Santa Barbara County News and Events

Trump vuelve a estar en camino a Davos después de que un “problema eléctrico menor” obligara al Air Force One a regresar

Kraig Pakulski 0 21 Article rating: No rating

Por Lex Harvey, CNN

El presidente Donald Trump está nuevamente de camino a Davos, Suiza, a bordo de un avión de respaldo, luego de que un problema técnico obligara al Air Force One a regresar a la Base Conjunta Andrews.

El Air Force One estaba en el aire el martes por la noche cuando dio la vuelta debido a un “problema eléctrico menor”, según la Casa Blanca, que dijo que la decisión se tomó por precaución.

Los datos de seguimiento de vuelo de fuente abierta de ADS-B Exchange muestran que el avión realizó un giro sobre el Océano Atlántico frente al extremo más oriental de Long Island, Nueva York, más de una hora después de iniciado el vuelo.

La aeronave aterrizó de manera segura en Maryland poco después de las 11 p.m., hora de Miami, y Trump fue trasladado a un avión nuevo utilizado como Air Force One aproximadamente una hora después, y retomó el camino al Foro Económico Mundial.

Después de que el avión original aterrizó, el personal se apresuró a transferir equipaje entre los aviones mientras la tripulación movía rápidamente cajas de fruta y sándwiches envueltos y bebidas, según los reporteros del pool, un grupo de periodistas que acompañan al presidente durante los viajes.

Air Force One, o AF1 en los sitios web de seguimiento de vuelos, es el indicativo del avión en el que viaja el presidente, no el nombre del avión en sí.

Esta es la segunda vez en los últimos meses que Trump se ve obligado a recurrir a un avión de respaldo.

Durante una visita al Reino Unido en septiembre, Trump y la primera dama Melania Trump abordaron sanos y salvos un helicóptero de apoyo después de que el que usaban experimentara un problema hidráulico y se viera obligado a aterrizar en un aeródromo local, anunció en ese momento la secretaria de prensa de la Casa Blanca, Karoline Leavitt.

Los aviones Boeing 747 utilizados como Air Force One llevan más de 35 años en servicio. Los retrasos en su reemplazo han indignado a Trump y le han costado miles de millones a Boeing.

La próxima generación de aviones, cuya entrega estaba prevista inicialmente para 2022, llegará a mediados de 2028. En diciembre, la Fuerza Aérea de EE.UU. otorgó una modificación de US$ 15,5 millones a su contrato vigente con Boeing, elevando el valor nominal del acuerdo original a más de US$ 4.300 millones.

Mientras tanto, la Fuerza Aérea anunció el mes pasado que compraría dos aviones Boeing adicionales a la aerolínea alemana Lufthansa para apoyar su futuro programa de transporte aéreo presidencial, con fechas de entrega previstas para este año.

También hay un avión catarí, obsequiado a Trump el año pasado, que está siendo modificado para ser utilizado como el Air Force One, lo que ha generado inquietudes legales, éticas y de seguridad.

El presidente ha afirmado que el avión podría estar listo para su uso el próximo mes, a pesar del profundo escepticismo de expertos y exfuncionarios de aviación.

A pesar de la edad de los aviones, problemas técnicos como el ocurrido el martes son extremadamente raros en el Air Force One.

En 2006, un problema mecánico dejó en tierra al Air Force One mientras el presidente George W. Bush estaba en Ciudad Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, lo que obligó al presidente a volar en un avión de respaldo.

Alexandra Skores, Alejandra Jaramillo, Kevin Liptak, Kristen Holmes, Pete Muntean, Kaitlan Collins y Mary Kay Mallonnee de CNN contribuyeron con este informe.

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America’s car insurance price gap: The most expensive and cheapest US cities for car insurance

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A small figure of a blue car on top of banknotes and insurance documents.

Yta23 // Shutterstock

 

Car insurance costs don’t just depend on your driving record or the car you drive: Your city and ZIP code play an equally important role. Rates can vary by thousands of dollars between towns in the same state, reflecting differences in traffic density, accident frequency, crime rates, weather risks and local insurance laws.

CarInsurance.com analyzed these local patterns so drivers can see how their ZIP code or city compares and what factors drive their costs.

CarInsurance.com’s analysis highlights the sharp divide between the most and least expensive U.S. cities for car insurance. Drivers in urban centers like Hamtramck, Detroit, New Orleans and Brooklyn face some of the highest costs in the nation, while those in smaller Vermont towns pay among the lowest.

