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pathdoc - stock.adobe.com
Nearly 21% of full-time workers in Singapore could lose their jobs from greater adoption of technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics over the next decade, more so than other Southeast Asian nations, a new study has found.
Conducted by Cisco and Oxford Economics, the study – which analysed 433 occupations across 21 industries in six ASEAN countries – noted that Singapore’s higher job displacement rate is not a case of “technology catch-up”, but rather a result of having an “exceptional” environment for innovation and digital transformation.
Singapore’s small geographical area and modern, upgradeable infrastructure also means that businesses can readily take advantage of new innovations as they become available, it added.
Vietnam and Thailand are next in line, with 14% and 12% of jobs displaced by technology, respectively.
“The drivers here are different to Singapore, in that many more Vietnamese and Thai workers are projected to be displaced from much-less productive, more monotonous jobs. Both economies see agriculture workers displaced in large numbers – mostly unskilled labourers in Vietnam, and skilled agricultural workers in Thailand,” it said.
Although there were more workers displaced in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in absolute numbers than in Singapore, the impact of technology adoption is smaller as a share of the workforce in the three countries.
In Indonesia, for example, Cisco’s team of experts assembled from technology, consulting, government and other sectors to develop the study noted that the slower pace of technological change was likely dampened by institutional and political constraints to automation, as well as the abundance of cheap labour.
Read more about AI in ASEAN
- Indonesia is becoming a hotbed for adoption of artificial intelligence, led by digital native companies such as Go-Jek and Kaskus.
- Chinese facial recognition software company Yitu Technology has set its sights on the fast-growing AI market with a new regional headquarters in Singapore.
- Alibaba Cloud has teamed up with Malaysia’s government to roll out an AI platform aimed at easing Kuala Lumpur’s notorious traffic congestion.
- Forward-looking organisations in ASEAN are embracing AI, but uneven access to connectivity and a lack of skills and understanding of the technology are holding back wider adoption.
In Malaysia, concern over labour market protection was evident. In the Philippines, the experts said a large, low-skilled rural population was seen as a likely break on technological progress, since a cheaper supply of labour would make the widespread adoption of technology uneconomical.
Although the study concluded that 6.6 million jobs across ASEAN will be displaced by technology, more jobs will be created with higher spending power, thanks to lower prices arising from lower production costs driven by the use of technology.
This so-called “income effect” will create demand for more jobs across the ASEAN economy, including wholesale and retail, manufacturing and agriculture, with a combined gain of over 15 million jobs.
But to take on these new jobs, workers will need a set of skills which are currently lacking in ASEAN.
“Our analysis reveals that 41 % of that 6.6 million cohort are ‘acutely lacking’ the IT skills that new jobs will be demanding. Almost 30% lack the ‘interactive skills’ that will be demanded by future vacancies – such as negotiation, persuasion and customer service skills.
“Just over 25% also lack ‘foundational skills’ – such as active learning, reading, and writing skills that are required to a much greater extent in ASEAN’s future labour market,” the study noted.
In its report, Cisco called for governments, businesses, educational institutions, technology suppliers and workers’ groups to work together to provide workers with the necessary tools and skills to mitigate the negative impact of technological change.
Governments across the ASEAN region are already doing so, starting with Singapore which recently launched new initiatives to broaden access to AI skills.
In neighbouring Malaysia, the government has also started to introduce computational thinking skills in school curriculums, as well as nurture its existing pool of skilled workers through certification programmes.


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These days, Apple has been dominating the global headlines. From the launch of their anniversary phone (iPhone X), to the multiple lawsuits that followed the company’s admission of purposely slowing down older iPhone models, to confirming the rumors of the iPhone X being discontinued – Apple has been the uninterrupted center of attention for those in the technology industry for months now. The most recent headlines concerning the company has to do with the impending iOS 11 update. After the company put out a press release Jan. 24, the details of the new features for iOS 11.3 seem to impress many critics and may help boost in iPhone X sales before the phone is discontinued. The spring release of iOS 11.3 will feature more innovative methods to experience augmented reality, new Animoji on the iPhone X, the ability to view health records on the Health app, introduce business chat, and provide battery health reports.
In regards to augmented reality, the iOS 11.3 will include an updated version of the company’s ARKit, a suite of software development tools designed to make developing augmented reality (AR) easier. Known as ARKit 1.5, the new version of software will include a lot of new functionality such as the ability to “recognize and place virtual objects on vertical surfaces” as well as the ability to “find and recognize the position of 2D images” and then place those images properly in augmented reality applications. The software will also be able to detect signs and posters in the real world and seamlessly mesh with 3D augmented reality experience on the iPhone screen.
The update will also a new features to the fan favorite feature, Animojis. Enabled by Apple’s TrueDepth camera on the iPhone X, Animojis are emojis that respond to facial expressions and animated various 3D emojis that can be sent as a video files with sound as iMessages. In iOS 11.3, four new Animojis will be introduced, giving iPhone X users the ability to express themselves as a lion, bear, dragon, or skull, which will be joining the 12 existing animated characters already available in Animoji. Many critics believe that this will be interest in the iPhone X, and therefore may kickstart the stagnant sales for the anniversary phone back into action. Unlike anything else on the market, Animojis are described as, “the true form of Apple innovation.”The Health App will also receive a major facelift in iOS 11.3. With the addition of Health Records, the Health App will be a consolidated hub for health profiles by integrating health records from hospitals and clinics into the interface. Customers will be able to see available medical data from various providers all on one screen. The app will now also alert users of lab results, medication and much more in real time. For the safety of the user’s sensitive information, all health record data will be encrypted by a passcode.
Other updates that the software will enhance are Apple Music, Apple News, and HomeKit. The Music app will now more heavily feature music videos, with top charts for the best new music videos as well as the classics. Users will also be able to watch their favorite artists continuously in new music video playlists. However, these features will require an Apple Music subscription. For Apple News, Apple is improving Top Stories and featuring video content in a new Video section found in the ‘For You’ section. Furthermore, the update will provide more support for HomeKit software authentication, making it easier for accessory makers to upgrade their accessories to support HomeKit without additional hardware. iOS 11.3 also include Advanced Mobile Location to automatically send a user’s location to emergency services when making an emergency call.
In addition, iOS 11.3 will be introducing two new features for compatible iPhone users to explore. The first is Business Chat, which enables users to field customers support sessions within the Messages app. However, Business Chat may not have all the enterprises you are looking to chat with. Currently, Apple says it will be testing partnerships with Discover, Hilton, Lowe’s, and Wells Fargo. Another new feature loaded on iOS 11.3 is a battery health report that will not only show the health of your device’s battery but will suggest recommendations if a battery needs to be serviced. These options can be found in Settings → Battery, but will not be released in the initial iOS 11.3 beta release. Apple opted to add this to the iOS 11.3 software in response to the “Apple battery throttling” situation.
Despite the recent woes Apple has been experiencing, many critics are expecting Apple’s latest iOS software to be impressive. Currently, both the developer and public beta have been released. If you are interested in trying out the iOS 11.3, visit the Apple Beta Software Program website to sign up for beta programs.

domain: news


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The USA could be on track for a second seasonal dip as seen in the last two winters. This winter the dip could go below April 2009 prices and become a true double dip for the cycle. (Econintersect is in this camp). Finally, NAR optimism could be rewarded and there could be a pause in home price decreases.
December 2010 home sales are projected to be 21% below sales one year ago, based on November pending homes sales reported by the NAR.
Housing data continues to confirm that a second dip in residential home prices is underway. The Case-Shiller data through October 2010 confirms the trend.
Econintersect confirms using the unadjusted data – home sales likely increased in the 5% range MoM. Historically, existing home sales fall in November. This year November almost equaled October.
The three month moving average for November pending home sales remains in a cyclical downtrend regardless of the uptick in this month’s pending home sales.


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BERLIN, Aug. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Already a leader in advancing TV innovation with its OLED TVs, LG Electronics (LG) is introducing the world’s first 8K (7680 x 4320) OLED TV. Previewed at IFA 2018, the 88-inch class 8K LG OLED TV features over 33 million self-emitting pixels to produce the unmatched contrast ratio and true blacks that define OLED TV’s iconic picture quality.
With OLED TV shipments in the market expected to double in 2018 and reach over nine million units by 2022, LG will continue to increase the OLED share in its premium TV portfolio and drive large scale consumer adoption of OLED TVs. While the 8K TV market is still in its infancy, it is expected to grow to more than 5 million units by 2022, and LG is committed to leading the ultra-premium market with its 8KOLED TV technology.
Despite advancements in LCD field, OLED has been often referred to as the “next-generation display technology” because it emits its own light, eliminating the need for any kind of backlighting. This allows for state-of-art TVs which redefine both the picture quality and the product design. Not only was LG able to pioneer such technologies, but it was also able to successfully market them.
“LG’s first 8K OLED TV is the pinnacle of technological achievement and the next evolutionary step in display technology,” said Brian Kwon, president of LG Home Entertainment Company. “4K OLED played a major role in reshaping TV industry and LG is confident that 8K OLED will do the same.”
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $55 billion global force and technology leader in home appliances, consumer electronics and mobile communications. LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LG.com.


