Germany’s TKMS beats Hanwha Ocean for Canada submarine deal: Canadian media
Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has been selected as the preferred bidder to build Canada's next fleet of submarines, according to Canadian media outlet The Globe and Mail on Monday. The decision is expected to deal a setback to Korea's Hanwha Ocean in a contract that could be worth up to $100 billion over three decades. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to formally announce the decision in Halifax before his departure for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The announcement would name a preferred bidder rather than finalize a signed contract, with negotiations expected to continue for months or longer. The program, known as the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, will replace Canada's aging Victoria-class fleet with as many as 12 new diesel-electric submarines. Hanwha Ocean had reportedly offered a version of its KSS-III Batch-II submarine, a 3,000-ton-class vessel developed for the Republic of Korea Navy that uses fuel-cell propulsion and lithium-ion batteries to stay submerged for more than three weeks. The company had pledged more than $50 billion in economic
Sentences finalized for 3 people in ex-first lady's corruption case
Suspended prison terms and fines have been finalized for three defendants on charges of handing bribes to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, legal sources said Monday. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the ruling on June 26. Their sentences were finalized Friday after both the defendants and the plaintiff, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, gave up their appeals against the first-instance ruling, according to the sources. The lower court had sentenced a construction company chairman to a suspended one-year prison term for providing bribes, including over 100 million won ($64,750) worth of jewelry, to Kim in exchange for a government job for his son-in-law. Another businessperson was given a suspended 10-month prison term for gifting a Vacheron Constantin watch to the former first lady in exchange for business favors, while a pastor was fined 8 million won for handing over a Dior bag worth 5.4 million won to Kim. Kim was sentenced by the same district court to a seven-year prison term for taking approximately 300 million won worth of gifts and bribes. She has appealed the ruling
SK hynix lowers Nasdaq ADR offering to $28 bil.
Chip giant SK hynix said Monday it plans to raise up to 43.14 trillion won ($28.14 billion) through a stock offering linked to the listing of its American depositary receipts (ADRs) on the Nasdaq market. The amount was revised down from 45.45 trillion won in an earlier plan, reflecting Friday's closing price of 2.42 million won on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), compared with 2.55 million won on June 23. In a regulatory briefing, SK hynix said it will issue up to 17.79 million new shares, equivalent to about 2.5 percent of its total shares, for the ADR listing scheduled for Friday. The subscription and payment dates are set for July 14, while the new depository receipts are scheduled to be listed on July 29. The exact amount will be confirmed after book building, the chipmaker said. ADRs refer to securities issued in the U.S. stock market that allow investors to trade shares of foreign companies. They allow companies to attract U.S.-based investors without a full listing of common shares. The world's second-largest memory chipmaker said the proceeds from the stock sale will
Raging wildfire in southern France forces Tour de France to bar fans from stage 3 finish
A large wildfire in the south of France prompted Tour de France organizers to ban fans from attending the finale of the third stage of cycling's showpiece race on Monday. After a couple of days in Spain, the race enters France with a stage to the Pyrenees town of Les Angles, about 60 kilometers from a fire that has burned almost 4,000 acres of land. “The exceptionally large wildfire currently raging in the Pyrénées-Orientales is requiring a massive mobilization of wildfire-fighting resources, internal security forces, and all government agencies,” Tour de France organizers said. “The top priority remains the protection of people, property, and natural areas, as well as bringing the fire under control.” As a result, organizers decided that once the peloton reaches France for the last 40 kilometers, the publicity caravan — a 10-kilometer-long procession of sponsor vehicles that precedes the race — will not operate. Only riders and vehicles essential to the race will be allowed on the route, and spectators have been asked not to gather on the roadside or at the finish area. Sta
Russian missile, drone attack on Ukraine kills at least 18
Russia launched waves of missiles and drones at Ukraine early Monday, killing at least 18 people in an attack that exposed widening gaps in country’s air defenses, authorities said. All of the ballistic missiles launched by Russia struck their targets, underscoring Kyiv’s need for more Patriot interceptor missiles — a point Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will likely reiterate at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week. Twelve people were killed in the capital, Kyiv, which was Russia's main target, according to local officials. Another six people were killed in the wider Kyiv region, said its head Mykola Kalashnyk. At least 60 people were wounded, according to Zelenskyy, as emergency workers combed through rubble looking for survivors at residential high-rises in two locations that suffered direct hits in the capital. Days earlier, on Thursday, a Russian strike killed 31 people in Kyiv, the deadliest for the capital this year. Russia’s defense ministry said the bombardment was retaliation for Ukraine’s recent long-range strikes, which have caused severe fuel shortage
