In a latest development in South Korea, the prosecution has requested the arrest of the former defense minister on charges of influence-peddling and bribery. This move has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the country, raising questions about the integrity of its government officials and the effectiveness of its anti-corruption measures.In addition to the collaboration with Pepsi, fans have also been eagerly anticipating the release of the special "gourd gift box" related to the game. The gourd is a significant symbol in Chinese mythology and plays a central role in "Black Myth: Wukong," where it is used as a powerful weapon by the protagonist. The announcement of a "gourd gift box" has further fueled excitement among fans, who are eager to get their hands on this unique and collectible item.
Looking ahead, uncertainties still exist in the global economic environment, including factors such as trade tensions, geopolitical issues, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. However, China's foreign trade sector has shown resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, positioning itself for continued growth in the future.Tottenham Hotspur Defender Serge Aurier Disables Social Media Accounts After Facing Negative Fan Comments
Winners, losers as Browns stun Steelers 24-19 in prime time snow gameAuthor Jodi Velazquez YouTuber and Former TV Co-host to Release Memoir/Self-Help Guide and Diabetes Management
Title: Syrian Chinese Business Owner Evacuates 4 Guests in Emergency, Local Militants Give Green Light to Chinese People, Warm Assistance Amidst WarMajor retailers in UK and Ireland pull products associated with Conor McGregor
Thousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall DAMASCUS (AP) — Thousands of Syrians have celebrated in Umayyad Square, the largest in Damascus, after the first Muslim Friday prayers following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The leader of the insurgency that toppled Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa, appeared in a video message in which he congratulated “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the Turkish capital of Ankara that there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria. The top U.S. diplomat also called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian" interim government. American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has transported an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to a U.S. official, who says Travis Timmerman was flown out on a U.S. military helicopter. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump's suite at football game FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this week has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. Daniel Penny was cleared of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week. Vance served in the Marine Corps and had commented on the acquittal earlier this week. He said that “justice was done in this case” and Penny should never have been prosecuted. New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesn’t mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House. That's according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of U.S. adults are “not at all confident” in Trump’s ability to appoint well-qualified people for high-level government positions. Only about 3 in 10 are “extremely” or “very” confident that Trump will pick qualified people to serve in his administration. President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. The 73-year-old is a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance and has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no single party holds a majority in the National Assembly. Bayrou was recently cleared in a case relating to embezzlement of European Parliament funds. His predecessor resigned last week following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the parliament, leaving France without a functioning government. Macron vowed last week to remain in office until his term ends in 2027. Yankees to get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin, AP source says NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press that the New York Yankees have agreed to acquire All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes, infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28.Despite these positive drivers, China also faces a range of challenges and uncertainties in its economic landscape. From geopolitical tensions to demographic changes, navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving global economy requires adaptability, foresight, and strategic planning. However, with a strong commitment to reform, innovation, and sustainable development, China is well-positioned to overcome these challenges and continue its trajectory towards high-quality economic development in 2024 and beyond.Please visit theroxytheater.org for up-to-date screen times. You can also trace your hand on this page and then draw a turkey. Opening Cillian Murphy as Bill Furlong and Zara Devlin as Sarah Redmond in "Small Things Like These." Yay! The first Christmas movie of the year! It’s the run-up to the 1985 holiday season in small-town Ireland. A coal merchant discovers that the nearby convent has a sinister secret. Oh no! It’s one of those Christmas movies. Rated PG-13. Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson and Eileen Walsh star in this critically acclaimed adaptation of Claire Keegan’s heartbreaking book. Opening Friday, Nov. 29. It’s gotta be the most screened Christmas movie of all time by this point, but every year we still return to Bob Clark’s classic adaptation of Jean Shepherd’s book “In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash.” Looking back at his childhood in the 1940s, Shepherd reflects on his family, schoolmates and the one Christmas present he cannot do without. I hope he doesn’t shoot his eye out. Rated PG. Stars Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” McGavin. Opening Sunday, Dec. 1. Continuing Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." It’s a movie based on a smash-hit play that was based on a bestselling book which itself was based on another beloved book which was also adapted into a movie which has its own series of sequels and remakes. I feel like my brain is defying gravity trying to keep that all straight. Oz’s eponymous Wicked Witch of the West gets an origin story in this big-budget musical that is melting the world of licensed marketing tie-ins. What a world! What a world! Rated PG. Stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jeff Goldblum. Hugh Grant plays against type in "Heretic," the new A24 horror film. The screenwriters of the first "A Quiet Place" step up to the director’s chair for this new horror film about two missionaries who attempt to convert a reclusive Englishman, only to find themselves in a bloody cat-and-mouse game for survival. Rated R. Stars Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East. Special screenings The Roxy holiday tradition returns! See the farewell performance of the legendary group the Band — as well as generation-defining artists, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. What, were Harold Crosby and the Pine Tree Boys unavailable? Rated PG. Directed by the master, Martin Scorsese. Playing Friday, Nov. 29 through Sunday, Dec. 1. It’s the weekend after Thanksgiving, you know what that means! Trash Vault is serving up another classic from the greatest, splatteriest director of all time. Over a decade before he defined an entire genre with his spectacular "Spider-Man" films, director Sam Raimi desperately wanted to make a superhero picture of his own. But when the rights to “The Shadow” slipped through his fingers, Raimi instead made his own original superhero movie, deeply influenced by the grim and gothic horror movies of his youth. When a scientist is blown up by mobsters, he uses his research into prosthetic skin to take his violent revenge. Rated R. Stars Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson, Academy Award-winner Frances McDormand and Fangoria Chainsaw Award-winner Bruce Campbell as the Final Shemp. Playing Saturday, Nov. 30. Stage on Screen brings the greatest contemporary theatrical performances to the Roxy’s silver screen. This month extraordinary soprano Lise Davidsen steps into the role of Puccini’s volatile diva Floria Tosca for her first time at the Met. Playing Monday, Dec. 2. Join Missoula’s funniest people for a free stand-up show that gives 5 minutes of stage time to both established and new comedians. Sign up for the show starts at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7. Join the fun Tuesday, Dec. 3. Sometimes you look back at a movie and realize that while it might not have been a huge hit, it still left a huge footprint. In this coming-of-age drama, a young man struggles with PTSD while starting at a new high school. His new friendships bring him closer to healing. A snapshot of the era of Tumblr-aesthetic, Out at the Roxy presents this modern cult classic. Rated PG-13. Stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and on-screen superhero/off-screen supervillain Ezra Miller. Playing Thursday, Dec. 5. Show times Friday, Nov. 29-Thursday, Dec. 5 Wicked (PG) Fri: 2, 2:30, 5, 8 p.m. Sat: 2, 2:15, 5, 5:15, 8:15 p.m. Sun: 2, 2:30, 5, 8 p.m. Mon-Wed: 5:15, 8:15 p.m. Thu: 4:30, 5, 8 p.m. Heretic (R) Fri-Sun: 5:45, 8 p.m. Mon: 4:45 p.m. Tue: 7:30 p.m. Wed: 5:45, 8 p.m. Thu: 5:15 p.m. Small Things Like These (PG-13) Fri: 3, 5:15, 7:30 p.m. Sat: 3, 5:45 p.m. Sun-Mon: 5:15, 7:30 p.m. Tue: 4:45 p.m. Wed: 5:30, 7:45 p.m. Thu: 5:15, 7:30 p.m. The Last Waltz (PG) Fri: 5:30, 8:15 p.m. Sat: 8 p.m. Sun: 5:30, 8:15 p.m. Darkman (R) Sat: 8 p.m. A Christmas Story (PG) Sun: 3 p.m. Mon-Wed: 5, 7:30 p.m. Met Opera Live: Tosca Mon: 7 p.m. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (PG-13) Thu: 7:30 p.m. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Germany's CDU, currently favorites to lead the next German government, wants to cut unemployment benefits for Ukrainian war refugees, on the grounds that it discourages them from finding work. Germany's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) — currently leading in polls ahead of the election on February 23 next year — want to cut welfare benefits and get more of the country's 5.5 million long-term unemployed into the labor market. They are also openly questioning whether Ukrainians should receive the standard unemployment benefit, called Bürgergeld ("citizens' income") rather than the lower asylum-seeker benefits. Following Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine , refugees arriving in Germany and were subject to an EU Council Directive for temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons for whom the regular asylum procedures do not apply. They were granted temporary residency status and entitled to full social welfare benefits. The CSU's Stephan Stracke, social policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU's parliamentary group, told DW that while anyone fleeing "war and violence" had a right to protection, "This does not mean, however, that there must be an automatic entitlement to the citizen's income in Germany." Instead, Stracke said, newly arrived Ukrainian war refugees should receive asylum-seeker benefits "at first." Political row breaks out in Germany over Ukrainian refugees To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Integration into the job market Germany is currently home to around 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, around 530,000 of whom are classified by the Federal Employment Agency as eligible to work and entitled to citizens' income (as of May 2024). That means they receive an unemployment benefit of up to €563 ($596) per month plus their rent and heating costs paid by the state. There is an extra allowance for children, staggered by age, and around 360,000 of the Ukrainian refugees in Germany are children. Stracke's proposal — for Ukrainians to receive the standard asylum seekers' benefit instead — would mean that Ukrainians would receive only €460 per month. The CDU's move is part of a general planned overhaul of the Bürgergeld system if they get into power, which will include tougher sanctions for refusing work and more mandatory visits to the authorities. The tougher comments on Ukrainian refugees are not new among German conservatives: Two years ago, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is predicted to head Germany's next government questioned the Ukranians' need for protection: "We are now experiencing a form of social tourism among these refugees: to Germany, back to Ukraine, to Germany, back to Ukraine," Merz told the Bild TV outlet in 2022 , triggering widespread outrage. Ukrainians across Europe In a newly updated study, the German Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found that Germany was struggling to integrate Ukrainians into the job market, at least compared with other countries — but also that the situation was improving: Only 27% of Ukrainians in Germany had found work as of March this year, compared to 57% in Lithuania and 53% in Denmark (though that was still ahead of Ukrainians in Norway, Spain, and Finland, where only around 20% had found work). — and finding childcare and schooling has become increasingly difficult. According to Germany's right-wing parties, like the CDU and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) , the high number of refugees living off social welfare is partly down to the amount of money they receive. "Germany has obviously not been particularly successful in getting Ukrainian refugees into work so far," said Stracke. "Other European countries are doing much better. That is why we in Germany have to give more weight to the principle of supporting and challenging people to find work." Getting qualifications recognized But the IAB study also shows that the proportion of Ukrainians in work is steadily rising in all the European countries — and that there is little evidence to show that there is a correlation with the amount of state help they receive. More significant factors than benefits, the IAB said, were language barriers and demand for labor in the low-wage sector, where it is easier to find work. Iryna Shulikina, executive director at the Berlin-based NGO Vitsche, which supports Ukrainian refugees in Germany, said Ukrainians encounter several obstacles to finding work in Germany, most notably getting through the bureaucratic process. According to the IAB, some 72% of Ukrainian refugees have either a university degree or a vocational qualification — more than other refugees or the German working population in general. "When they come here, they face the difficulties of getting their diplomas approved here," Shulikina said. To name one example: Though Germany faces a shortage of medical workers, Shulikina said she had spoken to Ukrainian medical workers who needed two and a half years to get to the stage where they could work: Applying for work, getting their documents and qualifications approved, doing the necessary tests, learning the language. "It's a real challenge," she said. Talk about sending Ukrainians back plays into Putin’s hands: Fabian Funke, German MP To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Election puts pressure on refugees Whether a likely CDU-led government will succeed in changing conditions for Ukrainian refugees will depend also on its coalition partners: The center-left Social Democrats (SPD) are less inclined to crack down on social welfare recipients, while leading members of the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP) , have already expressed their support for recategorizing Ukrainian war refugees — even though the party's parliamentary group declined to state an official position to DW for this article. Shulikina put the current political debate on the issue of Bürgergeld down to election campaigning and did not accept the argument that the citizens' income was keeping Ukrainian refugees at home. "All the people I know who are refugees and have anything to do with the Job Center are doing everything possible to end this relationship," she said. "It's very humiliating and annoying. You are very dependent, and you are not perceived as an equal part of society — you're asked about every cent you spend and how and when. I don't believe there are a lot of people who enjoy getting Bürgergeld." Lyudmyla Mlosch, chairperson of the Central Council of Ukrainians in Germany (ZVUD), said many Ukrainians she knows in Germany don't want to be here at all. "I know a lot of people here who are dreaming of going home, but they have no home — they've lost everything," said Mlosch. "Of course they need support." But Mlosch did admit that some Ukrainians are more desperate than others: Those from the regions in the east that are under almost continual bombardment from Russia are more in need of state help, for example, as are older or sick people, or people who have no savings. "They don't need to all be put in the same bracket. But younger people who can work, they could have their money reduced, I could admit that," she said. Edited by Rina Goldenberg While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.As the gravity of the situation became apparent, the flight crew made the difficult decision to prioritize the passenger's well-being and safety above all else. The crew's professionalism and composure under such extreme circumstances served as a testament to their unwavering dedication to passenger safety and well-being.
