Throne Hall: dual-winning four-year-old son of Kingman has been added to Ascot's sale on Thursday

Tattersalls Ascot

Twenty-six wildcards, headed by Godolphin's Throne Hall,have been added to the Tattersalls Ascot November Sale, which takes place from 10.30am on Thursday, November 4 at Ascot Racecourse Stables.

The catalogue consists of 125 lots, comprising of 37 fillies in or out of training, 73 colts and geldings in or out of training, four point-to-pointers, five yearlings and six store horses.

Catalogued as lot 66, the Godolphin-consigned Throne Hallis a four-year-old gelded son of Kingmanwho boasts a current BHA rating of 101 following a second place ina Class 2 handicap at York on his penultimate start.

Gordon Elliott's Cullentra House Stables have catalogued six wildcard entries, including lot 96, Oh Purple Reign, a winner of four races and Group 3-placed in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.

The gelding's most recent win came on September 1 in a mile handicap at Gowran Park.

The stable will also offer lot 122, Clondaw Secret, who was recently placed second on his penultimate start, beaten only half a length in a novice chase at Gowran Park. The six-year-old son of Court Cave carries current IHRB ratings of 125 and 118 over hurdles and fences respectively.

Wildcards have also been accepted from Belmont Stables, Ed Dunlop Racing, Frost Racing, Harry Whittington Racing, Jackdaws Castle, Manton Lodge Stables, Sandhill Racing Stables, Station Yard, Trotter Racing, Ty-Derlwyn Farm and Weathercock House Stables.

Tattersalls live internet bidding will be available for those who are unable to attend the sale in person. Prospective purchasers are requested that they register with Tattersalls at least 48 hours prior to the start of sale by selecting the following linkwww.tattersalls.com/livebidding.

The full catalogue can now be viewed atwww.tattersallsascot.com.

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Number of wildcards added as sales circuit makes very welcome return to Ascot - Racing Post

A Blackburn training company has partnered with a womens group to highlight issues of diversity and inclusivity in sales.

Sales Geek, based in Blackburns Cathedral Square has teamed-up with SWIT (Sales Women in Tech) in a partnership will see SWIT providing 13 videos from their Virtual Coffee Mornings for the Sales Geek Hub app.

The videos feature interviews with influential businesspeople on issues facing women in technology sales.

Sales Geek managing director Richard Few said: The Sales Geek Hub app aims to provide an online community for salespeople, providing video training modules and a forum for salespeople to share best practice and experiences.

We are especially pleased to be launching this guest content in partnership with SWIT which aims to inspire sales professionals and leaders to work towards more diverse and equal workplaces through conversation, education and community.

Co-founded in 2019 by Shauna McDaniel and Roisin Kearney, Dublin-headquartered SWIT is a platform to empower and inspire sales professionals and leaders to work towards a more diverse and equal workplace of the future.

The partnership is the first of its kind for Blackburns Sales Geek, which has achieved global success with its Sales Geek Hub app after making the resource free to use earlier this year.

The app was first launched on a subscription model in March 2020, just as the country went into lockdown, but still proved a success, with many furloughed staff appearing to download the app to use their time for professional development.

However, despite its good uptake figures, the company decided to further the apps reach my making it a free resource in June 2021.

SWIT co-founder Roisin Kearney said: One of the pillars of our community is education, so these interviews with senior leaders, packed with knowledgeable tips, were used as a tool to create content that is succinct and digestible for viewers.

We are so excited about a partnership with Sales Geek because it aligns with our education pillar.

They are on a mission to change the way the world perceives sales and we are on a similar path for women in sales.

For further information, go to https://www.salesgeek.co.uk/hub/.

