139 annually. Meanwhile, Walmart does not disclose its Walmart+ numbers, ever since it launched operations, two summers ago in 2020. However, according to estimates provided by different data-collection firms, the number currently stands anywhere between 11 million and 32 million. Reportedly, Walmart had been in talks with several big streaming giants such as Walt Disney and Comcast. However, it settled with Paramount+ in the end. According to reports, Paramount+ has 43.3 million subscribers around the world which pales in front of the numbers put forth by Disney+ earlier this month. Disney+ alone had more than 152 million subscribers while the brand Walt Dinsey had more than 221 million total subscribers across different streaming platforms viz. ESPN+ and Hulu. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

To compete with Amazon, Walmart strikes streaming deal with Paramount+

A profit warning by Walmart ignited a sell-off in shares of major US retailers, quickly evaporating over $100 billion in stock market value in extended trade.

US retailers' stock tumble after Walmart cuts profit forecast

Months before June, companies’ marketing calendars remind them to start working on their pride campaigns: the graphic design department decorates logos and slogans with colourful rainbows; the copywriting department writes jingles and puns with queer lingo, and the finance department estimates how much profit the campaign is forecasted to generate. By the time pride month comes around, the corporate world explodes in a colourful carnival of pro-LGBTQ+ advertisements, campaigns and rebrandings. What was once a civil rights protest and riot to demand equal rights has become part of the corporate pipeline. Nevertheless, pride provides companies with the opportunity to make their values clear, show support for their LGBTQ+ employees and, in the best cases, use their platforms to demand social change.

Various companies across the globe are seeking to build a better experience for their people to promote loyalty, minimize turnover and drive better engagement. As part of these efforts, companies are empowering individuals to be their true selves. With the celebration of pride month, most employers have been considering how to better support members of the LGBTQ+ community in their workforce during a time of growing adversity for this group. When June 1 arrived, companies like Facebook and Walmart rolled out shelves of colourful merchandise, flooded their social media pages with rainbows and aired compassionate commercials.&nbsp;

As June arrives, corporations try really hard to make sure their consumers knew how much they supported the LGBTQ+ community. But the catch is, that now that the Pride month is over, corporations will put their shelves of merchandise on clearance, cleanse their social media pages of rainbows and no longer air compassionate commercials. Historically, corporate support seems to mostly vanish on July 1, leaving LGBTQ+ individuals and allies wondering if a company really cares about the community after Pride Month ends, or if it is just participating in rainbow washing.

Now, question is, what is Rainbow Washing? Rainbow washing is aesthetic support, and it’s about marketability and profit. The key part is that some corporations are actively giving support to anti-queer politicians, legislators, lobbyists and laws while at the same time claiming to be allies. At the surface level, a company’s rainbow logo indicates that it is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow washing isn’t the kind of thing that you can Google in five seconds. It takes a bit of energy and time. There are several behind-the-scenes ways a corporation could be harming the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ community has made tremendous progress in the fight to secure the same workplace rights as other colleagues. Employers and co-workers can prevent future erosion of the basic human rights everyone deserves by being more resolute in their support and actions.

Rainbow washing strips pride month of its political power. Pride has always been political because the month is not only a celebration but a time to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. When Pride is stripped of its political power, then queer people are just there for celebration or as a culture to appropriate because it’s fun and looks pretty. The voices of queer people that are actually suffering violence or being discriminated against aren’t actually heard because Pride isn’t supposed to only be fun and pretty. Let's keep in mind and not forget that the first-ever Pride was a riot, and rainbow washing weakens the power of the origin. It gives corporations the opportunity to dilute the message of Pride and remove its revolutionary teeth. Rainbow washing harms the legitimacy of pride month in the eyes of those who are unsupportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Most conservatives aren’t going to have their minds changed by whether or not corporations support queer people and it is likely to draw more reactionary anger because they see it as proof that queer people are influencing the public. But at the same time, I believe that&nbsp;rainbow washing isn't all that bad, though. Earlier, companies would not do business with LGBTQ+ individuals and would turn them away. Today, they adorn rainbows. It is a sign that the acceptance of queer existence is fundamentally different than it was 10, 15 or 20 years ago. Even though slapping a rainbow on one's company logo is not nearly enough, we must not completely throw out the idea that changing a logo to a rainbow isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

While the exploitation of the LGBTQ+ community is a cause for anger within parts of the community, corporate support is better than what it used to be. Corporations finding it more profitable to voice public support for the queer community is not necessarily a bad thing. While it makes sense for companies to gain monetary profit, the problem is when it takes away from LGBTQ+ voices. Imagine if a friend said: We celebrated your birthday, so now I’m going to ignore you for the rest of the year. Pride month or moreover the notion of being an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and fighting for civil rights must go all year round and not for just a month or a day.&nbsp;

So, if the primary outcome of Pride Month is that in June we go to a parade, buy a rainbow-labelled product or pick up a cute T-shirt, these events have been stripped of much of their power. What companies and society need to spark is a year-round fight for LGBTQ+ people’s well-being, from healthcare to housing security to nondiscrimination—both within corporations and on an individual level.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Months before June, companies’ marketing calendars remind them to start working on their pride campaigns: the graphic design department decorates logos and slogans with colourful rainbows; the copywriting department writes jingles and puns with queer lingo, and the finance department estimates how much profit the campaign is forecasted to generate.

