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Four public officials in Fujian Province were recently sentenced to prison for their involvement in the production and sale of a health supplement called "Eight Treasures Pill." Additionally, a teacher was also sentenced to 8 years in prison and fined 800,000 yuan for their role in the illegal operation.
Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty give this year's Heisman Trophy ceremony a different vibeFrench government falls in historic no-confidence vote
iHeartRadio’s new app adds lyrics and might make your car radio obsolete
Ancient Roman harbor wooden structures analyzed with MRI technologyStruggling video game retailer and notorious meme stock GameStop has revealed its intention to close a significant number of stores across the United States after shutting down 300 locations in the previous year. One analyst noted, “GameStop has virtually no chance of returning to profitability in its core business.” The Daily Mail reports that GameStop, the well-known video game retailer, is facing challenging times as it grapples with declining sales and profitability. The company recently announced its plans to close a substantial number of stores nationwide, following the closure of 300 locations last year. The number of stores that will shut down is not yet known. This move comes as part of GameStop’s comprehensive store portfolio optimization review, which aims to streamline operations and adapt to the changing retail landscape. According to the company’s filing with the SEC, net sales have dropped by 20 percent, now standing at $860 million compared to $1.08 billion in 2023. Despite still generating income, GameStop’s core business operations continue to decline, as noted by Wedbush analysts. They stated, “GameStop has virtually no chance of returning to profitability in its core business.” The exact locations slated for closure have not been determined yet, as the company’s review process is still ongoing. However, GameStop anticipates that the number of store closures may exceed those of previous years. The retailer, founded in 1984, has been struggling to maintain its foothold in the market as consumers increasingly shift towards digital downloads, streaming services, and online shopping for their gaming needs. In March, GameStop reported the closure of 287 stores worldwide over the past 12 months, reducing its physical presence to just over 4,000 locations. The announcement led to a 15 percent drop in the company’s shares, with a further decline of more than seven percent in September. As more stores are expected to close, GameStop is exploring the introduction of new services and products to expand its market reach. One such initiative is the collaboration with Collectors Holdings through its Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) division, which allows GameStop to become an authorized PSA dealer. This partnership enables the retailer to offer trading card authentication and grading services at select stores nationwide. However, Wedbush analysts remain skeptical about the impact of this new addition on the company’s overall performance, noting that it follows “failed attempts at an omnichannel strategy and at NFT trading.” The analysts also highlighted the significant decline in annual revenue, with hardware and accessory sales plummeting by 28 percent and software sales falling by 15 percent. Additionally, collectible sales have experienced a 3.7 percent decrease, according to Retail Dive. Beyond the United States, GameStop has announced plans to cease operations in Germany by the end of the current fiscal year. The company is also slowing down its activities in Italy after completely withdrawing from Ireland, Austria, and Switzerland in 2023. GameStop was the epicenter for the meme stock craze of 2021 that caused severe losses for financial firms betting against the company’s future. As recently as June of this year, the company’s shares spiked based on meme stock trading. Read more at the Daily Mail here. Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.Team China athletes compete during the group all-round final of rhythmic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Aug 10, 2024. — Xinhua photo NANJING (Dec 25): Few forces have united the world as profoundly as sports throughout 2024. For China, sports not only showcased the country’s athletic excellence, but also illuminated its cultural richness and capacity for fostering global unity and friendship. Enhanced understanding Beyond igniting passion and stirring emotions, athletics emerged as a pivotal window through which the world has gained a deeper insight into China. At the Paris Olympics, a tapestry of fleeting moments demonstrated how sports can serve as a bridge for the global community to appreciate Chinese culture. Numerous Chinese athletes seamlessly integrated competitive prowess with traditional cultural elements, earning widespread acclaim on the international stage. In the group all-around artistic gymnastics final, Chinese gymnasts donned attire embellished with traditional cultural motifs, their routines themed around the Han and Tang dynasties, highlighting the distinctive allure of Chinese culture. The dynamic performance commenced with three vibrant ribbons forming the shape of the ancient Chinese zither, incorporating movements reminiscent of Chinese martial arts and drumming, culminating in China’s first gold medal in artistic gymnastics at the Paris Olympics. Team China athletes compete during the group all-round final of rhythmic gymnastics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug 10, 2024. — Xinhua photo China’s artistic swimming team also shone in Paris, securing gold in both the team and duet events. Their near-flawless routines showcased the artistic beauty inherent in Chinese culture. For instance, eight swimmers formed the oracle bone script character for “mountain” with their bodies, symbolising their ambition and resilience. In the duet competition, lotus leaf patterns on their costumes and fluid movements illustrated the aesthetics of traditional Chinese painting. At breakdancing’s Olympic debut, China’s Qi Xiangyu infused traditional martial arts elements into his routine. His smooth yet powerful movements, exuding a unique vigour, featured intricate techniques from Drunken Fist and Tai Chi. Dragon boat racing was included as a demonstration event for the second successive Olympics, displaying Chinese culture to a wider audience. Even the subtle cultural accessories worn by Chinese athletes sparked conversations among international spectators. Tennis singles champion Zheng Qinwen sported a red wristband symbolizing “good fortune,” while swimmer Zhang Yufei donned a panda headpiece on the podium after the women’s 50m freestyle final. Additionally, Deng Yawen, victorious in the women’s freestyle BMX park race, wore a classical cloud-shaped hairpin, epitomizing traditional Chinese elegance. Increasingly, more international athletes are also embracing Chinese culture. At the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix in April, several drivers customized their helmets with Chinese motifs. Notably, George Russell’s helmet featured dragons and tigers alongside his Chinese name, while Alex Albon’s was adorned with a panda design. Members of foreign diplomats team are seen during a friendly football match event between foreign diplomats team and a local amateur team in Rongjiang County of southwest China’s Guizhou Province on Sept 28, 2024. –Xinhua photo Deeper friendship Sports have also embodied the inclusiveness and warmth of the Chinese people, forging friendly bonds that connect China with the world and deepen international interactions. For those seeking to experience grassroots sporting enthusiasm in China, the “Village Super League” in Rongjiang County, Guizhou, has become a must-see event. This football carnival, originating from southwest China onto the global stage, has partnered with the English Premier League and welcomed numerous global guests, including Brazilian football legend Kaka. Furthermore, it has extended its unique tournament model to Africa, fostering cross-continental sports collaboration. Dozens of overseas teams have visited to engage in football exchanges this year, with the sport’s universal appeal allowing Guizhou’s distinctive cultural heritage to be shared globally. It has endeared the place to an ever-growing number of international visitors, cultivating new friendships and mutual appreciation. Friendships have also been forged among athletes. During the Paris Olympics women’s singles badminton medal ceremony, China’s silver medalist He Bingjiao wore the emblem of the Spanish Olympic Committee on the podium in deference to her semifinal rival, Carolina Marin. Silver medalist He Bingjiao of China holds a Spanish Olympic Committee pin during the awarding ceremony after the badminton women’s singles gold medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France on Aug 5, 2024. — Xinhua photo The Spaniard had been forced to withdraw from the semifinals due to injury, prompting He to express heartfelt sympathy. This small yet moving gesture of warmth and respect fostered a friendly bond between the two athletes. Fifty-three years ago, interactions between Chinese and American table tennis players sowed the seeds of cross-cultural friendship. This year, over 60 Chinese and American youths participated in a table tennis summer camp in Beijing. On the training courts, these young paddlers engaged in spirited rallies, while off the courts, they explored scenic landmarks together, nurturing cross-national friendship and continuing the legacy of camaraderie. On the competitive stage, they may be rivals; off it, they are friends. This revered sporting ethos is deeply ingrained in Chinese culture and exemplifies the country’s long-standing practice of fostering international exchanges through athletics. — Xinhua
Kazakh Embassy staff named honorary Seoul citizen
ATLANTA (AP) — The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others on Friday rejected an attempt by former Trump campaign lawyer Kenneth Chesebro to invalidate his guilty plea . Chesebro, Trump and 17 others were charged in August 2023 in a sprawling indictment that accused them of participating in a sweeping scheme to try to illegally overturn Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy count a few months later after reaching a deal with prosecutors just before he was to go to trial. His lawyer t his month asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to invalidate the plea after McAfee in September tossed out the charge to which he had pleaded guilty. Defense attorney Manny Arora wrote that a failure to invalidate the plea would violate Chesebro's constitutional right to due process. McAfee's order denying that request said the motion was procedurally defective "in more ways than one.” He ultimately said he lacks jurisdiction to grant the request and therefore dismissed it. He noted that while Chesebro's filing challenges the validity of the indictment, he “already submitted a plea in response to this indictment — one of guilt.” While Chesebro did raise a pretrial challenge prior to his plea, he did not make the argument that ultimately caused the judge to throw out that charge. Arora had also argued in his filing that his request could be considered a “motion in arrest of judgment." But McAfee said that, technically, no judgment has been rendered against Chesebro because he was sentenced under Georgia's First Offender Act, which “defers further proceedings while the charge remains pending for the duration of the sentence.” Under that law, if Chesebro completes his probation without violating the terms or committing another crime, his record will be wiped clean. The request is also too late, McAfee wrote, because a motion in arrest of judgment must be filed during the term when a judgment is entered. Arora said that he had addressed McAfee's concerns in his motion but that the judge still found that he could not grant the request. He said he will file a habeas corpus motion, a civil proceeding used to challenge a conviction, and expects to get Chesebro's plea invalidated that way. Prosecutors have said Chesebro was part of a plot to have a group of 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate falsely saying that Trump had won Georgia and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors. He pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents related to the the filing of that document with the federal court in Atlanta. Chesebro was one of four people to plead guilty in the case in the months following the indictment. The rest have pleaded not guilty. The case against Trump and the remaining defendants is mostly on hold pending a pretrial appeal of an order allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case despite what defense attorneys say is a conflict of interest. Even if the appeals court rules in Willis’ favor, the fate of the case against Trump is unclear since he is set to be sworn in again as president next month.
Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga Blame it on the noodles. That's what one Chinese official suggested when anti-doping leaders were looking for answers for the doping scandal that cast a shadow over this year's Olympic swim meet. Earlier this year, reports that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication emerged. None were sanctioned because Chinese authorities determined the swimmers were contaminated by traces of the drug spread about a hotel kitchen. In a strange twist, the leader of China's anti-doping agency suggested this case could have been similar to one in which criminals were responsible for tainting noodles that were later eaten by another Chinese athlete who also tested positive for the drug. A civil jury in Ireland awards woman more than $250k for Conor McGregor sexual assault LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has found that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The Dublin jury awarded the woman nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) for her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her Dec. 9, 2018, leaving her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified he never forced her to do anything and that the woman had fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. The jury found for the woman on Friday. Nick Chubb plows through heavy snow for 2-yard TD, giving Browns 24-19 win over Steelers CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns stunned division rival Pittsburgh 24-19, ending the Steelers’ five-game winning streak. The Browns had blown a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and were down 19-18 before getting the ball back with 3:22 remaining after Pittsburgh punter Corliss Waitman shanked a 16-yarder. With snow piling up and covering the yard lines on the field, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston completed a third-down pass to Jerry Jeudy to the Pittsburgh 9. Two plays later, Chubb barreled into the end zone. The AFC North-leading Steelers fell to 8-3 while the Browns are 3-8. Shohei Ohtani in early stages of rehab from shoulder surgery and hopes to be ready for opening day LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is in the early stages of rehabilitation from left shoulder surgery after the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar says the goal is for him to be ready to pitch and hit by opening day next March, but he's going to be conservative in his approach and make sure he's totally healthy first. Ohtani won his third MVP award Thursday, and first in the National League. He was in Los Angeles with his wife and beloved dog, Decoy, although because of his surgery four days after the Dodgers' World Series victory over the New York Yankees, the family hasn't been able to celebrate. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. In a 'Final Four-type weekend,' two top-6 clashes put women's college basketball focus on West Coast LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two games featuring four powerhouse teams has put the focus in women's college basketball on the West Coast this weekend. JuJu Watkins and No. 3 Southern California host Hannah Hidalgo and No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday. Top-ranked South Carolina visits Lauren Betts and fifth-ranked UCLA on Sunday. Both games are nationally televised and the arenas are expected to be packed. WNBA scouts will be on hand to check out some of the nation's top talent. Two teams will come away with their first losses of the season. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb calls it “a Final Four-type weekend.” A documentary featuring Watkins will air on NBC ahead of USC's game, which leads into the Army-Notre Dame football game. Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.
Qatar Cabinet approves draft decision to consider Umm Al Sheif area a nature reserve
15 hurt in Florida when train hits fire truckEvery year, the royals spend their Christmas at Sandringham , a tradition that has been in the family for generations. Among their Christmas traditions is the exchange of joke presents , handed to one another on Christma s Eve, with reported gifts including a leather toilet seat, a "grow your own girlfriend kit", and a spoon with the words "cereal killer" engraved on it. But the hilarious gift exchanges aren't anything new to the royals. Former royal butler Paul Burrell revealed the "rude" stocking fillers the late Princess Diana would buy for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry . Princess Diana would spend Christmas with her butler and two sons the weekend before so they could be with the rest of the royal family on the actual day, the ex-royal butler revealed. He said: "We had a fun Christmas, but we always had it the weekend before with Harry and William. She knew they had to be with their father on Christmas Day and with their cousins and the Queen. Eventually, when she didn't go to spend Christmas with the royal family, she would have the weekend before with William and Harry." Paul Burrell recalled making stockings with the late Princess for the brothers, sharing that he would be "stockpiling things" while they were at school, tucking them away in Princess Diana's Christmas stocking. He added: "The three of them would disappear into the sitting room and you could hear the squeals and laughter coming out. Of course, Diana was very jokey and she would put rude things in there too to embarrass them. "William had a calendar one year with naked ladies on it just to make him blush and it worked. Lovely things like that happened, and they would have their Christmas." While the Christmas spent between a mother and her two sons sounded very wholesome, the former butler also recalled how the late Princess had "very sad Christmases". He revealed that she "couldn't stand" Christmas at Sandringham, but when she stopped spending the days with the royal family, her Christmases were spent alone, as she would send Paul away saying, "I'll be fine, it's only one day of the year."
As Zhang Meng continues her journey towards motherhood, she is not alone. With Xiaowu's unwavering support and companionship, her pregnancy is filled with love, laughter, and an abundance of joy. The bond between these two friends serves as a reminder that true happiness lies in the simple moments shared with those who care about us the most.Matteo Colombo/DigitalVision via Getty Images Welcome to Seeking Alpha's Catalyst Watch - a breakdown of some of next week's actionable events that stand out. Check out Saturday morning's regular Stocks to Watch article for a full list of events planned for the week or thePublished 5:09 pm Tuesday, December 24, 2024 By Staff Reports Tucson, Arizona author Sally Rutledge Moore has released her debut novel “Fever Season” set during the Siege of Vicksburg. This new work of historical fiction draws readers into the events surrounding Vicksburg as its citizens wait for General Ulysses S. Grant to arrive with his troops. Moore weaves the fictional story of the Tolliver family together with historic characters on both sides of the War between the States. “‘Fever Season’ captures the agony and the ecstasy of war as well as the overarching divine fingerprints evidenced in the lives of the characters during the conflict,” Moore said of her work. “Primarily set during the devastating siege of Vicksburg, this family saga follows the Tollivers as they struggle to navigate the war, the siege and afterward the spirit-crushing years of Reconstruction. As the stage is set for a long siege by Grant’s forces, some of the Tolliver family are in Vicksburg, while others are on the battlefield with Gen. Lee at Gettysburg. Everyone is in peril.” Moore said, years later, when it looks as though they could finally start fresh, disaster strikes once more for the Tollivers as, in the frigid darkness of New Year’s Eve 1869, Jeanette Tolliver pries a bloody axe from her uncle’s hands and helps him drag the body of a Union major into the shadows. Their most pressing problem, she said, is solved that night, but as a new decade dawns other problems take its place. Now the Tollivers must flee Vicksburg to escape the heavy hand of post-war injustice. Moore said a story set during the Civil War can still be very relevant to readers today. “Good storytelling is always relevant,” she said. “This entire period in our history was cataclysmic for America. It decimated the population base, cost an absolute fortune and crippled half the country for decades. The issues we see today may be different, but our society is facing the same level of fundamental paradigm shifting. I hope we can look back at history and learn from such devastating mistakes before it is too late.” The novel points to a remedy for these issues, she said. “I believe the remedy to every problem is Jesus.True Christianity resolves hatred, racism, unforgiveness and angry political strife. True Christianity doesn’t keep people in b ondage – it sets people free, shines light on what is corrupt, delivers and restores relationships and nations.” Moore is originally from Dallas, with deep roots in the South, but has lived all over the United States. She returned to the Tucson area in 2019 after a lengthy sojourn in Southwestern Colorado, where she wrote the book. Moore holds a degree in journalism from Baylor University. A retired journalist, she has combined her interest in history, storytelling and faith to begin the “Fever Season” saga. Book two of the series, “Gold Fever” is set to follow in 2025, published by J & J Ranch Productions, a Houston based publishing house. “Fever Season” is available for purchase on Amazon.com and on Moore’s website at www.feverseasonbooks.com.