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what is online games SANTA CLARA, CA — The national median asking rent fell to $1,720 in October, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of year-over-year declines, according to Realtor.com’s October Rental Report . This drop, a modest -0.8%, reflects a continuing trend of declining rents, particularly for smaller rental units, as growing multifamily housing supply eases pressure in the rental market. New rental properties entering the market have been critical in driving this trend. Construction projects started in the past two years are reaching completion, pushing more units into the market. Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, noted how this increase is helping renters. “New multifamily construction projects started in the last two years have hit the market in 2024, with a greater supply of units helping to soften rents and bring renters some relief,” Hale said. From January to September 2024, the annualized rate of multifamily completions reached 606,000 units, up substantially from the 445,000 units completed during the same period in 2023. While fewer completions are expected in 2025, rental housing stock is still projected to grow by 1.1% by fall 2025, bringing the total to over 49 million units, a 6.7% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. The South has seen the largest gains in rental housing stock this year, with a 49.1% jump in completions. This expansion has pushed rents lower, making it the region with the steepest declines in October. Memphis, Tenn., saw rents drop 5.4%, while Nashville, Tenn., recorded a 5.2% decline. Other regions also experienced shifts but at different paces. The Midwest saw completions increase by 44.9%, resulting in rent declines of 4.1% in Chicago. Meanwhile, in the West, completions rose 23.9%, with Denver (-5.6%) and Phoenix (-4.5%) leading rent declines. By contrast, the Northeast has seen slower growth in new rental housing, leading to less pronounced price drops. Some areas, such as New York, even saw a small rise in rents (0.4%). Looking ahead, the South is expected to continue leading in rental stock growth, with an anticipated 1.5% increase by fall 2025. Other regions, including the West (1.2%), Midwest (0.9%), and Northeast (0.7%), will also see gains, indicating ongoing downward pressure on rents nationwide. October rent declines were seen across all unit sizes, with the most significant drops for smaller-sized apartments. Studio rents fell by 1.2% year-over-year to a median of $1,436, a 3.6% decrease from their October 2022 peak. One-bedroom units dropped 0.9%, landing at $1,600, while two-bedroom rents fell 0.7% to $1,908. Despite these recent decreases, rents remain well above pre-pandemic levels. Studio rents are still 12.5% higher than five years ago, while rents for one- and two-bedroom units have risen 17.1% and 21.1%, respectively, over the same period. With ongoing additions to rental housing stock, renters can expect some continued relief in pricing into 2025, providing a more balanced and accessible market after years of soaring costs. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .There are some who grow to love baseball. And then there are those like Kirk Doyle, who are born into it. Among Doyle’s earliest memories are of him cavorting in a Major League clubhouse while father Brian played as a backup infielder on the 1978 world champion New York Yankees. It stood to reason that Doyle — a fair athlete in his own right — would follow in his father’s footsteps on the diamond. Though Kirk couldn’t match his father’s foot speed or hand-eye coordination to play professionally, he was good enough to play collegiately. And his passion for the game was unparalleled, even after hanging up his cleats for good. That’s when he joined his father’s famed Doyle Academy, for years one of the country’s preeminent training grounds for fledgling baseball players itching for a chance to play pro ball. At its peak — and through the formative years of Kirk’s childhood — the Florida-based Doyle Academy worked with upwards of 20,000 players and 10,000 coaches a year. But times change, and so do life circumstances. Kirk got married, switched careers after his son fell ill, and eventually got back into coaching a decade or so ago. Now 49, Doyle finds himself at the helm of the Allen Community College baseball program. He was appointed in November as interim head coach after college trustees placed his former boss, Clint Stoy, on a leave of absence at the start of the 2024-25 school year. “The reason I came was I saw an opportunity at a place that’s on the verge of something really cool,” Doyle said. DOYLE was born into a family of ball players. His father was one of three Doyle brothers — along with his twin brother Blake and older brother Denny — to have been drafted and played pro baseball. “That should be your story,” Doyle laughed. “Their story is nuts. They’re from this itty bitty town in the Middle of nowhere and win the state championship from the smallest school in Kentucky.”A partnership involving Italy, Britain and Japan to build an advanced front-line fighter jet will likely be extended to Saudi Arabia, the Italian foreign minister said on Wednesday. The three countries agreed in December 2022 on the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), the first major defense industry collaboration merging the separate next-generation fighter efforts of the countries. "The deal we have with Britain and Japan ... I think will now be extended to Saudi Arabia," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. Earlier this month, the three countries said they were discussing a broadening of the project, following a meeting in Brazil between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Japanese and British counterparts Shigeru Ishiba and Keir Starmer. The partners aim to see the combat aircraft in flight around the middle of next decade. Firms including Leonardo, BAE Systems and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have been involved in the project. Reuters previously reported that Saudi Arabia was among the candidates to become a junior partner in the GCAP, as it would bring money and a lucrative market to a project expected to cost tens of billions of dollars.

