text:
South Africa is buzzing with reactions following the breakup of Thembinkosi Lorch, the Mamelodi Sundowns football star, and Natasha Thahane, a beloved actress.
The news broke on social media when Thahane confirmed the split, revealing that they had mutually decided to end their romantic relationship while committing to maintain a healthy co-parenting dynamic for their son.
Their separation comes after several years of being together and making their relationship public, during which they also welcomed a son. However, rumors of infidelity dating back to 2023 have shadowed their relationship.
Despite projecting an image of happiness and harmony, the couple’s split has left many fans speculating about the reasons behind the breakup. Some social media users humorously suggested that Lorch strategically timed the breakup to coincide with his new signing with Mamelodi Sundowns, jokingly linking his decision to his increased salary.
Comments flooded social media platforms, with users sharing their thoughts on the situation. Some expressed amusement at the timing of the breakup, while others sympathized with the couple’s challenges. Nonetheless, the exact reasons behind their split remain unclear, leaving fans to speculate about the dynamics of their relationship.
Join 'Mzansi Trending' on WhatsApp "Mzansi Trending" keeps you in the know about the hottest entertainment news in South Africa. From celebrity gossip to the latest soapie releases!
🌍🌟 Yoin our channel for daily updates on what's trending and make sure you never miss a beat in the world of South African entertainment. 🇿🇦🌟 🚀
How much could Lorch be earning at Sundowns?
Sundowns’ highest earner is said to be making R700 000 a month.
Thembinkosi Lorch would have got an impressive salary bump by joining Sundowns. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Thembinkosi Lorch is likely to have been handed a serious salary bump by Mamelodi Sundowns after joining them on transfer deadline day from Orlando Pirates.
But just where will the 30-year-old attacker sit on the Sundowns salary scale? Reports suggest that Lorch was earning anything between R50 000 and R165000 a month at Pirates, though South African clubs’ lack of transparency over salaries makes it hard to be precise.
Sundowns’ highest earner is former Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu, according to a salary chart compiled by briefly.co.za. The website speculates that Zungu is earning a whopping R700 000 a month. Next on the list is Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams on R500 000 a month.
Could Lorch be earning anything close to these two fellow South Africans? Zungu was signed by Sundowns on a free transfer from Amiens in France in August 2022, and it is likely that coming from Europe, Sundowns had to go very high in terms of salary to secure Zungu’s signature. The club may have also felt that the fact that they were not paying a transfer fee justified a high wage package.
Williams is one of several players to have joined Sundowns from Tshwane rivals SuperSport United, with Masandawana rumoured to have paid SuperSport R12 million for his services in July 2012. Williams was already 30 years old when he joined Sundowns, the same age as Lorch is now.
A goalkeeper’s career tends to last longer than that of an outfield player, however, meaning Lorch’s package is unlikely to have matched Williams’.
To speculate on Lorch’s salary at Sundowns, given the highest end of what he was said to be earning at Pirates, it is safer to say he is in the region of Peter Shalulile or Thapelo Morena, said to be on R400 000 a month.
It could even be, that with a year left on his contract at Pirates, and little sign of a new deal being agreed, Lorch was prepared to move to Sundowns for a little less than that, in the region of R300 000 a month.
This would still represent an enormous boost to his salary, not to mention the signing on fee and the bonus structure that will undoubtedly be in his deal.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Top 10 Phones Making Waves in Africa: A Look at the Latest Mobile Tech Trends
Introduction: The Ever-Evolving African Smartphone Market
The African smartphone market has been witnessing rapid growth and innovation, with consumers increasingly demanding high-quality devices that offer both affordability and cutting-edge features. From budget-friendly options to flagship models, here are the top 10 phones currently dominating the African market.
1. Samsung Galaxy S series: Flagship Excellence
Samsung’s Galaxy S series continues to be a top choice for African consumers, offering powerful performance, stunning displays, and advanced camera capabilities. Models like the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra are particularly popular, catering to users who seek premium features and reliability.
2. Tecno Camon Series: Affordable Innovation
Tecno’s Camon series has gained significant traction in Africa, thanks to its combination of impressive camera technology and affordability. Devices like the Camon 18 and Camon 18P offer users high-resolution cameras, sleek designs, and reliable performance at a fraction of the cost of flagship phones.
3. iPhone 13 Series: Apple’s Iconic Appeal
Apple’s iPhone 13 series continues to hold a strong position in the African market, appealing to users who value sleek design, seamless software integration, and top-notch performance. Despite its premium price tag, the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max remain sought-after choices for many consumers.
4. Infinix Zero Series: Feature-Rich Affordability
Infinix’s Zero series combines affordability with a plethora of features, making it a favorite among budget-conscious consumers in Africa. Devices like the Infinix Zero X Pro offer users impressive specifications, including high-refresh-rate displays, powerful processors, and versatile camera setups.
5. Huawei P50 Series: Photography Powerhouses
Huawei’s P50 series stands out for its exceptional camera capabilities, making it a popular choice for photography enthusiasts across Africa. Despite facing challenges in accessing Google services, Huawei’s devices continue to attract users with their innovative camera technologies and stylish designs.
6. Xiaomi Redmi Note Series: Value for Money
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series offers users exceptional value for money, providing a range of features typically found in higher-priced smartphones. Models like the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11 Pro deliver reliable performance, impressive battery life, and vibrant displays at affordable price points.
7. Oppo Reno Series: Sleek Design, Superior Performance
Oppo’s Reno series has gained recognition for its sleek design, innovative features, and competitive pricing. Devices like the Oppo Reno 7 and Reno 7 Pro appeal to users who prioritize aesthetics and performance, offering powerful processors, impressive cameras, and fast-charging capabilities.
8. Nokia G Series: Trustworthy and Affordable
Nokia’s G series continues to attract users seeking reliable smartphones at affordable prices. With models like the Nokia G50 and G300, Nokia emphasizes durability, long battery life, and clean Android software, catering to users looking for simplicity and reliability.
9. Vivo Y Series: Stylish and Functional
Vivo’s Y series offers users stylish designs and a host of features at attractive price points. Models like the Vivo Y74s and Y21s provide users with reliable performance, vibrant displays, and capable cameras, making them popular choices among young consumers in Africa.
10. Realme GT Series: Performance Powerhouses
Realme’s GT series caters to users who demand high performance and cutting-edge features without breaking the bank. Devices like the Realme GT 2 Pro offer flagship-level specifications, including powerful processors, high-refresh-rate displays, and fast-charging technology, at competitive prices.
Conclusion: Diverse Choices, Growing Opportunities
The African smartphone market offers a diverse range of choices, catering to users with varying needs and preferences. Whether it’s flagship devices with premium features or budget-friendly options packed with value, the top 10 phones in Africa represent the ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology in the region. As innovation continues to drive the industry forward, opportunities for growth and expansion abound, promising an exciting future for both consumers and manufacturers alike.


text:
Vevo giving up on iPhone, iPad apps to focus on YouTube
Vevo, the record label-owned distributor of music videos and related content, will be shutting down its apps for iOS and other operating systems, as well as its consumer-facing website.
In an announcement on Thursday, Vevo confirmed it will be "phasing out elements" of its owned and operated platforms, which will include the closure of its mobile apps. It is unclear exactly when the apps will shut down, but Variety smart TV apps for a while longer.
The iOS app, which has been reviewed highly in the App Store, provided its users with access to music videos as well as other video content, along with playlists, artist activity feeds, and music recommendations. Current users will be provided a playlist tool to import their playlists to YouTube, though again it is unknown when this will be offered.
The announcement advises Vevo's catalog of music videos and original content will continue to be offered on YouTube, one of the main areas users are introduced to the company. As well as YouTube, Vevo is also "exploring ways to work with additional platforms to further expand access to Vevo's content," but it remains to be seen what third-party services it is planning to work with.
Despite the change, Vevo will continue to sell advertising for its content on all platforms, with the firm offering "unique selling propositions" to companies at scale and in "brand-safe environments."
The strategy alteration follows a series of high-profile departures at Vevo, including former CEO Erik Huggers in December, head of product Mark Hall, CTO Alex Nunes in the spring, and layoffs in the product and engineering team announced in April.
The refocus away from its own apps to primarily using other platforms arrives shortly after Google revealed massive changes to its music streaming services. Announced on May 17, YouTube Music is intended to replace Google Play Music, providing ad-supported and subscription-based music streaming, alongside the rebranding of YouTube Red to YouTube Premium.
While the loss of the Vevo app is likely to primarily benefit YouTube, it could also have a small effect on Apple Music. Apple's streaming service offers music videos and other content to subscribers, so the removal of a competitor offering similar content could encourage some users to try out Apple's own offering.

domain: news


text:
Some of Tesla’s older touchscreens are blinking out.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 11 complaints in the past year about the touchscreen in Tesla Model S cars from 2012 to 2015. In response, the NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation to see if there is a safety problem.
In all 11 cases, the touchscreen died. That is where video from the rearview camera is displayed, meaning drivers couldn’t see what was behind them.
Climate control and recharging are also affected when the screen dies, but braking, steering, and other driving systems are luckily spared. The Model S has a separate screen in front of the steering wheel to display driving information. That’s different from the newer Model 3 sedan, which displays everything on the center console touchscreen.
No deaths or injuries due to the Model S malfunction have been reported. But the problem could affect up to 63,000 cars.
Tesla did not respond to request for comment.
In another blow to Tesla’s reputation, the annual J.D. Power Initial Quality Study came out Wednesday and included Tesla in its rankings for the first time. Well, sort of.
The study looks at reported problems for new vehicles from most carmakers. Tesla would only give access to survey owners from 35 states, so its score was based on incomplete data. It ranked very last.


text:
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders ( NAGAFF) has criticized the approach of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administrations and Control (NAFDAC) in discharging its functions in the ports, even as it has applauded the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and some other agencies of government in the ports for their efforts in executing the presidential order on ease of doing business at the ports.
In a press statement sent to Platform Reporters on Tuesday, the association maintained that its position on the Executive Order to enhance ease of doing business in our entry points remains the same for the reasons that such Executive Order is basically an indictment of Agencies of the Government for failing to implement and enforce all extant laws and regulations guiding international trade and ports operations and management in Nigeria.
The statement reads: However this is not the time any more to blame anybody or organization for the fact that the poor state of our ports is the making of all stakeholders and the Government agencies assigned to the ports and border locations.
Having said this, we must acknowledge the efforts of the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Hadiza Bala Usman, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council Barr. Hassan Bello, the AIG Maritime of Nigerian Police and the Director General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria Osita Abulome to have invited stakeholders to discuss the best way to go in addressing human element factors obstructing ease of doing business in our ports.
We regret to state that despite the fact that NAFDAC officials are deployed at the entry points in our country to interdict the influx of fake and substandard pharmaceutical products and chemicals, the leadership of NAFDAC have not for once engaged the stakeholders on how best they could achieve their mandate and statutory duty effectively and responsibly.
It is in the public domain that Mr. Kingsley who may be heading the Enforcement Unit of NAFDAC with his office at Mobil Road Apapa is usually seen whenever Customs Enforcement of the Area Commands of the Nigeria Customs at the seaports, airports, land borders and Federal Operations Unit are handing over suspected fake products to NAFDFAC.
The question, we should ask is why the Customs always hand over intercepted products to NAFDAC when their officials are found all over the entry points. This will show the Government the level of corruption occasioned by connivance on the part of some of the NAFDAC officials to allow the various breaches of their statutory duty.
The expectation of NAGAFF is that by now, NAFDAC should have been able to key into the new concept of ease of doing business by engaging the freight practitioners on the best way to interdict fake and adulterated pharmaceutical products into Nigeria.
They should be able to engage freight agents and other stakeholders over their concerns and worries about achieving their mandate with a view to adjusting to the concept of ease of doing business in their segment. It is apparent that NAFDAC may be more interested in revenue collection than their regulating and controlling responsibilities.
In the opinion of NAGAFF, it is strategic in-line with ease of doing business that every Agency of the Government should operate from outside the port and to be jointly invited for Customs examination at a particular time so that they can indicate their interest in a particular import before release is carried out by the Customs.
Under the principle and practices in the banking operation, the word “Know Your Customer” (KYC) is very strategic on matters of regulation and control of regulated products by the Government regulatory agencies i.e. NAFDAC and SON. It shall be most appropriate and procedural that after Customs examination and accounting for the revenue therein by the Customs, any of the regulatory agency of the Government who has interest in any cargo should follow it to the owners warehouse to conclude its regulatory functions.
This has to happen because the ports and borders are not meant to warehouse goods. And it will also afford the regulatory officials of NAFDAC and SON etc to interface with the actual owners of the goods.
To us at NAGAFF the status of NAFDAC at the ports/border should be conferred to SON equally for the reasons that SON has more scope to cover on matters of quality and standards of products imported into Nigeria. The need for fairness and equity cannot be overemphasized.
This is very necessary with a view to stopping SON Enforcement Unit from intercepting containers on the city roads based on intelligence reports. It is no longer news that the statutory duty of SON has been in breach for the reasons that they are not present at the ports during Customs examination.
NAGAFF is sincerely appreciative of the efforts of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority Hadiza Bala Usman for her courage to enforce port operating orders, the political will of the CGC to clear the city roads and highways of unauthorized patrol teams, the AIG Maritime is not also taking it lightly with any Police officer intercepting cargo from the ports and of course the leadership of Nigerian Shippers Council as a Commercial Regulator battling with terminal operators and shipping companies over arbitrary charges.
It shall be most appropriate and professional for the freight agents and the importers to imbibe the spirit and letters of rule of law and ports regulation. In other words the operating word shall be compliance, compliance and compliance to the rules of engagement. All matters in relation to false declaration, wrong description of imports and exports, under-declaration and under-valuation of imports shall have to stop forthwith.
NAGAFF is also advocating and advising NAFDAC and SON to apply the law for the good of the public by adopting the principles of corrective measures in carrying out their statutory duties because laws are made for man and not man for the law.
It is also important that they realize that they are not revenue collecting Agencies of the Government like the Customs but regulatory Agencies for quality assurance and standardization. However we must emphasise that it is simple for all persons to understand that the role of SON/NAFDAC in a society is strategic to lives and properties, and therefore, the need to support them is axiomatic and very important to our nation.
Stakeholders who may be complaining about the stringent nature of SON/NAFDAC laws may be out of it because SON/NAFDAC do not make laws but rather with a mandate as an executive arm of the Government to implement extant laws. While urging them to apply the laws for the good of the society, it is a responsibility on the part of the stakeholders to comply with all extant laws and wherein those who feel dissatisfied should approach the National Assembly for redress.
This is the way to go instead of taking laws into our own hands. This release is being endorsed to the appropriate Government leadership as a working document including Mr. President.


text:
- Release Date:
- July 25, 2017
- Epic Games
- Epic Games
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
- Battle Royale
- Third-Person Shooter
Latest Fortnite News
Dwayne Johnson Joins Zendaya and 4 More Celebs In Exclusive Fortnite Club
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joins an exclusive club of celebrities with his work as Black Adam.
MCU: Moon Knight Receives New Fortnite Costumes
Costumes for Marvel's Moon Knight and Mr Knight have arrived in Epic Games' Fortnite.
Hawkeye: New Leak Reveals Hailee Steinfeld & Jeremy Renner's Fortnite Skins
A new leak has revealed Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld's Fortnite skins inspired by Marvel's Hawkeye on Disney+.
Fortnite Reveals Spider-Man Update Featuring Zendaya & Tom Holland (Trailer)
Fortnite revealed a new Spider-Man: No Way Home update with outfits based on Tom Holland's hero and Zendaya's MJ.
Star Wars: Fortnite Reveals First Look at Boba Fett Crossover Event
Fortnite has announced that Boba Fett will be arriving in their game this December.
Fortnite Leak Reveals Tom Hardy's Venom Skin for Let There Be Carnage Release
Venom and Eddie Brock are seemingly headed to Fortnite.
Fortnite Leak Teases Shang-Chi Skin Ahead of Marvel Movie Release
A recent leak has revealed a Shang-Chi skin may be on its way to Fortnite next month to coincide with the theatrical release of his MCU debut.
Alienware Announces Gaming Contest Featuring Fortnite, Valorant & More, Including $400K Prize Pool
Fortnite, Rainbow Six Siege, and others will headline The 2021 Alienware Games, beginning on August 27!
Watch: Fortnite's Tom Hiddleston-Inspired Loki Skin Revealed In Cinematic Trailer
Following the recent announcement of a Loki skin coming to Fortnite soon, a first look at the skin, inspired by 2012's The Avengers, has been unveiled.
Fortnite Announces Tom Hiddleston's Loki From The Avengers Movie Coming To Game
Fortnite officially revealed that Loki-themed rewards, including a costume, will be given to members of Fortnite Crew in July.
Avengers: Endgame's Thanos Returns To Fortnite In Brand New Way
Thanos is set to return to Fortnite as a playable skin in the item shop.
Fortnite: New Art Teases Tom Hiddleston's Loki Coming To Game
Tom Hiddleston's Loki joins Fortnite just in time for his debut show on Disney+.
Fortnite: Barry Allen's The Flash Skin Revealed For Next Collaboration Event
A Flash skin is reportedly making its way to Fortnite' Battle Royale mode, according to a number of posts on Twitter.
The Mandalorian: Fortnite Reveals New Star Wars Cantina
Fortnite revealed that a new Star Wars Cantina is now visitable in-game, as well as a new limited-time mode based on The Mandalorian.
Fortnite Leak Reveals Terminator & Sarah Connor Skins For Season 5
An accidental listing on the PlayStation store in some regions has seemingly revealed the first looks at Sarah Connor and T-800 skins from the popular Terminator franchise coming to Fortnite.
Fortnite: Black Panther Officially Joins Avengers Heroes In Season 5 Trailer
Black Panther is officially coming to Fortnite Season 5 as a playable hero.
Samsung Joins Epic Games In Promoting 'Free Fortnite' Surprise Campaign To Influencers
In a package sent to IGN host, Greg Miller, Samsung have shown their solidarity with the Free Fortnite movement through an assortment of slogan branded merchandise sent in partnership with Epic Games.
Fortnite Brings Back Iconic Halo Map, Master Chief Return For Season 5
Halo's Master Chief has been added to Fortnite's Battle Royale Mode.
God of War Director Cory Barlog Reacts To Fortnite's Kratos Skin Reveal
After a week of rumors and speculation, Kratos from God of War has joined the world of Fortnite following the release of a new trailer and his addition to the item shop.
Fortnite Leak Reveals God of War's Kratos For Season 5, Confirmed By Epic Games
Following a leak earlier today, a Fortnite teaser posted on the official PlayStation Twitter account has seemingly confirmed a leak that God of War star, Kratos, will be joining Fortnite soon!
Star Wars Comes To Fortnite With The Mandalorian & Grogu In Season 5 Trailer
The Mandalorian and Grogu crossover into Fortnite in new Season 5 trailer.
Fortnite Galactus: What Happened During the Marvel Event
Fortnite's Galactus season finale provided new gameplay and fun character interactions.
Fortnite Leak Reveals The Mandalorian & Baby Yoda Skins For New Season
A new leak may have revealed that The Mandalorian will be added to the game's wealth of customizable skins.
Fortnite Teases Marvel Galactus Live Event With Iron Man Poster
Fortnite teases the upcoming Galactus live event with an image of Iron Man & Tony Stark.
Fortnite Announces Marvel Galactus Live Event With 'Millions' of Players
Fortnite finally announced the date for their Marvel comics themed seasons epic live event in which players will take on the Devourer of Worlds, Galactus, together.


