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Tag: asia

  • Gasoline prices soar to new heights in 2023

    Gasoline prices soar to new heights in 2023

    Gasoline prices on Thursday rose to another new peak this year while diesel prices continued to climb.

    The popular gasoline RON95 went up 3.5% to VND25,740 ($1.06) per liter. This was its seventh increase in the last two months.

    RON95 has risen by around 10% since the beginning of the year.

    Biofuel RON92 rose 3.07% to VND24,190.

    Diesel went up 2.34% VND23,590.

    Authorities said that global prices have been rising in the last 10 days due to increasing demand as OPEC+ countries limited their supply.

    RON92 went up 4.7% to $107.95 per barrel, while RON95 rose 4.6% to $114.02. Oils increased by 1.8%-3.4% per barrel.

  • Capital A increases its presence in Cambodia

    Capital A increases its presence in Cambodia

    Capital A, the entity behind the AirAsia Aviation Group of airlines, remains committed to a November 2023 launch of AirAsia Cambodia (Phnom Penh). It comes as Capital A steps up its involvement in the Cambodian market and takes a 60% stake in a local ground services company called ADE Cambodia.

    In late 2022, ch-aviation reported that Capital A had set up a joint venture company, AirAsia (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, to facilitate its entry into Cambodia with the AirAsia brand. The start-up is a 51/49 joint venture with the hospitality group Sivilai Asia.

    This week, Capital A announced another joint venture agreement with Sivilai Asia. A September 20 Bursa Malaysia filing said the principal activities of ADE Cambodia will be engineering maintenance services, component and warehouse services, engineering support services, and digital and innovation services to aircraft, including repair and maintenance of aircraft and/or engines, consultancy, and training. Capital A says ADE Cambodia will support its local low-cost carrier.

    “This will create an opportunity for ADE to establish its operation in Cambodia,” the filing reads, noting that ADE will also hunt for business from other airlines flying into the country. “The objective is to optimize utilization of ADE’s assets at maximum capacity to reach utmost productivity […] enabling Capital A to capitalize on cost-saving opportunities and potentially capture surpluses from new revenue streams generated.”

    Capital A is making the USD1.2 million investment via its subsidiary, Asia Digital Engineering Sdn Bhd, a Malaysia-based business principally engaged in aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul. Sivilai Asia is a Cambodia-based incorporated in early 2022. Its core business is providing consulting services to the hospitality industry.

    The Capital A investment, which is funded from internal cash reserves and not subject to approval from Capital A shareholders, is expected to be finalized by the end of 2023.

  • Supercuts plans foray into India, eyes 100 stores initially

    Supercuts plans foray into India, eyes 100 stores initially

    Regis Corporation is set to bring its hair salon chain Supercuts to the Indian market via a master franchise agreement with Ravissant Style Private Limited, a subsidiary of Ravishing Style.

    Ravishing Style, an existing franchisee of Supercuts locations in the US, plans to open at least 100 salons in India within the first five years. The company also eyes further expansion through exclusive sub-franchising rights across Northern and Western India.

    Neeru Jain Wadhwa, CEO, and Alok Wadhwa, president of Ravishing Style said Supercuts will offer a “differentiated customer experience”, with a comprehensive salon experience including expert haircuts, masterful colouring, highlights, hair spa treatments, rejuvenating facials, nail services, professional makeup application, and exclusive Indian bridal services.

    Matthew Doctor, president and CEO of Regis Corporation, described the agreement as an important milestone in the company’s growth strategy.

    “India, a market full of long-term growth potential, is primed to experience the first large-scale, US-based salon brand in the country,” Doctor added.

    Regis Corporation is a leader in the haircare industry, franchising or owning 4863 locations as of June 30. Aside from Supercuts, which currently has more than 2000 stores across the US, the company’s brands include SmartStyle, Cost Cutters, Roosters and First Choice Haircutters.