Months before June, companies’ marketing calendars remind them to start working on their pride campaigns: the graphic design department decorates logos and slogans with colourful rainbows; the copywriting department writes jingles and puns with queer lingo, and the finance department estimates how much profit the campaign is forecasted to generate. By the time pride month comes around, the corporate world explodes in a colourful carnival of pro-LGBTQ+ advertisements, campaigns and rebrandings. What was once a civil rights protest and riot to demand equal rights has become part of the corporate pipeline. Nevertheless, pride provides companies with the opportunity to make their values clear, show support for their LGBTQ+ employees and, in the best cases, use their platforms to demand social change. Various companies across the globe are seeking to build a better experience for their people to promote loyalty, minimize turnover and drive better engagement. As part of these efforts, companies are empowering individuals to be their true selves. With the celebration of pride month, most employers have been considering how to better support members of the LGBTQ+ community in their workforce during a time of growing adversity for this group. When June 1 arrived, companies like Facebook and Walmart rolled out shelves of colourful merchandise, flooded their social media pages with rainbows and aired compassionate commercials. As June arrives, corporations try really hard to make sure their consumers knew how much they supported the LGBTQ+ community. But the catch is, that now that the Pride month is over, corporations will put their shelves of merchandise on clearance, cleanse their social media pages of rainbows and no longer air compassionate commercials. Historically, corporate support seems to mostly vanish on July 1, leaving LGBTQ+ individuals and allies wondering if a company really cares about the community after Pride Month ends, or if it is just participating in rainbow washing. Now, question is, what is Rainbow Washing? Rainbow washing is aesthetic support, and it’s about marketability and profit. The key part is that some corporations are actively giving support to anti-queer politicians, legislators, lobbyists and laws while at the same time claiming to be allies. At the surface level, a company’s rainbow logo indicates that it is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow washing isn’t the kind of thing that you can Google in five seconds. It takes a bit of energy and time. There are several behind-the-scenes ways a corporation could be harming the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ community has made tremendous progress in the fight to secure the same workplace rights as other colleagues. Employers and co-workers can prevent future erosion of the basic human rights everyone deserves by being more resolute in their support and actions. Rainbow washing strips pride month of its political power. Pride has always been political because the month is not only a celebration but a time to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. When Pride is stripped of its political power, then queer people are just there for celebration or as a culture to appropriate because it’s fun and looks pretty. The voices of queer people that are actually suffering violence or being discriminated against aren’t actually heard because Pride isn’t supposed to only be fun and pretty. Let's keep in mind and not forget that the first-ever Pride was a riot, and rainbow washing weakens the power of the origin. It gives corporations the opportunity to dilute the message of Pride and remove its revolutionary teeth. Rainbow washing harms the legitimacy of pride month in the eyes of those who are unsupportive of the LGBTQ+ community. Most conservatives aren’t going to have their minds changed by whether or not corporations support queer people and it is likely to draw more reactionary anger because they see it as proof that queer people are influencing the public. But at the same time, I believe that rainbow washing isn't all that bad, though. Earlier, companies would not do business with LGBTQ+ individuals and would turn them away. Today, they adorn rainbows. It is a sign that the acceptance of queer existence is fundamentally different than it was 10, 15 or 20 years ago. Even though slapping a rainbow on one's company logo is not nearly enough, we must not completely throw out the idea that changing a logo to a rainbow isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While the exploitation of the LGBTQ+ community is a cause for anger within parts of the community, corporate support is better than what it used to be. Corporations finding it more profitable to voice public support for the queer community is not necessarily a bad thing. While it makes sense for companies to gain monetary profit, the problem is when it takes away from LGBTQ+ voices. Imagine if a friend said: We celebrated your birthday, so now I’m going to ignore you for the rest of the year. Pride month or moreover the notion of being an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and fighting for civil rights must go all year round and not for just a month or a day. So, if the primary outcome of Pride Month is that in June we go to a parade, buy a rainbow-labelled product or pick up a cute T-shirt, these events have been stripped of much of their power. What companies and society need to spark is a year-round fight for LGBTQ+ people’s well-being, from healthcare to housing security to nondiscrimination—both within corporations and on an individual level. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Enough with the rainbow washing

The US Federal Trade Commission sued Walmart for allowing its money transfer services to be used by fraudsters, who fleeced consumers out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

U.S. FTC sues Walmart for allegedly allowing money transfer services for fraud

Following a surge in demand after the US Supreme Court's decision to ban abortion, some of the biggest retailers in the country including CVS and Walmart are rationing Plan B emergency contraceptive pills, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A CVS spokesperson told 'The Journal' that the major chain store was allowing customers to purchase up to three of the pills while Walmart’s cut-off was “four or six.”

Colloquially called the “morning-after pill,” Plan B is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive tablet that is most effective when taken less than 72 hours after unprotected sex or birth control failure and can prevent pregnancy.

The pill, which works by interfering with a person’s ovulation cycle, has levonorgestrel as its main ingredient.

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Many people who can get pregnant have expressed their interest in stockpiling the pill after Roe v. Wade was overturned on Friday last week.

The legislation does not apply to the morning-after pill, contrary to claims online.

Increasing the chance of doses going unused and expiring in medicine cabinets, experts have been advising against stockpiling Plan B as it limits access for those who need it immediately.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-automatic-bans-to-complex-patchwork-abortion-access-threatened-in-half-of-us-states-491572">From automatic bans to complex patchwork: Abortion access threatened in half of US states</a>

A 21-year-old spiritual adviser and tarot card reader in Saylorsburg, Sarah McKenna told The New York Times this week that she went on Amazon to buy pills “not only for myself but for those who need it, because people are going to buy them and resell them for a crazy price.”

“I have friends and family who can’t always afford those things and I wanted to just have some extra to make sure that the people who need it can have it. Even if I have to ship it to somebody randomly,” she told the publication.

“Plan B has an expiration date of about four years” and that, while not “completely ineffective after the expiration date,” Melissa Sörgel, a licensed pharmacist at OTC Beratung in Germany, told Insider.

“It may no longer be fully effective” so it’s “advisable to not use an expired pill in order to avoid the risk of a pregnancy."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Following a surge in demand after the US Supreme Court's decision to ban abortion, some of the biggest retailers in the country including CVS and Walmart are rationing Plan B emergency contraceptive pills, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Following a surge in demand after the US Supreme Court's decision to ban abortion, some of the biggest retailers in the country including CVS and Walmart are rationing Plan B emergency contraceptive pills, The Wall Street Journal reported. A CVS spokesperson told 'The Journal' that the major chain store was allowing customers to purchase up to three of the pills while Walmart’s cut-off was “four or six.” Colloquially called the “morning-after pill,” Plan B is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive tablet that is most effective when taken less than 72 hours after unprotected sex or birth control failure and can prevent pregnancy. The pill, which works by interfering with a person’s ovulation cycle, has levonorgestrel as its main ingredient. × Many people who can get pregnant have expressed their interest in stockpiling the pill after Roe v. Wade was overturned on Friday last week. The legislation does not apply to the morning-after pill, contrary to claims online. Increasing the chance of doses going unused and expiring in medicine cabinets, experts have been advising against stockpiling Plan B as it limits access for those who need it immediately. Also see | From automatic bans to complex patchwork: Abortion access threatened in half of US states A 21-year-old spiritual adviser and tarot card reader in Saylorsburg, Sarah McKenna told The New York Times this week that she went on Amazon to buy pills “not only for myself but for those who need it, because people are going to buy them and resell them for a crazy price.” “I have friends and family who can’t always afford those things and I wanted to just have some extra to make sure that the people who need it can have it. Even if I have to ship it to somebody randomly,” she told the publication. “Plan B has an expiration date of about four years” and that, while not “completely ineffective after the expiration date,” Melissa Sörgel, a licensed pharmacist at OTC Beratung in Germany, told Insider. “It may no longer be fully effective” so it’s “advisable to not use an expired pill in order to avoid the risk of a pregnancy." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

US abortion ban: CVS, Walmart ration Plan B contraceptive pills as demand surges

As per a report by Newsweek and Capital &amp; Main, which cited leaked internal documents, Amazon, Google, Walmart, and other corporate behemoths have been spying on their employees to prevent them from unionising.

