South Korea is currently experiencing significant political upheaval as opposition parties on Wednesday have formally submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, reported news agency AP. President Yoon declared martial law, alleging that the opposition was conspiring to undermine the democratic framework of the country. He accused them of plotting an "insurgency" and "trying to overthrow the free democracy" and of being sympathetic to North Korea and of "anti-state" activities. However, after only a few hours, Yoon lifted the martial law, which had led to military troops surrounding the National Assembly as lawmakers prepared to vote on its revocation. This rapid escalation and subsequent withdrawal has left his administration in a precarious position. This move has sparked widespread outrage among the public, opposition parties, civil society groups, and even some members of Yoon's own party and intensified calls for his resignation. The impeachment motion filed by opposition parties requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly to proceed, along with support from at least six justices of the Constitutional Court for its approval. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min indicated that the motion could be voted upon as early as this Friday. South Korea's main opposition party holds a majority in the National Assembly, enabling them to block Yoon's legislative proposals effectively. Furthermore, they are also considering filing treason charges against him, reflecting the severity of the situation. Jaeyoung Lee, a former lawmaker from Yoon's People Power Party stated that Yoon has lost all credibility and "won't be able to rule," effectively. There are discussions among party members regarding possible demands for Yoon to resign from the party. Further, he added that "legislators from the party were working on plans to ask Yoon to resign from the party, adding that "It's devastating to see this happening in Korea in the year 2024," stated ANI. In a televised address on Tuesday, Yoon condemned the opposition for using their parliamentary majority to disrupt governance, thereby paralysing the administration. Yoon said, "The National Assembly, which should have been the foundation of free democracy, has become a monster that destroys it." The president announced the decree in a surprise late-night television address accusing the opposition of sympathising with North Korea and of "anti-state" activities. He specifically pointed to their efforts to impeach prosecutors, stated ANI. Following this, the main opposition party of South Korea has called for Yoon's immediate resignation and has vowed to begin impeachment proceedings if he doesn't step down. (With inputs from AP, ANI)
04 December,2024 02:41 PM IST | Seoul (South Korea) | mid-day online correspondentNotre Dame Cathedral, which is set to reopen to the public on Sunday after a five-year restoration following a devastating fire, stands as a jewel of Gothic architecture and a symbol of Paris. But behind the grandeur of the cathedral lie some surprising stories. The heart of France, literally Notre Dame is literally the point from which all roads in France begin. In front of the cathedral, embedded in the cobblestones, lies a modest bronze-and-stone slab with the inscription “point zéro des routes de France”, meaning “starting point of the roads of France”. This plaque marks the starting point for measuring distances between Paris and other cities across the country. The great gargoyle myth The actual gargoyles, which are monster-shaped gutters used to drain rainwater, have been around since the time of the cathedral’s construction. But the dramatic, monster-like figures often depicted on postcards and movies are chimera, and they’re much newer. Theese creatures were added in the 19th century to add to the mystique of the structure. Revolutionary shift During the French Revolution Notre Dame wasn’t exactly treated like a revered cathedral. In 1793, revolutionaries stripped it of its religious symbols. The cathedral hosted festivals celebrating science and enlightenment ideas, and was even used as a wine warehouse. Religious services resumed in 1795. Return of the beheaded kings In 1792, revolutionaries decapitated 28 statues from Notre Dame’s facade, mistaking them for French monarchs. They were actually ancient kings of Judah, biblical ancestors of Jesus. The heads were thought lost forever, but in 1977, workers renovating a courtyard in Paris uncovered fragments of stone sculptures, confirmed to be the missing heads of Notre Dame’s kings. Today, 22 of the heads have been restored, displayed at the Cluny Museum in Paris. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2024 08:35 AM IST | Paris | AgenciesA Bangladesh court on Tuesday deferred to January 2 the hearing on the bail petition of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachary on a government plea as no lawyer appeared on his behalf. “The court of Metropolitan Sessions rescheduled the date as no lawyer appeared as defence counsel,” a government prosecutor said. An associate of Das in his Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, Sawtantra Gauranga Das, said no lawyer stood for the Hindu leader fearing threats and pressure from a “politically motivated lawyers’ group”. Petition to ban Indian TV channels A writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on the broadcast of all Indian TV channels in the country citing provocative news aired on them, according to a media report. The writ calls for a ban on channels like Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Zee Bangla, Republic Bangla, and all other Indian TV channels. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2024 08:33 AM IST | Dhaka | AgenciesThe death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was upheld on Tuesday in Vietnam’s largest fraud case, the scale of which had raised concerns about the country’s economy. She had been convicted in April of embezzlement and bribery over the fraud amounting to US$12.5 billion, nearly 3 per cent of Vietnam’s 2022 GDP. As chairperson of the Van Thinh Phat real estate firm, Lan illegally controlled Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank between 2012 and 2022 and allowed 2,500 loans that cost the bank US$27 billion in losses. The court in Ho Chi Minh rejected her appeal against the conviction while adding that her death sentence could be commuted to life if she reimburses three-fourth of the losses, working out to around USD 11 billion, state media reported. Her lawyers argued that she had repaid the money but the court disagreed since there were legal issues with some of the seized properties and prosecuting agencies couldn’t assess their value. Lan’s lawyers also noted several mitigating circumstances—she had admitted guilt, showed remorse and had paid back part of the amount. “I feel pained due to the waste of national resources,” she said last week, state media reported. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2024 08:32 AM IST | Hanoi | AgenciesA “baggy green” Test cap worn by Australian great Don Bradman sold for US$250,000 (Rs 2,11,73,485) at auction on Tuesday as collectors vied to own a rare piece of cricketing history. The tattered garment—almost 80 years old—was sun-faded, showed signs of “insect damage” and had a torn peak. Auction house Bonhams said Bradman wore the cap during India’s 1947-48 tour of Australia, his last Test series on home soil. Bradman’s ‘baggy green’. Pics/Bonhams Australia’s cricketers are awarded the caps before Test debuts and they are revered by players and fans alike, often the more battered the better. A different “baggy green” worn by Bradman during his Test debut in 1928 fetched $290,000 in 2020. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2024 08:31 AM IST | Sydney | AgenciesSouth 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 favourite 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. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 December,2024 10:32 PM IST | Seoul | APBangladesh on Tuesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma to the Foreign Affairs Ministry office, a day after Dhaka lodged a strong protest against the alleged vandalism of its mission in the Indian state of Tripura. "He (Verma) came as he was asked to come when we conveyed him our concerns," a Foreign Ministry official briefly said. Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain earlier said the Indian envoy was asked to come to the foreign office after the Agartala incident. Verma, on the other hand, said Delhi wants to build a "constant stable, constructive relationship" with Bangladesh saying no single issue should stand a barrier for bilateral ties. "We are willing to engage with the interim government of Bangladesh," he told reporters emerging from the meeting with acting foreign secretary Riaz Hamidullah. India on Monday described as "deeply regrettable" the incident of the breach of the premises of the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala in the northeastern state of Tripura, bordering Bangladesh, by a group of people protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das here. The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after the protesters reportedly barged into the assistant high commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism. The envoy described the relationship as "multifaceted and wide-ranging," which could not sit with one issue or agenda and India is interested to work with Bangladesh government to fulfill the two countries shared aspiration for peace, security and development. Verma also said there are many interdependencies and Delhi is keen to build on that for mutual benefits. Earlier in the day, terming the vandalism at Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in Agartala as India's "failure," Law Affairs Adviser in the interim government Asif Nazrul asked New Delhi to reassess its neighbour afresh after the toppling of the Sheikh Hasina regime. "We believe in a friendship based on equality and mutual respect. While Sheikh Hasina's government followed a pro-India policy to cling to power without elections, India must realise that this is not Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh," he wrote in a Facebook post. The tension between the two neighbours simmering since August 5, when deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, aggravated further with the arrest of the Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das last week. Three days after Hasina fled to India following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government over a controversial job quota system, Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took over as the Chief Adviser of the interim government. Nazrul alleged an outfit named Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was responsible for what he described as "the disgraceful act" when Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was vandalised, and "Bangladesh's national flag was set on fire." He emphasised that Bangladesh is an independent, sovereign, and self-respecting nation driven by a "fearless and dynamic young generation." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 December,2024 06:08 PM IST | Dhaka | PTIA writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court, calling for a ban on Indian television channels, citing concerns over the influence of Indian media on Bangladeshi culture and society. The petition, lodged on Monday by lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, seeks a directive under the Cable Television Network Operation Act 2006 to halt the broadcast of Indian TV channels within Bangladesh. The petition requests that the court issue a ruling to prohibit the airing of channels such as Star Jalsha, Star Plus, Zee Bangla, Republic Bangla, and other Indian media outlets, which the petitioner argues have been broadcasting provocative content that contradicts Bangladeshi cultural values. It further claims that these broadcasts are unregulated and are leading to detrimental effects on the country's youth. The petition, which may be heard by a High Court bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi, names several respondents including the secretaries of the Information Ministry, Home Ministry, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The growing concern over the influence of Indian media comes amid increasing incidents of violence and unrest in Bangladesh, particularly targeting religious minorities. The country has witnessed a sharp rise in violent attacks on Hindus and other minority groups, particularly after the arrest of former priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in late October. He faced charges of sedition for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above the national flag in Chittagong. Following this incident, attacks on temples and minority communities escalated, with reports of clashes between police and Das' followers, which culminated in the killing of a lawyer in late November. In light of these tensions, the petition claims that Indian TV channels have been airing content that fans the flames of unrest, further stoking divisions within the country. The petitioners argue that the broadcasts are not only harmful to Bangladesh's cultural fabric but also endanger the security and harmony of the nation. The rise in violence has prompted India to voice its concerns over the situation in Bangladesh. Last week, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed alarm over the increasing violence against minorities, warning of the growing influence of extremist rhetoric. India has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities, stressing that such developments should not be dismissed as media exaggerations. As per ANI, the court hearing for the petition is expected to take place soon, and further developments are being closely monitored. (With inputs from ANI)
03 December,2024 10:30 AM IST | DhakaIt is the world’s rarest whale, with only seven of its kind ever spotted. Almost nothing is known about the species. But on Monday a group of scientists and experts in New Zealand clustered around a near-perfectly preserved spade-toothed whale hoping to decode decades of mystery. “I can’t tell you how extraordinary it is,” said a joyful Anton van Helden, senior marine science adviser for New Zealand’s conservation agency, who gave the spade-toothed whale its name. Van Helden has studied beaked whales for 35 years, but Monday was the first time he participated in a dissection of the spade-toothed variety. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 December,2024 08:11 AM IST | Wellington | AgenciesThousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits were showcased in a launch ceremony of PANDA GO! FEST HK, the city’s largest panda-themed exhibition, at Hong Kong’s airport on Monday. They will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular shopping district, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. One designated spot is Ocean Park, home to the twin cubs, their parents and two other pandas gifted by Beijing this year. The design of six of the sculptures, made of recycled rubber barrels and resins among other materials, was inspired by these bears. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 December,2024 08:10 AM IST | Hong Kong | AgenciesSeveral Indian passengers of a Manchester-bound Gulf Air flight were stranded at the Kuwait airport for nearly 20 hours and flown out of the city to their destination on Monday morning. The Gulf Air flight from Bahrain to Manchester was diverted to Kuwait due to a technical glitch. Gulf Air GF5 took off from Bahrain at 2.05 am local time on December 1 but a snag forced the plane to land in Kuwait at 4.01 am, as per reports. With several passengers complaining that they had been stranded at the airport for many hours, the Indian embassy in Kuwait took up the matter with Gulf Air, according to social media posts. In a series of posts on X, the embassy said its team reached the airport to assist the passengers and coordinate with the airline. Passengers were accommodated in two airport lounges, and food and water were made available to them, as per the embassy. Arzoo Singh, a passenger, said there were some 60 passengers stranded. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 December,2024 08:09 AM IST | Kuwait City | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