The official announcement regarding the appointment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s executives will likely take place between the first and second week of January. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirms to FBC News that the commission’s leadership will be supported by funding from either the UN or the European Union, ensuring that the process remains independent and focused on reconciliation and healing. Rabuka emphasized the importance of the TRC in addressing the ethnic divisions that played a significant role in the country’s political upheavals, particularly during the coups of 1987, 2000, and 2006. Rabuka shared that the selection process for a commissioner to lead the commission is underway. He adds that several potential candidates have been recommended for the role. Rabuka stressed that the chosen individual must be impartial and without any pre-existing agendas. The leader emphasized the need for a neutral figure capable of making balanced decisions and listening to all perspectives involved.Bilawal, Chinese envoy discuss bilateral relations

Moment Prince William makes hilarious dig at cheeky Prince Louis as family are gifted chocolates from wellwishersNoneNone

As hundreds of Winnipeg bus shelters await broken glass replacements and wintry weather sets in, the City of Winnipeg is preparing to test out a shatterproof alternative. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * As hundreds of Winnipeg bus shelters await broken glass replacements and wintry weather sets in, the City of Winnipeg is preparing to test out a shatterproof alternative. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? As hundreds of Winnipeg bus shelters await broken glass replacements and wintry weather sets in, the City of Winnipeg is preparing to test out a shatterproof alternative. A new pilot project will test how polycarbonate glass panels could help address the backlog in repairs. At a bus stop on Main Street that has several missing panes of glass, a Transit rider said it has been a struggle to escape recently plummeting temperatures. BORIS MINKEVICH / FREE PRESS FILES City workers clean up broken glass from a bush shelter on Maryland near Notre Dame. The city is launching a new pilot project to see if polycarbonate panels would be a viable alternative for glass in Winnipeg Transit bus shelters. “The winter is coming and it’s getting so cold and there’s a lot of people waiting for the buses. The (shelters) are not so good in quality. I think they should be much more winter-resistant,” said Tammana Bansal. Bansal said the effort to try out shatterproof glass to better keep structures intact is welcome. Another rider agreed. “I think that would be really good, especially when it’s super cold out, when it’s snowing ... and there’s nowhere to go,” said Summer Wilson. A new city tender seeks a company to buy the special glass for a roughly one-year pilot project, which does not yet have an exact start date. Last year, 305 bus shelters had 750 panes of glass damaged, information from Winnipeg Transit shows. This year so far, 233 shelters have been damaged, affecting 591 panes of glass and 93 doors. As of Tuesday, 207 shelters were missing at least some glass, up from 115 at the end of 2023 and 143 at the end of 2022. The city has 880 bus shelters, including 170 that are heated. Winnipeg Transit first confirmed it was planning to test out shatterproof glass at bus shelters in November 2023 but did not post a tender to buy the material until this week. In an email, a Transit spokeswoman said each panel is expected to cost between 2.5 and four times more than regular safety glass. “The cost and number of shelters installed with polycarbonate-style panels... will be determined as part of the (tender) evaluation process,” wrote Megan Benedictson. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of council’s public works committee, said she’s hopeful the pilot will ease the demand to replace shattered glass. “We’re constantly repairing, it’s costing us about $300,000 a year on replacing glass in the shelters. There are 183 open work orders right now... and it doesn’t seem like it’s coming to an end,” said Lukes (Waverley West). While the tender doesn’t note exactly how many shelters the shatterproof glass will be installed at, Lukes estimates it could be placed at about five to eight sites. She noted a surge in broken glass arrived with the pandemic, caused by vandalism, vehicle crashes and fires. “We’re hoping that this glass (will help prevent that)... There’s actually a lot of businesses that are using it and it’s proving to be very effective,” she said. Lukes said proper shelter is critical for transit riders in a winter city like Winnipeg and will also be needed after Winnipeg overhauls its primary transit network in June. “With the new primary network... virtually everyone’s going to have to make a transfer at some point in their trip ... because it’s a spine-and-feeder system. Your next bus might be five or 10 minutes (away),” she said. The councillor noted social issues appear linked to the shattered glass, as some bus shelters have also been used by the homeless as a place to stay. Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, said efforts to better maintain shelters are “terribly needed.” “As the work is structured, (bus) operators have to wait out on the street to take over (routes)... so they also need to be protected,” said Scott. The union leader, who represents drivers and bus shelter maintenance crews, said one of his members reported multiple panes of glass being shattered at the same bus shack three times in a short period. “That’s why the department has often exceeded its glass budget in the first third of the year... We understand that this shatterproof glass is more expensive. But, in the long run, it will be a cost savings, if you’re not having to replace those panels on a regular basis,” said Scott. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. However, he suspects catching up on glass replacements could be followed by an increase in the number of people seeking bus shelters to sleep in, since they would become relatively warmer. “This is probably now going to increase occupancy in shelters. (So) those underlying issues that bring that to the forefront have to be addressed as well,” he said. The city will accept bids to provide the shatter-resistant glass until Dec. 16. joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the before joining the in early 2020. . Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the before joining the in early 2020. . Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement AdvertisementElon Musk , the world’s wealthiest man and President-elect Donald Trump’s “first buddy, ” took to his social media platform X to ominously accuse the key witness in Trump’s first impeachment of treason while calling for him to “pay the appropriate penalty.” Musk, who has been tasked by Trump to lead an outside agency on government efficiency named after a meme , took issue on Wednesday with comments made by former National Security Council official Alexander Vindman during an appearance on MSNBC. Vindman, who testified in 2019 that Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden, cited reports that Musk had been engaged in secret conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin dating back to 2022. He then expressed concerns that Musk, who has federal contracts through his SpaceX, Tesla and Starlink companies, may have shared “state secrets” with Putin. “And [Putin’s] been using the richest man in the world to do his bidding. In some cases, that’s encouraging him probably to support Donald Trump,” Vindman told MSNBC. “That’s not speculation. We see how far in Elon has gone. And then using Twitter as a disinformation platform.” Reacting to a clip of Vindman’s remarks, Musk tweeted : “Vindman is on the payroll of Ukrainian oligarchs and has committed treason against the United States, for which he will pay the appropriate penalty.” According to U.S. Code Title 18 , the penalty for treason — which is defined by the Constitution as levying war against the United States or adhering to the nation’s enemies — is death, or no fewer than five years imprisonment. Anyone convicted of treason also forfeits their right to hold public office. Unsurprisingly, a number of political observers and journalists expressed outrage over Musk’s remarks, especially since he is so closely intertwined with the incoming administration. “Oh nothing, just a person deeply integrated into the incoming administration’s center of power calling for the execution of one of his critics,” The Unpoulist’s senior editor Berny Belvedere noted on Bluesky. “Lying about a private citizen and making a not-so-veiled threat that he will be executed,” The Bulwark’s executive editor Adam Keiper wrote . “And the person doing it is the richest guy in the world, a major government contractor, who is new besties with the convicted-felon president-elect. Do I have that right?” While Musk would later clarify his threat in a follow-up tweet , claiming that Vindman “has committed treason and belongs behind bars,” he still hasn’t explained how Vindman is a traitor to the U.S. or what proof he has that the retired Army officer is on the “payroll of Ukrainian oligarchs.” The Independent has reached out to both Vindman and Musk for comment. Republicans and conservative media, meanwhile, have long accused Vindman of holding “dual loyalty,” citing the fact that his family fled Soviet-era Ukraine when he was 3 years old. After Vindman first testified before the House impeachment inquiry about Trump’s actions towards Zelensky, Fox News hosts and GOP lawmakers said he “has an affinity for Ukraine” while suggesting he was simultaneously advancing Ukrainian interests while working in the White House. As reported by The Intercept at the time, the “smear tactic” leaned heavily on antisemitic tropes, especially since Vindman himself is Jewish. This also isn’t the first time that Musk has questioned the loyalties of Vindman, who has been a frequent critic of both Trump and the X owner. “Vindman is both puppet & puppeteer. Question is who pulls his strings,” Musk wondered in 2022 after Vindman commented on Musk’s purchase of Twitter. “Musk’s tweet — deliberately or not — evoked an antisemitic trope that Jews are puppeteers who secretly wield power over various institutions or that they are puppets of the Israeli government,” The Jerusalem Post observed at the time.

