Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy start ‘brainstorming’ with Congress to cut government spendingJimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has passed away, according to a statement from his nonprofit organization, The Carter Center, on Sunday, 29 December 2024. Carter died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he had been in hospice care since February 2023. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death. Carter, who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to lead the nation from 1977 to 1981, was the longest-living U.S. president and the oldest former U.S. leader. His son, Chip Carter, described his father as "a hero" who believed in peace, human rights, and selfless love. The former president had endured a tumultuous single term in office, with key moments such as the Camp David Accords, where he brokered a peace deal between Israel and Egypt, but also faced major challenges, including the Iranian hostage crisis and the 1980 oil crisis. These setbacks contributed to his loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election, leaving Carter to serve only one term. However, Carter’s legacy was shaped by his significant post-presidency work, which began with the founding of The Carter Center in 1982. His efforts to promote global diplomacy, human rights, and social justice earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter also became a prominent international mediator, involved in election observation and peace efforts from North Korea to Bosnia. A devout Christian, Carter’s faith played a central role throughout his life, including in his presidency and later years. He taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains until his 90s. In recent years, Carter battled health challenges, including a diagnosis of brain cancer in 2015, but continued to defy expectations with his resilience. He is survived by his wife, Rosalynn, who passed away in November 2023 at age 96, and their four children. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who also serves as a pastor, expressed his condolences, praising Carter for his faith and commitment to justice. "Across life’s seasons, President Jimmy Carter, a man of great faith, has walked with God," Warnock wrote. Carter's passing marks the end of a remarkable life that touched countless individuals worldwide through his leadership, humanitarian work, and unwavering principles.
Check our live blog below for the latest breaking news, traffic and travel from across the Illawarra, the South Coast and beyond. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading What's making news today? Home ownership 'beyond reach' for many in the Illawarra; mayor should be able to kick out unruly people at meetings ; and new clinic to help women during menopause opens in Wollongong's southern suburbs. Please stick with us; it might take a moment for the blog to load The blog is free for all Illawarra Mercury readers, but some article links may only be accessible exclusively to our subscribers. If you have any feedback about the blog, please email news@illawarramercury.com.au. You can also send in news tips, diary dates, and anything else the news team needs to know. You can join the conversation in the comment section below; scroll down to discuss today's news. Are you reading this on your mobile? Download our news app. It's faster and easier to read, and we'll send you alerts for breaking news as it happens. Download it from the Apple Store or Google Play . Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au More from Latest News Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!OQ Base Industries kicks off its roadshow meetings across Oman
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy spoke with large groups of lawmakers Thursday about slashing government spending once President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Their plans could have an outsized impact in Maryland.By Jennifer Forbes Vanguard Renewables Recent discussions in the community and in a Dec. 22 Reading Eagle article have raised questions about Vanguard Renewables and its compliance with regulations during our more than a decade-long history as Caernarvon Township officials consider a proposed Vanguard facility there. As a company committed to transparency, sustainability and ethical operations, I want to provide clarity and context regarding these matters. Since our founding in 2014, Vanguard Renewables has prioritized compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. While it is true that we have been cited for violations in the past, it’s important to note that these instances represent a small fraction of our overall operations, and they were self-reported to the regulatory agency as required by law. Most importantly, we consistently have taken corrective actions to address the concerns raised. For example: Exceedance of H2S Levels: The H2S rich biogas was not emitted into the atmosphere but was recorded in the headspace of the closed digester. Since the time of reporting, we have not exceeded limits. That is due to the implementation of a technical solution that includes an automated system that not only notifies the local operator but also our biological engineering team and our health, safety and environment team when H2S levels are nearing permit limits. The team will then take action and continue to collect additional samples to ensure permitted compliance. This same automated system is included in all current Vanguard Renewables systems and will be included on Kurtland Farms. Spilled Digestate: The spilled digestate incident was due to a frozen pipe that burst and was dealt with immediately. It took two hours to repair the pipe in below-freezing temperatures. Digestate is the liquid byproduct of the anaerobic digestion process that is used as an alternative to fertilizer on cropland. It is comprised of water, minerals (which are already found in the soil) and naturally occurring microorganisms. The spill noted had no ill effect on environmental habitats or property. Odor: Vanguard Renewables has never received an odor complaint. We believe that responsible business practices include learning from mistakes, improving processes and ensuring that similar issues do not recur. Over the years, we have invested in training programs, safety improvements, state-of-the-art technological automation safety systems and additional compliance officers to ensure ongoing adherence to regulatory standards and safety. The health and safety of the communities in which we operate, the environment, our farm partners and their herd, and our staff are paramount. Our dedication to safety, the community, sustainability and promoting regenerative agriculture processes remains unwavering, and we are proud of the trust our partners and the community have placed in us. We appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight and welcome any questions or concerns directly. To that end, we are hosting a community learning session and open house on Monday, Jan. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the French Creek Golf Club, located at 4500 Conestoga Road near Elverson. In addition, we have asked for a postponement of our scheduled Caernarvon Township zoning hearing from Jan. 7 to a date in February so that we can spend more time with the community to answer their questions and concerns. Thank you for allowing us to share our perspective and reaffirm our commitment to ethical and responsible operations. Forbes is vice president for marketing & strategic initiatives at Vanguard Renewables, which has proposed a facility to convert food waste and manure into renewable resources on a farm near Morgantown.