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  • Delivery Hero could sell part of Asian business for $1 billion

    Delivery Hero is in advanced talks on a partial sale of its Asia business, the Wirtschaftswoche business magazine reported, saying Singapore’s Grab could pay a little more than US$1.07 billion.

    The Berlin-based company could sell its activities under the Foodpanda brand in Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, according to Wirtschaftswoche, which cited sources familiar with the matter.

    Investors in the online takeaway food company welcomed the report, lifting its shares as much as 13.5 per cent.

    Delivery Hero and Grab did not immediately reply to emailed requests for comment.

    Delivery Hero has been focusing on reaching profitability while maintaining growth as investor confidence in the company started to wane after a pandemic-driven boost.

    The group has said that it reached an adjusted profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the first six months of the year, although it did not quantify it, after a loss of US$343.6 million in the same period a year earlier.

    Last month, CEO Niklas Oestberg said that Asia was the segment where the company saw the most opportunity to invest.

    Singapore internet firm Grab posted $567 million in revenue in the quarter that ended June 30 and expects to break even on an adjusted core earnings basis in the current quarter. Grab makes most of its sales from its food delivery business and has recently seen strong growth in its ride-share business.

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  • Fertilizer imports reach two-year high in August

    Fertilizer imports reach two-year high in August

    According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam’s fertilizer import volume reached the highest in more than two years in August, while prices fell over the previous year.

    In August, Vietnam imported more than 472,283 tonnes of fertilizer worth $159 million, up 54% over July in volume and 85% in value. This was the highest import volume since July 2021.

    The fertilizer prices reached $338 a tonne last month, up 19% on-month, but down 26% year-on-year.

    Ending August, fertilizer imports rose 13% to 2.5 million tonnes, but the import value fell 19% year-on-year to $833 million.

    The average price of imported fertilizer was estimated at $347 per tonne, a 25% decrease from last year.

    China is the country’s biggest fertilizer provider so far this year, accounting for roughly half of all imported fertilizer with more than 1.2 million tonnes, valued at $375 million, up 15% on-year in volume and 14% in value.

    It was followed by Japan, with more than 225,000 tonnes of imported fertilizer and worth $21 million.

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  • WhatsApp announces better online shopping experience

    WhatsApp announces better online shopping experience

    WhatsApp is trying to create new experiences in addition to the basic chat experience that everyone knows and loves. Businesses and business-oriented features have been the focus of WhatsApp’s development strategy for quite some time, but few projects have materialized in actual features that users can take advantage of.

    Early this week, WhatsApp announced Flows, a new purchase service that allows users to buy products and services directly within the app. Either is a train ticket, a meal or an appointment booking, Flows is supposed to make the purchasing experience in WhatsApp as simple and snappy as possible.

    WhatsApp promised to make Flows available to businesses around the world, at least those that use the WhatsApp Business Platform, in the coming weeks. Flows will allow businesses to provide WhatsApp users with menus and customizable forms that support their needs.

    In addition, WhatsApp announced that it’s making it easier to complete a purchase directly in the chat. First, users in India will be able to add items to their car and send a payment using one of the various supported methods like UPI apps, debit and credit cards, and more. To make the purchase experience safe and simple, WhatsApp is working with partners like Razorpay and PayUu.

    Finally, WhatsApp is introducing a verification process, which will provide Meta Verified statuses to businesses that successfully demonstrate their authenticity. Those businesses will receive a verified badge, enhanced account support and impersonation protection, WhatsApp says.

    Furthermore, Meta Verified will offer some additional premium features for interested businesses, including the ability to create a custom WhatsApp page discoverable via a web search and multi-device support.

    WhatsApp will start testing the Meta Verified feature with small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app very soon, so this won’t be available to businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform yet.

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  • Cake digital bank cooperates with VinFast to support e-bike buyers

    Cake digital bank cooperates with VinFast to support e-bike buyers

    Cake by VPBank and VinFast are working together to provide e-bike purchase loans at 0% interest, benefiting both customers and promoting environmental protection in line with green consumption trends.

