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|In this edition of Scam Share we’ll look at some of the most recent scams which have been reported by consumers across Scotland, including those related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Since the National Cyber Security Centre launched their Suspicious Email Reporting Service two months ago, they have received one million reportsfrom the public about scam emails. This has led to the removal of over 10,000 malicious URLs, over half of which were linked to cryptocurrency scams. If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to firstname.lastname@example.org
It’s more important than ever to make sure that you stay Scam Aware and that you share information about scams with vulnerable relatives or friends. If you are worried about a vulnerable individual who is at risk from phone scams, visit our website to apply for a free call blocker.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for information about the latest scams reported by Scottish consumers.
Stay safe while online at home and report all scams to Advice Direct Scotlandon 0808 164 6000. Report scam emails to the National Cyber Security Centre.Shut out ScammersDuring the nationwide Shut out Scammers campaign, run in partnership with Police Scotland from 15-26 June, a bogus trader was sentenced to four years in prison after targeting elderly and vulnerable householders in Ayrshire.
The scammer would knock on doors and claim to be a gardener or window cleaner, asking for money for services or repairs which were never completed.Find out about avoiding doorstep scams on our website and sign up to the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alert system to receive timely alerts about local crime prevention and safety issues from partners such as Police Scotland. If there are known rogue traders in your area, you will be alerted.
Unsolicited calls are one of the most popular methods used by scammers and unscrupulous businesses to reach people. Trading Standards Scotland is rolling out free call blocking devices to vulnerable individuals who are most at risk from scammers and rogue traders – find out more about call blockers and how to apply for a device on our website.Holiday ScamsAmidst continuing uncertainty about travel restrictions, banking industry body UK Finance has warned consumers to be wary of holiday scams, including fake caravan listings, refund offers and travel deals. Some of the scams to be aware of include: Fake listings for caravans/motorhomes at low prices on social media or auction sites. Potential buyers are told that they can’t view the caravan in person due to lockdown restrictions – the vehicle often doesn’t exist or isn’t delivered;
Scam calls, emails or fake posts on social media advertising holiday refunds. You may be asked to pay an upfront fee as payment for handling a refund claim;
Fake websites advertising cheap holiday deals. These can look similar to genuine websites, with similar URLs and ask for deposits for holidays which often don’t exist.
One Scottish consumer recently booked a holiday at a caravan park who unfortunately had their website hacked shortly afterwards. The consumer received an email asking for payment via bank transfer and they paid over £1,000 to scammers.
What to DoBe wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls or texts regarding holiday refunds. Never give any personal or financial details to a cold caller and don’t click on links in unexpected emails;If possible, pay for holidays and travel using a credit or debit card rather than via bank transfer. This will offer you more protection if you are a victim of fraud;If in doubt, contact your holiday provider via their official phone number or website.
The Take Five anti-fraud campaign has more advice for consumers on avoiding these holiday scams.
Remember that your consumer rights have not changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If you have been affected by any travel/accommodation cancellations and are unsure about your consumer rights, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or check their regularly updated COVID-19 consumer website for advice and guidance.
Find links to official advice about travel/accommodation on our website.Amazon Phone ScamPolice Scotland have recently received several reports from consumers who have had cold calls purportedly from Amazon Prime. In some cases, they are told that their subscription is due for renewal and that an automatic payment will be deducted from their bank account.Other calls say that a button has been clicked and that a payment is due as a result, but that the caller can help them secure a refund.
In both cases, the caller, who appears to be phoning from within Scotland, asked consumers to visit a website and download either software or an app in order to check their account. Downloading this software will grant the scammer access to your computer.
Amazon state on their website that they will NEVER call and ask you to install an app or ask for remote access to your computer. They advise that if you receive a suspicious call, email or text claiming to be from Amazon which asks for personal information, a payment, or offers a refund you don’t expect, you should not give out any personal information.
Scottish consumers should report scam calls to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through their website. If you have been the victim of fraud, report this to Police Scotland on 101.
Find out more about Amazon Prime scams and other streaming service scams on our website.BT Phone ScamSeveral Scottish consumers have recently received cold calls purportedly from BT saying that their line is going to be disconnected due to suspicious activity in their area and asking them to press 1 to speak to an advisor.One consumer pressed 1 and was connected to someone in an overseas call centre. Thankfully, they realised that it was a scam and immediately hung up.
Another consumer received an automated call saying that their BT bill was going to be increased and asking them to phone a number provided to discuss their account. The consumer was not with BT, so immediately ended the call.
BT have information on their website to help consumers recognise genuine communication from them and to avoid scam calls.
General Advice for Avoiding Phone ScamsDo not press 1 or follow any other instructions given in an automated messageIf you are speaking to a person, don’t give them any personal information, don’t agree to make any payments and never allow them to access your computer remotelyContact your bank immediately if you think you may have made a payment to a scammer or if you are worried that a fraudulent transaction has been made from your account. Use the phone number on your bank statement or a publicly listed number (don’t use a number given to you by a cold caller). To ensure that you are disconnected from the cold caller, phone another number such as 123 before phoning your bank or call them from another phone.Never agree to make a payment for goods or services on the spot – get at least two other quotes from trusted companies.Report scam calls to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through their website. If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101British Gas ScamAction Fraud have received over 2,500 complaints about scam British Gas emails, which lead to fake websites designed to harvest your personal and financial information.
The emails say that your gas service will be cut off if you don’t pay an outstanding bill and ask you to click on a link to make a payment.British Gas have information on their website about recognising genuine communications from them and avoiding phishing emails.
Report scam emails to the National Cyber Security Centre.Pension ScamsAs research from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pension Scams has found that it is increasingly likely that pension savers will be contacted by scammers via phone or online while at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the work and pensions committee has this week been called on to open a formal inquiry into pension scams.The Association of British Insurers (ABI) advises consumers not to respond to unsolicited calls, emails or texts about pension reviews and to check that a provider is authorised by the FCA before dealing with them.
Visit the Pensions Advisory Service website or the Government’s Pensionwise web page for free and impartial advice about pensions and visit the FCA’s Scam Smart website to find out more about avoiding pension scams.
Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland and if you have been the victim of fraud, report this to Police Scotland on 101.Life Insurance & Banking ScamsScottish consumers have recently received cold calls saying that they are due to receive a sizeable life insurance refund. They are asked to provide personal and financial details in order to process the payment.Age Scotland have also warned about banking scams after a man in his 80s from East Dunbartonshire almost fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam last month.
He received a call from his bank’s phone number, which had been cloned by scammers, and was told that there had been fraudulent transactions on his account. He was asked to transfer money to a new account and was given a new number and sort code. Thankfully, he was suspicious and contacted his bank independently – they verified that the original call had been a scam. You can listen to a discussion about this case in Age Scotland’s podcast.
Find out more about avoiding banking scams on our website.
Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland and if you have been the victim of fraud, report this to Police Scotland on 101.Update: HMRC ScamWe recently featured an HMRC scam targeting self-employed workers using the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. The text says that the recipient is eligible for a tax refund under the scheme and asks them to click a link which leads to a fake HMRC website where they are asked for personal and financial details.Griffin Law has reported this week that this scam has evolved and that those who click the link to the fake website are now being asked to enter their passport details as ‘verification’.
HMRC regularly update their list of genuine communications to help you avoid scams.
Find out more about avoiding HMRC scams and avoiding council tax scams on our website.Business ScamsA recent study by IBM has shown that almost half of those working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic are concerned about cybersecurity risks.
Companies across the UK continue to be targeted by scammers sending fraudulent emails requesting information and financial details related to Covid-19 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants. The emails claim to be from clients or employees of the business and may ask for account or business rate reference numbers for retail outlets.
The CTSI has also recently warned about legitimate-looking emails using UK Government branding, which say that the recipient has been awarded a business grant and asking them to click on a link to access the payment.
Employees working from home are particularly vulnerable to email fraud and should remain wary of unexpected emails which request private business information or payments, even if they appear to come from someone within the company.
What to DoThink about what you are being asked to do – if in doubt about financial transactions or changes to Direct Debits get a second opinion from a colleague or managerBe cautious when working from home if you receive cold calls offering tech support for your IT system. Only deal with your official IT support desk, if you have oneConfirm requests for payment or sensitive information with the person or company who has supposedly sent them, using contact information that you know to be correctRemember that scam emails and texts can look genuine and can appear to come from Government agencies, people within your organisation and trusted companiesReport scam business emails to the National Cyber Security Centre
The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) are running a webinar next week (8 July) aimed at mid-market firms, providing advice on defending themselves against new cyber risks. Business Gateway also have online tutorials about keeping your business safe online and cyber resilience.
Find more information about business scams and links to official guidance on our website.
|Illegal Money Lending UnitThe Money Advice Service have launched a new online Money Navigator tool to help people navigate their finances during the pandemic. It will provide personalised guidance to those who are facing financial difficulties and can point them to other organisations for further support.Loan sharks continue to target the most vulnerable people, particularly those who have been financially affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
If you feel that you have nowhere to turn, please remember that you are not alone.
The Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit’s free and confidential 24-hour hotline will remain open 7 days a week throughout the lockdown period – call 0800 074 0878 or fill out our online reporting form.


