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Prospects for President Yoon's impeachment are dim with ruling party boycotting vote 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 Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press Dec 7, 2024 3:09 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message A view of the hall where the plenary session for the impeachment vote of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to take place at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Jeon Heon-kyun/Pool Photo via AP) 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, according to National Assembly. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. 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. “I plead to you, for the future of the Republic of Korea.” 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, including neighboring Japan and Seoul’s top ally the United States, as one of the strongest democracies in Asia faces a political crisis that could unseat its leader. 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. 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 packed streets near 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. 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. 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. Opposition lawmakers say that Yoon’s attempt at martial law amounted to a self-coup, and drafted the impeachment motion around rebellion charges. 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. 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 called after imposing martial law and 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 it had suspended the defense counterintelligence commander, Yeo In-hyung, who Han alleged had received orders from Yoon to detain the politicians. The ministry also suspended the commanders of the capital defense command and the special warfare command over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who has been accused of recommending Yoon enforce martial law, has been placed under a travel ban and faces an investigation by prosecutors over rebellion charges. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has testified to parliament that it was Kim Yong Hyun who ordered troops to be deployed to the National Assembly after Yoon imposed martial law. Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More World News An explosion has caused several injuries and damaged apartments in a Dutch city Dec 7, 2024 2:40 AM An explosion has caused several injuries and damaged apartments in the Dutch capital Dec 7, 2024 1:51 AM Polls open in general election in Ghana overshadowed by the worst economic crisis in a generation Dec 6, 2024 11:51 PM Featured FlyerWest Ham forward Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident, the Premier League club have announced. The 34-year-old is conscious after being taken to hospital in London following the incident in Epping, Essex on Saturday afternoon. The update was issued after unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari began to circulate online. West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area. Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital. At this difficult time, we... — West Ham United (@WestHam) A club statement read: “West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area. “Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital. “At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. “The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.” It was West Ham’s second statement on the matter after an earlier one confirming an accident had taken place. Essex Fire Service also confirmed firefighters had attended the scene and released a man trapped in his car. A statement read: “Crews were called to High Road, Epping, at 1.02pm this afternoon after reports of a road traffic collision involving one car. “In arrival, firefighters reported that a man was trapped in his car and worked to release him by 1.45pm. The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.” A further statement from Essex Police added: “Officers investigating a serious collision in Epping are asking for witnesses and dash cam footage. “We were called shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday 7 December to Coppice Row, Epping, following reports of what is believed to be a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari. “Emergency services attended and the driver has been taken to hospital. “The vehicle has been recovered and we are no longer on scene.” London-born Antonio, a Jamaica international, is in his 10th season with West Ham after joining the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. He has scored 83 goals in 323 appearances for the club and helped them win the Europa Conference League in 2023. Antonio began his footballing journey with non-League Tooting and Mitcham before moving into the professional ranks with Reading. He has also had spells with Cheltenham, Southampton, Colchester and Sheffield Wednesday. A number of West Ham’s rival clubs have posted well wishes. A social media post from Arsenal read: “Everyone at Arsenal sends their love, support and well wishes to Michail, his family and West Ham United.” Chelsea said: “The thoughts of everyone at Chelsea FC are with Michail and his family.” A message from Liverpool read: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at LFC are with Michail and his family.” West Ham were not playing on Saturday but host Wolves at the London Stadium on Monday.

Oil firms hike prices a day before ChristmasPunjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s joy at the scholarship cheque distribution ceremony was truly noticeable. The Punjab government is providing laptops to children instead of petrol bombs, she said and added that under the Maryam Nawaz leadership, the people of Punjab are experiencing a real change. Azma said that there was a past era of turmoil of the “Fitna party” in which children of the nation were urged to “kill, destroy and make petrol bombs.” Now, under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif’s daughter, we are seeing a new era where children are being given laptops. For the convenience of students, electric bikes are also being provided to them, interest-free loans for businesses, and scholarships are being awarded for children’s education, she added. The minister said the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was to equip children with modern education so they could play a key role in changing the country’s future. Our government believes in practical politics and public service, not in propaganda. This is why, in our one-year term, improvements are visible in every sector, she added. The “Fitna group” had left no stone unturned in destroying every institution of Pakistan, she concluded.

