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NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers than ever are on track to use ‘buy now, pay later’ plans this holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago. The company forecasts shoppers will purchase $18.5 billion worth of goods using the third-party services for the period Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, with $993 million worth of purchases on Cyber Monday alone. Buy now, pay later can be particularly appealing to consumers who have low credit scores or no credit history, such as younger shoppers, because most of the companies providing the service run only soft credit checks and don’t report the loans and payment histories to the credit bureaus, unlike credit card companies. This holiday season, buy now, pay later users can also feel more confident if a transaction goes awry. In May, the CFPB said buy now, pay later company must adhere to other regulations that govern traditional credit, such as providing ways to demand refunds and dispute transactions. To use a buy now, pay later plan, consumers typically sign up with bank account information or a debit or credit card, and agree to pay for purchases in monthly installments, typically over eight weeks or more. The loans are marketed as requiring no or low interest, or only conditional fees, such as for late payment. Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm are three of the biggest buy now, pay later companies. But consumer advocates warn that shoppers who sign up for the payment plans using a credit card can be hit with more interest and fees. That's because individuals open themselves up to interest on the credit card payment, if it's carried month to month, on top of any late fees, interest, or penalties from the buy now, pay later loan itself. Experts advise against using a credit card to pay for these plans for this reason. Consumer watchdogs also say the plans lead consumers to overextend themselves because, for example, not paying full price up front leaves, in the shopper’s mind at least, more money for smaller purchases . They also caution consumers to keep careful track of using multiple buy now, pay later services, as the automatic payments can add up, and there is no central reporting, such as with a credit card statement. “Buy now, pay later can be an innovative tool for purchases you’re going to make anyway,” said Mark Elliott, chief customer officer at financial services company LendingClub. “The challenge is that it does fuel overspending.” For merchants, that’s part of the appeal. Retailers have found that customers are more likely to have bigger cart sizes or to convert from browsing to checking out when buy now, pay later is offered. One report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York cited research that found customers spend 20% more when buy now, pay later is available. “The reality is that the increased cost-of-living and inflation have put more people in a situation where they’re already relying on revolving credit,” Elliott said. “The psychographics of ‘buy now, pay later’ may be different — people don’t think of it as debt — but it is.” If a consumer misses a payment, they can face fees, interest, or the possibility of being locked out of using the services in the future. Emily Childers, consumer financial expert for personal-finance technology company Credit Karma, said that internal data shows member credit card balances are up more than 50% for Gen Z and millennial members since March 2022, when the Fed started raising interest rates. “Young people are entering this holiday season already in the red,” she said. “And, based on what we’re seeing in the data, they’re continuing to bury their heads in the sand and spend.” ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
Monty Rakusen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Thesis In mid-December, Gentex Corporation ( NASDAQ: GNTX ) announced the all-cash acquisition of their smaller competitor Voxx International ( NASDAQ: VOXX ) in a move that will expand on the in-house product lineup. With forecasted organic growth Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.The New England Patriots' list of opponents for the 2025 NFL season is set in stone. As the last-place team in the AFC East, the Patriots (3-13) will schedule matchups against the last-place squads in the AFC South, AFC West, and NFC East. Those teams are the Tennessee Titans (3-13), Las Vegas Raiders (4-12), and New York Giants (3-13). Their 2025 schedule will also feature matchups against the AFC North and NFC South in addition to their usual two games vs. each AFC East rival. On the surface, it looks like the Patriots' 2025 schedule will be easier than their 2024 slate. Of course, New England must make some noteworthy changes in the offseason if it hopes to bounce back from its tumultuous 2024 campaign. Here is the full list of Patriots opponents for the 2025 NFL season: The Patriots will wrap up their 2024 campaign next Sunday when they welcome the Buffalo Bills to Gillette Stadium.None