The Los Angeles Chargers activated running back J.K. Dobbins from injured reserve on Friday. Dobbins is formally listed as questionable but figures to be the team's top running threat for Saturday's road game against the New England Patriots. Teammate Gus Edwards (ankle) was ruled out Thursday. Dobbins has missed the past four games since sustaining a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 25. He was a full practice participant Thursday before receiving the questionable label. The injury-prone Dobbins was enjoying a solid season prior to the knee ailment, with 766 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and 28 receptions for 134 yards in 11 games. His career high for rushing yardage is 805 for the Ravens in 2020. Dobbins' return comes with the Chargers (9-6) just one win from clinching an AFC wild-card playoff spot. Los Angeles also elevated safeties Eddie Jackson and Kendall Williamson from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaIntel gets $7.8B from US government to boost chip production

Town halls are to be given sweeping powers to issue on-the-spot fines for minor misdemeanours such as climbing trees in parks. Currently, councils trying to bring in local laws need to get a sign-off from a government minister. But under plans submitted in white paper on English devolution, local authorities would not have to get such permission and could be given the power to issue more fixed penalty notices rather than take people to court as at present. Councils already have limited – but highly controversial – powers to issue on-the-spot fines for misdemeanours such as littering and fly-tipping. But critics say the proposed new rules, which will massively increase the number of fixed penalty notices, could lead councils to abuse their powers and introduce byelaws to stop people smoking in the streets and selling unhealthy food in public places. could also use their proposed new powers to raise much-needed money. , the shadow local government secretary, said: “The Labour Government will leave no stone unturned in their mission to pick people’s pockets. “These proposals also raise serious concerns about civil liberties by opening the door to allowing overzealous town hall officials to ban lawful innocent activities in public places, such as vaping, walking a dog or going on an organised group run. “The justice system should not be hijacked to line the taxman’s pockets.” At present, on-the-spot fines issued by a local authority are typically between £50 and £100. Councils have previously been criticised for raking in millions in parking fines. Last year, councils collected £620 million – with Lambeth council in London alone collecting £52.4 million. Josie Appleton, director of the civil liberties group Manifesto Club, said: “I’m worried that councils will use these , as they do with other powers that allow fixed penalty notices. “Increasingly councils are employing private enforcement officers who are paid per fine, and will issue penalties whenever possible. “There are lots of archaic byelaws on the books, so we can expect people to be penalised for public nuisance, playing music or ball games in a park.” The Conservatives ruled out such a move during the coalition government because of the risk that councils would use the nanny-state fines to raise money – or outsource the work to private firms. They say that based on current council byelaws across the country, it could lead to fines for walking more than one dog at a time, ball games, use of model aircraft and kites and “informal” football or cricket. Last year two councils – Torfaen in Wales and Rugby – were criticised for using anti-social behaviour powers to ban the climbing of trees in some protected public spaces. The white paper also raises fears that new byelaws – introduced without secretary of state sign-off – could ban smoking in outdoor areas and outlaw unhealthy food being sold in public places. Angela Rayner’s white paper said the process for making byelaws is hundreds of years old and outdated for modern government. It said it was irrational for the Communities Secretary to have to agree before councils can set rules on “where people can ride bikes or climb trees in parks”. “This is irrational, inefficient and costly – tying up central government in decisions that should be for local leaders.” “We believe that to understand and respond to these issues. We intend to legislate to remove requirements for Secretary of State consent for local authority making of byelaws wherever possible. “Given the complexity of legislation that has built up over many decades and the wide policy scope under consideration, we will accomplish this through a review of such cases. “As part of this review, we will also determine whether councils should be able to enforce byelaws via fixed penalty notices rather than through the courts to improve their effectiveness. “We will consult the sector to agree on the best approach on how we might accomplish this.” Last night a spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We will work with councils to review whether they should be able to enforce byelaws via fixed penalty notices to improve their effectiveness.”UCLA football has one last chance to make an impression

Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Chargers by 1 1/2 Series record: Falcons lead 8-4. Against the spread: Chargers 7-3-1, Falcons 5-6. Last meeting: Chargers beat Falcons 20-17 on Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. Last week: Ravens beat Chargers, 30-23; Falcons had bye week following 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17. Chargers offense: overall (21), rush (13), pass (20), scoring (18). Chargers defense: overall (13), rush (10), pass (10), scoring (13). Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (14), pass (5), scoring (16). Falcons defense: overall (25), rush (19), pass (26), scoring (26). Turnover differential: Chargers plus-8, Falcons minus-3. RB Gus Edwards could move up as the lead back for Los Angeles as J.K Dobbins (knee) is expected to miss the game . Edwards was activated from injured reserve earlier this month following an ankle injury and had nine carries for 11 yards with a touchdown in Monday night's 30-23 loss to Baltimore. WR Drake London has 61 catches, leaving him four away from becoming the first player in team history to have at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. London has 710 receiving yards, leaving him 140 away from becoming the first player in team history with at least 850 in each of his first three seasons. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Chargers run defense. Robinson was shut down by Denver, gaining only 35 yards on 12 carries, and the Atlanta offense couldn't recover. The Chargers rank 10th in the league against the run, so it will be a challenge for the Falcons to find a way to establish a ground game with Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. A solid running attack would create an opportunity for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to establish the play-action passes for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Dobbins appeared to injure his right knee in the first half of the loss to the Ravens, though coach Jim Harbaugh did not provide details. ... The Falcons needed the bye to give a long list of injured players an opportunity to heal. WR WR KhaDarel Hodge (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. WR Darnell Mooney (Achilles), CB Kevin King (concussion), DL Zach Harrison (knee, Achilles) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) were hurt in the 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17 and were limited on Wednesday. CB Mike Hughes (neck), nickel back Dee Alford (hamstring), ILB Troy Andersen (knee), TE Charlie Woerner (concussion) and ILB JD Bertrand (concussion) also were limited on Wednesday after not playing against Denver. C Drew Dalman (ankle) could return. The Chargers have won the past three games in the series following six consecutive wins by the Falcons from 1991-2012. Los Angeles took a 33-30 overtime win in Atlanta in 2016 before the Chargers added 20-17 wins at home in 2020 and in Atlanta in 2022. The Falcons won the first meeting between the teams, 41-0 in San Diego in 1973. Each team has built its record on success against the soft NFC South. Atlanta is 4-1 against division rivals. Los Angeles is 2-0 against the NFC South this season. The Chargers have a four-game winning streak against the division. ... Atlanta is 0-2 against AFC West teams, following a 22-17 loss to Kansas City and the lopsided loss at Denver. They will complete their tour of the AFC West with a game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 16. ... The Falcons are the league's only first-place team with a negative points differential. Atlanta has been outscored 274-244. The loss of Dobbins, who has rushed for eight touchdowns, could put more pressure on QB Justin Hebert and the passing game. Herbert's favorite option has been WR Ladd McConkey, who has four TD receptions among his 49 catches for 698 yards. McConkey, the former University of Georgia standout who was drafted in the second round, could enjoy a productive return to the state against a Falcons defense that ranks only 26th against the pass. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Straight out of a movie? A tiny white pill called Captagon brought Syria's Bashar Al-Assad down; here's how that happenedRachel Reeves refuses FOUR times to repeat her 'no more tax rises' promise - as Chancellor opens door to new wave of hikes"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.

