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Indias payments regulator is set to decide as early as Monday whether to curb the dominance of Walmarts PhonePe and Google in the nations fast-growing mobile payments market, a move that could reshape how its billion-plus population moves money.The decision centers on UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, a network backed by more than 50 retail banks that has changed how Indians pay for everything from groceries to taxi rides. The platform processes over 13 billion transactions monthly, making it one of the worlds largest digital payment networks. Its also, by far, the most popular way Indians transact online.At issue is whether the National Payments Corporation of India, which reports to Indias central bank, will enforce a rule limiting companies to handling no more than 30% of all UPI transactions.The rule, first proposed in 2020, would particularly affect Walmart-owned PhonePe, which handles 47.8% of all UPI payments, and Google Pay, which processes 37.1%.The uncertainty has thrown a wrench into PhonePes plans to go public. The startup, valued at $12 billion and backed by Walmart, would be one of Indias most prominent technology IPOs. PhonePes co-founder and chief executive, Sameer Nigam, said in August that the startup cannot go public if there is uncertainty on the regulatory side.If you are buying a share at Rs 100 and you price it assuming we have 48-49% market share, then there is an uncertainty about whether it will come down to 30% and by when, said Nigam (pictured above) at a fintech conference. We are requesting them [the regulator], if they can find another way to at least solve whatever their concerns are or tell us what the list of concerns is.The issue also impacts the growth potential of numerous fintech startups that are attempting to make deeper inroads in digital payments. If the regulator imposes restrictions on PhonePe and Google Pays ability to onboard new users or puts a check on how many transactions they process, many other startups stand to gain grounds. The regulator is inclined to delay enforcing the cap again or may increase the limit to more than 40%, people briefed on the situation told TechCrunch. The agency has already pushed back the deadline several times, from January 2021 to 2023, and then to 2025, as it struggled with implementation. It has held talks with many stakeholders as recently as last week over the decision.Enforcing a limitation on the market share will impact the consumer experience, some of the people said. The situation highlights Indias efforts to balance technological innovation with market competition. UPI has been a cornerstone of Prime Minister Narendra Modis push to digitize Indias economy and reduce its reliance on cash. The system allows instant transfers between bank accounts using simple identifiers like phone numbers, making it more accessible than traditional banking services.A market share cap would mark one of Indias most significant interventions in its technology sector, which has attracted massive investments from global companies like Walmart, Google, and Meta. These companies view India, with its young, increasingly digital population, as a crucial growth market.

In BriefPosted:12:40 PM PST December 29, 2024Image Credits:Vladimir Kazakov (opens in a new window) / Getty ImagesCrypto industry groups sue IRS over broker reporting ruleThree crypto industry groups the DeFi Education Fund, the Blockchain Association, and the Texas Blockchain Council are suing the Internal Revenue Service to block new regulations that require decentralized finance (DeFi) entities to report customer information.The IRS has been finalizing crypto tax regulations as part of the Biden Administrations Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The IRS says these new rules should help close the information gap with respect to digital assets.The lawsuit, on the other hand, claims that this approach would unduly burden DeFi trading front-ends, basically, online platforms that allow users to access crypto protocols but dont necessarily effectuate transactions themselves. The suit argues against defining these front-ends as brokers, in part because there is simply no broker-like entity involved in a decentralized transaction.The Blockchain Associations head of legal Marisa Coppel said in a statement that the new rules are an infringement on the privacy rights of individuals using decentralized technology and would also push this entire, burgeoning technology offshore.Topics

CARNATION, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 10: Governor Jay Inslee speaks against initiative 2117 during the ... [+] 2024 The Thing Festival at Remlinger Farms on August 10, 2024 in Carnation, Washington. (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage)WireImageThe incoming Trump administration seeks to roll back federal climate initiatives such as the Inflation Reduction Act. In response, Californias Governor Newsom has announced that his state is ready to counter federal rollbacks on issues such as incentives for electric vehicles. Budgetary challenges, however, could limit state-level climate action. Moreover, new regulations that impose costs could face a voter backlash. Strong public support for state-level climate action will be forthcoming if voters see these policies creating local benefits that address their everyday problems.This is where carbon pricing, whether as a carbon tax or as cap-and-trade, comes in. While the U.S. does not have federal climate pricing, some states have enacted cap-and-trade policies, including the State of Washingtons 2021 Climate Commitment Act (CCA). This was a major achievement because Washington voters twice rejected carbon taxes in 2016 (Initiative 732) and 2018 (Initiative 1631). Even after the CCA entered into force, its opponents tried to end it with a ballot initiative in 2024.Efforts to Repeal the CCADuring the recent elections, Lets Go Washington, an advocacy group led by Brian Heyworth, succeeded in placing Initiative 2117 on the ballot to repeal the CCA and end carbon pricing. This group blamed the CCA for Washingtons gas prices, among the highest in the country. CCA supporters, in contrast, highlighted the important contributions of CCAs revenue (about $1 billion annually) to deliver local public goods, such as funding about a third of the states Move Ahead transportation budget.In a surprising turn of events, Washington voters supported