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The 2024-25 high school swimming season is here. Before the new campaign begins, have a look at some of the top swimmers in New Jersey returning to the water. Returning All-State Swimmers In alphabetical order: Kenny Barnicle, Mendham, Sr. First Team, 200 freestyle Gabe Beverini, Ridge, Sr. Second Team, 200 medley relay Karl Burghardt, Seton Hall Prep, Sr. First Team, 200 medley relay First Team, 200 freestyle relay Sebastian Canosa, Morristown, Sr. Second Team, 200 freestyle relay Tre Cottrell, Haddonfield, Sr. Second Team, 200 freestyle Ransom Chang, Chatham, Sr. Third Team, 200 freestyle relay Daren Chen, Ranney, Sr. First Team, 200 individual medley Michael Fisher, Westfield, Sr. Third Team, 400 freestyle relay Connor Johnson, Parsippany Hills, Sr. Second Team, 100 backstroke Charlie Kulp, Chatham, Sr. Third Team, 200 freestyle relay Jaden Lee, Bridgewater-Raritan, Jr. Second Team, 200 individual medley Second Team, 400 freestyle relay Third Team, 200 medley relay Jack MacMillan, Morristown, Sr. Second Team, 200 freestyle relay Michael McCarthy, St. Augustine, Sr. Second Team, 500 freestyle Dimitri Melnikov, Bergen Catholic, Sr. Third Team, 200 individual medley Danny Pierce, Westfield, Sr. Third Team, 400 freestyle relay Ryan Quinn, Haddon Township, Jr. Second Team, 100 butterfly Logan Swenson, Westfield, Sr. Third Team, 400 freestyle relay John Thompson, Ridge, Jr. Second Team, 200 medley relay Owen Waibel, Westfield, Sr. Second Team, 50 freestyle Third Team, 400 freestyle relay Greg Yukhvid, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr. Second Team, 400 freestyle relay Third Team, 200 medley relay 6 Swimmers to Keep on Your Radar in Each Conference Limited to 1 swimmer per team who was not on the 2023-24 All-State team Big North Conference Johnathon Cheng, Northern Highlands, Sr. Roy Dafinoiu, Tenafly, Sr. Oliver Kiss, Passaic Tech, Jr. Timothy Lee, Demarest, Jr. Sam Skibo, Ridgewood, Sr. Eric Yoo, Bergen Catholic, Sr. Cape-Atlantic League Tommy Armstrong, Ocean City, Sr. Jesse Brown, Absegami, Jr. Brian Falk, Mainland, Jr. Nick Mainiero, Vineland, Sr. Christian Shenk, St. Augustine, So. DJ Williams, Egg Harbor, Sr. CVC Gavin Bossio, Notre Dame, Sr. Niall Brogan, Hopewell Valley, So. David Brophy, Princeton, Sr. Julien Fang, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, Jr. Jaden Potter, Robbinsville, So. Nick Straka, Lawrence, Jr. GMC Jaydan Almeida, North Brunswick, So. Brandon Calderone, South Plainfield, Jr. Travis Li, East Brunswick, Jr. Zachary McGeehan, Colonia, Jr. Sean Stanik, J.P. Stevens, Jr. Anthony Vasilov, St. Joseph (Met.), Jr. NJAC Kai Batchelor, Pope John, Sr. Dalton Brooks, Delbarton, Jr. Jack Cotnoir, Morristown, Sr. Dimitri Fedorov, Mendham, Jr. Eddie Lin, Mountain Lakes, Sr. Ryan O’Day, Chatham, Sr. NJIC Jayden Altamura, Secaucus, Sr. Drew Bancroft, Lyndhurst, Sr. Caden Cho, Leonia, So. Leonardo Saraceni, Rutherford, Jr. Daniel Sickels, Garfield, Sr. Jesse Swaim, New Milford, Jr. SEC Chris Benz, Millburn, So. Lucas Foung, Montclair, Sr. Mason Keith, Columbia, Jr. Brett Matlosz, Newark Academy, Sr. Daniel Murray, Caldwell, So. Kyle Phillips, Seton Hall Prep, Sr. Shore Conference Cole DiPietro, Rumson-Fair Haven, Sr. Christopher Hall, Holmdel, Jr. Aiden Padham, Toms River South, Sr. Alexander Ruckel-Bekefi, Christian Brothers, Sr. Milo Stefanowicz, Point Pleasant Boro, Sr. Aidan Wenzel, Central Regional, Jr. SJSL Jake Greenleaf, Moorestown, Sr. Josh Hogan, Haddonfield, Jr. Micah Lee, Cherokee, Jr. Jack McKenna, Shawnee, Sr. Ben Schlotterer, Cherry Hill East, Sr. Riley Smith, Eastern, Sr. Skyland Conference Lucas Abd, North Hunterdon, Sr. Derek Carranza Cordero, Bridgewater-Raritan, So. Anson Chen, Ridge, Jr. Zack Kusch, Immaculata, Jr. Derin Ozbas, Hillsborough, Sr. Owen Smith, Pingry, Jr. Tri-County Conference Garret Danze, Kingsway, Jr. Chris Green, Gloucester Catholic, Sr. Jordan Robinson, Highland, So. Jake Rosenberger, Clearview, Sr. Jakob Seibert, Cumberland, Sr. Luc Streitz, Gloucester Tech, Sr. UCC Richard Fadeev, New Providence, Jr. Paul Knecht, Oratory, Sr. Dylan Lagrimas, Westfield, Jr. Harrison McClure, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, So. Charlie Moon, Summit, Sr. Caden Wong, Gov. Livingston, Sr. Independent Will Heinze, St. Peter’s Prep, Sr. RECOMMENDED • nj .com Boys swimming: Divisional classifications for the 2024-25 season Nov. 30, 2024, 2:06 p.m. Tri-County Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, stat leaders and final ranking, 2024 Nov. 29, 2024, 6:00 a.m. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) PJ Potter may be reached at PPotter@njadvancemedia.com .Google's new AI tool lets you make chess as weird as you want it - for free
Brandon Jones made the play of at Las Vegas. He snatched a Gardner Minshew overthrow in the third quarter and ran the interception back 37 yards to set the Broncos up in the red zone. That became the offense’s first touchdown of the afternoon two plays later when for an 18-yard score. Jones, though, was no guarantee to play in the first place. He missed last week’s win over Atlanta with an abdomen injury and then spent all of Saturday sick. Jones made the trip with the team but was added to the injury report Saturday and listed as questionable. Then he played all but two snaps defensively and made an impact. Jones finished with five tackles and continues to lead the team with 79. His next one will mark a new career high. On Sunday, Jones played sick and his fellow safety P.J. Locke continued to play with a cast protecting his surgically repaired thumb. “Their toughness, that’s stuff you can never question with those guys,” said defensive lineman and former University of Texas teammate Malcolm Roach. “I’ve been with them a long time and have been knowing some of the things they play with for a long time. Every day they can be out there you know they’re going to be out there. “When Brandon was down last week, you knew something was really going on. And similar with P.J. a few weeks ago with the hand. They’re one of the toughest guys in the room so each time they can be out there helping us, you know they’re going to be there.” Payton has been happy with the production from the revamped group — Devon Key has been the primary fill-in for Jones and Locke this year — after Denver released Justin Simmons in March and waived Caden Sterns during training camp. “We’re better overall on the back end at that position than we were a year ago,” Payton said Monday. “We’ve played a few different guys back there, but I like how we’re playing. We’re communicating. Our (coaches) on defense, Vance (Joseph) and Jim Leonhard and all those guys, are doing a fantastic job. “We’re definitely, I would say, further along and it was a good performance by those guys yesterday.” Roach said the consistency and reliability of the safety pair allows the front seven to not worry if aggressive play leads to the occasional mistake. “It might be kind of a bad mindset to have, but we know we can not do everything perfect up front because Brandon Jones and P.J. are going to erase it,” he said. “That’s what we like to say. They erase big plays. ... Instead of a 20-yard gain, it might turn into an 8-yard gain. They give a good presence back there, a steady presence.” The Broncos got good news on Sunday and Payton had a positive, if brief, update regarding defensive lineman Zach Allen on Monday. Allen missed the game with a heel injury that cropped up during practice Friday. He wore a boot during the game and watched from the sideline, but Payton said Monday it doesn’t appear to be a long-term injury. “We should be fine there,” Payton said. “I’m not going to hit any injuries today, but we should be fine there.” The Broncos have a pair of decisions to make on reserve list players in the next week. Denver must activate linebacker Drew Sanders back to the 53-man roster by Wednesday. If that doesn’t happen, Sanders’ 21-day practice window will close and he will revert to the physically unable-to-perform list and his season will be over. That’s ultimately what Denver decided to do with safety Delarrin Turner-Yell last week. Then the Broncos have until Dec. 4 for receiver Josh Reynolds before they must decide on activating him back to the roster.By Dr. Colin Michie FRCPCH University of Central Lancashire Our eyes send about 60 picture frames a second to the brain, working at about the same speed as an Ethernet connection. This digital messaging is created by our retinas. Images of what we are looking at, our vision, is focused onto the retinas by the corneas and lenses. Lenses are dynamic, biconvex, elastic, crystalline discs, about a centimetre across, suspended at the front of the eye, just behind the pupils – those keyholes to our souls! You have more protein per weight of tissue in your lenses that anywhere else in the body – 70% is made up of clear, crysallin proteins. These are particularly long-lived molecules, specially layered so that the lens can focus effectively and rapidly. Cells in the lens centre, behind the pupil, move their nuclei and other structures to the sides so the lens works like a disc of biological glass. For an object close to you, the lens is thicker: it is thinner for distance vision. These changes can take place rapidly – imagine how it all works in sports, for instance a ball game, or racing a boat! The optical power of the eye is approximately 60 dioptres, a measure of how the curved cornea and lens focus images onto the retina. About two thirds of this power comes from the cornea. The lens is more powerful when we are young, but after the age of 50 it contributes less to this process of focusing or accommodation. Cataracts are a common cause of loss of vision in older people. An estimated 30% of those over 65 years of age will develop them, usually in both eyes. It is a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment. It is estimated that for every million population in Latin America and the Caribbean, 5,000 are blind and 20,000 are visually impaired. At least 66% of the blindness is attributable to treatable conditions such as cataract. Visual impairment was noted to be a common disability in the health review in St. Maarten in 2017. Cataracts cause the lenses to become cloudy, usually slowly. This will influence your quality of life, typically causing a change in colour perception, making the world a little more yellow or brown, possibly blurry too. Double vision, reduced night vision and glare around light sources can also become troublesome. Early treatment is more effective, so if you or someone you know has these changes to their vision, please seek an eye check. Those over the age of 55 are recommended to have one every 1-3 years. Lens deterioration and damage may be delayed by protecting those crystallins! Stopping smoking, reducing blood sugars and protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light are all useful measures – these conditions all damage the lenses. Hats and sunglasses are in! Diet may well be influential too: the intake of blueberries or other sources of anthocyanins are beneficial for many aspects of eye health. However no medications cure cataracts: surgery is the recommended way to bring back vision. While awaiting operation, adaptations help, such as improved lighting and using a magnifying glass to read. Avoiding falls, along with providing social supports become particularly important – a white cane will be helpful. Removing cataracts surgically is a safe, standardised, rapid procedure that does not need a general anaesthetic. 95% of operations take 10-15 minutes. The clouded lens is broken up and extracted through a tiny incision in the side of cornea. A replacement plastic lens sits in the same position. In some situations, both eyes may be operated on at the same time. Complication rates are very low. Most patients find the world looks particularly blue for the first weeks of recovery. Colour sight resolves as the retina adjusts and provides a better image. Implanting a plastic lens was first used in 1949 by the surgeon Ridley, operating on fighter pilots in the United Kingdom (UK). He had observed that his patients sometimes had areas of clear vision when they had plastic embedded in the front of an injured eye. His first trial lens was made of Perspex: a range of different products have since been employed. Historically an operation called “couching” was performed by some community surgeons or healers. This involved dislocating the lens and pushing it into the cavity at the back of the eye. However this was a risky and often unsuccessful way of solving a problem that now can be more reasonably managed. Those with cataracts often require help and support with daily tasks; waits for cataract surgery can be long and challenging. Communities in St. Maarten should continue to check that citizens wear sunglasses, and guide and care for those with visual impairment. Useful resources: “Making a decision about Cataracts” and “Overview-Cataract surgery”, both on the National Health Service (UK) website: www.nhs.uk. Dr. Colin Michie is currently the Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the School of Medicine in the University of Central Lancashire. He specialises in paediatrics, nutrition, and immunology. Michie has worked in the UK, southern Africa and Gaza as a paediatrician and educator and was the a ssociate Academic Dean for the American University of the Caribbean Medical School in St. Maarten a few years ago.