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January 13 2022
Youth Work Ireland National Office is looking to recruit a Finance Adminstrator.
December 09 2021
OUR Generation is launching Transgenerational Trauma Awareness Day on Wednesday 15th December 2021. The aim of the day is to raise awareness and expand the conversation around Transgenerational Trauma.
December 06 2021
Announcing our Nollaig Christmas Card winners for 2021.
November 24 2021
The fourth newsletter for the Erasmus+ and Leargas supported Retail Project is now available to download and read.
November 09 2021
Youth Work Ireland has this week released a new Sustainable Fashion Resource pack for youth workers and volunteers to support youth-led actions for more conscious consumption of fashion.
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Inflight200 has announced its release of 13 new 1:200 scale models. Release highlights include a Pan American World Airways Comet 4, Aeromexico DC-9-32, Air Europa B787-8 and Rossiya B747-400 featuring the “Amur Tiger Center” livery.
Nowadays the HNA Group appears to be everywhere. It was only formed in 2000 as a holding company for the, at the time, small carrier Hainan Airlines but is now one of the largest companies […]
August will certainly be a big month for JC Wings as the manufacturer has announced the release of 27 new models. A total of 14 1:200 scale models will be introduced as well as 13 […]
Collecting model airliners is a lot more fun with model airports and if you have a diorama or flughafen you are going to need ground service equipment (GSE) to make it look half realistic. GSE […]
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Hexagon AB, a leading global provider of design, measurement and visualisation technologies, announced today the acquisition of Vero Software, a world leader in Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.
Vero Software is a UK-based software company with a strong brand and proven customer satisfaction track record. Their software aids the design and manufacturing process with solutions for programming and controlling machine tools, addressing the rising challenge of achieving manufacturing efficiencies with high-quality output.
Several well-known brands in Vero Software’s portfolio include Alphacam, Cabinet Vision, Edgecam, Radan, SURFCAM, VISI, and WorkNC. The company has large market coverage with offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Brazil, Netherlands, China, Korea, Spain and India supplying products to more than 45 countries through its wholly owned subsidiaries and reseller network.
The acquisition strengthens Hexagon’s softwareofferings,providing the means toclosethe gapofmaking quality data fully actionablebyextending the reach ofthe newly developed MMS (metrology planningsoftware)to includeCAM (manufacturing planningsoftware).
"Together with its unique suite of manufacturing software solutions, Vero Software has the expertise, knowledge and resources to deliver even higher levels of productivity to our customers," said Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rolln. "Leveraging our global footprint, the synergies from our combined technologies will advance our strategy, supporting the growing need to integrate all data and processes across the manufacturing lifecycle."
Vero Software will be fully consolidated as of August 2014 (closing being subject to regulatory approval) and will positively contribute to Hexagon’s earnings. The company’s turnover for 2013 amounted to approximately 80 million EUR.


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ZigBee Alliance, an international association of different companies working towards creating standards for using IoT in various fields, announced that it was working with Thread Group to come up with an end-to-end solution related to the IP-based internet of things network. Going forward, this solution will become a part of the product development specifications, branding, technologies and other certification programs of ZigBee Alliance.
Both Thread Group and ZigBee entered into a liaison agreement in April 2015 to ensure that ZigBee’s application library could be brought under Thread Networking Protocol. They have evaluated the agreement thoroughly, and ZigBee Alliance has initiated the development procedure of a combined solution that can improve interoperability, streamline product development and enhance the overall consumer experience across a variety of good internet of things applications.
ZigBee Alliance will lend its support to Thread Group’s networking layer with the help of ZigBee Application layer. The prime objective of this association is to come up with a complete solution that can justify consumers’ expectations regarding IP-based low-power communication system in IoT and smart home markets during the 3rd quarter of 2016.
Experts believe that this solution will eliminate uncertainty and enhance the adoption of the internet of things technology by consumers and vendors. To spread the awareness about this new initiative, hundreds of ZigBee Alliance members are likely to be present at CES 2016 from January 6 through January 9, 2016, and spotlight ZigBee 3.0. You can click here and know more about it. Chris Godwin Womens Jersey


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Tag: user created
Phil Hassey's great Dynamite Jack game arrived on Steam and the Mac App Store a little while ago, but Phil told us back at GDC this year that he's been planning an iOS release. This week, that finally happened, and Dynamite Jack is now available on the iPad. The game's a 2D stealth affair,...
Ever since I first played Sketch Nation Shooter back at GDC, this is what I've been waiting for -- a chance to see what the masses are doing with this wacky little game creation tool on the iPhone. In the app, players can make up their own graphics and assign their own rules to enemies and items...
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NEW DELHI / MOSCOW : India and Russia are discussing a free trade agreement (FTA) India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on Monday, a move that would further deepen bilateral commercial ties that have flourished since war broke out in Ukraine.
India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar told at India-Russia Business Dialogue in New Delhi that his government was in “advance agreement” on a trade treaty that Russia’s Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov said would bring a guarantee of bilateral investment.
India has not explicitly criticised Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – which Moscow describes as a “special military operation” – and has called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue.
Russia, a traditional defence equipment supplier, also displaced Iraq last month to become India’s top supplier of crude oil. Overall Indian imports from Russia increased almost fourfold to $46.33 billion in the year to March 31.
Moscow was looking to increase machinery imports from India to improve the trade balance, Manturov said.
“We need to find a niche in the products which India can replace,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the event. “In civilian projects, we need as wide cooperation as it was before the sanctions.” he said.
Reuters reported in November that Russia was potentially seeking to import more than 500 products from India for key sectors including cars, aircraft and trains, as western sanctions undermine Moscow’s ability to keep core industries operating.
India too aims to narrow its growing trade deficit with Russia, which has been India’s largest supplier of military equipment for decades and is the fourth-biggest market for Indian pharmaceuticals.
Jaishankar said Indian business could benefit from Russian technology and that New Delhi was working to iron out payments, certification and logistics issues.


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Private equity company Actis is in talks with Isuzu Motors for exiting automobile company Swaraj Mazda. According to sources, though Actis has been looking to exit for quite sometime, the deal is stuck over difference in valuation.
Actis holds 5.6 per cent in Swaraj Mazda, while Sumitomo Corporation of Japan and Isuzu own 54.9 per cent and four per cent, respectively.
Actis holds more than 0.8 million Swaraj Mazda shares worth around Rs 33 crore (Rs 3.3 billion) as per Wednesday's share price. It is yet to be ascertained what valuation Actis expects for its stake.
A spokesperson at Actis said, "As a matter of policy, we do not comment/react to market speculation." Mail sent to Gopal Bansal, executive director, Swaraj Mazda, did not elicit any response.
Swaraj Mazda shares on Wednesday closed at Rs 411.8 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
According to BSE data, in September, other major shareholders in Swaraj Mazda include Reliance Capital Trustee (8.76 per cent) and CDC Financial Services Mauritius (6.72 per cent).
According to a source in the know, there is a strong possibility for Isuzu to increase its stake in Swaraj Mazda.
"Isuzu wants to strengthen its Indian presence through Swaraj Mazda with which it has a technical collaboration. There are two possibilities in front of Isuzu, either acquiring a controlling stake in Swaraj Mazda from Sumitomo or buying stake from other minority shareholders. They are ready to pay around Rs 600-620 per share," he said.
An analyst, who tracks Swaraj Mazda, said, "There is a minimal growth in Swaraj Mazda's performance in the past years. They are expecting to improve capacity utilisation in future on the backdrop of collaboration with Isuzu. Currently, they are using 50 per cent of the capacity. There is no scope for Actis to hold the stake in long term."
In 2009-10, Swaraj Mazda reported a turnover of Rs 716 crore and a profit after tax of Rs 22 crore.
In April 2010, Actis, which had 17 per cent stake in Swaraj Mazda, did not participate in the company's rights issue of Rs 80 crore, which lowered its stake to 12 per cent.
Swaraj Mazda, which manufactures vehicles for goods and passenger applications, was set up in 1984 as a three-way joint venture between Punjab Tractors, Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan, and Sumitomo Corporation. In 2005, both Punjab Tractors and Mazda Motor Corporation offloaded 15 per cent stake each in favour of Sumitomo.
Last year, Sumitomo raised its stake to 53.5 per cent by buying the entire equity holding of Punjab Tractors in the company.


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Vacuum plant to expand to Tennessee
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — TTI Floor Care North America, the maker of Hoover, Dirt Devil and Oreck vacuum cleaners, is expanding its Tennessee plant and plans to double its work force at the facility over the next five years.
Company and state officials announced Monday that the plant will add 211 jobs in Cookeville as it moves production capacity from China and Mexico.
Simon Lawson, the president of TTI Floor Care North America, cited the skilled workers and the plant's central locale for selecting it for the expansion.
TTI bought the plant and brand from Oreck after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year.
The company makes upright and handheld vacuums, carpet washers and hard floor cleaners. Hong Kong-based parent company TTI's other brands include Milwaukee, AEG and Ryobi power tools.


