fishing village

Scientology Expands Its Impact in Santo André, the Industrial Heart of São Paulo

Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-January

FSK Completes Public Offering of $100 million 6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2030

Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-JanuaryThe Canadian benchmark index has delivered impressive gains of over 19% this year, reflecting strong performance across multiple sectors. However, several with businesses have underperformed and eroded investors’ wealth. Let’s look at a few stocks that missed the mark in 2024 and assess whether they present a value opportunity for investors. ( ), one of Canada’s top telecommunications companies, has had a tough year, with its stock plummeting over 31% in 2024. The steep decline reflects mounting challenges, including intense competition, shrinking margins, and the impact of economic pressures on consumers’ spending. Adding to investor concerns, BCE recently announced that its annual dividend will remain unchanged at $3.99 per share through 2025. While this move was strategic to boost its liquidity and financial position, it disappointed investors accustomed to steady dividend increases, further pressuring the stock. Despite the near-term setbacks, BCE’s fundamentals remain solid. The pause in dividend growth comes after BCE’s acquisition of Ziply Fiber, which will expand its footprint in the U.S. fibre market. While the move didn’t sit well with investors, it positions BCE for long-term growth by diversifying its revenue streams and enhancing its scale. Given the decline in its share price, BCE offers an exceptionally high yield of over 12%. While such a high yield seems unsustainable, BCE’s focus on cost optimization and growing its subscriber base profitably could support future earnings growth, potentially paving the way for dividend increases down the line. Further, BCE will likely benefit from ongoing investments in its fibre network and 5G services. These initiatives are expected to attract more subscribers and drive revenue growth. Additionally, the company is capitalizing on emerging opportunities in digital advertising, cloud computing, and cybersecurity—areas poised for significant growth. While BCE faces short-term challenges, its focus on driving profitable growth, revenue diversification, and investments in network infrastructure augurs well for long-term growth. ( ) is another top TSX stock that missed the mark in 2024. Shares of this cloud-based commerce platform provider are down about 19%, significantly underperforming the broader markets due to macro uncertainty and concerns over a potential slowdown in consumer spending. Despite challenges, this is consistently growing its gross payment volumes and organic revenue at a solid pace. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the ongoing shift toward multi-channel sales platforms, a trend expected to sustain momentum in the coming years. While the stock is undervalued, Lightspeed’s focus on delivering sustainable earnings makes it a compelling long-term investment. The company’s focus on high gross transaction volume customers is another growth catalyst that will likely drive its revenue per user and support margins. These customers use multiple modules within the platform, which enhances Lightspeed’s customer retention rate and drives higher revenue per user and overall margins. This strategy strengthens Lightspeed’s business model, making it more resilient to market fluctuations. Additionally, Lightspeed’s strategic acquisitions are poised to drive further growth. These acquisitions will expand Lightspeed’s customer base and increase its global footprint. In conclusion, while Lightspeed’s recent stock performance has been disappointing, its solid growth prospects, focus on high-value customers, and low current valuation position it as a promising long-term investment.Tottenham were held to a 1-1 draw by Rangers at the Ibrox in the Europa League Tottenham Hotspur were lucky to return home from the Ibrox with a point following a 1-1 draw with Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday. The Lilywhites never really got going in the first half, lacking the cutting edge in the final hard to unlock the tight Rangers defence. In the process, they barely threatened goalkeeper Jack Butland. Rangers stuck to their plan and it paid dividends just