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The leaders of the state Legislature have a message for voters: We know you’re frustrated with how expensive California is — and we’re going to fix it. After a painful election that sparked recriminations and soul-searching among Democrats across the country, state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas are returning to Sacramento recommitted to addressing the affordability issues that appear to have pushed more voters toward the Republican Party in November. As a new two-year legislative session kicks off today at the state Capitol, McGuire and Rivas told CalMatters in separate interviews that the priority will be advancing policies that lower the cost of living for working Californians, including by building more housing, making energy cheaper and improving public infrastructure. “Our only way forward is to acknowledge that we have to do better,” Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, said. “It’s clear — we haven’t done enough.” Resistance to Trump Just don’t expect any dramatic changes under the dome. Despite losing a handful of seats, both leaders are adamant that signal that voters are still on board with their values, if not always the outcomes of their governance. Instead, the most significant difference in Sacramento next year is likely to be the shadow of a new president, Republican Donald Trump, who made California a punching bag on the campaign trail and has . With many in state government resuming the resistance posture that defined California’s relationship to Trump during his first term from 2017 to 2021 — a concurrent special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom to also convenes today — it’s unclear how the Legislature will balance those competing interests and whether responding to Trump will ultimately distract from the work that the leaders say needs to happen on affordability. “I firmly believe that we have to fight the damaging and destructive policies that Donald Trump is going to advance,” McGuire, a Santa Rosa Democrat, said. “We’re going to need to fight the Trump administration, but we can’t take our eye off all the challenges we need to fix.” Taking Losses in Stride The November election was undoubtedly a disappointment, though not a disaster, for legislative Democrats in California. The Assembly caucus defended all of its incumbents but picked up none of the Republican districts it targeted and lost two open seats that had previously been held by Democrats. The Senate caucus also failed to flip its target districts, and members are fuming after a union ally , the first sitting Senate Democrat to lose in a presidential election in more than four decades. It was the for legislative Republicans — all the more remarkable because Trump, who California Democrats have successfully used as a foil for years, was on the ballot. The party has celebrated it as proof that voters are fed up with how the Democrats in charge have handled affordability, homelessness and crime. “As Californians grow increasingly frustrated with the failures of Democrat leadership, they are shifting toward Republican solutions,” Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones of San Diego said in a statement last week. Democrats nevertheless maintain total control in Sacramento, including 60 out of 80 seats in the Assembly and 30 out of 40 seats in the Senate. McGuire and Rivas insist those results refute the notion that they have fallen out of step with what Californians want. Rivas called it a “clear mandate” for Democrats — to focus on the issues that matter to voters, prove they are serious about governing and follow through with better outcomes. “No, I don’t think we are out of touch,” he said. “It’s not about changing who we are, but it’s about changing our approach to addressing these many challenges.” McGuire was even more resolute that legislative Democrats had won in a landslide. “Do we need to reflect? Absolutely. But the numbers don’t lie,” he said. “The Senate Republican Caucus still fits into a minivan.” Crime Isn’t a Priority The leaders have few details yet about how exactly they will address the cost of living in the coming session, as members continue to develop their legislative agendas. McGuire said his caucus would advance an affordability plan “that makes the lives of working Californians and seniors better” and “go to the mat to fix our homelessness crisis.” Rivas said he expected housing to be at the top of the list for his caucus, as well as reviving a that fell short last session. One issue that does not appear to be a priority is crime, a source of increasing anxiety and frustration for many Californians, even after voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, which strengthens penalties for some drug and theft offenses. Legislative Democrats largely backed Newsom earlier this year as he unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the measure off the November ballot. It ultimately won approval from more than 68% of voters, reversing a decade-long trend of the electorate loosening California’s criminal justice laws. McGuire and Rivas defended their approach, which included passing a dozen bills cracking down on retail theft this