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With 2025 coming up, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is closer every day. The 2,5% adjustment will be applied starting January 1 st to all Social Security benefits, with one notable exception. As the Social Security Administration (SSA) explains, “The latest COLA is 2.5 per cent for Social Security benefits and SSI payments. Social Security benefits will increase by 2.5 percent beginning with the December 2024 benefits, which are payable in January 2025. Federal SSI payment levels will also increase by 2.5 per cent effective for payments made for January 2025. Because the normal SSI payment date is the first of the month and January 1 is a holiday, the SSI payments for January are always made at the end of the previous December.” But first, what are Social Security benefits? They are support given by the Federal Government and distributed by the SSA to individuals who qualify because of Retirement, Disability or other types of financial hardship. There are five programs run by the SSA that provide benefits, each with their own characteristics and requirements: Disability Benefits: Monthly payments for those with a qualifying disability or blindness and sufficient work history. Survivor Benefits: Support for family members of a deceased worker who paid into Social Security , such as spouses, ex-spouses, children, or dependent parents. Family Benefits: Monthly payments to certain family members of people who are eligible for Retirement or Disability. Retirement Benefit: Monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether It is based on your work history. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) : Monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. As an example of the distribution of these benefits, in 2022, 70.6 million people received Social Security benefits, according to the SSA’s Office of Retirement and Disability Policy , with 5.6 million new beneficiaries joining that year. Among disabled workers, the average age was 55.6, and women accounted for 55% of SSI recipients. Furthermore, 85% of SSI payments were distributed to individuals with disabilities or blindness. Changes to Social Security benefits Since those who receive government assistance are more economically vulnerable than their well-paid salaried counterparts, there are changes made every year to ensure that the benefits they receive are enough to make ends meet. One of the most important changes is the previously mentioned COLA. It ensures that beneficiaries do not lose purchasing power over time and can afford to live a comfortable life. For those who wish to lean how the increase will affect their benefits, the SSA sends out yearly notices to beneficiaries explaining the particulars of their specific increase and the amount of their new check. These notices will be distributed in the month of December, but will also be available online to consult for those who have a my Social Security Account. The information that will be available online is another change to the SSA system, as now many forms, especially those related to overpayments or that need to accompany disability applications will be available online and no longer require actual signatures. The last change we will reflect on involves Social Security , but it is not directly related to it. Many beneficiaries (in fact, most of them) are also enrolled in Medicare, and one of the changes to Medicare is the rise in the Part B premiums. Even though the change may seem insignificant, Part B premiums are taken out of Social Security checks before they reach the recipients’ bank account. The increase will be approximately $10, which will significantly impact the 2,5% increase. To put it into context, the average retirement Social Security check is $1,907, which puts the increase around $47. If we subtract the $10 Medicare will take, this will leave retirees with only $37 extra dollars a month.Advisors Asset Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators Co. ( NYSE:HMN – Free Report ) by 61.6% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 3,817 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 6,124 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Horace Mann Educators were worth $133,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Quarry LP increased its stake in Horace Mann Educators by 1,798.0% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 949 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 899 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 142.1% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 920 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares during the period. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. KBC Group NV raised its stake in shares of Horace Mann Educators by 60.2% in the third quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,671 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 628 shares in the last quarter. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Horace Mann Educators during the second quarter worth $59,000. Institutional investors own 99.28% of the company’s stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on HMN shares. Raymond James began coverage on shares of Horace Mann Educators in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. They issued a “strong-buy” rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered shares of Horace Mann Educators from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $39.00 to $44.