Are Black Friday Discounts Actually Worth It?Emergency specialists work at the crash site of an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet near the western Kazakh city of Aktau on December 25, 2024. (Photo by Kamilla Jumayeva / AFP) Azerbaijani and US officials believe a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the deadly crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet, media reports and a US official said Thursday, as the Kremlin cautioned against “hypotheses” over the disaster. The Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau, an oil and gas hub, on Wednesday after going off course for undetermined reasons. Thirty-eight of the 67 people on board died. The Embraer 190 aircraft was supposed to fly northwest from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the city of Grozny in Chechnya, southern Russia, but instead diverted far off course across the Caspian Sea. An investigation is underway, with pro-government Azerbaijani website Caliber citing unnamed officials as saying they believed a Russian missile fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system downed the plane. The claim was also reported by The New York Times, broadcaster Euronews and the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Some aviation and military experts said the plane might have been accidentally shot by Russian air defense systems because it was flying in an area where Ukrainian drone activity had been reported. A former expert at France’s BEA air accident investigation agency said there appeared to be “a lot of shrapnel” damage on the wreckage. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said the damage was “reminiscent” of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was downed with a surface-to-air missile by Russia-backed rebels over eastern Ukraine in 2014. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “It would be wrong to make any hypotheses before the investigation’s conclusions.” Euronews cited Azerbaijani government sources as saying that “shrapnel hit the passengers and cabin crew as it exploded next to the aircraft mid-flight.” A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said early indications suggested a Russian anti-aircraft system struck the plane. Kazakhstan news agency Kazinform cited a regional prosecutor as saying that two black-box flight recorders had been recovered. Azerbaijan Airlines initially said the plane flew through a flock of birds, before withdrawing the statement. Kazakh officials said 38 people had been killed and there were 29 survivors, including three children. Jalil Aliyev, the father of flight attendant Hokume Aliyeva, told AFP that this was supposed to have been her last flight before starting a job as a lawyer for the airline. “Why did her young life have to end so tragically?” the man said in a trembling voice before hanging up the phone. Eleven of the injured are in intensive care, the Kazakh health ministry said. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared Thursday a day of mourning and cancelled a planned visit to Russia for an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a grouping of former Soviet nations. “I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash... and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Aliyev said in a social media post Wednesday. The Flight Radar website showed the plane deviating from its normal route, crossing the Caspian Sea and then circling over the area where it eventually crashed near Aktau, on the eastern shore of the sea. Kazakhstan said the plane was carrying 37 Azerbaijani passengers, six Kazakhs, three Kyrgyz and 16 Russians. A Kazakh woman told the local branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) she was near where the plane crashed and rushed to the site to help survivors. “They were covered in blood. They were crying. They were calling for help,” said the woman, who gave her name as Elmira. She said they saved some teenagers. “I’ll never forget their look, full of pain and despair,” said Elmira. “A girl pleaded: ‘Save my mother, my mother is back there.'” Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Aliyev and “expressed his condolences in connection with the crash,” Peskov told a news conference.The leader of Sinn Fein has expressed determination to form a government of the left in Ireland as she insisted her party’s performance in the General Election had broken the state’s political mould. Despite Mary Lou McDonald’s confidence around shaping a coalition without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail – the two parties that have dominated the landscape of Irish politics for a century – the pathway to government for Sinn Fein still appears challenging. With counting following Friday’s election still in the relatively early stages – after an exit poll that showed the main three parties effectively neck-and-neck – there is some way to go before the final picture emerges and the options for government formation crystalise. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris, has dismissed talk of a Sinn Fein surge and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about where his party will stand after all the votes are counted. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speaks to the media as he arrives at the election count centre at Shoreline Leisure Greystones in Co Wicklow (Niall Carson/PA) The counting process could last days because of Ireland’s complex system of proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV), where candidates are ranked by preference. The early indications have turned the focus to the tricky arithmetic of government formation, as the country’s several smaller parties and many independents potentially jockey for a place in government. Ms McDonald told reporters at the RDS count centre in Dublin that she would be “very, very actively pursuing” the potential to form a government with other parties on the left of the political spectrum. The smaller, left-leaning parties in Ireland include the Social Democrats, the Irish Labour Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit-Solidarity. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin speaks to the media at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork (Jacob King/PA). “I think it’s fair to say that we have now confirmed that we have broken the political mould here in this state,” she said. “Two party politics is now gone. It’s consigned to the dustbin of history and that, in itself, is very significant.” She added: “I am looking to bring about a government of change, and I’m going to go and look at all formulations. “If you want my bottom line, the idea of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for another five years, in our strong opinion, is not a good outcome for Irish society. “Obviously, I want to talk to other parties of the left and those that we share very significant policy objectives with. So I’m going to do that first and just hear their mind, hear their thinking. But be very clear, we will be very, very actively pursuing entrance into government.” Green leader Roderic O’Gorman conceded his party had not had a good day (Brian Lawless/PA) Prior to the election, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael both ruled out entering government with Sinn Fein. Fine Gael leader Mr Harris rejected suggestions Sinn Fein had broken new ground. He told reporters in his count centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow: “Certainly we haven’t seen a Sinn Fein surge or anything like it. “I mean, it looks likely, on the figures that we’ve seen now, fewer people, many fewer people would have voted Sinn Fein in this election than the last one. “In fact, I think they’re down by around 5% and actually the parties, particularly the two parties, the two larger parties in government, are likely to receive significant support from the electorate. So definitely, politics in Ireland has gotten much more fragmented.” He said it was too early to tell what the next government would look like. “I think anybody who makes any suggestion about who is going to be the largest party or the construct of the next government, they’re a braver person than I am,” he said. “Our electoral system dictates that there’ll be many, many transfers that will go on for hours, if not days, before we know the final computations at all. “But what I am very confident about is that my party will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead, and I’m cautiously optimistic and excited.” Fianna Fail’s Mr Martin told reporters at a count centre in Cork he was confident that the numbers exist to form a government with parties that shared his political viewpoint. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and deputy president Michelle O’Neill speak to the media at the RDS in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) “It’s a bit too early yet to call the exact type of government that will be formed or the composition of the next government,” he said. “But I think there are, there will be a sufficiency of seats, it seems to me, that aligns with the core principles that I articulated at the outset of this campaign and throughout the campaign, around the pro-enterprise economy, around a positively pro-European position, a government that will strongly push for home ownership and around parties that are transparently democratic in how they conduct their affairs.” Asked if it would be in a coalition with Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats, he said that would be “racing a bit too far ahead”. The final result may dictate that if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are to return to government, they may need more than one junior partner, or potentially the buy-in of several independent TDs. Mr Martin said it was unclear how quickly a government can be formed, as he predicted his party would gain new seats. “It will be challenging. This is not easy,” he added. The junior partner in the outgoing government – the Green Party – looks set for a bruising set of results. Counting takes place at RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA). “It’s clear the Green Party has not had a good day,” he said. The early counting also suggested potential trouble for Fianna Fail in Wicklow, where the party’s only candidate in the constituency, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, is considered to have a battle ahead, with the risk of losing his seat. Meanwhile, there is significant focus on independent candidate Gerard Hutch who, on Saturday evening, was sitting in fourth place in the four-seat constituency of Dublin Central. Last spring, Mr Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, in one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud. Mr Byrne, 33, died after being shot six times at a crowded boxing weigh-in event at the Regency Hotel in February 2016. A Special Criminal Court judge described Mr Hutch, 61, as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation and said he had engaged in “serious criminal conduct”. The constituency will be closely watched as other hopefuls wait to see if transfers from eliminated candidates may eventually rule him out of contention. In the constituency of Louth, the much-criticised selection of John McGahon appeared not to have paid off for Fine Gael. The party’s campaign was beset by questioning over footage entering the public domain of the candidate engaged in a fight outside a pub in 2018. The Social Democrats have a strong chance of emerging as the largest of the smaller parties. The party’s leader, Holly Cairns, was already celebrating before a single vote was counted however, having announced the birth of her baby girl on polling day.