Seoul (AFP) – South Korean lawmakers on Saturday impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, with the opposition declaring a “victory of the people”.
The vote caps over a week of intense political drama in the democratic South following Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3.
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Seoul in rival rallies for and against Yoon on Saturday.
In a televised address after the vote, the impeached Yoon said he would “step aside” but did not apologise for his botched bid to impose martial law.
Out of 300 lawmakers, 204 voted to impeach the president on allegations of insurrection while 85 voted against. Three abstained, with eight votes nullified.
With the impeachment, Yoon has been suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court deliberates on the vote.
The court has 180 days to rule on Yoon’s future.
If it backs his removal, Yoon will become the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo – now the nation’s interim leader – told reporters he would “devote all my strength and efforts to ensure stable governance”.
Two hundred votes were needed for the impeachment to pass, and opposition lawmakers needed to convince at least eight parliamentarians from Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) to switch sides.
“Today’s impeachment is the great victory of the people,” opposition Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said following the vote.
Protesters gather for the second martial law impeachment vote outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON (AFP) – A British man who became a compulsive gambler and shopper after he was prescribed a medication for restless leg syndrome has received a GBP70,000 (USD88,000) settlement from his doctor, his lawyers said on Friday.
Philip Stevens, 66, was prescribed Ropinirole — a dopamine antagonist medication — in 2017 but was not warned of known possible side effects such as impulse control disorder.
He had previously enjoyed going to horse races but had always been “careful” with his bets.
But after taking the medication his gambling “spiralled out of control” and he regularly made bets on his smartphone and even woke up in the middle of the night to place a wager.
He also started shopping compulsively for clothes and became obsessed with purchasing excessive amounts of fishing equipment.
“Over the four years that Philip took Ropinirole, he spent thousands of pounds on online gambling websites,” a spokeswoman for legal firm Leigh Day solicitors said.
“His gambling became compulsive, and he was betting on anything he could and stopped caring about winning altogether,” she added.
Stevens, from Hampshire in southern England, eventually halted the medication on the advice of another doctor, a neurologist.
His compulsive behaviours stopped, but due to not receiving advice on ending the medication gradually, he suffered serious withdrawal symptoms such as paranoia that saw him asking his children to take DNA tests because he had become convinced they were not his.
Lawyer Angharad Vaughan said she hoped “important lessons will be learned from this case to ensure that, in future, patients receive all the information they need about the potential side effects of such drugs”.
Leigh Day’s spokeswoman said the financial settlement was agreed without the doctor accepting liability.
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – California has apologised for allowing someone in the US state to register a license plate mocking the October 7 conflict.
The apology comes after an activist group flagged a Tesla Cybertruck seen around Los Angeles sporting a plate that read “LOLOCT7”.
LOL is a common abbreviation for “laughing out loud.”
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) said on social media on Thursday that it would be acting to rescind the plate.
The ‘LOLOCT7’ plate. PHOTO: AP
“The DMV is taking swift action to recall these shocking plates, and we will immediately strengthen our internal review process to ensure such an egregious oversight never happens again. We sincerely apologise that these personalised plates were not properly rejected during our review process,” the agency wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
There are over 30 million vehicles in California, the vast majority of which have regular license plates.
But the DMV allows drivers — for an extra fee — to personalise plates, provided the resulting message does not “carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency,” according to its website.
Examples of banned plates include swear words, and racially or ethnically degrading terms.
LONDON (AFP) – A former UK security minister on Friday said that it was “extremely embarrassing” that a suspected Chinese spy had become a confidant of disgraced royal Prince Andrew.
The story dominated the UK’s front pages on Friday, the latest humiliation for a prince whose reputation is already in tatters over his ties to accused sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Judges on Thursday upheld a ban on the businessman, identified only as H6, from entering the country, and said the prince’s troubles had left him “vulnerable” to exploitation.
In the ruling, judges assessed H6 was in a position to “generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent UK figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State”.
