SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) — Dola Adebayo's 16 points helped Mount St. Mary's defeat Delaware State 76-66 on Saturday night. Adebayo added seven rebounds for the Mountaineers (4-2). Jedy Cordilia scored 14 points while shooting 7 of 10 from the field and added seven rebounds. Terrell Ard Jr. shot 5 of 7 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line to finish with 14 points. Carmello Pacheco shot 4 of 5 from 3-point range and had 14 points. The Hornets (2-4) were led in scoring by Kaseem Watson, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Delaware State also got 16 points and two steals from Martez Robinson. Robert Smith had 14 points and six rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .‘Adulting sucks’: when to contact your bank for mortgage help

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell showcased their semi-final performances on BBC Strictly Come Dancing , wowing crowds once again with their incredible routines. The duo, who have been fan favourites since the competition kicked off in September, have battled through some tough competition and are now tantalisingly close to next week's grand finale where a new Glitterball champion will be crowned. Pro dancer Dianne Buswell was moved to tears after their second performance of the evening, which followed their Charleston to When You're Smiling by The Blue Vipers of Brooklyn. Their final performance of the night was a Viennese Waltz to Metallica's Nothing Else Matters, a unique fusion of heavy metal and traditional ballroom. After the performance, she embraced Chris and told him: "I'm so proud of you." Shirley Ballas priased the pair, saying: "Some beautiful footwork, when she went between your legs it was seamless, it was just stunning you should be so proud of yourself." Anton chimed in: "It was super duper, your movement was exemplary, you move like nobody else in the show. You're an inspiration." Following a critical review of their first dance, Craig commented: "Magical darling, very emotional." Motsi Mabuse concurred with Craig, adding: "The change of atmosphere brought us back down, doing your thing... It's just very beautiful to see from the outside." While chatting with Claudia Winkleman, the Liverpool-born comedian tearfully confessed: "I'm an emotional wreck tonight." His admission came just before they were delighted with a score of 36 – thanks to each judge's generous 9. Emotions ran high on social media too, as fans noticed the professional dancers also getting teary-eyed, reports the Liverpool Echo . One fan posted: "Seeing all the pros crying at Chris and Dianne is giving me all the feels #strictly." (sic) While another emotionally charged plea read: "all of the pros crying omg- GET CHRIS AND DIANNE TO THE FINAL. RIGHT NOW. NO ONE DESERVES IT MORE." (sic) The sentiment reached viewers at home following the Viennese Waltz as well, with one gushing: "Sat here crying at Chris and Dianne! if anyone deserves the final it's those two! ! I couldn't be more proud." (sic) And yet another said: "Anyone else crying after that from ? ? What an inspiration Chris has been throughout this series, it's an honour to watch." (sic) As the public vote looms, Chris and Dianne are currently ranked fourth based on the judges' scores. The leaderboard is heating up as we edge closer to next Saturday's climactic final. Strictly Come Dancing: The Results airs tomorrow at 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Landin Hacker scored 21 points as Bellarmine beat NAIA-member Brescia 94-66 on Saturday. Hacker finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range for the Knights (3-7). Ben Johnson scored 17 points while going 6 of 13 (5 for 12 from 3-point range) and added six assists. Dylan Branson shot 5 of 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points, while adding 10 rebounds. Damian Garcia led the way for the Bearcats with 27 points. Gonzalo Luque added nine points, eight rebounds and five assists for Brescia. John Seanz also had eight points and two steals. Both teams next play Saturday. Bellarmine hosts Ball State and Brescia goes on the road to play Cleveland State. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Is family truly more important than anything else? Should we always prioritize them? These well-known phrases about the significance of family are widespread, even though it’s often acknowledged that family dynamics can be challenging or even dysfunctional. “No-contact” In recent years, however, a controversial discussion has emerged around the idea of completely severing ties with relatives deemed “ toxic .” This practice, known as going “no contact,” typically involves adult children cutting off their parents. It may result from years of abuse, disapproval after a child comes out as LGBTQ+ or even political or religious disagreements. The “no contact” movement has both supporters and critics. Advocates argue that people should feel no shame in removing themselves from harmful relationships, insisting that family members should be held to the same standards as friends and romantic partners. Critics, however, contend that the threshold for what qualifies as family trauma has become too lenient and that some children who sever ties are simply being selfish. In Singapore An article from Channel News Asia wrote that young adults in Singapore are increasingly open about the tensions and complexities in their family relationships, particularly when it comes to setting firm boundaries with their parents . Many are beginning to embrace the idea of stepping away from unhealthy parent-child dynamics, reflecting a global shift toward normalizing these decisions. On platforms like TikTok, videos of grown children explaining their difficult circumstances have gone viral, with hashtags such as #nocontactwithparent and #raisedbynarcissists attracting thousands of views. This movement has also found a space on the online forum Reddit, where a sub-thread titled “Estranged Adult Kids” has gained significant traction, amassing around 45,000 members who share advice and personal stories about their experiences with family estrangement. In the city-state, this growing awareness of family tension and estrangement has led to greater recognition of the issue. A significant step was taken in July last year when the Maintenance of Parents Act was amended to protect victims of abuse from being forced to support their elderly parents financially. During the parliamentary debate over the amendment, Member of Parliament Seah Kian Peng revealed that nearly one in three cases brought before the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents involve allegations of abandonment , abuse, or neglect experienced by children in their formative years. Societal expectations vs self-care For some individuals, the trauma that led to estrangement stems from physical