THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Officially Expelled From Office

 

Former President Yoon Suk Yul of South Korea has officially been removed from office.

On April 4 at 11 a.m. KST, the Korean Constitutional Court announced its unanimous ruling on the impeachment of the now-former president Yoon Suk Yeol.

The ruling was made 122 days following the martial law announcement made on December 3 by the former president and 111 days following the impeachment motion made on December 14. Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of emergency martial law was deemed unconstitutional as he did not follow the formal process and the reasons for declaration were not justified.

An election to appoint a new president will now be held within 60 days.

Source: soompi

Let's Do The News! (April 4, 2025)

                              

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Trump administration is imposing reciprocal tariffs which will take effect by early next week. The US imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars while on April 5th, it will impose a baseline 10% tariff for all countries, and on the 9th, higher reciprocal rates will be imposed with less than 40% imposed on Chinese imports.

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos is establishing an advisory body for the semiconductor and electronics industry in the wake of the US's imposing of a 17% tariff on imports from the Philippines.

- Expansion for London's Luton Airport was approved after the UK government overruled the environmental concerns of planners.

- The row involving Prince Harry and the charity he quit last week, Sentebale, will be examined by a certain watchdog.

- Hyundai unveiled the IONIQ 6 minor change and the second-generation Nexo at the Seoul Mobility Show. It also teases the IONIQ 6 N to be unveiled later this year.

2026 Hyundai Nexo

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 6

- Genesis unveiled the X Gran Coupe Concept and the X Gran Convertible Concept at the Seoul Mobility Show.

- The 2025 season of the FIA World RX will commence this May 31st and will run for six venues with the season finale to be determined.

- The live-action Kowloon Generic Romance will hit theaters this August.

- Disney's hit TV cartoon, Phineas and Ferb, returns this June 5th on Disney Channel and streams the next day on Disney+.

TTFN.

Chevrolet Corvette C8 ZR1

The ZR1 has been crowned as the "King of Corvettes" and with the moniker returned to the C8 model, the all-new Corvette ZR1 is now officially designated as America's true hypercar.

2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Priced at a steep $173,000 plus additional costs, the all-new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, in coupe and convertible configurations, is now regarded as America's ultimate hypercar. It showcases its Republican character against the world's demanding racetracks, making it a true emblem of American performance.

Beginning with the exterior, the ZR1 looks more like a pumped-up version of the Z06. Still, it's been given wide-side air inlets, carbon-fiber elements, and a multitude of airflow and cooling features drawing inspiration from its Corvette Z06 GT3 race car, resulting in the highest downforce of any production Corvette. It still packs a similar interior to the other variants but the ZR1 marking differentiates it.

To boldly go where no hypercar has gone before, the C8 ZR1 is equipped with the brand-new LT7 5.5L DOHC V8 twin-turbo engine featuring a flat-plane crankshaft. This powerhouse generates an impressive 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. With an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, the ZR1 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds and achieve a remarkable top speed of 233 mph. No other hypercar on the market can match the performance of the ZR1.

General Motors' top engineers as well as Corvette Racing have spent manpower in the making of the ZR1. From its aerodynamics and track-honed dynamics inspired by the Z06 GT3 race car, the ZR1 is as close to being called a de-restricted race car capable of breaking its limits on the track. Such feats recorded five new records across the most demanding racetracks in the USA.

The all-new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is an example of what can be accomplished when the best engineers work together on a common goal. This car’s impressive specs and advanced design mean it can be considered a serious contender on any track. It has been designated as America’s first hypercar, and it can reach 233 miles per hour. With such stats, this ultra-expensive Corvette is too powerful to be ignored. The question is, can you handle this Republican Space Ranger?

Photo: General Motors

Let's Do The News! (April 3, 2025)

                             

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has permitted candidates to participate in barangay activities, such as fiestas. Chairman George Garcia announced that candidates are also allowed to serve as judges or contestants in beauty pageants. However, Garcia emphasized that candidates are prohibited from giving prizes or providing food at these events, as this could be considered vote buying.

- Philippine President Bongbog Marcos has directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board to review the wages of workers in all regions of the country.

- Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, who was criticized for harassing Filipinos for 'content', was arrested after being deemed an 'undesirable alien', according to the CIDG.

- Switzerland will monitor former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's ICC case, according to the ambassador.

- China warns the Philippines over claims of "security risks". Yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard repealed the Chinese research vessel crossing through Philippine waters.

- The sixth-generation Subaru Forester was unveiled. The new model is offered with a choice of a 1.8L DIT engine for the SPORT variant while Premium and X-BREAK variants feature a 2.5L S:HEV strong hybrid powertrain.

2026 Subaru Forester

- The Nintendo Switch 2 will go on sale globally this June 5th with the starting price of 49,980 Japanese Yen for the Japanese-Language System while the Multi-Language System is priced at 69,980 Japanese Yen. Additional costs included.

- Kangta renews contract with SM Entertainment.

- Pinoy Big Brother housemate Klarisse de Guzman reveals that she's bisexual.

- Actor Ruru Madrid was hurt during filming of the GMA TV series Lolong.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (April 2, 2025)

                            

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Committee on Foreign Relations Chairperson Senator Imee Marcos confirmed that the Senate investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte will continue tomorrow. This is despite a letter sent by the Malacañang Palace stating that invited cabinet members and executive officials will not attend tomorrow after invoking executive privilege and subjudice rule.

- British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, the lead counsel to former President Rodrigo Duterte, appeals to supporters of the former President to respect the judicial process.

