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I was excited to go to the Christmas markets for first date with dream man – then I discovered cruel truthRomanians went to the polls for the first in a succession of elections. Anti-reform and anti-EU candidates and parties were previously expected to poll well in the presidential and parliamentary elections. Romania has featured less and less in EU politics in recent years. At first glance, this is surprising considering that it is the sixth-largest country in the European Union in terms of population size and of huge strategic significance given its location on the southeastern flank of both the bloc and NATO . This is particularly relevant when one considers that, of all EU member states, Romania has by far the longest shared border with Ukraine . It is also the most important base for US and NATO forces in southeastern Europe. Moreover, it faces military threats like no other country in the EU: Russia's Shahed drones regularly explode either over or on Romanian territory . In 2023, the government in Bucharest went so far as to construct air raid shelters for residents in the Danube Delta. Romania's silence on international matters However, unlike Poland or the Baltic states, Romania contributes very little to debates about how to handle Russia and support Ukraine. Romania's general silence on this and other important political matters is largely down to President Klaus Iohannis , who has been in office for 10 years. Silence and a low profile on both the domestic and international political stage have become his trademark — even though the Romanian constitution sees the president as the country's most important voice at home and an important foreign policy player abroad. From election promises to political passiveness This is the situation in Romania as the country heads into two weeks of elections. The first round of the presidential election will take place on Sunday. A week later (December 1), Romanians will elect a new parliament, and a week after that (December 8), there will be a runoff in the presidential election if — as expected — none of the candidates gets an absolute majority in the first round. Having served two terms, President Iohannis is no longer able to run. His support in society and political circles has hit rock bottom anyway. Ten years ago, he ran for president promising root-and-branch reform and to liberate the country from evils such as corruption . But Iohannis, who is a member of Romania's German minority and was previously mayor of Sibiu in Transylvania, never really found his feet in the presidential palace or Bucharest's political jungle, and soon slipped into a passive role. It is against this backdrop that nationalist and anti-reform forces have gained strength. Social Democratic candidate ahead in the polls The favorite going into Sunday's first round of the presidential election was Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Back in 1990, after the overthrow of the communist Ceausescu regime the previous year, the PSD — which then operated under a different name — was a melting pot for former regime officials. It has dominated Romania's political landscape for 35 years, making it the only party that survived regime change in the former communist bloc. The shadow of corruption In contrast to what its name suggests, the PSD does not have a social democratic orientation, but generally adopts right-wing populist, nationalist positions mixed with left-wing social rhetoric. For many urban Romanians, the PSD is the epitome of corruption in the post-communist state . In rural regions in the east and south, however, it remains the dominant political force. Ciolacu, who is currently at about 24% in the opinion polls, is a PSD veteran, having worked his way up to the top of the party and government from his early beginnings in provincial politics in the early 1990s. He represents the conservative nationalist wing of the party and has on numerous occasions been linked to cases of alleged corruption, including a recent scandal surrounding a luxury trip. Nevertheless, many Romanians see Ciolacu as a dependable PSD politician who guarantees stability and calm and never forgets the "ordinary people." Should Ciolacu be elected president, it is unlikely that Romania will take an anti-European turn — as has been the case under Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Hungary. It is instead likely that Romania will remain a loyal member of the EU and NATO abroad, but that necessary justice and anti-corruption reforms will be stopped at home. Ultranationalist in second place in the polls Things will look very different indeed if George Simion is elected president. Simion, who was polling at about 15% before the election, is head of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR). He is an anti-European ultranationalist, although he has hardly anything in common with the last two generations of Romanian nationalists, who were firmly rooted in the past. The radical right leader has copied a lot from politicians like Donald Trump and Viktor Orban and garnered a lot of attention as a result of his social media activities. He is banned from entering Moldova and Ukraine because he claims parts of their territory should belong to Romania. Simion is also suspected of having links to the Russian secret service, although no proof of this has ever been provided. Progressive also in the running Neck and neck with Simion at 15% and vying for second place in the first round of the presidential election was Elena Lasconi, chairwoman of the progressive liberal Save Romania Union (USR). A former star journalist and presenter on a private TV channel, Lasconi entered politics a few years ago and was elected mayor of the southern Romanian town of Campulung. Her party, the USR, was established about a decade ago as an anti-corruption civic movement and stood for progressive, liberal policies. For several years now, however, the USR has become bogged down in everyday party politics and repeated fights about the direction the party should take. The USR left a government coalition formed in 2020 with the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) after only 10 months following a dispute about judicial reform. Balancing act and family dispute Elena Lasconi's political style and election campaign reflected the problems of the USR. She was trying to manage a balancing act between progressive politics and being in touch with ordinary people. A few years ago, she voted against gay marriage in a referendum initiated by the Orthodox churches, provoking a very public family dispute — her daughter identifies as "part of the LGBTQ community". Lasconi now speaks out in favor of civil partnerships for members of the LGBTQ community but remains opposed to gay marriage. When speaking in public, she wears a large cross around her neck and clothes that are inspired by traditional Romanian costumes. Who would win a runoff? Should it come to a runoff on December 8, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu would in all likelihood prefer to stand against George Simion. As was the case in 2000, when former Communist Ion Iliescu faced off against ultranationalist Corneliu Vadim Tudor, it is likely that many Romanians would opt for what they see as the "lesser evil," and that is Ciolacu. If, on the other hand, Lasconi makes it into the second round, two contrasting Romanias would be pitted against each other: city against country, tradition against modernism, a rigid apparatus against the forces of reform. The forecasts for the outcome of the parliamentary election on December 1 tell a remarkably similar tale: Recent polls suggest that the PSD will get 25% to 35% of the vote and both the nationalist AUR and the national liberal USR 15% to 21%. This article was originally published in German.fish net 。

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What made this experience even more remarkable was the therapist's use of Tuina massage during the session. Tuina, a form of Chinese massage that focuses on stimulating acupressure points and manipulating soft tissue, is often used in conjunction with bone setting to enhance the overall treatment. The therapist's skilled hands applied just the right amount of pressure and kneading motions to Mr. Zhang's muscles, promoting circulation and relaxation.

Title: Bitter Cold! Cold Air Set to Bring Heavy Snowfall to Multiple Regions in China, Keep a Close Eye on the Impact of Temperature Drop and Strong WindsNewMarket Corporation Authorizes New Share Repurchase ProgramAs the investigation into the Police Chief's actions continues, the spotlight remains firmly on the integrity and credibility of the South Korean National Police Agency. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of law enforcement in the country and the trust of the public in the guardians of their safety and security.

( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 December 2024 - AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group jointly announce the opening of Watsons' new flagship store at City Centre Bahrain Mall, signifying the Watsons' entry into a new market alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar. This also marks the third store opening in three months in Bahrain, strengthening its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Strategic Market, Huge Potential Bahrain is one of the six countries of the GCC, presenting a dynamic and potential market with a surging demand for health and beauty products, driven by a predominantly young population – over two-thirds of Bahrainis are under the age of 35 – who are pursuing high-quality products. Increased awareness of beauty trends, influenced by social media and lifestyle shifts, has led customers to greater spending on personal grooming. As a trusted beauty expert, Watsons is well-positioned to bring world-class brands and products that meet their needs, ensuring a seamless O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience while celebrating and enhancing Arabic beauty. With a projected market growth of USD38.8 million at a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2024 to 2029, Bahrain presents an exciting opportunity for Watsons as part of its expansion strategy. Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group , expressed her excitement about this milestone, "The expansion of Watsons health and beauty retail experience into Bahrain is an important milestone in our commitment in the GCC region. Just as important, this new flagship store further strengthens our partnership with Al-Futtaim Group to serve customers in this vibrant region where high-quality beauty and health products are increasingly in demand." Mr. Simon Naga, V ice President of Al-Futtaim Group , emphasised the strategic importance of this expansion, "The opening of our flagship Watsons store in Bahrain is a testament to our commitment to enhancing customer experiences across the region. As we continue to expand our footprint in the GCC market, we focus on delivering innovative retail solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers." Watsons is "Where Beauty Comes to Shine" The 200-square-meter flagship store leverages Bahrain's strategic location in the Gulf, showcasing over 200 local and international brands across meticulously designed zones. Key areas include the innovative Derma Zone, which features internationally-renowned products alongside personalised skincare recommendations, and the enticing Skincare Zone, where customers can explore popular K-beauty and J-beauty brands. Additionally, the store includes a chic Makeup Zone and Sustainable Zone, each thoughtfully tailored to meet a diverse range of customer needs. As Watsons continues to expand, it remains committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality products that empower customers to Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great. MENAFN29122024003551001712ID1109040284 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.A handful of South Carolina Republicans plan to reintroduce a bill that would define abortion as homicide — a crime punishable by death under state law. State Rep. Rob Harris (R) pre-filed the South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act earlier this month, and it will be introduced in the judiciary committee when the legislative session begins in January. The proposed bill seeks to amend the state’s criminal code to widen the definition of “person” to include “an unborn child at any stage of development.” The bill would define abortion, with few exceptions, as equivalent to killing a person under the criminal code. South Carolina currently has a six-week abortion ban in effect. If passed, this bill would effectively enact a total abortion ban because it considers all abortion, starting “from the moment of fertilization,” to be homicide. South Carolina’s criminal code carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison for homicide. Under special circumstances — including when a victim is under 11 years old — the minimum sentence can be life in prison or the death penalty. Taken together, this could mean anyone aborting a pregnancy in the state would face life in prison or execution. The proposal does include some exceptions for “spontaneous” miscarriage and life-saving procedures, but all too often these types of exceptions are real in name only . Harris originally introduced the same bill in 2023, and the idea that lawmakers would consider using capital punishment on people who get abortions sparked national outrage. Several Republicans who co-sponsored that bill quietly removed their names after public outcry. The 2023 version died shortly after it was introduced in the state House. Harris did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment this week, but defended the bill in 2023 to HuffPost reporter Lydia O’Connor. “My bill does not single out women,” Harris said at the time. “It prohibits everyone from committing murder. It provides the same due process that everyone enjoys under our current laws.” It’s very unlikely that the bill will go anywhere this time around. The current version has six co-sponsors, including Harris, all of whom are white men and members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, part of the more extreme sector of the Republican Party . “I think that the majority of people, even the most strident Republicans, would say the death penalty bill is not where we want to go with abortion,” Vicki Ringer, the director of public affairs at Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, told HuffPost. Support for prosecuting abortion patients is a fringe position, even within the anti-abortion movement, and most large groups have distanced themselves from the idea. Most anti-abortion laws include carve-outs to ensure that patients aren’t criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes. Still, many have been arrested despite these laws. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Although Ringer believes the bill will be dead on arrival, she hopes people will not dismiss how frightening it is that some lawmakers are comfortable introducing legislation like this. “I don’t know who is getting equal protection, but it appears in South Carolina that only fetuses and embryos get equal protection,” she said. “Women and trans people do not.” Related From Our Partner

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Home for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech supportIn conclusion, the story of this Wuhan university student serves as a powerful testament to the importance of self-discovery, resilience, and adaptability in navigating the complexities of the modern job market. By following her own path and embracing the opportunities that come her way, she exemplifies the spirit of a young woman determined to create her own definition of success, one job experience at a time.One of the most anticipated aspects of the "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc" movie is the introduction of new characters and villains that will test the limits of our beloved heroes. Fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to see how Tanjiro and his comrades will overcome these formidable adversaries and continue on their journey to become the greatest demon slayers in history.

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In the midst of uncertainty and change, Nani found solace in the realization that he was his own guiding light. He understood that his worth and value extended far beyond the confines of a football pitch. His journey was not defined by the accolades he received or the titles he won, but rather by the resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit that propelled him forward.

On this special day, he made the journey back to Tianhua University, his heart brimming with gratitude and anticipation. As he approached the familiar school gates, memories flooded back – of late-night study sessions, heartfelt conversations with Zhang Guimei, and the sense of camaraderie that had defined his university years.