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After 16 years, we’re finally going to get a new TimeSplitters game as Free Radical Design reforms
The popular first-person shooter game TimeSplitters is officially making its return, as announced yesterday (20 May) by publisher Deep Silver.
It’s been 21 years since the first TimeSplitters game was released on PlayStation 2, and 16 years since TimeSplitters: Future Perfect dropped – and now it’s coming back. The time-travelling shooter game is being redeveloped at the newly reformed Free Radical Design, who originally created the first game.
Spawning two sequels after the original release, TimeSplitters 2 and TimeSplitters: Future Perfect were both a huge success. A fourth game (TimeSplitters 4) was in the works but never came into fruition as the studio started having difficulties.
Steve Ellis; the development director at Free Radical Design said: “To finally be able to confirm that the studio has been formed and that we have a plan for the next TimeSplitters game is incredible. While we cannot tell you anything more at the moment, we look forward to sharing information in the future.”
Free Radial Design aren’t just known for being the geniuses behind TimeSplitters but also the Second Sight, Haze, Crysis and Warface franchises.
A new Deep Silver Studio is coming – Free Radical Design pic.twitter.com/N5qTTcZfsW
— Deep Silver (@deepsilver) May 20, 2021
After being bought by Crytek in 2009, Free Radial Design was renamed Crytek UK, before being sold to Koch Media. In 2014, the studio shut down and was revamped again into Dambuster Studios. However, the original founders behind the game decided to reform the studio and return to their original name. Its publisher Deep Silver has claimed the studio will commence development on the next TimeSplitters game in the coming months.
Related topics: gaming


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This week, India’s Finance Minister P Chidambaram offered incentives to chip makers to set up headquarters in India, in an effort to encourage local electronics manufacturing. However, the response from the industry has been less than positive. Many believe that it is a good start, but far from sufficient.
While presenting the Union Budget for 2013-14, Chidambaram said the Indian government will waive customs duty for plants and machinery in the semiconductor sector.
"We recognize the pivotal role of semiconductor wafer fabs in the ecosystem of manufacture of electronics. I propose to provide appropriate incentives to semiconductor wafer fab manufacturing facilities, including zero customs duty for plant and machinery," Chidambaram said, while presenting the budget.
"A company investing Rs.100 crore or more in plant and machinery during the (next fiscal) period will be entitled to deduct an allowance of 15 percent of the investment," he continued. "This will be in addition to the current rates of depreciation. There will be enormous spill-over benefits to small and medium enterprises."
While India has held its own in terms of semiconductor design, very little manufacturing is currently done in the country. Today, India has close to 4,000 electronics manufacturing units and about 300,000 units directly or indirectly supporting the electronics manufacturing industry. The Indian semiconductor design market is anticipated to grow to $14.5 billion by 2015, according to a report, but India’s electronic products manufacturing sector could shrink by as much as 7% in revenue during that same time, indicating that government efforts may not succeed.
As many in the industry know, the semiconductor industry lives and dies by Moore’s law, making fab-launching business ventures a risky move for any start-up. With the need for constant equipment upgrades, many companies have turned to “fabless” business models, farming out their chip-making to established foundries.
“Building and running a fab is a complex business that is very sensitive to utilization and improvements in technology,” says Satya Gupta, chairman of the Indian Semiconductor Association. “Somebody who knows the fab business has to run it, not the government.”
Many experts point to India’s rising middle class as the main reason to consider India as a potential location for fabs. Much of India’s electronics are imported, meaning India is currently footing a huge import bill to meet the growing demand. As much as 65% of electronic products demand is currently met by imports, which is estimated to grow from $28 billion in 2011 to $42 billion in 2015, according to industry body Indian Electronics and Semiconductor Association, which also report that local manufacturers could lose out on nearly $200 billion of potential revenue by 2015.
But the import bill isn’t the only factor discouraging potential fab-owners.
"I wish it was as simple as offering an import duty exemption. What about availability of land, power and all other government clearances?" said a senior executive at one of the large computer manufacturers told the India Times, requesting anonymity.
What do you think of India’s efforts to encourage fabs? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.


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Shock charges: Gary and Kitty Rycroft, with your phone
Like many 13-year-olds, Kitty Rycroft receives a modest monthly allowance from her parents and money from her grandparents at Christmas and on her birthday.
Her father, Gary, programmed a Halifax account a year ago to help her manage her money.
He gives her £ 15 a month, which she tends to spend on New Look clothes, cosmetics and ice cream Starbucks.
Kitty likes to buy but spends within her means, according to Gary, 46, a Lancashire lawyer.
Then, when his bank statement arrived in May, he could not understand how his balance had dropped from £ 249 to just £ 48 in three months.
When she looked more closely, Kitty saw that ten payments between £ 6.99 and £ 13.98 had been made to iTunes, Apple's online store.
He remembered using a smartphone application in February that allowed him to create music on his iPhone. But he thought that the application was free and eliminated it after a few days.
Kitty, who was 12 years old at the time, did not realize that she had signed up for a paid subscription.
And because the details of her Halifax Express cash account, targeting children 11 to 17 years old, were stored in iTunes, the money could be taken without her entering any payment information.
It was only after Money Mail intervened that Apple agreed to reimburse the total amount of £ 133.83 to Kitty.
Their story is a warning to parents about how easy it is for businesses to help themselves with money in children's bank accounts without them noticing, and that unusual payments are not picked up by banks. .
Kitty, who plays drums, discovered the Beat Maker Go app through an ad on Snapchat, a popular picture messaging service among teens.
Snapchat targets users with ads based on their interests. It has more than 12 million daily users in the United Kingdom, approximately a quarter of which are under 18 years of age.
Users must be 13 or older, but Kitty was able to open an account despite having only 12.
Not to mention the prices in the ad, Kitty assumed that the application was free. She clicked on a link that took her to the Apple iTunes App Store and downloaded it.
Once it was installed, you were instructed to enter your email address to set up an account.
Jordan Swain of Swain Brands, a digital campaign agency, says companies are increasingly using social media to target teenagers (stock image)
Kitty used the email address linked to her Apple ID account, which she rarely checks. You need one of these to use an iPhone.
Users can keep their bank details stored in their Apple ID account so they can buy apps or music.
But Kitty says she would never pay for an application. Like her friends, she simply uses free social networking services on her phone, such as Snapchat, or plays games.
There is no indication of Beat Maker Go charges until you scroll to the bottom of the page in the App Store.
How to keep children safe
- Set up parental controls on your child's smartphone to block or restrict purchases from the application and block any transaction.
- On an iPhone, go to & # 39; Settings & # 39 ;, & # 39; General & # 39 ;, then & # 39; Restrictions & # 39 ;. Touch & # 39; Enable restrictions & # 39; Create an access code You can also set a PIN on Android and BlackBerry phones.
- Some applications allow you to control the sites your children can visit. NetNanny, for example, scans websites to determine if they are appropriate, based on the preferences you set when you install the application.
Users are presented with a confusing price list.
For example, & # 39; Total access to the features of Pro & # 39; appears six times, but the cost ranges from £ 1.79 to £ 35.99.
Gismart, the application's manufacturer, says that this list includes weekly, monthly, annual and lifetime payment plans.
Although she eliminated the application a few days later, Kitty received a charge of £ 6.99 per week once the trial ended.
She was not aware of this until her bank statement arrived three months later.
She says: & # 39; I thought, woah! Where did the money go? My father said he should have been more careful. But I honestly thought it was a free application. "
Gary says he is interested in what his daughter is doing online, but also wants to give him freedom.
He says: "I did not like how easy it is for companies to take money out of children without them realizing it. It's scary."
The Rycrofts went to their local Halifax branch, which told them to raise the problem with iTunes.
But Gary had trouble finding an email or mailing address for iTunes. When he tried to phone them, he says he was kept on hold and had trouble passing.
When Money Mail contacted iTunes on behalf of the Rycrofts, it agreed to reimburse the total amount of £ 133.83, which included additional payments.
Tony Neate of Get Safe Online, the cybersecurity initiative, says: "I find it incredibly disturbing that companies can bury the fees and charges that kids will not see.
"They know that children will not go deeply into the terms and conditions because many adults do not."
Jordan Swain of Swain Brands, a digital campaign agency, says companies are increasingly using social media to target teenagers.
"Costs may not be announced in such a short space, but offers like 'free trials' should be made absolutely explicit," he says.
Gary says he's going to help Kitty set up online banking, so she can verify her account whenever she needs it.
He also plans to put protections on his phone to allow him to control any expenses online. Kitty has now removed her banking information from her iTunes account.
Halifax says he has "strict controls" & # 39; in all your current accounts to protect customers from unauthorized transactions.
iTunes says that Beat Maker Go notifications when you buy add-ons and sends receipts by email.
However, it recognizes that Kitty may not have received notifications if this feature was disabled on her phone.
Gismart, the maker of Beat Maker Go, insists that it always sets prices and that subscriptions start with a free trial and users can unsubscribe at any time. He says he does not cheat the users.
A spokesperson adds: "To access any subscription or free trial, users must enter credit card information and they are clearly notified that charges will be made accordingly.
"We adhere to all of the legal policies of the Apple App Store and Google Play, as well as FTC's advertising laws."
THIS IS THE FIVE OF THE BEST BAND BROADBAND MONEY OFFERS


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President Obama to speak at Amazon center in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WAFF) - Continuing his push to promote a stronger middle class, the White House announced Wednesday night that President Barack Obama will travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, next Tuesday to deliver what the administration said is a first in a series of policy speeches "bargaining" for middle class Americans.
The speech will be delivered at the Amazon fulfillment center that opened two years ago in the Enterprise South Industrial Park, focusing on the economic boost the center brought to the area and future growth in the country.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a Republican whose district includes the Amazon center, called President Obama's record on creating jobs "more than a little disappointing," and added, in part, that he hopes the president "will talk to some of the businesses his healthcare law is crippling and pick up some tips from our strong conservative leadership which has encouraged businesses like Amazon to move to our great state."
According to the White House, the president's speech will center on manufacturing and higher-paying jobs that he hopes will jumpstart hiring in the private sector. He's also expected to discuss new ideas to create jobs in the United States.
President Obama's speech in Tennessee comes after a series of state trips recently, where he's aiming to narrow Washington's focus back on middle class job growth.
The Chattanooga fulfillment center, which currently houses nearly 2,000 full-time Amazon employees, is one of 40 throughout the country, according to Mary Osako, a spokesperson for the company.
Amazon's Vice President of Worldwide Operations & Customer Service Dave Clark will be in attendance for the speech and tour of the center. Osako said the company is "honored" to host the president next week.
Copyright 2013 WAFF. All rights reserved.