minutes after the break when they took the lead via Hamza Igamane. Perhaps, going a goal down was required to wake the Spurs players up. They upped the ante as the second half progressed and found the equaliser in the 75th minute from the left foot of Dejan Kulusevski , whose introduction at the break brought some much-needed gusto and spark to the team. However, Tottenham fans will not be able to forget the dreadful first half for some time. Forwards such as Son Heung-min , Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson were guilty of ceding possession multiple times, while Rodrigo Bentancur struggled to control the tempo of the game from the middle of the park against an aggressive, high-pressing Rangers side. Former Scotland forward James McFadden slammed Spurs’ first-half display against Rangers. He criticised the players’ attitude to rock up at the Ibrox and play “however they wanted”. “Tottenham were really poor in the first half. They did not have any energy. It looked like a lot of players thought they could turn up here and play however they wanted,” James McFadden was quoted by BBC Sport . “However, Rangers showed them they are no pushovers. They controlled the game in the first half and should have been ahead. But they came out in the second half and got the reward for their performance. “There was a slight improvement from Spurs after the changes, but in the end they didn’t do enough. A draw is a brilliant result for Rangers.” Indeed, Spurs were ponderous in possession and lacked the bite in the final third to carve open the Rangers defence, with Postecoglou slamming Werner for his “unacceptable” first-half display . Call it an injury crisis or fatigue spreading throughout the squad, but a lack of leadership was evident on the pitch. Son Heung-min and James Maddison—the club’s captain and vice-captain—failed to inspire and provide energy when it was most required in the opening 45 minutes. Rangers almost nicked it in the end via striker Cyriel Dessers , but Fraser Forster stood tall and proved his value to the team once again by keeping out his shot. Big Ange and his players must thank Forster for helping them earn a point in Glasgow. A 1-1 draw at the hostile Ibrox isn’t the worst result under any circumstances. However, it does little to relieve the pressure from Big Ange’s shoulders as there remain a lot of questions that need answering. This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionIn 2024, Denton bid farewell to academic visionaries, former city leaders and journalists who left legacies for students. They were remembered for building college programs, mentoring athletes, leading the city through change and pursuing truth. Nov. 20, 1943-Jan. 9, 2024 This University of North Texas professor taught and researched environmental science for 32 years. Kenneth Dickson contributed more than 225 publications in his field — the environmental connections between water, energy, agriculture, natural resources, as well as sustainability. He was credited with bringing just over $20 million into UNT. His ideas around connection inspired the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building on the UNT campus, which brought together offices, classrooms, experimental and educational spaces where scientists and faculty across the range of environmental studies can exchange ideas and inspire the next generation. As the founding director of the Elm Fork Education Center, Dickson created space for children to experience the excitement of discovery. His aim was to open doors for his students as others had opened doors for him. d. Jan. 28, 2024 Argyle Middle School Principal Scott Gibson, 49, died after an accident in another state. Gibson taught in Denton and Northwest ISD schools, then joined Argyle ISD as an assistant principal at Argyle Middle School in 2006. He became the principal in 2009. He is remembered as an engaging leader who inspired staff members and created a positive learning environment for Argyle students. Gibson was inspired by his parents’ dedication to their students and followed their footsteps into education. March 8, 2007-Feb. 3, 2024 The 16-year-old Denton High School student was killed in a shooting at Denia Park. Family, friends and classmates remembered Ely Mendez Gomez as a free-spirited and respectful teen who had a host of hobbies and interests and faithfully walked the family dog. His