Latest news with #SCAN
Zawya
6 days ago
- General
- Zawya
Unchecked accumulation of marine debris threatening Nigeria's maritime competitiveness — Stakeholders
Stakeholders in the maritime sector on Thursday called for a strengthened national policy framework to tackle marine debris, warning that unchecked accumulation is threatening Nigeria's maritime competitiveness and endangering the future of its waterways. The stakeholders, who made this call in Lagos during the 2025 annual summit of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), stated that marine debris impairs navigational safety, disrupts port operations, and pollutes coastlines—undermining tourism, coastal livelihoods, and community health, among other concerns. Speaking at the summit, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, said marine debris threatens biodiversity, including fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, often leading to entanglement and ingestion. Dantsoho, who was represented by Capt. Femi Oyewole, Principal Manager, Marine, NPA, noted that as custodians of Nigeria's seaports, the NPA is deeply committed to advancing national and global efforts to combat marine litter and preserve the integrity of the marine ecosystem. He emphasized that the dangers are no longer distant possibilities, but present and escalating, hence the need for urgent action. According to him, 'The NPA has taken several proactive measures to confront the menace head-on. It operates and regulates port reception facilities at all major ports in Nigeria, ensuring full compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), particularly Annex V, which addresses garbage disposal from ships calling at the Authority's four pilotage districts: Lagos, Delta, Bonny/Port Harcourt, and Calabar.' 'These facilities provide secure, environmentally sound reception and handling of waste from vessels calling at Nigerian ports. They are equipped to receive a wide range of ship-generated waste, including plastics, food waste, domestic garbage, oily rags, and hazardous residues, as well as daily sludges and bilges. By doing so, we eliminate the incentive for illegal disposal into the marine environment and ensure all waste is treated, recycled, or disposed of in accordance with national and international environmental standards.' He added that the NPA also regularly undertakes dedicated marine litter and seaweed cleanup exercises within and around port channels, berths, and quay aprons. 'By removing plastics, packaging materials, vegetation waste, and other solid litter, we are able to protect marine life, reduce blockages in port drainage systems, and ensure the smooth operation of vessels in port environments and navigational channels,' he stated. ALSO READ: Tinubu International Conference Centre fully booked until 2027 — Wike Also speaking, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, applauded SCAN for choosing such a critical topic and emphasized the need to prioritize the clearance of water channels to ensure the free movement of vessels on inland waterways. Akutah, who was represented by the NSC Deputy Director of Monitoring and Enforcement, Adeshina Sarumi, stated that having water channels littered with debris or shipwrecks poses a significant challenge to Nigeria's water transportation system. He urged the media to verify reports and present them accurately, with facts and figures, in order to aid the effective operation of relevant agencies. In his address, the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, called on stakeholders to show greater commitment to tackling marine debris and stressed the need for increased public awareness, especially among residents of coastal communities. Oyebamiji, who was represented by an Assistant General Manager at NIWA, Mrs. Aisha Eri, noted that marine waste is a global issue, not just a Nigerian one. He stated that a marine litter action plan is already in place, involving shared responsibilities among all stakeholders. He emphasized that while NIWA and other agencies are making efforts, residents of coastal areas must also desist from polluting the waterways. The Guest Speaker and President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao, expressed concern that some strategic areas, which should serve as tourist centers, have been overtaken by debris. He warned that the unchecked accumulation of marine debris continues to threaten Nigeria's competitiveness in the maritime sector. Represented by the Second Vice President of the Association, Captain Olugunwa Jide, Alao called for the establishment of a legislative framework backed by the National Assembly and proposed a fine of ₦5 million for illegal waste disposal. Speaking on the theme of the event, 'Marine Debris: The Danger Ahead,' SCAN President Moses Ebosele emphasized the urgent need to address the crisis of marine debris and its threat to the maritime industry, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. He said the summit aimed to facilitate national dialogue, share knowledge, and build collaborative strategies to combat marine debris and other forms of marine pollution. 'The growing prevalence of marine debris is not just an environmental issue; it is a socioeconomic threat that can undermine the very foundations of our maritime industry and coastal communities,' Ebosele said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wegmans testing smart carts at select NY stores: Here's where
Wegmans is testing new smart-cart technology. Pilot programs have begun at Wegmans stores at 6600 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Perinton; 3195 Monroe Ave., Pittsford; and 675 Alberta Drive, Amherst, Erie County, the company said in a statement. A fourth pilot will launch later this month at the store at 6789 East Genesee St. in DeWitt, near Syracuse. Wegmans will be testing smart carts from two different providers, it said. The Perinton and Pittsford Wegmans appear to be using the same provider. Carts available to customers at those stores have touchscreens that allow users to scan items as they go. 'We are limiting the program to these stores as we gather customer feedback to drive improvements,' the statement continued. 'Our goal is to determine if Smart Cart Technology is a fit for the unique shopping assortment offered in our stores and if it meets the shopping needs of our customers.' This isn't the first time Wegmans has tested the technology. Last fall, the company tried out smart carts at three stores, including Perinton and Pittsford. In 2023, it tested an artificial intelligence-powered device at two of its New York stores, including Pittsford. The gadget resembled a tablet with handles and clipped to the top of a regular shopping cart. Using a system of cameras and sensors, it identified items placed in carts and detected items being removed. In 2022, after two and a half years, Wegmans pulled the plug on its popular SCAN app, which enabled customers to scan groceries using their smartphones, bag them as they shopped and pay for them using a single code at self-checkouts. Too many people were walking off with unscanned items, the company said, resulting in unacceptable losses. Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments and has an interest in retail news. Send story tips to mgreenwo@ Follow her on X @MarciaGreenwood. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Wegmans testing smart carts at select NY stores: Here's where
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wegmans to test drive smart shopping carts at Central New York store
DEWITT, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Wegmans plans to roll out smart shopping cart technology at one of its Central New York stores later this month, the company confirms to NewsChannel 9. Keen-eyed shoppers have already noticed the fleet of new carts lined up at the front entrance area of the store on Genesee Street in DeWitt. The tricked-out carts have a touch screen facing the handle bar and instruct the shopper to point a product's barcode at sensors in the corners of the cart's basket. The directions show green lights and a beep, then signaling when the item can be put inside the customer's bag within the cart. The company describes smart shopping carts as 'an early-stage technology that we believe could be offered to our customers as an alternative way to shop in our stores in the future.' A Wegmans spokesperson said DeWitt is one of four stores in New York State chosen as part of the company's 'Smart Cart Test & Learn Pilots.' The other locations are Perinton and Pittsford in Rochester and Alberta Drive in Buffalo. Employee testing has already happened in DeWitt. Select customers have already had the chance to try the technology before it opens to the public on Friday, June 27. The company is only practicing within four stores as it gathers customer feedback, fine-tunes improvements, and resolves errors. 'Our goal is to determine if Smart Cart Technology is a fit for the unique shopping assortment offered in our stores and if it meets the shopping needs of our customers,' said Evelyn Ingraham of Wegmans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wegmans launched its 'SCAN' app, which allowed shoppers to scan each item with their phone to keep a running tally. The company blamed theft for shutting down the app in 2022. At the time, emails to customers said, 'Unfortunately, the losses we are experiencing from this program prevent us from continuing to make it available in its current state. We've learned a lot, and we will continue to introduce new digital solutions to streamline your shopping experience for the future.' Not too different than self-checkout stations, some smart cart technology includes scales that would flag the weight of groceries not scanned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- CTV News
Fort Sask. home closed after almost 100 calls to RCMP, multiple arrests
12 Elizabeth Drive in Fort Saskatchewan can be seen in a Google image from September 2023. (Photo: Google Street View) Alberta Sheriffs have shuttered a home they say was disrupting a neighbourhood in Fort Saskatchewan with drug and criminal activity. The home at 12 Elizabeth Drive was the source of 25 complaints between January and August 2024 – including complaints of suspicious persons, assaults, drug possession and drug trafficking. Alberta Sheriffs report that RCMP arrested several occupants of the property throughout the year, and EMS and RCMP attended two drug overdoses at the home that September. 'Since 2022, RCMP have had almost 100 calls for service ranging from disturbances, assaults, mischief and thefts at this property,' said Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Staff Sgt. Scott Lande. A warning letter was sent to the property owner and primary resident in November. The Alberta Sheriffs' Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit closed it Wednesday at noon using a community safety order. The property will be boarded up, fenced off and all the locks will be changed. Everyone there was made to leave – including the former property owner – and no one will be allowed onto the property for 90 days. 'I want to thank SCAN and the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP for their dedication in helping residents take back their neighbourhood by shutting down a long-standing problem property that put the community at risk,' said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services. Since it was created in 2008, SCAN has issued more than 130 community safety orders.
