While some may see Gu Ailing's return to classes at Oxford University immediately after a major competition as a daunting task, for her, it is simply part of her relentless pursuit of excellence. She understands the importance of education and the role it plays in shaping her future, and she approaches her studies with the same level of dedication and determination that she brings to her athletic endeavors.PPA Asia and MLP Asia Set to Launch, Bringing World-Class Pro Pickleball to the World’s Most Populous Continent
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US stocks extended their rally on Monday, led by the , which surged 440 points and closed at a record. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite also gained. The small-cap Russell 2000 jumped 1.7% to an all-time high. Investors cheered President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, former hedge fund manager Scott Bessent. The pick of Bessent sparked a sell-off in the US dollar, Treasury yields, and gold as Wall Street expects him to pursue pro-market policies that help spur economic growth and limit inflation. The former global macro investor is seen as a pro-market, stabilizing force that could counter some of Trump's plans that could stoke inflation or further balloon the deficit. Bond yields dropped as investors saw Bessent's nomination as lowering the potential for a spike in inflation in 2025 and beyond. The 10-year Treasury yield plunged 14 basis points to 4.268%. "The choice of Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary seems to have allayed major fiscal concerns," economist James Reilly of Capital Economics said. Reports say Bessent to Trump earlier this year, which was received favorably. The plan refers to three targets: cut the budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product by 2028, spur annual GDP growth to 3% via deregulation, and produce an additional 3 million barrels of oil per day. He has also floated the idea of gradually implementing tariffs to avoid causing a sudden, painful spike in inflation. "Bessent as Treasury Secretary lends substantial economic and market credibility to the cabinet," Fundstrat's head of research Tom Lee said, adding that his role will be a positive for market dynamics heading into 2025. Meanwhile, it's a busy week for economic data despite the shortened holiday week. Investors will get initial jobless claims, a third-quarter GDP revision, and personal consumption expenditures data on Wednesday morning, as the stock market is closed on Thursday in observance of Thanksgiving. Economists expect initial jobless claims to come in at 215,000, and third-quarter GDP growth to be 2.8%, while PCE inflation data is expected to be the same as last month at 0.2% on a month-over-month basis. Read the original article on
The BMW 2-Series serves as the entry point into getting yourself an "Ultimate Driving Machine." Now, BMW has unveiled a second generation to its "Gran Coupe" (actually a four-door), and it strives to be bigger, better, and more powerful without unduly running up the tab. To drive the newest 2-Series, BMW brought me to its headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina to get some precious seat time behind the wheel of what will be the most-performance oriented 2-Series at launch, the 2025 M235 xDrive. After a fancy dinner, a proper reveal complete with a DJ, and chatting with colleagues about air travel, Baltimore sports icons, and everything in-between, BMW let me take the latest and greatest 2-Series around its test track at its Performance Center down the street from its main American assembly. As I was in close proximity to a lot of BMW secret projects, concept cars, and the like, I was not allowed to take any pictures over the course of the drive. As is the case elsewhere in BMW's line-up, the 2-Series umbrella now encompasses a number of different flavors. Initially, when the second generation 2-series arrives in the U.S. in March of 2025, it will have two trim levels: 228 xDrive and M235 xDrive. Both are equipped with all-wheel drive. The entry-level 228 sDrive — which will command a starting price of $39,600 — is two-wheel drive, and BMW expects it to launch sometime halfway through next year. All three trims will be four-door "Gran Coupe" sedans — no word on a 2-Series Coupe roadmap yet — and will be powered by a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four cylinder paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. That makes 241 horsepower in the 228, enough to propel the 2-Series to 60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds. The power is cranked up to 312 horsepower for the M235, and in turn the highway speed sprint is shaved down to 4.7 seconds. It's not going to blow the doors off a proper V8-powered BMW monster , but it's no slouch. Inside, BMW has revamped the dashboard to house a number of new screens and technological bits, that aim to make the drive a little less boring and a lot more connected. Given the short time I had on the track, I wasn't able to mess around with the 2-Series infotainment or technology suite very much, but it very much falls in line with the rest of BMW's 2025 offerings. Dimensionally, the 2-Series was made a little longer and taller to allow for a more livable passenger and storage compartment. Unlike something like a BMW Z4 , this car isn't supposed to be relegated to a weekend toy when the weather is nice. It's supposed to be a daily driver, grocer getter, vacation car, and weekend racer all in one. In short, it's BMW's mass-market car for everyone who wants a taste of either Ultimate, Driving, and/or Machine without dropping six-figures on something like an M5, or scouring FaceBook marketplace for a used 3-Series that may or may not house a family of raccoons. When I first got to the track, I was greeted by engineers from BMW who were very helpful in answering any questions about their new pride and joy. My Q&A session with one engineer migrated to the 2-Series itself, with me in the passenger seat while he thrashed around the track for a few minutes and, in a very classically German manner, calmly explained what made the new car tick while the speedometer climbed to triple digits. In the hands of the people who designed it, the 2-Series was calm, competent and planted. A four-door German sports sedan doesn't exactly scream "drama" and the 2-Series didn't either. It ate through the banked corners of BMW's track like a plate of dampfnudel. The tires didn't complain, and the xDrive system and updated suspension did their best to keep the car composed. Although I may pretend to be one while gliding through traffic, I am not a professional track driver, but the 2-Series made me feel like one when I got behind the wheel. On BMW's Autobahn mock-up, I achieved a speed of 134 miles per hour, and the car felt like it was going highway speeds. It's quiet and absolutely devoid of any shaking or otherwise nervousness that might strike other cars at (somewhat) high speeds. Through the banked and flat corners, the M235 remained stoic. Although the M235's calm demeanor might be a drawback to people who prefer to live on the edge, one must remember that the 2-Series as a whole isn't meant for smashing lap records. It's meant for skipping work and going to the golf course, or sitting in traffic and pretending you're on the starting grid at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Just like you might not want the pilot of the airliner you're on to have a neck tattoo and an affinity for thrash metal, you don't want your mass market commuter car to have a crazy streak. There's something to be said about a car that you can absolutely wring to its limits on the track without feeling like you're going to die, or lower the property values of every house in a several square mile radius when you mash the accelerator. The 2025 2-Series, with only a hair over 300 horsepower at its hottest, doesn't have to be wild to be good. My track time had about as much drama as a Southern California weather forecast, and on balance that's probably a good thing: the 2-Series was just downright pleasant to drive. The M5 I trampled around the same course kicks you in the head with noise and enough power to put the National Guard on standby. In contrast, the 2-Series was like going on a brisk walk with a nice soundtrack of a chirping birds, and a backdrop of some nice greenery. It's just easy . Right when it launches, the 2025 BMW 228 xDrive Gran Coupe will sit at a price of $41,600. The 2025 BMW M235 xDrive that I drove will set you back $49,500. Both have a $1,175 destination charge. Although there are a number of commuter Hondas, Kias, and Subarus that are a lot cheaper, the 2-Series is a tempting option for someone who wants a little more out of driving to and from the Trader Joes that shares a parking lot with a BMW dealership.
Intapp COO Donald Coleman sells over $1 million in stockTitle: "Literary Reality Show 'Reading on Islands' Returns to Hainan, Advocating a Reading Culture for All"Former Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday responded to allegations and defended his efforts to establish the E-8 visa program. He emphasised that it was intended to create employment opportunities for Sri Lankans. “I personally went and requested these people to provide us with this E-8 visa category. Accordingly, they made arrangements to provide this E-8 visa category to Sri Lanka as well,” he explained. Nanayakkara’s response comes following accusations raised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday. He attributed delays in implementing the program to internal disruptions at the SLBFE, particularly in the weeks leading up to elections. “Due to the behaviour and actions of certain officers of the Bureau, it was finally not implemented. It can be implemented even now. If implemented, it is an opportunity to obtain thousands of new jobs,” he said. Nanayakkara urged the current administration to revive the scheme, arguing that it could benefit citizens across the country regardless of political affiliation. “We tell the Government and the Prime Minister – don’t lose this. It is not the people I chose politically; there are people all over Sri Lanka. Give anyone the opportunity to go abroad,” he appealed.
