Kanye West isn’t the only celebrity that has ran for a political office over the years! Over the years, tons of stars – from athletes to actors and reality stars – have all run for some political office. Even a former Bachelor once ran for a seat in the House of Representatives! While a lot of them didn’t get elected, a good amount of them did make it to office, and left pretty substantial legacy with their work. Did you know that four stars have ran for president and that two of them actually won?! Browse through the slideshow to see all of the celebrities that have ran for political office... Continue Here »Pat Riley Thinks Showtime Lakers Would Beat Heat Superteam With LeBron James
( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Tampa, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - As the events industry embraces new ways to captivate audiences, Sylvie di Giusto has emerged as a true pioneer with its cutting-edge 3D immersive holographic keynotes. The company's transformative approach to live presentations has redefined storytelling, delivering an unprecedented combination of actionable insights and immersive innovation that fully engages and inspires attendees. Their work has not only set a new standard for audience engagement, but it has also earned the company three prestigious awards in 2024, reinforcing their position as a trailblazer in the speaking industry. Setting the new standard for live events: Sylvie di Giusto pioneers the use of 3D holographic technology in professional keynotes. Sylvie di Giusto's accolades this year include the ILEA Esprit Award 2024 (International Life Events Association) for the debut of its groundbreaking keynote, "The Power of Choice," at the NSA Annual Convention Influence (National Speakers Association). The company also garnered two Davey Awards 2024 for Best Speaker Emerging Tech and Best Education Emerging Tech, celebrating its ability to seamlessly merge advanced technology with human connection. To get a glimpse of Sylvie di Giusto's 3D holographic keynote that's transforming the future of events, watch a video here. Recognition Reflects Rising Demand for Innovative Keynote Experiences The growing appetite for innovation in the events sector is underscored by Sylvie di Giusto's recent awards and rapidly increasing bookings. Organizations across various industries are turning to the company for expertise to deliver one-of-a-kind, transformative experiences that resonate deeply with audiences and spark conversations long after the event concludes. "2024 has been an extraordinary year, both in pushing creative boundaries and redefining what's possible in live events," says founder Sylvie di Giusto. "The recognition is humbling, but what excites me most is how immersive technology enables me to create unforgettable, deeply customized, and informative experiences seamlessly woven into each client's unique event goals." The Next Chapter in Live Events-The Future of Events is Now As organizations prepare for their 2025 events, the demand for immersive experiences has reached an all- time high. Meeting professionals and conference planners are seeking innovative approaches to captivate audiences, and Sylvie di Giusto's 3D holographic keynotes have proven to be exactly what the industry needs. The company's ability to push the boundaries of imagination while seamlessly blending practical insights with cutting-edge technology and emotional connection has distinguished itself as a transformative force in the evolution of live events. Combining cinematic visuals, stunning projection technology, and interactive elements, these holographic keynotes transform traditional speeches into unforgettable, multi-dimensional and multi-sensory journeys. The groundbreaking format not only captures attention but ensures that each message resonates on a profound and memorable level. "Each of my keynotes is designed for maximum impact," Sylvie says. "However, this approach and technology allow me to collaborate closely with my clients to offer not just a presentation but instead an experience that aligns seamlessly with their vision and transforms their event. Clients can become part of the experience by immersing their event leaders or attendees into this captivating world, or by integrating their conference theme or sponsor acknowledgments in the most unique and unforgettable way-among many other possibilities." By combining the company's deep expertise in human behavior-whether in leadership scenarios or client relationships-with the latest