In the wake of Helene’s devastation, landslides and extended outages in Western North Carolina, the Christmas lights at Biltmore Estate in Asheville shine like a beacon of hope. Amid the unimaginable destruction, Biltmore remained relatively unscathed, suffering some flooding and limited damage to its entrance and farm. Crews clean up and repair the damage from Helene at the entrance to Biltmore Estate in late September. The late-1800s mansion reopened seven weeks after the storm, and “Christmas at Biltmore is back in all its traditional glory,” says Marissa Jamison, Biltmore’s public relations manager. “In the time since Helene, our community has made tremendous progress in rebuilding, reopening, and welcoming back visitors to our area,” Jamison says. “Almost all of downtown Asheville is open and ready for business, its infrastructure has remained largely untouched by the storm.” Downtown shops, restaurants, galleries, artist studios and restaurants are open, “alongside our neighbors in the towns of Weaverville and Black Mountain and in South Asheville,” she says. People are also reading... Visitors to the Asheville area "will help our economy during this critical period of recovery," Jamison says. Biltmore Estate during holiday season. Biltmore Estate is America’s largest privately owned mansion, built by the Vanderbilt family. The French Renaissance home and surrounding estate are situated on an 8,000-acre estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Biltmore’s halls and gardens celebrate tradition and inspiration. The estate is a testament to the strength and perseverance of North Carolina’s top attraction at the holidays and every day of the year. Here’s how to make the most of Christmas at Biltmore, now through Jan. 5. Timeless holiday decor adorns every room at Biltmore this time of year. Daytime Christmas Tours: Holiday decorations that number in the thousands are on view inside the 250-room Biltmore House. Marvel at the breathtaking Christmas trees throughout the house, each beautifully adorned with unique themes. A towering 35-foot-tall Fraser Fir tree, laden with ornaments and wrapped packages tucked into its branches, serves as the seasonal centerpiece. Festive Evening Tours: Experience the grandeur of Biltmore by candlelight, as your self-guided tour showcases impressive Christmas decorations, by choosing the Candlelight Christmas Evenings ticket. Setting the scene is a 55-foot Norway spruce tree sparkling from the glow of more than 60,000 tiny lights in the center of the front lawn. Four hundred hand-lit luminaries line the walkway to Biltmore House. Musical performances by choirs and soloists take place in the Winter Garden during evening tours featuring holiday classics. The Banquet Hall highlights the mountain beauty with a natural and formal Christmas look. A couple of examples of this year’s design scheme in specific rooms in Biltmore House: Capture the Moment with Photos: With beautiful decorations and stunning backdrops, don’t forget to take photos around the estate among the holiday ambiance. A photographer is stationed close to Biltmore House for photos, if desired. Dale Chihuly Persian Ceiling, 2012 25 x 15' Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, installed 2013. Last season for Chihuly at Biltmore: Adding to the allure this Christmas, don’t miss the chance to see glass-artist Dale Chihuly’s works. This is the final season to see Chihuly’s masterpieces at Biltmore. All tickets that include the Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition include free access to Biltmore’s gardens and grounds on the next consecutive day. This is the final season to witness Dale Chihuly’s masterpieces at Biltmore.. Chihuly's Mille Fiori. A Tropical Oasis in Wintertime: Stroll through the beautifully adorned Conservatory, where hundreds of holiday poinsettias in different colors and patterns warm up the inside of the glass-roofed greenhouse, along with a large and unusual array of tropical plants. Outdoor Adventure s: Biltmore’s grounds feature numerous trails perfect for strolls to take in beautiful winter landscapes. The famed Biltmore Winery. Wine Tasting and Dining: A visit to the famed Biltmore Winery is an essential part of the holiday experience. Biltmore’s holiday commemorative wines will be available for sale in the Winery. Dine at estate restaurants to experience favorite seasonal dishes and craft cocktails. Carriage Rides: Meet the Biltmore horses and learn about Biltmore's history while enjoying stunning views from a hill overlooking Biltmore House on a 30-minute or one-hour carriage ride. It’s a unique experience