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Organic gets its own exclusive, top-level domain

Websites that end with .organic will go through a verification process before they can go live.




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Businesses maintain green giving goals

Donations to environmental organizations from many businesses to remain consistent in 2009.




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Train pollution rules remain up in the air

A California agency's attempt to regulate train pollution is ruled out-of-bounds.




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Energy remains an uncertain election issue for Democrats

National surveys show the public supports having more green energy. But in local elections energy is likely to take a backseat to the economy.




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The care and maintenance of a cast iron skillet

There are tricks to properly cleaning a cast iron skillet without ruining its seasoning. This infographic offers several.




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Destination of the week: Portland, Maine

Get out your walking shoes and check out this city by the sea.




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HFCS sales down but sweetener sales remain stable

Fewer manufacturers are using high fructose corn syrup in their products, but they aren’t making them less sweet.




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Ghostly remains of massive Roman shipwreck found in Mediterranean

The wreck, dating back 2,000 years, is estimated to contain some 6,000 amphorae.



  • Research & Innovations

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Texaco's oily footprint remains in Ecuador

It's been nearly 20 years since Texaco left Ecuador, but evidence of its presence remains in the form of toxic black gunk in the soil and water.




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Massive U.S. snowstorm births a 'snow dragon' in Maine

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  • Climate & Weather

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Gore lays claim to (dot) eco domain

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5 foods besides romaine that can have E. coli

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Omron introduces a new form Power Supply for Safety and Maintainability.

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Nine Built-in Counters/Timers to measure equipment operating cycles and times and forecast maintenance timing

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Covid-19: Measures to maintain personal injury claims process launched

The ABI and the Association of Consumer Support Organisations have developed a statement of intent recommending remote video examination and rehabilitation.




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The Main Benefits of Endermologie

Cellulite. Those trapped pockets of fat near the surface of the skin that make your skin look bumpy and puckered. Unappealing to most, it appears in problematic areas such as the upper thighs, buttocks, and stomach where many fibrous bands exist to trap fat. Since these areas are slow to react to the benefits of exercise, once cellulite appears, it is often difficult and impossible for those affected to eliminate it. Unfortunately, it is a common occurrence in women even if they do exercise on a regular basis.




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Maintaining profitability important in big banks’ interest rate cut decisions

27 April 2020

Maintaining profits was a major consideration for the big four banks as they weighed whether to reduce mortgage rates in line with Reserve Bank of Australia cash rate cuts during 2019, the ACCC has found.

The ACCC’s Home Loan Price Inquiry interim report, released today, shows that the big four banks considered various factors as they decided whether to pass on the RBA’s June, July and October 2019 rate cuts. But recovering profits was central to their decisions to not always fully pass through the lower rates to mortgage customers.

“The banks were attempting to shore up their profitability during a period of low interest rates,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

“It was their strong preference, after the RBA’s cuts, not to further reduce the rates customers were earning on some deposit products as they approached zero per cent.”

“The banks’ reluctance to cut these deposit rates led them to anticipate lower profits, which they aimed to recover by not always fully passing through cash rate cuts to their mortgage customers,” Mr Sims said.

The ACCC’s analysis also found that the big four banks benefitted from a sustained decrease in their funding costs during much of 2019. While headline rates for owner-occupier home loans with principal and interest repayments fell overall during 2018 and 2019, the banks’ funding costs fell even more over the same period.

“We recognise that much has changed in the economic and funding environment since last year. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted priorities and the banks are playing an important role in supporting the economy,” Mr Sims said.

“However, the inquiry findings shed an important light on bank decision making and raise questions about whether the banks could, at the time, have passed on a higher proportion of those RBA cash rate cuts to their mortgage customers.”

The ACCC’s Home Loan Price Inquiry interim report also shows that although average interest rates charged by the big four banks on home loans fell during 2019, a lack of price transparency and higher interest rates for existing loans continued to cost customers.

The interim report examines home loan prices charged by the big four banks between 1 January 2019 and 31 October 2019. It found that home loan pricing practices continue to make it difficult for consumers to compare different mortgage products.

Headline rates did not accurately reflect the price most big four bank customers actually paid for their home loans, because the overwhelming majority of customers received discounts, including opaque discretionary discounts.

“Given the economic disruption, uncertainty and job losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers may not be inclined to shop around and ask for discounts from their banks right now,” Mr Sims said.

“However, our analysis shows how that even a small further reduction in interest rates could potentially save thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage. Consumers should consider this carefully when it is time to re-engage with their lender.”

For example, a customer with an average-sized new, owner-occupier, principal and interest mortgage of $386,000 could save about $5000 on interest payments in the first year if they went from having no discount to receiving the big four banks’ average discount of 128 basis points.

At the end of September, customers with new owner-occupier loans with principal and interest repayments were paying, on average, 26 basis points less than customers with existing loans. The difference was usually even more significant for customers with older loans.

The ACCC’s final report, scheduled for release later this year, will consider barriers to consumers switching to alternative home loan suppliers.

Further information at Home loan price inquiry

Background

On 14 October 2019, the Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, issued a direction to the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into the market for the supply of home loans. The specific matters the ACCC was directed to take into account included:

  • prices charged for home loans since 1 January 2019, including:
    • the difference between advertised interest rates and interest rates paid by customers
    • the difference between interest rates paid by new and existing customers
    • home loan suppliers’ pricing decisions following changes in the RBA’s target for the cash rate, including the extent to which changes were due to suppliers’ cost of funds and the timing of the suppliers’ announcements
  • impediments to consumers refinancing to alternative home loan suppliers.

