As I reflect on my vegetable garden, now four seasons in, I’m reconsidering some of the choices I made when I first planted it. There are definitely a few things that need tweaking. For instance, the wire fence I put up to keep wildlife away is starting to sag and collapse. Plus, two of my perennial beds are mostly shaded by a willow tree, which hasn’t been great for the plants there. While some crops are thriving, I realize it’s time to take action if I want them to continue doing well.

One plant that’s really stood out is my beautiful rhubarb. It’s grown stronger each year, with more stems and a wider crown—so much so that it’s even pushing against that sagging fence. Now that autumn has arrived and the rhubarb has gone dormant, it’s the perfect moment to divide it.

Rhubarb tends to exhaust itself after about four or five years, leading to a decline in the quality of its stems. By dividing it, I can cultivate fresh, robust stalks. Although it’s possible to grow rhubarb from seed, that process takes much longer before you can harvest anything.

Dividing rhubarb, while a bit dramatic, is quite simple. It involves vegetative propagation, where you create a new plant by removing part of the parent plant. This method produces a genetic clone rather than relying on seeds developed through the usual pollination and fertilization.

To divide the rhubarb, I need to carefully dig it up, ensuring that I excavate the crown without damaging it. If the soil is dry, it’s a good idea to water the plant a few days beforehand. Using a garden spade or fork, I’ll dig around the rhubarb to free it from the ground. It’s okay if a few roots get cut in the process.

Once it’s out, I’ll use my spade or even an old bread knife to slice the crown into sections, making sure each piece has enough of the root system and at least one growth point. Then, I can either plant them directly in their new locations or pot them in large containers filled with compost, ensuring that the crown sits level with the soil surface. I’ve found that segments from the outer crown tend to do better than those from the center.

While growing rhubarb from seed is an option, it takes much longer for those plants to mature enough for harvesting. In contrast, the divided crowns will typically take just about a year to establish before I can start enjoying some rhubarb crumble again. Admittedly, dividing my single rhubarb plant means I’ll be without it next season, but I’m excited for the future bounty it promises.

Recently, the Beijing Fourth Intermediate People’s Court concluded a case involving a minor’s request for a refund on in-game purchases. The individual at the center of the case, referred to by the pseudonym Liu Tian, is a 15-year-old middle school student. In an attempt to bypass the online gaming anti-addiction system, he misused his mother’s identity information to register a gaming account and spent nearly 5,000 yuan on in-game items.

Upon discovering this, Liu’s mother took legal action against the gaming platform and the payment processor, seeking a full refund of the charged amount as well as triple compensation. However, the court did not fully support her request.

To combat excessive use and potential addiction among minors, most online gaming platforms have implemented anti-addiction systems that restrict gaming time for young users. Judge Wang Juan, who presided over the case, explained that Liu Tian enjoyed playing online games. To bypass the minor identification system, he first registered for a short video platform using his father’s secondary phone number. He then accessed the game’s page through this platform, utilizing his mother’s identity information for the game’s real-name verification.

Over the course of nearly a year, Liu secretly transferred his mother’s WeChat balance to his account for in-game purchases, with amounts typically ranging from 6 to 588 yuan, cumulatively totaling around 5,000 yuan.

After the incident, Liu’s mother sued the short video platform and the gaming company, alleging that both had technical loopholes in preventing minor users from making purchases and that they had induced minors to spend, constituting fraud. She demanded a refund of the charged amounts along with nearly 15,000 yuan in combined damages.

This was not Liu’s first experience with large in-game expenditures. At the age of 11, he had previously used his mother’s phone to charge over 10,000 yuan in various games, ultimately obtaining a full refund through litigation.

The first-instance court found that Liu’s ability to bypass the gaming anti-addiction system, coupled with a lack of strict guidance from his guardians, primarily facilitated the unauthorized charges. The court noted that the gaming service provider had integrated its games into the nationally established anti-addiction real-name registration system and complied with anti-addiction requirements. Due to the inherent characteristics of online transactions, the service provider could reasonably assume that Liu, using his guardian’s identity, was an adult, thus not violating applicable regulations or committing fraud.

Judge Wang noted that, according to the Civil Code, minors above the age of eight possess limited civil capacity, which means that their civil acts need to be conducted by a legal representative or approved by one. Liu, being only 15 at the time of the transactions, was indeed classified as a limited capacity minor. However, it was determined that his actions were valid as they were appropriate for his age and understanding. Any actions exceeding a minor’s capacity, which Liu’s parents were not aware of or consented to beforehand, were deemed invalid, placing joint responsibility for the refunds on the two companies involved.

Referring to standards outlined in a 2019 notice by the National Press and Publication Administration, which caps single transaction amounts for users aged 8 to 16 at 50 yuan, with a monthly limit of 200 yuan, the first-instance court determined that the two companies should refund Liu 2,000 yuan of his expenses, rejecting other claims.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Liu’s mother appealed to the Beijing Fourth Intermediate People’s Court, which is set to review the case in June 2024. The focal point of the appeal concerns whether the short video platform should refund the full amount and if triple compensation is warranted.

In its second review, the Beijing Fourth Intermediate Court found that Liu’s request for refunds pointed to the invalidity of the transactions, fundamentally necessitated by his guardians’ failure to adequately monitor their devices, WeChat accounts, and payment passwords. Given that Liu had engaged in multiple online game purchases that had led to litigation, the court noted that the responsibility for any invalid contract stemmed from the legal guardian’s lack of supervision.

Moreover, existing evidence was insufficient to prove that both companies deliberately designed technical loopholes to entice minors into making purchases, thus failing to establish any claims of fraudulent intent.

Ultimately, the Beijing Fourth Intermediate Court upheld the initial ruling and dismissed the appeal, making the decision effective immediately.

Member of the court panel, Yu Yingying, stated that Liu’s parents attributed the responsibility solely to the gaming platform and its authentication system, overlooking their own negligence in managing their mobile devices and payment credentials. Given that similar incidents had occurred previously, their continued lack of supervision over Liu’s internet usage was also called into question.

The Minor Protection Law in China mandates that parents or guardians must improve their online literacy, standardize their internet behavior, and enhance supervision and guidance over minors’ online activities. Similarly, the Family Education Promotion Law requires guardians to properly balance minors’ time dedicated to studying, resting, entertainment, and exercise to prevent excessive internet use.

Judge Wang emphasized that addressing the issue of gaming addiction among children fundamentally involves parental involvement and supervision. She reminded the public that while guardians can legally request refunds after the fact, relying on the “minor game recharge refund mechanism” is not a long-term solution.

In a shocking incident that has left the community in Manhattan’s Chinatown reeling, the Church of the Transfiguration recently suffered an attack that damaged its stained glass windows and wooden structures. Father Kevin Kwan, the church’s rector, shared his concerns in a statement released on October 25, urging the Chinatown community to unite and safeguard public safety during this critical time.

“Although the NYPD has not classified this incident as a hate crime targeting Asian Americans, it has deeply shaken the congregation’s sense of security,” Father Kwan explained. “Older residents, in particular, have heightened anxieties about safety in Chinatown following the pandemic.” He noted, “Our congregation is more worried about their safety than ever. We need to work closely together as a community to address these public safety challenges.”

The church is calling on residents to come together to construct a safer living environment. Father Kwan emphasized, “Only by standing united and supporting one another can we ensure everyone’s safety.”

While it is known that homeless individuals often gather in the vicinity of the church, this attack marked the first of its kind. Father Kwan mentioned that the church has typically dealt with such disturbances discreetly, but this violent act highlighted the vulnerabilities within the community. The church plans to continue fostering community solidarity and increasing residents’ awareness of safety.

According to police reports, at around noon on September 30, a man threw a rock, shattering the church’s colorful stained glass window, before quickly leaving the scene. This occurred while a mass was being held, and the window not only broke but also caused damage to several wooden decorative structures, narrowly missing a parishioner who was praying. Surveillance footage revealed that the suspect had walked by the church prior to the incident, returned, and took action during a brief moment of solitude on the street, indicating premeditation.

In response to the damage, the church has temporarily covered the broken window with a wooden board. However, the estimated cost for repairing the stained glass is between $15,000 and $20,000, with repairs potentially taking up to a year to complete.

Local Chinese business owners in the area reported that they were unaware of the incident, but noted the long-standing presence of homeless individuals in the neighborhood due to its proximity to the park. “We all focus on our own businesses and ordinarily don’t interact much with the homeless. I’ve never heard of them causing active damage before,” one business owner remarked. Meanwhile, police are conducting an investigation to locate the suspect, whose registered address is a homeless shelter in the Bronx, and who is not a regular presence in Chinatown.