that children love, especially the chance to pet the horses. Children under age 5 can ride free on the lap of a ticketed adult. Enjoy the bonfire locations along the path leading from the Village to Antler Hill Barn & Farmyard. Antler Hill Village Illuminated: As evening falls over Antler Hill Village, the estate’s European-inspired village, a constellation of holiday lights illuminate trees, quaint buildings, the Winery and walking paths for a mesmerizing light show. Enjoy the bonfire locations along the path leading from the Village to Antler Hill Barn & Farmyard. Ingredients for s’mores may be purchased at The Creamery in Antler Hill Village. Visits with Santa: Santa makes visits to the Antler Hill Village Bandstand where he’ll pose for pictures and listen to wish lists on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on select weekdays. Holiday Gingerbread: Each year, The Inn on Biltmore Estate’s talented pastry chefs construct a spectacular scene from Biltmore out of gingerbread, carefully crafting all the delicious details with a sampler of sweets including frosting, candies, cookies and more. The gingerbread house is a highlight of The Inn’s lobby décor. Antler Hill Barn, Farmyard & Pisgah Playground: Take children to the farmyard to learn about chickens and pet goats and watch cows graze. Directly across the playground is Pisgah Playground, a full-sized playground with a swing set, sand play area, climbing logs, a slide and more. Antler Hill Barn is the historic horse barn with a working blacksmith demonstrating his craft, along with other crafters and traditional games that kids can play. Holiday Stays at Biltmore : A stay at Biltmore for the holidays is a tradition for many families. It gives visitors the ultimate holiday experience and a break from the holiday hustle and bustle. Holiday packages are offered at the luxurious Four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate and at the cozy farmhouse-feel of Village Hotel, both decked out for the holidays. Historic cottages from Biltmore’s agricultural past now accommodate overnight guests too. Depending on the package, offerings include admission to Chihuly at Biltmore, Wine Welcome Socials and more. The Inn on Biltmore Estate has undergone renovations, and guests may request a newly renovated room when booking. The refreshed designs are inspired by the elegance, collections and the Gilded Age history of Biltmore House. In the renovated King Rooms, inspiration comes from the Bachelor Wing of Biltmore House, featuring rich layers of patterns and blue hues. The Inn’s renovated Double Rooms draw inspiration from Edith Vanderbilt’s Parisian years and feature light shades of blush and ivory. Timeless holiday decor adorns every room at Biltmore this time of year. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here . To learn what to expect at Biltmore and in Asheville following Helene, click here . The region’s recovery from Helene is expected to take years, with needs changing with each season, weather change and stage of recovery and rebuilding. You can help by supporting organizations serving the region, including: BeLoved Asheville : Provides essential aid and shelter, ongoing cleanup, long-term housing solutions and inclusive growth within the community. Always Asheville Fund : Through emergency grants, helps small independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County. Samaritan's Purse : Serving mountain communities in eight counties through our rebuild program, replacing manufactured homes, rebuilding and repairing stick-built homes, and providing additional assistance in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Sign up for our twice-monthly Winston-Salem Magazine newsletter.casino games machine 。

In a pivotal diplomatic encounter, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington D.C. to evaluate the progress of the US-India partnership during President Joe Biden's tenure. The meeting highlighted the strengthened ties between the two nations across various domains. Jaishankar conveyed his confidence in the enduring nature of the India-US relationship, affirming that it would continue to serve both mutual interests and contribute to global welfare. His engagement with US officials comes ahead of the transition of power to Donald Trump on January 20. In another significant development, Jaishankar chaired a historic conference with the Consul Generals of India across major US cities. This initiative aimed at enhancing technology, trade, and investment collaborations, besides better serving the Indian diaspora in America. (With inputs from agencies.)

Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations.Airbnb has announced it’s deploying “anti-party technology” to prevent “unauthorized and disruptive parties” from happening at homes on its platform for New Year’s Eve. If you were planning on hosting a get-together, start thinking of a Plan B. The company says it’s using machine learning to identify and block high-risk, whole-home bookings in advance based on a variety of criteria. Airbnb’s assessment takes into account things like the length of a trip, how far a listing is from your current location, and when you’re trying to book to weed out potentially disruptive parties. If you’re booking a two-night stay a week before New Year’s Eve, you’re likely to tingle Airbnb’s anti-party senses. The company will either block your reservation entirely or direct you to different accommodations. Party detection technology will be used in countries and regions globally, according to Airbnb. If you’re trying to book an entire home in “the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, the UK, France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand,” you’ll also have to be willing to stay for more than three days and agree to a “mandatory anti-party attestation” to be allowed to book. Airbnb’s transformation into the party police has been happening for a few years at this point. The company claims that it blocked 74,000 people globally from booking an entire home listing for a party in 2023. It’s also deployed its machine learning tech to weed out unauthorized events before. Airbnb’s stricter stance towards events started in earnest during 2019, when it banned “party houses” after five people died in a shooting at an Airbnb listing. Airbnb banned all parties outright in 2020, and the company now offers hosts multiple tools for tamping down noise complaints, including a free sensor that can be placed in homes to detect noises over a certain volume.

Every year, Switzerland gets a new president. It happens so often that some Swiss people don’t know the name of their head of state. The role of Swiss president doesn’t come with the power of most presidencies. Switzerland’s president is selected from the seven-member Federal Council and the role comes with no additional constitutional powers than those conferred on the other six federal concillors. However, the president is given the job of dealing directly with other heads of state, even if only in a ceremonial capacity. In 2025, the presidential baton will pass from Viola Amherd to Karin Keller-Sutter, a member of the FDP/PLR. Keller-Sutter’s presidency was supported by 168 members of the combined 200-member parliament and the 46-member Council of States, who voted. KKS, as she is also known, spent her childhood in Wil in the canton of St. Gallen where she continues to live. She studied lingusitics at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and politics in London and Montreal. Later she trained and worked as a teacher. Her political career started when she became a municipal councillor in Wil in 1992, a position she held until 2000 alongside being a parliamentary representative for the canton of St. Gallen from 1996 until 2000 when she became a member of the canton’s executive team. In 2011, KKS was elected by the canton of St. Gallen to become a member of the Council of States, one of two cantonal members representing the canton in Switzerland’s federal upper house. In 2018, she was elected as a member of the Federal Council, a position she still holds. According to a reporter at SRF, KKS is highly respected but not loved. She has a reputation for being uncompromising on the nations financial situation, describing Switzerland’s debt brake as her best friend, something that has not endeared her to some on the left.

