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WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok's Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille.Director Zhang Wei, known for his distinctive visual style and knack for blending humor with heart, infuses "Moonlight Madness!" with his signature flair and creative vision. With skillful direction, inventive storytelling, and a sprinkle of whimsy, he crafts a cinematic experience that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant, capturing the essence of friendship, love, and the joy of life's unexpected surprises.roulette picker 。

In the midst of the uncertainty and unanswered questions, one thing remains clear: the resilience and unity of the community in times of crisis. The outpouring of support and solidarity for the young woman and her loved ones has been overwhelming, showcasing the inherent goodness and compassion of humanity in the face of adversity.Furthermore, Zelensky's actions highlight the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges and hardships brought about by the conflict, the Ukrainian military continues to demonstrate courage and fortitude in defending their country and protecting its sovereignty. Their sacrifices should not be overlooked or underestimated, but rather honored and respected by the international community.Broward schools aim to move past 10-year construction debacle

The acquittal of the former US veteran in this case raises important questions about racial bias, the use of force, and the role of the criminal justice system in addressing issues of systemic racism. It also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by African Americans and other marginalized communities in seeking justice and equality under the law.

Korea Startup Forum (KSF, Chairman Sangwoo Han), the official organizer of the global startup festival COMEUP, announced that COMEUP 2024, held on December 11 and 12 at COEX in Seoul, successfully concluded. Now in its 6th year, COMEUP 2024 welcomed participants from 45 countries, including startups, investors, global corporations, large enterprises, aspiring entrepreneurs, and the general public, achieving a successful finale. Under the “Innovation Beyond Borders” theme, this year’s event captured attention with diverse programs focused on global ecosystem keywords such as deep tech, inbound innovation, and sustainable innovation (SIS, Sustainable Innovation by Startup). Breaking Boundaries of Innovation with Participation from 45 Countries and 260 Startups COMEUP 2024 hosted approximately 260 startups from 45 countries, with over half being international companies, reaffirming its status as a global festival. The keynotes over the two days drew significant interest. On December 11, Qamar Aftab, Investment Manager at Wa’ed Ventures (Saudi Aramco’s CVC), and Sunghyun Park, CEO of Rebellions, the first Korean startup to secure funding from Wa’ed Ventures, discussed “Innovation Beyond Borders” On December 12, SooJong Kim, CEO of INNOSPACE, delivered a presentation on the space age, garnering strong interest from attendees. Future Talk conference sessions further provided global insights on startup globalization strategies, overseas investment attraction, and global deep-tech trends, aligning with the key themes of COMEUP 2024. This year’s event also saw an expansion in participation from national pavilions. The UAE, India, Japan, and Sweden showcased their technologies and achievements. At the same time, H.E ALIA AL MAZROUEI, UAE Minister of Entrepreneurship, delivered a speech on opportunities for entering the UAE market, drawing attention. Additionally, the Global Community program, which featured 120 startups from 21 countries, including Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Africa, facilitated pitching sessions, exhibitions, and networking events over two days, fostering exchange and business expansion. The event also saw notable participation from international organizations such as the International Trade Center(ITC) and the Africa Development Bank(AfDB). The Open Innovation (OI) Ground program facilitated collaboration between startups and leading companies. Global tech giants such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Dassault Systèmes, Ensys, Siemens, L’Oréal Korea, Hyundai Motor Company, Musinsa Partners, Kyobo Life Insurance, CJ E&M, and LX Ventures shared their success stories of co-innovation with startups. The customized matchmaking track featured sessions including: COMEUP’s business matchmaking platform, On the COMEUP, further connected startups and investors through online and offline activities. The platform achieved approximately 1,900 successful business matches this year, nearly doubling last year’s record. Deep Tech, Inbound Innovation, and Sustainability Shape the Trends of COMEUP 2024 Future Talk sessions offered insights from global ecosystem stakeholders and experts, making them a deep-tech trend report for COMEUP 2024. Diverse sessions featured leading authorities discussing topics such as K-Space, AI semiconductors, generative AI, and autonomous driving—the newly introduced Tech Talk 15 track showcased cutting-edge technologies and products through 15-minute pitches. Participants included Seoul Robotics, Upstage, and Variowell Development, a German sleep-tech company, delivering a showcase of innovative technologies. The public IR pitching program, Startup Valley, concluded with Toonimotion, Foretell My Health, and POSCORE as the winners of the Rookie League on December 12. These three companies earned the opportunity to participate in Viva Technology 2025 in France. Alongside them, finalists, including CUBIG, ZETIC.ai , and Tublet Korea, also garnered attention for their contributions to fields such as information security and on-device AI solutions, highlighting the growth of deep-tech startups. The Runner League also captivated the audience by featuring aspiring entrepreneurial teams and fireside pitches from selected Rocket League companies. The theme of sustainability, a key industry agenda, resonated throughout COMEUP 2024. Programs such as Future Talk and Open Innovation, which focused on sustainable innovation (SIS, Sustainable Innovation by Startup), featured participation from GridWiz, Sopoong Ventures, SK Innovation, and Hyundai E&C, which discussed climate-tech commercialization strategies and investment trends. The Inbound agenda, which aims to support foreign startups’ innovation in Korea, also gained attention. The Startup Korea Pavilion hosted over twenty foreign startups, enabling networking with Korean startups and investors. Among them, AiMA Beyond AI, a Spanish startup developing AI-powered digital human solutions and the first recipient of the Startup Korea Special Visa, showcased its solutions, drawing significant interest. A National Celebration Engaging Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Students, and Professionals COMEUP 2024 expanded its reach beyond startup professionals to aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and corporate employees, offering programs for a diverse audience. The Future Talk sessions featured beginner, expert, and founder tracks tailored to participants’ familiarity with the startup ecosystem, earning positive feedback from attendees. Interactive events and networking opportunities also enhanced the experience. These included docent programs for student groups, a public idea contest via COMEUP’s social media, a mobile-friendly networking platform, and live Q&A sessions with speakers. Such initiatives reinforced COMEUP’s position as a global startup festival with broad public appeal. Sangwoo Han, Chairman of the Korea Startup Forum (COMEUP 2024 Advisory Chair), remarked, “COMEUP 2024 has become a truly global festival where startups and investors from around the world come together to break boundaries of innovation and discuss the future. COMEUP will continue to encourage startups to rise to new challenges and serve as a hub for innovation that drives success on the global stage.” COMEUP 2024 can be revisited through replays available on its official YouTube channel.

