In response to the incident, Alibaba Group issued an official statement acknowledging the fire and addressing the steps being taken to manage the situation. The statement emphasized the priority being placed on ensuring the safety of personnel and the swift restoration of services to minimize the impact on customers.The signing ceremony itself was a momentous occasion, as key stakeholders officially sealed partnerships and agreements that would shape the future of the platform. Contracts were exchanged, hands were shaken, and smiles of satisfaction illuminated the room as each participant committed to working together towards a shared vision of success.In recent times, the world has witnessed escalating tensions between nations, with conflicts and disputes dominating global headlines. Amidst this charged political atmosphere, one unlikely figure has emerged as a potential beacon for peace – the hair ambassador. Tasked with promoting dialogue and understanding through the universal language of beauty, these individuals possess the unique ability to bridge divides and foster camaraderie.
When asked about her motivation for engaging in science popularization, Dr. Zhang spoke passionately about the impact of science on society. "Science touches every aspect of our lives, from the technology we use to the medicines we take. By making science more accessible and relatable, we empower people to make informed decisions and foster a greater appreciation for the wonders of the natural world," she remarked.Californians on edge as high surf, flooding threats persist on Christmas Eve
The South Korean team, though valiant in their efforts, could not match the sheer power and precision of their rivals. Despite putting up a fierce fight, they ultimately fell short in their quest to reclaim the lead. The weightlifting arena erupted in applause and cheers as the North Korean women's team celebrated their hard-earned victory, their names etched in the annals of history as legends of the sport.
The 2-8 defeat was not only a shock result but also a wakeup call for Barcelona, exposing the shortcomings in their squad and the need for a major overhaul in the upcoming transfer window. Setien, despite his reputation as an innovative coach, faced heavy criticism for his inability to adapt to Bayern's relentless pressure and for his team's lackluster performance on the big stage.
The spread of misinformation and unfounded claims on the internet has only served to further cloud the already murky waters surrounding Bo's disappearance. While it is natural for people to be concerned and eager for updates on such a sensitive issue, it is crucial that we approach the situation with caution and rely on verified information from credible sources.This unprecedented giveaway event is our way of expressing gratitude to the passionate gaming community in China who have supported us over the past decade. With the PlayStation brand becoming synonymous with innovation, quality, and unforgettable gaming experiences, we are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of gaming technology and creativity for many more years to come.
FBI director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s termOne fateful day, the young woman and her two children disappeared without a trace, leaving her family in a state of confusion and sadness. Despite extensive searches and investigations, the authorities were unable to locate her or her children. Her family held onto hope, praying for her safe return every single day.The convenience of online shopping combined with the allure of significant savings makes South Hill's promotion a must-visit destination for savvy consumers seeking high-quality products at competitive prices. By leveraging the power of digital coupons and instant discounts, shoppers can enjoy a seamless shopping experience while maximizing their purchasing power.
However, the use of green screen synthesis in the virtual live streaming industry has raised ethical concerns, as it blurs the line between reality and fiction. Some critics argue that the widespread use of synthetic backgrounds and special effects undermines the authenticity of live streaming content, deceiving audiences into believing that what they see is real when in fact it is carefully crafted and manipulated.
Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada’s prime minister an “insufferable tool” on his social media platform today. Musk’s comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris’s defeat in the U.S. presidential election to an attack on women’s rights and progress. This afternoon, Trudeau met with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada’s approach to negotiations with the U.S. Canada is facing a threat of a 25 per cent tariff hike from incoming president Donald Trump, who defeated Harris in the November election. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the “Great State of Canada.” The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at his dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago, where the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women’s progress. “It shouldn’t be that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress,” Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. “And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly.” In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to a clip of Trudeau’s remarks, saying, “He’s such an insufferable tool. Won’t be in power for much longer.”