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Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson has launched legal action against rival manufacturer Vax, claiming the design of its Mach Zen vacuum cleaner (pictured) is an infringement of the registered design of its first "bagless" Dyson cylinder vacuum, launched 15 years ago.
The company's founder and inventor James Dyson said the Chinese-owned rival had "flagrantly copied" Dyson's iconic design and pledged to set a precedent on behalf of all designers.
"Vax's Chinese owners have flagrantly copied a Dyson design,” Dyson said. “We defend our intellectual property and design rights, protecting our inventions and setting a precedent on behalf of other designers. After all, plagiarism is a form of theft."
Vax declined to comment on the legal proceedings, which are likely to lead to a high court hearing.
In 2006, Dyson succeeded in its claim against Qualtex for selling vacuum cleaner parts that infringed Dyson's design rights. The Chinese manufacturer that produced certain parts for Qualtex was found to have copied the visual design of some of Dyson's spare parts. Following the win, £100,000 (approx. U.S. $161,000) was donated to the Royal College of Art to help young designers protect their designs.
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Entries in 'humble bundle' (21)
Charitable games bundle platform Humble is expanding into development of its own titles.
Digital retailer Humble Bundle has been forced to let 12 of its staff members go, after the firm’s CEO admitted it had attempted to grow too quickly.
Charity retailer Humble Bundle is now offering monthly games bundles to those who sign up for a subscription.
Humble Bundle has updated its storefront to vastly increase the number of charities patrons can choose to support when purchasing games.
In theory, game bundles sound like a great idea. Companies get their titles out in front of thousands of people who might not have given them a second look otherwise. ...
The unfortunate region lock situation surrounding Nintendo's Humble Nindie Bundle promotion is something the company hopes to change, a Nintendo of America rep claims.
Nintendo has partnered with Humble for its first ever Humble Bundle promotion to feature Wii U and 3DS titles.
Fomer Infinity Ward creative strategist Robert Bowling has joined Humble Bundle as the company's new VP and creative director.
Curve Digital is releasing its next PC game exclusively on the Humble Store for a limited time.
Humble Bundle has launched the latest version of its Humble Widget sales tool, with a new feature that allows developers to offer playable browser-based demos of games.
A Humble Bundle consisting of Star Wars-themed games, released to raise money for Unicef, has already topped $1m in sales.
Humble Bundle has announced that its digital distribution platform has raised more than $50m for charities, while participating developers have grossed more than $100m between Humble's bundle and storefront promos.
Humble Bundle's in-house port team has ported more than 100 games to the Linux platform, the company announced today.
Hot on the heels of curated lists on the Steam store, Humble Bundle has followed suit with a venture of its own.
Humble Store customers have generated more than $1m in charitable contributions with their purchases, Humble Bundle organizers have announced.
Digital distributor 7 Entertainment has been found to be reselling PC keys obtained from Humble Bundle.
Codemasters has pulled in a cool $1m this week, thanks to the UK studio's Humble Weekly Sale promotion.
Popular PC games discounter Humble Bundle has gone live with its new dedicated storefront.
Once a platform dedicated to providing great indie bundles for charity, the Humble Bundle has of late featured games from some of the biggest game developers, including THQ and EA. ...
Electronic Arts is giving a slice of the cash raised by its current Humble Bundle to UK games industry charity GamesAid.
The latest Humble Bundle has become the fastest selling in the charity’s history.


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There are three new millionaires in Ireland, as three lucky players were able to win big in the special EuroMillions raffle event that was conducted on Friday, February 3rd, 2023.
The EuroMillions draw’s special raffle that was held on Friday guaranteed that a total of 100 new people would become millionaires across the nine countries that were participating in it.
The United Kingdom, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Austria and Ireland were the nine countries that participated in the special raffle.
Each of the 100 winners in the special raffle draw were guaranteed to win a prize of €1 million.
Unfortunately, there was no one who was able to win the jackpot in the EuroMillions draw that took place on February 3rd, Friday.
However, there were about 76,000 players in Ireland who were able to scoop up prizes in both the EuroMillions as well as the EuroMillions Plus draw.
These include the three punters who were able to win €1 million in the special EuroMillions Raffle draw. The next morning, the National Lottery revealed the locations of the three players.
One of them was from Dublin, the other from Meath and the third one was from Donegal, all of whom landed €1 million in the raffle.
The National Lottery also confirmed that one of the tickets that won €1 million in the raffle prize in Dublin had been purchased online.
As for the other two winners from Meath and Donegal, they bought their tickets from retail stores and their locations will be disclosed in the next few days.
The National Lottery
A spokesperson for the National Lottery called onto all EuroMillions players from Ireland to take a look at their tickets to ensure they do not miss out on the big prizes after the draw on Friday night.
The spokesperson said that Friday night had been a great one for all Irish players who participated in the EuroMillions draw, as they were able to win three of the 100 guaranteed prizes in the special raffle.
The spokesperson said that they would give a few days to the winners of the €1 million prize to allow their win to sink in before they reveal the exact locations from where the tickets were bought.
They said that they were also looking forward to sharing the news of the big prizes with the retail locations that have sold the tickets.
The National Lottery said that there would be lots of celebrations when they reveal the local retailers and they were excited to do so.


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Nov 13, 2012 6:53 PM by Greg Boyce
Fort Carson will celebrate America Recycles Day with a household hazardous waste collection event on November 15.
The event is free, but open only to ID card holders from area military installations. That includes military service members and their families, Dept. of Defense civilians, defense contractors and retirees. It will happen at the old commissary, Building 1525 on Wetzel Avenue from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
A donation of non-perishable food items for Care and Share is also encouraged.
Participants can drop off unwanted and hazardous household products such as paints, stains, solvents, automotive products, lawn and garden products, and electronics and data media. These products, when improperly stored, create fire and poison hazards for pets, children and the environment and should be disposed of properly.
Many products used in the home, garden, garage and hobby shop contain hazardous chemicals that can potentially harm the user or the environment.
Anything marked "caution," "keep out of reach of children," "danger," "poison," "hazardous," "flammable," "harmful or fatal if swallowed," "causes severe burns on contact," "do not use near heat or flame," "vapor harmful," "eye and skin irritant," or "use in a well-ventilated area" should be considered hazardous.


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French streaming service Salto is to launch on the country’s DTT platform.
It follows approval Wednesday for the France Télévisions-TF1-M6 joint venture that will use the HbbTV platform.
Regulator CSA confirmed it had granted authorisation for Salto to launch on the TNT platform in a post on Twitter. It said Salto would be available to anyone who has connected their TNT/DTT box to the internet.
Last week cultural channel Arte launched its own streaming service on DTT after the CSA gave it permission to launch an experimental channel. It’s also using the popular HbbTV protocol.
“Today, 25% of French households only access television via TNT,” said Thomas Follin, CEO of Salto, in a statement. “This experimentation granted by the CSA as part of the modernization of TNT, will gradually allow them to access Salto directly on channel 51 of their television.”
The service will go live next week.


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4 December 2014 – Borneo Post
LABUAN: Franchise business opportunities or franchising can be an attractive entrepreneurial platform for entrepreneurs to start their ventures in the country.
Malaysia Malay Chamber of Commerce Labuan (DPMML) president Datuk Yussof Mohammad said franchising is one of the fastest ways to create entrepreneurs and increase the number of middle-class entrepreneurs.
“Owning a franchise would mean that the entrepreneur just needs to follow a set of systems set by the franchisors and would not need to invest substantial resources to build their brand or market presence.
It can be a cash-cow if done right,” he told Bernama Wednesday.
He said the cooperative bodies in Labuan must not be a mere observer but should venture into franchise chains.
“Franchising has a bright future due to the rapid development of the business model, coupled with the government’s various assistance schemes to assist the business community venturing into this sector,” he said.
He said Labuan is popular and its local produce have gained popularity among Chinese consumers.
“We have received a large volume of orders for our local products like ‘amplang’, ‘kuih cincin’ and fish tempura but our entrepreneurs are unable to cope with the large volume.
This will impede our efforts to develop our local entrepreneurs,” he said.
Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nadzri Osman said the cooperative sector has played a greater role in the national economy, being the third contributor to the country’s coffer.
Therefore, he said the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (CCM) is now focusing on a competitive business on a large scale to further develop the sector.
Mohd Nadzri said the 27 cooperative bodies in the duty-free island must actively involve in any of CCM’s business programme and business plans especially in the franchise industry.
“The franchise business has the potential to generate revenue to benefit the members and this must be taken into consideration,” he said at the ‘Enhancing of Cooperative Activities’ programme here Monday.
The programme was organised by CCM to brief members of the cooperative bodies in Labuan on the commission’s role and objectives as well as the potential business ventures.
Mohd Nadzri also presented a cheque amounting to RM60,000 to Sekolah Menengah Sains Labuan Bhd for its cooperative activities and programmes. — Bernama


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Yes, it's once again time for the latest guestimate on DriveClub's due date. So far we've had February, April and June as possible release dates for Sony long-delayed PS4 racers, but the latest source is now pointing to September.
This latest rumour comes from Amazon.com, which has updated its product listing for DriveClub with a release date of September 30th.
Of course, it's more than likely just a placeholder date for now, although users over on NeoGaf have reported receiving email notifications emphasising the delay, stating that their order won't arrive until early October.
We're still waiting for Sony to confirm DriveClub's release date, which is rumoured to be announced alongside the alleged reveal of Sony's VR headset at GDC this week.
The last we heard on DriveClub's release was that it was possibly coming out as soon as April, after an official Tweet supposedly slipped out. However, this seemed to good to be true, and while the possibility of it being released later in the year is hard to swallow considering it was meant to be a launch title, it would fall in line with Sony's statement that they went back to the drawing board.


