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50 jili The system crash, attributed to technical issues on the backend, resulted in users being unable to access their accounts, execute trades, or even view their portfolio details. This not only led to missed investment opportunities but also raised concerns about the security and stability of the platform. Users took to social media and online forums to express their frustration and disappointment, highlighting the importance of having a robust and dependable trading platform in today's volatile market environment.NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”

SoFi Technologies ( SOFI -3.74% ) hasn't impressed too many investors since its public debut. The fintech company went public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) on June 1, 2021, and its stock opened at $21.97. But today, SoFi's stock trades at about $16. Like many other SPAC-backed companies, SoFi disappointed its investors by missing its ambitious pre-merger forecasts. Rising interest rates exacerbated that pressure by squeezing its valuations. That was a disappointing three-year return, but some Wall Street analysts are still bullish on the stock. Of the 19 analysts who cover SoFi, only three rate it as a sell. It already trades above the average price target of $11.66, but it's still below the top price target of $20. Should investors buy SoFi today and expect it to hit those Street-high estimates? An early mover in the direct banking market SoFi, which is short for Social Finance, was founded in 2011. It originally focused on providing more student loans than traditional banks, and it subsequently expanded its financial services business with more mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, insurance services, estate planning, and stock investment tools. In 2022, it obtained a U.S. bank charter and launched a digital-only direct bank. SoFi's digital-only approach enables it to expand more rapidly than its brick-and-mortar competitors. It also collects data more efficiently than traditional banks and accelerates, optimizes, and automates many of its fintech services with its AI algorithms . Over the long term, SoFi aspires to become a "one-stop-shop" for financial services that eliminates the need for separate banking and investment apps. It's still growing like a weed SoFi's number of members grew from 2.52 million at the end of 2020 to 9.37 million in the third quarter of 2024. Its number of products also grew from 1.85 million to 13.65 million during the same period. From 2020 to 2023, its adjusted revenue rose at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49% from $621 million to $2.07 billion. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ( EBITDA ) turned positive in 2021 at $30 million, and that figure grew at a CAGR of 279% to $432 million in 2023. It's also stayed profitable on a generally accepted accounting principles ( GAAP ) basis over the past four quarters, and it expects to post a full-year GAAP profit for 2024. That growth trajectory was impressive, but it set the bar too high during its pre-merger presentation. It originally claimed that it would generate $2.11 billion in adjusted net revenue with a positive adjusted EBITDA of $484 million in 2023. But its near-term headwinds are dissipating Two major headwinds caused SoFi to miss its original estimates. Rising interest rates made its new loans less attractive, and its student loan business struggled with a near four-year federal freeze on student loans from March 2020 to September 2023. During that time, loan payments were paused for eligible students and the interest rate was set at 0%. But those headwinds are dissipating. The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times in 2024, and it expects at least two more rate cuts in 2025. Its student loan business is also stabilizing as the federal freeze on student loans ends. SoFi has also been expanding its fintech ecosystem. In 2020, it acquired the fintech company Galileo to provide its payment processing, card issuing, and other services to more than 100 companies in 16 countries. Galileo currently hosts more than 160 million accounts and generated 10% of SoFi's contribution profit in 2023. SoFi has also been finding fresh ways to gain new customers without taking on more debt. This past October, it signed a $2 billion deal with Fortress Investment Group to underwrite its loans and offload them to other lenders. That deal could enable SoFi to generate more fee-based revenue without increasing its leverage. Should investors buy SoFi's stock right now? For 2024, SoFi expects its adjusted revenue to grow 22%-23% and its adjusted EBITDA to increase 48%-49%. From 2023 to 2026, analysts expect its revenue to grow at a CAGR of 19% as its adjusted EBITDA rises at a CAGR of 44%. On a GAAP basis, they expect its earnings per share to grow at a CAGR of 90% from 2024 to 2026. We should take those estimates with a grain of salt, but SoFi could have plenty of room to grow as it pulls more customers away from traditional banks. But it also trades at a premium to those slower-growth rivals. SoFi has a price-to-book ratio of 2.8, while Bank of America and Wells Fargo have much lower ratios of 1.3 and 1.5, respectively. Yet SoFi doesn't look too expensive relative to its growth potential. At $16, it has an enterprise value of $16.2 billion -- which values it at 5 times next year's sales and 18 times its adjusted EBITDA. At $20, it would trade at 7 times next year's sales and 22 times its adjusted EBITDA. Therefore, SoFi's stock could be worth buying below $20 as the bulls look the other way.Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza

As we admire Gong Li's radiant presence on and off the screen, let us also take a moment to appreciate her resilience, strength, and unwavering spirit. She reminds us that age is no barrier to living life to the fullest and that true beauty comes from within. Gong Li, with her late-night badminton games and indomitable spirit, continues to inspire us all to embrace vitality, embrace life, and never stop pursuing our passions.Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’### Week 4: Balanced Mood and Improved Digestion

Luke DeCock: After Fenway Bowl fizzle, as their new coach might say: Tar Heels are on to BelichickThe video footage of the incident, captured by bystanders and circulating widely on social media, shows the man confronting the city management officer and accusing him of abuse of power. As the officer attempts to defuse the situation and explain his actions, the man becomes increasingly agitated and eventually resorts to violence, slapping the officer across the face in front of a crowd of onlookers.

Josh Allen, Bills crush Jets, secure No. 2 seed in AFCWith a new year comes an opportunity to address the future. I would like to pose some questions about what may happen in 2025. Few predictions since I am a born pessimist. The most significant question about 2025 that is on the minds of most is how the second Trump administration will fare. Same questions for our divided Congress. Even though it is four years away, will we begin to see national candidates start to test the Iowa waters? Then there are questions that are Iowa-centric. One question on the minds of Iowans is whether Gov. Kim Reynolds will run again in 2026. I have watched politicians for many years now. Running for office is a grueling exercise and the only thing more grueling may be serving. Mathematically, about half of your constituents think everything you do is wrong. Plus, you sacrifice your privacy. I saw Gov. Reynolds at the Iowa State Fair in August along with a bevy of children and grandchildren. She passed by me like any other fairgoer and I didn’t see anyone stop her to shake her hand. That was a rare day for someone who is a staple of Iowa politics. I give my fellow Iowans credit for allowing her the room to have a private life. I wouldn’t blame her for hanging it up, but I don’t think anyone has that answer yet. Iowa has a new Lieutenant Governor, Chris Cournoyer. Cournoyer is in her 50s and already has had an interesting and diverse career. I look forward to seeing what she does in the new office. I don’t think it will be limited to ribbon cuttings, even though that is an important way to find out what’s going on in the state. State Auditor Rob Sand has said he will make up his mind soon about what office he wants to run for in 2026 as a Democrat candidate. Will he choose a third term as auditor or will he run for governor? I will predict that we will see candidates emerge from the Democrat side of the aisle pretty soon, especially should Gov. Reynolds decide not to run for a third term. We have battle-seasoned Congressional candidates, including Christina Bohanon and Rita Hart over on the eastern side of the state, along with Ryan Melton from the 4th District. Will they care to run for a state office? A new, even more Republican, General Assembly will convene in January. One issue legislators plan to tackle is property tax relief. High property taxes are a perpetual concern of Iowans and their elected representatives. I am no expert on city finances, but I don’t know that there is room for much reduction in local government costs. City and school taxes mainly pay for public safety and students. Will the state pick up part of the local tax bill? Or try to pass additional laws limiting the amounts local governments can collect? Maybe there will be an effort to allocate these costs differently. This will not be an easy discussion. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is up for re-election in 2026. Will she run? I don’t think any prognosticator seriously believes this is her last term. Who will be her Democrat challenger? Will she be primaried? All open questions. Turning to even more local matters, 2025 is a city and school board election year. Sioux Citians love to complain about city services and their city officials, but not too many of them run for this paid job that comes with health benefits. Will incumbents Dan Moore, Matthew O’Kane and Alex Watters run again? If they do, will there be serious challengers able to raise the financial and shoe leather resources needed to unseat any of the incumbents? There have been one-term council members over the years, but more recently we have been willing to re-elect our council incumbents when they choose to run again. Only Mr. O’Kane is a first termer this time. We also will elect three school board members. The departure of Paul Gausman as superintendent has not ended controversy with the school board. Will the three current members up for re-election -- Jan George, Dan Greenwell and Bob Michaelson -- run again, or will their tenure end because they envisioned the good old days when citizens and board members thought what the administration did was satisfactory? If so, who will step up and run? Finally, turning away from politics. Will the Warming Shelter meet funding and operational goals and remain open? Calls for the assistance of first responders from the shelter this year are only half of what they were last year, reflecting operational and training changes. And, lastly, will there be twice as many churches participating in the 2025 Tour of Steeples that raised money for the Warming Shelter and Food Bank after the success of the initial tour this year? All questions to ponder as the year turns. Suzan Stewart is a retired corporate attorney. During the 40 years she has lived in Sioux City, she has been involved in a variety of local and state volunteer activities, including serving as chair of the Woodbury County Republican Party. She and her husband, Dr. Bob Stewart, are the parents of four children and have six grandchildren. Dan Nieman, assistant director/reference librarian at the South Sioux City Public Library, talks about how a grant will help the library to preserve historical documents in its collection. Tim HyndsArcher Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) Shares Gap Up – Should You Buy?