An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look onBali Nine members reunited with families, Coles defends security gates after injury, 'horrific act' at NSW schoolFuller Industries’ quality control samples keep tabs on products

CLEVELAND (AP) — An injury-riddled season for Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is over. His days with Cleveland may have ended as well. Wills was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a lingering right knee injury that could lead to him undergoing another surgery. A first-round draft pick in 2020, Wills, who has been inconsistent when healthy, is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. The Browns (3-9) have just five games left, starting w ith a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) on Sunday. Wills is required to spend at least four games on IR, so it's safe to assume he won't play again in 2024. As for where he'll be next season, that's anyone's guess. Before bussing to Pittsburgh, the Browns also placed defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (ankle) on IR and signed wide receivers Michael Woods II and Kadarius Toney to the active roster from the practice squad. Wills was benched earlier this season in favor of second-year tackle Dawand Jones. Wills, who had surgery on his knee in December, also c aused a distraction by claiming he mad e a “business decision” to sit out a game because he was hurt and didn't think he could help the team. The Browns didn't give Wills a contract extension before this season, a sign they were likely moving on without him. Wills started 57 games in five seasons with Cleveland, which selected the former Alabama standout with the No. 10 overall pick in 2020. Wills has had flashes of being a productive player, but there have long been questions about his desire to play. Hurst got injured in Monday night's loss in Denver. He made two starts and appeared in eight games. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Tom Withers, The Associated PressIsraeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, igniting fires and forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather, the territory’s health ministry said. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel’s military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area of the hospital, without details. It repeated claims that Hamas fighters operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces — tasked with keeping security and officially separate from the group’s armed wing — have been seen in other hospitals. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital out of 75 patients and 180 staff who had been there. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified member of the staff said in an audio message posted on the social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. A largely isolated north Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine. The U.N. says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Deaths from the cold in Gaza More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most of them now sheltering in sprawling, squalid tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. “I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days, doctors there have said. Khaled and Keath reported from Cairo. Wafaa Shurafa, Fatma Khaled And Lee Keath, The Associated Press

Your child’s ski boots can impact their overall skiing experience and may even undermine their love for the sport if they find the boots awkward fitting and uncomfortable. In addition to comfort, the ability to retain warmth and be breathable are important qualities your kid’s ski boot should have. If your child is ready to hit the slopes and you’re looking for the ideal pair of boots, ensure you choose one that provides comfort and inspires confidence, such as our top pick, Fischer Junior/Kids RC4 60 Thermoshape Alpine On/Off-Piste Ski Boots . There are several types of ski boots for kids, such as rear-entry and front-entry designs as well as performance and adjustable boot options. Rear-entry boots allow your child to slip in their feet from the back, while front entry includes a tongue that opens forward and allows the child to slide in their foot from the top. Another type is performance boots, which are made for older kids who want a better performance from their footwear. The adjustable ski boot is another option, and it is a great choice for kids who grow out of their footwear quickly. It’s easy to think your child’s boots are too small because they feel stiff and tight, but some boots are designed to be stiff. To avoid making a mistake with the sizing, take your child with you to the ski shop to get them sized. You can speak to a ski technician to learn more about the fit process. Let your child try on the boot with the liner while wearing socks. If the liner is tight, then the boots may be too small. If your child is just starting with skiing and is only confident skiing on green runs, they are considered a beginner. Their category is intermediate if they can ski confidently on the blue square terrains. However, they are advanced if they can ski anything on the mountain. Kids’ ski boots usually come with ratings depending on their experience level. The boots with a lower flex rating are designed for beginners and are comfortable to wear but deliver less on performance. Those with a higher rating are usually less comfortable but provide better performance. Some children may end up abandoning skiing because they’d rather be doing something else other than constantly taking their boots on and off. Front-entry and rear-entry ski boots are easy to wear, so choose either of these options for a fussy child. Your child’s boots should grip the floor properly to minimize their chance of falling when skiing. This feature is