California Pro-Migration Groups Request $15 Million Ahead of Trump Deportation PlansLA Galaxy wins record 6th MLS CupThe foreign ministers demanded that 'fundamental rights, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, must be upheld and protected as per Georgia's constitution'. The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Poland have condemned "the disproportionate use of force" against pro-EU protesters in Georgia as the wave of unrest continues for a tenth night. In their joint statement, the three foreign ministers – Annalena Baerbock, Jean-Noël Barrot and Radosław Sikorski - called for the immediate release of opposition members. More than 400 protesters, including opposition leaders and at least 50 journalists, have been detained, while over 100 people have been treated for injuries. The ministers demanded that "fundamental rights, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, must be upheld and protected as per Georgia’s constitution and international commitments." Germany, France and Poland also called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to deescalate tensions and open an inclusive dialogue with all political forces and representatives of civil society. "We underscore our determination to support the democratic and European aspirations of the Georgian people," the statement said. The security crackdown has also drawn condemnation from the United States. Speaking at a ministerial conference of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced what he described as a brutal "repression of those calling for their country to stay on the path to closer ties with Europe." The ruling Georgian Dream retained control of parliament in a disputed parliamentary election on 26 October, a vote that was widely seen as a referendum on Georgia's EU aspirations. The opposition accused the governing party of rigging the vote with the help neighbouring Russia to keep what they call the 'Moscow-friendly' Georgian Dream party in power. But the initial protests against the election took on a new dimension and spread beyond the capital Tbilisi after the Georgian Dream’s decision last Thursday to put EU accession talks on hold until at least 2028. "There is just no way that they are going to get their ends with violence because more people are going to come out, more people are going to be on our side because of it. I don't know what their plan is, to be honest, I have no idea. They are doing the opposite of what they are supposed to do," said protester, Elene Chikovani. The decision to suspend accession talks was in response to a European Parliament resolution that criticised the elections as neither free nor fair. It said the election represented another manifestation of Georgia’s continued democratic backsliding "for which the ruling Georgian Dream party is fully responsible." International observers say they saw instances of violence, bribery and double voting at the polls, prompting some EU lawmakers to demand a re-run. The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023 on condition that it meet the bloc's recommendations, but Brussels put that process on hold earlier this year after the passage of a controversial 'foreign influence' law, which was widely seen as a blow to democratic freedoms. Critics have also accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights. Georgia's pro-EU president, Salome Zourabichvili, has long been at odds with the Georgian Dream and has refused to sign what she sees as some of their more contentious pieces of legislation into law. On Saturday, she met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the ceremony to mark the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. In a post on X after that meeting, she thanked Zelenskyy for Ukraine's "steadfast and unwavering support for the Georgian people", adding there is "no alternative" to her country's future within the EU. Also on X, Zelenskyy said he supported Georgia's fight for a "dignified future" and said he would coordinate with global partners to deliver a response to support the Georgian people in their fight to "live freely and independently".
Title: Woman Suspects Being Secretly Filmed, Man Says "If I Didn't Smash Your Phone"
The story of Lin Jing'en's fall from grace and her subsequent transformation into a homeless wanderer served as a cautionary tale for those who sought fame and fortune at any cost. It was a stark reminder that the trappings of celebrity could easily crumble, leaving behind only the fragile remnants of a once glittering life.TikTok is inching closer to a potential ban in the US. So what's next? TikTok's future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. A panel of three judges on The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously that the law withstood constitutional scrutiny, rebuffing arguments from the two companies that the statute violated their rights and the rights of TikTok users in the U.S. The government has said it wants ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest its stakes. But if it doesn't and the platform goes away, it would have a seismic impact on the lives of content creators who rely on the platform for income as well as users who use it for entertainment and connection. Here are some details on the ruling and what could happen next: In their lawsuit, TikTok and ByteDance, which is also a plaintiff in the case, had challenged the law on various fronts, arguing in part that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and was an unconstitutional bill of attainder that unfairly targeted the two companies. But the court sided with attorneys for the Justice Department who said that the government was attempting to address national security concerns and the way in which it chose to do so did not violate the constitution. The Justice Department has argued in court that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its connections to China. Officials say that Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok's U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread, or suppress, information. However, the U.S. hasn't publicly provided examples of that happening. The appeals court ruling, written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg, said the law was "carefully crafted to deal only with control by a foreign adversary." The judges also rejected the claim... HALELUYA HADERO Associated Press
A fundraising ball with roots dating back to before statehood set a record last weekend, bringing in more than $1 million for STEM education. The Montezuma Ball, which started more than 100 years ago as the New Mexico Territorial Fair, raised money this year for R4Creating, a Rio Rancho company that supports organizations to increase science, technology, engineering and math programs for students, such as robotics teams.
Bryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media
SKOPJE, North Macedonia -- A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok 'challenge' known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students.Veer Bal Diwas 2024: PM Modi Calls For Equipping Youth With Skills In Emerging Technologies Like AI And Machine Learning; VIDEO
Trump wants mass deportations. A ride-along with immigration officers shows the challenges
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have handed out $40,000 in fines to two sportsbooks and a tech company for violations that included taking bets on unauthorized events, and on games that had already ended. In information made public Monday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined DraftKings $20,000. It also levied $10,000 fines on Rush Street Interactive NJ and the sports betting technology company Kambi. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
So, to all the young people out there who are ready to bid farewell to burnout and embrace a new beginning, remember - it's okay to take a break, it's okay to say no, and it's okay to put yourself first. Let's make this new year a time of self-discovery, self-care, and personal growth. Here's to a happy and healthy new year!Oklahoma State's 3-point accuracy sends Miami to defeat
Tragedy struck a busy street one fateful afternoon when a young boy, who had just witnessed a senseless act of violence, met a tragic end under the wheels of a passing truck. The incident unfolded in a matter of moments, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking conversations about safety, bystander intervention, and the alarming rise of random acts of violence in our society.Title: 30-Year-Old MIT Ph.D. Searches for Family: Overcomes Three Abductions to Find Light at End of TunnelThe Partner Conference also featured interactive workshops and demonstrations, allowing attendees to experience firsthand the capabilities and functionalities of Xiaomi's latest products. From AI-powered assistants to IoT-enabled devices, the event provided a glimpse into the future of smart living and the role that Xiaomi aims to play in shaping the connected world of tomorrow.
As the new wave of cold air descends upon South China, it is a reminder of the ever-changing nature of the world around us. Just as the seasons shift and the weather patterns evolve, so too do our lives ebb and flow in a constant cycle of growth and change. So, embrace the chill in the air, the rustle of leaves underfoot, and the promise of a new chapter waiting to unfold. Wishing you a cozy and peaceful autumn season ahead.
Furthermore, the United States' strengthened alliances with key Middle Eastern countries have bolstered its position and helped showcase its commitment to fostering peace and security in the region. With increased cooperation and support from allies, America has been able to project a united front that is not easily undermined by detractors.
