PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”
Kinkead Dent and diverse ground game powers UT Martin past New Hampshire, 41-10 in FCS 1st round
Martinez had gone eight matches since last finding the back of the net against Venezia on November 3 but after Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the 54th minute, the Argentina international struck in Sardinia. The Inter captain took his tally against Cagliari to 10 goals in as many games after 71 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu capped an excellent night for the visitors from the penalty spot a few moments later. This moment >>> #ForzaInter #CagliariInter pic.twitter.com/aZwbAZvRVI — Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) December 28, 2024 Inter’s fifth-successive league victory led to them temporarily leapfrogging Atalanta, who reclaimed top spot but saw their lead cut to a single point following a 1-1 draw at Lazio. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were grateful for a point in the end after falling behind to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half strike, only drawing level with two minutes remaining thanks to Marco Brescianini. Lautaro Valenti’s last-gasp strike condemned rock-bottom Monza to a 10th defeat in 18 matches as Parma edged a 2-1 victory, while Genoa defeated Empoli by the same scoreline.WASHINGTON — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. It represents a setback in Trump’s efforts to install fierce loyalists in his administration and is the first indication of the resistance the incoming president could face within his own party to picks with checkered backgrounds. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” said Gaetz, a Florida Republican who a day earlier met with senators to win their support. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General,” he said. “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.” The move came after senators raised concerns over the sex trafficking allegations and demanded more information about a now-closed federal investigation. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker who repeatedly railed against their agency and echoed Trump in claiming that it was weaponized against political adversaries. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard said his client didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing, and said last year that the Justice Department’s investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended with no federal charges against him. Gaetz abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as nominee. That move was seen as a way to shut down the House ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Police Violence Against Foreign Students In Kazan Leads To Iranian Diplomatic ProtestGrayson Allen is a former star guard for the Duke Blue Devils who has kept a close eye on his favorite college basketball program during his days with the Phoenix Suns. Allen is currently busy attempting to fill the void left by Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal's injuries with Coach Mike Budenholzer's team in Phoenix. He recently took time out to watch his alma mater take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, Arizona along with fellow Blue Devils alums Tyus Jones and Mason Plumlee. Allen said he has been impressed by five-star Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, who scored 24 points and hauled down six rebounds in 38 minutes of action. Duke defeated Arizona by a score of 69-55 as Allen watched in person. Nov 22, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) makes a lay up during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images "He's been good," Allen said of Flagg before the game. "I've only watched maybe two of their games all the way through but I feel like he's one of those guys you appreciate his skill set more watching his game." Allen intimated that Flagg finds ways to score without having to make a big show of it. "He can go get 30 (points), but you're not gonna check a box score and it's not gonna be like, 'Oh my God, he had an incredible game,'" Allen said . "But you watch the game, he's got a handful of steals, a handful of deflections and rebounds, gets back on defense to alter some shots." Allen also spoke on Flagg's potential as a teammate. "It's like he does pretty much everything on the court to impact the game," Allen said. "He could be a guy that has 15-5-5-5...He looks like a really good teammate and good guy to play with." Related: Cooper Flagg's Twin Brother Ace Flagg Makes Major Career Announcement
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CLEMSON — The days following a college football season have become a time for heartfelt messages, playful quotes, and cryptic emojis. "Let's run it back Clemson," sophomore defensive end T.J. Parker posted to X/formerly Twitter on Dec. 27, with a GIF image of WWE wrestler Roman Reigns screaming "The Big Dog is Back!" "I'll be back," junior linebacker Wade Woodaz posted on Dec. 24, opting for a clip of a stoic Arnold Schwarzenegger delivering his famous line from Terminator. "Run it," sophomore defensive lineman Peter Woods posted more cryptically on his Instagram on Dec. 28, though he paired it with emojis of a Tiger and a upward-trending stock line on his X account. This is very much a sign of the times, particularly with sophomores like Parker and Woods, because it was rarely questioned in previous decades whether a player would return for their junior seasons. But in this era of name, image, and likeness (NIL) pay and the transfer portal, these announcements are big news. It means Clemson — and its NIL collective, 110 Society — has done its work to retain some of the Tigers' top talent. These can be turbulent days and weeks for a college football program. But with every announcement, Clemson's 2025 roster becomes clearer and clearer. And it appears Dabo Swinney is keeping his roster mostly intact. Only a reserve defensive end, sophomore A.J. Hoffler , has joined departures from the receiver room, Troy Stellato and Noble Johnson , and a defensive back, Sherrod Covil Jr. , in hitting the transfer portal. The deadline to enter is Dec. 28. Parker, Woods, and Woodaz have each made clear — each in their own way — they intend to return to Clemson's defense next season. Woodaz was one of the Tigers' biggest risers in 2024, collecting a team-high 82 tackles after totals of 20 and 28, respectively, in his first two seasons. The rising senior will be expected to play a major role in 2025 alongside ACC defensive rookie of the year Sammy Brown . Parker, a second-team All-ACC selection, led Clemson in tackles for loss (19.5), sacks (11), and quarterback pressures (13) this season. He also forced a school-record six fumbles. He could be primed for a leap to the NFL after next season. Woods had more of an uneven 2024 because of injuries and switching positions between defensive tackle and defensive end. But he still produced 8.5 TFLs and three sacks this season, and Woods should return to tackle full-time as a junior with Purdue transfer Will Heldt fortifying the end rotation. Woodaz, Parker, and Woods represent the bulk of the clarifications expected to come from the defensive side of the ball, but now Clemson awaits word from several offensive starters. Quarterback Cade Klubnik made big strides as a junior, which revived his standing a potential NFL draft pick in 2026. But it would be surprising if Klubnik jumped to the pros this year absent a more robust track record of success. He has a chance to throw to rising redshirt junior Antonio Williams and rising sophomores T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. as a senior. Offensive tackle Blake Miller , on the other hand, was a Freshman All-American in 2022 and was named first-team All-ACC in 2024. Miller had allowed just one quarterback hit and no sacks in 485 pass rush snaps heading into the ACC title game, according to Pro Football Focus. The receiver Williams is another name to watch. Even though he missed most of his second season to an ankle injury, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver led the Tigers in receiving yards as a freshman (604) and led all Clemson wideouts in catches (75), yards (904) and touchdowns (11) as a redshirt sophomore. If Klubnik, Miller, and Williams return, Clemson's offense only has to withstand the loss of running back Phil Mafah , tight end Jake Briningstool , and offensive guard Marcus Tate in 2025. Clemson's No. 2 tight end, Olsen Patt-Henry, is heading into his junior season, while Mafah is likely to be replaced by one or both of redshirt freshman David Eziomume and true freshman Gideon Davidson . There are a number of possible successors to Tate, including rising junior Harris Sewell, redshirt junior Collin Sadler, and sophomore Elyjah Thurmon. Simply put, there don't appear to be many holes in Clemson's roster with the fall transfer window set to close. Most of the 2024 Tigers appear ready to "run it back" in 2025.12.30 Nickel Morning Meeting Summary Refined Nickel: Last week, nickel prices fluctuated, with spot prices ranging from 123,000 