American Honda Recalls Off-Road Motorcycles

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. is recalling certain Off-Road Motorcycles citing crash and injury risks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The recall involves about 536 units of 2021 model year CRF450R Off-Road Motorcycles.

The motorcycles were sold in red, with the model name CRF450R printed on a label located on both sides of the motorcycle. Honda is printed on the front and both sides of the motorcycle.

The recall includes motorcycles with the last six digits of the VIN number between 400223 and 401056.

They were manufactured in Japan and sold at authorized Honda Powersports dealers across the United States from August 2020 through March 2021 for about $9,600.

According to the agency, the motorcycle’s drive chain can break while in use, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose its drive force, posing crash and injury hazards to the rider.

The recall was initiated after the company received two reports of the off-road motorcycle’s drive chain breaking. However, no injuries have been reported to date.

Consumers are asked to contact an authorized Honda Powersports dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair.

In recent vehicle recalls, Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. last week recalled certain all-terrain as well as recreational off-highway utility vehicles citing fire risks. Brompton Bicycle Inc. recently called back electric folding bicycles due to fall and injury hazards.

German Economy Contracts In Q1

Germany’s economy contracted in the first quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic after recovering slightly in the second half of 2020, data published by Destatis revealed on Friday.

Gross domestic product fell 1.7 percent sequentially, in contrast to the 0.5 percent growth seen in the fourth quarter of 2020. This was bigger than the economists’ forecast of -1.5 percent.

GDP, on an unadjusted basis, declined at a faster pace of 3.3 percent annually in the first quarter after easing 2.3 percent in the previous quarter. Economists had forecast an annual fall of 3.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the decline in calendar-adjusted GDP slowed to 3 percent from 3.3 percent.

Compared with the fourth quarter of 2019, the quarter before the coronavirus crisis began, GDP was 4.9 percent lower in the first quarter of 2021.

Destatis said the pandemic has affected household consumption in particular, while exports of goods supported the economy.

A growth engine in the final quarter, the economy has become a drag on the entire Eurozone, Carsten Brzeski, an ING economist said. But not for too long.

Technical factors such as the reversal of stockpiling ahead of Brexit at the end of last year, the impact of the harsh winter weather on the construction sector, and supply chain disruptions have significantly blurred German GDP data in the first quarter, the economist noted.

Eurozone first quarter GDP data is due today. Economists expect the currency bloc to shrink 0.8 percent sequentially after falling 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Adidas upgrades outlook for 2021 with sales expected to grow almost 20%

LONDON — Adidas is more confident about sales this year as it notes stronger-than-expected demand for its products and a "healthy brand momentum."

The German sportswear retailer expects currency-neutral sales to rise at a "high-teens" rate this year, with a "significant" acceleration already in the second quarter, the company said on Friday.

"This acceleration will be fueled by an array of innovative product releases," Adidas said in a statement. It expects major sport events, such as UEFA Euro and the Copa America, will also support the business.

The company reported net income of 502 million euros ($605 millio) for the first quarter of this year, up from 26 million euros in 2020. Currency-neutral sales at the company rose 27% over the period.

This is a breaking news story and it is being updated.

Nippon Steel Posts Narrower Loss In FY – Quick Facts

Nippon Steel Corp. (NISTY.PK,NISTF.PK) reported a fiscal 2020 loss attributable to owners of the parent of 32.4 billion yen compared to a loss of 431.5 billion yen, prior year. Basic loss per share was 35.22 yen compared to a loss of 468.74 yen. Business profit was 110.05 billion yen compared to a loss of 284.42 billion yen.

Fiscal 2020 revenue declined to 4.83 trillion yen from 5.92 trillion yen, previous year.

For fiscal 2021, the company projects: basic earnings per share of 261.00 yen; and revenue of 6 trillion yen.

Atlanta mayor to speak, April jobs report, US-Mexico meeting: 5 things to know Friday

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to speak publicly after surprise announcement

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is expected to speak publicly Friday morning after she surprisingly announced late Thursday that she will not seek a second term. Bottoms, 51, announced she would not run for reelection during a private call, according to one report. After reports broke, she later confirmed her intentions with an open letter shared on Twitter and dearatl.com. Bottoms, an Atlanta native and the second Black woman ever elected mayor in the city, had previously announced she would be running for a second term, holding a fundraising event with President Joe Biden. Bottoms has had to deal with a series of challenges as mayor, including the 2020 police shooting of Rayshard Brooks outside a Wendy’s that led to city and nationwide protests.

• Board reverses firing of Atlanta officer who fatally shot Brooks:Garrett Rolfe will remain on administrative leave
• ‘She has found her voice’:Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms steps into national spotlight amid policing debate (from 2020)
• ‘This is startling for me because we’ve been so very careful’: Bottoms tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020