Two more airliners narrowly avoided disaster after a Jeju Airlines plane burst into a deadly fireball during a failed belly landing in South Korea Saturday. An Air Canada flight narrowly avoided disaster Saturday night when it landed at a Nova Scotia airport — but skidded down the runway and caught fire after a landing gear failure. The terrifying incident happened at 9:30 p.m. and closed Halifax Stanfield International Airport for more than an hour-and-a-half. Earlier, KLM Flight 1204 from Oslo, Norway to Amsterdam had to divert to Sandefjord, south of the Norwegian capital, after a loud noise was heard on board shortly after takeoff. During the emergency landing, the Boeing 737-800 — carrying 176 passengers — slid off the runway. No one was injured in either incident. Earlier on Saturday, 179 people died after Jeju Airlines Flight 2216 crashed at the airport in Muan, South Korea after a reported birdstrike. The Boeing 737-800 plane’s landing gear failed and it skidded into a concrete barrier and burst into the flames. Only two survivors, both crew members, could be saved from the wreckage. The Air Canada incident left passengers in shock. “The plane started to sit at about a 20-degree angle to the left and, as that happened, we heard a pretty loud — what almost sounded like a crash sound — as the wing of the plane started to skid along the pavement, along with what I presume was the engine,” passenger Nikki Valentine told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Then the de Havilland DHC-8-402 aircraft slid down the runway for a distance as pilots scrambled to regain control and bring the runaway turboprop to a halt, she said. “The plane shook quite a bit, and we started seeing fire on the left side of the plane and smoke started coming in the windows,” she said, adding that one of the plane’s landing gear tires didn’t fully extend before the landing. Shocking video taken by a passenger and posted on social media showed flames erupting from one of the engines as a loud grating sound filled the cabin — and scared flyers tried to comfort each other. A spokesperson for Air Canada confirmed the nearly-catastrophic disaster happened after the plane experienced a “suspected landing issue” as it landed Saturday. A rep for PAL Airlines, which operated the flight, declined to comment, the CBC said. None of the 73 passengers or the flight crew was seriously injured, authorities said. Valentine said the shaken flyers scrambled off the plane in about two minutes. “One side of the entire plane was on fire, so everyone was pretty much in a hurry to get off — but an organized hurry,” she said. Canadian federal officials are investigating the mishap, which diverted a handful of flights and led to the cancellation of others, the CBS said. As of Saturday night, the plane was still perched on the runway where it crash-landed. In the KLM incident, the plane veered off the runway and stopped in the grass after a hydraulic failure stripped pilots of their control, according to Simple Flying. “After touchdown, we were unable to control the plane,” one of the pilots said over the flight radio. “It swerved to the right, and we couldn’t stop it.” The 24-year-old plane typically handles only short-haul routes, the outlet said. It’s been grounded since the incident.

Amherst Town Council highlights

In a recent development, the missing person case involving Bu has been successfully resolved. Bu, who was reported missing last week, has been found and is currently safe and sound. It was a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and concerned citizens that led to the swift recovery of Bu.China, as a major regional player, has been closely monitoring the developments in South Korea. While Chinese officials have refrained from commenting on the internal affairs of South Korea, they have expressed a desire for stability and peace in the region. China has also reiterated its commitment to maintaining good relations with South Korea and to continuing cooperation on various issues of mutual interest.The year-end deposit war is a traditional phenomenon in the banking industry, as financial institutions seek to bolster their liquidity positions before the start of a new year. However, this year's battle for deposits has escalated to unprecedented levels, as banks face intense pressure to attract funds in a challenging economic environment.

As the news of the game's cancellation continues to spread, players and developers alike are calling for greater transparency and accountability from game developers and publishers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by developers in the gaming industry and the importance of fostering a supportive and creative work environment.

5. Healthier Teeth and Brighter SmileThey were all exceptional – Mikel Arteta loved seeing Arsenal run riot in Lisbon

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