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The conflict in eastern Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly eight years, resulting in a devastating toll on the civilian population and causing widespread destruction in the region. The revelation of the death toll of Ukrainian soldiers serves as a stark reminder of the human tragedy unfolding in the Donbas, underscoring the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.Freeman has 26 in Bethune-Cookman's 79-67 victory over North Dakota
The "Prosecutor's Open Class" series, featuring real-life prosecutors discussing legal concepts and cases in an accessible and engaging manner, has garnered widespread attention for its informative content and impactful storytelling. By addressing topics relevant to minors, such as juvenile delinquency, cyberbullying, and child protection laws, the series aims to raise awareness and promote understanding of the legal system among young viewers. Through these educational videos, minors are equipped with the necessary tools to navigate legal challenges and protect their rights effectively.A former NASA astronaut has shared details of a close call with unidentified flying objects while piloting his private plane over Texas. Dr. Leroy Chiao, who has flown three Space Shuttle missions and commanded Expedition 10 aboard the International Space Station, described encountering two metallic orbs during a routine flight. In an interview with NewsNation, Chiao recounted the incident that occurred in August while he was flying from Colorado to Houston. "I had just refueled in the Texas panhandle and was cruising at 9,000 feet in clear air," he said. "Out of nowhere, these two big, metallic, spherical orbs, about three feet in diameter each, zipped past my plane, just 20 feet away." Chiao emphasized the suddenness of the encounter. "It happened so fast that I didn't even have time to get scared," he said. Despite the brief moment, he noted the potential danger. "If they had hit my plane, the outcome could have been disastrous." The orbs, which appeared to move in a stacked formation, did not register on his plane's radar or prompt any warnings from air traffic control. "I don't know what they were," Chiao admitted. "My first thought is they could be part of some military program, possibly drones, but it's hard to say." Chiao described his narrow miss as "dumb luck" and expressed concern about the risks such objects pose to aviation. This sighting adds to growing reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). In New Jersey last year, drone-like objects with high-performance capabilities were spotted across the state. Local news footage even captured a mysterious orb flying over the Hudson River. The Pentagon has also acknowledged similar encounters. In 2023, radar footage showed a metallic orb moving through military-controlled airspace. Officials were unable to identify the object, fueling speculation about its origin. Dr. Chiao's experience highlights the mystery surrounding these sightings. "It's hard to believe the government doesn't know what's going on," he said. With increasing incidents of unexplained aerial activity, experts and the public are calling for transparency. Reports like Chiao's add urgency to understanding these phenomena and ensuring aviation safety. This incident underscores the growing need to investigate unidentified aerial objects, whether they are advanced technology or something unknown entirely. 4oLAS VEGAS — There are three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen of Red Bull is close to a fourth consecutive world championship, which can wrap up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. All is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing: "It was a bit of a surprise, I think, for everybody," said Mercedes driver George Russell, a GPDA director. "It's a hell of a lot of pressure now onto the new race director (with) just three races left. Often, as drivers, we probably feel like we're the last to find out this sort of information." The Andretti team is expected to receive F1 approval to join the grid, albeit without Michael Andretti, who has scaled back his role dramatically since the IndyCar season ended in September. Many drivers, particularly seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, have been at odds with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem since his election following the 2021 season finale. In the GDPA statement, they reminded the sanctioning body "our members are adults" who don't need lectures and fines on foul language or jewelry bans, and simply want fair and consistent race control. There's been no response from Ben Sulayem, and won't be this weekend since he does not attend the LVGP. He will be at Qatar and the finale in Abu Dhabi next month. Hamilton doesn't think all the behind-the-scenes changes will be a fan topic as the season comes to a close. But he noted that consistency from race control is all the drivers have asked for, while throwing his support behind Domenicali and the job Maffei has done in growing F1 since Liberty took