carbon pricing (by rejecting I-2117) by a 62-38% margin. This was a complete reversal of 2018 when Washington voters rejected carbon pricing (I-1631) by a 56-43% margin.Gas prices are a sensitive issue in rural areas (counties with a population density of less than 100 persons per square mile, as per the Office of Management and Budget) because of high reliance on personal vehicles. Did gas price concerns diminish support for carbon pricing (and increase support for CCAs repeal) in rural counties?MORE FOR YOUSupport for Carbon Pricing in Rural and Urban AreasWith the help of Center for Environmental Politics Undergraduate Fellow Remi Vrilakas, we assembled a county-level voting dataset (posted here). We plot the vote shares of support for carbon pricing (No for I-2117 but Yes for I-1631) on both initiatives. The 45-degree line depicts situations where the support for carbon pricing is the same. If the support for carbon pricing was higher in 2024 compared to 2018, the dots would be above the 45-degree line. That is, support for carbon pricing has increased both in rural (green dots) and urban counties (black dots).Support for Carbon Pricing: No for I-2117 but Yes for I-1631Nives Dolsak and Aseem PrakashThe figure below depicts the increase in support for carbon pricing by county (percent vote against I-2117 minus percent vote for I-1631). Urban counties are depicted in the left panel and rural counties in the right panel. On average, between 2018 and 2024, support increased by 19.8% points in urban counties and by 19.6% points in rural counties.Difference in county-level vote share Nives Dolsak and Aseem PrakashWhat happened? While in 2018, carbon pricing supporters focused on future benefits from carbon tax revenues, in 2024, they talked about existing local benefits from the cap-and-invest revenues such as investments in transportation. Recall that the federal Affordable Care Act became popular only after it was enacted and voters experienced its benefits. Along the same lines, the recognition of existing local benefits from the cap-and-invest revenues probably increased the support for carbon pricing in both urban and rural areas (and lead to the defeat of I-2117).But Then Why Did Initiative 2066 Win?Lets Go Washington had placed another anti-climate proposal, Initiative 2066, which sought to prevent state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas in buildings and homes. While Washington voters rejected I-2117 by 62-38% margin, they supported I-2066 by 52-48% margin.If voters focused solely on climate issues in the 2024 elections, the voting patterns on I-2117 and I-2066 would be similar. But they were not. A subset who voted against repealing the CCA (No on I-2117), supported I-2066 (continued access to natural gas). This is probably because voters did not see the benefits of gas restrictions in terms of lower household energy bills or reduced air pollution, which I-2066 opponents claimed.The figure below depicts the difference in pro-climate votes (share of voters who voted No on I-2117 minus share who voted No on I-2066) across counties. On average, the difference between No I-2117 and No I-2066 is 12.4% points in urban counties and 9.2% points in rural counties. Thus, the support level for I-2066 was higher in both areas compared to I-2117.Difference in county-level vote share Nives Dolsak and Aseem PrakashThe split votes on these initiatives offer a powerful lesson for climate communication. Rural voters are not anti-climate by default. Like urban voters, they assess policies based on local benefits and costs, ideally the experienced ones as opposed to the promised ones.

NosferatuCredit: UniversalIts interesting to trace back the roots of vampire lore in modern culture. Stories of blood-sucking demons predate modern sensibilities, of course, but it was Bram Stokers Dracula that inspired how we think of vampires more than any other work of literature or art. Stokers novel was published in 1897, and just 25 years later the German silent film Nosferatu was released.Despite the story drawing from Transylvanian and other Eastern European folklore, as well as the legends of historical figures such as Vlad the Impaler, there were enough similarities between Dracula and Nosferatu that Stokers estate sued. Its not hard to see why.Both stories feature a CountDracula and Orlok respectivelyresiding in a mysterious castle in a distant land. In each story, a young clerk visits the vampire in his castle and narrowly escapes with his life. In both, the vampire then makes a voyage to the more civilized west, terrorizing the citizens thereWhitby, in England and Wisborg in Germanywhile attempting to seduce a beautiful woman. Dracula and Orlok are each slain, though in different ways. The former is stabbed through the heart, the latter by daylight after being tricked by Ellen, played in Robert Eggers Nosferatu by Lily-Rose Depp. In Bram Stokers Dracula, daylight only weakened a vampires powers, but in Nosferatu it is fatal.There are other differences, of course. Dracula is handsome and charming, a seducer of women. He is the origin of the sexy vampire. Orlok is a hideous monsterand while he is very much a seducer of women in this retelling of Nosferatu, it is never sexy. Orlok is grotesque and monstrous at every turn, a towering husk. Bill Skarsgrd is absolutely marvelous in the role, his breath ragged, his thick Romanian accent at once menacing and more than a little preposterous. It is Ellens bloodher mystic connection to the Otherthat draws Orlok to her, ever since she was a girl, in this rendition of the classic.Nicholas HoultCredit: Focus FeaturesBack in 1922, Stokers estate sued German director F.W. Murnau and won, citing copyright law. But, like Orlok, it was not so easy to kill the film. Copies had already made it to America, where public domain laws were much less strict, and it quickly became a cult classic. Along with Dracula, Nosferatu is one of the most influential pieces of art that shapes our notion of vampires today, inspiring filmmakers and novelists, artists and fans ever since. Eggers version is the fourth Nosferatu, but the film I thought of most while watching was Francis Ford Coppolas Bram Stokers Dracula, which Ive seen much more recently than any version of Nosferatu.Read More: Todays Wordle #1289 Hints, Clues And Answer For Sunday, December 29thThis is a better film, mostly because of the cast. Coppola chose Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder as his