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The Nevada Gaming Commission licenses are rolling off the approval assembly line with three more companies ready to operate in the state’s new intrastate online poker industry.
Number one is the big brand MGM Resort who secured a license along with two other up and coming but lesser-know companies: Z4Poker LLC of Las Vegas and CAMS LLC of Los Angeles.
To start MGM Grand has plans to put up just a Play-for-fun site soon, which will obviously become a real money site. MGM also operates the myVEGAS social media site that is being developed and managed by Playstudios.
What makes this approval interesting is both MGM and Boyd Gaming are partnering with bwin.party entertainment plc, to offer real money poker.
At this time Bwin’s application is under consideration by the Nevada Gaming Commission and could be approved next year. Once they get the green light, this means both MGM and Boyd could go live with real money poker soon. It will be up to Nevada commission to approve the Bwin application, which they see is totally independent of the other two companies.
Z4Poker was also approved and is now developing a poker system in conjunction with bingo and keno systems that potentially could be offered in other states as part of a network.
The other approval goes to CAMS, which is a vendor too the gaming operators with technology that manages online player accounts, identity of accounts, analyses issues with money laundering and checks problem gamblers.


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Covid-19 roundup: Moderna starts lining up potential EU approval for vaccine; Hahn rejected White House push to rebrand EUA — Politico
Underscoring Moderna’s global ambitions for its Covid-19 vaccine, the company says that the EMA has confirmed its eligibility to file for marketing authorization using its centralized process. The move sets up a fast-track review process aimed at maneuvering through the regulatory group and onto the European market in speedy fashion — provided the data continue to line up.
Moderna is allied with Lonza on a manufacturing plan for Europe, looking to make 500 million to a billion doses a year, beginning in 2021.
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Hyundai hackathon looks to advance app innovation
The car manufacturer wants technology that personalizes and improves the driving experience.
Hyundai wants to join the top rank of innovators in its industry, and it's finding creative ways to do it.
The South Korean car manufacturer is holding its first app hackathon in Israel. The goal is to uncover apps that improve the driving experience.
Hyundai Israel director Davidi Piamenta told a small gathering of journalists over the weekend that the hackathon is “a good start for us. Companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft and others are working on connected car technology and seeking to move forward. With this project, we hope to build innovative technology that will set the tone for this industry."
Hyundai has made similar moves to position itself. It has begun to integrate apps into the entertainment systems of its higher-end models, with iHeartRadio, Waze and other communication systems among the additions.
And it created The Genesis Intelligent Assistant, now in its third generation, which allows users to do everything from locate your vehicle to set up service appointments, all through a smartphone or smartwatch. Hyundai is also the first car manufacturer to offer Android Auto, Google's new in-car app suite.
The hackathon is open to anyone, and Hyundai only retains the rights to the winning apps for two years; after that, developers are free to do with their creations what they wish.
The deadline is June 30, at which point the top 20 ideas will be chosen. The winners will be announced Oct. 29, with the winner receiving a prize of roughly $26,000.
MORE FROM THE GRAPEVINE:


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China has long been a hotbed where food safety scandals run rampant. As of today--October 1, 2015--the country is revising its Food Safety Law for the first time in 6 years.
Andrew and Williamson (A&W)--the company named in a recent major recall linked to Salmonella bacteria in cucumbers--is making a donation to STOP Foodborne Illness. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping those impacted by foodborne illness.
Food Industry Asia (FIA) has signed an agreement to ramp up food safety capacity building in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.
A U.S. District judge in Albany, GA has sentenced 61-year-old Stewart Parnell to 28 years in prison for his role in shipping contaminated food that killed 9 people and sickened at least 700 others in 2008 and 2009, causing one of the largest foodborne outbreaks in U.S. history.
France’s national ban on the manufacture and export of food contact materials that contain bisphenol A (BPA) has been lifted. However, France still does not allow such products to be sold within their borders.
Mars, Inc. is opening the Global Food Safety Center (GFSC)--a pre-competitive research and training hub. The center is slated to open on September 24.
In order for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to be successful, it must obtain sufficient funding as determined by Congress.
The White House has announced that President Barack Obama is nominating Robert Califf as the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A joint report and scorecard by a number of organizations has rated more than 20 top restaurants on their use of antibiotics in meat. With the exception of five companies, all received failing grades.
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance entitled, “A Labeling Guide for Restaurants and Other Retail Establishments Selling Away-From-Home Foods--Part II”.
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has just published its final report of their year-long survey of Campylobacter levels on UK fresh shop-bought chickens.
Two people in California and Texas have died after consuming cucumbers that were contaminated with Salmonella poona.
In January 2011, President Barack Obama signed off on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Over 4 years later, some of FSMA’s final rules are coming into effect.
New research from the University at Buffalo School of Management suggests that consumers are more likely to purchase food products when stores utilize traceability systems that prove where and how the food was produced and shipped.
Subway is joining a rapidly growing list of fast food restaurants choosing to serve antibiotic free chicken due to growing concern about antibiotic resistance from consumers.
As President Barack Obama’s regulatory agenda gradually comes to an end, there’s expected to be an onslaught of new rules passed before election year becomes Washington’s priority.
A new report issued this week by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) states that food safety regulators are not able to keep up with such a quickly evolving industry, therefore making the civil justice system the primary point of protection against unsafe food for consumers.
When it comes to food safety concerns, American consumers are most worried about chemicals in food, according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2015 Food and Health Survey. Previously, consumers’ concerns were centered around foodborne illness.
Five months after shutting down production due to Listeria contamination, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams’ Columbus, OH facility is now back in business. For now, the facility will only be used for making certain ice cream ingredients.
Is organic ground beef safer than conventional beef? It is, according to Consumer Reports’ “How Safe is Your Ground Beef?”.


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iQOO Z8 5G fast charging leaked via 3C certification. Following its discovery on Geekbench, the iQOO Z8 5G is expected to launch shortly after being discovered on the 3C certification and Google Play Supported Devices.
The iQOO Z8 5G debut date has not yet been disclosed by iQOO, but we may anticipate hearing about it shortly. The iQOO Z8 5G is listed in the database with the model number V2314A and has obtained China’s 3C certification.
iQOO Z8 5G fast charging leaked via 3C certification
- iQOO Z8 5G is expected to be launched in China in September.
- The iQOO Z8 5G will feature 120W fast charging technology.
- The phone will likely offer up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.
Four charging adapters with the model numbers V12060L0A0-CN, V12060L1H0-CN, V12060L1A0-CN, and V12060L1H1-CN have also been seen with the device. These chargers were previously spotted with several iQOO Neo smartphones, including the iQOO Neo 8 and iQOO Neo 8 Pro and the Vivo X Fold 2, in the 3C certification documentation.
iQOO Z8 5G Launch Soon
This strongly implies that 120W fast charging technology will most likely be present in the iQOO Z8 5G. The forthcoming phone is listed as model number V2314A on the Google Play Supported Devices List. However, this listing hasn’t provided any precise information.
According to the smartphone’s most recent Geekbench listing, the iQOO Z8 5G would likely have up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage and be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 processor.


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Your moms' dirty little secret is out: she's reading Fifty Shades of Grey, an S&M-tinged trilogy of erotic fiction. The graphic prose in the series has caused some Florida library systems to ban the books, even as they're topping the New York Times' best sellers list, but don't worry, Miami-Dade's system has them. You probably won't be able to check them out anytime soon, though. They appear to be some of the most popular books in the entire catalog right now.
E. L. James's erotic trilogy literally started off as online Twilight fan fiction. The response to the amateur tales of Bella and Edward in bondage was so intense that the author decided to drop the vampire aspects and repackage them as original tales. The three books in the trilogy currently fill the top spots on most fiction best sellers lists.
Florida's Brevard County Public Libraries system, however, has decided to ban the books because of their sexual nature.
"Nobody asked us to take it off the shelves. But we bought some copies before we realized what it was," Cathy Schweinsberg, Brevard's library services director, tells the Palm Beach Post. "We looked at it, because it's been called 'mommy porn' and 'soft porn.' We don't collect porn."
A search of Miami-Dade's online library catalog however reveals that our local system does "collect porn," and good lordy is it in hot demand.
There are 31 copies in the system, with most branches carrying a single copy. Every single one of them is checked out. What's amazing is that there are currently 450 holds on the book, meaning there's a long line of moms waiting to get their hands on that sweet, sweet literary smut.
Every copy of the sequels, Fifty Shades Freed and Fifty Shades Darker, are also all accounted for, and more than 100 holds have been placed on each book.
Lets put that in comparison. Stephen King's The Wind Through the Keyhole, is currently fourth on the New York Times' best sellers list. All 12 copies in Miami-Dade are checked out, but there are only 26 holds. Nineteen of the system's 25 copies of Twilight are still sitting on shelves waiting for the attention of teen girls. Multiple copies of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo are ready for check out. There are only seven holds placed on the first book in the Harry Potter series. For a more high-brow comparison, 45 of the system's 63 copies of Jonathan Franzen's Freedom are on shelves.
The only book that rivals Fifty Shades in Miami-Dade Library's most popular list at the moment seems to be The Hunger Games. All 55 copies are checked out, and there are 497 people waiting for the book on hold.
Keep Miami New Times Free... Since we started Miami New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Miami with no paywalls.


