
"Empresses in the Palace" is a historical drama that delves into the intricate power struggles and intrigues within the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty. The drama follows the life of Zhen Huan, a young and innocent concubine who navigates through the treacherous world of the imperial harem to ultimately become the Empress Dowager. With its compelling storyline, brilliant performances, and exquisite costumes and sets, "Empresses in the Palace" has captured the hearts of viewers not only in China but also in South Korea.Critics questioned Suarez's commitment and ability, overlooking the challenges he faced with injuries and adaptation. The narrative surrounding his time at Arsenal shifted from one of promise and potential to one of disappointment and failure, unfairly placing the blame on Suarez for circumstances beyond his control.
Nvidia: A Reality Check On The Broadcom RiskPowell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates free of political interference is necessary for it to make decisions to serve “all Americans” rather than a political party or political outcome. Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit, Powell addressed a question about President-elect Donald Trump’s numerous public criticisms of the Fed and of Powell himself. During the election campaign, Trump had insisted that as president, he should have a “say” in the Fed’s interest rate policies. Despite Trump’s comments, the Fed chair said he was confident of widespread support in Congress for maintaining the central bank’s independence. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to the millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk early Wednesday swiftly became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans. He had worked at the company for 20 years. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation package made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner. Trump calls Atkins a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. The SEC oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. If confirmed next year by the new Republican-led Senate, Atkins would replace Gary Gensler, who's been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative SEC member during his tenure and known to have a strong free-market bent. Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history. Experts say it could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success — keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law was approved by its Parliament last week. It's an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black ZIP codes The District of Columbia is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city. The district says the online retailer still charged residents of two ZIP codes millions of dollars for a service that provides speedy deliveries. The complaint filed on Wednesday in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership service. The lawsuit alleges Amazon in mid-2022 imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on the two low-income ZIP codes. An Amazon spokesperson says the company made the change based on concerns about driver safety. The spokesperson says claims that Amazon's business practices are discriminatory are “categorically false.” Biden says 'Africa is the future' as he pledges millions more on the last day of Angola visit LOBITO, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged another $600 million for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. He told African leaders Wednesday that the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily to refurbish train lines in Zambia, Congo and Angola in a region rich in critical minerals to counter China's influence. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags A U.S. Senate subcommittee is taking aim at airlines and their growing use of fees for things like early boarding and better seats. Members of the Senate Permanent on Investigations say airlines have raised billions of dollars by imposing fees that are getting hard to understand and even harder to avoid paying. The senators and the Biden administration call them “junk fees,” and they say the extra charges are making travel less affordable. Some senators expressed frustration during a hearing on Wednesday hearing when airline executives couldn't explain how they set various fees. Airlines say fees let consumers pay for things they want, like more legroom, and avoid paying for things they don't want. OpenAI's Sam Altman 'not that worried' about rival Elon Musk's influence in the Trump administration OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is locked in a legal dispute with rival Elon Musk. But he says he is not that worried about Musk’s influence in the incoming Trump administration. Altman told a New York Times conference Wednesday that he may turn out to be wrong but he believes strongly that Musk will do the right thing and won't use his political power to hurt competitors. Musk was an early OpenAI investor and board member. He sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that it betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.
KAUST's Exascale Climate Emulator Wins the Prestigious Gordon Bell Prize at Atlanta ConferenceSeahawks-Bears called ‘worst game in NFL history’ as fans demand huge change to Thursday Night Football
Kasthuri Shankar: In the line of fireAs the news of the family's selfless act spread, the community came together to pay tribute to the young man's legacy. Messages of support and gratitude poured in from all corners, with many expressing their admiration for the family's strength and courage in the face of such loss.Doyle takes reins at Allen baseball
MIT's light-activated antiferromagnetic memory could replace today's ferromagnetsSouth Korea's political landscape is currently engulfed in turmoil as the National Assembly has passed a swift resolution to arrest Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. This move has not only thrown the country into a state of uncertainty but has also put President Moon Jae-in's administration on the edge of a crisis.By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 financial goals : Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling savings accounts so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your credit score , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. If your goal is to save more money , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even budget together side-by-side . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.” More From NerdWallet Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions originally appeared on NerdWallet .
