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In a major step toward protecting students and their families, the Indian government has issued new guidelines aimed at curbing misleading advertisements by coaching centres. The Centre's crackdown addresses exaggerated claims like “100% selection” or “guaranteed job security” — promises that often lead to disappointment among students who invest time and money expecting a near-certain outcome. <h2>Protecting consumers, not shutting down coaching</h2>On Wednesday, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) rolled out these guidelines in response to numerous complaints from the National Consumer Helpline. According to <keyword id="20003684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-affairs" source="keywords">Consumer Affairs</keyword> Secretary Nidhi Khare, the government’s goal is not to shut down coaching centres but to ensure their ads don’t “undermine consumer rights.” “We have seen coaching centres deliberately concealing information from prospective students,” Khare said. “Therefore, we have come out with the guidelines to provide guidance to people involved in the coaching industry.” So far, the CCPA has issued 54 notices to violators and imposed penalties of around Rs 54.60 lakh. <h2>What’s prohibited?</h2>The guidelines lay out strict boundaries on what coaching centres can — and cannot — say in their ads. Here’s what the guidelines address: <ul><li>False Claims: Ads should not make unsubstantiated promises about “100% selection” or “100% job security.”</li><li>Course Details: No exaggerating or omitting information about courses, their duration, or outcomes.</li><li>Faculty Credentials: Qualifications of teachers must be presented accurately, with no fake credentials.</li><li>Fees and Refunds: All fees and refund policies must be transparent.</li><li>Selection Rates and Ranks: Coaching centres cannot claim high selection rates or exam rankings without proof.</li></ul>Additionally, they are not allowed to use successful candidates’ names, photos, or testimonials in ads without written consent from these individuals. Khare advised students to double-check the information provided by coaching centres. “Many UPSC students clear prelims and mains on their own and take only interview guidance from coaching centres,” she explained, encouraging students to verify the course details actually taken by successful candidates. The guidelines go beyond the broad term “coaching.” They define coaching as academic support, education, guidance, study programs, and tuition — but they exclude counselling, sports, and creative activities. The purpose of this definition is to keep the focus on academic and career-oriented programs, which are most prone to misleading ads. <h2>Full disclosure and consequences for violators</h2>Transparency is now mandatory, as coaching centres must display disclaimers and reveal essential course details. Facilities, infrastructure, and resources must be represented accurately, along with any required approvals or recognitions from authorities like AICTE or UGC. Khare, who also serves as the CCPA chief, stressed that coaching centres should accurately present the service, resources, and infrastructure provided. For instance, if they advertise “fully-equipped classrooms,” the guidelines require this to be an honest description. These guidelines come as a supplement to existing laws and are enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act. This means violators will face penalties, potentially similar to the Rs 54.60 lakh already imposed by the CCPA. The government hopes these new standards will push coaching centres to keep their ads honest, helping students and families make better-informed decisions. (With inputs from agencies)

No More False Promises: Government sets rules to prevent misleading and exaggerated coaching centre ads

New Delhi: The <keyword id="19938513" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Department-of-Consumer-Affairs" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Department of Consumer Affairs" meta.hostid="268" meta.entityid="Department of Consumer Affairs">Department of Consumer Affairs</keyword> has constituted a committee of experts to recommend a robust framework for a <keyword id="22964001" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Repairability-Index" source="keywords">Repairability Index</keyword> aimed at empowering consumers and promoting <keyword id="20128078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-practices" source="keywords">sustainable practices</keyword> within the tech industry. The committee, chaired by Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) Additional Secretary Bharat Khera, will develop the Repairability Index to provide consumers with greater transparency on repair information for their products and foster a more sustainable technology industry. The National Workshop on the Right to Repair in the <keyword id="20881182" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-and-electronics" source="keywords">Mobile and Electronics</keyword> Sector, convened on August 29, brought together industry stakeholders to establish a consensus on the framework for evaluating components for the Repairability Index, fostering longevity in product design and democratising access to repair information and spare parts. "The framework on Repairability Index aimed to provide consumers with essential information about product repairability besides seamless access to spare parts will enable informed purchasing decisions," the DoCA said in a statement. The committee, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and industry stakeholders, is expected to submit a comprehensive report on the Repairability Index framework by November 15. The key components of the proposed Repair Ecosystem include comprehensive repair information, accessible spare parts, affordable tools, modular product design and ensuring the economic feasibility of repairs for consumers. "By standardising the assessment of repairability, the index will create an ecosystem where consumers can easily compare products and choose options that align with the ethos of mindful consumption and sustainability," the DoCA statement said.