Getty ImagesThe charities are appealing for good quality coats for adults and children Charities are asking anyone who has a coat they do not wear to consider donating it.
The Human Appeal starts its Wrap Up campaign next week while Sparkhill-based Narthex will distribute collected adults and children's coats, jackets and jumpers from its foodbank hubs in Birmingham.
Ahmed Osman, UK programmes co-ordinator for Human Appeal, said the annual appeal collected thousands of coats and made a "big positive impact on these vulnerable communities".
"We have seen a massive rise in the demand for coats but unfortunately we have seen a decline in coats due to the cost of living crisis," he told BBC Radio WM.
Mr Osman said the campaign was founded by its partners Hands on London and had since expanded to include Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester, Glasgow, Bradford and Luton.
"It is the ninth year where we are asking members of the public to donate a spare jacket which they are not wearing and we re-home it to vulnerable communities across the city of Birmingham and the other respective cities as well," he said.
He had seen people queuing for coats "in desperate need, some of them even shivering, some of them cold", he added.
Narthex said it provided financial inclusion support and people were usually "in crisis" when they came to the charity.
Chief executive officer Patricia Coleman-Taylor said the clothes were given alongside emergency food packages.
"If you can't heat your house, you need a warm coat," she said.
The organisations have asked for coats which are clean and in good condition to be dropped at collection points for three weeks from 23 October.
Radio WM, which is supporting the campaign, will have a collection box at the reception at the Mailbox in Birmingham city centre.
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Today, October 24, China Weather Network reports that most regions of the country are experiencing little precipitation, with plenty of clear and dry weather. However, the 20th typhoon of the year, “Tao Mei,” is expected to move into the eastern South China Sea today. The interaction between “Tao Mei” and a cold front is likely to bring sustained strong winds to the southern coastal areas in the coming days, particularly impacting southeastern Zhejiang, eastern Taiwan, and Hainan Island, where strong rainfall is a concern.

As the cold air moves south, the scope of precipitation has narrowed, focusing mainly on the northeast and southwestern regions. Between 8 AM yesterday and 6 AM today, coastal areas in Zhejiang, Fujian, central Guangdong, and Taiwan experienced gusts exceeding level 8.

For most of the country today, the pattern of little rainfall is expected to continue alongside predominantly sunny and dry weather conditions. By tonight, Typhoon “Tao Mei” will arrive over the eastern South China Sea and is predicted to gradually strengthen, potentially reaching severe tropical storm or typhoon intensity. This system, combined with the cold air, will bring long-lasting strong winds to southern maritime areas, along with heavy rainfall along the eastern coastal regions of China.

The Central Meteorological Station anticipates that areas such as the Altay Mountains and the Tian Shan region in Xinjiang, as well as parts of western Tibet and central and southern Qinghai, will experience light to moderate snow or sleet. In addition, eastern Taiwan and regions in southeastern Tibet and western Yunnan are expected to see moderate to heavy rain, with heavy downpours possible in eastern Taiwan.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, areas in southern Xinjiang, northern and eastern Tibet, and most of Qinghai will be subject to light to moderate snow or sleet, with the potential for heavy snow in parts of eastern Qinghai. Regions in southern Sichuan, northeastern Inner Mongolia, northeast Fujian, northern and eastern Zhejiang, Shanghai, southern Jiangsu, and southeastern Anhui will experience moderate to heavy rain, with some areas in eastern Zhejiang, northeastern Fujian, and eastern Taiwan likely facing heavy to torrential rain.

On the following day, snow or sleet is expected in southern Qinghai, the western Sichuan plateau, and parts of eastern Inner Mongolia, with heavy to blizzard conditions possible in southeastern Qinghai and northern Sichuan. Additionally, heavy rain is forecast across southern Jiangsu, southeastern Anhui, Shanghai, and parts of northern and eastern Zhejiang, with some regions expecting severe downpours.

Meteorological experts are warning that due to the combined effects of Typhoon “Tao Mei” and the cold air front, maritime areas in the south will experience prolonged and intense winds. Vessels navigating in regions such as the eastern South China Sea, the Taiwan Straits, and the majority of the South China Sea should return to port or avoid affected areas. Workers at sea in the central and northern South China Sea are advised to evacuate in advance, while residents and visitors on Yongxing Island, eastern Taiwan, and Hainan Island should be vigilant about heavy rain and potential hazards. Communities along the East and South China coasts should also be prepared for the secondary disasters that strong rainfall may trigger.