According to Newsweek, the most well-known examples of businesses using surveillance technologies on employees include Amazon and Walmart.

Whole Foods Market, owned by Amazon, employs heat maps to track store locations with a high likelihood of union action.

According to Newsweek, which cited the twice-weekly Human Resources journal, HR Brew, Walmart has tools to monitor an employee's activities and chats regarding activism, while Google has a system that warns management about internal meetings attended by 100 or more employees.&nbsp;

Companies frequently use underhanded tactics, according to Ricardo Hidalgo, an international organiser with the Teamsters who has helped unionise machinists and sanitation workers, by installing an informer among the group of employees who try to unionise.

This is done to keep track of conversations and pit staff members against one another.

Experts point to employment regulations, the majority of which were enacted in the first part of the twentieth century, emphasising that while the legislation has remained the same, technology has evolved and continues to improve, making it easier for employers to keep track of their employees.

In some circumstances, companies can acquire commercially available tools rather than invent their own gadgets to spy on employees.&nbsp;

Employee surveillance has increased dramatically in recent years.

According to a study conducted by Gartner, 60 per cent of large firms utilise monitoring technologies, which is twice as many as before the coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As per a report by Newsweek and Capital & Main, which cited leaked internal documents, Amazon, Google, Walmart, and other corporate behemoths have been spying on their employees to prevent them from unionising.

As per a report by Newsweek and Capital & Main, which cited leaked internal documents, Amazon, Google, Walmart, and other corporate behemoths have been spying on their employees to prevent them from unionising. According to Newsweek, the most well-known examples of businesses using surveillance technologies on employees include Amazon and Walmart. Whole Foods Market, owned by Amazon, employs heat maps to track store locations with a high likelihood of union action. According to Newsweek, which cited the twice-weekly Human Resources journal, HR Brew, Walmart has tools to monitor an employee's activities and chats regarding activism, while Google has a system that warns management about internal meetings attended by 100 or more employees. Companies frequently use underhanded tactics, according to Ricardo Hidalgo, an international organiser with the Teamsters who has helped unionise machinists and sanitation workers, by installing an informer among the group of employees who try to unionise. This is done to keep track of conversations and pit staff members against one another. Experts point to employment regulations, the majority of which were enacted in the first part of the twentieth century, emphasising that while the legislation has remained the same, technology has evolved and continues to improve, making it easier for employers to keep track of their employees. In some circumstances, companies can acquire commercially available tools rather than invent their own gadgets to spy on employees. Employee surveillance has increased dramatically in recent years. According to a study conducted by Gartner, 60 per cent of large firms utilise monitoring technologies, which is twice as many as before the coronavirus outbreak. (With inputs from agencies)

Technology giants spy on staff to prevent unionising, report says

The US retail giant Walmart Inc and its Sam's Club chain have been accused by China's anti-corruption agency on Friday (December 31) after reports emerged that Sam's Club had allegedly removed Xinjiang-sourced products from stores.&nbsp;

Recently, Sam's Club faced criticism in China when some users on the county's Twitter-like social media platform Weibo claimed that products from the Chinese region of Xinjiang had been taken down from the store's online app. They reportedly shared screenshots to support their claims.&nbsp;

The Chinese Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog&nbsp;Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), in a statement on its website accused the retail giant of "stupidity and shorted-sightedness".&nbsp;

They said Sam's Club is trying to "muddle through" the issue of Xinjiang by remaining silent.

"To take down all products from a region without a valid reason hides an ulterior motive, reveals stupidity and short-sightedness, and will surely have its own bad consequences," the commission said as quoted by media outlets.&nbsp;

The controversy was started more or less on social media forums after US President Joe Biden signed into law on December 23 legislation banning imports from Xinjiang over concern about forced labour there.

Meanwhile, China has repeatedly denied the accusations made by Western countries.&nbsp;

So far, Walmart has not issued any comments on the same.&nbsp;

The US retail giant Walmart Inc and its Sam's Club chain have been accused by China's anti-corruption agency on Friday (December 31) after reports emerged that Sam's Club had allegedly removed Xinjiang-sourced products from stores.

The US retail giant Walmart Inc and its Sam's Club chain have been accused by China's anti-corruption agency on Friday (December 31) after reports emerged that Sam's Club had allegedly removed Xinjiang-sourced products from stores. Recently, Sam's Club faced criticism in China when some users on the county's Twitter-like social media platform Weibo claimed that products from the Chinese region of Xinjiang had been taken down from the store's online app. They reportedly shared screenshots to support their claims. The Chinese Communist Party's anti-graft watchdog Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), in a statement on its website accused the retail giant of "stupidity and shorted-sightedness". They said Sam's Club is trying to "muddle through" the issue of Xinjiang by remaining silent. "To take down all products from a region without a valid reason hides an ulterior motive, reveals stupidity and short-sightedness, and will surely have its own bad consequences," the commission said as quoted by media outlets. The controversy was started more or less on social media forums after US President Joe Biden signed into law on December 23 legislation banning imports from Xinjiang over concern about forced labour there. Meanwhile, China has repeatedly denied the accusations made by Western countries. So far, Walmart has not issued any comments on the same.

'Stupidity and shorted-sightedness': China warns Walmart and Sam's Club over removal of Xinjiang products

US President Joe Biden has approved a law to ban imports from Xinjiang. The new law has triggered a backlash against Walmart in China. Chinese citizens are boycotting the retail giant over missing Xinjiang items. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Why are the Chinese boycotting Walmart

A woman, who was falsely accused of shoplifting by Walmart, has been awarded $2.1 million in damages in Alabama, the United States. &nbsp;

She was also allegedly threatened by the American multinational retail corporation, a report said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-seeks-us-fda-approval-for-covid-boosters-for-teens-aged-16-17-433110" hreflang="en">Pfizer seeks US FDA approval for Covid boosters for teens aged 16-17</a>

After the woman’s case against the retail company was dismissed, a Mobile County Court ruled for Lesleigh nurse on Monday. &nbsp;

The incident happened in 2016. At that time, the nurse was stopped while she was trying to exit Walmart with groceries after the self-checkout machine she used to pay froze, she said. &nbsp;

As per the lawsuit, the nurse had informed the employees that she had already paid, but they did not think she was telling the truth. At the end, the nurse was arrested for shoplifting. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-teenagers-dead-eight-wounded-in-us-high-school-shooting-433116" hreflang="en">Three teenagers dead, eight wounded in US high school shooting</a>

In 2017, the case was dismissed. Nurse alleged that a law firm kept sending letters and threatened to sue if she did not pay a settlement fee of $200. &nbsp;

The $200 was the price of the groceries the nurse had taken, and she claimed Walmart had directed the law firm to send her the letters. &nbsp;

As per the lawsuit, "The defendants have engaged in a pattern and practice of falsely accusing innocent Alabama citizens of shoplifting and thereafter attempting to collect money from the innocently accused." &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A woman, who was falsely accused of shoplifting by Walmart, has been awarded $2.1 million in damages in Alabama, the United States. She was also allegedly threatened by the American multinational retail corporation, a report said.