Asked whether the prince’s advisers should have been more alert to the danger, former minister of state for security Tom Tugendhat told the BBC that “it’s not quite as black and white as it may first appear — but it’s certainly extremely embarrassing”.
FILE -Prince Andrew leaves after attending the Christmas day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in Norfolk, England, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. PHOTO: AP
The tribunal heard that the prince’s aide Dominic Hampshire told the suspected spy that he could help in potential dealings with Chinese investors.
“Outside of his (Andrew’s) closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on,” Hampshire told H6 in a 2020 letter.
H6 also received an invitation to the prince’s birthday party.
Former interior minister Suella Braverman banned H6 from entering the country in 2023 after her ministry found he had engaged in “covert and deceptive activity” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The tribunal upheld the ban on Thursday, ruling that Braverman “was entitled to conclude that his exclusion was justified and proportionate”.
A statement from Andrew’s office said that the Duke of York had “followed advice” from the government and “ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised”.
“The duke met the individual through official channels, with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed.”
Andrew withdrew from frontline royal duties in late 2019 after public outrage over a BBC television interview in which he defended his friendship with Epstein.
The former Royal Navy helicopter pilot, 64, in February 2022 settled a US civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17.
Andrew’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, stripped him of his honorary military titles and patronages soon afterwards, effectively shutting him out of royal life.
JAKARTA (Xinhua) – Indonesian Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said on Friday that President Prabowo Subianto would grant amnesty to several categories of prisoners, including drug users and prisoners with long-term illnesses.
According to Supratman, the move aims to reduce overcapacity in correctional facilities while addressing humanitarian concerns. Prisoners suffering from chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS and individuals with mental disorders are among those eligible.
Additionally, prisoners convicted under the Electronic Information and Transactions Law for insulting the head of state will also be considered for amnesty. Supratman noted that the proposed amnesty has received Prabowo’s initial approval and will be submitted to the House of Representatives for further consideration. “We will wait for parliament’s official response after submission,” he added.
(AP) – Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek are reuniting for a new four-episode run of “Malcolm in the Middle” for Disney+ — 25 years after the beloved sitcom first launched.
The show ran for seven seasons starting in 2000 and was hailed for looking at ordinary life through the eyes of an extraordinary youngster, now fully grown: Malcolm, played by Muniz, who has a genius I.Q.
“I have been waiting for this moment for 18 years. Let’s find out where Malcolm and his family are now,” Muniz said in a video message accompanying the announcement.
The new four episodes will be crafted by original series creator Linwood Boomer. No air dates were announced.
“With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved — along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, in a statement.
FILES – Bryan Cranston appears at the 73rd annual Tony Awards in New York on June 9, 2019, left, Frankie Muniz appears at the Disney/ABC 2018 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., on, Aug. 7, 2018, center, and Jane Kaczmarek appears to the Heart Truth’s Red Dress collection during Fashion Week in New York on Feb. 13, 2009. PHOTO: AP
“Malcolm in the Middle” originally aired on Fox and ended its run in 2006. It won seven Emmy Awards — including one for best writing for a comedy series — and currently streams on Hulu and on Hulu on Disney+.
The announcement revealed a reason for Malcolm and his parents to reunite: Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (played by Cranston) and Lois (played by Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.
NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest chess world champion Thursday after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final match of their series in Singapore.
Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in the contest, surpassing the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22.
The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.
After securing victory, Dommaraju burst into tears and raised his arms in celebration.
“I was dreaming this moment for the last 10 years. I am happy that I realised the dream (and made it) into reality,” he told reporters after his win.
FILE – Gukesh D of India looks on as he plays against Richard Rapport of Hungary during the Hungary vs. India match in the 6th round of the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 16, 2024. PHOTO: AP
Dommaraju is now the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.
“It’s a proud moment for chess, a proud moment for India… and for me, a very personal moment of pride,” Anand, who has been a mentor to Dommaraju, said in a post on X.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the 18-year-old on his “remarkable accomplishment,” calling it “the result of his unparalleled talent, hard work and unwavering determination.”