Man rescued from Maine woods transported to Massachusetts for frostbite treatmentDana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Political Moves Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Tuition Costs Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

In a world where interest rates continue to hover at historically low levels, traders are adopting a strategic approach by stockpiling long-term bonds in anticipation of a prolonged bull market. The practice of snatching up long-duration debt instruments is becoming increasingly popular among investors seeking to capitalize on the prevailing low interest rate environment. This trend reflects a growing sentiment that the bond market is set to remain robust for the foreseeable future.In conclusion, the winter transfer window presents a critical opportunity for Real Madrid and Manchester City to address their squad deficiencies and elevate their performances to achieve their respective goals. While the challenges in securing signings from La Liga are evident, the determination and ambition of these clubs may ultimately lead to successful acquisitions that will benefit them in their pursuit of silverware.

Furthermore, the case raises important questions about employees' rights to advocate for themselves and negotiate their pay without fear of reprisal. While companies have the right to establish policies to protect sensitive information, employees should also have the freedom to discuss their compensation openly and seek fair treatment. The dismissal of the employee in this case has sparked debate about the balance between protecting company interests and respecting employees' rights to fair compensation.3. **Social Media Appeal**: The rise of social media platforms has played a significant role in popularizing Disneyland as a study hotspot. Young people often share photos and videos of themselves studying at Disneyland, creating a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) among their peers. This social media presence has contributed to the trend and attracted more individuals to follow suit.The upcoming FC Barcelona x Kobe Bryant away kit is set to redefine the concept of sports fashion, blending the rich traditions of European football with the dynamic energy of American basketball. The design process for this special edition jersey involved a meticulous attention to detail, aiming to capture the essence of both the football club and the basketball icon. The result is a striking combination of colors, patterns, and symbols that reflect the passion and spirit of both sports.

The tragedy in Haiti serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and stability in many parts of the world. It underscores the need for all nations to work together to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The people of Haiti deserve to live in a society where their safety and well-being are protected, and where they can pursue their dreams and aspirations without fear of violence and conflict.The victory over the Raptors was a statement win for the Knicks, who are looking to establish themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference. With Towns leading the way and a strong supporting cast around him, the Knicks have the potential to make some noise in the playoffs.

For many gamers, the announcement of "The Fading Radiance" at TGA represents a culmination of years of waiting and hoping for a game that truly captures their imagination and pushes the boundaries of what gaming can achieve. With its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and immersive storytelling, "The Fading Radiance" is poised to be a game-changer that leaves a lasting impact on the gaming industry.