Government set to introduce Repairability Index for mobile, electronics products

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> is planning a <keyword id="22964001" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="repairability-index" source="keywords">repairability index</keyword> for <keyword id="20016418" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-phones" source="keywords">mobile phones</keyword> and electronic products to address the growing <keyword id="19932462" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-waste" source="keywords">e-waste</keyword> problem and encourage manufacturers to produce more easily repairable items, officials said on Thursday. The <keyword id="20026051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Consumer-Affairs-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Consumer Affairs Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Consumer Affairs Ministry">Consumer Affairs Ministry</keyword> is spearheading the initiative, which will provide a score on key parameters to inform consumers about the ease with which a product can be repaired, the officials said at a national workshop on the issue. Addressing the workshop, <keyword id="20003684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-affairs" source="keywords">Consumer Affairs</keyword> Secretary Nidhi Khare said: "As India emerges as the third largest economy in the world, we should have a vibrant and tech-savvy repair system." She also added, "India can become a repair hub for the world." The proposed index will be similar to initiatives in other countries, such as France's repairability index. It will rate products on criteria including availability of technical documents, ease of disassembly, spare parts availability and pricing. The workshop was aimed at establishing a consensus among industry stakeholders on "key parameters for accessing and evaluating repairability index" besides promoting longevity in product design, and democratizing repair information to enhance consumer experiences in reusing the mobile and <keyword id="19896834" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electronics" source="keywords">electronics</keyword> products they own. Additional Secretary Bharat Khera emphasized the need for transparent and affordable repair solutions, increased consumer awareness, and support for local repairers. Joint Secretary Anupam Mishra highlighted concerns about the lack of genuine spare parts in local markets, compatibility issues with product components, and the absence of information for consumers to repair their own devices. He also mentioned that the Repairability Index of France rates products on five criteria, while the EU has additional parameters. <keyword id="20032279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HCL-Technologies" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="HCL Technologies" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="HCL Technologies">HCL Technologies</keyword> Founder Ajai Chowdhry called for legislation to drive change. "Today, most products are not repairable. We need to design products which can be repaired.... Unless we create a law, things will not change," he said. The government has already launched a <keyword id="22964002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Right-to-Repair-Portal" source="keywords">Right to Repair Portal</keyword>, with 63 companies onboard, including 23 from the mobile and electronics sector. India is the third largest electronic waste producer globally after China and the US. The initiative aims to reduce e-waste, promote <keyword id="20128078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-practices" source="keywords">sustainable practices</keyword>, and create opportunities for third-party repairers in India's growing electronics market.

India plans repairability index for mobile, electronics to tackle e-waste

<ul class="summary-list"><li>RFK Jr. says under President Trump, he'll advise US water systems to remove fluoride.</li><li>The federal government is not in charge of the US water supply. It's a local thing.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/rfk-jr">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.</a>, the man widely expected to become a health leader in President-elect Donald Trump's White House, has promised to lobby to remove fluoride from the American water supply.Nearly 63% of the US population has fluoridated water flowing through their taps, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/php/statistics/2022-water-fluoridation-statistics.html">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC).US health experts describe fluoridated water — a voluntary practice for local water districts — as one of modern medicine's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4850bx.htm">greatest public health achievements</a>, up there with the recognition that smoking is bad for you.Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr-views-vaccines-autism-testing-debunked-2023-7">Kennedy</a>, a former environmental lawyer who was instrumental in the fight to clean up the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.riverkeeper.org/blogs/honoring-our-foundation-in-science/">Hudson River in New York</a>, says there's no need to fluoridate drinking water anymore since most toothpaste contains fluoride. He's not alone. An important debate over fluoride is gaining fresh steam among scientists and legal experts. Some recent studies suggest more research is still needed on safe fluoride levels for kids. Plus, a federal ruling in California this year questioned the US government's recommended dose.While many medical professionals — chiefly dentists — support some level of fluoridation, there is growing agreement that we still aren't sure how much fluoride is too much.<h2 id="73e9cfea-f185-4392-8a29-deb966cdc1f8">120 years ago, fluoride was the mystery culprit behind brown teeth in Colorado</h2><div type="image" title="woman with brown teeth" height="2752" width="1912" msid="115231235" hostid="261" sizebytes="398436"></div>The reason most Americans have fluoride in their drinking water stretches back more than a century to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride/the-story-of-fluoridation">mysterious outbreak</a> scattered across the Midwest and western US.In the early 1900s, dentists started noticing that children in specific towns, including Colorado Springs, Colorado; Oakley, Idaho; and Bauxite, Arkansas, were developing hard, chocolate-colored teeth.It took more than 20 years, but eventually, researchers discovered that these unusual brown stains were caused by high amounts of naturally occurring fluoride in the drinking water in certain areas of the country.They also found that the fluoride — a mineral compound found in rocks and dirt — was strengthening teeth. It was hardening tooth enamel and helping to repair some early-stage tooth decay.By 1945, scientists had learned enough about fluoride to harness the technique to prevent cavities for the masses. They proposed microdosing the mineral into the public water supply to give kids just enough fluoride to protect their teeth and help heal dental decay without giving them so much that their teeth would go brown.The experiment worked.In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the first city to purposefully fluoridate its water. In the first 10 years of the program, the rate of cavities in kids decreased by more than <a target="_blank" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1551218/?page=1">60%</a>. Thus, the idea of fluoridated water as a boon for public health was born.<h2 id="ffc42276-b971-4331-bd76-9f4c2877d29f">US water districts decide their own fluoride levels</h2><div type="image" title="tap water" height="4000" width="6000" msid="115231232" hostid="261" sizebytes="655952"></div>Kennedy has <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1852812012478398923">said</a> he'd aim to convince local authorities nationwide to remove any added fluoride from taps."I think fluoride is on its way out," Kennedy <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/video/rfk-jr-talks-health-care-agenda-following-trump-win-223717957893">told NBC</a> News the day after the election, adding: "I'm not going to compel anybody to take it out, but I'm going to advise the water districts. I'm going to give them good information about the science, and I think fluoride will disappear."The federal government does not control water supplies in the US. That task is up to states and local water systems.The US Environmental Protection Agency does mandate a limit for fluoride in tap water: four milligrams per liter. That limit is meant to prevent crippling health issues caused by excess fluoride intake, like a bone-weakening disease called skeletal fluorosis.<h2 id="e730cbbb-f6d0-4962-9881-0475436e9095">The US lowered fluoride levels in drinking water in 2015</h2><div type="image" title="crest toothpaste vintage ad w nina simone and daughter" height="4416" width="3531" msid="115231221" hostid="261" sizebytes="896112"></div>The amount of fluoride added to a water supply varies not only by city and county but also by the individual water system supplying a given neighborhood.For many years, the federal recommendation fluctuated based on location. In warmer climates — where it was assumed that kids consumed more water to stay cool — officials recommended 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter. Colder areas were advised to add 1.2 milligrams per liter.After reviewing evidence in 2015, the US Public Health Service decided that the discrepancy wasn't needed. The recommendation for fluoridation is now set at 0.7 milligrams per liter nationwide.Most major cities in the US hover around the 0.7 figure. Some places naturally have elevated levels of fluoride in their water due to geological factors. In Lordsburg, New Mexico, for example, water samples collected earlier this year had concentrations of fluoride between <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://cityoflordsburg.com/fluoride-mcl-notice-2024/">5.2 and 6.4 milligrams</a> per liter. Authorities there advise that children under 9 years old shouldn't drink tap water.<h2 id="c03fabfb-6a1d-488a-8229-718ca0e2727d">Places with fluoride-free water generally have worse dental health</h2><div type="image" title="toothbrush with paste" height="3209" width="4813" msid="115231228" hostid="261" sizebytes="238252"></div>Proponents of ditching fluoride often point to the many European countries that do not fluoridate their water. Those countries are not 100% fluoride-free, though: unlike people in the US, many Europeans consume fluoridated salt.Hawaii is the only US state without any fluoride in municipal taps; fluoridated water is only available there on military bases. A <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://health.hawaii.gov/about/files/2013/06/Hawaii-Smiles-Report.pdf">2015 report</a> from Hawaii's health department said the state also has the highest prevalence of tooth decay among 3rd graders in the US."It's obvious; you can see it in the quality of their enamel," Anthony Kim, dental director at the Waimanalo Health Clinic, told the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/02/why-hawaii-continues-to-keep-fluoride-out-of-its-drinking-water/">Honolulu Civil Beat in 2020</a>. "Sadly, especially among the kids."Researchers in Canada see the same phenomenon. The rate of cavities detected in Alberta spiked after the city went fluoride-free in 2011, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.17269/s41997-024-00858-w">February 2024 study</a>. Calgary did the same and saw <a target="_blank" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9542152/">similar tooth issues</a> in kids. The city now plans to re-fluoridate its water supply, but cost issues and global supply chain problems post-pandemic have <a target="_blank" href="https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/calgary-s-plan-to-reintroduce-fluoride-into-drinking-water-pushed-back-to-2025-1.6845098">created delays</a>.The military supports fluoridation. In 2016, the <a target="_blank" href="https://ilikemyteeth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/DoD-Fluoridation-Memo-March-2013.pdf">US Department of Defense</a> said dental decay was a "significant" reason military personnel were classified as non-deployable. As such, fluoridated water is now mandated on any military base with more than 3,300 people.Rumors have circulated that drinking fluoridated water can lead to bone cancer (osteosarcoma), but long-term studies from both <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/43/1/224/736028">the UK</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877782111001822">US</a> haven't found any credible evidence of higher rates in areas where people drink fluoridated water.<h2 id="726f1d49-c5ff-447d-b2cc-6cf2412f9906">Is there any truth to claims of IQ issues?</h2><div type="image" title="anti fluoride protesters" height="2574" width="3594" msid="115231239" hostid="261" sizebytes="497810"></div>On November 2, Kennedy said on X that fluoride is an "industrial waste" that is linked to "IQ loss."He linked to a ruling from a federal judge in California in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/17-cv-2162-Food-_-Water-Watch-Inc.-et-al.-v.-EPA-et-al-Opinion.pdf">October.</a> The judge, appointed by former President Obama, said that while he could not "conclude with certainty" that fluoridated water could reduce the IQ of children, there is evidence that it can be "hazardous at dosages that are far too close to fluoride levels in the drinking water of the United States."His ruling came weeks after a headline-grabbing paper in which a group of independent scientists reviewed existing evidence on fluoridation for the <a target="_blank" href="https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/fluoride_final_508.pdf">US National Toxicology Program</a>. Their review concluded that some studies of fluoride consumption have found links between higher fluoride water levels and lower IQs in kids.There are a couple of big caveats to keep in mind. First, those studies were conducted in other countries, including Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico, not the US.Second, the association with lower IQs was only apparent when children were drinking water loaded with fluoride, at more than 1.5 milligrams per liter. That's double what's recommended in the US and 50% more fluoride than what was first used in Grand Rapids in 1945."More studies are needed to fully understand the potential for lower fluoride exposure to affect children's IQ," the experts said.Those new studies are starting to trickle out. Fluoride and aluminum researcher Ashley Malin, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida, recently found <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38767917/">a potential link</a> between a woman's fluoride levels during pregnancy and neurobehavioral problems in her toddler three years later."At this point, I would advise that pregnant women reduce their fluoride intake," Malin told Business Insider.Malin brushes her teeth without fluoride, drinks filtered water (using a reverse osmosis water purifier or buying bottled water), and says that the most fluoride she consumes is probably from the black chai tea she occasionally drinks.<h2 id="5b5f129c-cdf6-4dba-a89c-6887474b296d">Settling on the right dose</h2><div type="image" title="retro photo of kid brushing teeth" height="3000" width="2487" msid="115231240" hostid="261" sizebytes="496682"></div>It's hard to tease out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD010856/ORAL_does-adding-fluoride-water-supplies-prevent-tooth-decay">exactly how beneficial fluoridated water is</a> for preventing cavities, in part because fluoridating water isn't the only way that tooth care has improved dramatically since the 1940s. (The level of fluoride in many toothpastes is much higher than what's in the water.)The California ruling last month didn't get prescriptive about what the EPA should do about all this uncertainty. It only recommended some kind of "regulatory action" on fluoride."It should be noted that this finding does not conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health," the verdict read.A federal judge wants the EPA to better answer now whether 0.7 milligrams per liter of fluoride is safe enough.The EPA has said in the past that reviewing their fluoride numbers is a "low priority" item for the agency. Public health experts and dentists generally agree that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/news-events/nidcr-news/2024/big-hopes-little-teeth">fluoridated tap water</a> is a safe, effortless, and equitable way to ensure people get enough fluoride to prevent most childhood cavities.However, scientists haven't quite settled on the optimal fluoride level in tap water to maintain healthy teeth yet.