known as slip resistance and is often determined by the type of material used to fabricate the outsole of the boots. Generally, slip-resistant soles are textured and made of rubber. Waterproof ski boots are made of nonporous materials and can keep your child’s feet dry even when submerged in water. There are water-resistant boots designed to repel water, but these won’t prevent your child’s feet from getting wet in heavy rain or snow. Most kids’ ski boots cost $25-$40. Some expensive options are made with high-quality waterproof material, costing up to $60. A. Ski boots have a different sizing for shoes, called Mondo sizing, which measures the inside of the foot. To get the right size for your child, use a tape measure to measure the length of their feet, then check the size chart to get the correct size. A. If your child is just starting with skiing, choose a pair of boots that can easily flex, like front-entry ski boots. Fischer Junior/Kids RC4 60 Thermoshape Alpine On/Off-Piste Ski Boots What you need to know: These ski boots are an excellent choice for beginner skiers thanks to their soft flex design and thermoformable technology. What you’ll love: These Soma-Tec boots are designed to enable maximum control and prevent the ankle and knee joints from twisting when skiing. They also include a micro-adjustable buckle system for quick and easy adjustment. They feature a thermoformable boot liner designed to give an adapted fit. What you should consider: Some users mentioned that the sizing isn’t accurate. Salomon T3 RT Ski Boots What you need to know: These ski boots come in three unique colors and are suitable for both boys and girls. What you’ll love: These boots are made with polyurethane, which gives them unique durability. They are also easy to put on or off and include micro-adjustments in the buckle to ensure a custom fit. What you should consider: They might run small for children with big feet. Rossignol Comp J4 Ski Boots Kid’s What you need to know: These ski boots are designed with comfort in mind thanks to their comfort liners and unique diagonal buckles. What you’ll love: They include liners that are made with soft materials and designed to give optimal comfort and all-day cushioning. They also feature diagonal buckles that offer a more natural foot wrapping and excellent heel support. What you should consider: The buckles are made of thin metal wire, which might not be very durable. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Nicaragua OKs reform to boost powers of president, wife

Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, igniting fires and forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather, the territory’s health ministry said. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel’s military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area of the hospital, without details. It repeated claims that Hamas fighters operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces — tasked with keeping security and officially separate from the group’s armed wing — have been seen in other hospitals. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital out of 75 patients and 180 staff who had been there. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified member of the staff said in an audio message posted on the social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. A largely isolated north Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine. The U.N. says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Deaths from the cold in Gaza More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most of them now sheltering in sprawling, squalid tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. “I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days, doctors there have said.Prospects for President Yoon's impeachment are dim with ruling party boycotting voteIsraeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, igniting fires and forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather, the territory’s health ministry said. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel’s military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area of the hospital, without details. It repeated claims that Hamas fighters operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces — tasked with keeping security and officially separate from the group’s armed wing — have been seen in other hospitals. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital out of 75 patients and 180 staff who had been there. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified member of the staff said in an audio message posted on the social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. A largely isolated north Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine. The U.N. says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Deaths from the cold in Gaza More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most of them now sheltering in sprawling, squalid tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. “I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days, doctors there have said. Khaled and Keath reported from Cairo. Wafaa Shurafa, Fatma Khaled And Lee Keath, The Associated Press

When The Dow Breaks, Annaly Will Fall