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Knowing the biggest risks that usually cause new startups to fail can make the difference between your business sinking or swimming.
Whether it’s bad luck, bad timing, or a half-baked business model, there are many ways a startup can go wrong. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of new businesses fail in the first year.
Fortunately, some new research can shed some light on the biggest recent obstacles that have thwarted startups.
Skynova, which makes invoicing software for small businesses, surveyed 492 startup founders in November 2022 and analyzed startup data from CB Insights for a new study that looks at the most common reasons startups fail in 2022.
- Lack of financial resources or investors. The study notes that 47 percent of startup failures in 2022 were due to lack of funding, nearly double the percentage that failed for that reason in 2021, according to data from CB Insights.
- Lack of liquidity was behind 44% of failures. While this could be the result of poor financial planning, it could also indicate a lack of available funds.
Capital issues aren’t surprising given that fears of a potential recession, among other factors, have caused investment in North American startups to drop 63 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to a recent Crunchbase report.
Anyone looking to start a new business in 2023 may face similar obstacles to funding as long as economic uncertainty persists.
- Impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. While 33 percent of startup failures are attributed to the pandemic’s widespread business and macroeconomic effects, CB Insights data shows that number is down from 59 percent last year — a sign that many small businesses are recovering from the worst. Epidemics have improved. In 2022, even as some were still trying to get back to normal.
Startup success advice from founders
While no entrepreneur can guarantee success, the founders surveyed by Skynova had plenty of advice to offer anyone looking to take the leap and start their own business.
When asked what they wish they had done differently when starting their business, 58 percent of founders surveyed said they would have done more market research before launching. The same percentage said they wished they had prepared a stronger business plan.
This is in line with the recommendations of the US Small Business Administration, which notes on its website that a solid business plan is critical to the success of your startup and can act “like a GPS for how you structure, operate and grow your new business.”
It’s also important to be able to think on your feet and make necessary changes if your plans don’t work out as you’d hoped. When asked to give their top advice to aspiring founders, 79 percent of people surveyed by Skynova told those aspiring entrepreneurs to “learn from your mistakes.”
It seems they speak from experience, as 40 percent of the founders surveyed said they had already focused their startups in a way to avoid failure. And 75 percent of them said rotation helped them succeed.
The most common types of pivots mentioned by founders are making changes to their business plans or launching a new product or improving an existing product.
Recognizing that your startup is on the path to failure and successfully turning it around to avoid disaster is a skill that every successful entrepreneur can use. In fact, failure to pivot is one of the most common reasons startups fail, according to CB Insights.
“Shark Tank” investor Kevin O’Leary previously told CNBC Make It that his losing investments often have one thing in common: startup founders who either can’t or won’t make changes. If necessary. In many cases, these founders simply refuse to admit that their original business plan needs updating to survive.
“They can’t get out of their own way,” O’Leary said. “They don’t listen to anybody else.”
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Friday, October 14, 2016 4:46 pm
Smile Communications, Nigeria’s and West Africa’s premier 4G LTE mobile broadband service provider, recently recorded another milestone as it formally upgraded to full blown telecommunication operations in the country.
At a well attended unveiling ceremony which took place at Regency Hotel based on Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja, Lagos, the company announced its arrival as a bigger fish in the ever widening ocean which the Nigerian telecom market is.
No other person could have been more suited to declare the epochal development than the company’s chairman, Dr. Ernest Obiejesi who gleefully declared, “Today, we are here to expand the frontiers of telecommunication as we offer Super Fast and Super Clear services to our customers. In our three years of operation, Smile has provided 24 hours support for videos calls which was rather a problem in Nigeria previously”, adding, “Our network is compactable with the latest 4GLTE devices and we will keep upgrading to meet up as new devices get into the market”.
By this development, like the Mrs. Lolade Sonubi, the company’s Head of Marketing disclosed, Smile Communications is no longer just an internet services provider (ISP) but a full fledged telecom company.
The tripartite event also saw Smilecom unveiling Nigeria’s foremost on air personality and ace comedian, Mr. Steve Onu aka Yaw as its brand ambassador as well as launching its 0702SMILE advert campaign.
While announcing the upgrade under the company’s number range 0702SMILE and its starter pack christened “SMILE 4G LTE Super Value STARTER PACK”, Managing Director of Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Godfrey Efeurhobo described the epoch as another bold step by the company to not only remain a pioneer in the sector but also to further differentiate itself in the market.
According to him, having pioneered the deployment of 4G LTE technology, his company’s operations and services were already tried and tested, regardless of whatever claim its competitors might make.
Said he, “We were the first in West Africa to deploy the 4G LTE technology with guaranteed HD voice and video at the speed of light, hence our credo of delivering Super Fast broadband and Super Clear voice services”, adding that the O702SMILE package being introduced is uniquely one plan for data, voice and sms and it is coming with the best value proposition which he said was a demonstration of the company’s commitment to its numerous customers.
Elucidating further on the milestone, Mrs. Lolade Shonubi, Head, Marketing, described the development as the second phase in Smile Communications’ stride in Nigeria, saying, “…We were micro for five to six years in the market but this development marks the second phase in our stride and it is aimed at delivering compelling and innovative value proposition to Nigerians, by providing them with access to Super Fast and Super Clear voice and video services”
Shedding more light on the value proposition, she explained that the offering is pioneering, aspirational, and life-enhancing – across all ages and socio-economic strata; and in view of the fact that the starter pack is one bundle which allows the customer to do voice, video, streaming, gaming, etc, with freedom to choose with his/her money and yet coming at 8kobo per seconds, she concluded that it is not only pocket friendly but it is real value for money.
While commenting on the new brand ambassador, the Chairman of the company, Dr. Obiejesi, disclosed that the choice of Yaw was informed by his company’s goal of making Nigerians get and gain more from its services.
Said he, “Our ambassador is ideal for our brand essence and resonates well with our target; he represents our virtues of trust worthiness, reliability, versatility, ingenuity, innovativeness humility, strength and friendliness all of which have stood him out of the crowd”.
In the meantime, the campaign materials which were also unveiled at the event have copies for both print and broadcast media with the commercials coming in Nigeria’s major languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
This, Mr. Efeurhobo said was a deliberate attempt to “localize our brand and connect with our customers across cultures in the country


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Host Jack Schmidt chats with Mr. D’s owner Michelle Motherway on this week’s Fremont Local Food Hub Podcast.
The two discuss the state of food in Fremont County, how a local grocery store owner can compete against major chain stores, and getting locally grown produce onto store shelves.
Motherway recently hosted a Ted Talk, which you can watch by CLICKING HERE.
The Fremont Local Food Hub Podcast is recorded in the Porter’s 10Cast Studio. It’s produced by Jerrad Anderson at County10.com.
Today’s show is made possible by Lost Wells Cattle Company!


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Exactly what is CBDa? CBDa is a raw cannabis compound (called a cannabinoid) receiving considerable media attention for the new discovery its health benefits which include inhibiting the spread of cancer cells.
When the cannabis plant grows, its produces THCa and CBDa. CBDa is the acidic precursor of CBD. So when you heat CBDa, you get CBD. CBD is the non-acidic form of CBDa and has been getting significant attention in the news for its ability to treat intractable epilepsy, especially in children. More research is necessary to find out if CBDa may also offer similar efficacy like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and dystonia.
Here is link to eBay:


