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VANCOUVER - Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * VANCOUVER - Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? VANCOUVER – Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country’s president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. The situation in South Korea arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he described as “anti-state” forces from the opposition that controls parliament. Yoon’s declaration triggered tense political drama, as troops surrounded the parliament while 190 lawmakers gathered inside to vote to lift the martial law shortly after it was imposed. Global Affairs Canada has not raised the risk level for Canadians in South Korea but did ask those in the country to monitor local media for the latest information, while following authorities’ instructions, such as curfew orders. A Vancouver-based travel agent says the chaos in Seoul is not likely to have a major effect on Canadian visitor numbers to South Korea. Glynnis Chan, owner of Happy Times Travel, says the martial law dissolved quickly and will likely have minimal impact on people’s travel plans, which tend to be made at least two months in advance. “There’s always some sort of impact, but it really depends on what happens with the situation over the long term,” Chan says. “If nothing more happens, people forget after a week or so about what took place.” Chan says she is not expecting any impact on her business, since Japan is a more popular destination among her customers. Several Korean-Canadian travel agencies in Metro Vancouver declined to comment on the political situation in Seoul. After Yoon’s declaration of martial law, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the national assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment, while others scuffled with military troops. The South Korean parliamentary members eventually voted to lift the declaration, with national assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it “invalid.” Police and military personnel were then seen leaving the assembly’s grounds after Woo’s call for their withdrawal. Jae-Yeon Lim, vice-president of the Canada Korea Business Association, says seeing military personnel clash with protesters and lawmakers brought back “harrowing” memories of the 1980 student-led demonstrations in Gwangju that were violently suppressed. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987, and South Korea’s last previous martial law was in October 1979. “It has been a very difficult experience to see that,” Lim says of the latest martial law declaration. “But that said, I’m really happy to see that ... the national assembly managed to get the majority vote to repeal this, and they managed to do that at the risk of their own lives, even though military was there. “This is a country that will stand up for democracy.” 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. Lim also says there would likely be little impact on bilateral relations or trade between the two countries stemming from the sudden onset of political drama, given how quickly martial law was lifted. “It’s not going to stop business from seeking to expand in Canada,” Lim says. “There’s still a very strong interest to do so from many businesses (in South Korea). “We have yet to see what will happen next, but I think that I’m a little bit reassured in seeing what has transpired ... that people are ready to defend their country and democratic rule-of-law.” — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementNoneWith the holidays taking up much of your time, you may not be concentrating on retirement moves to make before 2025. But if you’re the type of person who does everything to the max, investing in your future retirement now could be a game changer. In 2024, you can invest up to $23,000 into your 401(k) retirement plan as per IRS contribution limits. If you’re over 50 and need to play catch-up, you can invest an extra $7,500. That means your total possible contribution for 2024 is $30,500. If that seems like a lot, it is. But you don’t have to max out your contributions if you can’t afford it. Employer matching can help. In 2025, you can invest $23,500, bringing your possible contribution up to $31,500. If you’re over 50, the catch-up contribution remains at $7,500 for 2025. But a huge change was made in SECURE 2.0 for employees aged 60 to 63 who participate in workplace retirement plans. Starting in 2025, this super catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500.  Figure out how much you contributed. If you’ve contributed as much as possible for the year, you’re in good shape going into 2025. If you’re not sure, you changed jobs or haven’t contributed consistently in 2024, you still have time to make adjustments to max out your 401(k) contributions for the year. Check your employer’s match. Employer matching is a job benefit not to be overlooked. After all, for every dollar you save in your 401(k), your employer matches your contributions dollar-for-dollar or offers a partial match up to a certain percentage of your wages. Knowing where you stand can help you make the most of this opportunity. For example, let’s say you earn $50,000 per year and contribute $3,000 to your 401(k), or 6% of your salary. If your employer offers to match 50 cents of each dollar you contribute up to 6% of your pay, they would add $1,500 each year to your 401(k) account, boosting your total annual contributions to $4,500. Look at your budget. Maxing out your 401(k) is always a good move. However, retirement planning can be a balancing act; sometimes, your budget is downright against it. If you have high debt or no money set aside for emergencies, you may want to hold off a bit. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contribute to your retirement plan at all. Maintaining contributions is important, even if it means not maxing it out. Still, if you wait too long to save, you’ll have to play catch-up. If you save too much, you may have to tap into your account early, which can mean early withdrawal penalties if you are under age 591⁄2. Boost your contributions. If you have enough cash stashed away to cover a large lump sum contribution to your 401(k), you could max out your 401(k) contributions before the end of the year. You can do this by increasing the percentage you contribute monthly from your paycheck. You’ll want to speak with your employer or HR department to see if this is possible and fill out the necessary paperwork. Keep in mind that how often you increase it or even if you can will depend on your plan rules. You may also want to check to be sure your contributions are still automatic. Since it’s usually easier to save money if it’s automatically deducted from your paycheck, it may be worth reviewing your budget to see if you can boost your contribution amount to max out your 401(k). If you haven’t set up automatic payroll contributions, now is a good time to do so. Maxing out your 401(k) has some clear benefits. This is especially true if you’ve fallen behind on your savings goals or you simply want to grow your retirement nest egg faster. The main advantage is that you’ll have more money saved for retirement. According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning & Progress Study, most retired Americans believe they will need nearly $1.5 million in the bank to retire comfortably. That’s a 15% increase — which far outpaces the 3% to 5% inflation rate — over 2023 and is up 53% from 2020. The money you put into your 401(k) lowers how much you’ll pay in taxes for the year, which may put you in a lower tax bracket. Also, 401(k) investments grow tax-deferred, so you won’t pay taxes on the money until you withdraw the funds in retirement. If you have a Roth 401(k), you don’t get a tax break on contributions because you fund your account with after-tax dollars. But the money you contribute grows tax-free and you won’t pay any taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. Maxing out your 401(k) each year may not be enough to retire comfortably, but it is a great start. That’s why enlisting the help of a financial adviser in 2024 can help you get a head start on 2025 and a happy retirement down the road.Lions may be without Decker, Raymond, Davis vs. Bears
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LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The goals are flying in again for Arsenal — and it just happens to coincide with the return from injury of Martin Odegaard. Make that eight goals in two games since the international break for Arsenal after its 5-1 hammering of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday, tying the English team’s heaviest ever away win in the competition. Odegaard is back in Arsenal’s team after missing two months with an ankle injury . In that time, Mikel Arteta’s attack stuttered, with a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth and a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle dropping the Gunners well off the pace in the Premier League. There was also a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League as well as a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan last month, when Odegaard made his comeback from injury as an 89th-minute substitute. Since then, Arsenal hasn’t lost and the goals have returned. After a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday came the cruise in Lisbon — and Odegaard was at the heart of everything as Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end. “He’s an unbelievable player,” Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka said of Odegaard. “The day he returned, there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have. I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.” Odegaard was involved in the build-up to Arsenal’s first two goals against Sporting — scored by Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz — and was fouled to win the penalty converted by Saka in the 65th to restore Arsenal’s three-goal lead at 4-1. Odegaard was seen flexing his leg after that but continued untroubled and was substituted in the 78th minute. The last thing Arteta would want now is another injury to Odegaard as Arsenal attempts to reel in first-place Liverpool in the Premier League. Liverpool is already nine points ahead of fourth-place Arsenal after 12 games. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Holoconnects, a pioneer in 3D holographic solutions, has joined forces with Mews, a leading cloud-native hospitality management system, and CIC Hospitality, a prominent hotel operator in the Nordics, to unveil an innovative AI-powered holographic front desk avatar. This cutting-edge solution, developed in collaboration with RAVATAR—experts in creating real-time, lifelike AI digital humans—promises to revolutionize guest interactions in the hospitality sector. The AI holographic avatar is designed to streamline hotel operations and elevate the guest experience. Deployed inside Holoconnects’ Holobox, the avatar delivers an immersive, lifelike experience through 4K high-resolution 3D holographic visualization. Guests can interact with the avatar in real-time, engaging in natural, human-like conversations powered by RAVATAR’s AI Avatar Platform. This advanced technology allows the avatar to assist with various tasks, including checking in and out, generating room keys, booking additional rooms, arranging dinner or spa reservations, and providing instant answers to frequently asked questions. The first implementation of this AI-powered greeter took place at the Aiden by Best Western Lolland in Denmark on November 21, marking a significant milestone in the integration of AI and holography in the hospitality industry. CIC Hospitality, which operates 13 Aiden by Best Western hotels in its portfolio across the Nordics, played a crucial role in bringing this futuristic solution to life. Mews’ integration with the holographic avatar further enhances its functionality, enabling seamless handling of hotel bookings and check-ins. As a leader in hospitality software, Mews automates hotel operations to maximize revenue and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration showcases how advanced technology can transform traditional hotel operations while ensuring customer satisfaction. The partnership between Holoconnects, Mews, CIC Hospitality, and RAVATAR is a testament to the potential of AI and holography in redefining guest services. By combining lifelike holographic visuals with intelligent automation, hotels can offer a modern, efficient, and memorable experience that caters to the needs of today’s travelers. “This launch underscores CIC Hospitality’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to transform guest experiences. We are excited to collaborate with Holoconnects and Mews to explore how cutting-edge solutions like this holographic front desk avatar can enhance the hospitality landscape,” said Matthias Tanski, CEO of CIC Hospitality. “The launch of a virtual avatar greeter is an exciting new step forward for Holoconnects and the hospitality sector as a whole. We believe it will ultimately elevate and improve the guest experience and overall hotel customer satisfaction,” said Holoconnects co-founder and CEO André Smith. “Our partnership with Mews, CIC Hospitality and RAVATAR has the potential to change the face of modern hotels. We plan to use this first deployment to learn as much as possible and work with Mews to make the front desk virtual avatar greeter and check-in experience better and more helpful.” Holoconnects, a pioneer in holographic technology, is revolutionizing immersive experiences across a wide range of industries, including hospitality, travel, healthcare, retail, entertainment, communications, events, education, advertising, and more. By continually expanding its product portfolio and entering new market sectors, Holoconnects is at the forefront of innovation in holographic solutions. The company’s flagship products—the Holobox, Holobox Mini, and Hologrid—offer 3D holographic visualizations of people, products, or logos, transforming communication into a dynamic and interactive experience. These cutting-edge tools provide unparalleled engagement, delivering immersive interactions that leave a lasting impact on audiences. With its versatile applications and commitment to innovation, Holoconnects is redefining how businesses and individuals connect and communicate. “At Mews, we are dedicated to building the right solutions that provide remarkable experiences for guests, no matter where they stay. This revolutionary front-desk avatar, in collaboration with Holoconnects, has the potential to transform the hotel reception experience as we know it,” commented Matt Welle, CEO of Mews. “We are delighted to have launched this at Aiden by Best Western Lolland in collaboration with CIC Hospitality, Holoconnects and RAVATAR. It is already freeing up front-desk staff who now have more time to deliver a truly personal experience for each of their guests.” “This joint initiative with Holoconnects, Mews, and CIC Hospitality is a transformative step for the hotel industry, blending AI and holographic technology to enhance guest interactions,” said Ruslan Synytskyy, CEO of RAVATAR. “We’re thrilled to bring personalized, lifelike avatars into real-world settings, setting a new benchmark for service innovation.”