Yu Miao once owned an independent bookstore in China. While there, he lived in constant fear of the repercussions of harsh regulations and censorship on any store the government did not operate. The story may seem like a plot from a futuristic dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley, but it reflects the daily reality in Communist China, where control prevails. The government suppresses freedom of expression, selling only government-approved books. This environment leaves little room for independent bookstore owners or indie publishers to thrive. Rather than be ruled by fear, censorship, and the possibility of losing his dream forever, Yu made a decision that many other bookstore owners in China have made: he closed his shop moving to a country with more favourable regulations for the industry. He now owns a successful bookstore called “JF Books” in a chic neighbourhood in Washington, D.C., which houses over 10,000 books on many topics. This is a far cry from the small, censored store he operated in Shanghai six years ago. Privately owned chains like the FanDeng and Sisyphe Bookstore are still operating in China, but they do so under the government’s watch and at a high cost, making them less profitable than they should be. Yu’s nightmare may have ended six years ago, but the Chinese’s governments unrelenting political push to silence its people has not diminished. In June, Yuan Di, the owner of “Jiazazhi,” an artistic bookstore in Shanghai, was arrested, and the charges being laid against him are still unclear. The vision of being ripped from your home in the middle of the night and placed in jail for selling books seems like an impossibility, but we live in a place where freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. It is difficult for us to understand this type of political climate. Literature has always significantly affected society, and with great power comes great responsibility because words matter. Authors like George Orwell and Mark Twain have helped shape public opinion and educate society about injustices. Documented history warns us about the dangers of power and control. Without independent authors, we might remain unaware of the struggles faced by people in Africa or South Korea’s role in world peace negotiations. Fortunately, China’s attempt to crack down on independent bookstore owners failed miserably. This effort had a surprising outcome, leading to the growth of a profitable industry in countries like France, Canada, Germany, and the United States, where censorship and regulatory rules are less strict. According to statistics from Google, independent bookstore owners generate incomes of 50 to 100 thousand dollars annually. This has a direct impact on the local economy. This positive outcome for bookstore owners like Yu Miao is a testament to the power of resistance to oppression and the importance of freedom of expression. “Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve a lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” — Robert F Kennedy. Image screenshot from . Writing has always been her passion and a voice for those who cannot speak. She considers herself fortunate to write every day and says her mantra is, "I drink coffee, write, and I know about people and technology." Her writing is diverse and can be found online on websites like LifeHack, You Have a Calling, Medium, TechCrunch and, She Knows.

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Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters ? If they enter Damascus after taking some of Syria’s largest cities , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites . The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. READ: Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria's government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. What’s next? Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces' will to fight the rebels. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. And Syrian troops withdrew Saturday from much of the central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, according to a pro-government outlet and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media. ___ Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.ormer . House Speaker was hospitalized in Luxembourg after sustaining an injury while participating in a congressional delegation event. The 84-year-old was attending ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a pivotal World War II battle, when the incident occurred. Pelosi's spokesperson, , shared a statement about her condition, assuring the public of her ongoing recovery. "While traveling with a bipartisan Congressional delegation in Luxembourg to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge," said. "Speaker Emerita sustained an injury during an official engagement and was admitted to the hospital for evaluation." He further noted, "She is currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals." Although Pelosi is unable to attend the remainder of the commemorative events, she remains actively engaged in her work. "She continues to work and regrets that she is unable to attend the remainder of the CODEL engagements to honor the courage of our servicemembers during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nation's history," Krager added. The spokesperson also expressed optimism, stating that "looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon." This incident highlights the physical challenges faced by senior leaders in public service. Just days earlier, Senate GOP leader suffered a fall at the U.S. Capitol, spraining his wrist and sustaining a minor facial injury. The 82-year-old senator resumed his schedule after treatment, but these events underscore the demanding nature of their roles. Pelosi, who has been an influential figure in American politics since her election in 1987, continues to balance her active role in Congress despite stepping down from leadership two years ago. She remains deeply involved in Democratic Party initiatives and public events. Recently, attended the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington and was present on the Senate floor to witness the swearing-in of and , former colleagues in the House. A Meaningful Trip and a Commitment to Service 's presence in Luxembourg was part of a delegation commemorating the Battle of the Bulge, a historic World War II event that symbolizes American courage and sacrifice. Her absence from the remaining events is a reminder of the physical toll such trips can take. Despite this, 's dedication remains evident, as she continues to work remotely during her recovery. While the details of her injury remain private, 's resilience reflects her longstanding commitment to public service. As her supporters await her return, her ability to balance recovery with ongoing responsibilities is a testament to her enduring leadership.