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A three-day summit this week will tout Michigan as a center of advanced automotive technology. The event aims to be Detroit's answer to Las Vegas' CES.
KC Crain, group publisher of Automotive News, has been named president of parent Crain Communications Inc. after longtime President Rance Crain, 78, sold his 50 percent stake in the family business.
KC Crain, group publisher of Automotive News, has been named president of parent Crain Communications after a change in the company's family ownership structure.
Daimler facing emissions-violations probe in Germany; China accelerating switch to EVs; Korea gets look at new Kia Stonic; KC Crain named president of Automotive News parent.
After acquiring 18 stores last year, Lithia Motors CEO Bryan DeBoer said the dealership group plans to grow at the same pace in 2017.
NADA is made up of mostly standalone dealers that long ago realized they were much stronger together. This industry association is one of the most powerful groups in America.
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As the United States economy re-opens to varying degrees across the country, most small businesses are left with very few options to stay afloat.
According to a recent survey, the COVID-19 pandemic could close half of U.S. small businesses within six months, further endangering millions of American jobs. Running out of capital and time, the small businesses that are left standing are in dire need of help.
Government loans not reaching target
On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed in an attempt by the government to mitigate the effects of this crisis.
Aimed at helping business owners, the $669 billion small-business loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided a glimmer of hope for many small entrepreneurs seeking immediate financial assistance.
Although many businesses have benefited from the initiative, the vast majority were left out because of issues such as delays, shortage of funds, strict requirements, and so on. In fact, during the first round, just 5% of small businesses received their PPP loans.
While entrepreneurs may choose to avail other SBA loan programs such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Express Loans, or Express Bridge Loans, these alternatives come with certain limitations and restrictions of their own.
Small businesses in the US account for 99.7% of all employers and from 2000 to 2017 have created more than 65% of the new jobs.
They are the backbone of this country and are now being ignored in favor of big corporations. These businesses need support, now more than ever.
Regulation Crowdfunding, a new funding option
One funding alternative that has been growing rapidly is Regulation Crowdfunding. Reg CF is an online offering of private companies' securities that allows non-accredited investors (earning under $200K, with less than $1 million in assets) to invest in businesses they like and they want to support.
Simply put, small businesses can raise small amounts of capital from a large pool of retail investors through crowdfunding via specialized platforms.
Having been formalized in 2016, Reg CF is relatively new but it has so far helped thousands of businesses to raise over $367 million in capital.
It is growing in popularity because it allows startups to raise capital without giving up control to venture capital investors. It also offers investors the opportunity to earn equity or returns on investments if the company is successful.
In addition to providing the growth capital to small businesses, Reg CF also gives entrepreneurs access to a community of investors who may eventually become brand ambassadors, continuously promoting your products and services to their own base, for free.
In response to COVID-19
To support businesses affected by the pandemic, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has made some recent changes that would expedite the offering process for eligible companies. These temporary changes are set to provide relief from certain rules with respect to the timing of a company's offering and the financial statements required.
In May, the SEC announced that small entrepreneurs who launch their offerings between May 4th and August 31st, 2020 will be able to raise funding for their business faster and easier.
Previously, launching a regulation crowdfunding offering required issuers to submit self-certified financial documents, if the amount sought was below $107,000. Based on the temporary new guidelines, issuers may now launch their crowdfunding campaign and raise up to $250,000 without presenting reviewed financials but only self-certified financials.
An issuer can also now collect the funds raised through its crowdfunding campaign immediately after the minimum amount is reached and don't have to wait 21 days to disburse funds.
Keep the Light On Campaign
Capitalizing on the new regulations, the crowdfunding platform TruCrowd Inc. (TCI) has joined forces with TruCrowd Services' (TCS) digital marketing agency RegAboost to launch a campaign that would help small businesses raise capital amid this crisis.
The initiative, called Keep The Light On, will allow qualified businesses to raise between $10,000 and $250,000 through loan-based crowdfunding or equity crowdfunding, without paying any upfront fees.
Through loan-based crowdfunding, companies can borrow money from small investors and pay them back a percentage of the revenue starting 2021. Meanwhile, through equity crowdfunding the company will raise capital in exchange for company equity.
Under #Keepthelighton, TruCrowd Inc. will host a company's crowdfunding campaign while RegAboost will engage the brand's audience with a comprehensive marketing strategy.
As a full-service marketing agency, RegAboost provides a necessary edge to businesses by building their campaign page and video and advertising to the right audience.
Both TruCrowd Inc and RegAboost will offer all these services and more at zero upfront fees and discounted success fees for qualified businesses.
Who can benefit
Keep The Light On is currently prioritizing businesses from the most affected industries like: restaurants, salons, spas, shops, entertainment centers, and other small businesses impacted by the pandemic and who have a healthy follower and customer base.
In addition to these struggling businesses, this campaign is also seeking to help the "Angel Businesses" which are businesses that support the fight against COVID-19.
Qualified "angel" businesses and the struggling businesses affected by the crisis are encouraged to apply for funding directly on the campaign's website.
We are all in this together
Many have said that this current crisis is set to forever change the way we conduct business and live our daily lives.
We are just witnessing the early stages of the economic impact of the coronavirus. As we can not predict how this will all turn out, small businesses must explore every available option to raise the much-needed capital.
Equity crowdfunding provides a path for both investors and small businesses to survive and thrive in the new "normal" we all now face.


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Watford kit 2019/20: First pictures of new Watford shirt – home kit unveiled
Watford kits have been revealed ahead of the 2019/20 season – RadioTimes.com has all the details
Watford have wrestled their way into the specific group of mid-table teams who appear to be unconcerned with sides above and below them.
The Hornets have been led well by the under-the-radar Javi Gracia and will hope to go about their business in the new season with the same shrewd confidence as last time out.
Battlers like Troy Deeney simply know how to get the job done, while Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra have added a wildcard spark to their ranks.
RadioTimes.com brings you all the latest details about the new Watford kits for 2019/20.
Watford home kit 2019/20
Watford love a bold new look. They've gone from all-yellow to black panels to fades to stripes and back again.
More like this
Now the Hornets will be decked out in yellow and black halves with a red trim to match their badge.
Watford away kit 2019/20
Watford have gone for an all-navy away kit this season, with the three adidas stripes falling below the arm, rather than riding on top.
How to buy the Watford kit for 2019/20
You can buy the new Watford kit from numerous online and high street retailers in addition to the official Watford club shop and website.
Check out the latest prices for the Watford home kit on their official website.


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TORONTO - Martinrea International Inc. swung to a large loss in its recent quarter as automotive plant closures during the COVID-19 pandemic took a big bite out of its revenues.
The autoparts manufacturer says it lost $146.9 million or $1.84 per share in the second quarter, compared with net income of $28.1 million or 34 cents per share a year earlier.
The adjusted loss was $73.1 million or 91 cents per share, down from an adjusted profit of $54.6 million or 66 cents per share in the second quarter of 2019.
Revenues for the three months ended June 30 plunged 51.4 per cent to $460.6 million from $948.5 million in the prior year.
Martinrea was expected to report an adjusted loss of 74 cents per share on $420.8 million of revenues, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.
The company says it expects a strong third quarter as automakers replenish low vehicle inventories, with sales of $850 million to $950 million and adjusted earnings of 40 to 50 cents per share, including the newly acquired Metalsa, that will continue to be a drag on earnings for the rest of the year.