text:
Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
LG and Lenovo reportedly working on secret tablet with a 13-inch foldable display
- LG Display is reportedly working on a 13-inch foldable display for use in a Lenovo tablet.
- The company is thought to be aiming to supply the panel to Lenovo in the second half of next year.
- While we have heard plenty about foldable phones, this is the first we have heard about a foldable tablet.
LG Display is reportedly working with Lenovo on a tablet that will have a 13-inch foldable display. According to ETNews, LG Display will supply the tablet’s panel, while Lenovo will manufacture the device.
The publication quotes an industry insider as saying that LG Display has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Lenovo and has officially started the project. It plans to supply the foldable display to Lenovo in the second half of next year, according to the source. The display will reportedly be an OLED panel that folds in half.
Anyone following the development of foldable displays will be aware that this is the first time we have heard of such a device being developed. Both Samsung and Huawei are reportedly working on foldable phones that can be used as small tablets when unfolded. However, these devices are expected to have displays that are around seven or eight inches — only slightly larger than the current generation of phablets.
Microsoft is also rumored to be working on a foldable Surface device. Although, images appeared to suggest this product would be made of two separate screens, not one that folds in half. There is also some confusion about whether or not the project will ever see the light of day.
A 13-inch foldable display, therefore, is on another level entirely. While a 13-inch display that folds in half will likely be much more portable than a 13-inch device that doesn’t, it probably won’t be small enough to be carried around as a phone. This would put the product firmly in the tablet category.
However, ETNews says that this is where LG Display sees the future of foldable displays. As well as Lenovo, the publication reports that it has attempted to garner interest in its 13-inch panels from Dell and LG Electronics.


text:
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today announced the awarding of $318,765 in state funding for a dairy expansion project in Sugarloaf Township that is expected to create at least five new jobs. Toohil played a key role in securing the grant.
Milkhouse Creamery will use the funding to purchase equipment for a processing facility to make a dairy mix for ice cream production. The company currently buys the dairy mix from another processor.
“I am pleased we are able to provide the funding to help this family-owned business grow at a time when many small dairy operations across the state are struggling to survive,” said Toohil. “The Dagostin family has been involved in dairy and agriculture in our area for generations, and I give them credit for making this important investment in their future.”
“Thanks to Jocelyn Sterenchock with the CANBE Innovation Center for recognizing the job potential of this expansion project and working with our office to make it happen,” she added.
The funding was approved as part of the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program, which was established last year by the Legislatuve for research and development, organic transition, value-added processing and marketing grants in support of the state’s dairy industry.
Representative Tarah Toohil
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Rep. Toohil’s Office


text:
After nearly 90,000 supporters of PETA and its affiliates contacted Polish officials, Poland—the world’s third-largest fur producer—is poised to prevent the suffering of millions of minks, foxes, and raccoon dogs.
The post 8 Million Animals Spared! Poland Set to Ban Fur Farming After PETA Push appeared first on PETA.
PETA veterinarian Dr. Ingrid Taylor writes that monkeys in the National Institutes of Health’s terror tests experience “unrelenting isolation, psychological torment, and physical pain.” Read her full remarks.
The post ‘No Justification’: PETA Veterinarian Condemns Monkey Fright Tests appeared first on PETA.
Wondering how to eat vegan on the go? We have you covered with this list of the latest and greatest vegan offerings at chain restaurants.
The post The Scoop on New Vegan Options at Chain Restaurants appeared first on PETA.


text:
Our View: Honor mom today, but recognize contributions of working moms, too
Mother’s Day is here, and while most of us will treat our mothers to flowers, cards and gifts and other indulgences, it’s important to remember that for many moms, it’s another day to punch the time clock. You won’t have to search very hard to find them – they’ll be working in hotels, restaurants and retail stores, helping others enjoy the holiday that’s meant for them, too.
Contrary to popular opinion, Mother’s Day isn’t exactly a Hallmark holiday. It was founded by an act of Congress 105 years ago, at the request of Anna Jarvis, who campaigned for the national holiday after seeing local observances in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
We’ve spent the last century celebrating moms, and for good reason.
Moms are the ones who wipe away the tears, who doctor the cuts and bruises, who annoyingly impart their wisdom through the growing years. Their wisdom is usually not appreciated until much later in life.
Times have changed since Jarvis’ campaign. Today, working moms are the rule rather than the exception. Women make up nearly half of the country’s workforce, and more than 70 percent of mothers with young children are employed.
And for those women, conditions still aren’t exactly fair. Women earned 85 percent of what men did in 2018, and have far less upward mobility, according to a recent WalletHub study. That same study ranked the best and worst states for working moms, and sadly, Arizona was at the bottom of the list, at number 42.
Of course, what to do about that is another topic, and it’s a hotly debated one. That’s not the point of this editorial. The point is, working moms continue to face challenges as they seek a work-life balance, acting as providers and homemakers in addition to being professionals in the workplace.
Perhaps there ought to be a special holiday just for working moms. They certainly deserve the recognition – not to mention a day to relax.
In any case, as you go about celebrating mom today, keep all mothers in mind.
– Today’s News-Herald


text:
Magna has slightly downgraded its 2023 U.S. advertising growth forecast to 3.4% for a total ad revenue market of $326 billion. The forecast unit, part of Interpublic Group, had previously estimated growth of 3.7% for this year.
The new estimate factors in cyclical events like the Olympics and elections. Excluding cyclical events, this year’s growth would be 5.2%.
And overall Magna’s chief forecaster Vincent Létang is optimistic about the full-year ad outlook particularly considering mixed economic signals. “In a similar economic climate ten or twenty years ago, the U.S. advertising market would almost certainly fall off a cliff,” said Létang. But this year the market is being supported by “media innovation fueling marketing demand,” such as big growth in the retail media and streaming services sectors.
Digital advertising channels are on track to grow 9% this year while linear advertising (more vulnerable in a shaky economy) will erode 4% this year, per the Magna analysis.
Search and product search will remain the largest ad formats for brands, growing by a combined 10% to $125 billion. National long-form video (linear and streaming) will be roughly flat this year versus 2022 as growth in OTT ad sales will offset declines in linear TV.
By category, Magna expects little to no growth across sectors including CPG, food/drinks and retail. The travel and movie categories will continue to recover after the pandemic.
But the biggest comeback among verticals is automotive, which was hit hard during the height of the pandemic. Car sales are expected to grow 10% this year leading to a 10% to 15% gain in advertising spending by dealers and brands.
“Brands and dealers can no longer assume consumers will be as loyal as they were pre-Covid,” Magna stated. The transition to electric vehicles will put pressure on all manufactures to increase ad/marketing efforts to both maintain share and grow.
Looking back at 2022, Magna reports that ad revenues grew by 6% (excluding cyclical spending). But spending slowed sharply in the second half of the year with flat results in the fourth quarter. That wasn’t totally unexpected, given the abnormally high post-covid growth spurt that occurred in 2021.