leadsboth of whom struggled enormously with their accentsonly salvaging this casting disaster by picking Gary Oldman for the titular role, and topping that off with Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing. (Ive enjoyed Reeves and Ryder in many other films, but they were not cut out for Dracula).Eggers leans heavily into both gothic and body horror in Nosferatu, but rounds that out with plenty of camp and homage to the original and its remakes. Its genuinely funny at times, but filled with enough creepiness (and a couple good jump scares) to keep things frightening.Simon McBurneyCredit: Focus FeaturesIts also a brilliant period piece, with an enormous amount of attention to detail. When the young clerk, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) makes his way to the Carpathians to bring Count Orlok his property deed, he comes to an inn where hes surrounded by gypsies (or Roma, if were being politically correctthey are referred to as gypsies in the film). They dance around him, laughing at his foreign awkwardness. Inside the inn, wrinkled faces stare up at him grimly from the shadows. The mood is oppressive. An old woman begs him in her foreign tongue not to go to the castle. From this point on, his journey becomes dreamlike, soon descending into a waking nightmare.Ellens entire life has been a nightmare, haunted by Orlok and his diabolical lust. When shes left by Hutter, soon after their honeymoon, she descends into a madness that confounds her friends and the local doctor, Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson). Shes given ether and tied to the bed. Its only when Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz (Willem Dafoe) is brought to see her that anyone even believes her maladies could be of a supernatural variety.Willem DafoeCredit: Focus FeaturesCinematographer Jarin Blaschke, who worked with Eggers previously on The Lighthouse, The Northman and The Witch, returns here and brings some of his best work yet. The film weaves between color and black and white, between deepest shadow and rainswept Victorian streets. Hutters approach to the castle finds him in a black forest that looks almost more like a surrealist painting than a real place.Orlok is left mostly shrouded, his hulking frame bound in furs and shadow. Sometimes, he is only shadow, long taloned fingers creeping across a wall or curtains, or down Ellens face and figure. Ellens madnesspossession, ratherdrifts between screaming terror and uncomfortable eroticism, which is actually a pretty good way to sum up Nosferatu, which is never sexy in the way so many vampire stories are, but is heaped in sexual menace.The score, by Northman composer Robin Carolan, is as lovely and intense and menacing as the rest of the film, veering between creepy music box melodies and thundering orchestral pieces, filled with forlorn and foreboding strings and haunting choral accompaniments, sweeping between haunting dread and wistful melancholy (you can listen to all 51 tracks on Spotify).Admittedly, this is not a film for everyone. For fans of Eggers previous work, there is much here to bite off and chew, but to newcomers it might be overly strange or too slow or simply confusing. Those unaccustomed to the horror genre may find it altogether too disturbing. The tone may not resonate with everyone. At times it feels almost like a stage play or a melodrama, the way that classic films often do, though I believe this is intentional.As far as Im concerned, Nosferatu is an elegantly macabre masterpiece that pulls all the right levers of horror and period drama, a throwback to an older era of cinema with just enough modern sensibilities, body horror and sex to make it as provocative as it is unsettling. Go see it on the biggest screen you can find.Have you seen Nosferatu? What did you think? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

In relationships, its not perfection that binds us, but the choice to embrace and love each other ... [+] exactly as we are.gettyMany people believe that the greatest love stories should be free of flaws, misunderstandings or heartache. Movies, books and social media feeds show us perfectly curated moments, often creating an illusion of what love should look like. But real love doesnt thrive in perfection. It lives and breathes in the beautifully messy, unpredictable and deeply human moments we share with one another.Here are four reasons why imperfect love is not only inevitable, but also deeply healing.1. Imperfection Is AuthenticThe concept of perfect love is a pervasive myth, shaped by fairy tales and romantic comedies that idealize flawless relationships where problems vanish with a kiss or a grand gesture. In reality, unlike these polished narratives, authentic love is imperfect, human and far more fulfilling.When we try to present an idealized version of ourselves to others, we create a faade that hinders genuine connection. Authentic love, by contrast, removes these barriers, creating relationships where partners truly know and accept one another.Research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology supports this, showing that perceived partner authenticity is strongly associated with positive relationship outcomes, such as greater interpersonal trust, satisfaction and commitment.MORE FOR YOUBeing truly authentic involves embracing ones quirks, vulnerabilities and flaws without fear of judgment. It transforms the relationship into a safe space where both individuals feel seen and valued for who they are.For instance, admitting you dont know how to handle a difficult situation or laughing off a burned dinner instead of feeling embarrassed can build trust and openness. Such moments are an opportunity to signal to a partner: You dont need to pretend for me. I accept you as you are. This mutual vulnerability creates a foundation of honesty, allowing both partners to show up as their true selves.2. Imperfection Is Loves Greatest TeacherWhile society often portrays love as effortless and harmonious when done right, the reality is that moments of imperfection are what strengthen relationships. These experiences offer valuable lessons in patience, communication and understanding, helping couples grow closer.Every challenge faced together is an opportunity to deepen your bond. Disagreements can reveal unmet needs, unspoken desires or hidden fears, while mistakes remind us of our shared humanity, teaching humility, accountability and forgiveness. A relationship that