10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024
Bigg Boss Telugu 8: Double Elimination Shocks Viewers; Who'll Make It To Grand Finale Of Nagarjuna-Led Show After Avinash?
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean legislative push to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law fell through on Saturday after most lawmakers from his conservative governing party boycotted the vote. The defeat of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Impeaching Yoon required support from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties who brought the impeachment motion had 192 seats, but only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik called the result “very regrettable” and an embarrassing moment for the country’s democracy that has been closely watched by the world. “The failure to hold a qualified vote on this matter means we were not even able to exercise the democratic procedure of deciding on a critical national issue,” he said. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. There are worries that Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1⁄2 years in office because his leadership took a huge hit. Many experts say some ruling party lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. Woo repeatedly urged ruling party members to return to the chamber to participate in the vote, waiting several hours for them to come. At one point, Democratic Party leaders visited a hall on the floor below the main chamber where PPP lawmakers were gathered, attempting to persuade them to vote. After being blocked from entering, they angrily accused the conservatives’ leadership of preventing its lawmakers from voting freely. Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued a public apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose martial law. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The turmoil resulting from Yoon’s bizarre and poorly-thought-out stunt has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” The passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion appeared more likely Friday when the chair of Yoon’s party called for his removal on Friday, but the party remained formally opposed to impeachment. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people densely packed several blocks of roads leading up to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing and singing along to K-pop songs with lyrics changed to call for Yoon’s ouster. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, angrily shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied in separate streets in Seoul, decrying the impeachment attempt they saw as unconstitutional. Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. Some lawmakers from Yoon’s party were seen leaving the hall after that vote, triggering angry shouts from opposition lawmakers. On Friday, PPP chair Han Dong-hun, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians. The targeted politicians included Han, Lee and Woo, according to Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly after Yoon imposed martial law. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him.
Gumla: The district administration’s innovative move to involve experts from other departments and diverse fields in educating students has revitalised the teachers and the education system. The comprehensive monitoring approach, aimed at improving the performance of the students in the 2025 board examinations of both Class X and XII, will encompass 148 institutes, including govt and govt-aided schools, inter-colleges and minority institutions. Titled ‘Gift of Education’, the initiative will involve the district collector, other block-level officials, police officers and SSB (paramilitary) personnel. These officials will conduct weekly visits to the institutes to monitor student engagement, teaching quality, syllabus completion and practice sessions with model question papers. Explaining the ‘Gift of Education, its assistant nodal officer Dildar Singh said, “It is basically a teachers’ core group formed to monitor and refresh students’ understanding of chapters and prepare them for board-style questions.” The move assumed significance as pre-board examinations are scheduled to begin on December 9 and the group is providing support in the students’ daily practice on objective, short and long-answer questions. Conceptualized by Gumla DC Karn Satyarthi, the initiative has fostered positive attitudes among teachers and students alike. District education officer (DEO) Kavita Khalkho said, “Regular visits by the officials from other departments have eliminated teacher complacency and improved the students’ engagement. Students now communicate openly with the officers and demonstrate better understanding of their curriculum.” Speaking to TOI, DC Satyarthi said, “We’ve implemented a systematic approach targeting not just 100% pass results in both boards but excellence in individual subject performance across all streams in Class XII.” He emphasized that officers from diverse backgrounds bring valuable perspectives to student mentoring. “Their varied institutional experiences and academic backgrounds provide students with unique insights beneficial for their academic growth,” Satyarthi added. The programme’s