text:
tv President Biden on Made in America Plans CSPAN March 4, 2022 1:30pm-1:48pm EST
about stability, i don't think that is the case. i think he knows just what he was doing all along. he has never received any pushback. i think he is just going to keep going as far as he can until somebody steps up and says enough is enough. anybody that is willing to poison or imprison, pres. biden: thank you. earlier this week i said that there was something happening in
america, starting with the economic recovery we are seeing now. today we have learned that in february our economy created 678,000 new jobs. 678,000. over the course of my presidency, our economy has now created 7.4 million jobs. more jobs created in 13 months than any time in our history. we learned that the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in february, down from 6.4% the day i took office. which is the fastest decline in the unemployment rate in recorded history, because of all of you. before the american rescue plan past, the congressional budget office did not project the unemployment rate to hit 3.8% at any time over the entire decade. americans are back to work. yes, family budgets are still
tight, but many americans are getting paychecks this year more than they got last year. and restoring the dignity of work, so they can show up to work with some pride. job gains in february were broad-based across sectors from construction to retail, manufacturing to leisure and hospitality. the decline in the unemployment rate was broad-based as well. the fact that the unemployment rate among workers without high school degrees fell to 4.3%, the lowest on recorded history -- in recorded history, 4.3%. it is amazing. weekly earnings rose in february, the people in working-class sectors like transportation, warehousing, saw some of the strongest wage gains. this is what it looks like to grow in economy from the bottom up and middle out. because of the progress we have made in fighting covid,
americans cannot only get back to work but they can go to the office and safely fill our cities again, creating more commerce. 75% of americans are fully vaccinated and hospitalizations are down by 77%. most americans cannot remove masks and move forward safely. the news is a welcome reminder that we are coming back stronger as a country, and as a people. we have been through two of the hardest years this nation has ever faced, the pandemic has been punishing, as you know, and some of you may know it from a personal standpoint. maybe you lost some bun -- so much in this process. it has been punishing. but we are coming back. so many families are still struggling to make ends meet because of inflation. our top priority must be getting prices under control. our economy awarded back faster than most predicted, but the
pandemic meant that businesses had a hard time hiring enough workers to keep up with production in the factories. the pandemic also disrupted the global supply chains. when factories" it takes longer to make goods and get them to the workhouse, to the store and prices go up. take a look at cars. last year, there were not enough semiconductors to make all the automobiles people wanted to purchase. they had more money in their savings accounts. but they were not able to go out and spend it on leisure because of covid, so what happened? they decided to purchase products like everything from homes to automobiles, to hard products. the price of automobiles, for example, went way up with people seeking them and fewer being made. and we have a choice, the way to fight inflation is to drive down wages and make americans poorer
or fight inflation, lower costs and raise wages. the more semiconductors we make in america -- and by the way, they were invented in america, the semiconductors, when we went to the moon. when we focus on making sure that we make those again in the u.s., we make a heck of a lot more cars and we bring the prices down. investment in america in rebuilding the roads, bridges, and airports, we invest in innovation. that is exactly what we are doing. as a result, we are seeing more jobs and we are also seeing something else, the rebirth of pride that comes from stamping products made in america. and we are seeing the revitalization of american manufacturing.
that is what i want to talk about. today, companies are building new factories when just a few years ago they would have invested overseas. they are now investing in america. intel, the chairman of the board of intel was here, and he announced a $20 billion investment to build a semiconductor mega site outside of columbus, creating 10,000 new jobs. a portion of them were construction jobs, but the full-time jobs, the average salaries will be $135,000 a year. if congress passes a bipartisan innovation act, intel will increase their investment from $20 billion to $100 billion. as i said, we invented the semiconductor. but we have not been making them here for a long time. we had to wait, it cost more.
that is what i mean when i say we need to deal with supply chains. since i took office, companies have announced investments totaling $100 billion in the electric automobile industry, companies like gm, new electric vehicle production. tesla, our largest electric car manufacturer. to innovate and inspire younger companies like riviera -- b uilding electric trucks, building electric buses. last month, they were rear. -- a $700 million investment by 2025 that will have a fully domestic end to end supply chain further magnets they use and electric vehicle motors, wind turbines and defensive systems. they are investing that money here in the united states.
the young pacific railroad announced the largest purchase of american-made batteries in history. and they are built in western pennsylvania. the economy created 423,000 new manufacturing jobs in america, paying decent salaries, just since i entered office. there is also another reason this is happening. we are not waiting for others to manufacture the products we invented. we know what to do, we know how to manufacture things in america. and that progress continues. i just had a chance to visit, i had a tour of the facility in component and the other in grand prairie, texas. a chance to talk with the workers there, because the infrastructure provides $7.5 billion, $7.5 billion to build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations across america. it also provides $16.5 billion
to modernize our power grid, how we move electricity across america. companies like seamen are investing in the united states. and you just heard from barbara, they are announcing an investment to upgrade and expand those facilities in texas and in california, to develop high-tech electrical equipment used in electrical switchboards, electrical vehicles, chargers on the highways and data centers. this announcement will create 300 new good cutting edge manufacturing jobs. america is coming back, it really is. in addition to that, siemens will build a new facility for electric vehicles. the location will be announced later this year. i do not know where it is, so do not ask. many of my colleagues will be saying, joe, where will it go?
i do not know, it will be in america. look, when i got elected i said i wanted to rebuild america. this is what i was talking about. we want to see a lot more stories like this one. so when the taxpayers dollars to rebuild america, because that is what they are, we are going to buy american, buy american products to support american jobs. these are the best products in the world. the federal government spends about $600 billion a year in goods and services to fill its responsibility to the american people, the defense department, health care and beyond. in fact, the federal government is siemens largest customer. most people do not know that there has been a long time, for almost a century, to make sure that tax dollars support american jobs and american businesses. every administration says they will use that law, but when it
comes time to make purchases, whether that is the deck of an aircraft carrier or a ventilation system in a school, the response from the government often is we cannot find an american company so we need to issue a waiver and buy the product that was made overseas, not by american workers. so buy america became a hollow promise. bu my administrationt -- in my administration, it is a reality. we have created an office to oversee efforts. and you heard from celeste, who runs at the office. my first cabinet meeting i told everyone that if their agency wants to issue a waiver, to purchase something further agency and what they will be responsible for. they do not need to use -- guess what, they have to come to the white house office and to set up and explain to me why they have
to post a request, why they cannot by american. and they will have to do it publicly on our site, so that american businesses have a chance to raise their hand and say, no, i can do that. i could do that in my shop, in my town. today we are going even further, announcing the biggest change in 70 years. right now, if you are manufacturing a product that gets purchased by the federal government, the law says there must be all the product made in the united states, but because of loopholes over time -- when i took office, it meant 55% is made in america, substantially to all. to me, 55% is not substantial, it is slightly over half. today we are issuing the rule to raised the amount of domestic
content required to be considered made in america from 55% to 75%. substantially all is going to start meeting substantially all. today, we are also announcing a new framework for critical products where we know we need more resilient domestic supply chains. we saw during the pandemic th supplyt chain disruptions can put american lives at risk. when we needed it the most, when we were short on masks, gowns and gloves, ventilation and other essential health products, we had to buy them abroad. so we are creating a new price preference. what this means is if we are identifying a product that's so critical to our resilience, that we will create rules that will allow us to pay a little more for them if they are made in america. we are talking about things like semi conductors, some pharmaceutical agreements,
advanced batteries and other things. it is worth it for us to ensure that we have the domestic capacity to protect us from price spikes into shortages in the future. yes, we will keep trading with our allies and we will work with them to ensure that every country can create checkpoints for critical goods, you cannot have enough chokepoints. but we also need supply chains of our own so that we are never at the mercy of other countries for critical goods ever again. by the way, when i say buy america, i mean all of america. i want to increase federal spending on goods and services that go to small businesses, the backbone of our country. last year, implant increased at the number of contacts that go to small disadvantaged businesses by 50% by 2025. this means more contracts will go to black, brown, native american, women-owned businesses
in every state and territory, in every industry from services to manufacturing to agriculture. we have already seen success. businesses have won contracts to provide masks to the government, veteran owned small businesses are producing specialty trucks and trailers for the department of veterans affairs and to the army. we have seen other successes that will allow us to make synthetic rubber gloves in alabama, fibers that go into n95 masks, shipping containers in maryland and the list goes on. here is what it adds up to, today i am placing a bet on america. everyone here is going to make sure that it pays off, everybody on the stage. i will say today what we have seen in the past months is more reason why we need to reject a defeatist view the automation and globalization means we cannot have good paying union jobs in manufacturing in
america. our economic future, our solution to the climate crisis, they are all going to be made in america. what that means, to build a better america -- it does, we are going to build a better america. thank you all and i thank my colleagues for being here. to the folks in the front, welcome. and thank you to all those in california and texas. thank you. [background chatter] >> thank you. thank you, guys. [applause] [cheers] announcer: we will get an update from the pentagon on the administration's response to russia's invasion of ukraine. it is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. we will take you to the pentagon live as soon as john kirby begins his remarks.
announcer: c-span is your unfiltered view of government, funded by these television companies and more, including comcast. >> do you think that this is a community center? no, it is way more. >> comcast is partnering with community centers to create wi-fi enabled computer so students can get the tools they need to be ready for anything. announcer: comcast supports a public service along with other television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. host: we are joined by timothy fry, who is a professor of post-soviet foreign policy at columbia university. he is also the author of several books on russia and russian leadership. weak strongmen: the limits of power in putin's russia. you have been studying vladimir putin for some time. how would you


text:
Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
The PlayStation 5 just set a sales record even though you still can't buy one
- Sony PlayStation 5 sales have set a new record in the United States for units sold in the first five months.
- This news comes from respected third-party retail analyst NPD. It did not divulge specific sales numbers.
- Despite millions of consoles sold, there are still a lot of people out there who want to buy it but simply can’t find one.
The Sony PlayStation 5 is probably one of the hottest items on the market right now. At the end of 2020, the console was so difficult to get that an entire black market industry began in which scalpers could easily sell one for four times its list price.
With that in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear that PlayStation 5 sales just set a new record. According to this Twitter thread from a noted NPD analyst (h/t ArsTechnica), Sony moved more units of the PS5 in the United States during its first five months than any other console in history. This new record comes in tandem with a previous record, which saw the PS5 become the fastest-selling console in total dollar sales.
NPD doesn’t usually disclose hard numbers, and it doesn’t here. However, Nintendo claimed to sell 4.8 million units of its Switch console in its first 10 months in “the Americas.” As such, we can extrapolate that Sony has almost certainly sold millions of PS5s.
In other words, the PlayStation 5 is selling like gangbusters. Of course, that probably doesn’t mean much to the hundreds or maybe even thousands of people reading this who are ready to buy a PlayStation 5 but simply can’t find one.
Thanks to the ongoing global chip shortage — as well as an assumed artificial scarcity marketing plan on Sony’s part — buying a PlayStation 5 at its list price is still incredibly difficult.
It will be interesting to see the final tally of PlayStation 5 sales years from now, though. Could this end up topping the PlayStation 2 and become the best-selling console of all time?