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. People are also reading... Beatrice house suffers severe damage from Christmas fire Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend At the courthouse, Dec. 21, 2024 Beatrice church starts construction on fellowship hall Former Beatrice man sentenced for sex assault of runaway City employee retires after 47 years Gage County supervisors vote down FOP contract offer Two faces charges in January vehicle thefts Downtown Beatrice festive for the holidays Beatrice's Schroeder wins at Junior Angus show Beatrice man pleads guilty to receiving child sex abuse images What’s open and closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2024? Nebraska volleyball libero Lexi Rodriguez signs with LOVB's Omaha team Main Street welcomes new director Matt Rhule and Nebraska football plan Pinstripe Bowl practice in Central Park "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. How many credit cards do you have? US consumers now carry fewer than 4 credit cards on average Many consumers may remember receiving their first credit card, either years ago in a plain envelope, or months ago from a smartphone app. Still other consumers may remember their newest card, maybe because it's the credit card they're now using exclusively to maximize cash back rewards or airline miles. But for most consumers, there's also a murky in-between where they add, drop and generally accumulate credit cards over time. Over the years, consumers may close some credit card accounts or leave some of their credit cards dormant as a backup form of payment, or perhaps left forgotten in a desk drawer. In the data below, Experian reveals the changes in consumers wallets in recent years. Average Number of Cards Has Declined Since 2017 U.S. consumers, on average, carry fewer cards today than they did in 2017, when the typical wallet held 4.2 active credit cards. As of the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, consumers carried 3.9 cards on average. This average is up slightly since the early days of the pandemic, when consumers reduced their average credit card debt and number of accounts as the economy slowed. Number of Credit Cards Carried Drops Throughout the Years As Experian revealed earlier this year, credit card balances are still climbing, despite (and partially because of) higher interest rates. And while average balances are increasing, they are spread across fewer accounts than in recent years. Alternative financing—including buy now, pay later plans for purchases—may account for at least some of this discrepancy, as consumers gravitate toward these newer financing methods. Residents of More Populous States Have More Credit Cards on Average In general, residents of higher-population states tend to carry more credit cards than those who live in states with fewer and smaller population centers. Nonetheless, the difference between the states is relatively small. Considering that the national average is around four credit cards per consumer, the four states with the fewest cards per consumer (Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming) aren't appreciably different, with "only" about 3.3 credit cards per consumer. Average Number of Credit Cards Per Consumer is Similar Across the U.S. Similarly, the four states on the higher end of the scale where consumers have 4.2 or more credit cards are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Older Consumers Have More Active Credit Cards on Average The disparity in average credit card counts is more apparent when the population is segmented by age, thanks in part to Generation Z, many of whom have yet to receive their first credit card. The average number of credit cards for these consumers was two, less than half of what older generations keep on hand. Number of Cards Carried Increases Into Middle Age 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. How Many Credit Cards Is Too Many? 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 . Utilization and amounts owed: Credit card issuers extend credit to consumers in the form of a credit limit. Generally, the lower a consumer's credit utilization, or balance compared with credit limit, the better. Keeping credit utilization ratios under 30% can lessen the negative impact credit card balances have on scores, and those with the highest credit scores tend to have credit utilization ratios in the low single digits. Conversely, carrying balances that begin to approach one's credit limits may have adverse effects on credit scores. Delinquencies and payment history: As important as managing balances is, making payments on existing accounts has an even greater impact on scores. Even a single delinquency (late payment) may have an adverse effect on your credit score, no matter how few or many credit card accounts you have. Average age of accounts: This is the only credit score factor where the number of cards one carries may influence their credit score. However, even here, keeping older credit cards open is far from a clear-cut decision. 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. The Bottom Line 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.