Key findings: What drives the car insurance price gap

  • Hamtramck, Detroit and New Orleans face the highest premiums in the country, driven by a combination of state laws and local risk factors. Michigan’s no-fault insurance system significantly raises costs, while Louisiana’s exposure to hurricanes and flooding pushes the rates even higher.
  • Vermont cities have lower car insurance rates due to their low density, lower crime rates and an at-fault system. South Burlington, Vermont, averages $1,370/year, $5,652 less than Hamtramck, thanks to fewer cars, accidents and safer roads.
  • Natural disasters and weather extremes are reshaping insurance availability and affordability. Climate-driven risks are causing insurers to withdraw or increase premiums in flood, hurricane and wildfire-prone regions, creating new insurance deserts.
  • You can’t move for insurance savings alone, but understanding your rate drivers helps you shop smarter. Be sure to compare quotes from different insurers and ask about available discounts to lower your premiums.

What drives insurance rate differences across U.S. cities?

Car insurance rates vary widely across the U.S. Your location — down to your ZIP code — is one of the most significant factors in determining your premium.

Insurance companies use various data to assess a driver’s risk in a particular area. The risk is directly reflected in the cost of coverage.

Key factors driving car insurance rate differences across U.S. cities include:

  • Population and traffic density: Cities with a high population and heavy traffic congestion have a greater risk of accidents. More cars on the road lead to more opportunities for collisions, fender-benders and other incidents. The increased risk of claims translates to higher premiums for drivers in urban areas.
  • Crime rates: Insurers analyze local crime statistics, particularly those related to vehicle theft and vandalism. If your city or neighborhood has a high rate of these crimes, your comprehensive coverage premiums will be higher to account for the increased likelihood of a claim.
  • Cost of living and repair: The cost of labor, medical care and auto parts varies from city

The average savings account balance in the US: Here’s how much Americans have in the bank

Kraig Pakulski 0 29 Article rating: No rating

A vector illustration of a savings piggy bank with a person putting a check insurance concept symbol on it.

paper cut design // Shutterstock

 

The typical American household has $8,000 in its bank account, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, carried out in 2022. That’s the median transaction account balance as of 2022, which includes savings, checking, money market, call accounts, and prepaid debit cards. The average balance in those bank accounts among American households is $62,410.

Despite the median bank account balance being up nearly $2,000 from 2019, just 40% of Americans surveyed in July 2024 by Motley Fool Money feel financially secure. In line with that finding, the Federal Reserve found that only 57% of Americans have savings that could cover three months of expenses and just 44% could cover a $400 expense with money from their checking or savings account.

The median savings balance in the United States: $8,000

The median bank account balance for American households is $8,000, according to the Federal Reserve’s most recent data. That amount is what people hold in transaction accounts, which include checking, savings, money market, call accounts, and prepaid debit cards.

That’s up from 2019, when the median transaction account amount was $6,140 and much higher than the balance recorded in 2010, $4,780.

The average bank balance in 2022 was $62,410, up from $48,220 in 2019 and $44,050 in 2010.

When a median is much lower than a mean, it suggests a larger number of people have less than the mean. To put it simply, the median is more representative than the mean.

A data line graph showing the median transaction account balance over time.

Motley Fool Money

Average savings balance by race and ethnicity

White American households have a median of $12,000 of cash on hand, roughly six times the amount that Black and Hispanic American households hold, according to the Federal Reserve. White households also have twice the median transaction account balance than households in the “other” category, which accounts for mixed race, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander households.

The gap in transaction account values between white and Black and Hispanic households is even larger when looking at averages. White American households have an average transaction account balance of $80,000, while Black American households hold $13,370 and Hispanic American families have $15,710 in the bank.

Bank account balances have hardly changed for Black an

9 AI risks that could impact your organization and how to mitigate them

Kraig Pakulski 0 23 Article rating: No rating

An illustration overlay of a chatbot on a photo of a woman holding a mug and typing on a laptop.

BOY ANTHONY // Shutterstock

 

As AI becomes more user-friendly and performance-focused, organizations are increasingly adopting it into their systems to streamline elaborate workflows. However, the rapid pace of adoption means that teams often implement AI models before fully mapping the security and compliance implications that they bring.