death left an absence in the lives of his peers, and teachers recalled a positive, quiet young man in their classes. June 19, 1948-April 9, 2024 UNT professor John Spencer Baen, an Argyle resident, built his academic career as a key player and teacher in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business real estate program. Baen died suddenly in Costa Rica, where he was on a fishing trip with friends. Baen taught in the Mean Green real estate program for nearly 40 years, after earning a Ph.D. in real estate from Texas A&M University in 1982. He was a prolific academic writer, authoring 70 articles and five books. He served as a representative of the American Real Estate Society and director of the International Real Estate Society. He was a co-founder and principal of Real Capital Investments, a retail investment brokerage firm. Nov. 3, 1957-May 2, 2024 Former Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs died unexpectedly in the spring. At age 66, Burroughs left his mark as a father, grandfather, attorney and public servant. Burroughs was the second of seven children who excelled in school, in debate and math clubs as well as a French horn player at Klein High School. He went to Stephen F. Austin State University and finished in three years, getting degrees in history, business and political science. He earned his law degree at the University of Texas School of Law and practiced in Houston and Fort Worth before opening a practice with Gregory J. Sawko in Denton. Burroughs served three terms on the Denton City Council as an at-large member. He worked on regional agency boards and committees in North Texas and worked with local and regional transportation and clean air groups. He kept a busy civic calendar as well, lending his time and talent to the arts and public broadcasting. He served as the mayor of Denton from 2008 to 2014, applying his knowledge and experience to local growth and city leadership. May 2, 1954-May 3, 2024 “Big” Mike Sutton could seem gruff, but locals remember him as a Fry Street business owner whose heart was as big as his personality. Sutton died in Missouri, where he had retired, the day after his 70th birthday. Sutton was best known for his business Voyager’s Dream on Hickory Street near UNT, selling crystals, hand drums, new age music and all sorts of trinkets meant to make you feel centered. He was also a dedicated pacifist who turned his car into a “deathmobile,” writing the names, ages and hometowns of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. He ran several times for the Denton City Council from 2008 to 2011, filing for a recount in his last bid after losing the District 3 race by 29 votes. Sutton turned Voyager’s Dream into Big Mike’s Coffee in 2009 before selling it to a new owner and retiring. As Aura Coffee, it still serves as a hub for the community. April 29, 1945-June 13, 2024 Attorney Mike Gregory shared his experience and skills as a public servant as a lawyer, a seminar leader and eventually as an adjunct professor at Texas Woman’s University and UNT as an undergraduate law lecturer. Gregory, a graduate of the University of Texas and its School of Law, began his law practice in 1974. He was a board-certified family law specialist and a certified mediator. He lent his time to the local and state bar association, serving as president of the Denton County Bar, president of the Denton County Collaborative Professionals, president of the Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists and director of the State Bar of Texas. He was named Denton County Bar Association Member of the Year in 2014-15. In 2018, he was appointed by the Texas Supreme Court as a member of the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. He was a devoted volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Sept. 19, 1937-July 17, 2024 UNT Athletics Hall of Fame member Abner Haynes’ legacy on the football field is considerable, but the role he and Leon King played in the integration of the South might be even more impactful. Haynes, who died at the age of 86 in Dallas, and King were the first Black players to integrate a football program at a four-year Texas school. Haynes was a two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference running back, led North Texas to an appearance in the 1959 Sun Bowl and was named an All-American by Time magazine that season. He went on to play for