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China launches military drills

‘Yoon’s wife received bribes’ SEOUL: The wife of former president Yoon Suk Yeol interfered in state affairs in return for expensive valuables and money, a special prosecutor said yesterday. The special prosecutor’s investigations, which wrapped up on Sunday, came amid a year-long investigation into Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law last year and related scandals linked to the once-powerful couple. The prosecution team earlier this month sought a 15-year prison sentence for former first lady Kim Keon Hee, who is under detention and on trial for suspected acceptance of bribes for mediation and other charges. Kim has denied any wrongdoing. She apologised to the public for causing concerns during a court hearing earlier this month. Kim “took advantage of the status of the president’s spouse to receive money and expensive valuables, and has been involved in personnel appointments and nominations”, special prosecutor Min Joong-ki told a news conference marking the end of his investigation. A lower court ruling on Kim is expected on Jan 28. Kim’s lawyers said they will “ensure that procedural legitimacy and defence rights are guaranteed so that facts are not exaggerated or distorted into political framing.” The prosecution has also indicted Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, now on trial, after the religious group was suspected of giving Kim valuables. Han has denied that she directed her church to bribe Kim. – Reuters NEW DELHI: For more than a century, trams have rumbled past Kolkata’s crumbling colonial facades, with their chiming bells contributing to the city’s soundtrack as they ferried generations of commuters. Now, Asia’s oldest tram network is on the brink of disappearing as authorities consider pulling the plug on a mode of transport that has become more nostalgia than necessity. The West Bengal government plans to shut down the 152-year-old system, keeping only a short heritage route. The decision has sparked a court battle as residents and heritage advocates fight to keep the trams rolling. “As children, we would take the trams for fun, but as I grew older it became a necessity,” said Abha Maity, 44, recalling rides to school and college. “I can’t imagine Kolkata without them.” Once a highlight of the city’s streets, the wobbly trams now struggle for space amid traffic jams as Kolkata builds modern infrastructure and seeks faster transport. Kolkata introduced horse-drawn trams in 1873 and electrified them in 1902. At its peak, the network boasted more than 340 trams and covered the entire city. Today, only two routes remain, with a fleet of about 10. “When I joined, more than 340 trams were running. Now it’s down to seven or eight,” said Bacchu Sidda, a

air force and rocket force troops for “major military drills” code-named “Justice Mission 2025”. The activities will focus on “sea air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain”, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi of the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern

The latest show of force follows a bumper round of arms sales to Taipei by the United States. China said it was conducting “live-fire training on maritime targets to the north and southwest of Taiwan” in large-scale exercises involving destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers and drones. A military spokesman said earlier that Beijing would send army, navy,

Theatre Command yesterday. Chinese authorities also published a map of five large zones around Taiwan where further live fire activities would take place today. “For the sake of safety, any irrelevant vessel or aircraft is advised not to enter the afore-mentioned waters and airspace,” the statement said. Taiwan condemned China’s “disregard for international norms and the use of military intimidation to threaten neighbouring countries”, Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo said. Taipei said it had detected four Chinese coastguard ships sailing off its northern and eastern coasts. Its coastguard said it “immediately deployed large vessels to pre-position responses in relevant areas” and “sent additional support units”. Taiwan’s military said it had established a response centre, deployed “appropriate forces” and “carried out a rapid response exercise”. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a core theme of the exercises was a “blockade” on key Taiwanese ports including Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south. China’s military last held large scale drills involving live firing around Taiwan in April. China said this month it would take “resolute and forceful measures” to safeguard its territory after Taiwan said the United States had approved a major US$11 billion (RM44.6 billion) arms sale. – AFP Coupang compensation totals US$1.18b SEOUL: E-commerce company Coupang announced yesterday a compensation deal worth 1.69 trillion won (US$1.18 billion or RM4.78 billion) to holders of 33.7 million accounts for a massive data leak that triggered a backlash from users and lawmakers. Coupang said customers will get company vouchers of 50,000 won each. The plan comes a day after Coupang founder Kim Bom issued his first public apology for last month’s data breach and pledged to expedite compensation measures. However, Kim has declined to attend parliamentary hearings scheduled for today and tomorrow, citing prior commitments. Criticism has mounted over Coupang’s decision to provide compensation in the form of vouchers that can only be used on its own services and platforms. Choi Min-hee, a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party and chair of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communication committee, said in a Facebook post that Coupang was “bundling coupons for services no one uses”, criticising the company for offering vouchers tied to its less popular services. – Reuters

BEIJING: China launched live-fire drills around Taiwan yesterday that it said would simulate a blockade of ports, prompting Taipei to condemn Beijing’s “military intimidation”. o Beijing simulates blockade of key ports

A Chinese ship firing a weapon during drills yesterday. – EASTERN THEATRE COMMAND HANDOUT/REUTERSPIC

Kolkata’s iconic trams face final stop

Kolkata residents celebrating the 152nd anniversary of the trams at the Esplanade Tram Terminus on Feb 24. – REUTERSPIC

pouring billions into upgrading Kolkata’s infrastructure, focusing on metro expansion and new highways. For now, the fate of Kolkata’s ageing trams awaits a court review, as they continue carrying some passengers who view them as living memories of the city’s past. – Reuters

has campaigned since 2016 to save what remains of the system. “I love my trams more than myself,” said Deep Das, 19, a journalism student and CTUA member. “If they disappear, it will be like a part of my body has left me.” Despite resistance, authorities are

conductor for 36 years who still checks his duty roster pinned on a board at the last functioning depot in Gariahat. The government began selling depots and scrapping cars years ago, prompting a citizens’ group called Calcutta Tram Users Association (CTUA) to take the fight to court. CTUA