holistic approach, combining administrative oversight with educational support, represents a significant step toward improving educational standards in Gumla’s schools, potentially serving as a model for other districts to follow. We also published the following articles recently Gumlas Gift of Education: Officials from other depts help teach students Gumla district officials are boosting education with "Gift of Education," an initiative involving weekly school visits by diverse professionals. This program aims to improve student performance for the 2025 board exams by monitoring engagement, teaching quality, and syllabus completion. The initiative has revitalized teachers and students, fostering open communication and better curriculum understanding. Educational tour programme for SC/ST students extended to classes 9 and 10 The Chinnara Karnataka Darshan program, offering educational tours to SC/ST students in government schools, has expanded to include classes 9 and 10. Previously limited to class 8, the program now aims to reach more students, with nearly 20,000 selected this year. Students experience diverse cultural and historical sites across Karnataka, fostering understanding of the state's rich heritage. 5 popular CBSE schools in Chennai one can consider for quality education: Fee structure, student-teacher ratio and more Tamil Nadu's education system is undergoing a transformation with the introduction of the State Education Policy (SEP), diverging from the National Education Policy. The SEP champions localized approaches, retaining the five-year entry age for Class I and rejecting the 5+3+3+4 structure. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Far-right influencer Nick Fuentes accused of pepper spraying woman on his doorstep - ABC NewsFans Joke Jameis Winston Is Talking About the NFL Script Writers in His Pre-Game Huddle Speech Against the Steelers
'A recipe for stagnation': Canadian companies widely underusing newcomer talent, report finds The ICC-Deloitte report suggests that employers can tap into newcomer talent more effectively if they adopt a 'culture of ambition.' Katrya Bolger, The Globe and Mail Nov 22, 2024 10:30 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Working with newcomers leads employers to innovate by incorporating new perspectives and processes in their work. Reza Estakhrian/The Image Bank/Getty Images Listen to this article 00:05:59 Interested in more careers-related content? Check out our new weekly Work Life newsletter . Sent every Monday afternoon. Newcomer talent is widely underused in Canada, but employers who tap into it see clear benefits to their business, a new report finds. The paper by The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) and Deloitte outlines how companies working with newcomers can draw on the diverse experiences of those workers to improve performance while helping to close the immigrant unemployment gap. The findings are based on conversations with more than 40 leaders across a range of sectors from mining to technology who shared their strategies for hiring and retaining immigrants. Daniel Bernhard, chief executive officer of ICC, says the insights shared show that working with newcomers leads employers to innovate by incorporating new perspectives and processes in their work. “The data shows that if you can bring people from around the world to play on your team, you’re going to have an edge over other teams where people have the same experiences and are more likely to see things the same way,” he says. Immigrants face higher unemployment rates in Canada – in large part because of the challenges of having the experience from their country of origin recognized. Statistics Canada data shows the unemployment rate for recent immigrants – those who have become permanent residents in the past five years – stood at 12.6 per cent in June. In contrast, the rate for Canadian-born workers in the same period was 5.5 per cent. Even though the federal government just announced it will lower the number of permanent residents admitted on an annual basis, Canada has welcomed about 1.8 million immigrants in the past five years, according to Statistics Canada, and there will be about 400,000 new permanent residents a year for at least the next few years. The ICC-Deloitte report suggests that employers can tap into newcomer talent more effectively if they adopt a “culture of ambition.” Leaders surveyed recognized the benefits of having a diverse work force, but they noted that their teams often struggle to invest in creating new recruitment and onboarding policies to support immigrants. The lack of clear-cut processes for integrating newcomers puts the onus on organizations to create their own, Mr. Bernhard says. “Identifying and integrating this talent is not straightforward,” he says. “While the benefits are clear, there’s an investment required. But many companies are simply not prepared to make those investments, and as a result, they’re losing out.” According to the report, the lack of will to innovate not only limits employers’ ability to hire immigrant employees but hinders these potential employees from meaningfully applying their global experience in the Canadian context. One respondent noted seeing newcomers as “global navigators” with distinct