How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Stock market today: Wall Street drifts to a mixed close in thin trading following a holiday pause Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1% Thursday, its first loss after three straight gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Gains by retailers and health care stocks helped temper the losses. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it. Undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia hit by outage, prompting investigation FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finland’s prime minister says authorities are investigating an interruption in a power cable under the Baltic Sea between his country and Estonia. Petteri Orpo said on X that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable suffered an outage Wednesday. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic after two international data cables were severed in November and the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were blown up in September 2022. Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation. The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office. Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options. US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The US Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs.
Edible Cutlery Market to Eyewitness Massive Growth by 2030 12-18-2024 08:28 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: AMA Research & Media LLP The latest study released on the global 'Edible Cutlery' market by AMA Research evaluates market size, trend, and forecast to 2030. The 'Edible Cutlery' market study covers significant research data and proofs to be a handy resource document for managers, analysts, industry experts and other key people to have ready-to-access and self-analyzed study to help understand market trends, growth drivers, opportunities and upcoming challenges and about the competitors. Get free access to Sample Report in PDF Version along with Graphs and Figures @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/121585-global-edible-cutlery-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Some of the key players profiled in the study are: Biotrem (Poland), Edibles by Jack (United States), UniCrave Technologies (EdiblePRO) (India), Mede Cutlery Company (United States), Candy Cutlery (Canada), Bakeys (India), OriqaEdible (India) Edible Cutlery is refer as the cutler such as plates, drink ware and glasses, utensils and cutlery, which are edible. Edible Cutlery can be homemade and has also been produced by some companies. It is basically prepared using various foods. Th e market of edible cutlery is growing due to the factors like awareness towards controlling pollution caused by plastics and increasing penetration of restaurants and quick service restaurants. While some of the factors like growing raw material cost and availability of cheaper plastic products is creating hindrance in the market. Keep yourself up-to-date with latest market trends and changing dynamics due to COVID Impact and Economic Slowdown globally. Maintain a competitive edge by sizing up with available business opportunity in Edible Cutlery Market various segments and emerging territory. Influencing Market Trend •Growing use of edible cutlery in the airlines industry Market Drivers •Awareness towards controlling pollution caused by plastics •Increasing penetration of restaurants and quick service restaurants Opportunities: •Launching of various programs aimed at reducing the consumption of plastic by non-profit organizations and business affiliates •Governments of various countries have been providing funds and tax benefits Challenges: •Availability of cheaper plastic products Analysis by Type (Spoon, Fork, Knife, Chopstick), Application (Household, Commercial), Raw Material (Corn, Wheat Bran, Rice Bran, Others), Distribution Channel (Offline, Online) Have Any Questions Regarding Global Edible Cutlery Market Report, Ask Our Experts@ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/121585-global-edible-cutlery-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul The regional analysis of Global Edible Cutlery Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading region across the world. Whereas, owing to rising no. of research activities in countries such as China, India, and Japan, Asia Pacific region is also expected to exhibit higher growth rate the forecast period 2024-2030. Table of Content Chapter One: Industry Overview Chapter Two: Major Segmentation (Classification, Application and etc.) Analysis Chapter Three: Production Market Analysis Chapter Four: Sales Market Analysis Chapter Five: Consumption Market Analysis Chapter Six: Production, Sales and Consumption Market Comparison Analysis Chapter Seven: Major Manufacturers Production and Sales Market Comparison Analysis Chapter Eight: Competition Analysis by Players Chapter Nine: Marketing Channel Analysis Chapter Ten: New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis Chapter Eleven: Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter Twelve: Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Read Executive Summary and Detailed Index of full Research Study @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/121585-global-edible-cutlery-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Highlights of the Report • The future prospects of the global Edible Cutlery market during the forecast period 2024-2030 are given in the report. • The major developmental strategies integrated by the leading players to sustain a competitive market position in the market are included in the report. • The emerging technologies that are driving the growth of the market are highlighted in the report. • The market value of the segments that are leading the market and the sub-segments are mentioned in the report. • The report studies the leading manufacturers and other players entering the global Edible Cutlery market. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA - 08837 Phone: +1(201) 7937323, +1(201) 7937193 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com About Author: AMA Research & Media is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. This release was published on openPR.Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse.
