One of the most iconic symbols associated with Porsche is the waving flag emblem that adorns the hood of every Porsche vehicle. This emblem reflects the dynamic spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the brand. It is a symbol of victory, triumph, and the never-ending quest for perfection that has been ingrained in Porsche's DNA since its inception.Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk's guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag — a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country," Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the country's condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party's public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper's own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk's social media platform, X. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print," Eva Marie Kogel wrote. The newspaper was also attacked by politicians and other media for offering Musk, an outsider, a platform to express his views, in favor of the AfD. Candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, of the Christian Democratic Union, said Sunday that Musk's comments were “intrusive and presumptuous”. He was speaking to the newspapers of the German Funke Media Group. Co-leader of the Social Democratic Party, Saskia Esken said that “Anyone who tries to influence our election from outside, who supports an anti-democratic, misanthropic party like the AfD, whether the influence is organized by the state from Russia or by the concentrated financial and media power of Elon Musk and his billionaire friends on the Springer board, must expect our tough resistance,” according to the ARD national public TV network. Musk's opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag was accompanied by a critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on Jan. 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk's piece was "very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the “world” in the future. We will develop “Die Welt” even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.The reappearance of "moderately loose" in the lexicon of central bankers and economic authorities could be viewed as a subtle yet significant pivot in the stance towards monetary policy. Historically, this term has been associated with a strategy aimed at striking a delicate balance between stimulating economic growth and controlling inflation. By adopting a moderately loose policy, central banks signal their willingness to provide sufficient liquidity to the economy while also staying vigilant against the risks of overheating and excessive price increases.
Furthermore, JD Airlines' partnership with leading aviation providers and seamless interline agreements within the IATA network further enhance the overall travel experience for passengers. Through codeshare agreements and cooperative arrangements with other member airlines, JD Airlines can offer more convenient flight connections, smoother transfers, and expanded travel options to passengers, creating a truly interconnected and efficient air transport system.
Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel. China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economy BANGKOK (AP) — China has banned exports of key materials used for a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, radar systems and CT scanners, swiping back at Washington after it expanded export controls to include dozens of Chinese companies that make equipment used to produce computer chips. Both sides say the controls are justified by national security concerns. Analysts say they could have a much wider impact on manufacturing in many industries and supply chains, depending on the ability of each side to compensate for loss of access to strategically important materials, equipment and components. Here's why this could be a tipping point in trade conflict between the two biggest economies.Furthermore, the kindergarten was found to have unqualified staff members, with some teachers lacking the necessary qualifications and credentials to work in early childhood education. This oversight not only compromises the quality of instruction but also puts the children at risk of receiving subpar care and guidance during their crucial developmental years.
But what is it about these bathhouses that attract such a large and diverse crowd? Perhaps it is the allure of luxury and indulgence, the promise of a retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Or maybe it is the opportunity to experience a centuries-old tradition that has been passed down through generations. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear - the bathhouses of Northeast China have captivated the hearts and minds of visitors from far and wide.
In conclusion, the betrayal of national secrets by elite university graduates serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of losing sight of one's original intentions. Let us strive to stay true to our values and principles, and work towards a better and brighter future for ourselves and our country. The path of integrity and righteousness may be challenging, but it is the only path worth pursuing.After 15 days of recovery, the €200 million superstar of Real Madrid is set to make his return to the pitch for a crucial Champions League showdown. With the team facing the prospect of a third consecutive defeat, all eyes are on his potential impact as he prepares to start in this do-or-die battle.In addition to the physical impact on the affected communities, the blizzard is also expected to have economic repercussions as businesses adjust their operations to account for the inclement weather. Retailers are seeing a surge in demand for winter supplies such as shovels, salt, and snow boots, while restaurants and delivery services are bracing for a decrease in foot traffic as people opt to stay indoors.It's been a great year for the S&P 500 , with many top growth stocks and value stocks hitting all-time highs. But because growth stocks like Nvidia make up such a large share of the S&P 500 -- and have produced such strong gains -- exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that don't hold those names would have had a tough time beating the S&P 500 this year. The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF ( VIG 0.01% ) , Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF ( VOOV -0.32% ) , and the Vanguard Energy ETF ( VDE -1.80% ) have all underperformed the S&P 500 so far in 2024. But they all have combinations of quality top holdings and reasonable valuations that could position them to shine bright in 2025. 1. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF This fund is unusual because it includes a blend of growth stocks and value stocks. And, unlike some dividend-centric funds that focus primarily on yields, this one tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which includes only companies that have grown their payouts annually for at least 10 straight years. The index also excludes the highest-yielding 25% of companies that would otherwise be eligible for inclusion. The fund's top five holdings are Apple , Broadcom , Microsoft , JPMorgan Chase , and ExxonMobil . While JPMorgan Chase and ExxonMobil have solid yields, Apple, Broadcom, and Microsoft have low yields in part because their stock prices have performed so well in recent years. AAPL data by YCharts. In this vein, the fund doesn't punish a company for having a low yield just because its stock price has performed well. It's also worth mentioning that Apple, Broadcom, and Microsoft all repurchase considerable amounts of their stock , which is another way for companies to pass profits back to shareholders. Because it invests in companies from all sectors that regularly increase their dividends, the Dividend Appreciation ETF doesn't get too bogged down in stodgy, low-growth sectors. One drawback of some high-yield ETFs is that they can include companies that have high yields not because they've substantially raised their payouts, but because their stock prices have underperformed. For example, imagine two stocks that both yield 3%. If one stock triples in five years while the other's price gets cut in half, then at the end of that time (assuming both keep their payouts constant), the outperforming stock will have a yield of just 1% while the falling stock would have a yield of 6%. This illustrates how underperformance can turn a stock into a high-yielding investment, but that doesn't make such a stock a better all-around source of passive income. The Dividend Appreciation ETF is well-suited for folks who view stocks' passive income potential as merely one aspect of an investment thesis rather than driving the bulk of it. The Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF has 437 holdings, but outside of the top 100 or so holdings, each component makes up 0.25% of the fund or less. However, the top 10 holdings combined make up less than 20% of the fund, so it isn't overly top-heavy either. A whopping 63% of the fund is in financials, healthcare, industrials, and consumer staples, whereas just 17.5% is in tech, consumer discretionary, and communications. By contrast, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF , which tracks the S&P 500, has about half of its holdings in tech, consumer discretionary, and communications because of the enormous market values of Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon , Tesla , Alphabet , and Meta Platforms . Since it does not include any of those top growth stocks, and instead invests in value stocks, the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF will miss out on a lot of the upside potential of themes like artificial intelligence , software, hardware, automation, robotics, and social media . What investors get instead are a less expensive valuation and a better yield. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a 30.3 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and a 1.3% yield compared to a 25.9 P/E ratio and a 2% yield for the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF. The Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF is a good buy if you want an investment that has less exposure to premium-priced sectors and a higher yield for boosting your passive income stream . 3. Vanguard Energy ETF The Vanguard Energy ETF is designed to reflect the performance of the energy sector, which has put up decent gains this year, but not as strong as the S&P 500. ^SPX data by YCharts . Unlike the Dividend Appreciation ETF or the S&P 500 Value ETF, the Energy ETF is top-heavy: Just two stocks, ExxonMobil and Chevron , account for 36% of its portfolio value. But that level of concentration is arguably a good thing because of the volatility of the oil and natural gas industry . ExxonMobil and Chevron sport elite balance sheets, and with their diversified business models, they do far more than just produce oil and natural gas. They both have growing low-carbon divisions that invest in various technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and low-carbon fuels. They also pass along their profits to shareholders through stock buybacks and growing dividend payouts . One of the most attractive qualities of the Vanguard Energy ETF is its low P/E ratio of 8.5 and its yield of 3.3%. Across the industry, oil and natural gas companies have proven they can thrive even in the current mid-cycle price environment. A wave of consolidation has contributed to efficiency improvements and strong earnings growth . The energy sector is cheap because it is prone to downturns, is capital intensive (which can strain corporate balance sheets), and because so many legacy companies in it are threatened by the clean energy transition and falling demand for fossil fuels and other products made from oil. But these risks are arguably already baked into the valuations of companies in the space. By investing in this ETF, investors can get some diversification of risk across the sector, and also collect a sizable amount of passive income while benefiting from the upside potential of higher oil and natural gas prices. Being mindful of market volatility No one can know for sure what the S&P 500 will do in the near term. But we do know that investing in quality companies at reasonable valuations has historically been a winning long-term strategy. At the time of this writing, the S&P 500 is up by more than 57% since the start of 2023, while growth-focused ETFs like the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF have more than doubled during that period. The more extended the broader rally becomes, the more pressure is put on growth-driven companies to deliver exceptional results to justify their valuations. For example, last month, Nvidia stock sold off after the chipmaker reported its latest results -- even though it exceeded analysts' expectations and raised its guidance . I fully believe that top growth companies will continue to deliver excellent results and lead the earnings growth of major indexes like the S&P 500, but I could see the market responding to even solid results with less enthusiasm. In other words, the valuations of those companies have gotten a little ahead of themselves, and the businesses will need time for their metrics to catch up. The good news is that a company like Nvidia is delivering unbelievable earnings growth , and its stock price is following that earnings growth. Until that changes, calling Nvidia a bubble stock would be unfair. In the current environment, though, putting new capital to work in top funds that sport reasonable valuations -- funds like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF, and the Vanguard Energy ETF, for example -- seems like a winning strategy, especially for investors looking for investments that are likely to be less volatile than the major indexes if there is a stock market sell-off in 2025.
The design process for the collaborative jersey is an intricate and meticulous one, with fan input and feedback playing a crucial role. Fans have been invited to submit their own design ideas and concepts, showcasing their creativity and passion for both Barcelona and Kobe Bryant. The opportunity to be part of this creative process and contribute to the final design of the jersey is a unique and rewarding experience for fans.Social media start-up Bluesky is exploding as academics, journalist, and left-leaning politicians abandon Elon Musk ’s X in search of bluer skies. Now, the platform has surpassed Meta ’s Threads in user numbers, yet Threads still leads in app usage. According to data from Similarweb, app and website usage of Bluesky in the United States rose more than 500 percent following President-elect Donald Trump’s election win, raking in 3.5 million daily users. The platform still only has around 21.5 million users as of Nov. 22. “We’ve been growing by about a million users a day for several days,” Bluesky CEO Jay Graber told NPR on Monday. “It’s proving out the model that we thought would be the right approach to social [media]: Give people the tools to control their experience and they’ll have a better time.” ADVERTISEMENT The app, created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey , debuted in 2019 as a desktop and app-based social network that operates similarly to X. Users can post text, videos and photos, reply to one another and share other users’ posts. The platform is now led by digital rights activist and software engineer Graber. Aside from the growing discontent among X users with Musk, Bluesky’s expansion has come partly from its “starter pack” feature that allows users to follow curated groups of accounts with the click of a button. This growth, however, has faltered due to repeated outages and glitches and concerns over its future success as a working business model. Still, prior to Nov. 5, Threads had five times more daily U.S. users than Bluesky. Now, the Meta run platform is only 1.5 times larger than its much smaller rival. Some have attributed the closing margin to Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg ’s decision to de-prioritize political content across its apps, including Facebook and Instagram. By contrast, Musk has curtailed content moderation on X since taking over the platform, leading to concerns about the spread of disinformation. The Tesla executive’s embrace of deregulation, his affiliation with Trump , and promotion of fringe theories prompted a first wave of user departures after the app was suspended in Brazil in September. The temporary ban coincided with Bluesky picking up 3 million new users that week. The X alternative added another 1.2 million users in the two days after Musk announced his app would allow blocked users to view posts by those who had blocked them. Since Trump’s election victory, however, several prominent businesses, celebrities, and journalists have publicly and officially left X, including Target, The Guardian , journalist Don Lemon , actor Bradley Whitford, and singer Barbra Streisand .
Their friendship blossomed on the set of a popular TV drama where they played best friends, and it quickly transitioned into a real-life bond that many envied. Despite their busy schedules and the demands of the entertainment industry, Xue and Zhao always made time for each other, supporting and encouraging one another through thick and thin.
The surge in the yuan's value has also raised concerns about potential capital outflows from China. As the currency appreciates, it may become more attractive for Chinese investors to seek higher returns in foreign markets, leading to capital flight. Chinese policymakers will need to strike a delicate balance between maintaining a stable currency and preventing excessive capital outflows that could destabilize the economy.
The Era of "Lying Flat" in Savings Comes to an End: Embrace Rational Consumption, Tighten Your Wallet
Government to block incinerators that do not contribute to green plansSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Davion Bailey had 19 points in Incarnate Word's 65-53 win against East Texas A&M on Saturday. Bailey had four steals for the Cardinals (5-4, 1-1 Southland Conference). Dylan Hayman went 5 of 11 from the field (1 for 3 from 3-point range) to add 11 points. Jalin Anderson had nine points and shot 2 of 9 from the field, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 7 from the line. The Lions (1-9, 0-2) were led in scoring by Scooter Williams Jr., who finished with 10 points. Mykol Sanchez-Vega added nine points for East Texas A&M. Josh Taylor finished with eight points. The Lions prolonged their losing streak to six in a row. NEXT UP Incarnate Word next plays Tuesday against Duke on the road, and East Texas A&M hosts South Alabama on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
The questions that had plagued his mind were soon forgotten as he embraced his loved ones, feeling their warmth and love enveloping him like a protective shield. The years of separation melted away in an instant, replaced by a sense of belonging and unity that he had thought he had lost forever.
Title: Taiwan Authorities Vigilantly Monitor PLA Movements in the Taiwan Strait, Mainland Ships’ Activities Draw Attention
Why Is Bank of Montreal (BMO) Among the Best Bank Stocks to Invest In Now?As the investigation unfolds and more details come to light, the true nature of the relationship between the young woman and her hosts remains to be seen. The case serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the importance of seeking out the truth, no matter how elusive it may seem.
Title: "Affordable and Convenient: Apply for Your New Home in Fengtai District's Public Rental Housing!"
While winter storms can be disruptive and challenging, they also provide an opportunity for communities to come together, support one another, and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity. By staying prepared, staying safe, and staying connected, residents can weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.