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Women of a certain age? They're a major force: Gregg Wallace's jibe shows grave ignorance, says ALEX BRUMMER By ALEX BRUMMER Updated: 17:10 EST, 5 December 2024 e-mail View comments Gregg Wallace's jibe at middle-class women of a certain age will not be forgotten, despite the MasterChef presenter’s efforts to row back. Aside from the offence caused, it shows a profound ignorance by a celebratory TV host who drools over sweet desserts and over-seasoned lamb dishes, but doesn’t understand what is going on outside kitchen walls. Among those women he dismisses so easily are some of the most powerful people in the world, who make an enormous contribution to well-being, prosperity and growth. The rise and rise of women – yes many middle-class and of a certain age – in the command and control structure of the global economy is a terrific 21st-century phenomena. Institutions once dominated by grey-haired, dark-suited male bureaucrats in wire spectacles are being made over by smart women. But it should also be recognised that it is not wholly typical, as evidenced by a lowly number of just nine FTSE 100 women bosses. Power trio: US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and ECB president Christine Lagarde Since July 5, we have all become familiar with bob-haired Rachel Reeves, who has acquired her middle-class status by dent of hard political graft. She may be too young to be part of Wallace’s construct of a ‘certain age’. But as Britain’s first female Chancellor in 700 years, as she reminded the nation in her debut Budget, Reeves is part of an impressive cohort that makes and will continue to make a growing contribution to our affluence. They all will be capable of sourcing the best ingredients and affording the gourmet restaurants graced by MasterChef professionals. Reeves is not alone among the women at the commanding heights of the British economy. Clare Lombardelli is deputy to Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey. It is her job to put together and sign off the monetary policy report used by rate-setters to determine the cost of your mortgage. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next A firm ringing the changes: Vodafone has changed the... Bitcoin tipped to rocket to $120,000 early next year after... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Lombardelli was parachuted into the Bank from the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, where as chief economist she had a big say in the economic and fiscal policies governing every Western nation. Not far from these shores in Frankfurt sits the imperious and elegant president of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde. The silver-haired former French finance minister and one-time managing director of the International Monetary Fund is in charge of the borrowing costs and financial stability of the 20 nations that make up the eurozone. These include the three dominant EU economies of Germany, France and Italy. She determines the interest rates for a group that stretches from Finland on the borders of Russia to Spain on the Atlantic coast. If you think this stretches well beyond the chopping board and whisk, then consider the role of Bulgarian-born economist Kristalina Georgieva. As the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, she has a say over the economic, financial and (say it quietly) political affairs of 191 countries. These range from giants, such as the US and China, to Liechtenstein a new member. The Fund is a think-tank, a forecasting organisation and a lender called into action when economies get into difficulty. It recently has been helping to repair the indebted and destabilised Sri Lankan economy with a £2.3billion bailout and is at work across most of Africa. Georgieva affected our lives here in the UK two years ago when she used the IMF’s annual meetings to give former prime minister Liz Truss, another woman of a certain age, a dressing down over her unaudited tax-cutting Budget. This was among the factors that drove UK mortgage rates higher and caused mayhem on financial markets. Just along the road from the IMF, downtown Washington is home to Janet Yellen, the US treasury secretary. The Brooklyn-born economist is in her last days in office following the election of Donald Trump. Yellen, a hero to Reeves, is among the world’s most respected economic analysts. She previously served as chairman of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, before being relieved of her duties by the last Trump government. She can be credited with delivering the fastest growth among the G7 rich nations in the Biden years. But the Democrats, like most Western governments, were punished at the polls for near-double digit inflation following the pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine. The change of the guard in Washington with Donald Trump taking the oath of office on January 20 will see his new chief of staff Susie Wiles as gatekeeper to the Oval Office. As significantly, Trump’s proposal to drive a coach and horses through globalisation, by imposing punishing tariffs on neighbours Canada and Mexico and China, will push the Geneva-based World Trade Organisation to centre stage. Its director general is former Nigerian finance minister and formidable World Bank official Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She has the task of policing global commerce and making sure Trump’s mercantilism doesn’t spin-out of control into a global trade war, with tit-for-tat restrictions, which could condemn the world economy to stagnation or even a 1930s-style recession. There will be those unreformed voices who see the women dominating economic policy, which is so important to all our standards of living, as tokenism. That’s what we have come to expect of Wallace and his ilk. Yet women tend to be less driven by ego and machismo than their male counterparts and more willing to listen, learn and negotiate. Several of the women of a certain age making it to the top of decision-making in global economics hail from humble beginnings, and have climbed the heights by dint of intellect, ambition, and judgment. We should wish them well. Our standards of living depend on it. 