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The Impact of the Coronavirus on the Manufacturing Industry
Last January when we first started to hear reports about the novel coronavirus, few, if any of us, realized the changes that were to come — or that a year later we would still be living in an altered world, coping with the virus.
The global pandemic has brought change and uncertainty like nothing before to every industry across the globe, including the manufacturing industry.
Different Industries, Different Impacts
Some sectors within the manufacturing industry, such as manufacturers in the aviation industry, have experienced significant losses and declines, while others have seen increases in demand for their products, like those manufacturers that create goods connected to the spike in home improvements and repairs, as people look to fill their time while they remain at home.
Other manufacturers, still, have had to pivot and shift their priorities to manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, and other materials and equipment needed by the healthcare industry in their fight against COVID-19.
Government-mandated shutdowns have also had differing consequences on the industry. Some manufacturers have been forced to shut down their operations for extended periods of time, while others have been able to continue operations — although with new public health measures in place to safeguard their workforce while they continue to produce essential goods.
After the first wave of pandemic-driven shutdowns, recoveries in the manufacturing industry have been uneven. Some sectors are operating close to pre-pandemic levels while others continue to face decline. With the second wave of the virus currently underway, it is difficult to predict what will happen next for many sectors.
Overall, the economic recovery to reach pre-pandemic levels will most likely take some time. For example, Deloitte anticipates a decline in annual manufacturing GDP levels of 5.4% for 2021 in the United States.
With so much change and uncertainty in a short period of time, including strains on global supply chains, changes to daily operations, and declines in sectors that were once-booming, the manufacturing industry looks completely different than only a year ago.
Even when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, hopefully later this year, it will leave behind a changed economic landscape for manufacturers.
Changes to Human Capital & Labor
One of the biggest changes manufacturers have seen is a change to their workforces, and the daily operations of their workforce. While many businesses were able to successfully move to remote-working at the start of the pandemic, the manufacturing industry was not as it requires workers to be on-site to produce goods.
Many manufacturers, especially in the early months of the pandemic, unable to have their staff work-from-home under government-mandated shutdowns to reduce the spread of the virus were forced to close shop and lay-off workers.
A significant dip in manufacturing employment levels, largely due to these forced shutdowns in the early days of the pandemic, as well as to changes in demand and supply, was seen in 2020. April 2020 recorded the manufacturing industry’s lowest employment levels in the United States since 2010.
As manufacturers have been allowed to re-open and the economy has begun to recover, many workers have been re-hired, but employment levels are still lower than they were pre-pandemic.
Once manufacturers were allowed to operate again — or those producing essential goods who were never shut down in the first place — major changes had to be implemented to their daily operations to ensure the ongoing safety of their staff.
While some front office staff have been able to move to flexible and remote working arrangements, most manufacturing staff must be on-site for their shifts. New health and safety standards, including increased sanitation, mandatory PPE, social distancing, and barriers between work stations have had to be implemented.
Many plants have changed schedules and separated shifts to accommodate for physical distancing rules. Some manufacturers have reported an increase in hiring temporary employees to fill crews as they have had to separate shifts to reduce interaction. Others have had to move around their staff as their operations shifted to manufacturing essential goods only.
Changes not only in staffing levels, but to how employees carry out their jobs every day has been a major change for manufacturers. Until vaccines are fully distributed, manufacturers will have to continue to ensure that their first priority is the health and safety of their workers, meaning these changes will be in effect for many months yet.
To better manage their operations, many manufacturers have invested in, and will continue to rely on, automation technologies like autonomous materials movement and the industrial internet of things (IIoT) to decrease worker density and distance between workers throughout their plants. This will have a huge and lasting impact on the industry and will increase the move towards Industry 4.0.
Opportunities for Manufacturers
The global pandemic has sped up the shift to domestic production for all types of manufacturing, as countries across the globe want to ensure that they are able to produce vital goods for their own consumption.
A shift towards local economies has been underway in the last few years due to international trade tensions, and other related factors, but the pandemic appears to be speeding up this change. The manufacturing industry is expected to see more ‘reshoring’ of manufacturing operations, and the building of new factories, including the revitalizing of older plants, is a trend that is expected to continue over the next few years.
But it is anticipated that many of these new factories will not look like manufacturing operations of old — expect smaller, more automated operations that are able to adjust their production lines quickly as demand shifts.
This, in turn, will create opportunities for other smaller, custom manufacturers, especially for those that manufacture automation components, and “integrators” who put together automated systems.
The shift to more domestic production is a big opportunity for manufacturers of all sizes, and one that manufacturers should prepare to take advantage of.
Challenges for Manufacturers
The pandemic continues to create challenges for manufacturers that serve industries that have seen major downturns during the pandemic. The decrease in global travel and the slump in energy production caused by the pandemic has led manufacturers that are reliant on these industries to have to reconfigure their operations — or close up shop.
Some specialist manufacturing companies that are heavily tied to these struggling industries are looking at how they can reconfigure their products and processes for other, more profitable markets. As a part of that move toward diversification, manufacturers also need to look ahead, identifying categories that are likely to outperform in a new economy.
Liquidity continues to be a challenge for many manufacturers as well in the current economy. In some cases, projections of when things may return to normal have proven overly optimistic, and it’s important for manufacturers to plan for the possibility that the current disruptions may continue longer than expected. Adding to these challenges is uncertainty about further government stimulus in 2021 and beyond.
Manufacturers need to keep a close eye on their financials and manage their operations as best they can to keep their operations running through lean times.
Supply chains also continue to be a persistent problem for manufacturers. Early on in the pandemic, there was a huge amount of supply chain disruption, as manufacturers across the globe were affected by the pandemic and government-imposed restrictions on their operations.
While some of this has subsided as the world has learned how to effectively keep operations safe and open, supply chains continue to be more fraught than they were pre-pandemic.
The early days of the pandemic saw many manufacturers create ‘war rooms’ that brought together demand-and supply planners to manually share updates in real-time. Now many manufacturers have learned to rely on technology that allows them to automate their processes to gain greater visibility and real-time understanding of activities across a complex supply network, making it easier for them to manage their supply chains.
How Should Manufacturers Respond In the Short-Term?
As manufacturers move ahead in a changing landscape, they must adapt to multiple challenges, often by changing processes and practices that they have relied on for years. Technology solutions will play a big part in helping manufacturers keep costs down and operational efficiencies high, as well as making them better able to navigate the uncertainty that the next few months, and possibly years, will bring.
Many industries have had to change their business practices quickly: Amid the explosion in online shopping due to the pandemic meaning many retailers have had to quickly grow their online presence and find fast and efficient shipping options.
Manufacturers too must adjust to the changing business climate caused by the pandemic. Until the vaccine is fully distributed, plant closures (full or partial) could continue to be necessary for manufacturers in certain hard-hit regions. For companies worried about outbreaks, closures, business continuity, contingency plans, and keeping their staff safe, it is critical that they explore the use of automation technologies.
Automation, which can help protect workers’ health by minimizing contact with one another, will also help companies reduce labor costs further down the road.
Companies that have already started to embrace this new world of technology, like the IIoT have seen a 7% revenue growth advantage over their peers.
The economic and social downturn caused by COVID-19 will create a much deeper divide between manufacturers who have just started to digitize, and those who are much further along on their digital journey.
While small- to mid-sized manufacturers may not be able to invest in full-scale automation all at once, they can explore along the edges of their manufacturing processes, identifying one or two areas that can be automated and proceeding in a slower, but well thought out manner, to ramp up automation in their shops.
More traditional technologies can also help small- to mid-sized manufacturers. Systems like Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) systems can help manufacturers connect and integrate their manufacturing processes, making their shops more efficient.
ERPs, with their real-time data capabilities, are also able to help manufacturers manage some of their biggest challenges stemming from the pandemic, such as with supply chain management. Industry forecasters expect that the supply chain impact of COVID-19 will spur manufacturers’ spend on enterprise resource planning (ERP), to reach $14 billion in 2024.
2021 will vary for manufacturers depending on their sector and where they have felt the greatest impact from the pandemic.
Some will be pivoting their focus, trying to rebuild lost revenue streams, while others will be trying to keep their operations efficient amid the continuing effects of the pandemic.
But all manufacturers should continue to increase the agility of their operations. By continuing to invest in technology and automation solutions, manufacturers can set themselves up to be in the best possible shape to continue to weather the COVID-19 pandemic — plus put themselves in a better position once the pandemic has ended and the economic recovery is in full swing.
In all likelihood 2021 will be a tumultuous year, following in the footsteps of 2020. But by year’s end, hopefully, the worst of the pandemic will be behind us, and we can all continue to recover and move forward.
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“It’s the hardest thing in the world to go on being aware of someone else’s pain.” – Pat Barker
We’d have to add that it is even harder to teach children to go on bearing pain of lost loved ones to cancer. But turning that pain into good deeds is one of the most important lessons we can teach our children and ourselves.
We’re so proud of our Los Tweens Reporters today for joining superstar Matie Perroni and celebrity hair stylist Gabriel Samra on Despierta America to raise awareness for National Donate Your Hair Day and Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program. At an age where girls become increasingly aware of their looks, the tweens decision to donate their hair was not an easy one. But each girl had their own personal reason why they wanted to donate and knew it was for a great cause.
Here’s their hair donation story:
Starting bright and early! The girls prepared for their hair donation at the Univision studios.
Pantene captured a Vine video of the girls backstage…they weren’t nervous at all…yet!
Then it was time to pony up and they were in good hands with celebrity hair stylist Gabriel Samra. Time to go live! The girls are all set to donate their hair and the nerves are starting to kick in. Maite starts of the segment reminding everyone that National Donate Your Hair Day is September 7th. And then it’s time for the hair cutting to begin! With the help of Maite Perroni and Gabriel Samra, the girls made the leap or chop and donated not 3 but 4 pony tails (lots of hair to make two hair donations!). The girls were very proud and shared a message with Pantene’s Twitter fans:
Our girls did a great job donating their hair and now it’s your turn! Cut and donate your or your daughter’s healthy hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program to make real-hair wigs available at no-cost to women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments. Don’t have enough hair or unable to participate? You can still make a donation to the program.
See the entire Despierta America segment here.
For more information on the program, visit www.beautifullengths.com


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Ralph Lauren introduces the high performance, fashion-forward Polo Tech shirt that incorporates sensors to collect its wearer’s physiological data, which can then be accessed via a smartphone app. The polo shirt sports a sleek look in black with a signature yellow Polo Player logo.
Thanks to its technological innovation and second-skin fit that enhances comfort and agility, Ralph Lauren – the official outfitter of the U.S. Tennis Association tournament – will be dressing several ball boys in Polo Tech shirt to help the players track their biometrics and make adjustments in real time to their play, form and breathing.
“Ralph Lauren continues to be at the the cutting edge of fashion and culture,” said David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations. “Our goal is to create and reflect the ultimate lifestyle, and we believe that a healthy and active life is an essential part of that. Ralph Lauren is excited to help lead the industry in wearable technology in this ever-evolving, modern world.”


