Aww, Roomies! Congratulations are in order for rapper Yung Bleu and his wife, Tiemeria — they have confirmed they’re expecting a baby boy! RELATED: Yung Bleu Publicly Apologizes To His Wife Following Online Relationship Drama, Later Deletes His Statement Yung Bleu & His Wife Tiemeria Confirm They’re Expecting Their Fourth Child Yung Bleu announced the big news right before Valentine’s Day, going all out with heart balloons, luxe gifts, and a decked-out spot full of blue balloons that spelled out “IT’S A BOY.” Bleu gave his fans a sneak peek at his sweet, romantic setup with a carousel of videos on Instagram. He even dropped a caption saying, “Can’t help who you love 🤷 Happy Vday big mama lol !” Tiemeria was all smiles, soaking it up as she unwrapped
Category Archives: BUSINESS-FINANCE
Feb
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 14 – Four suspects linked to the ongoing investigations into financial mismanagement at the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO), where billions of shillings were embezzled, will remain in custody pending the determination of their bail terms on February 18. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified the four suspects as George Magutu Mwangi, Mercy Muthoni Njeru, George Ochola Owino, and Jackline Pauline Atieno Omolo. According to the DCI, the suspects, arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code, and stealing by directors or officers of companies, contrary to Section 282 of the Penal Code. They are also accused of making a false document, contrary to Section 347(a), as read with
Feb
Nigerian fintech Raenest has raised $11M in Series A funding to expand its reach across Africa. Led by QED Investors, the funding round also got participation from pan-African VC firms Norrsken22, Ventures Platform, P1 Ventures, and Seedstars. The fintech startup will look to deepen its presence in Nigeria and secure licenses in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and the U.S. What is Raenest As Africa’s tech ecosystem continues to blossom, more people from the region are landing remote jobs with big tech firms and global startups. However, receiving payments remains an obstacle for many freelancers and remote workers. They struggle to open accounts that accept U.S. dollars, face slow invoicing and payment processes, and it doesn’t help when their foreign employers use incompatible payment platforms. Related Post: Nigerian B2B Payment Startup, Klasha
Feb
Many Hong Kong residents are heading to jewellery shops to sell – or buy – gold after the precious metal hit a record-high price this week. Gold has surged more than 10 per cent on the global market this year, reaching a record US$2,942.70 per ounce (28.3 grams) on Tuesday. That is on top of a 26 per cent increase last year – the biggest annual gain in 14 years. The price in Hong Kong has risen in tandem, hitting HK$27,040 per tael (US$3,466 for 37.9 grams) on Tuesday, which is 35 per cent higher than at the beginning of last year. The rise is benefiting jewellery shops. Fook Tai Jewellery Group, which has seven retail shops in Hong Kong, is among those seeing a rush of customers. Most want
Javier Milei waves a chainsaw during a campaign rally in San Martin, Buenos Aires province, Argentina in September 2023. Photo: LUIS ROBAYO / AFPSource: AFP Argentina recorded a monthly inflation rate of 2.2 percent in January, the lowest in 4.5 years, the INDEC national statistics agency said Thursday, in a boost for budget-slashing President Javier Milei. Inflation, the perennial bugbear of South America’s second-biggest economy, was down from 2.7 percent in December, it said, and January was the fourth straight month in which prices rose by less than 3 percent. Year-on-year, January inflation came in at 84.5 percent, said the INDEC — the first time in two years it was under 100 percent, but still one of the highest in the world. By the end of 2024 inflation was at
Feb
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 213,000 for the week ending February 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of layoffs. The four-week average, which smooths out some of the week-to-week volatility, inched down by 1,000 to 216,000. Despite showing some signs of weakening during the past year, the labor market remains healthy with plentiful jobs and relatively few layoffs. Last week, the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, significantly fewer than December’s 256,000 job gains. However, the unemployment rate ticked down
Feb
Volvo is looking for a U.S.-based battery supplier for the EX90 electric SUV. The EX90 is built in South Carolina but its batteries come from China’s CATL. Because of the increased import tariffs on Chinese batteries, Volvo was forced to increase the EX90’s price. Volvo was forced to hike the starting price of its flagship electric SUV, the EX90, even before it hit the showroom floor. Because of the increased tariffs on Chinese-made batteries, the Volvo EX90 now starts at $81,290 including shipping, $3,300 more than originally intended. Despite the EX90 being built in South Carolina, its high-voltage battery pack is made in China by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). That might not be the case for long, though, as Volvo is looking for an American battery supplier that would
Feb
Renault unveils a trio of all-new electric vans. The Estafette E-Tech, Goelette E-Tech and Trafic E-Tech share the same 800V platform. They go on sale next year. With over half a million vans to its name, the Estafette was a staple of Renault’s commercial vehicle lineup between 1959 and 1980 before being retired. Now, the French automaker has revived the iconic Estafette nameplate for a brand-new, all-electric commercial vehicle based on a newly developed 800-volt skateboard architecture. And that’s not all because the Estafette is joined by two other historic names—the Goelette and Trafic—in an aggressive push from Renault toward the electrification of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in Europe. All three models share the same underpinnings that were designed by Renault’s subsidiary Ampere. Each is front-wheel drive and