summer as negotiations over the ballot measure fizzled — a legislative package that McGuire argues will do far more to solve the problem than Proposition 36. Though he said lawmakers “need to listen” to the fact that voters wanted to go even further, McGuire did not commit to any additional action. Rivas said he is serious about holding people who break the law accountable, but added that it is important to ensure more services, such as drug rehabilitation, are available to prevent a return to an earlier era where California’s prisons were deemed unconstitutionally overcrowded. “This is more than just sending people to jail. This is about alternatives to incarceration,” Rivas said. “There is a pendulum. It swings hard left, hard right. We want to do an adequate job where that pendulum does not swing at all.” The Trump Factor The Democratic leaders’ plans could be upended by what Trump decides to do when he takes office on Jan. 20. Fighting back against the president became an inescapable focus of California officials during Trump’s first term. While the Legislature passed laws to protect the environment, prevent cooperation with immigration enforcement and even try to pry loose Trump’s tax returns, the state sued his administration more than 120 times over policy disputes. Just two days after Trump won the presidency again last month, Newsom called a special session seeking additional funding for the state Department of Justice and other state agencies as officials prepare another barrage of litigation. Battles are expected this time over access to abortion medication, California’s commitment to phasing out gas-powered cars and protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. McGuire said the special session is important so that California can move with speed to “build a legal firewall” as it did before. “The United States of America is in the calm before the storm. The hurricane is about to hit,” he said. “And shame on us if we’re not battening down the hatches.” While he’s “all in” on any genuine opportunity to work with Trump to benefit California, McGuire said “there’s also a dark red line” that he won’t accept the president crossing. “I take Donald Trump at his word. He’s coming for those who don’t agree, and California is in the bullseye,” McGuire said. “If the president-elect tries to undermine our state, undermine our democracy, he’ll quickly see how determined the people of California truly are.” But they may not be as determined as they were eight years ago. Trump’s second victory, including in the popular vote this time around, has been met by many Democrats more with resignation than defiance. Even Rivas seems disinclined to leap back into the fray. He said California would defend its values, but with much of that work already done, lawmakers could focus instead on better serving working people and Latino communities who have felt left behind. “This is not 2016,” he said. “Find an area in the last eight years where California hasn’t Trump-proofed already. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves.”On the other hand, Arsenal and Manchester City, who were once considered strong contenders for the title, have faltered in recent matches. Arsenal's defense has been leaky, and their inconsistency in front of goal has cost them valuable points. Manager Mikel Arteta faces a tough task in regaining momentum and guiding his team back into title contention.The online world was left in shock and mourning as news broke of the untimely passing of Chinese influencer "Liu Dameili", better known as "Liu Big Beautiful". The 32-year-old social media sensation, who had amassed a large following for her beauty and fashion content, tragically lost her life shortly after undergoing a liposuction procedure at a private clinic in Shanghai.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office suggested several ways the judge overseeing Trump’s hush money trial could uphold the 34-count guilty verdict against the president-elect while respecting the immunity he receives as president. While Trump was convicted in May, his sentencing hearing was pushed back multiple times to address a new Supreme Court ruling on immunity and then postponed indefinitely after Trump’s reelection. Prosecutors floated several possible courses of action for New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan in a court filing Tuesday, including freezing the case while Trump serves as president and taking jail time off the table. The district attorney’s office argued vehemently that Merchan should disregard Trump’s team’s request to toss the case immediately. “There are no grounds for such relief now, prior to defendant’s inauguration, because President-elect immunity does not exist,” they wrote, going on to point out there are still several weeks before Trump takes the oath of office and becomes immune from prosecution. They also said that the Supreme Court ruling, which gave presidents broad immunity for “official acts,” does not apply to the facts of the hush money case, which “all involve purely personal and unofficial conduct.” Merchan has yet to rule on Trump’s earlier motion to dismiss the case on presidential immunity grounds. Trump’s trial centered on a $130,000 hush money payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels in the final days before the 2016 presidential election, during a tumultuous time for Trump’s campaign. A dozen New Yorkers agreed that a scheme to reimburse Trump’s personal attorney at the time, Michael Cohen, resulted in falsified business records, a low-level felony. Trump pleaded not guilty, maintaining that he did not have an affair with Daniels and did nothing wrong. If Merchan does not sentence Trump before his inauguration, prosecutors suggested pausing the proceedings for the duration of Trump’s term, picking them back up in 2029. They also made a suggestion in the event Merchan agrees with Trump’s attorneys that pressing pause would still interfere with his ability to serve as president because he would have the threat of imprisonment hanging over his head the entire time. Merchan could close the case with a notation stating that “the jury verdict removed the presumption of innocence; that defendant was never sentenced; and that his conviction was neither affirmed nor reversed on appeal because of presidential immunity,” prosecutors said. They noted that it’s a move some judges make when a defendant dies in the time between their conviction and sentencing. Alternatively, Merchan could address the interference concerns by removing the possibility that Trump is sentenced to jail, prosecutors suggested. They noted what many legal experts have said about the case: that while Trump faces up to four years behind bars, his lack of a prior criminal record means he would probably serve little to no jail time. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the 82-page document as “a pathetic attempt to salvage the remains of an unconstitutional and politically motivated hoax.” Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. “This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” he said in a statement, The Associated Press reported . Related From Our PartnerRemember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to online purchases. By staying informed, vigilant, and proactive, consumers can protect themselves from falling victim to scams and fraudulent activities on third-party platforms. Let this incident serve as a reminder to always be cautious and skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, especially when it comes to booking travel arrangements.The state and civil sectors are gearing up to implement the Marriage Equality Bill, which is set to become law next month. The bill was endorsed by His Majesty the King and published in the Royal Gazette on Sept 24, making Thailand the third country or territory in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to recognise same-sex marriage. The bill will become law 120 days after it was published in the Royal Gazette, which means same-sex couples will be able to start registering their marriages on Jan 22 next year. Yesterday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, along with the Social Development and Human Security, Interior, Justice, and Culture ministries and Bangkok Pride organisation, held an event called "Marriage Equality Day" to provide an update on Thailand's readiness to implement the Marriage Equality Bill. Kannapong Pipatmontrikul, the director of the General Registration Office of the Interior Ministry, said that a committee had been formed to make adjustments to the marriage registration system to allow same-sex people to register their marriages at local district offices across Thailand. He said that the committee has also amended the wording of some regulations to better reflect the spirit of the Marriage Equality Bill, such as replacing references to specific genders to "individuals", and switching out references to husbands and wives in favour of "married couples". "We are waiting for the Interior Minister to approve the amendments," Mr Kannapong said. Once approved, the registration system will be modified to reflect the changes, and a trial run will be organised to check the system's readiness, he said, before adding staff who are involved in marriage registrations will be retrained to improve their knowledge of the new law and system. He said once the bill becomes law, same-sex couples can register their marriages at any district office across the country. Those who want to register their marriage must be at least 18 years old, but parents' and/or guardians' consent will still be required if the applicants are younger than 20. Kerdchoke Kasemwongjit, Justice Ministry's Inspector-General, said the ministry will review other bills to guarantee that same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples to establish a family, such as the surrogacy bill, nationalities bill and gender recognition bill.
AI Big Model Shuffle Year May Begin as Market Enters Rational Phase
The impact of the "Spring Dawn Plan" has been nothing short of remarkable. With the adoption of the "Factory Direct Sales" model, industrial belt merchants have reported a significant increase in sales volume, with some achieving monthly sales of up to 100,000 orders. This unprecedented success has not only boosted the bottom line for merchants but has also strengthened the overall competitiveness of the industrial belt industry.
