FazzNoth

Banana Loca founders Renee Heath and Bechara Jaoudeh share what they learned while building and selling their hit kitchen device. By any measure, the idea that the founders of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania-based Banana Loca came up with in 2019 was a quirky one: a gadget that cores and then fills bananas with foods like Nutella or peanut butter. But Renee Heath, 38, and Bechara Jaoudeh, 39, believed in it enough to invest $280,000 of their personal funds to develop it. In the five months prior to the show, the two-employee company had about $135,000 in sales, driven by organic marketing and influencers posting about the product. But the founders' time and expense really paid off in December 2021, when they got an appearance on Shark Tank, where Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary together bought 25 percent equity in the company for $250,000, including a $3 per unit royalty until Heath and Jaoudeh paid the $250,000 back. After the show aired, Heath and Jaoudeh spent a week living in their warehouse in Camden, New Jersey, while fulfilling more than 11,000 orders for the $28.99 device. And that was just one obstacle along the way to having a successful product. Here are some of the biggest challenges--and lessons learned--from the Banana Loca founders. Get help from nontraditional sources When they were first engineering their gadget, Heath and Jaoudeh focused on making it accessible to everyone from children to the elderly. "There was nothing we tried that could take Nutella and shove it down a long, thin cavity," says Heath. "We needed something that was easy to use, so we had to create it." For assistance, they looked outside of the food industry to DesignThink--a Phoenixville, Pennsylvania-based industrial design company with experience in cardiology valves and stents, as well as expertise in syringe techniques and fluid dynamics that would be useful for developing the injector device. In the experimentation phase, Heath and Jaoudeh also bought metal straws, cupcake frosters, pineapple corers, and a Play-Doh press to spur inspiration. Keep teaching yourself Prior to Banana Loca, Jaoudeh and Heath did not have any experience in bringing a physical product to market. Jaoudeh, who is also co-founder and CEO of digital marketing agency Philly Marketing Labs, had sold a jarred seasoning through Whole Foods years earlier, but creating a durable plastic product came with a unique set of challenges. Finding a manufacturer proved especially difficult--the founders looked into Chinese companies but the distance and language were barriers. When one candidate turned out to be only a reseller, they turned to their networks for a trusted connection. Eventually one of Jaoudeh's contacts introduced them to a manufacturer representative in China. Even after finding the right fit, it wasn't smooth sailing: They faced tariff hikes and the first product shipment was on one of the boats that got stuck in the Suez Canal in March 2021. Throughout the process, Heath and Jaoudeh had to continually teach themselves the ins and outs of supply chain issues. "We weren't playing with investor money," Jaoudeh says. "We were taking money away from our savings and families to fund this. It was really important we didn't make any mistakes." Be prepared for negative reactions Following Banana Loca's Shark Tank episode, videos on TikTok went viral of users testing and commenting about the product. Many failed to use the gadget properly, according to Heath and Jaoudeh, which initiated negative reviews. It was difficult for the founders to respond to every video, leaving them in need of a way to give new and potential customers a reliable how-to guide. As a working solution in the second production run, they implemented a multimedia approach on the Banana Loca packaging. When users open the gadget's box, they immediately see a banana graphic holding a stop sign directing them to a QR code to connect to the company's website. Jaoudeh says the move has improved customer satisfaction, and he and Heath now are working on further building out the site's how-to section and product education strategy. https://www.inc.com/hannah-hall/shark-tank-banana-loca-development.html

In 2015, Vitaly Gordon, then VP of data science at Salesforce, set out with a team to build what became known internally as Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime, a building block of the company’s Einstein AI platform, is a framework that automatically creates personalized AI models and predictions for each Salesforce customer. It’s now helping to make tens of billions of predictions about sales, services and marketing each day. Gordon left Salesforce in 2019 to apply the learnings from the Optimus Prime project to another platform: Faros AI. Faros, like Optimus Prime, synthesizes engineering data from multiple sources to deliver actionable insights to companies. Launched several years ago, Faros’ customers include Box, Coursera, and GoFundMe. And — in a show of investor confidence — the company today announced that it has raised $16 million in funding from SignalFire, Salesforce Ventures, Global Founders Capital and individual investors. Engineering ops Faros focuses on what Gordon calls “engineering ops.” According to him, engineering ops, or “EngOps,” looks at how developers work and seeks to improve processes by removing bottlenecks and eliminating barriers between teams. The goal is to relate software engineering to the broader organization, tying software development to business outcomes by including stakeholders, improving visibility, and creating opportunities to collaborate. Surveys show that, contrary to po[CENSORED]r belief, developers spend a minority of their time writing code. In a 2019 report, ActiveState found that design and architecture, meetings, testing and bug hunting took up the bulk of developers workdays, with 61.5% saying that they spend four hours or less a day programming. “The very same engineering teams that drive innovation and bring cutting-edge products to market still rely on antiquated methods like spreadsheets and scripts to manage their day-to-day operations,” Gordon told VentureBeat via email. “When we were building the Einstein machine learning platform at Salesforce, we used data and AI to help our customers improve their business processes, and yet, ironically, leveraging data for our own engineering operations was too complex. Seemingly simple questions about productivity, security, compliance, or cost required non-trivial effort cobbling data from various sources, digging through logs, writing ad hoc scripts, and more. Relevant data would take weeks to compile, and by the time analyses were complete, the data would be stale.” Faros, which is API-based and has connectors for platforms like GitHub, GitLab and BitBucket, collects and presents data from “the whole value stream of software engineering,” Gordon says — with proper team attribution. Using it, software engineers can view metrics, insights, and industry benchmarks as well as send and inspect data and build reports. Among other data points, Faros — which runs locally or in the cloud — can measure and spotlight deployment frequency, mean time to resolve incidents, onboarding and tenure, investment areas, and security and compliance. As Faros explains on its website: “Our advanced machine learning will correlate, organize and enrich all your data sources. [Companies] can filter by date, drill down on teams and start identifying areas of improvements in [their] value stream [to analyze their] data in … preconfigured dashboards.” Expanding category Despite the abundance of tools aimed at streamlining software engineering, developers report encountering roadblocks throughout the software development lifecycle. In a recent survey published by Mabl, a provider of test automation software, developers pegged slow processes, the speed of adaptation, restrictive budgets, and funding as their top blockers. Interestingly, only a minority (18%) said that technology limitations were an issue, suggesting that the problems are largely organizational in nature. That’s all to say that platforms like Faros aren’t necessarily a silver bullet. In its 2020 report, Atlassian found that, in DevOps — which is closely related to EngOps — it can be difficult to measure the impact of progress and success. That’s partially because at nearly the majority of companies responding to Atlassian’s report, priorities and projects change on a weekly — or even daily — basis. But it’s Gordon’s assertion that 20-employee Faros and other EngOps platforms can usher in the cultural changes needed to make a positive impact. To kickstart these changes, Faros today launched Faros CE, a free, open source community edition of its software with an automation layer for engineering operational data including source control, task management, incident management and continuous integration/continuous deployment data. “Faros … provides unprecedented visibility and insight into productivity, program management, employee onboarding, compliance, cost optimization, and more,” Gordon continued. “Large enterprises are messy. With the extreme fragmentation of the modern tech stack and acceleration of remote teams, visibility into engineering operations is typically really poor. With Faros, the head of engineering can have visibility into the velocity and quality of software delivery, understand progress towards organizational goals, determine bottlenecks in processes, and evaluate the organization’s performance against known industry benchmarks.” https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/02/faros-ai-raises-16m-to-launch-an-engops-platform-for-software-development/