Youth unemployment has remained persistently high as opportunities dwindle. SHENZHEN – Competition for civil service jobs in China has reached new highs, as millions of graduates in the country seek out stable employment in a difficult job market fraught with uncertainty. This past weekend, more than 2.5 million aspiring bureaucrats – the largest number in more than a decade – sat an hours-long national civil service examination at test centres across the country. It is their first hurdle in a quest to secure one of just 39,700 government jobs that begin in 2025. Broadly, this translates to an average of 65 people competing for every job. A record number of graduates in China are grappling with a labour market plagued by layoffs and wage cuts that have extended even into the public sector. Youth unemployment has remained persistently high as opportunities dwindle – the figure, at 17.1 per cent in October, is above the global level and does not account for students or the underemployed. The rush for government jobs goes back to the Covid-19 pandemic period in China, as the state mounted a regulatory crackdown on industries from property to tech that shook the private sector, a major employer. Recent graduate Zhang Shuaikang, 23, was one of the millions who sat the recent civil service exam, in the north-eastern city of Harbin. “It’s mostly because I have always dreamed of becoming a policeman,” said the design major, of his public service ambitions. Many of his university mates had also taken the exam, including four of his six roommates, he told The Straits Times. A career in government appealed to them largely because “the job is stable, pay is high, and (they) can have time to spend with family”. Civil service jobs are viewed as a good career option in China for the prestige and authority that a government official commands. These positions, which offer a stable income and benefits, are sometimes called “iron rice bowls” for the job security they afford. But since the pandemic, their popularity has skyrocketed as the economy struggled and businesses faltered. In the decade to 2020, about one million people took the national civil service exam each year, according to ST’s review of publicly available figures. Their ranks have swelled since, with 2024’s examinees more than doubling from four years prior. The journey to a government job in China typically begins with candidates applying for one of the listed openings. After an initial screening for eligibility, those who qualify can take a wide-ranging written exam that spans political theory to general knowledge. The field then winnows as successful candidates move on to interviews, health checks and background checks that include scrutiny of candidates’ “political character” and “moral quality”. Apart from civil service recruitment at the national level for openings in central government bodies and related institutions, the country’s provinces also run a separate selection process for local officials. The most oversubscribed job opening in 2024 – handling international relations at the China Vocational Education Association – attracted more than 16,700 applicants, local media reported. Competition was stiffest not in the big cities but in Tibet, China’s far-flung south-western region, where an average of 150 candidates are vying for each position there. Requirements for jobs in difficult and remote locales are typically lower in a bid to attract more applicants. The popularity of public sector jobs has persisted in spite of reports of delayed wage payouts and cutbacks in benefits for civil servants, as cash-strapped local governments struggle with their balance sheets. This suggests that the employment situation in other sectors might be worse, with fewer good and stable jobs available, said economics professor Zhu Tian of the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai. The private sector, which employs more than 80 per cent of the country’s urban labour force, has also been plagued by pay cuts and layoffs amid an economic slump. In 2023, the top 500 private companies in China axed more than 300,000 jobs from a year earlier, according to figures from the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. Boosting job prospects for a growing number of college graduates in a flagging economy has been a priority for policymakers in China. The country’s vast civil service, where openings have more than doubled from 2019, has been one repository for jobseekers. But growth in new job openings has slowed for the 2025 intake cycle, remaining roughly constant with the numbers for 2024. This slowing is understandable, Prof Zhu said, as government revenues fall. “How can you increase your job opportunities if you cannot even pay your own current workers?” In September, Beijing released a 24-point plan to boost employment, such as by incentivising businesses to expand job creation. But unless economic growth recovers, employment will remain a problem, Prof Zhu added. With the recent roll-out of stimulus and possibly more in 2025, “hopefully the economic situation might improve a bit”. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowThe convicted individual, who has not been named, was employed as a cashier in an undisclosed subsidiary of the company. Over a period of time, the individual systematically siphoned off funds from the company's accounts, totaling close to 20 million RMB. The embezzlement was carried out through a series of fraudulent transactions and falsified documents, effectively concealing the theft from the company's audit processes.