abuse. In contrast, for others, emotional or psychological scars from their upbringing have shaped their decision to distance themselves from their parents. A Reddit user shared, “I don’t think we should ever let societal expectations hold us back. We shouldn’t base our actions on what society thinks or believes... What’s the alternative? Do you stay loyal to abusive parents just to please strangers? What good does that do you? It’s nonsense to blindly adhere to values... For better or worse, your parents raised you. How you repay that is your choice, but it doesn’t mean they have control over your life.” Another Reddit user echoed this sentiment: “What you said is right! It may not be widely accepted yet to protect yourself from abusive parents, but it’s messed up that someone might feel forced to endure that abuse just because thousands of years ago, Confucius said you must bring honour to your family... Just love your parents, but don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”India’s growing influence in the global innovation and intellectual property (IP) landscape has been highlighted in the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) 2024 report. The country’s impressive performance across key IP categories—patents, trademarks, and industrial designs—signals its emergence as a powerful global player in innovation. The 2024 WIPO report underscores India’s remarkable strides in IP filings, further solidifying its position as a global leader in intellectual property. India has made remarkable strides in global patent applications, securing the 6th position in the 2024 World Intellectual Property Indicators report, with 64,480 patent filings in 2023. This impressive achievement places India alongside leading intellectual property powerhouses like China, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The country’s rise in the global rankings reflects its broad and diverse economy, ranging from agriculture to high-tech sectors like pharmaceuticals, information technology, and renewable energy. This growth highlights India’s growing influence in global innovation and IP. India’s rapid advancement in intellectual property is particularly evident in its performance in patent filings. The country recorded a remarkable 15.7 per cent increase in patent applications in 2023, the fastest among the top 20 global economies. Notably, India’s residents accounted for over half of all patent filings (55.2per cent), marking a significant milestone. The Indian Patent Office granted 149.4 per cent more patents in 2023 compared to the previous year, demonstrating the rapid development of the nation’s IP ecosystem. This growth is further reflected in a steady increase in industrial design applications, which rose by 36.4 per cent, showing a rising focus on product design and manufacturing within the country. The World Intellectual Property Organisation report also highlights India’s expanding influence in trademark and industrial design applications. India ranked 4th globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1 per cent increase in 2023. The majority of these filings (nearly 90 per cent) were made by residents, driven by key sectors like Health, Agriculture, and Clothing. India’s trademark office now holds the second-largest number of active registrations worldwide, with over 3.2 million trademarks in force. This underscores the country’s robust position in global brand protection and IP management. Between 2018 and 2023, India’s patent, trademark, and industrial design applications grew significantly, with patent filings more than doubled and trademark filings increasing by 60 per cent. These figures demonstrate India’s growing emphasis on IP and innovation. The country’s patent-to-GDP ratio has also seen substantial improvement, rising from 144 to 381 in the past decade, further indicating the close link between India’s economic expansion and its evolving IP activity. The WIPO report emphasises that India’s strong IP performance is a testament to its increasing role as a global innovation leader, bolstered by government initiatives to foster domestic innovation. India has witnessed a remarkable 36.4 per cent increase in industrial design applications in 2023, signalling a growing emphasis on creativity and design innovation across various industries. This surge highlights the country’s shift towards not just manufacturing but also product development, with an increasing focus on blending functionality and aesthetics. The rise in design applications is a direct reflection of India’s evolving capabilities in developing value-added products that meet both domestic and global market demands. The primary sectors driving this growth are textiles and accessories, tools and machines, and health and cosmetics. These industries account for nearly 50 per cent of all industrial design filings, showcasing India’s strength in traditional sectors like textiles, as well as emerging ones such as health and cosmetics. The integration of design thinking in these sectors is enhancing India’s ability to cater to modern consumer preferences, combining innovation with India’s deep cultural and manufacturing roots. This surge in industrial design filings is a crucial indicator of how India’s manufacturing sector is evolving. There is a clear shift from traditional mass production to creating products that prioritise design excellence, user experience, and functionality. This transformation is making India a more attractive destination for high-value, design-driven industries, positioning it as a global manufacturing hub with a keen eye on both aesthetics and production efficiency. When compared to global trends, India’s growth in industrial design applications stands out. While global leaders like China and the United States continue to dominate in patents and trademarks, India’s rise in design filings suggests its increasing competitiveness in industrial design. This trend is in line with the global shift towards recognising industrial design as a key strategic asset for enhancing product differentiation, driving innovation, and contributing to overall economic growth. India’s impressive performance in global trademark filings highlights its growing importance in the realm of intellectual property. In 2023, the country ranked 4th globally in trademark filings, with a notable 6.1 per cent increase from the previous year. This surge reflects India’s increasing emphasis on brand protection as a vital component of business strategy. As both domestic and international businesses continue to expand, the role of trademarks in safeguarding brand identity and ensuring consumer trust has become even more critical. India’s upward trajectory in trademark filings underscores its development as a key player in the global market. The dominance of resident filings in India is another notable trend, with