Monday, December 22

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South Korea’s president apologises days after declaring martial law and surrounding parliament with soldiers | World News
Business

South Korea’s president apologises days after declaring martial law and surrounding parliament with soldiers | World News

South Korea's president has said he is "very sorry" days after declaring martial law and surrounding parliament with soldiers.Yoon Suk Yeol plunged his country into turmoil on Tuesday when he put the military in charge, claiming it was necessary to defend the constitutional order and "eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces". However, his shock move sparked fury from the public and politicians who immediately opposed him and he quickly backed down.Who is South Korean president who declared martial law? Image: Anti-government protesters wear masks of officials including President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul. Pic: Reuters Image: South Korean protesters demonstrat...
Trump stands by Pentagon pick Hegseth as nomination in doubt
World News

Trump stands by Pentagon pick Hegseth as nomination in doubt

Photo: Getty Images / Brett Carlsen Hegseth faces opposition in Congress amid misconduct allegations Trump considers alternative nominees like DeSantis and Ernst Hegseth criticized after reports of drinking, alleged sexual assault US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his support for Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, citing the Ivy League-educated former Fox News host's "charisma" and calling him "a WINNER" even as the nomination faces headwinds in Congress amid allegations of misconduct. A 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, Hegseth has vowed to continue fighting for the top Department of Defense job and spent the week meeting with US senators as some key lawmakers have said they are not yet ready to support him. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is st...
The first Israeli-Palestinian boyband was ready to take on the world – then came 7 October | Ents & Arts News
Business

The first Israeli-Palestinian boyband was ready to take on the world – then came 7 October | Ents & Arts News

It should have been a feel-good story: six young men, plucked from obscurity to become music stars. That's how Neta Rozenblat, a member of boyband as1one, puts it.Pop hopefuls do not usually find themselves having to navigate fear, grief and complex political issues before the world even knows their names - but theirs is not a typical story. As1one are billed as the first-ever Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab boyband, put together following a two-year search by US hitmakers behind acts such as Maroon 5 and Kings Of Leon.While the band has found considerable support, including from big names - they recorded their first single with Nile Rodgers at London's Abbey Road - as Israel's military campaign in Gaza continues, they have also faced criticism and some outrage. "Wrong Direction", read...
South Korea President Yoon apologises for martial law ahead of impeachment vote
World News

South Korea President Yoon apologises for martial law ahead of impeachment vote

Yoon Suk Yeol bowed during a televised speech to the nation, only hours head of a planned impeachment vote. Photo: ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has apologised for his attempt to impose martial law and bowed during a televised speech to the nation, only hours head of a planned impeachment vote. Yoon said he would not seek to avoid legal and political responsibility for his decision, which he said was born of desperation. The speech was the embattled leader's first public appearance since he rescinded the martial law order early on Wednesday, just six hours after it was declared and after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree. "I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked," Yoon said. ...
Diplomatic opportunities at cathedral reopening as Trump set to meet Macron and Zelenskyy | US News
Business

Diplomatic opportunities at cathedral reopening as Trump set to meet Macron and Zelenskyy | US News

Donald Trump arrives in France today where he will meet numerous global heads of state for the first time since his re-election.It's understood the meetings will include time with Prince William. The heads of state or other representatives of more than 50 countries are in Paris to attend the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral which was badly damaged by fire in April 2019.Read more:Inside Notre-Dame cathedral - five years after devastating firePrince William to attend Notre-Dame Cathedral reopeningThe US president-elect was invited to attend by French President Emmanuel Macron and it will be his first foreign trip since he won the US election in November and the first he has made out of America since 2023. Reports suggest that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also be present ...
After Hunter Biden’s pardon, White House considers broader clemency
World News

After Hunter Biden’s pardon, White House considers broader clemency

By Bianca Flowers for Reuters Since Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, civil rights activists and politicians have called for clemency for other people they believe were unfairly convicted or sentenced. Photo: Mandel NGAN / AFP The White House is listening to demands for President Joe Biden to extend the same grace to thousands of people wronged by the US judicial system as he did to his son Hunter, officials say. Since Biden's pardon of Hunter on Sunday, a growing chorus of civil rights activists and lawmakers have called for broader clemency for other people they believe were unfairly convicted or sentenced. Defence attorneys and civil rights groups are ramping up efforts to highlight compelling cases, working in conjunction with state legislators to draft letters to the White H...
India’s elderly population to reach 319 million by 2050, requires unified action
Health

India’s elderly population to reach 319 million by 2050, requires unified action

The elderly population currently stands at about 104 million in India which is projected to rise to 319 million by 2050, calling for a unified action to address healthcare challenges, experts said on Friday.  Healthy ageing is about fostering physical, mental, and social well-being in order to enable people to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Experts said that the government has been addressing this subject through laudable initiatives but over the years, major issues around elderly healthcare have emerged. “In order to enable older persons to preserve their independence, remain active, and participate completely in their communities throughout their lives, supporting surroundings and policies are needed,” said Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Assocham National Council on CSR, which i...
Outlook for Dec. 9-13, 2024
Business

Outlook for Dec. 9-13, 2024

Next week's inflation data could derail a market that appears to be priced for perfection, ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting later this month. The November consumer price index set to release Wednesday is expected to show an increase of 0.2% and 2.6% month on month and year over year, respectively, according to FactSet. If that's the case, it would mean no change from the prior month , but also show stubborn inflation. A surprisingly hot report could curtail hopes for a December rate cut from the Fed. The CME Group's FedWatch tool shows an 87% probability of lower rates this month after the release of new U.S. jobs data on Friday. Strong inflation data would also throw a wrench in the recent stock advance. The rally shows no signs of slowing down, but it's also expensive, spurring inv...
Iraq considers Syria intervention as rebels advance
World News

Iraq considers Syria intervention as rebels advance

By Timour Azhari for Reuters Anti-government fighters celebrate in Syria's northwestern Idlib province in November. (file photo) Photo: ABDULAZIZ KETAZ Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim ruling parties and armed groups are weighing the pros and cons of armed intervention in Syria, viewing as a grave threat the advance of Sunni Islamist rebels who have taken two Syrian cities and now bear down on a third. Baghdad has a dark history with Syria-based Sunni fighters, thousands of whom crossed into Iraq after the 2003 US invasion and fuelled years of sectarian killing before returning again in 2013 as Islamic State to conquer a third of the country. The Syrian rebels currently advancing in Syria, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, have disavowed Al Qaeda and IS and say they have no ambitions in Iraq, but the...
Lawful gun owners feel cheated by new federal firearms ban
Politics

Lawful gun owners feel cheated by new federal firearms ban

The federal government expanded its ban on firearms on Thursday, adding 324 makes and models of guns to the prohibited weapons list, and lawful gun owners in Alberta feel they’re being unnecessarily targeted. The move follows the May 2020 ban of 1,500 makes and models of firearms, including the AR-15 and Ruger Mini-14. The number grew to more than 2,000 by November of this year as new variants were identified.The federal government says it is working with provinces, territories and police on a planned buyback of prohibited weapons from individual owners. It has already run a pilot project on collecting banned firearms from businesses.Lethbridge’s Justin Thomson was one of three Canadians who were hand-picked to compete in the World Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) Competition in the Czech Repu...