Your child’s ski boots can impact their overall skiing experience and may even undermine their love for the sport if they find the boots awkward fitting and uncomfortable. In addition to comfort, the ability to retain warmth and be breathable are important qualities your kid’s ski boot should have. If your child is ready to hit the slopes and you’re looking for the ideal pair of boots, ensure you choose one that provides comfort and inspires confidence, such as our top pick, Fischer Junior/Kids RC4 60 Thermoshape Alpine On/Off-Piste Ski Boots . There are several types of ski boots for kids, such as rear-entry and front-entry designs as well as performance and adjustable boot options. Rear-entry boots allow your child to slip in their feet from the back, while front entry includes a tongue that opens forward and allows the child to slide in their foot from the top. Another type is performance boots, which are made for older kids who want a better performance from their footwear. The adjustable ski boot is another option, and it is a great choice for kids who grow out of their footwear quickly. It’s easy to think your child’s boots are too small because they feel stiff and tight, but some boots are designed to be stiff. To avoid making a mistake with the sizing, take your child with you to the ski shop to get them sized. You can speak to a ski technician to learn more about the fit process. Let your child try on the boot with the liner while wearing socks. If the liner is tight, then the boots may be too small. If your child is just starting with skiing and is only confident skiing on green runs, they are considered a beginner. Their category is intermediate if they can ski confidently on the blue square terrains. However, they are advanced if they can ski anything on the mountain. Kids’ ski boots usually come with ratings depending on their experience level. The boots with a lower flex rating are designed for beginners and are comfortable to wear but deliver less on performance. Those with a higher rating are usually less comfortable but provide better performance. Some children may end up abandoning skiing because they’d rather be doing something else other than constantly taking their boots on and off. Front-entry and rear-entry ski boots are easy to wear, so choose either of these options for a fussy child. Your child’s boots should grip the floor properly to minimize their chance of falling when skiing. This feature is known as slip resistance and is often determined by the type of material used to fabricate the outsole of the boots. Generally, slip-resistant soles are textured and made of rubber. Waterproof ski boots are made of nonporous materials and can keep your child’s feet dry even when submerged in water. There are water-resistant boots designed to repel water, but these won’t prevent your child’s feet from getting wet in heavy rain or snow. Most kids’ ski boots cost $25-$40. Some expensive options are made with high-quality waterproof material, costing up to $60. A. Ski boots have a different sizing for shoes, called Mondo sizing, which measures the inside of the foot. To get the right size for your child, use a tape measure to measure the length of their feet, then check the size chart to get the correct size. A. If your child is just starting with skiing, choose a pair of boots that can easily flex, like front-entry ski boots. Fischer Junior/Kids RC4 60 Thermoshape Alpine On/Off-Piste Ski Boots What you need to know: These ski boots are an excellent choice for beginner skiers thanks to their soft flex design and thermoformable technology. What you’ll love: These Soma-Tec boots are designed to enable maximum control and prevent the ankle and knee joints from twisting when skiing. They also include a micro-adjustable buckle system for quick and easy adjustment. They feature a thermoformable boot liner designed to give an adapted fit. What you should consider: Some users mentioned that the sizing isn’t accurate. Salomon T3 RT Ski Boots What you need to know: These ski boots come in three unique colors and are suitable for both boys and girls. What you’ll love: These boots are made with polyurethane, which gives them unique durability. They are also easy to put on or off and include micro-adjustments in the buckle to ensure a custom fit. What you should consider: They might run small for children with big feet. Rossignol Comp J4 Ski Boots Kid’s What you need to know: These ski boots are designed with comfort in mind thanks to their comfort liners and unique diagonal buckles. What you’ll love: They include liners that are made with soft materials and designed to give optimal comfort and all-day cushioning. They also feature diagonal buckles that offer a more natural foot wrapping and excellent heel support. What you should consider: The buckles are made of thin metal wire, which might not be very durable. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.NBC Sports enters Madden video game universe with alternate broadcast on PeacockCustomer experience has become a pivotal differentiator in today's fast-moving, competitive business arena. Smart companies realize that great, personalized interactions are the ultimate luxury and a 'must-have' to make and retain loyal customers. The generative AI now forms the front line for such change. Generative AI is a state-of-the-art technology that generates human-like text, images, and audio. This technology transforms how businesses talk with their customers. Innovative companies open new opportunities by integrating generative AI into customer experience strategies. That said, this article will examine important ways in which generative AI can shape the future of customer experience solutions. 1. Personalizing Customer Interactions at Scale Generative AI has another reason for being an indispensable customer experience solutions that will help in the way of personalization. All these are about how companies converse with their customers: bright chatbots and virtual assistants, just because of generative language models in tone, style, and response to every single preference their customers may have. Of course, such human interaction might greatly improve the customer experience, but more importantly, it's about building strong connections and trusting relationships. More importantly, generative AI would let them analyze their consumer data in real-time and further observe trends or issues that are now developing. Equipped with that, it would be easy for them to effect immediate changes in their services and communications to meet their consumers' expectations. A step ahead in solving problems likely never to occur can create a big impact by enhancing customer satisfaction. 