Unpaid medical bills will no longer appear on credit reports, where they can block people from mortgages, car loans or small business loans, according to a final rule announced Tuesday by the Biden administration.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule will remove $49 billion in medical debt from the credit reports of more than 15 million Americans, according to the bureau, which means lenders will no longer be able to take that into consideration when deciding to issue a loan.The change is estimated to raise the credit scores by an average of 20 points and could lead to 22,000 additional mortgages being approved every year, according to the bureau. Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement announcing the rule that it would be lifechanging for millions of families.No one should be denied economic opportunity because they got sick or experienced a medical emergency, she said.Harris also announced that states and local governments have used a sweeping 2021 pandemic-era aid package to eliminate more than $1 billion in medical debt for more than 700,000 Americans.The administration announced plans for the rule in fall 2023.The CFPB said that medical debt is a poor predictor of an individuals ability to repay a loan. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, the three national credit reporting agencies, said last year that they were removing medical collections debt under $500 from U.S. consumer credit reports.The new rule from the Biden administration is set to take on the outstanding bills appearing on credit reports.Michelle L. Price, Associated Press

America is technically a secular country. However, the vast majority of members of Congress have traditionally had a religious affiliation, and they tend to be overwhelmingly Christian. Pew Research recently analyzed the religious makeup of the new 119th Congress. A decade ago, 92% of members were Christian. Last session, 88% identified as Christian. This session, only 87% of members are Christian. Here are a few key highlights from Pews analysis:The majority of Congress continues to identify as Christian: 461 members of Congress, or about 87%, identify as Christian. Meanwhile, 55% identify as Protestant and 14% as Baptist. For context, 62% of the U.S. population identifies as Christian, 40% as Protestant, and 11% as Baptist. About 98% of Republicans are Christian (265 out of 270 members), and 75% of Democrats are Christian (196 out of 262 members).Other religions are a small minority: Thirty-two members identify as Jewish, four as Hindu, four as Muslim, three as Buddhist, three as Unitarian Universalist, and one as Humanist.Unaffiliated Americans are underrepresented: About 28% of Americans say they have no religious affiliation, but only three members of Congress (0.6%) say they have no religious affiliation: They are new House members Yassamin Ansari (Democrat) and Abraham Hamadeh (Republican), both representing Arizona, and Emily Randall (Democrat), who represents Washington state.

