A dawn stand-off, a human wall and a failed arrest: South Korea enters uncharted territory
Jean Mackenzie
The stand-off started long before dawn. By the time we arrived in the dark, an army of police had pushed back suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol's angry supporters, who'd camped out overnight hoping to stop his arrest. Some of those I spoke to were crying, others wailing, at what they feared was about to unfold.
As dawn broke, the first officers ran up to the house, but were instantly thwarted - blocked by a wall of soldiers protecting the compound. Reinforcements came, but could not help. The doors to Yoon's house stayed tightly sealed, his security team refusing the police officers entry.
For several hours the investigators waited, the crowds outside growing more agitated - until, after a series of scuffles between the police and security officials, they decided their mission was futile, and gave up.
Smuggled Starlink devices allegedly used to defy India’s internet shutdowns
Civilian and armed groups in conflict-ridden state of Manipur using SpaceX’s satellite internet, sources say
Fri 3 Jan 2025 13.19 GMT
Elon Musk’s satellite-based Starlink – currently unlicensed for use in India – is being used by militant groups in the conflict-ridden state of Manipur to circumvent government internet shutdowns, fighters and security sources have said.
The satellite internet service provider, operated by Musk’s SpaceX company, is not permitted to legally operate in India amid security concerns but is allowed by Myanmar, which neighbours Manipur.
German, French foreign ministers meet Syria's new leaders
Germany's top diplomat Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart met members of Syria's rebel-formed transition government. The pair are the first EU diplomats to visit Syria since Bashar Assad's ouster.
Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and France's Jean-Noel Barrot met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus, Syria on Friday.
The two top diplomats are the first EU ministers to visit Syria since the toppling of President Bashar Assad in December.
"My trip today — together with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU — is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," Baerbock said, according to a ministry statement issued before she left for Damascus.
French police to face trial for 'suffocating' death of delivery driver during arrest
Three police officers will face trial in Paris for the 2020 death of Cédric Chouviat, who died in hospital after losing consciousness while being arrested. The 42-year-old was tackled to the ground during his arrest and repeatedly told police offices he was "suffocating". The case has drawn comparisons to the death of George Floyd in the US.
Three police officers will be tried in Paris for the involuntary homicide of a man who repeatedly said "I'm suffocating" during his arrest in January 2020, a source close to the case told AFP Friday.
At least two of the officers have already lodged appeals to that decision.
The death of 42-year-old Cédric Chouviat after being tackled to the ground by a policeman has drawn comparisons to the May 2020 death in the US of George Floyd, video footage of which sparked global demonstrations.
Syria's 'Princesses of Freedom'
In years past, the metallic pops of automatic gunfire outside the window would have meant something sinister.
Perhaps, an attack by the regime of Bashar al-Assad on the al-Khateeb family’s once-besieged hometown just south of Damascus.
It would have meant a call to action for al-Khateeb sisters Khijou, 52, and Samar, 45 - time to rescue and give first aid to the wounded, at the risk of their own lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment