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Mumbai: Despite ongoing infrastructural development across the city, the barricades have become an eyesore due to a lack of proper maintenance. These barricades have been subjected to public neglect, with spitting and a considerable accumulation of dust and filth around them, contributing to the overall shabby appearance along the roads and causing hardships to pedestrians and commuters. To address this issue, the BMC has launched a comprehensive cleanliness drive aimed at clearing away unclaimed debris, broken paver blocks, and damaged dividers commonly found at construction sites throughout Mumbai. The drive will begin on Saturday at 7 am and continue until Sunday at 6 pm. Several major infrastructure projects, including Metro work and road concretisation, are currently underway in Mumbai. However, in certain areas, coarse sand and debris have been carelessly spread across the roads, leading to accidents, particularly involving motorcycles, and contributing to severe traffic congestion on key routes. This has created challenges for pedestrians and commuters. So, the BMC's Solid Waste Management (SWM) department has announced a cleanliness drive to remove debris and ensure the proper maintenance of all public infrastructure construction sites along the city's main roads. The two-day drive will begin on December 14 at 7 am across all 24 administrative wards in Mumbai. "Each Assistant Engineer (SWM) will identify roads with barricades and organise a cleanliness drive. Barricades will be washed using pressure jets, and surrounding dust, filth, and debris will be cleaned with the help of necessary manpower and machinery. Separate dumpers will collect the debris, including paver blocks, broken dividers, and brick blocks, which will be sent to the Construction and Debris (C&D) Waste Processing Plant for proper disposal. Misting machines will also be used to control dust," said a senior civic official. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Engineer (Operations) will oversee the drive, providing necessary equipment like mechanical sweepers, mud suckers, and litter pickers. The Deputy Chief Engineer (SWM - Projects) will track the amount of debris collected and ensure its proper disposal at the C&D Waste Plant. Assistant Engineers (SWM) will deploy manpower and machinery to optimise the drive's impact. "They will also document the drive with photos, videos, and before-and-after comparisons, sharing them on social media. Funds will be allocated based on merit after scrutiny. Senior officials will inspect the work on Monday to ensure standards are met and the city's image is maintained," the official added.Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirlingDylan Hernández: MLS deal with Apple TV could be hurting league's efforts to grow its fan base
Netflix CEO Says Paul-Tyson Fight 'Really Phenomenal,' Strong Demand For NFL Game AdvertisingINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Trey Robinson's 19 points helped Northern Kentucky defeat IU Indianapolis 66-64 on Saturday. Robinson added six rebounds for the Norse (3-6, 1-0 Horizon League). Josh Dilling went 6 of 11 from the field (5 for 9 from 3-point range) to add 17 points. Sam Vinson had nine points and finished 4 of 13 from the field. The Jaguars (4-6, 1-1) were led by Paul Zilinskas, who recorded 24 points. Jarvis Walker added 23 points for IU Indianapolis. DeSean Goode finished with six points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Analysis: Protecting QBs from violent late hits like the one that leveled Trevor Lawrence isn't easy
Julia Wick | (TNS) Los Angeles Times As California politicos look ahead to 2025, the biggest question looming is whether Vice President Kamala Harris — a native daughter, battered just weeks ago by presidential election defeat — will enter the 2026 California governor’s race. Related Articles California Politics | Late Democratic House victories in California gnaw at GOP majority California Politics | In Kamala Harris’ home county 1 in 5 Biden voters disappeared in 2024 California Politics | Adam Schiff sworn in to U.S. Senate by VP Kamala Harris, reflects on ‘big senatorial shoes to fill’ California Politics | Kamala Harris found success with women who have cats, but Donald Trump got the dog owner vote California Politics | Gov. Newsom tours California’s conservative counties with post-election message Harris has yet to give any public indication on her thoughts and those close to her suggest the governorship is not immediately top of mind. But if Harris does ultimately run — and that’s a massive if — her entrée would seismically reshape the already crowded race for California’s highest office. Recent polling suggests Harris would have a major advantage, with 46% of likely voters saying they were somewhat or very likely to support her for governor in 2026, according to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey co-sponsored by The Times. “If Vice President Harris were to choose to run, I am certain that that would have a near field-clearing effect on the Democratic side,” Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, said during a recent UC Irvine panel interview . Porter, a high-profile Democrat who has been eyeing the wide-open governor’s race, has yet to say whether she plans to run. Porter’s point was broadly echoed in conversations with nearly a dozen California political operatives and strategists, several of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly. Most speculated that a Harris entry would cause some other candidates in the race to scatter, creating further upheaval in down-ballot races as a roster of ambitious politicians scramble for other opportunities. “In politics, you always let the big dogs eat first,” quipped Democratic political consultant Peter Ragone. The current gubernatorial field is a who’s who of California politicians, but lacks a clear favorite or star with widespread name recognition. The vast majority of California’s 22 million voters have yet to pay attention to the race and have little familiarity with the candidates. The list of Democratic candidates includes Los Angeles’ first Latino mayor in more than a century ( Antonio Villaraigosa ); the first female and first out LGBTQ leader of the state Senate ( Toni Atkins ); the sitting lieutenant governor and first woman to hold that post ( Eleni Kounalakis ); the state superintendent of public instruction ( Tony Thurmond ) and the former state controller ( Betty Yee ). Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is serving his second term as California governor, meaning he is ineligible to run again. Several other Democrats, including Porter, outgoing Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta have also publicly toyed with the idea of a run. They could be less likely to enter the fray should Harris decide to run. What the billionaire mall mogul Rick Caruso — who has also been exploring a run — would choose to do is an open question, as Caruso might contrast himself with Harris as a more centrist candidate. The real estate developer was a registered Republican until November 2019. It’s unlikely that Harris will proffer a public decision in the immediate term, leaving plenty of time for political insiders to game out hypotheticals in the weeks and months to come. Harris’ office did not respond to a request for comment. “I think every candidate for governor is trying to get some kind of intel,” Mike Trujillo, a Los Angeles-based Democratic political consultant and former Villaraigosa staffer, said of a potential Harris run. Trujillo speculated that Harris’ current state was probably similar to Hillary Clinton’s hiking sojourns in the Chappaqua woods after losing to Donald Trump in 2016, or Al Gore growing a beard in the bruising aftermath of his 2000 defeat. “The first thing she’s probably thinking about is, ‘Well, can I run again for president in four years?’ Not, ‘Do I run for governor in two years?’” said one political operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. Harris maintains a home in Brentwood and previously served as California’s senator and attorney general. A successful run for governor in 2026 would almost certainly impede a grab for the presidency in 2028. (Though if history is any guide, an unsuccessful run for California governor does not definitively preclude a bid for the Oval Office: Two years after losing the White House to John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon lost the 1962 contest for governor to Pat Brown . The Yorba Linda native became the nation’s 37th president in 1969.) As the chief executive of a state that doubles as the world’s fifth-largest economy, Harris would have more power to steer policy and make changes as a California governor than she did as vice president, where her job required deference to President Biden. But leading a state, even the nation’s most populous, could feel like small potatoes after being a heartbeat (and a few dozen electoral votes) from the presidency. The protracted slog to November 2026 would also be a stark contrast to her ill-fated 107-day sprint toward the White House, particularly for a candidate whose 2020 presidential primary campaign was dogged by allegations of infighting and mismanagement. “I don’t think Kamala Harris has a deep psychological need to be governor of California, or to be in elective office in order to feel like she can contribute to society,” said the operative who’s worked with Harris in the past. “I think some of these people do, but she’s somebody who has enough prominence that she could do a lot of big, wonderful things without having to worry about balancing California’s budget or negotiating with Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel,” the Encino Democrat who chairs the Assembly’s budget committee. Technically, Harris has until March 2026 to decide whether she enters a race. But political strategists who spoke to The Times theorized that she probably would make a move by late spring, if she chooses to do so. “People will be more annoyed if she drops in in June,” a Democratic strategist involved with one of the gubernatorial campaigns said. Sending a clear signal by February would be more “courteous,” the strategist continued, explaining that such a move would give candidates more time to potentially enter other races. Kounalakis is a longtime friend and ally of Harris’ , and the vice president also has long-term relationships with some of the other candidates and potential candidates. California has eight statewide elected offices and campaign finance laws allow candidates to fundraise interchangeably for them, meaning money already raised for a candidate’s gubernatorial campaign could easily be redirected should they decide to run for, say, lieutenant governor instead. There are already a number of candidates running for lieutenant governor, including former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, former state Sen. Steven Bradford and former state Treasurer Fiona Ma. But that office probably would see even more interest should Harris enter the gubernatorial race. It’s a largely ceremonial position, but one that has served as a launching pad for the governorship. Still, even if Harris does enter the race, Republican political strategist Mike Murphy threw cold water on the idea that she would have an automatic glide path to the governor’s office. “It’s like Hollywood. Nobody knows anything. She’s famous enough to look credible in early polling. That’s all we know for sure,” Murphy said. “Does that predict the future? No. Are there a lot of downsides (to a potential Harris candidacy)? Totally, yes.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.