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Tonga's prime minister quits moments ahead of no-confidence motion in parliamentATLANTA — Holidays are a time for families and friends to gather, but for older people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, it can cause so much stress and confusion that they could be in danger of what experts calls wandering. “I would say around the holiday time is the biggest challenge for people with dementia,” said Kim Franklin, senior manager of programs and services at the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Schedules are changing, people are traveling, families are coming together and friends are coming over. There’s a lot of chaos going on and that can cause a person to wander. They want to get away. It’s hard for them to process what’s happening.” The Alzheimer’s Association reports 72% of dementia patients who wander are found alive by the next day. Alerting 911 as soon as the person goes missing is critical. The odds of survival decrease as more time passes. Angel Alonso, president of Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery based in Gwinnett County, said the vast majority — between 60% and 70% — of the 30 to 40 calls the nonprofit received last year involved people with the disease. The GESAR is a volunteer-driven organization that works with law enforcement to find people who have gone missing, including children, people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and people lost during major disasters. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Vice President John Clark, who is also volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. For caregivers and loved ones, a relative who goes missing is devastating. Two of Clark’s grandparents had dementia, so he gravitated to search and rescue to help other families and caregivers keep their loved ones safe. He’s consulted with police departments across metro Atlanta on the best ways to find people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can cause people to lose their ability to recognize people and places that are familiar. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are often warning signs that a person might wander. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander during the course of the disease. That includes people returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Or they may talk about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work or talk about going home even when they’re at home. Sometimes they become restless and pace or make repetitive movements. Clark recounted one call for help when a family reported a missing relative, but they insisted she couldn’t have gone far because of a bad knee that limited her to walking no further than the mailbox. Searchers found the missing woman 7 miles from home. Even those who have never shown an interest in wandering might start without warning. Dan Goerke is fortunate. His late wife, Diane, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, once went missing from the car of a caregiver. The caregiver had stopped for an errand. Diane had waited alone in cars as people ran errands before. But this time, when the caregiver returned, Diane was gone but her seat belt was still fastened. “It was like she disappeared into thin air,” said Goerke, who said he doesn’t blame the caregiver. Fortunately, she was found uninjured and nearby a short time later that same day. Goerke said it’s hard for caregivers to always be on guard for wandering. “We have so many things to juggle that’s not necessarily at the top of our minds. We have to manage medications, take them to doctor’s appointments, cook meals and taking care of things day to day,” he said. Clark said when searching for someone with dementia, one of the keys is to know what the person was like before their diagnosis. Often their long-term memories are still strong. They once found a woman who walked out of her home and went to where she used to shop and to her old job, although it had closed. Recently, GESAR unveiled a new tool to search for missing people: Maverick. An 8-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Maverick is in training to be part of the GESAR search and research team that will track missing people, including wandering dementia patients in metro Atlanta. In cases involving children and people with dementia, a dog’s personality can also be an asset. Labs like Maverick are friendly and affectionate, not imposing or threatening like some other breeds — and less likely to scare the person who is lost. Canines can be used in searches in both rural and urban areas. “He’s an asset,” said Maverick’s handler, Carmen Alonso. “His nose can pick up odors and track where a person has been that we might not think to go that direction.” At the Cobb County Police Department, Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Smith said if dogs are needed to search for a wanderer they call the sheriff’s department, which has bloodhounds. “They’re not apprehension dogs so there’s little or no likelihood of a bite,” he said. Technology can also help, Smith said. Searchers can use drones and families can install technology on a person’s car to help locate it or use other kinds of trackable devices including on their phone. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Clark, who is also a volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Most cases they’ve worked on have had favorable results, according to the Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery organization. No two searches are the same, said Sgt. Jeremy Blake of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. “When responding to calls for a missing person, the response is different than that of a fleeing suspect,” he wrote in an email. “The K-9s that are used to track missing persons are not trained in the apprehension of suspects. ... Often times, if the K-9 cannot locate the missing person, they can provide officers with a more accurate direction of travel than they may previously had.” Nearly 7 million U.S. residents age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s according to the most recent . Of those, more than 188,000 Georgians ages 65 and older also have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. There is a better chance of being found in urban environments because of a higher probability of a “good Samaritan” stepping in. Wanderers may give no forewarning. Often those with memory issues wander away during activities they’ve done safely in the past, such as shopping or sitting on a front porch. Some people who still drive can become disoriented and drive for miles away from home. According to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, on average, half the calls for missing persons involve the elderly or someone with disabilities. Call 911 as soon as possible. Have a photograph available for first responders and an article of clothing to provide a scent for search dogs. Sharing what the missing person liked to do in prior years can be a key: Did they have a job they went to every day? Did they like to fish or go to a certain spot? Searchers will need to know the last time the person was seen to help determine how far a person might have wandered. ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Enter AI, Exit ‘G’: Freshworks After Girish Mathrubootham