cultural insights and language skills that can help position these immigrant employees as key players in building new partnerships and clientele worldwide. Another respondent noted how attitudes of current employees toward immigrants can also hamper their integration in the workplace. They cited, for example, the tendency among some immigrants to work longer than Canadian-born workers, which can threaten the desire to encourage work-life balance. Some employers, according to the report, also struggle to recognize the value of foreign experience, with many preferring to hire alumni from universities or organizations that they know. When employers are unable to recognize the credentials of foreign employers or schools, they struggle to assess if the candidate’s experience fits their needs. Despite these barriers, respondents say organizations can take steps toward integrating immigrants, starting with de-emphasizing Canadian experience in their search for candidates. “One thing employers should do is rediscover their humility and remind themselves why when someone with an unfamiliar name from an unfamiliar country and different experience comes across your desk, there’s a possibility that person knows something you don’t know,” says Mr. Bernhard. The report also highlights the importance of creating a diversity, equity and inclusion strategy to recruit and retain newcomer talent. One HR leader from a financial services company suggests that considerations such as country of origin and year of arrival should figure in hiring frameworks to ensure they are inclusive. Respondents further noted the value of sharing success stories with colleagues across their organizations about working with immigrants. For example, a natural resource firm in Western Canada shared how changing their policy from only hiring workers who had experience driving in the snow led them to see that those who had no such experience were often more careful and had fewer accidents. This allowed them to boost their safety record while relying on newcomers to address labour shortages in their industry. Beyond cultivating an inclusive work culture, the report recommends adopting a more holistic approach to employee well-being that involves the employer recognizing the factors outside of work that can affect performance. This could include, for example, the spouse’s ability to find work. According to respondents, organizations can help in these areas by connecting with civil society organizations offering support services to newcomers. While the immigrant unemployment gap persists, the ICC-Deloitte report finds that Canada has an opportunity to use immigrant talent to gain a competitive edge. But without a dedicated approach, employers risk losing out on the potential that global talent brings, while falling behind on growth and innovation. “Immigrants who are selected for their specific skills and experiences and come from countries that do some things better than we do can teach firms to evolve and innovate,” Mr. Bernhard says. “Sidelining those people is a recipe for stagnation.” Tags: 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 z-Central Newsletter Sometimes, even a climate advocate just wants to blow dry her hair Nov 21, 2024 8:00 PM Build by numbers to address housing shortages Nov 21, 2024 2:00 PM The Eras Tour will soon end, and I for one will be happy Nov 21, 2024 10:30 AM Featured FlyerMinnedosa residents urged to reduce sewage usage due to winter stormhas a major milestone in display technology with The Premiere 8K projector, becoming the first in the industry to receive the prestigious 8K Association (8KA) certification for 8K projectors. This recognition solidifies Samsung’s position as a leader in cutting-edge projection technology and sets a new standard for the market. The 8KA is a global consortium that promotes the adoption and standardization of . On Dec 10, the group shared its new mark plan for 8K projectors. This move boosts the 8K scene and shows its bright future. The 8KA mark checks vital specs to give users a rich view feel. It looks at pixel count (7680 x 4320), glow, tones, and a wide hue range to ensure sharp views in all light levels. The mark also looks at HDR for more depth, 8K upscaling to clean low-res clips, and great sound that syncs with the crisp views. The Premiere 8K passed all these tests, making it the first in its field to earn this top nod. Unveiled at CES 2024, The Premiere 8K represents a groundbreaking advancement in home entertainment. It is the first projector to bring 8K links with no wires, letting users stream with ease. Its ultra-short throw (UST) tech uses smart glass mirrors to give high-res views from close by. With this, it skips the need for big mounts or add-ons. The Premiere 8K gives 4,500 ISO of light. This keeps its views clear and bright, even in rooms with sun. Its Sound-on-Screen tech pairs top-grade audio with sharp views, thanks to built-in tools and code smarts. “The Premiere 8K receiving the industry’s first 8KA certification is a major milestone as it officially demonstrates the new potential of projector technology.” said Taeyoung Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are committed to expanding the 8K ecosystem by continuously and extensively integrating new technologies.”
