treasure of aztec slot
2025-01-11   

treasure of aztec slot SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — De’Vondre Campbell’s decision to quit on his team in the middle of a game overshadowed the bigger issues for the San Francisco 49ers. An offense that was one of the most dynamic in the NFL during a run to the Super Bowl last season has been just ordinary for most of 2024 and was downright bad in a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night that just about ended San Francisco’s playoff hopes. San Francisco (6-8) was held to its fewest yards (191) in a regular-season game in eight seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan and its fewest points since Shanahan’s debut in 2017 on a rainy night that will be remembered mostly for Campbell walking off the field in the middle of the game with a towel draped over his head. The game also featured San Francisco going three-and-out on four drives as Brock Purdy struggled to connect with his receivers. Deebo Samuel dropped a potential touchdown pass after complaining earlier in the week about a lack of touches. Purdy then missed Ricky Pearsall on an underthrown deep shot in the fourth quarter before throwing an interception into the end zone that ended the Niners’ comeback attempt. RELATED COVERAGE Sean McVay’s Rams are on a roll toward the playoffs after 2 big wins in a 5-day stretch Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals cancer diagnosis, 6-hour surgery Jets running back Hall ‘looks promising’ to play vs. Jags, but cornerback Reed is doubtful “I just feel like I had a lot of plays left out there that I could have made for our team,” Purdy said. “I thought the defense and special teams played so good. That’s what’s hurting me is I just feel like I failed the team. I could have been better for our offense and we could have put up more points.” Scoring has been an issue this season for the 49ers, who have been missing key playmakers like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk for much of the season. San Francisco is scoring 8.5 fewer points per game on offense than the Niners did through 14 games last season. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . What’s working Red-zone defense. After allowing touchdowns on 13 consecutive red-zone drives over the previous four games, the 49ers kept the Rams out of the end zone on all three drives that went inside the 20. What needs help Receivers. The 49ers failed to get much production from their wide receivers with Purdy going 6 for 20 for 63 yards with an INT and a 19.4 rating when targeting wideouts. Samuel had 16 yards on seven targets with the key drop. Jauan Jennings had two drops and was the target on the interception. Pearsall had one catch for 16 yards on four targets. Stock up LB Dre Greenlaw returned for the first time since tearing his left Achilles tendon in last season’s Super Bowl. Greenlaw had eight tackles in the first half as he brought needed intensity and physical play that had been missing for much of the season. Stock down Campbell. The 49ers are deciding whether to waive or suspend Campbell, who lost his starting job when Greenlaw returned and then refused to play when he was needed. “His actions from the game just is not something you can do to your team or your teammates and still expect to be a part of our team,” Shanahan said. “We’re working through exactly the semantics of it right now, but we’ll handle the situation appropriately.” Injuries Greenlaw came out of the game feeling OK after leaving with soreness in his knee and Achilles tendon. He is day to day. ... S Ji’Ayir Brown (groin) and LB Dee Winters (neck) are also day to day. ... LT Trent Williams (ankle) is still trying to get back to play after missing the last four games. Shanahan said Williams’ recovery has been “a lot slower than anticipated.” Key number 0 — The Niners didn’t reach the red zone once all game, with their deepest penetration into Rams territory being when they reached the 27 on a third-quarter field goal drive. This marked the first time since Week 11 in 2010 that the 49ers didn’t run a single play inside the opponent’s 25. What’s next The 49ers visit Miami on Dec. 22. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBoxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.