technological innovations, Sylvie di Giusto empowers organizations to communicate their most important messages in ways that leave a lasting impact. For bookings or media inquiries, contact Sylvie di Giusto at ... or visit An unforgettable event centerpiece: Sylvie di Giusto's 3D holographic keynote transforms how audiences learn and connect. About Sylvie di Giusto Sylvie di Giusto is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker renowned for her expertise in emotional intelligence, perception management, and personal branding. Represented by cmi, a leading global speaker management agency, Sylvie has redefined audience engagement with her pioneering use of 3D holographic technology. As the author of multiple books and a highly sought-after keynote speaker, she is widely recognized for delivering awe-inspiring, highly customized, and engaging presentations that captivate audiences worldwide. Sylvie's multicultural background reflects a rich blend of experiences-Austrian by birth, French in her heart, Italian in her kitchen, German in her work ethic, and American by choice. She currently resides in Florida. Press Inquiries Sylvie di Giusto ... +1.917.727.0619 8635 W. Hillsborough Ave, #483 Tampa, FL 33615 To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: Sylvie di Giusto MENAFN17122024004218003983ID1109004700 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Hyzon Receives Order for Refuse Collection And Class 8 200kW Fuel Cell Electric Trucks From South San Francisco Scavenger Company – Hyzon (NASDAQ: HYZN) (Hyzon or the Company), a U.S.-based, high-performance, hydrogen fuel cell system manufacturer and technology developer focused on providing zero-emission power to decarbonize the most demanding industries, today announced an order for two Fuel Cell Electric Trucks (FCETs) – a refuse collection and Class 8 200kW truck – from South San Francisco Scavenger Co., a family-owned company providing solid waste and recycling services to local communities since 1914. The two FCET order is subject to certain conditions including the availability of applicable subsidies. The order follows multiple successful FCET trials as well as Hyzon securing North America’s first-ever refuse collection FCET order in October 2024. Hyzon Chief Executive Officer (CEO) , said : added : Hyzon’s refuse collection FCET is built in cooperation with New Way Trucks, a privately held, industry-leading refuse truck body manufacturer. The FCET is North America’s first refuse collection FCET, powered by Hyzon’s high-performance hydrogen fuel cell systems. It demonstrates consistent power over a range of at least 125 miles, including a minimum of 1,300 cart lifts along with trips to the transfer station, all while achieving up to 300 percent increased fuel efficiency over traditional diesel trucks. President of South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Doug Button, President of South San Francisco Scavenger Company : “This partnership reflects our commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies that reduce emissions while maintaining the performance standards our community relies upon,” he said. This order is Hyzon’s second for its refuse collection FCET, with the first coming in October 2024 from recycling and innovation pioneer GreenWaste®[1]. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hyzon Receives Order for Refuse Collection And Class 8 200kW Fuel Cell Electric Trucks From South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Blue Origin Licenses Nimbus Power Systems’ Fuel Cell Technology for Development of Space Power Systems GROTON, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nimbus Power Systems, Inc., a pioneering developer of advanced fuel cell... Delta Unveils Taiwan’s 1st Megawatt-grade Hydrogen Electrolyser and Fuel Cell R&D Lab to Advance Hydrogen Energy Innovation TAIPEI, December 12, 2024 — Delta, a global leader in power management and a provider of... SFC Energy AG secures another million-euro order – Linc Polska again relies on fuel cells by SFC Energy Brunnthal/Munich, Germany, 9 December 2024 – SFC Energy AG (“SFC”, F3C:DE, ISIN: DE0007568578), a leading...EPL: I’m far from agreeing new Liverpool contract – Salah
Introducing Agentforce 2.0: The Digital Labor Platform for Building a Limitless WorkforceNorovirus outbreak in USA: Symptoms, treatment, transmission, how to protectJimmy Carter, who built a humanitarian legacy after presidency marked by crises, dies at 100TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.”
