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SEOUL: The term "martial law" surged to the top of Google searches in South Korea on Wednesday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of such measures, which he attributed to opposition "anti-state activities." The term saw over 2 million searches in just 24 hours, a more than thousand percent increase from the previous day. Other trending topics included "currency exchange rate" and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly advised Yoon on the declaration. The president lifted the martial law just hours later after the National Assembly voted against it, leading to a spike in traffic on South Korea's largest internet portal, Naver, which briefly experienced disruptions. In response to the incident, Yoon convened a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and leaders of the ruling People Power Party to discuss follow-up measures, as the opposition prepared to submit an impeachment motion for a vote as early as Friday. 
Published: Dec 05 2024, 12 ameznews.inSouth Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun has resigned following the political fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial brief imposition of martial law. The resignation was accepted by President Yoon, who has nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, currently serving as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as the new candidate for the ministerial position. This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny and criticism over the government's handling of security measures, reflecting the ongoing tensions within the administration. The transition in leadership at the Defence Ministry underscores the challenges faced by Yoon's government in navigating complex domestic and international issues.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 7 ameznews.inUS President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Paul Atkins, a veteran attorney and former SEC commissioner, to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a decision welcomed by the cryptocurrency industry. Atkins, who founded risk consultancy Patomak Global Partners and has served as co-chairman of the Digital Chamber of Commerce since 2017, is seen as a proponent of "common sense regulations" that could foster innovation in capital markets. Trump's announcement emphasized Atkins' understanding of the importance of digital assets for economic growth, contrasting sharply with the outgoing chair Gary Gensler's stringent stance on the cryptocurrency sector. Gensler's tenure has been marked by lawsuits against major platforms like Binance and Coinbase, prompting criticism from industry leaders. While Atkins' appointment has garnered support from industry advocates, including Kristin Smith of the Blockchain Association, it has raised concerns among Democrats, notably Senator Elizabeth Warren, regarding his past positions on corporate wrongdoing.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 7 ameznews.inScientists in New Zealand have conducted the first dissection of a spade-toothed whale, one of the world's rarest whale species, following the stranding of a five-meter male in Otago in July. Known for its distinctive spade-like teeth, the spade-toothed whale has only been recorded seven times since the 1800s, with six specimens found in New Zealand. The groundbreaking examination took place at the Invermay AgResearch Centre, bringing together local and international experts, as well as Māori representatives, to explore the whale's anatomy and biology. Anton van Helden, a leading authority on the species, described the event as a moment of "reverence," highlighting its potential to reveal new insights into the behavior of these elusive deep-diving mammals. This dissection represents a significant milestone in marine biology, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a species that has long remained a mystery.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 7 ameznews.inThe wife of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, has revealed he had received death threats prior to his fatal shooting in mid-Manhattan on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred outside a Hilton hotel, coinciding with a busy tourist day as visitors gathered for the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree lighting. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as "premeditated" and "targeted," not random violence. Thompson, aged 50, who oversaw the largest US health insurance company, was shot in the leg and chest by a suspect who appeared to be lying in wait. The shooter, a light-skinned man in a cream jacket, fled on an electric bike. Thompson's wife suggested the motive could relate to dissatisfaction with the company's insurance coverage practices, which have drawn criticism from federal officials and customers alike. His company expressed condolences, mourning the loss of their long-serving leader.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 7 ameznews.inThe United States has expressed its commitment to supporting democracy in South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law, which National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described as a source of "deep concern." Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Sullivan emphasized the resilience of South Korea's democratic institutions and confirmed that the U.S. would engage both publicly and privately with South Korean officials to uphold democratic values. He commended the National Assembly for swiftly rescinding the martial law, highlighting the importance of constitutional processes. Sullivan revealed that the Biden administration learned of Yoon's martial law declaration through television reports, indicating a lack of prior consultation with the U.S. This statement aligns with a recent National Security Council post that acknowledged South Korea's "democratic resilience."
Published: Dec 05 2024, 5 ameznews.inA significant defence pact between North Korea and Russia has officially come into effect following the exchange of ratification documents, as reported by North Korea's KCNA news agency. Signed in June by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the treaty mandates military assistance between the two nations in the event of an attack and aims to jointly counter Western sanctions. This development occurs amid allegations from the United States and South Korea that North Korea has dispatched over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Analysts suggest that the partnership could allow North Korea to gain advanced military technology and combat experience while positioning itself as a key player in Russia's war economy. Both nations, currently facing extensive UN sanctions, are strengthening ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Kim expressing unwavering support for Russia's sovereignty.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 5 ameznews.inAmnesty International has accused Israel of "committing genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza since the onset of the war last year, describing its latest report as a "wake-up call" for the international community. The London-based human rights organization cited dehumanizing statements from Israeli officials, satellite imagery, and ground reports from Gazans to support its claims. Amnesty's chief, Agnes Callamard, highlighted the systematic treatment of Palestinians as "subhuman" and called for immediate action to halt what she termed genocide. The report details 15 air strikes from October 7, 2023, to April 20 that resulted in 334 civilian deaths, with no evidence of military targets. Amidst the ongoing conflict, which has claimed at least 44,532 lives in Gaza, Amnesty also plans to release a report on Hamas's actions during its October 7 attack, which killed 1,208 people in Israel, primarily civilians.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 6 ameznews.inFrance's hard-left political faction has intensified calls for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation following a no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government. Mathilde Panot, leader of the parliamentary group of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, addressed reporters, stating, "We are now calling on Macron to go," and emphasized the need for early presidential elections to address the escalating political crisis. The demand reflects growing discontent within the political landscape as opposition parties seek to capitalize on the government's instability. The situation underscores the challenges facing Macron's administration, as calls for a shift in leadership gain momentum amid widespread dissatisfaction.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 3 ameznews.inFrench lawmakers have voted to remove Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government after just three months in office, marking the first successful no-confidence motion in over sixty years. The motion, initiated by the hard left and supported by Marine Le Pen's far-right party, passed with 331 votes in the National Assembly, which is now deeply divided following this summer's snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament. President Emmanuel Macron faces the challenging task of selecting a new prime minister with over two years remaining in his term, as calls for his resignation grow amidst a looming public-sector strike over austerity measures. The political turmoil has raised concerns about stability in France, with unions mobilizing against proposed budget cuts. Observers suggest that Le Pen's actions may have backfired, potentially jeopardizing her support base ahead of her upcoming trial for embezzlement.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 1 ameznews.inAround 700 inmates remain at large following a series of mass jailbreaks in Bangladesh during the summer protests that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After fleeing to India in August, Hasina's government collapsed amid widespread unrest, which saw approximately 2,200 inmates escape from five prisons across the country. Prisons chief Syed Mohammad Motaher Hossain reported that around 1,500 of the escapees have been recaptured, with 70 identified as either "terrorists" or "death row convicts." Notably, a violent attack on a prison in Narsingdi on July 19 resulted in hundreds of inmates being freed. Police spokesman Imam Hossain Sagar confirmed ongoing efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitives and emphasized the need for police stations to remain vigilant, particularly regarding several high-profile criminals who had been granted bail following Hasina's departure from power.
Published: Dec 05 2024, 2 am
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