    With this loan package, the customer experience will be simplified. They can sign up for loans without visiting a bank branch and receive approval results on the Cake app within a few minutes.

    The first priority group of customers to experience the development is Be Group’s tech drivers, who are familiar with consumer loan services on Cake.

    According to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, e-bike sales in Vietnam have increased by about 30–35% recently, making the country the largest market for e-bikes in ASEAN, and the runner-up in the world, just behind China.

    There is ample potential for electric vehicles, including e-bikes and electric cars, given that the world in general and Vietnam in particular are promoting green transformation trends in transportation and other fields.

    Ho Thanh Huong, CEO of VinFast Vietnam, said that the partnership agreement gives customers the opportunity to own and use smart, modern, and environmentally friendly e-bikes at optimal costs through simple and convenient procedures.

    This partnership offers customers access to a safe and civilized transportation alternative, contributing directly to the government’s net-zero carbon emission target by 2050.

    In the current context, the collaboration between the large-scale EV manufacturer and the digital bank Cake by VPBank is expected to bring benefits to the mass of customers on both sides.

    While Cake will expand its digital financial product line to include vehicle installment payment services, VinFast offers customers a “Buy Now, Pay Later” payment experience quickly, conveniently, and securely.

    Furthermore, this is also an opportunity to promote digital financial inclusion. Specifically, Cake by VPBank boasts a large and diverse digital ecosystem, while VinFast owns a nationwide distribution network with a diverse lineup of two-wheeler and four-wheeler models.

    According to Nguyen Huu Quang, CEO of Cake, in the coming time, Cake by VPBank will keep working with VinFast to research different financing packages tailored for customers looking to acquire electric vehicles across several channels.

    “We are in discussion to develop more diverse products to bring practical benefits to customers, thereby contributing to promoting comprehensive digital finance and green energy in Vietnam,” he said.

    The handshake between VinFast and Cake by VPBank digital bank will promote comprehensive digital services, popularize EVs, and foster environmental protection.

    Cake by VPBank is a testament to the trend of innovation in consumer finance products. Before venturing into the electric vehicle market, the digital banking app has already enabled its tech drivers to borrow cash online within a few minutes.

    Cake has rolled out niche lending products such as “Ung tien nhanh” with instant approval.

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  • Coffee prices on the boil in Vietnam

    Coffee prices on the boil in Vietnam

    Robusta coffee prices have risen to a record VND68,000 ($2.79) per kilogram, up 76% since the beginning of this year.

    Prices have also been rising globally. On Monday rose by $10-39 per ton to $2,551-2,566 in London.

    The prices of Arabica, another coffee variety, rose in New York by 0.45-0.95 cents per pound to $158-162. A kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.

    Vu Duc Con, deputy director of the Dak Lak Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said one of the reasons for the rising prices is that the harvest season has yet to arrive while stocks from the previous season have mostly been sold.

    He added that prices would be more reasonable in the next two months when the coffee crop ripens.

    Hung, owner of a coffee factory in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, said farmers sold out their coffee stocks around a month ago.

    He is not buying now since the high prices would hit his profit margin.

    The Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association has forecast coffee yields to drop by 10-15% in the 2022-2023 season to 1.47 million tons due to high heat.

    In Dak Lak, authorities expect outputs to decline since farmers have been switching to growing other crops such as durian and avocado.

    In the first eight months Vietnam’s average coffee export price reached a new peak of $3,054 per ton, up nearly 30% year-on-year.

    The coffee was shipped to 38 markets, with the E.U. and U.S. being the largest buyers.

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  • Miniso to open its first UK ‘Blind Box’ store

    Miniso to open its first UK ‘Blind Box’ store

    Chinese lifestyle brand Miniso will open its first UK “Blind Box” store on Shaftesbury Avenue, London on September 29.

    The new store will offer customers more than 50 blind boxes, capitalizing on the blooming blind box craze. According to Miniso, the new store “represents an exciting new shopping experience”, bringing Miniso’s characteristic sense of choice to the heart of downtown London.