The interim report focuses on the first issue regarding the prices charged for home loans between 1 January 2019 and 31 October 2019 by the big four banks, which account for close to 80 per cent (by value) of home loans held by authorised deposit-taking institutions in Australia. The final report will consider the second issue, impediments to consumer switching.

The big four banks are Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, and Westpac Banking Corporation.

In preparing the interim report, the ACCC used its compulsory information gathering powers to obtain information and documents from the big four banks, and supplemented its analysis with data supplied by the RBA and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. 

The findings in the report reinforce and build on those in the ACCC’s earlier Residential Mortgage Price Inquiry.

Release number: 
84/20
ACCC Infocentre: 

Use this form to make a general enquiry.

Media enquiries: 
Media team - 1300 138 917
Audience




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006 : Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door facing South West

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces South West, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006 : Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door facing North

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces North, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006: Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door facing South

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces South, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006: Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door facing East

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces East, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006: Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door Facing West

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces West, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006 : Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door Facing North East

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces North East, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006 : Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door Facing North West

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces North West, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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Flying Stars Fengshui for 2006 : Yearly Predictions & Remedies for Main Door facing South East

If the Main Door of your flat/office/building faces South East, then read on to find out how you will fare in 2006 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Relationships, Harmony and Love. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energy that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Also advice regarding directions to be avoided for renovation, reconstruction, redecoration, etc. in 2006. Get to know the Fengshui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.




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How to pick a domain

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Maintaining a Good Satellite TV Signal

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Maintaining your company's website

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How to maintain your golf carts batteries

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Why Commercial Kitchen Maintenance Matters

Twitter Read more here. For more about this, go here. Keywords: Our systems all conform to bs6173, Commercial kitchen wall cladding, Commercial refrigeration equipment, Gas interlock system, Commercial dishwasher repairs, Commercial refrigeration equipment.

The post Why Commercial Kitchen Maintenance Matters appeared first on RSS News Feed.



  • Food and Drink

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The Main Cause of Insomnia?

Insomnia can have many causes, but the main cause is worry and stress. Learn how to relax your mind at the end of the day and sleep is bound to follow.




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The Three Top Reasons to Invest in the Best Forklift Battery Handling and Maintenance Equipment

Twitter Check out this website for more. Check out this site for more. Keywords: Material handling equipment, Battery room best practices, Traveling battery transporter, Battery service, Power drive gantry cranes, Forklift battery safety. Graphics: Post This Visual

The post The Three Top Reasons to Invest in the Best Forklift Battery Handling and Maintenance Equipment appeared first on RSS News Feed.




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What Ray Sadeghi, Floyd Mayweather's Main Bodyguard, Can Teach You About Success




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What Roy Sadeghi, Floyd Mayweather's Main Bodyguard, Can Teach You About Success




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Trebol Soccer Club Remains True to Community After 20 Years

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Regular and Preventative Air Conditioning Maintenance Can Save Homeowners Money

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Imperial Landscaping Provides Complete Lawn Maintenance Packages to Commercial and Residential Clients in the Winston Salem and Surrounding Area

At Imperial Landscaping, we understand that the outdoor appearance of your business or home is as important as your interior. We have a team of lawn care specialists that will consult with you to determine your exact needs.




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Men's Health Network Releases Free Publication to Help Men and Their Families Maintain Healthy Lungs

Breathe easy: your lungs and COPD.




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'Get Your Financial Ducks in a Row' Season Proclaimed by MainStreet Financial Group

Rockford financial advisor offers 4-part whitepaper series with tips on retirement planning, saving for children, changing jobs and retirement




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MPulse Software Makes Single Sign-On Easy for Maintenance Management Software Customers

Company Launches Single-Sign-On (SSO)/Active Directory Integration for Cloud-Hosted Customers




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Your Spring Auto Maintenance Checklist From Delta Auto Protect

Cleaning off all of the salt and dirt will help keep your car looking fresh, but with only a little more work you can make sure that your car will be running well too.




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Important Summer Auto Maintenance Tips From Delta Auto Protect

We here at Delta Auto Protect see our fair share of car trouble that could have been prevented with a bit of routine maintenance, so we put together this list of maintenance tips that can prevent your car from any unnecessary trips to the mechanic.




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Impact Introduces the BinTracker Container Repair & Maintenance App

Haulers Can Manage Their Container Inventory on Their Phone




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Ezentria ComplyWise Helps Small and Midsize Businesses Achieve and Maintain Information Security Compliance

Proven 14-step process enables companies with limited internal information security resources to compete for new business




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Information Systems Architects Inc. Rebrands as ISA Cybersecurity Inc. with a new Website and Domain

Follow ISA Cybersecurity Inc. on Social Media for a Chance to Win a Pair of 2019 Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets




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How the USB Port Blocker Became the Mainstay of Cybersecurity

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4 Eco Services Kick Off to Preseason HVAC Maintenance

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4 Eco Services Announces Initiative in the Greater Kansas Area on Sump Pump Maintenance

4 Eco Services announced a promotion offering a $50 credit towards sump pump maintenance to help homeowners prevent flooding.