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July — Bethel saw the opening of new businesses during the month of July. Tara Savage opened her own dental clinic , branching off from Bethel Family Dentistry. In the article describing her business, written by Rose Lincoln, it was reported that, “For the past six years Savage has worked for Bethel Family Dentistry (BFD), currently Bethel’s only dentistry office. She will stay on part time until a replacement is found, working at her new office on Wednesdays (when BFD is closed), Thursdays and Fridays.” Dental Hygienist Tara Savage of Bethel will hold an open house on August 1 at her new business Polished Dental on Mayville Road. Rose Lincoln The Root Cellar was purchased by Jennifer Cross, and celebrated with a float in the Summerfest parade. The paper also commemorated Swain’s farm, an island farm in the Androscoggin that, as the article said, may very well be the last of its kind in Western Maine. August — With summer drawing to a close, so begins Maine’s unofficial fourth season- Construction. Funds amounting to $182,360 were taken from the reserve account to make repairs to Bethel’s sand/salt shed , which had been damaged from gradual wear and tear over time caused by the sand and salt that it housed. Roger Wheeler in 1961 with a car full of mica. Wheeler and his brothers started Wheeler Brothers Mica Mine in Gilead Maine in the 1950’s. On a more historical side, an article by Rose Lincoln detailed the historical development of the Wheeler Brothers mica mine in Gilead, Maine. While it has fallen out of use as the mining industry decreased, the mine was at one time a prominent employer for the town of Bethel. Residents were encouraged to look back at this historical place, and learn a bit about a once popular industry of the local area. September — Continuing construction season into September, the slightly controversial condo projec t in Bethel was greenlit for moving forwards, to be built in the field beside the old Bethel barn. Work on this project is expected to take place moving forwards into the next year. The town was also treated to the unusual sight of students filling Sunday River before ski season when a fire alarm malfunction required school to be held elsewhere and Sunday River offered its facility. Nate Crooker and his wife, Katy, own Sparrowhawk Orchard on Grover Hill Road in Bethel. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen October — The approach of fall saw a focus on the natural world for locals looking to spend some more time outdoors. Valentine Farm held a successful outdoor event with talks, workshops, and food made from wild ingredients. The event was well attended by locals, and went hand in hand with a talk at the Gem theater about the process of growing apples. With apple season at its height, Sparrowhawk Orchard detailed their plans for moving forwards in the year ahead, developing an “all around agricultural experience” for both locals and visitors looking for a chance to have some fresh picked apples and homemade cider. However, not all of the connections with nature were entirely positive, as the Bethel town hall discovered mold in the basement. This mold ended up forcing the Bethel Town Hall to relocate to the Fire Department, which has remained in effect throughout December . November — Election season may have dominated the national news, but in Bethel the local news were focused more on contributions made by the younger members of the community. B lack Diamond Nutritio n celebrated opening under a new owner – Maya Taylor, who is only 21 years old. In town, on the younger side, Telstar students worked to aid seniors in the community in their day of service- a biannual service day held in conjunction with the Age-Friendly Community Initiative ( AFCI ) On another note, the community rallied together after an election-day tragedy. Jade Gianforte and Matt Thurston, who had rescued a couple from the river at the start of the year, had their home burned down in an active shooting. The community, however, came together to support them and help them with donations during this time. Bethel Historical Society held an open house at the Mason House on Dec. 7, with warm cider and cookies inside a decorated Mason House. Visitors could also enjoy live fiddle music, while seeing the inside of the historic house decorated for Christmas. Chaia Alford/The Bethel Citizen December — During the festive season, Bethel begins to gear up toward Christmas with a window decorating contest hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. The discussion of speech at Telstar took on a new angle as debates arose about what to do with cell phones at school. The school board held an open discussion about their new cell phone policy, which was met with displeasure by school board member Scott Cole, who did not agree with the new policy and called it “a concession to technology.” Nevertheless, with some revisions, the new policy was passed at a school board meeting . Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors.Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Rhythm Pharmaceuticals Inc. RYTM , a developer of treatment for rare obesity disorders. The pharmaceutical industry’s focus on weight management is drawing strong investor interest, with Rhythm Pharmaceuticals standing out for targeting rare obesity disorders that standard treatments often fail to address. The company is steadily growing its business through the global rollout of Imcivree, a drug designed for several genetic obesity conditions . Also Read: Novo Nordisk’s Hybrid Weight Loss Drug Falls Short On Expectations, Stock Plunges Revenue from global sales of IMCIVREE was $33.3 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 14% on a sequential basis, primarily driven by sales for BBS. In the third quarter of 2024, revenue of $23.3 million, or 70% of product revenue, was generated in the U.S. Oppenheimer is optimistic about its progress in treating hypothalamic obesity, an acquired condition with high development potential, as Phase 3 trial results are expected in the first half of 2025. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Rhythm Pharmaceuticals with an Outperform rating and a price target of $76 . Rhythm’s expertise in MC4 biology positions it for long-term success as Imcivree’s approved uses expand, new pipeline drugs with improved efficacy and convenience advance, and the company enhances its efforts to identify patients with genetic obesity. The analyst anticipates significant growth opportunities in 2025 and beyond as Rhythm taps into a multi-billion-dollar total addressable market. The analyst highlights that severe obesity caused by MC4R pathway defects doesn’t respond well to popular GLP-1 drugs like Novo Nordisk A/S’ Wegovy or Eli Lilly And Co’s Zepbound, noting the experts and studies. The MC4R drug market has little competition. Palatin Technologies Inc. markets Vyleesi (bremelanotide) for sexual disorders and is testing it with Zepbound for general obesity, with results expected in early 2025. Palatin is also developing oral MC4R drugs. Price Action: RYTM stock is up 1.71% at $56.43 at last check Friday. Read Next: Innovative Industrial Properties Hit By Cannabis Company PharmaCann’s Rent Default, Stock Plunges Photo via Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Blake Lively , who played Lily Bloom in Justin Baldoni 's It Ends With Us, has accused her co-star Baldoni of sexual misconduct in an 80-page complaint. Her complaint against Baldoni, and Jamey Heath, the CEO of Baldoni's production studio Wayfarer, accuses the two men of repeated sexual harassment and other disturbing behaviour on the set of 'It Ends With Us'. Baldoni and his PR team have denied all claims. ET Year-end Special Reads Two sectors that rose on India's business horizon in 2024 2025 outlook: Is it time for cautious optimism or rekindling animal spirits? 2024: Govt moves ahead with simultaneous polls plan; India holds largest democratic exercise A legal expert has now weighed in on the highly-publicized legal dispute between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The Gossip Girl actress cited alleged examples of Baldoni "sucking on her lips'" or asking her to be nude during a birth scene. As part of the accusations, Lively claimed Baldoni shared intimate details of his wife while on the set of the movie, according to court documents obtained by the Mirror. ALSO READ: After Blake Lively sued 'It Ends with Us' co-star Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment, these personalities have defended her Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni “The complaint reads in a very dramatic way," Joseph Cammarata, a partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel told The Mirror. "It shows just what Blake and others similarly situated to her, had to endure from a man who professed, according to the complaint, professed that he was an advocate of women and women’s rights, and that people should not be victimized." He added: "This reads just the opposite. This was anything goes, like the Wild West and there’s no sheriff in town. Actually the sheriff is the ringleader. So you don’t have anyone policing the police.” Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program “This is a very, very powerful complaint against the defendant and would likely result in her prevailing," Cammarata predicted. ALSO READ: Blake Lively's legal dispute with Justin Baldoni has a new twist as she adds her kids' name in lawsuit. Check the bombshell claims Not only Blake Lively, other crew members too fell prey to Justin Baldoni's misconduct and had also spoken up. Lively's lawsuit isn't the only one going on against Baldoni, as an ex-publicist is also suing Baldoni and his PR team for putting the blame of "scheming to 'bury' and 'destroy'" Lively on her. About this recent lawsuit, Cammarata said: “I think that only works to Ms. Lively’s benefit. Now you got the wrongdoers all fighting among themselves." "It really doesn’t bode well for that group, meaning Mr Baldoni, his studio, his PR people," he continued. "It's just not a good day for them." Justin Baldoni had also hired a crisis management team to "orchestrate" a "smear campaign" against Blake Lively, claims the complaint. Blake Lively's complaint against Justin Baldoni got several Hollywood big wigs rallying behind the actress. ALSO READ: Justin Baldoni vs Blake Lively: 'It Ends With Us' actor's admission to an 'unhealthy relationship' resurfaces Is Justin Baldoni's career over? While Justin Baldoni is facing the consequent wrath of the disturbing allegations, support has poured from all quarters for Blake Lively. Justin has already met with the incendiary aftermath as his Voices of Solidarity Award from Vital Voices, a title for being an “ally to women,” has been rescinded. Despite the actor’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, firing back at the heavy accusations, he’s been dropped by the talent agency WME. Moreover, Baldoni’s podcast co-hosts and non-profits have also shunned him. With things looking increasingly bad for the man who was once heavily portrayed as a feminist ally off-camera, Stephanie Jones, the founder of Justin’s former PR company, has hit him with his first formal lawsuit. ALSO READ: Blake Lively's husband Ryan Reynolds' breaks silence with cryptic post after she sues Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel have also been dragged into the consequence of Lively’s allegations as Jones is coming after them for defamation, breach of contract and more. In response, Baldoni's representative, Bryan Freedman, branded the suit as "shameful," framing it as a desperate move on Lively's part to salvage her reputation. This shocking lawsuit comes amid ongoing rumors about tension between Lively and Baldoni during the production of Colleen Hoover's bestseller; a story depicting the romance between Lily Bloom (Lively) and Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni). (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )The school said Amelia, who was diagnosed with a hearing impairment at an early age and uses a cochlear implant, has shown incredible resilience in overcoming obstacles and has been an inspiration to both her peers and teachers. The Year 12 graduate received Band 6 marks in all her HSC courses, earning her the title of “Distinguished Achiever”. “As a school prefect, Amelia’s natural leadership and passion for community involvement have left a lasting impact,” a school spokesperson said. “She is frequently approached by younger students, who look up to her for her kindness, compassion and humility. “Her contributions extend beyond the classroom, as she has also been a long-term volunteer with St John’s Ambulance, demonstrating her commitment to helping others.” Amelia said her results were “a huge relief and very exciting”. “I wasn’t expecting such a result but it’s extremely validating,” she said. “The confirmation that my hard work was all for something in the end was overwhelming, and I’m so lucky to have been in a supportive environment when they came through. “The HSC was a challenge like no other, so it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders when the results came through; I cried!” Amelia has long been an advocate for improving educational experiences for students with disabilities. Her own hearing impairment has meant that she often needs to put in extra effort to ensure she keeps up with her studies. “My hearing impairment means that in order to get the same amount out of my classes as other students, I often have to go back over the content in my free time, ask more questions and so forth,” she said. “To achieve this, I have received the most incredible support from Hearing Australia and my itinerant hearing support (IST-H) teachers across the 13 years of my schooling. “Not only that, Henry Kendall’s amazing student services team was consistently amazing and I am so grateful for everyone that helped me along the way to ensure that in classes, I was getting the same amount of education and learning my classmates were. “Without that I would have fallen behind and not been able to do the extra work and effort at home that the HSC required.” Next year, Amelia will pursue her passion for writing and education, with plans to study communications (writing and publishing) and secondary education (English and society and culture) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). “I’m very excited to start,” she said.