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking “extraordinary measures,” or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling , as early as January 14, in a letter sent to congressional leaders Friday afternoon. "Treasury expects to hit the statutory debt ceiling between January 14 and January 23," she wrote in a letter addressed to House and Senate leadership, at which point extraordinary measures would be used to prevent the government from breaching the nation's debt ceiling — which was suspended until Jan. 1, 2025. The department in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating. Once those measures run out, the government risks defaulting on its debt unless lawmakers and the president agree to lift the limit on the U.S. government’s ability to borrow. "I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States," Yellen said. FILE - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a visit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in Vienna, Va., on Jan. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) The news came after Democratic President Joe Biden signed a bill into law last week that averted a government shutdown but did not include Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s core debt demand to raise or suspend the nation’s debt limit. Congress approved the bill only after a fierce internal debate among Republicans over how to handle Trump's demand. “Anything else is a betrayal of our country,” Trump said in a statement. After a protracted debate in the summer of 2023 over how to fund the government, policymakers crafted the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which included suspending the nation's $31.4 trillion borrowing authority until Jan. 1, 2025. Notably however, Yellen said, on Jan. 2 the debt is projected to temporarily decrease due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments. As a result, “Treasury does not expect that it will be necessary to start taking extraordinary measures on January 2 to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations," she said. The federal debt stands at about $36 trillion — after ballooning across both Republican and Democratic administrations. The spike in inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed up government borrowing costs such that debt service next year will exceed spending on national security. Republicans, who will have full control of the White House, House and Senate in the new year, have big plans to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts and other priorities but are debating over how to pay for them. Many consumers may remember receiving their first credit card, either years ago in a plain envelope, or months ago from a smartphone app. Still other consumers may remember their newest card, maybe because it's the credit card they're now using exclusively to maximize cash back rewards or airline miles. But for most consumers, there's also a murky in-between where they add, drop and generally accumulate credit cards over time. Over the years, consumers may close some credit card accounts or leave some of their credit cards dormant as a backup form of payment, or perhaps left forgotten in a desk drawer. In the data below, Experian reveals the changes in consumers wallets in recent years. U.S. consumers, on average, carry fewer cards today than they did in 2017, when the typical wallet held 4.2 active credit cards. As of the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, consumers carried 3.9 cards on average. This average is up slightly since the early days of the pandemic, when consumers reduced their average credit card debt and number of accounts as the economy slowed. As Experian revealed earlier this year, credit card balances are still climbing, despite (and partially because of) higher interest rates. And while average balances are increasing, they are spread across fewer accounts than in recent years. Alternative financing—including buy now, pay later plans for purchases—may account for at least some of this discrepancy, as consumers gravitate toward these newer financing methods. In general, residents of higher-population states tend to carry more credit cards than those who live in states with fewer and smaller population centers. Nonetheless, the difference between the states is relatively small. Considering that the national average is around four credit cards per consumer, the four states with the fewest cards per consumer (Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming) aren't appreciably different, with "only" about 3.3 credit cards per consumer. Similarly, the four states on the higher end of the scale where consumers have 4.2 or more credit cards are Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey and Rhode Island. The disparity in average credit card counts is more apparent when the population is segmented by age, thanks in part to Generation Z, many of whom have yet to receive their first credit card. The average number of credit cards for these consumers was two, less than half of what older generations keep on hand. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Janet Yellen tells Congress US could hit debt limit in mid-JanuaryThe Syrian government's appeal to the United Nations comes at a critical time when the region is already reeling from the impact of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises. Syria, a country that has been devastated by years of civil war and external interventions, cannot afford to withstand further aggression from its neighbors.
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NoneAs air travel continues to be a popular mode of transportation for millions of people around the world, incidents like this serve as a sobering reminder of the potential risks involved and the need for vigilance and preparedness at all times. Passengers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with onboard safety procedures and protocols, and to report any health concerns or emergencies promptly to cabin crew members for immediate assistance.