Washington (CNN) — The surprise offensive on Aleppo by Syrian rebel groups has left the US in the difficult position of not fully supporting either side while also maintaining a force posture of nearly 1,000 troops in Syria as part of the ongoing mission to fight ISIS. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, on Monday distanced the US from the offensive last week, in which rebel groups quickly advanced on and took Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, for the first time in years. “Let me be clear that the US is in no way involved in the operations you see playing out in and around Aleppo in northwestern Syria, which as you know are being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a designated terrorist organization,” he said in reference to a group known as HTS, adding that the US “is urging de-escalation.” The dilemma for the US was further put into focus by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who told CNN on Sunday that HTS is a “a terrorist organization designated by the United States. So, we have real concerns about the designs and objectives of that organization.” “At the same time, of course, we don’t cry over the fact that the Assad government, backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, are facing certain kinds of pressure,” Sullivan added. “So, it’s a complicated situation. It’s one we’re monitoring closely, and we’re staying in close touch with regional partners about it.” The founder of HTS, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, previously started a different group, an al Qaeda Syrian affiliate called Jabhat al-Nusra. And despite efforts by HTS to distance itself from al Qaeda, the US designated the group a terror organization in 2018, saying it evolved from the original group, Jabhat al-Nusrah. “As you know, they are formerly known as ‘Nusrah Front,’ an al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, but bottom line is: still a designated terrorist organization,” Ryder said Monday of HTS. Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said later Monday that the US would not lift its sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which he said has shown “no change in behavior.” The US has applied more sanctions to the regime since 2011, when uprisings in the country began, to cut off needed resources as a result of the government’s violence against civilians and “to pressure the Syrian regime to allow for a democratic transition as the Syrian people demand,” according to the State Department. Amid the renewed unrest in the country, roughly 900 US service members are deployed in Syria as part of the anti-ISIS mission. And while the operations in Aleppo are on the other side of the country from where US forces are operating, the instability — and primarily, Russia’s response in assisting the Assad government — has resulted in the US military communicating with Moscow to prevent “miscalculation.” In response to the surprise advance on Aleppo, Russia — a main supporter of the Syrian regime — launched an aerial offensive against armed opposition forces in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Ryder said Monday that the US general in charge of the coalition mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria has now spoken with Russian officials on a preestablished hotline. “My understanding is that the CJTF-OIR commander has used the hotline that we have with Russia to ensure that we have open lines of communication, given the fact that we do have forces operating in fairly close proximity — as it relates geographically — to Syria,” Ryder said Monday. “I won’t go into details about those conversations, other than we have that communication mechanism to prevent potential miscalculation.” Meanwhile, US and coalition forces in the country are coming under fire as they have for nearly the last year. Asked about reports of attacks over the last 24 hours, Ryder said there was a “rocket attack against one of our facilities in Syria,” though no US personnel were injured and no infrastructure damage was reported. And on Friday, he said, US forces conducted a “self-defense strike near MSS Euphrates,” taking out a potential threat to the US base. There were also no injuries or infrastructure damage reported in that incident. Ryder said that was “completely unrelated to the ongoing situation in northwestern Syria.” He added that there have not yet been any US force posture changes in Syria. CNN’s Jennifer Hansler and Michael Conte contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
Finally, the meeting underscored the need for proactive and forward-looking policies to address emerging challenges. By acknowledging the evolving nature of the global economy and the need for adaptation, the government is signaling its readiness to respond to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities. This forward-looking approach is crucial for ensuring that China remains resilient and competitive in the face of global uncertainties.
Title: A Miraculous Experience with Traditional Chinese Orthopedic Massage at Medi, Drifting Off to Sleep in the Hands of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The stellar performance of Sony's gaming business can be attributed to a combination of innovative hardware, compelling software, and strategic partnerships. The PlayStation 5, with its cutting-edge technology and immersive gaming experience, has garnered rave reviews from both critics and consumers alike. In addition, Sony's strong lineup of exclusive games and collaborations with top developers have further solidified its position as a leader in the gaming market.
