World

South Korea’s impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol will be jailed for five years over abuse of power, obstructing justice and falsifying documents in relation to his failed martial law bid in 2024.

This is the first of the verdicts in four trials linked to his shock martial law decree. Although short-lived, the move triggered nationwide turmoil, sparking protests as MPs rushed to the national assembly to overturn Yoon’s decision.

Yoon’s actions “plunged the country into political crisis”, a judge said on Friday, noting that Yoon had “consistently shown no remorse”.

Friday’s ruling offers clues as to how the rest of Yoon’s trials could go. His string of charges range from abuse of power to campaign law violations.

The most serious charge is insurrection, for which prosecutors have demanded the death penalty. The verdict in that trial is expected in February.

About 100 supporters of Yoon had gathered outside the courthouse on Friday to watch the livestreamed proceedings projected on a large screen.

Some of them held red banners that read: “Yoon, again! Make Korea great again”. Several could be heard yelling at the judge as he delivered the guilty verdicts, while others looked solemn.

On Friday, Yoon was convicted of using presidential bodyguards to prevent his arrest; failing to consult his entire cabinet before declaring martial law; as well as drafting and then destroying a falsified document claiming the martial law bid had been endorsed by the prime minister and defence minister.

“The accused has the duty to safeguard the constitution and law but turned his back on them,” the judge said.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year jail term for the charges in Friday’s ruling. Both sides have seven days to appeal.

Yoon denied the charges, arguing that the arrest warrant itself was invalid and that the letter of the law does not require him to consult every member of the cabinet before exercising emergency power.

He had claimed across his trials that investigators had no legal basis to probe and arrest him in the first place. Most of the accusations against him are invalid because there was no procedural lapse when he declared martial law, he argues.

South Korea’s courts often grant leniency when the accused accepts guilt or responsibility. But prosecutors argue that Yoon’s lack of remorse is grounds for an even more severe penalty.

Park Geun-hye, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for abuse of power and bribery in 2021, was the last former president to be jailed for a criminal charge. But she was pardoned and released from prison shortly after.

Six months after Yoon’s martial law attempt, voters elected opposition leader Lee Jae Myung in a decisive victory.

But Yoon’s trials bring the spotlight back to deep divisions in South Korea, where the former president retains strong supporters who see him as a martyr. According to a survey conducted last December, nearly 30% of South Koreans did not believe that Yoon’s martial law declaration amounted to an insurrection.

While his martial law attempt brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets, it also saw his supporters show up in counter protests, though in smaller numbers.

(Source - BBC)

Libyan Army Chief Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad has been killed in a tragic plane crash near Ankara, Turkey, according to official reports.

The military commander was travelling aboard a private jet carrying four senior army officers and three staff members when the aircraft went down. The jet had departed from Ankara and was en route to Tripoli, Libya, at the time of the accident.

All eight people on board were killed in the crash.

Moments before the incident, the pilots reportedly alerted air traffic control to a technical malfunction and attempted to dump fuel in preparation for an emergency landing. However, the aircraft crashed before it could land.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway.

General Al-Haddad had travelled to Turkey to take part in high-level discussions aimed at strengthening defence and security cooperation between the two countries.

In response to his death, the Libyan government has declared three days of national mourning, describing the loss of the army chief as a major blow to the nation.

Elon Musk said on Saturday that social media platform X will open to the public its new algorithm, including all code for organic and advertising post recommendations, in seven days.

“This will be repeated every 4 weeks, with comprehensive developer notes, to help you understand what changed,” he said in his X post.

Earlier this week, the European Commission decided to extend a retention order sent to X last year, which related to algorithms and dissemination of illegal content, prolonging it to the end of 2026, spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters on Thursday.  

In July 2025, Paris prosecutors investigated the social media platform for suspected algorithmic bias and fraudulent data extraction, which Musk’s X called a “politically-motivated criminal investigation” that threatens its users’ free speech.

Last month, the European Union levied a 120 million euro ($140 million) fine on X, with regulators saying the company breached its transparency obligations under the bloc’s Digital Services Act. 

The fine is related to X’s “blue checkmark” subscription, lack of transparency related to its ad repository and failure to provide researchers access to the platform’s public data.

Musk replied with an obscenity under a European Commission post about the fine.

( Source - Reuters )

The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from U.S. oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after U.S. forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The meetings are crucial to the administration’s hopes of getting top U.S. oil companies back into the South American nation after its government, nearly two decades ago, took control of U.S.-led energy operations there.

The three biggest U.S. oil companies - Exxon Mobil , ConocoPhillips, and Chevron have not yet had any conversations with the administration about Maduro’s ouster, according to four oil industry executives familiar with the matter, contradicting Trump’s statements over the weekend that he had already held meetings with “all” the U.S. oil companies, both before and since Maduro was seized.

