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Thanks to its strategic geographical position and cheap quality workforce, Morocco has been attracting constantly growing foreign investments, especially in its industry, agriculture and tourism. Auto and textile production have been two of the most dynamic sectors, with companies such as Renault and Inditex making important investments.
Major investor countries include France, Spain, Egypt and Qatar. Qatari Diar has confirmed an investment worth over EUR 2 billion for the coming 5 years in major real estate developments and luxury hotels. Morocco’s leading tourism attraction Marrakech has attracted investments of over EUR 800 million in the past three years, with major upcoming openings including top luxury resort hotels Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons. The second tourism destination remains Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city followed by the city ports of Tangier and Agadir. Particularly, Tangier has been attracting major investments in real estate and infrastructure, a new commercial port worth EUR 2 billion being currently under construction.
Morocco’s luxury retail market is concentrated on the major city of Casablanca, which is the business capital of Morocco. Mention should also be made that Casablanca is an important regional business hub for its less developped neighbouring countries, with many major financial institutions and multinational companies headquartered in Casablanca. The city’s international airport which is one of the busiest in North Africa and its good road infrastructure also play important parts in the development of country as a regional hub. CPP‘s latest luxury market report on Morocco issued March 2010 has revealed that over 40% of luxury goods are sold to non Moroccans, mostly from other African countries, who visit Casablanca mostly for business purposes. Over 60% of the luxury goods sales are made to locals, from all over Morocco, not only those residing in the major cities of Casablanca, Tangier and the capital of Rabat. That is why Morocco is a very promissing luxury market, luxury sales being generated by locals and regional visitors, less than 10% being made to tourists.
Most of the existing luxury fashion, accessories and jewellery stores are concentrated in Casablanca, with several smaller boutiques also in Marrakech. The most recent openings of monobrand stores: Fendi (Casablanca), Chaumet (Casablanca), Yves Saint Laurent (Casablanca), Gucci (Marrakech). Galleries Lafayettes is due to open a 3.000 sqm franchised operation in Casablanca’s largest mall which is due for completion early next year.
The least developped luxury sectors are SPA, fragrances and cosmetics (the only major player is Marionnaud), organic concepts (restaurants and retail), designer home collections and some sub-segments of sectors such as fashion (ceremonial, men’s) and accessories (shoes). According to CPP‘s research, the total luxury market of Morocco is estimated at EUR 600 million, with a 10% year on year increase.
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The Blackstone BT11 can be wirelessly connected to any Bluetooth device such as mobile or tablet.
The Tecno Pova and the In Note 1 are good rivals but which one wins the competition? Let's take a look
Samsung Galaxy M12 might pack a massive 7,000 mAh battery.
Samsung Galaxy F62 will come with 6GB of RAM.
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Noise has expanded its product portfolio with 6 new audio products including the first wireless Bluetooth speaker from the company.
The Nokia 2.4 that was launched a few days ago is now available for purchase from Flipkart and Nokia's website.
The Realme UI 2.0 roll-out is being released in batches.
The Poco Days Sale has gone live on Flipkart and the brand is offering 4 of its best Poco phones at discounted prices.
The Nokia C3 is aiming to the capture the market over which Xiaomi and Realme already have a strong hold. Is it a worthy competitor?
Realme has a new surveillance product under its lineup, called the Realme SmartCam 360°. After using it for about a month, here are our opinions.
Vivo released a new smartphone called Vivo V20 SE which acts as a smaller brother to the Vivo 20. Both the devices have a price difference of Rs 4,000 but is the cheaper V20 SE worth it?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ come with a price tag of Rs 79,999 and flaunts features like a big 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a bundled S-Pen stylus and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor.
Sandisk yet revealed another storage device for Indian consumers a while ago which is the Extreme Pro Portable SSD. Is it worth the price tag? Let's take a look.
At a price of Rs 1,999, the iRockeR Gods are a good choice but with some tradeoffs. Lets have a look at the review of the TWS earbuds by Infinix.
The Oppo Enco W11 are one of the most compelling offerings in the TWS earbuds segment at a price of Rs 1,799.
The WD MyPassport SSD is a great SSD that comes with 256-bit AES encryption, and a bunch of other features with a portable design.
The Realme Buds Wireless Pro are one of the first audio product from the company that feature Active noise Cancellation and also LDAC. Are they worth the price tag of Rs 3,499? Lets have a look.
The Vivo V20 made its way to us and after spending a few days with it, we can say that it is definitely a worthy competitor in the mid-range space, amongst the already established contenders.
Tech products are becoming cheap while the quality is getting higher. Here are a variety of tech products for your daily lifestyle which are low on price, precisely below Rs 500.
Entertainment has various sources, one such source are the OTT platforms. These streaming platforms play a major role in contributing towards people's lives. So here are the top shows and movies releasing on Hotstar in November 2020.
The recently-launched Samsung Galaxy S20 FE which is touting to be the affordable flagship, has its camera as one of the most strongest points in the phone. During our review, one of the few things we liked about the device was its camera. Lets review it in deep to see if our opinion changes, or stays the same.
These are the top 20 apps and services that were killed by Google because of specific reasons relating to each application.
The Realme Narzo 20 that was launched last month by Realme within the budget segment managed to impress us with its performance in its review. While in the camera department, the performance of the device was quite average. Let's dive deep into the camera review for the Narzo 20 Pro and check again if it can prove us wrong. We will divide the Camera review in 7 segments which will be Normal Daylight Shooting, Zoomed picture, Wide-angle shooting, artificial lighting, Macro mode, Selfies and Night Mode.
Amazon Prime Video, an OTT Platform, will be unveiling 9 Indian films which will be released over the next few months. The upcoming movies include Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan’s Coolie No.1, Bhumi Pednekar’s Durgavati and Rajkummar Rao and Nushratt Baruchaa’s Chhalaang among others. All the movies were initially planned to be released in cinema theatres but due to the coronavirus pandemic, they will now be launched on OTT platform. Here’s a list of nine films spanning five Indian languages which will debut on Amazon Prime Video from October to December this year.
Hotstar has been one of the leading streaming services in India and has been providing some great content not only for the Indian Audiences, but worldwide too. Here are the top 10 shows and movies that Hotstar is ready to release in October 2020.
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The most anticipated cricket tournament and 13th season of Indian Premier League (IPL2020)is underway. It'd be a great idea to invest in cheap wired earphones to help you cheer your favourite team and hear that blissful commentary. Hence, we have compiled a list of 10 best, cheap earphone that you can buy to watch the IPL

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The Fresh Market, a North Carolina-based grocery store chain, plans to open a location in the Lion's Head Village retail strip on White Bridge Road.
The store will take over the space that formerly housed Office Max, according to an announcement today from Boyle Investment Co., which owns the Lion's Head shopping center, with an opening estimated for spring 2017. (Longtime Nashvillians will remember that the site also used to house a movie theater, which had its heyday in the 1980s.)
The Fresh Market, which is known for its prepared foods, produce section and fresh-cut flowers, already operates a popular store on Franklin Road in Brentwood, along with a location in Hendersonville.
The announcement comes less than a week after Whole Foods revealed that it plans to open its second Nashville store on Broadway and 12th Avenue North downtown, as grocery stores position themselves in Nashville's development boom.
In the Boyle Investment announcement, the company touts the strategic value of Lion's Head Village, which serves Belle Meade and Green Hills as well as West Nashville. (My favorite business in the strip is Anatolia Turkish Restaurant, along with the handy Target store nearby.)
"The Fresh Market will raise the profile of Lion's Head Village, whose customers have approximately $19,000 more buying power per household than the average Nashville MSA household," Boyle says. "The center is strategically located along White Bridge Road, a major commercial artery serving a highly affluent, densely populated area."
© Copyright © 2016 SouthComm Publications, Nashville Scene. All rights reserved., source Newspapers