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You can now ride tiki cruises on the James River
There's a new boat cruise in town: Tiki Club RVA, the Polynesian brother of Paddle Club RVA, which made its Richmond debut last summer.
Driving the news: Tiki Club RVA launches this month under the Sea Suite Cruises umbrella, the 5-year-old D.C.-based boat ride company that now offers two types of boat cruises in D.C., Richmond and Maryland.
Unlike the pedal-powered paddle boat, this one fully runs on an engine and comes equipped with bamboo trim, a thatched roof, tiki bar and bathroom.
How it works: Cruisers can rent a spot aboard the 30-passenger boat for an hour-and-45-minute cruise up and down the James River, leaving from Rocketts Landing. Full boat buyouts are also available.
- Pricing is based on day of the week, at $40–$55 per person or $1,120–$1,540 for a buyout.
- Like its Paddle Club sibling, all cruises are BYOB — wine or beer, cans only and no liquor. BYO food and snacks are also welcome.
Tiki reservations will launch in the coming weeks and Paddle Club reservations are now live.
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Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (ASEAN+6)
Having secured free trade agreements (FTAs) with almost all key trading partners, Australia is honing in on a long elusive but lucrative market — India. Tensions with China, the need to find new sources of economic growth and government policy to diversify trading partners are pushing Australia into India’s arms.
The Chinese government has officially ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said Monday.
China’s plan to build a global rapid logistics circle for goods by 2035, which will likely boost China’s trade with major economies in the EU and Asia.
The Japanese government adopted at a cabinet meeting Wednesday a plan to approve a deal to forge the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which was agreed on by Japan and 14 other nations in November last year.
The Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership (RCEP) is unlikely to bring immediate significant benefits for its developing member countries in terms of flow of goods and services or major infrastructure investments, analysts and economists said.
The parliament approved the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which was expected to take effect this year, said Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit.
The RCEP will undoubtedly pave the way for China’s new digital yuan expansion throughout Asia.
Australia’s efforts to end a diplomatic deep freeze with China may not be getting anywhere fast on the surface, but there are nonetheless some signs of a potential thaw.
The Commerce Ministry is scheduled to propose to parliament on Tuesday the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact, the world’s biggest free trade deal, signed by 15 nations in Asia-Pacific including Thailand last November.
If the latest flare ups over the contentious territorial issues and popular anti-China sentiments in the region are anything to go by, it seems likely that uncertainty over domestic ratification of the RCEP agreement by the signatory states would persist in the days ahead.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Interim Joint Committee is to hold a virtual meeting on 30 January 2021 and will be the first joint committee meeting since the formal signing of the RCEP agreement.
As its economy maintains recovery momentum, the country aims to attract foreign investors this year by encouraging investment in more industries, shortening negative lists for foreign investment, and further expanding the free-trade network.
A recently signed 15-country trade deal may not significantly benefit the Philippine economy and instead expose its lack of competitiveness in manufacturing, a senior equities research executive for Regis Partners said.
If both the US and China join the CPTPP, and it becomes the world’s largest free trade agreement, then the RCEP would recede in significance. CPTPP, comprising both the US and China, sensing more economic benefits in committing to the RCEP.
China will complete the necessary domestic approval procedures for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement within six months, the Ministry of Commerce said.
China will step up efforts to expand its free trade area network with trading partners across the world to enlarge its “circle of friends”, while eliminating more tariffs on goods and broadening market access for services trade and investment, according to commerce minister Wang Wentao.
RCEP will only deepen inequalities that already exist and were exacerbated further by the pandemic. It will further undermine the livelihoods of farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples and rural women, and threaten jobs for workers.
South Korea formally inked a comprehensive trade deal with Indonesia, paving the way for local exporters to penetrate deeper into the Southeast Asian market.
South Korea and Japan look set to be the biggest winners in the Asian oil and chemicals marketplace as the world’s largest regional free-trade agreement paves the way for a gradual reduction in tariffs.


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‘These findings warrant the need for increased accessibility of safe supply programs, take-home naloxone and testing kits’
People who regularly use drugs such as stimulants, opioids and cannabis have not only increased their usage during the pandemic but fear relapse or overdose, according to a report.
Almost half (46 per cent) have increased usage, with seven per cent saying they have relapsed. Meanwhile, 38 per cent have decreased usage.
One-third (33 per cent) say their overdose risk has increased.
And nearly half (47 per cent) of all respondents say that the quality of the substances they use decreased amid the pandemic, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
Another 50 per cent say the cost of substances increased while 44 per cent say the accessibility of substances decreased.
Many Canadians who consume alcohol or cannabis are indulging more during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a separate survey from the Canadian Red Cross.
“People who use drugs have been negatively impacted by the pandemic in ways that put them at greater risk for experiencing substance and health-related harms, including overdoses and a decreased ability to mitigate risk behaviours,” says Farihah Ali, lead author of the study “Changes in substance supply and use characteristics among people who use drugs (PWUD) during the COVID-19 global pandemic: A national qualitative assessment in Canada” in the International Journal of Drug Policy.
More than a third (37 per cent) of respondents say they have changed usage characteristics (like using a substance alone or with others) and 22 per cent have changed the location of use, found the CAMH study based on a survey of 200 participants conducted between May 4 and July 27, 2020.
More than half (58 per cent) say that there was a noticeable decrease in availability, an issue which was exacerbated by decreases in the quality and increases in the cost of substances, according to the report.
“Some participants described that due to public health measures meant to limit social interactions (including closures of ‘non-essential’ services and ‘stay-at-home’ orders), they had a hard time finding a dealer because there were not as many dealers out in public nor visible on the street. As a result, some indicated that they had to wait days or travel very far to obtain their preferred substance.”
Many participants (62 per cent) said prices have seen substantial increases since COVID-19, leading many to seek out cheaper substitutes.
“These findings warrant the need for increased accessibility of safe supply programs, take-home naloxone and drug-testing kits, as well as novel approaches to help ensure they have the necessary tools available to make informed choices and mitigate risk,” says Ali.
People with lower self-perceived mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to increase their use of cannabis, alcohol and tobacco, according to a Statistics Canada report.


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Apple has quietly increased the retail price of the iPhone 5s and 5c models. Not in the U.S. but in France. The price isn’t going up drastically though. The iPhone 5s 16 GB model now has a €10 increase, the 32 GB model a €12 and the 64 gig model €18. The iPhone 5c has a €10 and €12 increase depending on which storage capacity option you choose.
Like I said, not a huge increase, but with the economy the way it is, any increase is not great. Apple hasn’t made an official statement about it yet, but speculation is that this was a way they could compensate for the changes in Euro to US Dollar exchange rate. That does make sense. The company would want to keep its profit margins where they are. The same thing happened to the iPhone lineup in Japan.
I’m sure that Apple will make a statement about it eventually, but it is what it is. These devices just got a bit more expensive in France. Maybe they can just compensate by buying less wine and baguettes. Ok, that’s not fair. However, I do worry about the country’s mimes. They might be hit hardest by this turn of events.
Apple has now released a new iPhone SE to replace the iPhone 5S, have a look at out guide on the iPhone 5S vs iPhone SE.
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Eighteen Sound opens new production facility
WORLD: Eighteen Sound has recently finished construction on a brand new 600 sq-m warehouse facility after the original warehouse was destroyed in a fire two years ago. The new facility is intended to increase productivity and flexibility in the warehousing and quality control areas and also features a brand-new state-of the-art anechoic chamber and test centre.
‘It is wonderful to have the new building up and 100 per cent functional,’ explained Eighteen Sound CEO, Pierpaolo Marziali. ‘Since the fire we have been challenged with space management – today the new warehousing section is loaded with raw goods and parts, and space is no longer an issue.’
While the new facility was being constructed, the manufacturer also acquired space directly adjacent to it that is now home another 1,700 sq-m building for storage, shipping and receiving. The close proximity of the two buildings has reportedly streamlined operations and allows for easier access to key production parts.
‘It is always exciting to see growth and development that contributes to product quality and availability,’ concluded Mr Marziali. ‘It is a perfect example of taking something that was bad and making it into something positive for the company and our customers.’


