South Korean president declares emergency martial law
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law,” Tuesday accusing the country’s opposition of controlling the parliament, sympathising with North Korea and paralysing the government with anti-state activities.
Yoon made the announcement in a televised briefing, vowing to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.”
It wasn’t immediately clear how Yoon’s step would affect the country’s governance and democracy. The move drew immediate opposition from politicians, including the leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hoon, who called the decision “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.”
“Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin,” Yoon said during a televised speech, invoking South Korea’s formal name.
“I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalise the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.”
Yoon — whose approval rating has dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.
Yoon’s conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also been attempting to pass motions to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations on Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls.
Yoon has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. The Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon’s announcement.
MoRA, LegCo members address strategic issues in annual dialogue
The Minister of Religious Affairs, Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, lauded the Brunei Legislative Council (LegCo) members for their efforts in engaging with stakeholders, including residents under their care, to identify and address pressing issues.
The minister made these remarks during the Permuzakarahan Session between LegCo members and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) held on Tuesday at the Convention Hall of the Islamic Dakwah Centre (PDI) in Kampung Pulaie.
He highlighted the importance of the Integration System in enhancing religious education by incorporating religious subjects into the general school system, a move he said will continue to be developed.
In a response, the Head of the Delegation of LegCo members, YB Awang Haji Daud bin Jihan, welcomed the session as an essential platform for sharing views and suggestions. He noted that such discussions help in collaboratively addressing issues with MORA and finding practical and beneficial resolutions.
During the event, a briefing was delivered by Permanent Secretary at MORA Awang Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim, who commended the LegCo members for their working visits to departments under the ministry. The briefing touched on the ministry’s achievements in Quranic education at both national and international levels, emphasising the Whole-of-Nation approach, as well as successful initiatives integrating religious subjects into the general school curriculum.
The session also featured discussions on four strategic issues: Job opportunities for graduates of Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB); Cleanliness of mosque toilets and ablution areas; Efforts to reduce Syariah crime cases, particularly focusing on sexual offences such as adultery; and proposals for a public relations strategy to improve public understanding of religious services in Brunei.
The event serves as an annual platform aimed at fostering collaboration between MORA and LegCo members. It seeks to contribute to the nation’s progress and prosperity, particularly in enhancing religious services. The session also provides an avenue for identifying solutions to emerging issues and improving the implementation of religious services in the country. – Lyna Mohammad
High quality training and skills development is what IBTE strives for, says CEO
The provision of high-quality training and skills development is what Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) strives for in ensuring excellence in learners, who are highly employable and can contribute to the economic and social development of the nation.
This was highlighted by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IBTE and Director of Technical Education Dr Haji Mohd Zamri bin Haji Sabri (pic right) during the IBTE Appreciation Event at the International Convention Centre in Berakas on Tuesday.
He said, “We collaborate with our industry partners to develop the nation’s youths with the skill sets to make them competent and successful in the global workforce.”
“We ensure our instructors are competent and have mastery of the subject matter to deliver the training and transfer the skills to our learners.”
“We strive to ensure that we provide high quality training and skills development so that our learners are excellent in what they do, highly employable and can contribute to the economic and social development of the nation.”
The Appreciation Event was held to appreciate and celebrate IBTE’s ongoing relationship with industry partners as well as recognise and appreciate the contributions of officers and staff who retired last year.
The event was also held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of IBTE’s transformation since 2014.
Deputy Minister (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohammad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah cum Chairman of IBTE Governing Board was the guest-of-honour at the event.
Eleven industry partners who were appointed as members of the Program Development and Evaluation Committee (PDEC) were recognised for their contribution to the development of the IBTE curriculum, while 30 industry partners were recognised for their cooperation and contribution to IBTE.
Fourteen retired officers and staff received certificates of appreciation recognising their contributions throughout their service at IBTE, and 11 IBTE officers and staff received the Outstanding Employee Award for their outstanding performance for the year 2024.
The Appreciation Event is held annually to appreciate and celebrate the cooperation and support from IBTE’s industry partners, as well as promote a positive organisational culture and increase team spirit, while at the same time fostering the spirit, job satisfaction and well-being of IBTE employees. – Fadhil Yunus
Double accolades for BIBD
Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD) has once again affirmed its leadership in the Islamic banking sector, receiving two prestigious accolades at the Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA) 2024 held recently in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The bank was awarded Best Islamic Retail Bank for Premier Banking and Most Sustainable Islamic Retail Bank in Brunei.
Commenting on the recognition, Managing Director and CEO of BIBD Awang Junaidi bin Haji Masri said “These awards reflect BIBD’s commitment to being the best Islamic financial institution, not just in Brunei but on the global stage. Our initiatives in sustainability and premier banking are designed to ensure that we are not only serving our customers with excellence but also contributing meaningfully to the broader national agenda. Our mission remains rooted in serving the wider community and achieving sustainable progress and growth.”
Receiving the awards on behalf of BIBD were Head of Government Relations and Special Projects Awang Haji Yusri bin Haji Wahsalfelah, Chief Marketing Officer Hjh Nurul Akmar binti Hj Mohd Jaafar, and Deputy Head of Retail Banking Awang Junaidi bin Bahrum.
The Most Sustainable Islamic Retail Bank awards highlight BIBD’s unwavering commitment to advancing its sustainability agenda and delivering exceptional service to its customers.
In their citation, the Awards Committee commended BIBD’s robust sustainability framework, which aligns with the Maqasid Shariah and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the initiatives that demonstrate BIBD’s leadership in sustainability are:
Recycled Plastics for Banking Cards: A nation-leading initiative transitioning all banking cards to recycled plastic, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.
Projek Alam Mampan: This impactful programme contributes to environmental preservation through the planting of 660 trees and the installation of 20 reef balls along Brunei’s coastlines to create natural carbon sinks.
Educational Campaigns: The Waste Not and Save More programme, which has reached over 1,500 students in 15 schools, underscores BIBD’s role in shaping a financially literate and environmentally conscious generation.
Renewable Energy Leadership: As the first financial institution in Brunei to install rooftop solar panels at its headquarters, BIBD has set a new standard for corporate sustainability, reducing energy costs by 20 per cent and contributing an environmental impact equivalent to planting 750 trees.
Through these initiatives, BIBD has not only set benchmarks in environmental and social responsibility but also showcased its ability to align its strategies with global standards while serving the local community.
Meanwhile, the award for Best Islamic Retail Bank for Premier Banking underscores BIBD’s unwavering commitment to delivering excellent service that meets the evolving needs of its valued clients, through its exclusive PERDANA Privilege Banking service.
Through PERDANA, eligible individuals can experience an elevated banking experience through our Relationship Managers where one can manage their accounts, plan greater returns for their savings to understanding available Islamic wealth options for future legacy needs, in the comfort of our exclusive PERDANA lounges.
Other benefits tailored and curated to an individual needs includes Access to global Wealth Management opportunities, preferential deposit rates, NAQD Facilities, World Mastercard Privileges, remote instructions and exclusive lifestyle events are amongst many other services available to all PERDANA clients.
BIBD in a press release said that this recognition reflects not only BIBD’s dedication to enhancing the customer journey but also the international acknowledgment of its efforts in setting new benchmarks for service delivery.
By continually refining its products and services, BIBD demonstrates its ability to compete on a global stage while staying true to its promise of putting its customers at the heart of everything it does.
As Brunei’s leading Islamic financial institution, BIBD said it remains dedicated to contributing to the nation’s socio-economic progress. These accolades reflect BIBD’s alignment with Brunei Vision 2035, which aspires to make the nation recognised for its educated and highly skilled people, high quality of life, and dynamic, sustainable economy. Guided by its core values and its commitment to being “Bruneian at Heart,” BIBD will remain a trusted partner in fostering a more sustainable future for Brunei Darussalam.
A psychologist explains why kids see their parents as bossier than they are
(THE CONVERSATION) –
Q – Why do my parents always act like they know best? – Taliyah, age 12, Gwinnett, Georgia
Nobody likes getting bossed around, but your parents’ bossiness is probably well-intentioned.
As a psychologist who studies family relationships, I can tell you that a parent’s No. 1 job is to keep their kids safe. When a kid becomes a teenager, their world becomes more dangerous. Relationships with friends can become complicated and even toxic. Drugs and alcohol become more readily available and more tantalising. Mental health can take a nosedive, and social media doesn’t help.
There are a bunch of reasons why these risks increase as you grow up, but peer pressure is mostly to blame.
To protect their teens from those dangers, parents have lots of strategies. They may discipline their kids – “You’re grounded!” – or challenge them to do better with phrases like, “When I was your age, I didn’t behave like that.” Or they might reprimand you: “I’m really disappointed in you.”
If your parents have ever acted like that with you, then it is likely about keeping you safe.
Most parents understand the dangers you face. They may have experienced them personally and want you to avoid the same mistakes they made. If your parents’ guidance is keeping you from harm, I’d say that they really do know what’s best.
Your brain is still developing
OK, I got that out of the way. Are you still reading? I hope so, because this next part is more interesting and nuanced, and it’s about you and your brain.
Right now, your brain is undergoing remarkable growth. Starting around 10 years old, there’s a flurry of activity in what’s called the subcortical regions of your brain – a scientific term for the brain’s inner core. These parts of the brain are associated with emotions like anger, anxiety and defensiveness.
Are you feeling those emotions pretty regularly these days? If so, congratulations! You are 100 per cent normal.