In central and eastern China, temperatures are expected to increase, although significant differences between daily highs and lows will persist—especially in the early morning and evening. With the influence of a temporary pause in cold air, temperatures will gradually rise over the next few days, with the highest temperatures reaching around 20°C in central North China and over 10°C in most parts of the northeast.

Moreover, minimum temperatures will also see a marked increase, expected to reach levels above the seasonal average. The northern regions will warm up quickly, with minimum temperatures across the northeast likely rising above freezing by tomorrow, and areas in the North China Plain approaching or exceeding 10°C around the 26th.

However, southern regions will see a slower rise in temperatures. This morning, Jiangnan and southern China were generally cooler than usual for this time of year. By the 26th and 27th, minimum temperatures in the south will adjust upward, reaching 15-20°C in the middle and lower Yangtze River regions. For example, in Nanjing, the minimum temperature today is around 10°C, but it will rise to 18°C by the 26th, bringing a noticeable reduction in the chill.

It’s important to note that the period around “Shuangjiang” (Frost’s Descent) typically experiences the largest fluctuations between day and night. Over the next couple of days, many areas in China are expected to see variations exceeding 10°C, with regions in the northwest and north experiencing differences of over 15°C, and in some cases reaching nearly 20°C. As a result, it’s essential for the public to dress warmly during early morning and late evening outings.

On October 7-8, 2023, a national conference on propaganda, ideological, and cultural work was held in Beijing. One of the key outcomes of this meeting was the formal introduction of Xi Jinping’s cultural thought.

The series of videos titled “Civilization China Speaks” aims to study and promote Xi Jinping’s cultural ideology, focusing on five prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization and showcasing their spiritual values both within China and globally. Today, we present “National Identity through Theatre.”

The video reflects on the theme of Chinese culture, highlighting its remarkable unity, which fundamentally shapes the cultural integration of the various ethnic groups within the nation. This unity persists even in the face of significant challenges, fostering a shared belief in the indivisibility of territory, national order, ethnic solidarity, and unbroken civilization. It underscores that national unity remains a core interest of China, inherently linking the fate of its diverse peoples to a strong and unified state. This sentiment was emphasized by Xi Jinping during his speech on June 2, 2023, at a seminar on cultural heritage and development.

“What is China?” is a question that elicits diverse responses, yet one truth remains clear: China is the homeland of every Chinese individual. So, how has the consciousness of the Chinese national community been forged? Exploring the journey of Henan opera can provide insight.

From the far northwest of Xinjiang to the far southeast of Taiwan, the tradition of Henan opera creates a connective thread that transcends geographical distances. This “journey of Henan opera” intertwines the cultural bloodline and emotional ties of the Chinese national community, as cultural recognition forms the deepest level of identity.

The performance “Princess Jieyou” has introduced more people to the fact that Xinjiang has been an inseparable part of China for over 2,000 years, dating back to the Han Dynasty. From agricultural settlements to border defense, this continuity has never ceased. The couple, Ma Junwu and his wife, exemplify this spirit as they have endured 36 years on the remote China-Kazakhstan border. Similarly, members of the Henan troop who collectively went to Xinjiang represent this enduring commitment.

On the other side of the Taiwan Strait, generations of expatriates have turned to Henan opera over the past 70 years, feeling the warmth and call from their homeland. For these veterans, Henan opera encapsulates their sense of home, with the themes of patriotism and familial ties vividly portrayed. “Mulan” has been performed for over 70 years, and now digital human performer Chang Xiangyu joins Henan, Xinjiang, and Taiwan opera actors to share a performance across time and space.

Understanding Henan opera means grasping the deep sense of home and country shared by the Chinese people—not just within the performances but beyond them as well.

As Xi Jinping noted on September 27, 2024, at the National Ethnic Unity Progress Commendation Conference, the great nation and civilization that have emerged from over 5,000 years of Chinese heritage will forever be linked to the most profound and enduring emotions of all Chinese descendants.

As I strolled down Hunan Street in Jilin City, the vibrant pulse of modern urban life was unmistakable. Yet, amidst the commercial highlights, one couldn’t overlook a historic gem—the century-old restaurant, Xinxing Garden. This popular eatery regularly sees long queues of eager diners, drawn in by its unique blend of antiquity and elegance. Intriguingly, it’s also home to Jilin City’s only privately-run museum—the Jilin Historical Museum.

Recently, the “Opportunities in China, Open Jilin” tour for overseas Chinese-language media kicked off, bringing representatives from over a dozen countries to explore the city’s rich history. Their journey included a visit to the museum, where they could truly appreciate the city’s unique historical imprint as they dove into the stories of this northern river city.