“Nobody in those three companies has had conversations with the White House about operating in Venezuela, pre-removal or post-removal to this point,” one of the sources said on Monday.

The upcoming meetings will be crucial to the administration’s hopes to boost crude oil production and exports from Venezuela, a former OPEC nation which sits atop the world’s largest reserves and whose barrels can be refined by specially designed U.S. refineries. Achieving that goal will require years of work and billions of dollars of investment, analysts say.

It is unclear what executives will be attending the upcoming meetings, and whether oil companies will be attending individually or collectively.

The White House did not comment on the meetings but said it believed the U.S. oil industry was ready to move into Venezuela.

“All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime,” said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers.

Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump told NBC News the U.S. may subsidize oil companies to enable them to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure.

Asked if the administration had briefed any oil companies ahead of the military operation, Trump said, “No. But we’ve been talking to the concept of, ‘what if we did it?’“

“The oil companies were absolutely aware that we were thinking about doing something,” Trump told NBC News. “But we didn’t tell them we were going to do it.”
He told NBC News it was “too soon” to say whether he had personally spoken to top executives at the three companies.

“I speak to everybody,” he said.

CBS News, citing an unnamed source, said executives from the three were expected to meet on Thursday with Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

One oil industry executive told Reuters the companies would be reluctant to talk about potential Venezuela operations in group settings with the White House, citing antitrust concerns that limit collective discussions among competitors about investment plans, timing and production levels.

BIG PLANS, BIG PROBLEMS

U.S. forces on Saturday conducted a lightning raid on Venezuela’s capital, arresting Maduro in the dead of night and sending him to the United States to face narcoterrorism charges.

Trump said hours after Maduro’s capture he expects the biggest U.S. oil companies to spend billions of dollars boosting Venezuela’s oil production, after it dropped to around a third of its peak over the past two decades due to underinvestment and sanctions.

But those plans will be hindered by lack of infrastructure, along with deep uncertainty over the country’s political future, legal framework and long-term U.S. policy, according to industry analysts.

Chevron is the only American major currently operating in Venezuela’s oil fields.
Exxon and ConocoPhillips, meanwhile, had storied histories in the country before their projects were nationalized by former President Hugo Chavez.

“I don’t think you’re going to see any company other than Chevron, who’s already there, you know, commit to developing this resource,” said one oil industry executive, who asked not to be named discussing the issue.

Conoco has been seeking billions of dollars in restitution for the takeover of three oil projects in Venezuela under Chavez. Exxon was involved in lengthy arbitration cases against Venezuela after it exited the country in 2007.

Chevron, which exports around 150,000 barrels per day of crude from Venezuela to the U.S. Gulf Coast, meanwhile, has had to carefully maneuver with the Trump administration in an effort to maintain its presence in the country in recent years.

Investors were optimistic, betting Washington’s move against Venezuela’s leadership would allow U.S. firms access to the oil reserves. A U.S. embargo on Venezuelan oil remained in full effect, Trump said.

The S&P 500 energy index rose to its highest since March 2025, with heavyweights Exxon Mobil rising 2.2% and Chevron jumping 5.1%.

(Source: adaderana.lk)

Pakistan, which has one of the highest population growth rates in the world along with high levels of inflation, will have to continue shelling out more money for contraceptives like condoms since the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected a request by the Shehbaz Sharif government to slash GST rates.

According to Pakistan-based The News, condoms, which attract 18% GST, will remain expensive in Pakistan since IMF has firmly said no to the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) recent proposal.

It said that such measures should only be discussed in the upcoming budget.

But why is Pakistan listening to IMF? It’s because Pakistan is currently under an IMF bailout programme, which comes with strict conditions on taxes, spending and revenues.

According to the report, the FBR had reached out to the IMF at its headquarters in Washington via email, hoping for a GST relief on contraceptives.

It pegged the revenue impact of the relief at anywhere between PKR 400-600 million. It conveyed the wish of Shehbaz Sharif at a virtual meeting that followed.

However, the IMF rejected the demand, saying that tax reliefs are not possible in the middle of a fiscal year, especially at a time when the country is already struggling to meet its revised revenue targets.

The report said that IMF also rejected a proposal by Pakistan to cut GST on sanitary pads and baby diapers.

Pakistan’s population growth rate stands at a staggering 2.55 percent — among the highest in the world — with nearly six million people added each year, highlighting the growing disconnect between policy intent and fiscal decision-making.

Recently, the IMF imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan under its $7 billion bailout programme to crack down on corruption. This took the total IMF compliance requirements on Pakistan to 64 over the last 18 months.