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A new age of more efficient, cleaner lighting has been an unfulfilled promise for many years. Now thanks to some innovative new technologies the revolution might be closer than ever and its name is LED.
Switch Lighting LED light
LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, are widely used today in a variety of devices including remote controls, toys, and many street and traffic lights. However, so far, LEDs have not become popular in the mainstream consumer market and more specifically for use as main lighting for homes, probably because LED lights sources are significantly more expensive than traditional incandescent light bulbs and more importantly emit less light than more conventional CFL or incandescent light.
However, recently several companies have made an important step forward in terms of making LED lighting a viable option for home users. At the LIGHTFAIR International, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, which took place in Philadelphia earlier this month, several key lighting manufacturers revealed new LED solutions that might change the face of the lighting industry and the way we light up our homes in the next few years.
Osram Sylvania demonstrated during the expedition a prototype of a LED bulb that gives off 1,500 lumens or approximately as much light as a 100-watt incandescent light bulb. The prototype only requires 14 watts of electricity. No price or availability were set for this model. However, according to the company a cheaper, less powerful (75-watt equivalent model) will be available this July.
Osram was not the only company to announce a 100-watt equivalent LED light bulb during LIGHTFAIR International; Switch Lighting displayed a 100-watt equivalent A19 LED replacement bulb which it claims has a unique self-cooling technology for the LED – this system that allows the LEDs to produce their full brightness but still maintain a relatively low cost.
Iddo has a B.A. in Philosophy and Cognitive Science and an M.A. in Philosophy of Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is currently writing his Ph.D. thesis on the relationship between the scientific community and industry. Iddo was awarded the 2006 Bar Hillel philosophy of science prize for his work on the relationship between science and technology. He is a member of the board of the lifeboat foundation and was the editor of several high-profile science and technology websites since 1999.


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Piper Jaffray has released the results of its 36th “Taking Stock With Teens” study, showing that Gen-Z girls are now spending three times more on beauty than accessories, while streetwear still dominates apparel trends.
North Korea imported at least $640 million worth of luxury goods from China last year, in defiance of U.N. sanctions outlawing such trade over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, a South Korean lawmaker said.
India’s goods exports fell by 2.15 per cent year-on-year to $27.95 billion in September after a positive run between April and August. The decline is hoped to be temporary, owing to a high-base effect.
Nearly 1,200 garment factories in Bangladesh shut shop in the last four years due to lack of compliance and being left behind in the competitive environment, according to a Bangladeshi garment association.
Brussels-based Fair Trade Advocacy Office and the UN Conference on Trade and Development are joining forces to improve the living and working conditions of artisans and producers in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Cambodia failed on Friday to allay criticisms of authoritarianism and rights abuses that threaten the country’s duty-free trading access to the European Union, the EU’s top diplomat said after talks with its premier.
A key festival brought little activity to the physical gold market in India this week as purchases remained significantly lower than normal with domestic prices jumping to the highest in more than two years.
China’s industrial output grew 5.8 percent in September from a year earlier, missing expectations, while fixed-asset investment growth rose to 5.4 percent in the first nine months, above forecasts, data showed on Friday.


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Bangalore, India, 26th December 2016 – DreamOrbit Softech Pvt Ltd today announced that it ranked Number 294th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific 2016, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in Asia Pacific. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over three years. DreamOrbit Softech Pvt Ltd grew 172 percent during this period.
DreamOrbit’s CEO, Sanchit Jain, credits the customers and employees with the company’s 172% revenue growth over the past three years. He said, “We thank our customers for believing in us, our exceptional team which has done all the hard work, and the Almighty for giving us the opportunities.”
DreamOrbit’s CTO, Abhishek Porwal said, “Our keen focus on cutting edge technologies like IoT, Enterprise Mobility and Machine Learning applied to improve surface, air and ocean logistics efficiency has helped nurture our fast growth.”
“Making the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ is commendable in today’s highly competitive technology industry,” said Toshifumi Kusunoki, DTTL Leader, Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific program. “We congratulate DreamOrbit Softech Pvt Ltd on being one of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in the region.”
DreamOrbit previously ranked 168th on 2015 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific and 388th on 2013 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific.
In addition to ranking on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™, DreamOrbit Softech Pvt Ltd ranked 35th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 India Program, which is a ranking of the 50 fastest growing technology firms in India.
Deloitte Technology Fast 500™ Asia Pacific selection and qualifications The Technology Fast 500™ list is compiled from the Deloitte Asia Pacific Technology Fast 50 programs, nominations submitted directly to the Technology Fast 500™, and public company database research. To qualify for the Technology Fast 500™, entrants must have had base-year operating revenues of at least US$ 50,000. Entrants must also be public or private companies headquartered in Asia Pacific and must be a “technology company,” defined as a company that develops or owns proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company’s operating revenues; or manufactures a technology-related product; or devotes a high percentage of effort to the research and development of technology. Using other companies’ technology in a unique way does not qualify.
DreamOrbit is an innovation driven software product engineering company which helps enterprises and software companies build innovative solutions that are cross platform enabled and work on cloud based delivery model. Its expertise lies in software R&D, Big Business Analytics, Cloud Strategy and Enterprise Mobility.
With over 70 clients from logistics, supply chain and transportation industry spread across the globe, DreamOrbit is a specialist transportation technology company. DreamOrbit is India’s leading company providing cutting-edge technology consulting and solutions to the largely unorganized transportation sector.
About Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500™
The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is the pre-eminent technology awards program in Asia Pacific, and now in its fifteenth year, it includes nine Asia Pacific locations: Australia; China (including Hong Kong); India; Japan; South Korea; Malaysia, New Zealand; Singapore and Taiwan.
Combining technological innovation, entrepreneurship and rapid growth, Fast 500 companies — large, small, public, and private — span a variety of industry sectors from software to biotech. Fast 500 companies play in the SaaS, cloud computing, data analytics, and mobile sectors and are transforming the way we do business today.


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Karonia has appointed Tim Gange as Marketing Assistant. Having recently graduated from Leeds Beckett University, Tim joins with a host of new and innovative ideas that will give fresh impetus to the company’s digital marketing channels. Andrew Pickup, Managing Director of Karonia, said: “Tim initially joined us on a short placement last summer which allowed him to showcase some of his capabilities. With his attention to detail and cutting-edge marketing knowledge, Tim is an exciting addition to our talented team.”
Meanwhile, Product Support Manager Dave Boden has recently celebrated his 30th year in the worksurface industry. The two combined give the company a healthy blend of youth and experience.
For more information contact 0845 6580 333
More about Karonia
The team has been involved in the solid surface industry from the early 1990s with experience in all aspects from fabrication through to the development and manufacture of product ranges such as our pioneering 25mm thick MISTRAL worktops.


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NEW ORLEANS, La. (WVLA) – (1/29/20) New Orleans company BioBeads LLC manufactures biodegradable and recyclable Mardi Gras Beads made from nontoxic materials.
BioBeads biodegrade within five years, are void of the toxic chemicals found in regular beads, are locally made, are competitively priced and resemble traditional beads.
More than 10 years of research have gone into creating BioBeads, and the company is ready to reveal a prototype of the beads.
BioBeads LLC plans to obtain funding for a factory in New Orleans to create the beads locally rather than having to source the beads from overseas factories. The target start date for the factory is in 2021.
- Gray parrots separated at zoo after swearing a blue streak
- Could cats hold the key to a COVID-19 vaccine?
- UPDATE: Rocky Branch Waterworks rescinds limited boil advisory
- FBI asks for nationwide help in identifying male who may have information in child sexual exploitation case
- Legislators seek reins in Louisiana’s COVID-19 response


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With only two harvests a year, how does a cocoa farmer manage financially in the off-season? How does that farmer feed his or her family when there is no cocoa to sell?
The Rainforest Alliance has witnessed cocoa farming communities throughout West Africa facing this daily reality. Committed to tackling the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social, and economic—through its certification program, the Rainforest Alliance has developed community-based forest enterprises to help forest communities generate income and employment while supporting the sustainable management of their forest resources.
In the Juaboso-Bia Landscape in Ghana, the Rainforest Alliance has introduced beekeeping as an alternative to improve living standards for cocoa farmers and their families. Forty farmers received training, five hives each, and harvesting and processing equipment. During the first harvest year, the venture achieved 92 percent hive colonization, with 2,100 pounds of honey harvested. This earned the farmers USD $3,731—a significant figure when, on average, a cocoa farmer earns approximately $1,460 each year.
Participating farmer Seth Antwi explained that the beekeeping enterprise had brought great relief and benefits to the community. In addition to the monetary gains, it has also created job opportunities. Seth explained, "With the introduction of the beekeeping enterprise, the crude method of harvesting honey from the wild—which normally results in the elimination of the bees that are crucial for the pollination of our cocoa trees—has ceased, and will hopefully result in a cocoa higher yield. The risk of bush fires in the landscape has also been reduced, as fires are now not be used to harvest honey from the wild."
"I harvested 150 pounds from my apiary, sold 133 pounds for USD $1,020, gave four pounds to friends, and kept 13 pounds for my family’s breakfast, especially for the children. I have increased the number of hives, and hopefully my income will be enhanced in the next harvesting seasons, which will help me further my children’s education in higher institutions. My future is bright if I continue to expand my apiary, since there is a potential market for honey.”
In an attempt to harness the sustainability potential of the apiaries and expand it to a landscape-based project, the beekeepers’ group has formed a business and is being coached by the Business Advisory Centre, which helps small businesses sharpen entrepreneurship and management skills. Harvests continue to look promising, and the group is planning to add to its portfolio by producing beeswax and propolis to the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries.