RAY MASSEY: Peek behind the curtain at 'The Wizard of Jag' By RAY MASSEY Updated: 21:50, 6 December 2024 e-mail 11 View comments With Wizard Of Oz spin-off Wicked hitting cinemas, what better time to explore how 'magic' works in the motor industry. My tale centres on the controversial 'rebranding' of British car firm Jaguar and the subsequent launch this week in Miami of its radical new Type 00 electric two-seater fastback concept car. In pink with gullwing doors, it is the forerunner of three 1,000hp production cars due in 2026 – a four-door GT grand tourer (with a camouflaged prototype now on test), an SUV and a sporty coupe promising 478 miles on a single charge. Until then, no Jaguar cars are being sold in the UK. In the Wizard Of Oz, the omnipotent wizard projects a frightening aura. Only when our heroine Dorothy's dog, Toto, pulls back the curtain is the 'wizard' revealed to be a mere mortal. Having covered this week's Jaguar controversy, let me take you for a secret peek behind the company's car-launch curtain to reveal what really went on. In early November, I was among journalists invited into Jaguar Land Rover's world-leading design and engineering centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, for a day-long immersion into its ambitious plans and a preview look at the new model. Upon arrival, we surrendered our phones and signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement threatening sanctions if breached. Inside, we attended a four-hour briefing and walked around the car. Radical: Jaguar's Type 00 electric two-seater fastback concept car in 'Miami Pink' JLR's creative director, Professor Gerry McGovern OBE – the design wizard overseeing Jaguar's 'reimagining' – had promised it would be 'jaw-dropping'. It was. But it was the presentation on Jaguar's re-branding – subsequently dismissed by critics as 'woke' and worse – that set alarm bells ringing. Jaguar bosses were, however, upfront that they were setting out deliberately to cause controversy. This was no accident. The brand was stale and cars weren't selling. Drastic measures were needed to get it noticed. So to 'reimagine' Jaguar, they would ditch 85 per cent of their middle-aged, middle-class customers spending £50,000 per car and aim higher for a younger, richer and more diverse clientele willing to spend £100,000 on a dramatic car that dares to be different. And they'd need only sell around 50,000 a year globally. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Jaguar bosses break silence on woke backlash as new Type 00... Jaguar's new EV officially revealed: Type 00 comes in Miami... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to save money on car insurance: Ten top tips to cut the cost in just a few minutes But to grab the attention of that rarified new cohort of shiny, happy people they first had to create controversy. The first came when the rebranding story appeared with a social media advert featuring diverse models on a pink, alien landscape – but no car. Then, hours before the official unveiling, photos of the new car were 'leaked'. Suspicion fell on Jaguar. When I asked them, they did not deny this. The wizards of the reborn Jaguar believe their future lies beyond the yellow brick road. And if that fails, it really is curtains for them. DON'T PANIC As the backlash intensified over Jaguar's social media advert, which featured no car, executives appeared to panic. Breaching their own NDA embargo agreements, they released 'teaser' photos of parts of the car to prove its existence. Backlash: Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover denied going 'woke' and countered that some criticism displayed a 'level of vile hatred and intolerance' Critics attacked Jaguar's new look as 'a car crash in slow motion'. Jaguar enthusiasts and owners' clubs accused bosses of committing 'commercial suicide' and turning the marque into a 'laughing stock'. Jaguar managing director Rawdon Glover denied going 'woke' and countered that some criticism displayed a 'level of vile hatred and intolerance'. CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST Hyundai Inster review: Is it the affordable EV we've been waiting for? The most controversial new car of 2024: We drive the Ford Capri EV Has Vauxhall's grand plans for its new Grandland SUV paid dividends? Aston Martin Vanquish: Britain's new brute of a sports car tested Renault 5 EV: Can it recreate the character and charm of the original? Polestar 4 EV: The first car sold in Britain WITHOUT a rear window We take to the wheel of Ferrari's stunning new £336k 12Cilindri GT car China's new sub-£16k EV: Leapmotor T03 arrives in UK with low price Peugeot E-5008: Is the £49k SUV the choice for eco-conscious families? Ducati's new £30,000 Panigale V4 S costs the same as a small Mercedes Is the new £22k MG ZS hybrid family-friendly SUV a genuine bargain? This £100k Volvo has driven me to distraction: EX90 SUV driven VW Touareg is a luxury SUV for a lower price - why is it so unpopular? We test the new MG HS - Britain's favourite budget-friendly family SUV We test drive the £15,000 Dacia Spring - the UK's CHEAPEST new EV Suitable for UK climates: You can enjoy Mercedes CLE Cabrio year round Kia's affordable Picanto offers a fun and nippy drive in the big city MG Cyberster review - convertible EV costs £60k and is fun to drive 'Euros' winning Renault Scenic E-Tech