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Sales Geek partners with women's firm to promote diversity and inclusivity in tech - Lancashire Telegraph

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the financialstatements and other financial information included elsewhere in this QuarterlyReport on Form 10-Q (this "Report") and with our audited financial statementsand other information presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the yearended December 31, 2020. The following discussion may contain forward-lookingstatements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Words such as"expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate,""continue," "may," "will," "could," "would," or the negative or plural of suchwords and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended toidentify forward-looking statements, but are not the only means of identifyingforward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to anumber of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could causeactual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from futureresults expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors thatcould cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to,those discussed below and elsewhere in this Report and in our other SEC filings,including particularly matters set forth under Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) ofour Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, such forward-looking statementsspeak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Except as required by law,we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflectevents or circumstances after the date of such statements. For purposes ofManagement's Discussion and Analysis within this Report, all monetary amountsare stated in thousands except for par values and per share amounts, unlessotherwise stated.OverviewWe are a global public safety technology and services company organized in March2016 delivering modern policing solutions to law enforcement and securitypersonnel. We began product sales of our first public safety product, theBolaWrap 100 remote restraint device, in late 2018. In October 2021 we releaseda new generation product, the BolaWrap 150. The BolaWrap 150 is electronicallydeployed and is more robust, smaller, lighter and simpler to deploy than theBolaWrap 100 that is being phased out.The immediate addressable domestic market for our solutions consists ofapproximately 900,000 full-time sworn law enforcement officers at over 15,300federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and over 12 million policeofficers in over 100 countries we are targeting globally. We are also exploringother domestic markets, including military and private security. Ourinternational focus is on countries with the largest police forces. The 100largest international police agencies are estimated to have over 12.1 millionlaw enforcement personnel. According to Statistics MRC, a market researchconsulting firm, we participate in a segment of the non-lethal products globalmarket expected to grow to $11.85 billion by 2023.

We focus our efforts on the following products, services and solutions:

We focus significant resources on research and development innovations and continue to enhance our products and plan to introduce new products. We believe we have established a strong branding and market presence globally and have established significant competitive advantages in our markets.

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Business Outlook and Challenges

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Impact of COVID-19 and Social Unrest on our Business

? Greater funding challenges for our customer base, which may adversely affect

timing of anticipated contracts and new customer sales;

? Disruption to our supply chain caused by distribution and other logistical

issues, which may further delay our ability to deliver product to customers

beyond 2021; and

? Potential decrease in productivity of our employees or those of our customers

? the duration and scope of the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic or

by ongoing social unrest;

? governmental, business and individuals' actions that have been and continue to

be taken in response to these events;

? the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest on economic activity and

? the degree to which our employees or those of our customers or suppliers

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

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Segment and Related Information

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

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Selling, General and Administrative Expense

The largest driver of this increase was related to an increase of $624 in share-based compensation, related to incentives for management and employees.

The increase in SG&A expense was partially offset by a $296 decrease in advertising and promotional product expense resulting from reduced demonstration product costs and a planned shift in production efforts to a new generation product.

Research and Development Expense

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

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Selling, General and Administrative Expense

SG&A expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $8,277 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

The largest driver of this increase was related to an increase of $2,329 in share-based compensation, of which $1,397 was for director compensation. The remaining $932 was incentive for management and employees.

Research and Development Expense

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 we received $13,726 of proceeds from the exercise of previously issued stock purchase warrants and from the exercise of stock options.

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Our future capital requirements, cash flows and results of operations could be affected by, and will depend on, many factors, some of which are currently unknown to us, including, among other things:

? The impact and effects of the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and

other potential pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreaks;

? Decisions regarding staffing, development, production, marketing and other

? Costs, timing and outcome of planned production and required customer and

? Costs, timing and outcome of any future warranty claims or litigation against

Principal factors that could affect our ability to obtain cash from external sources including from exercise of outstanding warrants and options include:

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we used $30,014 of cash to purchase short-term investments and we had proceeds from maturities of short-term investments of $25,000. We purchased $25,000 of short-term investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we received $12,048 from previously issued stock purchase warrants and $1,678 in proceeds from the exercise of previously issued stock options, and repaid $275 in debt relating to the acquisition of NSENA in December 2020.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We are committed to aggregate lease payments on our facility lease of $24 in 2021 and $58 in 2022.