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At the last cyclo repair shop in central Phnom Penh, six mechanics lie back in recliners. The post-lunch lull means fewer customers, fewer jobs to complete.
But the creaky arrival of a cyclo stirs the shop on Street 118 to life. Like a pit crew, the men jump into action, milling around the three-wheeled rickshaw to see what needs fixing, which turns out to be nothing more complicated than a punctured tyre.
The driver has a chat to the shop’s owner, Hou Sreng, and slips him some cash. Sreng waits for the next driver to pull up, and then the next. Business might be slower than ever, but all the drivers in the city know Sreng.
“In the 1990s, there were many cyclo spare parts and repair shops along this street,” he said. “Then it stopped. Some left to go abroad, some just quit and moved elsewhere. Now it is just me.”
Sreng started selling cyclo parts in 1980. The venture didn’t pan out so he tried driving a taxi, which was also short-lived. Other career paths led to other dead ends. In 1993, he returned to his roots and opened up a shop, mainly to be closer to his family.
For a while, business was decent. But the variety of transportation options soon pushed the cyclo trade, and shops like his, into near extinction. He had to diversify into moto repair to stay afloat, while renting out a fleet of 30 cyclos for 2,000 riel each per day, or about 50 cents.
“I used to get by just selling cyclo spare parts. I could sell 10 tyres a day, now it is more like two or three,” he said.
Cyclos were popularised in the 1930s, the French colonial era, but most of the cyclos on the streets today were manufactured in the 1950s and ’60s. In 1980, there were about 5,000 cyclos in the capital. The number dwindled to 1,000 in 2010.
Today, just 517 cyclos remain in the capital, according to research conducted by Cambodia’s Cyclo Conservation and Career Association (CCCA).
The fewer cyclos, the less need for cyclo shops, and the businesses that relied on repairs either packed it in or starting fixing other modes of transport.
Im Sambath, director of CCCA, said part of the decline can be blamed on wear and tear. Cyclos that are still in use are becoming more expensive to fix, and it’s increasingly difficult to find spare parts, according to Sambath. He pointed to Sreng’s shop as the final bastion.
“No new cyclos are made in Cambodia now, and the manufacturer that produces cyclo spare parts in Vietnam has recently cut production.”
Cyclo driver Hor Samon, a member of CCCA, which also helps drivers drum up business through several initiatives, said he was loaded with passengers before tuk-tuks took Phnom Penh over.
Samon said that he caters mostly to the elderly, who use his services after a day of shopping.
“But now I am very free. Some days, I fall asleep in my cyclo waiting for clients,” the 59-year-old veteran said.
Ly Heang, the chief mechanic at the cyclo shop, knows something about waiting for clients.
“I used to be busy all day long,” Heang said, “but now I have a lot of free time.”
In the good days, he would fix up to 30 in a shift. Now, moto repairs are much more common.
“The shop would be full with cyclo drivers,” said the 24-year mechanic, who learned his trade from fixing bicycles.
According to Heang, it costs around $300 in parts to assemble a cyclo – that’s if you can find the materials.
Sreng, the owner, stopped importing new parts more than three years ago, because some of them aren’t produced any more. When asked why he keeps up the trade, he adopts a going-down-with-the-ship attitude.
He’ll keep going, he said, until “there are no more cyclos”.


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Some weeks ago, a Nigerian graduate whose story went viral for revealing she earned good money from selling food with a wheelbarrow has been recognise by one of the biggest food giants in the country. Josephine did not only inspired people with her story but also attracted the attention of Mamador.
According to media report, Josephine’s hard work was rewarded as the Mamador team visited her in Abuja to present her with a brand new mobile kitchen as part of the Mamador Empowerment Initiative for food entrepreneurs. The gifts did not stop there, Josephine was also gifted with Mamador products, ranging from the Cooking Oil, Seasoning and Margarine; and other branded gift items. Going through the stress of pushing her food around is now a thing of the past, thanks to Mamador.
Recall, the Nigerian graduate, identified as Jossy, who is married to a lawyer took to social media to share her story of how she ventured into selling food in a wheelbarrow.
The Lady also disclosed her profit and how she was able to overcome the shame that comes along side doing such business, especially as a graduate.
Read her post below;
See more photo below:


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Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox 360 has sold more than 57 million units worldwide.
Major Nelson announced via Twitter that the console has surpassed the figure following a successful fiscal quarter.
The platform holder previously revealed that the Xbox 360 shifted more than 2.3 million units during the last quarter, and was the "best-selling" console during the last nine months.
Sony recently reported that it has moved 55.5 million PlayStation 3s during the platform's lifecycle, putting the Microsoft machine ahead by 1.5 million units. However, it should be noted that the Xbox 360 has been on the market for a year longer.
Nintendo's Wii has sold significantly more units than its competitors, with 89 million consoles shifted worldwide. The platform launched around the same period as the PS3.
Nintendo will be the first of the big three to release a new home console next year when it launches the Wii U.


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Mobile World Congress 2017 featured 3,000 exhibitors and start-ups last week in Barcelona. A more descriptive name for this event would be Artificial Intelligence (AI) and The Internet of Things (IOT) World Congress.
The Ericsson Consumer Lab team identified the top trends in these areas that point to rapidly changing consumer expectations and will transform the media industry.
AnArtificial Intelligence-First World. The mobile world is slowly being replaced by AI. Consumers are increasingly using automated applications, influencing overall IoT adoption. Two in five believe smartphones will learn their habits and automatically perform activities on their behalf. One in two believe they will be able to talk to household appliances. AI (Artificial Intelligence) will end the screen age. One out of two smartphone users now think that smartphones will be a thing of the past and that this will happen in just five years. Artificial intelligence will allow consumers to interact with objects around them without having to use a smartphone screen.
IOT Everywhere. Wearables are the first phase of IOT everywhere. But the future of wearables isn’t a connected watch! The Cicret Braceletcan make skin the new touchscreen. That's the future of wearable devices.
Context-Aware Personalization. Sentiance, a Belgian start-up, uses ambient intelligence and mines sensor data from smartphones and wearable devices. It uses AI to build context-aware, personalized profiles that can be used by its clients to increase engagement, conversion and retention.
Merged Reality. Almost four out of five virtual reality users believe VR will be indistinguishable from reality in only three years. Half of respondents are already interested in gloves or shoes that allow you to interact with virtual objects.
V-Commerce. Virtual reality headsets allow shoppers at Tommy Hilfiger stores in New York who might never attend a fashion show to view and shop the season’s runway styles. VR headsets will be installed in the brand’s biggest flagship stores in the United States and Europe.
V-Cinema. Virtual reality is the new cinema experience.
Graphene. What is graphene and why should brands and marketers care about it? Graphene is one of the most versatile substances available to mankind. The first 2D atomic crystal -- a single layer of carbon atoms -- is the thinnest object ever obtained (a million times thinner than a human hair). It is also the world’s strongest material (stronger than a diamond, 200 times stronger than steel) yet lightweight and flexible.
Brands and marketers need to be aware of the coming world of flexible smart screen technology. One particular area in which we will soon begin to see graphene used on a commercial scale is on liquid crystal displays (LCD). Graphene LCD touchscreens for smartphones, tablets, desktop computers and televisions are in the early stages of development. In terms of potential real-world electronic applications, we can eventually expect to see such devices as graphene-based e-paper with the ability to display interactive and updatable information and flexible electronic devices including portable computers and televisions.
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The opinions and points of view expressed in this article are exclusively the views of the author and/or subject(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.com/MyersBizNet, Inc. management or associated bloggers.


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Bendigo Bank cards business enters new phase
20/11/2003Bendigo Bank’s credit card business entered a new era this week when the bank became a full service provider of credit cards through becoming an acquirer of the three major card brands – Bankcard, MasterCard and Visa.
This will bring pricing and service benefits to Bendigo’s business customers, or merchants, as the bank will now be able to provide this service in its own right.
Previously, merchant acquiring was offered through a third party arrangement, as Bendigo was a participating member of the Visa scheme only.
Chief Manager Card Division, Greg Devlin, said the move to join MasterCard and Bankcard would bring immediate benefits to the bank and its merchants, including:
“Those benefits will be felt not only by our merchants, but by the communities in which they operate,” Mr Devlin said.
“This makes today’s initiative of significant strategic importance, because it effectively further enhances the package a Bendigo Bank branch or Community Bank branch can provide to the community.
“We would expect the pricing benefits we can now deliver to result in more capital being retained by local businesses for spending within their community.
“This will further improve the local economies in which we operate, ultimately producing greater success for our business.”
Bendigo’s customers would benefit from greater choice and an enhanced Rewards program.
Mr Devlin said becoming a card acquirer would also produce financial benefits to Bendigo Bank, as it will not be paying a third party to conduct transactions on its behalf.


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Auto shop workers assist in DWI arrest
Workers at a northeast Albuquerque auto repair store said they refused to help a suspected drunken driver and then kept him from leaving until police could arrive.
Tommy Montoya was in court Sunday where the judge learned he had a lengthy criminal history, including four DWI convictions.
According to the criminal complaint, when workers at the auto shop refused to help
Montoya, he took off his shirt and began to yell. The workers were able to keep Montoya at the auto shop until police arrived.
Officers said he could not complete sobriety tests and refuses a breathalyzer. He remains behind bars.