the Dallas Texans, who later became the Kansas City Chiefs. He led the American Football League in rushing in 1960 and was its first Player of the Year. UNT’s history as a pioneer of integration in the South is a source of pride for the school, which honored Haynes and King with the opening of Unity Plaza in 2022, featuring busts of both Haynes and King. d. Aug. 3, 2024 Dallas musician Shaun Martin, singer and keyboardist of Denton-born jazz band Snarky Puppy and a UNT graduate, died in August at the age of 45. While Martin was still a student at Dallas’ Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he began working with gospel choir director Kirk Franklin and later became his music director. As a music major in college, Martin worked with Erykah Badu on her second album, Mama’s Gun . It was also at UNT where he joined a group of student musicians to create Snarky Puppy, a jazz fusion band that went on to win five Grammy Awards. Martin himself has won seven Grammys: three as a Snarky Puppy member and four for his work with Franklin. Dec. 31, 1950-Aug. 11, 2024 Herschel Voorhees was a Denton High School alumnus and a UNT graduate who spent 40 years in medicine. The bulk of his career was spent serving as the chief of staff and executive director of the UNT Health and Wellness Center, where students could get primary health care on campus. Voorhees was an outdoorsman and an outspoken advocate for students and for medicine. He applied his curiosity to medicine and the many trails and parks he hiked. June 19, 1976-Aug. 22, 2024 Daron Beck, best known as the vocalist and keyboardist of experimental sci-fi synth-doom duo Pinkish Black, died after an illness at his home in the Fort Worth area. Beck previously lived in Denton, where his bands in the ’90s and early 2000s included Pointy Shoe Factory, Maxine’s Radiator and Thorazine Dreams. In 2005, he appeared in an episode of American Idol , making an impression on the judges with his audition although he didn’t advance in the competition. “I knew they were going to play me up as some kind of weirdo freak, but I’d rather be that than American Idol anyway,” he told the Denton Record-Chronicle at the time. May 6, 1975-Oct. 8, 2024 Aaron De La Torre, a college athlete who turned pro, then went into high school coaching, died suddenly on Oct. 8. He grew up in Irving and played football at Stephen F. Austin State University and then played with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and in NFL Europe before retiring from playing professionally. De La Torre settled in Denton as Ryan High School’s assistant football coach. He was in his seventh season when he died. He coached with his son, Alex, for two years, including the the program’s journey to the 2019 state championship game, in which his youngest son, Kolt, was a player. While his leadership on the field is missed, the mentorship De La Torre gave to students is a bigger loss, friends and family said. Oct. 8, 1932-Dec. 11, 2024 Retired journalist, editor, teacher and author Keith Shelton died this month after a short time in hospice care. Shelton cut his teeth on the country’s biggest modern stories. He began as a city hall reporter for the Wichita Falls Record-News and then the Dallas Times-Herald . In Dallas, Keith covered the assassination of John F. Kennedy, as well as the careers of four other presidents. He also covered the tenure of Gov. John Connally. He served on the Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Ethics, became president of the Dallas Press Club and served as secretary of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, later becoming its director. He was named the editor of the Denton Record-Chronicle in 1965. He later served as managing editor and then executive editor of the Record-Chronicle, the Lewisville News and the Grapevine Sun . His work with Denton Publishing Co. spanned 35 years. Shelton launched a 23-year tenure as a member of journalism faculty at UNT. He earned his master’s degree in journalism, taught three future Pulitzer Prize winners and became the first faculty adviser to the student newspaper. He transitioned to director of news and information services and journalist in residence in the 1990s and early 2000s, as he became the sole caregiver of his late wife, a polio survivor. In his retirement, Shelton chronicled his work as a reporter in Chance: My Life as a Series of Chances.