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 .

35 years after the city was shaken to its knees: Remembering the Newcastle EarthquakeWall Street inches higher to set more records

Ever wondered what the secret is behind the mysterious smile of the “Mona Lisa”? Ask her yourself during a multisensory journey through Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces and technological inventions, available through March 2025 in Boynton Beach. “Da Vinci — An Immersive Art Experience” has transformed the South Florida PBS Studios into Renaissance Italy, featuring more than 50 of his famous works, including “Virgin of the Rocks,” “The Baptism of Christ” and the ornithopter (a flying machine). After making its debut in Berlin in 2022, the exhibit traveled to Amsterdam, where South Florida PBS staff discovered its use of digital projections, audiovisual storytelling, and 360-degree immersion and advanced AI technologies to bring da Vinci’s creations to life. South Florida PBS President and CEO Dolores Fernandez Alonso spearheaded the effort to bring over the experience, which is produced by Phoenix Immersive , designed by flora&faunavisions and features original music by UK DJ Sasha and a script by Dan Cadan. “We enhanced the exhibition by developing our own interactive post-show experience featuring hands-on activities inspired by da Vinci’s work, including geometric art design, invention sketching and musical collaboration opportunities,” said Anabel​​​​ Moncada, South Florida PBS Health Channel marketing specialist. “This combination of high-tech immersion, comprehensive content coverage and hands-on educational elements creates an experience that goes beyond traditional museum exhibitions or digital presentations.” An “extraordinary encounter” with the “Mona Lisa,” one of the most recognizable paintings in the world, is a highlight of the 45-minute experience, Moncada said. While the original painting hangs in The Louvre museum in Paris, of course, this version is a larger-than-life projection on one of the central cube’s screens. Visitors can use their smartphones to converse with her, receiving contextually relevant responses that appear directly on a screen. “She becomes more than just a static masterpiece — she transforms into an engaging, responsive presence,” Moncada said. “The attention to detail in her animation is remarkable. Her legendary eyes follow you and her enigmatic smile subtly shifts, creating an uncanny sense of life-like presence. “This interactive feature exemplifies how modern technology can create meaningful connections with historic artworks, allowing visitors to experience this iconic painting in a completely new dimension.” South Florida PBS has organized almost 70 field trips to the exhibit so far, reaching more than 3,000 students from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties over the next two months, Moncada said. “The impact of this exhibition has been remarkable, particularly in its educational reach across South Florida,” she said. “By bringing da Vinci’s genius directly to thousands of students through interactive experiences, the exhibition is inspiring the next generation to explore the connections between art, science and innovation — just as da Vinci did centuries ago.” Da Vinci-themed lesson plans in art, language arts, math, science and social studies also are available for third- through fifth-graders as well as middle and high school students. “The strong response from schools and the number of students participating highlights both the exhibition’s success and its vital role in enriching arts and STEAM education in South Florida’s communities,” Moncada said. South Florida PBS last month premiered “Leonardo da Vinci — A film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon,” a two-part, four-hour documentary that explores the life and work of the 15th-century polymath. The film also marks some firsts for the filmmaking team, including a non-American subject and using split-screens with images, video and sound from different periods. The documentary, set against a backdrop of Renaissance Italy, features da Vinci’s personal notebooks along with on-camera interviews with scholars, artists, engineers and inventors to reflect on his achievements. “No single person can speak to our collective effort to understand the world and ourselves,” Ken Burns said in a statement. “But Leonardo had a unique genius for inquiry, aided by his extraordinary skills as an artist and scientist, that helps us better understand the natural world that we are part of and to appreciate more fully what it means to be alive and human.” Moncada said the timing of the film’s premiere