Record-budget sci-fi 'Hope' gears up for local theaters after Cannes
Director Na Hong-jin said his new sci-fi blockbuster “Hope” underwent minor editing changes after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May to achieve the maximum cinematic effect for audiences. "The film has gone through some changes since its screening at Cannes," Na said during a press conference after the movie's Seoul premiere Monday. "If you saw the movie at Cannes, about five minutes of footage has been deleted. At the same time, around three to four minutes of new scenes were added, bringing the final runtime to a slightly different version." The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller follows Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), a small-town port outpost chief in the Demilitarized Zone, who puts the entire village on high alert after receiving reports of what they believe is a tiger sighting from local young men. The film features a star-studded international cast including Korean actors Hwang, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, alongside Hollywood stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton. The film has already generated immense buzz as Korea's mo
Foreign investors may have more Korean stocks to sell
Foreign investors have been dumping Korean stocks at a record pace in recent months even as the benchmark KOSPI extends one of the strongest rallies in global equities. The selling may have further to run, analysts said Monday. Foreign investors sold 157.3 trillion won ($102.5 billion) of shares on the KOSPI this year through July 3, according to the Korea Exchange. The selling persisted even as the index surged 91.9 percent over the same period, marking one of the strongest rallies in the market's history. Retail investors took the other side of the trade, buying a net 104.8 trillion won of shares and providing support for the index. Foreign investors' share of KOSPI holdings rose to 40.47 percent on July 3 from 36.65 percent on January 2, even as they continued to sell heavily. Gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix lifted the market value of foreign-owned shares, offsetting the impact of the outflows. The two chipmakers accounted for about 90 percent of foreign investors' total selling in the first half. Analysts say global funds have room to further trim their exposure to Korea's
China test-launches a ballistic missile in the South Pacific and raises regional concerns
BANGKOK — China’s navy test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific in a rare move that drew protest and concerns from countries in the region. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. and carried a dummy warhead, according the official Xinhua News Agency. China last conducted a missile test in the Pacific two years ago, then firing an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead. That previous launch in international waters was the first in decades since 1980. The launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target, according to a short statement from Xinhua, which was reposted by the Ministry of Defense. The 2024 launch mirrored testing that the United States does for its own ballistic missile fleet, which experts viewed as an assertion of China's growing superpower status. Australia, Japan and New Zealand criticized the launch. The New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch hours beforehand an
K-pop group i-dle turns up summer heat with 9th EP 'We made'
K-pop girl group i-dle returned Monday with its ninth EP, "We made," serving up a sultry summer night through Latin-inflected title track "Gimme Dat Love." "We made" marks the group's first release in six months, following January's digital single "Mono (feat. skaiwater)." Hours ahead of the album's release, members Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua met with the press at Yes24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, to share stories behind the album and their thoughts on the comeback. "It doesn't feel real that we're already releasing our ninth EP," Miyeon said. "We've come back with another song that suits summer, but this one fights heat with some more heat. We prepared it with everything we've got, so please give us lots of love and support." According to the members, "We made" carries a pop appeal distinct from the music i-dle has presented so far. The album captures the group's expanded present, some seven years of evolution since its second EP, "I made," released in 2019. "'We made' continues the 'We' series that began with 'We are' after our rebranding, following the
K-pop group KARD to disband after 10 years
Co-ed K-pop group KARD will disband after a decade together. On Monday, the group's agency, DSP Media, announced that KARD will conclude its activities following the release of its first full-length album on July 28 and the completion of its upcoming world tour. "We would like to once again express our sincere gratitude to HIDDEN KARD for staying with KARD over the years," the agency said. "We ask for your continued support and encouragement as each member embarks on a new chapter in their individual careers." KARD debuted in December 2016 with the project single "Oh NaNa" and gained recognition for songs such as "Hola Hola" and "Tell My Momma," building a reputation for their diverse musical concepts. DSP Media's full statement Hello, this is DSP Media. First, we would like to sincerely thank HIDDEN KARD, who have always supported and shown love for our artist, KARD. KARD will release its first full-length album, "Where To Now? (Part.2): NOWHERE," on July 28 before embarking on a world tour. After careful discussions with all four members, we have mutually agreed to conclude KARD's journey
Defense ministry yet to work out details of relocation plan for Gwangju military airport
