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"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Investors’ rush into artificial intelligence stocks this year has overplayed the near-term potential of the technology, raising the risks of a “correction” in share prices, asset management powerhouse Vanguard has warned. Joe Davis, Vanguard’s chief economist, said investors have gone too far in their bets on AI’s potential, even if the technology proves to have similar effects to the personal computer, which has revolutionised productivity and jobs since the 1980s. The cautious remarks from the world’s second-largest asset manager add to the fierce debate among investors over whether groups that rode the AI wave are overvalued after huge gains in recent months. “We see roughly 60 to 65% odds that AI is more impactful than the personal computer. The US stock market today is pricing roughly a 90% probability,” said Davis, who leads the US$10 trillion ($17t) asset manager’s investment strategy group. Productivity gains from PCs, and optimism about their potential helped fuel a powerful surge in equities prices in the second half of the late 1990s that culminated in the dotcom bubble bursting in 2000.
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BillMart Fintech and Eqaro Guarantees have partnered to offer guarantee solutions designed to build trust between lenders and businesses in the Indian trade finance ecosystem. With this collaboration, Eqaro’s guarantee products will be integrated into BillMart’s FinTech platform, the companies said in a Friday (Dec. 27) press release . The combination aims to help lenders minimize risks and provide businesses with secured financing options, according to the release. “Our goal is to simplify access to credit for businesses and reduce barriers to growth,” BillMart Fintech Managing Director and CEO Ashok Mittal said in the release. “This collaboration strengthens BillMart’s role as a trusted partner for businesses seeking innovative financial solutions.” Eqaro CEO Vikash Khandelwal said in the release that BillMart’s “technology-driven approach” complements Eqaro’s credit risk management expertise. “Together, we aim to redefine financial security for businesses, offering them the stability and confidence they need to thrive in today’s competitive environment,” Khandelwal said. BillMart’s digital lending platform provides businesses across India with access to trade finance and liquidity solutions, using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered analytics to facilitate data-driven lending decisions, according to the release. Eqaro uses credit analysis technology and reinsurance to offer guarantees in lieu of collateral and cash on behalf of individuals and businesses, per the release. Thirty-seven percent of Indian microbusinesses and small businesses (MSBs) have recently used embedded lending , according to “ The Embedded Lending Opportunity: India Edition ,” a PYMNTS Intelligence report commissioned by Visa . The report also found that more than two-thirds of these businesses said they are highly likely to switch to providers that offer embedded lending. In an earlier, separate product launch, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in August that it planned to launch a technology platform designed to enable frictionless credit , especially for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). When announcing the launch of its pilot project for this platform in August 2023, the RBI said it aims to connect separate systems that hinder the timely delivery of rules-based lending. “With rapid progress in digitalization, India has embraced the concept of digital public infrastructure which encourages banks, [non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)], FinTech companies and startups to create and provide innovative solutions in payments, credit and other financial activities,” the RBI said at the time.Share Tweet Share Share Email Targeting new highs, Avalanche (AVAX) and Chainlink (LINK) both show outstanding growth. Could Lunex Network (LNEX) be ready to outperform them both in the next few months? Investors anticipate further rallies as Avalanche (AVAX) forms a bullish cup-and-handle pattern and Chainlink (LINK) looks at a possible breakout above $50. Still, Lunex Network distinguishes itself in the DeFi sector. Just $0.0036 in the presale phase, this creative DeFi platform is drawing early investors with a 200% ROI and projections showing an amazing 2,000% increase at launch. Read on to discover why Lunex Network might simply be the next major crypto prospect, possibly rallying to the anticipated $1 mark post-presale. Why Lunex Network (LNEX) is Your Next Big Investment Opportunity Lunex Network’s creative ideas and emphasis on user security and privacy are redefining the decentralized exchange (DEX) sector. Lunex Network provides a non-custodial crypto wallet, unlike conventional DEXs like Uniswap and PancakeSwap, therefore ensuring users keep complete control over their assets when trading. Its cross-chain transaction function allows flawless swaps of over 50,000 cryptocurrencies across 40+ blockchains. For both long-term investors and active traders, Lunex Network’s multicurrency staking choices also offer a special chance for passive income. Lunex Network has rapidly become the preferred platform for optimizing portfolios with a Portfolio Tracker that allows users to track multiple assets including stocks, bonds, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and more . Lunex Network offers an interesting prospect for early investors now