Driver ticketed four times in one year for driving with no insurance in Metro Vancouver
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling , as early as January 14, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. "Treasury expects to hit the statutory debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23," she wrote in a letter addressed to House and Senate leadership, at which point extraordinary measures would be used to prevent the government from breaching the nation's debt ceiling — which was suspended until Jan. 1, 2025. The department in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating. Once those measures run out, the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. "I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States," Yellen said. FILE - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a visit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in Vienna, Va., on Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) The news came after Democratic President Joe Biden signed a bill into law last week that averted a government shutdown but did not include Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demand to raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit. Congress approved the bill only after a fierce internal debate among Republicans over how to handle Trump's demand. “Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement. After a protracted debate in the summer of 2023 over how to fund the government, policymakers crafted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which included suspending the nation's $31.4 trillion borrowing authority until Jan. 1, 2025. Notably however, Yellen said, on Jan. 2 the debt is projected to temporarily decrease due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments. As a result, “Treasury does not expect that it will be necessary to start taking extraordinary measures on January 2 to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations," she said. The federal debt stands at about $36 trillion — after ballooning across both Republican and Democratic administrations. The spike in inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed up government borrowing costs such that debt service next year will exceed spending on national security. Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate in the new year, have big plans to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and other priorities but are debating over how to pay for them. Many consumers may remember receiving their first credit card, either years ago in a plain envelope, or months ago from a smartphone app. Still other consumers may remember their newest card, maybe because it's the credit card they're now using exclusively to maximize cash back rewards or airline miles. But for most consumers, there's also a murky in-between where they add, drop and generally accumulate credit cards over time. Over the years, consumers may close some credit card accounts or leave some of their credit cards dormant as a backup form of payment, or perhaps left forgotten in a desk drawer. In the data below, Experian reveals the changes in consumers wallets in recent years. U.S. consumers, on average, carry fewer cards today than they did in 2017, when the typical wallet held 4.2 active credit cards. As of the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, consumers carried 3.9 cards on average. This average is up slightly since the early days of the pandemic, when consumers reduced their average credit card debt and number of accounts as the economy slowed. As Experian revealed earlier this year, credit card balances are still climbing, despite (and partially because of) higher interest rates. And while average balances are increasing, they are spread across fewer accounts than in recent years. Alternative financing—including buy now, pay later plans for purchases—may account for at least some of this discrepancy, as consumers gravitate toward these newer financing methods. In general, residents of higher-population states tend to carry more credit cards than those who live in states with fewer and smaller population centers. Nonetheless, the difference between the states is relatively small. Considering that the national average is around four credit cards per consumer, the four states with the fewest cards per consumer (Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming) aren't appreciably different, with "only" about 3.3 credit cards per consumer. Similarly, the four states on the higher end of the scale where consumers have 4.2 or more credit cards are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey and Rhode Island. The disparity in average credit card counts is more apparent when the population is segmented by age, thanks in part to Generation Z, many of whom have yet to receive their first credit card. The average number of credit cards for these consumers was two, less than half of what older generations keep on hand. The average number of credit cards held by each generation follows the familiar pattern seen in credit card balances, which tend to increase in a consumer's middle age. It's not surprising that the number of credit card accounts follows a similar climb throughout young adulthood and middle age, then drops off in the retirement years. No matter how many credit cards you may have at the moment, keep in mind that the number of accounts has little if any bearing on one's FICO Score. Far more important is how consumers manage those accounts. This is easily demonstrable by quickly stepping through some of the factors that affect your credit scores . Longer credit histories do tend to have a positive effect on a consumer's credit score, but it's not something you can rush. Adhering to on-time payments and managing amounts owed will go far in improving credit scores, even absent a lengthy credit history. While accounts closed in good standing remain on your credit report for 10 years, canceling your oldest credit card account still has the potential to shorten your credit history when it is eventually removed. The impact of its removal depends on any other active credit cards in your credit file. Ultimately, the number of cards a particular individual carries is a personal decision. Justifications can be found for carrying a travel rewards card, a cash back card, a balance transfer card, a card for business transactions and other types of credit cards that other consumers may not have either the need or qualifications for. However, keeping track of numerous credit cards, whether or not a consumer is actively using all of them, can be a mentally taxing exercise. Not only that, credit card fees can add up and dull the benefit of carrying several credit cards. Organized consumers can benefit greatly from a wallet full of specialized cards, but for those seeking a more zen-like financial future, some judicial pruning may be in order. Methodology: The analysis results provided are based on an Experian-created statistically relevant aggregate sampling of our consumer credit database that may include use of the FICO Score 8 version. Different sampling parameters may generate different findings compared with other similar analysis. Analyzed credit data did not contain personal identification information. Metro areas group counties and cities into specific geographic areas for population censuses and compilations of related statistical data. This story was produced by Experian and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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Claim that 320,000 migrant children went missing during the Biden administration is misleadingSHREVEPORT La. - Drones are becoming a more frequent sight in the skies, but their presence is raising questions and concerns. The ArkLaTex is no exception. KTBS 3 has received multiple drone videos from viewers in the area, all wondering the same thing: What’s going on? This follows an incident in New Jersey last night, where a video surfaced on social media showing lights in the sky. The video, which has sparked speculation online, has people asking: Who is flying these objects, and are they drones at all? The footage, which is difficult to discern, shows lights that a local drone pilot says could belong to an aircraft. “Most aircraft, including drones, are required to have lights,” the pilot noted. One video, viewed more than a million times on X, claims to show an unidentified object flying near Barksdale Air Force Base. However, there is no confirmation of its authenticity. The video does not provide clear evidence that it was filmed near Barksdale, and the base is located in restricted airspace. “You are not allowed to fly drones there without specific waiver permission from the FAA,” drone pilot Jim Christie said. “Many drones have technology like geofencing built in, which prevents them from entering restricted airspace.” Federal agencies are facing increasing pressure to explain these unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey and closer to home.Scottish international Adams scores long-range stunner in Serie A win for TorinoCostco set for three changes to stores in 2025 – what customers can expect to see
Viewers took to social media and shared their disappointment after several classic lines were axed. Paul Hogan starred in the 1986 film, Crocodile Dundee, which sees American reporter Sue Charlton (played by Linda Kozlowski) travel to the Australian outback to meet eccentric poacher Mick "Crocodile" Dundee and invites him to New York City, where he comes face-to-face with the complexities of modern life. The movie aired on Channel 5 on Boxing Day (December 26) but was not well received by fans of the beloved film, who said much of it had been censored. Taking to X, @anne_headland complained: "@channel5_tv if you're going to put an old 80s film on with risqué and slightly rude bits, don't cut all the clips out ... put it on after 9pm ffs #crocodiledundee." (sic) @PaulWil38543502 tweeted: "@channel5_tv If you insist on editing the funniest parts of the film so you can tick your PC woke boxes, then you can keep it. Changed channel to watch something else. Madness! #crocodiledundee." @pertinaxone fumed: "What the actual f**k have you done to Crocodile Dundee?!?!??! It's unwatchable!! #Woke #CrocodileDundee." @realpauldakers remarked: "Well so far the TV gods have managed to cut anything remotely shocking out of #CrocodileDundee including the phrase 'sh*t for brains' so I'll be switching that off - no point in watching films on TV anymore with the #Orwellian censorship." @Bricks2Peter said: "Let’s not upset anybody channel 5 #CrocodileDundee." @bennys85 shared: "One of the best movie lines cut out, should have guessed. World has gone soft. @channel5_tv #CrocodileDundee." @Spionste added: "Well just watched the iconic #crocodiledundee absolute belter of a film, but channel 5 decided to hack the film to bits #whatsthepoint." However, others delighted at the classic being aired over the festive period as @Hadok184U said: "And, now watching the classic movie now on #CH5 #CrocodileDundee #PaulHogan I haven’t seen this movie for decades. Still retains it’s charm." @mark__burnett gushed: "What a film! #crocodiledundee." Viewers issued a similar complaint after they claimed classic lines and memorable scenes had been cut - including the moment Mick (played by Paul Hogan) was approached by a man, who asked for his wallet and threatened him with a small pocket knife. However, Mick says, "That's not a knife," and pulls out his own huge blade before cutting off the offender's jacket. It is not uncommon for broadcasters to cut scenes from films or television shows primarily due to time constraints. This is usually done to accomodate advertisements, often resulting in the removal of scenes that may be considered less crucial to the plot or could be considered graphic or too sensitive for the intended audience.Exploring promising opportunities in an inflated stock market can seem daunting, but certain trailblazers have shown resilience and growth potential. Amidst a backdrop of stock market highs, focusing on key players like Broadcom, AMD, and TSMC could pave the way for considerable returns. Broadcom’s AI Renaissance Once known as Avago Technologies, Broadcom has positioned itself as a formidable force in chipmaking and infrastructure software. Its strategic ventures into the growing artificial intelligence market have turbocharged its growth. In fiscal 2024, Broadcom’s AI-related products brought in remarkable revenue, accounting for nearly a quarter of the company’s total earnings. Analysts foresee further growth in AI markets, expecting an 18% revenue boost. With an attractive valuation, Broadcom remains a stalwart contender as AI technologies progress. AMD: The Underdog’s Ascent Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), trailing Intel and Nvidia in CPU and GPU production, continues to rise by offering cutting-edge solutions at competitive prices. As a fabless manufacturer, AMD circumvents supply chain constraints by outsourcing to TSMC, gaining an edge in developing superior chip technology. Despite a past slowdown due to dwindling PC sales, AMD is regaining momentum with AI-driven data center innovations. Projections for 2025 point to soaring growth, with analysts anticipating a recovery and major earnings upsurge. TSMC: The Chipmaking Cornerstone Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) leads as the globally dominant contract chipmaker. While a slowdown impacted its 2023 revenue, the growth trajectory looks promising. The AI surge is set to bolster TSMC’s high-performance computing sector, with revenue and earnings forecasted to significantly climb. Additionally, their lead in producing next-generation 2 nm chips in 2025 promises to cement TSMC’s position over rivals like Intel and Samsung. In summary, these three companies showcase promising futures in the evolving landscape of technology investment. Unlocking Potential in the Stock Market: Where to Invest Amidst Inflation Navigating an inflated stock market can often seem daunting, yet certain key players stand out with their resilience and growth potential. Broadcom, AMD, and TSMC exemplify this promise, each leveraging unique strengths to drive progress in an ever-evolving industry. Here’s a deeper dive into their innovative strategies, market insights, and future predictions. Broadcom, once known as Avago Technologies, is now recognized for its prowess in chipmaking and infrastructure software. Diving strategically into the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) market has significantly fueled its revenue growth. In fiscal 2024, Broadcom’s AI-related initiatives constituted almost 25% of the company’s earnings. With an 18% revenue boost predicted, Broadcom is poised to remain a leading player in advancing AI technology Broadcom . Security Aspects: Broadcom continues to integrate advanced security features into its AI solutions, enhancing data protection and privacy in its product offerings. This commitment not only strengthens its market position but also builds trust with consumers and stakeholders. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has carved its niche by delivering high-performance CPUs and GPUs at competitive prices, even as it trails behind giants like Intel and Nvidia. AMD’s fabless manufacturing model, outsourcing to TSMC, enables agility in addressing supply chain challenges. With cutting-edge innovations for AI-driven data centers, AMD is on track for significant earnings growth by 2025. Experts predict a recovery and soaring expansion, reaffirming its competitive edge AMD . Innovations and Competitive Edge: AMD’s investment in AI and data center advancements underscores its focus on leading transformative technologies, with significant potential for redefining the processing power dynamics within the tech industry. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) maintains its stronghold as the world’s leading contract chipmaker, despite the challenges of 2023. The AI wave is anticipated to boost its revenue significantly, particularly in high-performance computing. Notably, TSMC’s production of next-generation 2 nm chips by 2025 is set to solidify its industry dominance over competitors such as Intel and Samsung TSMC . Sustainability and Future Outlook: TSMC is committed to sustainability, implementing eco-friendly practices in chip production. Their pioneering work in reducing carbon footprints underscores their dedication to sustainable growth and responsible innovation. The synergy between AI development and semiconductor advancements is creating abundant investment opportunities. These three tech titans—Broadcom, AMD, and TSMC— are perfectly poised to harness these trends, offering investors a pathway to potentially lucrative returns. Predictions for the Future: Looking ahead, the integration of AI and semiconductor technologies will likely continue to be a dominant force driving innovation and market expansion. As leaders in this space, Broadcom, AMD, and TSMC are well-equipped to capitalize on these trends, making them ideal candidates for forward-thinking investors. By focusing on these companies, investors can navigate the complexities of today’s inflated market with confidence and precision, ensuring robust portfolios amid rapid technological change.Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-January
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