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For what seems like a lifetime, global shipping has been adrift. Swamped by the collapse of trade in 2008, seaborne shipments slowly gained steam over the following six years. Money was tight through this time, as the pre-recession heyday led to a long lineup of launchings that continued well beyond the crash. Vessel rates plunged, and price indexes for the industry remain low. Sounds very similar to the economy’s path. Is this the ‘new normal’ for maritime commerce?
Actually, conditions were brightening into 2014; it really looked like finally things were turning around. Then, at that very moment, in synch with the collapse of commodity prices at the mid-point of that year, shipping swooned again. One setback is enough, but a second can be debilitating – or worse. The Global Container Throughput Index went into a one-year funk. At the same time, the Baltic Dry Index went from bad to worse. The CPB world export index was smitten with the same scourge: exports were anemic for over a year.
Well, if we are right and global trade is making a comeback, if it’s not obvious in global shipping numbers, then we have a problem. Thankfully, things are looking up: worldwide container shipping volumes are up at a 5 per cent annualized pace since late 2015, a faster clip than at any point since the immediate post-recession rebound. The trend has been steady through June, and shows no sign of letting up. Vessel charter rates, well off pre-recession highs, have actually shown some life over the past 12 months.
Are all countries participating? Scan some of the larger ports in the US, and at first glance it doesn’t look too impressive. The Port of Long Beach, together with Los Angeles the largest US ports by far, is pretty flat this year. Other West Coast ports aren’t much better, and there are some eastern ones that also look humdrum. A second look reveals that in the largest ports, outbound traffic in general is down; shipping of US goods elsewhere isn’t that great. Look at the inbound, though, and it’s a different picture: smoothed data show a year-to-year increase of 7.4 per cent in container volumes. This illustrates the US market’s leading role in the global trade revival. First, US growth is ahead of the global average. Second, US demand is powering imports, driving export activity from other parts of the world.
Europe seems to be doing the same. Inbound maritime shipping is outpacing outbound at both Antwerp and to a somewhat lesser extent, Rotterdam. This suggests that pent-up demand in Europe is increasing its appetite for foreign-sourced goods. If sustained, this is an important development that bodes well for export-dependent emerging markets.
Is there proof on the flipside? Key markets suggest so. China has seen a notable increase in container activity, with Shanghai and Hong Kong together up 9.6 per cent on an annualized basis since early 2016. Shanghai is also handling record cargo volumes for the first time since 2013. China may finally be seeing the long-sought revival in external demand that will help it to manage down its surplus goods and industrial capacity.
The good news extends to regional bellwether Singapore. Shocked by a plunge in container shipments in mid-2015, the city-state is seeing surging shipments again. Non-oil cargo shipments are experiencing a similar trend, recently climbing close to new record levels. More ships than ever are passing through the port, with growth in arrivals recently in up-shift. South Korea is joining in the regional story, with the trajectory in outbound container traffic ratcheting up in recent months.
Back closer to home, Mexico has this year seen a strong upshift in outbound container traffic in tandem with the arrival of the new US Administration. Canada’s West Coast container traffic hasn’t seen a dramatic upshift, instead seeing more steady growth.
Global trade numbers corroborate the shipping data. The CPB index of exports shows developed and key emerging markets rising significantly in 2017. Business seems to be expecting this to continue, according to the latest expectations surveys.
The bottom line?
At long last, global shipping activity is on the rise. The good news is that there seems to be enough demand to sustain the growth. There is also easily enough capacity to keep things going for a long while. Anchors aweigh!


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Economy grows 0.6% for quarter
Published: Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 9:22 p.m.
WASHINGTON -The bruised economy limped through the first quarter, growing at just a 0.6 percent pace as housing and credit problems forced people and businesses alike to hunker down.
The country's economic growth during January through March was the same as in the final three months of last year, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The statistic did not meet what economists consider a definition of a recession - which is a contraction of the economy. This means that although the economy is stuck in a rut, it is still managing to grow, even if slightly.
Many analysts were predicting the gross domestic product (GDP) would weaken a bit more - to a pace of just 0.5 percent - in the first quarter. Earlier this year, some thought the economy would actually lurch into reverse during the opening quarter. Now, they say they believe that will likely happen during the current April-to-June period.
"The economy is weak but not collapsing,'' said Lynn Reaser, chief economist at Bank of America's Investment Strategies Group. "A recession can't be ruled out, although the stars are not lined up at this point to definitively say one way or the other.''
Gross domestic product measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States and is the best measure of the country's economic health.
Voters are keenly worried about the country's economic problems and so are politicians - in Congress, in the White House and on the campaign trail.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said the administration was disappointed in the figures. "This is nothing to crow about,'' she said. "It is very slow growth, but it is growth nonetheless.''
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February is the time to look for deals on winter clothes, mattresses and more
Between Valentine’s Day discounts and Presidents’ Day deals, February is a great month to find some steals, especially if your wallet is still recovering from Christmas overspending.
According to MarketWatch, a website published by Dow Jones & Co., to track the pulse of markets for investors, February is a great month to invest in a new mattress, outerwear, skis and snow gear and canned food. Yes, February is also National Canned Food Month, as well as the month we celebrate football, American Presidents and those we love.
Good night’s sleep
The three-day holiday weekends such as Labor Day, Memorial Day and Presidents’ Day often have chain stores touting good deals on mattresses. But a mattress is only good if it helps you get a better sleep, regardless of any deal. No one knows that better than the folks at Mattress Max in Vienna. Marietta residents and longtime small business owners Barbara Stewart and John Whistler have been in the business of helping customers obtain a good night’s sleep for more than a decade.
“My golden nugget of advice after 11 years is, spend time on the mattress, pay attention to whether or not the person helping you is really interested in your well-being and be willing to spend the money,” Stewart said.
You won’t find advertisements spouting the best deals in box springs at Mattress Max but Stewart said that you are making an investment in your health by doing your homework, regardless of the time of year.
“Whether it’s February or December, come and spend the time here. You won’t find high pressure. We want to get you the right mattress for your comfort level,” she said. “People don’t understand how much sleep impacts their lives.”
Shedding the winter clothes
With winter being a roller coaster ride of temperatures this year, there may be times already that you have felt like foregoing the winter coat. Retailers are feeling spring fever as well with coats, gloves, hats, scarves and other winter outerwear being marked down.
Belpre resident Heather Ray was shopping at Marietta Kmart recently and found winter coats hanging on racks between bathing suits and other warm weather wear.
“I am looking for new furniture so I will probably check out some deals this month, but today we’re just looking around,” she said.
Betty Beardsley, an associate at Kmart, said that the winter coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, etc., were deep discounted to make room for warm weather items.
“We don’t have a lot left at this point, they were marked down to half off,” she said. “February is definitely a good time to buy that kind of stuff.”
Electronic dos and don’ts
The big game is over but the best time to buy that big screen TV is now because retailers are trying to push the overstock out the door.
It is possible to find good TVs selling for a few hundred dollars, while others go for several thousand, and there are many sets that fall in between those extremes. Screen size, features, and brand will all affect pricing, according to Consumer Reports.
Aside from TVs, Nerd Wallet advises to avoid purchasing consumer electronics this month. Items such as laptops, desktops, tablets and video game consoles are best bought in November, during Black Friday sales. They say if you can’t wait until then, select retailers hold an early installment during “Black Friday in July” events ahead of the back-to-school season.
What to buy in February
– Chocolate (post Valentine’s Day).
– Interior Paint.
– Snow blowers.
– Televisions (pre-Super Bowl).
– Winter clothes and outerwear.
– Perfume & cologne.
– Canned food.
– Broadway show tickets.
– Ski packages.
What to skip
¯ Small appliances.
Source: Market Watch, Forbes, Consumer Reports.


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IRC in the News
Ukraine's crisis should not blind us to the main conundrum of global affairs today: while the world is more peaceful than it has been for 300 years, when measured by the number of wars between states, the level of disorder is rising. In fact, there is growing anarchy in the world's hotspots.
Nykhor Paul remembers when professional photographers put her in front of the camera for the first time, and wishing they would just slow down. “It was like click, click, click,” she said. “I am just trying to catch my breath,” she told them—but the photographers were already telling her she was going to be a supermodel. Paul’s response: “What is that? Oh, my god, where is my dictionary?”
The shouting and crying are still fresh in the young Syrian refugee’s memory of the 11 days he was detained by militiamen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Yamn — who asked that his full name not be used and that he not be photographed to protect relatives still living in Damascus — assumed fellow captives were being beaten in 2011.
Wedding-dress designer Jill Adams may be making her New York Fashion Week debut on Friday, but don’t expect her creation to include a veil or train. Its key features? Integrated vents, a large face shield, and not an inch of taffeta in sight. Turns out, Adams worked with a team at Johns Hopkins University to engineer an advanced ebola protective suit that reduces the risk of infection in its wearer.
From an award-winning Ebola protective suit to the hottest fall trends for men and women, Maryland designers are set to make a big impact at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. The event featuring shows, pop-up shops and parties and more from Feb. 12 to Feb. 19.
Brussels Airlines, the ‘little airline that could’ with an heroic effort during the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, has launched a campaign it hopes will help the continent recover from the lingering and devastating economic impact of the epidemic.
When Hampden wedding-gown designer Jill Andrews joined a bevy of doctors and engineers volunteering at Johns Hopkins to design an improved protective suit for Ebola fighters, we delighted at the unlikelihood. But now that that very suit is going to be displayed at New York Fashion Week, it makes almost too much sense.