The defense ministry said Monday it has yet to finalize a detailed plan to relocate a military airport in the southwestern city of Gwangju, after the airfield was selected as the site for a semiconductor production cluster. Earlier in the day, the government picked the military airport in the city, some 270 kilometers south of Seoul, as the site for a planned semiconductor manufacturing cluster under its "three mega projects" initiative. "We will closely cooperate with the Air Force to ensure there is no gap in the military's readiness posture while aligning with the government's policy," a defense ministry official said. The military airport is home to an Air Force base that provides advanced flight training for Air Force pilot trainees. The government has selected the southwestern county of Muan as the preliminary candidate site for the relocation of the Gwangju military airport. But the county has called for a review of the relocation process, insisting three key conditions, including unprecedented incentives at the national level, must first be met. Under the chip cluster project, Kor
PPP holds ethics committee meeting to review disciplinary measures against lawmakers
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) held an ethics committee meeting Monday to review possible disciplinary measures against its lawmakers, including those aligned with former party leader Han Dong-hoon. The closed-door meeting, the committee's first since the June 3 local elections, was held at the party's headquarters to review disciplinary requests submitted by party members. Among those expected to face disciplinary review are PPP lawmakers closely aligned with Han who accompanied the former party leader on a visit to the southeastern city of Daegu ahead of the local elections. According to party officials, the leadership views those lawmakers as having effectively supported Han, who ran as an independent and won the parliamentary by-election in the Buk-A constituency in Busan against other candidates, including the PPP's Park Min-shik. Those who have publicly called for the resignation of PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok are also expected to face disciplinary review. "Those found to have committed serious acts against the party should be permanently barred from rejoining the party
Gwangju Airport site chosen for southwestern chip hub
An airport in Gwangju has been selected as the site for a new semiconductor cluster, Cheong Wa Dae said Monday. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are expected to build facilities there as part of the government’s megaprojects aimed at expanding the country's chip manufacturing capacity. The Gwangju Airport location was chosen during a meeting of officials from relevant government organizations and executives from the companies, which was held a week after the chip giants announced their massive investment plan totaling 800 trillion won ($522 billion) for the cluster. Gwangju Airport has both civilian and military functions, with civilian aircraft operating only domestic routes. Discussions have been ongoing about relocating the airport's operations to Muan, South Jeolla Province. “Among the shortlisted candidate sites in the southwestern region, the companies said the airport site is the most suitable one,” presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said in a press briefing. He explained that the airport site offers the strongest advantages due to its flattened terrain and strong tra
Committee on reforming football welcomes Olympic chief as new co-chair next to ex-World Cup star
A new government-formed committee on reforming Korean football was officially launched Monday with its inaugural meeting, as former FIFA World Cup hero Park Ji-sung welcomed the national Olympic chief Ryu Seung-min as his new co-chair. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism first announced the formation of the "K-football Innovation Committee" last Friday, with Park and Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young introduced as co-leaders. The new committee will hold "comprehensive discussions" on ways that can help Korean football's global competitiveness, according to the ministry, and those talks will cover areas such as football governance, youth development and adoption of the latest technologies. The committee appointed seven members, including Ryu, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee; Kim Seung-hee, executive director of the Korea Football Association (KFA); and two former national team players Lee Young-pyo and Park Joo-ho. The committee was assembled in the aftermath of Korea's elimination from the group stage at the ongoing FIFA World Cup. The KFA has been criticized for
Special counsel accuses NIS of actively cooperating in ex-President Yoon's martial law bid
A special counsel team on Monday accused the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of actively cooperating in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed 2024 martial law bid. Special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team said it has recently detected signs that the NIS prepared a list of hundreds of individuals labeled as "security threats" at the time of Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024. It did not elaborate on details of the list. "(We) have found signs that the NIS actively participated in emergency martial law," assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi said in a press briefing. The team is looking into who ordered creating the list, including then NIS Director Cho Tae-yong, Kim said. She added the NIS also chose officials to dispatch to the martial law command following Yoon's declaration. The special counsel team was launched in February to investigate allegations surrounding Yoon, his failed martial law bid and his wife, which were not fully covered by previous special counsel investigations.