At September 30, 2021 the Company was committed for approximately $713 for future component deliveries and contract services that are generally subject to modification or rescheduling in the normal course of business.

We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our business, revenue or operating results during the periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the period ended September 30, 2021, or subsequently thereto, that we believe are of potential significance to our financial statements.

Edgar Online, source Glimpses

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WRAP TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (form 10-Q) - marketscreener.com

In mid October, the New South Wales governments top bureaucrats urged new Premier Dominic Perrottet to push for an aggressive resumption of immigration levels to spur post-pandemic economic recovery.

Industry seized on this as the answer to skills shortages that have resulted from Australias border closures. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for a near doubling of the skilled migration program, to around 200,000 annually over the next five years.

In the same week, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) released a report that showed a 35% increase in the number of Australians enrolled in courses linked to apprenticeships and traineeships, compared to the start of the pandemic. But the news seemed to fly under the radar.

This significant rise in training may not satisfy those who want a quick solution to the skills shortages. But growth in Australias vocational education and training sector is a more sustainable way of filling the gaps.

Earlier this year, a NSW and federal government report suggested increased skilled migration would be a big part of Australias future success after a pandemic-induced fall in migration and population growth.

More recently, Infrastructure Australia anticipated skilled job shortages could rise to around 100,000 by 2023. It argued Australians needed an urgent skilled migration program but that some skills shortages were likely to persist in the significant post-COVID infrastructure boost.

A June 2021 ABS survey showed more than a quarter (27%) of Australian businesses were having difficulty finding qualified staff. Among the skilled trades, these were mainly in hospitality, sales, transportation, construction and mining.

But there are many issues with relying on migration to fix these, beyond a decrease in international travel due to COVID.

Demographer Liz Allen has argued the migration effort may be problematic due to more aggressive international competition to attract needed workers, such as in health care, and Australias reduced attractiveness as a destination.

Also, the upcoming longer waiting periods for new Australian migrants to access welfare payments can make similar destinations like Canada and New Zealand more attractive.

Meanwhile, an aggressive migration strategy may not be politically palatable. Research shows only 19% of voters agreed with the governments long-term migration target. The rest supported lower levels, including 28% who wanted nil net migration.

Another argument made by the likes of Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe is that a lower population leads to tightening of labour markets, fewer unemployed and employers improving wages and conditions causing employment participation rates to rise.

So, whats a better way to fill the skills gap?

Apprenticeships and traineeships enable individuals to work and learn on the job while they complete a nationally recognised qualification.

The NCVER report (quarterly, to March 2021) shows 329,585 apprentices and trainees were in training, an annual growth rate of 20.7%.

Commencements in traineeships and apprenticeships increased by 28.5% to 186,745. Of significance are increases such as 45.1% in the 25-44 years group and 58.2% in the over 45 years group. This raises the possibility they are re-training or upskilling, perhaps precipitated by the pandemic.

The growth rate in commencements was approximately the same in trades and non-trades. In trades, technical staff in IT, engineering and science recorded the greatest growth rate. In non-trades, this was for managerial/professional and administrative roles. These are some of the roles identified as being in current shortage or expected to be in strong future demand.

One reason for this increase is that during the pandemic, federal and state governments increased spending in re-skilling initiatives. Government programs included the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements program (and its expansion) and JobTrainer, which gave 17-24 years looking for work a way to study a course in high-demand sectors for free or by paying a low fee.

Another reason may be that a record number of people meeting the shock of the pandemic have either quit their job or are thinking about doing so in developed economies. More than 19 million US workers have quit their jobs since April 2021.

Recent ABS unemployment data shows fewer Australians are applying for jobs or participating in the workforce. In September 2021, the participation rate fell by 333,000 people and hit a 15-month low, with just 64.5% of people aged 15 and over currently working or actively looking for work.

These data suggest some Australians, whether voluntarily or not, are enrolling in VET courses to retrain themselves for new jobs.

