LG has announced its second-generation smart appliances, including a refrigerator with a fully-transparent screen.

Tencent and ByteDance seriously outspent the likes of Google, Meta and Amazon.

Forms of compensation like restricted stock units and performance shareswhereby executives receive a batch of stock from their companies after meeting a performance targethave some key advantages relative to employee stock options.Theyre more straightforward than stock options, and the associated taxes are less complex and often better aligned with gains. That said, employee stock options can be a key source of wealth for some households. That means if options are part of your compensation package, its worth your while to get familiar with how they work generally, as well as how your company handles stock options specifically.Employee stock option basicsWhen employees receive stock option grants, they have the opportunity to exercise the options at some later date at a predetermined price, called the strike price or exercise price.Assume that Sharon received 100 shares of her employer stock in 2014, when it was trading at $2.35 per share, with a strike price of $10 per share and an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2023. If the stock were trading at $20 per share when Sharon wanted to exercise her options toward the end of 2023, the options would be in the money, meaning that the strike price is below the stock price at the time of exercise. Her profit would be on the difference between her $1,000 exercise price (her 100 stock options multiplied by the $10 strike price) and $2,000, the shares value at the time of exercise. She could either continue to hold the stock after exercise in the hope that it would go higher, or sell and pocket her profit.Taxes? It dependsThere are two key types of employee stock options: incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options. That distinction has a big impact on the tax treatment, which in turn may affect the strategy you employ with the options.Nonqualified stock options (NSOs) are taxed at the investors ordinary income tax rate at the time of exercise.Incentive stock option (ISO) gains, by contrast, arent taxed as ordinary income at the time of exercise (unless the ISO holder sells the stock at the same time). Instead, theres a tax benefit to holding the stock after exercise in order to qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate on the profits from the sale.In order to do so, however, the employee must meet two criteria: 1) they must have held the options more than two years beyond the grant date; and 2) they must hold the stock more than one year after exercise.Mitigating company-specific riskAs with restricted stock, employees with hefty options grants risk having too much of their economic wherewithal riding on their companies. Minding diversification argues for divesting the shares as soon as is practical while balancing that against tax considerations and the companys valuation (especially undervaluation).One way to mitigate the risk of exercising options at precisely the wrong time is to exercise a portion of a grant at a time. Much like dollar-cost averaging into a stock or fund, conducting multiple exercises of multiple lots of options can help ensure that an employee exercises at a variety of price points. Exercising over a period of years rather than all in one go will also enable the employee to spread out the tax costs related to the options. Here again, its helpful to obtain advice from a tax or financial advisor whos well-versed in options to determine the best course of action.By Christine Benz of Morningstar.

Insurance companies that stopped providing home coverage to hundreds of thousands of Californians in recent years as wildfires became more destructive will have to again provide policies in fire-prone areas if they want to keep doing business in California under a state regulation announced Monday.The rule will require home insurers to offer coverage in high-risk areas, something the state has never done, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Laras office said in a statement. Insurers will have to start increasing their coverage by 5% every two years until they hit the equivalent of 85% of their market share. That means if an insurer writes 20 out of every 100 state policies, theyd need to write 17 in a high-risk area, Laras office said.Major insurers like State Farm and Allstate have stopped writing new policies in California due to fears of massive losses from wildfires and other natural disasters.In exchange for increasing coverage, the state will let insurance companies pass on the costs of reinsurance to California consumers. Insurance companies typically buy reinsurance to avoid huge payouts in case of natural disasters or catastrophic loss. California is the only state that doesnt already allow the cost of reinsurance to be borne by policy holders, according to Laras office.Opponents of the rule say that could hike premiums by 40% and doesnt require new policies to be written at a fast enough pace. The state did not provide a cost analysis for potential impact on consumers.This plan is of the insurance industry, by the insurance industry, and for the industry, Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said in a statement.The requirement is under review by the Office of Administrative Law before it takes effect within 30 days.Californians deserve a reliable insurance market that doesnt retreat from communities most vulnerable to wildfires and climate change, Lara said in a statement. This is a historic moment for California.The new rule is part of Laras effort to persuade insurers to continue doing business in the nations most populous state. He unveiled another rule earlier this month to let insurers consider climate change when setting their prices. Insurance companies had said that because they cant consider climate change in their rates, many opted to either pause or restrict new business in the state. The new rule to include climate change in rates will take effect later this week.The ultimate goal of the new rules is to get homeowners out of the California Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan, which often serves as the last resort when insurance companies stop providing coverage for those living in areas threatened by wildfires, Laras office said. The plan could help a homeowner fulfill insurance requirements imposed by mortgage companies, but it is mainly designed as a temporary safety net with basic coverage until policyholders find a more permanent option. The number of people on Californias FAIR plan more than doubled between 2020 and this year, reaching nearly 452,000 policies.Wildfires have always been part of life in California, where it only rains for a few months out of the year. But as the climate has gotten hotter and dryer, it has made those fires much larger and more intense. Of the top 20 most destructive wildfires in state history, 14 have occurred since 2015, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.The 2018 fire in Paradise, California, killed 85 people and destroyed about 11,000 homes, and some residents have struggled to find home insurance since.Steve Crowder, the towns mayor, lost his house and business. Since then, his family has rebuilt their home but struggled to find insurance. The Crowders were forced to enroll in FAIR Plan earlier this month. Despite paying roughly $5,000, the mayor said his home is insured for roughly $100,000 less than its value and the houses contents are only half-covered.You couldnt rebuild what you got for what its insured for, he said.His constituents face similar problems. With policies skyrocketing from roughly $1,200 annually before the Camp Fire to $5,000 nowor even up to $20,000 a year for large homessome have abandoned attempts to find coverage altogether.In the years after the Camp Fire, Crowder said the town has successfully brought back some insurers after enacting new ordinances with high standards to keep structures safe, such as rules regarding clearances, vegetation and fences.While the mayor welcomed the states new rules, he said he and his constituents are skeptical things will improve.Anything that will help get insurance in California, period, is helpful, he said, but added: Lets wait and make sure it happens before we get excited.By Trn Nguyn and Stefanie Dazio, Associated Press

Cybercriminals who hacked Rhode Islands system for health and benefits programs have released files to a site on the dark web, a scenario the state has been preparing for, Gov. Daniel McKee said Monday.The state has an outreach strategy to encourage potentially impacted Rhode Islanders to protect their personal information, according to a press release from McKees office. The governor said it wasnt yet clear if all of the files stolen from RIBridges have been posted to the dark web, a part of the internet hosted within an encrypted network and accessible only through specialized anonymity-providing tools.Right now, IT teams are working diligently to analyze the released files. This is a complex process and we do not yet know the scope of the data that is included in those files, according to a statement from McKees office.McKee said in an afternoon press conference that Deloitte, the company that built and maintains RIBridges, has been in contact with the cybercriminals.The state is working with Deloitte to generate the list of impacted individuals, officials said. Letters will be sent to those individuals with instructions on how to access free credit monitoring.State programs that rely on RIBridges include Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Childcare Assistance Program, Rhode Island Works, Long-term Services and Supports, the At HOME Cost Share Program and health insurance purchased through HealthSource RI.While this data has been compromised, that does not mean it has been used for identity theft purposesyet, the statement added.McKee urged Rhode Islanders to take a series of steps to protect their financial information including: reaching out to all three credit reporting agenciesEquifax, Experian, and TransUnionto freeze their credit; contacting one of the reporting agencies to order a free credit report; and requesting a fraud alert be placed on credit files.Residents should also use multifactor authentication instead of just one password to access their information and be on the lookout for fake emails, phone calls, or texts that look legitimate.Law enforcement officials are also investigating the data breach, McKee said, although he said the chances of apprehending those responsible is daunting given the nature of the crime.