The company is widely expected to unveil the latest iPhone SE, new iPads and Macs. It's official: Apple just sent out invitations for its first event in 2022 and it will happen on March 8th at 10am PT. The invite, which usually offers subtle hints as to what we can expect, features the words "Peek performance." That's right — "peek" not "peak." The company is expected to launch the next-gen iPhone SE and iPad Air, along with new Macs. According to a Bloomberg report, an M2 chip may also be coming as part of the transition to Apple Silicon. Considering the last iPhone SE was launched in 2020, it does seem like an updated model is overdue. Apple's compact, sub-$400 handset is one of the last remaining to still have a home button on the front below the display. It also has a single rear camera, and generally feels like a throwback to phones from five years ago. This year's model may bring Face ID and 5G support, with a design that could be similar to 2018's iPhone XR. Apple launched updated MacBook Pros in October, powered by its then-new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. But it appears the company is already ready to bring M2-devices to us, with filings for several Macs having popped up in the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) database. Whatever Apple is announcing, we will be covering the news and will also have a livestream following the company's keynote to discuss what was unveiled. Be sure to join us on the Engadget YouTube channel then to get your burning questions answered. https://www.engadget.com/apple-event-march-8th-invite-iphone-se-3-macbook-mac-ipad-air-170825199.html

As my colleague said We can see that you respect the requirements to join our project I'l give u pro but don't forget to improvise your activity

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency and current LISEP Chair Gene Ludwig and NACA CEO Bruce Marks today announced a groundbreaking lending program for minority-owned businesses. Economic Justice Loans will be a model for financial institutions, financial regulators, and the government to address economic inequality created by a long-term inability to access capital with favorable terms. This program will offer fixed, low-interest loans to people lacking wealth and high credit scores, and who have been subject to systematic racism. Economic Justice Loans will provide some of the best terms for small business loans available anywhere. Borrowers will receive the extraordinarily low 3% fixed interest rate, no fees or closing costs and other favorable terms tailored to fit the individual borrower's needs. Peer lending committees from within the community will meet with each borrower to review the loan application feasibility without consideration of their credit score. Borrowers will need to demonstrate how their loans will positively affect their communities or address economic and social inequality. The loans are available to borrowers nationwide and funds will be given to borrowers quickly, without the lengthy paperwork, prohibitive credit and collateral requirements, fees and other roadblocks that traditional loan programs require. Borrowers can apply for the loans here: www.economicjusticeloans.com. "Low- and middle-income Americans, and minority groups in particular, have long struggled to access capital at anything short of usurious terms with burdensome interest rates and outrageous fees," said Ludwig, Chair of the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP). "LISEP is partnering with NACA on this innovative loan program to demonstrate that capital for people who aren't wealthy doesn't have to send them further down the economic ladder. Our goal is the opposite. These loans will help people build businesses and improve neighborhoods without saddling them with piles of unaffordable debt." Minority-owned businesses and startup entrepreneurs have faced multiple barriers to capital due to a history of discrimination in lending, including structural discrimination that has blocked the ability to build generational wealth. "This lending model provides the foundation for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional lending," said Bruce Marks, CEO and founder of NACA, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. "We have learned that if you build it they will come. NACA's Best in America Mortgage, targeting underserved communities, started with a few million dollars in commitment and now has over $20 billion. We expect the same outcome with extraordinary terms and community-based decision process built into the Economic Justice Loans program." Background Economic Justice Loans provide businesses in low- and moderate-income communities a new source of financial relief. The program seeks to overcome barriers to capital by making funds quickly available and affordable to start, grow, or expand small, minority-owned businesses or to make improvements to neighborhoods. These barriers have been plentiful. The 2021 Small Business Credit survey, published by the U.S. Federal Reserve, uncovered that in 2019 and 2020 businesses owned by people of color were less likely to be approved for financing. Just 13% of Black-owned firms that applied for financing were approved, versus 40% of White-owned firms. Even among firms with good credit scores, Black-owned firms were still half as likely to receive financing as White-owned firms. This reality emerges from centuries of blatant discrimination, including the atrocity of redlining in the 20th century, that has hurt the Black community's ability to build wealth. And for those who have had no other financing options except payday loans, in 2020 borrowers faced a nearly 400% interest rate for a two-week loan, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. About LISEP LISEP was created in 2019 by Gene Ludwig and his wife, Dr. Carol Ludwig. The mission of LISEP is to improve the economic well-being of middle- and lower-income Americans through research and education, and seeks to advance the dialogue around policy solutions to improve the well-being of all Americans. Ludwig, who founded the Promontory family of companies, served as U.S. Comptroller of the Currency from 1993 to 1998. He is also author of the book The Vanishing American Dream, which investigates the economic challenges facing low- and middle-income Americans. It was released in September 2020 by Disruption Books. On Twitter: @geneludwig. NACA (NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA) Started in 1988, NACA is the largest HUD-approved nonprofit, community advocacy and homeownership organization in the United States. NACA has been at the forefront in fighting predatory lending and has been the most effective organization in providing affordable solutions to over 250,000 homeowners. NACA provides the best mortgage in the country through its 48 offices nationwide. NACA's founder and CEO Bruce Marks was named Bostonian of the Year for 2007 because of his work in getting the major lenders and servicers to modify home loans. He has also testified before Congress on numerous occasions, including Sept. 12, 2000, being one of the few to sound the alarm of the pending mortgage crisis. For more information, please visit www.naca.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-economic-justice-loans-set-new-standard-for-minority-business-lending-301494384.html https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/new-economic-justice-loans-set-new-standard-for-minority-business-lending-1031248928