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UBM India launched its most awaited travel and tourism exhibition, SATTE, in the national capital recently. Celebrating the success of the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, South Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition, the three day event plays host to over 1,000 exhibitors and represents over 50 countries and 28 Indian states.
The expo got off to a start with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India, Pallavi Mehra, Group Director, UBM India, Jime Essink, CEO, UBM Asia and Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia at Pragati Maidan among others, in the presence of an august industry congregation.
As a prelude to the inauguration, the Silver Jubliee edition of SATTE was formally launched along with the second edition of the SATTE Awards on January 30 at Le Meridien New Delhi amidst an august industry gathering from the travel and trade fraternity. The glitterati event was graced by Chief Guest KJ Alphons, Minister for Tourism (I/C), Govt. of India, along with T.S. Rawat, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand; Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog; Faiyaz Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Fiji; I Gde Pitana Dy. Tourism Minister, Indonesia; Bo Keun Choi, Senior Officer, Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO; Subhash Goyal, Member, National Tourism Advisory Committee; Navin Berry, Founder, SATTE; Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia and Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India.
SATTE provides a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality industry along with National and State Tourism Boards (NTOs and STOs) to congregate and conduct business, arrive at solution-driven innovations to counteract economic uncertainties, and promote inbound, outbound and domestic tourism in India. This most favoured industry platform is also well supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Govt. of India.
Over a span of three days, SATTE 2018 will witness to several exciting partnerships and announcements that promise to augur in new trends in the industry. Visitors at the signature expo can expect to witness a number of features including a special pavilion of 10 start-ups, as well as a live show at ‘Colours of SATTE’ apart from other captivating activities. This year, SATTE is also happy to engage its exhibitors and visitors to pledge for sustainable tourism under the unique I-Pledge scheme where they pledge to conserve natural reserve; respect and save wildlife; say no to plastic; dispose waste smartly and travel responsibly. Over 30,000 pledges have been registered at last count.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, Mudras said, “The tourism industry has been a major engine in the economic growth of India. While it contributes almost seven per cent to nation’s GDP, it also provides over 12 per cent of the total employment in terms of jobs. The industry itself has been growing at an unparalleled rate. This is evident from the very fact that the country is now ranked 40th in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index in 2017, a huge leap of 25 places from 2013. As the disposable income rises and more Indians travel, the industry is only poised to flourish further.”
“From hosting tourism boards from across the nation and the world under one roof to providing a unique opportunities for discussions pertaining to trending subjects like sustainable tourism, travel technology, skill development by acknowledged industry thought leaders, SATTE has carved a unique place as the most comprehensive industry platforms in the country. This year, we are proud to achieve a milestone with the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, celebrating and encapsulating 25 years of success in the domain. With an aim to analyze and forecast trends and developments in the travel trade industry along with helping businesses prosper, SATTE 2018 promises not only constructive but also informative and engaging three days”, he further added.
This year, Turkey, Thailand, Srilanka and Dubai are Partner countries, Mauritius and are feature destination and Madame Tussauds was the feature attraction. Similarly, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir are Partner States for this year with the show being supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India.
SATTE continues to receive the support of international organizations and Indian travel trade associations such as World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) and IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), to name a few.


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Hardware and software updates are definitely the top of the list for the Playstation 4k, the Nintendo NX and whatever new update the Microsoft is planning for the XBox.
And now AMD is actively part of that speculation since its quarterly earnings release bragged about a new system on chip deal to design three custom chips. Both the Playstation4 and the Xbox One contain AMD hardware, but these new chips could also be destined for the Nintendo NX as well. The new chips are scheduled to be completed this fall, leading some fans to believe that they are meant for the Playstation4 update.
- AMD Expects $1.5 Billion for 3 New Custom Gaming SoCs (eteknix.com)
- AMD talks 'three design wins', hints at new consoles (kitguru.net)


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According to reports, OpenSea has fixed a flaw that, if exploited, might have revealed personal information about its anonymous users.
The vulnerability, according to cybersecurity company Imperva, might deanonymize OpenSea users “by associating an IP address, a browser session, or an email in specific scenarios,” the company explained in a blog post on March 9.
The information obtained and connected to the wallet and its behavior could identify a user’s true identity as the NFT corresponds to a cryptocurrency wallet address, according to Imperva.
It is believed that the cross-site search vulnerability was exploited. Imperva asserted that OpenSea had improperly configured a library that resizes webpage elements that load HTML material from outside sources and are frequently used to display advertisements, interactive content, or embedded films.
Exploiters might use the information it broadcasts as a “oracle” to focus their efforts when searches provide no results because the webpage would be smaller because OpenSea didn’t impose any restrictions on this library’s communications. According to Imperva, an attacker might send a link to a target via email or SMS that, when clicked, would provide “important information, including the target’s IP address, user agent, device data, and software versions.”
After extracting the NFT names of their target using OpenSea’s vulnerability, the attacker would link the appropriate wallet address to identifiable details like the email or phone number that was used to send the original link. Imperva reported that the platform “was no longer at risk of such assaults” after OpenSea “immediately rectified the vulnerability” and appropriately restricted the library’s interactions.
Users of the platform are frequently the target of attacks that imitate OpenSea’s features in order to carry out vulnerabilities, such as phishing websites that look like the platform or signature requests that appear to come from OpenSea.
Due to a significant phishing attempt that occurred in February 2022 and resulted in the theft of NFTs valued at over $1.7 million from users, OpenSea has come under fire for the security of its platform. It’s unclear how long the most recent patch has been in place or whether any users have been impacted by the vulnerability.
The post OpenSea Patches Vulnerability that Potentially Exposed users’ Identities appeared first on BitcoinWorld.
By Binance News | Original Link


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From VT Digger:
News Release — Green Mountain Power
April 21, 2015
Rutland, Vt. – Green Mountain Power is warning customers about a phone scam. The caller claims to be representing Green Mountain Power from the billing and disconnect division and demands payment.
This is definitely a phone scam. Green Mountain Power follows very clear state rules when working with customers about paying past due bills. Green Mountain Power advises customers that it does not demand credit card information or alternate payment mechanisms from a customer for any purpose.
Any customer receiving such a call should not provide the caller with any personal information, including account and credit card numbers. If you have any doubt about the source of the call, you should hang up and call Green Mountain Power’s toll free customer service line at 1-888-835-4672 to verify the caller’s identity.
The Vermont Attorney General’s office recommends reporting these phone scam calls by calling 1-800-649-2424 outside of Chittenden County or 1-802-656-1423 if you live in Chittenden County.


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As the world celebrates Black History month, tech companies are showing their support with various shopping-related features. Earlier on Monday, Google revealed they're extending their black-owned attribute to their shopping tab to help consumers find and patronize local businesses. The owners can start adding the attribute on the Google Merchant Help Center, with the available feature in the U.S in the coming months.
Google's move comes as a natural extension of a feature released last summer in maps and search. The company is now taking a retail angle, figuring it can help bolster direct commerce for relevant businesses. According to their brand marketing director Attica Jaques, the search interest for black-owned businesses increased by 600% in the last 12 months, as shown by Google Trends data.
According to a Google Blog post, Jacques revealed that people have been looking for black-owned restaurants, bookstores, and beauty suppliers across the country. As such, Google is planning to make it easier for customers to support these businesses by spending their dollars.
Google is also facilitating customers to have fun with NJ Online gambling through their internet browser. NJ Online gambling is a trustworthy source for safe, legal online casinos licensed in New Jersey. It also helps you hunt for substantial no deposit bonuses.
The change aligns with Google's stipulated goal with shopping, as the company's main mission is to democratize online retail business for merchants of all sizes. Google Shopping underwent several changes over the last year, with merchants allowed to offer their products for free and without charging any commission for the online check-out through "Buy on Google." Google also unveiled changes geared towards helping customers locate new stores and check the prices.
The massive rise in interest to support black-owned businesses isn't limited to only Google. According to Yelp, there were unprecedented searches for Black-owned businesses, resulting in a 2400% increase in 2020 compared to 2019. Review mentions also went up by 232% over the same period.
Yelp is also celebrating black history month alongside Google. This review site and online directory for local businesses are marking the occasion by curating a list of businesses owned by black people worth watching in 2021. Their roster includes popular and high-rated black-owned businesses across the home, beauty, restaurants, and food categories.
Instagram and Facebook will double down on the leading company's Buy Black Friday campaign, which attracted over 15 million views last year. This year, the campaign will aim to boost black businesses' visibility through the Buy Black initiative on Instagram and Facebook shops. Instagram's @Shop account will also promote black brands.
Tech giant Apple is also marking the month through retail but in a different way. Apple has already revealed they're releasing the Black Unity Collection for Apple Watch, designed to acknowledge and celebrate Black culture and Black history. The tech giant also plans to include the Apple Watch Series 6 in the Black Unity Collection with a new Unity face.
According to Apple, their effort will come in handy in support of six groups, including the BLM Support Fund through the Tides Foundation, International Institute on Race, European Network Against Racism, and Education Fund Inc. However, it was unclear the number of proceeds that will be directed to the organization.


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Low cholesterol ghee developed
New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, has developed a low cholesterol "desi" ghee.
The new technology helps to reduce cholesterol content in desi ghee to 0.045 per cent, Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria told the Lok Sabha.
The average cholesterol level in desi ghee is 0.3 per cent, he said, in reply to a written question.
He said the technology is being scaled up and will soon be transferred for commercial use.
UNI SH LR HT1425