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price target on Horace Mann Educators from $36.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Horace Mann Educators presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $42.67. Insider Transactions at Horace Mann Educators In related news, Director Beverley J. Mcclure sold 5,634 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.08, for a total transaction of $237,078.72. Following the sale, the director now owns 19,057 shares in the company, valued at approximately $801,918.56. This represents a 22.82 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Marita Zuraitis sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.24, for a total value of $148,960.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 292,336 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,886,592.64. This represents a 1.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 51,751 shares of company stock worth $1,946,895 in the last three months. Insiders own 3.80% of the company’s stock. Horace Mann Educators Price Performance Shares of HMN stock opened at $41.89 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $37.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $35.31. The stock has a market cap of $1.71 billion, a PE ratio of 16.69 and a beta of 0.27. Horace Mann Educators Co. has a 52-week low of $31.81 and a 52-week high of $43.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.09 and a current ratio of 0.09. Horace Mann Educators ( NYSE:HMN – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The insurance provider reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.04. Horace Mann Educators had a return on equity of 8.14% and a net margin of 6.55%. The firm had revenue of $412.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $293.87 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.44 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Horace Mann Educators Co. will post 2.61 EPS for the current year. Horace Mann Educators Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th were given a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 16th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.25%. Horace Mann Educators’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.18%. Horace Mann Educators Profile ( Free Report ) Horace Mann Educators Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an insurance holding company in the United States. The company operates through Property & Casualty, Life & Retirement, and Supplemental & Group Benefits segments. Its Property & Casualty segment offers insurance products, including private passenger auto insurance, residential home insurance, and personal umbrella insurance; and provides auto coverages including liability and collision, and property coverage for homeowners and renters. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HMN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Horace Mann Educators Co. ( NYSE:HMN – Free Report ). 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While livestreaming and social media have made it easier for stockbrokers to attract clients and offer trading advice, regulators are worried that these platforms are luring in inexperienced investors and making them prone to impulsive financial decisions. “The pace is impossible to resist,” says Li, an executive at a mid-sized securities firm in central China. Each morning, he begins by checking the company’s livestream rooms, reviewing backend data and monitoring popular stock market streams.
PG&E ( NYSE:PCG – Free Report ) had its target price lifted by Mizuho from $24.00 to $26.00 in a research note published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has an outperform rating on the utilities provider’s stock. A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of PG&E in a research note on Thursday, September 12th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on PG&E in a research report on Monday, October 14th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on PG&E from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Barclays lifted their target price on PG&E from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on PG&E from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $23.10. View Our Latest Report on PCG PG&E Price Performance PG&E ( NYSE:PCG – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.05. PG&E had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 11.11%. The business had revenue of $5.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.58 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.24 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that PG&E will post 1.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. PG&E Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th were paid a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.18%. PG&E’s payout ratio is 3.13%. Institutional Trading of PG&E Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in PG&E by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 17,116,725 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $346,443,000 after buying an additional 681,369 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC grew its stake in PG&E by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 55,938 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $1,106,000 after acquiring an additional 2,527 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of PG&E during the third quarter worth approximately $349,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of PG&E by 21.7% during the third quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 87,919 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $1,879,000 after acquiring an additional 15,648 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TD Private Client Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in shares of PG&E by 34.5% in the third quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 35,255 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $697,000 after purchasing an additional 9,043 shares during the period. 