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The most common faults found in new cars
As the law stands at the moment, your car doesn't need an MOT until it's three years old. But some recent research by Which? suggests that the new car you've just bought might not be quite as fault free as you'd like to think. Here at Big Motoring World we pride ourselves on the quality of the used cars we sell, but of course we know that many people still like to buy their cars fresh out of the new car showroom. The research we've seen suggests that this might not always be a sure-fire route to reliability.
The research by Which? looked at the reliability performance of new cars under three years old - all before that first important MOT. One of the most alarming findings was that 3 per cent of those with new cars reported issues with their mechanical braking systems - faults that are, as you can imagine, pretty serious in terms of driver and passenger safety. All of the issues that were reported involved disc brakes - the kinds of faults that will crop up in older cars from time to time, but that owners of new cars might not be expecting. Which? have warned drivers to keep an eye out for symptoms of this kind of problem in new cars - anything from pulling, grinding noises or longer brake times – and to get them checked if they have any doubts. In addition to the braking issues, there were also a number of other faults that cropped up, including suspension problems that could also be potentially dangerous, especially at high speeds.
The report also highlighted severe problems with emissions control technology - with around 5 per cent of cars less than three years old reporting problems. Other issues included sat nav issues in around 4 per cent of new cars and faulty batteries in 3 per cent. All in all, the research is a timely reminder that it’s always worth regularly checking and servicing your car, no matter how


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January 26, 2011
Following the Jan. 25 House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued a statement noting that the hearing on pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea “is a positive step toward recognizing the urgent need to help America’s farmers and manufacturers create more jobs in the U.S. by exporting their products to new markets around the world.
“Failure to pass export agreements with South Korea, Columbia, and Panama has put America’s manufacturers and farmers at a competitive disadvantage in a fiercely global economy,” he said. “Existing trade barriers make it difficult to compete in countries that want American-made products. Without export agreements this year, our nation’s manufacturers and farmers will lose valuable market share and fall behind our competitors.”


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We have seen a lot of industries in India transform over the years. But when it comes to digital transformation in agriculture, we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. From using AI and robotics for efficient harvesting to using satellites and drones to map out weather patterns—the West has already started implementing these.
In an interview with Ashok Dalwai, an agricultural economist, he shared how India is ready for an “income revolution”. The revolution, enabled by digital transformation, can help agriculture businesses capture the entire value chain right from research up to the stage where the farmers can realize money in their pockets.
In this article, we will share how technology will shape the future of agriculture produce and streamline the supply chain process.
What is Digital Transformation in Agriculture?
Digital transformation in agriculture can accelerate and improve various aspects—from collecting data from fields to helping the produce reach the market. It also helps farmers utilize geographic data to increase yield and automate manual tasks such as harvesting, sowing seeds, etc., using machinery.
Technology in agriculture is not only being used to boost production, but it improves supply chain management as well. Like setting up a direct marketplace to sell the produce and eliminate middlemen or having a platform to predict seasonal changes in demand.
From the commerce perspective, an agritech business needs to manage several tasks, teams, processes, and stakeholders to provide seamless customer and producer experiences. Digital transformation enables businesses to expedite communication and transactions by connecting the farmers, dealers, and distributors on a centralized platform.
Here’s how tools, such as an Agriculture CRM, can handle these tasks for businesses:
- Simplify the onboarding process for farmers, dealers, and distributors.
- Update communication and meeting status, even without a stable internet connection.
- Capture leads and prospects from multiple channels—online and offline.
- Manage and track conversations, performance, trends, and predictions.
It isn’t easy to streamline processes when the sector is unorganized, stakeholders are widespread, and technology adoption is limited.
But let’s look at why it is necessary to transform agricultural processes and the impacts it would create.
Impacts of Digital Transformation in Agriculture
The agriculture industry is predominantly driven by weather conditions and the availability of labor and resources. A majority of these aspects are unpredictable and not easy to monitor or control. But digital transformation can combat these challenges and impact the industry in a few ways:
1. Solve for Unpredictability
This unpredictability can be in the form of weather, yield, or demand patterns. Farmers in India are more reactive to market sentiments or yield output. By collecting data around market demand, weather patterns, and other trends—they will be able to build a more proactive approach to production.
It will help the stakeholders be better prepared:
- For market demand for the produce
- To optimize planting strategies – what to sow, when, and how to improve yield
- To align the production and distribution
- To enhance economic stability
2. Build More Sustainable Agricultural Practices
Agriculture is extremely dependent on natural resources which makes it difficult to meet the rising demand to support the growing population. It gave birth to unsustainable practices like over-fertilization, over-irrigation, soil degradation, and more.
With the advent of technology, farmers can employ more sustainable practices like smart irrigation, monitoring soil health, and using drones and AI to capture data on the health of the produce.
One such example of using sustainable practices is using pheromone traps for pink bollworm that feed on the cotton crop. It was observed that they were becoming genetically resistant to fertilizers and a non-pesticide approach helped them preserve the crop’s condition.
3. Practice Precision Farming
Whether it is understanding planting patterns, or optimizing production, technology helps farmers adopt more precise techniques. The role of AI in agriculture is still in its exploratory stage but is still making huge headway in the West.
In an article by Henry Gordon-Smith, a pioneer in agriculture technology, he shared how companies are moving towards more efficient farming practices. For example, John Deere, an agri-tech machinery manufacturing, is helping farmers improve productivity by 15% using their autonomous machinery.
WiseConn’s DropControl system has resulted in a 30% reduction in water usage thus reducing water wastage and avoiding over-irrigation in farmlands.
4. Enhance Supply Chain Management
Right from helping the produce reach the end-consumer faster to setting up organized processes to improve productivity, technology can enable effective supply chain management in agriculture.
CRMs like LeadSquared, bring together communication and tracking on one platform for all the stakeholders involved in the process, from production to distribution. Data intelligence companies like Intellync, provide analytics for all processes involved in the agriculture business.
We’ve seen the impacts of adopting technology in agriculture, but let’s look at what the world’s largest population economy is doing to adapt to these new practices.
India’s Take on Technology in Agriculture
Agriculture has been the backbone India’s economy since before Independence. The diverse climate conditions, different soils and terrains, and a huge population aided the sector to flourish. But in the recent years, the weather conditions have changed, unsustainable practices have emerged, and the government is looking at some serious legislative changes.
Let us look at a few examples of how India and Indians are adopting technology to improve agricultural practices.
1. Cost-effective Energy Solutions in Agriculture
Vidyut Mohan, the CEO of Takachar, is working on a breakthrough technology to convert natural waste into bioproducts to reduce the impacts of climate change and its effects on farming.
The inspiration to build this solution came from the bad air quality in and around Delhi, the city he grew up in. Burning of agricultural waste was one of the reasons of the reduced air quality in the NCR region, especially during winters.
Vidyut and his co-founder Kevin are working on a machinery that helps farmers turn waste into biofuels, fertilizers, and other products that can be used at a fraction of the current cost.
2. Building Resources and Educating Farmers
Vandana Shiva is an environmental activist, an author, and a food sovereignty advocate. She has spent her time educating farmers on maintaining biodiversity, growing native seeds, and organic farming practices.
She leads the Navdanya International, a national movement to promote the diversity of living resources. The initiative established over 40 seed banks across India to provide regional opportunity for diverse agriculture.
3. Innovative Irrigation Solutions
Ankit Chandra, an agritech enthusiast, shared the overview of the landscape of irrigation and water solution start-ups emerging in India. The reason why there are so many emerging start-ups in this sector is because more than half of the ground water is being used for irrigation.
Businesses are working to understand how these resources should be utilised—employ better water management practices, leverage resources, and help different stakeholders involved.
Some of the technology innovations he mentioned included automated irrigation controls, water flow measurement devices, satellite data, sensors, and IoT devices to measure crop water requirements and schedule irrigation. Pioneer companies from India include – GramworkX, NEERX, Kisan Raja – IoT for Agriculture, and Fasal.
Business innovations that solve challenges with irrigation include water delivery services and not just businesses that sell irrigation machinery to farmers. Examples include Oorja Development Solutions Limited, Naireeta Services Private Limited (Bhungroo), AgriRain, Claro Energy, Khethworks, and ONergy Solar. These companies focus on how technology can be provided at economized rates and reach poor and energy deficit regions in India.
4. AI-adoption to Improve the Value Chain
The World Economic Forum (WEF) in collaboration with the Telegana government has introduced an AI for Agriculture Innovation initiative across the state to help 7000 chilli farmers. The WEF described this project as an example of agriculture value chain transformation. It focuses on agritech services delivery to the end customer through administrative support and digital public infrastructure.
The impact includes:
- 9% increase in Agri Exports
- Better food security
- Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices
The initiative aims to scale its services of market intelligence and data-driven crop-advisories to 100000 farmers by 2025.
5. Growing Agtech Ecosystem in India
India’s ability to propel 50% more contribution to its GDP by 2030, is a dream that can be realized with the help of technology. The Agtech ecosystem in India has grown from 50 start-ups to 1000 start-ups between 2013 and 2020.
Agtechs can help farmers to increase their incomes by 25% to 35%, if adopted to its full potential. For example, UPL, an agrochemical company, is using technology to sell via direct-to-farmer channels that bypass middlemen and retailers.
Financial efficiency and ready availability of funds are another aspect to focus on to reduce loan risks for farmers. SBI has deployed the YONO Krishi App to understand and pitch the right financial products to farmers.
Firms that operate in procurement, processing, or the selling of agricultural products have started to create market linkages for the farmer. ITC, a core outputs player, has used its e-Choupal network to expand direct-from-farm procurement over the past 20 years.
And there are more examples than we can list. Whether it is using renewable energy, making data-driven decisions, or improving efficiencies in supply chain—India has been moving stealthily towards greener pastures.
Let us hear one such inspiring story from Fasal, who has used LeadSquared to achieve transparency in its sales funnel.
Fasal – How is it Transforming Agriculture with LeadSquared
Fasal is a one-stop platform for horticulture farming. In 2018, the journey started with a four-member team, and now they are on their way to impact Indian Agriculture. Since its inception, Fasal has helped numerous farmers achieve high earnings by enabling them to produce more and sell better.
Their AI-powered platform delivers farms, crops, and stage-specific actionable advisory for horticulture. It currently operates pan India. The team travels to remote places to connect with and onboard farmers and dealers.
They were looking for a single solution to capture leads from multiple sources, track activities of their field teams, and build an overall visibility of their sales pipeline.
They found the perfect solution in LeadSquared’s Agriculture CRM.
By partnering with LeadSquared, they achieved results like:
- Improved lead onboarding
- Better sales funnel visibility
- End-to-end lead management
Check out the full story here:
With changing times and testing conditions, the field of agriculture and the stakeholders involved need to take drastic measures in terms of
- Achieving better farm productivity
- Faster farm-to-market time
- Quicker financial disbursal and support
Digital transformation in agriculture has started taking its shape. But it is far from becoming a norm and standard practice. I hope these stories and opportunities have inspired you to bring a technological transformation for your own agriculture business.
If you are looking for an end-to-end sales management platform that can be customised to your business’ requirements, check out LeadSquared’s Agriculture CRM.
Digital transformation in agriculture includes examples like:
1. Introducing natural pesticides, Smart Irrigation systems like Fasal, GramWorkX
2. Unified payment and financial solutions like Krishi App by SBI
3. Centralized communication with Agriculture CRMs like LeadSquared
Agriculture businesses have multiple stakeholders like farmers, dealers, and distributors. It requires constant communication, onboarding, as well as nurturing to build better relationships. An agriculture CRM like LeadSquared will help you keep a centralized process of communication across these different stakeholders.