Spotlight on Qualcomm: Analyzing the Surge in Options ActivityColby Rogers made 6 of 9 3-pointers and scored 28 points as host Memphis defeated No. 16 Ole Miss 87-70 on Saturday afternoon. Rogers fouled out and finished one 3-pointer and one point short of his career-highs in both categories and Memphis never trailed. PJ Haggerty added 17 points, Dain Dainja had 16 and Moussa Cisse, an Ole Miss transfer who's in his second stint with the Tigers (10-3), had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sean Pedulla scored 13, Jaylen Murray had 12 and Malik Dia added 11 to lead the Rebels (11-2), who had won their last five games. Memphis scored the first five points of the second half to increase its lead to 43-36. Pedulla made a layup for Ole Miss' first points, but Nicholas Jourdain made consecutive field goals to push the lead to nine. Mikeal Brown-Jones made two free throws for the Rebels before Haggerty made a 3-pointer and Cisse added a tip-in for a 52-40 lead. Pedulla made a jumper before Brown-Jones was ejected for committing a Flagrant 2 foul. Haggerty made both of the technical free throws and Rogers added two 3-pointers to push the lead to 16. Ole Miss got within 11 points four times, but couldn't get any closer until Matthew Murrell's dunk trimmed the lead to 76-67 with five minutes remaining. Rogers answered with a 3-pointer and Dainja added two field goals to increase the lead to 16. Murray made a free throw, but the Rebels didn't make a field goal during the final 5:32. The Tigers scored the first four points of the game and Haggerty had four as they opened a 9-2 lead. The Rebels made consecutive field goals before Memphis scored eight straight points for a 17-6 lead. Eduardo Klafke made a 3-pointer to end the run, but Rogers' 3-pointer helped the Tigers increase the lead to 27-14. Ole Miss scored the next seven points before Cisse's basket ended the run. The Rebels closed within four points four times Brown-Jones made two free throws to trim the lead to 38-36 at halftime. --Field Level Media

SACRAMENTO, Calif. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, help give the drivers in your life the gift of convenience and control with the Reviver RPLATE ® — the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings. The innovative RPLATE is the world's first digital license plate, allowing drivers to monitor and customize their license plate through the ease of a mobile application. Whether it is a teenager's first ride, or the dream car your parents always wanted, the holidays are the perfect time to gift your loved ones with a new car. Reviver has the perfect companion gift for a new car — the RPLATE, a smart and sleek digital license plate. The RPLATE helps make owning and maintaining a car easier and more enjoyable by turning the license plate into a connected vehicle platform. Through the RPLATE, drivers can quickly renew and update their vehicle's registration via the secure Reviver app. The RPLATE also offers fun personalization features with its weatherproof display, such as light/dark mode and banner messages. "I created Reviver and the RPLATE because I observed that the license plate and vehicle registration ecosystem wasn't innovating to meet the needs of the modern world," said Reviver Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston . "At Reviver, we want to reimagine the driving experience and what a license plate can do. We want to make life easier for drivers, businesses, and government." Today, more than 65,000 drivers own an RPLATE including Cedric the Entertainer, Marshall Faulk and DJ Skee. Sacramento Kings fans can learn more about Reviver and the innovative RPLATE at an upcoming home game at Golden 1 Center. ABOUT REVIVER ® Reviver ® is a technology company on a mission to modernize the driving experience. As developer of the world's first digital license plate platform, Reviver products transform the license plate into a connected vehicle platform, enabling consumers and commercial businesses to digitize vehicle registration renewals and experience a growing set of personalization, convenience, and safety features, all managed through a mobile or web app interface. Reviver's digital license plates are legal for sale in Arizona and California , along with Texas for commercial fleet vehicles. Ten additional states are in various stages of adoption. Founded in 2009, Reviver is headquartered in Northern California , and is the official patch partner of the Sacramento Kings and the official innovation partner of the Sacramento Kings and Golden 1 Center. To purchase an RPLATE click here . To learn more about the RPLATE, click here . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/help-them-drive-like-a-sacramento-king-give-the-gift-of-a-reviver-rplate-302337650.html SOURCE ReviverTORONTO — If you look at the numbers, it’s obvious that the cruise industry has no intention of slowing down. According to CLIA’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry Report , cruise travel is rebounding faster than other forms of travel and tourism post-pandemic, reaching 107% of 2019 levels in 2023 with 31.7 million passengers, compared to overall international arrivals, which are 12% lower than 2019. Passenger volume in 2023 from North America reached 18.1 million, up 6.5% from 2019. The intent to cruise among repeat and new cruisers remains strong, with 82% of those who have cruised before saying they will cruise again, and 71% of international travellers considering taking their first-ever cruise. Younger travellers are leading the way among those most enthusiastic about planning cruise holidays (Gen-X at 84% and Millennials at 81%), while families continue to show up for cruises, with 28% of cruise travellers sailing with 3-5 generations. Expedition