ST. PAUL — Kris Bolle is living the “van life” these days with Annie, his mini Australian shepherd. Bolle, 46, bought a 2020 Dodge Ram ProMaster cargo van this past fall. The Hayfield resident planned, essentially, a studio apartment inside. The van with a high roof has room for a full bed, a small kitchen area and a writing desk. ADVERTISEMENT He saves money by forgoing rent, but there is a cost — isolation. It’s a lifestyle he’s grown accustomed to since he had to hide his sexuality over the years, including in the Navy under the now-defunct “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which allowed gay and lesbian service members to stay in the military as long as they weren’t out, he said. “I had to be very, very tight-lipped about me ... so I’m used to it,” Bolle said. “But yes, it wears on you. It wears you down, and you feel isolated and you feel left out.” About 48% of Minnesotans feel left out some of the time or often, according to the “Minds of Minnesotans” survey conducted by APM Research Lab. The poll also finds that about half of Minnesotans feel lonely, at least some of the time. More specifically, 13% say they “often” lack companionship and another 35% lack companionship “some of the time.” Results were similar when Minnesotans were asked how often they feel left out and isolated from others. Bolle was one of 3,399 participants surveyed by the firm Lumaris. He said he often feels a lack of companionship as well. He hasn’t been in a relationship since 2009. He often feels left out and sometimes feels isolated. “I’m isolated in the sense where I really can’t find a suitable partner,” he said. His social connections are at his nursing assistant job, which he looks forward to, Bolle said. He’s never thoroughly enjoyed a job as much as his role at a skilled nursing facility, he said. ADVERTISEMENT “Work is great. I get to see people, I get to interact with people. I get to chat and talk and all the things that you know, that people do,” Bolle said. “That’s really hard to find.” The APM Research Lab included these questions in the survey, conducted this year between July 20 and Nov. 22, to better understand what the U.S. Surgeon General has called “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” The three questions used in the APM Research Lab survey were replicated from the widely used UCLA Loneliness Scale to help assess Minnesotans’ state of mind in the post-pandemic era, and possibly to help identify groups of Minnesotans that are faring better or worse with feelings of loneliness and isolation. In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a report calling loneliness an epidemic, posing significant health risks akin to tobacco usage, obesity and addiction. Loneliness intersects with various aspects of people’s lives, said Carrie Henning-Smith, an associate professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. “Social isolation and loneliness have profound impacts on health, on mortality risks, on all of the ways that our lives play out within health, within that sphere, but in so many other ways, too,” said Henning-Smith, who conducts research on rural populations as the co-director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center and the Rural Health Program. According to the U.S. Surgeon General report, “the physical health consequences of poor or insufficient connection include a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease, a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, and a 50 percent increased risk of developing dementia for older adults.” ADVERTISEMENT A lack of social connections increases the risk of premature death by more than 60%, the report added. Mary Jo Kreitzer, the founder and director of the Earl Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota, said the report is significant. “Just by him [Murthy] touching that subject, everybody remembers that he did,” she said. “People remembered that. Because I’m sure that everybody has somebody like that in their life, or they themselves are feeling lonely.” There’s also a stigma surrounding the idea of loneliness. “People are reluctant to admit that they feel lonely. It somehow means like that you’re unlikable or unlovable or there’s something wrong with you,” Henning-Smith said. “It’s important to have these conversations, because the truth is, just about everyone will feel lonely at some point in their life.” she added. “It's a universal part of being human.” Kreitzer said the data reported by APM Lab is comparable to other global and U.S. data on the subject. ADVERTISEMENT “Other studies, like this one found that loneliness peaks in younger age groups,” she said, calling it “a very interesting finding.” The survey found that the Gen Z cohort of 18 to 27, were the most lonely. “That surprises a lot of people, but I think it’s consistent with other data,” Kreitzer said. She said people assume that older people suffer from loneliness because they lack the social connections they once had earlier in their lives. The survey data, instead, showed that baby boomers, currently aged 60-78, are the least lonely of adult-age generations in Minnesota: 63% score as “rarely lonely” and only 7% indicated frequent loneliness. “Sometimes, like in the boomer generation, when people have retired, they actually have more time to build and strengthen connections,” Kreitzer said. “Boomers can be great at joining groups, pursuing interests, be that hobbies or fitness activities or book clubs or volunteering, and all of those are ways that can really help us build social connections.” She said her local YMCA in Grand Rapids is a hub of activity with engaged older folks. She sees them playing cards, working out, swimming and more. Gen Zers, however, are experiencing numerous life transitions. “During that age, they’re expected to separate from their family, to find a partner, to launch a career,” Kreitzer said. “So there’s been a lot of disruption in social connections that they probably have had in their life for a long, long time.” ADVERTISEMENT Henning-Smith called the loneliness rates among young adults “concerning.” Social media and technology may explain part of the higher rates. “People who live their lives online, people who are digital natives and were born into a world where they’re living their lives online, have fundamentally different ways of connecting with other people,” Henning-Smith said. “I worry that some of those skills and some of the infrastructure for connecting with people in meaningful ways and in-person connections might be lacking for some folks in younger generations.” Kreitzer suggests to those who may have frequent bouts of loneliness to acknowledge the feelings. Don’t ignore them. She advises them to reach out to family and friends to try to build or rebuild social connections. She also encourages people to join groups based on their interests. Kreitzer highly recommends volunteering because of the health benefits associated with it. “There’s actually research on that that, like, volunteering helps improve our own well-being,” she said. “It can actually improve our overall positive outlook, our mental health and well-being.” ADVERTISEMENT Back in Hayfield, Bolle said he tries to find community to fend off his loneliness. His location is a challenge because he finds groups in the Twin Cities some 90 miles away. He belongs to a spiritual group that meets once a week in Rochester, but that’s a 52-mile round trip, so he only goes from time to time. Bolle also prepares himself to encounter situations that bring on feelings of loneliness when he goes to Rochester on his weekends to run errands. “When I see families out having fun together, or groups of people, groups of young people, you know, out together and having fun, that can trigger pangs of loneliness,” he said. “I just feel like I’m missing out on human connection.” He said when he was younger, he bought into society’s emphasis on rugged individualism. “But it just doesn’t work, because you will almost ultimately, always end up feeling lonely,” he said. When he traveled the world with the Navy, Bolle said he saw community and family as top priorities in other countries as well as in the Mexican and Latino communities of Southern California where he grew up. “You really do need that connection with other people,” he said. “It’s almost as important as food and shelter, you know?” The data and the heart appear to agree. This story was originally published on MPRNews.org ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