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That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top storiesEVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Tayshawn Comer scored 18 points as Evansville beat Campbell 66-53 on Sunday night. Comer had six rebounds and six assists for the Purple Aces (3-4). Cameron Haffner scored 16 points and added six rebounds. Gabriel Pozzato shot 3 for 5, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 10 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
The 2025 New Year’s Eve numerals are displayed in Times Square on Dec. 18, 2024, in New York. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson NEW YORK — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year,” Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what’s good, what’s bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there’s shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it’s time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it’s important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year.” McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma’s Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you’ll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don’t ‘flamingo’ or bury your head in the sand “You can’t manage what you can’t see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025,” said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that’s one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams. A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution,” said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. “Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said.Wilder World Unveils Official Gameplay Trailer Ahead of 2025 LaunchTop Gaming Monitors of 2024 for an Immersive Gameplay Experience
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Quest Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of CTS Co. ( NYSE:CTS – Free Report ) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 1,909 shares of the electronics maker’s stock, valued at approximately $92,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CTS. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of CTS during the second quarter worth about $4,001,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in shares of CTS during the second quarter worth about $2,662,000. Earnest Partners LLC boosted its holdings in CTS by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 1,735,534 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $87,870,000 after purchasing an additional 50,632 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates boosted its holdings in CTS by 55.1% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 132,729 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $6,720,000 after purchasing an additional 47,149 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in CTS by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,805,735 shares of the electronics maker’s stock valued at $131,280,000 after purchasing an additional 33,636 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.87% of the company’s stock. CTS Trading Up 1.4 % Shares of CTS stock opened at $55.10 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 2.46 and a quick ratio of 1.91. CTS Co. has a 1 year low of $38.49 and a 1 year high of $59.68. The company has a market capitalization of $1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.40 and a beta of 0.58. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $50.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $50.25. CTS Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 27th will be given a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 27th. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.29%. CTS’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.25%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have weighed in on CTS. Scotiabank lowered CTS from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. StockNews.com lowered CTS from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Get Our Latest Stock Report on CTS CTS Company Profile ( Free Report ) CTS Corporation manufactures and sells sensors, actuators, and connectivity components in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company provides encoders, rotary position sensors, slide potentiometers, industrial and commercial rotary potentiometers. It also provides non-contacting, and contacting pedals; and eBrake pedals. Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than CTS How to Find Undervalued Stocks The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing High Dividend REITs: Are They an Ideal Way to Diversify? 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 What is Short Interest? How to Use It FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CTS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CTS Co. ( NYSE:CTS – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for CTS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CTS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Thank you for another year of education advocacy