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Report West Indies ride on Greaves' 115 to exert dominance over Bangladesh A late fast-bowling burst from the West Indies seamers left Bangladesh 410 behind with eight wickets in hand Mohammad Isam 23-Nov-2024 • 20 mins ago File photo: Greaves posted the highest first-class score of his career • Getty Images and Cricket Australia {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/374200/374217.4.jpg","caption":"File photo: Greaves posted the highest first-class score of his career"} Bangladesh 40 for 2 (Alzarri 1-2, Seales 1-15) trail West Indies 450 for 9 (Greaves 115, Louis 97, Athanaze 90, Roach 47, Hasan 3-87) by 410 runs A maiden Test century for Justin Greaves headlined a dominant day for West Indies against Bangladesh on day two of the Antigua Test. After his 115 helped West Indies post 450 for 9, West Indies bookended the day with two Bangladesh wickets, leaving the visitors 410 behind with eight wickets in hand. It was a fine recovery after slipping to 261 for 7 despite an overnight score of 250 for 5. Greaves shared a 140-run eighth wicket stand with Kemar Roach , who batted for more than four hours for 47, his highest Test score in his 15-year career. Greaves' unbeaten 115 justified his Super50 form, where he struck three consecutive centuries earlier this month. He made a patient effort, striking just four boundaries in his 206-ball stay. It was the perfect follow-up to the nineties that Alick Athanaze and Mikyle Louis had scored on day one to lay the foundation. Bangladesh continued to give away strong positions with the ball, toiling for 144.1 overs, but unable to bowl out the home side. Hasan Mahmud took three wickets, all of them on the second day. Taskin Ahmed toiled hard and even found the edge of Greaves' bat once but nobody appealed. The spinners, stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, shared three wickets from their combined 73.1 overs. West Indies declared with Bangladesh needing to bat out a maximum time of an hour and 45 minutes. But there was no respite for them against the four-man West Indian pace attack. Zakir Hasan fell for 15 after he under-edged a Jayden Seales delivery onto his stumps. The left-hander struck three fours in his short stay, all off Seales, but was slightly unlucky with the ball shaving the leg-stump. Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Alzarri Joseph for 5, shortly after he was dropped on the same score. It was a long way from the start of the day for the visitors, having started the day in the best possible way by taking two early wickets. Mahmud removed Joshua Da Silva with the fifth ball of the morning session, trapped lbw with a delivery that darted into his front pad. This was Mahmud's first wicket in the game despite bowling well on the first day. It was also his 24th wicket this year, making him the highest wicket-taker in a calendar year among Bangladesh's pace bowlers. File photo: Hasan Mahmud had helped Bangladesh start the morning well • BCCI {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/387600/387631.4.jpg","caption":"File photo: Hasan Mahmud had helped Bangladesh start the morning well"} That number became 25 when Alzarri fell in Mahmud's next over. Zakir took a superb two-handed catch at gully, reminiscent of how he opened the Pakistan tour with Abdullah Shafique's catch at gully in August. If Bangladesh sensed they had their opening to bowl out West Indies for under 300 runs, that was blunted by Roach. He was the right type of foil for Greaves, who was willing to grind out the Bangladesh attack. Greaves handed the strike to Roach from time to time, as the pair didn't allow any more wickets in the first session. There were only two boundaries in those 26 overs too, but that hardly bothered the home side who needed a recovery. Greaves started the second session with his third boundary when he pulled Taskin through midwicket. He, however, survived a caught-behind chance on 77 with neither Taskin nor wicketkeeper Jaker Ali (who was deputizing for Litton Das after the first session) hearing a faint nick. it was only a replay on the big screen that showed what Bangladesh missed out on. Shortly afterwards, a Roach single brought up the team's maiden century partnership for the eighth wicket against Bangladesh. It was followed by a rain break of seven minutes, after which Roach slammed Mehidy over his head for his first boundary. Mahmud finally removed Roach with a fine angling delivery, clipping the top of his middle-stump. Their 140-run stand was West Indies' third-highest for the eighth wicket. Greaves soon reached his century with his fourth boundary shot, driving Taijul through the covers. It was potentially his best shot of the innings and the landmark was only his second first-class ton. West Indies declared in the 145th over of their innings, after their tail-enders Seales and Shamar Joseph struck some meaty blows. That left enough time for the bowlers to have a crack, which they successfully did. Justin Greaves Kemar Roach Bangladesh West Indies West Indies vs Bangladesh Bangladesh tour of West Indies ICC World Test Championship Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84 Get latest cricket updates on WhatsAppNew York state government to monitor its use of AI under a new law

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The Reform UK leader pushed back against reports suggesting that legal action would be the next step, saying he would make a decision in the next couple of days about his response if there is no apology for the “crazy conspiracy theory”. Mr Farage also said the party has “opened up our systems” to media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, in the interests of “full transparency to verify that our numbers are correct”. His remarks came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of “fakery” in response to Reform claiming they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. Mrs Badenoch said Reform’s counter was “coded to tick up automatically”. A digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Mr Farage, on whether he was threatening legal action or not, told the PA news agency: “I haven’t threatened anything. I’ve just said that unless I get an apology, I will take some action. “I haven’t said whether it’s legal or anything.” He added: “All I’ve said is I want an apology. If I don’t get an apology, I will take action. “I will decide in the next couple of days what that is. So I’ve not specified what it is.” Mr Farage, on the move to make membership data available to media organisations, said: “We feel our arguments are fully validated. “She (Mrs Badenoch) has put out this crazy conspiracy theory and she needs to apologise.” On why Mrs Badenoch had reacted as she did, Mr Farage said: “I would imagine she was at home without anybody advising her and was just angry.” Mr Farage, in a statement issued on social media site X, also said: “The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. “Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News and FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. “I am now demanding Kemi Badenoch apologises.” A Conservative Party source claimed Mr Farage was “rattled” that his Boxing Day “publicity stunt is facing serious questions”. They added: “Like most normal people around the UK, Kemi is enjoying Christmas with her family and looking forward to taking on the challenges of renewing the Conservative Party in the New Year.” Mrs Badenoch, in a series of messages posted on X on Thursday, said: “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age. This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn. Mrs Badenoch claimed in her thread that “the Conservative Party has gained thousands of new members since the leadership election”. Elsewhere, Mr Farage described Elon Musk as a “bloody hero” and said he believes the US billionaire can help attract younger voters to Reform. Tech entrepreneur Mr Musk met Mr Farage earlier this month at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, amid rumours of a possible donation to either Mr Farage or Reform. Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The shades, the bomber jacket, the whole vibe. Elon makes us cool – Elon is a huge help to us with the young generation, and that will be the case going on and, frankly, that’s only just starting. “Reform only wins the next election if it gets the youth vote. The youth vote is the key. Of course, you need voters of all ages, but if you get a wave of youth enthusiasm you can change everything. “And I think we’re beginning to get into that zone – we were anyway, but Elon makes the whole task much, much easier. And the idea that politics can be cool, politics can be fun, politics can be real – Elon helps us with that mission enormously.”What is Cormark’s Forecast for Orla Mining FY2028 Earnings?

A man almost outsmarted police, but a couple of wrong moves resulted in 24-year-old Michael Babolala facing the same music as his convicted older brother. Last year, police raided the home of Babolala’s older brother, Olusegun. There, they found Babolala, 24, Olusegun, 26, and over £7 000 — worth around $8,700 in USD — of crack cocaine and heroin hidden inside at least one tissue box, according to the In body cam footage from the raid, police also found weighing scales and multiple cell phones —with one of which being confirmed as the “deal line,” according to . Additionally in the house, authorities found designer clothing and footwear. The Babalola raid was just one of many in part of a 2023 police operation targeting drug dealers in the area, according to Both brothers were arrested during the raid, but because of a lack of physical evidence, the youngest brother was let go. It wasn’t until much later into their investigation into Olusegun that authorities realized Babolala wasn’t just in the wrong place at the wrong time during the raid. Detective Constable Olly Campbell, who led the investigation, said, “as a result of our investigation into his brother — who is now serving an eight-year prison sentence — we uncovered Michael’s criminality.” “We are actively targeting those who think it is acceptable to commit crime and supply drugs in Cambridgeshire,” he continued, “including those who travel from other areas of the country.” Eventually, Olusegun was sentenced to eight years behind bars on five counts of supplying crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, and possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine in September, according to the Peterborough Telegraph. Meanwhile, Babalola was living his best life, flexing Rolex watches, money, and more online, according to his social media. And that’s what ultimately helped investigators put two and two together. After discovering incriminating cell phone messages in conjunction with Babalola’s social media presence, authorities arrested the 24-year-old. On Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, Babalola pleaded guilty to drug supply and possession of criminal property. He’s now been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, according to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary. Babalola is the 19th person to be sentenced in part of the major police operation titled Operation Tsunami, according to officials.

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By Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .