In recent days, consumers around the globe have been greeted with a pleasant surprise as oil prices have taken a sharp nosedive. The once skyrocketing prices of gasoline seem to be on a downward spiral, with the cost of 92 octane gasoline experiencing a significant and consistent decrease in prices. This unexpected shift has left many individuals and industries reeling with both excitement and anticipation for what the future may hold.More than 72 million people are expected to shop during Cyber Monday, according to the National Retail Federation . The end-of-year shopping surge provides a major boost for retailers. "The last six weeks of the year makes a big difference," said Brian Miller, owner of Geppetto's Toys in San Diego. "It can make or break your year as a retailer." Retailers already got a major bump from Black Friday spending. Consumers spent a record $10.8 billion online on Friday, according to Adobe Analytics . That's up more than 10% from last year. "It's not only bonanza for the shoppers, but it's bonanza for the stores," said Professor Alan Gin of the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business. "People have just gotten a misconception of what was happening. Yes, prices are up, but in this recent time period here, what we've seen is that wages have risen faster than prices have increased. So, people's real incomes have gone up." Last month, consumer confidence hit its highest level in more than a year, according to the Conference Board, a nonprofit that tracks business and consumer sentiment. RELATED STORY | 'Essentially, I just gifted a scammer $100': Gift card draining costing shoppers and retailers Americans are paying with plastic for a lot of their shopping. According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, 39% of shoppers said they plan to use credit cards for their holiday spending. More than one in four shoppers say they plan to take on some debt during the holidays — either by carrying a credit card balance or using a buy now, pay later service, according to Bankrate . American credit card debt hit a record $1.17 trillion in the third quarter of this year. Experts say setting a budget and sticking to it can help people from overspending and taking on debt during the holidays.
Parts of Australia will be hit by a dreaded heatwave as temperatures exceed 47C - breaking December records. It will be an “extremely hot” and windy start to the week for the majority of the country, as residents prepare for the sweltering tempertures. Melbourne will likely hit 40C on Monday, marking its hottest day since January 2023 and the hottest December day in five years. Meanwhile, in Penrith and Richmond, in Sydney, temperatures are anticipated to reach 35C on Monday and up to 41C on Tuesday. A heatwave has arrived at the doorstep of several states across the country, with some areas set to become severely impacted by the heat. Picture: Weatherzone The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe-to-extreme heatwave warning for those in the northern parts of the country, including Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and northern and western Queensland, where temperatures are anticipated to climb well into the mid-to-high 40s. The low-intensity heatwave is expected to stretch down to northern and western NSW, and northern Victoria, where temperatures are expected to reach the mid-to-high 40s. “Some areas in western NSW could approach December records, with temperatures at 46C or 47C,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said. The sweltering conditions are likely to affect Bourke, Ivanhoe, Jindabyne, Narrandera, Tibooburra, Tumbarumba and Wilcannia. The Country Fire Authority has issued extreme fire danger warnings for the majority of Victoria, with a total fire ban in the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central, Central and West and South Gippsland districts – including Melbourne and the Greater Melbourne regions – until midnight Monday. “Those extreme fire dangers ... are at the upper end of extreme – in the 90s – and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that tomorrow we will see areas tip into perhaps some of those catastrophic fire dangers,” CFA chief officer Jason Hefferman said per Sky News. A moderate fire ban has been issued for the majority of NSW, with a high fire warning issued for the North West Slopes, Greater Hunter, North Western, Upper and Lower Central West Plains, the Northern and Southern Riverina regions. A total fire ban has also been issued for the eastern region of South Australia, with an extreme fire warning for the Mid North, York Peninsula, Mount Lofty Ranges, Murraylands, Upper and Lower South East. Melbourne is set to swelter on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele Thankfully, the sizzling heat won’t be around for too long in the southern states. A cool change will arrive for those in the southern half of the country between Monday and Tuesday, particularly in NSW, Victoria and parts of eastern South Australia, giving much-needed relief. However, there won’t be much relief for those living in the northern parts of Australia, including much of the NT and Queensland until later in the week. Following the cool change in the south, the heatwave will trap itself in the northern areas and will continue its grip. Temperatures in some areas of Australia will hit the mid-to-high 40s. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology It will be partly cloudy day in Brisbane, with a very high chance of showers and a thunderstorm and a maximum temperature of 28C. In Sydney, residents can expect a mostly overcast morning, with a slight chance of drizzle before clouds clear in the afternoon and a top of 29C. Melbourne will have a mostly sunny and windy day, with a maximum temperature of 41C. The morning will be sunny, though clouds are likely to come in from the west in the afternoon, bringing a slight chance of showers in the late evening and a cool change. It will be similar conditions in Adelaide, which will have a sunny morning and a slight chance of a shower, most likely in the evening. There is a slight chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon and early evening, reaching a top of 38C. For Perth residents, it will be partly cloudy day with a slight chance of rain and a maximum temperature of 25C. There will be a high chance of showers in Hobart, with partly cloudy skies and a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, reaching a top of 33C. It will be a sunny day in Canberra, with light winds and a maximum temperature of 37C. Darwin residents can expect a partly cloudy day, with thunderstorms in the morning and a medium chance of showers in the afternoon and evening, reaching a maximum temperature of 35C. Originally published as ‘Catastrophic’: Sweltering heatwave tightens grip on the country Environment Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories News ‘Intense’: Inside couple’s incredible survival Using old XXXX beer cans for collection, the couple had to drink water from the muddy creek. Read more Breaking News ‘Being lied to’: Icon’s warning for Aussie state The American-Australian musician has issued a chilling warning over an “out of touch” proposal that could set Australia back. Read more
Fossilized footprints reveal 2 extinct hominin species living side by side 1.5 million years agoAnte Budimir has continued his scoring streak to help Osasuna draw 1-1 at Sevilla in La Liga. Osasuna cut the gap to the top four in Spain to three points on Monday, sitting in seventh and 11 behind league leaders Barcelona. Sevilla are four points behind the Pamplona-based club in 11th. The match struggled to spark into life at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville but Budimir broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when he headed in a cross from Jesus Areso. It was the Croatian international's ninth goal in his past 10 league matches. However, the visitor's lead lasted just three minutes. Dodi Lukebakio latched onto a ball over the top from substitute Saul and rounded goalkeeper Sergio Herrera to fire in the equaliser for the Andalusians. Herrera and Sevilla counterpart Alvaro Fernandez pulled off crucial saves in the dying seconds to ensure their sides held on for a point in the final match of round 15. "It's a point that we need to value as it was achieved away from home against a very good team," Budimir told Movistar. "We did what we needed to do. Against Villarreal (2-2), we left with a bittersweet taste; today was similar as they equalised right after we scored. I would have liked to know what would have happened if we had held on for five more minutes with the score at 0-1. "We would have liked the game to have been like the last 20 minutes throughout, but we leave with an important point."
The implications of TSMC's victory in securing the 3nm process node are far-reaching. With the potential to attract a wide range of new customers from various industries such as mobile devices, automotive, and artificial intelligence, TSMC stands to significantly expand its market share and revenue streams. The company's advanced manufacturing capabilities and cutting-edge technology have already garnered interest from major players in the semiconductor industry, further solidifying TSMC's position as the go-to partner for innovative semiconductor solutions.
In conclusion, the decision by the Prime Minister to agree to transfer power to the opposition represents a significant milestone in the country's political journey. The upcoming meeting to coordinate the details of the transfer process will be a crucial step towards ensuring a smooth and orderly transition of power. By working together with mutual respect and a shared commitment to democracy, the government and opposition can set a positive example for the rest of the world and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous future.In conclusion, as we celebrate this remarkable milestone, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting and promoting scientific research and innovation, for it is through the tireless efforts of individuals like Dr. Chen Wei and Dr. Zhang Boli that we can create a better and brighter future for all.
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The seminar kicked off with a keynote address from a renowned intellectual property lawyer who highlighted the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of e-commerce. With the rapid growth of online shopping platforms and the increasing prevalence of counterfeit goods, protecting intellectual property has become a critical issue for businesses of all sizes.In terms of comfort and convenience, the ET9 does not disappoint. Spacious seating, ample legroom, and customizable seating configurations ensure that both driver and passengers can enjoy a relaxed and enjoyable journey. Additionally, advanced climate control systems, ambient lighting options, and ergonomic design elements all contribute to creating a cocoon of comfort within the cabin.
In the post-game interviews, Zeng Fanbo and Solomon humbly credited their teammates and coaching staff for the win, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and unity in achieving success on the court. Their sportsmanship and humility off the court only added to their appeal as fan favorites and role models for aspiring young basketball players.
Liu Dabeili's rise to fame was characterized by her larger-than-life presence on various social media platforms, where she showcased her luxurious lifestyle, impeccable fashion sense, and flawless beauty. With millions of followers and fans, she was considered a role model for many young people aspiring to achieve similar levels of success and beauty.