China test-launches ballistic missile in South Pacific nuclear-free zone
BANGKOK — China’s navy test-launched a long-range ballistic missile Monday from one of its nuclear-powered submarines in the South Pacific in a rare move that drew protest and concerns from countries in the region. The missile was launched at 12:01 p.m. and carried a dummy warhead, according the official Xinhua News Agency. China last conducted a missile test in the Pacific two years ago, then firing an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead. That previous launch in international waters was the first in decades, since 1980. The launch was part of routine annual training, complied with international law and practice, and was not directed against any country or target, according to a short statement from Xinhua, which was reposted by the Ministry of Defense. The 2024 launch mirrored testing that the United States does for its own ballistic missile fleet, and experts then viewed it as an assertion of China's growing superpower status. Australia, Japan and New Zealand criticized the launch. The New Zealand government said it was informed of the planned launch hours before
Rejected 3 times: aespa's Winter reveals how she finally joined SM Entertainment
Aespa member Winter has revealed that she failed auditions for SM Entertainment three times before finally making it into one of Korea's biggest K-pop agencies. Winter shared the story during Sunday's episode of JTBC's cooking variety show “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,” where she appeared alongside fellow aespa member Karina. Host Kim Sung-joo said both idols are often described by fans as having the "classic SM look" — a term referring to an image commonly associated with artists from the agency. Karina said she believed Winter best fit that image. "I think Winter is the perfect example of the SM style," Karina said. "She has the fair complexion of seniors like Seo Hyun-jin and Taeyeon." Winter, however, disagreed. "I actually think it's Karina," she said. "I failed the SM audition three times. I kept auditioning until I finally got accepted, while SM sent Karina a direct message first." She jokingly contrasted their different paths into the company. "SM chose Karina, but I chose SM," Winter said. Kim then asked whether entertainment agencies now recruit aspiring idols through
Korea stresses need to resume FTA negotiations with Mexico at vice-ministerial talks
Korea's vice foreign minister on Monday emphasized the need to resume long-stalled negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mexico during talks with his Mexican counterpart, the foreign ministry said. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo made the call during the eighth Korea-Mexico high-level policy consultations held in Seoul earlier in the day with Maria Teresa Mercado Perez, Mexico's undersecretary for foreign affairs, according to the ministry. The two countries launched FTA negotiations in 2007, but the talks have remained stalled since 2008 amid opposition from some Mexican industries and other issues. Despite a 2022 agreement to resume negotiations, no formal talks have been held. Park stressed the importance of restarting negotiations on the bilateral FTA at an early date, saying the agreement would help diversify supply chains and enhance the two countries' ability to respond to uncertainties in the global economy. During Monday's meeting, the two sides also discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including trade and investment, cooperation in artifici
KOSPI clings to 8,000 despite heavy foreign, institutional selling
Seoul stocks swung wildly Monday, with the benchmark KOSPI barely holding above the 8,000 mark, as continued selling by foreign and institutional investors offset heavy buying by retail investors. According to the Korea Exchange, KOSPI closed at 8,051.33, down 0.46 percent from the previous session. The index remained highly volatile throughout the day, rising to the 8,300 level before falling back to the 7,800 range and later paring some of its losses. Heavy selling by foreign and institutional investors weighed on the index. Foreigners and institutions net sold 1.31 trillion won ($854.3 billion) and 1.43 trillion won in shares, respectively. It marked the 12th consecutive session of net selling by foreign investors in the Korean market. Retail investors, meanwhile, were net buyers of 2.65 trillion won in shares, helping support the index. Samsung Electronics closed at 318,000 won, up 2.75 percent from the previous session. The stock rose more than 5 percent in early trading on expectations for its preliminary second-quarter earnings results, due Tuesday, but pared gains after 11 a.m.