78.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About PG&E ( Get Free Report ) PG&E Corporation, through its subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, engages in the sale and delivery of electricity and natural gas to customers in northern and central California, the United States. It generates electricity using nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil fuel-fired, fuel cell, and photovoltaic sources. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for PG&E Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PG&E and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — One of the strongest storms on the West Coast in decades knocked out power for thousands of people, unleashed strong winds that toppled trees and left two dead in Washington before making its way through Oregon to Northern California where on Thursday it dropped heavy snow and record amounts of rain. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river — a long and wide plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land — so far this season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.Herscher delves into plans for new school buildingCitigroup Inc. boosted its position in Archrock, Inc. ( NYSE:AROC – Free Report ) by 59.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 447,160 shares of the energy company’s stock after acquiring an additional 166,947 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. owned 0.26% of Archrock worth $9,051,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AROC. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Archrock by 20.5% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 3,958,281 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $80,036,000 after purchasing an additional 672,663 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in Archrock by 60.3% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,343,652 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $47,389,000 after acquiring an additional 882,024 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Archrock by 13.4% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,323,820 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $47,034,000 after acquiring an additional 274,763 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Archrock by 9.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,169,768 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $43,873,000 after acquiring an additional 185,962 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Archrock by 1,680.2% in the 3rd quarter. Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP now owns 1,530,440 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $30,976,000 after purchasing an additional 1,444,471 shares during the period. 95.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently commented on AROC shares. Citigroup initiated coverage on Archrock in a report on Friday, September 27th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Mizuho started coverage on Archrock in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $24.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Archrock from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Archrock in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Archrock from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Archrock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $25.17. Archrock Stock Performance Shares of AROC stock opened at $25.62 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $22.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.69. Archrock, Inc. has a one year low of $14.14 and a one year high of $26.36. The stock has a market cap of $4.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.15 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Archrock ( NYSE:AROC – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 11th. The energy company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $292.16 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $286.19 million. Archrock had a net margin of 13.34% and a return on equity of 16.24%. Archrock’s revenue was up 15.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.20 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Archrock, Inc. will post 1.09 EPS for the current year. Archrock Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 13th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 6th were issued a dividend of $0.175 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 6th. This is a positive change from Archrock’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.73%. Archrock’s payout ratio is presently 76.92%. Archrock Company Profile ( Free Report ) Archrock, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Contract Operations and Aftermarket Services. It engages in the designing, sourcing, owning, installing, operating, servicing, repairing, and maintaining of its owned fleet of natural gas compression equipment to provide natural gas compression