Visitors enjoy snow fun at the Alps Snow Live indoor ski resort in Taicang, east China’s Jiangsu Province. — Xinhua photo NANJING (Dec 15): Skis strapped on, goggles tightened, and helmet fastened. Wang Lin took a deep breath before hurtling down a 138-meter-long indoor slope, immersing herself in the exhilarating rush of speed. For Wang, a novice skier, there is no need to travel thousands of kilometers to China’s frozen northern frontiers. Just two kilometers from her home in Wuxi, a two-hour drive from Shanghai, lies a fairy-tale-like haven whose decor and soft snow can whisk her into a winter’s dream. “Skiing is a huge stress reliever,” Wang said, beaming after her run. “My whole family can visit the ski resort every week. It’s incredibly convenient.” Known as Wuxi Bonski, the indoor facility spans 17,500 square meters and attracts hundreds of enthusiasts daily. Notably, around 70 percent of the visitors hail from the Yangtze River Delta region, where sustained snowfall is a rarity. For many urbanites accustomed to mild winters, a facility like this redefines the season in an environment where natural snow remains elusive. China’s winter sports market is on a meteoric rise. According to the latest industry report, the scale of the country’s ice-and-snow economy is expected to reach 970 billion yuan (133 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024 and surpass 1 trillion yuan in 2025. Backed by government directives aiming to leverage winter sports as a catalyst for high-quality growth, the sector is forecast to expand to 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027, and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030. As the winter unfolds, ice skaters and skiers are spreading well beyond traditional northern strongholds, bringing the speed and adrenaline of winter sports to nearly every corner of the country. People ski at the Wuxi Bonski ski resort in Wuxi, east China’s Jiangsu Province. — Xinhua photo Snow is no obstacle Wang, who can deftly navigate green runs, represents a growing cohort of ice-and-snow sports enthusiasts forging a new winter culture in southern China. “People in the south have always been fascinated by snow, and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics truly ignited our passion for winter sports,” she said, explaining why many southerners share her enthusiasm. People ski at the Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Skiing Theme Resort, the world’s largest indoor ski resort in Shanghai. — Xinhua photo Beijing’s hosting of the Winter Olympics, which spurred the engagement of over 300 million Chinese in winter sports, proved transformative. Gone are the days when only a niche northern community embraced such pursuits. Now, seniors and youngsters alike glide across ice rinks and swoosh down indoor slopes in places where real snowfall is seldom seen. The proliferation of facilities has rendered winter sports, once an exotic and expensive pastime, more accessible than ever. Teenagers in warmer locations like Shanghai and Shenzhen now have regular training options for skating, ice hockey and other winter disciplines. Data from China’s General Administration of Sport show that the number of winter sports venues nationwide reached 2,847 by the end of 2023, up 16.11 percent year on year. Many of these facilities are nestled in southern regions. For instance, Jiangsu now hosts about 50 ice-and-snow venues covering more than 640,000 square meters, with around 300,000 students from 1,000 schools in the province engaged in winter sports. In Jiangsu’s Taicang City, the Alps Snow Live indoor ski resort, boasting 54,000 square meters and five slopes of varying gradients up to 280 meters, draws throngs of children and adults daily. Excited screams echo as they experience winter’s delights firsthand. “In just one year since opening, we’ve welcomed over 300,000 visitors, each spending about 700 yuan on average,” said Xu Xiaoliang, operations manager of the resort. “Compared to natural snow venues in the north, indoor slopes are more suitable for beginners and children because of gentler inclines and shorter runs.” For China, a relative latecomer to winter sports, the increasing number of novices taking up skiing and snowboarding signals vast market potential. According to travel platform Ctrip, four out of the top five cities for ski-related bookings last winter were in southern China, underscoring winter sports as a major driver of consumption in milder climates. Kids take training courses at the Alps Snow Live indoor ski resort in Taicang, east China’s Jiangsu Province. — Xinhua photo Snow starts a gold rush As enthusiasm for winter sports surges, the knock-on effects for tourism, culture and equipment manufacturing are profound. Winter tourism, for example, boomed last season. China recorded over 385 million winter leisure visits nationwide, a year-on-year increase of 38 percent, with related revenue up 50 percent. In Harbin, a traditional winter tourism hot spot in northeastern China, last snow season saw over 87 million visitors, up 300 percent year on year, and 124.8 billion yuan in tourism revenue, up 500 percent. Performers act during a ceremony celebrating the 100-day countdown to the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. — Xinhua photo With the city set to host the Asian Winter Games next February, right after China’s Spring Festival holiday, the local ice-and-snow economy looks poised for another explosive season. To accelerate growth in the northeastern region’s winter economy, the Chinese government has recently unveiled initiatives including establishing dedicated ice-and-snow holidays, increasing flight routes and optimizing visa-free policies, all aimed at attracting more domestic and international visitors. Xu believes that China holds huge promise in achieving a north-south synergy in the ice-and-snow economy. By strengthening linkages – where beginners start on southern indoor slopes before honing their skills on northern mountains – regions can pool resources and create year-round appeal. “By offering discounted tickets and bundled experiences, consumers can make their getaways more diverse, enriching travel experiences throughout the year,” Xu said. “Winter sports provide a prime opportunity for the ice-and-snow economy to transition from passive sightseeing to immersive, social, experience-based consumption,” said Wang Yuxiong, a sports economics researcher at the Central University of Finance and Economics. “They can reshape business models, enhance added value and foster sustainable development.” Major sports events, both domestic and international, are proving their worth. China’s 14th National Winter Games, held earlier this year in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is estimated to have generated about 32 billion yuan in sports-related spending during the competition period. Moreover, China’s winter sports equipment industry is snowballing, driven by advancements in 5G, artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Think smart ski insoles that track performance and analyze data, heated snow boots that stay warm for five hours, and VR simulators that bring alpine thrills directly into one’s living room. Currently, China boasts a comprehensive suite of 15 categories of ice-and-snow equipment across the supply chain, from headgear to footwear, individual gear to venue equipment, and competitive apparatus to recreational tools. Su Yiming of Shanxi competes during men’s snowboard big air final at the 14th National Winter Games in Hulun Buir, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. — Xinhua photo “China’s ice-and-snow economy is a gold mine,” said Yan Yan, an associate professor at the Nanjing University of Technology. “Success hinges on crafting distinctive advantages and making winter sports irresistible to consumers.” “Under the country’s national fitness strategy, developing the ice-and-snow economy is akin to a marathon. The task is to ensure sustained effort and to inspire more people to lace up their skates, strap on their skis, and join the ride,” Yan added. — XinhuaWalker has 22 as Binghamton knocks off Lancaster Bible 85-60
The new Karl Lagerfeld has arrived at Chanel. Here’s what to expectLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have traded guard D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. The Lakers also sent forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to Brooklyn on Sunday. Russell averaged a career-low 12.4 points for the Lakers this season in a diminished role under new coach JJ Redick, who had vowed to unlock the point guard's formidable offensive game. Instead, Russell was removed from the starting lineup early in the season, and he struggled to make a consistent impact as a reserve, with his shooting percentages declining significantly. The 6-foot-7 Finney-Smith isn't a top scorer, but he is a steady 3-and-D wing who fills an obvious need for the Lakers. Los Angeles has had inconsistent wing play and has lacked an effective defender at the key position during the long-term injury absence of Jarred Vanderbilt , who hasn't played since Feb. 1. Finney-Smith averaged 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds this season for the Nets, who acquired him from Dallas in the February 2023 in the trade of Kyrie Irving. Finney-Smith has been limited to five games this month by a sprained ankle and a bruised calf, but the 31-year-old played 27 minutes against San Antonio on Friday. Redick and Finney-Smith were teammates with the Mavericks during the 2020-21 season, and Redick has expressed admiration for Finney-Smith's hard-nosed game. Milton is joining his sixth NBA team in less than two years, including his third trade in 11 months. He is averaging 7.4 points and 2.4 assists per game this season as a Nets reserve. Russell is being traded by the Lakers to the Nets for the second time in his career. He also made the move in 2017 after spending his first two NBA seasons with Los Angeles, which drafted him in 2015. Russell earned the only All-Star selection of his career during his two seasons in Brooklyn. Russell has been traded five times in the past 7 1/2 years. The 10-year pro excelled for the Lakers during their run to the 2023 Western Conference finals after returning to the team in February of that season, although he got benched during that final playoff series against Denver. Russell remained a fairly consistent scorer last year while setting a new franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season, but his career-long problems with offensive inconsistency and defensive ability kept him out of Redick's plans this year. With Russell's departure, Gabe Vincent is the only true point guard left in the Lakers' rotation, although LeBron James often fills the role of initiating their offense. The Lakers (18-13) have won five of six heading into their visit from Cleveland on New Year's Eve. The trade continues a roster restructuring by the Nets, who traded former Lakers point guard Dennis Schröder to Golden State two weeks ago. Schröder was Brooklyn's third-leading scorer, while Finney-Smith was its fourth-leading scorer. The Nets have been one of the NBA's lowest-scoring teams this season, so Russell should have plenty of chances to make an offensive impact. Brooklyn has lost three of four heading into its road game against Orlando on Sunday. Russell's $18.7 million contract expires this summer, while Finney-Smith has a $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Lewis was the Lakers' second-round pick in 2023, but he played in just 41 games over the past two seasons while shuttling to the G League. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Brayon Freeman had 26 points in Bethune-Cookman's 79-67 victory over North Dakota on Tuesday night. Freeman added three steals for the Wildcats (2-4). Tre Thomas added 17 points while shooting 4 for 12 (4 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line while he also had six rebounds. Daniel Rouzan went 5 of 10 from the field to finish with 10 points. The Fightin' Hawks (3-3) were led in scoring by Treysen Eaglestaff, who finished with 20 points. Mier Panoam added 19 points for North Dakota. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .BERWYN, Pa. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Envestnet, Inc. (the " Company "), yesterday announced that, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 11, 2024 , by and among the Company, BCPE Pequod Buyer, Inc. (" Parent "), a Delaware corporation, and BCPE Pequod Merger Sub, Inc. (" Merger Sub "), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger Agreement"), Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the " Merger "), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation. At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.005 per share, of the Company (the " Common Shares ") (other than any Common Shares (i) owned by Parent (or any of its affiliates), Merger Sub or the Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Parent (or any of its affiliates), Merger Sub or the Company, (ii) that are Rollover Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (iii) held in treasury of the Company, and (iv) as to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised in accordance with Delaware law) was automatically cancelled, extinguished and converted into the right to receive $63.15 in cash per one Common Share. As a result, a Share Exchange Event and a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurred under each of the Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2020 , among the Company, the guarantor party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the " Trustee "), which governs the Company's 0.75% Convertible Notes due 2025 (the " 2025 Notes ") (such indenture, the " 2025 Indenture ") and the Indenture, dated of November 17, 2022 , among the Company, the guarantor party thereto and the Trustee, which governs the Company's 2.625% Convertible Notes due 2027 (the " 2027 Notes ", and together with the 2025 Notes, collectively and individually, the " Notes ") (such indenture, the " 2027 Indenture ", and together with the 2025 Indenture, collectively, the " Indentures ", and each, an " Indenture ", as applicable), triggering the adjustments to the conversion rights as described below. The effective date of the Share Exchange Event and Make-Whole Fundamental Change was November 25, 2024 (the " Effective Date "). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the applicable Indenture. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
GenAI Solutions: Should Your Law Firm Build or Buy?
Geode Capital Management LLC Has $20.06 Million Holdings in Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATSG)Rivalry Closes Non-Brokered Private Placement Of Approximately $2.0 MillionSEATTLE , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Tineco is proud to announce that Euromonitor International, the world's leading independent provider of strategic market research, has recognized the company as the #1 global leader in the household wet & dry vacuum cleaner category * . With over five million units sold between July 1, 2023 , and June 30, 2024 , the honor reflects Tineco's commitment to innovation and quality in the home cleaning sector. Harnessing more than two decades of industry innovation, Tineco began its journey with a single vacuum cleaner. Pioneering industry excellence, a notable moment in company history was the launch of the first-ever smart vacuum to market in 2018, quickly followed by an inaugural smart floor washer in 2019, and an intelligent carpet cleaner in 2022. Today, Tineco products are enjoyed by 14 million users across key markets worldwide, including regions in North America , Europe , and Asia . Tineco is now a globally recognized market leader in smart home appliances across the floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories, with 975 patents and 577 registered trademarks across domestic and international markets. For three consecutive years, the company has also held the title of being the #1 wet & dry vacuum brand on Amazon in the United States , Canada , France , Italy , Australia , and Japan . "At Tineco's inception, we set out to simplify life and household tasks with the help of smart technology. Over the past 26 years, our robust R&D team has made significant investments and a steadfast dedication to setting the standard for excellence in floor care solutions," said Ling Leng , CEO of Tineco. "The honor of being named the #1 global leader in the wet & dry vacuum cleaner category by Euromonitor International is an incredible milestone achievement. This recognition fuels our commitment to continuing to innovate and push boundaries to bring exceptional products to market that enhance the lives of our customers worldwide. Looking ahead, we are laser-focused on making Tineco more accessible by expanding into new markets, introducing new advanced technologies to simplify our customers' lives, and expanding our product lineup to meet diverse needs." Tineco's flagship models, including FLOOR ONE Stretch S6 , PURE ONE Station 5 , and Carpet One Cruiser , combine intelligent features with superior power and user-friendly capabilities to revolutionize cleaning. Tineco's R&D team has carefully engineered each model to address real-world challenges and enhance user satisfaction by incorporating technological advancements and valuable consumer feedback. Specifically: FLOOR ONE Stretch S6: Building off the incredible success of Tineco's social-media viral Floor Washers, which vacuum and mop simultaneously, FLOOR ONE S6 offers exceptional maneuverability. Its 180° tilting design lets the floor washer lay completely flat, compressing its height to just 5.1 inches. Coupled with mini assistive wheels that swivel 45° to the left and right, this makes cleaning under furniture, beds, or in hard-to-reach areas effortless. PURE ONE Station 5: Setting a new standard in stick vacuums, the PURE ONE Station 5 provides a brand new vacuum after each and every clean. Its 3-in-1 Smart Station will entirely self-clean, charge, and store the unit, keeping it in pristine condition for subsequent use. Paired with 175W of powerful suction, this is an indispensable tool for households of all types and sizes. Carpet One Cruiser: The Carpet One Cruiser is designed to transform deep cleaning carpets into a regular household activity. It effectively deep cleans various carpet types and powerfully extracts water to reduce drying times by 50% or more than traditional models. Three levels of SmoothPower tech, bidirectional assist wheels, and repositioned water tanks lessen the unit's weight, making the machine easy to maneuver, suitable for users of all ages and strengths, and ideal for frequent use. A leader in the intelligent floor care category, Tineco smart models are equipped with Tineco's proprietary iLoop technology that adjusts suction power in real-time based on the mess detected, which not only optimizes battery power but also allows the user to visualize cleaner floors on the unit's display ring that will change from red to blue once the surface is clean. Guided by customer insights, all new Tineco models also feature self-cleaning capabilities that significantly streamline maintenance. Tineco products are available globally, with distribution in North America on Amazon, Tineco's official online store, and in over 10,000 major retail locations, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Canadian Tire. To learn more about Tineco and its entire portfolio of intelligent stick vacuums, floor washers, carpet cleaners, and more, please visit us.tineco.com . *Source: Euromonitor International ( Shanghai ) Co., Ltd.; measured in terms of 2023 H2 and 2024 H1 retail sales volume in the world; household wet & dry vacuum cleaners are defined as household cleaners that dispense clean water (or cleaning solution) to wash hard floors and vacuum the dirty water and garbage thereafter; research completed in Nov. 2024 . About Tineco Tineco was founded in 1998 with its first SKU as a vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the first-ever smart vacuum. Today, the brand has innovated into a global leader offering intelligent appliances across home categories, including floor care, kitchen, and personal care. Tineco is dedicated to its brand vision of making life easier through smart technologies and consistently innovating new devices. For more information, visit us.tineco.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tineco-recognized-as-global-leader-in-emerging-floor-washer-category-302316066.html SOURCE TINECO
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