and exploration are the fastest-growing cruise itineraries being sailed, with the number of passengers sailing on expeditions increasing 71% from 2019 to 2023. And the industry took enormous leaps in 2024 with seven CLIA-member cruise lines launching seven ships this year; another 56 ocean-going ships are already on the books for both member and non-member lines between 2024 and 2028. But the most promising news of all? Report findings highlight the value of travel advisors, with 73% of cruise travellers saying advisors have a meaningful impact on their decision to cruise. The future of cruising looks promising indeed, with 2025 looking particularly exciting, says Caroline Hay, General Manager, Cruise at Trevello Travel Group. In this exclusive interview, we ask Hay to summarize the year in cruising in 2024, what current trends are shaping the industry in 2025, and how travel advisors are influencing travellers to finally book that unforgettable cruise. 2023 was all about recovery for the cruise industry. What kind of year was it in 2024? “2024 was all about continued momentum and growth. It’s been the best year of cruise sales in Trevello’s 30-year history. The industry moved from bouncing back to levelling up, with ships at or near full capacity and demand surging across all segments. Our advisors have fully embraced these opportunities and played a significant role in driving this success. Once again, the cruise industry has proved its resilience and adaptability, firmly re-establishing itself as one of the most sought-after vacation choices.” What standout moments do you recall for the cruise industry in 2024? “2024 was full of standout moments that showcased the cruise industry’s growth and innovation. The launch of groundbreaking ships with cutting-edge technology and sustainability features captured travellers’ imaginations, while the rise of expedition cruising continued to generate excitement among travellers and advisors who are selling more unique itineraries than ever. “This year, however, was not without issues. The industry showed its resilience once again when itineraries were changed due to the geopolitical issues in the Middle East. However, alternatives were offered, which highlighted cruising’s ability to evolve, deliver exceptional experiences and thrive in the face of obstacles.” What role did travel agents play in cruising’s ongoing recovery in 2024? And how are they influencing cruise bookings for 2025? “Travel advisors are a key distribution outlet for our cruise partners, and the mutual support between cruise lines and advisors has never been stronger. When cruise companies continue to invest in trade sales and provide more resources for advisors, it shows how critical the travel advisor channel is for filling ships and connecting clients with the right products. Heading into 2025, we’re seeing even more cruise representatives entering the Canadian market, which will give advisors the tools and support they need to grow their cruise sales even further. “Advisors remain pivotal in promoting cruise vacations to both new and existing clients. They are playing a key role in shaping perceptions and driving demand across every segment and this will continue in the year ahead. There’s so much opportunity ahead, and I’m excited to see where it takes us.” To many, cruising and sustainability don’t really go hand in hand. But we’re seeing many cruise lines implement sustainability initiatives, particularly in 2024. What’s driving this new trend, and which cruise lines come to mind? “Sustainability is no longer just a trend – it’s how the industry operates and more improvements are being introduce year after year. Travellers want responsible tourism and cruise lines are delivering. We’ve seen big investments in LNG-powered ships, advanced waste management systems and partnerships with sustainable ports. Expedition companies like Lindblad, Quark and PONANT have been leaders in this space, but we’re also seeing impressive initiatives from Royal Caribbean Group, MSC, NCL, Windstar, Explora Journeys and Carnival Corporation, just to name a few. It’s exciting to see sustainability measures becoming a standard across the board, and it’s clear that cruise lines are committed to being part of the solution when it comes to responsible travel.” More and more cruise lines are accommodating solo cruisers. Why do you think cruising is ideal for solos? “Cruising is perfect for solo travelers because it offers the best of both worlds: the option to socialize or retreat to your own space as you please. Cruise lines are doing a fantastic job catering to this segment, with more solo-friendly cabins, better pricing and tailored programming. This is happening across all types of cruising, from river and expedition to luxury and traditional ocean itineraries. Solo travellers are no longer overlooked – they’re being welcomed with options that feel inclusive and designed just for them.” It used to be that cruising was geared towards an older clientele, but according to trend reports, 2024 saw many young cruisers book for the first time. What would you attribute this shift to? “It’s been amazing to see younger travellers embracing cruising. Social media has been a game-changer – just search ‘cruise’ on TikTok, and you’ll see why. Cruises are being showcased as adventurous, Instagram-worthy and fun. Cruise lines have done a great job tailoring their offerings to younger audiences with wellness programs, bold excursions and nightlife that feels fresh and exciting. Younger travellers are all about experiences, and cruising delivers exactly that. It’s not just a vacation – it’s an experience they can share and relive through their social platforms.” What other new trends have you noticed in 2024 