embraces imperfection values growth and learning over blame and the illusion of perfection.For example, consider an argument where you feel misunderstood. Instead of reacting defensively, take a moment to ask, What is my partner really trying to communicate? Shifting from self-defense to curiosity creates room for meaningful dialogue, transforming conflict into collaboration.Similarly, when a mistake occurswhether its forgetting a special date or saying something hurtful in frustrationa sincere apology and a conversation about how to improve next time can strengthen the relationship. Moments of repair are where love proves its resilience, evolving into something deeper and more enduring.3. Imperfection Inspires CreativityWhen love doesnt conform to a prepackaged ideal, it opens the door to creativity. Relationships arent one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling. Embracing imperfection allows you to break free from these constraints, crafting a love story that reflects your unique personalities, values and circumstances.Ample research shows that creativity can enhance relationships, with creative individuals often perceiving their partners as more attractive than their partners self-assessments or objective ratings.Longitudinal data, from a 2019 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that creativity buffers against the decline of passion, acting as an antidote to monotony and routine in relationships.Embracing imperfection grants you the freedom to experiment, adapt and redefine what love looks like. Instead of adhering to traditional notions, you can design a relationship that works best for you both.So next time, be open to the idea thatdate night isnt candlelit dinners but spontaneous hikes. Maybe I love you isnt necessarily spoken every day but shown in consistent acts of service or small gestures. By letting go of rigid ideals, you allow love to take a shape thats uniquely yours, full of spontaneity, innovation and authenticity.4. Imperfection Nurtures AcceptanceImperfect love creates a space where you can show up as your true selfflaws, vulnerabilities and alland still be cherished. This acceptance goes beyond surface-level affection and reaches the core of who you are.Hiding your imperfections in a relationship creates a barrier to intimacy. Maintaining a faade of perfection is also exhausting and prevents your partner from truly knowing you. However, when you let go of the fear of judgment and allow your flaws to be seen, you create a connection based on trust and authenticity. In imperfect love, the focus isnt on fixing each other but on embracing each others humanity.A 2023 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that both accepting your partner and feeling accepted by them are crucial to relationship satisfaction. Partner acceptance enhances satisfaction by increasing the other persons sense of being accepted, while also boosting ones own satisfaction through their own felt acceptance.Perhaps the next time youre grumpy after a long day, instead of retreating or putting on a happy face, share how you feel with your partner. When they show their love on these difficult days, support you through struggles and embrace you when youre not at your best, it acts as a reminder that love doesnt depend on perfection.Its also essential to remember that imperfect love celebrates human flaws, not harmful or abusive behavior. Healthy love always prioritizes safety, respect, accountability and care.Such imperfect love, in essence, invites you to be real. And in that realness, you find the true beauty of connection. In the end, its not about loving your partner despite their flaws, but about loving them because of the complete, multifaceted person they are.Do you find it hard to let go of the idea that love must be flawless? Take the Authenticity In Relationships Scale to find out if perfectionism stands in the way of your connection.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsMac mini (M4)AirPods 4 with ANCiPhone 16iPad mini (7th-generation)MacBook Pro (M4)iPad Pro (M4)Apple took some big swings this year with the Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence. It feels like early days for both of those, though I cant say either have felt like a genuine success.And yet, there were lots of Apple products peppered throughout the year that live up to the companys high reputation of quality. As youll notice, these definitely fall in line with the more established products in Apples ecosystem. But that doesnt take anything away from just how good these were and how much they impressed our team of reviewers here at Digital Trends.Recommended VideosChris Hagan / Digital TrendsThe Mac mini has long been an ignored product in Apples lineup, despite being the most affordable Mac you can buy. It had used more or less the same design for over a decade, despite the bumps to performance in the Apple Silicon era. But in 2024, the Mac mini became impossible to ignore. Not only did the redesign make it more compact, it also received the bump to 16GB as a starting RAM configuration without increasing the price. This is a huge deal for a mini PC that was already so affordable. Theres simply no value in the world of computers quite like the base configuration of the M4 Mac mini right now. Its not perfect the placement of the power button is silly and the storage configuration prices get a bit insane. But as a base, theres just never been a mini PC or Mac of any kind quite like it.RelatedSimon Cohen / Digital TrendsApple launched the AirPods 4 alongside its new iPhone, but also launched an interesting secondary model, eloquently named AirPods 4 with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). Originally a feature exclusive to the AirPods Pro, you can now get ANC in AirPods for just $179 compared to the $249 of the AirPods Pro 2. The main difference, however, is that it doesnt include ear tips. Though the sound quality wont ever be immersive especially for all ears if ear tips bother you (or gross you out), this is a great way to go.In our review of both pairs of wireless earbuds, we noted that the base AirPods 4 do sound better than the previous generation, and that the ANC model sound even better by nature of the fact that they so successfully remove outside sounds from the sonic canvas. And to sum things up: There is no better ANC in an open-ear earbud. Thats quite a ringing endorsement from our audio experts.