A woman, who was falsely accused of shoplifting by Walmart, has been awarded $2.1 million in damages in Alabama, the United States. She was also allegedly threatened by the American multinational retail corporation, a report said. Also Read: Pfizer seeks US FDA approval for Covid boosters for teens aged 16-17 After the woman’s case against the retail company was dismissed, a Mobile County Court ruled for Lesleigh nurse on Monday. The incident happened in 2016. At that time, the nurse was stopped while she was trying to exit Walmart with groceries after the self-checkout machine she used to pay froze, she said. As per the lawsuit, the nurse had informed the employees that she had already paid, but they did not think she was telling the truth. At the end, the nurse was arrested for shoplifting. Also Read: Three teenagers dead, eight wounded in US high school shooting In 2017, the case was dismissed. Nurse alleged that a law firm kept sending letters and threatened to sue if she did not pay a settlement fee of $200. The $200 was the price of the groceries the nurse had taken, and she claimed Walmart had directed the law firm to send her the letters. As per the lawsuit, "The defendants have engaged in a pattern and practice of falsely accusing innocent Alabama citizens of shoplifting and thereafter attempting to collect money from the innocently accused." (With inputs from agencies)

Woman falsely accused of shoplifting to get $2.1 mn in damages from Walmart

A video of a dancing cactus toy rapping about the use of drugs and suicide has gone viral on social media.

People have been posting their reactions to the video on TikTok and the microblogging platform Twitter.

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Dancing cactus squad! Want <a href="https://t.co/FDzLLUGHAx">pic.twitter.com/FDzLLUGHAx</a>
— Giggles (@LaughOLTimeOut) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaughOLTimeOut/status/1465356546213306373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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these repeating dancing cacti give me life <a href="https://t.co/tJMyyAAU2y">pic.twitter.com/tJMyyAAU2y</a>
— festive nina 🎄 (@OneThyFox) <a href="https://twitter.com/OneThyFox/status/1464994589195001862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Been wanting to teach your cats Salsa Dancing but the lessons are just too expensive? 
 
Act now! The Dancing Cactus will show them all the moves for 3 easy payments of $19.99 + shipping and handling 
 
volume UP! 😂🎶 <a href="https://t.co/ireFETHjAA">pic.twitter.com/ireFETHjAA</a>
— Il Gatto Nero (@gattocciao) <a href="https://twitter.com/gattocciao/status/1465112506138075144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This is the dancing cactus that Walmart banned because it sings about doing cocaine in Polish. I bought it for my friend for Christmas. I think he'll get a good laugh out of it. <a href="https://t.co/VODWDJTIiK">pic.twitter.com/VODWDJTIiK</a>
— Maschinist 🦇💀 (@Rivitheadz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rivitheadz/status/1465380580262961153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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However, Walmart, the seller of the toy, had to remove it from the market after irate customers claimed it used expletives and talked about suicide.

It issued a statement saying, ''These items are sold by a third-party seller on our marketplace website. We are removing the items while we look into this complaint further.''

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/looking-for-friendly-faces-this-firm-will-pay-200000-for-right-to-your-face-on-its-robots-432921" hreflang="en">Looking for 'friendly faces': This firm will pay $200,000 for right to your face on its robots</a>

It happened after a grandmother living in Ontario discovered the supposedly ''toddler-friendly'' toy to her 15-month-old granddaughter.

"It just so happens that I am Polish and when I started to listen to the songs and I heard the words," she said. "I was in shock. I thought what is this some kind of joke?"

The toy has been produced by a Chinese manufacturer and the song has been sung by Polish Rapper Cypis.

He has denied any knowledge of the use of his song by the company. His spokesman&nbsp;Zbigniew Florek said the rapper is ''disgusted'' by the incident.

A video of a dancing cactus toy rapping about the use of drugs and suicide has gone viral on social media. People have been posting their reactions to the video on TikTok and the microblogging platform Twitter.

A video of a dancing cactus toy rapping about the use of drugs and suicide has gone viral on social media. People have been posting their reactions to the video on TikTok and the microblogging platform Twitter. Dancing cactus squad! Want pic.twitter.com/FDzLLUGHAx — Giggles (@LaughOLTimeOut) November 29, 2021 × these repeating dancing cacti give me life pic.twitter.com/tJMyyAAU2y — festive nina 🎄 (@OneThyFox) November 28, 2021 × Been wanting to teach your cats Salsa Dancing but the lessons are just too expensive? Act now! The Dancing Cactus will show them all the moves for 3 easy payments of $19.99 + shipping and handling volume UP! 😂🎶 pic.twitter.com/ireFETHjAA — Il Gatto Nero (@gattocciao) November 29, 2021 × This is the dancing cactus that Walmart banned because it sings about doing cocaine in Polish. I bought it for my friend for Christmas. I think he'll get a good laugh out of it. pic.twitter.com/VODWDJTIiK — Maschinist 🦇💀 (@Rivitheadz) November 29, 2021 × However, Walmart, the seller of the toy, had to remove it from the market after irate customers claimed it used expletives and talked about suicide. It issued a statement saying, ''These items are sold by a third-party seller on our marketplace website. We are removing the items while we look into this complaint further.'' Also read | Looking for 'friendly faces': This firm will pay $200,000 for right to your face on its robots It happened after a grandmother living in Ontario discovered the supposedly ''toddler-friendly'' toy to her 15-month-old granddaughter. "It just so happens that I am Polish and when I started to listen to the songs and I heard the words," she said. "I was in shock. I thought what is this some kind of joke?" The toy has been produced by a Chinese manufacturer and the song has been sung by Polish Rapper Cypis. He has denied any knowledge of the use of his song by the company. His spokesman Zbigniew Florek said the rapper is ''disgusted'' by the incident.

Watch | This dancing cactus toy was a viral hit. Then someone heard it sing about drug use and suicide

It was a hot morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the day that Peter Naughton woke up on the floor.

Sore, disoriented, he’d already grasped what his mother was now telling him: He’d had another seizure. But he also grasped a larger truth: He needed to pull it together and somehow go to work.

A cashier and self-checkout host at the nearby Walmart, Naughton dreaded depleting his limited paid time off in the midst of a pandemic. His mother, for her part, insisted that her epileptic son, then 44, stay home and rest. The hours after a seizure were difficult enough. Toss in the stress of COVID-19 and a customer base that largely — and often angrily — rejected mask use, and a day at work seemed anything but recuperative.