Automotive investors woke up to a growing oil shock Tuesday. But that’s only one of the issues causing auto-stock stress these days. Meanwhile, shares of electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla are holding up better. The Tesla (ticker: TSLA) stock price performance is small comfort to most automotive investors. Tesla is a growth stock. Most auto investors are part of the value tribe of the investing world. Valuation explains the growth/value schism. Tesla stock trade for roughly 80 times estimated 2022 earnings. General Motors (GM) shares trade for roughly 6 times earnings. Tesla shares are down 0.8% in midday trading Tuesday. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average are down 1.7% and 2.1%, respectively. Stocks in the Russell 3000 Automobiles & Parts Index are off more than 3% on average. The average obscures some of the more significant declines. GM and Ford Motor (F) shares are down 5.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Shares of large auto suppliers Magna International (MGA) and Aptiv (APTV) are down 7.3% and 8.2%, respectively. For the traditional auto companies and suppliers, there isn’t much company-specific news to pin those declines on. Investors need to look at the state of the broader market. Benchmark crude oil prices are up almost 10% in midday trading Tuesday. That pushes up the price of gasoline and adds to inflationary concerns. Oil is rising after global governments excluded Russia from some banking payments systems, limiting Russia’s ability to do business. The move also, effectively, takes Russian oil off world markets.ù Oil isn’t the only problem cropping up. There are more supply-chain issues to deal with. Toyota Motor (TM) suspended production at 14 Japanese automotive plants on Tuesday due to a system failure at a supplier. News reports pinned the failure on a Russian cyberattack. Toyota said production is set to resume on March 2. Cyberattacks would be a new supply issue for the industry to deal with. Parts issues aren’t. Global auto production has been constrained for more than a year by a lack of semiconductors. But new parts shortages have recently taken production at a couple of Volkswagen (VOW3.Germany) plants offline for three to four days. The parts needed to run the plants used to come from Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia. “Group Purchasing is engaged in an intensive exchange with the relevant suppliers and is reviewing alternatives,” said a company spokesman in an emailed statement. Investor pain isn’t confined to traditional auto stocks. Shares of some electric vehicle stocks are weak as well. It’s easier to figure out what investors are worried about in the EV space, however. Rivian Automotive (RIVN) shares are down almost 10% in midday trading. Shares are weak after Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan cut his price target on the stock to $70 from $110 a share. He maintained his Hold rating in a Tuesday report. Shares of Chinese EV makers NIO (NIO), XPeng (XPEV) and Li Auto (LI) are down 3.4%, 7.1% and 0.6%, respectively after the trio reported February deliveries that were down sequentially compared with January. February is seasonally weak month, with the Lunar New Year, but investors appear a little worried about Chinese EV demand. Purchase incentives for EV purchase in China were cut to start 2022. Investors are still working out how falling incentives will impact demand. It’s a lot of worrying news to digest. One bit of good news comes from Tesla. Its new German plant is likely to get its permits to begin vehicle production in a couple of days. That’s one reason shares rose 7.5% Monday and are outperforming in Tuesday trading. https://www.barrons.com/articles/auto-stocks-down-on-oil-supply-chain-china-demand-51646167290