in its presale stage. Currently valued at just $0.0036, the LNEX coin has great growth potential; early adopters who purchased at $0.0012 have seen 200% ROIs . Lunex Network is positioned for explosive growth based on forecasts showing a stunning 2,000% ROI when the token launches at $0.0216. Rapid presale investor interest shows over $4.5 million raised and over 2 billion tokens sold in weeks. Avalanche (AVAX) Soars 120% in a Month The altcoin has been on an incredible upward trajectory and passed the significant $50 barrier as the Avalanche price increased more than 25% in the previous week alone. Rising an amazing 120%, the Avalanche price has displayed even more remarkable bullish momentum over the past month. The altcoin has lately produced a sequence of higher highs and higher lows according to the Avalanche price chart , therefore showing continuous purchasing pressure and investor confidence. Avalanche’s (AVAX) consistent rise over the past month has attracted attention from investors, which positions the altcoin as among the ones likely to provide appreciable returns. Although Avalanche (AVAX) is still more than 60% away from its ATH of $146 achieved in 2021, analysts are hopeful that in this bull cycle, a new ATH might be attained. Technical indicators indicate the momentum is most likely to remain constant on the Avalanche price chart with the MACD, Awesome Oscillator, and Moving Averages all flashing strong buy recommendations. Is a New All-Time High Within Reach For Chainlink (LINK)? With the Chainlink price surging by more than 50% in the previous week alone, the altcoin has been on an amazing rising trajectory. After a period of consolidation ranging from $16 to $20, the Chainlink price broke out and went above the $25 barrier, boosting investor sentiment. Showing increasing momentum , Chainlink’s (LINK) price jumped by 130% over the past month. The obviously rising trend of higher highs and higher lows in the Chainlink price chart points to further rallies. Though Chainlink (LINK) is still more than 50% away from its all-time high (ATH) of $52 achieved in 2021, there is increasing expectation that a new ATH could be within grasp during this bull cycle. Technical signals on the Chainlink price chart including the MACD, Momentum Oscillator, and MAs all suggest continuous purchasing activity. As it approaches surpassing its historical highs and maybe creating new milestones soon, Chainlink (LINK) is a promising altcoin to monitor. Its strong basis in the decentralized oracle field and growing investor interest help support this. Lunex Network Attracts Avalanche and Chainlink Investors Lunex Network is subtly establishing itself as a prominent competitor in the DeFi market as Avalanche (AVAX) and Chainlink (LINK) keep their amazing rallies. Investors are fast diversifying into Lunex Network because of its emphasis on user privacy, creative cross-chain transactions, and passive income prospects. Discover the Exciting Opportunities of the Lunex Network (LNEX) Presale Today! Website: Lunex Network Telegram: Join Our Telegram Community X: Follow Us On X Related Items: Avalanche (AVAX) , Chainlink (LINK) Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Under The Radar Altcoins You Don’t Want To Miss This Bull Run: Chainlink (LINK), Litecoin (LTC), And ETFSwap (ETFS) Avalanche Struggles, Dogecoin Legs Up to Skyrocket; DTX Exchange’s $2.5M Presale Soars After Hybrid Blockchain Reveal Unique Selling Points of Avalanche (AVAX) CommentsWake Forest keeps trying new things early in the season, even if not all of the adjustments are by design. The Demon Deacons will try to stick to the script when Detroit Mercy visits for Saturday's game in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Demon Deacons (5-1) will be at home for the final time prior to three consecutive road games. Detroit Mercy (3-2) already has two more victories than all of last season. After a couple of narrow wins and a loss at Xavier, Wake Forest had a smoother time earlier this week in defeating visiting Western Carolina 82-69 on Tuesday night. Yet these are games when teams have to figure where contributions are going to come from in certain situations. The experimenting took a turn for Wake Forest in the Western Carolina game. Center Efton Reid III had limited minutes because of migraines, so there was a shift in responsibilities. Normal backcourt players Cameron Hildreth and Juke Harris logged time at the power forward slot. "That's just part of it," coach Steve Forbes said. "They did a good job adjusting. We ran a lot of stuff and there are several guys learning different positions. ... I give credit to those guys for doing the best job that they could do on the fly and adjusting to the play calls that we ran and the stuff that we changed." Wake Forest could excel if both Parker Friedrichsen and Davin Cosby can be consistent 3-point threats. Friedrichsen slumped with shooting in the first few games of the season and was replaced in the starting lineup by Cosby. In Tuesday's game, Friedrichsen drained four 3-pointers, while Cosby hit two. "It was really good to see Parker and Davin both make shots together," Forbes said. Not everything was solved for the Demon Deacons. Western Carolina collected 12 offensive rebounds, and that took some of the shine off Wake Forest's defensive efforts. "We can't be a good defensive team, or a really good defensive team, unless we rebound the ball," Forbes said. "It's demoralizing to your defense to get stops and then not get the ball." In Detroit Mercy's 70-59 win at Ball State on Wednesday, Orlando Lovejoy tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. "We got the ball to the shooters and playmakers," first-year Titans coach Mark Montgomery said. "You could tell by the guys' body language that we were going to get a road win. It had been a long time coming." On Saturday, the Titans will look for their second road victory since February 2023. The outcome at Ball State seemed significant to Montgomery. "We had to get over the hump," he said. "Our guys grinded it out." --Field Level MediaBVI Re-Engages Asian Financial Services Markets In 2024