In the end, Naughton’s growing headache and general fogginess were intense enough that he conceded to his mother’s wishes. He dialled once, twice, three times. No answer. Given the penalty for missing work without giving notice — and the fear of risking his job during uncertain times — he saw what he had to do. Reeling, he made the trip to the store and clocked in.

That was the summer of 2020, and in the bewildering year since, the stakes and strain around low-wage frontline jobs like Naughton’s seem only to have multiplied.

As shuttered offices cautiously debate the merits and logistics of reopening, a parallel sphere of workers — retail employees, day labourers, emergency personnel, medical staff, and so on — seemingly inhabit another country entirely. In their case nothing ever shuttered. Often their jobs just got really, really hard.

“Every day is frightening,” Naughton said recently, now nearly two years into his employment at Walmart.

Naughton said this in the dark, his power still out days after Hurricane Ida had barreled through Louisiana. It was 93 degrees. Later he would take another cold shower, also in the dark, in hopes of cooling off before bed.

Naughton lives on a quiet, grassy street of low brick homes with his ageing parents, not far from where he attended high school some two decades prior. He had an apartment of his own for a while last year, but his $11.55 hourly wage wasn’t enough to pay the rent, even working full time. So he moved back in with his mother and father, and now lives in fear of bringing the highly contagious delta variant home to them. (Naughton is fully vaccinated. But at 78, his father has health issues that prevent him from getting the shots, Naughton said — health issues that make severe illness likelier should he contract the disease.)

Elsewhere in the country, the conversation has begun to move on, away from early Covid alarm and into something more guardedly speculative. What will post-pandemic life look like? How have our priorities shifted? But for vast swaths of the nation, largely untouched by doses from Pfizer and Moderna, it remains late 2020 in many ways.

“A lot of people here still don’t believe the virus is real — even when the hospitals are full, even when they have family dying,” Naughton said. “With the vaccines, one co-worker told me getting it would go against her faith. Another told me it contains baby fetuses and mercury. Someone else said it was created by Bill Gates to insert microchips to track you. I said, ‘Why would he want to track&nbsp;you?’”

The conversations Naughton describes may be epidemiologically out of step, but he and thousands of others seem trapped in an America-right-now vortex, a swirl of politics, belief, resentment and fear. At fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, warehouses, nursing homes and anywhere else frontline workers show up each day, a deep schism has taken hold. Workers nervous about the virus find themselves at the mercy of those who aren’t.

“If I ask people to wear a mask or socially distance at work, they get mad and tell the manager. Then I have to get coached. If you get coached too many times, you lose your job,” Naughton said, referring to the company’s system for managing worker infractions. (Charles Crowson, a Walmart spokesman, did not dispute that an accumulation of coachings could lead to termination.)

Draped over this dynamic are often the stark realities of poverty, and the stresses of navigating a low-paying job in a high-pressure situation. And so an already strained situation strains further. Bitterness over masking requests, job insecurity, a run on bottled water, vaccine politics — tensions routinely boil over in his store and beyond, Naughton said.

“It wasn’t always like this. It used to be more friendly here. It’s become hostile. People are really on edge. They fight with you in the store, or with each other,” he said. “The other day a woman wanted to fight over the price of potatoes. You can even see it in how people drive, like they have a death wish.”

These days Naughton passes a fair amount of time alone. He burns off stress at the gym, goes on hikes, reads books on politics. (By flashlight, in the days after Hurricane Ida.) The delta resurgence also dealt a blow to his social life — at one point, concerned about the alarming spread in Louisiana, he cancelled plans to see live comedy with a co-worker. She went on without him; “she wasn’t worried about it,” he said.

Over the last few months, Naughton has pinned his hopes on a transfer — there’s another nearby Walmart he believes to be less stressful. After extensive lobbying, he said the move was finally approved. Coincidentally, it’s to the same store where his father routinely shops, Covid&nbsp;risks and all.

“He’s stubborn. He goes there for pastries, for Coke. He spends hours there. We tell him not to, it’s not safe,” Naughton said.

With nearly 1.6 million workers, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country. It employs 35,954 people in Louisiana alone, working for one of the 137 Supercenters, discount stores, neighbourhood markets or Sam’s Clubs across the state. Covid appears to have been good for the bottom line: During fiscal 2020, the company generated $559 billion in revenue, up $35 billion from the previous year. But labour activists say too little of that money has gone toward workforce protections, which in turn has prolonged the pandemic.

According to United for Respect, a nonprofit labour advocacy group for Walmart and Amazon workers — Naughton is an outspoken member — safety measures remain deeply insufficient.

“Thousands of Walmart associates across the country like Peter have been forced to endure poverty wages and abysmal benefits while working through a deadly pandemic, managing panic-buying sprees and culture wars over mask mandates,” said Bianca Agustin, the accountability director for United for Respect.

In a survey the group conducted of Walmart associates — the term the company uses for all non-temporary employees — in May 2020, nearly half said they had come into work sick or would do so, fearing retaliation otherwise. This past April the group released a report with the public health nonprofit Human Impact Partners, finding that Walmart could have prevented at least 7,618 Covid&nbsp;cases and saved 133 lives with a more robust paid sick time policy. (Researchers have estimated that some 125,000 Walmart workers nationwide likely contracted Covid between February 2020 and February 2021.)

United for Respect is pushing for five measures in response: hazard pay of $5 per hour; access to adequate paid and unpaid leave; immediate notification of positive cases within a given store; the inclusion of workers in the creation of safety protocols; and protection from retaliation. In the meantime, it has created a Covid reporting tool for workers at Amazon and Walmart. So far almost 1,900 cases have been claimed at 360 stores and facilities.

“Walmart lets in people without masks all the time, and social distancing isn’t enforced,” Naughton said. “Our lives are constantly in danger. They have ‘health ambassadors,’ but all they do is sit at the door offering customers masks. I’ve had to fill in for them. A lot of people just ignore you, or else get angry.”

In response, Crowson, the Walmart spokesman, replied that the company “has worked hard to protect the health and safety of associates and customers. This includes administering no-cost vaccinations, enhanced cleaning practices, daily health screenings and temperature checks for our associates, special bonuses and an emergency leave policy.”

For his part, Naughton continues fearing work while also fearing the idea of missing any. That’s partly the work ethic he inherited from his father, who never once called in sick to the chemical plant where he spent his career. But it’s also basic survival in perilous economic times. Putting aside any medical implications for him or his loved ones, he worries that contracting Covid could cost him his job. At 45, reliant on Medicaid for health coverage and having no retirement plan to speak of, he continues to don his yellow “Proud Walmart Associate” vest each morning.

Over the years Naughton has worked at fast-food restaurants, grocery stores and an amusement park. The idea of finding a more COVID-safe work-from-home gig appeals to him, but his hours at Walmart leave little time for job hunting. Regardless, he says the positions he comes across are “the kind you can’t get without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.”