Why do flash drives and portable SSDs always come in three shades of black and white? They do carry a certain professional aura to their appearance, but just like our smartphones, they dont always reflect our personalities and inclinations. Theyre also harder to find in the abyss that is our bags, not to mention underneath the shadow of our other peripherals and accessories.Theres definitely no hard rule about flash storage design, and SanDisk is willing to break the mold and introduce designs that arent just functional but also enjoyable and aesthetically appealing, at least to a certain group of users. It definitely has data storage solutions for everyone from all walks of life, but gamers, particularly fans of Fortnite, might be tickled pink (or yellow, in this case) with a special portable SSD and USB flash drive made especially for them.Designer: SanDiskSanDisk Fortnite USB Flash Driven and Portable SSD, Peely EditionAdmittedly, there are a few data storage devices that come in other colors of the rainbow, but those are outliers rather than the norm. External hard drives, USB thumb drives, and their newer portable SSD counterparts still have the stigma of being techy gadgets for serious stuff only, despite their obvious use in more whimsical situations. Todays users, however, are a more discerning bunch, and they are turning to designs that better reflect their interests rather than clinging to products made simply to cater to the masses.Knowing that a large portion of its customers are gamers, SanDisk unveiled two designs that pay particular attention to one of the more popular titles in that industry, Epic Games Fortnite. Specifically, the limited Peely Edition portable SSDs and USB Flash Storage bear a bright Banana Yellow hue and big beady eyes that will be immediately associated by fans with one of the games most iconic character appearances or skins.It definitely gives the storage devices more character, but that bright yellow color has another indirect benefit. It makes the devices easier to spot even in the middle of a chaotic desk or bag. Even if youre not a Fortnite fan, this limited edition design will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face and brighten up your day, not to mention keep your files secure and always ready for transfer at a moments notice.SanDisk Creator Phone SSDGranted, you dont need to adopt a game-like appearance to be fun. You just need to ensure that using the product is effortless and habit-forming, almost like a game. For mobile content creators always on the go, the repeated action of pulling out an SSD from your bag and plugging it into your phone can be tiresome and boring. It definitely wastes time you could be spending actually capturing content instead.What if you didnt need to actually take out your portable SSD from your bag in the first place? What if its already on your phone all the time or at least most of the time? The new SanDisk Creator Phone SSD tries to answer those questions with a MagSafe accessory that sticks to your iPhone or compatible magnetic case safely and securely, always ready to connect and record instantly to capture those fleeting moments in a flash.The thin, rounded square device easily slips into your bag or pocket, making it effortless to get going wherever your muses take you. Available in a blue dual-tone color scheme, it also easily stands out without being showy, appealing to some creators who prefer to let their work speak for itself. The durable silicone shell and IP65 water and dust resistance also make the Creator Phone SSD resilient and reliable, able to keep up with your more adventurous pursuits.The post SanDisk Brings Fun to Flash Storage for Gamers and Mobile Creators at CES 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sony, in collaboration with Honda, has been working on an electric vehicle for five years now, and finally, at CES 2025, the car has a release date. Afeela 1 appeared a couple of years ago as a prototype (codenamed VISION-S) and now at the mega event the close-to-production-ready model has made its first appearance.Sony Honda Mobility has also revealed that the electric sedan is up for pre-order for residents of California with a refundable reservation fee of $200 and a release date in mid-2026. The EV will come in two variants Origin and Signature priced at $89,000 and $102,900 respectively. It will come with a 91-kilowatt-hour battery promising a total range of 300 miles and capable of fast charging via the 150 kW DC socket. The main highlight is a three-year subscription to in-car features like LiDAR-assisted Level 2+ autonomy and AI-powered personal assistant. This makes it capable of self-parking by identifying empty spots in parking.Designer: Sony Honda MobilityAfeela 1 is dotted with a panorama of displays on the dashboard and built-in PlayStation 5 to get gaming when you are parked waiting for someone, having nothing to do. The car can be piloted using the PS5 Dual Sense controller and even voice command via the Afeela Personality Agent. The personal assistant can be interacted with from inside or even outside the car which is a great feature to go with semi-autonomy. At some point in the future, the user will be simply able to hop in the car and then command it to go to any destination. The expansive dashboard is powered by the Unreal Engine game engine to display the main interface as well as the maps and driver aid systems. Sony is using an Active Noise Cancellation setup to make the cabin go as quiet as it could be, even when the outside world is noisy as hell.The four-seater sedan comes with a dual rear-seat entertainment system and matching futuristic interiors. Afeela 1 rides on 21-inch wheels and is all set to roll off the manufacturing lines next year in Tidal Gray, Calm White, and Core Black colorways for the exterior and interior.The post Sony Honda Mobilitys Afeela 1 electric sedan comes with in-built PlayStation 5 first appeared on Yanko Design.

NeoGracea project by Anastasiia Novikovais a home that redefines the boundaries of tradition and innovation. The intricate wall moldings show the best of classical artistry. Simultaneously, the bold, contemporary furnishings demand their fair share of attention. This home blends two eras to create a living experience that feels effortlessly luxurious, yet refreshingly current.The foyer in NeoGrace is open and welcoming. We see white dominating the space, setting a modern base. This is complemented with a French-style door, which adds a classical touch. A dark wooden console tablequite traditional in itselfis paired with contemporary round metallic legs.In the living area, a curved, asymmetrical sofa creates visual intrigue. This is paired with a black coffee table factoring in luxury and an arched floor lamp illuminating the space. The artwork in the space also uses a contrast of white and black.The classic element in the living room is the vintage-style fireplace. This is flanked with asymmetrical decor: a statement chair on one end and a sculpture atop a marble block on the other.Dark herringbone flooring ties the space together, and can be seen continuing into the kitchen. This space incorporates a luxurious marble backsplash as well as island. The matte black cabinetry is opulent in itself, while the lack of hardware keeps it modern. Finally, the dining table features a chunky base but is paired with minimalist chairs.The dark wooden cabinetry in this space provides storage, but instantly doubles as decor, too. A patterned chair gives you a quick spot to sit. The floor lamp will illuminate your book as you flip its pages, and the interesting sculptural side table gives a resting spot for your coffee. Its actually a cozy nook, but incredibly sophisticated in design.The home office in NeoGrace sticks to a minimalist table, comfy chair, and table lamp. The glass-front cabinet showcases wooden drawers. These bring in a traditional touch. Theres also room for guests (the stylish way). A chunky sofa is paired with a wooden block doubling as a console table, while a textured piece of art brings the space to life.This bedroom is modern when it comes to the neutral color palette, but the ornate wall moldings bring in the traditional style, as do the two wooden nightstands. (The sense of symmetry these create also contribute to a traditional vibe!). Circular pendant lights hang freely in the air, while an accent chair adds a punch of color. The orange artwork is bold enough to form the focal point.The bathroom in NeoGrace is no less than a spa. A white and black color palette, freestanding bathtub, and large potted plant set the ambiance. This is further enhanced with the neatly folded towels doubling as decor. The double vanity makes sure you can segregate your spaces while getting ready!

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