Hana Bank begins round-the-clock FX trading services
Hana Bank began providing round-the-clock trading services, Monday, as Korea’s won-dollar foreign exchange market entered the first full day of its 24-hour operation. The change abolishes the previous trading window of 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day, allowing global investors and other market participants to trade the won against the U.S. dollar at Seoul market rates regardless of the time of day. To mark the launch, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol visited Hana Bank’s dealing room in Seoul, where he observed the extended trading session alongside Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo and Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-sung. The delegation also held a video call with the bank’s London branch, a registered foreign institution participating in Korea’s onshore FX market, to monitor market activity during European trading hours. Ahead of the transition, Hana Bank said it had strengthened its foreign exchange operations by opening Hana Infinity Seoul, the country’s largest FX dealing room, in 2024 and establishing a 24-hour operating system in step with the phased expansion of trading
'Anyone can call themselves a singer': 1st-generation K-pop star Ock Joo-hyun slams Auto-Tune overuse
Singer and musical actress Ock Joo-hyun has sparked debate after publicly criticizing singers who rely heavily on Auto-Tune and pitch correction. "These days, even people who can barely sing use Auto-Tune and pitch correction during live performances. It's really frustrating," Ock said while speaking on a fan communication platform recently. "Singers need to keep studying and improving their live vocals. But now, with excessive pitch correction, performances that make you think, 'There's no way this should be on television,' are being normalized. Honestly, it makes me angry." Ock went on to say, "I don't even want to be in the same league as them professionally. Some people may think that's a rude thing to say, but it's the truth. Looking at the amount of pitch correction used these days, it feels like just about anyone can come in and call themselves a singer." After one fan suggested that her comments sounded overly emotional, Ock doubled down on her criticism. "People shouldn't get the wrong idea that you can become a professional singer even if you can't actually sing," she said. "We
Ruling party leadership race heats up as ex-PM officially enters contest
The race to lead the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is underway, with former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok formally entering the contest Monday ahead of the party's Aug. 17 convention, when members will elect a new leader and Supreme Council members to serve a two-year term. Kim, a four-term lawmaker who served as the Lee Jae Myung administration's first prime minister, announced his bid in the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, pledging to bring the DPK into closer alignment with the presidential office. He framed his candidacy as a corrective to what he described as a breakdown in party-government relations under the outgoing leadership. "As the prime minister who was the president's governing partner, I understand the direction of state affairs more deeply than anyone else," Kim said during a speech officially announcing his bid for the party leadership. He added that he would draw on his experience of steering the party through local, parliamentary and presidential elections to support the success of both the party and the government. "To achieve the success of the Lee
Trump searches rocks for communists
Trump searches rocks for communists
Gov't to effectively ban subsidiary listings to protect minority shareholder value
Companies in Korea will, in principle, no longer be allowed to list subsidiaries created by splitting off businesses from already listed parent companies, in accordance with new rules aimed at curbing a longstanding practice that has drawn criticism for diluting shareholder value, government officials said Monday. The restriction applies to subsidiaries formed when a listed company spins off part of its business while retaining ownership. Such listings will be granted only in exceptional cases after passing stricter reviews, with companies required to demonstrate that minority shareholders are adequately protected. The guidelines, unveiled by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Korea Exchange, impose five new obligations on the boards of parent companies seeking dual listings, alongside tougher listing review standards. According to the FSC, the practice has become widespread in Korea despite concerns that it hurts minority shareholders by lowering the value of the parent company’s shares. Investors have long argued that once a valuable business is listed separately, part
Samsung chip division employees to receive 100% bonus amid AI supercycle
Employees of Samsung Electronics' semiconductor business will receive performance bonuses of up to 100 percent of their base salary for the first half of this year, the company said Monday. According to a notice, employees in the lucrative chip division will receive the maximum payout of 100 percent, matching last year's second-half bonus. The payments will be made on Wednesday. The strong payouts come as the semiconductor industry enters an unprecedented AI supercycle, driven by rising shipments of high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Analysts estimate that Samsung's memory division generated operating profit of about 140 trillion won ($91 billion) in the first half alone. Full-year operating profit could approach 350 trillion won. The company is scheduled to announce its second-quarter earnings guidance on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a labor union representing employees in the division that oversees appliances, TVs and smartphones plans to hold a rally over the outcome of the wage negotiations. The union plans to hold a demonstration near the company's plant in Suwon, south of Seoul, July 16. Under the w