Asked about the distant universe of office careers and mask-wars-free remote work, Naughton, he replied that it all feels “unfair.”

“They say we’re essential,” he said, “but they treat us like we’re disposable.”

It was a hot morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the day that Peter Naughton woke up on the floor. Sore, disoriented, he’d already grasped what his mother was now telling him: He’d had another seizure.

It was a hot morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the day that Peter Naughton woke up on the floor. Sore, disoriented, he’d already grasped what his mother was now telling him: He’d had another seizure. But he also grasped a larger truth: He needed to pull it together and somehow go to work. A cashier and self-checkout host at the nearby Walmart, Naughton dreaded depleting his limited paid time off in the midst of a pandemic. His mother, for her part, insisted that her epileptic son, then 44, stay home and rest. The hours after a seizure were difficult enough. Toss in the stress of COVID-19 and a customer base that largely — and often angrily — rejected mask use, and a day at work seemed anything but recuperative. In the end, Naughton’s growing headache and general fogginess were intense enough that he conceded to his mother’s wishes. He dialled once, twice, three times. No answer. Given the penalty for missing work without giving notice — and the fear of risking his job during uncertain times — he saw what he had to do. Reeling, he made the trip to the store and clocked in. That was the summer of 2020, and in the bewildering year since, the stakes and strain around low-wage frontline jobs like Naughton’s seem only to have multiplied. As shuttered offices cautiously debate the merits and logistics of reopening, a parallel sphere of workers — retail employees, day labourers, emergency personnel, medical staff, and so on — seemingly inhabit another country entirely. In their case nothing ever shuttered. Often their jobs just got really, really hard. “Every day is frightening,” Naughton said recently, now nearly two years into his employment at Walmart. Naughton said this in the dark, his power still out days after Hurricane Ida had barreled through Louisiana. It was 93 degrees. Later he would take another cold shower, also in the dark, in hopes of cooling off before bed. Naughton lives on a quiet, grassy street of low brick homes with his ageing parents, not far from where he attended high school some two decades prior. He had an apartment of his own for a while last year, but his $11.55 hourly wage wasn’t enough to pay the rent, even working full time. So he moved back in with his mother and father, and now lives in fear of bringing the highly contagious delta variant home to them. (Naughton is fully vaccinated. But at 78, his father has health issues that prevent him from getting the shots, Naughton said — health issues that make severe illness likelier should he contract the disease.) Elsewhere in the country, the conversation has begun to move on, away from early Covid alarm and into something more guardedly speculative. What will post-pandemic life look like? How have our priorities shifted? But for vast swaths of the nation, largely untouched by doses from Pfizer and Moderna, it remains late 2020 in many ways. “A lot of people here still don’t believe the virus is real — even when the hospitals are full, even when they have family dying,” Naughton said. “With the vaccines, one co-worker told me getting it would go against her faith. Another told me it contains baby fetuses and mercury. Someone else said it was created by Bill Gates to insert microchips to track you. I said, ‘Why would he want to track you?’” The conversations Naughton describes may be epidemiologically out of step, but he and thousands of others seem trapped in an America-right-now vortex, a swirl of politics, belief, resentment and fear. At fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, warehouses, nursing homes and anywhere else frontline workers show up each day, a deep schism has taken hold. Workers nervous about the virus find themselves at the mercy of those who aren’t. “If I ask people to wear a mask or socially distance at work, they get mad and tell the manager. Then I have to get coached. If you get coached too many times, you lose your job,” Naughton said, referring to the company’s system for managing worker infractions. (Charles Crowson, a Walmart spokesman, did not dispute that an accumulation of coachings could lead to termination.) Draped over this dynamic are often the stark realities of poverty, and the stresses of navigating a low-paying job in a high-pressure situation. And so an already strained situation strains further. Bitterness over masking requests, job insecurity, a run on bottled water, vaccine politics — tensions routinely boil over in his store and beyond, Naughton said. “It wasn’t always like this. It used to be more friendly here. It’s become hostile. People are really on edge. They fight with you in the store, or with each other,” he said. “The other day a woman wanted to fight over the price of potatoes. You can even see it in how people drive, like they have a death wish.” These days Naughton passes a fair amount of time alone. He burns off stress at the gym, goes on hikes, reads books on politics. (By flashlight, in the days after Hurricane Ida.) The delta resurgence also dealt a blow to his social life — at one point, concerned about the alarming spread in Louisiana, he cancelled plans to see live comedy with a co-worker. She went on without him; “she wasn’t worried about it,” he said. Over the last few months, Naughton has pinned his hopes on a transfer — there’s another nearby Walmart he believes to be less stressful. After extensive lobbying, he said the move was finally approved. Coincidentally, it’s to the same store where his father routinely shops, Covid risks and all. “He’s stubborn. He goes there for pastries, for Coke. He spends hours there. We tell him not to, it’s not safe,” Naughton said. With nearly 1.6 million workers, Walmart is the largest private employer in the country. It employs 35,954 people in Louisiana alone, working for one of the 137 Supercenters, discount stores, neighbourhood markets or Sam’s Clubs across the state. Covid appears to have been good for the bottom line: During fiscal 2020, the company generated $559 billion in revenue, up $35 billion from the previous year. But labour activists say too little of that money has gone toward workforce protections, which in turn has prolonged the pandemic. According to United for Respect, a nonprofit labour advocacy group for Walmart and Amazon workers — Naughton is an outspoken member — safety measures remain deeply insufficient. “Thousands of Walmart associates across the country like Peter have been forced to endure poverty wages and abysmal benefits while working through a deadly pandemic, managing panic-buying sprees and culture wars over mask mandates,” said Bianca Agustin, the accountability director for United for Respect. In a survey the group conducted of Walmart associates — the term the company uses for all non-temporary employees — in May 2020, nearly half said they had come into work sick or would do so, fearing retaliation otherwise. This past April the group released a report with the public health nonprofit Human Impact Partners, finding that Walmart could have prevented at least 7,618 Covid cases and saved 133 lives with a more robust paid sick time policy. (Researchers have estimated that some 125,000 Walmart workers nationwide likely contracted Covid between February 2020 and February 2021.) United for Respect is pushing for five measures in response: hazard pay of $5 per hour; access to adequate paid and unpaid leave; immediate notification of positive cases within a given store; the inclusion of workers in the creation of safety protocols; and protection from retaliation. In the meantime, it has created a Covid reporting tool for workers at Amazon and Walmart. So far almost 1,900 cases have been claimed at 360 stores and facilities. “Walmart lets in people without masks all the time, and social distancing isn’t enforced,” Naughton said. “Our lives are constantly in danger. They have ‘health ambassadors,’ but all they do is sit at the door offering customers masks. I’ve had to fill in for them. A lot of people just ignore you, or else get angry.” In response, Crowson, the Walmart spokesman, replied that the company “has worked hard to protect the health and safety of associates and customers. This includes administering no-cost vaccinations, enhanced cleaning practices, daily health screenings and temperature checks for our associates, special bonuses and an emergency leave policy.” For his part, Naughton continues fearing work while also fearing the idea of missing any. That’s partly the work ethic he inherited from his father, who never once called in sick to the chemical plant where he spent his career. But it’s also basic survival in perilous economic times. Putting aside any medical implications for him or his loved ones, he worries that contracting Covid could cost him his job. At 45, reliant on Medicaid for health coverage and having no retirement plan to speak of, he continues to don his yellow “Proud Walmart Associate” vest each morning. Over the years Naughton has worked at fast-food restaurants, grocery stores and an amusement park. The idea of finding a more COVID-safe work-from-home gig appeals to him, but his hours at Walmart leave little time for job hunting. Regardless, he says the positions he comes across are “the kind you can’t get without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job.” Asked about the distant universe of office careers and mask-wars-free remote work, Naughton, he replied that it all feels “unfair.” “They say we’re essential,” he said, “but they treat us like we’re disposable.”

