-- First Half Revenue of $85.7 million , increase 1.5% year-over-year -- -- First Half GMV of $107.3 million , down 7.0% year-over-year -- SHANGHAI , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jowell Global Ltd. ("Jowell" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: JWEL), one of the leading cosmetics, health and nutritional supplements, and household products e-commerce platforms in China , today announced its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024 . First Half 2024 Financial and Operational Highlights Total revenues were $85.7 million , an increase of 1.5% from $84.4 million in the same period of 2023. Net loss was $3.8 million , a decrease of 47.1%, as compared to the net loss of $7.1 million in the same period of 2023. Total GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) transacted in our online shopping mall was $107.3 million , a decrease of 7.0% from $115.5 million in the same period of 2023. Total VIP members [1] as of June 30, 2024 were approximately 2.7 million, an increase of 8.5% compared to approximately 2.5 million as of June 30, 2023 . Total LHH stores [2] as of June 30, 2024 were 26,795, an increase of 1.0% compared to 26,528 as of June 30, 2023 . [1] "Total VIP members" refers to the total number of members registered on Jowell's platform as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023. [2] "LHH stores" refers to the brand name of "Love Home Store". Authorized retailers may operate as independent stores or store-in-shop (an integrated store), selling products they purchased through Jowell's online platform LHH Mall under their retailer accounts, which provides them with major discounts. First Half 2024 Financial Results Total Revenues Total revenues for the first half 2024 were $85.7 million , representing an increase of 1.5% from $84.4 million in the same period of 2023. Our weighted average unit price was $5.16 per unit for the first half of 2024, which represented an increase of 4.2% as compared to $4.95 per unit for the same period of 2023. Our health and nutritional supplements revenue for the first half of 2024 increased by about $11.1 million , or 182.1%, as compared to the same period of 2023. The increase in health and nutritional supplements revenue was mainly due to the increase in sales of premium brand health and nutritional supplements. We have stepped up our promotions on these items during the Chinese New Year holidays in the first half of 2024 in an attempt to offer more promotional discounts in response to the overall market downturn. First Half Ended June 30 % 2024 2023 change Revenues (in thousands, except for percentages) US$ US$ YoY* Product sales • Cosmetic products 19,768.5 29,495.5 (33.0 %) • Health and nutritional supplements 17,190.7 6,094.2 182.1 % • Household products 48,438.7 48,473.1 (0.1 %) • Others 286.4 343.4 (16.6 %) Total 85,684.3 84,406.2 1.5 % * YOY—year over year Total cost and operating expenses were $89.6 million in the first half of 2024, a decrease of 1.5% from $91.0 million in the same period of 2023. Costs of revenues were $84.8 million in the first half of 2024, an increase of 1.3% from $83.8 million in the same period of 2023, which including an increase of $11.1 million in health and nutritional supplements and partially offset by a decrease of $7.9 million in cosmetic products and $1.4 million in household products. Cost of revenues of health and nutritional supplements for the first half 2024 increased about 189.9% as compared to the same period of 2023. The increase was primarily due to a 65.7% increase in weighted average unit cost. The increase in weighted average unit costs for our health and nutritional supplements is mainly because we offered and sold more higher unit price products in the first half 2024 than the same period of 2023. The decrease in the cost of cosmetic products and household products was attributable to a decrease in the weighted average unit cost and a decrease in sales volume. The weighted average unit cost of cosmetic products decreased from $2.94 in the first half of 2023 to $2.47 in the first half of 2024, and weighted average unit cost of household products decreased from $8.18 in the first half of 2023 to $8.11 in the first half of 2024, both decreases mainly due to reduced customers discretionary spendings on premium brands and their preference to low cost, low price and necessity household products during the first half of 2024, as compared to the same period of 2023. The cosmetic products sales volume declined the most, with a decrease of 13.5% during the first half of 2024 comparing to the same period of 2023. Fulfillment expenses primarily consist of costs related to expenses paid for order preparing, packaging, outbound freight, and physical storage. Fulfillment expenses were $0.8 million in the first half of 2024, a decrease of 56.8% from the $1.9 million in the same period of 2023. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 1% in the first half of 2024, down from 2.3% in the first half of 2023. The significant reduction in fulfillment costs are attributed to our cost reduction measures in logistics. Firstly, we reduced the rental area of warehouses and labor costs in the logistics process; Secondly, we switched to logistics service providers with lower cost to replace the original ones, significantly reducing express logistics costs. Marketing expenses primarily consist of targeted online advertising, and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities. Marketing expenses were $2.8 million in the first half of 2024, a decrease of 15.8% from the $3.3 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in our marketing and promotion activities. Marketing expense as percentage of total revenues was 3.2% in the first