Kirk Marsden from Blackburn was taken to Royal Preston Hospital on Christmas Day and died in the early hours of Boxing Day. He suffered from “multiple serious injuries” after being struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside The Gate Street Bar and Grill on the corner of Moorgate Street on December 25. In a tribute, Kirk’s family wrote: “To our hero, spread your wings far and wide your partner Leanne and your babies love you millions. You really were like no other, goodnight x “Kirk you were a well-loved son, brother and uncle who will be sorely missed. Rest with your dad now in heaven x.” Sharing on social media, son Kirky Marsden said, “Gonna miss you dad” which received an overwhelming response. One person commented: “I'm so sorry lad, your dad was an incredible man, never seen him without a smile and also brought a smile to everyone's faces.” Another added: “Absolutely heartbreaking for you and your sisters. Look after your mum but take care of yourself. You are an amazing family and we love you so much.” Tilly Louise Yates said: “love you always uncle we adore you.” Donna Marie Jamieson shared: “R.i.p my little brother you will be missed by so many. You were one in a million, fly high.” Hundreds of others offered condolences to Kirk’s loved ones including his partner Leanne and his children. Katie Louise Skarratts added: “What a shame. Kirk was one of my customers and was such a lovely person who would always stop and chat whenever I saw him knocking about. Sending love to Kirk’s family at this terrible time, thinking of you.” Kirk Marsden died on Boxing Day (Image: GMP) READ MORE: Murder investigation launched after man struck by car in Blackburn on Christmas Day Lancashire Police have today launched a murder investigation following the incident and two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder. A 58-year-old man of no fixed address and a 31-year-old man from Blackburn remain in custody. DCI Bryony Midgley, from the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This incident has led to a man losing his life and first and foremost our thoughts remain with Kirk’s loved ones. “The investigation team is making progress with their enquiries and have since recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser from a carpark in Brindle Street. We know that following the fatal collision, the Land Cruiser turned right onto Livesey Branch Road. “I would ask anyone with CCTV, dashcam or doorbell which covered the area between Livesey Branch Road and Brindle Street in between 4.48pm and 5pm on Christmas Day to check their footage to see if they have captured a Toyota Land Cruiser to make contact with my team. “This is being treated as an isolated incident and we know there was an altercation in The Gate prior to the fatal incident outside. I would ask any witnesses we haven’t already spoken to or anybody with mobile phone footage to also make contact with my team. “I am aware that news of this incident will cause some concern in the community. I’d like to reassure everyone that we have increased reassurance patrols in the area.” Anyone with information or footage is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 747 of 27th December 2024.
Ohtani wins third MVP, while Judge takes his secondAs individuals prepare to embrace this new era of retirement planning, it is essential to approach the process with careful consideration and strategic planning. Setting clear retirement goals, determining an appropriate contribution level, and regularly reviewing and adjusting one's savings strategy are key steps towards building a secure and sustainable retirement fund. Seeking guidance from financial advisors and retirement planning experts can also provide valuable insights and ensure that individuals make informed decisions that align with their long-term financial objectives.
A majority of likely voters support an FBI investigation of Liz Cheney, a key member of the partisan January 6 Committee, Rasmussen Reports poll found on Thursday. Some House Republicans demand the FBI investigate Cheney for allegedly tampering with “at least one” witness of the partisan panel. Cheney said she should not go to jail for alleged wrongdoing. Fifty-seven percent of likely voters, however, would support an FBI investigation into the matter. The poll sampled 1,099 likely voters from December 17-19 with a three percentage point margin of error. Loudermilk’s press release on the report alleged three key facts against Cheney: 1. Former Representative Liz Cheney colluded with “star witness” Cassidy Hutchinson without Hutchinson’s attorney’s knowledge. 2. Former Representative Liz Cheney should be investigated for potential criminal witness tampering based on new information about her communication. 3. Cassidy Hutchinson’s most outrageous claims lacked any evidence, and the Select Committee had knowledge that her claims were false when they publicly promoted her. Read the full report here . JD Vance: Liz Cheney Is a “Resentful, Petty, Small Person” Wendell Husebo is a political reporter with Breitbart News and a former RNC War Room Analyst. He is the author of Politics of Slave Morality. Follow Wendell on “X” @WendellHusebø or on Truth Social @WendellHusebo.Elon Musk has achieved an unprecedented milestone, becoming the richest person in history with a net worth of $334.3 billion, according to Forbes. This wealth comes after a $70 billion increase in 20 days, largely driven by Tesla's remarkable stock performance. Tesla's stock surged 40% after Donald Trump's election win, played a crucial role in Musk's wealth expansion. Investor confidence soared due to expectations of a more favourable regulatory environment for Tesla, particularly regarding its self-driving technology. Musk, an outspoken supporter of Trump during the election campaign, even participated in some rallies, firming his position as a prominent figure in the business and political landscape. At market close on November 22, Tesla shares reached $352.56, marking a 3.8% increase and pushing Musk's net worth to a record $321.7 billion, surpassing his previous high of $320.3 billion from 2021. Musk's wealth now eclipses that of his closest competitor, Oracle chairman Larry Ellison, whose net worth stands at $235 billion. Much of his fortune comes from his 13% stake in Tesla, worth $145 billion, and a pending 9% equity award. In addition to Tesla, other big ventures