Seoul ramps up elder care initiatives to combat isolation, digital exclusion
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced Monday a comprehensive restructuring of the capital's senior welfare infrastructure, combining an aggressive rollout of neighborhood leisure centers with streamlined transit options designed to shield elderly residents from tech-driven isolation. Speaking at the Seodaemun Senior Welfare Center, Oh detailed the city's newly minted "Senior Vitality Project." The initiative aims to counter the growing epidemic of loneliness among the elderly by modernizing municipal recreation. Under the plan, Seoul will build 120 neighborhood wellness stations by 2030, alongside two regional megacomplexes dedicated to continuing education, physical fitness and community organizing. The physical expansion coincides with a behavioral health push. The city is developing a standardized social integration curriculum scheduled for deployment across all municipal senior centers later this year, specifically engineered to alleviate anxiety and clinical depression among vulnerable seniors who live alone. The mayor also unveiled structural upgrades to the city’s highly successful
Seoul opens children’s water playground as summer heat spurs family outings
A sprawling children’s water playground in western Seoul will open Tuesday, offering families a seasonal escape designed to blend summer recreation with environmental education. The Seoul Water Recycling Facilities Corp. said Monday the Seoul Water Recycling Experience Center will operate its children’s water playground through Aug. 30, as part of its summer programming for families and young children. The facility spans 1,052 square meters and is designed for children ages 3 to 10. Entry is free, but access is limited to 70 visitors per session to ensure safety and crowd control. The water playground will operate twice daily, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will also extend evening hours until 8 p.m. on weekends during the first week of August. The site features multiple water-based installations, including a spray fountain zone, interactive water-drop play structures, sound pipe installations and multi-use play equipment. Water depth is kept below 30 centimeters, and non-slip flooring has been installed throughout the area. Officials said the facility is equipped
Audi Korea to host FC Bayern Munich friendly in August
Audi Korea said Monday it will host German football powerhouse FC Bayern Munich in Korea as part of the club's global preseason Audi Summer Tour 2026. The annual preseason program, jointly organized by Audi and Bayern Munich since 2014, combines football with customer engagement events and brand experiences. Celebrating its 10th edition this year, the tour will take place from Aug. 1 to 8 in Korea and Hong Kong. The Korea leg of the tour will feature a friendly match between Bayern Munich and Jeju SK FC at Jeju World Cup Stadium on Aug. 4. Bayern Munich, Germany's most successful Bundesliga club, is expected to attract local football fans with a rare appearance in Korea. Audi, which has been a key partner of Bayern Munich since 2002, said the tour reflects its strategy of strengthening customer engagement in Korea through global sports marketing. "We are very pleased to present a match featuring one of the world's top football clubs here in Jeju," said Steve Cloete, executive director of Audi Korea. "Through the Audi Summer Tour 2026, we look forward to offering a more special and memorabl
Busan emerges as global tourism hub, decentralizing market concentrated in Seoul
Long celebrated by domestic beachgoers but often bypassed by international travelers in favor of Seoul, the southeastern port city of Busan is rapidly transforming into a major engine of Korea’s inbound tourism boom. According to data released Monday by the Busan Metropolitan Government, the city welcomed 1,936,572 international visitors between January and May of this year. The figures represent a staggering 40 percent increase compared to the same period of 2025, vastly outpacing the nationwide tourism growth rate of 21 percent. Local officials project that the city will comfortably breach the 2-million visitor milestone ahead of schedule, placing its annual target of four million global tourists within reach. The boom is reflecting heavily in cash registers across the city. Analysis of credit card transaction data compiled by the Korea Tourism Data Lab revealed that foreign tourist expenditures in Busan reached 454.4 billion won ($328 million) over the five-month stretch. The city secured the second-highest level of foreign tourism spending nationwide, trailing only Seoul, a positi
'Goblin' cast reunites for nostalgic 10th anniversary trip
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the iconic drama “Goblin,” the main cast reunited once again to look back on the series and stir fans’ hearts with fond memories. tvN aired the first episode of “Goblin 10th Anniversary Trip” on Saturday, featuring the drama’s main cast — Gong Yoo, Yoo In-na, Kim Go-eun and Lee Dong-wook — as they traveled to Gangneung, where one of the drama’s most symbolic scenes was filmed. The anniversary special opened with the actors stepping back into the world of “Goblin.” Gong Yoo, who played the goblin Kim Shin, appeared alongside Kim Go-eun, who portrayed the goblin’s bride Ji Eun-tak, for an interview. Yoo In-na and Lee Dong-wook also reunited to look back on the past and reflect on the drama’s 10-year legacy. “'Goblin' is still remembered to this day whenever winter comes,” Gong Yoo said. “The drama remains the brightest winter of my life.” The drama also kept the actors in touch long after it ended, especially Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, who live in the same neighborhood. Lee Dong-wook said the idea for the 10th anniversary