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention modified its guidance on covering one's face a few months ago, advising vaccinated people in areas of significant or high transmission risk to return to wearing facemasks in enclosed public places. However, even with federal guidance, the recommendations recognize that state and local governments have the final say when it comes to facemask mandates, and those mandates differ across the country. Many governors have changed their previous stance on facemasks as COVID-19 cases, increasing facemask use regardless of state mandate. According to Vanderbilt University's Department, the COVID-19 death tolls were twice as high in Tennessee counties without mask mandates as compared to counties with directives in place. Gov. Bill Lee has not initiated a mask mandate in the state, deferring to local leaders. Some states require face covering in all indoor spaces, while others provide detailed instructions on where masks should be worn. According to CDC and other state guidance, In all states with decrees, children under 2 years of age should not wear a facemask, but other age restrictions vary. Which states have made it mandatory to wear masks indoors? Three states have mandated the wearing of face masks indoors. Hawaii, Oregon and Washington require most people to wear face coverings in enclosed public places, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Puerto Rico has a similar order in place. Most states and local governments that extended or reimposed facemask orders during last summer's delta variant surge and the emergence of the omicron variant in late 2021 have relaxed or eliminated those rules as the omicron surge subsides. Compartir en Whatsapp Enviar por email US News. Russia Ukraine news LIVE: Ukraine-Russia peace talks to resume today US News. Most Wanted List: Who are the most wanted criminals in the World? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention modified its guidance on covering one's face a few months ago, advising vaccinated people in areas of significant or high transmission risk to return to wearing facemasks in enclosed public places. However, even with federal guidance, the recommendations recognize that state and local governments have the final say when it comes to facemask mandates, and those mandates differ across the country. Many governors have changed their previous stance on facemasks as COVID-19 cases, increasing facemask use regardless of state mandate. According to Vanderbilt University's Department, the COVID-19 death tolls were twice as high in Tennessee counties without mask mandates as compared to counties with directives in place. Gov. Bill Lee has not initiated a mask mandate in the state, deferring to local leaders. Some states require face covering in all indoor spaces, while others provide detailed instructions on where masks should be worn. According to CDC and other state guidance, In all states with decrees, children under 2 years of age should not wear a facemask, but other age restrictions vary. Which states have made it mandatory to wear masks indoors? Three states have mandated the wearing of face masks indoors. Hawaii, Oregon and Washington require most people to wear face coverings in enclosed public places, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Puerto Rico has a similar order in place. Most states and local governments that extended or reimposed facemask orders during last summer's delta variant surge and the emergence of the omicron variant in late 2021 have relaxed or eliminated those rules as the omicron surge subsides. The federal government continues to require face covering on public transportation and in indoor areas of transit hubs, such as airports and bus and train stations, at least through March 18. To date, 36 states that at some point in the pandemic had orders broadly requiring residents to wear face masks in public have lifted them. Eleven states have not imposed mandates at any time, and some, such as Florida, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee and Texas, have taken legislative or executive action to prevent local governments and school districts from doing so. The U.S. states and territories with mask mandates for most people, regardless of vaccination status: District of Columbia Guam Hawaii Illinois Oregon Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands Washington The U.S. states and territories with mask mandates for the unvaccinated: California Connecticut https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/03/02/621f8caa22601d65488b459f.html

For years, viewers of Fox News’s evening programming have heard sympathetic analyses of Russian President Vladimir Putin. From reiteration of former president Donald Trump’s insistences that Russia didn’t try to interfere in the 2016 election to amplification of Trump’s anti-Ukraine rhetoric as he faced impeachment in 2019, Fox News has been an important part of Trump’s efforts to recast Putin as something between a neutral actor and an ally to America’s political right. During that impeachment, for example, viewers of Fox News’s prime-time programming saw Tucker Carlson declare that he was “rooting for Russia” in its conflict with Ukraine. In the weeks leading up to Russia’s invasion, Carlson made obvious that this was still his position. He rationalized Russia’s purported concerns and insisted that Putin was being unfairly demonized in the West. Over and over, he amplified Putin’s argument that Ukraine posed a threat to Russia, specifically the rationale Putin later offered for the invasion. Carlson has of late been a staple on Russian state television. What Fox News hasn’t talked about a lot is Trump’s own enthusiasm for Putin. When he declared last week that Putin’s ploy for invading Ukraine was “genius,” a mark of the Russian’s “savvy,” Fox News barely covered it. Other outlets challenged Republicans to respond to Trump’s comments (comments he continued to echo even as recently as this weekend), but they generally declined to do so. Instead, the network (including Carlson) has aired interviews that however indirectly echo Trump’s point. It got so bad that even the network’s own Jennifer Griffin sharply criticized guests that had been interviewed. One, retired Army Col. Douglas Macgregor, she called an “apologist” for Russia. Fox News interviews of Macgregor, including the one disparaged by Griffin, aired on Russian state television; days after Griffin ripped apart his commentary, Carlson hosted Macgregor for an interview. On Wednesday morning, though, the network hosted another voice offering a condemnation of Putin that would be unlikely to air during Carlson’s show: that of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). McConnell is one of the Republicans who has chosen not to directly criticize Trump’s praise for Putin. During a news conference Tuesday, he was asked if it was a mistake for Trump to make those comments. “What President Putin is is a ruthless thug who’s just invaded another sovereign country and killed thousands of innocent people,” McConnell replied. “That’s what President Putin is.” During his Fox News interview the following day, however, he went slightly further. “There should be no confusion about Vladimir Putin,” McConnell said. “Now, there’s been some confusion lately. He’s a thug. He’s a killer. He has been on the rampage and this will not end well for him.” Asked if he thought Putin had changed, McConnell replied that “he’s been this all along.” McConnell was being interviewed on Fox’s morning news programming, a broadcast that gets about half as many viewers as Carlson’s prime-time show. It’s not clear how much overlap there is between the two or whether viewers will understand that McConnell was at least implicitly rebuking both Trump and Carlson. It was about as gentle a rebuke as you can offer — some people somewhere muddied the water — but it was nonetheless a rebuke. Most viewers likely didn’t need to be told that Putin is not a positive character on the world stage. Recent polling has shown that most Americans — 9 in 10 of those with an opinion — view Putin unfavorably. That includes a bit over 8 in 10 Republicans with an opinion according to Yahoo News-YouGov polling. But some Republicans may need more convincing. A third told YouGov that they thought Putin was doing a better job leading his country than is Biden; while Democrats were 78 points more likely to say the invasion of Ukraine was unjustified than justified, the gap among Republicans was only 64 points. The odds that those Republicans would be more convinced by McConnell’s critiques than Carlson’s rationalizations or Trump’s defensiveness are low. The Senate Minority Leader has been a regular foil of Trump’s, particularly in the wake of the 2020 election. But he did, at least, offer one more voice of skepticism about Putin’s motivations on a network where many louder voices have been presenting a far different perspective. On Wednesday morning, though, the network hosted another voice offering a condemnation of Putin that would be unlikely to air during Carlson’s show: that of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). McConnell is one of the Republicans who has chosen not to directly criticize Trump’s praise for Putin. During a news conference Tuesday, he was asked if it was a mistake for Trump to make those comments. “What President Putin is is a ruthless thug who’s just invaded another sovereign country and killed thousands of innocent people,” McConnell replied. “That’s what President Putin is.” During his Fox News interview the following day, however, he went slightly further. “There should be no confusion about Vladimir Putin,” McConnell said. “Now, there’s been some confusion lately. He’s a thug. He’s a killer. He has been on the rampage and this will not end well for him.” Asked if he thought Putin had changed, McConnell replied that “he’s been this all along.” McConnell was being interviewed on Fox’s morning news programming, a broadcast that gets about half as many viewers as Carlson’s prime-time show. It’s not clear how much overlap there is between the two or whether viewers will understand that McConnell was at least implicitly rebuking both Trump and Carlson. It was about as gentle a rebuke as you can offer — some people somewhere muddied the water — but it was nonetheless a rebuke. Most viewers likely didn’t need to be told that Putin is not a positive character on the world stage. Recent polling has shown that most Americans — 9 in 10 of those with an opinion — view Putin unfavorably. That includes a bit over 8 in 10 Republicans with an opinion according to Yahoo News-YouGov polling. But some Republicans may need more convincing. A third told YouGov that they thought Putin was doing a better job leading his country than is Biden; while Democrats were 78 points more likely to say the invasion of Ukraine was unjustified than justified, the gap among Republicans was only 64 points. The odds that those Republicans would be more convinced by McConnell’s critiques than Carlson’s rationalizations or Trump’s defensiveness are low. The Senate Minority Leader has been a regular foil of Trump’s, particularly in the wake of the 2020 election. But he did, at least, offer one more voice of skepticism about Putin’s motivations on a network where many louder voices have been presenting a far different perspective. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mitch-mcconnell-tells-fox-news-viewers-that-putin-isn-e2-80-99t-that-great-after-all/ar-AAUwjUT?ocid=BingNewsSearch