Police deny sitting on evidence as Netflix doc brings renewed attention to JonBenet Ramsey’s killingN.J. Benson has 22 points, 17 rebounds and DePaul wins 84-65 over Loyola Maryland
N.J. Benson has 22 points, 17 rebounds and DePaul wins 84-65 over Loyola MarylandSanctuary Advisors LLC Reduces Stock Holdings in Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:UVE)Guilt-Free New Year Party: 10 Tasty & Healthy Snack Options That Your Guest Will Love
Bed capacity management is of critical importance to health systems, impacting patient care and safety, operational efficiency, system sustainability and financial performance. Efforts to improve and streamline management often are isolated to regions within the center and may lead to suboptimal resource utilization, inconsistent patient care, and inefficiencies between care units for transfers and other care coordination. Assessment of end-to-end bed demand management globally from admission to discharge eliminates many of the unintended consequences of localized optimization efforts. Froedtert Health identified improving capacity management as an important and targetable goal that could be achieved through AI, machine learning and data analytics approaches. Understanding and dissecting patient flow and its sources allowed the team to create a suite of predictive tools designed specifically for the care coordination center. Froedtert Health was able to improve patient care, operationalize key performance indicators and streamline operations through more effective staff deployment and utilization and by pre-emptively responding to anticipated changes in patient bed demand. This led to optimized allocation of resources, improved patient flow, better coordination between departments and cost savings. Ravi Teja Karri is a machine learning engineer at Froedtert ThedaCare Health. He and two colleagues will be speaking on these achievements at HIMSS25 in a session titled "Improving Capacity Planning and Bed Demand Forecasting Using Machine Learning." We interviewed Karri to get a sneak peek at what he plans to discuss in March at HIMSS25 during his session. Q. What is the overarching theme of your session, and why is it especially relevant to healthcare and health IT today? A. The overarching theme of our session is focused on improving hospital capacity management and bed demand forecasting through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. This topic is increasingly relevant in healthcare as hospitals face unpredictable changes in patient volume. Seasonal surges, unplanned admissions and fluctuating patient needs make it challenging to maintain an optimal allocation of resources. Leveraging AI and ML to predict bed demand and patient flow enables hospitals to optimize staffing, allocate beds and streamline operations, resulting in enhanced patient care and overall efficiency. Our session also will explore how healthcare organizations can leverage AI and ML to transform processes into anticipatory workflows rather than reactive ones. This proactive approach enables more accurate forecasting of patient volumes and better interdepartmental coordination, ultimately enhancing patient experience through more efficient resource allocation and timely care delivery. Integrating these predictive models into daily operations enables healthcare organizations to better anticipate demand fluctuations, minimize overcrowding risks and enhance interdepartmental coordination. Q. You are focusing on AI and ML, important technologies in healthcare today. How are they being used in healthcare in the context of your session's focus and content? A. Our session focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies , specifically their application in predictive analytics for bed demand forecasting and capacity management in hospitals. ML models are designed to analyze large datasets, including historical patient admissions, discharge trends, seasonal illness patterns and other factors, to forecast future hospital capacity needs. We will explore how these models can predict patient flow and bed demand, enabling healthcare organizations to make more informed decisions about resource allocation, staffing and patient care management. These predictive models use algorithms to identify patterns and trends in patient admissions, length of stay and discharge rates, enabling hospitals to forecast fluctuations in demand with a high degree of accuracy. ML integrates data from multiple sources, including emergency departments, surgical units and outpatient care, to provide a comprehensive view of organizational capacity. This analysis helps hospital leadership and care coordinators to anticipate surges in bed demand – like those experienced during flu seasons or following natural disasters – and plan effectively to ensure that resources are available when needed most. By implementing these technologies, healthcare institutions can transition from a reactive approach to a more proactive and anticipatory model of patient flow management. In our session, we will examine how machine learning can be effectively applied in healthcare to predict bed demand and enhance capacity management. By analyzing historical data such as patient admission rates, discharge patterns and seasonal trends, ML models can forecast hospital capacity needs. These