include xAI, which is valued at $50 billion, and SpaceX, worth $210 billion, among others. In addition to the financial success, Musk's influence expands well beyond this; recently, he was named chair of the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) while partnering with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to improve how the government operates. This meteoric fortune ascent for Musk captures the full extent of his dominance in various industries-from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence and space exploration. It is Tesla's growth and success in other business ventures that highlights the business acumen of identifying market dynamics and technological innovation. With a $70 billion increase in net worth since Election Day, Musk's financial ascent and upward trajectory only reflect his status as a transformative force in today's business world, creating a benchmark in terms of wealth creation.South Korean Parliament Calls for Speedy Arrest of Justice Minister Yoon, President Faces Pressure to Step Down
The Land Cruiser has always been the choice of those drivers after an assured off-roader, but is that the same for a new one? Jack Evans finds out. What is it? Translating all of that into a modern-day vehicle is tricky. Not everyone is on a cross-continent adventure, after all, so this new Land Cruiser has a job to deliver a rounded driving experience and one that can match with the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Ineos Grenadier. We’ve been seeing what it’s like. What’s new? But underneath, we’ve still got a traditional body-on-frame setup which is often seen as the go-to for rugged off-roaders, but which is a design that often doesn’t offer the more car-like refinement that modern SUV buyers often require. But you can tell that Toyota hasn’t pulled any punches when it comes to the Land Cruiser’s off-road tech; numerous driving modes, permanent four-wheel-drive, a low-range gearbox and a handy disconnect setting for the anti-roll bar to help boost wheel travel are all included to ensure that this car gets you where you need to be – no matter the conditions. What’s under the bonnet? It’s linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission, too. Toyota claims a 0-60mph time of 10.7 seconds and a top speed of 105mph alongside fuel efficiency of 26.4mpg. Toyota has already confirmed that a mild-hybrid engine option will join the range soon too and bring ‘smoother, quieter, yet more responsive performance’, according to the brand. What’s it like to drive? With just 201bhp the diesel engine sure isn’t the most powerful – and isn’t as pleasant as the straight-six options you’ll find in both the Grenadier and Defender – but it does actually get the Toyota up to speed in good enough time, albeit in quite a noisy fashion. The gearbox is slushy and a little dim-witted, however. More irritating though is the Land Cruiser’s near-endless number of assistance systems. Fortunately, you can switch the traffic sign recognition off with the steering wheel controls, but other ones – such as the feature which alerts you when a car is behind – are simply too distracting to be useful. How does it look? It’s available in a selection of cool-looking colours, too, with the blue shade of our test car giving this Toyota an even bolder look out and about. What’s it like inside? The Land Cruiser is now a seven-seater as standard, too, adding an extra layer of practicality to this car. The rearmost seats are relatively squashed in terms of headroom, but legroom is surprisingly decent. Boot space is good enough, too, and while there’s not a lot of it with those rearmost seats in place, a handy 566 litres is there when they are. The handy glass pop-out section on the tailgate is a really useful feature, too. What’s the spec like? At around £74,995, the Land Cruiser will still be an expensive proposition – even in Invincible specification. That said, you do get boatloads of equipment including dual-zone climate control, a full infotainment system and reversing camera alongside all of that off-road-focused technology. That price does still put it in the same league as its Ineos and Land Rover-made rivals, however. Verdict Toyota’s Land Cruiser has a heritage that many other cars would love to have. This latest model helps to continue that and still feels as true to its off-roading roots as ever. It’s certainly not as comfortable or refined as its contemporaries, but it’s got more than enough on its side to help contrast this shortcoming. It is expensive – but then so are the cars it is going up against. If you want a rough-and-tough off-roader with some added luxuries then the new Land Cruiser will fit the bill – providing you can get hold of one.
Supercomputer Predicts Champions League Standings: Liverpool Tops Group, Manchester City and Real Madrid Make PlayoffsGainers Symbol Name Price Change ($) Change (%) Volume XLE SPDR Select Sector Fund - Energy Select Sector 84.23 0.30 0.35 22.6K XLK SPDR Select Sector Fund - Technology 238.92 0.85 0.35 9.8K XLY SPDR Select Sector Fund - Consumer Discretionary 229.70 0.53 0.23 438 XLU SPDR Select Sector Fund - Utilities 76.19 0.13 0.17 4.1K XLF SPDR Select Sector Fund - Financial 48.49 0.07 0.14 21.6K XLV SPDR Select Sector Fund - Health Care 138.88 0.13 0.09 3.7K XLP SPDR Select Sector Fund - Consumer Staples 78.97 0.05 0.06 420 No loser in today's Pre-market session. Pulled from Benzinga Pro data the above sector movers alert assists traders in understanding macro-level trends and market variations. Traders will look for sector movers providing information on sectors that are over- or under-performing, deriving these results into investing decisions on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or individual tickers in those sectors. To read more about sector movers, click here . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.As we look towards the future, the Tridimensional World low-code platform will continue to play a central role in driving our digital transformation efforts. Its adaptability and ease of use will enable us to quickly respond to changing market dynamics, seize new opportunities, and deliver value to our customers with greater speed and efficiency. With the Tridimensional World platform at our disposal, we are confident that we can continue to innovate and thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.