half of 2024, down from 3.9% in the same period of 2023. General and administrative expenses mainly consist of payroll, depreciation, office supplies and upkeep. General and administration expenses were $1.2 million in the first half of 2024, a decrease of 40.1% from $2.0 million in the same period of 2023. General and administration expenses as percentage of total revenues was 1.4% in the first half of 2024, down from 2.3% in the same period of 2023. Operating Loss Operating loss was $4.0 million for the first half of 2024, compared with the operating loss of $6.6 million in the same period of 2023. The decrease in operating loss for the first half of 2024 was mainly due the decrease of marketing expenses, as well as reduction of operating expenses as discussed above. Net Loss Net loss was $3.8 million , a decrease of 47.1% compared with net loss of $7.1 million in the same period of 2023, which was mainly due the factors mentioned above. Loss per Share The Company computes earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") in accordance with ASC 260, "Earnings per Share" ("ASC 260"). Each of the Company's Preferred Share has voting rights equal to two Ordinary Shares of the Company and each Preferred Share is convertible into one Ordinary Share at any time. Except for voting rights and conversion rights, the Ordinary Shares and the Preferred Shares rank pari passu with one another and have the same rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions. For the first half ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, the Company had no potential ordinary shares outstanding that could potentially dilute EPS in the future. Cash and Cash Equivalents For the first half of 2024, the Company reported a net loss of $3.8 million , a negative operating cash flow of $41,012 and an accumulated deficit of approximately $29.8 million . The Company's principal sources of liquidity are sales revenues, proceeds from a private placement and a registered direct offering. As of June 30, 2024 , the Company had cash and restricted cash of approximately $0.8 million , held by the variable interest entity (VIE) Shanghai Juhao Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Juhao") with banks and financial institutions inside China as the Company conducts its operations primarily through the consolidated VIE in China ; the Company's working capital as of June 30, 2024 was $13.4 million . Due to the uncertainty of the current market environment, management believes it is necessary to enhance the collection of its outstanding accounts receivable and other receivables, and to be cautious in terms of its operational decisions and project selections. As of October 31, 2024 , approximately $1.8 million , or 62%, of its accounts receivable balance as of June 30, 2024 were collected, and approximately $9.9 million , or 93%, of its advances to supplier balance as of June 30, 2024 were utilized. In addition, the Company's Form F-3 registration was declared effective on August 31, 2022 , and the Company may also seek equity financing from outside investors if necessary. Based on the latest business plan of the Company, Shanghai Juhao has reduced its promotion efforts and marketing expenditures since the second half of 2023, which reduced the cash used in operating activities. Management believes that the above-mentioned factors, including cash on hand of approximately $0.8 million , will provide sufficient liquidity for the Company to meet its future liquidity and capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. About Jowell Global Ltd . Jowell Global Ltd. (the "Company") is one of the leading cosmetics, health and nutritional supplements and household products e-commerce platforms in China . We offer our own brand products to customers and also sell and distribute health and nutritional supplements, cosmetic products and certain household products from other companies on our platform. In addition, we allow third parties to open their own stores on our platform for a service fee based upon sale revenues generated from their online stores and we provide them with our unique and valuable information about market needs, enabling them to better manage their sales effort, as well as an effective platform to promote their brands. The Company also sells its products through authorized retail stores all across China , which operate under the brand names of " Love Home Store " or "LHH Store" and "Best Choice Store". For more information, please visit http://ir.1juhao.com/ . Exchange Rate The Company's financial information is presented in U.S. dollars ("USD"). The functional currency of the Company is the Chinese Yuan, Renminbi ("RMB"), the currency of the PRC. Any transactions which are denominated in currencies other than RMB are translated into RMB at the exchange rate quoted by the People's Bank of China prevailing at the dates of the transactions, and exchange gains and losses are included in the statements of operations as foreign currency transaction gain or loss. The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters". This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD" or "$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The exchange rates in effect as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were RMB1 for $0.1403 and $0.1412 , respectively. The average exchange rates for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were RMB1 for $0.1407 and $0.1444 , respectively. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; financial condition and results of operations; product and service demand and acceptance; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; changes in technology; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov . The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Jowell Global Ltd. Ms. Jessie Zhao Email: IR@1juhao.com Jowell Global Ltd. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS June 30, December 31, 2024 2023 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash $ 805,344 $ 1,250,281 Accounts receivable, net 2,344,481 2,401,056 Accounts receivable - related parties - 47,040 Advance to suppliers 10,050,688 3,506,432 Advance to suppliers - related parties 12,493,792 9,874,545 Inventories 4,508,515 8,198,402 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,075,591 1,384,758 Total current assets 31,278,411 26,662,514 Long-term investment 3,709,340 3,888,377 Property and equipment, net 845,579 681,942 Intangible assets, net 532,810 634,655 Right of use lease assets, net 1,506,729 2,019,300 Other non-current asset 638,723 895,775 Deferred tax assets 512,175 515,364 Total Assets $ 39,023,767 $ 35,297,927 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Short-term loan $ 210,473 $ 423,567 Accounts payable 2,791,515 3,765,230 Accounts payable - related parties 280,530 194,818 Deferred revenue 11,691,812 2,309,957 Deferred revenue - related parties 40,000 47,059 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,475,947 942,989 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 975,072 782,048 Due to related parties 414,585 528,472 Taxes payable 1,487 58,233 Total current liabilities 17,881,421 9,052,373 Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities - 1,032,235 Total liabilities 17,881,421 10,084,608 Commitments and contingencies Equity Common stock, $0.0016 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized, 2,170,475 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively * 3,473 3,473 Preferred stock, $0.0016 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 46,875 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively * 75 75 Additional paid-in capital 52,687,182 52,687,182 Statutory reserves 394,541 394,541 Accumulated deficit (29,768,863) (26,039,567) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,153,720) (1,843,970) Total Jowell GlobSir Keir Starmer said he would be looking towards a “better, brighter future for every person” in a Christmas message following a turbulent year for the UK. The Prime Minister said the season was a time to remember the importance of “being there for one another”, including in “the more difficult times”. He also expressed hope for “peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story” amid spiralling conflict across the region. The message comes after a challenging first five months in office for the Labour Government and against the backdrop of a flatlining economy and rising inflation. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, people will be travelling up and down the country. Heading home, visiting relatives and loved ones to celebrate together the hope and joy of this special season. “It’s a time to remind ourselves what’s really important. Family. Friendship. And fellowship between all people. “Being there for one another – in these celebrations, as well as the more difficult times.” To our military and veterans, the whole nation thanks you for the sacrifices you make to keep us safe. My government will serve you as you have served your country. I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. pic.twitter.com/LphMZog6np — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 22, 2024 The Prime Minister sought to strike an optimistic note following another year of political upheaval for Britain, which saw Labour win a landslide victory after a surprise election called by Rishi Sunak in the summer. After taking office in July, the new Government made a series of unpopular decisions as ministers confronted the realities of creaking public services and strained national finances. As well as dealing with the economic inheritance, Sir Keir said he needed to fix a “broken society” which manifested itself in summer riots across the country after the Southport knife attack. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, I will be hoping for peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story. “I’ll be looking towards a better, brighter future for every person and celebrating the joy and wonder that Christmas brings. “So, from my family to yours, I hope you have a very merry Christmas.” The message comes after revised official figures released on Monday indicated that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September. Downing Street defended the Government’s record so far when asked about the data, telling reporters: “We had to take those tough decisions to lay the foundations of growth such that we can then deliver the higher living standards over this Parliament that people want to see.” The Prime Minister also used his message to thank those spending Christmas serving others, including in the NHS and emergency services, the armed forces, churches and charities. “I know that this is not an easy time for everyone, and my thoughts are with all those who are lonely this Christmas. “Having a tough time, missing a loved one. You are not alone,” he said. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said Christmas was a time to reflect on “all that’s happened in the year” and “support all of those people who need our assistance”. “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone, not just in the Conservative Party or in my constituency, but across the country,” the Tory leader said. “For all that you have been doing in your communities, supporting each other and helping to keep all our towns, villages and places going. “I think that Christmas is a time for us to reflect on all that’s happened in the year. “Sometimes we have amazing years. “Sometimes, like when I lost my dad, we have difficult years and we’re commiserating, but we do it together. “But it’s a time for us to support all of those people who need our assistance, who need our help, who need our support.” She added: “And I’m looking forward to 2025. “I wish you all the very best for the New Year and all of the exciting things to come.