WISE, Va., Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are advised by Wrap Technologies, Inc. that journalists and other readers should disregard the news release, “Wrap Technologies Unveils Go-Forward Strategy, Pioneering End-to-End Public Safety and Defense Solutions with New Virginia Facility” issued on November 22, 2024, over GlobeNewswire.4 easy, comforting bean dishes for fall
ASX have been a mixed bag in 2025, with some names outperforming the market by a wide margin while others have floundered. The (ASX: XHJ), which tracks the sector's market performance, has climbed 7.75% this year to date. This is behind the broader market represented by the ASX: XJO), which is up nearly 11% over the same time. But experts reckon ASX healthcare shares are poised to take centre stage in 2025. Could this signal value waiting to be unlocked? Let's see. Outlook for ASX healthcare shares Analysts and investment firms are bullish on the Australian healthcare 's long-term fundamentals. This could be positive for ASX healthcare shares. Earlier this year, Wilsons Advisory described the sector's outlook as , citing a combination of robust earnings growth and relatively low valuations. Healthcare expenditure is also projected to surge over the coming years. The Federal Budget projected by FY25, increasing to $123 billion the following year. Meanwhile, Fidelity International highlights the ageing population for healthcare companies. It says the number of people aged over 65 is expected to double by 2050. Healthcare has another notable structural driver: the global population aged over 65 will double by 2050 and the proportion of incomes we spend on keeping ourselves healthy will continue to grow. Aussie investors are also jumping on board the healthcare gravy train. According to investment firm VanEck's latest investor survey, ASX healthcare shares are in Australians plan to target in 2025 (alongside technology). The survey found that 77% of respondents were eyeing international equity , with healthcare topping the list of sectors due to its defensive nature and growth potential. Where are the opportunities? According to VanEck, global and ASX healthcare shares have " for investors. The company says there are four primary ways to gain exposure to the space, namely businesses in the pharmaceutical, , equipment and supply, and healthcare services domains. VanEck also says is key. Investors can gain exposure to healthcare companies by buying shares in healthcare companies directly or via a fund or . Meanwhile. analysts are bullish on two giants among fellow ASX healthcare shares. Bell Potter rates ( ) a buy forecasting "above market" profit growth for the biotech giant. ECP Asset Management also has long-term projections on CSL, being of by 2027. ( ) is also rated highly by brokers. A total of 15 from 18 brokers covering the stock rate it a buy, according to CommSec. Ord Minnett , with a $40.05 per share price target. It projects profit growth of 13% from the respiratory device business in 2025. Final thoughts According to experts, ASX healthcare shares are well-positioned for 2025. Part of this is due to the outlook on the broader healthcare industry. Meanwhile, analysts see plenty of earnings potential from companies within the sector. Stepping back, healthcare is known as a 'defensive' industry because it is not strongly correlated to the ups and downs of the broader economy. In other words, healthcare is considered necessary in both good and bad economic times.4 easy, comforting bean dishes for fall"By incorporating zygomatic and pterygoid implants into the All-on-X system, we're offering groundbreaking solutions that give even the most challenging cases the permanent, beautiful smiles they deserve," says Dr. Justin Scott. Post this "Our goal is to ensure that no patient is turned away due to the complexity of their case," said Dr. Justin Scott, owner of Pure Dental Health. "By incorporating zygomatic and pterygoid implants into the All-on-X system, we're offering groundbreaking solutions that give even the most challenging cases the permanent, beautiful smiles they deserve." Why Pure Dental Health Stands Out As a leader in full-mouth rehabilitation, Pure Dental Health combines advanced technology, an in-house lab, and a skilled surgical team to deliver exceptional patient care. Key advantages of... Pure Dental Health
ATLANTA — Holidays are a time for families and friends to gather, but for older people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, it can cause so much stress and confusion that they could be in danger of what experts calls wandering. Related Articles “I would say around the holiday time is the biggest challenge for people with dementia,” said Kim Franklin, senior manager of programs and services at the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Schedules are changing, people are traveling, families are coming together and friends are coming over. There’s a lot of chaos going on and that can cause a person to wander. They want to get away. It’s hard for them to process what’s happening.” The Alzheimer’s Association reports 72% of dementia patients who wander are found alive by the next day. Alerting 911 as soon as the person goes missing is critical. The odds of survival decrease as more time passes. Angel Alonso, president of Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery based in Gwinnett County, said the vast majority — between 60% and 70% — of the 30 to 40 calls the nonprofit received last year involved people with the disease. The GESAR is a volunteer-driven organization that works with law enforcement to find people who have gone missing, including children, people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and people lost during major disasters. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Vice President John Clark, who is also volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. For caregivers and loved ones, a relative who goes missing is devastating. Two of Clark’s grandparents had dementia, so he gravitated to search and rescue to help other families and caregivers keep their loved ones safe. He’s consulted with police departments across metro Atlanta on the best ways to find people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can cause people to lose their ability to recognize people and places that are familiar. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are often warning signs that a person might wander. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander during the course of the disease. That includes people returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Or they may talk about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work or talk about going home even when they’re at home. Sometimes they become restless and pace or make repetitive movements. Clark recounted one call for help when a family reported a missing relative, but they insisted she couldn’t have gone far because of a bad knee that limited her to walking no further than the mailbox. Searchers found the missing woman 7 miles from home. Even those who have never shown an interest in wandering might start without warning. Dan Goerke is fortunate. His late wife, Diane, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, once went missing from the car of a caregiver. The caregiver had stopped for an errand. Diane had waited alone in cars as people ran errands before. But this time, when the caregiver returned, Diane was gone but her seat belt was still fastened. “It was like she disappeared into thin air,” said Goerke, who said he doesn’t blame the caregiver. Fortunately, she was found uninjured and nearby a short time later that same day. Goerke said it’s hard for caregivers to always be on guard for wandering. “We have so many things to juggle that’s not necessarily at the top of our minds. We have to manage medications, take them to doctor’s appointments, cook meals and taking care of things day to day,” he said. Clark said when searching for someone with dementia, one of the keys is to know what the person was like before their diagnosis. Often their long-term memories are still strong. They once found a woman who walked out of her home and went to where she used to shop and to her old job, although it had closed. Recently, GESAR unveiled a new tool to search for missing people: Maverick. An 8-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Maverick is in training to be part of the GESAR search and research team that will track missing people, including wandering dementia patients in metro Atlanta. In cases involving children and people with dementia, a dog’s personality can also be an asset. Labs like Maverick are friendly and affectionate, not imposing or threatening like some other breeds — and less likely to scare the person who is lost. Canines can be used in searches in both rural and urban areas. “He’s an asset,” said Maverick’s handler, Carmen Alonso. “His nose can pick up odors and track where a person has been that we might not think to go that direction.” At the Cobb County Police Department, Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Smith said if dogs are needed to search for a wanderer they call the sheriff’s department, which has bloodhounds. “They’re not apprehension dogs so there’s little or no likelihood of a bite,” he said. Technology can also help, Smith said. Searchers can use drones and families can install technology on a person’s car to help locate it or use other kinds of trackable devices including on their phone. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Clark, who is also a volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Most cases they’ve worked on have had favorable results, according to the Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery organization. No two searches are the same, said Sgt. Jeremy Blake of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. “When responding to calls for a missing person, the response is different than that of a fleeing suspect,” he wrote in an email. “The K-9s that are used to track missing persons are not trained in the apprehension of suspects. ... Often times, if the K-9 cannot locate the missing person, they can provide officers with a more accurate direction of travel than they may previously had.” Nearly 7 million U.S. residents age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s according to the most recent . Of those, more than 188,000 Georgians ages 65 and older also have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. There is a better chance of being found in urban environments because of a higher probability of a “good Samaritan” stepping in. Wanderers may give no forewarning. Often those with memory issues wander away during activities they’ve done safely in the past, such as shopping or sitting on a front porch. Some people who still drive can become disoriented and drive for miles away from home. According to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, on average, half the calls for missing persons involve the elderly or someone with disabilities. Call 911 as soon as possible. Have a photograph available for first responders and an article of clothing to provide a scent for search dogs. Sharing what the missing person liked to do in prior years can be a key: Did they have a job they went to every day? Did they like to fish or go to a certain spot? Searchers will need to know the last time the person was seen to help determine how far a person might have wandered. ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.I began to panic when my car key wouldn’t come out of the ignition switch. I twisted it, yanked it, begged it and cursed it. Nothing worked. It was stuck. I had just pulled into the parking lot at my office in Munster and tried to turn off my car, a temperamental 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo with 314,000 miles. Her name is Betsy. Her engine kept running as my mind raced with what I should do next. I quickly sent a text to my mechanic for any suggestions. Then I sent a text to my boss, telling him I was stuck in our parking lot. I was at work, sort of, but not for long. I had to get to an interview, so I pulled out of the lot and headed in that direction while I figured out my next move. Should I leave my car running while doing that interview? Should I drive straight to the repair shop in Valparaiso? Should I pray to the car gods for mercy? The key ignition problem was just the latest in a series of minor but aggravating issues I’ve had with Betsy over the past few years. Passing an emissions test every two years has felt like acing a final exam in astrophysics. She’s slowly dying, and it feels like my driver seat is situated inside a casket. The SS decal on her side once stood for Super Sport. Now it stands for Super Sad. The dashboard lights blink like a Christmas tree. Her worn out brakes shake the car at fast stops. Exhaust fumes serve as an air freshener inside the car. My side mirror looks toward the sky, not at the road. The driver seat looks like it’s been mauled by a bear. The sunroof hasn’t worked in years. My seat hasn’t been heated since the first Obama administration. Betsy rattles, vibrates and smells like burnt oil. She is held together by rust, hope and stubbornness. On her rear bumper is a “26.2” sticker from the Chicago Marathon I ran back when Betsy and I were both in better condition. But she’s the one who’s still running a marathon, for vehicles anyway. Most modern cars can make it to 200,000 miles without any major issues if it’s well-maintained, according to J.D. Powers. The average owner drives 10,000 to 20,000 miles per year, accounting for roughly 15 years of service. Betsy has surpassed this by five years and 115,000 miles. She should be entombed at a junkyard by now, not leaking quarts of oil in my garage. But I just can’t part with her. She’s been my longest romantic relationship, and I love Betsy despite all of her rust, problems and potential dangers. She can die on me at any