Debifi Secures Funding to Redefine Bitcoin Lending 12-27-2024 11:22 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire "Don't Sell, Borrow" Approach Revolutionizes Bitcoin-backed Financing Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/9d5bdd8a25d7892dfbc892d20b36393a.png Lugano - December 27, 2024 - Debifi, the leader in secure, non-custodial Bitcoin-backed lending, has successfully closed its seed funding round, solidifying its position as a pioneer in the space. Spearheaded by Timechain, the round attracted top investors, including Axiom BTC Capital, Fulgur Ventures, Plan B Fund, Epoch VC, Cep Private Equity, Exodus I GmbH, and influential figures like Willy Woo, Brad Mills, Chris Hunter, and Giacomo Zucco. About Debifi Debifi is a non-custodial Bitcoin lending platform designed to unlock Bitcoin's true potential as superior collateral. The company, established by Bitcoin industry leaders is setting the pace in Bitcoin-only lending. Using secure multisig escrow arrangements and a commitment to transparency, Debifi offers unmatched solutions for individuals and institutions. Empowering Bitcoin Holders: "Don't Sell, Borrow" Debifi aligns its mission with the principles of long-term Bitcoin holders, drawing inspiration from Michael Saylor's famous philosophy: "Bitcoin is a long-term asset, and the key to preserving its value is to never sell it." Debifi provides a groundbreaking alternative for Bitcoin holders, enabling them to borrow against their BTC without selling it. The platform's non-custodial model and no-rehypothecation commitment ensure unmatched transparency and security. Visionary Investors Back Debifi - Alexander Mann, Partner at Timechain: "Debifi has crafted an unparalleled Bitcoin-backed loan solution that sets the gold standard globally." - Allen Farrington, Partner at Axiom BTC Capital: "Debifi is not just positioned to benefit from Bitcoin's integration into capital markets-it's driving this shift." - Eric Yakes, Epoch VC: "The Bitcoin lending market is poised for explosive growth, and Debifi is at the forefront with ideal UX and counterparty assurances." - Willy Woo: "Bitcoin's return profile far exceeds borrowing costs, making Debifi's infrastructure critical for holders looking to borrow instead of sell." CEO Max Keidun's Vision Debifi's CEO, Max Keidun, shared the company's ambitious roadmap: "Our mission is to revolutionize Bitcoin-backed lending by making it secure, transparent, and globally accessible. This funding accelerates our development of new credit products, some of which will be launched in early 2025. We are dedicated to matching institutional liquidity with Bitcoin holders worldwide, providing a simple, non-custodial lending solution. Our goal is to help Bitcoin holders avoid selling their assets while putting lenders on the Bitcoin standard." Strategic Use of Funds The seed funding will support key initiatives, including: 1. Team Expansion: Growing technical and business development teams to meet increasing demand. 2. Market Expansion: Establishing a presence in new global markets. 3. Product Innovation: Launching advanced Bitcoin-backed credit solutions with a focus on non-custodial, no-rehypothecation models. 4. Marketing: Boosting awareness and adoption through targeted campaigns. Momentum and Market Impact Debifi has achieved significant traction since its beta launch: - Loan Originations: Doubling quarterly in volume and size. - User Growth: The launch of Debifi's iOS app accelerated user expansion, achieving 2x monthly growth in recent months. - Institutional Lenders: Requests surged 4.5x in Q4, with onboarding rates up 250% compared to Q3. Bitcoin as "Super Collateral" As Bitcoin continues to appreciate, holders increasingly seek alternatives to selling their assets. Institutional adoption is also accelerating, with corporations recognizing Bitcoin's value as unmatched collateral for borrowing. Debifi's non-custodial lending solutions address this demand by providing secure, transparent, and efficient ways for holders to borrow against their BTC. Future Plans Looking ahead, Debifi is set to unveil a suite of groundbreaking Bitcoin-backed credit products in early 2025. These cutting-edge features are tailored to redefine the standard for secure, non-custodial lending, further cementing Debifi's reputation as a global leader in Bitcoin-backed financing. Kindly visit https://debifi.com [ https://debifi.com/ ] and https://debifi.com/publications/funding-round-success [ https://debifi.com/publications/funding-round-success%20 ] for additional information on Debifi's solutions or learn about our investment opportunities. Join us on social media: https://x.com/debificom [ https://x.com/debificom%20 ] and https://linkedin.com/company/debifi [ https://linkedin.com/company/debifi%20%20 ] Media Contact Company Name: Debifi SA Contact Person: Sergejs Ponomarjovs PR & Media Relations Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=debifi-secures-funding-to-redefine-bitcoin-lending ] Country: Switzerland Website: https://debifi.com This release was published on openPR.