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Quickflix was one of the first Australian streaming companies but they may not be able to survive the upcoming streaming competition. In the second half of 2014 Quickflix posted an $8.6 million loss. This loss is close to two and a half times the company’s entire current market value according to news.com.au.
This loss could not have come at a worse time for Quickflix as two streaming companies (Presto and Stan) have recently sprung up in Australia and Netflix is opening their doors to Australians on March 24th.
Stan’s subscription numbers are already hot on Quickflix’s heels with reportedly 100,000 subscribers. Quickflix’s subscription numbers have been declining in the last six months and are now estimated to be 117,000.
Presto was also encouraged this week by the announcement that Seven West Media will be allowed to partner with Foxtel’s streaming service.
Richard Freudenstein, Foxtel CEO, announced, “We have big plans for Presto Entertainment to be a leading player in the SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) space and are excited we can accelerate plans for Presto TV with our partners Seven West Media now that the ACCC has given their consent to our joint venture.”
It remains unclear what will happen after Presto and Stan’s one month free subscription offers run out and Netflix launches at the end of the month. What is clear is that Australians will have more content options on their TVs and mobile devices than ever before.
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The name of the brand will be announced at the time of the launch. The company will start store fitouts in some cities and the brand is expected to be launched from Bangalore during Navratri or Dussehra.
According to a retail consultant, Reliance has finalised Airia mall in Gurugram and High Street Phoenix in Mumbai and is looking for similar size stores in Delhi. Fast fashion is the fastest growing segment in apparel and lifestyle retail globally, and H&M and Zara have been runaway successes in India in the category associated with designs that move quickly from the catwalk to the showroom.
"International brands have the advantage of a certain cachet, which has allowed them to gain disproportionate visibility, both in terms of share of mind and share of space in prime locations in the larger cities, which has allowed them to grow rapidly," said Devangshu Dutta, founder of retail consulting firm Third Eyesight. "However, the market can certainly accommodate more fashion brands. Reliance will need to not only create a viable product-retail mix but connect with the aspirational aspects in the consumer's mind to compete with the international brands," Dutta said.
Reliance Retail is the largest fashion and lifestyle retailer in the country with a network of nearly 4,000 stores across segments from ethnic and value fashion to luxury brands. While rival Tata has partnered Zara and launched an affordable fast fashion brand Zudio, Reliance runs Marks & Spencer stores in India and recently partnered Gap. The new brand is expected to have mid-premium pricing and will bank on a young consumers' segment. Reliance did not respond to an email seeking comment.
The company is looking at stores spread across two floors but most of the premium malls in metro cities are fully occupied, making it difficult for them to create large space. Reliance is also in talks to partner LVMH for its beauty chain Sephora, which at present, is run by Arvind Brands.
"The company is aggressively looking for space for the new brands as well as new international brands they are planning to partner," said another person.
"As per company policy, we do not comment on market rumours and speculations," an Arvind Fashions spokesperson said.
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Last year, I wrote a Huffington Post story called, “Not So Fast There! The Surprisingly Long Life of Fashion Trends,” in which I observed that fashion trends don’t come and go as quickly as we think they do. In fact, trends can take seasons — or even years — to develop, and then linger for as long as a decade.
The earliest adopters of a new style often get citations from the fashion police for experimenting with looks that later dominate the market (hence my blog motto, “Never Is The Next New Thing™”). For example, in another Huff Post story, I traced the re-emergence of the peplum as a trend over the course of a year. Nicole Kidman landed on multiple worst-dressed lists when she donned a peplum one February. Emma Stone faced similar criticism for her peplum that July. Yet, by December, the peplum was everywhere. That was in 2011, and you can still go to any department store website and find dozens of peplum styles.
Similarly, multiple ear piercings with delicate studs and hoops that go through the cartilage, rather than the lobe, have been growing in popularity for a couple of years now, thanks, in part, to J. Colby Smith, a piercer at New York Adorned. Into the Gloss wrote about Smith, known as Colby, in 2011 and 2012, helping Colby become a favorite of editors and stylists. Last May, the Costume Institute exhibition on punk fashion added fuel to what Leah Chernikoff of Fashionista.com called “the delicate piercing craze New York Adorned’s J. Colby Smith as spawned within the fashion community.” Refinery 29 followed up with an August 2013 interview with Colby in which he said about piercings, “As long as it stays refined, classic, and elegant, there will always be a place for it.” (In other words, you want a lighter look than what was worn in the aughts by singer Fergie, seen here with her multiply pierced cartilage in 2008, and actress Camryn Manhein of the 1997-2004 hit show The Practice. ) Colby has even figured out a way to do an elegant septum piercing — that’s the “bull-ring”-style nose piercing — and Dana Oliver documented hers for the Huffington Post earlier this month.
Today, the New York Times Thursday Styles section has a story by Marisa Meltzer that is focused on Colby and entitled “Piercing Adopts a Delicate Balance” in the print edition. (The headline for the online version is “Piercings Are Back, Subtle and Sophisticated.”)
Meltzer talked to fashion stylist Sarah Slutsky, who says that when she got her first cartilage piercing in 2011, “I felt like we were pioneers.” But now, Meltzer writes, “If having a piercing was once an in-your-face roar, the new vogue is a whisper. Dainty piercings in areas once reserved for the bold — through the upper ear or the septum — have taken off with the fashion crowd.” Colby says, “The trick is a couple of nice subtle pieces,” and the Meltzer cites the “new aesthetic, with slim hoops and tiny studs or bars in precious gems.”
Well! I’m thrilled with all of this because I’ve been offering tiny studs to be worn mixed up, rather than in traditional matched pairs, since February 2013. I started with my “Screw U” and “Heart U” pairs for Valentine’s Day that year. (“Screw U” is more popular than “Heart U” — no surprise there!)
I now have over 80 stud earring styles in silver and 18K gold, including my famous emoji earrings and the 26 letters of the alphabet in my signature, thorny font. Additional styles are in the works, and, as of this week, you can get gold-plated versions of my existing styles exclusively at Nylon. If you want to see how good these look with the new, Colby-style piercings, all you have to do is take a gander at my right-hand woman Eryn and her sister Grace. Earlier this week, they visited Colby for tragus piercings (the tragus is the little pointy part in front of the ear canal.) Eryn and Grace recommend making an appointment in advance — like they did — if you want Colby.
Eryn admits to being a little squeamish about the process, but it was worth it. Her tiny starter tragus stud looks great with the latest version of my middle finger emoji stud earring — a limited edition, plated in rose gold, which will soon be available on my website — and a single, long Venus earring from my signature collection.
While they were taking ear pictures, Eryn took a photo of Grace wearing a gold-plated punching fist emoji earring in her existing helix (upper ear cartilage) piercing. It’s perfect for that spot!
All of my stud earrings are designed to be worn as single earrings — singles being another revived earring trend. I was obsessed with single earrings in the 1980s, and, in a fit of nostalgia, added the single studs to my line in October 2012.
I recently found this photo of Helen Slater in the 1985 movie The Legend of Billie Jean, which shows off her MAJOR single earring look. I remember being so in love with Billie Jean’s style in this movie.
Like the new piercings, the new single earrings have caught the attention of the mainstream media. Last week, Teen Vogue declared that actress Emma Watson is “the queen of the one-earring craze” (As I pointed out earlier this month, she’s also the queen of the ear-cuff craze). The same day, grown-up Vogue wondered, “How did the Single Earring Trend Get So Big?” In that story, Jamie Johns wrote, “… as I watch fashion devotees fret over whether or not to go solo with the new statement danglers, I can’t help but wonder if they know that punk men have been rocking the off-kilter look for close to 40 years.” Hmmm. If you’re as old as I am, you know that! That said, I don’t think today’s young wimmin are copying the look from boys in Brooklyn. I’d credit the Costume Institute exhibit; celebrities such Emma Watson; runway looks from the likes of Dior; Instagram stars; and their own female peers for bringing back the single earring for the ladies. And, of course, Colby the piercer gets a lot of credit, because many of those delicate piercings he’s doing are for single earrings or odd numbers. The hip dudes might be more influential in the near future though. The Vogue story notes that now that single earrings are everywhere, some guys are moving on to “what used to be the female norm of two earrings” in order to stand out. In fact, twin brothers Wyatt and Fletcher Shears — muses to Hedi Slimane, who did single earrings for Saint Laurent — have replaced their single-earring finds from thrift stores with “two large gold hoops.” Now, that’s a look that will be very noticeable on a man … and I already called giant hoops for the next big earring trend early this month.
When you get ready to make a statement with big hoops, make sure you go for 2 1/4″ in diameter or larger — anything else will look too conservative. In the meantime, if you want a single statement earring from me to supplement your emoji and screw studs, check out my 4 1/2″ long Cleopatra earring. It comes in silver …
… and 18K gold and diamonds.
I hope to have some other interesting new earring styles shortly, inspired by my own experience getting my fourth lobe piercing this spring. Amusingly, I had tweeted for piercing-parlor suggestions and was referred to Adorned by my gorgeous client Mary — who lives in Australia! That’s how far Colby’s fame has spread. But when I arrived at Adorned, it was closed for the week, and I wound up at Addiction NYC on St. Mark’s Place. I had a good experience there, so if you need an alternative to Adorned, don’t be scared by the bongs in Addiction’s front window!


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For Honor X10, we can say that the details are now clear. We have recently seen that the details about the name have started to become clear, and now it is clear when the phone will be released with the support of 5G. The phone is said to attract attention in the market with its features. Here is the Honor X10 release date with 5G support!
Honor X10 release date announced with 5G support
Huawei sub-brand Honor, which has started to make a name in the smartphone market, is following a successful momentum. When evaluated in this context, the company appears with the X10. The phone seems to be similar in design to phones released this year.
The 6.63 inch IPS LCD screen of the phone, which is similar to other phones especially at the camera installation point, welcomes us. Looking at the screen resolution of the phone, we see 2400 x 1080 pixels.
Adopting a quad mechanism in camera setup, Honor relies on the 40 Megapixel Sony IMX600y as its main camera. The main camera is accompanied by an 8 Megapixel ultra wide angle camera, 2 Megapixel macro camera and depth sensor.
The phone is expected to have a fast battery that can be charged with a USB-C connection up to 22.5W, along with a powerful battery. The release date of the 5G-powered Honor X10 marks the 20th of May 2020. It is estimated that more information about the phone will emerge until the official release date.


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Published January 24, 2014
Microsoft Device Gamble Pays Off and Other #Stocks2Watch
#Stocks2Watch: Microsoft Device Gamble Pays Off
Microsoft shares rallied in the pre-market after the software giant posted better-than-expected quarterly results.
Microsoft revealed quarterly profits that widely beat Wall Street's estimates, helped by moves to sell more hardware devices instead of just software. Shares of the blue-chip tech giant are jumping 3% in pre-market action.
BlackBerry shares are skidding more than 5% in the pre-market. It isn't clear what the shares of the embattled smartphone maker are moving on.
FOX Business Associate Producer Julie VerHage says she's watching shares of eBay as billionaire investor Carl Icahn prepares a proxy battle to put his people on the firm's board and spin off PayPal. The shares are down 0.73% in early action.
Juniper Networks [JNPR]
Jana Partners unveiled a sizeable stake in network-equipment maker, sending its shares zooming close to 6% in pre-market trading.
It's not a stock, but it's worth watching. The Argentine government devalued the peso by 12.7%, according to Nomura. The biggest devaluation since 2002 is aimed at bolstering the country's foreign reserves and boosting its economy. The move is ricocheting into bigger marketplaces amid contagion worries.