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If you’re one of the millions of PC Game Pass subscribers, or if you just like using the Xbox app on Windows, there’s a welcome new feature in the official Xbox app: now you can install games wherever you want on your PC, and you’re free to browse your games’ files, too. In the past, the Xbox app on Windows has restricted users to installing games to a WindowsApps or XboxGames folder, which was originally inaccessible without changing permissions on your operating system. While that offered an additional layer of security, it made modding games difficult – if not impossible – and it frequently made managing multiple games a pain. The latest version of the Xbox app lets you pick where you want to install your games. You can create a folder on any of your storage devices, and browse through game files once they’re installed, just like you can on Steam. One of the major benefits of this is that you’ll now be able to easily backup and restore any game files you might want, such as saves. According to The Verge, the update should be arriving on all Windows 10/11 PCs today, so keep an eye out for it on the Microsoft Store app. Get involved in the conversation by heading over to our Facebook and Instagram pages. To stay up to date with the latest PC gaming guides, news, and reviews, follow PCGamesN on Twitter and Steam News Hub, or download our free app for Overwolf. https://www.pcgamesn.com/microsoft/xbox-app-install-options

Independently tested alara™ technology reduces cellphone radiation by up to 75% for iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models NORTH SALT LAKE, Utah, March 01, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iPhone users who love their case but worry about cellphone radiation no longer must choose between the two. Gadget Guard announced today it has created a new, slim radiation reduction tool that slips between your iPhone and existing phone case that eliminates up to 75% of cellphone radiation exposure. The inserts with alara technology™ can be installed in any cellphone case and reduce cellphone radiation exposure while still maintaining the phone’s signal quality. The inserts are compatible with the iPhone XR, 11, SE (2020), 12/12 Pro and iPhone 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. "Gadget Guard is here to protect what matters most—you," said Jason Ellis, CEO of Gadget Guard. "The alara insert is superior and safer than anything on the market. You won’t even know it’s there, but you will know you’re being protected." The inserts have micro-thin antennas that automatically pair with iPhones to dramatically reduce user exposure to cellphone radiation. U.S.-patented alara technology is unique in that it reduces radiation exposure by redirecting radiation away from the user while maintaining the signal, unlike other radiation accessories that by blocking radiation only cause your phone to work harder and ultimately produce more radiation. Gadget Guard has tested alara technology at an independent certified cell phone test lab. The tests confirmed that alara reduced cellphone radiation exposure by as much as 75%. See the iPhone 11 Pro test results here. Although some studies are mixed concerning cellphone radiation dangers, consumers may want to consider the following when weighing the risks: World Health Organization classified mobile phone radiation as a "possible human carcinogen" based on studies that showed an increased brain cancer risk in heavy cellphone users. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found "clear evidence that cellphone radiation exposure is linked to tumors in animal studies." Other studies show mobile phone radiation affects male fertility. Keep in mind, the average American spends nearly 3 hours a day on their phones. Almost half in the U.S. say they’re addicted to their phones and 71% use their phones within 10 minutes of waking up. The alara inserts are made from sustainable materials derived from stone, not trees. The insert costs $29.99 and can be found at retail stores or online. If you want a new case, Gadget Guard also offers cases with alara technology built-in for all iPhone models from iPhone 7 to iPhone 13. About Gadget Guard Gadget Guard fosters a healthy relationship between tech and humanity with products that improve the performance, aesthetic and lifespan of mobile devices. We are the first tech accessories company to provide two-way protection—guarding humans from their devices and devices from their humans. Since 2009, the company has produced innovative, science-backed technologies and received 17 unique patents to reduce the harmful effects of mobile devices, progressively raising the bar for the safe and healthy use of mobile devices. For more information about Gadget Guard, visit https://www.gadgetguard.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220301005925/en/