There is growing evidence the increase in apprentices and trainees will help alleviate skills shortages in sectors of the economy flexible enough to take them on and patient enough to see them trained through the system. Traditionally, these are sectors which have been more exposed to market volatility such as mining and construction.

A recent Grattan Institute report suggests most skills shortages in a market economy are likely to be temporary. It argues our flexible labour market and relatively demand-driven higher education and VET sectors should lead to increased supply of most in-demand skills over time.

A federal report estimates that to make up for skills shortages caused by an ageing population, there needs to be an annual migrant inflow of as much as 400,000. This is much higher than what employers are calling for. This means even with migration intakes, there is still a key role for domestic training to make up the projected skills gaps.

But for this to happen, the momentum in skills system innovation recommended in the Joyce Review to ensure the VET sector can keep up with rapidly changing industry needs should be accelerated.

The federal government will need to continue working with states and territories, the training sector and industry on VET reform to ensure it is ready for the technological and demographic changes to work. For example, the fourth industrial revolution is disrupting traditional Australian jobs and workers are growing increasingly worried they will be displaced by technology.

It is unlikely earlier efforts to meet the requirements of these skills (such as by sending employees overseas to train at Industry 4.0 centres of excellence) will be as easy as before. Our research has shown that besides human capital (knowledge that exists in individuals), innovation in Australia is also driven by social capital (knowledge that exists in groups and networks), which is harder to import.

Hence the need for Australia to develop adequate self-reliance in skills that cannot be easily imported.

If the trend of apprenticeship and traineeship commencements continues to rise to where they were about a decade ago, this may help address the skills shortages. This will still be in the medium to long term as it takes time for people to be trained and qualified.

Pi-Shen Seet, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Edith Cowan University and Janice Jones, Associate Professor, College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Local training is the best long-term solution to Australia's skills shortages not increased migration - The Sector

New Delhi. October 29th, 2021:Oshodham, the eminent sanctuary of meditation and soul healing organized an event to appeal to the Government of India to institute an inquiry into the working of Osho Ashram Pune and conduct an impartial audit from 3 pm to 6 pm on Friday, October 29th, 2021 at Oshodham, 44, Jhatikra Road, Pandwala Khurd, near Najafgarh, New Delhi.

The event commenced with thesignature celebratory style of Oshodham having disciples, Osho lovers, and friends meditate, rejoice and familiarize themselves with the core issues of Osho Ashram at Pune followed by a session of making a sincere appeal to the Honorable Union Minister of India. Present at the session were distinguished personalities Shri Ramdas Athawale (Union Minister of Social justice and Empowerment of India) and Shri Krishna Milan Shukla (National Vice-President, Republican Party of India).

A large number of people gathered with a single motive in their hearts to appeal to the Government of India toinitiate an independent audit inquiry into the workings ofBasho, a part of the Osho Ashram in Puneas it has been put up for sale by a section of Osho followers who believe that the sacred place for a zillion people is running in losses.

Honourable Minister Shri Ramdas Athawale (Union Minister of Social justice and Empowerment of India)shared his thoughts by stating I have a lot of respect for Osho teachings as these teachings promote meditation that brings peace and happiness in peoples lives. Osho teachings are similar to those of Gautam Buddhas which too back to our Indian roots. With respect to the Osho Dham issue he said, Any discrimination or any kind of wrongful actions will be not go unseen or unpunished. The BJP govt respects all religions and believes and will look into this matter, I as the Union Minister of Social justice and Empowerment of India will definitely bring justice..

Swami Prem Geet remarked, Osho is Guru for millions and has spoken on every subjects and aspect of life which has been broken into 9000 hours of audio discourses and 2000 of video discourses. His books are transcribed into 650 titles translated into 75 languages around the world on average 700 books are published somewhere on the planet. Meaning two books per day! Osho legacy is controlled by 3 foreigners namely Michael Bryan, Darcy OBrien, and John Andrews and his associate Mukesh Sarda.