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The leaders of the state Legislature have a message for voters: We know you’re frustrated with how expensive California is — and we’re going to fix it. After a painful election that sparked recriminations and soul-searching among Democrats across the country, state Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas are returning to Sacramento recommitted to addressing the affordability issues that appear to have pushed more voters toward the Republican Party in November. As a new two-year legislative session kicks off today at the state Capitol, McGuire and Rivas told CalMatters in separate interviews that the priority will be advancing policies that lower the cost of living for working Californians, including by building more housing, making energy cheaper and improving public infrastructure. “Our only way forward is to acknowledge that we have to do better,” Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, said. “It’s clear — we haven’t done enough.” Resistance to Trump Just don’t expect any dramatic changes under the dome. Despite losing a handful of seats, both leaders are adamant that signal that voters are still on board with their values, if not always the outcomes of their governance. Instead, the most significant difference in Sacramento next year is likely to be the shadow of a new president, Republican Donald Trump, who made California a punching bag on the campaign trail and has . With many in state government resuming the resistance posture that defined California’s relationship to Trump during his first term from 2017 to 2021 — a concurrent special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom to also convenes today — it’s unclear how the Legislature will balance those competing interests and whether responding to Trump will ultimately distract from the work that the leaders say needs to happen on affordability. “I firmly believe that we have to fight the damaging and destructive policies that Donald Trump is going to advance,” McGuire, a Santa Rosa Democrat, said. “We’re going to need to fight the Trump administration, but we can’t take our eye off all the challenges we need to fix.” Taking Losses in Stride The November election was undoubtedly a disappointment, though not a disaster, for legislative Democrats in California. The Assembly caucus defended all of its incumbents but picked up none of the Republican districts it targeted and lost two open seats that had previously been held by Democrats. The Senate caucus also failed to flip its target districts, and members are fuming after a union ally , the first sitting Senate Democrat to lose in a presidential election in more than four decades. It was the for legislative Republicans — all the more remarkable because Trump, who California Democrats have successfully used as a foil for years, was on the ballot. The party has celebrated it as proof that voters are fed up with how the Democrats in charge have handled affordability, homelessness and crime. “As Californians grow increasingly frustrated with the failures of Democrat leadership, they are shifting toward Republican solutions,” Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones of San Diego said in a statement last week. Democrats nevertheless maintain total control in Sacramento, including 60 out of 80 seats in the Assembly and 30 out of 40 seats in the Senate. McGuire and Rivas insist those results refute the notion that they have fallen out of step with what Californians want. Rivas called it a “clear mandate” for Democrats — to focus on the issues that matter to voters, prove they are serious about governing and follow through with better outcomes. “No, I don’t think we are out of touch,” he said. “It’s not about changing who we are, but it’s about changing our approach to addressing these many challenges.” McGuire was even more resolute that legislative Democrats had won in a landslide. “Do we need to reflect? Absolutely. But the numbers don’t lie,” he said. “The Senate Republican Caucus still fits into a minivan.” Crime Isn’t a Priority The leaders have few details yet about how exactly they will address the cost of living in the coming session, as members continue to develop their legislative agendas. McGuire said his caucus would advance an affordability plan “that makes the lives of working Californians and seniors better” and “go to the mat to fix our homelessness crisis.” Rivas said he expected housing to be at the top of the list for his caucus, as well as reviving a that fell short last session. One issue that does not appear to be a priority is crime, a source of increasing anxiety and frustration for many Californians, even after voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, which strengthens penalties for some drug and theft offenses. Legislative Democrats largely backed Newsom earlier this year as he unsuccessfully tried to negotiate the measure off the November ballot. It ultimately won approval from more than 68% of voters, reversing a decade-long trend of the electorate loosening California’s criminal justice laws. McGuire and Rivas defended their approach, which included passing a dozen bills cracking down on retail theft this summer as