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Wichita malls collecting items for tornado relief
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Towne East Square and Towne West Square will be accepting donations, with support from Two Men and a Truck, to help those affected by the EF-5 tornado in Moore, Okla., a media advisory today says.
Items sought are bottled water, diapers, baby wipes, individually wrapped snacks, hand sanitizer and personal hygiene products.
They can be dropped off from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday in designated parking lots of the malls: near the Rock Road entrance at Towne East and near the Towne West Drive entrance at Towne West.
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More Investment Needed, Says APM Terminals
Speaking at the Trade Americas & ConnectAmericas Expo: Building the Americas conference in Miami, APM Terminals Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Christian Moller Laursen observed that economic and population growth rate projections for Latin America have not yet been matched by the port and transportation infrastructure investment needed to accommodate the increased logistics and trade demands this economic growth will require over the next decade.
“The latest United Nations projections see a nearly 11% growth in Latin America’s population to 690 million by 2025, nearly 200 million more than the current combined population of the European Union countries. The total container throughput for Central and South America, in comparison, grew by only 1% in 2013, to 45.7 million TEUs. Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, handled 8.6 million TEUs in 2013, approximately the same number as the Port of Antwerp, the 3rd-busiest container port in Europe,” said Mr. Laursen, noting, “this underperformance will only become more acute without a new and invigorated strategy to address and promote necessary infrastructure investment.”
The cost of this port and transportation infrastructure will require significant amounts of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as Latin American nations develop new strategies for the infrastructure to catch up with current and projected future requirements. The importance of developing master plans covering ports as well as the roads and rail connections needed to efficiently link the ports with main population centers was also emphasized, as otherwise these hinterland connections will only create more bottlenecks in the future.
Latin America attracted FDI, excluding offshore financial centers, of $182 billion in 2013, or 12.9% of total global FDI of $1.4 trillion last year. The World Economic Forum’s 2014 assessment of port infrastructure ranked major Latin American economies Brazil, Colombia and Argentina 131st, 110th and 99th, respectively, out of 148 nations within their annual survey.
“Successful strategies to promote investment and partnerships with the private sector will become significantly more important to address these port and transportation infrastructure opportunities, with realistic and practical concession terms an increasingly crucial component of this process,” said Mr. Laursen.
APM Terminals owns a 50% share in Brasil Terminal Portuário, which opened last year in Santos, Brazil, Latin America’s busiest container port, and currently has new terminal development projects underway at Moin, Costa Rica, and Lazaro Cárdenas, Mexico, as well as a major terminal expansion and upgrade in Callao, Peru.


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Northern European bogs’ cool and waterlogged conditions create low-oxygen and highly acidic environments, which are ideal for preservation.
This unique chemistry has allowed artifacts to endure for centuries, with archaeologists digging up everything from 3000-year-old butter to remains of a 4000-year-old man in a body bag with intact skin.
While Scottish soil itself is not conducive to survival of the fabric, its burial under peat, which forms when vegetable matter partially carbonizes, meant “it had no exposure to air and was therefore preserved,” Peter MacDonald, Head of Research and Collections at The Scottish Tartans Authority said in a statement.
“The testing process has taken nearly six months but the effort was well worth it and we are thrilled with the results!” MacDonald said.
The analysis, conducted by scientists from the Scottish National Museums, indicated the presence of four colors: green, brown and possibly red and yellow.
“The tartan has several colors with multiple stripes of different sizes, and so it corresponds to what people would think of as a true tartan,” MacDonald said.
The plaid patterns are traditionally designed and woven in Scotland and have been used for centuries by Scottish clans and families as a badge of identity.
“The potential presence of red, a color that Gaels considered a status symbol, is interesting because of the more rustic nature of the cloth,” he said, referring to the Gaelic-speaking ethnic group in Scotland, Ireland and Isle of Man.
“This piece is not something you would associate with a king or someone of high status; it is more likely to be an outdoor working garment,” he added.
The use of indigo or woad in the green color and the lack of any synthetic dye indicated it was made before the 1750s, the museum said in a statement. Subsequent radiocarbon testing identified the most probable period as between 1500 and 1600 AD.
Modern adaptations of Tartan-like styles, commonly referred to as plaid, have become a popular fashion choice for many.
“To be able to exhibit the Glen Affric tartan is immensely important in understanding the textile traditions from which modern tartan derives, and I’m sure visitors will appreciate seeing this on public display for the very first time.” James Wylie, curator at V&A Dundee, said in a statement.


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Is an open Cuba worth a cigar to farmers? Maybe
Some might opt for a Cuban cigar to celebrate U.S. farmers raking in a bit more income when the flow of goods is eased with the nearby communist country.
Efforts to ease trade restrictions with Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States, can only benefit U.S. farmers, say commodity experts in these parts, and the benefits will trickle back to Kansas.
“It’s a big deal, and it’s good news,” said Dalton Henry, director of governmental affairs for Kansas Wheat, in Manhattan.
“We’ll be able to export to Cuba,” said Steve Clanton, who farms in Ottawa County. “(U.S. agriculture) should have an advantage with that happening.”
Better trade with Cuba could translate into another market for up to 20 million bushels of U.S. wheat a year, said Henry, quoting national predictions, and that could increase demand and raise the price.
“It’s a natural market, where we can outcompete about anyone else, if we have a chance, and I think that’s something that Kansas farmers are pretty excited about,” Henry said.
The U.S. enjoys “a logistical and transportation advantage over everyone else in the world,” he said, and Cuba imports most of the food it consumes.
Wheat suited to market
With other Caribbean nations, the U.S. has an 80 to 90 percent market share.
“The type of wheat (hard winter) we grow in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas is perfectly suited to go directly into that Cuban market,” Henry said.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who has been arguing for the lifting of sanctions and restrictions against Cuba for years, used plenty of numbers in a Monday statement to illustrate the benefits.
This year, Cuba has purchased $150 million worth of wheat from the European Union, where the cost to ship grain is $20 to $25 a ton, compared with $6 to $7 a ton from the United States.
“It makes economic sense for U.S. commodities to make up the lion’s share of the Cuban market,” Moran wrote.
He quoted a 2010 Texas A&M study that estimates easing restrictions and lifting the travel ban could mean $365 million in additional sales of U.S. agricultural commodities, injecting $1.1 billion into the U.S. economy and creating 6,000 new jobs.
“This is something that Sen. Moran has worked on for a long time, and it’s finally, possibly, coming to fruition,” Henry said.
Farmers support opportunities
Others see positive outcomes, but they aren’t exactly turning cartwheels over the notion of a foreign customer ramping up purchases of American commodities.
More wheat to Cuba “may help the wheat in the Southeast, but I don’t know how much will spill back to Kansas,” farmer Clanton said. “We could see 2 cents to a dime (a bushel increase), maybe.”
Kansas Corn, a compilation of the state corn commission and the corn growers’ association, will always support “freer and broader trade opportunities,” said Greg Krissek, CEO.
He doesn’t expect Kansas to make any direct exports of corn to Cuba, but it will come from other corn states.
“I probably won’t light up a cigar. It’s not my way to enjoy life,” Krissek said. “Our ag exports, in helping (Cubans) feed their population, is an opportunity that we want to have.”
The United States has been selling corn to Cuba for more than a decade and distillers grain since 2005, according to figures from the U.S. Grains Council and the National Corn Growers Association. U.S. corn exports vary from year to year; $28 million and about 15 percent of market share in 2013/2014, but in 2011/2012, the value of corn sold to Cuba was $126 million, about 63 percent of the market.
If the U.S. supplied all of Cuba’s corn imports, it would be our nation’s 12th largest corn market, according to the grains council and corn growers.
Cattle producers, who have experienced record prices and good profits this year, might have to wait for enhancements from the Cuban market, said Todd Domer, a spokesman for the Kansas Livestock Association.
“There may be some development in terms of personal income and developing (Cuban) tastes down the road,” he said. “A lot of our members are involved in both livestock and grain production. It’ll have a benefit.”


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It seems the long-running war between Chinese wholesale marketplace Alibaba and eBay may finally be over: eBay’s CEO John Donahoe has said “We’ve, in essence, exited the domestic market.” Instead of aiming to compete in China, eBay will “look for opportunities to partner or joint venture or work together with Chinese companies”. He went on, “Alibaba dominates the Chinese domestic market. We are the leading cross-border global e-commerce and payments network. I don’t view Alibaba as a competitor. I view them as a colleague and a potential partner.”
JD appeared at Alibaba’s annual conference on Friday. Alibaba’s founder Jack Ma told attendees that the two companies “have same dream, same mission and same goal to help entrepreneurs” and that eBay “is a company we should learn from”. Ma has famously criticised US companies for thinking they can buy their way into the Chinese market, saying of eBay under Meg Whitman, “We did not beat them in the US… yet”.


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Make up retailer Mecca has been called out for capitalising on women’s body insecurities over its sale of a vaginal cosmetic product marketed to “hydrate”, “improve skin elasticity” and “provide an arousing scent”- with 30 ml bottles sold for a whopping $73.
Mecca defended its sale of the product, claiming it ‘empowers’ women:
“At Mecca, we’re all about offering our customers choice,” the brand said in a statement to 7NEWS.com.au.
“Empowerment includes being able to choose what’s right for you.”
But if ‘empowerment’ is premised on the notion that women’s natural bodies are flawed and in need of fixing, or that women need to purchase expensive cosmetic products in order to relieve body shame, and if this ‘empowerment’ happens to align with corporate profits, are women really being empowered?
We recently shared a video critiquing the concept of female “empowerment” as it is applied to practices that exploit, harm and disempower women. We said that practices that are premised on, and perpetuate, women’s inequality, and diminish women’s humanity, do not give women power – they reduce women’s power.
Watch the video here:
Mecca history of selling products that disempower women
In 2018, we wrote to CEO of Mecca Jo Horgan, asking Mecca to withdraw 'Send Nudes' cosmetics from their stores around the country, sending the message that sexualised harassment and abuse of women and girls is no joke. We shared with her our conversations with thousands of adolescent girls around the country in which they shared their frequent experiences of sexualised harassment and coercion from men and boys, including frequent requests for nude photos (see the video below).
We explained how we had been contacted by a group of teen girls who objected to the Frank Body "Send Nudes" lip and cheek tint, which they felt normalised and legitimised the sexual harassment they experienced in their every day lives. These girls had contacted Frank Body but were disheartened when the company failed to take their concerns seriously.
Despite claims of advocating for women, Jo Horgan ignored our letter, and Mecca continued to sell the Frank Body products, even with the brand's sexist and sexually objectifying advertising.
Mecca has also been accused of bullying young female staff.
Does any of this sound like female empowerment?


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It isn’t always easy to work as part of a team — especially when you’re competitors. However, it’s something the craft brewing industry has taken to heart in order to help increase its share of the beer market.
The July 2016 issue of Beverage Industry includes a cover story on Small Town Brewery as well as the 2016 State of the Industry and articles about kombucha, foodservice and Chameleon Cold-Brew.
Copyright ©2016. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.
Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing


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Becomes the only indian automotive manufacturer to achieve the incredible landmark
Committed to achieving its vision “be the future of mobility”
· Focus on building new mobility solutions
· Continued global expansion with entry into new markets
· More than ten product launches every year – including a range of premium motorcycles – for the next five years
“Hero MotoCorp has been at the fore-front of providing mobility to the aspirations of millions around the world and the achievement of this milestone is the success of evolving engineering, operational excellence and sustainable practices. It is also the success of the holistic ecosystem built on trust and belief that has grown along with this company. Most importantly, this is a celebration of the customers who continue to shower their love and faith on Hero.
“This significant landmark is also an affirmation of the inherent capabilities in India and Hero’s Brand appeal. We have been making in India, for the world – and this milestone is an acknowledgment of the customers’ preference for Hero across geographies, demographics and generations.
“We are going to continue to ride our growth journey. In keeping with our Vision to ‘Be the Future of Mobility’ we will be launching a host of new motorcycles & scooters over the next five years, in addition to expanding our global footprint. We will also continue to invest in R&D and focus on new mobility solutions.”
Dr Pawan Munjal,
Chairman & CEO, Hero MotoCorp
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, today surpassed the significant milestone of 100 Million (10 Crores) units in cumulative production.
The 100 millionth bike, the Xtreme 160R, was rolled-out of the Company’s manufacturing facility in Haridwar, in the northern Indian hill state of Uttarakhand.
You may view #100MillionHeroes event by clicking on the below links –
This is also the 20th consecutive year that Hero MotoCorp has retained the coveted title of the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers.
Hero MotoCorp’s achievement of this landmark is one of the fastest global achievements of the 100 million cumulative production mark, with the last 50 Million units coming in a span of just seven years.
Focused on Sustainable Growth, Hero MotoCorp has been building value for communities across the globe and acting as an economic multiplier with its sales, R&D and manufacturing ecosystems. It also continuously works towards the progress of the societies it operates in.
To mark the occasion, Dr Pawan Munjal unveiled six special celebration edition models at the Company’s manufacturing facility at Gurugram, located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. The six celebration edition models include Splendor+, Xtreme 160R, Passion Pro, Glamour (motorcycles) and Destini 125, Maestro Edge 110 (scooters) – that will go on sale from February 2021.
Addressing a global audience including customers, dealers, distributors, investors, suppliers, employees, customers and the media, Dr. Munjal also outlined Hero MotoCorp’s plans and vision for the next five years.
During this timeframe, the Company will aim to further consolidate its leadership position, expand its global footprint, launch exciting and relevant products and also work on new innovative product concepts.
As part of the next five-year plan, Hero MotoCorp will introduce over 10 products – including variants, refreshes and upgrades – every year.
Hero MotoCorp also has a steep growth target for its markets outside India. It will continue to grow its operations in these markets and also enter key markets in new geographies.
Hero MotoCorp will continue to reduce its carbon footprint through its green facilities and fuel-efficient products. The Company will also continue to work towards the propagation of new mobility solutions both through its internal programs and by supporting the larger external ecosystem.
Hero Motobike is marketed in Nigeria by Kewalram Chanrai Group.
Road to 100 Million
· 1994 – First Million
· 2001 – Five Million
· 2004 – 10 Million
· 2008 – 25 Million
· 2013 – 50 Million
· 2017 – 75 Million
· 2021 – 100 Million
About Hero MotoCorp Ltd.
The New Delhi (India) headquartered Hero MotoCorp Ltd. is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, in terms of unit volumes sold by a single company in a year — the coveted position it has held for the past 20 consecutive years. The Company has sold over 100 million motorcycles and scooters in cumulative sales since inception. Hero MotoCorp currently sells its products in more than 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, and South and Central America. Hero MotoCorp has eight state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including six in India, and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh. Hero MotoCorp has two world-class, state-of-the-art R&D facilities — the Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, and Hero Tech Centre Germany GmBH. Hero MotoCorp is one of the largest corporate promoters of multiple disciplines of sports, including, Football, Field Hockey, Cricket, Golf and Motorsports. Fifteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is Hero’s Global Corporate Partner.
For more information:
www.heromotocorp.com | FB: @HeroMotoCorpIndia | Twitter: @HeroMotoCorp | IG: @HeroMotoCorp
Global Press Contact:


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- Massachusetts to let police chief deny gun buys to those deemed unfit
- John Kerry condemns attack on Israeli soldiers, kidnapping
- U.S. starts to evacuate American Ebola patients from West Africa: Report
- Geraldo slammed as ‘dummy’ for backing Clinton’s bin Laden claim
- Israeli spokesman: No need to debate who broke the cease-fire
- 35 Palestinians killed; Israeli officer missing
- Feds raid S.C. home to seize Land Rover in EPA emission-control crackdown
- Unemployment rose to 6.2 percent in July; 209K jobs added
- Dave Brat wishes Eric Cantor well, says he’s ready to take over on Nov. 5
- Ugandan court invalidates controversial anti-gay law
Latest Meg Whitman Items
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is bringing a strategy borrowed from the traditional civil rights era playbook to the age of social media and a booming tech industry known for its disruptive innovation.
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s annual meeting will give shareholders an opportunity to vent their frustration over the personal computer maker's botched acquisitions and other follies that have been plaguing the Silicon Valley pioneer for several years.
Hewlett-Packard Co. on Wednesday barely rebuffed a shareholder rebellion aimed at ousting the two longest-serving directors from personal computer maker's board.
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s stock surged to its biggest one-day gain since 2008 after the company's latest quarterly earnings report indicated the ailing personal computer and printer maker isn't quite as sick as many investors feared.
Along with those hyperannoying Target ads, holiday weekend viewers got a flashy, almost Apple-esque spot touting Google's new Chromebook, a portable device starting at $199 that is neither a PC nor a tablet, certainly not in the traditional sense.
Hewlett-Packard Co. said a British company it bought for $9.7 billion last year lied about its finances, resulting in a massive write-down of the value of the business.
Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Tuesday that it's the victim of a $5-billion-plus fraud, claiming a British company it bought last year lied about its finances.
Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Tuesday that it's the victim of a multi-billion dollar fraud at the hands of a British company it bought last year that lied about its finances.
Hewlett-Packard Co. said Tuesday that it's the victim of a $5-billion-plus fraud, claiming a British company it bought last year lied about its finances.


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Answer: Electricity. According to an American Chemical Society press release, the scientists "connected a powerful electrical amplifier to a wand-like probe and used the device to shoot beams of electricity at an open flame more than a foot high. Almost instantly, the flame was snuffed out. Much to their fascination, it worked time and again." One of the scientists, Ludovico Cademartiri, said the phenomenon is not totally understood but believes the electric current destabilizes particles of burning soot, causing the flames to dissipate.
For more, read the ACS press release at: http://portal.acs.org/portal/PublicWebSite/pressroom/newsreleases/CNBP_026931


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Zuffenhausen celebrates the 50th anniversary of its most iconic sports racer.
This year Porsche is celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of its most iconic racing cars. So to mark the occasion, the factory museum is restoring an example of the original for a special exhibit. But that's not what's caught our attention today. This red and white concept car is.
The "concept study" is said to have been undertaken by "a small team of designers and engineers" at Porsche, who ostensibly sought to reinterpret the legendary 917 in modern form. And from what little we can see so far, it looks pretty darn awesome.
Details currently remain sketchy at best, but the concept – resplendent in classic Salzburg racing livery – was apparently shelved after Porsche returned to Le Mans with the 919 Hybrid. That would place its creation sometime around 2012.
Now several years later, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart plans to display it to the public for the first time as part of a special 917 retrospective. Alongside it will appear no fewer than ten examples of the original 917, including 917-001: the very first show car that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show way back in 1969 (pictured in white and green).
The 917 was (and remains) one of Porsche's most recognizable racing cars. It gave the factory the first two of its record nine overall wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in 1970 and 1971), and was immortalized in the hands of Steve McQueen in the cult-classic film that dramatized the famous endurance race.
Numerous variants followed over the course of the following few years, including long-tail and Spyder versions, and the famously bulbous Pink Pig. And we're sure the exhibit will include a stunning array of those. But for our part, we're looking forward to seeing more of the unearthed concept.
Join The Discussion


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Google Assistant “Ambient” mode coming to phones, tablets
Even though the Google Home and Nest Hub provide smart features to tables and kitchens, you might soon be able to get similar features on a spare phone or…
Sep 08, 2019 11:02 UTC Read More
Google Assistant will be able to turn some Android devices into smart displays with Ambient Mode
If you like the idea of having a smart display but don't want to buy multiple devices, you might want to keep an eye out for some upcoming Android devices.
Sep 06, 2019 16:31 UTC Read More
Google Assistant’s Ambient Mode Will Turn Your Android Devices Into A Smart Display
What started out as smart speakers quickly evolved into what we know as smart displays. These are essentially smart speakers that come with a...
Sep 06, 2019 11:30 UTC Read More
Google’s new Ambient Mode turns your screen into smart displays
Internet search engine giant Google has officially introduced the new Assistant Ambient Mode for Android phones and tablets at IFA 2019 Berlin.
Sep 06, 2019 10:33 UTC Read More
New Google Assistant Ambient Mode revealed, coming to certain devices soon C. Scott Brown 20 hours
A new Google Assistant feature called Ambient Mode will give you quick access to information while your device is idle. Coming to certain devices soon.
Sep 05, 2019 20:59 UTC Read More
Google app 10.41 preps device notifications in Ambient Mode, Alarms in At A Glance [APK Insight]
Despite the last beta coming on Monday evening, a new version of the Google app is ready for testing. Google app 10.41 continues work on Ambient Mode...
Aug 09, 2019 06:59 UTC Read More
Google Assistant Ambient Mode shows hidden Android Q clock face
The new Google Assistant Ambient Mode can be launched in Google App 10.24. Enabling it shows Android Q's hidden stretch clock and a pop-up for Driving…
Jul 18, 2019 06:59 UTC Read More
Chrome OS ‘Ambient Mode’ could bring Chromecast screensavers to your Chromebook
According to some new commits, it appears that Google is working to add an 'Ambient Mode' to Chrome OS which would support screensavers on…
Jul 15, 2019 07:00 UTC Read More
Here’s an early look at Google Assistant ‘Ambient Mode’ [Gallery]
Over the past several Google apps, we've been tracking a Google Assistant Ambient Mode. With the latest beta on Friday, we now have our first early look...
Jul 15, 2019 06:59 UTC Read More
Chrome OS may be picking up Chromecast's ambient mode screensavers
If you leave your Chromebook idle for a few minutes, it'll go to sleep. That's a sensible thing for it to do, but if you've always wished for a.
Jul 11, 2019 07:00 UTC Read More
Samsung Brings QLED Technology and Ambient Mode to The Serif in 2019
Samsung Electronics America Inc. announced the evolution of its award-winning lifestyle TV, The Serif. Now featuring QLED picture quality and Ambient Mode,
Jun 24, 2019 06:59 UTC Read More
Nest Hub & other Smart Displays gain two new Ambient Mode clocks
Earlier this week, the latest firmware update rolled out to the Nest Hub and other Smart Displays. It introduces new Smart Display clocks...
May 15, 2019 06:59 UTC Read More
Samsung's QLED TVs and Its New Ambient Mode Transform Living Rooms into a Gallery Space
Samsung Electronics announced today that its 2019 QLED TV lineup will offer a brand new Ambient Mode that is designed to display various *content* including…
Mar 19, 2019 07:00 UTC Read More
Google Chromecast ambient mode update adds Google Sans font
A tiny update to Google's Chromecast streaming device adds Google Sans and a few other visual tweaks to its ambient mode.
Jan 24, 2019 08:00 UTC Read More
Competition-winning design for Samsung's Ambient Mode transforms TV into "lifestyle object"
In this movie, jury members for the Dezeen x Samsung Ambient Mode design competition explain why they awarded top prize to a responsive fish mobile.
Sep 10, 2018 07:00 UTC Read More
Samsung Shows Off Ambient Mode TV Designs –
Samsung has shown off some new trendy designs for its QLED TVs that could make an appearance in Australian homes. Samsung Electronics teamed up with…
Sep 04, 2018 07:00 UTC Read More
Responsive fish mobile wins and Samsung's TV Ambient Mode design competition
A digital mobile made up of gently moving fish is the winning design in the Dezeen and Samsung competition to create Ambient Mode graphics for the QLED TV.
Sep 03, 2018 07:00 UTC Read More
These Samsung TV Ambient-Mode themes are blowing our minds!
Earlier this year, Samsung revealed their line of QLED TVs, but what was more interesting was a feature that relied on the QLED's accurate color representation…
Aug 21, 2018 06:59 UTC Read More
Last chance to enter and Samsung's €29,500 TV Ambient Mode competition
There are just two weeks left to enter Dezeen and Samsung's competition to create Ambient Mode graphics for the brand's QLED TVs.
Jul 20, 2018 06:59 UTC Read More
Google Home v1.30 rebrands Backdrops to Ambient Mode, continues work on Google Assistant for Households, and more [APK Teardown]
Google Home v1.30 is rolling out today with a minor feature rebranding and some internal changes that show continued development on Google for Households…
Jul 11, 2018 07:00 UTC Read More
Samsung and Dezeen Hold a Global Design Competition for Ambient Mode
Competition to reward €29500 (R468,969) prize money in total, with grand prize winner receiving *€8000 (R127,178)
Jul 02, 2018 06:59 UTC Read More
Samsung launches design competition for Ambient Mode TV animations
Samsung's 2018 line of QLED TVs launched with a clever feature for stylish smart homes. Ambient Mode means that when you're not actually watching your TV…
Jun 26, 2018 07:00 UTC Read More
and Samsung launch €29,500 competition to design TV Ambient Mode
Dezeen promotion: Dezeen and Samsung Electronics are launching a design competition to create graphics for the Ambient Mode feature on the brand's QLED…
Jun 25, 2018 07:00 UTC Read More
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Coca-Cola truck due in Derry this week
The world famous Coca-Cola truck is due to arrive in Derry this week.
The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour will be at the Foyleside Shopping Centre on Friday.
Members of the public will be able to take souvenir photos of the truck from 12pm to 7pm.
“The arrival of the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck, made famous by our classic TV advertisement, heralds the start of the festive season. We are delighted to be bringing happiness to communities across the nation by giving people the chance to see the truck in person,” said Aoife Nagle, Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland.
People will also have a chance to experience a virtual sleigh ride through a forest and to play Ice Block Jenga.
The Dublin Gospel Choir will perform at each of the stops on the tour.


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Renowned Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dynaudio has announced that it is joining the Azione Unlimited, the Smart Home Association as its newest vendor member. The newly formed partnership represents an exclusive industry relationship between Dynaudio and Azione Unlimited. It also bolsters the Azione Unlimited offering for its 257 American and Canadian dealer members and perfectly complements a curated roster of best-in-class vendors partners.
“I feel that joining Azione comes at just the right time for Dynaudio as we continue to grow our business and expand our innovative product portfolio. I am looking forward to the successful partnerships that will undoubtedly be developed,” said Mick Tillman, director of sales and operations, USA of Dynaudio North America.
“Dynaudio has been producing award-winning, high-end loudspeakers featuring proprietary audio technologies for over forty years. We’ve brought the no-compromise performance of our home Hi-Fi products to the automotive, professional studio, wireless audio and most recently the custom installation markets, and we are proud to be joining a group of quality-oriented professional dealers as Azione to represent our brand and put Dynaudio in front of a larger audience,” added Michael Manousselis, President, Americas of Dynaudio North America.
With just 44 hardware manufacturers on its line card, Azione Unlimited is passionate about creating a focused line of vendor solutions. Dynaudio supports this philosophy by offering a concentrated selection of audio solutions such as subwoofers, architectural speakers, floor-standing, and more. They have also continually made waves in the residential market for their innovative driver technology, best-in-class custom audio solutions, and support for residential custom integrators across all of North America.
“Elegant, stylish, and high-performance are just a few of the adjectives that come to mind when I think of this exceptional brand,” said Richard Glikes, President of Azione Unlimited. “They have positioned themselves in the marketplace as a brand of extreme esteem. We love to surround ourselves with world-class manufacturers, and Dynaudio makes a perfect addition.”


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Atlantic Broadband Announces Automatic Internet Speed Increases at No Cost for South Carolina Residential Customers
Wednesday, July 11th, 2018
Atlantic Broadband, the nation's 9th largest cable operator, announced significant internet speed increases for residents in Aiken, South Carolina and surrounding areas it serves including Graniteville, Jackson, New Ellenton, and Warrenville. Atlantic Broadband is automatically increasing residential internet speeds and doubling download speeds for most customers at no additional cost.
With these faster and more powerful speeds, residents can surf, stream, download, work and game online at the same time, with greatly enhanced reliability and productivity. The speed increases are being delivered automatically to customers based on their internet package:
“Our customers are multitasking every day on more than a dozen connected devices in the home, so reliable, high-performance Internet is essential,” said Debbie Eblen, Atlantic Broadband’s Vice President and General Manager, South Carolina. “We are pleased to continue our investment in broadband technology to meet these needs, while providing superfast internet speeds and enhanced value for our customers.”
In addition to today’s speed increases for current customers, Atlantic Broadband also launched a new “Extreme” internet package with market-leading download speeds up to 400 Mbps.
These new offerings join Atlantic Broadband’s Gigabit internet service—GigaEdge—for customers that have even more demanding data needs. GigaEdge speeds, which clock in at 1,000 Mbps/50 Mbps, enable users to download a two-hour HD movie in 32 seconds and send a large file (250 MB) in just 40 seconds. Atlantic Broadband is offering a free three-month upgrade to GigaEdge for new customers for a limited period. To learn more about this offering, visit Atlanticbb.com/internet/gigabit.


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The UK’s leading industry show, LANDSCAPE is pleased to announce the 10th anniversary show will take place on Wednesday 3rd & Thursday 4th November 2021, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
The LANDSCAPE Show is excited to welcome Association of Fencing Industries members to exhibit at the show by offering a 10% discount on a stand! At their last event in 2019, 47% of LANDSCAPE’s visitors were looking to source Fencing, Trellises & Screen suppliers. As the first in-person industry show back, The LANDSCAPE Show is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with others in the industry and make those important contacts for future projects.
Their extensive exhibitor list ensures that there really is something for everyone! 86% of the LANDSCAPE Show’s visitors are very likely to recommend and use an exhibitor for a future project, and the exhibitor list continues to go from strength-to-strength each year. LANDSCAPE plays host to exhibitors looking to showcase their very latest products & services at the forefront of the industry with everything on show from Living Walls to Timber, Plants and of course, Fencing, Trellises & Screens! LANDSCAPE is excited to again see thousands of Architects, Landscapers and Garden Designers through the door to view the industry-leading products on display.
LANDSCAPE continues to offer the most up-to-date and current seminar programme in the industry with Fencing, Lighting, Arboriculture, Rooftop Gardens and Climate Change being just some of the many topics covered. Across both days there are 44 CPD accredited seminars taking place. Both the exhibition and all seminar sessions are free to attend. Expect the biggest names in landscaping to feature in the 2021 line up and be sure to keep an eye on LANDSCAPE’s social media channels.
Continuing to demonstrate its commitment to the industry, the LANDSCAPE Show boasts the largest network in the industry, attracting individuals from over 60 different countries in all areas of landscaping. LANDSCAPE also works with over 50 major media titles and trade associations, from the UK and overseas and is once again working closely with the Association of Fencing Industries to ensure the fencing sector is properly represented at the event.
LANDSCAPE is thrilled to bring this year’s show to the NEC for the first time. The move to a larger venue in Birmingham gives the ability to grow and create a bigger show. This exciting new chapter for LANDSCAPE has put the health and best interests of both exhibitors and visitors front and centre with many still uneasy about venturing into London.
Book your stand to meet thousands of potential new clients by calling +44 (0)20 7821 8221 and the team at LANDSCAPE can help you to choose the best space for your company. Or to register for your free tickets to attend the show, simply visit the registration page at www.landscapeshow.co.uk/register
Further information can be found online:
Phone: +44 (0)20 7821 8221
Twitter: @LandscapeEvent #LANDSCAPE2021
Instagram: @Landscape.Show #LANDSCAPE2021


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British actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley becomes face of new Burberry fragrance.Updated: Jul 13, 2011 02:08 IST
British beauty label Burberry is set to launch a new fragrance, Burberry Body. The new face of iconic fragrance is British actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The fragrance has an eclectic British combination with its luxurious ingredients and feminine floral notes with a hint of warm sensual tones. The campaign is shot by legendary Mario Testino and directed by Christopher Bailey.
First Published: Jul 12, 2011 16:30 IST


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Aside from the obvious convenience and choice that e-commerce has always offered, an often overlooked factor in its success in the US over the years has been the fact that sales tax did not have to be collected by a business if they didn’t have a physical presence in the state that they are selling within.
In effect this has led to the majority of online sales being tax-free – great for consumers and great for companies as they did not have to navigate state and local tax codes.
The reason for this can be traced back way back to 1992 where the court ruled in Quill Corporation v North Dakota that the Constitution bars states from requiring businesses to collect sales tax unless they have a substantial connection to the state.
Yesterday though the Supreme court effectively overturned this in South Dakota v Wayfair Inc.
The challenge to overturn Quill v. North Dakota was brought to the Supreme Court by South Dakota. South Dakota passed a law two years ago demanding that all retailers that, on an annual basis, have more than $100,000 in annual sales or engage in 200 or more separate transactions, pay a 4.5 percent tax on all sales, “as if the seller had a physical presence in the State.” The state government then filed suit to have the case heard by higher courts, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear the argument earlier this year.
Writing for the majority in the 5-to-4 ruling, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy said the 1992 Quill decision caused states to lose annual tax revenues of up to $33 billion.
“Quill puts both local businesses and many interstate businesses with physical presence at a competitive disadvantage relative to remote sellers,” he wrote. “Remote sellers can avoid the regulatory burdens of tax collection and can offer de facto lower prices caused by the widespread failure of consumers to pay the tax on their own.”
Marty Jackley, South Dakota’s attorney general, called Thursday’s ruling “a big win for South Dakota and Main Streets across America.” He said the decision could be particularly significant for rural areas where local businesses have been hit hard by competition from online retailers.
Mr. Jackley estimated that South Dakota would be able to begin collecting sales tax on online purchases in 30 to 90 days. Other states may be close behind: Anticipating Thursday’s ruling, several states, including North Dakota, have passed laws modeled on South Dakota’s.
On Thursday afternoon, President Trump tweeted: “Big Supreme Court win on internet sales tax – about time! Big victory for fairness and for our country. Great victory for consumers and retailers.”
The decision, however, will mean consumers may pay sales tax they hadn’t been previously –
Moreover, the decision will be a major burden for online businesses. They’ll need 3rd party tax data sources, they’ll need to change their online shopping carts to calculate and to display taxes, they’ll need to collect those taxes, they’ll need to report those sales and taxes to the state and local governments and finally they’ll need to send the state and local governments the taxes !
Maybe you need help with a new or existing e-commerce platform ? Call us on +1 212-691-0776 or drop us a line at firstname.lastname@example.org


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China's e-commerce giant Alibaba said it piloted e-commerce programs in more than 600 poor villages last year, turning them into "Taobao Villages."
Jack Ma, Alibaba's executive chairman. In 2017, Alibaba launched 10 billion yuan fund to support poverty relief in China (Photo: CGTN)
The Taobao Villages are rural e-commerce hubs that feature Alibaba's logistics, service and training to encourage farmers to engage in online sales of farm produce and local specialties.
To be nominated as a Taobao Village, Alibaba requires total annual e-commerce transactions of over 10 million yuan (about $1.5 million) and more than 100 online stores located in the village.
The move is part of the company's campaign to contribute to the country's ongoing poverty relief efforts.
The national-level impoverished counties in China registered a total sales volume of over 63 billion yuan on Alibaba's e-commerce platforms last year, according to a report released by the company on the sideline of a conference held in Shijiazhuang, capital of northern China's Hebei Province.
Alibaba's affiliate Ant Financial Services Group provided over 100 billion yuan in loans to more than two million users in the country's poverty-stricken counties.
"More than 1,000 Alibaba employees took part in poverty relief projects and visited over 100 poor counties last year," said Shao Xiaofeng, secretary-general of the Alibaba Poverty Relief Fund.
The fund was set up by Alibaba in December 2017 with a commitment to invest 10 billion yuan over the following five years in poverty alleviation programs covering the fields of education, e-commerce, health, empowering women and environmental protection.
China is committed to lifting its entire poor rural population out of poverty by 2020.
Over 60,000 private enterprises including Alibaba have taken part in the poverty relief campaign, named "10,000 enterprises assisting 10,000 villages," since it began in October 2015.


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You’re driving through a small town and need to make an important call. You stop, pull out your cell phone, dial, and—nothing happens. There’s no signal.
You decide to check the number again on your email, and the same thing happens: no signal. Except you’re not in the Painted Desert or on the Greenland ice shelf, you’re only thirty or forty miles outside Washington DC or Memphis, Tennessee. No signal, and yet you’re paying higher rates for phone and data than in any other country in the world.
There has to be a better way, you think, and you’re right. There’s 5G, the next generation of wireless service, which can mean faster, better, and wider wireless coverage across America, including to its remote rural areas.
That’s why president Trump has become a dedicated fan of 5G. As he wrote in a recent Tweet, “I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible. It is far more powerful, faster, and smarter than the current standard. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind. There is no reason that we should be lagging behind.....”
The question is, how to get there. The country that leads the way in 5G will dominate the world’s economies in the 21st century---something the Chinese understand. That’s why they’re working overtime to get as many countries as possible enrolled in using China’s biggest 5G operator, Huawei. As we noted in our last column, Huawei has enrolled more than 64 countries, including some of our closest allies, and show no signs of slowing their 5G offensive.
America needs to move quickly to catch up. That may mean introducing radical changes in the way operators and carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile get access to spectrum.
Today, the primary way the government makes wireless spectrum available is through exclusive licensing to the highest bidder. This turns large and valuable swathes of spectrum over to a very small number of retail carriers, who often have had to pay out billions of dollars in order to have the winning bid. Ever paid more than you wanted for an item on eBay? Companies like AT&T have that experience all the time.
That layout leaves them saddled with high levels of debt, which means they have to extract every possible dollar from their customers in order to cover their costs. That doesn’t even include the cost of building out infrastructure and upgrading hardware, phones, and networks. In 5G’s case, with its demand for miles and miles of buried fiber optical cable as well as thousands, possibly millions, of new cell towers, those costs will be exorbitant.
That means the big carriers will be spending tens of billions of dollars before they make a single cent of revenue. That’s going to slow the pace of innovation and development, because retail carriers won’t have the capital to spend on network upgrades like quantum, until it becomes essential.
It also means with just a handful of giant nationwide retail carriers, there’s less pressure on companies to stay ahead of their rivals in terms of network performance. For example, U.S. prices for data currently retail at up to ten times the price in Germany, and other European countries.
According to a new study from Finnish research firm Rewheel, the U.S. mobile data market has the fifth most expensive price per gigabyte smartphone plans among developed nations, and was the most expensive for mobile data overall.
Finally, it means companies that provide niche services such as telemedicine and smart electric grids, or that serve less populous areas where the big national carriers don’t have money to invest, won’t have a place to enter the 5G sweepstakes. In other words, don’t expect that experience of dropped service out in the boondocks, to change much even with 5G.
But what if we changed the way that spectrum gets allocated in the first place? What if we allowed bandwidth to be distributed in real-time directly to users instead of being permanently reserved for the highest bidder?
That’s what key members of the Trump administration, including President Trump himself, are looking into. And they’re starting by using a small section of the bandwidth usually reserved for the Pentagon to test a new model for spectrum allocation, called the wholesale open access model.
It would operate the way most of us pay for the electricity we use, including customers large and small. The open access model lets actual users lease spectrum directly from the government, at a price based on the cost of service rather than the price the retail carriers need to set to recoup their large investments. The result would be a dramatic drop in the price of wireless service, and would mean a much more diverse marketplace for spectrum, including 5G.
At the root of the problem right now is the financial pressure the current system places on carriers, to keep consumer prices high and the pace of new products relatively slow. The open access model would do the opposite.
Full disclosure: one of the companies advocating the open access model also supports my work on quantum standards. So don’t just take my word of it. Here’s Professor Kevin Werbach of the Wharton School of Business, writing in the New York Times: “
Making capacity available in real time at market prices limits hoarding and encourages innovation. Unleashing our brilliant start-up ecosystem through such market mechanisms, along with opportunities for unlicensed access to wireless capacity, is America’s best hope to beat China in 5G.”
Nor would the big carriers be frozen out. AT&T, Comcast and Verizon can still buy capacity along with Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Uber and the small operator dedicated to serving rural areas. And technical innovations such as making 5G networks quantum-safe and quantum-capable can come faster, because the overall cost of securing spectrum will dramatically fall, as well.
The Trump administration is realizing this, just as they realize adopting the open-access model can bring wireless and broadband to rural parts of America that might never see it otherwise.
This isn’t distorting the free market, this is making free market competition work for us, against of against us.
The Chinese won’t like the new model, either. Huawei and the Chinese network-equipment industry like the existing model as it applies in other countries, with its large debt-ridden operators and carriers who need the Chinese to help cut costs. Shifting the model to one with a faster pace of innovation and a focus on coverage and network capacity will wreck a strategy Beijing has spent two decades perfecting.
Will it work? Using a small portion of DoD’s spectrum as a test case, we may be about to find out.
It won’t be the only 5G network available: AT&T and the other carriers will continue to build their own 5G networks the old-fashioned way. But what the Trump administration is hatching, could be the start of something new and unprecedented.
And done right, President Trump’s dream of a strong and secure American 5G network could be coming true, including to a small town near you.


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Socket is proud to announce the expansion of its fiber-optic broadband network to Moberly, which brings ultra-fast internet and reliable telephone service to approximately 200 area businesses.
With speeds up to one gigabit per second or even faster, fiber-optic technology is the fastest, most reliable connection available. Its large bandwidth capacity is considered future-proof and will accommodate increased internet usage for decades to come.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring fiber-optic technology to Moberly,” said George Pfenenger, Socket CEO and co-owner. “Fiber delivers the speed, reliability and flexibility that area businesses need in order to be competitive in today’s market.”
Construction on the expansion project began earlier this year and is expected to wrap up by early 2018. Socket chose to expand to Moberly due to a need for more high-speed internet options in the area, as well as the receptiveness of city officials to the project.
“Rural high-speed internet access is critical to attract new business investment from existing or new employers, assist law enforcement, improve rural healthcare and expand education and worker training opportunities,” said Corey Mehaffy, president of Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation. “Our businesses are competing in a
global economy which requires continued expansion of fiber-optic networks to meet new technological requirements. We are grateful for our partnership with Socket and their willingness to offer cost-effective, reliable internet services throughout the MAEDC Region.”
Businesses can learn more about Socket services by calling 1-800-762-5383, or visiting www.socket.net.
Founded in 1994, Socket is a Missouri-based telephone and internet service provider with the largest service area in the state. Socket is a privately held company that provides families and businesses a choice for local and long-distance phone and internet service. It combines the highest quality customer service with in-depth technical knowledge. Socket’s customers enjoy simple billing and quick, friendly service. For additional information, visit www.socket.net.


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Demand for chicken wings during the upcoming Super Bowl won't be the only factor in pushing up prices for everyone's favorite game-time grub. With its entry into the chicken wing market, fast-food giant McDonald's is causing a run-up in prices.
CNNMoney reports the Illinois-based hamburger joint's test run of chicken wings in 500 of its Chicago stores will have an impact on the wholesale cost of wings before and after this weekend's big game. The wholesale cost of chicken wings was up 26 percent in December to $1.90 a pound.
If Mickey D's rolls out its new wings to all its stores, that could add even more pressure to wing prices.


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THIS MORNING'S STOCKS
WEEK OF 12/06/99-12/10/99
|AMREP CORP (AXR,
4)- The real estate developer and magazine distributor's second
quarter earnings increased to 9 cents per share from last year's 5 cents.
Revenues declined to $34.3 million from $35.9 million last year.
CIENA CORP (CIEN,
62)- The networking company met expectations as it earned 3 cents per
share in its fourth quarter. The company lost 5 cents in last year's
third quarter. Revenues increased 55% to $141.4 million in the
quarter. The company said it expects revenue growth to exceed 505
next year. The shares are up 2.83 in pre-open trading on the news.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS (NTSC,
3)- The provider of IT outsourcing services earned 5 cents per share
in its third quarter, compared to last year's loss of 4 cents.
Revenues fell to $21 million from last year's $23.2 million.
PENN NATIONAL GAMING (PENN,
8)- The casino operator will purchase the Casino Magic resort and the
Boomtown Biloxi casino from Hollywood Park (HPK,
22) in a $195 million cash deal.
DIGITAL INFO (ADIC,
55.06)- The maker of tape libraries beat estimates by four cents as it
earned 26 cents per share, excluding one time acquisition related costs,
in its fourth quarter. Last year the company lost 18 cents in the
third quarter. Revenues rose 52% to $63 million in the quarter.
EQUINOX SYSTEMS (EQNX,
10.75)- The company warned that lower than expected fourth quarter
sales will cause earnings to miss expectations. The company sees a
breakeven fourth quarter compared to analysts' expectations of a 29 cents
J JILL GROUP INC (JILL,
4.68)- The apparel maker warned that lower than expected catalog
sales will result in the company reporting a fourth quarter loss of
$0.12-$0.17. Analysts were looking for a breakeven quarter.
BIO-VASCULAR INC (BVAS,
2.09)- The medical products maker beat expectations as it reported
breakeven fourth quarter results, compared to expectations of a loss of
two cents. Revenues increased 23% to $5 million in the
quarter. The shares rose 5/32 to $2.25 in after hours trading on the
BIRMINGHAM STEEL (BIR,
6.43)- The steelmaker has suspended its quarterly dividend.
BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB CO (BMY,
67)- The drugmaker has increased its quarterly dividend to $0.245 from
$0.215. The company also said it would increase its stock buyback
program by $2 billion.
CATAPULT COMMUNICATIONS (CATT,
19.43)- The maker of communications test applications warned that
first quarter earnings would be five cents per share, compared to
expectations of 16 cents. The company attributed the shortfall to
lower Japanese revenues as a result of contract cancellations and
postponements by telecom NTT. The stock is down 5.43 to 14 in
LONGVIEW FIBRE CO (LFB,
13.63)- The timber and paper producer beat estimates by 10 cents as
fourth quarter earnings increased to 23 cents per share from last year's
two cents. Revenues increased 15% to $227 million in the quarter.
NCO GROUP INC (NCOG,
34.31)- The provider of collection services said it expected to meet
analysts' fourth quarter earnings expectations. The company's shares
fell 9 points during Tuesday's trading on rumors that it would miss
estimates. The shares rose 1.25 in after hours trading on the news.
SAMSONITE CORP (SAMC,
5.5)- The luggage maker's third quarter loss increased to 75 cents per
share from last year's loss of 33 cents. Revenues increased 4.6% to
$208.2 million in the quarter. The company attributed the wider loss
to lower U.S. margins.
WALTER INDUSTRIES (WLT,
10.43)- The homebuilder warned that second quarter earnings will fall
short of expectations. The company sees $0.20-$0.23 per share in the
quarter, analysts were looking for $0.26. The company blamed the
shortfall on a decline in mortgage prepayments, and said the conditions
could continue into the third and fourth quarters.
|ANCHOR FINANCIAL CORP (AFSC,
29.25)- The bank holding company warned that fourth quarter earnings
will be $0.35-$0.38, compared to analysts' estimates of $0.48. The
company blamed the poor forecast on slow business in the wake of Hurricane
Floyd and Hurricane Irene, and loan losses.
AUTOZONE INC (AZO,
27.94)- The auto parts retailer beat estimates by 2 cents as fiscal
first quarter earnings increased 18% to 40 cents per share. Revenues
in the quarter increased 12% to $1 billion, and same store sales rose 7%.
CYGNUS INC (CYGN,
9.25)- An FDA advisory committee has recommended approval of the
company's GlocoWatch glucose monitor. The stock is up 8.25 in
pre-open trade on the news.
REMEC INC (REMC,
12.43)- The maker of microwave systems for wireless communications
applications missed estimates as it reported a third quarter loss of
$0.04, compared to expectations of a profit of $0.01. Revenues
increased to $48.37 million from $41.69 million.
TRACTOR SUPPLY CO (TSCO,
15.25)- The farm products retailer warned that fourth quarter earnings
will be $0.48-$0.52, compared to expectations of $0.70. The company
attributed the shortfall to warmer than normal temperatures.
AIR CANADA (ACNAF,
6.5)- The board of directors of Canadian Airlines voted on Saturday to
recommend the approval of a takeover bid from Air Canada.
AK STEEL (AKS,
16.88)- The 3,200 workers at the steelmaker's Middletown Works plant
have approved a new labor contract that calls for a $2.50 per hour wage
increase over the 6 1/3 years of the contract.
BRAUN CONSULTING (BRNC,
36.13)- The provider of Internet sevices has agreed to acquire
Emerging Technologies Consultants Inc. in a $27 million cash and stock
CERPROBE CORP (CRPB,
9.25)- The maker of semiconductor testing equipment has agreed to
acquire testing products maker OZ Technologies Inc in a $36 million cash
and stock deal.
DELTA AIR LINES (DAL,
51.06)- The airline said November traffic increased 4.8% over the
prior year, and its November load factor increased to 70.8 from 68.0.
GILEAD SCIENCES (GILD,
45.56)- The drug maker has ended development of its HIV drug Adefovir
Dipivoxil following an FDA advisory committee recommendation against its
approval last month.
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY (SEG,
39.75)- The disc drive maker has agreed to acquire storage maker
XIOtech Corporation in a $360 million all-stock deal.
SEMTECH CORP (SMTC,
53.75)- The company has cancelled the remainder of its $10 million
stock buyback program.