services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Archrock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archrock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Crying is a quintessential human experience. Claire Danes does it . Kim Kardashian does it . Even Michael Jordan does it . And no matter how long it has been since you last shed a tear, there is no doubt that you’ve done it, too. Other species produce tears, but ours is the only one that scientists believe consistently cries not just to lubricate and protect the eyeballs, but also to express emotion – like after a breakup, at graduation ceremonies and while watching The Notebook. While they are one of the few things that make us uniquely human, in many ways, emotional tears remain an enigma. Research has revealed that our emotions are even more complicated than neuroscientists once thought; there is no one area of the brain that’s responsible for feelings of sadness or anger, for instance. And scientists have yet to scan people’s brains to see what happens while they are crying. Still, some progress has been made to help us understand human tears – to grasp what they’re made of, why we create them (some of us more than others) and why producing them can help us feel better. Practically any creature that has eyeballs produces two sets of tears: Basal and reflex. Basal tears keep the eye moist, while reflex tears are meant to protect the eye from irritants like dust. Humans also shed a third type, fittingly called emotional tears, when they are sad, frustrated, overwhelmed, happy or moved. All three types of tears are structurally similar in that they are primarily made of water, oils, mucus, antibacterial proteins and electrolytes, said Darlene Dartt, a professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. You probably rarely, if ever, notice basal tears, which are released in tiny amounts throughout the day. As they evaporate, the temperature on the surface of the eyeballs drops slightly, which signals that the eyes should produce more basal tears to avoid drying out. Reflex and emotional tears release more liquid, which is why your eyes well up while you’re chopping onions or why tears stream down your face at a funeral. That extra liquid mainly comes from special tear glands located underneath the eyebrows that are regulated by cells in the brainstem. With reflex tears, nerves in the eyes signal to the brainstem that tears are needed to flush out whatever is irritating them. For emotional tears, scientists think that other parts of the brain activate those brainstem cells to turn on the tear glands. Lots of animals wail in distress. Experts think that they – and we – evolved to do so in infancy as a means of survival. That’s because the animals that cry vocally, namely mammals and birds, tend to rely on a mother or father. A robin chick’s peeps and a goat kid’s bleats are the baby’s main way to solicit care from a parent when it’s hungry, scared or in pain . But animals don’t shed emotional tears when they cry. And for the first several weeks of their lives, neither do humans. Instead, similar to other animals, newborn babies produce a heartbreaking (and ear-piercing) bawl. Then, sometime in the first month or two, salty fluid starts to fall from their eyes as well. It’s a bit of a mystery why we started to produce tears while upset, rather than continuing to cry with dry eyes like sloths or bats do. It’s possible that the act of scrunching up your face to unleash a yowl puts pressure on the eyeballs, stimulating the tear glands, said Ad Vingerhoets, an emeritus professor of clinical psychology at Tilburg University in the Netherlands and one of the foremost experts in human crying. That may be why yawning, laughing and vomiting can lead to tears as well, he added. Tears may also hold an evolutionary advantage over howls, and as we age, we become more able to cry quietly. While anyone on an aeroplane can hear an infant wail, only those sitting in the seats near you will see tears roll down your cheeks while you watch the opening sequence of Up. In that way, tears can more subtly alert others nearby to someone’s distress without giving the person away to predators that may be lurking , said Lauren Bylsma, an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. For the first years of our lives, we mostly shed tears related to our own experiences – a busted knee, a bee sting or a dropped ice cream cone. That starts to change as we grow older and become more emotionally and socially developed. We cry less in response to physical pain and more over our emotional connections to other people. “Your world becomes greater, so there are more people who become more important for you,” Dr Vingerhoets said. One of the most common reasons for crying is the absence or loss of a loved one, whether we’re homesick as children, heartbroken in adolescence or grieving a death at any age. We cry over the plights of others, too. These empathetic tears may occur because we are imagining ourselves in other people’s shoes, whether they are friends, strangers or even fictional characters. In fact, this is how scientists study crying: They show people a sad clip from a film and see if it turns on the waterworks. While sadness is the emotion most typically associated with crying, what many tearful experiences have in common is a sense of helplessness or powerlessness. That feeling of powerlessness often accompanies tears of frustration, and it may even explain the tears some people shed when they feel emotionally overwhelmed, whether from joy, anxiety or awe. In