text:
Electronics For Imaging, Inc. First Quarter Earnings Sneak Peek
Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (NASDAQ:EFII) will unveil its latest earnings on Thursday, April 19, 2012. Electronics For Imaging deals in color digital print controllers, super-wide format printers, and inks and print management solutions.
Electronics For Imaging, Inc. Earnings Preview Cheat Sheet
Wall St. Earnings Expectations: The average estimate of analysts is for profit of 19 cents per share, a decline of 20.8% from the company’s actual earnings in the year-ago quarter. During the past three months, the average estimate has moved down from 20 cents. Between one and three months ago, the average estimate moved down. It has been unchanged at 19 cents during the last month. For the year, analysts are projecting net income of 89 cents per share, a rise of 12.7% from last year.
Past Earnings Performance: The company topped forecasts last quarter after being in line with estimates the quarter prior. In the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year, it reported profit of 30 cents per share versus a mean estimate of 28 cents. Two quarters ago, it reported net income of 17 cents per share.
Investing Insights: What’s the Future of Microsoft’s Stock?
Wall St. Revenue Expectations: Analysts are projecting a rise of 10.6% in revenue from the year-earlier quarter to $154.8 million.
Analyst Ratings: Analysts are bullish on this stock, with four analysts rating it as a buy, none rating it as a sell and none rating it as a hold.
A Look Back: In the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year, profit rose 42.6% to $11.5 million (24 cents a share) from $8 million (17 cents a share) the year earlier, exceeding analyst expectations. Revenue rose 12.4% to $163.1 million from $145 million.
With double-digit revenue growth the past four quarters, this earnings release is a chance to keep that positive trend going. The company has averaged year-over-year revenue growth of 17.9% over the last four quarters.
Stock Price Performance: Between January 18, 2012 and April 13, 2012, the stock price rose $1.77 (11.2%), from $15.80 to $17.57. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between January 19, 2012 and February 3, 2012, when shares rose for 12 straight days, increasing 13.5% (+$2.11) over that span. It saw one of its worst periods between July 22, 2011 and August 2, 2011 when shares fell for eight straight days, dropping 7.7% (-$1.40) over that span.
(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)
Don’t Miss These Additional Hot Stories:


text:
Alexandria, VA – Recreational fishing has a significant economic impact on communities throughout the U.S. But what does that really mean?
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) teamed up with Southwick Associates to create the 2019 Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts, which updates the 2016 version. This also includes a new series of one-page infographics, which clearly illustrate recreational fishing’s economic impact on all 435 Congressional districts and the 50 states.
“For Members of Congress, identifying jobs and the economic impact in their districts is always a prime concern,” said ASA’s Government Affairs Vice President, Mike Leonard. “By identifying recreational fishing’s economic impact at the Congressional district level, we can clearly show Members of Congress that recreational fishing in their district or state is a tremendous economic driver and job creator.”
The report and infographics use macro data from the 2016 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, which is condensed into ASA’s Sportfishing in America report. The study used mapping and population software to hone in on smaller geographic areas in a way that is particularly relevant to members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
America’s 49 million anglers generate nearly $50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more 800,000 people.
Recreational fishing is the foundation of an industry that involves not just the manufacturing, sale or provision of tackle and other fishing gear, but also includes services such as boat builders, hotels, restaurants and much more.
Leonard concluded, “With so many new lawmakers in office, it’s critically important that we provide accurate, detailed information to new, and veteran, decision-makers on the tremendous value that recreational fishing provides to the nation.”
The report and Congressional district infographics are available on the ASA website under Facts & Figures.


text:
Anyone who's watched TV in the past 10 years has probably seen at least one commercial that features someone who appears to be absolutely ecstatic to be eating yogurt because, supposedly, the food's probiotics are giving her the best gut health of her life. But are probiotics really that good for you, or is it just hyped-up in advertisements like that? While there are definitely benefits to including probiotics in your diet in general, the results of a new study suggest you may be much better off eating naturally probiotic foods instead of reaching for pills or supplements of the stuff.
The study, published in the medical journal Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, looked at 30 adult patients between 20 and 81 years old, 22 of whom said they were taking probiotic supplements and, at the time, reported dealing with a few minor health problems, such as "confusion and difficulty concentrating," as well as issues with gas and bloating, according to a university press release on the research.
Ironically enough, while most people choose to take probiotic supplements to improve their digestive health, the study found that an oral probiotic could cause bloating, gas, and brain fogginess. More specifically, the researchers found that, in the patients who were taking probiotics, the supplement was causing an overgrowth of bacteria in their bodies that, in more moderate amounts, would typically be healthy for the digestive system, and wouldn't cause any brain fog. According to the study's press release, once these patients stopped taking the probiotic supplements and were treated with antibiotics, their negative health symptoms vanished.
"Probiotics should be treated as a drug, not as a food supplement," Dr. Satish S.C. Rao, a lead researcher on the study from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, said in a statement. He explained that some people may benefit from taking probiotic supplements, but typically, it's only those who have a weak stomach from conditions like gastroenteritis or the flu, or those who are experiencing diarrhea and other digestive issues after taking antibiotics, which can "wipe out" your body's natural gut bacteria, Rao said.
In other words, unless you already have a digestive health issue, and you and your doctor have discussed what the best options are for treating your symptoms, probiotic supplements likely aren't for you. Instead, your best bet is to opt for natural sources of probiotics, meaning you should look for the stuff in your food, rather than in oral supplements or pills. Rao said in the study's press release that "good food sources of probiotics include yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and dark chocolate, which are generally safe because of the small amounts of bacteria present."
But besides the mouth-puckering deliciousness of some of these sour foods, there are some good gut health options that can cater to your other taste buds, too. For instance, if you've hopped on the kombucha trend, you're in luck, because just like other fermented foods, the sweet fizzy drink is loaded with beneficial, probiotic bacteria, Wendy Bazilian, a registered dietitian and writer, told Health.
And if pickled veggies and fermented tea drinks aren't really your cup of tea, no worries. You don't have to go out of your way to fill your diet with stereotypical health foods for the sake of your stomach's well-being. In fact, your go-to ham and Swiss on sourdough could be just the thing to give you a healthy boost of natural probiotics. Not only is sourdough bread rich in good fermentation, but a study published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that the delicious "souring" process that helps to create the bread's signature bite also provides your digestive system with an abundance of good antioxidants.
Plus, turning your sourdough sandwich into a gooey grilled cheese will not only taste delicious, but it could also be great for your digestive system. According to Harvard Men's Health Watch, aged cheeses like Swiss, provolone, gouda, cheddar, and that good-good Gruyère all contain natural probiotics that will make your small intestine and your heart happy.
So the next time you consider buying those super expensive probiotic pills at the grocery store, just buy an armful of cheese instead.


text:
More reason to believe a larger iPad Pro is inevitable.
Because App Store and HomeKit.
Apple’s iPad-centric iOS 9 focuses on productivity. Is the iPad Pro far behind?
Smarter Siri, iPad multitasking, Apple Music, and more.
No more Passbook.
It just took way too long.
And this is just the beginning, with WWDC right around the corner.
Force Touch on iPhones and iPads could change the way we use apps.
Apple wants you to believe it will be earthshaking.
At WWDC, Apple dropped some important clues about where it thinks its future lies. And it’s not in your pocket.
Apple is the king of devices in a world that’s gone fully to the cloud. The contrast with Android couldn’t be clearer.
Swift is supposed to make it much easier to build iOS apps. That could blow up the entire app market by lowering the cost of entry.
Two—and Siri doesn’t count.
Giving customers features they want—even if they’re copied from Android—is a welcome development.
It’s relatively easy to download and install the beta version of Apple’s iOS 8.
No smartwatch? No problem.
It’s free, but Apple is only taking a million testers.
No iWatch, no Macs, no Apple TV, no new Maps. Even the iBeacon got no chance to shine.
The company has quietly pulled the plug on a device it was still actively pushing earlier this year.
With 4,000 new APIs, iOS 8 is the biggest launch for Apple developers in six years.


text:
The company hopes that switching from cardboard to paper wrapping will reduce packaging by 1,400 tons.
The new packaging, which is being introduced 26 January, will see its Fillet and Zinger burgers repackaged in paper wrappers, and the Colonel’s and Variety Meals move from cardboard boxes into paper bags. In February, it will be followed by the Mini Fillet Burgers moving from foil to paper wrappers.
The new packaging will be made from 100% renewable sources and will be 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
The initiative builds on last year’s move to stop offering eat-in meals in cardboard boxes. This aimed to save 554 tons of wasted packaging.
Martin Shuker, MD of KFC UK and Ireland, said: “The changes to KFC’s packaging demonstrate our commitment to more sustainable business practices. They will significantly reduce the waste we produce and we also hope that less packaging will mean less litter, an issue we take very seriously.”
The reduction in packaging waste is part of a wider strategy to KFC’s impact on the environment. It already recycles 7,702,667 litres of cooking oil each year, which is then converted in biodiesel fuel for KFC delivery trucks. It’s also working to reduce its carbon emissions.
[Source: Marketing Week]
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2019
World Beverage Innovation Awards – ENTER NOW!
The awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the global beverage industry.
Don’t miss out on having your innovations recognised on a global scale.


text:
A survey among 90,168 graduates by an online recruitment portal showed 40% of job-seekers are interested in working in China's emerging first-tier cities.
Among students who will graduate this year, 40.18% said they hoped to work in cities including Chengdu, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Wuhan, a rise of 2.68% over the report last year.
Second-tier cities also gained popularity as favorite among 25.94% of graduates, an increase of 4.74%.
The report said data in recent years showed first-tier cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen continued to lose their luster.
New job-seekers are more ready to ditch them as they become more interested in both new industries and incentives rolled out by emerging cities to attract talent.
In looking for a job, 41.7% of students said they value the possibility to fulfill their personal value most, while 26.97% prefer a job in line with personal interest and 23.19% take a job simply as a means to earn a living.