- The House prosecution team is 80% ready for the impeachment trial of PH Vice President Sara Duterte.

- A Chinese research vessel heading to the Celebes Sea is being monitored by the Philippine Coast Guard. Meanwhile, the AFP currently assessing the Taiwan situation in the wake of Chinese military ships surrounding Taiwanese waters.

- Expect an intense "full battle test" in the 2025 Balikatan Exercises. According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. the 40th Balikatan Exercise will focus on testing all military doctrines and strategies.

- The US approved a $5.58 billion fighter jet for sale to the Philippines.

- The second batch of Philippine rescuers en route to quake-hit Myanmar are on the way. The death toll from the Myanmar quake nears the three-thousand mark.

- Hyundai showcased its Casper Electric-based INSTEROID Concept during their April Fools Day celebration.

Hyundai Insteroid Concept

- Skoda will unveil the Elroq RS this April 3rd.

- Seiyuu Fairouz Ai returns from her partial hiatus, signing with her new agency.

- Class 2 of the Netflix original series Weak Hero premieres this April 25th.

- TVXQ members renewed their contracts with SM Entertainment.

- Detroit Pistons forward-center Isaiah Stewart has been given a two-game suspension without pay for his repeated "unsportsmanlike acts" following a brawl between Pistons and Timberwolves players. Meanwhile, Pistons forward Ron Holland II and guard Marcus Sasser, and Timberwolves center-forward Naz Reid and guard Donte DiVincenzo, were also suspended for the incident.

- Actor Val Kilmer dies at the age of 65.

TTFN.

Nijiiro☆Lumiere

The Nijigasaki High School Idol Club has introduced the Monthly Songs project, similar to Aqours' monthly birthday song singles. Each month, one of your favorite members will get a chance to shine. For the April edition of the Nijigaku Monthly Songs project, Kasumi Nakasu is here.

Nijiiro☆Lumiere

For the April edition of the Nijigaku Monthly Songs project, Kasumi Nakasu is here, voiced by Mayu Sagara. She takes over the April edition of the Nijigaku Monthly Songs project with her featured song "Nijiiro☆Lumiere". This 4th installment includes this featured track and the additional song titled Hello! OK??

Next month...Kanata Konoe.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korea’s Constitutional Court will rule Friday on Yoon’s impeachment

 

South Korea’s Constitutional Court will rule Friday on whether to formally dismiss or reinstate impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol — a decision that either way will likely deepen domestic divisions.

The court has been deliberating his political fate after conservative Yoon was impeached by the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly in December over his brief imposition of martial law that has triggered a massive political crisis.

Millions of people have rallied around the country to support or denounce Yoon. Police said they’ll mobilize all available personnel to preserve order and respond to possible acts of vandalism, arson and assault before and after the court’s ruling.

The Constitutional Court said in a brief statement Tuesday that it would issue its ruling at 11 a.m. Friday and that it will be broadcast live.

Removing Yoon from office requires support from at least six of the court’s eight justices. If the court rules against Yoon, South Korea must hold an election within two months for a new president. If the court overturns his impeachment, Yoon would immediately return to his presidential duties.

Jo Seung-lae, a spokesperson for the main liberal opposition Democratic Party which led Yoon’s impeachment, called for the court to “demonstrate its firm resolve” to uphold the constitutional order by dismissing Yoon. Kwon Youngse, leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, urged the court’s justices to “consider the national interest” and produce a decision that is “strictly neutral and fair.”

Many observers earlier predicted the court’s verdict would come in mid-March based on the timing of its ruling in past presidential impeachments. The court hasn’t explained why it takes longer time for Yoon’s case, sparking rampant speculation on his political fate.

At the heart of the matter is Yoon’s decision to send hundreds of troops and police officers to the National Assembly after imposing martial law on Dec. 3. Yoon has insisted that he aimed to maintain order, but some military and military officials testified Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to frustrate a floor vote on his decree and detain his political opponents.

Yoon argues that he didn’t intend to maintain martial law for long, and he only wanted to highlight what he called the “wickedness” of the Democratic Party, which obstructed his agenda, impeached senior officials and slashed his budget bill. During his martial law announcement, he called the assembly “a den of criminals” and “anti-state forces.”

By law, a president has the right to declare martial law in wartime or other emergency situations, but the Democratic Party and its supporters say South Korea wasn’t in such a situation.

The impeachment motion accused Yoon of suppressing National Assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians and others and undermining peace in violation of the constitution and other laws. Yoon has said he had no intention of disrupting National Assembly operations and detaining anyone.

Martial law lasted only six hours because lawmakers managed to enter the assembly and vote to strike down his decree unanimously. No violence erupted, but live TV footage showing armed soldiers arriving at the assembly invoked painful memories of past military-backed dictatorships. It was the first time for South Korea to be placed under martial law since 1980.

Earlier public surveys showed a majority of South Koreans supported Yoon’s impeachment. But after his impeachment, pro-Yoon rallies have grown sharply, with many conservatives fed up with what they call the Democratic Party’s excessive offensive on the already embattled Yoon administration.

In addition to the Constitutional Court’s ruling on his impeachment, Yoon was arrested and indicted in January on criminal rebellion charges.Yoon was released from prison March 8, after a Seoul district court cancelled his arrest and allowed him to stand his criminal trial without being detained.

Ten top military and police officials have also been arrested and indicted over their roles in the martial law enactment.

Source: AP NEWS