Trump wants his face on Mount Rushmore
Trump wants his face on Mount Rushmore
Korea, a culture of rooms
When people talk about Korean culture today, they usually begin with what the world can see: K-pop stages, dramas, street food, cosmetics, smartphones, fashion and the restless speed of Seoul. Korea is "energetic, digital, stylish and fast." However, another Korea exists behind this bright image. It is smaller, quieter and more enclosed. It is the Korea of rooms. The Korean word "bang" means room, and it appears everywhere: "PC bang" (internet cafes), "noraebang" (singing rooms), "jjimjilbang" (saunas), "manhwabang" (comic book libraries) and more. These are not minor details of urban life. Much of modern Korea life is not lived in broad public squares but the small rooms rented by the hour, shared with friends or occupied alone. To understand Korea only through its global performances is to miss this hidden architecture of daily life. This room culture grew out of density, competition, limited private space and organized urban life. In crowded cities, where many families live in apartments, commercial rooms become temporary extensions of the self. A PC bang is not simply a place to use a
Seoul Metro puts up English warnings at depots after graffiti cases by foreigners
Seoul Metro, one of the two major operators of the city’s subway system, will install English-language warning signs around its depots after a string of illegal graffiti cases by foreign nationals in recent years. The municipally run company said Monday that four graffiti incidents have been reported at its depots over the past five years, including cases at a depot at Gunja Station on lines 5 and 7 in 2024 and 2025. Officials say intruders typically entered in the early morning hours and spray-painted parked trains before soon leaving Korea, causing damage to subway cars and forcing costly repair work. Amid rising concerns, Seoul Metro CEO Kim Tae-gyun instructed staff at an April safety meeting to install new warnings along depot fences, saying clear notices were needed to deter trespassing by foreign nationals. He pointed out that the existing signs varied in size and spacing and had been put up at different times, leaving their wording inconsistent and often out of step with recent legal revisions. The new signs will adopt a standardized design modeled on recent examples at depots
Why Korea's IPO boom has turned into bust
Korea’s initial public offering (IPO) market is rapidly losing momentum despite a strong first-half rally in equities, as newly listed stocks have struggled to hold their offering prices, analysts said Monday. The weakness reflects a market increasingly concentrated in heavyweight semiconductor stocks, while expectations of stricter listing rules have further dampened investor appetite for new offerings, they said. Korea Exchange data show that the number of IPOs in Korea fell sharply in the first half, with just 17 companies listing on the markets — one on the KOSPI and 16 on the Kosdaq. This marks a significant decline from 38 companies a year earlier. Of the 17 newly listed firms, 14 were trading below their IPO prices as of the Thursday close. Peace Piece Studio has emerged as the worst performer among this year’s IPOs. The operator of fashion label Mardi Mercredi, once touted as a potential K-fashion unicorn, slumped more than 36 percent on its market debut on June 8. Its shares have since extended losses to more than 75 percent below the IPO price. Autonomous driving software
Nanomedicine pioneer Cheon Jin-woo named Korea’s top scientist of 2026
Cheon Jin-woo, a professor at Yonsei University widely regarded as Korea's pioneer in nanomedicine, has been named the winner of the 2026 Top Scientist and Technologist Award of Korea, the nation's highest honor for scientists and engineers. The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies announced Monday that Cheon, a distinguished professor and founding director of the Institute for Basic Science Center for Nanomedicine at the university, was selected as this year’s award winner. Cheon was recognized for pioneering the field of nanomedicine by integrating nanochemistry with biotechnology to develop novel medical approaches for disease diagnosis, cell therapy and neural circuit modulation. Nanomedicine is increasingly being applied beyond disease diagnosis and drug delivery, with researchers exploring its potential in brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and other areas of neuroscience. Cheon developed magnetogenetics technologies to demonstrate that the neuronal activity of living animals can be wirelessly and remotely controlled using magneti
German chamber of commerce in Korea outlines plans to launch AI startup competition
The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) will hold an artificial intelligence (AI) startup competition this month to identify Korean companies with strong potential to expand into Germany and the broader European market. The Korea-Germany Connect: AI Startup Pitching Challenge 2026 will take place on July 15 at the startup branch of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), located in Seoul's Coex convention center. The event is sponsored by Infineon Technologies and supported by KITA. The competition is part of KGCCI's Korea-Germany Connect initiative, which aims to strengthen cooperation between Korea's startup ecosystem and Germany's industrial and business networks. Five finalists will pitch their technologies and business models before an international panel of judges representing the German Embassy in Seoul, KITA, Infineon Technologies, Aumovio Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea and The Korea Herald. The panel will evaluate participants based on technological innovation, commercial viability, suitability for the German and European Union markets, long-term busines