There’s nothing quite as handy as scanning Apple News for the latest headlines. In one app, you can see what’s going on around the world today. The scannable headline format also allows you to select which headlines are the most important to you for further reading. So it can be concerning when Apple News is not updating with new stories of the day. It suddenly feels like you’re cut off from the world. Below we’ll look at how to get Apple News updating again. Updating Your Device Sometimes running an older version of the iOS can actually make apps like Apple News work strangely. Start by updating your iOS. On your iPhone: Go into the Settings app. Select General. Tap Software Update. If there is an update, the screen will load it and you can select the option to install the update. If your phone hasn’t been updated in a while, you may need to run this process until the updates are all installed. Restart your phone once all updates are installed. Tap the news app again and see if it is refreshing. Closing and Re-Opening the App Sometimes a really simple fix is to close the app. This is more than just closing the screen. On devices with home buttons, hit the home button twice. That will show collapsed versions of the app screens: Swipe up on the Apple News app to close the app fully. On phones without home buttons, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to just below the center and hold for a second. Let go and that will show you collapsed screens of your apps. You can scroll your apps left or right and then swipe up to close an app. Uninstalling and Reinstalling the App Uninstalling and reinstalling the app can sometimes fix the issue. To do this: Touch and hold the app. A screen will appear with the option listed to Remove App. Tap it. Tap Delete App and tap Delete to confirm. Re-download the app by going to the App Store and searching Apple News. Follow the prompts to download and install the app. Load and run the app to see if it refreshes news stories from today. You might also consider letting Apple know you are having problems with their apps through the Apple Feedback page, such as the one for iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. https://appletoolbox.com/apple-news-not-updating/

ATLANTA and EUROPE, March 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global micromobility technology leader Joyride today announces its partnership with Element to offer its smart hardware to Joyride's shared mobility operators. Micromobility operators in more than 180 markets use Joyride's white-label software to launch and manage their fleets of scooters, bikes, e-bikes and mopeds. The opportunity to source Element's hardware provides Joyride's customers with the ability to innovate with new hardware technology to provide their riders with easy, fun and enjoyable experiences. The advantage is Element has scooter and electric-assist bike inventory available now for distribution in North America and Europe. Micromobility use has seen a tremendous spike over the past two years, and shared mobility operators have been challenged to increase fleet sizes and launch in new markets due to product selection and availability stemming from worldwide supply chain challenges. Through Element, Joyride's customers will be able to access a breadth of products including several versions of stand-up e-scooters, sit-down e-scooters, e-bikes, mopeds and pedal bikes. The technology advancements Element has designed and brought to market are currently not available in other products. Element has optimized its supply chain to have products available immediately while also providing quick production and logistics options. "We're excited to partner with Joyride as they continue to evolve their software platform and offer their operators easy and innovative ways to scale their businesses,'" said Phil Hallstedt, Director of Partnerships for Element. "We know that offering new technology and more importantly the ability to deploy quickly is a key advantage for Joyride to be able to offer their operators." "Our ability to facilitate the conversation between our operators and Element will yield quicker, stronger ROI for them," said Joyride Head of Partnerships Andrew Miles. "This partnership embodies our commitment to assist our operators to seamlessly launch, manage and grow their micromobility business." https://www.wfmz.com/news/pr_newswire/pr_newswire_technology/joyride-selects-element-to-provide-operators-with-a-new-option-for-smart-micromobility-hardware/article_8c3d8637-c2e6-53b7-8846-0c26f0d394a9.html

The Columbus Dispatch Longtime Ohio journalist Anthony Shoemaker will lead the USA TODAY Network Ohio bureau, which provides coverage for the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other daily news organizations in the state. The bureau is the largest state politics team in the Ohio, focused on in-depth and watchdog reporting that explain how decisions made in Columbus affect Ohioans. Anthony Shoemaker, USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau chief JOSHUA A. BICKEL/COLUMBUS DISPATCH "Anthony has a passion for explaining how decisions made by our elected leaders in Columbus affect the lives of people across the state," said Enquirer editor Beryl Love, who helps oversee the USA TODAY Network Ohio. "He brings deep experience not only as a journalist, but as a proven newsroom leader who inspires reporters to do their best work." Shoemaker spent 29 years as a journalist for Cox First Media newspapers, which includes the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News-Sun and Butler County Journal-News. For more than a decade he oversaw government and election coverage in a converged newsroom that included multiple websites, WHIO-TV and WHIO Radio. "It’s a public service to do this kind of work," Shoemaker said. "It is important to cut through the daily spin of politics and try to focus on how it impacts people in their daily lives." Shoemaker helped produce the 2018 gubernatorial debate held in Dayton and is the Operations Committee chair of the Ohio Debate Commission. He has a passion for politics and focusing coverage on how the lives of Ohioans are impacted. Anthony launched the Ohio Politics Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as a daily Ohio politics newsletter. He also managed teams covering the presidential conventions in 2008 and 2016. Shoemaker is married to journalist Amelia Robinson, the opinion and community engagement editor at The Dispatch. He can be reached by email at ashoemaker@gannett.com and on Twitter @AR_Shoemaker. Shoemaker replaces Jackie Borchardt, who was promoted to senior news director of content for The Enquirer in November. The bureau was created last year by combining the Dispatch and Enquirer politics teams after the 2019 merger of their parent companies. https://eu.cincinnati.com/story/news/2022/03/01/anthony-shoemaker-lead-ohio-state-news-bureau-usa-today-network-ohio/6928087001/