BREAKING NEWS Can Trump end birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment upheld in the US constitution since 1868 Trump wants to end birthright citizenship to crack down on the migrant crisis By KATELYN CARALLE, SENIOR U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Published: 06:55 AEDT, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 07:07 AEDT, 9 December 2024 e-mail 14 View comments Donald Trump wants to get rid of 14th Amendment birthright protections as a way to crack down on the migrant crisis in the U.S. The president-elect said there might need to be a constitutional shake-up to 'get it changed' and get rid of the amendment that says those born in the United States are U.S. citizens. 'Can you get around the 14th Amendment with an executive action?' NBC host Kristen Welker asked Trump in an interview that aired Sunday. 'Well, we're going to have to get it changed,' he said. 'We'll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.' 'We're the only country that has it, you know,' Trump added. In his first interview since reelection, Trump said he wanted to end birthright citizenship in his first term but was waylaid when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March 2020, essentially interrupting all actions in his final year in office. Trump wants to get rid of this provision in the Constitution to specifically target illegal immigrants who have children while released in the U.S. without documentation or citizenship. The way this could happen is by Trump proclaiming the new policy and then ordering agencies to cease issuing citizenship confirming documents – such as Social Security cards and passports – to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. Donald Trump reiterated that he wants to get rid of the 14 Amendment birthright protections as a way to crack down on illegal immigration and prevent noncitizens from having children with de facto U.S. citizenship The legal legitimacy of Trump's proposal is likely to end up before the Supreme Court, which has a nine to three conservative majority and a whopping three Justices that were nominated by the past and future president. 'All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,' the 14th Amendment states. Read More Elon Musk reveals the staggering sum U.S. taxpayers spend on illegal immigration every year Welker, when reciting the constitutional amendment in her interview with Trump, left out a vital part of the provision, saying: 'The 14th Amendment, though, says that, quote, 'All persons born in the United States are citizens.' Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee made note of the omission. 'Those words matter,' he said of the omitted 'and subject to the jurisdiction thereof' part of the 14th Amendment's text. This phrase from the Constitution means that all those born in the U.S. are considered citizens of the country, but excludes those who are not under legal authority of the nation at the time time of birth. Specifically, this is interpreted to mean children of foreign diplomats who are stationed in the U.S. at the time of their childrens' birth and those whose parents owe allegiance to another nation when they are born. Trump, and immigration hawks, say that this also applies to those born to illegal immigrants who were living in the country without documentation at the time of giving birth. The idea is to crackdown on the migrant crisis and reduce the number of those who come to the U.S. in an effort to get their children birthrighr citizenship Trump sat down with NBC News host Kristen Welker in an interview that aired Sunday where she questioned if Trump thinks he can take executive action to bypass the 14th Amendment of the U.s. Constitution 'You know we're the only country that has it,' Trump told Welker in the interview that aired Sunday on Meet the Press. 'Do you know if somebody sets a foot, just a foot, one foot, you don't need two, on our land, 'Congratulations you are now a citizen of the United States of America.' 'Yes, we're going to end that because it's ridiculous,' he insisted. Trump vowed he would address the migrant crisis immediately after taking office, and says he will carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. The president-elect's transition team has already been in talks with third-party countries to strike a deal on accepting deported immigrants whose home countries will not accept them back after they left and illegally came into the U.S. Donald Trump Politics Share or comment on this article: Can Trump end birthright citizenship? The 14th amendment upheld in the US constitution since 1868 e-mail Add comment
Amid tax reforms uproar, VAT collection hits N1.78 trillion in Q3/24 – NBSIt’s not you, it’s me. But it’s also you, as Samantha Bee explained on this week’s episode of The Daily Beast Podcast . Following in her co-host Joanna Coles’ footsteps, Bee was booked to appear on a recent episode of the new CNN panel show Have I Got News For You . Days before taping though, she backed out, and told Coles why. “I really like the show,” Bee said. “But I just can’t go on a fun-loving comedy quiz show with someone who stands so opposite every value I hold dear.” That opponent? Republican congressman Tim Burchett, of Tennessee, who would have joined Bee alongside regular panelists and “team captains” Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian Black. In an appearance on CNN earlier in the year, Burchett controversially described Vice President Kamala Harris (then the Democratic nominee for president) as a “DEI hire.” ADVERTISEMENT Many of Burchett’s political positions are in conflict with Bee’s own values, she explained. His opposition to abortion rights was the breaking point. “I’d spent all day Thursday fighting for the existential future of Planned Parenthood,” Bee, a board member with the Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, explained. “I just can’t be in a photo or a split screen with someone like that and pretend it’s a fun Friday afternoon.” When Coles noted that past episodes of the show—particularly its original iteration, which has run in the United Kingdom for years—had effectively “ribbed” (and in some cases, undone) political figures, Bee agreed, and encouraged others to have at it. But she didn’t feel ready to throw punches or punchlines. “These questions and these issues that we are facing are literally existential,” she said, “and I don’t have a good sense of humor about