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: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL
) has started giving the interest amounting to total of Rs 49.69 crore on deposit amount of 25.90 lakh low tension power
consumers in Pune zone. This amount is being adjusted in the monthly power
bills from April to June 2017.
It is mandatory for power consumers in all categories to give security deposit to MSEDCL as per Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
(MERC) rules. Interest is paid on this amount as per bank base rate. MSEDCL will be giving interest amounting to Rs 31.93 crore to 21.65 lakh power consumers in low tension category in Pune Zone which comprises of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad
cities and Manchar, Rajgurunagar and Mulshi divisions. It will give interest amounting to Rs 9.05 crore to 2.61 lakh power consumers in commercial category; Rs 5.12 crore to 37,461 industrial consumers; Rs 2.41 crore to 1.09 lakh agriculture pump power consumers and Rs 1.18 crore to other 18,000 consumers.
Separate bills have been sent to 5.14 lakh consumers to pay additional security depoit of Rs 72 crore with the monthly power bills of April/ May 2017. Out of which 1.09 lakh consumers have paid Rs 7.7 crore. One month’s average monthly bill has to be paid as security deposit as per MERC directives.
MSEDCL has appealed to consumers that have not paid additional security deposit till now to pay it. The low tension power consumers in Pune division can check their additional security deposit amount and also pay it online using the MSEDCL’s authorized website: www.mahadiscom.in. They can also use the mobile app of MSEDCL for this purpose.


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Google Translate Android app is all set to expand its reach by providing support for translating text in the images as well. This may remind you of the famous iPhone advertisement. Yeah, the one in which iPhone showcases its charismatic characteristics by dynamically converting a menu board into native language, simply by hovering over it.
That feature now has paved its way into Android too, with Google upgrading its Google Translate App recently. Better late than never, as a Google optimist would put it.
The trick would be a huge plus for Google Translate app as it is going to be immensely useful to people travelling abroad, who cannot understand the cryptic bill-boards and esoteric road-signs.
The feature might look as an extension of Google Goggles feature, which also allowed you to translate scanned text. This however, is a lot simpler and handier. Unlike Google Goggles, Google Translate lets you highlight the portion of the image to be translated manually, thereby providing more control and faster response.
While many believe it very closely resembles Word Lens, another image-translating Android app but the sore reality is that unlike Word Lens, Google Translate doesn’t translate images in real-time (using augmented reality). You would have to run your finger over the text to be translated in the image, for Google Translate to churn down those bits for you into your native language. The moment you hover your finger, Google Translate immediately starts the translation of words.
Users downloading the 2.5 version of Google Translate and using versions above Android 2.3 would be able to use the image-translation feature. Though, it works for only Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Portugese and Russian as of now, the rest 64 supported Google-translate languages are also likely to be appended in the near future.
The down-side of using Google Translate is that it requires a working Internet connection, which can be annoying as hotspots are hard to find and it is unlikely that people travelling abroad would have handsets with working data connection.
The up-side however is that it handles more languages and is dead-accurate. Moreover, it’s FREE to use and download, unlike Word Lens, which charges extra for language add-ons.
Google by developing such apps is transiting our lives and translating the smartphone concept to something more sagacious, pragmatic and astute.


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New research suggests that something as simple as introducing smiley faces or adding small prizes for buying a healthy item can prompt kids to ask for such foods and be happy to eat them, according to a Times of India report.
Robert Siegel, the studies author and medical director of the Center for Better Health and Nutrition of the Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, said that the study is “very promising.”
It looks like we found a very promising, low-cost and effective way of improving the nutrition of elementary school children (…) this type of program may be a useful component in schools trying to improve the nutrition and health of their students.
According to a report by Science Daily, the study was a two-phase intervention to improve healthful eating among kindergarten through sixth-grade students at an inner-city school in Cincinnati. The first phase consisted of placing green smiley face emoticons by the most nutritious foods in the school cafeteria, including fruits, vegetables, plain white fat-free milk and an entrée with whole grains. Three months later, researchers introduced the concept of a “Power Plate,” which consisted of the four healthy foods. Children who selected a Power Plate could receive a small prize, such as a sticker, temporary tattoo or mini beach ball. Prizes were given out at various times during the intervention if researchers saw a student with the four healthy foods/beverage. Cash register receipts were used to measure differences in the purchase of healthy foods from baseline to the end of the five-month intervention.
Results from the study showed plain milk purchases increased from 7.4 percent to 48 percent of total milk sales — a 549 percent increase. Meanwhile, chocolate milk selection decreased from 86.5 percent to 44.6 percent of total milk sales. The total amount of milk purchased remained constant from baseline to the end of the study.
In addition, fruit selection increased by 20 percent from 1 to 1.2 items per student per day, and vegetable selection rose by 62 percent from 0.74 to 1.2 items per student per day. Power Plate selection increased 335 percent from baseline.
In other food related news here at Immortal News, Chipotle is now GMO-free.


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Why would companies located in one of the most beautiful states in the country – California – undertake the costly proposition of relocating to places with less scenic appeal and less-than-ideal weather? There are three answers and they relate to California’s business environment: Regulations, taxes and anxiety. Let’s take anxiety first. Corporate leaders and business […]
California is considering imposing the most ruthless set of taxes ever placed on businesses in the state’s history – a tsunami of levies that may trigger the worst raid on private-sector finances ever organized by the state’s politicians. One result will be an increasing number of businesses leaving California for greener domestic or international pastures. […]
Just think: You run a business. Your partner embezzles from you and you are reeling – you feel like you’ve been punched in the gut. Next, California’s state government shows up and slaps you around. When you object, Sacramento offers no apology, no comfort. You’re on your own. Farfetched? Read on to see what happened […]
Down again. That’s what we can say about California’s “business attractiveness” as its lost is tenth place ranking in a survey of site consultants, published yesterday by Area Development Online. Here is what Editor Dale Buss had to say about the state losing the ranking it had in last year’s survey: “The state’s reputation with […]
As a corporate site selection consultant, my world is buzzing about the big Toyota move from Torrance to Plano, Texas. My peers and I know full well how company employees will have to seriously consider their options and how Torrance’s treasury will be affected. But some of us are irritated with the nonsense coming from […]
This is an open letter to Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his Economic Development team visiting California this week. Their goal is to interest businesses in relocating to their state or at least selecting Texas as the place in which to expand. Dear Governor Perry and Delegates: As you’re fix’in to come out here, I’m […]
Thanks to an entrepreneur, Brian Overstreet, we in California are just starting to learn that the state Franchise Tax Board has cancelled the Qualified Small Business (QSB) tax benefits and is retroactively denying the benefits for the past five years. Overstreet explained in a column in Xconomy that the QSB was designed to incentivize people starting […]
Political correctness in California has become so bizarre that a high-achieving citizen paying huge amounts in taxes is ostracized if he even mildly complains about those taxes. Pro golfer Phil Mickelson has suggested “drastic changes” were in store for him – including possibly moving out of California – because of changes in federal and state […]
Co-author of the Reason Foundation’s 2008 study, “The California High Speed Rail Project: A Due Diligence Report”, whose warnings about the project have over time proven to be accurate. Rarely has one promotional blurb on a book jacket hooked me into immediately opening the pages and reading late into the night. However, this one line […]
Since the beginning of this year, California has experienced 129 disinvestment events, an average of 5.4 per week. Comparing this year thus far with 2009, when the total was 51 events, essentially averaging 1 per week, our rate today is more than 5 times what it was then.
Hence, California is experiencing the fastest rate of disinvestment events based on public domain information, closure notices to the state, and information from affected employees in the three years since a specialized tracking system was put into place.
No one knows the real level of activity because smaller companies are not required to file layoff notices with the state. A conservative estimate is that only 1 out of 5 company departures becomes public knowledge, which means California may suffer more than 1,000 disinvestment events this year. The capital directed to out-of-state or out-of-country, while difficult to calculate, is nonetheless in the billions of dollars.


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Digiday+ Research: TikTok is hot, but agencies are skeptical of whether it works
TikTok has captured the imagination of marketers and increasingly larger portions of their ad dollars as they hotly pursue the young cohort flocking daily to the platform by the millions. But these are early days of the platform’s appeal among the 86 agency execs surveyed in February that actually spend client budgets on TikTok — less than 20% say they are at least “confident” it works, far behind the social platforms that have dominated digital marketing for years now.
In general, agencies and their brand clients — 145 of who were polled in February — direct a fairly small amount of their media to non-Meta-owned social channels like TikTok along with Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest and Reddit. The majority said they either spend a very small part of their budget on these channels — or none at all, which comes as somewhat of a surprise given the attention paid to them by the consuming public. Still, the fact that all these channels, save Reddit, register at all among advertisers spending a “large portion” or “very large portion” indicates their futures are bright as marketing options.
Newsletter publishers cautiously plan to expand editorial and sales teams
Publishers with newsletter-focused businesses are looking to grow their editorial and sales teams this year — but cautiously, to keep spending down during a time of economic uncertainty.
Magna 2023 forecast paints a resilient U.S. market, thanks to retail media and streaming
In its latest ad forecast, Magna is expecting a resilient U.S. market this year – boosted by retail, streaming and the auto industry’s bounceback.
How agencies are shaping the future of DEI beyond their own walls
Agencies are acknowledging that diversity efforts don’t stop with their companies. In addition to improving employee representation, now agency efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion are aimed at supporting clients and external partners.
SponsoredHow advertisers are fostering more effective publisher partnerships
Michael Weaver, senior vice president, business development and growth, Al Jazeera Media Network An everyday conversation between publishers and advertisers goes like this: The publisher invites the advertiser to a meal to talk about their business, attempts to delve into specifics on what the media buyer is looking to achieve, their audience breakdown and how […]
Newsletter publishers say they continue to see uptick in revenue despite advertising slowdown
At a time when larger media companies are feeling the pressure of the economic downturn and advertising slowdown, newsletter businesses continue to be in a period of revenue growth.
TikTok’s CEO faces bipartisan skepticism in first Congressional hearing on security concerns
The hearing comes amid calls to remove TikTok from government devices and in some cases even ban it entirely.