over. "I really hope Stefano is not leaving because he's been so instrumental in changes and progress to this whole thing," Hamilton said. "And he knows the sport as well as anyone. But all good things do come to an end, and whoever they put into place, I just hope they are like-minded. But sometimes you have to shake the trees." That's just what happened with the surprise departure of race director Wittich. Although drivers have been unhappy with race officiating this season and held a private GPDA meeting in Mexico City, Russell said they had no prior warning Wittich was out. The race director is the referee each weekend and Wittich has been in charge since 2022, when Michael Masi was fired following the controversial 2021 season-ending, championship-altering finale at Abu Dhabi. Now the man in charge for the final three races is Rui Marques, the Formula 2 and Formula 3 race director. Las Vegas, which overcame multiple stumbling blocks in last year's debut before putting on one of the best races of the season, is a difficult place to start. Verstappen can win his fourth title by simply scoring three points more than Lando Norris of McLaren. "It's a bit weird with three races to go to do that," Verstappen said. "It doesn't matter if you're positive or negative about certain things. I thought in Brazil there was definitely room for improvement, for example. It's still a bit weird having to now then deal with a different race director." Charles Leclerc of Ferrari wondered why the move was made with only three races to go. "To do it so late in the season, at such a crucial moment of the season, it could have probably been managed in a better way," he said. The drivers have consistently asked for clearer guidelines in the officiating of races, specifically regarding track limits and racing rules. The drivers have no idea how Marques will officiate, highlighting a disconnect between the competitors and Ben Sulaymen's FIA. "We just want to be transparent with the FIA and have this dialogue that is happening," Russell said. "And I think the departure of Niels is also a prime example of not being a part of these conversations." The GDPA statement made clear the drivers do not think their voice is being heard. "If we feel we're being listened to, and some of the changes that we are requesting are implemented, because ultimately we're only doing it for the benefit of the sport, then maybe our confidence will increase," Russell said. "But I think there's a number of drivers who feel a bit fed up with the whole situation. It only seems to be going in the wrong direction." He also said the relationship between the drivers and the FIA seems fractured. "Sometimes just hiring and firing is not the solution," he said. "You need to work together to improve the problem." Norris, who has battled Verstappen this year with mixed officiating rulings, said "obviously things are not running as smoothly as what we would want." Marques has his first driver meeting ahead of Thursday night's two practice sessions and then three weeks to prove to the competitors he is up for the job. Carlos Sainz Jr., who will leave Ferrari for Williams at the end of the season, hopes the drama doesn't distract from the momentum F1 has built over the last five years. "I think Formula 1 is in a great moment right now and all these rumors, I think in every team, every job, there's job changes," he said. "It's not big drama. I'm a big fan of the people you mentioned, they've done an incredible job in Formula 1 and Formula 1 is what it is thanks to these people. But it's just so emotional, especially the Stefano one. The only one that has a real effect is the race director. But I think if he does a good job, it should be transparent and nothing big." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
ORICO Mini Series Overview:While the inclusion of 13 rare disease drugs in China's medical insurance system is undoubtedly a positive step forward, there is still more work to be done to address the complex challenges associated with rare diseases. Improved diagnosis, specialized care, and greater awareness of rare diseases are all essential components of a comprehensive healthcare approach that prioritizes the needs of individuals with rare conditions.
The iconic "Assetto Corsa" series, beloved by racing enthusiasts and gaming fans alike, has once again captured the hearts of players as its latest brand event kicked off on Steam. With a legacy of realistic physics simulation, breathtaking graphics, and a deep commitment to authenticity, "Assetto Corsa" has established itself as a leading name in the world of virtual racing.Govt doesn't take it seriously, Tarar on PTI's deadline for talks
"Empresses in the Palace," also known as "The Legend of Zhen Huan," is a critically acclaimed Chinese historical drama that first aired in 2011. Set in the imperial palace during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, the drama follows the life of Zhen Huan, a concubine who navigates the treacherous waters of palace politics to survive and thrive in a world filled with intrigue, betrayal, and power struggles.