(Source - Moneycontrol.com)

The Sri Lankan Rupee showed little movement against the US Dollar at local commercial banks today , maintaining levels similar to those recorded at the end of last week. In several banks, the selling rate continued to remain close to Rs. 312.At Seylan Bank, the dollar buying rate edged up slightly to Rs. 307.05, while the selling rate stood at Rs. 311.80. NDB Bank reported a marginal increase in its buying rate from Rs. 306.25 to Rs. 306.55, with the selling rate also rising from Rs. 312.75 to Rs. 313.05.

People’s Bank indicated a small uptick in the buying rate, moving from Rs. 306.04 to Rs. 306.23, while the selling rate increased from Rs. 312.79 to Rs. 312.99. Meanwhile, Commercial Bank maintained its previous rates, with the buying price fixed at Rs. 304.49 and the selling price unchanged at Rs. 313.

Sampath Bank also recorded a slight increase, with the buying rate rising from Rs. 305.75 to Rs. 306.75 and the selling rate climbing from Rs. 312.25 to Rs. 313.25. Overall, currency markets reflected stability, with only marginal adjustments across banks.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Scott Weenink has resigned from his position after a prolonged and contentious debate over the future of T20 cricket in the country, officials confirmed on Friday.

Weenink, a former Wellington first-class cricketer and businessman, leaves the role after just over two years in charge. His departure follows growing disagreement between NZC leadership, players, and the organisation’s six member associations regarding a proposed new domestic T20 league.

The planned competition, provisionally titled NZ20, is intended to replace the existing Super Smash tournament. The franchise-based league would seek foreign investment and ownership, potentially involving Indian Premier League-linked franchises, and aims to attract high-profile international players. Supporters view it as a necessary evolution for New Zealand cricket, which remains the only ICC full member nation without a franchise T20 competition.

However, Weenink was understood to favour an alternative model, including the possibility of a New Zealand-based franchise participating in Australia’s Big Bash League. This difference in strategic direction ultimately led to an irreconcilable split.

In a statement, Weenink acknowledged the divide, saying his views on NZC’s future priorities differed from those of several member associations. He added that stepping aside was in the organisation’s best interests to allow new leadership to move forward with broader support.

The proposed NZ20 league has received public backing from senior players, including Test captain Tom Latham, who described the concept as a positive step that could significantly lift the standard of cricket in the country through the involvement of international talent. White-ball captain Mitchell Santner has also expressed support for the initiative.

Despite his early exit, Weenink said he was proud of the progress made during his tenure and did not wish to prolong uncertainty by remaining without full stakeholder backing. He expressed confidence in NZC’s staff to continue developing the game.Weenink is scheduled to officially conclude his role with New Zealand Cricket on January 30.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States could support another major strike on Iran were it to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs and warned Hamas of severe consequences if it does not disarm.

Speaking beside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump suggested Tehran may be working to restore its weapons programs after a massive U.S. strike in June.

"I've been reading that they're building up weapons and other things, and if they are, they're not using the sites we obliterated, but possibly different sites," Trump told reporters during a press conference.

"We know exactly where they're going, what they're doing, and I hope they're not doing it because we don't want to waste fuel on a B-2,” he added, referring to the bomber used in the earlier strike. "It's a 37-hour trip both ways. I don't want to waste a lot of fuel."

Trump, who has broached a potential nuclear deal with Tehran in recent months, said his talks with Netanyahu focused on advancing the fragile Gaza peace deal he brokered and addressing Israeli concerns over Iran and over Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran, which fought a 12-day war with Israel in June, said last week that it had conducted missile exercises for the second time this month.

Netanyahu said last week that Israel was not seeking a confrontation with Iran, but was aware of the reports, and said he would raise Tehran's activities with Trump.

A SECOND PHASE IN GAZA?

Trump said he wanted to move to the second phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas reached in October after two years of fighting in Gaza, a progression that entails international peacekeeping forces deployed in the Palestinian enclave.

Israel and Hamas accuse each other of major breaches of the deal and look no closer to accepting the much more difficult steps envisaged for the next phase. Hamas, which has refused to disarm, has been reasserting its control as Israeli troops remain entrenched in about half the territory.

Israel has indicated that if Hamas is not disarmed peacefully, it will resume military action to make it do so. During his Monday comments, Trump heaped the blame on the militant group for not disarming more promptly, arguing that Israel had lived up to its side of the deal and warning that Hamas was inviting grave consequences. "There will be hell to pay," Trump warned when asked what he will do if Hamas does not lay down its arms. He has made similar statements at previous intervals during the fighting.