nearly 90 per cent of trademark applications originating from Indian residents. This shift indicates a growing awareness among Indian businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups about the importance of intellectual property in protecting their innovations. As more Indian companies turn to the trademark system, there is a clear indication that the country’s business ecosystem is becoming more IP-savvy, thus ensuring the long-term viability and growth of homegrown brands. India’s robust trademark landscape is further exemplified by its position as the second-largest holder of active trademark registrations globally, with over 3.2 million trademarks in force. This considerable volume of active registrations illustrates a dynamic and competitive domestic marketplace where businesses are continually striving to protect their intellectual property. As India’s economy becomes more innovation-driven, the growing number of trademark registrations reflects the significant role intellectual property plays in securing a competitive advantage both within the country and on the international stage. Sector-specific trends also shed light on the driving forces behind India’s trademark filings. Sectors such as Health, Agriculture, and Clothing emerged as the top contributors to trademark applications, accounting for 21.9 per cent, 15.3 per cent, and 12.8 per cent, respectively. These figures demonstrate India’s leadership in industries like pharmaceuticals, food production, and fashion, which have gained global recognition for their quality and innovation. As demand for Indian products increases worldwide, trademarks serve as crucial tools for maintaining brand equity and ensuring that Indian businesses retain their competitive edge in increasingly crowded international markets. India’s surge in IP filings contributes significantly to the global increase in intellectual property activity. In 2023, a record 3.55 million patent applications were filed worldwide, with India playing a key role in this growth. The rise in resident filings across patents, trademarks, and industrial designs reflects a broader global trend of strengthening local innovation ecosystems, a shift that is particularly evident in emerging markets like India. India’s intellectual property growth is significantly propelled by government initiatives like the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy. Launched in 2016, this policy aims to enhance IP awareness, strengthen the ecosystem, and foster innovation by providing better access to IP services and protection mechanisms. By covering all types of intellectual property—including patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and geographical indications—the policy strives to create a robust and efficient IP environment. A key feature of the policy is the modernisation and digitisation of IP offices, streamlining workflows to reduce processing times and improve efficiency in handling applications. Moreover, initiatives like the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) have expanded IP awareness, targeting educational institutions and businesses. This approach has been complemented by the creation of Technology Innovation Support Centres (TISC) in universities to facilitate IP filings and promote the commercialisation of patents. The government’s support for intellectual property is also evident through the Scheme for Pedagogy & Research in IPRs for Holistic Education and Academia (SPRIHA), which integrates IPR education into India’s higher learning institutions. By establishing IPR Chairs in universities, the initiative facilitates specialised research, teaching, and training, allowing faculty and students to explore the role of IP in driving innovation. Beyond academia, India’s growing startup ecosystem is another catalyst for increased IP activity. Initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, Make in India, and the Atal Innovation Mission have created a nurturing environment for entrepreneurship, technological advancement, and research. Since its launch in 2016, Startup India has recognised over 1.4 lakh startups, reflecting the increasing role of innovation in India’s economy. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), also launched in 2016, plays a crucial role in shaping India’s innovation landscape. With a focus on fostering a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship, AIM has established over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in schools and incubated more than 3,500 startups through Atal Incubation Centres. These efforts have not only encouraged young innovators but also created more than 32,000 jobs within the innovation ecosystem. Collectively, these initiatives are contributing to a more dynamic, IP-driven economy, underscoring the government’s commitment to transforming India into a global hub for innovation and intellectual property. India’s innovation journey is not only reflected in its IP filings but also in its performance in the Global Innovation Index 2024. India has made remarkable progress, jumping to 39th place globally from 81st in 2015. This leap underscores the country’s growing capabilities in innovation, driven by a combination of strong policies, strategic investments in R&D, and a thriving startup ecosystem. India now ranks 1st among lower-middle-income economies and 1st among 10 economies in Central and Southern Asia. India’s stellar performance in the 2024 WIPO report and the GII ranking showcases the country’s rapid evolution into a global innovation powerhouse. With significant advancements in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, India is solidifying its place as a key player in the global IP landscape. As the country continues to scale up its innovation capabilities, supported by a strong policy framework and a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, India is poised to maintain its leadership in intellectual property, shaping the future of industries worldwide. India’s stellar performance in the Global Innovation Index 2024 underscores its strategic focus on leveraging innovation as a key driver for economic growth and global competitiveness. The nation’s ability to rapidly climb the rankings reflects its concerted efforts to foster a robust ecosystem that encourages technological advancements, research and development, and entrepreneurship. Looking ahead, India’s sustained focus on innovation will be vital as the country seeks to capitalise on emerging technologies, expand its influence in the global tech industry, and foster inclusive growth. With continued policy support and an evolving talent pool, India is not just poised to maintain its leadership among lower-middle-income economies but also to emerge as a global powerhouse of innovation, driving advancements that could shape the future of industries worldwide.