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsMuch has been said about the current status of the iPhone and its now very complicated and nuanced lineup. But among all the higher-end options available, our phone reviewers were most impressed by the base iPhone 16. It lacks all the bells and whistles of the Pro and Pro Max models, of course, but for a $799 phone, its probably the iPhone most people should be upgrading to this year. The tweaked design, punctuated by the new color options, really make this stand out compared to previous models, too.Our reviewer, Joe Maring, was really taken aback by the new colors and redesigned camera module on the back, so much so that he says the following: It still looks like an iPhone, but theres enough new here that it feels fresh and exciting in a way the iPhone 16 Pro does not. The 60Hz refresh rate feels a little old-school, as does the lack of an always-on display.But its great to see Apple ensure that its most affordable iPhone (outside the iPhone SE) really feels like something new. In 2024, thats really saying something.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsIf theres one product category that Apple unequivocally owns, its the small tablet. There are hardly any players left in the game, and thats largely because of just how good the $499 iPad mini really is. Its not trying to replace your MacBook, but its the perfect travel companion or couch device. In 2024, that hasnt changed its just gotten better.In our review, we wrote about just how perfect the form factor is, paired with the silky smooth performance of the A17 Pro chip. Yes, Apple Intelligence features still feel half-baked, but that doesnt change just how fantastic a device the iPad mini still is, now in its 7th generation.It still has some of the problems with the older iPad design, whether thats the awkward webcam placement, the lack of a headphone jack, and the not-quite-bright-enough display. And yet, its a great example of just how good Apples refinements to this under-appreciated product category really have become.Chris Hagan / Digital TrendsBringing the M4 to the MacBook Pro didnt feel like a revelation. We knew it would happen, and it played out very much how we assumed it would, adding a more powerful Neural Engine and significant boost to CPU and GPU performance over the M3.What we didnt expect, however, was the other changes Apple had up its sleeve. For the first time since its launch, the M4 MacBook Pro feels like a really good option, so much so that it successfully undercuts the 15-inch MacBook Air. The most important upgrade is the bump to 16GB of RAM, which finally makes this the Pro device it deserves to be. Add in the option for the really awesome nano-texture display that deflects glare, and youve got the makings of a very solid generational upgrade. The M4 Pro and M4 Max continue to startle with how much GPU performance theyre able to scale up, as always, but the improvement to the 14-inch M4 model really were the most impressive this time around.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsSet all the debates aside about the direction of the iPad Pro and the future of how it compares with MacBooks. Taken on its own, the M4 iPad Pro is just an immaculate tech product. Apple made a lot of small tweaks to improve the design this time around, whether its changing the position of the webcam for better video calls or just squeezing an insane amount of performance in with the M4.Throw in the insanely bright and vivid tandem OLED display a feature still missing from MacBook Pros and you see how much Apple is able to juice up its iPads with breakthrough technology. According to our testing in the review, the new display tech not only improved image quality but also helped with battery life. Our reviewer boldly called it the best tablet ever Ive ever used.While it hasnt quite arrived, it feels easier than ever to replace a basic laptop or MacBook Air with an iPad Pro, and thats thanks to just how incredible the hardware is. Well keep waiting on the software to catch up, but that doesnt take anything away from just how good this years iPad Pro update was.Editors Recommendations

Costco's first wave of openings in 2025 will be in California, Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts.The club plans to open about 30 new locations this year, with a little more than half in the US.More recently, the company has been adding new warehouses near existing successful ones.Costco has announced its first wave of openings in 2025Six cities across the US will see new warehouses opening in March, including Brentwood and Highland in California, Prosper and Weatherford in Texas, Genesee County in Michigan, and Sharon in Massachusetts.During the first quarter of Costco's fiscal year, which starts in September, CEO Ron Vachris said the company opened seven new locations, including the 897th warehouse in Pleasanton, California the day before Thanksgiving."That opening had the highest-ever opening day sales for a US warehouse at $2.9 million that day," he said during the quarterly earnings call earlier this month. "We continue to project 29 openings during fiscal year 2025."With pretty remarkable consistency over the years, the club has typically opened about 30 new locations per year, with slightly more than half of those in the US.Apart from details found in local construction permits, Costco remains tight-lipped about where it plans to open new locations until 90 days before the scheduled opening date.More recently, the company has been adding new warehouses near existing successful stores to relieve the pressure on popular locations.The new Pleasanton location is situated between three high-volume warehouses in the Bay Area, and the improved customer experience in terms of better parking and shorter checkout lines is already showing positive results for Costco as shoppers have more elbow room."We see the existing member base coming more frequently and the build-back is quite nice for us," Vachris said.And new locations aren't just good news for shoppers they also present an opportunity for workers who want to start or grow their career with the wholesale club.Working at a new Costco warehouse especially ones that are in newer geographies for the chain is a smart move if you want to advance your career with the retail giant, one manager previously told Business Insider."If you seriously want to get promoted and want to grow in the company, move to some of the areas where they're growing into," he said.