gets Ray Massey's vote Ford Explorer: Is the £40k electric SUV a good buy for UK drivers? Polestar 3: Does the Tesla Model Y now have a real fight on its hands? Lotus Eletre is an EV Lamborghini Urus rival: The hyper-SUV tested Dacia's new Duster is here - has it lost its value-for-money appeal? Alfa Romeo Tonale review: Can this SUV bring some sporting thrill? In a world of SUVs, can the VW Passat re-energise the estate market? Ineos Quartermaster review: The new premium pick-up truck in town Peugeot e-3008 is attractive, sprightly and has a 326-mile range New £165k Aston Martin Vantage tested - is it better than a Ferrari? Can BMW harness the magic of the original Mini in an EV made in China? Is this the ultimate open-top super tourer? Aston Martin DB12 Volante New Fiat 600e EV family car is here, but should wait for the hybrid? VW Tiguan review: Brand's best-selling SUV is back - but is it better? Should you consider the Mini Countryman EV instead of the petrol? Another BMW goes electric - we test the new iX2 vs its petrol X2 rival The 2024 Range Rover Evoque plug-in hybrid is a home-grown winner Britain's favourite car DRIVEN - we review the best-selling Ford Puma BMW's i5 EV offers supercar performance in an exec saloon package We drive the £76,000 Kia EV9 - Korea's all-electric Range Rover rival Has the BMW M3 Touring been worth the three-decade wait? Our review Has Britain's most popular small car just got much better? New Corsa Volvo EX30 review: Sweden's new 'green' pocket rocket SUV rival Tesla Is Renault's new Austral E-Tech SUV the complete package? We drive it The Audi Q8 is annoyingly good for a 'sporty' coupe-style SUV Ferrari Roma Spider costs £210k - here's what you get for your money China's all-electric BYD Dolphin lands ashore - we test it on UK roads Our epic road test through Demark and Sweden in the new Polestar 2 New Abarth 500e convertible is a rare treat - it's electric and sporty Honda's new CR-V is bigger than its predecessor - but is it better? We beat the new Bond to test his new car: Aston Martin DB12 review Behind the wheel of Rolls-Royce's Spectre: We test the new EV Roller Skoda's crowning glory: Superb L&K 4x4 Estate with extras driven Maserati Grecale test - the SUV with 50% of sales projected for women Dacia's budget family car with seven seats! The £18,000 Jogger tested This Q8 is just great: We take Audi's new Sportback e-tron for a spin Enter the Dragon! BYD Atto EV is the Chinese company's first UK model Ferrari's first four-door family car: New £313,000 Purosangue driven Thrills without frills: £31,000 MG5 is one of the cheapest family EVs Renault's Arkana ticks all the boxes for what car-buying Britons want Can Peugeot's chic 408 hybrid crossover be a hit in the UK? We test it We drive the Civic Type R - the rebellious bad boy in Honda's line-up Rolls Royce Spectre: What's it lke to drive the first ELECTRIC Roller? Ineos Grenadier driven: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £69,000 Defender Can you really live with a tiny Citroen Ami? Seven tasks in seven days Don't supersize me! Is the 'smaller' Volvo XC60 all the SUV you need? We pamper some passengers in the new £211k Bentley Bentayga New kind of Buzz! VW's electric MPV still feels like a hippy campervan Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Next Share or comment on this article: RAY MASSEY: Peek behind the curtain at 'The Wizard of Jag' e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top storiesAP Business SummaryBrief at 1:03 p.m. ESTVolkswagen's best-selling car just got a stylish, new update

Originally appeared on E! Online Together, Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe are unlimited. The " Wicked " actress has received sweet support from her longtime partner throughout the film’s multiple premieres, including her attendance at the Los Angeles and London events, but Waithe’s backing has extended to social media, too. As the film hit theaters Nov. 22, Waithe — whose relationship with the Tony Award winner went public in June 2022 — shared videos and photos from other accounts to her Instagram Story praising both the movie’s production team and Erivo’s performance, including one review calling "Wicked" “film-making that is firing on all cylinders.” Waithe, 40, also shared a post from Erivo, 37, detailing her magical experience filming the adaptation of the Broadway show. “This journey has been long, and paved with bright, yellow brick,” Erivo wrote on the Nov. 21 Instagram post alongside behind-the-scenes pictures. “We have laughed and cried, held hands and walked side by side, our lives intertwined, and because of that, we were irrevocably changed for good.” Proving her support for Erivo extends beyond "Wicked," Waithe also shared a heartwarming video from a side stage view of her partner performing a Christmas song at an event while Waithe cheered her on. Though the pair has kept their relationship mostly out of the spotlight, Waithe — who wed longtime partner Alana Mayo in 2019, but separated a few months later — previously shared that meeting Erivo in 2018 was a very memorable moment. “The first time I met her was at the Met Gala, which is where all the cool kids go to meet each other,” she told Variety in 2020. “I had seen her in 'The Color Purple' twice, I remember seeing her on TV when Oprah talked about doing it and her being on the screen, I remember [thinking], ‘Who is this tiny person with a British accent?’” And since their meeting at one of fashion’s biggest nights, the "Master of None" alum added, “We’ve just been vibing ever since.” The pair became close in the following years, with Erivo sharing her feelings for Waithe in a birthday post in May 2022. “Today is when we celebrate a woman whose heart is bigger than the body that houses it,” Erivo wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of "The Chi" creator. “Happy birthday @lenawaithe I ....... You know the rest!” The duo confirmed their relationship the following month, stepping out at the Alvin Ailey Spirit Gala in New York City together while holding hands.Rachel Christian | (TNS) Bankrate.com Just because retirement planning involves some guesswork doesn’t mean it has to be a total mystery. Related Articles Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen’s friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish Business | Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems Business | 6 ways to avoid a financial hangover Business | Solano’s jobless rate ticks up Whether you’ve been saving since your first job or you’re getting a late start, you can leverage expert-recommended strategies to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. And if you’re not quite on track, don’t sweat it — the experts we spoke to offered actionable tips to help you close the gap. You might have a general idea of how much money you need to save for retirement . A few quick calculations can give you an estimate, but to truly appreciate where you stand, you’ll need to dive into the numbers. Here’s how to get started. A good rule of thumb to estimate your retirement savings goal is the Rule of 25 . Simply multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. The result is roughly how much you’ll need to save before hitting retirement. For example, if you plan to spend $50,000 a year, you’ll need about $1.25 million to make it a reality. The Rule of 25 is based on the idea that withdrawing 4% annually from your retirement savings should last you about 30 years. While it’s not an exact science by any means — health care costs and lifestyle changes can skew the numbers, for example — the Rule of 25 can be a good starting point to figure out how much you need to save. Fidelity Investments, a behemoth in the retirement planning space, offers savings guidelines to help you determine if you’re on track . —By age 30: Save 1x your annual salary —By age 40: Save 3x your annual salary —By age 50: Save 6x your annual salary —By age 60: Save 8x your annual salary —By age 67: Save 10x your annual salary For example, if you earn $60,000 annually, you should aim for $600,000 in savings by age 67. But like the Rule of 25, Fidelity’s guidelines offer a 10,000-foot look at retirement goals, and they’re not customized to your situation. Maybe you earned a low salary in your 20s, but you’re working hard in your 30s to make up for it. Use these estimates as a benchmark — but don’t get discouraged if you’re lagging behind. Now it’s time to zoom in a little. To get a clearer snapshot of your progress, use an online retirement calculator. These tools factor in your age, current savings, income and lifestyle goals to estimate whether you’re on track. You’ll get a more refined estimate without crunching the numbers yourself. Bankrate’s retirement calculator even lets you input different rates of return on your investments and accounts for estimated annual salary increases. Having a general savings goal is nice, but to avoid falling short in retirement, you’ll need more than a ballpark figure. Experts recommend creating a retirement budget to get an up-close-and-personal look at how much you’ll really need once you leave the workforce. First, estimate how much you’ll spend per month in retirement. While some costs will increase, like health care, others will likely decrease, like dining out and commuting. “Estimating expenses can be challenging for some people, so as a starting point, I often use your net take-home pay,” says Jeff DeLarme, a certified financial planner and president of DeLarme Wealth Management. For example, if you receive a direct deposit of $2,500 every two weeks from work, use $5,000 as your estimated monthly spending in retirement. “Assuming this was enough to pay the bills while working, we can use $5,000 a month as a starting budget to plan for,” says DeLarme. Next, map out your sources of income in retirement. Social Security is the largest income stream for most retirees, but don’t neglect other inflows, such as: —Workplace retirement accounts, like 401(k)s —Personal retirement accounts, like a traditional or Roth IRA —Pensions —Annuities —Selling your home or business —Rental income —Inheritance “If there’s a gap between your expected expenses and income, you’ll have a good idea of how much you need to save,” says Mike Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning. From there, you can adjust your savings and investment strategy accordingly. For something as important (and complex) as retirement planning, it pays to speak with a professional. Financial advisers can analyze your savings, investments and retirement goals to create a personalized plan. Advisers use special planning software that account for more variables than an online calculator, giving you a much more