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C3 AI CRM is powered by the core functionality of Dynamics 365 and is combined with Adobe’s real-time customer profiles and journey management, as well as c3.ai’s industry-specific AI capabilities.
The AI-driven CRM platform is, it’s claimed, purpose-built for specific industries and uses data from any source to produce meaningful business insights. The collective claims that conventional CRM is not sufficient for the modern age, given that AI can’t be used to analyse much of the data because they weren’t built with the appropriate architectures.
Salesforce is the King of CRM so this alliance might cause it a few problems. The new follows reports last week that Microsoft was making CRM a “priority”. SAP and Oracle are also big players in the CRM space, with Adobe and Microsoft following the pack with conventionally only a fraction of the market share.
C3.ai CEO Ed Abbo said: “C3.ai, Microsoft, and Adobe bring together the perfect combination of technology, industry, and domain expertise to address the requirements for a new generation of CRM.
“Importantly, in addition to this combination of leading technologies and expertise, we share a common vision with our partners of an AI-first, industry-specific approach to delivering a new generation of AI CRM solutions.”
The announcement builds on a pre-existing partnership between the enterprise AI firm and Microsoft, with c3.ai also contributing its technology to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Teams earlier this year.


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H&R Block, Kansas City, MO, this week launched a $100 million integrated marketing campaign, including $7 million for direct mail, to tout its expanded financial services capability beyond the reputation built in mass-market tax preparation.
And although the company has a history of using direct mail to communicate with its customers, the new effort via Wunderman Cato Johnson, Chicago, the direct marketing division of Young & Rubicam Inc., is more elaborate and customized than any previous one.
“We’ve done fairly traditional direct marketing in the past,” said David Byers, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at H&R Block.
WCJ formed a significant segmentation analysis to identify Block’s most profitable customers and developed specific, targeted messages to existing customers.
“H&R Block has identified eight different customer segments in the past two years,” said Ellen O’Connor, account supervisor at WCJ. “This is the first year we’re incorporating that segmentation data and using it to guide us in versioning our direct mail copy to include copy that’s more relevant to each segment. It gives us a way to really go after our most profitable customers and aggressively retain the ones that have the most value potential.”
The 12.5 million-piece direct mail package, which focuses primarily on retention of H&R Block’s existing customers and upselling other financial services to them, will work with more than 20 newly created TV spots through its general advertising agency, Y&R. The TV spots debuted last week, along with radio, print and outdoor advertising. H&R Block’s U.S. database includes 16 million customers; worldwide that number is just less than 20 million.
The 5-by-7 mailing piece, which includes a letter, brochure, lift note and, in some cases, a discount coupon for tax preparation services, is encased in a shiny red Mylar envelope.
H&R Block made these announcements in an aggressive marketing splash that includes opening 94 new H&R Block retail financial centers, the launch of www.hrblock.com, its redesigned Web site and the introduction of Refund Rewards, a refund option. Agreements made with retail partners, including Sears, Roebuck & Co.; General Motors; and Northwest Airlines, offer discounts to consumers who use that option.
The 45-year-old company also established 1-800-HRBLOCK, a call center to support its new range of mortgage, investment and insurance services. Wunderman Cato Johnson, New York, which has specific expertise in teleservices, was instrumental in setting up the call center in Kansas City.
In addition to the retention strategy, the mail effort targets about 3 million new prospects. “[The acquisition portion] is significantly scaled back from the past,” O’Connor said.
The mailing is divided into five stages, staggered to drop about every other week until the end of February. It has been timed, where possible, to coincide with customers’ anniversary dates, since customers have been historically consistent in filing tax returns around the same date every year. “We used the database information to target the arrival date of the direct mail piece to be approximately two to three weeks prior to the anniversary date of the customer’s tax preparation from the prior years,” O’Connor said.
Advertising will continue throughout the year to support the company’s new services. “We’ve announced that we’re moving from a seasonal tax services business to a year-round financial services company,” said Byers. “This is not business as usual.”


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HYPEBEAST 100: The innovators from all realms of creativity in the spotlight.
With in-depth interviews, focused features and fashion-forward editorials, our print publication features long-form coverage of the topics valued by readers.
Explore and be inspired by the latest women's fashion news and trends.
The photojournalist turns his lens onto fashion.
The French luxury house takes you behind-the-scenes.
Putting the blueprints of suiting on display.
A conversation with the new creative director of Maison Margiela about life after scandal.
Irreverent and eccentric.
John Galliano toys with everyday menswear silhouettes for his 2016 spring/summer collection.
After making headlines this past week for appealing his wrongful dismissal decision in court (seen
After taking his former bosses at Dior and his eponymous label to court last year, John
Dana Thomas’s new book, Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano,
Earlier this week, John Galliano took to the runway in London to reveal his first collection as
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Getting your chocolate hit is going to cost you a lot more this year.
That's because the producers of Hershey (HSY.N) and Cadbury are planning to up their prices. It's said the decision has been made in a bid to cover the record-hitting surge in cocoa prices.
The prices of cocoa have just about doubled over the past year and, in recent weeks, they've hit a record high as a result of dwindling supplies. This means chocolate producers have had to act.
With shoppers cutting back more than ever before due to the cost of living crisis, lots of brands have been hit. Hershey and Cadbury maker Mondelez (MDLZ.O) recently announced their quarterly earnings calls.
Back last week, Hershey CEO Michele Buck told Reuters that "given where cocoa prices are, we will be using every tool in our toolbox, including pricing, as a way to manage the business".
Last year shoppers snapped up fewer Kisses and Reese's cups, with Hershey's sales volumes down by 6.6% in the final quarter of the year. Executives predict this will continue into this year, and the company is even axing jobs to try and control costs.
On Amazon, a 150g bag of Kisses sells for £11.99, and Hershey executives recently admitted the latest price hike came into place this month. Buck also noted Hershey's will be focusing on new products, such as its Reese's Caramel Big Cup, to try and attract people to the brand.
Mondelez, which produces Milka and Cadbury chocolates, is also planning to raise prices. This was confirmed by executives during an earnings call back in January.
But it was also noted retailers in Europe might push back against the hikes, meaning prices in some areas may differ. In Europe, prices of Mondelez chocolate rocketed between 12% and 15% last year, according to CEO Dirk Van de Put.
Michelle Li, an analyst with Parnassus Investments, which holds Mondelez shares, wrote an email explaining she thinks the company should be "strategic about passing the price increase to consumers this year".
Last year the company worked to makeover its Toblerone brand, and even released Tiny Toblerone mini chocolate bars in some U.S. retailers. Meanwhile, in Europe, we saw the emergence of Toblerone Truffles.
"Last year chocolate companies were fairly well hedged," said Rabobank cocoa analyst Paul Joules. "They had some stockpiled cheap cocoa as well, but this rally has been going on for well over a year so a lot of these companies are beginning to be fully exposed to these higher cocoa prices."
According to Reuters, Dan Sadler, who is the principal of client insights at market research firm Circana, noted consumers may become more selective about which sweet treats they buy if prices continue to rise.
He said: "Prices are not expected to relax anytime soon. Chocolate candy confections have been insulated in inflationary times, but now it's at a point where the affordability will be tested."
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Tropical plants, home-made creations and the smell of fresh chips and popcorn filled Robert Plante Greenhouses as part of the Navan nursery’s first Winter Market.
With dozens of vendors stationed around the greenhouses, the one-of-a-kind Ottawa market was a “tropical oasis” and an escape from the cold for hundreds of locals.
The day-long market was a chance for the community to support local businesses, just a month after Christmas and the holiday shopping season.
Robert Plante Greenhouses also hosted two other events in their greenhouses at the end of 2023. Greenhouses Manager Colin Matassa, said the markets were so popular they decided to do another — with a unique spin.
“The wintertime is a nice time to come to the greenhouses because of the tropical plants. It’s nice to get out of the cold and out of the snow,” said Matassa. “People like to come and feel like they’re down in Florida, even though they’re still in Ottawa.”
Many of the vendors at the Winter Market were also trying to escape the cold and connect with the community.
Sarah Ladhani is the owner of a small business called Just a Thought. Ladhani sells hand-painted glassware including wall décor, mugs, vases and cups that are all dishwasher safe. She said she does not normally set up shop at markets in January, but decided it would be nice to get out of the house and meet people this year.
“With all the plants, it feels very tropical,” she said. “I’ve completely forgot that it’s snowing outside and gross and slushy. It’s just so happy in here, I love it and the atmosphere is awesome.”
January is a slower month for retail and post-holiday families. For that reason, Matassa said Robert Plante Greenhouses thought it would be the perfect time to host a market.
Christa Ramsay and her daughter are frequent shoppers at the greenhouses. Ramsay said she loved the atmosphere. She also makes an effort to support small businesses, so she and her daughter felt they had to check the market out.
“We call this place therapy,” said Ramsay. “It is a bit of an oasis, summer or winter.”
Ramsay said she had never seen the greenhouses so busy, especially this time of year.
“They should have vendor markets more often, because it’s great merging a well-established business with local vendors that are trying to get established,” Ramsay said.
For vendors who do not have store fronts, the exposure and connecting with people face to face is really important for their business. This is the case for Sara Lauzon, owner of Little Dove Boutique.
Lauzon makes and sells jewelry and accessories in different sizes, colours and styles. While she does have a website, she said selling her stuff in person is so much better for her and her business.
“You get to talk to people and people get to see, feel and look at stuff,” said Lauzon. “So it’s much better because it’s right there and they can take it home right away and they don’t have to arrange for a pickup.”
Matassa said the market was so successful that some of the vendors sold out certain products well before the market was over.
“People kept coming up and asking if we are going to do (the Winter Market) again,” Matassa said. “One lady came up to us and she was saying she doesn’t just see (Robert Plante Greenhouses) as a store anymore, it’s more like a community gathering spot.”
Though the winter market only ran one day, Matassa said Robert Plante Greenhouses hopes to host the Winter Market annually and celebrate local vendors at other markets in the summer or fall.
For now, though, the store will use the extra space to start planting for the nursery’s spring production and vendors will need to find other ways to share their products.


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Check out our hands-on video live from the launch of Facebook Home, the social network's latest Android offering.
Google has released a new version of Android Jelly Bean, bringing landscape mode to its 7-inch tablet.
Once again, for reasons unknown, Australians are stuck with a locked homescreen dock on Samsung's flagship smartphone while other regions roam free.
Nokia's new music service for the Lumia 800 makes listening to tunes on your phone as simple as tapping a tile.
New user interface adds more personalized carousels to app homescreen, as well as dropdown menu and navigation bar
Facebook's new version of Android is set to be called Facebook Home, taking over your phone's homescreen.
Google Now, er, now appears on your homescreen! You also get more search options, but some are limited to the States.
Nokia has given a Chinese conference a sneak peek at the next version of its Symbian OS, with a screenshot showing new features running on an N8 smart phone.
The LG Extravert from Verizon is a compact feature phone that is equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. You can customize your homescreen in an Android-like manner and take some simple shots with its 2-megapixel camera.
Frustrated by the homescreen launchers pre-loaded onto your phone? Looking for a purer Android experience? Then check out Launcher Pro.


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One of the benefits of a competitive market is that things should keep getting better. Well, it seems to be working for cars. According to J.D. Power and Associates' latest APEAL survey -- it stands for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout -- new cars are more satisfying than ever.
The survey essentially boils down how much owners of new cars like the cars they bought. Every new model is scored on a 1,000 point scale and this year's average score of 781 is higher than any time since the survey was first done in 1996.
J.D. Power also looked at which cars ranked highest in 20 different categories. Click through to see the winners.
These vehicles ranked at the top of their respective classes according to the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey.
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Bulgaria has second-lowest meat prices in EU, Denmark the highest – Eurostat
Denmark has the highest prices of meat in the European Union, while Poland has the lowest, with Bulgaria at the second-lowest, according to figures released by EU statistics agency Eurostat on August 22.
The price of meat in Bulgaria was 44 per cent lower than the EU average, while in Poland, prices were 44 per cent lower than the average for the bloc.
In Denmark, prices were 40 per cent higher than the average, followed by Austria, 37 per cent higher, Eurostat said.
In all of Bulgaria’s immediate neighbours, whether members of the EU or not, prices were below the average – but with some considerable differences.
To continue reading, please click here.
(Photo: Mario Carangi/freeimages.com)


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The Giulia represents the beginning of the rebuilding of the Alfa Romeo brand, says Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne.
The legendary Italian brand is ready to offer something a bit more mainstream with the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan.
Using the Giulia as flagship model, Marchionne aims to boost brand sales to 400,000 a year from 2018, from below 68,000 last year.
A recovering European car market could underpin Fiat Chrysler shares even after the spin-off of Ferrari, when some analysts predict a reversal for the stock.
FCA will launch the first of a new range of Alfa Romeo cars, the lynchpin of its turnaround plan and potentially an opportunity to attract a cash-rich merger partner.
European shares climbed to a six-week high on Thursday after the Greek parliament passed sweeping austerity measures demanded.
Alfa Laval posted a bigger than expected rise in second quarter core earnings and said it expected demand to be roughly flat in the third quarter.
Alfa Laval said adjusted earnings before interest, tax, amortisation and other items (adjusted EBITA) rose to 1.82 billion crowns ($213.4 million).


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Producers remind company that straw residue plays an important nutritional role in fields and that supply may be limited
Red Leaf Pulp Ltd. has announced the first of what could be four wheat straw pulp mills in Saskatchewan.
Construction of a $350-million facility is expected to begin next year in Regina with operation to begin in the second half of 2023.
It will produce about 182,000 tonnes of pulp each year for sale into the paper and packing market.
Chief executive officer Martin Pudlas said Regina has a concentration of feedstock, good logistics and proximity to markets.
“All things considered for plant number one, Regina checked the boxes the best,” he said in an interview.
Red Leaf will contract from growers to feed its proprietary process. Bales of wheat and durum straw will be run through continuous pressure, Pudlas said, creating a market pulp similar to Canadian wood pulp.
“We will be providing a carbon-reduced feed material to converters that make tissue and towel, would make packaging material, or for moulded products to replace clamshell containers that would currently be made with Styrofoam,” Pudlas said.
He said straw contains less lignin than wood and requires less energy to separate the fibres. In turn, the carbon intensity associated with the pulp fibres is lower.
Red Leaf is based in Kelowna, B.C., and was established by Darby Kreitz, founder of Allnorth Consultants, a major engineering firm across North America that has designed and commissioned non-wood pulp mills in the U.S. and Europe.
“Given that common ownership, we’ve got significant technical capability in terms of designing and engineering and constructing the technology,” said Pudlas.
He said the fibre produced from wheat straw is similar to that of eucalyptus pulps from South America. However, he noted that land use in countries there has completely changed as eucalyptus forests were cloned for production.
The opportunity in Saskatchewan is to have better use of an existing resource and complementary revenue streams for growers.
Pudlas said Red Leaf prefers to compare wheat straw to wood, rather than flax.
Reception from growers has been positive, he said, and preference for contracts will be given to early participants.
Farmers will have to windrow their straw, rather than put it through a chopper, and bale it according to company standard size.
“From a grower perspective, any subsequent harrowing that has to be done today will not be required working with Red Leaf and we think we’ve got a very good and competitive pricing model,” he said.
Pudlas said if one compares the available feedstock to the wood pulp industry, the equivalent of two-thirds of the feedstock is sitting unused.
“That gives you an idea of the potential value creation that we see,” he said. “It’s really an opportunity for Canada as a whole to have enhanced utilization of resources that we’ve already got, and today, to be frank, are largely wasting.”
Daryl Fransoo, a Glaslyn-area farmer and chair of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, said he and other farmers take issue with the term waste because straw residue contributes nutrients and soil organic matter.
That said, he believes farmers will look at selling straw if the price is right.
“I’m probably in the camp where there’s a price that I would sell it at,” he said. “It would depend on the fertilizer prices. If they were willing pay me way over what it’s worth fertilizer-wise, I would consider it.”
Fransoo said value-added or revenue streams for farmers are good, but farmers have also seen various straw plants come and go.
“With the new green mandate that our federal government has brought in it probably makes more economical sense and I think that’s why we’re seeing stuff like this,” he said.
Alberta Biobord is also planning a straw fibre MDF plant near Stettler, Alta.
Harvey Brooks, general manager of SaskWheat, said the organization was aware of Red Leaf’s plans early on. He said they did talk about the value of straw to producers and how often it could be taken off fields.
“I think they’re aware of the significant challenge of maintaining a solid supply chain for their raw product,” he said, adding each producer will make an individual decision.
“We do know that, however, producers would view this as something they might consider in terms of their straw management practices. To that extent and for the economy as a whole, it’s generally positive.”
Pudlas said interest is strong because of the lower carbon attributes of the project. Red Leaf also recently received a grant worth $395,000 from the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund.