and the opening of “Da Vinci — An Immersive Art Experience” was strategically coordinated. “The documentary broadcast and the interactive exhibition were intentionally scheduled to complement each other, allowing audiences to both learn about da Vinci through Burns’ acclaimed documentary storytelling and then experience his works firsthand through the immersive exhibition,” she said. “This dual approach — combining broadcast and experiential learning — exemplifies South Florida PBS’ commitment to providing comprehensive educational opportunities around significant cultural and historical subjects.” The film is available to stream at pbs.org/kenburns/leonardo-da-vinci, or on the PBS app . WHAT: “Da Vinci — An Immersive Art Experience” WHEN: Through Sunday, March 30 WHERE: South Florida PBS Studios, 3401 S. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach COST: $38.43 for guests age 13 and older, $30.94 for students and seniors (age 55 and older), and free for children age 5 to 12 (kids younger than 5 not permitted); tickets available at feverup.com , or at the door INFORMATION: southfloridapbs.org/davinciThis election cycle has resoundingly stated the character of the nation. We gravitated to the divisive rhetoric, disrespecting verbiage describing immigrants, fear mongering and disinformation. This is us, raw, uncouth, and motivated to serve only self-interest. We disregard the potential trauma it may cause others. Mass deportations, draconian cuts to critical programs and services paves the road with stones of austerity and assures hard times ahead for retirees and the working poor. Are the working poor prepared for stringent cuts to their social safety net: health care, housing, and supplemental assistance for food and childcare. Are immigrants — Hispanic, Haitians, and others caught in the broad deportation net, prepared to process the trauma of family separation, and friends and neighbors caught in the sweep and deported. These are realities that will be considered once the emotional hype of the campaign dissipates. It’s tantamount to the January credit card statement that attests to the irrational spending for the holidays. The mood of the country, social and political, are iterations of an era when society and the political landscape were toxic. The atrocious acts are exhibits in museums, eschewed in school curricula, but accessible to the curious. I made a visit to Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday. It was a weekend of poignant reflections. I strode through The National Memorial for Pease and Justice, The Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, and The Legacy Museum. We made a day of it. I saw exhibits and read details of atrocities committed during a dark and troubled time in America. I watched video clips that captured beatings of African Americans by white citizens and police to deny them access to government institutions and services. These elder men and women, these working men and women paid taxes that supported government operations, and the salaries of the police and fire departments. These First Responders were used to oppress citizens of melanin-rich skin; government authority stood impotent and complicit. Tax dollars working selectively. Most exhibits, if not all, strained the facility of rational thought. You were forced to question how humans could feel justified in committing these harmful acts upon another human created in the mage of God. These were God-fearing people captured in the exhibits. There is an ominous parallel between the God-centered rhetoric of today and the God-fearing good people whose atrocities are chronicled in museums and prohibited from retelling in school curricula today. History has a lot to teach us. But we can only learn if truth and accuracy is the standard of sharing the American experience. Museums are developed with the understanding that there will be the need to capture events and heroes of a new era. If the current ideations play out as in past generations, museums will add many new exhibits, some champions of good, others dark and tragic endeavors of flawed humanity. We can do better. Truth is a powerful salve for healing.

HOUSTON (AP) — Kavion McClain scored 14 points as Texas Southern beat Texas A&M-Kingsville 80-72 on Wednesday. McClain added six assists for the Tigers (2-5). Grayson Carter scored 13 points, shooting 6 of 7 from the field. Kenny Hunter and Alex Anderson both added 12. The Javelinas were led by Isaiah Payne, who recorded 18 points and four assists. Texas A&M-Kingsville also got 16 points from Allen Singleton. Nate Lacewell also had 13 points and seven rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .