Lastly, the dual-circulation strategy is gaining momentum as China seeks to boost domestic consumption and reduce reliance on external markets. By emphasizing the importance of both internal and external circulation, China aims to achieve a more balanced and resilient economic structure. This strategy involves expanding domestic demand, promoting regional economic integration, and strengthening technological self-reliance, all of which are key priorities in China's economic agenda for the future.
The slump in the number of people heading to the shops during Boxing Day sales signals a return to declining pre-pandemic levels, an analyst has said. Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.Iceland set for change of government as polls close
Iceland set for change of government as polls close
Education Bureau Responds to High School Graduates' Political Screening Form Requiring Information on Ancestral Background: No Need to Fill Out, Blamed on Lack of Understanding of Policy by Registration Staff
Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Prime Minister’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. Advertisement The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”.Airports Are Starting to Take Their Music SeriouslyNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are stabilizing Thursday following one of their worst days of the year . The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in late trading, a day after tumbling 2.9% when the Federal Reserve said it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than earlier thought. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 136 points, or 0.3%, with less than an hour remaining in trading, following Wednesday’s drop of more than 1,100 points. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. Wednesday’s drop took some of the enthusiasm out of the market, which critics had already been warning was overly buoyant and would need everything to go correctly for it to justify its high prices. But indexes remain near their records , and the S&P 500 is still on track for one of its best years of the millennium . Traders are now expecting the Federal Reserve to deliver just one or maybe two cuts to interest rates next year, according to data from CME Group. Some are even betting on none. A month ago, the majority saw at least two cuts in 2025 as a safe bet. Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they give the economy a boost and goose prices for investments, but they can also provide fuel for inflation. Darden Restaurants, the company behind Olive Garden and other chains, helped lift the market after leaping 15.1%. It delivered profit for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ expectations. The operator of LongHorn Steakhouses also gave a forecast for revenue for this fiscal year that topped analysts’. Accenture rose 6.7% after the professional services company likewise topped expectations for profit in the latest quarter. CEO Julie Sweet said it saw growth around the world, and the company raised its forecast for revenue this fiscal year. Amazon shares added 1.8%, even as workers at seven of its facilities went on strike Thursday in the middle of the online retail giant’s busiest time of the year. Amazon says it doesn’t expect an impact on its operations during what the workers’ union calls the largest strike against the company in U.S. history. They helped offset a tumble for Micron Technology, which fell 16.7% despite reporting stronger profit than expected. The computer memory company’s revenue fell short of Wall Street’s forecasts, and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said it expects demand from consumers to remain weaker in the near term. It gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell well short of what analysts were thinking. Lamb Weston, which makes French fries and other potato products, dropped 22.6% after falling short of analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue in the latest quarter. It also cut its financial targets for the fiscal year, saying demand for frozen potatoes is continuing to soften, particularly outside North America. The company replaced its chief executive. In the bond market, yields were mixed a day after shooting higher on expectations that the Fed would deliver fewer cuts to rates in 2025. Reports on the U.S. economy came in mixed. One showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The economy has remained remarkably resilient even though the Fed held its main interest rate at a two-decade high for a while before beginning to cut them in September. A separate report showed fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication that the job market also remains solid. But a third report said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is unexpectedly contracting again despite economists’ expectations for growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.57% from 4.52% late Wednesday and from less than 4.20% earlier this month. But the two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for action by the Fed in the near term, eased back to 4.31% from 4.35%. The rise in longer-term yields has put pressure on the housing market by keeping mortgage rates higher. Homebuilder Lennar fell 4.8% after it reported weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Stuart Miller said that “the housing market that appeared to be improving as the Fed cut short-term interest rates, proved to be far more challenging as mortgage rates rose” through the quarter. “Even while demand remained strong, and the chronic supply shortage continued to drive the market, our results were driven by affordability limitations from higher interest rates,” he said. A report on Thursday may have offered some encouragement for the housing industry. It showed a pickup in sales of previously occupied homes. In stock markets abroad, London’s FTSE 100 fell 1.1% after the Bank of England paused its cuts to rates and kept its main interest rate unchanged on Thursday. The move comes as inflation there moved further above the central bank’s 2% target rate, while the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of Japan also kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.7%. Indexes likewise sank across much of the rest of Asia and Europe. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
The investigation into the case revealed a complex web of deceit and betrayal that spanned several years. The individual had been recruited by a foreign intelligence agency while still a student at the prestigious university, lured by promises of wealth and power in exchange for sensitive information about their country's defense capabilities and strategic plans. Despite swearing an oath to protect their country's interests, the individual succumbed to greed and ambition, ultimately choosing to betray their loyalty and duty to their nation.CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it will redeem all outstanding shares of its Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series MM (CUSIP No. 060505FR0), liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), and the corresponding depositary shares each representing a 1/25 th interest in a share of the Preferred Stock (CUSIP No. 060505FQ2) (the "Depositary Shares"). Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.
Known for his exceptional positional awareness and ability to control the midfield, Sergio Busquets is another Barcelona stalwart who has proven to be a formidable opponent for Isco. The Spanish defensive midfielder's composure on the ball and tactical intelligence have made him a key figure in Barça's success over the years. Isco highlighted Busquets' ability to disrupt opponents' attacking play and provide a solid defensive shield for his team, making him a tough nut to crack in midfield battles.Leaked Documents Show OpenAI Has a Very Clear Definition of ‘AGI’A new contender is poised to make waves in the digital entertainment and media industry. Triller, a rising star in the app and streaming world, is debuting on NASDAQ. Triller operates multiple divisions in high-growth areas, from digital streaming to combat sports, influencer marketing, and AI-driven engagement. With diverse media operations and investments in industry-shaping technology, Triller’s new entry into NASDAQ marks a significant development in the growing digital entertainment market. The Widespread Adoption of the Triller App Triller’s app has become a substantial player in the short-form video space, with over 250 million registered users worldwide. The previous TikTok ban saw Triller’s app undergoing impressive growth as more users picked up this alternative to handheld streaming entertainment. With the possibility of another TikTok ban, Triller is positioned to take advantage of the market gap and become a potential successor. The platform’s global user base and appeal to content creators have made it a powerful force in social media. Triller’s Growth Strategy Triller has partnered with financial services AGBA and powerhouse names such as Fubon Financial. Fubon Financial is a majority owner of AGBA and one of the largest global investment companies. It is owned by the Tsai family, which ranks among the wealthiest families in the world. They have a reported combined Net worth exceeding $10 billion and have already invested more than $200 million into the combined Triller Agba public entity, now “ill.” Their investment group, TAG, has committed to raising or investing $500 million to help Triller grow. This move arms Triller with a financial war chest to upgrade and optimize the Triller app, potentially transforming it into a formidable TikTok rival. Triller’s entry onto NASDAQ and its substantial backers has earned it increasing attention. However, what is not as widely known about the platform is that the Triller app has become more than just a TikTok competitor through acquisition. Triller has expanded to become an AI Martek and Adtech company with a built-in influencer platform. This gives it powerful features as a trustworthy 360 digital social media brand platform. The acquisitions include the following: Julius: Influencer Marketing Powered by Data and Analytics Julius, Triller’s influencer marketing division, provides brands with tools to optimize campaigns through advanced data analysis. The platform’s 55+ data filters allow brands to analyze audience demographics, engagement rates, and campaign effectiveness, creating high-impact influencer partnerships. Amplify.ai: AI-Driven Customer Engagement Amplify.ai, Triller’s AI-driven engagement platform, allows brands to create fully scripted, personalized experiences across social networks. This should boost the influencer appeal and media presence of engaging brands while providing streamlined content creation. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC): A Rising Star in Combat Sports BKFC is the world’s fastest-growing combat sports promotion and one of Triller’s standout divisions. BKFC has taken the combat sports world by storm with its bare-knuckle format, offering a high-intensity alternative to traditional MMA and boxing. Led by President David Feldman, BKFC has expanded internationally, regularly hosting sold-out events. Triller.TV: The Largest Combat Sports and Entertainment Streaming Platform Triller.TV, formerly FITE.TV is a multi-sport streaming platform that hosts over 3,000 events, including combat sports, concerts, and multi-sport content. Triller.TV has a diverse monetization model, offering ad-supported (AVOD), pay-per-view (PPV), and subscription-based (SVOD) options, allowing it to capture audiences across various interests. A Promising Future for Triller Through this diverse range of investments and acquisitions, Triller has placed itself in a remarkably advantageous position in the digital entertainment and media industry. With its app’s worldwide success, robust financial backing, entry into different entertainment sectors, and robust AI technologies, Triller has the potential to grow into a global competitor. Its debut on NASDAQ marks only the next step in an ambitious plan to capture a greater worldwide audience and significant market share.
Moreover, the shorter work hours will provide employees with more opportunities to rest and recharge, both physically and mentally. In a fast-paced and demanding industry like hospitality, it is crucial for staff members to be well-rested and in their best form at all times. By giving employees the chance to work fewer hours, Fat Dong's is putting their well-being first, fostering a positive work environment, and promoting employee loyalty.Sunday morning during an hour-long sermon, Bishop T.D. Jakes had "a slight health incident" while on stage during the church service, according to The Potter's House of Dallas. Bishop Jakes, who founded The Potter's House in 1996, has more than 30,000 members with several campuses in North Texas. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are While he was on the pulpit at the main campus on Sunday in Southern Dallas, after his "powerful hour-long message" he began to pray when he experienced a medical emergency on the stage. Part of the service was recorded from the live stream and posted to social media. In the video, Bishop Jakes is heard praying, "Oh Lord, my strength, my Redeemer, let him go in Peace." Immediately after he becomes quiet, lowers the microphone and begins to exhibit shaking. People, appearing to be church elders and staff, rushed the stage to support him before the video cuts off. "I had a chance to sit and watch it online and [I am] heartbroken and devastated to see that," said DeSoto Mayor Rachel Proctor. Proctor's been a member of the church for more than a decade and said she personally knows Bishop Jakes. She was watching the Sunday service online before attending an event. Proctor said right after the medical situation happened, someone came into the event to inform her. Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world. "I absolutely love Bishop he has again left such an indelible mark on my life, he's changed countless lives, so we're all standing in faith for his full recovery," said Proctor. According to a post made on X, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a health incident following an hour-long message he gave on stage. He received immediate medical attention and is in stable condition, according to the post. The specifics of the health incident have not been released. A Statement From The Potter's House of Dallas November 24, 2024 During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical... pic.twitter.com/QupVK29mQd The statement went on to thank the community for its outpouring of love, prayers and support. "He's invested so much into each of us and into our spiritual growth and our development and leaders. So now it's our time to do the same for him and to keep him lifted up in prayer," said Proctor. Jakes, who is also a motivational speaker and author of several books, is also known for his contributions outside of the church walls. The 67-year-old has created many programs in the community including the T.D. Jakes Foundation STEAM Academy in partnership with the Dallas Mavericks to expose students to careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. He was honored in 2022 for the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame. According to The Potter's House website , Jakes has advised presidents and was a featured speaker at the inauguration of former President Barack Obama in 2009. Jakes has millions of followers on social media. Those who follow his teachers are now leaning on their faith to wish him well after the senior pastor's health scare on Sunday. "We know there's nothing too hard for God, so the outpouring of love and prayers from DeSoto and beyond again just shows us how much he really has impacted the entire world," said Proctor.
McConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leader
So mark your calendars and get ready to ring in the New Year with a bang – the "Moonlight Bang!" is coming to a theater near you, and it promises to be a rollicking good time that will leave you laughing long after the credits roll. Get ready to laugh, cry, and cheer as Fei Xiang, Ma Dongxi, and Song Xiaobao take you on a wild and wacky adventure that is sure to be a comedic masterpiece.The human body is a complex system that requires balance and proper care to function optimally. Overworking the muscles and tissues through excessive massage can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to serious complications. In the case of the singer, the repeated pressure applied during the massages may have caused damage to her nervous system, resulting in paralysis and, ultimately, her untimely death.