precise, granular look at your financial life in retirement. Many financial advisers can also help you optimize your tax strategy, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars over time. Make sure the adviser you hire is a fiduciary , meaning they’re legally obligated to prioritize your interests over their own. A fiduciary won’t push investments to earn a commission or recommend products that aren’t aligned with your needs. A certified financial planner is one of the most well-recognized designations for fiduciaries. You can use Bankrate’s adviser matching tool to find a certified financial planner in your area in minutes. Maybe you did the math and realized you’re not quite where you need to be. Don’t panic if you’re behind schedule. Here are five strategies experts recommend to help you catch up on your retirement savings . Cutting expenses now frees up more cash to invest in your retirement accounts. Evaluate your budget and identify areas where you can cut costs, like dining out, streaming subscriptions or shopping. Don’t rule out bigger lifestyle changes either, especially if retirement is rapidly approaching. Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most people. Getting creative here can help amplify the amount you can sock away, says Joseph Boughan, a certified financial planner and managing member at Parkmount Financial Partners. It can also reduce your expenses in retirement, so you may not need to save as much as before. “Downsizing can be a great way to cut expenses,” says Boughan. “This can even free up cash if you don’t end up needing all that money for a new home.” Moving somewhere with lower property taxes or income taxes can also help bring your retirement plan back in line. And if you’re a renter, making tough short-term decisions, like taking on a roommate or moving to a lower cost-of-living area, can free up hundreds of dollars a month for your retirement. “Everyone’s plan is unique, so exploring all the options is important,” Boughan says. Joe Conroy, a certified financial planner and owner of Harford Retirement Planners, recommends taking a “retirement test drive” as you near your target date. “Start to live on what income you think you can afford in retirement and stash all the extra income into savings and investments,” says Conroy. “If you can make it through each month, you’re ready for retirement. If you run short, then adjust your plan accordingly.” Working a little longer can be a game-changer for your retirement nest egg. Not only does it give you more time to save, it also gives your investments room to grow. “Working longer or even just part time for a few years early in retirement is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you need to save,” says Hunsberger. Postponing retirement can also boost your Social Security benefits . “You can claim as early as 62, but your benefits will be reduced significantly,” says Hunsberger. Meanwhile, each year you delay claiming Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age , your monthly check will increase by 8%, though this benefit maxes out at age 70. So waiting can really pay off. It may seem obvious, but if you’re behind on retirement savings, you’ll need to boost your contributions as much as possible. Here are a few ways to make saving for retirement easier: —Increase your contribution rate: Allocate a larger portion of your paycheck to a workplace retirement plan. Even bumping up your contributions by 1% or 2% can make a huge difference down the road. —Take advantage of your employer match: Don’t leave free money on the table. Many employers will chip in between 3 and 5% depending on your plan, so make sure you’re contributing enough to take advantage of the benefit. —Use “unexpected” money to catch up: If you get a raise or bonus at work, funnel part of it directly into your 401(k). And if you get a refund at tax time, siphon some of it off to beef up your IRA. If you’ve been investing in low-risk, low-return investments, you may not be keeping up with inflation, let alone growing your nest egg. Reallocating part of your portfolio to stocks or low-cost growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is one way to get your money working harder. Higher-risk investments like stocks carry more volatility but also offer higher potential returns. Work with a financial adviser or use a robo-adviser to strike the right balance between growth and your personal risk tolerance. Contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs are higher for people over 50. For 2025, employees aged 50 and up who participate in most 401(k) plans or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan can save up to $31,000 annually, including a $7,500 catch-up contribution . But thanks to SECURE 2.0 , a sweeping retirement law, a new higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for employees ages 60 to 63. So, if you’re in this age group, you can squirrel away a whopping $34,750 a year during the final stretch of your career. Of course, you’ll need a big salary (think six figures) in order to take full advantage of such massive contribution limits. But if you can afford it, these catch-up allowances can put your plan back on track, especially if you struggled to save much early in your career. There’s no GPS to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. If you’ve veered off course or aren’t sure where to start, begin by getting a quick estimate of how much you’ll need before mapping out a retirement budget. And if you’re behind, don’t panic — adjusting your spending, boosting your contributions and speaking with a financial adviser can help you catch up. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Moulded Case Circuit Breakers: Key Features and Applications 12-26-2024 07:36 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire Moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) are integral components in electrical distribution systems, designed to provide overcurrent protection and isolation for various applications. With advancements in technology and safety standards, the role of MCCBs has evolved, making them crucial for safeguarding electrical circuits in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. This article delves into the features, types, applications, and the significance of moulded case circuit breakers, particularly highlighting the TUV Certificate High 3P M1 63A-1250A type MCCB and the 250A MCCB. [ https://www.mlele.com/tuv-certificate-high-3p-m1-63a-1250a-type-mccb-moulded-case-circuit-breaker-250a-mccb-product/ ] Image: https://i216.goodao.net/uploads/116.png What is a Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) [ https://www.mlele.com/tuv-certificate-high-3p-m1-63a-1250a-type-mccb-moulded-case-circuit-breaker-250a-mccb-product/]? A moulded case circuit breaker is an electromechanical device that interrupts the flow of electrical current in case of overload or short-circuit conditions. Unlike traditional fuses, which need replacement after a fault, MCCBs can be reset after tripping, providing a more efficient and cost-effective solution for circuit protection. The "moulded case" refers to the plastic housing that encases the breaker, offering durability and insulation. Key Features of MCCBs Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) are vital components in electrical systems, designed to provide protection against overload and short-circuit conditions. Here are some of the key features of MCCBs: * Current Ratings: MCCBs are available in various current ratings, typically ranging from 16A to 3200A. The TUV Certificate High 3P M1 series, for instance, caters to current ratings from 63A to 1250A, making it suitable for diverse applications. * Three-Pole and Four-Pole Options: MCCBs can be configured as three-pole (3P) or four-pole (4P) devices, allowing for single-phase or three-phase systems. The three-pole configuration is commonly used in three-phase systems, while the four-pole configuration adds a neutral pole for balanced loads. * Adjustable Trip Settings: MCCBs often feature adjustable thermal and magnetic trip settings, allowing users to customize the protection based on the specific requirements of the application. * Compact Design: The moulded case design contributes to the compactness of MCCBs, facilitating installation in limited spaces without compromising performance. * Reliability and Durability: The high-quality materials used in the construction of MCCBs ensure long-term reliability, making them suitable for demanding industrial environments. Image: https://i216.goodao.net/uploads/213.png How Moulded Case Circuit Breakers Work MCCBs operate on the principle of detecting overcurrent conditions through thermal and magnetic mechanisms. * Thermal Mechanism: This component detects overload conditions, where the current exceeds the rated capacity for a prolonged period. The thermal element heats up and bends a bimetallic strip, triggering the circuit breaker to trip. * Magnetic Mechanism: This mechanism responds to short-circuit conditions, where the current increases suddenly and drastically. The magnetic coil generates a magnetic field that pulls a plunger, instantly tripping the circuit breaker. Applications of Moulded Case Circuit Breakers MCCBs are versatile and can be found in a wide range of applications across various sectors, including: * Industrial Applications: MCCBs are commonly used in manufacturing plants, where they protect motors, transformers, and distribution boards from overcurrent and short circuits. * Commercial Buildings: In commercial settings such as offices, shopping malls, and hotels, MCCBs safeguard electrical panels and equipment, ensuring safety and compliance with electrical codes. * Residential Installations: MCCBs are also used in residential buildings, especially for high-capacity electrical systems, offering protection to home appliances and wiring. * Renewable Energy Systems: With the rise of renewable energy, MCCBs are essential in solar power installations and wind energy systems, protecting inverters and electrical connections. * Data Centers: In data centers where continuous operation is critical, MCCBs ensure reliable power distribution and protection for servers and networking equipment. Image: https://i216.goodao.net/uploads/36.png Importance of TUV Certificate High 3P M1 63A-1250A Type MCCB The TUV Certificate High 3P M1 series of MCCBs, rated between 63A to 1250A, is recognized for its high quality and reliability. The TUV certification signifies that these MCCBs have undergone rigorous testing and meet international safety standards, providing users with assurance in their performance. * Enhanced Safety: The TUV certification ensures that the MCCB meets strict safety requirements, minimizing the risk of electrical hazards. * Energy Efficiency: The high-quality components used in TUV-certified MCCBs contribute to energy efficiency, reducing power losses and improving overall system performance. * Long Lifespan: With durable construction and reliable operation, TUV-certified MCCBs offer a longer lifespan, decreasing the need for frequent replacements and maintenance. Image: https://i216.goodao.net/uploads/4.png Understanding 250A MCCB The 250A MCCB is a specific rating within the moulded case circuit breaker family, designed for applications that require moderate current protection. * Versatility: A 250A MCCB is versatile and can be used in various applications, from small industrial setups to larger commercial buildings, providing effective overcurrent protection. * Adjustable Settings: Users can customize the trip settings for the 250A MCCB, allowing for flexibility in managing different loads and ensuring optimal protection. * Compact Design: Like other MCCBs, the 250A version boasts a compact design, making it suitable for installations where space is a constraint. Advantages of Using Moulded Case Circuit Breakers Moulded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs) offer several advantages that make them a preferred choice for protecting electrical circuits in various applications. Here are the key benefits of using MCCBs: Overcurrent Protection MCCBs provide reliable protection against overloads and short circuits. They can detect excessive current and trip the circuit, preventing damage to electrical equipment and reducing the risk of fire hazards. Reusability Unlike traditional fuses, which must be replaced after a fault, MCCBs can be reset after tripping. This feature not only minimizes downtime but also reduces replacement costs and maintenance efforts. Adjustable Settings Many MCCBs come with adjustable trip settings, allowing users to customize the thermal and magnetic trip thresholds according to the specific requirements of their application. This flexibility helps in managing different load conditions effectively. Image: https://i216.goodao.net/uploads/5.png Compact Design MCCBs are designed with a compact footprint, making them suitable for installations in limited spaces. Their size allows for easier integration into electrical panels and distribution boards. High Durability MCCBs are built from high-quality materials, providing durability and a long lifespan. They are capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions, making them ideal for industrial and outdoor applications. Compliance with Standards MCCBs are designed to meet international safety and performance standards, ensuring that they provide reliable protection and comply with electrical codes. This compliance is crucial for installations in commercial and industrial settings. Image: https://i216.goodao.net/uploads/51.png Conclusion Moulded case circuit breakers are essential components in modern electrical systems, providing reliable overcurrent protection across various applications. With features like adjustable trip settings, a compact design, and compliance with international safety standards such as TUV certification, MCCBs like the TUV Certificate High 3P M1 63A-1250A type MCCB and the 250A MCCB [ https://www.mlele.com/tuv-certificate-high-3p-m1-63a-1250a-type-mccb-moulded-case-circuit-breaker-250a-mccb-product/ ] are critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of electrical installations. As technology advances, the importance of choosing the right circuit protection devices will continue to grow, making it vital for users to understand the functionalities and benefits of moulded case circuit breakers. Media Contact Company Name: Zhejiang Mulang Electric Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=moulded-case-circuit-breakers-key-features-and-applications ] Country: China Website: https://www.mlele.com/ This release was published on openPR.NoneThe snowy owl that was rescued from a car grille near Duluth earlier this week has died. The Wildwoods rehabilitation center announced the owl’s death on social media Thursday. The critter was found by a Lake Superior Zoo employee Monday and transported to Wildwoods, along with a great grey owl she had found earlier that day. Wildwoods officials then transported the birds to the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center in St. Paul. Center officials on Thursday said the snowy owl suffered extensive injuries that included trauma to its internal organs, a broken wing and broken leg that couldn’t be repaired. “Because the injuries could not be fixed and the bird would be unable to fly again, the kindest option available for this majestic wild bird was a peaceful passing via euthanasia,” Raptor Center officials wrote in a statement. The grey owl is faring better, Raptor Center officials say. That bird suffered a broken wing bone and injuries to the soft tissue in the same wing. “These injuries are severe, and the veterinarians at TRC are doing everything they can to give this bird a chance at recovery,” officials wrote. A second grey owl the Raptor Center received on Christmas Day has been hospitalized with several broken bones in its shoulder. Wildwoods typically receives 30 owls per year. So far this week, the rehabilitation center has taken in four. This is a developing story and will be updated.