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Wilhelmina is getting serious about its fledgling division, Wilhelmina + Studio, which creates digital content and influencer programming for brands.
The division, which was launched quietly two years ago, acts as a creative agency within Wilhelmina to focus on content creation for brands, particularly for their social media needs, ranging from still photography to videos.
According to Bill Wackermann, chief executive officer of Wilhelmina International Inc., since the modeling agency already has access to models, celebrities, photographers, directors, stylists and makeup artists, it was a natural progression. Wilhelmina + Studio assists brands with their social media needs and acts like a one-stop shop for clients looking to establish, fashion, beauty and lifestyle relevancy. The division is headed by Rory Roth, creative director at Wilhelmina + Studio, who also is creative services director at Wilhelmina International.
“I have been at Wilhelmina for over three years, and one of the things that struck me was so many of the brands now have to produce so much content. Now every brand needs to be putting out eight or 10 pieces of content a day. But they don’t have marketing departments really to do all that. Big ad agencies are not interested in doing those smaller deals, they’re looking for the multimillion [dollar] campaigns,” said Wackermann, who was previously a publisher at Condé Nast.
“I thought we can create a new business called Studio and take our in-house talent we already have and provide a service for brands and clients,” he said.
Wilhelmina + Studio works with 22 brands, including Disney, L’Oréal, Diesel, Puma and Ugg. He said the micro-agency “fulfills a niche between a big agency and a modeling agency that has the capabilities to do production, casting and turn-key content at lower rate structure.
“There is no middle man,” Wackermann said. So far, 12 people are part of the Wilhelmina + Studio team. “It’s not an incubator concept. It’s a concept that’s worked, and now we’re launching in it earnest. It has its own web site,” he noted. Among the numerous campaigns it’s already done, are two global campaigns for Diesel, two campaigns for L’Oréal Biolage and a campaign for Ugg.
For the Ugg campaign for spring 2019, for example, Wilhelmina + Studio created and executed a turn-key content series to launch their new sneaker. They created a “Models in Real Life” street-style series showcasing five real models wearing their Uggs during New York Fashion Week. The photos were used on Ugg’s social and editorial platforms to generate awareness around the new Ugg sneaker.
Wackermann said they’re doing seven or eight shoots for L’Oréal Biolage, and each shoot has five to eight pieces of content. They will give it to the client and Wilhelmina will post it as well. Some of their campaigns have been Diesel’s “Be a Follower,” and “A Day in the Life of Tampax.” They’ve also worked with Disney on a collaboration with Minnie Mouse, which was about Minnie and Fashion Week.
Images are used for third-party advertising, out-of-home, p.r., marketing, as well as digital and social platforms.
Wackermann said they’re not working in conjunction with these brand’s main ad agencies. “It’s bringing different creative concepts to the table,” he said. He said the brands will still do a big ad campaign. “This is a completely different market. They’re putting out content on social media. There’s really no print business anymore. They’re social media driven campaigns. They’re not the television commercials. They’re created completely for social media,” he said.
Wackermann said the goal is to be nimble, move quickly and create campaigns that feel big, but aren’t expensive. They’re not flying models to Turks and Caicos. Wilhelmina tries to use their in-house people as much as they can, but if a client wants different talent, they accommodate that request. So far, they have cast some of their talent such as Nicki Minaj, Miles Richie, Sofia Richie and Rae Sremmurd in campaigns for Diesel and MCM.
Wackermann said the first year, Wilhelmina Studio became profit positive and in the second year it’s doing a multiple six-figure business.
“It’s a really good, growing part of our business,” he said.


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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A CBS 11 investigation found some convenience stores overcharging customers by applying sales tax on snack items that should not have taxes attached to them.
When it comes to most snacks – peanuts, popcorn, potato chips – customers have a right to partake without giving the state of Texas a part of their pocketbook. Under state law, most food items are tax free, but stores in Dallas, Plano, Garland, Richardson and Colleyville charged tax anyway.
Cliff, a Plano resident who did not wish to use his full name, noticed he was routinely paying seven cents too much for snack cookies in at least two dozen convenience stores in the Dallas, Fort Worth area.
Texas state law mandates that convenience stores that don’t have an attached restaurant or a place to sit down inside cannot charge sales tax on most foods. This includes many snacks, cooking supplies, condiments, dairy products, produce and more.
Many clerks said they get confused because not all food is tax-free. Sometimes, their registers are programmed wrong and automatically add tax to these items.
“I’m not sure about it, but that’s what I do,” one owner said.
It’s often – literally – nickels and dimes, but those add up. Cliff said that’s why he’s frustrated.
“Multiply seven cents by all the non-taxable items they’re selling in these stores all over the state of Texas, and you’re talking millions of dollars in the state alone,” Cliff said.
But storeowners and employees said that when tax is charged, the state still gets the money.
“Customers think about this money is going into our pocket, but this money is not going to our pocket,” one owner said. “Like any tax, it goes to the state.”
R.J. DeSilva, a spokesman for the Texas Comptroller’s Office, said the state still has incentive to regulate the application of sales tax, even if it ends up bringing extra money in.
“It’s a huge incentive because it’s playing by the rules in all different types of taxes,” he said. “It’s also playing a role in consumer protection.”
DeSilva said the state audits convenience stores to ensure consumers are protected from paying extra taxes. He said the office depends on customers who report this problem to the state and request refunds locally, which is what Cliff did at a Plano location.
He bought his typically $.79 cookies, but the clerk charged him $.86. In this case, there was no mention on the receipt that the extra money was for taxes.
When he went back into the store, the owner said it was a mistake and that the item was scanned wrong. He quickly reimbursed Cliff for the sales tax.
The state comptroller’s office has asked for copies of all receipts from this CBS 11 investigation and promised to audit the stores to find out where the money is going.
So, how do you know what should be taxed and what shouldn’t? It’s a bit confusing sometimes: For example, sodas are taxable, but bottled water is not, unless it’s flavored water. Juices that contain less than 50 percent of real fruit or vegetables are taxable. One ice cream bar is taxable, but a package of two or more is not.


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Mohammed Alavi, the excitable and excited senior single-player designer at Titanfall 2 developer Respawn, takes a deep breath before leaning forward in his chair to speak deliberately into my recording device. “This is going to be long and drawn out, alright?”
We are sat behind closed doors in EA’s enormous private Gamescom business area where Mo, as he’s known, has just finished guiding a group of journalists and trade reps through a first-look video presentation of the shooter’s single-player story mode.
It’s a particularly noteworthy reveal as the first Titanfall game infamously launched without one.
This presented Mo and his team with an unprecedented challenge: how do you go about creating...
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You Can Grow Your Wealth Even When the Market Crashes
You Can Grow Your Wealth Even When the Market Crashes by Jocelynn Smith – Banyan Hill
Everything is coming up roses!
The government announced today that second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth came in at 2.6%, up from the first quarter’s weak growth of only 1.2%. Consumer spending — up 2.8% — was the biggest supporter of last quarter’s growth, as Americans shelled out more money for groceries, clothing and health care. The third quarter’s GDP growth is expected to come in at 2.7%.
The economy has expanded for eight straight years and added more than 16 million new jobs. The headline unemployment rate is resting near 16-year lows. Amazon even recently announced a “Jobs Day” next week, where it is planning to hire 50,000 people to fill its new warehouses.
Everything seems to be humming along just perfectly, and that’s got me nervous, because we’re heading straight into a few bumps in the road that could significantly derail the stock market.
Are You Ready?
We’ve all seen it. Stocks don’t go up in a straight line. There are corrections, black swans, deflating bubbles and then, of course, there’s just a good, old-fashioned accounting scandal. I was still in my early trading years when the great Enron scandal (2001) and the WorldCom scandal (2002) hammered the market. All of which was preceded by the dot-com bubble popping.
Watching the stock market implode day after day for a few years might explain why I tend to be more of a skeptic when it comes to stocks.
And when everything is looking just perfect — see the data I listed earlier — I find myself checking to make sure that my portfolio is prepped for potential disaster. You never want to find yourself unprepared for the next correction … and we’ve got a few bumps in the road that we can watch for.
Beware the Fed
The Federal Reserve will meet three more times before the end of 2017, and Fed Chair Janet Yellen has already exhibited a preference for lifting interest rates at the December meeting — see December 2015 and 2016.
While Yellen & Co. are making the appropriate warning noises about weak inflation so that they have an out if they want to keep rates unchanged at the end of 2017, traders are currently pricing in a 42% chance that interest rates are climbing another 25 basis points in December based on strong economic data. But there’s still plenty of time for the odds to turn in favor of a hike if the economy remains strong.