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has undergone surgery on an ankle fracture and faces a spell on the sidelines, the Lilywhites have confirmed. The 28-year-old started and kept a clean sheet in the weekend's shock 4-0 victory over Manchester City , where he completed the full 90 minutes despite appearing to pick up an injury early on. However, Spurs have now revealed that Vicario's issue was a severe one, as the former Empoli and Venezia goalkeeper sustained a fracture to his ankle and underwent an operation on Monday. "We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle," Tottenham said on X. "Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training. We're all behind you, Vic 🤍." Spurs did not specify how long Vicario would be sidelined for, but Fraser Forster will be expected to guard the sticks for at least several weeks as Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman fight for temporary number two duties. Following confirmation of Vicario's operation, the goalkeeper took to Instagram, sharing a photo of him flexing his arms in a hospital bed and revealing that he played an hour of the win over Man City with his broken ankle. "Sometimes football gives you its highs, and sometimes it challenges you in ways you don't expect. I played 60 minutes at the Etihad with a broken ankle, giving absolutely everything I had for the team. Unfortunately there was no way around this one.. I needed surgery," Vicario wrote. "I'm disappointed I won't be able to help the team for a while. A massive thank you to the doctors and the staff. The operation went well, and from tomorrow I'll be working hard to come back stronger, fitter, and ready to give my all for you again. "Thank you to the Spurs fans for all the love. See you soon on the pitch. 💪⚽️ @spursofficial 🤍". Until either the club or Ange Postecoglou sheds more light on Vicario's problem, it is unclear how many games the goalkeeper will be forced to sit out, but meetings with Chelsea and Liverpool on December 8 and 22 respectively will certainly come too soon for him to return. Tottenham's second North London derby of the season against Arsenal takes place on January 15, and it is difficult to envisage the Italian being fit for the visit of the Gunners too. Vicario's ankle fracture is the first severe injury that the 28-year-old has suffered during his time at Tottenham, whom he has been a key figure for since his £15.5m arrival from Empoli in 2023. The Italy international has kept 12 clean sheets in 55 appearances for the Lilywhites, including four shut-outs from 15 matches across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign. Vicario enters a relatively well-stocked Tottenham infirmary, which also houses a couple of other fundamental defensive figures in Cristian Romero (toe) and Micky van de Ven (hamstring). Postecoglou is keeping his fingers crossed that Romero will be fit to take on Fulham in next Sunday's London derby, though, but Van de Ven is unlikely to return until the middle of next month. Richarlison is also unlikely to be back from his own thigh concern until the New Year, while Wilson Odobert is on the recovery trail from hamstring surgery and faces weeks/months out of action. Alongside a quintet of injury worries, Mikey Moore has been laid low by a severe virus in recent weeks, and Rodrigo Bentancur is serving a seven-match domestic ban for an offensive comment about Son Heung-min and South Koreans. However, Bentancur will be fine to face Roma in the Europa League on Thursday, where Forster is set to commence a lengthy run of games in goal.LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) — Jaeden Marshall scored 21 points as Niagara beat Le Moyne 88-69 on Sunday. Marshall shot 5 for 8 (4 for 6 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Purple Eagles (6-7). Justice Smith added 15 points while going 6 of 12 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 2 for 3 from the line and had five rebounds. Zion Russell shot 4 for 7, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. AJ Dancier finished with 17 points and four steals for the Dolphins (5-10). Le Moyne also got 11 points and 10 rebounds from Ocypher Owens. Dwayne Koroma had nine points and six rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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has had two major talking points this year; and , both of which coalesce in its home appliances and SmartThings technology. It’s good timing, too. The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), a Washington-based anti-poverty non-profit organization, cites in its Net Zero Heroes report that appliances are responsible for 39 per cent of all energy-related CO2 emissions. With an already immense (and ever-growing) number of devices in use every day, it's a figure that will only increase without some form of change. There’s no time like the present, then, for manufacturers such as electronics giant Samsung to focus on improving the energy efficiency of its home appliances. It’s a move that has borne fruit, too, not least in the world of smart washing machines. According to Moohyung Lee, EVP and Head of Customer Experience Team for the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung, the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo sold 1,000 units in just three days when it launched in South Korea in February. By April, it surpassed cumulative sales of 10,000 units, an impressive number for a large appliance. Now, it’s launching in the US, with further plans for release in South America, Southeast Asia and Europe later this year – and there’s plenty more to get excited about in Samsung’s home appliance roster. Following the brand’s energy efficiency and AI-first display at IFA 2024, Lee told us more about how Samsung plans to continue its journey towards the smart home of the future. Clean and energy lean Through a combination of software and hardware, Samsung has been enhancing energy efficiency. Lee cites features like Ecobubble, which has been integral to Samsung washing machines for over a decade. Instead of using heat energy to offer a thorough clean, Ecobubble “turns