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This year, I’ve had the chance to spend time with some amazing young carers. “Incredible young people who will spend this Christmas doing what they do all year round; looking after loved ones who are ill or disabled. “Carers embody the Christmas spirit of love, selflessness and generosity. “So I hope we can all take some time to think of them, and keep them in our hearts. “And wish them – and everyone – a Christmas full of peace, joy and love.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.LOS ANGELES , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Promising to supercharge the 2025 Monterey annual Car Week by offering enthusiasts eclectic, immersive experiences within an experiential festival atmosphere, the 2025 Monterey Motorsports Festival is planning to revive display of three notable auto brands which made their Los Angeles Auto Show appearances this year. Recognized as one of the world's most influential automotive events, the 117-year-old Los Angeles Auto Show wrapped up another season on Dec. 1 , with the Monterey Motorsports Festival providing a spectacular show within a show. In preparation for its own car enthusiast's extravaganza on Saturday, Aug. 16 during Monterey County Car Week 2025, MMF hosted an amazing array of $20 million worth of luxury vehicles, exotics, classics and supercars in LA as part of the Monterey Motorsports Festival Concours. "We received overwhelming support from LAAS, and fantastic positive feedback from the public at large specific to our installation at the show this year. While we endeavor to bring exciting vehicles from all over, Drako, KTM and Bronco Pure received fantastic attention, thus our desire to ignite their revival at Car Week in 2025," said Paolo Manca , founder of Monterey Motorsports Festival. MMF showcased more than 20 rare exotics, high-performance supercars, vintage classics, and ultra-rare icons. Highlighting the event and making their public auto show debut at the LA Auto Show were: Drako Dragon: The most powerful, quickest and fastest production hyper-luxury SUV in history features 2,000 horsepower, with 0-60 mph acceleration in 1.9 seconds and a top speed of more than 200 mph. Drako GTE: With quad-motor power and agility, this beauty has 1,200 hp and 8,800 Nm of combined at-the-wheels torque, providing exhilarating acceleration and a top speed of 206 mph. With a motor at each wheel, the GTE's agility and handling are unrivalled on any road surface. KTM X-Bow: Revolutionary. Puristic and radical, the production KTM X-BOW is truly the super sports car for the 21st century. The first four-wheeled model in KTM's history, the X-Bow has a wide array of technological innovations. 1966 Bronco Pure: Fittingly nicknamed "Pure," RDM Garage's 1966 beauty is the only buildout with a Gen 4 5.0 Coyote motor. The Monterey Motorsports Festival Concours also presented a Shelby Legends Panel Discussion. More than 50 years after it set the American sports car racing scene on fire, the 1965 Shelby GT350R was also on display. Third annual Monterey Motorsports Festival Held at the expansive Monterey Fairgrounds and Events Center during Car Week in the heart of the city, the event showcases an impressive collection of classic and modern cars, including rare and exotic models from around the world, along with special surprises from the aviation sector. The 2025 festival promises to be a festive celebration of mankind's all-encompassing love affair with the automobile showcasing not only the latest models from leading car manufacturers, but also vintage cars from the early 1900s, allowing visitors to experience all that the automotive world has to offer. Ticket holders can expect to see a wide range of cars, from sleek sports cars to rugged off-road vehicles, all of which will be displayed in a lively and engaging environment. With a wide variety of activities such as racing simulators, vehicle wrap demonstrations, off road exhibits, live entertainment, and food and drink options available, Monterey Motorsports Festival is set to be a must-visit event for anyone who loves cars and the automotive industry. The event on Saturday, Aug. 16 runs from 2-10 p.m. , with tickets scheduled to be on sale early 2025 at www.montereymotorsportsfestival.com . Festival sponsorship opportunities are available here . For more information on the Monterey Motorsports Festival and to purchase tickets, please visit Monterey Motorsports Festival . DOWNLOAD PHOTOS AND VIDEO HERE Monterey Motorsports Festival - Your Home Base for Car Week View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monterey-motorsports-festival-plans-display-of-ultra-rare-icons-after-appearance-at-special-concours-during-la-auto-show-302336643.html SOURCE Monterey Motorsports Festival © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Portland, Oregon, swears in new government and mayor who campaigned to end homelessnessNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Kmani Doughty had 17 points in Indiana State's 83-80 victory against Iona on Saturday. Doughty shot 5 of 9 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 7 from the line for the Sycamores (4-4). Jaden Daughtry added 16 points while going 6 of 9 and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line while they also had six rebounds and three steals. Josiah LeGree shot 5 for 8, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points. The