    The new 40sqm store will house Miniso’s co-branded blind box collections with some of the IP owners. Shoppers will find Sanrio, Disney Pixar, Tokidoki, We Bare Bears, Minions, and Winnie the Pooh blind boxes. Miniso’s original products, including plush toys and accessories, will also be available at the store.

    “Our first blind box store marks a major milestone for Miniso,” said Saad Usman, COO of Miniso UK.

    “The unknown element of blind boxes adds mystery and excitement to the shopping experience, and we’re delighted to bring this special store to London. Blind boxes are now a major part of our global strategy, and this new store marks the latest development as we move forward with our global expansion.”

    Launching Miniso’s first “Blind Box” store is the latest step in the brand’s ongoing global expansion plan as it strives to become a global lifestyle super-brand. The company has around 5800 outlets worldwide, with more than 20 of them located in the UK, including London, Manchester, Nottingham, Belfast, and others.

  • Singapore sneaker platform Novelship secures US$9.5 million in Series B

    Singapore sneaker platform Novelship secures US$9.5 million in Series B

    Singapore-based sneaker marketplace Novelship has bagged US$9.5 million in its Series B funding round led by East Ventures, iGlobe Partners, and GSR Ventures.

    The company said the new funds will be used to accelerate its expansion plans in Southeast Asia, including enhancing its logistics capabilities, refining authentication processes, expanding its slew of in-house collections, and optimizing its environmentally-conscious delivery process.

    “As collectors’ priorities shift towards accessibility, efficiency, and integrity, Novelship stands firm in our dedication to enhance these aspects on our platform,” said Richard Xia, co-founder and CEO of Novelship.

    The company was founded in 2018 as a platform for buyers and sellers to trade authentic sneakers, limited-edition apparel, and exclusive physical and digital collectibles.

    The funding round came after Novelship’s recent collaboration with Snoop Dogg. The marketplace also introduced new in-house products, including Novelty-branded T-shirts, socks, shoelaces, and Shoe Sole Protectors.

    “Our recent expansion of collections and the introduction of new in-house products reflect our commitment to providing broader accessibility for all collectors,” Xia said.

    Novelship reported a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37 percent in revenue and 55 percent in transactions.

    “Novelship has been proven as a one-stop marketplace to fulfill the desires of collectors,” said Willson Cuaca, co-founder and MD at East Ventures. “We also take great pride in witnessing how Novelship incorporates sustainable practices into its operations.”

    Further reading, Asics says its new sneaker offers the lowest CO2 emissions of any brand.

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  • Pernod Ricard taps banks to review of Australian, NZ wine business

    Pernod Ricard taps banks to review of Australian, NZ wine business

    Wine and spirits producer Pernod Ricard has hired Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan for a strategic review of its Australia and New Zealand business.

    Sales of the unit may be expected by late October, the Australian Financial Review reported. The company’s portfolio includes the Jacob’s Creek, St Hugo, and George Wyndham brands in Australia and the Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh brands in New Zealand.

    The AFR said the Jacob’s Creek brand could be expected to draw significant attention.

    In 2019, the Paris-listed company attempted to put a portfolio of its wine brands including Jacob’s Creek for sale, with the help of the two investment banks. The unit, which at that time was estimated to be valued at $1 billion, attracted interest from Accolade Wines, PAI Partners, Penfolds, Treasury Wine Estates, KKR, and TPG Capital.

    The AFR noted that Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan may remove Accolade Wines, owned by The Carlyle Group, from potential buyers this time as it faces a huge debt and has tapped Rothschild & Co for refinancing options.

    Pernod Ricard’s Australian and New Zealand business booked a 13 percent increase in net sales to €12.14 billion in the last financial year. Its assets include Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Jameson whiskeys, Absolut and Wyborowa vodkas, and Pernod and Ricard labels.

    Pernod Ricard’s strategic review comes as another wine company, Australian Vintage, launched a strategic review for its business due to economic pressures it faces.