that are shaping the year ahead? “One of the biggest trends we’ve seen at Trevello is the growing number of travel advisors introducing cruises to clients who previously only booked land vacations. The incredible value of a cruise vacation is hard to pass up, and this shift has brought new demographics into the market, fueling growth across all segments. “Another key trend is the seamless integration of technology onboard ships. High-speed Starlink internet is now widely available, making it easier than ever for remote workers to stay connected, which has opened cruising to a new audience of digital nomads blending work and leisure. This ‘work from anywhere’ flexibility, combined with longer, more immersive itineraries, is drawing younger professionals to cruising like never before.” What’s your forecast for the cruise industry in 2025? “Based on our forward booking trends, 2025 is shaping up to be another incredible sales year for Trevello’s cruise business. From a greater industry we’re seeing clients shifting away from traditional vacations and looking for curated, meaningful experiences, which will continue to drive significant growth in luxury and expedition cruising. These are no longer niche segments – they’re becoming central to what many travellers want: immersive journeys that connect them to the world in authentic and impactful ways. “The new ships launching in 2025 reflect just how far the industry has come. These aren’t just ships; they’re destinations in their own right, in all shapes and sizes. They’re being designed with sustainability, technology and personalization at their core, offering something for everyone, from solo travellers to multi-generational families to those seeking intimate vacation options. What’s exciting is how travel advisors are leading this shift. They’re showing clients that cruising isn’t just an alternative to land vacations – it’s a better way to travel, with more variety, value, and convenience.”Ohio State to host Tennessee in first-round showdown to determine No. 1 Oregon's Rose Bowl matchup

Switzerland, EU Agree To Take Bilateral Relationship To New LevelNew AI Update! Transforming The Sims Like Never BeforeGlobal Times highlights China's 2024 foreign trade growth, structural upgrades, and commitment to global market sharing. Beijing, China, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over the course of 2024, China's foreign trade development has maintained a good momentum, with overall quality and structure improvement and stable growth. The achievements have not come easily considering the current slowing global economic recovery, intensifying trade protectionism and intertwined geopolitical conflicts. China's foreign goods trade increased by 4.9 percent year-on-year to reach 39.79 trillion yuan ($5.45 trillion) in the first 11 months of 2024, demonstrating stable growth and ongoing structural improvements, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed. "With the concerted efforts of both stock and incremental policies in the field, China is expected to end the year with a smooth performance in foreign trade and achieve the goal of stable quality and quantity," Lü Daliang, spokesperson of the GAC, said at a press conference on December 10. Sharing market to all While maintaining a stable growth in foreign trade, China also vowed to share its vast market with the world by boosting the expansion of imports, including policy support, platform construction and transport facilitation. In the first 11 months, China's imports from all the least developed countries (LDCs) that have established diplomatic relations with China increased by 12.4 percent, nearly 10 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate of China's imports, according to GAC data. Honey from Rwanda, wild aquatic products from Uganda, peanuts and sesame from Chad, fresh pine nuts from Afghanistan ... In 2024, more and more agricultural products have been exported to China, opening its market to more and more countries through major trade events and e-commerce. The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in November in Shanghai, featured 37 LDCs, with the event organizers providing more than 120 free exhibition booths specifically for businesses from these countries. "This is the second time that we have participated in the CIIE ... We have 30 companies coming to the expo this year compared with about 20 in 2023," Kassim Kone, a delegate from the Mali Export Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Mali, told the Global Times, an indication of how Mali values this event. Bangladesh also showcased a variety of products at the 7th CIIE, ranging from leather to food. Some of these products are already being exported to China, Md Ziaur Rahman, the commercial counselor of the Embassy of Bangladesh in China, told the Global Times. "Since its launch, the CIIE has been providing facilitation for LDCs. For the past seven years, more and more products from LDCs have entered the Chinese market through the CIIE, which contributed to the industrial development and improvement of people's livelihood in these countries," Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on November 7 at a regular press conference. Shanghai launched the 2024 Shanghai Silk Road E-commerce Carnival in May 2024, under which Meione (Shanghai) Network Technology Co conducted a special promotion event exclusively for African products, selling raw materials such as cocoa cubes, coffee extracts and tea extracts from African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, Meione said in a statement shared with the Global Times. China has been facilitating market access for more imports, especially for LDCs. Starting from December 1, 2024, China gave zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to LDCs. China is the first developing country and major global economy to implement this initiative, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said. Regarding China's zero-tariff treatment policy for LDCs, of which Bangladesh is one, Rahman said that "this policy will significantly promote trade for countries like ours, and we are very grateful for it." "This demonstrates China's commitment to forge a global development partnership, under which no country or individual should be left behind," Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, an exporter of home furnishing products, told the Global Times on Friday. High-tech, high-quality China's foreign trade, while with increasing imports from more countries and keeping a stable growth in 2024, also improved its mix, with exports of high-quality and high-tech products particularly increased. Specifically, mechanical and electrical products accounted for nearly 60 percent of exports in the first 11 months, of which automatic data processing equipment and its parts, integrated circuits and automobiles exports grew by double digits, according to GAC data. Exports of the "new trio," namely, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products, have become China's new business cards in the world. It means that in the "smile curve" of the global manufacturing industry, Chinese foreign trade enterprises are moving toward the upstream of the global value chain. The curve is called a "smile" because the two ends of the curve (R&D and after-sales service) have higher value, while the middle section (manufacturing) is relatively lower in terms of value creation. According to the latest data from China Automobile Dealers Association, China's cumulative export volume of new-energy vehicles was 1.72 million units in the first 10 months of 2024, an increase of 15 percent year-on-year. "Compared with labor-intensive goods such as textiles and clothing, the 'new trio' represents technology-intensive products, which are transformed and upgraded to high-end, intelligent and green - meaning higher added value," said Zhu. The transformation and upgrading of China's economic and trade structure have been demonstrated through China-initiated trade events, such as the CIIE, the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), and the China International Supply Chain Expo. The Canton Fair, for example, used to mainly showcase consumer goods. But in recent years, the proportion of intermediate and capital goods on display has increased to 12 percent, the Global Times learned from the organizer. In the machinery exhibition area where capital goods are concentrated, the number of booths has increased by more than 50 percent in the past five years. With increasingly advanced technologies, together with China's world-leading manufacturing level and stable supply chains, Chinese enterprises are making high-tech products more affordable for the world, Liu Jinshi, chief engineer of Ston Robotics Changzhou Co, told the Global Times. While China's position in the global trade market is gradually shifting to the middle and high-end in terms of industrial chains and value chains, the country's trade partners are also diversifying. In particular, its trade with developing and emerging markets grew at a fast pace. In the first 11 months, China's trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road cooperation saw a year-on-year increase of 6 percent, while that with ASEAN members rose by 8.6 percent. In this period, China's foreign trade with Latin America increased by 7.9 percent and that with Africa up 4.8 percent, according to GAC. Strong momentum The foreign trade of goods this year showed a good performance, both from the perspective of trading partners and the structure of traded goods, Wan Zhe, an economist and professor at the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times. "The export growth of products with high technologies is strong, reflecting the increasing quality of China's industrial development," said Wan. China's economy has demonstrated strong resilience, great potential and vitality. The country is building a new economic development pattern of "dual circulation" with the domestic market as the mainstay and the domestic and overseas markets reinforcing each other and China is capable of resisting the impact of external shocks, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, said on November 22 at a press conference. The State Council recently issued a package of policy measures aimed at promoting the stable growth of foreign trade, while the MOFCOM, the GAC and other departments launched specific measures to accelerate the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade, further optimize the business environment at ports, and promote the convenience of customs clearance for enterprises, said Lü. The recent Central Economic Work Conference further stressed efforts to promote high-standard opening up while keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable as being one of the key tasks for 2025, according to the Xinhua News Agency. "Looking ahead, favorable conditions are stronger than unfavorable factors, such as declining global demand and growing trade barriers and protectionism. There is a basis and support for China to achieve steady growth of imports and exports," said Zhu. Company: Global Times Contact Person: Wang Wenwen Email: [email protected] Website: globaltimes.cn Telephone:13810630137 City: Beijing Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of KISS PR or its partners. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. KISS PR makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

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