DEAR ABBY: My husband is miserable. Five years ago, he was fired from his job of more than 25 years, and the small issues he had with depression, alcohol and smoking have multiplied exponentially. He sleeps until 10 or 11 a.m., showers only two or three times a week, rarely eats and has a drink in his hand by 4 or 5 p.m. every day. He now suffers from COPD but has no plans to quit smoking. He would never consider therapy. My husband has lost so much weight and muscle mass, he's barely recognizable. He seems to miss sex, but even if he made an advance, his lack of physicality would make it miserable. Anyway, I'm no longer interested. He was never an affectionate person, but now he has poor personal hygiene, his breath smells of liquor and his hands smell of tobacco. Beyond the quiet misery of home, it's tough for him to go out. He has a hard time with stairs, walking very far and even ordering from a restaurant. I feel he is trying to hasten his own death. I honestly feel there is nothing I can do that I haven't already done. I'm fine, but numb. Do you have any advice for me? -- HOPELESS IN KANSAS DEAR HOPELESS: Your husband seems to feel he has nothing to live for. You mentioned that he seems to miss sex but is now in such bad shape that you are no longer interested. Have you told him the reason you are no longer interested is that he's no longer the person you fell in love with, and a giant step in the right direction would be for him to consult his doctor about his depression? If the answer is no, consider offering him that "carrot." If he's willing to try to get back on track, you might feel differently. There are nicotine substitutes for the truly addicted, which help users inhale fewer damaging byproducts. People with COPD can get some exercise with the help of supplemental oxygen, a subject that should also be discussed with his doctor. That said, the bottom line is your husband has to WANT to help himself. If he doesn't, it may be time for you to locate the nearest Al-Anon group (al-anon.org/info) and attend some meetings, which will help you to recognize that his self-destructive behavior is not your responsibility and only he can help himself. DEAR ABBY: A longtime friend is now a widow and doesn't have time to connect anymore. I have invited her for coffee and for dinner and sent notes of support. She waits days, even weeks to respond and has other social things to do. I understand loss and grief, but this feels like "NO. Go away," with a stiff arm. I guess it's time to go away. Right? -- UNEXPECTED IN INDIANA DEAR UNEXPECTED: You may have been overwhelming this woman in your attempt to comfort her. Depending on how long ago she lost her husband, it may be better for you to step back and allow her to regain her balance. The more you push her, the further she will distance herself.Key Medical Coatings Market Trend 2024-2033: Introduction of Advanced Coating Solutions for Sustainability
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Papua New Guinea is riding Australia’s wake in legislating for social media. The nation’s Ministry for ICT this week announced that it has finalized its Social Media Policy Concept Note, which would prohibit underage users from accessing “certain social media platforms.” A notice on LinkedIn posted by government lead Steven Matainaho says that “with the concerning rise in fraud, illegal goods distribution, human trafficking, disinformation, and cyber harassment, it’s clear that hard action is necessary” to “protect our children from harmful content.” The draft law would also require “mandatory digital ID (SevisPass) for adults,” meaning adult users accessing age-restricted content will need a verified digital ID for – but again, only “on certain platforms.” The ambiguity around which platforms could be covered by the suggests that Papua New Guinea is having the same conversations as Australia about the status of sites like YouTube. The law would also require social media companies operating in the country to register there. The first draft is set to be introduced in January 2025, followed by “broad consultations” before proposing formal legislation. “Social media is not just a platform,” Matainaho writes. “It’s where many illegal and frequently converge. Should we continue allowing full access for our children and vulnerable populations to such places? It’s time to build a safer online community for all Papua New Guineans.” The prompted a flurry of comments, indicating fault lines in the argument that also mirror the between advocates for online protection and those for online freedom. Stances range from “don’t play the role of the parents” to “I have kids and this is great news. I also know that Australia has also done a similar approach for their kids. Excellent direction by the PNG government.” The stakes around social media are higher in Papua New Guinea than many other places, in that it has been linked to incidents of violence. According to D.C. nonprofit the United States Institute of Peace, local show a “notable proliferation of horrible images, videos and viral narratives surrounding sorcery accusation related violence ( ), along with justifications for employing violence against those who are accused.” | | | | | |ARSENAL and Everton are top of the Prem red card charts because they have always liked physical players who never ducked out of contact. Since the Premier League’s launch in 1992, the Toffees have 108 reds and the Gunners 107 — including three this term — 14 more than third-placed Newcastle. 5 Mark Halsey was not on Sol Campbell's Christmas card list after sending him off a few times Credit: AFP 5 Arsenal and Everton have received the most red cards in Prem history Credit: Rex Goodison Park fans want blood-and-thunder tackles in end-to-end matches. They were so hostile towards opponents and referees — although I never had a problem at Everton — because they knew the importance of cranking up pressure. While matches between Arsenal and Everton have not historically been the dirtiest, I landed a feisty clash between them in 2003 where I had to issue TWO red cards — to Sol Campbell and Li Tie — at Highbury. It was the second time I sent off Sol in the space of five months. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL TURNED A CORNER Is this secret to nullify Arsenal's corners? How Monaco blocked Gunners The first was for elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in April of the 2002-03 season during a crunch title game with Manchester United which ended 2-2. Sol brought his arm back, and right in front of my assistant Nigel Miller, who said the contact was deliberate. He appealed his dismissal but did not win. Arsene Wenger’s assistant Pat Rice and Sol came into the Highbury dressing room but I told them what I saw was a deliberate elbow. We agreed to disagree. Most read in Football LEVEL HEAD Clement shrugs off Celtic record as Rangers boss warns against Hoops' mind games BOOKIE BASHER Jim Delahunt's Celtic v Rangers League Cup Final verdict & 12/1 weekend acca LEAVE IT OUT Rodgers makes something clear about Clement 'financially out our league' claim CRYSTAL BALL Celtic vs Rangers score predictions as SunSport writers have their say BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S 5 It meant Sol missed the FA Cup final in 2003 due to a four-game ban. His absence did not cost Wenger’s team as they beat Southampton 1-0 in Cardiff, although United won the league. Arsenal's SET-PIECE COACH gets very own mural outside Emirates Stadium as fans say 'this is just tragic... game's gone' I refereed Arsenal v Everton at Highbury on the opening day of the following season — which the Gunners won as Invincibles — and sent off Sol again. He was being investigated by the FA at the time after kicking Manchester United’s Eric Djemba-Djemba in the Community Shield. I said during the game that we could not go through it without speaking to each other... he did not reply. After 25 minutes, Everton’s Thomas Gravesen was going through on goal and Sol brought him down and it was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity. He knew a red was coming and just walked off — so he did not say a word to me that day. Safe to say, I wasn’t on his Christmas card list that year. I also sent off Li Tie later for a second yellow. It is one of just three Prem fixtures between the clubs in which two players have been sent off. 5 Mikel Arteta was a 'moaner' back in his playing days Credit: AP:Associated Press 5 David Moyes has always wanted his sides to be physical Credit: Reuters Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson are perhaps unsurprisingly in the top three players from the two clubs for red cards in the Premier League — with eight each. Patrick was tough to referee because no quarter was taken as an incredibly tough-tackling midfielder. Big Dunc was a traditional No 9 — he would take it and give it. I had to keep talking to him to keep him on side. Managers like David Moyes, who I got on well with, loved the physicality of players like Big Dunc. I remember sending off Toffees defender Joseph Yobo in a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle before Alan Shearer’s stunner. David rang me up — as you could when Keith Hackett was in charge — a few days later to admit I had to send off Yobo. He wanted that intensity to make Everton a fortress, which it was. It was always very tough to referee and you had to stay switched on. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was one of his players at Everton. He was a moaner on the pitch but I got on well with him. Read more on the Scottish Sun BATTY WEATHER Record-breaking snow & temps on the way for Scotland as expert issues warning GER KIDDING Tottenham fans blast ex-Spurs star as he's spotted wildly celebrating Gers goal You can argue some of the red cards Arsenal have received under Mikel have been dubious but the passion from the manager goes into the players. The physicality of this Gunners team reminds me of both that Everton side under Moyes and 2003-era Arsenal team featuring Campbell. How to stop Arsenal at corners Arsenal have turned into a prolific team when it comes to scoring from corners. The Gunners have now scored 22 goals from them since the start of last season – seven more than their nearest rival Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool. Two of them came against Manchester United – Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting in the second half to earn Mikel Arteta’s men a vital win as they chase down Arne Slot’s Reds. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the architects with their deliveries, and each now have seven set-piece assists since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – more than any other player. United legend Dimitar Berbatov joked Arsenal are the new Stoke City of the top flight – a side under Tony Pulis who terrorised the so-called "bigger clubs" with set-piece mastery. Here are four ways to stop Arteta's side at corners
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The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.NoneSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement of martial law, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoon’s conservative party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors’ office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017 . Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.49ers GM John Lynch says Brock Purdy status ‘tenuous’ after MRI on shoulder injury
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