detergent into bubbles that quickly penetrate the laundry, allowing for effective washing even in cold water, which reduces the energy consumption required to heat water”, he says. “Ecobubble can be combined with other technologies like Bubble Shot ― which further improves detergent penetration ― to uplift the energy efficiency,” he adds. There’s also Samsung’s Digital Inverter Technology, found in a variety of appliances from washer motors to refrigerator compressors, and serves to reduce energy wastage. “Not only is it an energy-efficient solution, but it reduces noise and increases durability,” Lee explains. “It reduces unnecessary use of energy by adjusting the components’ rotating speed according to different usage situations.” On the software side, the SmartThings Energy app allows users to monitor the energy consumption of connected appliances, and also supports AI Energy Mode to automatically optimize energy usage. “We have various opportunities like partnerships related to carbon intensity or Auto Demand Response (ADR) for example, which enhances the value of SmartThings Energy,” Lee adds “Looking ahead, Samsung plans to expand service availability from 68 countries at the end of 2023 to 110 markets by the end of 2024, increasing convenience and energy savings for consumers worldwide.” AI for all Samsung’s latest generation of washing machines, fridges and other large appliances also come decked with Bespoke AI, offering a host of clever features and some , too. “Samsung has introduced various AI-enhanced appliances that give solutions tailored to your needs,” says Lee. “Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI features AI Floor Detect that senses floor environment with AI, and the refrigerator with AI Family Hub brings AI Vision Inside for better food management for consumers.” However, it’s the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo that captured homeowners' hearts and minds, by selling those 1,000 units in South Korea over just three days post-launch. “It features AI Wash & Dry, which selects proper washing and drying cycles based on the types of fabric, weight, and soil level,” Lee explains. “Additionally, it features the AI Home, a 7-inch LCD touchscreen, which allows users to intuitively monitor the machine and control various functions. “One standout feature of AI Home is that it displays the status of SmartThings-connected appliances and gives users the ability to control them remotely.” Understanding the opportunity So, how does Samsung make sure its features and hardware can actually have an impact? According to Lee, the manufacturer uses the “standardized testing protocols” required in each region to meet its energy regulations. “This includes rigorous testing of our appliances against established energy efficiency standards," he continues. "For features like the AI Energy Mode, we also collaborate with third-party organizations to validate effectiveness and enhance credibility with consumers.” Samsung focuses not only on energy savings but also considers carbon emissions as an important indicator. “By obtaining the Carbon Trust's Carbon Footprint Certification and participating in the standard for quantifying carbon emissions, it is establishing objective indicators to measure the impact of its products,” explains Lee. “Samsung is researching and developing technologies to provide solutions that can reduce impact on the environment as much as possible, while also upgrading products and services to make it easier for consumers to participate in this journey. We are applying this vision from the beginning when designing our products.” This, he explains, can mean anything from developing energy-efficient products, utilizing recycled materials or reusing discarded components. “For example, certain Bespoke stick vacuum cleaner filters use recycled materials from discarded fishing nets, and recycled aluminum is applied to some of Bespoke panels of our refrigerators.” We all row the boat Consumer education plays an important role in making sure these features achieve their full potential. Lee says Samsung encourages consumer participation right from the get-go: “For example, when a product is connected to SmartThings, the app gives users the suggestion to utilise AI Energy Mode. “Furthermore, AI Energy Mode supports frequently used wash cycles such as Cotton, AI Wash, Synthetics, Mixed Load, and Super Speed to deliver more consistent energy savings. Once a user turns on AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy, it works its magic until deactivated, allowing continuous energy saving.” Once connected, the SmartThings Energy platform can be accessed in myriad ways, whether that’s via on-device screens like the Family Hub or AI Home, using other SmartThings-connected Samsung appliances with a screen or, of course, using a mobile phone. “Whether it’s simply monitoring energy usage or using AI Energy Mode to reduce additional energy consumption in daily life, consumers can decide how extensively they want to use the platform," says Lee, explaining that users can even choose to set their own goals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. “Samsung designs home appliances not just as functional machines, but as companions that improve and enhance the user experience,” says Lee, a principle that extends to SmartThings Energy. “Moving forward, we’ll continue to provide new ways for users to stay true to their values in daily life.” The increased focus on efficiency in the home comes at an important crossroads on the road to carbon zero, though, of course, . For now, though, energy-conscious brands like Samsung are at the forefront of using such technology to its advantage – it's not 'just a washing machine' anymore.