text:
Vanessa Seward looking for new investor to reach next level
Vanessa Seward needs to find new backing. Since the launch in 2014, the womenswear label founded by the eponymous designer, notably a former Creative Director of Azzaro, relied for support on the organisation of French label A.P.C. According to our sources however, the two are about to part ways.
A.P.C. is in fact set to disengage from the high-end ready-to-wear label, whose collections have been shaped by Vanessa Seward’s 1970s design mood in the last four years.
“To begin a second development phase, allowing [Vanessa Seward] to reach its growth objectives, notably through expansion on international markets, new investment will be needed on a scale which A.P.C. is currently unable to sustain without impacting its own development,” said the group, founded in 1987 by Jean Touitou, to FashionNetwork.com.
Indeed, according to A.P.C., which provided the initial backing for the label which now shows regularly in Paris, Vanessa Seward is currently looking at the second stage in its development. In 2017, the French label’s revenue was €5.5 million, generated via four directly owned stores (three in Paris and one in London, while the store opened in Los Angeles in 2016 has now closed down), as well as through 55 international retailers, among them Le Bon Marché, Le Printemps, and Beams in Tokyo. France and Japan are Vanessa Seward’s main markets.
Argentina-born Vanessa Seward is now looking for a new financial partner to be able to continue her journey separately from A.P.C. Their collaboration began in 2012, with a series of capsule collections jointly designed by Vanessa Seward and Jean Touitou’s label, which then supported the launch of the Vanessa Seward brand two years later.
According to our sources, the investment opportunity has been presented to several funds and private equity firms. For the time being however, both Vanessa Seward and A.P.C. have declined to comment on the progress being made in talking to potential investors.
A.P.C. is in the meantime busy growing its own business, focusing both on the accessories segment and on its international deployment: the label currently relies on more than 70 stores and 300 retailers worldwide, generating an estimated revenue of €60 million.
Copyright © 2023 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


text:
TNN | Posted on Wednesday, May 12,2021 17:20
Digital University of Kerala (DUK) has announced the launch of an online “Certified
DUK will conduct this course in collaboration with
The programme, launched under the banner DUK Prajna, is an online platform for easy and flexible learning of newer cutting-edge technologies that will provide blockchain basics and how the technology is applied over different business verticals, including government, banking, supply chains, real estate, environment and health.
The 14-day virtual classroom training programme aims to help individuals across the globe to demonstrate their expertise in entrepreneurship and realise their dream of setting up business opportunities in blockchain.
The first batch is to be launched on June 7 with a limit of 35 participants filled on a first come-first-serve basis.
Students, graduates, business professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs, who wish to establish their startups or expand their existing businesses in the blockchain sector can enroll for this course, which is to be conducted online by experts of EDII and the Kerala Blockchain Academy (
“Blockchain has the potential to act as a transformative technology. It can groom the talents with technology and skills to create long-lasting entrepreneurs in the blockchain space,” said Saji Gopinath, vice-chancellor, Digital University of Kerala, while addressing the official launch of the program at a virtual press conference.The programme will also analyse the concept of understanding entrepreneurship, defining startups, developing own tech startup ideas, building the right legal foundations, startup marketing, branding, and fund-raising.
ICAI is in receipt of complaints from students who are unable to submit their class XII board exam r
Student and teachers between the ages 10 and 30 years can join this movement to safeguard themselves
The exam is scheduled to be held from March 15, 2021
Time period for commencement of practical training for candidates has been extended from April 30 to June 30


text:
A computer system that should retail for around $35 (R283.20) has entered into the manufacturing stage, according to an announcement by the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
The system, which features a 700MHz ARM11 CPU and 256MB of RAM, is expected to go on sale “within the next few weeks”.
The Raspberry Pi foundation based in the UK has been working since 2009 with the aim of developing a low cost computer that children could use to assist learning.
The foundation is expected to offer two separate models with differing hardware configurations. The initial manufacturing run will focus on the “B” model, the higher end R283.20 model. The following manufacturing run will produce the “A” model which is set to retail for $25 (R202.28). The “A” model will ship with 128MB of RAM and lacks hardware features like an Ethernet controller.
The Pi can be plugged into a television via the on-board RCA and HDMI outputs, and input devices can plug in via a USB port.
Read the full story at: Ars Technica.


text:
ET's Kevin Frazier spoke with Pat Houston at the Tyler Perry Studios grand opening gala and dedication, where she also reacted to the news that Whitney Houston's longtime friend and rumored lover Robyn Crawford is releasing a tell-all memoir.
Andrew: Liberals will says its part time help. Here is the Nov jobs that were added. In November, health care added 45,000 jobs, following little employment change in October (+12,000). The November job gains occurred in ambulatory health care services (+34,000) and in hospitals (+10,000). Employment in professional and technical services increased by 31,000 in November. Manufacturing employment rose by 54,000 in November, following a decline of 43,000 in the prior month. Within manufacturing, employment in motor vehicles and parts was up by 41,000 in November, reflecting the return of workers who were on strike in October. In November, employment in leisure and hospitality continued to trend up (+45,000). Employment in transportation and warehousing continued on an upward trend in November (+16,000). Within the industry, job gains occurred in warehousing and storage (+8,000) and in couriers and messengers (+5,000). Financial activities employment also continued to trend up in November (+13,000), with a gain of 7,000 in credit intermediation and related activities. Mining lost jobs in November (-7,000), largely in support activities for mining (-6,000). Mining employment is down by 19,000 since a recent peak in May. In November, employment in retail trade was about unchanged (+2,000). Within the industry, employment rose in general merchandise stores (+22,000) and in motor vehicle and parts dealers (+8,000), while clothing and clothing accessories stores lost jobs (-18,000).


text:
Rapper Wiz Khalifa is coming to the Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
The "Black and Yellow" artist will bring special guests, including Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Lola Monroe, Tuki Carter and Berner.
Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and cost $42 and $32. Additional fees may apply. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, at the Sun Dome Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.


text:
Digital Media Wire
Promotion Code: DMW
Media NFTs Part 1
Trends to Watch in 2022: Monetizing Creative
January 25, 2022, 12 p.m. PST
Although 2021 wasn’t a banner year in most respects, the NFT market never got the memo. In fact, it went wild. Nonfungible.com recorded transactions reached almost $14B last year, while DappRadar reported to the Guardian that trading hit $22B, an astonishing leap from 2020’s $100M.
Beyond the entry of publishers and established digital artists, analysts largely attribute the frenzy to the participation of media and media related brands. According to DappRadar: “Hollywood, sports celebrities and big brands like Coca-Cola, Gucci, Nike, and Adidas, made their dent in the space, providing NFTs with a new level of exclusivity. The power of attraction of these famous names profoundly impacted NFTs and the blockchain industry overall.”
In this conversation we’ll examine creative’s impact and other trends in media NFTs for the year ahead.
Allison Dollar, Chair, LAVA Media
CEO, ITV Alliance
Shira Lazar, Founder/CEO, What’s Trending
Randi Zuckerberg, CEO, Zuckerberg Media
Daniel P. Harris, President, DPH Ventures International
SHIRA LAZAR is the Founder/CEO of the Emmy Nominated digital media brand, What’s Trending. In October 2018, she became the host of the afternoon drive show, "Lets Go There," weekdays on the first national LGBTQ+ station Channel Q syndicated and on Radio.com. She has also been named one of Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology, Huffington Post’s “Women in Tech to follow on Twitter”, honored on the Variety Women of Impact list and Cynopsis Top Women In Digital. In her spare time, she loves sharing her passion for curiosity, joyful living and mindfulness on her own social platforms @shiralazar.
RANDI ZUCKERBERG is an entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, award-winning producer and founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media. Passionate about the intersection of tech and media, Randi was an early employee at Facebook where she was the creator of Facebook Live. She currently hosts a weekly tech business show on SiriusXM called Randi Zuckerberg Means Business, and her TV show DOT (winner of Kidscreen's Best New Preschool Series) about a spunky little girl who uses tech to enhance her everyday adventures is currently available on Hulu, NBC/Universal Kids, and stations around the world. She is the bestselling author of Dot Complicated, and Dot., and a two-time Tony-winning producer of Hadestown (2019 Best New Musical) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (2019 Best Revival of a Musical). She starred in Rock of Ages on Broadway in 2014 and serves on the board of the American Theatre Wing.
DANIEL P. HARRIS is no stranger to disruptive trends in popular culture. Having established the video identity of EDM mega brands EDC and Ultra before serving as the agency and production company of record for the launch of VEVO, DPH is now at the forefront of a shared creator economy.


text:
PROVO -- Nu Skin Enterprises Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings rose 23 percent, helped by favorable foreign currency changes and strong growth in some overseas markets.
The company, which sells anti-aging skin-care products and nutritional supplements, also reaffirmed its full-year forecast on Wednesday and boosted its quarterly dividend by 8 percent.
President and CEO Truman Hunt said in a statement on Wednesday that strong growth rates were reported in Mainland China, South Korea and the South Asia/Pacific region.
Net income increased to $37.3 million, or 58 cents per share, for the period ended Dec. 31 compared with $30.3 million, or 47 cents per share, a year earlier.
This beat the 54 cents per share that analysts polled by FactSet expected.
Revenue climbed 6 percent to $401.2 million from $378.1 million, buoyed by strength in Greater China, North Asia and the South Asia/Pacific region. Analysts expected $398.2 million in revenue.
Revenue for Europe edged up 1 percent, while revenue for the Americas fell 22 percent.
For the year, earnings surged 52 percent to $136.1 million, or $2.11 per share, compared with $89.8 million, or $1.40 per share, in the previous year. Full-year revenue climbed 16 percent to $1.54 billion from $1.33 billion.
The company based in Provo, Utah recently announced that it is looking to double its earnings to $4 per share by 2015.
Nu Skin anticipates first-quarter net income of 50 cents to 53 cents per share on revenue of $380 million to $390 million. The company maintained its full-year guidance for earnings of $2.25 to $2.35 per share on revenue of $1.6 billion to $1.63 billion.
Analysts predict first-quarter earnings of 54 cents per share on revenue of $391.6 million. Wall Street expects full-year earnings of $2.36 per share on revenue of $1.64 billion.
Nu Skin raised its quarterly dividend 8 percent to 13.5 cents. The company said the increase will start in the first quarter. The dividend will be paid on March 16 to shareholders of record on Feb. 25.