Geeky Gadgets
30-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Say Goodbye to Complex Excel Formulas : Meet the SCAN Function
What if you could solve intricate Excel problems with a single, elegant formula? Imagine replacing a web of complex, error-prone calculations with one streamlined function that handles it all. Enter the SCAN function—a fantastic option for anyone who relies on Excel for advanced analytics. With its ability to process sequential calculations and automate workflows, SCAN transforms how users approach everything from financial modeling to inventory tracking. Whether you're calculating running totals or tackling corkscrew calculations, this tool promises to simplify your work and elevate your efficiency. It's not just a function; it's a paradigm shift for Excel users. In this exploration, Excel Off The Grid uncover how SCAN works, why it's so powerful, and how it integrates seamlessly with Excel's dynamic arrays and the LAMBDA function. You'll learn how to use SCAN for tasks like cumulative totals, iterative financial models, and even combining multiple datasets for advanced analyses. But that's not all—SCAN's ability to handle dependent, step-by-step computations opens doors to possibilities you may not have considered. By the end, you'll see why this single-cell solution is more than just a feature; it's a tool that redefines what's possible in Excel. Could this be the function that transforms your workflow? Mastering Excel's SCAN Function What is the SCAN Function? The SCAN function processes each value in an array by applying a function that combines the current value with the result of the previous calculation. It requires three key arguments to function effectively: Initial Value: The starting point for the calculation, which serves as the base for subsequent operations. The starting point for the calculation, which serves as the base for subsequent operations. Array: The dataset to iterate through, providing the values to be processed sequentially. The dataset to iterate through, providing the values to be processed sequentially. Function: The operation applied at each step, defining how the current value interacts with the previous result. This structure makes SCAN particularly useful for scenarios where each calculation depends on the outcome of the previous step. Examples include cumulative totals, iterative financial models, or any task requiring step-by-step computations. Practical Applications of SCAN The SCAN function is highly versatile and can simplify a wide range of tasks. Its ability to handle sequential calculations makes it a valuable tool for various practical applications: Running Totals: SCAN calculates cumulative sums by iterating through an array and adding the current value to the previous result. This is particularly useful for tracking progressive totals in datasets. SCAN calculates cumulative sums by iterating through an array and adding the current value to the previous result. This is particularly useful for tracking progressive totals in datasets. Corkscrew Calculations: In financial modeling, SCAN can compute closing balances for one period that serve as opening balances for the next. This iterative process is essential for accurate financial projections. In financial modeling, SCAN can compute closing balances for one period that serve as opening balances for the next. This iterative process is essential for accurate financial projections. Sequential Computations: SCAN is ideal for step-by-step calculations, such as monitoring inventory levels, cash flows, or production outputs over time. By automating these processes, SCAN reduces manual effort and ensures consistency in calculations, making it a valuable addition to Excel's toolkit. SCAN Solves Advanced Excel Problems in a Single Cell Watch this video on YouTube. Check out more relevant guides from our extensive collection on Excel functions that you might find useful. Enhancing SCAN with LAMBDA The integration of the LAMBDA function significantly enhances SCAN's flexibility. LAMBDA allows users to define custom functions tailored to specific needs, allowing more complex and adaptable workflows. Within SCAN, placeholders like 'previous' (representing the prior result) and 'value' (representing the current array element) can be used to create highly customized operations. For instance, you can define a LAMBDA function to calculate weighted averages, conditional sums, or other specialized computations. This capability simplifies complex workflows, reduces formula clutter, and allows you to reuse custom functions across multiple scenarios. By combining SCAN with LAMBDA, you can unlock a new level of precision and efficiency in your Excel calculations. Combining Arrays for Advanced Analyses SCAN's ability to process multiple arrays simultaneously adds another layer of functionality. For example, you can combine inflows and outflows into a single dataset for analysis. This feature is particularly valuable in financial and operational contexts, where multiple variables interact dynamically. By structuring data into arrays, SCAN can efficiently handle intricate relationships and dependencies. This capability is especially useful for tasks such as: Analyzing cash flow patterns by combining revenue and expense data. Tracking inventory changes by integrating stock inflows and outflows. Modeling financial scenarios that involve multiple interdependent variables. This ability to manage complex datasets within a single formula streamlines workflows and enhances the accuracy of your analyses. Integrating Built-in Functions and Simplifying Formulas SCAN works seamlessly with Excel's built-in functions, such as SUM, MIN, and MAX, allowing you to enhance its functionality without additional complexity. Additionally, SCAN supports eta reduction, which enables you to reference a function name directly without defining a LAMBDA. For example, instead of creating a custom LAMBDA for summation, you can simply use SUM as the function argument in SCAN. This feature not only reduces formula complexity but also improves readability, making it easier to understand and maintain your calculations. By using built-in functions alongside SCAN, you can achieve powerful results with minimal effort. Understanding SCAN's Limitations While SCAN is a robust and versatile tool, it does have some limitations that users should be aware of. For instance, functions like COUNT may not behave as expected because SCAN only passes two values—the previous result and the current value—into the function. This can lead to unexpected outcomes if the function relies on additional parameters or broader dataset contexts. Additionally, SCAN's reliance on sequential processing means it may not be suitable for tasks requiring non-linear or independent calculations. Understanding these nuances is crucial for effectively integrating SCAN into your workflows and avoiding potential pitfalls. Corkscrew Calculations: A Key Strength One of SCAN's standout capabilities is its ability to handle corkscrew calculations. These involve iterative processes where the result of one period directly influences the next. For example, SCAN can calculate opening balances, movements, and closing balances in a single formula. This iterative capability is indispensable for tasks such as: Financial modeling, where accurate projections depend on sequential calculations. Inventory tracking, where stock levels are updated based on inflows and outflows. Operational planning, where resource allocation depends on prior usage data. By automating these processes, SCAN eliminates the need for manual adjustments and ensures consistency across calculations, making it an invaluable tool for professionals in finance, operations, and beyond. Media Credit: Excel Off The Grid Filed Under: Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