Jilin City, where the Songhua River meanders through, stands as a significant former industrial powerhouse of China. It’s noteworthy that the first barrel of dye and the first bag of fertilizer in New China were both produced here. The local industry once flourished, manufacturing products like fertilizers, bicycles, sugar, and paints that were distributed nationwide. A visit to the Jilin Historical Museum transports visitors back in time through artifacts such as soda produced by the local brewery, lunch boxes and basins crafted from aluminum, as well as kettles and matches that echo the area’s industrial past.

Museums serve as a city’s calling card, encapsulating its history and civilization. In recent years, Jilin City has made strides in tapping into its historical and cultural resources, using museums as a focal point for reform in cultural preservation and heritage utilization, and striving to develop itself into a “city of museums” rich with local cultural identity.

At the site of the former Jilin Machinery Bureau, our group explored four sections of an exhibition titled “Difficult Times”, “The Contributions of History”, “Taking Inspiration”, and “Passing the Torch”, which together created a comprehensive narrative of the evolution of Jilin City’s industrial development. A guide emphasized, “The establishment of the Jilin Machinery Bureau marked the beginning of a new chapter in modern industry for Northeast China.” Indeed, this location played an irreplaceable role in the foundation and growth of industry in the region.

Jilin City is also notable for being the site of a remarkable cosmic event. On March 8, 1976, the largest meteor shower in history fell over a 500-square-kilometer area in Jilin City, creating a booming sound that could be heard from miles away.

At the Jilin Meteorite Museum, visitors enter a blue-hued “time tunnel” that evokes the phrase “the stars within reach.” In the meteorite display area, many were spellbound by the world’s largest stone meteorite, marveling at the wonders of the Jilin meteor shower and the mysteries of the cosmos.

During their time in Jilin City, international Chinese-language media representatives also explored the Jilin Manchu Museum to gain insights into the origins and evolution of Manchu culture.

Jilin City is diligently working towards establishing itself as a “city of museums,” showcasing profound historical depth and cultural confidence, leaving a lasting impression on the visiting media. As the integration of cultural and tourism development becomes a vital engine for economic growth, the prospects for Jilin City as the “Northern River City” certainly look promising.

A Facebook fan page in South Korea recently shared a dramatic video showing North Korea’s demolition of roads connecting the Gyeonguib and Donghae lines from multiple angles. As tensions escalate between North and South Korea, this operation took place on the morning of October 15, prompting the South Korean military to respond with gunfire along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).

According to a report by YTN News, the video reveals a group of North Korean soldiers stationed behind a black partition, preparing to detonate the Gyeonguib line road. At the moment of the explosion, thick black smoke and clouds of dirt soared into the sky, and the camera shook violently from the blast’s force.

In a jarringly ironic contrast, a nearby blue road sign, emblazoned with the words “Good Bye” and “안녕히 가십시오” (meaning “Goodbye” in Korean), frames the demolition site, heightening the sense of absurdity surrounding the event.

The footage also shows heavy machinery, including excavators and large trucks, arriving to assist with the demolition work, captured from various perspectives.

The Gyeonguib Line spans 499 kilometers, starting from Seoul Station and traveling through cities like Goyang and Paju before reaching North Korea’s Kaesong, Pyongyang, and Sinuiju. Originally opened by Japan in 1906, the Donghae Line—also known as the East Coast Line—was established in 1937, connecting Yangyang to Wonsan over a length of 180 kilometers.

Despite the fact that these railroads lie within North Korea, they were actually built with 176.8 billion Korean won borrowed from South Korea.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

In a recent press conference, Ms. Marci Paranski, Programme Manager Officer for UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, announced a pivotal initiative aimed at enhancing the skills of stakeholders and negotiators within Nigeria’s climate sector to tackle methane emissions. This development is part of a three-day capacity-building workshop, organized with assistance from the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN).

Funded by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, the project is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian federal government, particularly the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC). Paranski emphasized that the project will focus on three key areas: oil and gas, agriculture, and waste, with plans to expand into additional sectors in the future.

“This workshop marks the beginning of activities in Nigeria for the country’s Methane Emissions Reduction Pilot Program,” Paranski stated. “It is the first initiative of its kind in Africa, aimed at establishing a national baseline for methane emissions. This involves analyzing the contributions from the oil and gas sector, agriculture, and waste over the course of a year.”

