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Science fiction is easily one of the most popular and prolific genres in movies today. But while there are countless major hit sci-fi movies, there's many if not even more cult sci-fi classics still waiting to be discovered. Sci-fi cinema began almost as soon as movies themselves began, with Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon – widely considered the first sci-fi movie – released in 1902. Méliès was only the first of more than a century of filmmakers using science fiction to contemplate humanity's future – the dreams, the nightmares, the endless possibilities. While there's a ton of undisputed classics in the genre, there're many more underrated and undiscovered gems that still deserve their proper due. For those worn out on Terminator and Avatar, for those who've had their fill of Star Wars and Star Treks to last a lifetime yet still crave the speculative tech and outlandish tales of extraterrestrial existence – congratulations, you've come to the right place. This is your new favorite go-to list of under-the-radar science fiction flicks. Here are 32 underrated sci-fi movies. 32. I'm Your Man (2021) Can love be created? Even programmed? That's the question powering Emma Braslavsky's acclaimed science fiction romance I'm Your Man, released in 2021. Dan Stevens (The Guest, FX's Legion) stars as Tom, an android who is designed to be the perfect partner exclusively for lonely scientist Alma (Maren Eggert). As part of a research project, Alma is forced to live with Tom and document their relationship. While Alma is resistant at first, emotions slowly become real. Sparks really fly in this alluring German-language production, a movie that supposes love can be found when you least expect it. 31. The Super Inframan (1975) The genre of transforming superheroes like Ultraman, Kamen Rider, and Power Rangers began in Japan. But in 1975, prolific Hong Kong studio Shaw Brothers took a stab at their own metamorphing hero with The Super Inframan, from director Hua Shan. Danny Lee stars as the red-clad lightning avenger, Inframan, who saves the Earth from alien invaders using his new superpowers and mastery of kung fu. While Chinese action movies are typically either lavish Wuxia historical epics or bombastic "heroic bloodshed" dramas, The Super Inframan stands out as a cross-cultural hybrid of many influences. It's a movie still deserving of the franchise treatment, even now. Fun fact: Ant-Man director Peyton Reed confirmed in a 2018 Q&A on Twitter/X that the MCU's Ant-Man was visually inspired by The Super Inframan. 30. I.S.S. (2023) In this overlooked pressure cooker thriller, Russian and American astronauts aboard the International Space Station grow suspicious of one another when a ground war between the superpowers begins back on Earth. Thanks to a small but capable cast, including Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, and John Gallagher Jr., I.S.S. powers through its shortcomings to be a suspenseful story about trust, and if hatred really is as simple as picking sides. Also, for a tiny budget of less than $14 million, I.S.S. has some pretty spectacular production value with gorgeous overviews of Earth. 29. The Pod Generation (2023) Writer/director Sophie Barthes satirizes our very possible future in her sci-fi rom-com The Pod Generation. Emilia Clarke (of Game of Thrones fame) and Chiwitel Ejiofor co-star as a married couple living in a near future New York City. In trying to start a family, Clarke's character Rachel is eager to give birth via mobile artificial wombs, while Alvy (Ejiofor) is hoping for more traditional methods. The Pod Generation is terrifically funny, with quietly dark underpinnings of our imminent submission to artificial intelligence and technology. Because when we even depend on the machines to give birth, at what point are we still human? The Pod Generation lightly ponders this question with delightful humor. 28. Radius (2017) This low budget Canadian sci-fi thriller features abundant touches of apocalyptic and disease horror, resulting in a compelling but understated gem. In Radius, Diego Klattenhoff and Charlotte Sullivan play amnesiac survivors of a car accident who slowly realize they each have a strange physical effect. Klattenhoff's Liam seems capable of passively killing everyone around him, while the woman, Jane Doe (Sullivan) can cancel out that effect. Complete with a striking twist ending, Radius is not one to keep away from. 27. After Yang (2021) After drawing acclaim for his deeply human drama Columbus in 2017, writer/director Koganda lent his sensibilities to the realm of sci-fi with his equally adored movie After Yang. Colin Farrell and Jodie-Turner Smith play members of a family living in the future as they attempt to repair Yang, their "adopted" android son who was purchased on the second-hand market. In doing so, they discover Yang's secret desires to be human. Replete with themes of grief, loss, memory, and impermanence, Koganda's affecting After Yang brings remarkable warmth to a genre too often concerned with the steely exteriors of a cynical future. 26. Oblivion (2013) In 2022, Tom Cruise and Joseph Kosinski teamed up for the billion-dollar smash Top Gun: Maverick, a legacy sequel that tore up the skies. But their collaboration started almost a decade earlier with the nearly forgotten sci-fi actioner Oblivion. Set in the future, after Earth is devastated following a nuclear war between humans and aliens, a repairman (Cruise) and his communications officer (Andrea Riseborough) find they are not the only ones left on the planet. This slowly begins a journey into realizing exactly what happened that destroyed the planet. Oblivion drew only mixed reviews from critics but did well enough at the box office. While it's far from Cruise's best movie, it might surprise anyone curious enough to see it for themselves. 25. Fingernails (2023) If science fiction movies too often conjure images of stark white suits and impossible technologies, let Chirstos Nikou's emotionally charged Fingernails – released on Apple TV+ in 2023 – help you alter your assumptions. In this delicate drama, a young woman named Anna (Jessice Buckley) begins working at The Love Institute, a start-up company that practices a popular new test that unquestionably proves if your partner is your soulmate. Though Anna and her partner Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) already enjoy a positive result, Anna's work at The Love Institute puts her in close proximity with Amir (Riz Ahmed), which has Anna questioning everything. While Fingernails is indeed sci-fi, its grounded, even analog setting affords it relatable authenticity. 