‘Every day is frightening’: Working for the top US employer amid Covid

American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build a city combining the best facilities from around the globe based on energy efficiency.

The name of the new town is&nbsp;"Telosa" meaning “highest purpose” in the ancient Greek language. The plan includes autonomous electric cars and high-speed transportation which is set to cost $400 billion.

The sprawling city high tech city is reportedly going to be built in the West or Appalachia on cheap land which will grow in value due to large scale investment. Lore believes in wealth creation in a "fair way" while creating a "new model for society".

The internet billionaire has also reportedly hired an architectural firm to turn his dream into reality. Lore, 50, was the former president &amp; CEO of Walmart. He had launched an e-commerce website Jet.com in 2014.

Lore was born in Staten Island, New York and has been an Internet entrepreneur for a long time having launched The Pit which was an Internet company meant to rival eBay in 1999. The Pit was eventually sold to&nbsp;Topps for $5.7 million in 2001.

Reports say the billionaire plans to fund the major part of the new city from his own funds while trying to rope in investors and federal grants. The billionaire believers "Telosa" has the capability to one day become the size of New York with the plan running far ahead into 2030.

The gigantic plan involves innovative water technology as he seeks to build his utopian plan. The city could be based in Arizona, Nevada, Utah or Idaho. The main thrust behind the plan is to fight "increasing inequality" while creating an "urban blueprint" with renewable sources of energy powering the new model city.

Lore is scouting for land currently to host an "inclusive city" with diverse housing options and natural,&nbsp;safe public spaces. The core of the plan is based on "Equitism" with an "economic system in which citizens have a stake in the land".

(With inputs from Agencies)

American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build a city combining the best facilities from around the globe based on energy efficiency. The name of the new town is "Telosa" meaning “highest purpose” in the ancient Greek language.

American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build a city combining the best facilities from around the globe based on energy efficiency. The name of the new town is "Telosa" meaning “highest purpose” in the ancient Greek language. The plan includes autonomous electric cars and high-speed transportation which is set to cost $400 billion. The sprawling city high tech city is reportedly going to be built in the West or Appalachia on cheap land which will grow in value due to large scale investment. Lore believes in wealth creation in a "fair way" while creating a "new model for society". The internet billionaire has also reportedly hired an architectural firm to turn his dream into reality. Lore, 50, was the former president & CEO of Walmart. He had launched an e-commerce website Jet.com in 2014. Lore was born in Staten Island, New York and has been an Internet entrepreneur for a long time having launched The Pit which was an Internet company meant to rival eBay in 1999. The Pit was eventually sold to Topps for $5.7 million in 2001. Reports say the billionaire plans to fund the major part of the new city from his own funds while trying to rope in investors and federal grants. The billionaire believers "Telosa" has the capability to one day become the size of New York with the plan running far ahead into 2030. The gigantic plan involves innovative water technology as he seeks to build his utopian plan. The city could be based in Arizona, Nevada, Utah or Idaho. The main thrust behind the plan is to fight "increasing inequality" while creating an "urban blueprint" with renewable sources of energy powering the new model city. Lore is scouting for land currently to host an "inclusive city" with diverse housing options and natural, safe public spaces. The core of the plan is based on "Equitism" with an "economic system in which citizens have a stake in the land". (With inputs from Agencies)

Telosa: American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build model city based on 'Equitism'

Marlo Spaeth started working as a sales associate at a Walmart in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1999, folding towels, cleaning aisles, processing returns and greeting customers, her lawyers said. Over the next 15 years, she received several pay raises and positive performance reviews.

One manager wrote that she was “great with customers” and a “very hard worker.” Another manager wrote, “Marlo is a very friendly person and is a delight to have working here.”

But Spaeth’s hours suddenly shifted in November 2014, when Walmart instituted a computerized scheduling system, which the company said was based on customer traffic and was designed to ensure that enough people were working when the store was busiest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/walmart-joins-push-for-digital-vaccination-credentials-371528" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/walmart-joins-push-for-digital-vaccination-credentials-371528&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjgj4G-ie3xAhXQumMGHS2-A9oQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fhNb7eFQjoNjoVyAicFoE" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/walmart-joins-push-for-digital-vaccination-credentials-371528" target="_blank">Walmart&nbsp;joins push for digital vaccination credentials</a>

Spaeth was expected to work from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., rather than her previous schedule of noon to 4 p.m., her lawyers said.

The abrupt change represented a significant hardship for Spaeth, who has Down syndrome and thrives on routine, her lawyers said. Spaeth repeatedly told a manager that she wanted her old schedule back, her lawyers said.

“She’s afraid she’s going to miss the bus,” her sister and guardian, Amy Jo Stevenson, said she had told a Walmart manager, according to court records. “She’s afraid she’s going to miss dinner. It’s upsetting to her. She gets too hot. She says she feels sick, and she can’t accommodate it, so we need it switched back for her.”

But the company refused to switch Spaeth back to her old schedule at the store, which was open 24 hours a day and had more than 300 employees, her lawyers said. Walmart then took disciplinary action against Spaeth twice for absenteeism and tardiness, her lawyers said.

On July 10, 2015, Walmart fired Spaeth for excessive absenteeism.

A Walmart training coordinator took Spaeth’s vest and walked her out of the store where she had worked for about 16 years. The training coordinator later testified that both she and Spaeth had been crying and that Spaeth had not understood what was happening, court records show.

Spaeth and her mother and sister met with Walmart managers and asked that she be rehired and allowed to return to her old schedule, her lawyers said. But Walmart refused to rehire her, even though her termination letter said she could be hired again, her lawyers said.

On Thursday, a jury in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, in Green Bay, found that Walmart had violated the Americans With Disabilities Act, which bans discrimination based on an employee’s disability, and awarded Spaeth $125 million in punitive damages and $150,000 in compensatory damages.

