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The trend of young children becoming social media influencers is gaining momentum, with toddlers, as young as two, and kids making waves on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. From fashion showcases to toy reviews, these young “influencers” are attracting thousands of followers and collaborating with brands, a phenomenon that raises important questions about their privacy, mental health and future well-being. In Chandigarh, 2.8-year-old Aarav Singla has amassed nearly 200,000 followers. His father, Rajat Singla, who himself was a model, shares, “Aarav started as a six-month-old baby and we do it as a hobby. While we don’t earn directly from it, we see it as a way to help him stay active and learn new things. We don’t think there will be any negative impact on his academics or mental health.” Harseerat, a four-year-old, has also become a popular “baby vlogger” with over 4,000 followers on Instagram. “We started baby vlogging during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to overcome challenges and share experiences,” says her mother, Damanpreet Kaur. “Social media helps us assess products, without any paid collaborations, and connect with other mothers. It hasn’t impacted her studies, though Harseerat is receiving speech therapy,” she adds. Prisha Thakur, just 2.5 years old, also made her mark online, with her mother, Priti Rana, sharing that she began posting random videos of her daughter. “One company reached out and now we’ve worked with numerous brands through two Instagram pages,” she says. “We earn around ₹ 20-25,000 per month from collaborations. If Prisha enjoys it, she will continue. If not, it’s her choice.” Mental health experts caution against potential risks While many parents view these ventures as harmless or even beneficial for their children, experts are raising concerns about the potential risks. Social media use, especially for children, has been linked to privacy issues and mental health problems. Australia has become the first country to consider banning social media for children under 16, citing concerns about the harmful effects on their well-being. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has argued that “social media is doing harm to our kids”, particularly in relation to body image issues and harmful content targeting both boys and girls. A report by British medical journal Lancet, published in October this year, revealed troubling statistics, with 11% of adolescents reporting symptoms of social media addiction, including anxiety, low mood and neglect of other activities. Mental health experts, such as Dr Preeti Arun, a psychiatrist at GMCH, Sector 32, stress that simply banning social media isn’t the solution. “Instead, we need guidelines and structured prescriptions to protect children,” she explains. “The Covid pandemic exacerbated the issue, with many children spending excessive time online, which affected their academic performance, also noted by teachers,” she adds.7 jili 。

After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff

WASHINGTON — The Commerce Department's efforts to curb China's and Russia's access to American-made advanced computer chips have been "inadequate" and will need more funding to stymie their ability to manufacture advanced weapons, according to a new report from the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The Biden administration imposed export controls to limit the ability of China and Russia to access U.S.-made chips after Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. The agency's Bureau of Industry and Security, according to the report released this week, does not have the resources to enforce export controls and has been too reliant on U.S. chip makers voluntarily complying with the rules. But the push for bolstering Commerce's export control enforcement comes as the incoming Trump administration says it is looking to dramatically reduce the size and scope of federal government. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency" to dismantle parts of the federal government. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report. BIS's budget, about $191 million, has remained essentially fl at since 2010 when adjusted for infl ation. "While BIS' budget has been stagnant for a decade, the bureau works diligently around the clock to meet its mission and safeguard U.S. national security," Commerce Department spokesperson Charlie Andrews said in a statement in response to the report. Andrews added that with "necessary resources from Congress" the agency would be "better equipped to address the challenges that come with our evolving national security environment." In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Wednesday, Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, chair of the subcommittee, pointed to an audit of Texas Instruments that showed the Russian military continued to acquire components from Texas Instruments through front companies in Hong Kong to illustrate how the export controls are failing as an effective tool. The committee's findings, Blumenthal said, suggest that Texas Instruments "missed clear warning signs" that three companies in its distribution chain had been diverting products to Russia. Texas Instruments did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "While Congress must provide BIS more resources to undertake its critical mission, it is long past time for BIS to make full use of the enforcement powers Congress has conferred upon it and take aggressive steps to cut the fl ow of U.S. semiconductors into the Russian war machine," Blumenthal wrote. It's not just Texas Instruments that's the issue. The subcommittee in September published a report that found aggregated exports from four major U.S. advanced chip manufacturers nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022 to Armenia and Georgia. Both of those countries are home to front companies known to assist Russia in acquiring advanced chips made in the U.S. despite export controls. China, meanwhile, has created "vast, barely disguised smuggling networks which enable it to continue to harness U.S. technology," the subcommittee report asserts. Washington has been gradually expanding the number of companies affected by such export controls in China, as President Joe Biden's administration has encouraged an expansion of investments in and manufacturing of chips in the U.S. But Chinese companies have found ways to evade export controls in part because of a lack of China subject matter experts and Chinese speakers assigned to Commerce's export control enforcement. The agency's current budget limits the number of international end-use checks, or physical verification overseas of distributors or companies receiving American-made chips that are the supposed end users of products. Currently, Commerce has only 11 export control off cers spread around the globe to conduct such checks. The committee made several recommendations in its report, including Congress allocating more money to hire additional personnel to enforce export controls, imposing larger fines on companies that violate controls and requiring periodic reviews of advanced chip companies' export control plans by outside entities. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Bhopal: Chief minister Mohan Yadav told mediapersons on Monday that govt was cracking down on ‘wasooli' (extortion) at toll barriers. "Our govt started taking some tough measures soon after its formation. One of them was to stop ‘wasooli' at toll barriers. We were getting complaints about this and we are putting an end to it. We will not tolerate corruption. Govt till take action at any level required," the CM said, adding that good governance is a priority. The CM's promise of action comes at a time when Lokayukta's Special Police Establishment (SPE) has uncovered crores in cash, jewellery and property from the house of a retired RTO constable, Saurabh Sharma , in Bhopal. SPE's Bhopal unit has formed a three-member team to probe the alleged disproportionate assets of Sharma and his associates. This decision follows income-tax department's seizure of 54kg gold biscuits, Rs 10 crore in cash and documents revealing transactions worth over Rs 150 crore. Lokayukta is now collaborating closely with I-T department to examine these assets and incorporate them into the ongoing investigation. I-T sources said they have found documents indicating transactions of more than Rs 20 crore per month. The Lokayukta investigation , being conducted under Prevention of Corruption Act, centres around allegations of corruption and illegal accumulation of wealth by Sharma. DG Lokayukta Jaideep Prasad confirmed that investigations are on and Sharma's family members, including his wife, have been summoned for questioning. Sharma was granted compassionate appointment as a constable in the transport department following the death of his father, govt doctor R K Sharma, in 2015. During his service, Sharma was posted at various check posts across the state and allegedly accumulated significant wealth through corrupt means. He opted for voluntary retirement in June 2023 Investigators say Sharma used his ‘illicit earnings' to purchase benami properties in the names of his wife, mother, sister-in-law, and close associates, including Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal. Sharma is also linked to businesses, including hotels and a school in Bhopal. The investigation began after a tip-off, and the Lokayukta team obtained a search warrant for Sharma's properties. On Dec 19-20, 2024, search operations were carried out at two of Sharma's houses in Arera Colony. In one house, investigators found assets worth over Rs 3.8 crore, including foreign and Indian currency valued at Rs 1.1 crore, gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh, and household items and vehicles valued at Rs 2.2 crore. At the second house, used for official purposes, daily-use items and luxury goods worth Rs 30 lakh, 234kg of silver valued at Rs 2.1 crore, and Rs 1.7 crore in cash were discovered. The total inventory from the second property amounted to Rs 4.12 crore. Preliminary investigations suggest Sharma's total movable assets could be worth Rs 7.9 crore. Summons have been issued to Sharma's wife, mother, and close associates, including Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Singh Gaur. Additionally, income-tax department uncovered further evidence adding another layer to the investigation. The department seized a significant amount of cash and gold from an Innova registered in Gaur's name. Investigators are scrutinizing bank accounts linked to Sharma and his aides. The probe is expanding to include a review of the operations of the hotels and school linked to Sharma and his associates. Some politically influential individuals are said to be under scrutiny. There are allegations that I-T officials did not receive support from local police during the searches. In order to recover the car loaded with gold and cash, they had to rely on SAF jawans deployed for other cases. Speculation is swirling among higher ups about how Lokayukta missed the car during its searches. Even more intriguing is who tipped off the I-T department about the abandoned SUV loaded with cash and gold late at night. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes.Prairie premiers urge action on security to fend off Trump's tariff threats EDMONTON — Prairie premiers are urging Canada to act on American concerns over illegal cross-border traffic of people and drugs to stave off the looming threat of 25-per-cent tariffs. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press Nov 26, 2024 2:23 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message United Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith addresses party members at their annual meeting in Red Deer, Alta., on November 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh EDMONTON — Prairie premiers are urging Canada to act on American concerns over illegal cross-border traffic of people and drugs to stave off the looming threat of 25-per-cent tariffs. Alberta's Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan's Scott Moe, and Manitoba's Wab Kinew said Tuesday that Canada must better address the concerns of its largest trading partner. Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump promised Monday to impose the tariffs on his first day in office in January. He said he would keep the tariffs in place until Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent drugs such as fentanyl from entering the U.S. Smith told the legislature Tuesday the tariffs would be “devastating” across the board. She said she will highlight the "pressure points" that need to be addressed during a planned meeting Wednesday between premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "I believe the new (Trump) administration has been very clear about what it is they want. They want us to meet our two-per-cent NATO commitment, and they want to stop the leaky border," she said, pointing to the illegal fentanyl trade. In a video posted to social media, Smith said Canada needs to reach its pledged commitment to spend at least two per cent of its gross domestic product on defence by 2032. "If their trade partners are looking to be free riders on American security interests, that's also going to harm the relationship," Smith said, adding, "you also have to take seriously the asylum seekers." The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner, with $188 billion in bilateral trade in 2023. Last year, energy products accounted for more than 80 per cent of that trade, or about $134 billion. Smith said the vast majority of Alberta's energy exports to the U.S. are "delivered through secure and safe pipelines," which "do not in any way contribute to these illegal activities." Manitoba's premier said Tuesday the tariffs would mean a recession for his province and that Canada needs to show the new U.S. administration it's serious about border security and tackling the drug crisis. Kinew said it begins with Canada’s pledge to its NATO allies. "First and foremost, (it’s about) hitting that target of two per cent spending on defence,” said Kinew. “That gets us in the game just to be taken seriously as a security partner with the U.S. If we don't do it, it's going to become a trade problem." In Regina, Moe told reporters he understands Trump’s position on border security He proposed Trudeau look at having the Canada Border Services Agency work under the arm of the military. “I think that might be a way for us to really work collaboratively, to work together with our American people, but also ensuring that we do have a secure border,” he said. Moe added the proposed tariffs would hurt Saskatchewan’s export-based economy and drive up prices on both sides of the border. “This will have a significant impact in Canada and particularly in Saskatchewan. We export about 60 per cent of our products to the U.S. I don’t think any job, any industry would be untouched with a 25-per-cent tariff from the U.S. on all Canadian products,” he said. He said his province plans to use all levers at its disposal to stop the tariffs and will approach the U.S. directly, adding the province has a strong relationship with some in Trump’s administration. In 2023, Saskatchewan’s exports to the U.S. amounted to almost $27 billion after hitting a record high of $29 billion in 2022. Its top exports include crude oil, potash and canola. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina and Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix B.C. health executive fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine loses EI appeal Nov 26, 2024 2:07 PM Closing First Nations infrastructure gap could generate $635B: report Nov 26, 2024 2:06 PM Economic impact of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vancouver estimated at $157 M Nov 26, 2024 1:45 PM Featured Flyer

Darlington Council has launched an investigation after reports surfaced of the incident, which took place on the rank at Grange Road before the person was allowed to get into a taxi. The authority - which commissions a private security company to provide the taxi marshals - has now removed a number of marshals from duty. The marshals are employed to help people feel safe while they are waiting for a taxi and to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour. Several reports have been made on Facebook of incidents with tipping at the taxi rank, including one post that claimed people were "not letting people into taxis" until tips had been paid. The scheme is one of the measures to ensure people have a fun and safe night out in Darlington, alongside Number Forty on Skinnergate, which is open on Friday and Saturday nights to provide a safe space and practical support for anyone who feels vulnerable and needs a helping hand. There is also an emergency button on a lamppost at the junction of Blackwellgate and Skinnergate which connects people to the CCTV team. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Recommended reading: Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here . Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “We commission a security company to provide taxi marshals and this behaviour has never been endorsed. The paying of tips is a matter for customers and they should never be made to pay a tip or feel compelled to do so. "When the security company was made aware of this incident they immediately informed us and removed the staff from taxi marshal duties whilst they carry out an investigation.”

GDIN CEO Jongkap Kim: "By matching technology needs with local markets, we create long-lasting joint ventures with multiple exit opportunities." SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Digital Innovation Network (GDIN), led by CEO Jongkap Kim, proudly announced the major achievements of its 2024 Joint Venture Program. This program, which supports the establishment of joint ventures between South Korean companies and international partners, is designed to lower market entry barriers and create sustainable growth opportunities through local collaborations. Since the launch of the program in 2021, GDIN has supported the establishment of 44 joint ventures across various regions. This year alone, 10 joint ventures were successfully launched in 8 countries including the United States , Canada , Japan , India , Singapore , Vietnam , UAE, and Uganda . The Joint Venture Program was created to address a common challenge faced by early-stage tech companies: while they may have products and services that meet market demand, they often lack the resources and workforce to enter international markets. Through this program, GDIN helps companies increase their chances of success by facilitating strategic market entry via local partnerships. In addition to the 44 joint ventures established so far, 47 partnership agreements are in the pipeline for future joint ventures. The program's success is largely attributed to GDIN's extensive global network of partners, which includes government organizations, multinational corporations, and international agencies such as the World Bank, Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Investment Turkey etc. GDIN has organized multiple technology matching and investor relations events to introduce Korean companies and their innovative technologies to potential international partners. At the year-end performance report event, held on