With the active involvement of politically influence builder lobby Panchshil Reality of Pune and Mumbai directed by Shri Atul Chordia are alienating the properties and funds of the public charitable trust in Pune and Mumbai. We are holding the credible evidence that the present trustees of the public charitable trust have siphoned off properties and funds valuing rupees 1800 crores in their private companies in India and outside India.

According to Osho lovers, Oshos vision and sanctity of Osho Dham have been compromised. Oshos Samadhi is challenged as selling the huge property associated with spiritual legacy away seems impossible; it has been found that duplicate trusts have been established which have not been probed as their names are similar to the original ones and easily overlooked; a whopping amount of Rs. 1,800 crores incurred via royalties from Osho publications, Osho discourses on YouTube, and income from the website has been missing and suspected to be transferred abroad. The revenues have dried up owing to an increase in therapy, entrance, and other charges making it even easier for the two Canadian OByrne brothers and their British counterpart Dr. George Alexander Wynne-Aubrey Meredith who have bank accounts and foundations in Britain, the USA, Switzerland, Ireland, and the Virgin Islands.

Conducting and acclimatiing the sannyasins through the movement of sorts were present Swami Prem Geet (Osho Friends Foundation, Pune), Swami Prem Anadi Osho Friends Foundation, Pune), Swami Chaitanya Keerti (Editor, Osho World Magazine), Ma Dharm Jyoti, a long time Osho Sannyasin, Swami Atul Anand (Managing Trustee, Osho World Foundation) and Swami Anand Kul Bhushan.

A highly driven Swami Atul Anand (Managing Trustee, Osho World Foundation) remarked, It is extremely painful for a true sannyasin to watch a part of their heart to be given away to someone else who does not even understand the reverence it holds for us at Osho Dham. We are certain that Honourable Union Miniter will consider the plea we have made to him.

For years, Osho Dham has preserved the teachings and ideologies of Bhagwan Rajneesh Osho and percolated them through generations of followers. With their unique outlook towards life and the very true concept of celebrating it, the cult has intrigued and attracted one to all in India as well as overseas towards it. Their out-of-the-box thinking and methodologies of rather addressing the demons in the human mind than suppressing it have cured many minds and souls in miraculous ways.

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Osho Lovers reach out to Union Minister of Social justice and Empowerment of India - Appeal to save Osho Ashra - The Statesman

Business EconomyPosted at: Nov 1 2021 2:07PM

NEW DELHI,Nov. 1, 2021/PRNewswire/ --A delegation of Osho disciples from Osho Friends Foundation, a public trust which preserves and proliferates the teachings ofBhagwan Shree Rajneesh, have submitted an appeal to Hon'ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment,Shri Ramdas Athawaleto urgently institute an Inquiry Commission to audit all trusts of Osho Ashram,PuneandMumbaias well as stop the sale of Bhagwan Rajneesh's properties worth over1000 Croreat the Pune Ashram. The delegation comprised of Osho disciples Swami Prem Geet,Sunil Mirpuri, Swami Chaitanya Keerti, Swami Kul Bhushan,Ma Dharm Jyoti, and Swami Atul Anand among others.

Hon'ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment,Shri Ramdas Athawalesaid, "It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that justice is done especially in case of a renowned spiritual organization such as the one founded by Osho."

Swami Prem Geet, Osho Friends Foundation,said, "We, the disciples of Osho are seeking to protect the legacies of BhagwanShreeRajneesh. The legacies of Osho are national spiritual heritage which will benefit several generations to come. Our appeal to the Government ofIndiacomes in the backdrop of the Osho Ashram trust properties being siphoned outsideIndiaby foreigners and serious offences of money laundering and forgery of Osho's will, reported against them. We therefore urge the Hon'ble Minister to set up a full-fledged Commission of Inquiry into the operations and finances of all trusts of the Osho Ashram inPuneandMumbaiwith their links abroad."

The delegation contended that Osho's legacy was being systematically damaged and transferred overseas based on a forged will. The letter presented to the Minister stated that the intellectual properties and valuable articles of Osho have been smuggled outside ofIndiaby the present trustees and a handful of foreigners. These being priceless articles for Osho disciples are regrettably being traded in the international market for millions of dollars. Proceeds from Osho's books, discourses, Osho websites along with cash collected at the Ashram without receipts are being deposited in dummy trusts, private companies of trustees and a handful of foreigners. The letter further mentioned that a court case against the management cites INR1800 Croreas missing or transferred to private entities.

Hema Baweja, Osho Friends Foundation,said, "Hon'ble Minister Athawale has accepted our appeal and weare optimistic that his intervention will bring justice to the Osho Community and public at large as well as prevent the loss of revenues of the Government ofIndiain millions of dollars every year. We hope that a thorough investigation of all evidence by a central agency probe may be initiated along with an Administrator who would protect the Legacies of Bhagwan Rajneesh. The disciples of Osho are now looking up to the Central Government, seeking justice and an end to the criminal infiltration upon the heritage properties and invaluable assets comprising of the teachings of their beloved Osho Rajneesh".

Osho Friends Foundation

Osho Friends Foundation, registered under the provisions of the Maharashtra Public Trust Act, is a gathering of Osho disciples, friends and admirers proliferating Osho Work.The foundation is based inPune, India, and was established in 2011.

It is currently the complainant in several court cases inIndia, including the case involving a forged will of Osho created by the board members ofOsho International Foundation,Switzerland.http://oshofriendsfoundation.com

For further information, please contact:

Hema Baweja

Osho Friends Foundation,Pune

hemabaweja@gmail.com/oshofriendspune@gmail.com

+91 89208 36620

Photo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1674867/Osho_Friends_Foundation.jpg

Originally posted here:
Osho Friends Foundation appeals to Honble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, soliciting appointment of an...

Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State on Tuesday ordered the detention of Abdulrasaq Otegbeye and Sodiq Osho at the Kirikiri Correctional Center over the alleged armed robbery.

Dada ordered the remand of the defendants after they both pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery, assault occasioning bodily harm and damage to property.

The state prosecutor, Ms Afolake Onayinka, informed the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences at 5.45 a.m. on June 19, 2019, at Macus Road, Alagbado Area, Lagos State.

The defendants while armed with a knife robbed Ms Olufunmilayo Babajide of her bag containing her bible, mobile phone and a cash sum of N500 and stabbed her on her wrist.

The duo also jumped over Mr Alvan Ifeanyis fence and destroyed his roof and ceiling, she said.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 173, 297(2) (a), 299 and 350 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defence counsel, Ms Anthonia Otsokwa from the Office of Public Defender, requested for a short date of adjournment in order for her to file bail applications for the defendants.

The case was adjourned until Jan. 20, 2022, for commencement of trial.

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Court remands 2 over alleged armed robbery | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News Nigeria The Guardian Nigeria News Nigeria and World...

A shortage of workers in several Southeast Asian manufacturing hubs is adding to the global supply chain crisis that is expected to wreak havoc on Christmas shipping.

Countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are still grappling with containment of the COVID-19 virus, causing disruptions in the movement of the workforce required to produce goods.

Those disruptions could cause major problems for retailers ahead of the holiday season.

"The rebound in economic growth in many of the world's largest consumer markets, including the US and EU, is boosting demand for ASEAN exports," Rajiv Biswas, chief economist for the Asia Pacific at research house IHS Markit, told Insider.

But the labor crunch in affected areas will persist, he said, leaving low-wage industries like manufacturing and agriculture vulnerable until border restrictions are eased.

In Vietnam, factories making clothing, footwear, and electronics are now facing worker shortages after tens of thousands left the business hub of Ho Chi Minh City after months of strict lockdowns.

Many workers who flocked to the city have returned to their rural homes, as they report fatigue and fear from the pandemic.

Earlier lockdowns had already caused problems, with Nike warning of "supply chain headwinds," while the delivery of Apple's iPhone 13 has also been delayed, the Nikkei reported.

Factories are now looking for ways to safely bring in workers again, according to local media outlet VnExpress. Doing that will likely further slow production down, as virus containment guidelines and protocols require additional time and administration.

Such safety measures are especially critical in a place like Vietnam, where only around 17% of the country is fully vaccinated, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

In Malaysia, the palm oil industry faces a similar issue, but with foreign migrant workers.

Malaysia produces about a third of the world's palm oil; the versatile, edible oil is used in various products, from chocolates to detergents and shampoo.

The country's palm oil industry, however, has long relied on migrant workers from countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh to harvest the crop.

As COVID-19 cases exploded in the country spiking over four times in two months to about 25,000 cases a day in late August the country put in movement restrictions and strict border controls. Migrant workers left the country in droves, and many have not been able to return, though the government has recently loosened restrictions to allow around 32,000 workers to return, according to the New Straits Times.

But that's less than half of the number of 75,000 workers the industry is short of, per the New Straits Times report.

Malaysian oil palm plantations have tried to entice local workers with higher pay to pick up the slack and use more machines. But locals are generally not interested in what they consider "dirty, dangerous and demeaning," Bloomberg reported.

In neighboring Thailand, factories and farms that once hosted over 1 million migrant workers from neighboring Myanmar have been hit by a double whammy.

Hundreds of thousands of them have left because of the pandemic, according to Frontier Myanmar. And Myanmar's military coup earlier this year has injected uncertainty and caused delays in work permit renewals, reported the Bangkok Post.

Thailand is a major manufacturer and exporter of vehicles, car parts, electronics, and food, and the labor crunch is hitting the supply chain, particularly in lower-end segments like farming.

The Thai labor ministry is looking to fill these positions with local workers, reported Bangkok Post.

But as with Malaysia's palm oil industry, Thailand may find the mission a tough order.

"They are jobs that Thai workers don't want to do," said Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin in a July interview with Reuters.

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Worker shortages across Southeast Asia may cause big delays in holiday shipping this year - Business Insider

The beauty-tech company, that is seeking to revolutionise the fragrance segment, has raised the additional investment to increase D2C and licensing operations.

Published: Oct. 20, 2021 at 11:11 AM CDT|Updated: 13 hours ago

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The beauty-tech company AMKIRI, has announced that that it has closed a $3 million financing led by Welltech Ventures for expansion and growth.

AMKIRI's vision is to push the boundaries of fashion and beauty care with its visual fragrance. Its product is a combination of a body ink infused with exhilarating fragrances that's applied as a temporary tattoo and a perfume all wrapped into one.

AMKIRI's technology is disrupting the segment by offering an entirely new, innovative and unique experience of "visual fragrance", with an endless range of temporary tattoo designs and sizes to always stay at the forefront of urban culture.

Amkiri's innovation is patent protected worldwide and its intellectual property bolstered by registered designs and trademarks.

AMKIRI brings endless creativity and multi-sensory self-expression to your daily ritual. Its technology brings a multi-dimensional experience into fragrance; it unleashes the fragrance breaking through the constraints of the traditional fragrance format and adding visual and physical elements to the experience. AMKIRI elevates and empowers the storytelling of fragrance and self-expression for both the individual and the brand.

Having launched in Israel, Poland and the US, AMKIRI intends on using the funds to further expand its scaling and sales in the US, Europe, and Asia through D2C and B2B channels, focussing D2C primarily on digital channels and social commerce using key social media influencers to build brand affintity and word of mouth awareness.

Amir Alroy and Galit Horovitz, Co-founders of Welltech Ventures: "We are delighted to add Amkiri, our debut in beauty-tech investment, to our portfolio. Amkiri's innovative first ever "visual fragrance" is a unique platform that combines scent and shape through an elegant and fun experience which could definitely improve the wellbeing of all of us. It's our pleasure to join the roster of investors that have been supporting the company."

Ido Pollak, CEO of Amkiri: "We are proud to have Welltech Ventures as a lead investor in the company. This is a real endorsement that beauty care is attracting huge interest in the broader Wellness sector. By working in partnership with our current investors: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc, Co-founder, Shoval Shavit and others I am confident that AMKIRI will reach new heights."

Contact details: Ido Pollak ido@amkiri.com

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SOURCE AMKIRI

The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc.

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AMKIRI Announces an Investment of $3 Million - KFYR-TV

The passage and implementation of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) was the most significant change in U.S. regulation of foreign investment since the 1975 creation of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) but changes to U.S. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) laws and regulations continue.

If enacted, the proposed Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act(FARM Act) will expand the CFIUS definition of critical infrastructure to include agricultural production facilities and real estate. Similarly, recent changes by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)now control certain genetic assemblers and synthesizer software, rendering thememerging technologies subject to CFIUS.

The FARM Act may become the latest expansion of CFIUS. TheFARM Act is a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Sen. TommyTuberville(R-Ala.), Sen. Ronny Jackson (R-Tex.) and Sen. Filemon Vela (D-Tex.). If passed, the FARM Act would designate the U.S. agricultural supply chain as critical infrastructure, extending CFIUS review to any merger, acquisition, transfer, joint venture, or other transaction that could result in foreign control of a U.S. business engaged in agriculture production and/or uses agricultural products. The bill also proposes to add the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS and requires CFIUS to report on foreign investments in U.S. agriculture to Congress.

However, the FARM Act would not be the first FDI protection of the U.S. agricultural supply chain. Rather, FIRRMA included provisions that established CFIUS jurisdiction upon the invocation of the Defense Production Act (DPA). More specifically, the FIRMMA list of critical infrastructure included the following language:

manufacture any industrial resource other than commercially available of-the-shelf items . or operate any industrial resource that is a facility, in each case,that has beenfunded, in whole or in part, by [] (a) Defense Production Act of 1950 Title III program..

Additionally, the FIRRMA definition of covered transactions includes the following language:

(d)Any other transaction, transfer, agreement, or arrangement, the structure of which is designed or intended to evade or circumvent the application of section 721.

Title III of the DPA allows the President to provide economic incentives to secure domestic industrial capabilities essential to meet national defense and homeland security requirements. The DPA was invoked by former President Trumps COVID-19-related Executive Orders regarding medical supplies and food production. As a result, even non-controlling foreign investments in U.S. medical or food producers that received DPA funding are subject to CFIUS review and continue to be for a period of 60 months following the receipt of any DPA funding.

On October 5, 2021, BIS amendedthe Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to require licenses for the export of certain genomics software and tools that can be used for designing or manufacturing biological weapons. In doing so, BIS amended the Commerce Control List to add two new U.S. Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) that target software utilized for certain nucleic acid assemblers and synthesizers capable of designing and building functional genetic elements from digital sequence data,as well as tools used to develop the software and assemblers.

More specifically, an export license for certain countries will be required for software determined to be within ECCN 2D352 based on chemical and biological weapons (CB) and anti-terrorism (AT) risks. Similarly, ECCN 2E001 will require an export license for certain countries for technology used for the development of software controlled by 2D352. In short, technology classified under ECCN 2E001 is controlled for the same CB and AT risks as ECCN 2D352 -- requiring an export license for designated countries.

Based on the foregoing, genomics software and development tools determined to be within ECCN 2D352 and 2E001 will also be considered critical technology under CFIUS. As a result, U.S. businesses that design, develop, or produce certain genomics software and development tools will be subject to CFIUS if they accept FDI.

The recent export re-classification of genomics software and development tools and the proposed FARM Act reinforce the need to be mindful of U.S. FDI requirements for transactions involving changes in foreign ownership, control or influence, and the need for early diligence as part of any transaction involving international investment.

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Further Expansion of U.S. Regulation of Foreign Direct Investment - JD Supra