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The US government estimates that about 85% of the textiles that are discarded every year wind up in landfills. As for the rest, the competition for used clothing, linens and towels is intense – and it’s only getting worse. Long-established nonprofits like Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army are facing competitive threats from retailers – not to mention a slew of for-profit recyclers, some of whom deploy cutthroat tactics and have questionable reputations.
Welcome to the clothing bin wars, a battle that comes complete with lawsuits alleging dirty dealing, lobbying of local and state politicians, rogue operators who put bins on other people’s property and even bizarre allegations that some big players in the clothing recycling industry are front groups for a mysterious Danish cult.
Who knew that recycling T-shirts and towels could get so complex?
Who collects … and who benefits?
Even apart from the cult allegations, the recycled clothing business is shrouded in mystery. “In many cases, you drive by a bin and you have no idea who owns it, who manages it or what interests it serves,” says Ira Baseman, president of Community Recycling, a 13-year-old company that promotes clothing and shoe reuse.
Baseman’s concerns are echoed throughout the business. Jackie King, the executive director of Smart (Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles), which is the trade association of the “wiping materials, used clothing and fiber industries,” says her industry needs more transparency. “Unfortunately, some of the people who get into the business are not abiding with our code of conduct,” she told me. “There are a lot of bad actors out there.”
Not surprisingly, Goodwill Industries International, the network of 165 local Goodwill agencies in the US and Canada, is feeling the threat of disreputable competitors. On its website, it warns donors: “Unfortunately, many goods that wind up in donation bins end up supporting for-profit groups, rather than aiding nonprofit, charitable organizations.”
All of which raises questions: is all the competition to collect old clothes good for the environment? What, if anything, is wrong with recycling textiles for profit? How should you decide where to recycle textiles – and what happens to them after you do?
Benefits for consumers and communities
Although reliable statistics are hard to come by, industry insiders agree that clothing, textile and shoe recycling is a growth business. “There are more players in the market, that’s for sure,” says Jane Driscoll, senior vice president of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England. That’s good for the planet.
Big brands that have launched their own take-back programs in recent years include H&M (“Don’t Let Fashion Go to Waste”), The North Face (“Clothes the Loop”) and Puma (“Bring Me Back”). All three collect clothes from any company at their stores, and contract with I:CO (short for I:Collect), a global Swiss-based firm that collects, sorts and recycles them.
Depending on where they bring their clothes, customers can receive a variety of rewards. H&M and The North Face offer discounts on future purchases, while Puma promises psychic benefits (“feeling really, really good about yourself”). As for Goodwill and the Salvation Army, their nonprofit status means that they can provide tax deductions – as well as the knowledge that their efforts aid local communities in a variety of ways.
Other recyclers offer intangible benefits. For example, Philadelphia-based Community Recycling enables Americans who recycle to make a virtual, online connection with the people in poor countries who end up with their clothing or shoes. It also offers convenience – individual consumers can get postage-paid labels so they can recycle from home – and makes charitable donations when working with colleges, schools and community groups.
Community Recycling’s Baseman unapologetically admits that his company is a for-profit business. “We’re not asking for donations,” he says. “We don’t use the D-word. It’s recycling. It’s reuse. Recycling works better when there’s an economic model to support it.” People don’t object when for-profit companies recycle newspapers, bottles or cans, he notes. Why should clothes or shoes be different?
A confusing, complex landscape
While some recyclers are clearly working for the common good, the picture gets murkier when it comes to the thousands of clothing bins scattered around the country, many of which are often labeled with the names of charities. It’s difficult or impossible to know how much of the money made from recycling ends up in the coffers of the nonprofits. “What we want is transparency,” says Goodwill’s Jane Driscoll. “It’s about ethics and reputation and purpose.”
But transparency can be hard to come by. The recyclers, whether charities or businesses, are often not as clear as they could be about where the clothes they get end up. For example, Lauren Lawson-Zilai, director of public relations for Goodwill Industries International, told me in an e-mail that “When you donate to Goodwill, your unwanted items are sold in one of our more than 3,000 local stores and online.” However, in a subsequent follow-up, she clarified, explaining that Goodwill resells clothes and shoes that are in good shape in its retail stores, sells others by the pound to US customers and then sells the rest to for-profit textile recyclers.
According to Smart, less than half of the clothing that enters the secondary market remains clothing, and much of that is packaged into bales and sold cheaply by the pound or the ton to overseas distributors. The prices that these fetch in Asia, Africa and Latin America is yet another mystery, but a website called Recycle Match currently offers 42,000 pounds of winter clothes per month for $0.03 a pound and 20,000 pounds of sneakers and tennis shoes per month for $0.19 a pound.
Finally, textiles and shoes that are no longer suitable for reuse are cut up to make rags for commercial use, or recycled into carpet padding, filling for car seats, or home insulation.
“A lot of people’s homes are now insulated with what used to be blue jeans,” says Smart’s Jackie King. That’s why for-profit and charitable recyclers alike don’t mind getting clothes that are stained or out of style, she notes.
Smart offers online advice about recycling to consumers, while Goodwill, not surprisingly, advises people to “give to charities you know and trust”. Community Recycling’s Ira Baseman says there’s plenty of business to go around, and that his goal is not to damage the charities. “We want to take market share away from the landfill,” he says.
Read more like this:
- Cotton production linked to images of the dried up Aral Sea basin
- Traditional fashion calendar fuels overconsumption and waste
- There is more to closed-loop textile recycling than technological innovation
- Advertisement feature: Recycling and reusing textile waste in fashion
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To be accepted by the rest of the network, a new block must contain a proof-of-work (PoW). The system used is based on Adam Back's 1997 anti-spam scheme, Hashcash.[failed verification] The PoW requires miners to find a number called a nonce, such that when the block content is hashed along with the nonce, the result is numerically smaller than the network's difficulty target.:ch. 8 This proof is easy for any node in the network to verify, but extremely time-consuming to generate, as for a secure cryptographic hash, miners must try many different nonce values (usually the sequence of tested values is the ascending natural numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, ...:ch. 8) before meeting the difficulty target.
Several news outlets have asserted that the popularity of bitcoins hinges on the ability to use them to purchase illegal goods. Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz says that bitcoin's anonymity encourages money laundering and other crimes, "If you open up a hole like bitcoin, then all the nefarious activity will go through that hole, and no government can allow that." He's also said that if "you regulate it so you couldn't engage in money laundering and all these other [crimes], there will be no demand for Bitcoin. By regulating the abuses, you are going to regulate it out of existence. It exists because of the abuses."
As of February 2018, the Chinese Government halted trading of virtual currency, banned initial coin offerings and shut down mining. Some Chinese miners have since relocated to Canada. One company is operating data centers for mining operations at Canadian oil and gas field sites, due to low gas prices. In June 2018, Hydro Quebec proposed to the provincial government to allocate 500 MW to crypto companies for mining. According to a February 2018 report from Fortune, Iceland has become a haven for cryptocurrency miners in part because of its cheap electricity. Prices are contained because nearly all of the country's energy comes from renewable sources, prompting more mining companies to consider opening operations in Iceland.
While it’s still early days, Mist, MetaMask and a variety of other browsers look set to make blockchain-based applications accessible to more people than ever before. Even people without a technical background can now potentially build blockchain apps. This is a revolutionary leap for blockchain technology that could bring decentralized applications into the mainstream.
In March 2013 the blockchain temporarily split into two independent chains with different rules due to a bug in version 0.8 of the bitcoin software. The two blockchains operated simultaneously for six hours, each with its own version of the transaction history from the moment of the split. Normal operation was restored when the majority of the network downgraded to version 0.7 of the bitcoin software, selecting the backward compatible version of the blockchain. As a result, this blockchain became the longest chain and could be accepted by all participants, regardless of their bitcoin software version. During the split, the Mt. Gox exchange briefly halted bitcoin deposits and the price dropped by 23% to $37 before recovering to previous level of approximately $48 in the following hours. The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) established regulatory guidelines for "decentralized virtual currencies" such as bitcoin, classifying American bitcoin miners who sell their generated bitcoins as Money Service Businesses (MSBs), that are subject to registration or other legal obligations. In April, exchanges BitInstant and Mt. Gox experienced processing delays due to insufficient capacity resulting in the bitcoin price dropping from $266 to $76 before returning to $160 within six hours. The bitcoin price rose to $259 on 10 April, but then crashed by 83% to $45 over the next three days. On 15 May 2013, US authorities seized accounts associated with Mt. Gox after discovering it had not registered as a money transmitter with FinCEN in the US. On 23 June 2013, the US Drug Enforcement Administration listed ₿11.02 as a seized asset in a United States Department of Justice seizure notice pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 881.[better source needed] This marked the first time a government agency had seized bitcoin. The FBI seized about ₿30,000 in October 2013 from the dark web website Silk Road during the arrest of Ross William Ulbricht. These bitcoins were sold at blind auction by the United States Marshals Service to venture capital investor Tim Draper. Bitcoin's price rose to $755 on 19 November and crashed by 50% to $378 the same day. On 30 November 2013 the price reached $1,163 before starting a long-term crash, declining by 87% to $152 in January 2015. On 5 December 2013, the People's Bank of China prohibited Chinese financial institutions from using bitcoins. After the announcement, the value of bitcoins dropped, and Baidu no longer accepted bitcoins for certain services. Buying real-world goods with any virtual currency had been illegal in China since at least 2009.
If the private key is lost, the bitcoin network will not recognize any other evidence of ownership; the coins are then unusable, and effectively lost. For example, in 2013 one user claimed to have lost 7,500 bitcoins, worth $7.5 million at the time, when he accidentally discarded a hard drive containing his private key. About 20% of all bitcoins are believed to be lost. They would have a market value of about $20 billion at July 2018 prices.
Bitcoin is pseudonymous rather than anonymous in that the cryptocurrency within a wallet is not tied to people, but rather to one or more specific keys (or "addresses"). Thereby, bitcoin owners are not identifiable, but all transactions are publicly available in the blockchain. Still, cryptocurrency exchanges are often required by law to collect the personal information of their users.
Many uses have been proposed for Ethereum platform, including ones that are impossible or unfeasible. Use case proposals have included finance, the internet-of-things, farm-to-table produce, electricity sourcing and pricing, and sports betting. Ethereum is (as of 2017) the leading blockchain platform for initial coin offering projects, with over 50% market share.
Properties of cryptocurrencies gave them popularity in applications such as a safe haven in banking crises and means of payment, which also led to the cryptocurrency use in controversial settings in the form of online black markets, such as Silk Road. The original Silk Road was shut down in October 2013 and there have been two more versions in use since then. In the year following the initial shutdown of Silk Road, the number of prominent dark markets increased from four to twelve, while the amount of drug listings increased from 18,000 to 32,000.
#BitBlockBoom was probably the most surreal event to occur in crypto land since the Bitconnect annual ceremony of January 2018. The event, which is a self-described conference for Bitcoin Maximalists, saw a presentation which gave a step-by-step guide to trolling and arguing with supporters of other cryptocurrencies. One slide, titled “The path to victory” closed with the statement “bully people that don’t agree with us”; and another titled “Relentless propaganda again” led with “Nocoiners must be crushed” (here’s a full transcript of the ramblings).
Cryptocurrencies are systems that allow for the secure payments of online transactions that are denominated in terms of a virtual "token," representing ledger entries internal to the system itself. "Crypto" refers to the fact that various encryption algorithms and cryptographic techniques, such as elliptical curve encryption, public-private key pairs, and hashing functions, are employed.
As of November 2017, Bitcoin and other digital currencies are outlawed only in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, with China and Russia being on the verge of banning them as well. Other jurisdictions, however, do not make the usage of cryptocurrencies illegal as of yet, but the laws and regulations can vary drastically depending on the country.
2) Pseudonymous: Neither transactions nor accounts are connected to real-world identities. You receive Bitcoins on so-called addresses, which are randomly seeming chains of around 30 characters. While it is usually possible to analyze the transaction flow, it is not necessarily possible to connect the real world identity of users with those addresses.
Ethereum enables developers to build and deploy decentralized applications. A decentralized application or Dapp serve some particular purpose to its users. Bitcoin, for example, is a Dapp that provides its users with a peer to peer electronic cash system that enables online Bitcoin payments. Because decentralized applications are made up of code that runs on a blockchain network, they are not controlled by any individual or central entity.