As you get older, your brain’s outer regions will become more developed, too. The last bit to mature is right behind your forehead, in an area called the prefrontal cortex. That area is associated with the ability to understand how someone else feels, and to put yourself in their shoes.
Experts who study brain development call this skill “perspective-taking.” It means that when you’re reprimanded for breaking the rules – for example, by staying out late – you don’t lash out defensively. Instead, you acknowledge that the person doing the reprimanding is worried or scared, or simply looking out for you.
Seeing life from another perspective
For adults, this perspective-taking can be really hard. For teens, I’m sorry to say, it’s even harder. That’s because your prefrontal cortex simply hasn’t finished developing yet; it won’t be fully functional until about age 25.
Your teenage brain currently allows you to do many incredible things, but you are biologically inclined to see life from your own perspective and struggle to understand why other people act the way they do.
In other words, your perceptions of your parents as bossy are based on the abilities of your yet-to-be fully developed brain. Meanwhile, what is fully developed is the part of your brain associated with those big emotions. That’s a tough combination.
A final note: You might think that your parents “always act like they know what’s best,” but, in my parenting research, it’s clear that they’re often unsure how to handle certain situations. Over 40 per cent of the parents in my last study shared self-critical thoughts about how they’re doing as a parent. In other words, they’re struggling, too.
If you can, give your parents a break – and maybe even a hug. – Annie Pezalla, Macalester College
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)
Intel CEO Gelsinger leaves amid turnaround troubles
NEW YORK (AFP) – Intel announced Monday that CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired effective December 1, as the once dominant chip-making giant company struggles to catch up with rivals.
The abrupt departure comes after the company in August vowed to cut more than 15,000 jobs in a draconian cost-reduction plan, and paused or delayed construction on several chipmaking facilities.
The company named CFO David Zinsner and newly appointed Intel Products CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus as interim co-chief executives while it searches for a permanent successor.
Gelsinger (AP file pic left), who began his career at Intel in 1979 and served as its first chief technology officer, returned to the company as CEO in 2021 during a critical period for the company.
Intel is one of Silicon Valley’s most iconic companies, but its fortunes have been eclipsed by Asian powerhouses TSMC and Samsung which dominate the made-to-order semiconductor business.
The company was also caught by surprise with the emergence of Nvidia, a graphics chip maker, as the world’s preeminent AI chip maker.
Under Gelsinger’s leadership, Intel invested heavily in semiconductor manufacturing and worked to revitalize its production capabilities, often by relying heavily on government subsidies.
US President Joe Biden’s administration last month finalized a USD7.9 billion award to Intel as part of his effort of bringing semiconductor production to US shores.
But in Europe, Intel last month said it was delaying its plans to build two mega chip-making factories in Germany and Poland as the company faces lower demand than anticipated.
Intel also said it would pull back on its projects in Malaysia.
“Leading Intel has been the honor of my lifetime,” Gelsinger said in a statement, acknowledging the “challenging year” as the company adapted to market conditions.
Zinsner joined Intel in 2022 from Micron Technology, while Holthaus is a nearly 30-year Intel veteran who previously led the company’s Client Computing Group.
“We know that we have much more work to do at the company and are committed to restoring investor confidence,” Board chairman Frank Yeary said in the company’s statement.
In September, the Wall Street Journal reported that rival Qualcomm had made a takeover approach of embattled Intel, which has a market cap of just over USD100 billion.
Intel’s share price on Monday, which has slumped by 50 per cent this year, was up by nearly three percent on Wall Street.
Music can change how you feel about the past
(THE CONVERSATION) – Have you ever noticed how a particular song can bring back a flood of memories? Maybe it’s the tune that was playing during your first dance, or the anthem of a memorable road trip.
People often think of these musical memories as fixed snapshots of the past. But recent research my team and I published suggests music may do more than just trigger memories – it might even change how you remember them.
I’m a psychology researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Along with my mentor Thackery Brown and University of Colorado Boulder music experts Sophia Mehdizadeh and Grace Leslie, our recently published research uncovered intriguing connections between music, emotion and memory. Specifically, listening to music can change how you feel about what you remember – potentially offering new ways to help people cope with difficult memories.
Music, stories and memory
When you listen to music, it’s not just your ears that are engaged. The areas of your brain responsible for emotion and memory also become active. The hippocampus, which is essential for storing and retrieving memories, works closely with the amygdala, the brain’s emotional center. This is partly why certain songs are not only memorable but also deeply emotional.
While music’s ability to evoke emotions and trigger memories is well known, we wondered whether it could also alter the emotional content of existing memories. Our hypothesis was rooted in the concept of memory reactivation – the idea that when you recall a memory, it becomes temporarily malleable, allowing new information to be incorporated.