negotiations over the ballot measure fizzled — a legislative package that McGuire argues will do far more to solve the problem than Proposition 36. Though he said lawmakers “need to listen” to the fact that voters wanted to go even further, McGuire did not commit to any additional action. Rivas said he is serious about holding people who break the law accountable, but added that it is important to ensure more services, such as drug rehabilitation, are available to prevent a return to an earlier era where California’s prisons were deemed unconstitutionally overcrowded. “This is more than just sending people to jail. This is about alternatives to incarceration,” Rivas said. “There is a pendulum. It swings hard left, hard right. We want to do an adequate job where that pendulum does not swing at all.” The Trump Factor The Democratic leaders’ plans could be upended by what Trump decides to do when he takes office on Jan. 20. Fighting back against the president became an inescapable focus of California officials during Trump’s first term. While the Legislature passed laws to protect the environment, prevent cooperation with immigration enforcement and even try to pry loose Trump’s tax returns, the state sued his administration more than 120 times over policy disputes. Just two days after Trump won the presidency again last month, Newsom called a special session seeking additional funding for the state Department of Justice and other state agencies as officials prepare another barrage of litigation. Battles are expected this time over access to abortion medication, California’s commitment to phasing out gas-powered cars and protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. McGuire said the special session is important so that California can move with speed to “build a legal firewall” as it did before. “The United States of America is in the calm before the storm. The hurricane is about to hit,” he said. “And shame on us if we’re not battening down the hatches.” While he’s “all in” on any genuine opportunity to work with Trump to benefit California, McGuire said “there’s also a dark red line” that he won’t accept the president crossing. “I take Donald Trump at his word. He’s coming for those who don’t agree, and California is in the bullseye,” McGuire said. “If the president-elect tries to undermine our state, undermine our democracy, he’ll quickly see how determined the people of California truly are.” But they may not be as determined as they were eight years ago. Trump’s second victory, including in the popular vote this time around, has been met by many Democrats more with resignation than defiance. Even Rivas seems disinclined to leap back into the fray. He said California would defend its values, but with much of that work already done, lawmakers could focus instead on better serving working people and Latino communities who have felt left behind. “This is not 2016,” he said. “Find an area in the last eight years where California hasn’t Trump-proofed already. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves.”On the other hand, Arsenal and Manchester City, who were once considered strong contenders for the title, have faltered in recent matches. Arsenal's defense has been leaky, and their inconsistency in front of goal has cost them valuable points. Manager Mikel Arteta faces a tough task in regaining momentum and guiding his team back into title contention.The online world was left in shock and mourning as news broke of the untimely passing of Chinese influencer "Liu Dameili", better known as "Liu Big Beautiful". The 32-year-old social media sensation, who had amassed a large following for her beauty and fashion content, tragically lost her life shortly after undergoing a liposuction procedure at a private clinic in Shanghai.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office suggested several ways the judge overseeing Trump’s hush money trial could uphold the 34-count guilty verdict against the president-elect while respecting the immunity he receives as president. While Trump was convicted in May, his sentencing hearing was pushed back multiple times to address a new Supreme Court ruling on immunity and then postponed indefinitely after Trump’s reelection. Prosecutors floated several possible courses of action for New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan in a court filing Tuesday, including freezing the case while Trump serves as president and taking jail time off the table. The district attorney’s office argued vehemently that Merchan should disregard Trump’s team’s request to toss the case immediately. “There are no grounds for such relief now, prior to defendant’s inauguration, because President-elect immunity does not exist,” they wrote, going on to point out there are still several weeks before Trump takes the oath of office and becomes immune from prosecution. They also said that the Supreme Court ruling, which gave presidents broad immunity for “official acts,” does not apply to the facts of the hush money case, which “all involve purely personal and unofficial conduct.” Merchan has yet to rule on Trump’s earlier motion to dismiss the case on presidential immunity grounds. Trump’s trial centered on a $130,000 hush money payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels in the final days before the 2016 presidential election, during a tumultuous time for Trump’s campaign. A dozen New Yorkers agreed that a scheme to reimburse Trump’s personal attorney at the time, Michael Cohen, resulted in falsified business records, a low-level felony. Trump pleaded not guilty, maintaining that he did not have an affair with Daniels and did nothing wrong. If Merchan does not sentence Trump before his inauguration, prosecutors suggested pausing the proceedings for the duration of Trump’s term, picking them back up in 2029. They also made a suggestion in the event Merchan agrees with Trump’s attorneys that pressing pause would still interfere with his ability to serve as president because he would have the threat of imprisonment hanging over his head the entire time. Merchan could close the case with a notation stating that “the jury verdict removed the presumption of innocence; that defendant was never sentenced; and that his conviction was neither affirmed nor reversed on appeal because of presidential immunity,” prosecutors said. They noted that it’s a move some judges make when a defendant dies in the time between their conviction and sentencing. Alternatively, Merchan could address the interference concerns by removing the possibility that Trump is sentenced to jail, prosecutors suggested. They noted what many legal experts have said about the case: that while Trump faces up to four years behind bars, his lack of a prior criminal record means he would probably serve little to no jail time. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the 82-page document as “a pathetic attempt to salvage the remains of an unconstitutional and politically motivated hoax.” Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. “This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” he said in a statement, The Associated Press reported . Related From Our PartnerRemember, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to online purchases. By staying informed, vigilant, and proactive, consumers can protect themselves from falling victim to scams and fraudulent activities on third-party platforms. Let this incident serve as a reminder to always be cautious and skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, especially when it comes to booking travel arrangements.The state and civil sectors are gearing up to implement the Marriage Equality Bill, which is set to become law next month. The bill was endorsed by His Majesty the King and published in the Royal Gazette on Sept 24, making Thailand the third country or territory in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to recognise same-sex marriage. The bill will become law 120 days after it was published in the Royal Gazette, which means same-sex couples will be able to start registering their marriages on Jan 22 next year. Yesterday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, along with the Social Development and Human Security, Interior, Justice, and Culture ministries and Bangkok Pride organisation, held an event called "Marriage Equality Day" to provide an update on Thailand's readiness to implement the Marriage Equality Bill. Kannapong Pipatmontrikul, the director of the General Registration Office of the Interior Ministry, said that a committee had been formed to make adjustments to the marriage registration system to allow same-sex people to register their marriages at local district offices across Thailand. He said that the committee has also amended the wording of some regulations to better reflect the spirit of the Marriage Equality Bill, such as replacing references to specific genders to "individuals", and switching out references to husbands and wives in favour of "married couples". "We are waiting for the Interior Minister to approve the amendments," Mr Kannapong said. Once approved, the registration system will be modified to reflect the changes, and a trial run will be organised to check the system's readiness, he said, before adding staff who are involved in marriage registrations will be retrained to improve their knowledge of the new law and system. He said once the bill becomes law, same-sex couples can register their marriages at any district office across the country. Those who want to register their marriage must be at least 18 years old, but parents' and/or guardians' consent will still be required if the applicants are younger than 20. Kerdchoke Kasemwongjit, Justice Ministry's Inspector-General, said the ministry will review other bills to guarantee that same-sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples to establish a family, such as the surrogacy bill, nationalities bill and gender recognition bill.
AI Big Model Shuffle Year May Begin as Market Enters Rational Phase
The impact of the "Spring Dawn Plan" has been nothing short of remarkable. With the adoption of the "Factory Direct Sales" model, industrial belt merchants have reported a significant increase in sales volume, with some achieving monthly sales of up to 100,000 orders. This unprecedented success has not only boosted the bottom line for merchants but has also strengthened the overall competitiveness of the industrial belt industry.
Washington (CNN) — The surprise offensive on Aleppo by Syrian rebel groups has left the US in the difficult position of not fully supporting either side while also maintaining a force posture of nearly 1,000 troops in Syria as part of the ongoing mission to fight ISIS. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, on Monday distanced the US from the offensive last week, in which rebel groups quickly advanced on and took Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, for the first time in years. “Let me be clear that the US is in no way involved in the operations you see playing out in and around Aleppo in northwestern Syria, which as you know are being led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a designated terrorist organization,” he said in reference to a group known as HTS, adding that the US “is urging de-escalation.” The dilemma for the US was further put into focus by national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who told CNN on Sunday that HTS is a “a terrorist organization designated by the United States. So, we have real concerns about the designs and objectives of that organization.” “At the same time, of course, we don’t cry over the fact that the Assad government, backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, are facing certain kinds of pressure,” Sullivan added. “So, it’s a complicated situation. It’s one we’re monitoring closely, and we’re staying in close touch with regional partners about it.” The founder of HTS, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, previously started a different group, an al Qaeda Syrian affiliate called Jabhat al-Nusra. And despite efforts by HTS to distance itself from al Qaeda, the US designated the group a terror organization in 2018, saying it evolved from the original group, Jabhat al-Nusrah. “As you know, they are formerly known as ‘Nusrah Front,’ an al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, but bottom line is: still a designated terrorist organization,” Ryder said Monday of HTS. Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said later Monday that the US would not lift its sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which he said has shown “no change in behavior.” The US has applied more sanctions to the regime since 2011, when uprisings in the country began, to cut off needed resources as a result of the government’s violence against civilians and “to pressure the Syrian regime to allow for a democratic transition as the Syrian people demand,” according to the State Department. Amid the renewed unrest in the country, roughly 900 US service members are deployed in Syria as part of the anti-ISIS mission. And while the operations in Aleppo are on the other side of the country from where US forces are operating, the instability — and primarily, Russia’s response in assisting the Assad government — has resulted in the US military communicating with Moscow to prevent “miscalculation.” In response to the surprise advance on Aleppo, Russia — a main supporter of the Syrian regime — launched an aerial offensive against armed opposition forces in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces. Ryder said Monday that the US general in charge of the coalition mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria has now spoken with Russian officials on a preestablished hotline. “My understanding is that the CJTF-OIR commander has used the hotline that we have with Russia to ensure that we have open lines of communication, given the fact that we do have forces operating in fairly close proximity — as it relates geographically — to Syria,” Ryder said Monday. “I won’t go into details about those conversations, other than we have that communication mechanism to prevent potential miscalculation.” Meanwhile, US and coalition forces in the country are coming under fire as they have for nearly the last year. Asked about reports of attacks over the last 24 hours, Ryder said there was a “rocket attack against one of our facilities in Syria,” though no US personnel were injured and no infrastructure damage was reported. And on Friday, he said, US forces conducted a “self-defense strike near MSS Euphrates,” taking out a potential threat to the US base. There were also no injuries or infrastructure damage reported in that incident. Ryder said that was “completely unrelated to the ongoing situation in northwestern Syria.” He added that there have not yet been any US force posture changes in Syria. CNN’s Jennifer Hansler and Michael Conte contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
Finally, the meeting underscored the need for proactive and forward-looking policies to address emerging challenges. By acknowledging the evolving nature of the global economy and the need for adaptation, the government is signaling its readiness to respond to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities. This forward-looking approach is crucial for ensuring that China remains resilient and competitive in the face of global uncertainties.
Title: A Miraculous Experience with Traditional Chinese Orthopedic Massage at Medi, Drifting Off to Sleep in the Hands of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The stellar performance of Sony's gaming business can be attributed to a combination of innovative hardware, compelling software, and strategic partnerships. The PlayStation 5, with its cutting-edge technology and immersive gaming experience, has garnered rave reviews from both critics and consumers alike. In addition, Sony's strong lineup of exclusive games and collaborations with top developers have further solidified its position as a leader in the gaming market.
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