Gaels (2-6) were led by Dejour Reaves, who posted 30 points and three steals. Adam Njie added 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals for Iona. Yaphet Moundi also had 12 points and nine rebounds. LeGree scored 11 points in the first half for Indiana State, who went into halftime tied 45-45 with Iona. Indiana State. Samage Teel scored 10 second-half points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — An early rebound for U.S. stocks on Thursday petered out by the end of the day, leaving indexes close to flat. The S&P 500 edged down by 0.1% following Wednesday’s tumble of 2.9% when the Federal Reserve said it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than earlier thought. The index had been up as much as 1.1% in the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 15 points, or less than 0.1%, following Wednesday’s drop of 1,123 points, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%. This week’s struggles have taken some of the enthusiasm out of the market, which critics had been warning was overly buoyant and would need everything to go correctly for it to justify its high prices. But indexes remain near their records , and the S&P 500 is still on track for one of its best years of the millennium with a gain of 23%. Traders are now expecting the Federal Reserve to deliver just one or maybe two cuts to interest rates next year, according to data from CME Group. Some are even betting on none. A month ago, the majority saw at least two cuts in 2025 as a safe bet. Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they give the economy a boost and goose prices for investments, but they can also provide fuel for inflation. Micron Technology was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500 Thursday. It fell 16.2% despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. The computer memory company’s revenue fell short of Wall Street’s forecasts, and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said it expects demand from consumers to remain weaker in the near term. It gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell well short of what analysts were thinking. Lamb Weston, which makes French fries and other potato products, dropped 20.1% after falling short of analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue in the latest quarter. It also cut its financial targets for the fiscal year, saying demand for frozen potatoes is continuing to soften, particularly outside North America. The company replaced its chief executive. Such losses helped overshadow a 14.7% jump for Darden Restaurants, the company behind Olive Garden and other chains. It delivered profit for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ expectations. The operator of LongHorn Steakhouses also gave a forecast for revenue for this fiscal year that topped analysts’. Accenture rose 7.1% after the professional services company likewise topped expectations for profit in the latest quarter. CEO Julie Sweet said it saw growth around the world, and the company raised its forecast for revenue this fiscal year. Amazon shares added 1.3%, even as workers at seven of its facilities went on strike Thursday in the middle of the online retail giant’s busiest time of the year. Amazon says it doesn’t expect an impact on its operations during what the workers’ union calls the largest strike against the company in U.S. history. In the bond market, yields were mixed a day after shooting higher on expectations that the Fed would deliver fewer cuts to rates in 2025. Reports on the U.S. economy came in mixed. One showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The economy has remained remarkably resilient even though the Fed held its main interest rate at a two-decade high for a while before beginning to cut them in September. A separate report showed fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication that the job market also remains solid. But a third report said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is unexpectedly contracting again despite economists’ expectations for growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.57% from 4.52% late Wednesday and from less than 4.20% earlier this month. But the two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for action by the Fed in the near term, eased back to 4.31% from 4.35%. The rise in longer-term yields has put pressure on the housing market by keeping mortgage rates higher. Homebuilder Lennar fell 5.2% after reporting weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Stuart Miller said that “the housing market that appeared to be improving as the Fed cut short-term interest rates, proved to be far more challenging as mortgage rates rose” through the quarter. “Even while demand remained strong, and the chronic supply shortage continued to drive the market, our results were driven by affordability limitations from higher interest rates,” he said. A report on Thursday may have offered some encouragement for the housing industry. It showed a pickup in sales of previously occupied homes. All told, the S&P 500 slipped 5.08 points to 5,867.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 15.37 to 42,342.24, and the Nasdaq composite lost 19.92 to 19,372.77. In stock markets abroad, London’s FTSE 100 fell 1.1% after the Bank of England paused its cuts to rates and kept its main interest rate unchanged on Thursday. The move comes as inflation there moved further above the central bank’s 2% target rate, while the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of Japan also kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.7%. Indexes likewise sank across much of the rest of Asia and Europe. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Alabama left out of CFP as SMU gets final spotReilly scores 18 as Delaware downs Rider 72-66