Netanyahu said this month that Trump had invited him for the talks, as Washington pushes to establish transitional governance for the Palestinian enclave amid Israeli reluctance to move forward.

The deployment of the international security force was mandated by a November 17 U.N. Security Council resolution.

While Washington has brokered three ceasefires involving its longtime ally - between Israel and Hamas, Israel and Iran, and Israel and Lebanon - Netanyahu is wary of Israel's foes rebuilding their forces after they were considerably weakened in multiple wars.

Overall, Trump's comments suggested he remains firmly in Netanyahu's camp, even as some aides have privately questioned the Israeli leader's commitment to the Gaza ceasefire. His comments also suggested he is willing to risk additional hostilities related to Gaza and Iran, even as Trump has taken credit for resolving Israel's wars in both places.

Trump struck a warm tone as he greeted Netanyahu before their meeting, going so far as to say that Israeli President Isaac Herzog had told him he planned to pardon Netanyahu of corruption-related charges - a conversation Herzog's office immediately denied took place.

Netanyahu reciprocated, telling reporters after the meeting that he was gifting Trump the country's Israel Prize, which he said has historically been reserved for Israelis.

NEXT STEPS IN GAZA CEASEFIRE PLAN

Trump's plan to end the Gaza war ultimately calls for Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territory and Hamas to give up its weapons and forgo a governing role.

The first phase of the ceasefire included a partial Israeli withdrawal, an increase in aid and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

An Israeli official in Netanyahu's circle said that the prime minister would demand that the first phase of the ceasefire be completed by Hamas returning the remains of the last Israeli hostage left in Gaza, before moving ahead to the next stages. The family of the deceased hostage, Ran Gvili, joined the prime minister's visiting entourage.

Israel has yet to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, also a condition of Trump's plan, saying it will only do so once Gvili's remains are returned.

Trump said that he and Netanyahu did not agree fully on the issue of the Israeli-occupied West Bank but the Republican leader did not lay out what the disagreement was.

TURKEY, SYRIA ALSO DISCUSSED

Before the meeting, Trump told reporters he would talk to Netanyahu about the possibility of stationing Turkish peacekeepers in Gaza. That is a fraught subject - while Trump has frequently praised Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Israel and Turkey have a much more circumspect relationship.

While the fighting in Gaza has abated, it has not stopped entirely. Although the ceasefire officially began in October, Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 Palestinians — most of them civilians, according to Gaza health officials — and Palestinian militants have killed three Israeli soldiers.

Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was keen to ensure a peaceful border with Syria, and Trump said he was sure Israel would get along with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took power after longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad was deposed last year.

But Israel has been suspicious of the new leader, who was once a member of al-Qaeda, going so far as to bomb government buildings in Damascus this July.

(Source - Reuters)

The US government has suspended the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery program following the fatal shootings near Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, acting on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the move, stating that the program had enabled the suspect to enter and remain in the United States. “This heinous individual should never have been allowed in our country,” Noem said in a post on X.

Authorities identified the suspect as Claudio Neves Valente, a Portuguese national. According to Providence, Rhode Island Police Chief Oscar Perez, Valente entered the United States on a student visa in 2000 and later obtained permanent resident status in 2017. He was found dead on Thursday evening from what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

President Trump has long been critical of the diversity visa lottery, which he argues poses security risks. The suspension follows a broader pattern in which his administration has used violent incidents to justify tighter immigration measures. Previously, after a November attack involving an Afghan national that killed National Guard members, the administration imposed strict immigration restrictions on Afghanistan and several other countries.

The DV lottery program allocates up to 50,000 green cards each year through a random selection process for applicants from countries with low levels of immigration to the United States, many of them in Africa. For the 2025 lottery, nearly 20 million people applied worldwide, with more than 131,000 selected when including family members. Portuguese citizens secured only 38 of those slots.Applicants selected through the lottery are invited to apply for permanent residency and must undergo interviews at US consulates, along with the same security checks and eligibility requirements applied to other green card applicants.

A tragic fire has claimed the lives of 16 people at a nursing home on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, according to international media reports.

Around 12 others were injured in the blaze and have been admitted to hospital for treatment.

The fire reportedly broke out at approximately 8:31 p.m. last night (28), at a time when many of the elderly residents were resting inside their rooms. Several of the victims were later found lifeless in their own quarters, highlighting the sudden and devastating nature of the incident.

Indonesia, an archipelagic nation made up of more than 17,000 islands, has witnessed frequent deadly fire incidents, often linked to dense urban settings and limited emergency access.

Earlier this month, another major fire in the capital Jakarta engulfed a seven-storey office building, killing at least 22 people — underscoring the recurring danger posed by such disasters.