    The report added that Accolade has sold its House of Arras sparkling wines brand and vineyards, and the Bay of Fires winery and cellar door in Tasmania to Handpicked Wines for an undisclosed amount.

  • New WhatsApp beta on TestFlight includes WhatsApp Beta for iPad

    New WhatsApp beta on TestFlight includes WhatsApp Beta for iPad

    Popular messaging app WhatsApp has never offered an app for the iPad. Instead, iPad users who want to use the platform are forced to use the web version of WhatsApp using a mobile browser. That’s because in the beginning, there wasn’t a separate iPadOS operating system for the tablets and WhatsApp didn’t work with the iPad.

    From time to time, there have been several false starts, including a couple of years ago when Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg (Meta owns WhatsApp) and WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart discussed a possible iPad app for WhatsApp in a group chat.

    Per WABetaInfo, the latest version of the WhatsApp Beta (version 23.19.1.71), available only from Apple’s TestFlight, is compatible with the iPad. You will have to be a member of the WhatsApp for iOS official beta program on TestFlight to install WhatsApp on your iPad. Once you install it, you will need to scan a QR code using your iPhone. The app will then download all of your conversations, and you’ll be able to send and receive messages on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

    Once the app is installed on the iPad, users will be able to use WhatsApp on their Apple tablets regardless of whether their iPhone is nearby or not, even if the devices aren’t sharing the same Wi-Fi signal. The WhatsApp app for iPad is limited in that you cannot open a new WhatsApp account from it, similar to the version of WhatsApp made for the desktop. It offers more content on the screen thanks to the larger displays.

    It isn’t known when the public will get access to this app and as we said, the Beta is available only from Apple’s TestFlight, so there is limited availability. But that will change as soon as WhatsApp for iPad becomes available in the App Store.

    We should point out that WhatsApp’s sibling, Instagram, also does not offer an app for iPad. Both WhatsApp and Instagram were purchased by what was then known as Facebook in February 2014, and April 2012 respectively.

  • Starbucks opens 100th store in Vietnam

    Starbucks opens 100th store in Vietnam

    Starbucks Vietnam celebrated its 10-year journey in the country with the grand opening of the 100th store in Lotte Mall West Lake in Hanoi on Saturday.

    Located in a new entertainment and shopping complex in Hanoi, the 100th store is designed to pay homage to the beautiful natural environment through a selected blue accent colour and a warm material palette.

    In February 2013, Starbucks marked its footprint in Vietnam by opening its first store in Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, it has steadily expanded its presence and now operates in nine cities and provinces across the country.

    According to an August report by iPOS.vn on Vietnam’s F&B market in the first six months of 2023, the market displayed strong volatility, with most businesses either witnessing a decrease in revenue or maintaining similar figures compared to the same period the previous year. However, many businesses remain optimistic about a market turnaround.

    A survey of 200 restaurant and cafe owners indicated that 40.1% of F&B businesses anticipate positive signals in business activities in the second half of 2023. This shows, despite certain challenges, Vietnam is still regarded as a “fertile land” for international brands in the F&B sector.

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  • Capital Elite attracts South Korean investors

    Capital Elite attracts South Korean investors

    Capital Elite is a popular investment destination for Korean investors due to its prime location in Hanoi’s new CBD and diverse entertainment and leisure areas.

    The Vietnamese real estate market is attracting South Korean investors due to rapid infrastructure development, reasonable property pricing, and potential value appreciation.

    The proportion of foreign individuals interested in Vietnam’s real estate is increasing, with a particular focus on Korean investors.

    According to The Chosun Ilbo, Vietnam is the second most popular destination for real estate investment among Korean investors.

    Experts point out that it primarily stems from the high-profit potential and high-quality products, coupled with the participation of reputable developers, which have contributed to driving the investment trend. The relaxation of Vietnam’s housing law is also making it easier for foreigners to purchase property.

    Furthermore, the attractive market prices are a crucial factor in drawing the attention of Korean real estate investors.

    According to Le Thi Hang, CEO of Indochine Real Estate, with the same amount of money, they can purchase three high-quality apartments in Vietnam instead of investing in one apartment in their home country. This allows them to diversify their investment portfolio.