More often than not, technology is not merely a tool but also a medium for expression. No wonder, themed and limited edition gadgets attract so much attention from demanding geeks. Gamification is the new trend that brings the best of both worlds and makes your boring accessories filled with a refreshing function that actually gets you to perform the intended action for a better lifestyle.This electric bike concept envisioned for mobilitylabs.ai wants to cash in on the trend, transforming your every ride in the city into a gamified experience. The idea is to empower your daily commuter as a medium to engage with the outside world creatively.Designer: Evgeniy VakulichDubbed TRONTENDO (an amalgam of Tron and Nintendo) the e-bike has built-in interactive elements including gamified riding mechanics and charge level indicators adapted from game HUDs. In particular, the Nintendos retro and current line-up of titles. Evgeniy sees every bike rider as the hero of their digital universe, and the bike is a projection of that sentiment with an appealing retro-futuristic vibe. It is a peppy creation that bridges the gap between the past, present, and the future. More than that, the electric bike reflects the commitment towards minimalism, functionality, and emotional engagement. To its core, the unique motorcycle design is a visually appealing synergy between the digital aesthetics of the Tron bike and the playful innovation of Nintendo.The clean lines, sharp contours, and bold color blocks are the true emulation of the retro Nintendo consoles in their glorious evolution. Combine those eye-popping pixelated graphics with the sleek, modern form of a two-wheeler that the young generation would fancy as their mode of expression, is guaranteed to grab attention. The designer has mixed the visual elements of the Nintendo color themes with the digital display, HUD and vital indicator elements. Imagine riding this thing to your daily commute (especially in the dark hours) with all the gamified elements coming to life. On-lookers would give this thing more than just a glance!The post This Nintendo + Tron themed e-bike is an expression of your gamified lifestyle first appeared on Yanko Design.

Inventory constraints have been impacting M4 Mac mini ship times, with some configurations expected to deliver as late as March. But this Late 2024 M4 spec with an upgrade to an ample 2TB of storage is $100 off and in stock with free expedited shipping.The 2TB M4 Mac mini is eligible for a triple-digit discount.This particular configuration that's eligible for a limited-time $100 cash discount features Apple's M4 chip that includes a 10-core CPU and GPU. Measuring at just 5 inches x 5 inches x 2 inches, that's a lot of power in such a compact chassis. But to make this M4 Mac mini stand out further, it also has an upgrade to a 2TB SSD, offering ample storage in such a small package.Buy for $1,399 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Cool FindsArchaeologists Discover Rare Clay Commander Among Thousands of Life-Size Terra-Cotta Soldiers in ChinaThe 2,000-year-old military general figurine is the tenth of its kind to be excavated from the emperor Qin Shi Huangs tomb, which may hold up to 8,000 clay statues The terra-cotta warriors were constructed in the third century B.C.E. Zossolino via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 4.0Among the famedterra-cotta warriors in the sprawling tomb of the ancient Chinese emperorQin Shi Huang, archaeologists have excavated a rare decorated statue. Judging by the figures features and location, they think it depicts a high-ranking military officeronly the tenth of its kind ever excavated.Qin Shi Huang ruled between 221 and 210 B.C.E., and he was the first leader to unite China under one empire. At more than 20 square miles, his tomb inChinas Shaanxi province contains an estimated 8,000 life-size clay statues of soldiers known as the terra-cotta army.The terra-cotta warriors are armed with spears, swords and crossbows, and they were meant to protect the emperor in the afterlife. While most of the carved figures wear simple armor, the recently discovered figures armor is colorfully painted and carved with detailed patterns, ribbons and floral knots, according to the Chinese news site the Global Times.These adornments on the high-ranking officers indicate how special they are,Xiuzhen Janice Li, an archaeologist at theUniversity of Oxford who worked at theEmperor Qin Shihuangs Mausoleum Site Museum, tellsLive Sciences Pandora Dewan. The style and color of the adornments featured the aesthetic taste and social status symbols [of the time].Roughly 2,000 clay warriors have been unearthed from Qin Shi Huangs tomb since the site was discovered in 1974, but only ten of these have been statues of military leaders.The recently discovered statue was found alongside the remains of two chariots, three statues of horses and two other human figures. As excavation leader Zhu Sihong tells the Global Times, the decorated statue is the first senior military figure found in the pit since formal excavations began in 1994.Based on its location, we believe this figure was likely the highest-ranking military commander of this unit, Zhu adds.Excavations of this particular section began in 2015, and since then researchers have found buried formations of cavalry, crossbowmen and chariots. They say the tombs buried chariots are usually accompanied by four horses and three soldiers. The clay army's military leaders are generally identified by their headdresses, decorated armor and the position of their hands. Shankar S. via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 2.0The arrangement of the high-ranking officers in the military formation reflected the military strategy, such as [the] commanding system in the Qin dynasty, Li tells Live Science.According to the state broadcasterChina Central Television (CCTV), terra-cotta generals are often distinguished by headdresses, ribbon-decorated armor and the placement of their handsclasped together in front of their abdomens.While the statue was found broken into pieces, its layers of paint have been preserved by surrounding sediment. As one researcher tells CCTV, Silt provides a relatively stable humidity and temperature, which is beneficial for preserving the colors.Researchers labeled the statues pieces in situ before transporting them to a laboratory for further analysis. While its discovery offers new information about the hierarchy of Qin Shi Huangs army, much is still unknown about the terra-cotta warriors. As Li tells Live Science, The major question is, Who is the top general to control the whole terra-cotta army?Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Archaeology, Artifacts, Asian History, China, Chinese Art, Cool Finds, Death, History, Military, Military Leaders, Sculpture, Statues, Warfare

An illustration meant to look like a cave art painting depicts an encounter between a group of Neanderthals and a group of early modern humans. Their offspringshown in red in the bottom rowhave combined DNA. Leonardo Iasi, MPI-EVA. Figure created with Dall-E and BioRender.comThough some might be surprised to see Neanderthal DNA in their ancestry test results, people of non-African descent derive 1 to 4 percent of their genomes from this extinct human cousin. This means that at some point, ancient modern humans (Homo sapiens) interbred with Neanderthals. Now, two separate studies published in the journals Science and Nature in December have dated this period of interbreeding more precisely than ever.The timing is really important, because it has direct implications on our understanding of the timing of the out-of-Africa migration, Priya Moorjani, a biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and co-senior author of the Science study, says in a statement. It also has implications for understanding the settlement of the regions outside Africa, which is typically done by looking at archaeological materials or fossils in different regions of the world.Neanderthals and modern humans descended from a common African ancestor. Some of these ancestors left Africa for Eurasia, and they evolved into Neanderthals roughly 500,000 years ago. Most of our lineage stayed in Africa until about 100,000 years ago, when some Homo sapiens also began to leave the continentand they ran into Neanderthals in Europe and Asia.The recent studies independently reached a similar conclusion: that the interbreeding that led to the presence of Neanderthal DNA in our genomes today happened during a sustained period of interaction around 47,000 years ago. According to the Science study, the mingling began about 50,500 years ago and continued for roughly 7,000 years. That estimate is consistent with archaeological evidence that also points to an inter-species coexistence of between 6,000 and 7,000 years, according to the statement.It paints a different story than this rare encounter. Whenever you ran into a Neanderthal, it was okay to have a baby with a Neanderthal, Fernando Villanea, an anthropologist at the University of Colorado Boulder who was not involved in either study, tells the Washington Posts Carolyn Y. Johnson. It just paints this story that makes sense to how the real world works. For a long period of time, humans were running into Neanderthals, and they were having babies.The team from the Science study analyzed 275 contemporary human genomes and 58 ancient modern human genomes from remains in Europe and Western and Central Asia. They built a catalog of genetic data and used it to pinpoint the times when Neanderthal DNA entered the genomes of our ancestors, finding a single, shared extended period of gene flow, per the paper.Meanwhile, the scientists from the Nature study sequenced the oldest known modern human genomes, which belonged to seven individuals from a 45,000-year-old family from the LRJ culture. The team found that Neanderthal DNA had entered the familys lineage 80 generations earliera timeframe for interbreeding that mirrors the one revealed in the Science paper. But, while this group of people also had Neanderthal ancestry, their population must have died out, because their DNA doesnt appear to contribute to modern-day genomes.If all people of non-African descent have Neanderthal DNA from the interbreeding event identified by both papers, it might suggest that Homo sapiens spread to regions like East Asia and Oceania only afterward. That idea, however, conflicts with 100,000-year-old archaeological evidence of modern humans in China and 65,000-year-old evidence from Australia. Pontus Skoglund, a paleogeneticist at the Francis Crick Institute who was not involved in the studies, tells the New York Times Carl Zimmer that either the archaeological sites were dated incorrectly, or the modern human lineages that arrived in those regions 100,000 years ago died out later, and thus didnt contribute to our genetic makeup today.Human history is not just a story of success. We actually went extinct several times, Johannes Krause, a biochemist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and a co-author of the Nature paper, tells NBC News Evan Bush. Theres multiple lineages that we have identified now that did not contribute to later people.The Neanderthal genes inherited by Homo sapiens impacted our ancestors health. Some areas of the contemporary human genome that are devoid of Neanderthal genes, for example, suggest certain elements of their DNA were deadly to Homo sapiens, and the individuals with those genes would have died out, according to the statement. On the other hand, the scientists also identified high-frequency Neanderthal genes that were likely beneficial to the early Homo sapiens, who were relative newcomers to the region.Alexander Platt, a geneticist at the University of Pennsylvania who was not involved with either research paper, tells Nature News Freda Kreier that the fact that both studies identified a single interbreeding period is striking and eye-opening.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: DNA, Genetics, Human Evolution, Human Origins, Migration, Neanderthal, New Research

We are only hours away from 2025, so now is the time to score some last-minute holiday deals. Here are the best deals for Tuesday, December 31. Reynatis Deluxe Edition for $40.80REYNATIS - PlayStation 5Reynatis went under the radar for many this year, but it's a game that is worth your time. Inspired by the iconic Final Fantasy Versus XIII, Reynatis pits Marin and Sari against one another in a major conflict over freedom. The game takes place in Shibuya, allowing you to explore Tokyo while listening to a soundtrack composed by Yoko Shimomura. Kazushige Nojima, the scenario writer for the game, has even expressed interest in crafting a sequel in the future, so this is the perfect time to catch up.Mario & Luigi: BrothershipMario & Luigi: BrothershipMario & Luigi: Brothership is the first Mario & Luigi title on Nintendo Switch, acting as the first new entry in the series in over nine years. Developed by Acquire, this is the first 3D entry in the series, with plenty of new mechanics to discover. Join Mario and Luigi on this adventure to reconnect the world of Concordia and set sail to many islands on Shipshape Island!Save 37% Off The HORI Fighting Commander OCTA (Street Fighter 6 Cammy Edition) HORI Fighting Commander OCTA (Street Fighter 6 Cammy Edition) If you're searching for a new fighting game fightpad, look no further than this HORI Fighting Commander OCTA. Compatible with both Windows 11 and Windoews 10, this tournament grade controller features microswitch buttons, a six-button layout, accurate D-Pad, analog slide pad, and more. Plus, this particular model features art of Cammy in Street Fighter 6!Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics for $34Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - PlayStation 4Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - Nintendo SwitchYou can score Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics for only $34 today at Amazon. This collection packs in seven different titles, including the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. At last, you can play these classic titles on modern platforms. Apple Watch Series 10 for $359Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] SmartwatchAmazon has the Apple Watch Series 10 on sale for $359 this weekend, which nets you $70 off this extremely popular device. Series 10 marked Apple's first wide-angle OLED display on Apple Watch, with the device itself being the thinnest watch yet. If you're not an Apple Watch owner or someone who has an older model, this is the perfect time to score an upgrade.Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection for $24.96Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection - PS4Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection packs in all six mainline Mega Man Battle Network games, with plenty of new features included. You can check out and listen to over 180 tracks of music with the Music Player or even head over to the Gallery Network to view concept art, character sketches, and more. Try out the different filters to customize your Battle Network experience! For $25, you're getting an excellent celebration of Mega Man, with over 100 hours of gameplay to experience.Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven for $39.99Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the SevenRomancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is arguably the best entry point into the SaGa series at this time. Acting as a full 3D remake of the 1993 release, this game features English and Japanese voiceovers, rearranged music, retooled gameplay, and more. If you're still unsure about Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, you can check out the free demo across all platforms! Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster CollectionFINAL FANTASY I-VI Collection Anniversary Edition - 2024 (PS4)The first six Final Fantasy titles paved the way for the series as we see it today. Many fans still regard both Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI as some of the best that Final Fantasy has to offer, with gripping narratives and engaging gameplay. This package includes all six Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, which feature updated graphics, soundtracks, font, and more. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition for $44.99Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive EditionIf you recently completed the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, this is the perfect game for you. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Defintive Edition is the newest mainline title in the series, and there is so much it offers. For many, this is one of the best Dragon Quest games out there, and you can't go wrong picking this up for only $44.99.The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for $39.99The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HDThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is the long-awaited remaster of the classic Wii game. Set at the beginning of the Zelda timeline, Skyward Sword takes Link to the skies as he traverses across the world to save his childhood friend Zelda. You'll uncover the Master Sword was created as part of this journey, among other things. For $39.99, this is an excellent title to add to your Switch collection.Persona 5 Royal for $14.88Persona 5 Royal - Nintendo Switch (Digital)Walmart has digital Nintendo Switch copies of Persona 5 Royal available on sale for only $14.88. Acting as the definitive version of P5, Persona 5 Royal is one of the must-play RPG experiences of the last generation. This game offers well over 100 hours of content, making this an excellent deal.