fact, Dr Vingerhoets called helplessness “the core element of crying”, since it harks back to the original evolutionary purpose of tears: Needing assistance or support. Cliche as it is, the biggest predictor of how often someone cries is gender. Research from around the world has found that women consistently cry more frequently than men. Much of that difference is likely to be the result of societal pressures and gender norms, experts say. Consider the fact that little boys and girls cry about the same amount, said Jonathan Rottenberg, a professor of psychology at Cornell University. Only over time does a tearful gender gap start to emerge. Part of the reason may be that society largely teaches boys the importance of being tough. “Boys might inhibit their crying for fear of violating a gender stereotype,” Dr Rottenberg said. Hormones may play a role as well. The gender gap in crying tends to emerge during adolescence, when sex hormones kick in, and one hypothesis is that testosterone may suppress tears or that swings in oestrogen levels make the crying response more likely. But there is little research on the topic, and one of the few studies that examined the connection between hormones and tears found that, despite commonly held beliefs about premenstrual syndrome, women were not more likely to cry during any particular phase of their cycles. Certain personality traits appear to influence how much people cry. Highly empathetic people tend to report crying more, as do people who are more neurotic, Dr Vingerhoets said. Then there are things we do to our bodies that increase the odds – namely, drink alcohol and neglect sleep. Doing either can cause people to cry more easily, most likely because they lower inhibition, making it harder to hold back tears. Perhaps the longest-running debate among researchers is why crying often makes people feel better. One of the largest studies to investigate the concept asked thousands of people from around the world about the last time they shed tears. A little over half reported feeling better afterward, almost 40 per cent experienced no difference and 10 per cent said they actually felt worse. Crying, especially when alone, may serve as a sort of self-therapy. “It forces you to think about whatever you’re crying about,” Dr Bylsma said. “To deal with it cognitively, emotionally, and kind of process whatever that thing is that’s upsetting you.” People tend to report feeling better if the crying episode was prompted by an issue that could be solved, like a disagreement with a partner, rather than by a situation outside of their control, like the loss of a loved one, Dr Vingerhoets said. In social situations, the biggest factor influencing how you feel after crying is how the people around you react . People who receive a supportive response, like a hug or validation of their feelings, tend to feel better, while those whose tears are met with anger or ridicule are more likely to feel worse. This makes sense, as experts think the primary purpose of the tear, no matter your age, is to communicate distress to others. “It is there to signal to others when help is needed and when someone is feeling separated and not attached to care,” Dr Rottenberg said. The lesson: When someone cries around you, show you’re there for that person. The science says it really does help. By Dana G Smith © The New York Times Company The article originally appeared in The New York Times .The leadership of the Georgian Dream party has tried to manage the fallout from their decision to the EU accession, as waves of angered citizens filled the streets of the capital and other Georgian cities. by the police and brutality from non-uniformed “black men” that accompany the riot police forces are fuelling public anger. Starting yesterday, civil servants from various key ministries, including , , and justice, have spoken out in favor of Georgia’s European future, distancing themselves from the GD decision. The crisis comes while the party that ruled Georgia for the past twelve years struggles to affirm its international legitimacy following the elections on October 26. The scale and breadth of violations led the observers and the to condemn them as not fair and not representative of the people’s will. President Salome Zurabishvili also said the elections “did not take place.” By ignoring the legislative procedures for recognizing the credentials of MPs which are being challenged in the Constitutional Court, the Georgian Dream put itself in constitutional and legal limbo. Thus, the government endorsed by this parliament is considered illegitimate by the opposition, large part of the civil society actors, and influential voices . Despite the pressure they feel from the streets, the Georgian Dream officials try to remain on the offensive, advancing the following narratives. To critics who say they halted Georgia’s EU accession, the Georgian Dream officials retort that it was Europe that stopped the process. This statement omits the fact that the conditionalities of accession to the European Union are not for Georgia to establish and that the government led by the Georgian Dream has refused to meet the twelve conditions for candidacy fully and then, after having received candidacy nonetheless, ignored the reformulated nine conditions for opening the accession negotiations. Irakli Kobakhidze, who made a statement about halting the accession, said that the EU used the candidacy and then the accession talks to “blackmail” Georgia. By ending this blackmail, he argued, Georgia is free to enter the EU on its terms – coded as its “values” and its “dignity.” On November 30, GD spokesman Mamuka Mdinaradze , trying to put the blame on the EU: “If they [the EU] were to put on the table the paper that says they are ready to start accession negotiations, we would sign it immediately.” Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and GD Secretary-General, made an point. Kobakhidze also argued that the EU used the candidacy and then the accession talks to “blackmail” Georgia and elicit concessions that were counter to Georgian values. By flipping the narrative GD also built on its conspiracy theory, claiming that Western powers and their domestic lackeys have been plotting “Georgian Maidan,” or “Natsmaidan”, from the pejorative nickname “Natsi” referring to supporters of the opposition United National Movement. GD claims that the opposition and the Global Party of War conspire to instigate a regime change event similar to Ukraine’s Euromaidan in 2013, which is bound to bring similar results – war and destruction – while the ruling party has been foiling their plots at every step. , at the briefing on November 30, said: “Already for the third year, specific European politicians and bureaucrats, whose attempts at Ukrainization of Georgia have failed before, insist on using the [EU] candidacy and [accession] negotiations for weakening the country, promoting so-called polarization and dividing our society. ‘[...] A responsibility for yesterday’s violent manifestation rests with these European politicians and bureaucrats, and their local agents, the fifth column, represented by four [opposition] parties.” further : “We have correctly decided to get ahead of, so to say, the very bad developments [the inspirations of the Maidan] planned for December 16-20.” This cryptic statement is wrapped in a conspiracy theory, so it begs explanation: by this statement, a GD official implies that the opposition planned protests for December when GD is set to install their loyal president and the EU Foreign Affairs Council is set to deliberate. In Mdinaradze’s words, the GD made a statement to halt the accession process to provoke protests early and thus catch the conspirators before they were ready. This “tactic” echoes the statement by party patron , who claimed to have re-submitted the law on Foreign Agents in the spring of 2024 so that the protesters “get exhausted” before the October 26 elections. The State Security Service chimed in on November 30, saying the “destructive developments” have commenced “in accordance with the indications of the case about the violent overthrow of the government, which the SSSG has been informing the public about previously.” The Security Service has been repeatedly launching “coup investigations,” which led to some interrogations publicized by the GD-aligned media and then shelved. They are diligently “re-activated” during the crisis. GD MPs also started spinning rumors that “foreign citizens” were detained during protests. “This is an interesting question ... what are they doing on Rustaveli Avenue today?” Rati Ionatamishvili. Faced with the video proof of police violence, GD admits it, condemns it, but also demonstrators have instigated it. “It is, of course, horrible to see a lying man kicked in the face, and there can be no justification for this, but if we want to be even a bit more objective, we have to point out that the instigators of violence are not one, two, five or ten, but hundreds of demonstrators.” Both and thanked the police for keeping their cool when the protesters “simply came out for seeking violence.” The has been repeatedly about the injuries sustained by the police officers, statements that are given high prominence in GD-loyal media. As more civil servants and diplomats have distanced themselves from the ruling party, they felt the need to react. GD MP Nino Tsilosani’s first reaction to such statements from Foreign Ministry employees was to say, “You will sound even more convincing if you just resign and then think about your values.” The subsequent response from GD was to disparage and patronize the signatories. Mdinaradze gaslighted the signatories saying: “To those people who can’t resist the pseudo-liberal fascism and their bullying: don’t strain yourselves too much, no need to send up the apologies from the back door either, post freely [on social media] that Georgia’s place is in Europe. [...] We are there, holding that very position, but those who bully you – as yourselves, where do they stand really? [...] Ask yourselves how you allowed yourself to be bullied [by the opposition] this way.” The Georgian Dream’s attempt to remain on the offensive is hitting the wall of mounting widespread anger, which does not seem to be dampened – so far – by the police violence or public relations tactics. On the contrary. Now, by demanding access to the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GBP) the opposition is trying to break the ruling party’s monopoly on nationwide television broadcasters, which gives them preferential access to the suburban voters.