24. Sputnik (2020) While its plot summary reads like a Russian-language remake of Ridley Scott's Alien, Sputnik succeeds through the strength of its solid direction by Egor Abramenko, its lead actress Oksana Akinshina, and an emotional last-minute twist ending. Set in the waning years of the Cold War, Sputnik follows a doctor (Akinshina) who is brought on to assess the only living cosmonaut to survive an accident in space who brings back an alien organism in his body. Besides Andrei Tarkovsky's 1972 Soviet classic Solaris, there are few worthwhile Russian sci-fi films of note. But Sputnik makes a case for itself, revealing there is still plenty of territory to explore in the worn-out sci-fi/horror genre. 23. Making Mr. Right (1987) It's as scientifically sophisticated as an Atari video game, but Making Mr. Right has its gears in the right places. In this retro sci-fi rom-com from Susan Seidelman, lively bachelorette Frankie (Ann Magnuson) is hired by an eccentric scientist (John Malkovich) to interact with an advanced android replica of himself before it's shipped off for a deep space mission. The goal is to make the android come off as human – or at least, human enough – to appease sponsors and politicians. But of course, sparks unexpectedly start to fly. Feeling like a mixture of other '80s classics like Weird Science and The Mannequin, Making Mr. Right offers its own charms thanks to a very playful Malkovich. 22. No One Will Save You (2023) A minimalist sci-fi horror about surviving challenges in isolation, No One Will Save You follows a lonely young woman (Kaitlyn Dever) – who is strangely shunned by her neighbors – whose home is invaded one night by aliens and mind-controlling parasites. Proving that actions speak louder than words, No One Will Save You balances out its few lines of dialogue with propulsive, breathless action. While it sounds like War of the Worlds meets The Strangers on paper, No One Will Save You is assuredly singular through its work by writer/director Brian Duffeld. 21. Dreamscape (1984) An overlooked sci-fi action-horror from the 1980s, Dreamscape plunges into the world of dreams to eventually rescue the U.S. President. Far predating movies like Inception and Olympus Has Fallen, Dreamscape stars Dennis Quaid as a psychic recruited to participate in an experimental study by his former mentor (played by Max von Sydow). The study: Breaking the laws of physics to enter someone's dreams. While Dreamscape gets lost in its own sauce and struggles to figure out what movie it really wants to be, it's a good '80s romp that will satisfy genre aficionados and '80s obsessives who've already seen The Terminator and Back to the Future too many times to count. 20. Vesper (2022) A science fiction movie centered around ecology and biohacking, Vesper stars Raffiella Chapman as a young teenaged girl who lives in a ravaged future Earth where most of humanity struggles just to eat. Chapman, as the titular heroine Vesper, figures a way to access the bacteria in the seeds to make them fertile once more, which is key to mankind's survival. But she must first survive the ruthlessness of her uncle (Eddie Marsan) and the comfortable oligarchy who subjugate everyone else. Vesper is understated and often gorgeous, being about perseverance and brilliance meant for the good of all. 19. Save Yourselves! (2020) Co-written and co-directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson, Save Yourselves! stars John Reynolds and Sunita Mani as Brooklynites who commit to actually unplugging from their oblivion machines – their phones – and enjoy the outdoors. During a stay at a remote AirBnB with no cellular service, the outside world is suddenly overtaken by aliens. Alien invasions collide with millennial malaise in this affable comedy, with its modernized take on genre classics like The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds, plus a nod to Star Trek's Tribbles for good measure. Save Yourselves! proves there's virtue in getting away from it all. 18. Altered States (1980) A psychedelic sci-fi thriller that descends into mania, Altered States stars William Hurt as an academic psychopathologist conducting research in sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic substances. During the course of the long study, Hurt's character becomes a family man (with Blair Brown as his wife and later ex-wife), only to become dangerously obsessive about it when he unlocks a frightening breakthrough. Directed by Ken Russell and adapted from screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky's own 1978 novel, Altered States is mind-melting goodness and deserves to be better recognized alongside the greats of the genre. 17. Event Horizon (1997) Set in the year 2047, Event Horizon follows a group of astronauts on a rescue mission to investigate a once-missing spaceship that has just returned near Neptune. A moody sci-fi horror in the spirit of Alien, the movie floats thanks in part to its strong ensemble cast, including Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neil, Jason Isaacs, Joely Richaradson, Kathleen Quinlan, and Sean Pertwee. While Event Horizon has cultivated its reputation as a cult classic over a long period of time, it's still got some ways to go before it officially enters orbit as a legitimate genre masterpiece instead of the overlooked gem it remains. 16. Archive (2020) In this impressive sci-fi thriller by writer/director Gavin Rothery, Theo James plays Jules, a scientist on a time-sensitive mission to develop the most advanced artificial intelligence. Secretly, however, Jules is working to create a way to bring back his deceased wife (Stacy Martin). Its slated premiere at SXSW in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made its release on VOD and streaming a quiet affair, but Archive was sort of the perfect movie for quarantine given its focus on obsession in isolation. Without that unintended context, however, Archive is a strong sci-fi movie on its own with very handsome production design. 15. Prospect (2018) Just before he donned the armored suit of The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal co-starred in the sleeper hit indie sci-fi Prospect. The movie primarily follows Cee (played by Sophie Thatcher), a teenage girl who travels to space with her father (Jay Duplass) to mine a forest moon for precious stones only to encounter treachery along the way. Pascal appears as Ezra, a rival prospector whose role as the antagonist is aided by his snake-like vibe. While there's impressive effects and compelling worldbuilding in Prospect, the movie succeeds on the strengths of its characters and how it gets by on its modest limitations as a micro-budget sci-fi. 14. Redline (2009) I don't care how much anime you might have seen: Redline is truly unlike anything you've experienced before. A cross between Mad Max and Speed Racer, this psychedelic sci-fi anime that runs purely on vibes takes place in the future, where the biggest spectacle is the ultra-deadly planetary racing tournament Redline. Pompadoured superstar JP (voiced by Takuya Kimura) is one of the most popular racers in Redline and grows determined to win it all after a huge setback from a mafia boss. Marking the directorial debut of animator Takeshi Koike, Redline is one of the gnarliest gems in the Madhouse library, sharing lineage with other anime classics like Wicked City, Ninja Scroll, Perfect Blue, and Tokyo Godfathers. 13. Possessor (2020) While it initially seemed Brandon Cronenberg was intent to follow his father's David Cronenberg's footsteps, it soon became apparent that the younger Cronenberg is his own singular artist in Possessor. In Brandon Cronenberg's striking sci-fi horror movie, an assassin (Andrea Riseborough) carries out her assignments by scientifically possessing the bodies of other people. But her latest job has her fighting from within when her new body's host fights back. Provocative, alluring, and thick with grime, Possessor paralyzes the senses to leave you in shock – and awe. 12. Underwater (2020) Kristen Stewart fights for air in this maddeningly overlooked sci-fi monster flick that was unceremoniously dumped in theaters in early 2020. In Underwater, a group of scientists – played by Stewart, Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., TJ Miller, and more – find their lives endangered when their deep sea research facility gets damaged due to unexpectedly violent underwater earthquakes. Minor spoilers: It's not a natural phenomenon that's causing the earthquakes. Fans of H.P. Lovecraft's mythos better dive in for Underwater, a better-than-you-expect piece of science fiction and horror from director William Eubank. 11. The Island (2005) Just before taking on the mega-hit Transformers series, Michael Bay let loose this summer crowd-pleaser that offers up Bay's own excessive spin on dystopian science fiction. Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson co-star as residents of an underground community who believe Earth has fallen due to environmental apocalypse; they live highly organized and routine lives, with the promise of maybe winning the lottery to go to a lush tropical island forever. But not all is what it seems. While genre fans will find nods to everything from Logan's Run to THX 1138 to even Soylent Green, The Island is solid dumb fun that benefits from Bay's usual bombast. 10. Come True (2020) Inspired by his own bouts of sleep paralysis, writer/director Anthony Scott Burns explores the darkness of sleep in his 2020 sci-fi horror Come True. The movie follows a teenage runaway, Sarah (Julia Sarah Stone) who joins a university's sleep study just to have some food and a safe place to crash. But Sarah's refuge suddenly becomes a literal nightmare as the tests leave Sarah vulnerable to recurring encounters with an evil presence. A 2020s feature that oozes 1980s horror vibes, Come True is powerful enough to leave you tossing and turning at night. 9. LFO (2013) A sci-fi thriller that is at times outrageously funny, this Swedish-language indie hails from director Antonio Tublén and explores how the need for control can lead to losing it entirely. LFO follows an ordinary if pathetic man, Robert (Patrik Karlson) who suspects his wife is cheating on him. One day, Robert stumbles upon a radio frequency that allows him to hypnotize and control anyone who hears it. His experiments with the frequency dangerously escalate into Robert controlling everyone around him, which is fun at first but naturally includes horrific (but hilarious) consequences. Unusual but quirky, LFO goes up to 11 – and then breaks the dial. 8. Gatchaman (2013) Before Power Rangers, there was Gatchaman. A live-action modern reboot of the classic anime Science Ninja Team Gatchaman – better known in the United States as Battle of the Planets, and later G-Force – Gatchaman essentially tells the origin story of the winged superheroes, formed by the International Science Organization. While the movie doesn't live up to the majesty of the classic anime, which was laced with themes of conversation and ethical use of technology, it's still a kick-butt science fiction superhero movie that is underrated and overlooked even by hardcore tokusatsu faithful. Step aside, Avengers – let these forerunner heroes take flight. 7. Upgrade (2018) Leigh Whannell's sci-fi thriller Upgrade is about a man who yields to a dangerous alter ego – with very, very deadly results. Upgrade stars Logan Marshall-Green as Grey, a mechanic who becomes paralyzed after a group of men shoot him and kill his wife (Melanie Vallejo). Implanted with a cutting-edge computer chip, Grey is able to walk again. But the chip's scary A.I. has its own motivations, and offers Grey the opportunity to get his sweet revenge in exchange for letting the A.I. use his body. Deliriously and deliciously violent, Upgrade is like a cross between John Wick, Venom, and Ex Machina, but Whannell's sharp direction makes it its own thing. 6. Synchronic (2019) Synchronic, which has a totally unique take on time travel, also has Anthony Mackie in maybe his single-best performance of his career. Mackie co-stars with Jamie Dornan, playing two best friends and paramedics in New Orleans who encounter a new designer drug on the streets, called Synchronic. While Synchronic has funky effects for adults, for kids, it has a different result entirely: briefly time traveling to the past. When Dornan's character Dennis finds his daughter is missing after taking Synchronic, Mackie's Steve races against time – and his own illness – to use the drug and locate her before she's gone forever. While most critics were disappointed by Synchronic as an underwhelming entry by genre masters Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the movie still gets props for its original premise and uniquely dark atmosphere that makes time travel scarier than you could imagine. 5. Midnight Special (2016) In 2016, you could find Michael Shannon in two movies: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where his corpse as Zod is desecrated to create the monstrosity Doomsday, and Jeff Nichols' incredible Midnight Special. In Nichols' film, Shannon plays a father on the lam with his precious son (Jaeden Lieberher), who exhibits unbelievable superpowers and is thus hunted by religious fanatics and the federal government. Also starring Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, and Adam Driver, Midnight Special is a very human look at impossible miracles, making it a highly original sci-fi that feels like an Amblin adventure movie that's all grown up. 4. Alive (2002) Genre enthusiasts should know Ryuhei Kitamura. After the underground success of his zombie action thriller Versus, Kitamura spent the 2000s directing similarly dark action thrillers before finding more mainstream success. In 2002, Kitamura helmed Alive, based on the manga by Tsutomu Takahashi. After a death row inmate (Hideo Sakaki) survives his first punishment, he is forced to take part in a science experiment that pits him in an isolated cell with another prisoner and a violent alien organism. While Kitamura has better movies in his body of work, Alive is an excellent demonstration of a transgressive director going buckwild in confined spaces. 3. Aniara (2018) After climate change ravages Earth, humanity whisks away to Mars in luxury spaceships. But one ship full of colonists veers off course, leaving the colonists to deal with the absolute uncertainty of their future. One character, a nameless employee (Emelie Garbers) becomes overwhelmed when her simulation machine of Earth's verdant past becomes overused by the desperate passengers. Directed by Pella Kågerman and based on Harry Martinson's 1956 poem, Aniara is a movie about collective regret, a film that reveals our eagerness to do anything but actually fix what's wrong. 2. The Vast of Night (2019) The Vast of Night's flavor of vintage sci-fi is so good yet so fresh, you might listen to some Elvis right afterward. Fittingly released into drive-in theaters in May 2020, Andrew Patterson's The Vast of Night takes audiences back to New Mexico, circa 1950s, following a radio deejay (Jake Horowitz) and a switchboard operator (Sierra McCormick) who receive a mysterious signal coming from some- thing in space. A beautiful mixture of War of the Worlds and American Graffiti, The Vast of Night overcomes its low-budget limits to deliver a truly suspenseful experience. 1. Ad Astra (2019) You would think a sci-fi movie starring Brad Pitt would be a bigger deal. But for some reason, audiences are still discovering Ad Astra. From James Gray, the movie stars Pitt as an astronaut who ventures to space to locate his once-presumed dead father (Tommy Lee Jones), himself a heroic astronaut, after his space station near Neptune is deemed to be the source of dangerous power surges which threaten life on Earth. While Ad Astra is a gorgeous story about identity, unfinished business, and the fallacy of hero worship, it also has some truly dazzling set-pieces, including a shoot-out rover chase on the Moon. Ad Astra is an emotionally driven sci-fi classic still waiting to be discovered.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Thursday announced what it called the first-ever national strategy to counter Islamophobia, detailing more than 100 steps federal officials can take to curb hate, violence, bias and discrimination against Muslims and Arab Americans. The proposal follows a similar national plan to battle antisemitism that President Joe Biden unveiled in May 2023, as fears about increasing hatred and discrimination were rising among U.S. Jews. Officials worked on the anti-Islamophobia plan for months, and its release came five weeks before Biden leaves office — meaning implementation will mostly fall to President-elect Donald Trump , if his administration chooses to do so. In a statement announcing the strategy, the Biden administration wrote that “Over the past year, this initiative has become even more important as threats against American Muslim and Arab communities have spiked.” It said that included the October 2023 slaying of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, an American Muslim boy of Palestinian descent, who was stabbed to death in Illinois. The plan details actions the Executive Branch can take, along with more than 100 other calls to action across all sectors of society. The strategy has four basic priorities: increasing awareness of hatred against Muslims and Arabs while more widely recognizing these communities' heritages; broadly improving their safety and security; appropriately accommodating Muslim and Arab religious practices by working to curb discrimination against them; and encouraging cross-community solidarity to further counter hate. Many of those state goals are similar to the ones the Biden administration laid out in its plan to reduce antisemitism — especially the emphasis on improving safety and security and building cross-community solidarity. “While individuals have sometimes been targeted because they are thought to be Muslim, it is also crucial to recognize that Arabs are routinely targeted simply for being who they are,” the announcement of the strategy states, noting that Muslims and Arab Americans have helped build out the nation since its founding. It says that new data collection and education efforts are “increasing awareness of these forms of hate as well of the proud heritages of Muslim and Arab Americans.” The plan calls for more widely disseminating successful practices of engaging Muslim and Arab Americans in the reporting of hate crimes, and that federal agencies are now more clearly spelling out that “discrimination against Muslim and Arab Americans in federally funded activities is illegal.” The White House’s plan also urges “state, local, and international counterparts, as well as the nongovernmental sector, to pursue similar initiatives that seek to build greater unity by recognizing our common humanity, affirming our shared values and history, and embracing equal justice, liberty, and security for all." Pro-Palestinian groups decrying his administration’s full-throated support of Israel in its war with Gaza , frequently disrupted Biden campaign events, as well as those of Vice President Kamala Harris after Biden abandoned his reelection bid in July. Trump, who implemented a travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority countries during his first term, won the largest majority-Muslim US city in last months elections. Yet some Arab Americans who backed Trump have begun expressing concerns about his some of his choices to fill out his Cabinet and other picks for his incoming administration. Will Weissert, The Associated PressTuesday, December 3, 2024 As of December 2024, China has implemented a visa-free policy for citizens from 63 countries, including Thailand, France, Germany, South Korea, Australia, and Qatar, making it easier for international travelers to explore the nation’s rich cultural heritage and modern marvels. This expansion spans notable regions across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, allowing visitors to stay for up to 30 days without the hassle of obtaining a visa. The policy reflects China’s commitment to boosting tourism and strengthening global connections, positioning itself as an accessible and welcoming destination for millions of travelers worldwide. China’s tourism industry is experiencing a transformative resurgence, driven by strategic policy shifts and a strong rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth is not only pivotal for the nation’s economic recovery but also underscores its appeal as a leading global destination. Impact on Inbound Tourism The visa-free entry has catalyzed a surge in international arrivals, with border stations reporting record numbers of foreign visitors. Tourists are exploring everything from bustling urban centers to the serene natural landscapes, reinvigorating the travel ecosystem. Job Creation Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of China’s economy, contributing about $814 billion to GDP in 2022 and creating over 66 million jobs. These numbers highlight the sector’s critical role in economic stability and employment opportunities. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Tourists are increasingly drawn to cultural experiences that highlight China’s deep-rooted history and traditions. Government initiatives to boost cultural confidence through tourism align with this growing demand for immersive, heritage-focused travel. Technological Integration Technology is reshaping travel in China. Smart hotel rooms, virtual reality tours, and AI-powered travel services are redefining visitor engagement and making trips more personalized and efficient. In 2023, China’s border authorities recorded 35.5 million entries and exits by foreign nationals—a nearly sevenfold increase from 2022. This recovery in cross-border travel underlines the success of China’s strategic tourism initiatives and its growing magnetism on the global stage. China’s evolving tourism landscape reflects a blend of cultural pride, technological innovation, and policy-driven accessibility, paving the way for sustained growth in the years to come. China’s economy has demonstrated resilience with a GDP growth rate of 5.2%, showcasing the nation’s recovery momentum and its ability to adapt to global challenges. This growth underscores the significant contributions of key sectors like tourism, manufacturing, and technology, highlighting the government’s strategic efforts to sustain economic expansion and enhance overall prosperity. China’s travel and tourism industry has shown dynamic growth and resilience, contributing 9.4% to GDP in 2014 and peaking at 11.6% in 2019. The pandemic led to a steep decline, with contributions dropping to 4.5% in 2020 and 3.3% in 2022. By 2023, the sector rebounded to 7.3%, equating to over 9.2 trillion yuan (around 1.3 trillion USD). Projections indicate continued growth, with contributions expected to reach 9.6% in 2024 and 13.5% by 2034, reaffirming the industry’s crucial role in China’s economic trajectory. China has broadened its visa-free entry policy to accommodate foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise ships at all coastal ports as of May 15, 2024. This policy allows groups of two or more travelers, managed by authorized Chinese travel agencies, to visit without needing a visa for stays of up to 15 days. Initially introduced in Shanghai in 2016, this initiative has now been extended to major coastal ports, including Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai. This move is designed to boost the cruise tourism industry while promoting international connectivity and making it easier for cruise passengers to explore China’s diverse destinations. TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan said: “China’s tourism scene is buzzing with excitement, especially now that the visa-free policy has expanded to 63 countries as of December 2024. This move makes it so much easier for travelers to dive into the country’s incredible mix of ancient wonders and modern marvels. Whether you’re landing at world-class airports like Guangzhou Baiyun, staying in cozy budget hotels or luxurious five-star accommodations, or exploring iconic spots like Beijing’s Forbidden City or Xi’an’s Terracotta Army, there’s something for everyone. With tourism contributing 7.3% to the GDP in 2023 and things only looking up, China is rolling out the red carpet for visitors like never before!” China’s top three airports are pivotal to the nation’s aviation industry, handling millions of passengers annually and serving as hubs for both domestic and international travel. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) , located in Guangdong Province, leads the list with approximately 63.17 million passengers in 2023. It is a primary hub for China Southern Airlines and serves as a key gateway to Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America, with major airlines like Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways operating flights. Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) handled around 54.48 million passengers in 2023, making it the second busiest. Known for its extensive international connections, it serves as a hub for China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines, with airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines offering services to destinations worldwide. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) , located in the capital, saw about 52.88 million passengers in 2023. As a hub for Air China, it connects travelers to major cities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. International airlines like British Airways, United Airlines, and ANA also operate flights from this major hub. These airports are not only key to China’s transportation infrastructure but also gateways for global travel, highlighting their strategic importance in the aviation industry. China’s hotel industry has rapidly evolved, solidifying its status as a global hospitality leader with a diverse range of accommodations. As of December 2023, the country housed approximately 323,200 hotels, providing around 16.5 million rooms to meet the growing demand for travel and tourism. This robust infrastructure caters to a wide spectrum of travelers, from budget-conscious tourists to luxury seekers. Several domestic hotel chains dominate the market, highlighting China’s capacity to compete on a global scale. International brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Accor have also established a strong presence, offering premium services in major cities and key tourist destinations. These brands cater to international visitors and affluent domestic travelers seeking luxury accommodations. China is a country that seamlessly blends its ancient traditions with modern innovation. From bustling metropolises to tranquil countryside escapes, here’s your ultimate city guide to explore the diverse and captivating destinations China has to offer. Beijing, the capital city, is a must-visit for history buffs and culture enthusiasts. Shanghai is China’s largest city and a global financial hub, known for its futuristic skyline. Xi’an is home to some of China’s most remarkable historical treasures. Chengdu, located in Sichuan Province, is famous for its relaxed lifestyle and fiery cuisine. Guilin is renowned for its breathtaking karst landscapes and picturesque rivers. Guangzhou, a bustling port city, is a blend of old and new, with its rich Cantonese culture. Hong Kong, though a Special Administrative Region, is an essential part of any China itinerary.

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Alex Orji opted to head for the exits rather than await his fate at Michigan. Faced with a backup role or position switch after the Wolverines signed No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood, Orji became the second Wolverines quarterback to choose the transfer portal. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheerPlayoff game at Ohio State has sold 34% more tickets than Notre Dame game on StubHub

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• Dick Schwartz’s Thanksgiving Day commentary, “The year a mother’s turkey encountered a son’s new vegetarian ways” was an utter delight. A wonderful and refreshing change from the usual holier-than-thou rants about progressive insanity or conservative evil. The rants are now tedious. This was the opposite to me. Uplifting, giving me a smile, and relatable. What son or daughter hasn’t gotten sideways with Mom because we did something young and stupid? Just a wonderful thing to read. Michael Heiser, Eden Prairie ••• I read with some perplexity the expressions of horror over suggesting that cannabis could be a part of Thanksgiving celebrations (Readers Write, Dec. 2). A simple substitution illustrates it better: “Apparently there are people who want to add the odor of [alcohol] to the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie. ... What will the safe dose be for the children at the feast? How will anyone keep the little ones away if everyone is so mellow? What will be the safe dose for the designated drivers driving, or staggering away, from grandmother’s house?” If you’re serving alcohol at your own Thanksgiving celebration, don’t presume to lecture others about cannabis. Steve Hoffmann, Anoka ••• First, to the Minnesota Star Tribune Editorial Board regarding a quote from “Thankful, mindful, hopeful, realistic” (editorial, Nov. 28): “Be thankful for free and fair elections, and for the peaceful transfer of presidential power that has endured throughout our nation’s history.” You all must have missed the insurrection and the unpeaceful transfer of power following the 2020 election. Second, I also agree with the writer of “Let’s take it a step further” (Readers Write, Nov. 28) that civics should be taught in schools. Marla Riemer, Maple Grove Keep holding Trump accountable There were two versions of Donald Trump’s call with Mexico. Thanks to the Minnesota Star Tribune for making this front-page news (”2 versions of Trump call with Mexico,” Nov. 29). MAGA media was already trying to promote Trump as a brilliant negotiator with his 25% tariff gambit, supposedly causing Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum to cave in to his demands. The truth is, Mexico had already responded to President Joe Biden’s negotiations that resulted in a 75% reduction in border apprehensions since December 2023. I trust the Star Tribune will also continue to call out Trump, the consummate credit-grabber, for claiming he is responsible for the infrastructure transformation, new factories being built, significant job gains and huge private investments that are the result of Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and CHIPS and Science Act. Please keep reminding people of all the promises that Trump made to the workers of this country that he will not keep, while he makes sure his billionaire buddies get their tax breaks made permanent. Roland Hayes, Shoreview ••• Why do I believe the president of Mexico is telling the truth and not the newly elected president of the United States. So, so sad. Four years of lies. Bill White, Eagan Bremer’s sale is good for Minnesota It’s disappointing that Evan Ramstad felt compelled to criticize the leaders of Bremer Bank for the announced sale to Old National Bank ( ”Bremer Bank’s inglorious ending,” Nov. 26). The Bremer management team has strong integrity and character and, importantly, expert judgment about what is best for the shareholders, employees and communities Bremer serves. While it’s easy to think prior arrangements that never had firm footing would have been better, litigation caused a change in approach, or remaining independent is better for Minnesota, Ramstad fails to address the fundamental shifts occurring in the banking industry. Progressing regulation, rapidly advancing technology and intense competition are leading all banks to re-evaluate their strategy, and consolidation is a critical element of improving scale that addresses the numerous environmental challenges. What is best for Minnesota is a solid and competitive banking sector, and I am confident Old National and Bremer will help ensure this. Benefiting from my 35-year career in banking, this is how Bremer’s shareholders, employees and communities will succeed. Elliot Jaffee, Minneapolis The writer is the former executive vice president of U.S. Bank. Well, I’m staying I have read with amusement the recent debate on the opinion pages between people vowing to either keep or cancel their subscriptions to the Star Tribune. It amazes me the degree to which people become exercised and the myriad subjects that push their buttons. Well, I’m staying. Even though the agenda and mission of the Star Tribune’s columnists and the great majority of the Editorial Board are anathema to me, I’m continuing to subscribe as a tip of the cap to the great Chinese general and military strategist Sun Tzu, who is credited with saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” I want to keep learning what you guys are up to. Phil Larsen, Dayton ••• I was initially confused about why a reader suggested the paper should try to make conservatives smile by covering stories about criminals, grocery prices and student loans ( “Switch up your coverage,” Readers Write, Nov. 30). However, I’m trying to lean into Becky Kennedy’s advice in her book “Good Inside” about making the MGI (most generous interpretation) about someone’s behavior. I’m going to assume the reader simply does not have time to read the entire paper every day. For example, on Nov. 29 the front page featured a picture of two siblings serving a meal to a guest at a homeless shelter who had two cats on their shoulders (”On Thanksgiving, furry family gets a seat at the table”). Big smile from my four-year-old daughter when I showed her. Strib Voices featured a couple celebrating fifty years of marriage and their meet-cute story ( ” ‘Where did you meet?’ It was my 157th visit to the Joint Bar, and it was Mary’s first ... “ ). Big smile from me, an unabashed romantic comedy lover. Below that article was a holiday memory of two young sisters from 1960 that I shared with my mom ( ”A Christmas lunch in Minneapolis, 64 years ago” ). She texted back saying it brought back a “feel good feeling” from her own childhood. If those were not enough, I find Arlo and Janis, F Minus, and Pearls Before Swine (notice I left out Doonesbury!) often bring a nonpolitical smile to my face most days. I believe there are plenty of subjects that would make folks across the political spectrum smile in this paper, if one is lucky enough to have the time. Joe Kennealy, Eden Prairie More than meets the tie I attended the recent Gophers-Nanooks hockey game that your paper reported as simply ending in a “tie” ( “U shoots plenty, settles for tie,” Nov. 30). This description understates a great match that went into double overtime and ultimately a shootout. As a grandfather who went with his grandsons, we witnessed an excitement that built throughout the overtime periods. While the game is officially recorded as a tie for NCAA tournament purposes, the teams played through additional overtime periods and a shootout to determine crucial conference points. This distinction explains why the score appeared as a tie in your reporting, despite the game’s dramatic extended conclusion. There’s no way that those of us at 3M Arena at Mariucci experienced a tie — we experienced a game that deserved nuanced coverage. Future reporting might better serve your readers by explaining both the official result and the exciting conclusion that determined conference points. Andy Halper, EdinaNew York Emerging Technology Advisory Board Publishes First Report Outlining Vision to Elevate Leadership in AIChicago Bears president acknowledges Matt Eberflus regret after chaotic firing

Photo Credit: Taylor Trebotte/Inside The Rink On December 2nd, 2024, Savannah Ghost Pirates announced that they had acquired forward Brandon Saigeon from Indy Fuel for future consideration. TRADE ALERT! We have acquired Brandon Saigeon from the @IndyFuel in exchange for future considerations! #TimeToHaunt ➡️ https://t.co/xFcNM8H6Tk pic.twitter.com/MiRwiO30ci The 26-year-old Grimsby, ON, native is in his fifth professional season. Saigeon previously played for the Utah Grizzlies, Wheeling Nailers, Kalamazoo Wings, Wichita Thunder, and Indy Fuel. During his time within the ECHL, Saigeon has dressed for 212 ECHL games. He has tallied 29 goals and 64 assists during the 212-game span. STANDS AS CALLED Brandon Saigeon with his second of the season to even the score at 1 pic.twitter.com/3u2FBYtXoW Before turning professional, Saigeon completed six seasons in the OHL with Belleville Bulls, Oshawa Generals, and Hamilton Bulldogs. Saigeon played in 304 OHL games and tallied 105 goals and 146 assists. He served as an alternate captain in the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons. In the 2018-2019 season, Saigeon was moved to the Oshawa Generals. Saigeon was part of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and was selected 140th overall by the Colorado Avalance that year. This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

Israel and Lebanon both told the White House on Monday that despite the recent flare-ups on the border they are committed to the ceasefire agreement and want it to continue, sources with knowledge of the issue told U.S. news portal Axios. The Biden administration has been concerned the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon could unravel after Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire in recent days, U.S. officials said. The Biden administration has privately expressed concern to the Israelis about several of their strike in Lebanon in recent days. "The Israelis have been playing a dangerous game in recent days," a U.S. official told Axios. The Israeli Air Force conducted several airstrikes in recent days against alleged Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. On Monday, Hezbollah fired two mortar shells towards Israeli positions in the occupied Shebaa Farms. It was the first Hezbollah attack since the ceasefire was announced last week. Israel retaliated with a wider attack later on Monday, striking "Hezbollah terrorists, dozens of launchers, and terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon," the Israeli army said in a statement. Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer met on Monday at the White House with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and told him Israel wants to maintain the ceasefire, one Israeli official and a source with knowledge of the meeting said. Sullivan told Dermer Israel "has the right under international law to defend itself against direct threats from Lebanon," the source with knowledge of the meeting told Axios. U.S. President Joe Biden's senior adviser Amos Hochstein spoke on Monday to Lebanese and Israeli officials who stressed their commitment to the ceasefire, the source said. The source added that Hochstein told both Israeli and Lebanese officials that the U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism established under the agreement should be notified of violations so that it can address them. U.S. General Jasper Jeffers arrived in Beirut last week to serve as the military co-chair for the implementation and monitoring mechanism, CENTCOM said in a statement. The mechanism will also include French military officers and representative of the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Israeli army and UNIFIL.

NEW YORK and LONDON , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. (NYSE: PDCC) (the "Company") today announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering of 1,200,000 shares of its 8.00% Series A Preferred Stock Due 2029 (the "Preferred Shares") at a public offering price of $25 per share, which will result in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $28.8 million after payment of underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Preferred Shares are rated 'BBB' by Egan-Jones Ratings Company, an independent rating agency. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 180,000 Preferred Shares pursuant to the same terms and conditions. The offering is expected to close on December 18, 2024 , subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to list the Preferred Shares on the New York Stock Exchange within 30 days of the original issue date under the symbol "PDPA." Lucid Capital Markets, LLC ("Lucid"), B. Riley Securities, Inc. and Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers and InspereX LLC and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC are acting as lead managers for the offering. Investors should consider the Company's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The preliminary prospectus, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), contains this and other information about the Company and should be read carefully before investing. The information in the preliminary prospectus and this press release is not complete and may be changed. The preliminary prospectus and this press release are not offers to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted. A registration statement relating to these securities is on file with and has been declared effective by the SEC. Copies of the preliminary prospectus (and the final prospectus, when available) may be obtained by writing to Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, 570 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, by calling Lucid toll-free at 646-362-0256 or by sending an e-mail to Lucid at prospectus@lucid.com . Copies also may be obtained on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Egan-Jones Ratings Company is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, and any such rating may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the applicable rating agency. About Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. (NYSE: PDCC) is an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Its primary investment objective is to maximize its portfolio's total return, with a secondary objective of generating high current income. The Company seeks to achieve these objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs collateralized by portfolios of sub-investment grade, senior secured floating-rate debt issued by a large number of distinct US companies across several industry sectors. The Company is externally managed by Pearl Diver Capital LLP. For more information, visit www.pearldivercreditcompany.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the prospectus and the Company's other filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE Investor Contact: Info@Pearldivercap.com UK: +44 (0)20 3967 8032 US: +1 617 872 0945 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pearl-diver-credit-company-inc-prices-offering-of-series-a-preferred-stock-302330836.html SOURCE Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc.

Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer glimpse into unusual American moment

Is It Too late to Buy Bitcoin as It Threatens $100,000?Marqeta, Inc. Stockholder Alert: Robbins LLP Reminds Investors of the MQ Class Action LawsuitNIGERIA’S quest for increased relevance in the global geopolitical and economic space was highlighted at the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town, South Africa. There, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, sought South Africa’s support for the country’s bid to attain full membership in the G20, BRICS, and the BRICS New Development Bank. Nigeria is also seeking South Africa’s support for its assumption of leadership roles in thematic discussions of interest under South Africa’s newly commenced G20 presidency. The G20 Club of Nations, consisting of 19 countries and the European Union, represents about 80 per cent of the global GDP, 75 per cent of global exports, and 60 per cent of the global population. The African Union was allotted full membership recently. The expanded BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), acclaimed as the engine of global economic growth in recent years, accounts for about 37 per cent of the world’s GDP. Nigeria’s conspicuous absence from these influential multilateral forums is a missed opportunity. It highlights the huge implications of the country’s myriad unresolved challenges, including corruption, infrastructural deficits, and insecurity. Regardless, the failure to invite Nigeria into these elite groups underlines a refusal to recognise Nigeria’s growing importance in global economics, geopolitics, and development and for better representation of the Global South in the world order. While Nigeria may be saddled with significant challenges and low rankings of developmental indexes, it remains one of the top three economies in Africa at $362.8bn GDP or $1.28tn in Purchasing Power Parity terms in 2023. Nigeria’s GDP in PPP terms was estimated to be $2.42tn by World Economics for 2023, which is 89 per cent larger than official estimates. Nigeria is a major energy supplier with 36.97 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves– the 11th largest in the world, and 217 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves– the 10th largest in the world). Nigeria’s emerging tech and financial services sectors are increasingly positioning the country as a hub for innovation in Africa even as the digital economy supersedes oil as the key driver of GDP at 14 per cent as of 2024. Related News 10 persons on FBI wanted list nabbed in Nigeria – Minister Nigeria in race to host 2026 Fencing Commonwealth champs Top 10 Nigerian holiday destinations to explore this festive season The country is the regional leader in the ECOWAS. It plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and security across West Africa. Its robust intervention in Liberia and Sierra Leone ended the civil wars in those countries. Nigeria’s participation in peacekeeping missions in Sudan and elsewhere has been well applauded. Nigeria’s population, estimated at over 220 million, accounts for nearly 17 per cent of Africa’s population and is projected to surpass the United States to become the third most populous country in the world by 2050. These demographics underline the country’s relevance and present immense opportunities for labour-intensive industries, innovation, and consumer markets. With the focus on “Equality, Solidarity, and Sustainability”, the G20 needs to realise that Nigeria’s inclusion would deepen engagement with African countries in shaping global governance. While this bid and the interest shown in gaining a permanent seat on the UN Security Council remains legitimate, it emphasises that for Nigeria to be taken seriously, it must first take itself seriously. G20 or BRICS membership is associated with many expectations and responsibilities that point to good governance, accountability, sound economic policies, and political stability. Nigeria needs to accelerate actions towards economic diversification and invest more in energy, rail, roads, and port infrastructure to boost industrialisation and the manufacturing sector. The vast potential in agriculture, including livestock and fisheries, and solid minerals should be fully harnessed. Improvements in education infrastructure and outcomes are required to realise the huge potential of Nigeria’s youthful population in science, technology innovation, and entrepreneurship. Nigeria must bring more to the table to justify her membership in these elite clubs.