Anduril and Palantir to Accelerate AI Capabilities for National Security
"ABQQ achieved record results during fiscal year 2024, as we delivered revenue growth of 125% and reached profit net income $542,331, reflecting a continued dedication to maintain exceptional levels of profitability as our business scale,” said Chiyuan Deng, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Movie License and NFT MMM IP License built up two of the most admired and well-positioned business in the marketplace, each with a robust innovation product pipeline designed to win with global consumers. Looking forward, our talented teams are highly motivated to continue driving towards the long-term opportunities of these iconic businesses.” Key Financial Highlights: Revenues for the year ended August 31, 2024, increased 125% to $3,300,467, as compared to $1,473,222 for fiscal 2023. Operating expenses were $2,813,563 for the year ended August 31, 2024, compared to $5,030,354 for fiscal 2023. We experienced a decrease in theatre operating costs in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023, mainly due to the decrease in admission revenues and the decrease in movie exhibition costs as a percentage of admission revenue. We incurred a net income of $542,331 for the year ended August 31, 2024, as compared with a net loss of $3,566,710 for fiscal 2023. As of August 31, 2024.Total Stockholders' Equity $1,459,902, as compared to $890,988 in Fiscal 2023. During fiscal year 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 285 million shares of its common stock for a total of $50,699 at a weighted average price paid per share of $0.00018. Full Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook for the Twelve-Month Period Ending August 31, 2025 The Company's full fiscal year 2025 outlook is forward-looking in nature, reflecting our expectations as of November 26, 2024, and is subject to significant risks and uncertainties that limit our ability to accurately forecast results. This outlook assumes no meaningful changes to the Company's business prospects or risks and uncertainties identified by management that could impact future results, which include but are not limited to changes in economic conditions, including consumer confidence and discretionary spending, inflationary pressures, and foreign currency fluctuation; geopolitical tensions; and supply chain disruptions, constraints and related expenses. Revenues are expected to increase approximately 150% to $8.25 million. Gross margin is expected to be approximately 60.5%. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $0.001 to $0.002. About AB International Group Corp. AB International Group Corp. is an intellectual property (IP) and movie investment and licensing firm, focused on acquisitions and development of various intellectual property. We are engaged in acquisition and distribution of movies. The company owns the IP of the NFT movie and music marketplace (NFT MMM) as the unique entertainment industry Non-Fungible Token. The Company operates AB Cinemas, physical movie theaters currently in NY with plans to expand nationwide ( www.abcinemasny.com ). The company also owns ABQQ.TV which is a movie and TV show online streaming platform. ABQQ TV generates revenue through a hybrid subscription model and advertising model like other online streaming platforms. For additional information, visit www.abqqs.com , www.abcinemasny.com , https://stareastnet.io/ and www.ABQQ.tv . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements” that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to changes to the Company's management team and statements relating to the Company's transformation, financial and operational performance including the acceleration of revenue and margins, and the Company's overall strategy. Because forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility of business disruption, competitive uncertainties, and general economic and business conditions in AB International Group markets as well as the other risks detailed in company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AB International Group undertakes no obligation to update any statements in this press release for changes that happen after the date of this release. Investor Relations Contact: Charles Tang (852) 2622 2891 [email protected] Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ba28f62-fe9e-45be-89c9-c8c7a2fa9707 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d08431cf-b411-4d9f-80d4-ca34f1320c5fNORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The Sooners , best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against then-No. 7 Alabama. Oklahoma ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times in a 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide that took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The Sooners more resembled Barry Switzer’s squads that dominated the old Big 8 with the wishbone offense in the 1970s and ’80s than the more recent Air Raid teams. Venables said the change was a matter of necessity for a unit that has been besieged by injuries at receiver and offensive line. “I think this staff has done a really good job with trying to figure that out, get better every week, put together a great gameplan but also figure out, ‘OK, what does this group of guys, what does this team — what do we need to do?'” Venables said. To make it work, Oklahoma needed to trust that such a change would work in the modern Southeastern Conference. They had to implement it with an interim play-caller in Joe Jon Finley, who stepped in after the Sooners fired Seth Littrell last month. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) pulled it off, and LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their game on Saturday. “This is now much more about controlling the football, running the football, playing with physicality," Kelly said. "They've got perimeter skill, but I think it's centered around much more of a run-centric, quarterback run and take care of the football." The Sooners started to see success on the ground against Maine. They ran 52 times for 381 yards in a 59-14 win that got the wheels turning. Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns that day. Venables said the timing of the opportunity to play that non-conference game against Maine in early November and figure some things out was perfect. “Everybody has some degree of vulnerability and maybe some self-doubt,” he said. “And just developing some confidence and putting something on tape other than practice, like, ‘Man, look, see what you’re capable of?’ And executing against, again, a well-coached team — certainly, we played off of that in all the right ways like you would expect us to. And so there’s a real place for that.” After a bye week, the Sooners tried the same approach against Missouri. It wasn't as successful — they ran 36 times for 122 yards — but they hung tough before losing 30-23 . The Sooners went all in against Alabama. Jackson Arnold — the same guy who threw 45 times in the Alamo Bowl last year, ran 25 times for 131 yards and threw just 11 passes. The Sooners found something in running back Xavier Robinson. With Barnes out with an injury, Robinson carried 18 times for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Suddenly, a team that had been forcing the pass and getting sacked at an alarming rate was moving the line of scrimmage and controlling the tempo. Oklahoma had the ball for more than 34 minutes against the Crimson Tide, lending support to a talented defense that had been spending way too much time on the field. The new approach could be helpful on Saturday — LSU (7-4, 4-3) ranks 14th out of 16 conference teams against the run. Venables said the Sooners still need to throw the ball well to win, but he's glad to know his squad can run with force when necessary. “I think that’s the art of having a system that’s adjustable, flexible, adaptable, week in and week out, but also has an identity — toughness, physicality," he said. "You’ve got to be able to run the ball at every level of football, but you do have to throw it. You can’t just do one thing. But we need to be efficient.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Law enforcement from several countries are sounding the alarm on the rise and risk of youth involved in ideological and terrorism-related activities, according to a new joint report. It says that while the number of youth involved in terrorism-related activities in each country can fluctuate over time, there has been an increasing trend. “Our nations have seen a rising prominence of young people and minors in counter-terrorism cases over the last few years,” the authors wrote. They said that minors can be as dangerous as adults when it comes to carrying out terrorism crimes. “Minors can often do what adults can – create and distribute violent extremist content, lead violent extremist groups, recruit and radicalise others to their extremist cause, and even undertake attacks,” the agencies said. “A minor can have significant influence within extremist contexts, including undertaking or supporting others to conduct violent extremist acts.” In Canada between April 1, 2023 and March 31, police arrested six people under 18 for terrorism-related offences. The report noted that youth are “digital natives,” as they grew up with technology and spend a lot of time online. The report says that is also where they are primarily being targeted for extremist causes, particularly on social media platforms. “Online environments provide an avenue for first approaches to minors, including through seemingly innocuous social media and gaming platforms, such as Discord, Instagram, Roblox and TikTok,” the report said. “In these platforms, violent extremism is made more accessible, as violent extremist content can be created within the platforms themselves.” Five Eyes agencies are calling for a “whole-of-society” response to combat the radicalization of minors and teens involved in terrorism-related activities, according to the report. The agencies said different sectors of society could play a role, including the education sector, mental health industry, social services, technology companies, and communities. Parents also have a direct role in protecting kids from becoming involved in these activities, the authors wrote. ”Agencies stress the importance of parents and guardians understanding their children’s online activities, so they can identify if their children are engaging with content online which may lead to radicalization.” In a US. case study cited in the report, law enforcement officials arrested a 14-year-old on state terrorism charges in 2021. The youth had been sharing information online about how to build an improvised explosive device (IED). A search warrant turned up a fully built IED at the teen’s home, according to the joint report. “The minor admitted to disseminating the instructions used to build the IED, which were from the ‘How to make a bomb in the kitchen of your Mom’ article in the first issue of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula’s Inspire magazine, to other individuals online,” said the report. The teen was sentenced to 18 months in a Juvenile Corrections facility in Arizona. Officials say the youth was released from the facility in July 2023 with conditions.
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals chief medical officer sells $30,007 in stock
Amber Group's Subsidiary Amber DWM Holding Limited and Nasdaq-Listed iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited Enter into a Definitive Merger Agreement
Jalandhar: The Congress has said the AAP govt has turned Punjab into a police state, with critics being silenced using police. The party also announced plans to release a chargesheet and its own manifesto ahead of the municipal elections. “Cases are being registered against those who speak up against the state govt, and those who speak more are being thrown in jail. The police are being used to silence critics of the state govt,” said All India Congress Committee secretary and Punjab co-incharge Alok Sharma, addressing a press conference here on Saturday in the presence of AICC secretary and Punjab incharge Ravindra Dalvi. “Law and order is so bad that now even an attempt has been made on the life of former deputy chief minister and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal,” he said, adding: “Businessmen receiving extortion calls is becoming routine.” He also said AAP govt failed on all promises it made before assembly polls, and Punjab was becoming number one in crimes, with drugs increasing. “Before assembly polls, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal would claim how he would improve Punjab’s fiscal situation. Instead, the loan on Punjab is increasing very significantly. Now, where is their economic understanding?" Sharma asked, adding, “There is a feeling among the people of Punjab that they made a mistake by bringing AAP into power.” He also alleged that AAP played the role of BJP’s B team in the Haryana assembly elections. “They are following in the footsteps of Modiji. They mislead people through advertisements. AAP has damaged Punjab and Delhi very badly, and money from both states is being used for fighting elections in other states,” he said. Answering a query about the results of four byelections in Punjab, he said AAP used govt machinery and police. “SAD became the 'C team' of BJP in Punjab,” he alleged. In the press conference, MLAs Pargat Singh, Bawa Henry, and former MLA Rajinder Beri were also present. TNN We also published the following articles recently Punjab polices swift action prevented untoward incident: AAP The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lauded the Punjab Police for their swift response to an attack on former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. Police officers Raspal Singh, Jasbir Singh, and Parminder Singh were specifically commended for their vigilance in apprehending the attacker, preventing a potentially dangerous escalation. Punjab: 3 newly-elected AAP MLAs administered oath Three newly elected AAP MLAs were sworn into the Punjab Assembly on Monday, solidifying the party's dominant position with 94 out of 117 seats. Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, Ishank Chabbewal, and Gurdeep Singh Randhawa took their oaths, witnessed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Jhansi police busts inter-state burglars gang from Punjab Jhansi police apprehended four inter-state burglars from Punjab and Haryana, recovering 9 lakh worth of silver jewelry. The gang, operating from a rented accommodation in Ludhiana, targeted unoccupied affluent homes across multiple states, frequently changing number plates to avoid detection. They were caught near the bypass, planning their next heist. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .None
DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC, a consulting firm. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out,” Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit auto stocks on Tuesday, particularly shares of GM, which imports about 30% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, and Stellantis, which imports about 40% from the two countries. For both companies, about 55% of their lucrative pickup trucks come from Mexico and Canada. GM shares were down more than 8% and Stellantis was off over 5%. It’s not clear how long the tariffs would last if implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. But Morningstar analyst David Whiston said in the short term automakers probably won’t make any moves because they can’t quickly change where they build vehicles. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, the council said. “At the end of the day, tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry,” the council said. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices, as did Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about how the countries can work together. “This is something that we can do, laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump’s threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling. The most recent U.S. numbers for October show arrests remain near four-year lows. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico, and seizures have increased. Trump has sound legal justification to impose the tariffs, even though they conflict with a 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former trade official in the Clinton administration. The treaty, known as the USMCA, is up for review in 2026. In China’s case, he could simply declare Beijing hasn’t met its obligations under an agreement he negotiated in his first term. For Canada and Mexico, he could say the influx of migrants and drugs represent a national security threat, and turn to a section of trade law he used in his first term to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum. The law he would most likely use for Canada and Mexico sets out a legal process that often takes as long as nine months, during which time Trump would likely seek a deal. If talks failed and the duties were imposed, all three countries would likely retaliate by putting tariffs on U.S. exports, said Reinsch, who believes Trump’s tariffs threat is a negotiating ploy. U.S. companies would lobby the Trump administration intensively against tariffs, and would seek to have products exempted. Some of the biggest exporters from Mexico are U.S. firms that make parts there. “Our economies really are integrated,” Reinsch said. Longer term, Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the threat of tariffs could make the U.S. an “unstable partner” in international trade. “It is an incentive to move activity outside the United States to avoid all this uncertainty,” she said. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own. Sheinbaum said she was willing to talk about the issues, but said drugs were a U.S. problem. ___ Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D’Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report. Advertisement AdvertisementThe Vikings have had starting inside linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman together for just six of 11 games this season, and now they’ll be without Pace for at least another four games. Pace was placed on injured reserve Tuesday because of the hamstring strain he suffered in the first quarter of Sunday’s win in Chicago. He left after five plays. He’ll now miss at least games against the Cardinals, Falcons, Bears and Seahawks. The earliest he can return is Dec. 29 vs. Green Bay. The Vikings signed fourth-year linebacker Jamin Davis off the Packers practice squad and to the active roster, joining Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah on the depth chart. “We really feel for him,” Cashman said after Sunday’s win . “Hate to see one of your guys get injured. We gotta lean on him, be there for him, and we’re going to need him to get right because we have playoff football ahead.” Pace, the second-year undrafted linebacker, ranks third on the team with 59 combined tackles despite also missing two games earlier this season because of a knee injury. He also has three sacks and a fumble returned for a touchdown during the Oct. 20 loss to the Lions. The Vikings added Davis, a 25-year-old former first-round pick by the Washington Commanders. He spent the past month on Green Bay’s practice squad, where the Vikings acquired him from, after he had been released by Washington in October. Davis, drafted 19th overall out of Kentucky in 2021, was mostly an off-the-ball linebacker for the Commanders over three seasons, when he had seven sacks, six pass deflections and an interception in 36 starts. Washington used Davis sparingly on the defensive line this season before he was cut. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has previously used a committee approach to fill linebacker absences. Cashman missed three games due to turf toe as well. The Vikings leaned on 30-year-old veteran Grugier-Hill, who has played 138 defensive snaps, and safety Josh Metellus, among others, to fill the void.
SEOUL, 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.Syria govt says set up security cordon as rebels advance on Damascus
Tonight, Survivor Series: WarGames streams live on Peacock in the U.S. and on the WWE Network worldwide, starting at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT . This year's event promises to deliver some of the most intense and unforgettable matches of the year, all inside the chaos-filled WarGames structure. How to Watch Survivor Series : WarGames: Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM ET Channel/Stream: Peacock Stream: Peacock ( watch now ) The highlight of the night? The Men's and Women's WarGames Matches, where alliances will be tested, chaos will reign, and rivalries will reach their boiling points. In the Men's WarGames Match, a powerhouse team led by Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and the Usos is set to collide with the dominant faction of Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu, and "Big" Bronson Reed. This clash of titans will be a brutal showcase of strength, strategy, and pure grit. On the women's side, a star-studded roster enters the WarGames cage. Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Bayley, Naomi, and IYO SKY will take on a formidable team of Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae. Expect high-flying chaos, jaw-dropping moments, and plenty of surprises in this epic showdown. But the WarGames matches aren't the only reason to tune in tonight. Survivor Series boasts a stacked card of championship clashes: With every match bringing its level of intensity, Survivor Series: WarGames is shaping up to be a night for the history books. From the chaos of WarGames to the drama of championship clashes, there's something for every WWE fan to enjoy. Grab your snacks, clear your schedule, and tune in tonight on Peacock . The countdown starts at 4 p.m. ET , and the main event kicks off at 6 p.m. ET . Let the games begin! Who will survive? Find out live tonight at Survivor Series: WarGames! WATCH: WWE Survivor Series: WarGames live on Peacock If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.Oklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attention