to 130,000 yuan/mt and SHFE nickel prices ranging from 122,000 to 129,000 yuan/mt. During the week, nickel prices first rose and then fell, influenced by increased downstream willingness for low-price stockpiling and macroeconomic factors. However, the overall demand from downstream sectors such as stainless steel, batteries, and alloys did not show fundamental improvement, making it difficult to support the upward trend in nickel prices. Spot Market: From Monday to Wednesday, as nickel prices rose and the previous week's low-price stockpiling by downstream sectors ended, spot market transactions cooled, and premiums for domestic refined nickel remained stable at high levels. Starting Thursday, with significant improvement in the tight supply of domestic Jinchuan-brand refined nickel in the spot market, premiums for domestic refined nickel began to decline rapidly. It is expected that premiums for domestic refined nickel are unlikely to return to high levels before the year-end. Nickel Sulphate: Last week, the SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate index price was 26,379 yuan/mt, with battery-grade nickel sulphate quoted between 26,000 and 26,920 yuan/mt, and the average price rose slightly by 10 yuan/mt WoW. According to the current market situation, the overall fundamental structure has not changed significantly compared to last month. In terms of supply, nickel salt smelters' inventory levels decreased slightly WoW, and spot supply in the circulation market remained relatively tight. Due to losses and the approaching year-end holiday, nickel salt smelters maintained firm quoting sentiment, with coefficients stable at last week's levels. In terms of demand, this week marked a traditional procurement period for nickel salts, with some precursor plants making inquiries. However, overall market activity remained low. Given the firm pricing stance of nickel salt smelters, most precursor plants continued to adopt a wait-and-see approach. In the short term, supply and demand are expected to remain weak on both sides, with insufficient driving forces for nickel sulphate prices to move up or down. Nickel sulphate prices are likely to remain stable. Nickel Pig Iron (NPI): Last week, the SMM 8-12% high-grade NPI average price was 940.1 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), down 3.3 yuan/mtu WoW, while the Indonesian NPI FOB index decreased by $0.6/mtu WoW. This week, high-grade NPI prices continued to weaken. Supply side, domestically, as finished product prices continued to decline, smelters faced increased losses, and production remained stable overall. In Indonesia, smelters maintained sufficient raw material stockpiles and, with partial profitability, production saw a slight increase. Demand side, stainless steel spot prices stabilized temporarily, steel mills saw a recovery in orders, and speculative demand increased briefly. Steel mills maintained raw material procurement needs, but with an increased proportion of long-term contracts and spot orders based on average prices, short-term high-grade NPI demand is expected to recover. Supported by costs, prices are likely to remain stable. Stainless Steel: Last week, stainless steel spot prices fluctuated downward, with cold-rolled prices continuing to decline slightly compared to the previous week. As of December 27, SMM Wuxi region 304 cold-rolled coil prices were quoted at 12,950-13,200 yuan/mt, and hot-rolled prices were at 12,400-12,500 yuan/mt. This week, market sentiment for stainless steel remained sluggish. Affected by the year-end off-season, downstream purchasing willingness was low, and weak transactions combined with a continuous decline in futures prices failed to support spot prices. Although a certain steel mill in South China aimed for a strong start to the new year with slight production increases, steel mills in East China continued production cuts. Social inventory declined overall during the week, with arrivals slightly decreasing WoW. Cold-rolled inventory mainly consisted of expiring warehouse warrants and year-end destocking of 300-series, while hot-rolled inventory, except for the 400-series, also saw slight reductions. Starting Monday, a certain North China stainless steel mill lowered guidance prices for 300-series resources, with 304 cold-rolled and 321 hot-rolled prices both reduced by 100 yuan/mt. Currently, the market is in a bottoming phase. With in-transit resource volumes remaining low and stable, sales pressure will continue to increase. Stainless steel prices in January are expected to remain low and stable.
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MONTOGMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama man who detonated a homemade explosive device outside the state attorney general’s office was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on Thursday. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, to the charge of malicious use of an explosive device. Calvert admitted to constructing the bomb out of nails, firecrackers and screws, and then Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 24, prosecutors said. No people were hurt, and nearby buildings in downtown Montgomery were not damaged. Remnants of the bomb were not discovered until the following Monday, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Law enforcement two weeks later. “Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Calvert’s attorneys did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Thursday. Prosecutors said that Calvert had placed stickers reflecting a wide range of political ideologies around the area, some of which included the phrase, “Support your local antifa.” But Calvert said he does not have any “affiliation with antifa” in his plea deal. The Associated Press
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Govt ‘insulted’ ex-PM Singh by holding last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, not at dedicated place: Congress PTI Updated: December 28th, 2024, 21:30 IST in Home News , National 0 Pic- PTI Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on Linkedin New Delhi: The Congress Saturday accused the Centre of insulting Manmohan Singh, the country’s first Sikh Prime Minister, by carrying out his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could later become his memorial. The Opposition party had written to the Centre to identify a designated place for Singh’s last rites, where a memorial could be set up for him. Also Read Putin apologises to Azerbaijani leader for ‘tragic incident’ involving crashed Azerbaijani plane 3 hours ago Govt ‘insulted’ Manmohan Singh by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat: Rahul Gandhi 5 hours ago As politics over the matter erupted, the Centre said a decision to set up a memorial has already been taken and a trust would be formed to identify the place soon. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the great son of Mother India and the first Prime Minister from the Sikh community has been “totally insulted” by the BJP-led Centre by performing his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat Saturday. He said Singh was the Prime Minister for 10 years, the country became an economic superpower during his tenure and his policies are still the support system for the poor and backward classes. “Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorised burial sites so that every person could have a last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. “Dr Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community,” Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said by not providing an appropriate place for the former prime minister’s cremation, the Centre has not done justice to the dignity of the post, his personality, legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community. She said earlier, all former Prime Ministers were given the highest honour and respect. “Dr Manmohan Singhji deserves this honour and a Samadhi Sthal. Today, the whole world is remembering his contributions. The government should have thought beyond politics and narrow-mindedness in this matter,” she said in a post in Hindi on X. “This morning, I felt this when I saw Dr Manmohan Singhji’s family members struggling for a place at the funeral site, trying to find a place in the crowd, and the general public getting troubled due to the lack of space and paying tributes from the road outside,” Priyanka Gandhi added. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also took to X to say that he attended Singh’s funeral at the Nigambodh Ghat. “It was difficult to see very much, beyond the backs of the heads of assorted dignitaries and close relatives of the departed soul, so it became more of an occasion to reflect on the life and legacy of the late great PM,” Tharoor said, adding that he found himself seated next to Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was a memorable companion during the proceedings. “We shared a great regard for the late Prime Minister and agreed that a fitting memorial must be established by the government for Dr MMS without delay,” he said, while sharing pictures of the funeral. Former Indian Youth Congress chief B V Srinivas said when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away August 16, 2018, his funeral took place at the National Memorial, the designated place for the cremation of former Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers. He referred to Vajpayee’s memorial, “Sadbhav Atal”, which is spread over seven acres and “where memories related to Atalji are present”, and shared pictures of the memorial on X. “But during the tenure of the same Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were performed at the public Nigambodh Ghat instead of the National Memorial. Because he was a Congress leader, not a BJP leader?” he asked in a post in Hindi on X. After the matter of a memorial for Singh took a political colour, the Centre clarified that a decision to build one was already conveyed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge by Union Home Minister Amit Shah after Friday’s Cabinet meeting. A government statement also said the funeral could be held as the process of setting up a trust and allotting land for the memorial could take a while. Kharge had written to Modi Friday seeking a memorial for Singh. Several sections of the society have also urged the government to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of the country, on the late economist-Prime Minister. PTI Tags: BJP Congress Manmohan Singh Share Tweet Send Share Suggest A Correction Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox. Leave this field empty if you're human:WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kane Biotech Inc. (TSX- V:KNE; OTCQB:KNBIF) (“Kane Biotech”) will release its third quarter 2024 financial results after market close on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Kane Biotech management will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET on December 3, 2024 to review the financial results and discuss business developments in the period. Participants must register for the call using the following : . It is recommended that you join 10 minutes before the event, though you may pre-register at any time. A webcast of the call will be available on Kane Biotech’s website at www.kanebiotech.com in the Investor section at . Kane Biotech is a biotechnology company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of technologies and products that prevent and remove microbial biofilms. The Company has a portfolio of biotechnologies, intellectual property (66 patents and patents pending, trade secrets and trademarks) and products developed by the Company’s own biofilm research expertise and acquired from leading research institutions. DispersinB , coactiv+TM, coactiv+ , DermaKBTM, DermaKB BiofilmTM, and revyveTM are trademarks of Kane Biotech Inc. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “KNE” and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol “KNBIF”.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials on Monday requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant from the Seoul Western District Court. They plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. The warrant request came after Yoon dodged several requests by the joint investigation team and public prosecutors to appear for questioning and also blocked searches of his offices. While Yoon has the presidential privilege of immunity from criminal prosecution, such protections don’t extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. It’s not clear whether the court will grant the warrant or whether Yoon can be compelled to appear for questioning. Under the country’s laws, locations potentially linked to military secrets cannot be seized or searched without the consent of the person in charge, and it’s unlikely that Yoon will voluntarily leave his residence if he faces detention. There are also concerns about possible clashes with Yoon’s presidential security service if authorities attempt to forcibly detain him. Yoon’s presidential powers were suspended after the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14 over his imposition of martial law, which lasted only hours but has triggered weeks of political turmoil, halted high-level diplomacy and rattled financial markets. Yoon’s fate now lies with the Constitutional Court, which has begun deliberations on whether to uphold the impeachment and formally remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. The National Assembly voted last week to also impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had assumed the role of acting president after Yoon’s powers were suspended, over his reluctance to fill three Constitutional Court vacancies ahead of the court’s review of Yoon’s case. The country’s new interim leader is Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also finance minister. To formally end Yoon’s presidency, at least six justices on the nine-member Constitutional Court must vote in favor. Three seats are currently vacant following retirements and a full bench could make conviction more likely. Choi, who has been handling the government’s response to a plane crash on Sunday that killed 179 people, has yet to say whether he intends to appoint the Constitutional Court justices. In a separate criminal investigation of Yoon, authorities have already arrested his defense minister, police chief and several other military commanders involved in the attempt to enforce the martial law decree, which harkened back to the days of authoritarian leaders the country hasn’t seen since the 1980s. Yoon and his military leadership have been accused of attempting to block the National Assembly from voting to end martial law by sending hundreds of heavily armed troops to encircle the building. Lawmakers who managed to get in voted unanimously 190-0 to lift martial law, hours after Yoon declared it in a late-night television address. Yoon has also been accused of ordering defense counterintelligence officials to detain key politicians, including opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik and the ex-leader of his own conservative party, Han Dong-hun, a reformist who supported investigations into corruption allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee. Yoon has defended the martial law decree as a necessary act of governance, portraying it as a temporary warning against the liberal opposition Democratic Party, which he has described as an “anti-state” force obstructing his agenda with its majority in the National Assembly. Yoon has claimed he had no intention to paralyze the functioning of the assembly, saying that the troops were sent to maintain order, and also denied planning to arrest politicians. Yoon’s claims have been denied by Kwak Jong-keun, the now-arrested commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, who testified in the National Assembly that Yoon called for troops to “quickly destroy the door and drag out the lawmakers who are inside” the assembly’s main chamber where the vote occurred. Kwak said he did not carry out Yoon’s orders. The joint investigation team has also questioned Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, who has also been arrested over suspicions that he sent troops to the National Election Commission in Gwacheon city after Yoon declared martial law. Yoon has defended the troop deployment to the election commission, which happened at the same time as the military operation at the National Assembly, saying it was necessary to investigate supposed vulnerabilities in the commission’s computer systems potentially affecting the credibility of election results. Yoon’s failure to offer any evidence in support of his claims has raised concerns that he was endorsing conspiracy theories on right-wing YouTube channels that April’s parliamentary elections were rigged. The Democratic Party won those elections by a landslide. The election commission rejected Yoon’s allegations, stating there was no basis to suspect election fraud.