Santos scores 24, Dayton defeats Lehigh 86-62

India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 3 Live Updates: Focus and pressure both will be on the pair of Rishabh Pant (6 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (4 not out) on Saturday when the duo will resume the Indian innings at the score of 164 for 5 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both Pant and Jadeja are new to the crease, having faced only 7 balls each. On the other hand, Australia will be keen to take some early wickets on the third day to put more pressure on India. On Day 2, India were in control at one stage, having scored 153 for 2, but Yashasvi Jaiswal 's run-out helped Australia bounce back in the game. Given the hosts scored a massive total of 474 in their first innings, India still trail the side by 310 runs. ( Live Scorecard ) Here are the Live Score and Updates of India vs Australia 4th Test Day 3: December 28 2024 04:32 (IST) IND vs AUS Live: Welcome! Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the third day of the India vs Australia 4th Test. It's the Moving Day! The course that this match will take might well be decided today! facebook twitter Copy Link

America's worst mayor Tiffany Henyard breaks her silence after epic meltdown to issue fierce warningKlubnik's 3 TD passes, DT Page's pick-6 lead No. 17 Clemson to 51-14 win over The Citadel

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. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.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.

The arrests in Azerbaijan of several journalists, including staff at the independent Meydan TV, have been condemned by the international community, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Azerbaijani authorities have detained Meydan TV's editor-in-chief, Aynur Elgunash, and four of her reporters. Also being held are freelancer Ramin Jabrailzada, who is known as Deko, and Ulvi Tahirov, deputy director of the Baku School of Journalism. All are charged with smuggling foreign currency and have been ordered to be held for four months in pre-trial detention. The journalists denied the charges and said the criminal case is a result of their journalism work. During the arrests, others were briefly detained and later released, according to local reports. Journalist Ahmad Mukhtar was placed in administrative detention on charges of petty hooliganism and disobedience to the police. Blinken in a statement called on Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the journalists who he said were "arrested for their work on human rights." The media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, known as RSF, described the arrests as part of a strategy to silence critics of President Ilham Aliyev's administration. VOA reached out to authorities, but the calls went unanswered. Jeanne Cavelier, who heads RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk, said the government has resumed its crackdown against journalists in the aftermath of COP29, the annual U.N. climate change conference that Azerbaijan hosted. The Meydan TV arrests again prove the regime's "willingness to shamelessly target the individuals who dare to keep Azerbaijani citizens informed," Cavelier said in a statement. She added that Azerbaijan has detained 13 other journalists in the past year. RSF "calls on the international community not to turn a blind eye to these grave, systematic violations of fundamental rights," said Cavelier. Meydan TV in a statement described the arrests and questioning of its team as illegal. "Since the day we began our activities, our journalists have been arrested, they and their families have been subjected to harassment, and they have been subjected to various pressures and threats. Journalists who cooperate with us have been illegally banned from leaving the country," the statement said. Bahruz Maharramov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament, questioned the criticism of the arrests. "If there are real suspicions based on valid, irrefutable evidence, why should any person's profession prevent those suspicions from being investigated?" he said. "Why should we remain silent about the illegal actions of a mercenary network like Meydan TV, just because they are journalists? Where is the legality, where is the equality?" he told VOA. Regular pressure Meydan TV was founded in 2013 as an impartial and objective media organization. It has regularly faced pressure from the authorities, and in 2017 access to its website was blocked in the country. The network's social media accounts have been hacked multiple times and their contents deleted. Orkhan Mammad, an editor at Meydan TV, said that some of those detained were subjected to violence and that the authorities tried to forcefully extract statements from them. "Ramin Deko had bruises under his eyes. He was left without a lawyer for a long time. When Aynur Elgunash's house was searched, she was pinned against the wall, hit in the kidney region, and her computer was seized," he said. The lawyer for Tahirov, Bahruz Bayramov, told VOA that the assistant director of the Baku School of Journalism has no connection with Meydan TV. "They were just family friends with Aynur Elgunash. A large amount of money was seized during a search at Tahirov's house. However, Tahirov stated that the money belonged to his wife," Bayramov said. The money found was from her salary, the lawyer said. Zibeyda Sadigova, who is representing another of the journalists, Natig Javadli, said that there was no basis for the arrest. "We were not provided with the decision and protocols regarding the search of his home, so we were unable to review them. Natig said that his computers and phones were confiscated, but no money was found in the house," Sadigova said. The lawyer said that Javadli has been in journalism for 30 years and that the arrest is related to that work. "They seized his passwords without a court order. He was subjected to psychological pressure," the lawyer told VOA. Lawyers representing the journalists have filed an appeal against the pre-trial detention. Media crackdown More than 20 journalists and media workers have been arrested in Azerbaijan since late 2023 on allegations of smuggling and other crimes. Among those affected are journalists from Abzas Media, known for its corruption investigations, and the independent media outlet Toplum TV. The editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, Sevinj Vagifgizi, was among the Anti-Corruption Champions honored by Blinken on Monday. "Vagifgizi has devoted more than a decade in exposing government abuses. She's also the one awardee who is not with us this afternoon," Blinken said during a ceremony. He noted that Vagifgizi had returned to Azerbaijan in November 2023, "knowing that she might be arrested on arrival." More than a year later, said Blinken, "she remains in detention." Azerbaijan's government has rejected international criticism of the arrests, calling it an "interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs and the independence of the judiciary." Officials say that fundamental rights, as well as media freedom, are guaranteed. Local human rights organizations estimate that there are more than 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. The country ranks 164th out of 180 on the RSF's World Press Freedom Index, where 1 reflects the best environment for media. Ulviyya Guliyeva contributed to this report.Turkish Airlines to Begin Operations at The New Terminal One at JFK and Unveil World-Class Lounge