We developed a three-day experiment to test whether music played during recall might introduce new emotional elements into the original memory.
On the first day, participants memorised a series of short, emotionally neutral stories. The next day, they recalled these stories while listening to either positive music, negative music or silence. On the final day, we asked participants to recall the stories again, this time without any music. On the second day, we recorded their brain activity with fMRI scans, which measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow.
Our approach is analogous to how movie soundtracks can alter viewers’ perceptions of a scene, but in this case, we examined how music might change participants’ actual memories of an event.
The results were striking. When participants listened to emotionally charged music while recalling the neutral stories, they were more likely to incorporate new emotional elements into the story that matched the mood of the music. For example, neutral stories recalled with positive music in the background were later remembered as being more positive, even when the music was no longer playing.
Even more intriguing were the brain scans we took during the experiment. When participants recalled stories while listening to music, there was increased activity in the amygdala and hippocampus – areas crucial for emotional memory processing. This is why a song associated with a significant life event can feel so powerful – it activates both emotion- and memory-processing regions simultaneously.
We also saw evidence of strong communication between these emotional memory processing parts of the brain and the parts of the brain involved in visual sensory processing. This suggests music might infuse emotional details into memories while participants were visually imagining the stories.
Musical memories
Our results suggest that music acts as an emotional lure, becoming intertwined with memories and subtly altering their emotional tone. Memories may also be more flexible than previously thought and could be influenced by external auditory cues during recall.
While further research is needed, our findings have exciting implications for both everyday life and for medicine.
For people dealing with conditions such as depression or PTSD, where negative memories can be overwhelming, carefully chosen music might help reframe those memories in a more positive light and potentially reduce their negative emotional impact over time. It also opens new avenues for exploring music-based interventions in treatments for depression and other mental health conditions.
On a day-to-day level, our research highlights the potential power of the soundtrack people choose for their lives. Memories, much like your favorite songs, can be remixed and remastered by music. The music you listen to while reminiscing or even while going about your daily routines might be subtly shaping how you remember those experiences in the future.
The next time you put on a favorite playlist, consider how it might be coloring not just your current mood but also your future recollections as well. – Yiren Ren, Georgia Institute of Technology
Death toll in Thailand flooding jumps to 25
BANGKOK (AFP) – The death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has risen to 25, officials said on Tuesday, with days more heavy rain forecast.
Twelve provinces in southern Thailand have been hit by flooding since late November, affecting 410,451 people, the country’s disaster agency said on its Facebook page.
The agency’s announcement raises a previous death toll of 9 reported on Saturday.
More than 22,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to flooding in Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Yala provinces, the Thai government’s public relations department said.
Suwas Bin-Uma, a chicken farm owner in Songkhla, told state broadcaster Thai PBS that the floods had wiped out his entire flock of more than 10,000 chickens.
“I’ve lost at least THB3 million (USD87,000),” he said.
The Thai weather agency on Tuesday warned of continued heavy rain until December 5.
The government has deployed rescue teams to assist affected residents and designated 50 million baht in flood relief for each province.
On Tuesday the Thai cabinet approved a THB9,000 payment per family to support those affected.
In neighbouring north Malaysia, disaster officials said on Tuesday that more than 94,000 people were yet to return to their homes after being evacuated due to the floods, with five people reported dead.
While Thailand experiences annual monsoon rains, scientists say climate change is causing more intense weather patterns that can make destructive floods more likely.
Widespread flooding across the country in 2011 killed more than 500 people and damaged millions of homes.
Police pursue 7 more suspects in Kuching murder case
KUCHING (ANN/THE STAR) – Police are actively seeking seven individuals in connection with the gruesome murder of a 22-year-old man who was hacked to death in his apartment in Kota Sentosa, Kuching, Sarawak, early Monday morning. The suspects also vandalised the victim’s vehicle in the parking lot.
Padawan District Police Chief Superintendent Mohamad Iwan Hafiz Md Radzi confirmed that three suspects, aged between 21 and 25, have been arrested in the Kota Sentosa area around noon on Monday. The suspects are expected to be brought to court Tuesdat to facilitate a remand application for further investigation.
“We are continuing our efforts to locate seven other individuals believed to be involved in the case,” he said.
The crime is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the death penalty upon conviction.
The incident occurred around 5am near an apartment close to the residential quarters of a military camp. The victim’s bloodied body was discovered in a kneeling position inside the unit, with injuries consistent with being attacked by sharp weapons.
According to reports, a group of at least 12 men armed with samurai swords and machetes stormed the apartment to carry out the attack. They also smashed the victim’s SUV parked outside.
The victim, known for flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media, had posted images of luxury cars, including a Ferrari, as well as expensive clothing and watches.
Police investigations are ongoing to uncover the motive behind the attack and to apprehend the remaining suspects.