predictions enable healthcare organizations to optimize resource allocation, plan staffing requirements and deliver improved patient care, enabling a proactive rather than reactive approach to operations. We also will discuss how these ML models can be integrated into healthcare workflows, transforming predictions into action for hospital staff. Rather than remaining in experimental environments or isolated tools, the predictions are processed, stored and made available for decision making through business intelligence platforms. These BI tools enable healthcare staff to access insights for effective planning, such as allocating beds, managing staffing and coordinating patient discharges, ultimately improving operational efficiency and patient outcomes. Q. What is one of the various takeaways you hope attendees will leave your session with and be able to apply when they return home to their organizations? A. A key takeaway we hope attendees will gain from our session is the knowledge to implement machine learning-based predictive analytics tools to enhance their own hospital's capacity management. Attendees will discover how predictive models can accurately forecast bed demand and identify potential bottlenecks in patient flow before they occur. These insights will empower leaders to make data-driven decisions, allocate resources more efficiently, and avoid overburdening units or staff during peak periods. By using this toolkit, healthcare providers can minimize last-minute staffing adjustments, optimize bed utilization, and ensure patient care remains uninterrupted during periods of high demand. Predicting patient flow across the entire hospital, rather than in isolated units, allows for optimized resource allocation across departments and minimization in delays caused by mismatches between patient demand and available resources. This will foster better communication between clinical teams and operational leaders, resulting in smoother transitions between patient care stages and improved overall patient experience. Ravi Teja Karri's session, "Improving Capacity Planning and Bed Demand Forecasting Using Machine Learning," is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 10:15 a.m. at HIMSS25 in Las Vegas . Follow Bill's HIT coverage on LinkedIn: Bill Siwicki Email him: bsiwicki@himss.org Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publicationNew Delhi: Looking to choose a new president in 2025, the BJP is aiming to make new party teams at district and state level for half of the states by January 15. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for In this regard, the BJP held a meeting of its ongoing Sangathan Parv (Organisational festival) workshop on Sunday at the party headquarter extension office in Delhi. As part of the Sangathan Parv, the party also launched a membership drive with a multi-step verification process, to ensure a full proof and verified membership list. In October this year, the BJP's membership drive crossed the 10 crore mark. In the meeting on Sunday, the BJP's top brass, including its national president JP Nadda, general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh reviewed the organisational elections. Speaking to the media after the meeting, BJP Ladakh general secretary PT Kunzang said, "It was a successful meeting. We discussed all the aspects of the organisation election process. Party has decided to celebrate former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Jayanti for a whole year from December 25, 2024, to December 25, 2025, as he has completed 100 years this year. To mark this special occasion, BJP will celebrate his jayanti for a full year as a good governance." It was also decided in the meeting that the party will celebrate Sangathan Parv as a counter to the Congress' allegation of the BJP defaming BR Ambedkar in Parliament , he added. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program He further said, "The party has set a deadline to wrap the whole of Sangathan Parv work by January 15, 2025. Elections for state and district president will be concluded by January 15, 2025, and after that, the election process to elect the national president will start and by the end of January, a new BJP national president will be announced." (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )AP News Summary at 3:50 p.m. EST
A credit card user has revealed how she recouped hundreds of dollars from her credit card company. Posting on social media, nat.eberhart described how she called Capitol One to ask them to lower her interest rate. “This is your reminder that sometimes all you have to do is ask for things and you will get them,” she said in her TikTok video. Though her request for the credit card company to lower the rate was refused, the short phone call resulted in them refunding the last three months interest she had paid. “The call was literally four minutes long and I just got back hundreds of dollars,” she disclosed to her followers. The news was greeted enthusiastically by the channel’s users and there were 1, 286 comments on the post. Read more on credit cards “As someone who works in a call center, I will do sooo much more to the nice cutomers than the ones who scream at me,” wrote one respondent. Another confessed: I saw a TikTok about this 2 weeks ago. I immediately contacted my bank