AP News Summary at 2:00 p.m. ESTFewer grandparents were living with and taking care of grandchildren, there was a decline in young children going to preschool and more people stayed put in their homes in the first part of the 2020s compared with the last part of the 2010s, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday, reflecting some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic . The latest figures from the most comprehensive survey of American life compare the years 2014-2018 and 2019-2023, timeframes before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the virus' spread. The American Community Survey data show how lives were changed and family relationships altered by the pandemic and other occurrences like the opioid crisis . The survey of 3.5 million households covers more than 40 topics, including ancestry, fertility, marital status, commutes, veterans status, disability and housing. The decrease in grandparents' taking care of their grandchildren is most likely because opioid-related deaths stabilized and then declined during the more recent timeframe since substance abuse is a leading reason grandparents find themselves raising grandchildren. A reduction in the number of incarcerated women also likely played a role, said Susan Kelley, a professor emerita of nursing at Georgia State University. “It's very rarely for positive reasons that grandparents find themselves in this situation. Usually, it's a tragic situation in an adult child's life — either a death, incarceration or mental health issues which correlate with substance abuse," Kelley said. "Many grandparents thrive in that role, but there are still socioeconomic and emotional burdens on the grandparents." A stronger economy in the most recent period also may be a reason the number of grandparents living with their grandchildren declined from 7.2 million to 6.8 million by making it less likely that adult children with their own children were seeking housing help from their parents, she said. The decline in the number of young children enrolled in preschool stemmed from an unwillingness to send young children to school and the closure of many schools at the height of the pandemic, according to the Census Bureau. “These data show how the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on patterns of early childhood education,” the bureau said in a separate report. "Future research will show if this was the start of a long-term trend or if enrollment will bounce back to prior levels." Americans continued to get older, with the median age rising to 38.7 from 37.9 and the nation's share of senior citizens hitting 16.8% from 15.2%. The share of households with a computer jumped to almost 95% from nearly 89%, as did the share of households with a broadband connection to almost 90% from 80%. Additionally, fewer people moved and more people stayed put in the most recent time period compared with the earlier one, in many cases because of rising home values and the limited availability of homes to buy. Home values increased by 21.7% and the percentage of vacant homes dropped from 12.2% to 10.4%. The median home value jumped from $249,400 to $303,400 nationwide. In some vacation communities popular with the wealthy, the bump was even more dramatic, such as in the county that is home to Aspen, Colorado, where it went from $758,800 to $1.1 million, and in the county which is home to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, where it jumped from $812,400 to $1.1 million. Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform X: @MikeSchneiderAP .
Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players’ association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. A family friend told Listín Diario — a newspaper in Carty’s native Dominican Republic — that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite,” the players' association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBAres Management Co. (NYSE:ARES) Shares Bought by PNC Financial Services Group Inc.( MENAFN - PR Newswire) CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Envision Energy, a world leader in renewable energy solutions, proudly announces a contract with the EDF Group, to supply three battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the Oasis 1 cluster of projects, amounting to 257 MW of capacity and 1028 MWh of storage. This marks the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) order in South Africa and positions Envision Energy as the first energy storage system supplier in the region to secure a GWh-scale order. These projects are integral to South Africa's inaugural Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). EDF, in collaboration with co-sponsor Mulilo, and equity partners Pele Energy Group and Gibb-Crede, under the Oasis Consortium, successfully secured three projects: Oasis Aggeneis, Oasis Mookodi, and Oasis Nieuwehoop power plants, located in the Northern Cape Province. Each project includes a 5% ownership interest for local communities through a Community Trust. Financial Close was reached on 20 November 2024 and the projects are set to be operational by end of 2026. Envision Energy will equip these facilities with a full suite of AC and DC energy storage equipment, including station SCADA and EMS systems. The DC side will feature Envision's standard 20-foot, 5 MWh storage units powered by high-safety, high-performance 315Ah cells. Additionally, Envision will provide 15 years of comprehensive lifecycle operation and maintenance (O&M) services. Kane Xu, Senior Vice President and President of International Product Lines at Envision Energy, commented on the initiative: "Battery storage technology is a cornerstone of sustainable energy systems, and we are delighted to contribute our leading technology to this milestone project in South Africa. Once operational, it will effectively address the frequent load management of the current South African power grid, enhance grid stability, and reduce reliance on coal-fired power plants, supporting South Africa's transition to a more sustainable energy system." As the largest battery energy storage initiative in South Africa, these facilities will significantly enhance the country's power infrastructure. They are designed to alleviate grid congestion, increase renewable energy integration, and engage in the power market through energy arbitrage and ancillary services, aiding South Africa's low-carbon energy transition and goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. "We look forward to constructing this project with our industrial partners Envision Energy and Huadong, chosen for their expertise with energy storage products, and ability to deliver a reliable and effective system," said Gregoire de Montgolfier, EDF Renewables Projects Director. EDF Group, the world's largest nuclear operator and a leading global power company, continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio with an aim to reach 60 GW of net renewable capacity by 2030. Envision Energy stands out as a premier provider of cutting-edge energy storage products renowned for their superior battery quality, intelligent design, and the ease and speed of their deployment. With full-stack technical capabilities and a commitment to in-house research and manufacturing, Envision boasts end-to-end control from manufacturing to deployment, including full lifecycle asset management to drive innovation in systematic grid-forming solutions, to ensure grid safety and stability. As of late 2023, Envision has grown its global footprint across the globe with over 200 BESS projects, delivering more than 15 GWh and securing upwards of 25 GWh in ongoing orders. In 2024, Envision Energy was recognized as a Tier 1 Global Energy Storage Manufacturer by Bloomberg NEF for the third consecutive quarter, positioning the company among the top leaders in the energy storage sector worldwide. MENAFN15122024003732001241ID1108995673 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Energy prices have huge impact on inflation: study
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Akira Hiyoshi, his wife and 6-year-old son were returning from the customary first shrine visit of the new year and about to enter their house when the earth began to convulse. Roof tiles on their century-old sake brewery — adjacent to their home in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture — came raining down, and the structure began collapsing before their eyes. “My wife said she heard me muttering ‘It’s over,’ while we stared at what was unfolding,” says the fifth-generation owner and tōji , or master brewer, of Hiyoshi Sake Brewery, which is known for its Kinpyo Shirakoma brand of sake.Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85
PM leads first round of Romanian presidential vote: exit polls BUCHAREST: Pro-European Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was leading in Sunday ́s first round of Romania ́s presidential election, according to two exit polls released soon after the end of voting. Ciolacu scored 25 percent of the vote while the centre-right former journalist turned small-town mayor Elena Lasconi was on 18 percent, according to the polls. Two far-right candidates scored 15 and 16 percent. Voting finished at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT). In the absence of an outright winner in the first round -- scoring more than 50 percent -- the top two candidates go through to a second-round run-off on December 8.Ciolacu ́s Social Democratic Party (PSD), which has shaped the country ́s politics for more than three decades, currently governs in a coalition with the National Liberal Party. Polling in third place is former journalist Elena Lasconi, who became mayor of the small town of Campulung and head of a centre-right opposition party, who could prove to be a surprise package. “Our best hope might be to wake up with Lasconi in the second round -- she seems to be the most honest candidate,” said Diaconu before hopping on a Bucharest tram. Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0500 GMT) and close at 9:00 pm, with exit polls expected shortly after.Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY) Shares Acquired by Prospera Financial Services Inc
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