text:
Ixia, a leading manufacturer of test equipment for networks, is looking for a buyer
Ixia, a leading manufacturer of test equipment for networks, has launched the procedure for a private sale. This is an exclusive publication said the source, citing anonymous sources familiar with the situation.
A buying opportunity has already attracted potential buyers, including private investment company, and the company Ixia turned to investment Bank for assistance in the sales process. Negotiations are confidential, so that even the names of the possible buyers the unknown. According to informants, the transaction can be concluded within a few weeks.
Ixia market capitalization is estimated at $ 1.3 billion. Last quarter the company had revenue of $ 123.9 million. In Ixia there are, for example, such industry giant like Cisco Systems.


text:
* Manufacturing falls 5.5 pct in June from May
* Index rises smaller-than-forecast 1.1 pct year-over-year
* Key rate seen held at 5.0 pct in August
* Domestic demand remains firm
By Moises Avila and Antonio De la Jara
SANTIAGO, July 30 (Reuters) - Manufacturing production fell
sharply in June from the previous month in Chile's
export-dependent economy but domestic demand remained firm,
reinforcing expectations the central bank will keep interest
rates steady in the near-term.
Manufacturing production, a newly created index
broadly comparable with the prior industrial output index, slid
5.5 percent in June from May and was up from a year earlier by
only 1.1 percent, the government said on Monday.
The year-on-year growth in manufacturing was only a third of
the 3.4 percent rate expected by nine analysts polled by
The readings in part looked lower because of a high base of
comparison set last year, when industries were recovering
strongly from the devastation of a February 2010 earthquake, the
INE national statistics agency said.
The manufacturing slump was felt more in sectors that rely
on exports to slowing economies in Europe and Asia than in
industries that enjoy stable domestic demand, experts said.
"Export related sectors, such as wood pulp and chemical
products impacted negatively on (manufacturing), but contagion
from the external crisis isn't that evident because other
products that are also exported, like salmon and wine, grew,"
said Alejandro Puente, chief economist at brokerage BBVA in
"With this scenario and with growth in retail sales and
domestic demand it's difficult to know where interest rates are
heading, but we believe the central bank should keep waiting for
more information and we expect rates to be held again in
August," he added.
Retail sales rose 8.9 percent in June from a year earlier,
the INE said, a marked departure from a slowdown seen since
Also underscoring firm domestic demand, Chile's budget
director said the government posted a first-half effective
fiscal surplus of 2.0 percent of gross domestic product thanks
to a higher tax take from companies outside the key mining
The central bank this month kept its key interest rate at
5.0 percent for a sixth consecutive month, as expected. Minutes
of the July 12 meeting, released on Monday, showed that holding
rates steady was a unanimous decision by policy makers.
"Holding the key interest rate was justified because its
current level is within a neutral range, while the economy's
output gaps are closed and inflation is around target, which
gives time and flexibility to wait and gather information about
the evolution of the external scenario and its impact on the
Chilean economy," the minutes said.
The rate remains within a neutral range,
according to the minutes.
The consumer price index unexpectedly turned negative in
June, its first monthly decline since August 2010, with CPI
posting a surprise 0.3 percent drop as housing,
water, electricity, fuel and transport costs retreated.
Inflation in the 12 months to June slowed to 2.7 percent,
retreating below the 3.0 percent midpoint of the central bank's
"We expect the central bank to remain on hold in the very
near term," Alberto Ramos, economist at Goldman Sachs, said in a
note to clients.
"Lingering concerns about the global macro-financial
backdrop, recent better-than-expected inflation prints ... and
well-aligned inflation expectations give the central bank extra
degrees of freedom to eventually consider easing despite still
trend-like domestic demand growth dynamics and a tight labor
market," Ramos added.
Chile, which provides about one-third of the world's copper,
produced 452,690 tonnes of the red metal in June,
up 5.6 percent from the same month a year earlier, the INE also
reported on Monday. But Copper output in the world's top
producer slipped 1.2 percent compared with May.
"Among the reasons that explain the (year-on-year) rise are
a greater copper recovery due to an increase in material to
process and a rise in the production of deposits that began
operations in 2011," the INE statistics agency said.
In the first half of the year, Chile produced 2.64 million
tonnes of copper, up 2.5 percent from the same period last year.
Anglo American's disputed Los Bronces mine is being
ramped up and is expected to produce a peak of 490,000 tonnes
annually, positioning itself as the world's No. 5 copper mine.
Antofagasta Minerals' Esperanza mine, a flagship
growth project that faced problems in its production build-up
last year, was inaugurated in early 2011.
Chile's production of molybdenum, a metal used to strengthen
steel, plummeted 30.4 percent to 2,471 tonnes in June from the
same month last year due to dwindling ore grades, the INE added.
Molybdenum output for the January to June period dropped
19.9 percent to 15,473 tonnes versus the same period a year ago.


text:
Amazon is quietly piloting a new tier for its Prime membership in India, providing customers with access to popular benefits such as free two-day delivery and ad-supported Prime Video in standard definition at a lower price.
The new tier, called Prime Lite, is currently available to select customers at a discounted annual price of $12 (999 Indian rupees). This is a cost-effective alternative to the regular Prime membership, which is priced at $18 (1499 Indian rupees) per year, or $2.20 (179 Indian rupees) per month. [H/T OnlyTech]
Amazon’s Prime membership has been available in India since 2016. It was priced at $12 a year for some time, though the company increased its pricing to $18 in December 2021. In the U.S., the Prime subscription is available at $139 per year or $14.99 per month.
The new offering comes just weeks after Amazon launched Prime Gaming in India. The gaming-focused service is complementary to Amazon Prime and Prime Video subscribers.
The company did not respond to a request for comment Saturday.


text:
Many local restaurants in South Florida are quickly losing customers amid panic over the coronavirus outbreak, prompting city leaders in Hallandale Beach to step up their support.
This week, officials from the City of Hallandale Beach said they would place orders from a handful of local restaurants to feed all remaining city employees, such as police officers and sanitation department workers.
City leaders told NBC 6 they would be using $400-$700 of their emergency funds a day on these restaurants:
- Monday: Ceviche Avenue, 101 Northeast 3rd Street, Hallandale Beach
- Tuesday: Dunns River Island Cafe, 908 West Hallandale Beach Blvd
- Wednesday: El Tayta, 1721 East Hallandale Beach Blvd
- Thursday: Dr Limon Ceviche Bar, 801 North Federal Highway
- Friday: Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine, 1727 East Hallandale Beach Blvd
The owners of Ceviche Avenue (Monday's menu) say they have done everything possible to sanitize the restaurant, taking every precaution to protect their guests and offer delivery services.
Despite this effort, business have taken a hit. “With the people not coming to the restaurant sales have dropped between 35-40% which is a big impact for a small business like us," said owner Aleyda Rivera.
That's why Hallandale Beach officials said their plan to pay for city employees to eat locally this week is a "win-win." They also said they hope other cities will be inspired to participate in the same way to help small businesses survive the outbreak.


text:
Creative buys stake in flood wall product
BALTIMORE — Financially troubled SWI Mitigation Services Inc. has stepped aside in the push to develop plastic flood walls, selling its interest to Baltimore rotational molder Creative Plastics Inc.
Creative Plastics is now the only company authorized to make and market the flood walls in the United States, said Tom Eckert, Creative's national sales manager.
Previously, both firms held licenses but were cooperating in product development. However, SWI Mitigation ran out of money and is currently the target of an investigation by Wyoming authorities into possible securities fraud.
Neither company would disclose how much Creative paid for SWI's license.
SWI will become a sales agent for Creative, Eckert said.
SWI President and Chief Executive Officer David Kreycik resigned and was replaced by Michael Johnson, SWI announced Aug. 1.
Meese introduces durable retail display
ASHTABULA, OHIO — Custom rotational molder Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. has designed and developed an oversized, one-piece, point-of-purchase display to withstand the abuse of the retail environment.
The stand, which was built for a building products manufacturer, features molded-in inserts and graphics and multilevel surfaces to display information. The setup offers an alternative to POP displays that hold loose brochures and specification sheets.
It is molded from linear low density polyethylene in forest green. The company claims the stand is scratch- and stain-resistant and retains its deep color without fading.
The product was designed at Meese Orbitron's Ashtabula facility.
``It attracts attention, drives purchasing, comes fully assembled and maintains its luster over time,'' said John J. Pape Jr., vice president of Meese Orbitron.
Meese Orbitron, which has four facilities, operates 17 rotational molding machines, both independent-arm and fixed-turret carousels. The firm specializes in seamless items, such as a one-piece cross-linked polyethylene fuel tank for use in boats and other waterborne vessels, and various storage tanks for industries that include lawn and garden and sporting goods, said company spokesman Paul Entin.
Meese Orbitron, which is headquartered in Saddle Brook, N.J., recorded 1996 rotomolding sales estimated at $20 million, placing it 13th on Plastics News' ranking of North American rotational molders.
The firm said it is in the process of expanding its plant in Madison, Ind. Although Entin would not provide details on that plant expansion, he said the company expects to add both machines and employees there.
Meese Orbitron also has a plant in Montebello, Calif.