Burglars broke into NBA star Luka Doncic's home and stole $30,000 worth of jewelry on Friday.The FBI said it is investigating a series of burglaries at the homes of pro athletes in the US.The NBA said the FBI has connected the break-ins to a "transnational" South American crime group.Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic's home was the latest residence to be burglarized in a monthslong string of break-ins targeting the houses of professional athletes across the country.Doncic's business manager, Lara Beth Seager, told reporters on Saturday that Doncic's home was targeted by thieves on Friday, according to The Dallas Morning News. A police report obtained by the outlet said the criminals got away with about $30,000 worth of jewelry.Tyler Seguin, a player for the Dallas Stars hockey team, was also the target of a break-in earlier in the year, sources confirmed to the outlet. Seguin is the highest-paid player for the Stars, signing an eight-year, $78.8 million contract in 2018.The Dallas sports stars aren't the first professional athletes to face residential burglaries this year.The NFL issued a security alert on November 21 to the player's union and teams' security directors after break-ins at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, who is also Taylor Swift's boyfriend. Sources told NFL.com at the time that the FBI was investigating the break-ins, which the agency believes are connected to a South American crime organization."It's legit," one source familiar with the situation told NFL.com. "It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players, and it's all over the country."The NBA also warned players in November to take additional security precautions following break-ins at the houses of Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley. The home of Celtics star Jaylen Brown's mother was also burglarized. The NBA sent a memo to league officials, which The Associated Press obtained, that said the FBI has connected some of the burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that are "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices."The FBI and Seager did not immediately return requests for comment from Business Insider.

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia.Jimmy Carter at 1 year old. Bettmann/Getty Images Carter grew up on his family's 360-acre peanut farm in the nearby community of Archery.His father, James Earl Carter, Sr., was a farmer and businessman, while his mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, was a registered nurse. The Carters were one of few landowning families in Archery.Jimmy Carter as a boy petting a colt in a field circa 1920s. CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images The New York Times reported that the Carters were also the only white family in town. Despite achieving status in a rural town with a population of only 200, the family grew up in relative poverty.Carter's family didn't have running water until he turned 11 and they didn't get electricity until three years later."The greatest day in my life was not being inaugurated president, [and] it wasn't even marrying Rosalynn it was when they turned the electricity on," the Times reported Carter said. Carter received a bachelor's from the United States Naval Academy.Jimmy Carter in his US Navy uniform. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images At the time, the Naval Academy did not offer specialized degrees, but Carter later did graduate work in nuclear physics at Union College in Schenectady, New York. Jimmy Carter married Rosalynn Smith of Plains, Georgia, in 1946.Jimmy Carter in Navy military uniform. USNA AAF Though they knew each other distantly as children, a mutual friend formally introduced them while Carter was attending the US Naval Academy.They were married on July 7, 1946, shortly after he had graduated from the academy.Carter and his wife Rosalynn held the record for the longest-married presidential couple. She died on November 19, 2023. Carter went on to serve in the US Navy's Atlantic and Pacific fleets during World War II and the Korean War.Jimmy Carter with sailors aboard USS Wyoming in 1947. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images He rose to the rank of lieutenant officer and is one of 29 American presidents who have served in the armed forces.He is pictured third from left in the front row. When his father died in 1953, Carter resigned from the Navy and returned home to take over his family's peanut farm.Jimmy Carter on his peanut farm. PhotoQuest/Getty Images After the farm began to falter in the late 1940s, Earl Carter sold the family's farmhouse and surrounding land in 1949. moving the family to nearby Plains. However, after Jimmy Carter returned home and bought back the farm, the business became widely successful under his leadership.In addition to the peanut farm, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter operated Carter's Warehouse, a general-purpose seed and farm supply company in Plains, Georgia.The Carters had four children: Jack, born in 1947; James, born in 1950; Donnel, born in 1952; and Amy, born in 1967. Carter soon became known as a leader in his community.Jimmy Carter with his dog behind a tractor on his peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, in 1970. Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Miller Center reported that Carter served as chairman of the county school board and later became the first president of the Georgia Planning Association. In 1962, he was elected to the Georgia Senate. He attempted to run for governor in 1966 but was defeated.Jimmy Carter became the governor of Georgia in 1971.Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter in 1971. Bettmann/Getty Images Carter served on multiple committees as governor and became the Democratic National Committee campaign chairman for the 1974 congressional and gubernatorial elections. Carter announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination on December 12, 1974.Jimmy Carter and his family in 1976. Library Of Congress/Getty Images Carter, pictured with his family in 1976, won his party's nomination on the first ballot at the 1976 Democratic National Convention. His role in the community fueled his desire to enter politics, but his work on the peanut farm became a symbol of his presidential campaign.Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter with an unidentified supporter during a campaign event in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1976. Mikki Ansin/Getty Images Given that Carter had never held a national office before announcing his candidacy for president, many American voters had never heard of the Georgia politician when he launched his campaign.The Miller Center reported that a Georgia newspaper even ran a front-page headline that read, "Jimmy Who Is Running For What!?" after Carter announced his candidacy.However, a grassroots campaign team hailing from Plains, nicknamed "The Peanut Brigade," helped launch Carter as an outsider completely separated from the scandals of the previous Nixon administration.His campaign slogans focused on Carter's image as an everyday American, choosing phrases like "America Needs Carter, A Man of the Soil" and "Jimmy Carter For All of Us."Carter chose Walter Mondale, a United States senator from Minnesota, as his vice presidential running mate. Jimmy Carter was elected to the presidency on November 2, 1976, defeating the incumbent president, Gerald Ford.Jimmy Carter embraced his wife, Rosalynn, after receiving the final news of his victory in the national general election on November 2, 1976. Hulton Archive/Getty Images In 1973, Ford was appointed to the vice presidency by Richard Nixon and confirmed by Congress under provisions of the 25th Amendment after Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned. Less than a year later, in August 1974, Nixon himself resigned, and Ford became president.He was not a popular president, largely due to the aftermath of the Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War. He also awarded Nixon a full pardon shortly after assuming office, which proved to be a controversial decision.Carter won with 297 electoral votes, a majority stemming from the Southern and Northern states, while Ford secured 240 votes.In 1976, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were interviewed by Barbara Walters at their Georgia home prior to his inauguration.Barbara Walters interviewed Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1976. Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images Photo Archives/Getty Images "I pray that I won't disappoint the American people," President Carter told Walters in the December 1976 interview. Jimmy Carter was sworn in as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977.Jimmy Carter at his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 1977. David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images "This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it," Carter said in his inaugural address."You have given me a great responsibility to stay close to you, to be worthy of you, and to exemplify what you are. Let us create together a new national spirit of unity and trust. Your strength can compensate for my weakness, and your wisdom can help to minimize my mistakes," he continued."Let us learn together and laugh together and work together and pray together, confident that in the end, we will triumph together in the right. The American dream endures. We must once again have full faith in our country and in one another. I believe America can be better. We can be even stronger than before." Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter danced to a live band at the Inaugural Ball in 1977.Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at the Inaugural Ball in 1977. HUM Images/Getty Images At the inauguration ceremony, Linda Ronstadt performed a cover of Willie Nelson's "Crazy," and Aretha Franklin performed "God Bless America."Thenational anthemwas performed by Cantor Isaac Goodfriend ofAtlanta, a Holocaust survivor. President Carter met with world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, during his term.Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Jimmy Carter. Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Carter famously broke royal protocol when he kissed the Queen Mother on the lips during his visit in 1977."I took a sharp step backwards not quite far enough," theQueen Mother is said to have remarked after the encounter, according to Vogue.After Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8, 2022, Carter called her a "remarkable leader.""Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the citizens of the United Kingdom," he wrote in a statement. "Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of duty have been an inspiration, and we join the millions around the world in mourning a remarkable leader."Throughout his presidency, Carter championedhuman rights and attempted to combat the country's energy shortage and economic instability.Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with their grandchildren. Diana Walker/Getty Images During his presidency, Carter created the Department of Education and the Department of Energy. The White House reported that he also appointed record numbers of women, African Americans, and Hispanics to federal positions. Carter expanded the national park system to include the protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands.Jimmy Carter fishing during his presidency. Bettmann / Contributor/Getty Images Carter was also the first president to install solar panels on the roof of the White House, though they were later removed by his successor, Ronald Reagan.In addition to his work in the environment, Carter also established diplomatic relations with China and helped negotiate peace between Egyptian and Israeli leaders at Camp David in 1978, a peace agreement that came to be known as the Camp David Accords. However, ination and interest rates were at near-record highs, and his handling of the Iran Hostage Crisis saw his popularity plunge.President Jimmy Carter at a White House briefing. Harvey Georges/AP Carter claimed an increase of nearly 8 million jobs during his term and a decrease in the budget decit. However, despite his gains, Carter's leadership came under scrutiny as Americans continued to struggle with high ination and unemployment rates, the White House reported.The Iran Hostage Crisis also marred his presidency. On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans captive.Thirteen of the captives were released on November 19 and 20, 1979, one was released on July 11, 1980, and the remaining 52 were released on January 20, 1981, over a year after they were initially captured, per the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.Eight American servicemen and one Iranian civilian were killed during a failed secret mission, spearheaded by Carter in April 1980, to rescue the hostages."As our team was