According to Vanta’s State of Trust Report, more than 50% of organizations view AI risks as a growing concern today. This article discusses nine of the most pressing AI-influenced risks that you should watch out for—and shares some practical steps to mitigate them.

9 AI risks and vulnerabilities to watch out for (with mitigation tips)

While AI introduces a wide range of threats, executives should map those that directly impact performance, compliance, and security. AI risks like explainability and bias often dominate the conversation from regulatory and academic perspectives. While they are relevant, you must also address other critical risks with equal focus, such as shadow AI, model drift, and data poisoning.

“Security teams should prioritize AI risks just as they do other significant security risks, such as those related to technology infrastructure and physical assets. It’s nonnegotiable to take a risk-based approach to AI security, focusing on addressing and mitigating real and significant threats AI introduces into your organization’s environment,” says Ethan Heller, governance, risk and compliance subject matter expert at Vanta.

Here are the nine key AI risks and vulnerabilities that should be on your radar:

  1. Sensitive data exposure
  2. Expanded AI attack surface
  3. Unclear accountability chains
  4. Lack of decision-making transparency in AI
  5. Skewed output and training bias
  6. Limited oversight of shadow AI
  7. Model drift and degradation
  8. Third-party risks (external AI risks)
  9. Uncertain AI compliance landscape

1. Sensitive data exposure

AI tools often process massive volumes of information, which creates additional exposure points for sensitive or classified data. This increases the risk of unauthorized access, whether through misconfigurations, poor data handling, or malicious inputs.

Depending on your industry, a breach can have significant consequences. Highly regulated sectors typically impose severe penalties for major violations, including fines, corrective actions, or legal escalation.

You can reduce the risk of data exposure by building and implementing strict role-based access controls (RBAC) for your AI-influenced systems. Another strategy is to adopt the minimum necessary principle, which entails only allowing AI systems to access the minimum data to function effectively. Maintain and review access logs so that anomalies are flagged early.

2. Expanded AI attack surface

Deploying AI systems inherently expands your attack surface by introducing new components, connections, and data flows you need to monitor and secure. Additionally, AI systems evolve rapidly, so other vulnerabilities can emerge faster than you run

From idea to invoice: What to set up before you launch a business

Kraig Pakulski 0 23 Article rating: No rating

A female entrepreneur holding a pen while working with a laptop.

Sutthicha Weerawong // Shutterstock

 

You’ve got a great idea and maybe even landed your first customer. But turning that idea into a real business and sending your first invoice can feel daunting. There’s paperwork, decisions, and a hundred “where do I even start?” moments. The truth is, every founder faces this, and you’re far from alone. Rest assured: You have access to more tools and support than ever to help you get it right.

This guide is your business launch checklist, with tips and tricks for how to get your own business going, without getting stuck in admin quicksand. Whether you’re starting an ecommerce shop, a consultancy, or a creative side hustle, you’ll find the essential steps to add to your small business launch checklist. Here, Mercury, a fintech for entrepreneurs, breaks down what to set up before your first invoice goes out, so your business launch runs smoothly and you’ll be ready to collect that first payment.

1. Register your business

Registering your business gives you a legal identity, so you can open a business bank account, sign contracts, and start getting paid. These are four key steps in every new business launch checklist:

  1. Choose a business name. Pick a business name that fits your brand. Then, check if it’s available in your state registry, and search domain names for relevant website options.
  2. Decide on a business structure. Since it’s fast and simple, many founders start with a sole proprietorship or an LLC for added liability protection and credibility. If you plan to raise funds later, you might consider a C Corp from the start. Other options include forming an S-Corp, general partnership, and more. To determine the best business structure options for you, consider consulting with a professional tax or financial advisor*.
  3. Register with your state. Each state has its own process, but generally, you’ll file formation documents and pay a fee.
  4. Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Your EIN is like your business’s Social Security number. It’s free to get from the IRS and is required for most financial and tax forms.

Once these steps are completed, you’ll have a legal foundation and a real business you can build on.

2. Set up your business finances

Once your business is official, it’s time to get your finances in order. This step is about keeping your business money separate from your personal finances, so you can track growth, manage taxes, and look professional to clients and investors.

Start with these three basics:

  1. Open a business bank account. A dedicated account helps you manage and organize your finances, which also helps keep your taxes more straightforward. It’s also required if you ever apply for funding. Here’
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