text:
New National Executive President of CAIT
Nag Vidharbha Chamber of Commerce president BC Bhartia has taken over as the National Executive President of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
According to a CAIT release, Amrit Lal Bansal was appointed treasurer. Rajesh Bansal and Satender Jain would be the new joint secretary generals while Ramesh Ahuja would be the secretary.
The appointments are for a two year term.
A two-day national conference of trade leaders, attended by representatives from 26 states, also decided to observe August 9 as 'Traders' Day' every year, it stated.
The conference strongly criticised the FDI in retail trade and termed it a serious blow to domestic trade and an attempt by multinationals to capture the vast retail trade of India.
CAIT has formed a National Coordination Committee against FDI in retail with Federation of Association of Maharashtra president Mohan Gurnani as its convenor, the release added.


text:
Podsystem and Ingenu partner on M2M communications
M2M Zone – September 1, 2016 – PodsystemM2M and Ingenu have entered a strategic partnership for distribution of random phase multiple access (RPMA) technology for wireless M2M communications.
California-based Ingenu and UK firm Podsystem hope the partnership will let both companies expand their connectivity offering to the M2M and IoT market in the USA and beyond. Podsystem M2M will be the first distribution partner of Ingenu’s RPMA technology. Read more>>


text:
Calico, a new addition to Blagden Alley boasting a massive 3,000-square-foot patio that lovingly tips its hat to the eponymous cat breed, is set to debut this weekend with a high-end take on barbecue fare.
The team behind The Fainting Goat and Tiger Fork has created an outdoor paradise complete with communal tables and a large vintage greenhouse. The charming space, scheduled to open at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 8, is adorned with strings of lights, lanterns, creeping ivy, and grape vines.
Chef Nathan Beauchamp’s menu is shooting for “elevated cookout fare” in the form of shareable plates. Think: fried clams, steamed shrimp with beef jerky butter, and rost pork sandwiches (see full menu below).
With Ian Fletcher of Tiger Fork and J.D Quico of The Fainting Goat manning the bar, drink lovers should be in good hands. There’s draft and canned beers from local breweries, various wines by the glass, and huge cocktails designed for sharing.
StreetSense’s EditLab, the same partner that did some serious R&D work in Japan to make Tiger Fork super authentic, went for an exposed industrial look when designing this latest location.BACK TO LATEST


text:
TANZANIA – DL Group of Companies Limited, a Kenyan based firm has invested in a tea warehouse facility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ahead of the proposed regional tea trading and export projects through the Dar es Salaam Port.
According to a report by Daily News, Dr David Langat, the company’s executive chairman said that the special warehouse facility has already received certification as a member of the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA).
With the certification by EATTA, which also runs the Mombasa Tea Auction in Kenya, the new Rift Valley Tea Solution Ltd Dar es Salaam warehouse will allow Tanzania’s tea producers to auction their tea without necessarily through the Mombasa Auction.
According to Dr Langat, the facility will also contribute immensely to reduction of selling and distribution expenses by almost 50% as it will facilitate direct sales to the export markets through the Dar es Salaam port.
“Lack of an EATTA certified warehouse of this nature gravely undermined efforts toward regional tea cultivation, processing and selling,” Dr Langat explained.
He further noted that this was the first time EATTA has approved a warehouse outside Mombasa since 1948 due to stringent international quality requirements.
“The biggest constraint was lack of a warehouse that could meet the stringent international standards and requirements. Having a warehouse is a big step forward,” he stated.
With the warehouse facility in Tanzania, the DL Group has also unveiled plans of tapping into Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Burundi and Zambia’s tea for warehousing and export through Dar es Salaam.
“Our aim is to make Tanzania the first largest regional tea exporter because the possibility of increasing production and processing is there,” he said.
Dr Langat noted that tea production and processing was one of DL Group’s strategic business component, adding that the firm is committed in partnering other stakeholders to turn around the tea sector in the region.
The facility comes as a great boost to the country’s ambition of setting up local tea auction in the country in move to revitalize the tea sector in the country after the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX), a Tanzanian commodity exchange platform unveiled similar plans early this year.
Mr Godfrey Malekano, Chief Executive Officer at TMX, said that the insitution had already embarked on the process and “had deployed a team of experts to all tea producing areas to sort out some critical issues that may hamper smooth fast track of the tea auction in the country.”
Tea is among five leading cash crops in Tanzania with more than 30,000 smallholder farmers who collectively produce a third of the country’s output.
One Thought to “Kenya’s DL Group opens tea warehouse facility in Tanzania to boost regional trading”
thanks DL group companies


text:
U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, has been one of the main voices behind the push for agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. Last week, he said the votes could be delayed due to the current debt ceiling debate, in which an agreement was reached late Sunday evening. Congress is scheduled to break Aug. 6.
Camp has said free trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama is "a sure-fire way to create American jobs by growing U.S. exports of goods and services."
According to a report posted on the Lansing State Journal's website, the three trade agreements enjoy bipartisan support in Congress, but negotiations have stalled because House Democrats want to attach a provision renewing a program that helps workers who lose jobs because of trade pacts.
In 2009, Michigan earned $5.5 billion from exports of soybeans, beef, corn, pork, dairy products and processed food and fish.
Recent trade agreements between Canada and Colombia and between the European Union and South Korea are taking away market share from American farmers, especially those in Michigan. — Lansing State Journal
Similar results are expected across the country for the agriculture business.
According to a report from the North Texas News, the agreements could generate $2.5 billion in agricultural exports and 22,500 jobs in the U.S. economy.


text:
Politicians and campaign groups have criticised four branches of the supermarket chain Centra for offering cut price alcohol among products marketed as Children's Allowance day deals.
The promotion was referred to several authorities, including the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.
Centra said it takes the sale and promotion of alcohol very seriously and it has instructed the retailers involved to withdraw the promotion.
A flyer was circulated by stores in Fairview and East Wall in Dublin, one store in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow and another in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Two cheap alcoholic drinks were advertised alongside reduced price biscuits, pizza and ice cream.
Alcohol Action Ireland Director Fiona Ryan described the promotion as "totally irresponsible", especially when "one in 11 children in Ireland are living with a parent with problematic alcohol use".
In the Dáil, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described it as "exceptionally irresponsible".
Barnardos said the campaign sent out the wrong message about what child benefit is designed to do.
Chief Executive Fergus Finlay said: "This promotion is insulting to parents and families all over Ireland who are already struggling to provide for their children."
The campaign also drew criticism from Fianna Fáil's Senator Averil Power and Councillor Nick Killian.
Centra said: "The promotion is not part of a national marketing plan or promotional strategy
"Centra fully understands that the abuse of alcohol is a serious issue in Irish society and apologises for the promotion, which although isolated to four stores, is contrary to Centra's belief that retailers have a critical role to play in ensuring that alcohol is promoted and sold responsibly.
"The promotion undermines our genuine commitment to take our social responsibilities regarding alcohol extremely seriously."
In a statement, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton pointed out that Child Benefit is for the benefit of children.
She said that targeted promotions of cheap alcohol are inappropriate where they divert badly needed funds from children and families.


text:
Why gun sales are surging ahead of the 2020 presidential election: CNBC After Hours
CNBC.com's MacKenzie Sigalos brings you the day's top business news headlines. On today's show, CNBC's Josh Lipton breaks down the reasons why gun sales have been surging across the United States ahead of the presidential election between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. CNBC.com's After Hours team also sits down with Stefanie Miller of FiscalNote Markets and CNBC's Bob Pisani to discuss the different political scenarios facing Wall Street and Main Street.
Here's what else you missed today:
Apple falls as strong iPad and Mac sales fail to make up for iPhone decline
Apple reported fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday that slightly exceeded Wall Street expectations, but the company did not offer investors any guidance for the quarter ending in December. iPhone sales were down more than 20% year-over-year.
The lack of fiscal first-quarter 2021 guidance from Apple means that investors and analysts don't get a hint at how Apple is projecting the sales performance of the iPhone 12, which went on sale in October.
Apple stock dropped over 4% in extended trading.
Biden and Trump make their final appeals to crucial voters in Florida
WASHINGTON -- In dueling campaign rallies on Thursday, President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden did their best to energize and mobilize supporters to vote in key areas of must-win Florida.
Biden started the day with a socially distanced drive-rally in Coconut Creek, outside Ft. Lauderdale, and he was scheduled to hold a rally later in the day in Tampa.
Trump, meanwhile, began his trip to the Sunshine State in Tampa, with a packed rally for thousands of largely unmasked supporters that looked, for all intents and purposes, like a pre-coronavirus pandemic rally.
Netflix raises prices on standard and premium plans
Netflix on Thursday raised the prices of its standard and premium plans to $13.99 and $17.99 per month, respectively. Prior to Thursday, those plans were priced at $12.99 and $15.99, respectively.
Current Netflix customers will see the updated prices on their bill over the next two months, Netflix told CNBC. Customers will get a warning 30 days prior to the change.
The entry-level basic plan remains at $8.99 per month, the same price that was introduced last year. It's the first increase since Netflix boosted the cost of its service in January 2019. Prior to then, the basic, standard and premium plans were available for $8, $11 and $14, respectively.