December 19 , GDIN recognized companies that successfully established joint ventures. Changsoft I&I, a digital construction management system company, was highlighted for its success in establishing joint ventures in Japan and Vietnam . CFO Jongeun Park of Changsoft I&I shared, "We were facing stagnating revenue growth, and expanding into new markets was critical. With GDIN's support, we were able to establish joint ventures in Japan and Vietnam , allowing us to tailor our products to local market needs." Other companies that successfully established joint ventures in 2024 include Medicos Biotech, Bloomsbury Lab, Arbaim, Eucast, Pixelro, Hansol root one, Eco-Peace, and IESG. GDIN CEO Jongkap Kim commented, "Unlike simple joint investments or distribution networks, these technology-driven joint ventures are based on market demand, ensuring their long-term sustainability. If these joint ventures achieve success in the local markets and even go public, they could offer multiple exit opportunities, creating a strong growth model for all involved." About GDIN Global Digital Innovation Network (formerly known as Born2Global Centre), registered under the Ministry of Science & ICT, is an independent foundation that promotes and fosters collaboration between next-level innovative companies from South Korea and the world. Since 2013, we have established over 160 international partnerships, supported over 3,000 tech companies, conducted over 20,000 consulting services, and helped companies raise $3.6 billion USD in investments. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gdin-successfully-supports-establishment-of-10-new-joint-ventures-in-2024-alone-302337060.html SOURCE GDINDAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Nate Santos had 24 points in Dayton's 86-62 victory against Lehigh on Saturday. Santos shot 8 for 11 (6 for 6 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Flyers (8-2). Malachi Smith added 17 points while shooting 5 for 8 (3 for 4 from 3-point range) and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line while they also had nine assists. Enoch Cheeks shot 5 for 7, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points. Keith Higgins Jr. led the Mountain Hawks (3-6) in scoring, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds. Joshua Ingram added nine points for Lehigh. Nasir Whitlock finished with nine points. Dayton took the lead with 18:32 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 41-25 at halftime, with Smith racking up 10 points. Santos scored 15 points in the second half to help lead the way as Dayton went on to secure a victory, outscoring Lehigh by eight points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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DETROIT — China will soon see a massive expansion of electric vehicle battery swapping, as global battery maker CATL said Wednesday it is investing heavily in stations there next year. Battery swapping is not new — but it's had a challenging journey. Adoption of electric vehicles has varied in regions across the globe over the past several years, and that doesn't always bode well for building new infrastructure. While the technology could do well in China, it's uncertain whether it could work in other countries. What is battery swapping? Battery swapping allows EV drivers to pull into a station on a low battery and receive a swapped, fully-charged battery within minutes. An EV has to be equipped with the right technology to receive a swap — and not many models around the world currently have it. Automakers have to buy into the idea, and EV adoption among consumers also has to grow, so that investing in new infrastructure seems worthwhile. Consumers also have to be comfortable not owning their battery. Why could it work in China? China is much further along in adopting EVs than other countries. Not only is it the world's largest auto market, but in July, the country hit a milestone with 50% of new sales electric — and it accounts for most of this year's global EV sales. China supports EV growth through government subsidies and mandates. So it makes more sense for companies to invest in unique EV infrastructure there because that's more likely to be needed. What other attempts at battery swapping have occurred? The most notable example might be Israeli startup Better Place, which tried its hand at swapping in 2007. But the company shut down a few years later after investing a lot of money and coming up against roadblocks with logistics. EV adoption was especially low at the time. Could it work in the United States? Europe? Startup Ample, for example, has a modular battery swapping station that it says can complete a swap in 5 minutes. That’s important as charging time remains a point of concern for prospective EV buyers. Even the fastest fast chargers could take at least 15 minutes for a decent charge. But in the U.S., pure EVs only accounted for 8% of new vehicle sales as of November. Meanwhile Nio, a rival Chinese EV brand, has about 60 swap stations in northern Europe, and the EV adoption is higher there than the U.S., but the same challenges remain. Different automakers put different batteries in their various EV models, so a station would need all of those available if the industry didn't agree to a standardized battery, and not all of those models are out yet in volume. This is something that really needs scale. Swapping could help with EV cost — currently a barrier to adoption for many — because a driver wouldn’t necessarily own the most expensive part of an EV: the battery. Greg Less, director of the University of Michigan Battery Lab, said with proper framing and education, people might like the idea of battery swapping. To him, it's not unlike buying a propane-fueled grill and purchasing a refilled tank every so often. But it would require a rethinking of car ownership. "Where I could see it working is if we went entirely away from vehicle ownership and we went to a use-on-demand model," Less added. “I don’t think we’re there yet.” What vehicle uses might be best for swapping? Battery swapping might make most sense for ride-sharing or other fleet vehicles. Drivers of buses, taxis, Uber or Lyft vehicles want to spend as much time on the road as possible, transporting customers and making money. If battery swapping can shorten the time needed to charge EVs, that makes driving one less disruptive to their business. ___ Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn . Reach her at ast.john@ap.org .