The Indiana vs. Notre Dame matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff is the most expensive ticket on StubHub, but it's Tennessee vs. Ohio State that's selling the fastest. StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli said Monday that the game being hosted in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 21 has sold 34% more tickets than the game in South Bend, Indiana, on Dec. 20. “The expanded college football playoffs are seeing early high demand, especially as we see new teams enter the competition for the first time,” Budelli said. StubHub lists tickets for sale from official event organizers, but most of its offerings are from the resale market. Here's the ticket marketplace's average CFP first-round prices as of Monday evening: 1. Indiana at Notre Dame — $733 2. Clemson at Texas — $518 3. Tennessee at Ohio State — $413 4. SMU at Penn State — $271 Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballThe suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned.If the book "Fifty Shades of Grey" left an impression on you, you’re not alone. The 2024 Intimacy Status Report by Israeli company Arya reveals that 35% of respondents expressed interest in spicing up their relationships. 3 View gallery Arya app ( Photo: Arya ) According to the report, which is akin to a modern version of the legendary Masters and Johnson studies, 100,000 users of Arya’s platform aren’t looking for casual flings. Instead, they’re searching for ways to reignite romance and passion in long-term relationships that have fallen into routine. Unsurprisingly, 90% of users dissatisfied with their sex lives reported that this dissatisfaction negatively impacted their overall relationship. If you’re wondering how technology fits into all of this, the answer lies in artificial intelligence. Arya is a relationship-enhancement app currently making waves in the U.S. market. It uses AI to learn couples’ preferences and desires, offering tailored “scenarios” that encourage them to explore new dimensions of intimacy. To complement this experience, Arya sends couples a “surprise box” containing curated items designed to enhance their connection and, of course, their user experience. So far, 200,000 users have registered on Arya’s platform in the U.S., with tens of thousands actively engaging – couples receiving new activities to try every month. The user base has grown tenfold over the past year, likely fueling the company’s recent announcement of an $8.5 million Series A funding round, just a year after its previous round. To date, Arya has raised a total of $16 million. The funding round was led by Ibex Investors, with participation from previous backers Play Ventures, Patron Fund, and BigBets.vc, as well as private investors like Yasmine Lukatz (“The Shark”), Naama Barkler, founder and CEO of BetterHealth, Neil Parikh, co-founder of Casper, and others. Ofer Yehudai, Arya’s co-founder and CEO, explained in an interview with Ynet that there has been a major shift in quality-of-life investments in recent years. People are increasingly willing to spend on mental health, nutrition and sleep quality, and, in line with this, couple wellness is becoming an equally important part of the conversation. 3 View gallery Arya surprise box ( Photo: Arya ) “People are used to finding love online,” Yehudai explained. “But how do you maintain it? That’s where there’s a gap. It’s easy to forget that between online dating, couples therapy, and divorce, there are years of good, healthy relationships. But the tools to sustain them are quite limited.” A possible successor to Tinder? Could Arya be the next step after Tinder, designed for those who found love online and now want to preserve it using online tools? “Eighty percent of our customers are millennial moms aged 35 to 45 – women who decided to take responsibility for their relationships and intimacy. What unites all our users is that they’re people willing to invest in their quality of life. They care about nutrition, put effort into looking better, and want to live their lives to the fullest.” Why is the majority of your user base women? “When you speak to professionals, they’re not surprised that, in most cases, the woman takes the lead. It’s a well-documented phenomenon in the realms of intimacy and relationships. In most cases, the woman takes responsibility for the relationship in this area, while the partner goes along. Interestingly, in the 20% of cases where the man is the client, these couples tend to stay together much longer.” Shaping intimate connections Arya provides a variety of activities for its users, although Ynet refrains from delving into specifics due to its family-friendly nature. Ultimately, most people know what’s being referenced, but many feel uncomfortable discussing such topics – even with their partner. Yehudai recounted a story about a friend, Yaniv, and his wife. Everyone has a “Yaniv” in their life, but in this case, Yaniv decided to playfully gift the couple an adult toy. It became a subject of jokes but also sparked curiosity without either partner feeling pressured. “Arya is like Yaniv,” Yehudai said. “It knows both of us, picks the gift, and if it misses the mark it’s Arya’s fault – not ours.” 3 View gallery ( Photo: shutterstock ) Arya operates differently from other relationship apps. Users communicate with its AI, called the “concierge,” via text. Couples share what interests them, what they want to learn, and where their boundaries lie. The concierge, much like Yaniv, suggests ideas from its “experience” and surprises them with exciting gifts. Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv The company was founded in 2022 by entrepreneurs Ofer Yehudai and Tomer Magid, both seasoned innovators with multiple successful startup exits. They partnered with Dr. Yael Doron, known as “Yael from Married at First Sight,” as a scientific advisor. Recently, Arya appointed renowned intimacy coach and sexologist Shan Boodram – AASECT certified sex educator, an American Board of Sexology certified Sexologist, with a M.S. in psychology – as its Chief Intimacy Officer (CIO). In addition to its scientific team and experts who developed the platform’s content and activities, Arya also operates a human support center to assist when the AI encounters situations it cannot handle. Does the AI serve as a replacement for a partner? “Today, you see many apps offering virtual partners, friends, or companions. We’re trying to show that our AI is different – it connects you to someone in real life in a better way, rather than replacing them.” Insights into relationship dynamics With hundreds of thousands of users, Arya has amassed rich data on the romantic and intimate preferences of Americans. For example, one-third of couples want to be more adventurous than they currently are, one-third aim to reignite the spark in their relationship, and one-third are looking to try completely new experiences. Most users engage with the concierge three to four times a week, and once a month, they receive a new “scenario” featuring intriguing items from the world of intimacy. Over the past two years, Arya’s AI has been trained on texts that no other AI models are familiar with – or perhaps wouldn’t even want to be. This specialized data is invaluable for identifying behavioral patterns, human preferences, and suggestions to enhance users’ satisfaction with their lives. For Yehudai, Arya’s mission feels deeply meaningful. “There are 72 million couples in the U.S. Our goal, without cynicism, is to create couple wellness. When you see feedback from couples saying, ‘I rediscovered my spouse,’ it gives you energy. There’s enormous potential here. The trend among millennials and younger generations is that they’re having less intimacy. We’re here to offer them new tools to invest in their intimacy and relationships.” >

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Kirk Herbstreit Reacts to Ohio State Loss With Message to Michigan Coach Sherrone MooreThe Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack has charged workers in public service to be committed to professionalism, meritocracy, and accountability through the fast-tracking of reform initiatives to reposition the Federal Civil Service. This came as she hosted the maiden service-wide virtual meeting tagged “Public Service Live” yesterday. The Live meeting was a concerted effort to ensure that public servants across the country interact, share insights, and collectively participate in moving the Service forward. According to a release by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Service, Mrs Eno Olotu, the virtual engagement was part of activities to mark the HCSF’s 100 days of Stewardship in office. The event, she maintained, would subsequently be held quarterly to enable civil servants to collectively commit to progress, innovation, and excellence in service delivery. In her maiden address, Walson-Jack described the Civil Service as the nation’s engine room of governance, with a pivotal role in delivering government policies and programmes to the citizenry. Stressing the imperativeness of a dynamic civil service, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation stated, “These reforms are not mere buzzwords; they are a roadmap to building a Civil Service that efficiently serves people, innovates continuously, and operates with integrity. “I assure you that we are committed to the path of creating a workforce that embodies our aspirations for a new Nigeria to be respected globally and trusted locally.” she declared. She also described the establishment of the seven (7) War Rooms dedicated to accelerating the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2022-2025 (FCSSIP 25) as a game changer designed to focus on each strategic pillar of the reforms and measure outcomes and progress through coordinated efforts. Walson-Jack enjoined all civil servants to familiarize and align themselves with the six pillars of FCSSIP 25 to enhance productivity and efficiency in every Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) and take advantage of the expanded Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (Lead-P) and the Structured Mandatory Assessment-Based Programme (Smart-P) to improve themselves. The HCSF further reiterated her commitment to drive the transformative journey of marching the Service to greatness with technology while highlighting that some of the newly introduced technologies such as the Service-wise GPT, GovMall, and Online Compendium of Circulars were products of digitalization that would enhance the capabilities of civil servants. Walson-Jack also emphasized rewards and recognition of excellence for deserving and outstanding officers. According to her, “In line with our efforts to foster a culture of excellence, we introduced initiatives to recognize and celebrate outstanding performance. “Today, I want to acknowledge the newly promoted directors. Your achievements are a testament to your hard work and dedication and I encourage you to lead by example as we continue this transformation journey,” she declared. The live event was robust and engaging with over 700 registered civil servants participating online. It was a unique opportunity for officers to ask the HCSF questions and seek clarifications on issues affecting their work, welfare, and areas of exploring mutual benefit and commitment to the service.

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