If you're heading out to a New Year's Eve party this week, there's a chance you'll stumble across at least one person with a zip lock bag filled with exactly 12 grapes. "Why?" you may wonder to yourself, before carrying on with your end of year festivities . When the clock strikes midnight, as you clink champagne glasses and embrace your friends, you may notice that person reach into the bag to scarf down their 12 grapes as quickly as they can. They may even do it from under a table. READ MORE: 'Big mistake': The one thing you should never do when buying prawns If you're not heading to a party you may instead see the tradition all over your Instagram and TikTok feeds. If you're not across what it's all about, it may leave you scratching your head. Over the past few years, the 12 grapes tradition has become a trend on social media, but it actually dates back to late 19th century Spain and is believed to bring about good fortune. Read on to learn more about the tradition and how it could possibly bring good fortune in 2025. READ MORE: Seven-second test all dog owners need to know The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight is believed to welcome good prosperity and fortune in the new year for those who follow it. The tradition originated in Spain and is known as 'Las doce uvas de la suerte' or 'The 12 grapes of luck'. Many people believe the tradition is associated with finding love in the new year. This is true, but it's only one interpretation. The grape-eating ritual is associated with luck in any area of life, whether that be your finances, health or love life and it depends on the intentions you set when eating each grape. The tradition is also believed to ward off any evil spirits and negative energy to start the year on a fresh and positive slate. The tradition originated over a century ago in Spain. It first began in the late 19th century but was popularised in the early 20th century by some vine growers in the Alicante region as a way to boost end of year sales. For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here . It soon transformed into a beloved ritual across the country and today you can even find tins of 12 'lucky grapes' sold in supermarkets throughout Spain that are already peeled, seeded and ready to eat at midnight. In the decades, it has travelled around the world. It is a massive tradition in Spanish-speaking countries but has also become popular in other parts of the world, especially since the trend took on a life of its own on social media. The tradition is not as simple as eating 12 grapes on New Year's Day. There are specific rules to follow for the good luck to come to fruition. To follow the ritual properly, you're supposed to eat the 12 grapes one at a time with each chime of the clock at midnight – so within 12 seconds. This honestly sounds a little too challenging but thankfully now it's expected that you finish the 12 grapes before the clock ticks over to 12:01am. READ MORE: AFLW stars Emma Kearney and Kate Shierlaw's love story If you can eat the 12 grapes within a minute, according to the ritual, you can expect to see good fortune in the new year. Those who are extra superstitious about the tradition also believe there is a certain type of grape to eat. White Aledo grapes from Alicante are traditionally used, they are grown under the cover of paper bags which results in a more delicate grape with a thin skin and lots of flavour. But these days it's common to eat any type of white grape during the midnight tradition. It seems simple, but eating 12 grapes in one minute can be a challenge and those who follow the tradition have ways to make it easier. Some will pack their 12 grapes in a zip lock bag ready to eat to avoid the need to count them out. Others will serve them skewered on a stick like a fruit kebab to make them easier to eat. READ MORE: Relatable way Emily Blunt met her actor husband Recently the tradition has morphed, with some saying the 12 grapes should be eaten while sitting under a table. Plenty of creators all over social media tout that doing so can bring good fortune in your love life. This isn't based on the original tradition and seems to have begun on TikTok. So maybe, if you're feeling a little superstitious and hoping for some good fortune in 2025, it might be an idea to take your own zip lock bag of grapes to that New Years Eve party. Or perhaps you can scarf them down at home while watching the fireworks on the telly. FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE : Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.On the other hand, the potential launch of the "Nintendo Switch 2" is also causing a stir in the gaming community. Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been a runaway success, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers with its innovative hybrid design and versatile gameplay experiences. With rumors of a next-generation Switch circulating for some time now, fans are eagerly anticipating what new features and improvements the updated console will bring. From enhanced graphics and processing power to new exclusive games and online capabilities, the Nintendo Switch 2 has the potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape once again.
Furthermore, the integration of these devices into a centralized monitoring system will enable authorities to have real-time visibility into the safety status of all schools in Beijing. This centralized approach allows for swift responses to emergencies and ensures that necessary actions are taken promptly to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of everyone on campus.NEW YORK — Albertsons gave up on its merger with Kroger and sued its rival grocery chain on Dec. 11, saying the Harris Teeter parent didn't do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion tie-up. Kroger said that it disagreed "in the strongest possible terms." It said early Wednesday that Albertsons was responsible for "repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process." The finger-pointing came a day after two judges halted the merger in separate court cases. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store combination in U.S. history. The companies said the deal would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon. Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states but not South Carolina — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger earlier this year, saying it would raise prices and lower wages by eliminating competition. It also said the divestiture plan was inadequate and that C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores. NEW YORK — Macy's profit and sales declined in the third quarter as the department store chain wrestled with cautious spending by customers, rising competition and sluggish demand for cold-weather goods. The company's full quarterly financial report was delayed after it discovered late last month that an employee intentionally hid as much as $154 million in company expenses between late 2021 and the third quarter of this year, according to a Dec. 11 regulatory filing. Macy's said its internal investigation of the incident is completed and it found that the employee, who acted alone, hid $151 million in company delivery expenses, but that there will be no material impact on company's finances. It also said it was strengthening its existing controls and implemented additional changes designed to prevent a recurrence. The New York retailer which owns upscale Bloomingdale's and the cosmetics chain Bluemercury raised sales expectations for the year but lowered profit projections, sending it shares plunging. Earlier this week, activist investor Barington Capital Group asked Macy's to create a real estate arm, reduce spending and explore strategic options for some of its businesses. SAN FRANCISCO — Google on Dec. 11 unleashed another wave of artificial intelligence designed to tackle more of the work and thinking done by humans as it tries to stay on the technology's cutting edge while also trying to fend off regulatory threats to its empire. The next generation is being packaged under the Gemini umbrella, which was unveiled a year ago. Google is framing its release of Gemini 2.0 as a springboard for AI agents built to interpret images shown through a smartphone, perform a variety of tedious chores, remember the conversations consumers have with people, help video game players plot strategy and even tackle the task of doing online searches. Most of the latest AI technology will initially be confined to test groups and subscribers who pay $20 per month for Gemini Advanced, but some features will be made available through its search engine and mobile apps. Google is planning wider releases next year. Besides trying to outshine OpenAI and other startups, Google is trying to stay a step ahead of Apple. It's pushing forward even as the Justice Department is trying to break up the company to prevent further abusive practices by its search engine, which a judge recently declared is an illegal monopoly. SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season. It comes in the form of a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customized emojis within a matter of seconds. The Dec. 11 release of the upgraded operating system extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung and Google began implanting the revolutionary on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October. The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis,” Apple’s description of emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is allowing a class-action lawsuit that accuses artificial-intelligence titan Nvidia of misleading investors about its past dependence on selling computer chips for the mining of volatile cryptocurrency to proceed. The justices heard arguments four weeks ago in Nvidia's bid to shut down the lawsuit, then decided that they were wrong to take up the case in the first place. They dismissed the company's appeal, leaving in place an appellate ruling allowing the case to go forward. The Dec. 11 decision comes the same week that China said it is investigating the the chip company over suspected violations of anti-monopoly laws. NEW YORK — Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with sex trafficking, according to a federal indictment unsealed in Manhattan on Dec. 11. State charges were also filed in Florida against two of the brothers and a third man stemming from three alleged sexual assaults over the past decade. Federal prosecutors allege in the New York indictment that Oren and Tal Alexander, known for brokering deals on high-end properties in New York City and Miami, and sibling Alon Alexander worked together to "repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of victims." The government said the Miami brothers used their wealth and influence to take advantage of victims from at least 2010 to 2021. Lawyers for the siblings did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. TORONTO — Canada's central bank lowered its key interest rate by half a percentage point while highlighting the risk of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on all Canadian products. The Bank of Canada's decision marked the fifth consecutive reduction since June and brings the its key rate down to 3.25 percent. The central bank noted a number of risks to the Canadian economy, including U.S. tariffs. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs.
The win against the Raptors not only highlighted the Knicks' resilience and determination but also showcased Towns' ability to take over a game and lead his team to victory. With Towns at the helm, the Knicks are poised to make a strong push in the playoffs and compete against the best teams in the league.
In conclusion, John's experience serves as a reminder that while online shopping can be a convenient way to purchase goods, it can also lead to unexpected adventures and delightful surprises. So, the next time you place an order online, who knows? You might just end up with a bear instead of a washing machine. And isn't that what makes life interesting and full of surprises?The incident, which took place in a suburban area, raised serious concerns about the safety and security of individuals, especially vulnerable groups like students and young women. The victim, a bright and ambitious master's student, was allegedly lured into a trap under the guise of a promising opportunity, only to find herself in a situation beyond her control.
Whether Puji will make a comeback to the top five leagues remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – his remarkable performance in the MLS has caught the attention of the footballing world and established him as a rising star with the potential to shine on the biggest stages.One of the most shocking revelations from the investigation was the prevalence of fake audiences in virtual live streaming rooms. CCTV discovered that many streamers use bots and other automated programs to simulate the presence of a large and enthusiastic audience. These fake audience members interact with the streamer and create the illusion of a vibrant and engaged community, when in reality, it may all be smoke and mirrors.