time. I’ve come to grips with this fact or fate. When she eventually makes that sad trip across the Rainbow Bridge, I will be forced to do something I haven’t done in 20 years: buy a new vehicle for myself. Black Friday and the weekend after Thanksgiving is a popular time for shoppers to look for a new or used vehicle, according to Kelley Blue Book. Auto manufacturers offer end-of-year deals, low interest rates and lower monthly payments. I was intrigued until I researched the average monthly car payment for U.S. drivers in 2024: $734 for new vehicles and $525 for used vehicles. What? Huh? Are you kidding me? My wife and I recently paid off her 2017 Buick Encore and its $400 monthly payments. We haven’t had a car payment in months. I asked my social media readers how much they’re paying each month for their vehicle, regardless if it was purchased new or used. Their responses gave me sticker shock: $1,384 a month for a 2024 BMW; $1,105 for a new Chevy Blazer; $920 for a 2022 Land Rover; $994 for a 2023 Dodge Ram Bighorn; $640 for a 2021 Chevy Trailblazer; and $438 for a used 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Some readers said they were paying nearly as much for their car as their mortgage. “Wait until the tariffs hit the auto industry,” another reader wrote. Maybe I can keep old Betsy alive for another month or maybe another year? “Don’t you die on me,” I often tell her on the road. Every time I drive Betsy, I wonder if it will be the last time. I keep spare clothes and running shoes in the trunk, just in case. I’ve poured a few thousand dollars into her over the past 10 years. Not enough to scrap it, though. Last year, I had to finally scrap another family vehicle , a 2005 Hyundai Tucson, for $500. It was slowly dying from old age, parked at the curb for months, and in need of money we didn’t have to keep it alive. Before I scrap Betsy for a similar price, if that, I plan to keep her until death do us part. I figure I’m saving at least $500 a month, not to mention lower auto insurance premiums. If she makes it through winter, I’ll take a long cruise and play a love song we first heard together in 2004. Of course I’ll play it on a cassette or CD. Yep, they still work, sometimes. Davich writes for The Times of Northwest Indiana: Jerry.Davich@nwi.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!Eagles look to clinch NFC East title while Cowboys hope to play spoiler
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been asked to review “incompetence” at the Met Office that led to a “clear underestimation” of the impact of Storm Bert. Labour MP for Cardiff West, Alex Barros-Curtis, said warnings should have been “amber or red”, as Mr Reed told MPs that more flooding is “likely”. Hundreds of homes were left under water, roads were turned into rivers and winds of more than 80mph were recorded across parts of the UK. More than 130 flood warnings and 160 alerts remained in place across the UK on Monday. In the Commons on Monday, Mr Barros-Curtis asked: “Can I ask that the Secretary of State speak to his Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) colleagues to carefully look into the role of the Met Office here? “It is clear that their response was slow and that there was a clear underestimation of the impact of Storm Bert. “They put it yellow rather than amber or red. Our constituents have been let down by this incompetence before, and it cannot keep happening.” Mr Reed said: “In most parts of the countries that were affected, warnings were given with adequate time for people to prepare and I would encourage people to sign up on the Defra website, or the Environment Agency website for warnings and alerts if they live in an area that could be affected by flooding. “I’m aware of the particular concern that he mentions regarding the Met Office, and I will indeed be speaking to colleagues in DSIT as they review the circumstances of that and look at how the situation can be improved for future events of this kind.” During his update to the House, the Environment Secretary said that more flooding this week is “likely” but its impact “should be less severe” than has been seen. He said: “Around 28,000 properties are being protected by Environment Agency flood defences. “Unfortunately, an estimated 107 properties have flooded across England, principally from river and surface water flooding.” He added: “The Environment Agency and local responders have also been busy protecting properties elsewhere in England, including flooding from the River Teme in Tenbury Wells where around 40 properties have flooded. “The river has now peaked and local responders will be focusing on the lower reaches of rivers over the next few days.” He further stated: “Further flooding is sadly likely over the next few days as water levels rise in slower flowing rivers such as the Severn and the Ouse. “The Environment Agency anticipates that any impacts should be less severe than we have seen in recent days.” Mr Reed also described the flood defences they inherited from the previous government as being “in the worst condition on record following years of underinvestment”. He added: “Over 3,000 of our key flood defences are below an acceptable standard. “That is why we are investing £2.4 billion over the next two years to build and maintain flood defences.” Elsewhere in the session, Labour MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, was among the MPs to call for a legal duty on fire services to respond to flooding. She said: “I want to express my solidarity and thanks to all of our emergency services, including firefighters on the front line. “Extreme weather events are on the rise and becoming ever more frequent due to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for proper funding and resources. “England is the only part of the UK without a statutory duty for flooding, leaving fire services underfunded and under-resourced to respond effectively. This must change, as the FBU (Fire Brigades Union) has long called for.” “When will the Government finally provide a statutory duty for Fire and Rescue authorities to respond to flooding incidents in England?” Mr Reed replied: “The fire and rescue authorities have the powers to intervene, but she’s quite right to point out there’s not a duty, and officials in my department, working with the Home Office, will review that to see that that remains appropriate.” Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith said some communities in his constituency are flooding “for the first time in decades” as he accused the Government of wanting to “concrete over the countryside”. He said: “That is a result of some of the big infrastructure we are seeing being built, particularly HS2 where they will concrete over a field completely, it seems, unaware that that will have a knock-on effect to farmland next door. “So will the Secretary of State commit to working with the Transport Secretary (Louise Haigh) and I also suggest the Deputy Prime Minister (Angela Rayner) given their plans to concrete over the countryside to ensure that where construction takes place proper, and I really mean proper, flood mitigation measures are put into place.” Mr Reed replied: “This needs to operate across Government, and we will have those conversations and ensure that measures are put in place to support communities as much as is possible from the more severe weather events that we’re seeing as a result of climate change.”
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