The jury, which deliberated for three hours after a four-day trial, found that Walmart had failed to provide Spaeth with a reasonable accommodation, even though she needed one because she has Down syndrome and it would not have posed a hardship to the company.

The jury also found that Walmart had fired Spaeth and then failed to rehire her because she has a disability.

“The jury here recognized, and apparently was quite offended, that Ms. Spaeth lost her job because of needless — and unlawful — inflexibility on the part of Walmart,” said Gregory Gochanour, a lawyer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which had sued Walmart on behalf of Spaeth.

Walmart said in a statement that the verdict would be reduced to $300,000, which is the maximum amount allowed under federal law for compensatory and punitive damages.

“We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and we routinely accommodate thousands of associates every year,” Walmart said. “We often adjust associate schedules to meet our customers’ expectations and while Ms. Spaeth’s schedule was adjusted, it remained within the times she indicated she was available.”

The company said that it was “sensitive to this situation and believe we could have resolved this issue with Ms. Spaeth.” It added, “However, the EEOC’s demands were unreasonable.”

An EEOC lawyer declined to comment, but the agency’s website notes that compensatory and punitive damages are capped at $300,000 for employers with more 500 workers.

Walmart, which employs more than 2.3 million people around the world, is the nation’s largest private employer, with more than 1.6 million employees in the United States, according to its website.

Julianne Bowman, the Chicago district director at the EEOC, said employers, no matter how large, had an obligation under the law to evaluate the individual circumstances of employees with disabilities when considering requests for reasonable accommodations.

“Ms. Spaeth’s request was a simple one and denying it profoundly altered her life,” Bowman said in a statement.

Dr. David Smith, a former program director at the Down Syndrome Clinic of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, said in court papers that people with Down syndrome need routines to manage their day and may not have the cognitive ability to adjust well to changes.

When Walmart changed Spaeth’s schedule, the stress of the change and the pressure she felt to adapt to her new hours may have thrown her off, he said.

People with Down syndrome “make very good employees if they have the right job and an understanding employer,” said Smith, who was an expert witness for the EEOC.

“Their job becomes a major focus of their life and gives them a sense of self-worth,” he said. “When Ms. Spaeth’s schedule was changed, she was unable to adapt to that variation.”

Marlo Spaeth started working as a sales associate at a Walmart in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1999, folding towels, cleaning aisles, processing returns and greeting customers, her lawyers said.

Marlo Spaeth started working as a sales associate at a Walmart in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1999, folding towels, cleaning aisles, processing returns and greeting customers, her lawyers said. Over the next 15 years, she received several pay raises and positive performance reviews. One manager wrote that she was “great with customers” and a “very hard worker.” Another manager wrote, “Marlo is a very friendly person and is a delight to have working here.” But Spaeth’s hours suddenly shifted in November 2014, when Walmart instituted a computerized scheduling system, which the company said was based on customer traffic and was designed to ensure that enough people were working when the store was busiest. Also read | Walmart joins push for digital vaccination credentials Spaeth was expected to work from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., rather than her previous schedule of noon to 4 p.m., her lawyers said. The abrupt change represented a significant hardship for Spaeth, who has Down syndrome and thrives on routine, her lawyers said. Spaeth repeatedly told a manager that she wanted her old schedule back, her lawyers said. “She’s afraid she’s going to miss the bus,” her sister and guardian, Amy Jo Stevenson, said she had told a Walmart manager, according to court records. “She’s afraid she’s going to miss dinner. It’s upsetting to her. She gets too hot. She says she feels sick, and she can’t accommodate it, so we need it switched back for her.” But the company refused to switch Spaeth back to her old schedule at the store, which was open 24 hours a day and had more than 300 employees, her lawyers said. Walmart then took disciplinary action against Spaeth twice for absenteeism and tardiness, her lawyers said. On July 10, 2015, Walmart fired Spaeth for excessive absenteeism. A Walmart training coordinator took Spaeth’s vest and walked her out of the store where she had worked for about 16 years. The training coordinator later testified that both she and Spaeth had been crying and that Spaeth had not understood what was happening, court records show. Spaeth and her mother and sister met with Walmart managers and asked that she be rehired and allowed to return to her old schedule, her lawyers said. But Walmart refused to rehire her, even though her termination letter said she could be hired again, her lawyers said. On Thursday, a jury in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, in Green Bay, found that Walmart had violated the Americans With Disabilities Act, which bans discrimination based on an employee’s disability, and awarded Spaeth $125 million in punitive damages and $150,000 in compensatory damages. The jury, which deliberated for three hours after a four-day trial, found that Walmart had failed to provide Spaeth with a reasonable accommodation, even though she needed one because she has Down syndrome and it would not have posed a hardship to the company. The jury also found that Walmart had fired Spaeth and then failed to rehire her because she has a disability. “The jury here recognized, and apparently was quite offended, that Ms. Spaeth lost her job because of needless — and unlawful — inflexibility on the part of Walmart,” said Gregory Gochanour, a lawyer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which had sued Walmart on behalf of Spaeth. Walmart said in a statement that the verdict would be reduced to $300,000, which is the maximum amount allowed under federal law for compensatory and punitive damages. “We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and we routinely accommodate thousands of associates every year,” Walmart said. “We often adjust associate schedules to meet our customers’ expectations and while Ms. Spaeth’s schedule was adjusted, it remained within the times she indicated she was available.” The company said that it was “sensitive to this situation and believe we could have resolved this issue with Ms. Spaeth.” It added, “However, the EEOC’s demands were unreasonable.” An EEOC lawyer declined to comment, but the agency’s website notes that compensatory and punitive damages are capped at $300,000 for employers with more 500 workers. Walmart, which employs more than 2.3 million people around the world, is the nation’s largest private employer, with more than 1.6 million employees in the United States, according to its website. Julianne Bowman, the Chicago district director at the EEOC, said employers, no matter how large, had an obligation under the law to evaluate the individual circumstances of employees with disabilities when considering requests for reasonable accommodations. “Ms. Spaeth’s request was a simple one and denying it profoundly altered her life,” Bowman said in a statement. Dr. David Smith, a former program director at the Down Syndrome Clinic of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, said in court papers that people with Down syndrome need routines to manage their day and may not have the cognitive ability to adjust well to changes. When Walmart changed Spaeth’s schedule, the stress of the change and the pressure she felt to adapt to her new hours may have thrown her off, he said. People with Down syndrome “make very good employees if they have the right job and an understanding employer,” said Smith, who was an expert witness for the EEOC. “Their job becomes a major focus of their life and gives them a sense of self-worth,” he said. “When Ms. Spaeth’s schedule was changed, she was unable to adapt to that variation.”

Jury awards $125 million after Walmart fires woman with down syndrome

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