Feb
President Donald Trump’s Department of Transportation just dealt a blow to a key federal program that funds the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the U.S. In a letter to state transportation departments titled “Suspending Approval of State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans,” the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) notified states that their plans to deploy charging infrastructure under the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program were no longer approved. Under the NEVI program, states need to submit plans to the FHWA ahead of each fiscal year, outlining how they plan to use the funds. During the Biden administration, the FHWA approved the first four (out of five) years of state plans, for fiscal years 2022 through 2025. Although that funding was essentially unlocked by states, not all
Feb
The United States continues to dominate the global wealth landscape, with eight of the 10 wealthiest billionaires based stateside. However, the Forbes 2024 list shows that of the nearly 3000 billionaires worldwide, only 17 are Black. Regardless, Black entrepreneurs continue to defy the odds despite the obstacles stacked against them. According to 2021 Census data , Black-owned businesses in the U.S. generated $206 billion in annual revenue and supported 3.56 million U.S. jobs. There are 13 Black billionaires in the United States today. This elite group of leaders has carved out successful careers in media, sports, technology, finance, and entertainment. As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we delve into their journeys to success, showcasing their inspirational stories. David Steward The wealthiest Black American—with an estimated net worth of $11.4B—David Steward grew up in the
Feb
There’s a certain level of zen that comes with boarding an airplane. The free-for-all may be stressful, but the chaos is also predictable. If you fly often enough, you can see from a mile away how the process is going to go — especially when it comes to the battle of the bags. It typically starts with an unenthused agent issuing what seems like a far-too-early warning that overhead bin space is running out, causing a swarm of anxious passengers to crowd the gate in an attempt to ensure their bag travels with them. Some passengers voluntarily hand over their luggage for a gate check, begrudgingly strapping on that dreaded red tag, while others hold out, betting that there’s more room on the plane than the staff is letting on.
Feb
For Hong Kong guide dog trainer Margaret To*, an online mothers’ support group has provided a way to cope with rising prices. Browsing regularly through the Lakesilver Moms chat group, she has found baby clothes, toys, shoes, furniture, home appliances and even a picnic cart. Most were second-hand, some practically new. “They were all free. This has kept the expenses for our family of three to just under HK$5,000 [US$642] per month,” she said. “In return, I’ve also donated unused items to the group.” To, 36, and her husband, who works in online marketing, became more careful about spending after their daughter was born 2½ years ago. For a family stretching a monthly household income of about HK$60,000, every dollar saved mattered. A big chunk – HK$30,000 – went towards
Feb
Extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) are a step between hybrids and EVs, with internal combustion motors that act as generators on longer trips. The technology may help Ford get around an “unsolveable” economics problem with large EV trucks: Consumers won’t pay for the super-sized batteries they require. Ram, Scout and General Motors are also betting on EREVs. Extended-range electric vehicles will be essential to the American market, Ford CEO Jim Farley said on the company’s earnings call Wednesday. The reason is simple: “Americans love their big cars. They love their big trucks,” he said. An extended-range EV, or EREV, is a technology that bridges the gap between a conventional hybrid and an electric vehicle. These cars operate as purely electric vehicles, with all of the vehicle’s propulsion coming from electric motors.
Feb
China and the rest of the world remain thirsty for oil. That means the commodity’s central and volatile role in geopolitics continues, with decades-old realities driving economics, trade, alliances and conflicts for the countries dependent on fossil fuels. Yet, change lies ahead. Last month’s short-lived rally underscores oil’s mercurial clout. Brent crude hit a four-month high of US$82 a barrel after the United States expanded sanctions on Russia and Iran. Oil-supply news shocks continue to have an immediate and enormous impact on the global economy; other policy shifts such as tariff increases matter too. Meanwhile, after years of production cuts, Opec+ members refuse to ramp up supplies before April, if even then. US President Donald Trump wants America to “drill, baby, drill” , thereby forcing prices down to the detriment
Feb
A Chinese company, Jiuling Lithium Mining Company, says it has concluded plans to invest over $200 million in the establishment of a lithium processing factory in the Endo community in the Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The representative of the Managing Director of the company, Xiong Jin, disclosed this to Governor Abdullahi Sule during a visit to the factory’s site in the local government on Wednesday. Jin assured the governor of the company’s commitment to building one of the largest lithium mining companies in the state. While giving specific technical details about the size of the factory, Jin mentioned that the company would pay graduates employed to work at the mining site a minimum of N500,000. The Managing Director, however, called for the state government’s support in the