    Moreover, rental yields in Vietnam are quite favorable. Continuous infrastructure growth also brings excellent price appreciation potential to the real estate market.

    Renowned for their culture and lifestyle that leans towards apartment living, up to 79% of Korean customers opt for premium high-rise condominiums in major urban centers.

    One of the luxury apartment projects in Hanoi, Capital Elite is capturing the attention of the Korean community.

    Not only does Capital Elite boast a prime location right on Pham Hung Street, one of the most rapidly developing thoroughfares, but it also sits at the heart of the new CBD, the new economic hub of Hanoi, which is home to major administrative centers, headquarters of large corporations, and a variety of entertainment and leisure areas.

    As a result, residents enjoy seamless connectivity to a plethora of educational, healthcare, entertainment, and government facilities in the area, all within just a few minutes’ commute, making it a perfectly integrated living space.

    The My Dinh area is also a hub for a substantial expatriate community in the capital city. Capital Elite serves as one of the ideal destinations to meet the rising demand of Korean nationals living and working in Vietnam, a number that increases each year.

    Especially in the My Dinh-Me Tri urban areas, there is a concentration of affluent Korean residents.

    With the growing demand for housing, workspace, and entertainment for this group, the potential for both rental income and property appreciation is on the rise.

    In addition to its favorable location, on-site amenities and living spaces are also factors that investors pay special attention to.

    With a collection of 36 exclusive amenities, including a shopping center, international restaurants, a luxurious sky bar, all-season swimming pools, a jacuzzi, and a premium gym and fitness center, Capital Elite aligns perfectly with the notion of enjoying the most extensive amenities when living in an apartment for Korean residents.

    Furthermore, the project’s abundant amenities, along with the fact that 100% of the apartments cover over 100 square meters and have 3 bedrooms, ensure that it meets the standards of even the most discerning Korean guests.

    For further information, contact the Development & Project Management Unit for Capital Elite on the first floor of the CT4 Vimeco Building, Nguyen Chanh Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.

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  • iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are now available for download

    iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are now available for download

    Apple has delivered on its promise from the Wonderlust event, and iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are ready for download. If you’re eager to upgrade to the latest iOS or iPadOS version, just follow these simple steps.

    Head over to Settings, tap on General, and select Software Update. From there, you can download the latest update. If you’re not in a rush to explore what iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 have to offer, you can simply let your iPhone or iPad handle the download in inactive hours, but make sure it’s while charging.

    If your battery is running low, it’s a good move to juice up your phone or tablet before diving into the update. Also, it’s a smart call to connect to Wi-Fi unless you want to be left wondering where all your mobile data went. After your iPhone or iPad gets that new OS update, it’s time to dive in and explore what’s new. But before you jump in, let’s take a quick peek at some of the coolest new features.

    iOS 17 brings in Contact Posters, which lets you decide how you want to show up on the other person’s screen when you call them. You can jazz it up by creating a full-screen calling card with a photo, emojis, and more.

    You can also explore Live Voicemail. When someone is leaving you a voicemail, their message gets transcribed to text on your lock screen in real time. After seeing what it’s all about, you get to decide if you want to answer the call.

    You can also leave a video message on FaceTime or quickly share contacts using NameDrop – bring your iPhone close to another iPhone. Plus, there’s an upgraded Private Browsing mode, better Autocorrect, and some fresh emojis thrown into the mix. For a full rundown of all the cool stuff iOS 17 has in store for your iPhone.

    Now, you can slap interactive widgets onto your iPad’s home screen, not just to peek at info but to play around with it too, right from those widgets. Plus, iPadOS 17 brings lock screen customization to your iPad, just like on the iPhone.

    The Health app is making its way to the iPad in iPadOS 17, making the most of that large screen and giving you a better look at all your health stats and data. If you’ve got an Apple Watch, sync it up with your iPad, and you’ll have all your health info right there on the bigger screen.

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