She added that the team will collaborate with various scientific partners both in and outside Nigeria to conduct this important study. “We are also engaging in diverse capacity-building activities, including today’s training workshop focused on the oil and gas sector,” Paranski explained.

“We’re collaborating with partners including the NCCC, the EUD, SDN, and Carbon Limits to facilitate training sessions and other capacity-building efforts intended for civil servants, the private sector, and early-career scientists. This is just the first of many initiatives planned for this three-year project,” she noted.

Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NCCC, highlighted that Nigeria’s push for methane reduction aligns with the country’s 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), marking it as the first African nation to commit to reducing methane emissions.

“Continuing on this path, in 2023, the government established guidelines for methane regulation and introduced regulations to prevent gas flaring,” he said, reinforcing the need to manage this sector to mitigate methane emissions effectively.

“Methane is a short-lived yet highly potent pollutant, often referred to as a super pollutant,” he continued. “This is why the NCCC Secretariat is receiving support from the European Union and UNEP to advance this capacity-building program. It’s crucial to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge to implement research findings effectively, which is why capacity building is essential.”

In a recent ruling, a judge has appointed Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss, as recipients of assets owned by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, following his defamation against them in the aftermath of the 2020 election. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman mandated that Giuliani transfer control of his New York City apartment, a vintage 1980s Mercedes-Benz once belonging to legendary actress Lauren Bacall, along with several luxury watches and various other assets within seven days.

The assets come after a jury determined that Giuliani owes Freeman and Moss approximately $150 million for spreading false information about them, a decision Giuliani is currently appealing. The ruling also gives Freeman and Moss the green light to start liquidating the ordered assets immediately.

Aaron Nathan, the attorney representing Freeman and Moss, expressed his support for the ruling, stating, “The road to justice for Ruby and Shaye has been long, but they have never wavered. Last December, a jury delivered a powerful verdict in their favor, and we’re proud that today’s ruling makes that verdict a reality.”

Nathan further added, “We are pleased that our clients will finally begin to receive some compensation for Giuliani’s actions. This outcome should send a powerful message that there is a price to pay for those who choose to intentionally spread disinformation.”

Giuliani has not yet responded to media requests for comments. Along with his Upper East Side apartment, Giuliani is also required to hand over memorabilia related to the New York Yankees and around two dozen watches. Additionally, Freeman and Moss are entitled to fees owed to Giuliani by the Trump campaign for his legal work in 2020.

Initially listed at $6.5 million in 2023, Giuliani has since reduced the price of his three-bedroom apartment to just over $5.1 million this fall. Notably, the judge did not order Giuliani to sell a separate condominium in Palm Beach, as there is an ongoing legal dispute regarding that property. Instead, an order was placed to prevent Giuliani from selling the condo while the matter is unresolved.

Following his loss in the defamation case last fall, Giuliani filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to avoid paying Freeman and Moss; however, a judge dismissed that bankruptcy case earlier this year.

After the 2020 election, Giuliani publicized a misleading video that falsely accused Freeman and Moss of engaging in illegal activities during ballot counting in Atlanta. Even after Georgia election officials clarified that the video showed the women performing their duties without issues, Giuliani continued to perpetuate the lies. Both women have since been cleared of any wrongdoing by official investigators.

The video and the subsequent accusations against Freeman and Moss became pivotal in Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the election results in Georgia. Notably, Trump mentioned Freeman by name during a 2021 phone call with Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, urging him to overturn the election results.

Since the incident, Freeman and Moss have largely stayed out of the public eye, revealing the profound impact it has had on their lives, including receiving death threats, being forced from their homes, and losing their jobs. During the defamation trial, they shared their battles with depression following the election outcome.

Giuliani, who lost his law licenses in New York and Washington, D.C., has shown little remorse for his false statements. During the trial, he maintained a press conference outside the courthouse, asserting that his claims about Freeman and Moss were true.

Recently, Freeman and Moss also reached a settlement with the far-right news outlet Gateway Pundit, which was the first to identify them publicly and disseminate the misleading video. While the terms of the agreement remain confidential, the site has retracted all articles about the women and published a notice acknowledging their innocence. They have also settled with One America News Network, which issued an apology.

The outcomes of these suits are being closely monitored, as they represent a significant moment of accountability for those who spread falsehoods regarding the 2020 election. Legal scholars are observing these cases to evaluate the effectiveness of defamation law as a tool against misinformation in the political arena.

Giuliani is also facing criminal charges in both Georgia and Arizona related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.