77 jili slot "Modi govt preparing to collect more money through Gabbar Singh tax": Rahul Gandhi slams BJPBy Josh Smith and Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's acting president faces an impeachment vote on Friday, intensifying a political crisis as the Constitutional Court meets for its first hearing on suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law. The push to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been acting president since Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14, has thrown South Korea's once-vibrant democratic success story into uncharted territory and watched with concern by allies. The plan for a vote to impeach Han was unveiled on Thursday by the main opposition Democratic Party after he declined to immediately appoint three justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court, saying it would exceed his acting role. It remained unclear how many votes are needed to impeach Han as acting leader. The threshold for a prime minister is a simple majority, while a two-thirds majority is needed for a president. It is also unclear whether Han and the ruling party would accept any outcome. If Han is suspended, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume the acting presidency by law. Choi said on Friday impeaching the country's acting president would seriously damage the country's economic credibility and asked political parties to withdraw the plan. Choi spoke for the country's cabinet, flanked by ministers. Early on Friday, the South Korean won weakened to its lowest since March 2009, as analysts said there was little to reverse the negative sentiment stemming from the political uncertainty. The vote to determine Han's fate comes around the time the Constitutional Court on Friday will hold its first hearing in a case reviewing whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him permanently from office, after parliament's impeachment vote. It has 180 days to reach a decision. After weeks of defiance ignoring requests by the court to submit documents as well as summons by investigators in a separate criminal case over his martial law declaration on Dec. 3, a lawyer for Yoon said his legal representatives would attend Friday's hearing. Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon, named two lawyers for Yoon's legal team, one a former prosecutor and the other a former spokesman for the Constitutional Court. The two could not be immediately reached for comment. Yoon is not required to attend the hearing. If he is removed from office, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days. WORST POLITICAL CRISIS IN DECADES The events following the Dec. 3 martial law declaration have plunged the country into its gravest political crisis since 1987, when widespread protests forced the ruling party of former military generals into accepting a constitutional amendment bringing in direct, popular vote to elect the president. The turmoil has also spilled over into financial markets.Yoon shocked the country and the world with a late-night announcement on Dec. 3 that he was imposing martial law to overcome political deadlock and root out "anti-state forces". The military deployed special forces to the national assembly, the election commission, and the office of a liberal YouTube commentator. It also issued orders banning activity by parliament and political parties, as well as calling for government control of the media. But within hours 190 lawmakers had defied the cordons of troops and police and voted against Yoon's order. About six hours after his initial decree, the president rescinded the order. Yoon and senior members of his administration also face criminal investigations for insurrection over their decision to impose martial law. (Writing by Josh Smith, Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies and Michael Perry)

Los Angeles Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Brian Williams was placed on administrative leave following an investigation into a bomb threat he allegedly made against City Hall earlier this year, Mayor Karen Bass’ office announced on Wednesday, Dec. 1. The Mayor’s Office was notified that the FBI searched Williams’ home Tuesday as part of their investigation, according to a statement from the office. “The mayor takes this matter very seriously,” Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl said in a statement. “When the threat was reported, LAPD investigated and determined there was no immediate danger. Following additional investigation, LAPD referred this matter to the FBI for further investigation.” According to a Los Angeles Police Department statement, the agency’s initial investigation determined Williams was likely the “source of the threat.” “Due to the department’s working relationship with Mr. Williams, the investigation was referred to the FBI,” LAPD said in a statement. “The FBI remains the investigating agency.” “No additional information is being released,” the LAPD added. A representative for the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Williams joined Bass’ office in March 2023. He was tasked with working closely with critical safety departments such as police, fire, Los Angeles World Airports police, and emergency. Prior to his appointment, Williams served seven years as the executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. Williams also previously served as deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn, where he was responsible for the management and oversight of the Department of Transportation, Public Works and Information Technology Agency.Young staff shun office parties... for ping-pong! Gen Z workers demand sober new craze of sober celebrations as companies seek to avoid sexual harassment claims By CHRIS POLLARD Published: 23:19 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 23:49 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Boozy office Christmas parties are being replaced by crazy golf and ping-pong tournaments as Gen Z workers demand sober celebrations and companies seek to avoid sexual harassment claims. A huge cultural shift in the last 10 years has led more than one fifth of big firms to shun traditional pubs and bars for their festive events in favour of sober 'activities' – which will leave behind none of the usual embarrassment or the hangover. While the vast majority of work Christmas parties were held in pubs a decade ago, the number of alternative venues has grown steadily in the years since, and 21 per cent of office parties will today be completely alcohol-free. The move comes after new laws made firms responsible for protecting staff against sexual harassment, which includes unwanted drunken fumbling under the mistletoe. But a new generation of young workers are also less likely to drink, and are keen to maintain stricter boundaries between their work and social lives. Fran Hubbard, who runs London-based corporate events firm The Big Smoke, said the idea of what makes a good night out has changed. 'Since Covid, people value their personal time more and don't necessarily want to be stuck in a pub all night,' she said. 'A large proportion of the workforce now doesn't drink at all. Gen-Z employees have much less interest in a 'boozy' team event. 'Companies are also embracing a big shift to wellbeing and health which doesn't sit in line with the traditional Christmas party. Boozy office parties are being replaced with more sober options including crazy golf and ping pong (file photo) 'Employees demand more from their companies - so it isn't just the case of putting money behind the bar.' The Big Smoke, whose clients include corporate giants Facebook, Amazon, Google, PwC, KPMG, Kraft-Heinz alongside the NHS and BBC, says it has seen a 310 per cent increase in December bookings since 2019. Its Apprentice-style 'festive scavenger hunt' – which involves racing against the clock in teams to complete 30 challenges – is proving particularly popular. Pizza chain Pizza Pilgrims, meanwhile, is offering cooking masterclasses which are proving popular with corporate clients. Other hospitality groups are offering indoor ice hockey, Connect 4, mince pie making, and fake snowball throwing. Read More The VERY different face of the festive bash as Gen Zzz kills off the Christmas party The UK's largest recent study of drinking behaviours, from 2019, highlighted the generational divide when it comes to alcohol. It found 16-to-25-year-olds are the most likely generation to be teetotal, with more than one quarter claiming not to drink any alcohol. Meanwhile, just 15 per cent of 55 to 74-year-olds don't drink. But employment lawyer Francesca Lopez, a senior associate at Kingsley Napley solicitors, said the new Worker Protection Act 2023, which came into force in October, will be 'playing on employers' minds' when they are looking at potential party venues. The Act requires employers to 'take reasonable steps' to prevent employees being sexually harassed, a protection which extends to officially-sanctioned events such as Christmas parties. 'Whether it is the reason for kiboshing the traditional Christmas party, I can't say, but it's certainly a factor,' Ms Lopez said. 'We always notice an uptick in our workload around this time of year. 'Lots of companies are moving away from the traditional party where you get everybody into a big room and there's free flowing alcohol. It just creates an environment where colleagues have looser inhibitions, and there's a real risk of sexual harassment. The trend has been put down in a part due to companies wanting to avoid sexual harassment claims (file photo) 'It's not about removing the fun from the Christmas party, it's just a different way of looking at fun. I mean, when has it ever been fun to sexually harass your colleagues?' But criminal solicitor Marcus Johnstone, of PCD Solicitors, cautioned that replacing an open bar with alcohol-free activities won't stop staff from drinking - or insulate companies from liability when things go wrong. 'The reason most people go to the office Christmas party is to get free drinks, and often they will drink as much as they can,' he said. 'Companies can offer knitting lessons instead of booze, but employees who are determined to get drunk will still pile off to the pub anyway, and it will be difficult for the employer to stop that. 'There is always a huge increase in the number of professionals being prosecuted for sexual assault in the aftermath of Christmas party season. The perpetrators are always men and have always been drinking. 'Many don't seem to understand that a drunken 'fumble' with a colleague could be a serious sexual offence that may destroy their career. 'There's no easy answer to any of it, but if people stop drinking of their own accord, it wouldn't be a bad thing.' NHS The Apprentice Google Amazon BBC Share or comment on this article: Young staff shun office parties... for ping-pong! Gen Z workers demand sober new craze of sober celebrations as companies seek to avoid sexual harassment claims e-mail Add comment

LeBron James is going to have to make room for the NFL. Wednesday's doubleheader on Netflix set records as the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, with numbers nearly five times more than the NBA. The Baltimore Ravens' 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million while Kansas City's 29-10 win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen on Thursday. Nielsen also said there were 65 million U.S. viewers who tuned in for at least one minute of one of the two games. The NBA's five-game slate averaged about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, according to the league and Nielsen. “I love the NFL,” James said in his televised postgame interview Wednesday night. “But Christmas is our day.” While the NBA's Christmas lineup has its best viewer numbers in five years, the NFL has made Christmas one of its tentpole events during the regular season, joining Kickoff Weekend and Thanksgiving. “The numbers speak for themselves and LeBron can have his own view, and I’m sure more people will look at that because of this," said Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president of NFL Media. "But, you know, we’re focused on the NFL and we’re thrilled with the results this year with the Christmas on Netflix and we’re excited to continue to build that over the next couple of years.” Both NFL games surpassed the previous mark of 23 million for last season’s AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs on Peacock. Viewership for Ravens-Texans peaked with the Beyoncé Bowl. The 20-minute halftime performance averaged over 27 million viewers. The viewer figures include the audience on Netflix, mobile viewership on NFL+ and those who tuned in on CBS stations in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore and Houston. Global ratings and final U.S. numbers are expected to be available on Tuesday. The NFL's Christmas numbers decreased from last season, but not at the rate that usually happens when something goes from broadcast to streaming. Last year’s three games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way, averaging 29.48 million on CBS. Once global and Netflix's first-party data is released, both Christmas games should surpass 30 million. The NBA's lineup saw an 84% rise over 2023. One reason for the increase is that all five games were on ABC, compared to two last year. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors — a game pitting Olympic teammates LeBron James and Stephen Curry — averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked with about 8.32 million viewers toward the end of the contest, the league said. Those numbers represent the most-watched NBA regular season game in five years. The NBA said all five Christmas games on its schedule — San Antonio at New York in Victor Wembanyama's holiday debut, Minnesota at Dallas, Philadelphia at Boston, Denver at Phoenix and Lakers-Warriors — saw year-over-year viewership increases. Wednesday's numbers pushed NBA viewership for the season across ESPN platforms to up 4% over last season. The league also saw more than 500 million video views on its social media platforms Wednesday, a new record. For the NBA, those are all good signs amid cries that NBA viewership is hurting. “Ratings are down a bit at beginning of the season. But cable television viewership is down double digits so far this year versus last year," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month. “You know, we’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programing on streaming than they are on traditional television. And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which we enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service.” Part of that new package of television deals that the NBA is entering into next season also increases the number of regular season games broadcast on television from 15 to 75. AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Waived by the Blues in November, Kasperi Kapanen faces old team for the first time with Oilers

None, the star for the , was spotted at Butler's basketball game against Merrimack College on Friday, but her behavior in the stands caught the attention of fans. Supporting her boyfriend, , an assistant coach for the Bulldogs, appeared more focused on her phone and chatting with others than the action on the court. Despite Butler's dominant 78-39 victory, which saw Merrimack score only eight points in the game's final 21 minutes, 's disengagement didn't go unnoticed. Fans quickly took to social media to comment on her lack of enthusiasm. Fans criticize Caitlin Clark's focus during the game While attending the game in Indianapolis' Hinkle Fieldhouse was clearly to show support for , 's apparent boredom sparked criticism. "She looks miserable every time she's in that building," one fan posted. "If is so bored watching Butler, Unrivaled still has 2 spots open," another fan joked, referencing the basketball league she had already confirmed she wouldn't join. Many fans were quick to point out that Clark seemed to care little for the game. "She's literally only there to support her man because why is she always on her phone at these games?" The contrast between 's passionate involvement in Iowa's games and her lack of enthusiasm for Butler's blowout victory didn't go unnoticed. "The difference between this and Iowa is insane. She really does not give a f***," a fan quipped. While the criticism is apparent, it's important to consider that has made it clear she is taking time off to rest. After a long year of basketball, including her standout rookie season with the Fever, has chosen to prioritize downtime ahead of the upcoming WNBA season. With several months before her sophomore year begins, she's using this break to recharge, and attending a basketball game with her boyfriend may have simply been a moment of relaxation rather than a show of fandom. Despite the backlash from some fans, 's focus on rest and self-care is understandable as she prepares for her next professional season. While her disinterest at the game might have raised some eyebrows, it's clear that her main priority right now is taking the time to relax before returning to the court.

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