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Gold prices fell slightly by Rs 117 to Rs 44,886 per 10 gram in the Mumbai retail market as the US dollar surge to four-month high and muted global cues. However, the downside in yellow metal was capped by rising COVID cases across the world and geopolitical tension between the US and China increasing safe-haven appeal.
The rate of 10 gram 22-carat gold in Mumbai was Rs 41,116 plus 3 percent GST, while 24-carat 10 gram was Rs 44,886 plus GST. The 18-carat gold quoted at Rs 33,665 plus GST in the retail market.
US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the economic recovery from the pandemic had progressed more quickly than generally expected and looks to be strengthening.
Market participants will keep an eye on the Preliminary Manufacturing and Service PMI data from major economies and comments from the US Fed.
The US dollar traded higher at 92.48, or up 0.14 percent against a basket of six rival currencies. The dollar index hit a fresh of 92.61 during the intraday, the highest level since November 23.
The US 10 year treasury yields eased to 1.62 percent, down 1 basis point following Fed’s comment on the economy.
Gold holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund fell by 6.4 tonnes to 1045.36 tonnes, the lowest since April 2020.
Spot gold jumped marginally by $ 3.12 to $ 1,730.09 an ounce at 1200 GMT in London trading.
MCX Bulldesk increased 39 points or 0.28 percent to 14,138 at 17:31. The index tracks the realtime performance of MCX Gold and MCX Silver futures.
Navneet Damani, Vice President, Motilal Oswal said: “Gold prices eased a bit, as the dollar inched higher hovering near its two-week high after US Fed Chair Powell reassured Congress that inflation would not spiral out of control. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the US economy remains at risk as she fielded lawmakers’ questions about possible infrastructure and tax increase plans under consideration.”
“On the other hand, US Treasury Secy. also mentioned that Fed will show “resolute patience” in waiting to meet its employment and inflation goals before pulling back on support for an economy still healing from the pandemic. The tussle between the US and China is definitely picking up pace, supporting metal prices.”
The broader range on COMEX could be between $ 1,720 and 1,765 and on the domestic front, prices could hover in the range of Rs 44,580- 45,100.
The gold/silver ratio currently stands at 68.94 to 1. This refers to the number of silver ounces required to buy one ounce of gold.
Silver prices declined by Rs 687 to Rs 65,100 per kg from its closing on March 23.
In the futures market, the gold rate touched an intraday high of Rs 44,879 and an intraday low of Rs 44,673 on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX). For the April series, the yellow metal touched a low of Rs 44,150 and a high of Rs 51,931.
Gold futures for April delivery gained by Rs 76, or 0.17 percent, at Rs 44,722 per 10 gram in evening trade on a business turnover of 7,637 lots. The same for June edged higher Rs 144, or 0.32 percent, at Rs 45,166 on a business turnover of 9,262 lots.
The value of the April and June’s contracts traded so far is Rs 1,945.79 crore and Rs 245.49 crore, respectively.
Similarly, Gold Mini contract for April rose Rs 101, or 0.23 percent at Rs 44,737 on a business turnover of 19,002 lots.
Tapan Patel, Senior Analyst (Commodities), HDFC Securities
Gold prices have kept downside limited on pandemic worries despite dollar rally. Earlier, the yellow metal witnessed selling on FED comments which boosted buying in the dollar. The US FED chairman said that the spike in inflation will be “one-off” as FED has enough tools to maintain a 2 percent target.
We expect gold prices to trade sideways to down for the day with COMEX spot gold support lies at $ 1,710 and resistance at $ 1,745. MCX Gold April support lies at Rs 44,500 and resistance lies at Rs 45,000.
Kshitij Purohit, Product Manager, Currency & Commodities, CapitalVia Global Research Limited
International gold prices are trading with marginal bullish momentum, where resistance is at $ 1,750-1,740 levels. Prices are sustaining above support of $ 1,720-1,725. On the MCX, we may expect prices to fall and test support levels of Rs 44,650-44,570 during the upcoming session.
For all commodities-related news, click here
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.


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City-dwellers are handing London over to the tourists to enjoy this summer, as 86 percent of locals say they intend to jet off in search of sunnier climes in the next few months. London’s travel plans have been revealed by Kabbee, London’s minicab comparison and booking app, to celebrate its new partnership with the world-leading community hospitality app Airbnb.
Kabbee, the minicab app used by 500,000 London-based passengers, polled 1,900 locals asking them if they were planning to go abroad this year and a whopping 86 percent said they will be, with 38 percent heading for the beach and 27 percent opting for a city break. Opting for a potentially ‘brisk break’, 13 percent of Londoners are planning a ‘staycation’ this summer.*
The poll was conducted to launch Kabbee’s latest loyalty programme partnership, with Airbnb, who will treat hard-working Londoners to £20 off their first booking.**
The poll also revealed that Londoners are not scrimping on their choice of accommodation either, with the majority opting for a hotel (31%), followed by any type of resort (23%), or a villa or cottage (16%). Campsites were the least popular choice of holiday accommodation, with a tiny 0.8 percent keen to peg down during their time away.
To understand when the ‘holiday buzz’ begins, Kabbee recently found that around one in five British holidaymakers felt that their holiday started when the cab arrived to take them to the airport (17%), but almost a quarter of holidaymakers said it was arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare, that gave them that bye-bye Britain buzz (23%).
Kabbee’s CEO & Founder, Justin Peters comments on London’s holiday plans: “Every year we see around 25 percent of all of our bookings going to and from London’s five airports. Admittedly, many of these are for business travel, but we know from speaking to our drivers that many airport passengers are taking a well-deserved break.
“Life in London is tough, making down time even more important, so it’s reassuring to see that people are swapping their laptops for sun loungers.”
*The poll of Londoners was conducted in May 2015
** In order to redeem a voucher, Kabbee users must earn 400 miles on the app to become a GoldBee. Kabbee’s users earn one mile for every £1 they spend, and earn more miles for referring friends via the app, booking an executive cab or travelling to/from the airport.


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US$258 billion lawsuit filed against Elon Musk and Tesla over alleged Dogecoin pyramid scheme ↺
Crypto investors around the world are still coping with the disastrous decline in value of their digital assets that occurred over the past six months. While many investors quietly accept that these risky and speculative investments have caused significant losses for the time being, a disgruntled crypto investor from the US is now making headlines with a recently filed lawsuit.
None other than the eccentric entrepreneur Elon Musk is being accused of deceptively advertising the cryptocurrency Dogecoin as a legitimate investment even though the meme coin supposedly has no true value. The lawsuit also targets Musk’s two companies Tesla and SpaceX, which allegedly were part of this “illegal racketeering enterprise”. At the Texas-based automaker Tesla, fans can for example purchase the quite peculiar Cyberwhistle and other merchandise items with the Dogecoin cryptocurrency.
The plaintiff named Keith Johnson is therefore suing for damages totaling US$258 billion in a federal court in the New York borough of Manhattan. In theory, this astronomical sum could not only be awarded to him, but potentially to all affected Dogecoin investors who he seeks to represent in this class action lawsuit. Johnson further asks that Elon Musk and his aforementioned companies Tesla and SpaceX should be prohibited from advertising and promoting Dogecoin in the future. It remains to be seen if this bold crypto lawsuit against Elon Musk will succeed. With a total net worth of currently US$214 billion, even the world’s richest man would not be able to pay these kind of damages out of his own pocket.


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New Delhi: Milk alternatives are all the rage these days, in the face of animal rights and mass production concerns- but the term in itself is in danger of being oxymoronic. There can be no “alternative” to milk. It is a single, power-packed source of nutrition and wholesome food. For a generation that is more conscious than ever before, there is a surprising amount of misinformation that they are vulnerable to.
In India, milk is indispensable. Beyond the religious and cultural significance of milk, and the fact that it is a central ingredient in all our favourite desserts and our staple cup of chai, it is an important economic driver.
The Indian Dairy Industry is the largest in the world- and with market size of over USD 144.55 billion, constitutes approximately 4.2% of India’s GDP, with an annual production of over 187 million tonnes of milk3. Behind these numbers, lie the real stories of people, whom this industry has helped lift out of generational poverty. It creates employment opportunities for women, a steady income for rural households below the poverty line, and ensures food security for millions of these households as well. 7 million dairy farmers are engaged in the sector as a livelihood, many of whom are women. Immune to the seasonality of the crop cycles, dairying is an important activity for farmers trying to stay afloat in financially challenging times. We have every reason hence, to robustly support this industry, for it is creating a massive impact in helping our most underserved citizens- our farmers, overcome poverty and food insecurity.
In order to truly deliver on this promise of support, we must be active consumers of milk, by knowing our glass of milk- in two ways.
Firstly, by understanding why milk is so important. Milk singularly provides almost every single nutrient needed by the human body, including muscle-strengthening protein, bone-building calcium, immunity-boosting zinc, vitamin-D, and other essential nutrients such as riboflavin, potassium, vitamin B12, phosphorous and all 9 amino acids. Milk can also effectively lower the elevated blood sugar levels in the body, reduce the production of cholesterol by your liver, and help improve eyesight. Cultured dairy foods like yoghurt contain probiotics, i.e, health-inducing microorganisms, which provide a well-balanced gut environment.
There are plenty of myths already floating around moving towards a dairy-free lifestyle; that lacks appropriate nutritional requirements for the human body, especially for growing children. Plant-based non-dairy beverages masqueraded as “milk” do not possess the same nutritional values as dairy.
Here’s where the second golden rule of milk consumption comes in: Consume milk but from the right sources. While there are outliers everywhere, as a rule, milk and the practice of producing it is good. While buying or consuming milk, study the background of the brand to assess if the milk is ethically sourced or not. Ethically sourced milk comes from cattle which are treated humanely and have a diet which is more nutritious for the cattle. Dairy farming along with an ethically sourced model, actually lessens harmful emissions by feeding cattle based on their nutrient needs only, innovative manure management and composting, and tech-powered herd health and hygiene practices. On the other hand, milk adulteration is one of the biggest concerns in India causing serious health issues. The common adulterants found in milk are – water, urea, sucrose, starch, glucose, hydrogen peroxide, maltodextrin, salt and neutralizers. It is, therefore, all the more important to understand the source of the milk you consume. An efficient ethical milk sourcing is the answer to these issues that come with a purposeful business enterprise.
It’s time to dispel the myth and know your glass of milk because there’s a world of good at the bottom of it!
Disclaimer: This article has been authored by Kailash Chandra Gahir, chief growth enabler and head of production, sourcing and supply chain operations at Milk Mantra. Views expressed are personal.
Get the Latest health news, healthy diet, weight loss, Yoga, and fitness tips, more updates on Times Now