NurExone Announces Promising Preclinical Results in Restoring Vision After Optic Nerve Damage

OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'

How the Stock Market Defied Expectations Again This Year, by the Numbers

NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing . But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin , gold and other investments also drove higher. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball’s Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year’s spurt of 24.2%. The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world . The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It’s been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump’s election. He’s turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he’s named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. Gold’s rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It’s also benefited from the Fed’s cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. It’s a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it’s also a threshold that Tesla’s stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk’s close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. That’s how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial-intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia’s chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia’s worth to more than $3 trillion in total. GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “ meme stock craze ” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October . That’s how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody’s. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. That’s the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024’s home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.

Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’Berkshire Hathaway Stock Today: This Short Iron Condor Trade Earns $196 Right Away

NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don't change their clocks at all.VANCOUVER - A confidence agreement between British Columbia’s New Democrats and the provincial Green Party stabilizes David Eby’s bare-majority government, while putting Green election promises on the legislative agenda. The agreement announced Friday outlines the basis on which the Greens’ two-member caucus will provide confidence to Eby’s party, which won election with 47 seats in B.C.‘s 93-seat legislature in October’s provincial election. The deal features key elements of the Greens’ election platform, including a commitment to growing a community health centre model for primary care and expanding public coverage of psychology services at a cost of $50 million. Deputy premier Niki Sharma said the framework focuses on areas of agreement between the two parties, while recognizing their positions won’t always align. The balance struck is “a way to keep government stable for four years ... without erasing the distinct identity that we both have as political parties,” she said Friday. The seven-page agreement says the house leaders of the NDP and the Greens “agree to establish a relationship of trust based on good faith and no surprises.” While set to last four years, it is subject to annual agreement at each parties discretion. It was important to the Greens throughout the negotiations to be able to disagree with government positions, Sharma told a news conference. “I know that we’ll have differences of opinions moving forward, but the fact that we can show a pathway where two political parties in a time of great polarization can come together for British Columbians, I think is a profound thing.” The October election saw two new Green members win seats, lawyer Rob Botterell, representing Saanich North and the Islands, and geological engineer Jeremy Valeriote in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, while the B.C. Conservatives won 44 seats. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said after the election that he would work to bring the NDP government down if it continues with its “destructive policies.” When he was asked about the agreement on Friday, Rustad said he has always assumed the Greens would back the NDP. Eby is “fooling himself” if he thinks having the support of the Green Party is going to make it easier to pass legislation, Rustad said in an interview. “We are going to make it very difficult for him to move anything through the legislature that is continuing the destruction of British Columbia,” he said. “A week can be a long time in politics, so we’ll see what January brings. I don’t want to say anything further at this point.” The stability of Eby’s government had appeared shakier earlier this month when New Democrat Grace Lore announced she was temporarily stepping away due to a cancer diagnosis, though she said she intended to participate in important votes. Eby said in a statement Friday that the agreement with the Greens will “strengthen the stability of government and help deliver on the priorities of British Columbians.” While his party and the Greens are distinct and won’t always agree, the premier said they have “many shared values.” He said the deal sets out specific areas of action they will work together on, including health care, affordable housing, creating livable communities and growing a strong, sustainable economy. “We will continue to work with all MLAs who want to make the legislature work for people,” Eby said. Additional policy commitments outlined in the deal that reflect the Green platform include expanding access to housing aid for elderly renters and building 30,000 more units of non-market housing than the government had pledged. The agreement also commits to a review of B.C.‘s forests to “address concerns around sustainability, jobs, environmental protection an the future of the industry.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.

Players Era Festival organizers betting big NIL is future of college tourneysNone

More than 40 years since the first American servicewomen were allowed to serve in combat, Idaho U.S. Sen. Jim Risch thinks the “jury’s still out” on how the U.S. military should manage women’s involvement in a war zone. The three-term Republican senator responded to a question over the weekend related to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the Pentagon as U.S. defense secretary. Hegseth, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army National Guard member has said several times, including recently , that women shouldn’t serve in combat. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.A New Multiyear Partnership Between Discount Tire and Elite Clubs National LeagueBOC extends role as settlement bank for Sri Lanka’s USD clearing system

Related hot word search:

Previous: treasures of aztec demo
Next: treasures of aztec slot