A brief history of America's love affair with fluoridated water — and why it's now up for debate

<keyword id="19897349" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ola-Electric" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ola Electric" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ola Electric">Ola Electric</keyword> CEO <keyword id="19914967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhavish-Aggarwal" source="keywords">Bhavish Aggarwal</keyword> recently made headlines for engaging in a war of words with comedian <keyword id="20947562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kunal-Kamra" source="keywords">Kunal Kamra</keyword> on Twitter (X). The comedian had criticised Ola EV's customer service, sharing photos of Ola scooters gathering dust at a dealership. Aggarwal was quick to respond to his post, saying that he can pay him more for what he got for this "paid tweet." Now, a day after the spat, Ola Electric has been slapped with a show-cause notice by <keyword id="20127554" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CCPA" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="CCPA" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="CCPA">CCPA</keyword> (Central Consumer Protection Authority) for increased customer service complaints. <h2>CCPA issues show-cause notice to Ola Electric </h2> According to a report in ANI, the CCPA took official action against Ola Electric on October 8, issuing the notice to the company in response to a growing number of grievances from consumers regarding the its electric scooters. According to a filing made by Ola Electric, the company acknowledged receipt of the notice, confirming that it would respond to the CCPA within the 15-day timeline provided. The notice, which currently does not impose financial penalties, signals the government’s intent to address concerns over <keyword id="21054298" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-rights" source="keywords">consumer rights</keyword> violations and misrepresentation. Ola Electric reassured stakeholders that this regulatory development would not affect its financial or operational activities in the immediate term. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114004646" title="'Pay your staff properly, solve the 80,000 complaints first': Internet reacts on Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and Kunal Kamra feud" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Complaints against Ola Electric</h2> The notice from the CCPA comes amid a surge in consumer dissatisfaction regarding Ola Electric’s scooters, which has become increasingly evident both through official channels and on social media. The National Consumer Helpline has received over 10,000 complaints regarding issues such as delayed deliveries, service inefficiencies, and persistent mechanical problems with Ola scooters. Allegations of <keyword id="20610549" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="misleading-advertisements" source="keywords">misleading advertisements</keyword> and unmet service promises have further eroded trust in the company, which initially captured consumer enthusiasm with its vision of accessible, eco-friendly transportation Specifically, many complaints have centered around recurring issues with vehicle components, delays in promised services, and unfulfilled refund requests following booking cancellations. This growing wave of discontent has pushed the regulatory spotlight onto the company, forcing it to confront its service shortcomings more directly. <h2>Kunal Kamra vs Bhavish Aggarwal </h2> The growing backlash against Ola Electric came into sharp public focus when comedian Kunal Kamra took to social media to criticize the company’s service failures. In a post on X, Kamra shared a photograph of an Ola dealership with several scooters gathering dust. He tagged prominent figures like Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, questioning the state of EV adoption in India and calling on the Department of Consumer Affairs to weigh in on the matter. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113984574" title="‘Comedian ban na sake, Chaudhary banne chale’: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal after Kunal Kamra criticises Ola EV service" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Kamra’s post quickly garnered attention, inviting frustrated consumers to share their experiences with Ola Electric in the comments. In response, Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal fired back, accusing Kamra of engaging in a “paid tweet” to damage the company’s reputation. Aggarwal challenged Kamra to work with Ola to improve services, offering to pay him more than what he supposedly earned from his comedic career. The heated exchange between the two personalities quickly went viral and got people talking. <h2>Share Prices plummet </h2> The consumer dissatisfaction and negative publicity surrounding the company have had immediate repercussions in the financial markets. Following the social media spat between Kamra and Aggarwal, Ola Electric’s share prices took a significant hit, falling by 8% to Rs 90.82 on the BSE. This marks a 43% drop from the company’s all-time high of Rs 157.5, though the stock remains 18% above its IPO price of Rs 76.

Government takes action against Ola Electric for customer complaints, Bhavish Aggarwal’s company slapped with show-cause notice

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New York low-key women's fashion brand Veronica Beard just launched a collaboration with the NFL.</li><li>The collab features 32 separate $1,000 jackets emblazoned with each NFL team's logo and colours.</li></ul>The lines between <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/paris-olympics-fashion-outfits-details-2024-8">sports and fashion</a> are blurring.On Sunday, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tom-brady-nfl-approves-stake-las-vegas-raiders-2024-10">the NFL</a> announced a partnership with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jeans-for-tall-women-good-american-veronica-beard-2023-5">Veronica Beard</a>, a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quiet-luxury-explained-which-brands-will-benefit-2023-4">low-key luxury</a> fashion brand in New York founded in 2010 by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard.The collaboration comprises 32 NFL-team branded blazers, retailing at $998 each, in the preppy style of Veronica Beards' signature Dickey Jackets."Partnering with women-centric brand Veronica Beard has allowed the NFL to create a sophisticated and contemporary touchpoint for female fans at the intersection of sports and luxury fashion," Renie Anderson, executive vice president of partnerships at the NFL, said in a press release shared with Business Insider.<div type="image" title="A model wearing a Veronica Beard NFL jacket." height="1920" width="1280" msid="114462483" hostid="261" sizebytes="280672"></div>"Women's sports and female sports fans are having an undeniable moment in the cultural zeitgeist, yet few luxury brands cater to this incredibly discerning and loyal audience," Veronica Beard said in a statement to BI.While the collaboration comes amid the surge in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-commissioner-taylor-swift-unbelievable-artist-increased-game-viewership-girls-2023-11">NFL female viewership, thanks in part to Taylor Swift,</a> two luxury experts told BI it's just one example of how the fashion world, particularly the luxury sector, is looking to capitalize on sports as a largely untapped resource."The public has always been excited about sports, but sports have traditionally been seen as a workman's pastime, not a refined pastime," Thomai Serdari, a luxury marketing and branding professor from NYU's Stern School, told Business Insider.But that has changed, Serdari added. When tickets to games or races set you back thousands, and audiences include society tastemakers like Swift, sports have become an elevated arena — and fashion brands are taking note.<h2 id="42281355-e80a-4b81-9e8a-f49828633eb0">Sports are the new fashion frontier</h2>After a pandemic era boom, there are signs of struggle in the luxury world.<a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lvmh-luxury-louis-vuitton-struggles-china-slowdown-2024">LVMH, the heavyweight champion of the luxury conglomerates</a>, announced its third-quarter earnings last week, and the results were <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lvmh-sales-drop-bad-indicator-luxury-market-kering-hermes-china-2024-10">significantly below expectations</a>.Earlier in October, LVMH announced a new 10-year deal with Formula 1. A few weeks later, Bloomberg reported that LVMH boss <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-bernard-arnault-owner-louis-vuitton-lvmh-net-worth">Bernard Arnault's</a> family is taking another step into sports by investing in the Paris FC football club alongside Red Bull.In the summer, the Paris Olympics were also seen as a major opportunity for luxury and aspirational brands, including Lululemon and Skims. LVMH spent a reported 150 million euros ($163 million) on its own Olympic and Paralympic Game collaboration, which included designing the medals and presenting them in Louis Vuitton-branded boxes and creating the French team's uniforms. The move was widely lauded, with one luxury expert telling Business Insider it was a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lvmh-should-repeat-olympics-sponsorship-luxury-showcase-expert-paris-retail-2024-8">"masterclass" in brand engagement</a>.<div type="image" title="Left to right: Antoine Arnault, Bernard Arnault, Anna Wintour and Brian Roberts" height="683" width="1024" msid="114462771" hostid="261" sizebytes="53634"></div>Amid the luxury downturn, Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute, told BI that it's logical for some luxury and aspirational brands to attempt to cross-pollinate fanbases with sports teams and athletes as a means to stay relevant."It's an elevation and sort of a convergence of sports and fashion into making something bigger than the individual sum of the part," Pedraza said.For Serdari, it's a sign the fashion industry, particularly the luxury sector, is trying to engage with younger consumers — Gen Zers and millennials — who are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-loves-expensive-groceries-snacks-erewhon-whole-foods-2024-10">redefining luxury</a> and placing greater value on experiences."They will think really twice about expensive items, but they're still spending money on experiences and events," she said of younger consumers.With the NFL and Veronica Beard, for example, merging the two is a "great opportunity of bringing a brand in front of that younger consumer who may now be tempted because now here is this brand who embraces their favorite NFL team," Serdari added.<h2 id="d3e8f772-481f-40a9-87e5-729c676ab8b6">The luxury fashion industry can't rely on sports to be its saving grace long-term</h2>However, Pedraza said, not all collaborations reap big rewards."Hail Mary passes are called Hail Mary passes for a reason," he said. "These are not make or break for the brands, but they're good experiments in the middle of the game of growth."While sports collaborations are exciting and a surefire way to create buzz for fashion brands amid the turbulence within the industry at large, Pedraza said it is unlikely to be the "long-term growth engine" luxury is in need of."There's a bit of a lack of innovation on the part of some luxury brands," he said. "These days, the belief is that getting attention is everything."Sports is a growth area, but, as Pedraza said, "there are limits to growth.""It's a phase," Serdari said. The strategy, she added, is always, "How can I make more money? Where can I look to make more money?"Right now, that answer is seemingly sports.

The NFL's $1,000 branded designer jackets are the latest sign of fashion's newfound love affair with sports

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lawmakers introduced a new bill that could give peer-to-peer payment app users more protection.</li><li>The bill aims to increase banks' liability for helping consumers resolve fraud disputes.</li></ul>Consumers <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/is-zelle-safe">defrauded while using Zelle</a> or other peer-to-peer payment apps might have increased reimbursement protections under a new bill introduced by Democrats in Congress on August 2.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zelle-fraud-scam-swimming-pool-online-payment-apps-mobile-banking-2023-10">Zelle</a> partners with over 2,100 financial institutions and is used by major banks like Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase to facilitate direct money transfers between accounts. Consumers and small businesses <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zelle-soars-with-806-billion-transaction-volume-up-28-from-prior-year-302077432.html">sent $806 billion</a> across 2.9 billion Zelle transactions in 2023, both up 28% from 2022.Meanwhile, apps like Venmo — which is owned by PayPal — also provide quick ways to send money electronically. Over 2 million merchants accept Venmo, and there are over 90 million user accounts, according to the company's website.Zelle and other payment app transactions are typically irreversible, meaning if someone accidentally sends money to a scammer, they can't always get it back. Consumers reported losing $210 million to scams across all payment apps in 2023, according to<a target="_blank" href="https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/FraudReports/FraudFacts"> data from the Federal Trade Commission</a>.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/banking/zelle-scams">Fraudsters often use methods</a> like email phishing links or posing as bank employees and calling users to get them to send money via payment apps.The Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act, proposed by Rep. Maxine Waters, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, aims to increase financial institutions' liability for helping consumers resolve instances of fraud disputes."Fraudsters are using every trick in the book to steal money from hardworking consumers through payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, or old-fashion bank wire transfers," Waters said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-warren-and-waters-introduce-legislation-to-protect-consumers-from-payment-scams">statement</a>. "That's why it is absolutely critical that we move quickly to modernize our consumer protection laws to reflect the realities of today's payment systems."<h2 id="5219d26d-a9b9-41b9-8802-9395d0371e1b">Protecting consumers against fraud</h2>Under existing federal law, consumers are reimbursed for unauthorized transactions, like purchases on a stolen credit card. However, getting money back that was sent through Zelle or other payment apps is much more difficult.That's because when money is voluntarily sent, even accidentally, it's classified as an authorized purchase. For example, Zelle says to treat the service like how you would <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zellepay.com/pay-it-safe/zeller-safety-101#:~:text=And%20if%20you%20send%20money,to%20the%20money%20you%20send.">give someone cash</a>, and to only send money to people you trust.The new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-warren-and-waters-introduce-legislation-to-protect-consumers-from-payment-scams">bill</a> aims to amend the law to make banks more liable for all financial transactions, whether they're authorized or unauthorized.Specifically, the proposed bill would update the 1978 Electronic Fund Transfer Act, which regulates electronic money transfer protections. It would require financial institutions to share liability when consumers are defrauded and clarify consumer protections for bank wire and electronic transfers.<h2 id="2244dc9a-dff5-4548-9183-7c93ae71e867">Zelle is coming under increased scrutiny</h2>The bill comes after lawmakers' increased scrutiny of Zelle and several banks' approach to fraud cases.In recent months, Blumenthal led a Senate investigation into how Zelle, Bank of America, JPMorgan, and Wells Fargo handled fraud cases.The investigation's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/27/50/85f89a22450ca7b726b58982aaf0/2024-7-23-zelle-report-final.pdf">report</a> found that in 2023, JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo reimbursed consumers for 38% of fraud disputes, leaving over $100 million unreimbursed. That's less than the 62% of fraud disputes the banks reimbursed in 2019, according to the report.On July 23, executives from Zelle, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and JPMorgan defended their fraud dispute policies and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/investigations/hearings/instant-payments-instant-losses-zelle-and-the-big-banks-fail-to-protect-consumers-from-fraud/">testified</a> before the Homeland Security &amp; Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which is chaired by Blumenthal.Cameron Fowler, the CEO of Early Warnings Services, the company that owns and operates Zelle, said that reports of fraud on Zelle decreased between 2022 to 2023 while the platform increased the volume of transactions.Over 99.95% of all Zelle transactions in 2023 were completed without instances of fraud, according to Zelle."Although we're proud of our efforts, we can't do it alone," a spokesperson for Early Warning Services said in a statement to Business Insider. "We encourage lawmakers to do more to support law enforcement and efforts to educate consumers to reduce financial crime."In an August 2 SEC <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://jpmorganchaseco.gcs-web.com/static-files/152bd589-94d1-4551-9f6e-8fb11cdefd60">filing</a>, JPMorgan said it is responding to inquiries from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about payments through Zelle. A spokesperson for JPMorgan told Business Insider it was considering its options against the CFPB's inquiries, including litigation.On August 5, Blumenthal announced that he was calling on the CFPB to investigate Zelle, JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo for their practice of resolving fraud disputes."The three banks' circuitous answers to questions regarding whether they have ever had a third-party review of their dispute resolution processes further increased our concerns that, not only has such a review never occurred, but that the opaque processes applied by these banks are being used to deny rightful claims," Blumenthal wrote in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-on-cfpb-to-investigate-zelle-and-big-banks-for-mishandling-fraud">statement</a>.It is now up to the CFPB to decide whether or not to investigate. The CFPB declined to comment on Blumenthal's announcement.In the meantime, the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act will go to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for review.Have you been the victim of a scam through Zelle or another payment app? Were you reimbursed? This reporter wants to hear your story. Please reach out at <a target="_blank" class="" href="mailto:jtowfighi@businessinsider.com">jtowfighi@businessinsider.com</a>.

Consumers reported losing $210 million to scams across payment apps last year. A new bill wants to help future victims get their money back.

Clubs are definitely a jolly fun way to spend your one weekend day off! You just have to get over the putrid and persistent <keyword id="21920351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alcohol-stench" source="keywords">alcohol stench</keyword>, barrage of obnoxious <keyword id="41765" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="drunk" source="Orion">drunk</keyword> dancers accidentally swatting you once in a while, deafeningly loud music numbing your ears for a few days — to name an easy few. But golly gee, does it get absolutely bonkers once you get past these things! Bottoms up, I say (ruefully)! If you’re smelling sarcasm, you’d be right on the money. While the drunk people and loud music can be excused, the sky-high prices of alcohol remains a ridiculous affair — no wonder many choose to “pre-game” before entering pubs. But if you’re one particular individual from Canada, chances are that this may not be an issue for you at all. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Drunk (medical) visits" comment="subhead" text="Drunk (medical) visits">Drunk (medical) visits</cmsannotation> In an extraordinary series of events encapsulated in a recent medical journal, a 50-year-old <keyword id="21920350" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Canadian-woman" source="keywords">Canadian woman</keyword> repeatedly found herself in the emergency room with symptoms of <keyword id="20694559" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alcohol-intoxication" source="keywords">alcohol intoxication</keyword>. This included excessive sleepiness, slurred speech, and the unmistakable scent of alcohol on her breath. Yet, the report noted that she hadn't consumed a single drop of liquor. As per the report, this unfortunate woman made seven visits to the emergency department over two years, with each instance following a disturbingly familiar pattern. She would suddenly fall asleep while performing daily activities, such as getting ready for work or preparing meals, rendering her unable to work for weeks at a time and significantly diminishing her appetite. Each of these hospital visits culminated in a diagnosis of alcohol intoxication. This was a problem because the woman explained that she had begun to abstain from alcohol, and her family vehemently confirmed the same. Thus, the recurring diagnosis of alcohol intoxication baffled her doctors. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Beer belly, literally!" comment="subhead" text="Beer belly, literally!">Beer belly, literally!</cmsannotation> However, there was one clue as to what might have been going on. As per her medical history, for five years prior to the onset of these episodes, the woman had suffered from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), which required repeated courses of antibiotics. The doctors believe that these antibiotics, while effective against her UTIs, inadvertently disrupted the balance of her <keyword id="20440275" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gut-microbiome" source="keywords">gut microbiome</keyword>, eradicating beneficial bacteria and allowing alcohol-producing fungi to flourish. The new cocktail of stomach microbes gave her a rare and perplexing condition known as <keyword id="21920349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="auto-brewery-syndrome" source="keywords">auto-brewery syndrome</keyword> (<keyword id="1241" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="abs" source="Orion">ABS</keyword>), where her gut microbes were essentially brewing their own alcohol and intoxicating her from within. With less than 100 recorded cases, ABS occurs when certain fungi, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer's yeast) and Candida albicans, proliferate and ferment dietary carbohydrates into alcohol. Individuals with high blood sugar and a genetic predisposition towards poor alcohol metabolism are particularly susceptible. In this woman's case, a move to a prescribed low-carb diet, began to alleviate her symptoms. However, the symptoms returned when she resumed a higher carbohydrate intake, confirming the diagnosis. A combination of antifungal medication, probiotics to restore her gut's beneficial bacteria, and a targeted approach using narrow-spectrum antibiotics for her UTIs brought her relief. Months later, the woman was symptom-free. This case underscores the profound social, legal, and medical implications of ABS. The patient's journey through numerous emergency visits, misdiagnoses, and mental health evaluations highlights the critical need for heightened awareness and understanding of this rare syndrome. This report has been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, and can be accessed <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/196/21/E724" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

This Canadian woman has been getting drunk without consuming alcohol for over two years! Here’s how

<ul><li>According to a written reply by the <keyword id="393956" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ministry-of-consumer-affairs" source="Orion">Ministry of Consumer Affairs</keyword> safety of toys is under compulsory BIS certification from January 1, 2021 as per the Toys (Quality Control) Order. </li><li>Under the BIS Product Certification scheme, a licence is granted to manufacturing units to use the <keyword id="13001307" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="standard-mark" source="Orion">Standard Mark</keyword> on the product. </li></ul> In order to curb the sale of non-ISI certified toys and to ensure implementation of the <keyword id="16466714" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="toys-quality-control-order" source="Orion">Toys Quality Control Order</keyword>, 100 search and seizure operations were carried out in the years 2021-22 and 2022-23. During the search and seizure operations conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a quantity of 9,565 and 30,229 was seized during the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 (up to January 25, 2023), respectively. According to a written reply by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in Rajya Sabha on Friday, safety of toys is under compulsory BIS certification from January 1, 2021 as per the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. Accordingly, it has been compulsory for toys to conform to the corresponding <keyword id="16463872" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-standards-for-safety-of-toys" source="Orion">Indian Standards for Safety of Toys</keyword> and to bear <keyword id="148437" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="bureau-of-indian-standard" source="Orion">Bureau of Indian Standard</keyword> (BIS) Standard Mark under a licence from BIS as per Scheme-I of Schedule -II of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. As per this Quality Control Order, read with Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, no person shall manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store or exhibit for sale any toys without the ISI mark, said the reply. Under the BIS Product Certification scheme, a licence is granted to manufacturing units to use the Standard Mark on the product as per the relevant Indian Standards. Accordingly, toy manufacturing units including foreign manufacturing units exporting toys to India are required to obtain a BIS licence for the safety of toys, said the Ministry's reply. The Ministry said that BIS has granted 1,037 licences to domestic units and 30 licences to foreign toy manufacturing units. As part of its product certification, BIS also conducts factory and market surveillance under which samples of ISI marked toys are drawn from the factories and market and tested in labs according to the Indian Standard, to ensure that ISI marked toys available to consumers are safe and conforming to prescribed standards.