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WPP, the world’s largest advertising group, cut its forecast for 2017 net sales after a first-half decline in its biggest market, North America.
Total like-for-like net sales fell 0.5% in the six months to June 30, the London-based firm said. In North America, like-for-like sales were down 2.2%, although they were up 3.8% in the UK. “Following the pressure on client spending in the second quarter particularly in the fast moving consumer goods or packaged goods sector, the quarter 2 full year revised forecast has been revised down further, with both like-for-like revenue and net sales forecast to be between zero and 1% growth,” the company said. In its annual report issued in March, growth of 2% was projected, which it then described as “conservative.” In July, like-for-like revenue fell by 4.1% and net sales contracted 2.6%, less than the company’s budget and the revised second quarter forecast.


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The Government Digital Strategy was launched today, putting connectivity, digital skills, and improving businesses with technology at the top of the agenda.
The publication of the strategy follows the Government Transformation Strategy which was launched last month, in which digital technology was one of its areas of focus.
The Government Digital Strategy expands on its aims in the space, and consists of seven key areas: connectivity; digital skills and inclusion; making the UK the best place to start and grow a digital business; making all British businesses digital; a safe and secure cyberspace; transforming government to make it more digital; and making the most out of data.
In a speech today, culture secretary Karen Bradley said more than four million free digital skills training opportunities will be created as part of the Government Digital Strategy, detailing specific examples of companies that are working with government on this.
"Lloyds Banking Group will give face-to-face digital skills training to 2.5 million individuals, charities, and SMBs by 2020; Barclays plans to teach basic coding to 45,000 more children and assist up to one million people with general digital skills and cyber awareness; Google, as part of its commitment to five hours of free digital skills for everyone, has pledged to help boost digital skills in seaside towns," she said.
On top of this, HP announced plans to help plug the skills gap, in conjunction with the government's announcement.
"The STEM worker shortfall is estimated to be at 40,000 each year in the UK and with more jobs being created to meet the shifting demands of the digital economy, this gap is widening," said HP's UK boss George Brasher. "We believe we have a responsibility to partner with government, teachers, parents, pupils and other industry leaders to enhance digital learning and close the skills gap."
As part of this, HP has pledged to introduce to the UK its HP Graphics Education Programme which it claims will "empower the next generation of digital printing graduates with the skills they need to work in the rapidly changing digital printing space".
Further, it will expand its Learning Studios initiative to help schools use the latest technology kit, and the HP Foundation will bring a free online learning platform to the UK, aiming to reach 6,000 new users in the next five years.
Many in the industry welcomed the Government Digital Strategy.
Guy Beaudin, public sector business development director at Insight UK said: "This new digital strategy demonstrates the government's recognition that new technologies must be embraced if the public sector is to stay relevant in a tough political and economic landscape. Benefits of digitisation in the public sector are huge; from new, improved services for citizens to enhancing efficiency within organisations, better fraud management and even saving lives.
"It's vital for the industry to foster digital collaboration between public sector agencies, charities and businesses to bring together a unique understanding of sector challenges and specialist knowledge of the latest ICT solutions. The Digital Skills Partnership is certainly a step in the right direction, but it requires the education of an entire workforce rather than just the decision makers to realise the full potential of digitisation. Businesses need to embrace digital tools on a daily basis and ensure data security guidance is in place to drive innovation, productivity and thrive in today's modern world."
Today saw 14 of the UK IT channel's biggest hitters come together to determine the winners of CRN's WiC awards. But what does being a WiC judge actually involve? Doug Woodburn reports
'Smaller firms may struggle to keep up with Microsoft's innovation with Dynamics' says CEO Stuart Fenton after acquiring assets from Profile Enterprise Solutions
Pete Peterson admits the firm hasn't always been the 'easiest company to do business with'
New chief exec Aaron Painter says 'longer-term strategy' could see firm tackle the Asian market


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Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Evonik announced that its contract manufacturer had to shut down its production facilities. Both production and shipping of the amino acid ThreAMINO (L-threonine) are affected.
L-threonine is an essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis but cannot be created by the animal. ThreAMINO is produced in a fermentation process using high-potential microbial strains.
Evonik said limited stocks of materials are available, and the supply shortage affects all regions.
Dr. Emmanuel Auer, head of Evonik's animal nutrition business line, explained: “Regrettably, we are facing a supply shortage for ThreAMINO. We have, therefore, decided to send a force majeure notification to our customers with immediate effect, in accordance with our contracts. Meanwhile, we will try the utmost to mitigate this situation and re-establish supply to our customers as fast as possible.”
Evonik said it will keep its customers regularly informed as the situation develops.
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals and is active in more than 100 countries. The Nutrition & Care segment is led by Evonik Nutrition & Care GmbH and contributes to applications for everyday consumer goods as well as animal nutrition and health care.


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UK-based excavator maker JCB is shutting down production at its nine British manufacturing plants through the end of March because of the “unprecedented” global collapse in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm announced on March 18.
No decision has been made about the following period. Shop-floor workers affected by the move will continue to be paid while many office staff will work from home, in line with government advice.
"These measures are unprecedented in the history of JCB but are absolutely necessary to protect the business,”"/said CEO Graeme Macdonald. "JCB is a global exporter and worldwide demand for our products has dropped sharply as customers cancel orders and defer deliveries."
He noted that "with countries like France, Spain and Italy going into lock down, those key markets for construction equipment disappear overnight," adding that "In light of this fast-changing situation, we need to re-plan our production and, as a result, manufacturing at all UK factories will cease for the rest of this week and all of next week."
The firm is weighing a UK government request to manufacture ventilators to ease a national shortage in the wake of the virus spread, says the Financial Times.
The firm noted that its China-based plant in Pudong, near Shanghai, now is fully operational after stopping production last month as that country's COVID-19 epidemic spread.
The shutdown follows by just months the firm's announcement of revenue, profit and sales increases for last year, with a 27% increase in machine sales beating the industry average of 18%. JCB announced last September that 2018 revenue rose 22% to £4.1 billion