Whoscall cites 3 common scams to watch out for this Christmas seasonE! may get a commission if you purchase something through our links. Learn more . While many retailers were having huge doorbuster sales on Black Friday , REI famously did not. Instead, they closed all their stores to give their thousands of employees the day off. Now, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any holiday sales. In fact, REI’s Cyber Monday Sale and Cyber Week Sale is the biggest you’ll see all year, with savings of up to 50% on top brands like The North Face , Columbia , Hoka , prAna , Garmin , and more. You don’t see sales on these items often, so now is the time to shop the cozy outerwear, base layers, fleeces , puffers, and more, that you’ll be needing this season. Plus, there are tons of giftable items to help you shop for everyone on your list. What are you waiting for? Head over to REI’s Cyber Week Sale and get shopping . Columbia Panorama Long Jacket - Women's Made of polyester sherpa fleece, this long Columbia jacket might be the winter staple you've been waiting for. It's warm, cozy, and most importantly, 25% off. HOKA Bondi 8 Road-Running Shoes - Women's Ideal for walking, running, and comfort, the Bondi 8 is a great Hoka option. It's soft and light, with plush cushioning and a comfy memory foam collar. This fan raved, "They are so comfortable that they are like not having any shoes on at all! Very light weight yet very sturdy." REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket - Women's Warm and insulating, this fleece jacket is perfect for layering or wearing solo. This fan reported, "It makes you feel super comfy, cozy and soft when out in the world and is not bulky or cumbersome like some fleece jackets can be." REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Tights - Women's If you see me walking in NYC in the winter, I'm usually wearing tights under my pants as a base layer -- like these . Soft, stretchy, and moisture-wicking these base layer tights will keep you warm and dry all season long. Columbia Boundless Discovery Full-Zip II Jacket - Women's Plush sherpa fleece and elastic cuffs on this full zip jacket will make sure the wind and cold won't keep you down. Stylish and cozy, get it now while it's 25% off. KEEN Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots - Women's Available in wide and half sizes, you're sure to get the perfect fit with these hiking boots . They're waterproof (which is a must for hiking boots) and feature resilient cushioning to keep you comfy step after step. REI Co-op 650 Down Vest - Women's Made from recycled materials, this down vest is a cold-weather must-have. Warm, windproof, and water-resistant, it checks all the boxes. Reviewers add that it's also lightweight and great for travel. prAna Railay Pullover - Women's Whether you're going on a hike or just walking the dog, this prAna pullover has a relaxed fit and stylish silhouette to keep you looking good. The drawstring allows you to wear it cropped or fitted, and it even comes with UPF 50+ sun protection. prAna Laurel Creek Sweater - Women's With a cable knit style and trendy cropped length, this prAna sweater is as chic as it is warm. Pair it with high-waisted corduroy pants or jeans for a cozy fall look. Columbia Harmony Falls Mid Down Jacket - Women's Save 25% on this Columbia down jacket while you can. It can take on all the elements with a rain- and stain-resistant finish, plus a plush fleece-lined hood and thermal-reflective technology that captures warmth. Garmin Forerunner 55 I swear by my Garmin Forerunner GPS watch . It tracks my runs, steps, sleep, yoga, and more, and has the perfect amount of functions (without feeling overwhelming). Plus the battery lasts up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode. REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie - Women's According to REI, this down hoodie is their lightest yet. It's made with recycled nylon and high-quality goose down and can be packed in its own pocket for convenient portability. Still shopping? Then check out these Black Friday UGG deals . Technically, no. REI gives all their 15,000 employees off for Thanksgiving and Black Friday so they can spend that time with their families. But REI and REI Co-op offer deals on Cyber Monday, Cyber Week, and throughout the holiday season. You can save on outdoor gear and clothing from top brands like The North Face, Smartwool, Mountain Hardwear, Blundstone, Garmin, Arc’teryx, Smith, Ruffwear, REI Co-op, and more. Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving in the United States, traditionally marking the start of the holiday shopping season. The term "Black Friday" originated in the 1960s and refers to the point in the year when retailers begin to turn a profit, moving from being "in the red" (indicating losses) to "in the black" (indicating profits). Retailers offer significant discounts and promotions, attracting millions of shoppers looking for the best deals. Online Black Friday deals can often be just as good, if not better, than in-store deals. Many retailers offer exclusive online discounts and free shipping options. Plus, shopping online allows you to avoid crowds and shop from the comfort of your home. Trust us, we recommend not storming the local Macy’s and instead finding the best deals from us. To prepare for Black Friday, start by making a shopping list of items you want and compare prices in advance to catch the best deals. Be sure to bookmark your favorite retailers and set up accounts for faster checkout. Sign up for our E! Insider Shop newsletter for exclusive access to deals, and follow us on Instagram for real-time updates on flash sales. While Black Friday 2024 will take place on November 29th, many brands start their sales online on Thanksgiving evening or even days prior, allowing shoppers to take advantage of deals before the official day begins. So far, Coach , Lululemon , and Michael Kors have already marked down tons of items. However, these deals won't last forever—most sales will continue through Cyber Monday, while some may end sooner depending on stock availability. Be sure to shop early to avoid missing out on your favorite items! We have already put together a list of the best deals to shop this Black Friday , featuring all of our favorite brands and products. If you’re looking for a specific brand, we've seen incredible discounts from Dyson , Nordstrom Rack , Kate Spade , Lululemon , and many others. Whether you're shopping for stylish activewear , luxury handbags , or classic wardrobe staples , these brands are offering some of the most impressive deals of the season.