“His triumph has not only etched his name in the annals of chess history but has also inspired millions of young minds to dream big and pursue excellence,” Modi said in a post on X.
Thursday’s match was a 14-round long-time classical event with a prize fund of USD2.5 million.
SEOUL (AFP) – South Korean lawmakers vote Saturday on whether to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his failed martial law bid, in a second parliamentary showdown that remains too close to call.
Protests demanding Yoon step down kicked off around midday outside the National Assembly, which will vote around 4:00 pm (0700 GMT) on an impeachment resolution for “insurrectionary acts” — a week after a first attempt to remove Yoon for the martial law debacle failed.
“I was too furious since last week so I had to come to (the National Assembly) today,” Yoo Hee-jin, 24, told AFP.
“If Yoon isn’t impeached today, I’ll return next week,” she said, adding that “I’ll keep coming every week until it happens.”
Yoon has vowed to fight “until the very last minute” and doubled down on unsubstantiated claims the opposition is in league with the country’s communist foes.
Two hundred votes are needed for the impeachment to pass, meaning opposition lawmakers must convince eight parliamentarians from Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) to switch sides. Seven have pledged to do so.
‘Defend democracy’
Local media have reported that many lawmakers are still making up their minds.
The main opposition Democratic Party on Saturday said a vote for impeachment was the “only way” to “safeguard the Constitution, the rule of law, democracy and South Korea’s future”.
A caged effigy depicting South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol is seen during a protest calling for his ouster outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 14, 2024, ahead of the second martial law impeachment vote that could decide the Yoon’s political fate. PHOTO: AFP
“We can no longer endure Yoon’s madness,” spokeswoman Hwang Jung-a said.
At the rally outside parliament supporting impeachment, volunteers gave out free hand warmers to fight the sub-zero temperatures, as well as coffee and food.
K-pop singer Yuri of the band Girl’s Generation — whose song “Into the New World” has become a protest anthem — said she had pre-paid for food for fans attending the demonstration.
“Stay safe and take care of your health!” she said on a superfan chat platform.
One protester said she had rented a bus so that parents at the rally could use it to change diapers and feed their babies.
On the other side of Seoul near the central Gwanghwamun square, thousands rallied in support of Yoon, blasting patriotic songs and waving South Korean and American flags.
Insurrection claims
Should his impeachment be approved, Yoon would be suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court deliberates.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would step in as the interim president.
The court would then have 180 days to rule on Yoon’s future.
If it backs his removal, Yoon would become the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.
But there is also precedent for the court to block impeachment. In 2004, then-president Roh Moo-hyun was removed by parliament for alleged election law violations and incompetence, but the Constitutional Court later reinstated him.
The court currently only has six judges, meaning their decision must be unanimous.
And should the vote fail, Yoon can still face “legal responsibility” for the martial law bid, Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, told AFP.
“This is clearly an act of insurrection,” she said.
“Even if the impeachment motion does not pass, the president’s legal responsibilities under the Criminal Code… cannot be avoided.”
Defiant
Yoon has remained unapologetic and defiant as the fallout from his disastrous martial law declaration has deepened and an investigation into his inner circle has widened.
On Friday, prosecutors said they had arrested a military commander who headed the Capital Defence Command.
The Seoul Central District Court also issued arrest warrants for the national police chief and the head of the city’s police, citing the “risk of destruction of evidence”.
Yoon’s approval rating — never very high — has plummeted to 11 per cent, according to a Gallup Korea poll released Friday.
The same poll showed that 75 per cent now support his impeachment.
After eight weeks of fierce competition, Edry Ziqry emerged victorious as the champion of Bintang Search Season 5. The finale, which took place Friday night, saw Edry take home the grand prize of BND10,000 and a debut single produced by Ungu, one of Indonesia’s most iconic bands.
The highly anticipated final episode of Bintang Search captivated viewers with its thrilling performances, showcasing the incredible talent of the five finalists. Edry, whose powerful voice and stage presence won over audiences throughout the season, received his prize from Makki, the bassist of Ungu.