2. Enhancing Multichannel Support with AI-Driven Insights With increased competition around every corner today, customers are growing more expectant of receiving frictionless, high-quality support across many channels, from email and chat to social media and self-service portals. Generative AI is a versatile tool by which businesses can create a connected, consistent customer experience, no matter the platform used. These generative AI models can generate context-aware, coherent responses across multiple communication channels. After all, customers are assured of the same quality support whether they reach out via email, chat, or social media. The consistency this brings streamlines the support experience and builds trust and confidence in the brand. Above all, the multilingual competencies of generative AI models assist companies in providing support to customers worldwide. This would ensure that every conversation crosses the line, making much sense in overcoming linguistic barriers. Apart from simplifying customers' lives , generative AI can also help customer service representatives by providing insights into previous conversations. With this knowledge, the wealth of data created in interactions will help the AI systems understand patterns and points of pain while finding ways to resolve such issues to equip the agents with quicker and more effective support. The intelligent embedding of generative AI in the multichannel customer experience raises the support quality and considerably shortens the resolution time to customers' great satisfaction and loyalty. 3. Enabling Continuous Improvement with Real-Time Feedback Analysis In today's fast-moving world, businesses must keep pace and change with what their customers want and expect. Powerful generative AI helps businesses better understand customer feedback and improve CX strategies in real-time. Businesses will eventually adopt generative AI for natural language processing and mine huge volumes of customer feedback through surveys, reviews, and social media for valuable insights into areas needing improvement in their products and services. A trend observed, understanding the emotions, and recognizing the problems- a business can introduce smart changes that make a difference in customer experience. Although generative AI indeed analyzes feedback, it enables business houses conversely to preview the consequences of diverse situations and changes that, were those conditions to arise, could then affect the customers. From this basis, firms would follow decisions drawn from information derived, with a lesser threat of mistake or error; customers themselves shall observe improvement in its positive impact. It would also be about understanding how a consumer feels about businesses themselves; it means generative AI will pick out emotions in feedback to help companies address, in greater personalization, what is specifically troubling each particular customer. Continuous feedback through generative AI will help businesses refine their strategy in real-time, always a step ahead. Hence, customer experiences will be superior, relevant, and effective in the evolving marketplace. 4. Driving Engagement Through AI-Generated Content In today's world, where customer-centricity has become so competitive, making content interesting and engaging is critical to any customer experience strategy. Generative AI will change how organizations speak with their audiences in this domain. With advanced language models, generative AI can create customer-facing materials , from personalized marketing emails to product descriptions, social media posts, and interactive web content. If matched in tone, messaging, and style to that which target customers prefer, this content is more likely to capture the audience's attention and foster more profound, meaningful relationships. Generative AI can do much more than produce flat, static content, such as richly immersive or interactive experiences that accelerate grand customer engagement. Think here about quizzes a company puts out, AI-driven demo functionalities, or truly digitally delivered experiences to spark meaningful reasons consumers must somehow engage or self-govern regarding something their products cater for, and eventually grow that engagement in brand recall towards that very company. It doesn't stop there: generative AI even goes the extra mile in flexibility regarding content creation. This, in turn, would promote and adjust how well these systems deliver real-time content based on customer feedback and engagement data, creating every touch with branded content optimized for maximum positive output: more conversions, much better customer satisfaction, and greater brand loyalty in return. Conclusion More than anything, generative AI will change how companies speak with their customers by making interactions super personalized. Supporting customers across various connect points helps analyze feedback in real-time, even down to auto-generating content creation. This new streamlining opens up a fresh avenue of innovation in every perspective based on providing the best customer care. Because generative AI keeps on improving, it is, therefore, quite exciting to engage the customer. The most interesting area in progress will henceforth be multimodal AI, which deals with many types of content that one can imagine: from an image to a video clip, text, and everything we have created to date. *The San Francisco Examiner newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.