it.” New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast drop every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , YouTube , or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each episode debuts.Bashar Assad's 24-year rule came to an end on Sunday as , the Syrian capital. Shortly after insurgents declared the city "free," Russia's foreign ministry announced Assad had resigned his position and left the country. Russian state news later reported that Assad had arrived in Moscow, where he was granted asylum. The collapse of Assad's government came after a coalition of opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a surprise offensive, seizing control of major cities like Aleppo, Hama, and Homs in a matter of days. Syrians around the world celebrated the end of Assad's rule, which was marked by brutal suppression. His violent crackdown on peaceful anti-government protests in 2011, part of the Arab Spring uprisings, sparked a civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions, straining neighboring countries like Turkey and Lebanon. World leaders conveyed cautious optimism after news of Assad's ouster, but uncertainty remains around what kind of government and leader will replace him. One major player will almost certainly be HTS, which is led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a Syrian who fought against US occupation in Iraq alongside a branch of Al Qaeda. Jolani later returned to Syria, his homeland, where he fought with Jabhat Al-Nusra — an Al Qaeda offshoot formed in 2012 — and other rebel groups against Assad's forces. Jolani severed his ties with Al Qaeda in 2016 and formed a new group, which eventually became HTS in 2017. Since then, Jolani has portrayed himself as a more moderate leader to gain international legitimacy. Both the United States and the United Nations still list HTS as a terrorist organization. In one 2021 interview with , Jolani called the group's terrorist designation a "political label that carries no truth or credibility." "Through our 10-year journey in this revolution, we haven't posed any threat to Western or European society: no security threat, no economic threat, nothing. That's why this designation is politicized," he said. In recent years, HTS has controlled Syria's northwestern Idlib Province, where analysts say it worked to consolidate power and transform its image while pursuing its ultimate goal of toppling Assad. In Idlib, Jolani established the so-called Syrian Salvation Government, which has acted as a showcase for what his leadership could bring to a wider area. Speaking about the Salvation Government in the PBS interview, Jolani said that while the situation in Idlib was not ideal, there was "a self-asserting model that was capable of running the affairs of a whole country under an Islamic rule." While some have remained doubtful that the group has fully cut its links with Al Qaeda, it has put forth a message of inclusiveness and unity in recent days, calling for a peaceful transition of power and reassuring religious and ethnic minorities in Syria. "In the future Syria ... diversity is our strength, not a weakness," the group said in a statement to the Kurdish minority in Aleppo. Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International and a Middle East analyst at the Swedish Defense Research Agency, told that while Jolani and his group had changed, they remained "pretty hardline." "It's PR, but the fact they are engaging in this effort at all shows they are no longer as rigid as they once were," he said, referencing video footage showing Jolani forbidding fighters from entering homes and telling them to protect citizens. "Old-school Al Qaeda or the Islamic State would never have done that." HTS is only one part of an ideologically diverse opposition, and it remains to be seen if the coalition can peacefully share power and extend unified control over the whole country. "If not, intra-Syrian territorial fragmentation, and the potential emergence of regional warlords and fiefdoms, will quickly grow," Jonathan Panikoff, the director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council's Middle East Program, told Business Insider. Read the original article on
HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie said that commemorating the founding of the State of Qatar by Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani holds deep significance for all those living on its soil, with the founder symbolising unity, sacrifice, and wise leadership for a modern, sovereign state, built on principles of dignity and national pride. Speaking to QNA on Qatar National Day (QND), HE the minister extended his congratulations and best wishes to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and the Qatari people, praying for many more years of prosperity, security, and stability, and for Qatar continued advancements on all fronts. He said that the National Day is an occasion to solidify citizens’ sense of loyalty and unity, in addition to expressing pride in the national identity and heritage. He described the National Day as a moment to affirm unity, cohesion, and solidarity; the principles on which the state was founded and have remained a constant through the ages. HE Dr al-Subaie pointed out that Qatar has continued to achieve success after the other in various fields; the economy, health, education, research, the environment, institutional governance, and community development, all the while providing the means and infrastructure needed to achieve Qatar’s national vision and fulfilling the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said that through overseeing and implementing the Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Qatar has made significant progress over the past year in relation to the National Action Plan for Climate Change 2030, which sets national climate goals to enhance resilience through the implementation of over 35 initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, in addition to overseeing 300 adaptation measures to control or reduce the impacts of climate change, not to mention the completion of the final phase of the factory emission monitoring system and the launch of many green initiatives promoting technological innovation in protecting the environment and improving quality of life. HE the minister added that the national biodiversity strategy seeks to preserve endangered species by supporting projects such as the breeding of the endangered houbara bustard, regulating the hunting season of certain birds and wildlife, restoring coral reefs, and completing the rehabilitation of 38 nurseries across the country, as part of the Qatari mainland rehabilitation project and preserving mangrove forests. He noted that the ministry launched a project to build a national integrated air quality monitoring network, comprising 41 monitoring stations across the country, as well as establishing an environmental data monitoring and analysis unit, a public platform on the non-ionising radiation emanating from electrical devices and communication networks, with 60 fixed stations and 15 mobile radiation level detection devices working around the clock to ensure that radiation remains within safe limits in accordance to international standards. Related Story National Day reflects Qatari identity QND conveys patriotic fervourEvery Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. People are also reading... While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV 1. Big TVs The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 2. Apple Watches Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 3. Beats headphones Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) 4. Apple AirPods If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 5. JBL bluetooth speakers Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) 6. Apple iPad One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap 7. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers 8. UGG Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green 9. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition 10. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. Shoppers might see dynamic and surge pricing on Black Friday. Here's what that could look like When is Black Friday? Here’s what you need to know before you shop Make your house a home For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean legislative push to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law fell through on Saturday after most lawmakers from his conservative governing party boycotted the vote. The defeat of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Impeaching Yoon required support from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties who brought the impeachment motion had 192 seats, but only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Most ruling party lawmakers were boycotting a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority sought by the opposition to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law , as protests grew nationwide calling for his removal. The likely defeat of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing presidency to liberals. Impeaching Yoon would require support from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties who brought the impeachment motion have 192 seats, meaning they need at least eight additional votes from Yoon’s People Power Party. The opposition-controlled parliament began a vote earlier Saturday, but only three lawmakers from PPP took part with opposition members. If the number of lawmakers who cast ballots doesn’t reach 200, the motion will be scrapped at midnight without the ballot counting, according to the National Assembly. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. There are worries that Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1⁄2 years in office because his leadership took a huge hit. Many experts say some ruling party lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik urged ruling party members to return to the chamber to participate in the vote, stressing that it was closely watched by the nation and also the world. “Don’t make a shameful judgment and please vote based on your convictions,” Woo said. Democratic Party leaders visited a hall on the floor below the main chamber where PPP lawmakers were gathered, attempting to persuade them to vote. After being blocked from entering, they angrily accused the conservatives' leadership of preventing its lawmakers from voting freely. Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued a public apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose martial law. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The turmoil resulting from Yoon’s bizarre and poorly-thought-out stunt has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” The passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion appeared more likely Friday when the chair of Yoon’s party called for his removal on Friday, but the party remained formally opposed to impeachment. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people densely packed several blocks of roads leading up to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing and singing along to K-pop songs with lyrics changed to call for Yoon’s ouster. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, angrily shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied in separate streets in Seoul, decrying the impeachment attempt they saw as unconstitutional. Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. Some lawmakers from Yoon’s party were seen leaving the hall after that vote, triggering angry shouts from opposition lawmakers. On Friday, PPP chair Han Dong-hun, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians. The targeted politicians included Han, Lee and Woo, according to Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly after Yoon imposed martial law. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him.Skobalj shot 6 of 8 from the field, including 4 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 3 from the line for the Flames (4-2). Jordan Mason scored 18 points, going 5 of 8 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 7 for 8 from the line. Tyem Freeman had 13 points and went 4 of 5 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range). The Explorers (4-2) were led in scoring by Deuce Jones, who finished with 21 points, four assists and two steals. Daeshon Shepherd added 15 points, two steals and two blocks for La Salle. Andres Marrero also had 15 points. UIC led 48-39 at halftime, with Skobalj racking up 13 points. UIC pulled away with a 7-0 run in the second half to extend its lead to 22 points. Ahmad Henderson II led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points for UIC. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .How he keeps the planes running on time