Over the last two years, the auto industry has experienced a great deal of turbulence. From the start of the pandemic when dealerships were forced to shut down, to a huge bounce back in car purchases in the last year. Coupled with the supply chain shortage and its effect on car manufacturing, auto retailers are now able to raise prices to reflect the short supply and high demand. This has been a surprising turn of events in a very short time period for an industry that may have expected to tank at the onset of 2020. But perhaps the most shocking part was the evolution and speed at which auto retailers, dealerships and manufacturers pivoted to digital alternatives in order to serve their customers. As an industry that traditionally relied on in-person transactions, auto companies were forced to digitize almost immediately. Save for just a handful of forward-thinking car companies whose business already revolved around online car buying, this was a huge change of pace. The good news is that this evolution has created a better experience for customers, many of whom prefer making purchases and completing transactions online. The other positive is that auto companies now have a huge opportunity to gain business by providing more online offerings to their customers. Here are some of the ways car companies can digitize their business to better serve their customers and stay ahead of the future of auto sales. The current state is about choices Today’s car buyers have made it abundantly clear that they want choices: The choice to search online or in-person, the choice to go to a dealership, try a virtual reality test drive, or arrange a drop-off test drive, the choice to complete financing and contract documents online or in-person. While many people have become accustomed to purchasing and completing important financial transactions online, a car is a big ticket item. So it’s not surprising that some people want the physical experience of testing out a car — or multiple cars — before making a final decision. Car companies need to cater to different customer journeys, as preference for completing parts of the process online versus in-person will vary from one consumer to the next. For example, millennials are twice as likely as boomers to purchase a car entirely online. Therefore, auto companies need to have processes in place to service both types of customer journeys. Future consumers lean digital According to market research firm J.D. Power, millennials made up the largest group of car buyers in 2020, accounting for 32% of total new-car sales. This percentage will likely increase as millennials continue to edge out older generations as the primary car buyers. And in time, Gen Z will become the primary buying group. This means that auto companies need to be prepared to cater to these customers who expect something far different than the traditional physical dealership. So, what is it that younger generations want from their car buying experience? Only 54% of consumers aged 18 to 35 still want in-person transactions, according to an automotive researcher at Deloitte. These numbers are an indication of the imminent need for digital offerings and services, as Gen-Z and millennial consumers become the largest purchasing groups. Types of digital offerings There are many ways to implement digital services and online offerings to create a better experience for car buyers. Search The car buying process begins with consumers doing online research, so providing interactive and informational online experiences gives car retailers a leg up against their competitors. Online car research serves two primary functions for consumers: first, the time, energy and monetary investment saved by sparing a visit to the dealership. Second, online car buying opens up myriad shopping options, allowing potential buyers to view different colors, styles and extras with the click of a mouse. Virtual showrooms and the use of virtual reality (VR) is another way to create a seamless online experience for customers. VR gives consumers the experience of being on a physical showroom floor or test driving a prospective car — from the comfort of their own home. Financing Financing is a significant part of the car buying process, and offering online financing can differentiate your dealership from the competition. With many people being accustomed to online banking, most consumers are comfortable with completing financial transactions online. Therefore, being able to service or facilitate digital loans can streamline the purchase process and create a better customer experience. Contract signing and notarizations While some may prefer to physically test drive a car, most people prefer the convenience of being able to eSign and notarize important documents — such as a bill of sale or title document — completely online. Incorporating a tool like the Notarize platform gives customers the flexibility to purchase a car from anywhere at any time, and speeds up the buying process for all parties involved. Auto sales need to be digitized While we’re still in the era where some consumers prefer to handle select parts of the car buying process in-person, the auto industry should start preparing for full digitization. The auto companies that start providing online offerings and services will continue to gain loyalty from millennials and younger generations, which will provide ongoing benefits as these age groups become the primary car buyers. To learn more about how car dealerships can create the best online buying experience for their customers, click here. Notarize is the leader in online notarization, which is simpler, smarter and safer than notarizing documents on paper. From buying or selling a home to adopting a child, Notarize is bringing trust online 24/7 for life’s most important moments. For more information, please visit notarize.com. https://www.autonews.com/sponsored/what-expect-future-auto-sales

BBC stops all content licensing in Russia following Ukraine invasion Michael Sheen announces third child on the way while sharing Good Omens… American allies have again been rebuked by Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, this time for taking action against Russian state broadcaster RT. Tucker Carlson claimed ‘elites’ and US allies of censoring ‘opinion’ on Ukraine war Canada and several European countries, as well as “elites”, were accused of “using this opportunity, this war in eastern Europe, to shut down domestic dissent in the United States”, after a number of American tech firms announced their own action against RT content. That included Meta (the company formerly known as Facebook), announcing a ban on RT on Monday. YouTube and Google followed behind with a ban on RT content on Tuesday. Ridiculing US allies for being the “first” to block Russia’s biggest broadcaster – and an alleged source of disinformation for Vladimir Putin’s regime – Mr Carlson rebuked both media firms and Democrats for censoring “opinion” and “debate” on Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. “They hate populist politics in this country far more than they hate Vladimir Putin,” he said. “So they’re using this opportunity, this war in eastern Europe, to shut down domestic dissent in the United States, and you’re seeing it as always in our allies first”. “Several of them, including Canada, have banned journalists who don’t agree with their view of the war,” he alleged, inaccurately referencing Canada’s ban on RT. “If we’re gonna protect democracy, that should start at home and democracy is defined – literally defined – by the tolerance of the regime for dissent. But no dissent is allowed. So, they’ve pulled RT from the air waves in Canada.” Mr Carlson cited an article from Mother Jones that suggested US President Joe Biden could also “crack down on pro-Russia disinformation”, including that allegedly issued by Tucker Carlson on Fox News. “They hate populist politics in this country far more than they hate Vladimir Putin,” he said. “So they’re using this opportunity, this war in eastern Europe, to shut down domestic dissent in the United States, and you’re seeing it as always in our allies first”. “Several of them, including Canada, have banned journalists who don’t agree with their view of the war,” he alleged, inaccurately referencing Canada’s ban on RT. “If we’re gonna protect democracy, that should start at home and democracy is defined – literally defined – by the tolerance of the regime for dissent. But no dissent is allowed. So, they’ve pulled RT from the air waves in Canada.” Mr Carlson cited an article from Mother Jones that suggested US President Joe Biden could also “crack down on pro-Russia disinformation”, including that allegedly issued by Tucker Carlson on Fox News. He complained that “propaganda” was a word Democrats “get to define” and that the party was “talking about censoring the opinions of Americans. Now to be clear, that is not allowed in a democracy.” Former members of the Soviet Union, including Poland and Estonia, have taken down RT in recent days following the invasion of Ukraine. As have the UK and France launched investigations into Russia’s main broadcaster, and its support for war. It was not the first time Mr Carlson had appeared to argue in favour of Russia, with RT afterwards sharing his attack on US allies, Democrats and America’s biggest tech firms. The Moscow-controlled network said “opinions” were being “shut down” during a “global crisis”. From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/tucker-carlson-backs-russian-news-channel-rt-and-hits-out-at-canada-for-taking-it-off-the-air/ar-AAUtHZL?ocid=BingNewsSearch