Hunt for uncertified toys continues; BIS conducts 100 search operations

New Delhi [India], November 2 (ANI): In a move to further make the edible oil supply chain seamless, the central government has exempted the current stock limit for wholesalers and big chain retailers. The order will come into effect immediately, a <keyword id="393956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-consumer-affairs" source="Orion">Ministry of Consumer Affairs</keyword>, <keyword id="427106" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="food-and-public-distribution" source="Orion">Food and Public Distribution</keyword> statement said late Tuesday evening. The removal of wholesalers and big chain retailers from the stock limit order would allow them to keep various varieties and brands of edible oils, which they are unable to keep at present due to the limits imposed. "A need was felt for exempting big chain retailers and wholesalers from the stock control order as reports were coming that Wholesalers and big chain retail outlets were facing problems in their sale due to the Control Order as the limits specified for them was very less and replacement of shelf stocks in city limits is not possible on an everyday basis," the statement read. In view of the restoration of ample supplies and continuous decline in the prices of edible oils both in the international and domestic market, the statement said it was an "opportune time" for the exemption. "The removal will also have a positive effect on the oilseed prices as it will boost procurement of the oilseeds hereby increasing the returns of domestic oilseeds growing farmers," it added. Initially, the stock limits were imposed in October 2021. Subsequently, the stock limit quantities on edible oils and oilseeds were extended upto June 2022 and later the order was further extended upto December 31, 2022. "The Stock Limit Order was imposed in the country due to increasing prices of edible oils both in international as well as domestic market. Its high volatility was leading to hoarding, profiteering and black marketing at that time. This timely intervention by the Government had led to significant decline of the skyrocketing prices and had helped to keep a check on the hoarding, especially soyabean seeds," Tuesday's statement further said. India is the world's second-largest consumer and number one vegetable oil importer, and it meets 60 per cent of its need through imports. (ANI)

Govt exempts wholesalers, big retailers from stock limit on edible oil, oilseeds

The Central government is looking at the possibility of adopting a universal charger model for all electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops, electric watches, and will set up a panel seeking views on the proposal, informed sources said. The sources said the Centre will set up three expert groups which will submit their report after taking the views of all stakeholders on the proposal. They further informed that the groups will be notified in August itself and they will submit their report within a couple of months. This was decided after the <keyword id="184317" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="department-of-consumer-affairs" source="Orion">Department of Consumer Affairs</keyword> on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of mobile phone and electronic devices manufacturers to seek their views on adopting the universal charger model. The meeting was presided over by the Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, <keyword id="215678" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rohit-kumar-singh" source="Orion">Rohit Kumar Singh</keyword>. Industry bodies like <keyword id="6355001" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ficci" source="Orion">FICCI</keyword>, CII and ASSOCHAM, as well as representatives of electronic products manufacturers bodies were present in the meeting. The idea behind pushing this concept emerged from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment towards reducing carbon emissions in <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>, which he had announced in the <keyword id="168609" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="climate-change-conference" source="Orion">Climate Change Conference</keyword> held in Glasgow last year. Also, the government has expressed concern that due to excess usage of separate chargers for all electronic devices, there has been an alarming rise in e-consumption which leads to greater emission levels. This concern has made the Government think about adopting a universal charger for all electronic devices. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/netflix-will-not-allow-you-to-watch-movies-and-shows-offline-in-the-ad-supported-tier/articleshow/93634420.cms">Netflix will not allow you to watch movies and shows offline in the ad-supported tier</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/gig-jobs-are-popular-with-pocket-money-seeking-teens-for-primary-earners-its-a-burden/articleshow/93632374.cms">Gig jobs are popular with pocket-money seeking teens, for primary earners it’s a burden</a>

You Searched For "Consumer Affairs" and got 11 results

No More False Promises: Government sets rules to prevent misleading and exaggerated coaching centre ads

BI India Bureau

Government set to introduce Repairability Index for mobile, electronics products

PTI

India plans repairability index for mobile, electronics to tackle e-waste

PTI

A brief history of America's love affair with fluoridated water — and why it's now up for debate

Hilary Brueck

Government takes action against Ola Electric for customer complaints, Bhavish Aggarwal’s company slapped with show-cause notice

Divyanshi Sharma

The NFL's $1,000 branded designer jackets are the latest sign of fashion's newfound love affair with sports

Maria Noyen

Consumers reported losing $210 million to scams across payment apps last year. A new bill wants to help future victims get their money back.

John Towfighi

This Canadian woman has been getting drunk without consuming alcohol for over two years! Here’s how

Ankush Banerjee

Hunt for uncertified toys continues; BIS conducts 100 search operations

IANS

Govt exempts wholesalers, big retailers from stock limit on edible oil, oilseeds

ANI

Centre to form panel to seek views on adopting universal charger model

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