Governments around the globe are pulling strings on social media platforms over their effects on the mental health of teenagers. What’s happening recently with TikTok is the perfect example to sum up the ongoing situation. That said, it’s not alone. Other giants including Meta have been treated similarly. Now, Australia is doing something big in this regard. Today, Australia’s majority party introduced a bill in parliament that would ban teenagers under 16 from using social media. Australia’s Labor Party proposes a bill to ban teenagers below 16 years from using social media The proposed bill would directly impact top social media apps like Instagram , TikTok, Snapchat, and X. From the looks of it, Australia wants to hold the platforms accountable instead of parents and children. It’s worth noting that repeated violations of the proposed law would attract a hefty fine of up to AUD 49.5 million ($32.2 million). The Labor Party’s bill also requires platforms to destroy the collected data of underage users. There are a few exemptions, though. Teenagers below 16 will have access to social media apps promoting online gaming, messaging, health, and education-related services. This includes the young mental health support app HeadSpace, Google’s YouTube, and Google Classroom. Reuters reports that Australia also plans to trial a different age verification system . The new system may require users to provide biometrics or government identifications to prove they meet the set social media age cut-off. The news agency further notes that this law is “ some of toughest controls imposed by any country to date .” There are no exemptions in regard to parental consent It’s worth noting that the proposed bill would have no exemption for parental consent or pre-existing accounts . In a statement, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said, “ This is a landmark reform. We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.” Speaking in parliament, Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland said, “ For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online, including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm. ” He further added, “ Social media has a social responsibility, that’s why we are making big changes to hold platforms to account for user safety. ” Worth noting that the opposition Liberal Party supports the new bill, while the Green Party has criticized it and seeks more details about it. Several countries around the globe are already working towards curbing excessive use of social media by children. However, Australia’s law now stands as one of the most stringent.
Former Army soldier Alexander Vindman, a crucial witness in Donald Trump's initial impeachment, may file a lawsuit against Elon Musk after the tech magnate accused him of treason. Eugene Vindman, Alex's twin brother, raised the prospect of a defamation suit after Musk's social media comments. The newly elected congressman from Virginia, Eugene Vindman, denounced Musk's remarks. “If anybody’s on the cusp of having to pay, it’s maybe Elon Musk,” Eugene Vindman said. He said the charges had no factual foundation and were "false and defamatory." Musk’s Accusations and Vindman’s Response Musk said that Alexander Vindman had committed treason and was "on the payroll of Ukrainian oligarchs." Alexander Vindman criticized Musk's behavior, prompting the comments on X, previously Twitter. Vindman had charged Musk of supporting Russian goals by using his business connections and powerful platform. Vindman quickly refuted the claims. He addressed his involvement with a charity group supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia and said he did not accept any money from oligarchs. Musk's claims were deemed unfounded and suggestive of conspiracy theories by him. Vindman’s Role in Trump Impeachment During the Trump-Ukraine crisis in 2019, Alexander Vindman, who was born in Ukraine and subsequently immigrated to the United States, became well-known nationwide. In his testimony against Trump during the impeachment process, he claimed wrongdoing in a phone conversation with the president of Ukraine while serving as the Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council. After supporting his brother during the proceedings, Eugene Vindman, a former military member, entered politics and became the Democrat who won Virginia's 7th Congressional District seat. Concerns Over National Security and Russian Influence Vindman has been outspoken about his worries about Musk's purported impact on American politics and national security. He charged that Musk had been exploited by Russian President Vladimir Putin to foment division in the United States. “Elon Musk has access to state secrets,” Alexander Vindman said in a recent interview. “It’s possible that sensitive information is seeping through.” He described Musk as a potential tool in Russia’s efforts to destabilize American democracy. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.