withdrawing, after my order to do so, two of our American aircraft collided on the ground following a refueling operation in a remote desert location in Iran," Carter said in a statement at the time."There was no fighting; there was no combat. But to my deep regret, eight of the crewmen of the two aircraft which collided were killed, and several other Americans were hurt in the accident," Carter continued. "Our people were immediately airlifted from Iran. Those who were injured have gotten medical treatment, and all of them are expected to recover."All of the hostages were eventually returned safely home, but many criticized Carter's lack of military retaliation after the incident, the failed 1980 mission, and the resulting loss of life. Secretary of StateCyrus Vance, who had opposed the mission, resigned in protest after the incident. Carter left office in 1981 after a landslide defeat by Ronald Reagan in November 1980.President Jimmy Carter at Merced College in 1980. Diana Walker/Getty Images "I promised you four years ago that I would never lie to you. So, I can't stand here tonight and say it doesn't hurt," Carter said in his concession speech on November 4, 1980."I've not achieved all I set out to do; perhaps no one ever does. But we have faced the tough issues. We've stood for, and we've fought for, and we have achieved some very important goals for our country," he continued."These efforts will not end with this administration. The effort must go on. Nor will the progress that we have made be lost when we leave office. The great principles that have guided this Nation since its very founding will continue to guide America through the challenges of the future." After he left office, Carter continued to spread his ideals of education and peace.Jimmy Carter, and his wife, Rosalynn, gave members of the press a tour at a special preview of the new Carter Presidential Center in 1986. Bettmann/Getty Images Carter founded the Carter Center, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization in Atlanta, in 1982 with the goal of advancing human rights and alleviating suffering.CNN reported that it has promoted conict resolution, supervised democratic elections abroad, and worked to combat diseases worldwide, including the near eradication of a tropical disease called Guinea worm.It is adjacent to The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, which opened on October 1, 1986. In his later years, Carter remained devoted to his family and community.Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended the wedding of Amy Carter and Jim Wentzel on September 1, 1996, in Plains, Georgia. Charles Plant/Handout/Getty Images Following his presidency, the Carters returned to their ranch-style home in Plains, Georgia. The house costs less than the armored Secret Service cars that follow him around, The Washington Post reported in 2018.Pictured, Jimmy Carter attended the wedding of his youngest child, Amy Carter, in 1996. The wedding, held at her family's Pond House estate in Plains, Georgia, was attended by 140 guests, the Los Angeles Times reported. He also became the presidential face of Habitat for Humanity, a charity organization he has worked with for more than 35 years.Jimmy Carter at a construction site for Habitat for Humanity in 1992. mark peterson/Corbis/Getty Images Through their joint work with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, the former president and first lady worked alongside 104,000 volunteers and built, renovated, and repaired 4, 390 homes in 14 countries."Habitat provides a simple but powerful avenue for people of different backgrounds to come together to achieve those most meaningful things in life. A decent home, yes, but also a genuine bond with our fellow human beings. A bond that comes with the building up of walls and the breaking down of barriers," Carter said. For his humanitarian efforts, in 2002, Carter became the third American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.Jimmy Carter with his Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2002. Arne Knudsen/Getty Images Carter was awarded the prestigious prize for "his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts," The Washington Post reported."God gives us a capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. we can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes and we must," Carter said in his acceptance speech. Jimmy and Carter Rosalynn attended the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush in 2018.President Donald Trump, and former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter attended the funeral of George H.W. Bush in 2018. Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images They were seated alongside then-President Donald Trump, as well as former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton."Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush," Carter wrote in a statement following Bush's death on November 30, 2018. "His administration was marked by grace, civility, and social conscience." His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died in November 2023.Jimmy Carter attended the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter. Alex Brandon/Pool/Getty Images The couple were married for 77 years, the longest of any presidential couple in history.On February 18, 2023, the Carter Center released a statement saying Carter, then 98, had chosen to stop receiving medical intervention and receive hospice care at home after "a series of short hospital stays."Carter attended the funeral of his wife and former first lady Rosalynn Carter on November 29, 2023, in their hometown of Plains. She was 96 years old. Carter is the nation's longest-lived president, having died at age 100.Jimmy Carter in 2018. AP Photo/John Bazemore In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with melanoma, which later spread to four different parts of his brain. He received experimental treatment and went into remission, becoming cancer-free just four months later.At a church service in late 2019, the then-95-year-old said that when he learned he had cancer at 90 years old, he assumed he was "going to die very quickly.""I obviously prayed about it. I didn't ask God to let me live, but I asked God to give me a proper attitude toward death. And I found that I was absolutely and completely at ease with death," Carter said in 2019, CNN reported.He died on December 29, 2024, in his Plains, Georgia home. At age 100, he was the nation's longest-lived president.