and have 0% interest on my credit card for 12 months.” Yet another commented: "I got a 5% decrease. Thanks friend." Responses to the video revealed that it’s not only Capital One that’s responding positively to its account holders. Most read in Money “Discover gave me 0% APR for a year, chatted with them right after I saw this. Thanks for posting!” said one TikTok user. Meanwhile another posted: “I just called discover and they lowered mine 6% - she said it was a standard interest lowering – took about 3 minutes – just be as polite as possible.” However it didn’t work for everybody. “I called all 3 of my CC companies and tried this and they all said NO,” posted one disappointed commenter. NEW YEAR, NEW START Christmas is an expensive time of year and with 2025 just around the corner now is the perfect time to take stock of your credit card finances. Americans were expected to spend up to $2,100 this festive season, according to CBS News , with many overspending and over-extending their budgets . With widespread deals and sales to tempt them, around 27% of US shoppers used debt for holiday purchases in 2023, according to data collected by Morning Consult Pro. FICO, the most widely known credit scoring system, and its rival VantageScore both use a range of 300-850 points. Below we list what's considered a good and bad credit score, according to both systems. FICO Poor: 300-579 Fair: 580-669 Good: 670-739 Very good: 740-799 Exceptional: 800 or above VantageScore Very poor: 300-499 Poor: 500-600 Fair: 601-660 Good: 661-780 Excellent: 781-850 What’s more, 30% of these were still paying off last year’s purchases this year. Author and financial expert Rachel Cruze advises consumers never to use the festive season as an excuse for going into debt. Writing for Fox News , Cruze said: “The problem starts with believing it’s not a big deal to go into debt or swipe a credit card for your holiday gifts. “The easiest way to break this habit we have as a society is to cut up your cards and decide you’ll only use the money that’s in your bank account.” She advises preparing now for next Christmas. “Once January 2025 hits, start saving a little bit every single month for your Christmas expenses,” she says. “Also, remember that lots of Black Friday sales start in mid-November. Planning ahead for Christmas 2025 will help you hop on those deals early.” Read More on The US Sun One couple ended up $20,000 in debt across multiple credit cards after spending on their home. And supermarket giant Walmart came under fire recently from one unhappy customer after holding money from her card.All passengers and most of the crew on board a Jeju Air flight have died after the plane crash-landed at an airport in South Korea yesterday. A total of 179 of the 181 people on board the Boeing 737-800 were killed, with just two survivors, both cabin staff, pulled from the burning wreckage. The plane landed at Muan International Airport in the country’s south, skidding off the runway and crashing into a wall in a fiery explosion. Flight 2216 was returning from Bangkok, Thailand with six crew and 175 passengers, many of them holidaymakers. An investigation into the cause is under way – with experts and officials pointing to a number of possible factors. Distraught families gathered in the airport’s arrival hall in tears, as they waited for bodies to be identified. Some of those killed have only been identifiable by their fingerprints. Maeng Gi-su, 78, told the BBC his nephew and his nephew’s two sons had been on the plane. It was the family’s first trip abroad, to mark the youngest son finishing his college entrance exams. “I can’t believe the entire family has just disappeared,” he said. “My heart aches so much.” The passengers included 173 South Koreans and two Thai nationals. They were aged between 3 and 78, although most were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. Jongluk Doungmanee, 49, had been returning to South Korea from visiting family in Thailand. The mother-of-two lived in South Korea with her husband and worked in agriculture. In an interview with BBC Thai, her cousin Pornphichaya Chalermsin said she had “only ever seen such news from other countries and never thought it would involve Thai people,” adding, “Watching the video footage made me feel even more distressed.” Footage of the crash – which happened shortly after 0900 local time (00:00 GMT) – showed the aircraft landing without wheels, overshooting the runway and crashing into the airport’s perimeter wall, before it exploded into flames. South Korean transport officials said the plane ran into difficulties approaching landing – with the pilot, who had more than 6,800 hours of flight experience, pulling out of the first attempt due to bird interference. Soon after, the pilot issued a mayday call and was allowed to land in the opposite direction to usual. Officials have suggested a bird strike and bad weather may have played a role but aviation experts have questioned whether these were enough to cause such a deadly crash. One passenger sent a relative a message saying a bird was stuck in the wing, according to the South Korean News1 agency – but officials have not yet confirmed whether the plane was hit by birds. Airline News Editor Geoffrey Thomas told the BBC “a lot of things about this tragedy don’t make sense.” He