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. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. 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.
Despite the development of driver-assistance and crash-prevention technologies, the number of fatalities from motor vehicle crashes is ticking up in the Granite State. So Gov. Chris Sununu has urged law enforcement officers to issue tickets for driving infractions during the holiday season, especially along I-95 from Seabrook to Portsmouth. Sununu joined officials from the N.H. Office of Highway Safety on Nov. 26 to announce the much-needed initiative to deter dangerous driving behaviors. Before you cry “Grinch,” consider that the N.H. Department of Transportation has recorded 127 fatal crashes so far this year. That number is equal to the total number of traffic fatalities last year. Compared to national statistics, New Hampshire is heading in the wrong direction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released early estimates on Nov. 25 showing declines in traffic fatalities nationwide. An estimated 18,720 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. in the first half of this year, according to NHTSA, compared to 19,330 in the first half of 2023. Motor vehicle fatalities exact a toll not only on victims and their loved ones but also on the first responders at the scene, who can suffer mental health consequences later, as The Sentinel’s Abigail Ham recently reported . These incidents leave a lasting impression on emergency personnel. Chesterfield Police Chief Lance Rouse said first responders tend to be good at managing their reactions in the moment so they can respond to trauma professionally and efficiently, but they may be haunted by emotions later. The state hopes stepped-up enforcement for reckless driving for the remainder of the year will prevent the number of fatalities from increasing. Beginning Thanksgiving Eve and continuing through the holiday season, law enforcement officers from state, county and local agencies throughout New Hampshire are assigning patrols across the state specifically to cite or arrest drivers who use excessive speed or otherwise operate recklessly or while distracted or impaired. The effort is funded by grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Other New England states will be conducting similar initiatives, according to a press release issued last week by the state Office of Highway Safety. State Police from Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut, along with the N.H. Association of Chiefs of Police, joined N.H. State Police recently to discuss upcoming cross-border efforts to improve road safety through the end of the year. “Ensuring safety on our roadways isn’t just the job of law enforcement — individual responsibility is something we take a lot of pride in here in the Granite State,” Sununu said in a prepared statement. “Distracted driving and speeding can be deadly.” NHDOT cites “roadway departure” as the top cause of motor vehicle fatalities, followed by speed and aggression and impaired driving, according to statistics gathered from 2015 through 2019. Distracted or careless driving is the main cause of non-fatal crashes in the state, according to the agency. And WMUR reported this week that the state plans to form a commission to study the increase in wrong-way driving incidents on New Hampshire roads. State Police said 248 cases of wrong-way driving have been reported this year along with 17 related crashes. Eliminating fatal crashes is the impetus behind the state’s ongoing Driving Toward Zero program, which aims to use education, enforcement, engineering and emergency management to cut the number of motor vehicle fatalities in half by 2035, with the goal of eliminating them altogether by 2050. By reaching out to local government, schools and community organizations, the Driving Toward Zero program hopes to raise awareness, identify common causes of crashes and connect with those who can facilitate change on the local level. As the governor pointed out, all drivers bear the responsibility for keeping the roads safe.NEW YORK — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.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) Susan Walsh Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts 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. Average Number of Cards Has Declined Since 2017 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. Canva 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. Residents of More Populous States Have More Credit Cards on Average 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. Experian 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. Older Consumers Have More Active Credit Cards on Average 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. Experian