Makki expressed his enthusiasm for working with Edry, stating, “See you at the studio in Jakarta” Oktarini Lestari of Indofood, a key sponsor of the show, was also in attendance to present a mock cheque of BND10,000. The evening also featured the presentation of the prestigious Bintang Search trophy by the show’s dynamic showrunner, Siti Kamaluddin.
Edry Ziqry holding up the mock cheque and prize after being crowned champion of Bintang Search Season 5. PHOTO: Bintang Search
Speaking at the event, Ms. Kamaluddin highlighted the remarkable talent of all the finalists, noting that the competition was especially tough this year. “The five finalists each brought something unique to the table with their diverse voices. It was an incredible journey to watch them grow, and Brunei is proud to present such outstanding talents to the world,” she said.
For the first time, the Bintang Search contestants have the chance to showcase their talent to some of Southeast Asia’s talented music artists and legends giving them a bigger push to perform at their best every week. In the weeks leading up to the Grand Finale, the show has seen the attendance of special guest judges such as Marsha Milan, Maria Aries, Dila Junaidi, Aisha Retno, Ziana Zain, Ayda Jebat and Kris Dayanti all of which were eager to nurture new talents into the music industry.
Bintang Search Season 5 has once again proven to be an exciting platform for emerging musical stars, with Edry’s victory marking the beginning of an exciting career. Edry’s supporters can look forward to his upcoming debut single, which will be produced by the legendary Ungu and promises to be a memorable addition to his musical journey.
TOKYO (AFP) – A company aiming to become Japan’s first private firm to put a satellite into orbit postponed its rocket launch on Saturday, after its first try ended in a mid-air explosion.
Tokyo-based Space One’s Kairos rocket was to make its second blast-off from the company’s launch pad in the rural western region of Wakayama at 11 am (0200 GMT), but called it off in a move announced about 20 minutes before the scheduled launch.
“During the final decision-making process for the launch, we analysed the weather conditions and determined that the wind speeds above an altitude of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) were so strong that it was not suitable for launch,” Space One executive Kozo Abe told reporters.
Abe said the company plans to make another attempt on Sunday at 11 am.
“We will do our utmost to prepare for tomorrow’s launch,” he said.
Private firms are offering cheaper and more frequent space exploration opportunities than governments, and Space One hopes to emulate Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which has contracts with NASA and the Pentagon.
But first, it needs to get off the ground.
(FILES) This frame grab taken from AFPTV via online footage broadcast by Wakayama Telecasting Corp. (WTV) on March 13, 2024 shows a small rocket being launched by Tokyo-based startup Space One, at the Spaceport Kii site in Kushimoto, Wakayama prefecture. PHOTO: AFP
The solid-fuel Kairos, carrying a small government test satellite, lifted off for the first time in March from the Space One launch pad, dubbed Spaceport Kii.
But seconds later, technical problems were detected and a self-destruct order was sent to the 18-metre (60-foot) rocket.
It erupted in flames, sending white smoke billowing around the remote mountainous area.
Hundreds of spectators, gathered at public viewing areas including a nearby waterfront, witnessed the dramatic scene.
In the second launch attempt, the rocket was supposed to carry five satellites, including one from the Taiwan Space Agency and others designed by Japanese students and corporate ventures.
Space One was founded in 2018 by major businesses including Canon Electronics, IHI Aerospace, construction firm Shimizu, and the government-run Development Bank of Japan.
The company is hoping to establish itself in a competitive international field by launching small rockets, quickly, for businesses seeking to put satellites into space.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is also on a mission to become a major player for satellite launches.
JAXA’s next-generation H3 launch system had experienced multiple failed take-off attempts before a successful blast-off in February.
Also this year, Japan landed an unmanned probe on the Moon — albeit at a crooked angle — making it just the fifth country to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface.
But JAXA had to delay the launch of a compact, solid-fuel Epsilon S rocket after a recent engine test resulted in a large fire.