said South Korea and its airlines were considered “industry best practice” and that both the aircraft and the airline have an “excellent safety record.” “At this point, there are a lot more questions than we have answers,” Gregory Alegi, an aviation journalist and former teacher at Italy’s air force academy, told the Reuters news agency. “Why was the plane going so fast? Why were the flaps not open? Why was the landing gear not down?” The disaster is a national tragedy for South Korea, which has been embroiled in a political crisis after President Yoon Suk Yeol and his temporary successor were both impeached by Parliament. Acting President Choi Sang-Mok, who was only appointed on Friday, visited the site of the crash yesterday. “I express my deepest condolences to the many victims in the incident. I will do all I can for the injured to quickly recover,” he said. South Korea’s airlines have typically been seen as “industry best practice” with good safety records, analysts have said. The Jeju Air crash is the worst for any South Korean airline since the 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam, which killed more than 200 people. Prior to yesterday, the deadliest on South Korean soil was an Air China crash flight that killed 129. The Muan airport crash also marks the first fatal accident for Jeju Air, one of South Korea’s largest low-cost airlines, which was set up in 2005. Jeju Air bosses bowed deeply as they gave a public apology at a press conference yesterday. “We deeply apologise to all those affected by the incident. We will make every effort to resolve the situation,” the firm said in a statement. Boeing, which manufactured the 737-800 jet, has said it was in touch with the airline. (Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3we2p3l36jo.amp)
Venture capital (VC) activity in India has witnessed significant growth from January to November 2024, with investments reaching $16.77 billion across 888 deals, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Venture capital activity in India from January to November 2024 has surged to US$ 16.77 billion across 888 deals, reflecting a robust 14.1 per cent increase in value and a 21.8 per cent rise in deal count compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures gathered by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). The technology sector emerged as the frontrunner, attracting $6.50 billion, a remarkable 52.5 per cent increase year-over-year. Consumer discretionary investments followed with $2.30 billion, up 32.2 per cent, while the financial sector saw a slight decline to $2.20 billion, the IBEF report said. Noteworthy deals included KiranaKart Technologies ( Zepto ) at $1.3 billion and Poolside AI SAS at $500 million. Industry leaders express optimism about continued momentum into 2025, with expectations for more initial public offerings (IPOs) and increased activity in later-stage funding rounds as funds that have been cautious begin to deploy capital. Experts like Bhaskar Majumdar and Sajith Pai foresee a positive shift in the Indian startup ecosystem, anticipating "great easing" in 2025. Despite concerns about the economy's reliance on the India1 engine, which comprises around 30 million households contributing significantly to GDP, optimism remains high due to ongoing capital flows supported by savings. The energy transition presents new opportunities in electric mobility and green hydrogen sectors. At the same time, traditional areas like fintech and e-commerce continue to attract investment. Additionally, there is a growing focus on intellectual property (IP) -led businesses, particularly deep tech, with significant investments in robotics, drones, and semiconductor technologies. As the landscape evolves, the influence of the US market under the new administration could shape global capital flows, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Indian startups, the IBEF report added. ( With inputs from IANS) Market Outlook: PMI, auto sales and global economic cues key triggers for next week Women investors in mutual funds grow 2.5 times in 2024: Groww report Maruti 800 architect Osamu Suzuki passes away; leaves behind a legacy
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Jalen Haynes scored 18 points as George Mason beat Mount St. Mary's 64-56 on Saturday. Haynes also added 16 rebounds for the Patriots (9-4). Darius Maddox shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to add 13 points. Brayden O'Connor shot 2 for 5 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with nine points. The Mountaineers (8-5, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Dola Adebayo, who recorded 13 points and seven rebounds. Mount St. Mary's also got 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks from Terrell Ard Jr.. Arlandus Keyes also had seven points. Haynes scored 11 points in the first half and George Mason went into halftime trailing 30-28. George Mason used a 10-3 second-half run to come back from a three-point deficit and take the lead at 34-30 with 17:54 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Maddox scored nine second-half points. George Mason plays Tuesday against Davidson at home, and Mount St. Mary's hosts Niagara on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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