AP News Summary at 4:21 p.m. EST

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Recognizing family violence in civil courts could harm survivors of domestic violence, warns organizationThe Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF SCHD has given back more than half of its one-year gains in the last month, with the ETF falling more than 7% in December. Here's a look at what may be plaguing the fund. What To Know: The Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is heavily weighted in the healthcare sector with four pharmaceutical stocks representing 15.83% of the fund's total holdings. The sector has underperformed recently as increased uncertainty emerged surrounding the potential appointments and policy changes that could come under President-elect Donald Trump. Read Next: ‘Mystery Drone’ Sightings Spark Investigations, Politicians Respond: ‘Shoot Them Down,’ Trump Says Healthcare Holdings Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co. BMY is the fund's top pharmaceutical holding, representing 4.64% of its assets. The stock is down 2.6% over the past month. Pfizer, Inc. PFE is also in the fund's top 10 holdings. It fell more than 5% following the presidential election as the vaccine-maker faces an uncertain political and regulatory environment ahead. AbbVie, Inc. ABBV and Amgen, Inc. AMGN round out the dividend-focused fund's healthcare holdings. AbbVie shares are down slightly, though Amgen shares are down by more than 10% in December following disappointing clinical trial results from its weight-loss drug candidate, MariTide. Interest Rates: Another factor that could be affecting the Schwab dividend-focused fund is the uncertain interest rate environment. Dividends tend to become more attractive to investors in a low-interest rate environment. Recent comments from the Federal Reserve suggest a more hawkish outlook with inflation remaining sticky and above the Fed's target rate of 2%. Additionally, the incoming Trump administration could again play a factor as Trump has pledged to raise tariffs on foreign imports which could reignite inflation and lead to interest rates staying higher for longer. When interest rates are high, the yields on bonds and other fixed-income securities become more competitive, making dividend yields less appealing by comparison. Read Next: Honda, Nissan Confirm Merger Plans To Offset Chinese EV Competition: How Mitsubishi Factors In Image: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

MIAMI — Bam Adebayo scored 25 points, Jimmy Butler added 24 and the Miami Heat moved back over the .500 mark by beating the Phoenix Suns 121-111 on Saturday night. Adebayo finished with 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat (11-10). Duncan Robinson scored 19 and Tyler Herro added 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Miami, which outscored Phoenix 68-53 after halftime. Royce O’Neale had 23 points for Phoenix (12-10), Devin Booker scored 21 and Grayson Allen finished with 16. Bradley Beal had 15 points for the Suns, who were outscored 62-32 in the paint. The Suns played again without Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) and Jusuf Nurkic (right thigh contusion). Takeaways Suns: Phoenix is winless in its last seven games without Durant and 1-8 when the four-time Olympic gold medalist hasn't played this season. If that wasn't bad enough, the Suns are now 0-8 when allowing 120 points; they're 12-2 when holding teams under that number. Heat: Miami improved to 10-3 when holding teams under 115 points this season; the Heat are 1-7 when that doesn't happen. And they've now won three in a row at home for the first time this season. Key moment Butler had three points on three consecutive possessions — one on a 3-pointer, the other two on three-point plays — in a 62-second span late in the fourth quarter. Miami's lead went from three to 10 in that brief flurry that basically sealed the game. Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) looks to pass the ball as Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale (00) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Miami. Credit: AP/Marta Lavandier Key stat Adebayo's previous scoring high at home this season was 19. The Heat are 3-0 this season when he scores at least 25 points. Up next Both teams play Sunday, with Phoenix going to Orlando and the Heat hosting NBA-leading Cleveland.