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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced the slashing of petroleum products’ price by Rs10 per litre and electricity tariff by Rs5 per unit as part of a series of measures to bring some relief to the masses. The relief was announced by the premier as he addressed the nation about the country's economic situation, the government's performance over the last three-and-a-half years and the global challenges in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Relief measures announced: Rs10 and Rs5 decrease in petrol and electricity prices, respectively No increase in petrol and electricity prices until the next budget Tax exemption for companies and freelancers in IT sector; foreign exchange exemption Exemption from capital gain tax for IT startups Skills-based internships for graduates Ehsaas stipend increased to Rs14,000 from Rs12,000 "I received a summary from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and they recommended increasing the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs10 due to the price hike in global markets," he said. "Today I want to tell you guys this good news that, instead of increasing it, we will decrease [petrol prices] by Rs10." In the same way, he said that electricity was also being made from imported fuel which had caused prices to soar. Regretting the fact that past governments did not invest in building dams, he said the PTI government was constructing 10 dams which would save the country from global price fluctuations. "We have also decided to decrease electricity prices by Rs5 per unit. This means that there will be a 20-50 per cent decrease in you electricity bills." He said that there would be no increase in petrol and electricity prices until the next budget. Talking about the cash handouts given to the people under the Ehsaas programme, the premier said that it had increased from Rs12,000 to Rs14,000. In addition, graduates would be given skills-based internships and paid Rs30,000, he added, without elaborating further. He reiterated that the IT sector, which included companies and freelancers, had been exempted from paying taxes, adding that they would also not face any restrictions on foreign exchange. Further, IT startups would no longer have to pay capital gain tax, he said. Talking about industries, the prime minister said that anyone wishing to set up an industry in Pakistan or invest in the sector would not be "asked any questions". He said that he would announce a complete package for this sector later. Moreover, overseas Pakistanis who invest in industries or carry out a joint venture will get a five-year tax holiday, he said. Under the Kamyab Jawan programme, he said that the country's youth and farmers would be given interest-free loans while low-income citizens would be given subsidised loans to build homes. "Loans worth Rs407 billion will be disbursed during two years." The prime minister expressed satisfaction at the fact that banks had been persuaded to give loans to low-income citizens, noting that so far they had approved Rs150bn in loans. Wrapping up his address, the premier said that he had informed the chief ministers of the provinces that health insurance was a big blessing for low-income families. "When illness strikes, they should not have the fear that they cannot get treated at a hospital. Often times they go to government hospitals and there are no doctors and nurses." PM Imran said that every household in Punjab would have the sehat card by the end of March, allowing them to avail medical treatment of up to Rs1 million at any hospital. "A health system is being created in Pakistan. Small hospitals are being constructed in the villages." "Lastly, I want to say to the nation that I know that these are difficult times. I know that there have been many difficulties one after the year during the last three-and-a-half years [...] but my government is always thinking about how to lessen the burden on you," he said, ending his address by saying that the country and the economy were headed in the right direction. PM stresses need for independent foreign policy PM Imran began his speech by talking about the country's foreign policy, stating that the situation in the world was changing which subsequently had an effect on Pakistan. He said that his parents were born in an "enslaved India" which made him realise how lucky he was to be born in a free country as he was growing up. "From the day I entered politics, I wanted a free and independent foreign policy. This means that a nation drafts a policy that benefits the country and its people," he said. Highlighting an example of the "wrong foreign policy", he said that Pakistan had participated in the American 'war on terror'. "From day one, I said that we should not have participated [in the US war]," he said, adding that it did not ultimately benefit the country as 80,000 Pakistanis were martyred. "The most embarrassing part was that, for the first time in history, a country was fighting in support of a country that was bombing it." He said that there were only 10 drone attacks during the government of former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, but almost 400 during the rule of democratic leaders such as Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. Circling back to the need for a free independent foreign policy, PM Imran said that these democratic leaders should have taken a stand against the US. "Neither of them issued a single statement," he said, adding that an American journalist quoted Zardari as saying to America's army chief that he was not affected by the collateral damage from drone attacks. He noted that the assets of Russian billionaires stashed abroad had been frozen by the West since the Kremlin began its invasion of Ukraine. "I want to tell my nation that if you want an independent foreign policy, you should never vote for a party whose leaders have properties and assets abroad. They will never draft an independent foreign policy." Talking about his recent visits to China and Russia, the prime minister said that these tours would have a far-reaching impact on the country's economy. He said that Pakistan had received a lot of respect during the visit to China. About his trip to Russia, he said that the government had to go to Moscow as Pakistan needed to import wheat and gas. PM defends Peca ordinance The premier also defended the amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, dismissing criticism that it was being used to curb media freedom. "The Peca law was made in 2016. We are only amending it." He said that a leader of a country who was not corrupt or had not broken the law would never be in danger from media freedom. "Today, 70 per cent of the news is against us. This has no effect on us, but there is a reason why we have brought this law." The premier said "filth", such as child pornography, was being shared on social media. He regretted that he was also not being spared, recalling that a few years ago a journalist had reported that his wife had left him and that he had "done something illegal" at his Bani Gala residence. "I filed a case in the courts. It has been three years, but the prime minister has not been able to get justice and the same journalist now writes that [my] wife has left the house. If this can happen with the country's prime minister ... imagine what would happen with the rest of the people." PM Imran said that the same journalist was locked up and beaten for three days when he wrote about Nawaz's corruption during the PML-N government. He said that mafias were doing blackmail under the guise of media freedom. "They have other agendas. There are journalists who are taking money, flinging filth and doing blackmail." The premier reiterated that the amendment to the Peca law was not related to media freedom, adding that "good journalists would want fake news to be eradicated". 'Big announcement' The premier's address was initially expected to begin at 6pm. However, around 6:30pm, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said that PM Imran's address would now be aired at 7:15pm. https://www.dawn.com/news/1677524/pm-imran-to-address-nation-at-6pm-today-on-economy-global-situation-amid-russian-invasion