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Kylie Jenner has officially become the youngest "self-made" billionaire in history at the age of 21, reigniting the debate over to what extent her family fame has contributed to her success.
While Forbes revealed last year that Kylie was on track to become a billionaire, they've confirmed she has now crossed the threshold thanks to signing an exclusive distribution deal with the beauty retailer Ulta, which placed her Kylie Cosmetics products in 1000 stores across the US.
Kylie credits the historic achievement to "the power of social media," adding that while she never expected the accolade, it's a "nice pat on the back."
People's reactions to the news were varied. Some congratulated Kylie, and said they were proud of her.
However, others have started debating again as to whether Kylie truly is "self-made."
In fact, just last month Kylie defended her "self-made" status, acknowledging that while her fame gave her a "huge platform," none of her money is inherited.
You can read all the details of Kylie's historic achievement here.


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Netflix has released a new trailer for the third series of 'House of Cards'. And it seems to herald trying times for Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey).
His wife Claire (Robin Wright) is starting to ask herself why they're being so dastardly. "I'm starting to question all of it, Francis," she says. "What are we doing this for?"
Frank isn't for turning. "For this house," he replies. "For the presidency."
And he ends it with what is surely prime material for gif makers. See for yourself:
Other than that, there's the usual mix of pressure-cooker editing and high-octane music. The whole series is available on Friday.
Earlier this year, Netflix announced it would spend more than $3 billion on original series like 'House of Cards', rather than taking the approach to offer a 'broader' range of shows like Amazon.
"We don't and can't compete on breadth of entertainment with Comcast, Sky, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Sony or Google," the service claimed.
"For us to be hugely successful we have to be a focussed passion brand. Starbucks, not 7-Eleven. Southwest, not United. HBO, not Dish."
It is "actively curating" its service, "rather than carrying as many titles as we can".


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GameLink Offers Twitter Feed Tool for Porn Stars
SAN FRANCISCO — GameLink.com has rolled out an automated Twitter feed tool that utilizes GameLink’s RSS feeds for stars to promote their movies via Twitter to their fans.
The free tool is designed to offer porn stars, directors and studios a “set it and forget it” Twitter feed that posts one to two Twitter posts daily, promoting films available through GameLink.com and monetizing traffic on their Twitter account.
All those utilizing GameLink’s Twitter tool will receive a revenue share of the sales on all movies and all items purchased through their feed, said Jeff Dillon, Private Media’s director of online sales.
"Twitter is a powerful tool to promote and educate fans and consumers of our newest releases and deals," Dillon said. "Teaming with porn stars and adult sites for Twitter promotion is ideal. I always see fans on Twitter asking stars where they can purchase their movies, and now they can automatically answer this question and make money off the purchase with our Twitter Feed Tool.
"The best part is that once it’s set up, there is no updating or maintenance needed. It’s the simplest way to earn some extra cash ... set it and forget it.”
Performers, directors and studios can contact firstname.lastname@example.org for installation.


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Coca-Cola FEMSA warns of Venezuela production halt
Coca-Cola FEMSA said there were difficulties obtaining sugar
Coca-Cola FEMSA has warned it may have to close its production plants in Venezuela if ongoing sugar shortages continue.
The company said on Friday its factories in the country, which is in the grip of a severe economic crisis, are currently still running. However it warned that the plants were using existing inventories of sugar. If they are not replenished "as soon as possible" there will be "temporary" halts to production, the company said.
"The national sugar factories that provide us with refined sugar for industrial use for our operations have told us they have temporarily ceased operations due to lack of raw materials," Coca-Cola FEMSA said. "We are advancing specific actions that allow us to face this situation in coordination with suppliers, authorities and our workers."
Venezuela has been hit by a spiralling economic crisis that has led to shortages of basic goods and the government announcing a two-day work week for public services. The International Monetary Fund has warned that inflation could hit 700% this year in the country.
PepsiCo last year took a US$1.36bn impairment charge on operations in Venezuela, with CEO Indra Nooyi warning that she had not seen comparable global macroeconomic challenges in her time in business.
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The gaming company also released a new teaser that features Giancarlo Esposito's Anton Castillo talking to the people of the island nation of Yara, where he is the dictator.
The fans can play the game on PS5 and Xbox Series X as well, via backward compatibility.
The final chapter is set to be launched on March 18th, Thursday. It will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia, and PC.
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The El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau General Manager, Bill Blaziek has received the Texas Mountain Trail Organization’s Hospitality Heroes Award. Each year, the Hospitality Heroes Award is given to one or two individuals and/or organizations that go above and beyond what is expected in the tourism and hospitality industry.
“We couldn’t be happier to present this award to Bill Blaziek for his steadfast and continued support of the Texas Mountain Trail Organization,” said Director, Beth Nobles. “We are forever grateful for his (and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau’s) support of the development of regional tourism products, as it helps everyone involved save resources and time while encouraging tourism to Far West Texas.”
The Texas Mountain Trail Organization is in the business of supporting and promoting travel to Far West Texas, with an eye to creating lasting experiences for visitors. The Hospitality Heroes Award began in 2010 and was first awarded to Ralph Gilmore, a coffee shop owner in Van Horn, Texas for his friendliness and hospitality to visitors and residents. The award has since been presented to:
• Big Bend Ranch State Park (2010-2011)
• Marfa Public Radio (2011)
• Representative Dee Margo (2011)
• Hyatt Place Hotel in El Paso (2012)
• Town of Van Horn (2013)


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- Ether, MIOTA, VeChain could prove to be attractive buys in 2019
- The current market slump makes it an attractive time to buy and accumulate alts
- Crypto market could see major green sticks in 2019 due to increased institutional interest
2019 promises to be a watershed year for cryptocurrencies. After a tumultuous 2018, the digital currencies market looks a lot more consolidated and consistent today. Sure, the price of virtually all cryptocurrencies is not where the HODLers would have wanted it to be, but that could soon change as an increasing number of institutions foray into the nascent industry.
The launch of Bakkt, Fidelity Digital Assets and ErisX are few of the jolts that could rejuvenate the markets. Further, friendly regulations in countries like Japan, Korea, and others could also factor in for the rise. Even some of the US states like Ohio and Wyoming have shown a pro-crypto stance in recent times.
With that said, it’s important to plan ahead what bags of alts to hold when the candles go green. In that regard, BlockchainReporter has compiled a list of top five altcoins people could consider giving a thought to.
- Ethereum (ETH)
Naysayers of the project will claim that Ethereum has “lost its sheen” in recent times due to the surge of alternative smart contracts platforms like EOS, and TRON. However, it remains a fact that Ethereum has the largest and the most robust of all development communities.
Sidechain projects like the Raiden Network have already been launched on the Ethereum Mainnet. The smart contracts platform also surpassed 50 million unique accounts in December 2018, although the number of active accounts has taken a beating.
The continual delay of their Constantinople hard fork has left speculations brewing in the cryptospace regarding the legitimacy and determination of the community backing the Ethereum platform. However, tides could soon change in their favor soon enough. Today, ETH is undoubtedly a bargain at $124.
The XRP community has got the infamous tag for pestering the rookies in the community to invest in the cryptocurrency. While the mindless XRP bots on Twitter might be a little too infuriating for some, there’s no denying that Ripple has been able to create quite some waves in recent times.
The San-Francisco-based blockchain startup entered into an array of partnerships throughout 2018. These include entry into the $69 billion Indian remittance market, the partnership with Japan’s MUFG Bank to develop DLT-based solutions for cross-border payments, and others. The company also claimed to have sold close to $263 million worth of XRP in Q3 2018. At the time of writing, XRP trades at $0.33.
- VeChain (VET)
The supply chain management centric firm VeChain took a few giant strides in 2018. Their VET altcoin is notorious for not budging much even after the number of spectacular partnerships the project has inked in recent times.
2018 saw massive adoption of VET from corporations the world over. In November 2018, rumors emerged about a possible partnership between VeChain and garments brand H&M. Although no official word came out of it, speculations are still ripe within the industry that the VeChain’s blockchain-based product is being tested by the apparel MNC.
In December 2018, BlockchainReporter informed its audience about the partnership between VeChain and Japan’s Fuji MARUMO to track the latter’s tea products. For the trial batch, a total of 100 products were embedded with VeChain’s NFC chips. Aside from serving as memorable limited edition offering, the trial will also serve as Proof of Concept for a bigger partnership upon completion of the project.
The project also inked a partnership with Japan’s largest telecommunications company NTT Docomo. It is speculated that NTT Docomo has major plans to integrate VeChain into its 5G Network which is slated to launch next year.
It’s fair to assume that soon or later all the feats achieved by the project would translate into an upward price action in their native VET token, and 2019 could very well be the year. At press time, VET trades at $0.004.
- Stellar Lumens (XLM)
Often compared to XRP, the XLM token differs in that it appeals to individual users rather than institutional investors. The altcoin’s basic function is in the cross-border remittance industry.
The Stellar Lumens project has been on an upward stride throughout the majority of 2018. The firm is looking to disrupt the multi-billion remittance industry and seeks to actively rival some well-established payment gateways like Paypal. What sets XLM apart from the traditional payment gateways is its near-zero commission fee, vis-à-vis Paypal’s five percent rate. In fact, the Stellar Blockchain can process as many as 60,000 transactions in a second for a minuscule fee of $0.01.
Unlike Bitcoin, Stellar does not use the PoW protocol. This means that it doesn’t have to deal with the energy consumption issue plaguing the premier cryptocurrency. Instead, Stellar uses, what it calls, the Stellar Consensus Protocol.
The firm has entered into an array of high-profile partnerships with companies like IBM and Keybase.
On a more recent note, on January 19, 2019, Greyscale Investments announced that they have officially added the XLM token in their digital asset portfolio to be made available to institutional investors.
- IOTA (MIOTA)
The IOTA Foundation has been burning the midnight oil and forging ahead in the race to real-world adoption of their Internet of Things-based solutions. IOTA doesn’t specifically work with the typical blockchain. Instead, the firm makes use of their Tangle technology.
Although the MIOTA token currently ranks 12th on the CoinMarketCap crypto table, it won’t be surprising to see it climb up the table by a number of ranks.
There exists an immense appetite for the MIOTA token among institutional investors. A major testimony to this claim is how Crypto Storage AG partnered with IOTA on January 9, 2019, to provide the first institutional-grade MIOTA token storage offering.
Further, interest from large corporations also seems to grow in IOTA. BlockchainReporter informed its audience on December 14, 2018, how the Audi x IOTA collaboration has successfully pushed a new use case into reality. While not much is not about this “use case” yet, people can expect an official announcement regarding the same in near future.
IOTA’s approach is what sets it apart from the majority of the blockchain projects on the block. Their Tangle aims to solve real-world problems which might not necessarily be covered under the utility of blockchain technology, thus providing huge upside potential to the project.
At press time, MIOTA trades at $0.30.


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US: Heineken launches TV ad for new bottle design
Heineken is giving a big push to the newly-designed bottle for its flagship lager
Heineken is promoting a newly-designed bottled for its flagship beer through a TV ad campaign in the US.
The 'Deja Vu' spot, which went live on the company's YouTube and Facebook pages today (8 March) and can be viewed below, features the 'Star Bottle' design. Heineken began rolling out the new bottles in the US this month.
The packaging re-design is the first for the brand in 66 years.
The ad will appear on TV in the US from Monday (11 March).
The TV campaign is part of wider initiative for the brand called "Arrive Big". The wider campaign will feature "out-of-home and retail elements", Heineken said, with further details to be released this month.
Total spend on the campaign was not disclosed.
Heineken, the world’s third largest brewer and leading cider producer, continued its aggressive acquisitive expansion in 2012 with the purchase of Asia Pacific Breweries. This profile considers the ex...
Heineken is making efforts to improve its business in the key US market and support sluggish consumption through product innovation, including Indio in June 2012 and Amstel Wheat and Tecate Michelada ...
UK deliveries of Heineken and Britvic brands could be affected by a 24-hour strike by workers at logistics firm Kuehne + Nagel, according to trade union Unite....
- Analysis - Remy's Cognac "dead-cat bounce"
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- Heineken to stay "active player" in beer M&A - CFO
- Diageo's future brighter than present suggests
- Diageo's Q1 Results by Region
- Moët Hennessy unveils first Travel Retail outlet
- United Spirits sees Q1 net loss
- Beam Suntory, Edrington part ways in Travel Retail
- Diageo puts Beckham centre stage in Haig Club ad
- Smirnoff Ice gets India launch


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- On Tuesday, the FDA issued a warning letter jointly with the Federal Trade Commission to Alternative Health Distribution LLC d/b/a CannaAid for selling unapproved and misbranded products for use in treating or preventing COVID-19. Consumers concerned about COVID-19 should consult with their health care provider.
- The FDA continues to warn consumers not to purchase or use products marketed with variations of the names “Artri” or “Ortiga” due to potentially dangerous hidden active drug ingredients not listed on the product label. FDA analysis revealed these products contain hidden drug ingredients, including diclofenac, an NSAID, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid. The FDA urges consumers taking these products to immediately talk to their health care professional to safely stop using them because suddenly stopping these drugs may be dangerous.
- In April 2022, the FDA notified consumers that the agency received adverse event reports, including of liver toxicity and death, associated with the use of Artri King and similarly named products.
- In support of public safety, and because some of these products may still be available on the market, FDA issued warning letters on October 28, 2022, to Amazon, Walmart, and Latin Foods Market for distributing various “Artri” and/or “Ortiga” unapproved and misbranded drug products. Walmart and Latin Foods Market already issued voluntary recalls for these products.
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A woman from Italy linked to a disgraced cardinal who was sacked by Pope Francis has been arrested in Milan, as she has been accused of using the charity money of the pope for buying expensive leather furniture, Prada shoes, handbags, and Chanel perfume.
Cecilia Morogana, who calls herself an 'intelligence expert' even though she does not have any degree got detained on an Interpol warrant by the Vatican investigators on suspicion of aiding the Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was sacked earlier this month, steal hundreds of thousands of euro from the charitable arm of Vatican. The Italian media have suggested that she is probably the secret lover of the cardinal, which she denied.
Woman Uses Pope's Money to Buy Prada Shoes
The woman is awaiting an extradition order to the Vatican, which is the only time the Holy See judiciary has ever attempted to extradite a person for facing criminal trial. The woman told Corriere Della Sera that she is an analyst and an esteemed intelligence expert and not the cardinal's lover, as per reports.
She admitted receiving around â¬500,000 for a period of four years from the cardinal, which she claims was used for 'humanitarian services' for setting up 'parallel diplomacy' arm for protecting the embassies of the Vatican in the Middle East and Africa from terrorist attacks.
However, a leaked dossier obtained by the press of Italy alleged that she used the cash for herself including â¬12,000 for a luxurious leather armchair, â¬2,200 for buying Prada shoes and handbags, â¬1,400 for purchasing Tod's shoes, and also â¬8,000 on Chanel perfume. The cardinal and another prelate are under investigation for allegedly funneling money through a Slovenian company, though the dossier shows that Morogana did not issue invoices for any of the money she got.
She accepted that she bought personal items but suggested that one of the expensive designer handbags was for the wife of a Nigerian friend who had to help her to get in touch with the president of Burkina Faso for facilitating the solution of a crisis.
She also said that she used some money for securing the release it hostages on the behalf f the pope. When her name got linked to Becciu following his arrest she mentioned that she was a 'package bomb' and a "sacrificial victim of the clash between the factions opposed to the pope," as reported by the Daily Beast.


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For nearly 130 years, Adam, Meldrum and Anderson was a Buffalo-based department store. That streak came to an end in 1994. The following year, the flagship Main Street store was closed.
May 16, 1994: AM&A’s chain is purchased by Bon-Ton, Sale ends era
“AM&A’s been sold to a York, Pa.-based regional retailer, executives announced today.
“Bon-Ton will spend $38.5 million to acquire AM&A’s. The figure includes $2.1 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $21.4 million of debt and $15 million in other liabilities.
“… While the sale signals the end of a 127-year-long retailing love affair between Western New Yorkers and the department store, the entry of Bon-Ton Stores is good for the store and its customers, Alford said.”


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CUPERTINO – Apple CEO Tim Cook announced his company would open its first physical Apple Store in India in 2021, and that the company would launch its own online store later in 2020. These were rare announcements, coming as they did during this week’s Apple shareholder meeting in Cupertino.
Mr. Cook’s comments came in response to the eighth question from shareholders during the Q&A portion of the shareholder meeting, as a shareholder asked specifically about Apple’s plans for growth in the world’s second most populous country. Apple has found the Indian market hard to get a toe-hold in, in part because of India’s cellphone industry’s reliance on small, local stores for selling devices. Multinationals like Apple haven’t been allowed to operate in the same manner as they do in the rest of the world.
To that end, Tim Cook said that Apple has been working to get government approval to open its own retail store. We’ve long known Apple was trying to do so, but the announcement the company had succeeded, and would open its own store in 2021, was new. Mr. Cook expressed optimism about Apple’s prospects in this country.
It’s not known if the rising tied of ethnic and sectarian violence that included an anti-muslim riot by Hindu nationalists later in the week would affect Apple’s plan.


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Spices constitute an important group of commodities which are indispensable in homes and industries. The market is on an upward trend. Grand View Research report says global seasoning and spices market was worth $13.77 billion last year. Analysts expect the market to reach $20.99 billion by 2024. While there are no confidence figures on Nigeria’ national production, stakeholders believe the nation can make $2 billion yearly from spices exports, DANIEL ESSIET reports.
The global spices industry has shown robust growth. It was worth $13.77 billion last year, according to this year’s Global Seasoning and Spices report by United States Grand View Research.
The major spices in demand are pepper, ginger, turmeric, vanilla, coriander, cumin, nutmeg and spice oils. They are used in food preparation and processing.
Analysts said increased demand for new flavours and tastes has fuelled the growth of seasoning and spices market. Today, most expensive spices sell for as much as $1,000. The major markets are United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), among others.
While Nigeria can produce key spices in the international market, stakeholders are not impressed with the foreign exchange from the sector considering its unmatched quality of spices that should make the nation stand tall in the international market.
One of them is the Director-General, Raw Material Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof Haruna Dikko Ibrahim, who has not hidden his concerns. Nigeria produces pepper, chili, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg and mace, cardamon, and cloves, among others.
To him, the industry can generate about $2 billion yearly. Therefore, all endeavours should focus on promoting skills development for spices farmers and access to finance.
The President, Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria ((FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, sees spices farming and exports as an ambitious endeavour that can transform the economy and open new frontiers and position Nigeria as a force to be reckoned with in the global food economy.
He said Nigeria should occupy an indispensable spot in the global spice trade. Like other agro commodities, Iyama noted that the challenge was failure of producers to comply with quality standards.
He has no doubts about the possibility of growing more types of spices in Nigeria because of tropical or sub-tropical climates.
For instance, dried chili peppers, onion and garlic are grown in most parts of Nigeria.
Opening high-end markets
Nigeria’s combined supply of various spices is less than one percent of global trade. While the spices sector constitutes a significant percentage of world trade, Nigeria has not earned much from spices because Nigerians only export to relations in the diaspora.
However, there is huge evidence of the sector in Nigeria increasing production and export gains. This, according to the Managing Director, AgroPark Development Company Limited, Sola Olunowo, can be made possible by first taking a keen look at how these gains could be achieved.
Seeking solutions to why Nigeria is not making it in the global spices market, Olunowo decided to attend a global fruit and vegetable conference where spices dominated discussions. He described the event as a game-changing event.
He found out that why Nigerians were not able to export spices to corporate buyers. He said it was because they had not been able to present some certifications, including the GLOBAL G.A.P.
Meeting these requirements, according to him, ensures traceability required by international buyers. He noted that despite the industry’s relative economic drop, local farmers are still well placed to do better from the trade.
He cited the nation’s natural weather and seasonal conditions as beneficial for high quality spices produce. He added that improved practices by growers, including in cultivation, harvesting, handling and storage, could make a big difference.
According to him, organic spices are gaining tremendous demand in international market, since they are considered natural and safe for consumption. But for the impact of COVID-19, he said they were receiving various enquires from importers to procure organic spices. He said what the industry needed were schemes to promote farmers to produce clean and good quality spices, and for exporters to set up small units for processing and value addition to spices.
Olunowo is successful in spices farming and exports. He developed many techniques in spices farming by which he not only makes profit but people around him are also utilising the techniques and gaining profits.
He found the best deals for growing and exporting lemongrass – supplying food and beverage industry.
According to him, lemongrass is used in many industries, including the fragrance and flavour, food and beverage, soap, detergent and cleaning products manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and pesticide.
He said farmers could make a lot of money from lemongrass farming and other spices.
According to him, spices from Nigeria are in great demand in the market, urging the government to take active and keen interest to facilitate trade, and ensure the economy benefitted from the sector.
Olunowo wants all preconditions met to enable Nigeria to produce efficiently and compete regionally and globally.
The Coordinator, Agribusiness & Youth Empowerment, Community of Agricultural Stakeholders of Nigeria, Sotonye Anya, said there is a huge market for seasonings, spices and herbs running into billions of naira yearly.
He called on Nigerian ginger, turmeric, and garlic growers to tap into the $13.7 billion global spices and seasoning market to avail themselves of opportunities in the sub-sector.
Sotonye noted that Nigeria ought to be one of the world’s leading spices exporter, attributing its current status to unsustainable practices, despite that the soil is rich to make it an abundant producer.
Nigeria, according to him, faces challenges in the global spices trade, including low-quality packaging and low prices.
Value-added spices and herbs
Right now, there is a large international market for value-added spices and herbs crushed or mixed, said Sotonye.
As an exporter, he said it would be good to send them in crushed or ground form.
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) that contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development in developing countries through the expansion of exports said Europe is open for spices.
It said Europe is open for crushed or ground spices such as pepper, capsicum, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamoms, coriander seeds, cumin seeds and ginger.
The most important food safety management systems in Europe are the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the International Featured Standards (IFS Food), Food Safety System Certification (FSSC22000) and the Safe Quality Food Programme (SQF).
Sotonye said traceability, hygiene and control were critical when exporting spices to Europe, as EU sets maximum levels for mycotoxins for specific spices.
Before investing in agri-commodities or the spices pack, he advised investors to have sufficient knowledge about the demand-supply situation, climatic condition and relevant policy actions.
A Consultant with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Common Investment Market and Professor at Covenant University, Jonathan Aremu, said exportable spices must comply to be allowed in the European market.
He added that further processing of spices add value to the product.
One of biggest challenges of developing countries involved in spices exports is the variation of standards across various countries.
Olunowo believes producers that have got GLOBAL G.A.P certification will be cleared because it covers good agricultural practices, such as pesticide residue, and contamination due to mycotoxins, among others.
To improve the production and exports of spices, there is the need for the implementation of best practices at all the stages of the value chain that would help to enhance export and improve the quality of spices in future, Olunowo said.
He said small farmers could benefit extensively from training to help them adopt new and innovative ways of presenting their produce at the international market.
The Managing Director, Lords Field, an agric survey company, Mr. Oloropo Olajugba, said uniform standards would help Nigeria improve trade in spices and this would require the use of technology. He said what Nigeria needed to make a success in spices farming and exports was the application of precision technology.
He explained that farmers could explore different technologies and farming practices to more accurately manage soil and growing conditions, eventually growing more spices while using fewer resources at lower cost.
With the technology, his organisation provides, Olajugba said farmers use the technology fitted to a tractor to carry out irrigation, soil and crop monitoring.
According to him, the solution enables data analyses on growing conditions, ideal harvest windows with the assistance of mobile technology.
Sourcing of spices
For big players, the key to high-quality spices is sourcing products from the right places. Some organisations would not want their spices rejected so they emphasise that the farmers meet five criteria: traceability, product quality, origination, food safety, and reliability.
The Vice- President, Corporate and Government Relationship, Olam, Ade Adefeko, said: “At Olam, with our experience spanning 31 years and with our footprint in over 60 countries, we take agricultural sustainability seriously by using our supply chain insights and data garnered to drive transformational change for our farmers, rural communities and the entire planet.
“We are the world’s number one source for garlic, onions and chillies and a global leader for pepper, tropical spices, purees and parsley and we use our At Source solution to ensure sustainable sourcing and tracing which help to provide unrivalled environmental and social insights into the journey of agricultural raw materials and food ingredients from farm to shelf.’’
Read the original article on The Nation


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Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>A lot of anti-MS tripe, but somehow...
"SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. posted an 11 percent rise in
quarterly net profit on Thursday, boosted by a strong performance at
its database division and shrinking losses from its Xbox 360 video game
"In after-hours trade, Microsoft shares rose to $28.50 from a close of
$28.35 on Nasdaq."


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Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has taken the chance to enhance their digital video store with a new deal that would expand their Amazon Prime catalog. The company just announced a deal with Warner Brothers Domestic Television, that would allow them to offer more television shows in their content offering catalog.
Just last month, Amazon signed up for a deal with MGM that included a wide array of movies, and television show offerings. Right now, Amazon Prime Instant Video has over 18,000 movies and television shows that are available for streaming. Amazon Prime subscribers, who pay the yearly fee of $79.00 to get free two-day shipping, can also access the streaming catalog for free.
Due to their enormous popularity, television shows Fringe and West Wing will be available exclusively through Amazon this summer. The director for Amazon’s video content for Prime members, Brad Beale, explained, “Since launching Prime Instant Video, we’ve continued to expand both the quantity and quality of video content for our Prime members. Bringing Fringe and The West Wing – two shows with a devoted fan base – to Prime Instant Video first, is another way for us to add value for Prime members, and to continue to give customers content they love.”
Amazon’s major expansions for the Prime catalog shows just how serious they are about competing with Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), and Hulu, which are two other popular websites that allow people to stream unlimited movies and shows for a small price. Since Amazon leads the online shopping industry, it only makes sense they would want to lead the video streaming industry.
Just last winter, Amazon introduced their Prime Instant Video service as a way to give their customers another incentive to join Prime, especially if they thought Amazon charged an expensive price for a shipping service they might hardly ever use.
It’s a great thing to know that Amazon is beefing up their Prime Instant Video catalog, but this is sure to mean one thing: higher prices. Amazon will probably hike up the price of Prime. I think a smarter move would be to offer a separate service for Prime users who don’t want to pay the annual fee. Not only would that increase their customer base, but it would also entice Netflix users to switch over. I doubt they will do that anytime soon, but it’s something they should consider. Internet streaming is slowly taking over the movie rental market, and that segment will only continue to grow. Amazon is one of the few companies who is trying to capitalize in a market that’s adapting to these changes, by offering more of what customers want.