HLB Life Science secures 5th state grant to develop medical hemp therapies
HLB Life Science R&D, the research and development subsidiary of HLB, a prominent Korean life sciences conglomerate, has been selected for its fifth government-backed research project this year, according to the firm. Under the project, HLB Life Science R&D is joining a consortium developing next-generation drug candidates from minor cannabinoids as part of Korea's Gyeongbuk Industrial Hemp Regulatory Free Zone, a special economic zone where companies can legally grow and process hemp for medical and industrial use under relaxed drug-control rules. The 29.6 billion won ($17 million) four-year project, backed by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Office for Government Policy Coordination, will involve HLB Life Science R&D, NeoKenBio, Apack, NBTHEPHARM, TopoLab and INGR, along with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the Gyeongbuk Institute for Bio industry, to build a full research pipeline from hemp cultivation to raw material production, preclinical studies and commercialization. The project expands existing industrial hemp research, which has focused mainly on can
Chaevi expands highway fast-charging network as EV demand grows in Korea
Chaevi is rapidly expanding its high-speed electric vehicle (EV) charging network along Korea’s highways, positioning itself at the center of a surge in EV adoption and a growing push for more seamless long-distance charging. The company said Monday it began operating eight rapid chargers on July 1 at Chilseo Service Area (westbound) and Geochang Service Area (eastbound), with broader nationwide deployment set to follow. By the end of July, Chaevi plans to activate 117 additional chargers across 24 locations, and an extra 21 chargers at three sites later this year, totaling 138 units at 27 highway service areas across the regions of Gwangju and South Jeolla, Daegu and North Gyeongsang, and Busan and South Gyeongsang. Of the new units, 85 are compatible with the North American Charging Standard, allowing Tesla drivers to charge without adapters. The rollout comes as Korea’s EV market continues to expand sharply. The trade ministry said EV sales reached 35,416 units in May, up 65.4 percent from a year earlier. From January to May, cumulative EV sales totaled 162,026 units, more than dou
No longer cheap: Koreans' favorite summer health food, samgyetang, nears $13 a bowl
The price of samgyetang (traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup), Korea’s signature summer health food, has continued to rise and is now approaching 20,000 won (about $13) per bowl in Seoul, making it one of the most expensive dining-out menus after grilled pork belly. According to the Korea Consumer Agency’s price information portal Cham Price on Saturday, the average price of samgyetang in Seoul stood at 18,154 won as of May this year. At some well-known samgyetang specialty restaurants, a single bowl already costs more than 20,000 won. The figure marks a 29 percent increase from 14,077 won in May 2021. The increase outpaces the rise in chicken prices. Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp.’s agricultural market information service KAMIS showed that the nationwide average retail price of broiler chicken reached 6,518 won per kilogram in May, up 20 percent from 5,433 won in May 2021. Industry observers say the steeper increase in samgyetang prices reflects not only higher chicken costs but also rising prices of ingredients such as ginseng, garlic and glutinous ric
Arts Council Korea seeks to deepen Asian cultural ties with new forum
Arts Council Korea, the nation’s principal public institution dedicated to supporting the performing arts, visual arts and cultural policy, will bring together cultural leaders from five Asian countries next week for a public forum aimed at expanding regional partnerships and laying the groundwork for long-term artistic collaboration across Asia. The organization said Monday it will host the "Asia to Asia" public forum on Monday at Arko Art Center Lounge in Seoul as part of its Global South Initiative. The program is designed to foster dialogue with new cultural partners and explore opportunities for sustained cooperation among arts institutions across the region. Representatives from Korea, Uzbekistan, Thailand and Pakistan will attend the forum in person, while a representative from India will participate online. The event will feature Azizbek Mannopov, deputy chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation; Pacharaporn Tantatanai of Thailand's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture; Qudsia Rahim, chief executive of the Lahore Biennale Foundation in Pakistan; and
Regulators unveil strict guidelines for 'split listing'
The Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Korea Exchange on Monday unveiled strict guidelines for "split listing" by conglomerates, in a bid to bolster the fiduciary duty of listed firms and interests of ordinary shareholders. Split listing, also referred to as duplicate listing, occurs when a core business division is spun off and listed separately, and has long been cited as one of the major reasons behind relatively low values for local stocks. Financial regulators have said it would seek to ban the practice of split listing "in principle," while making efforts to revise relevant rules and enhance shareholder protection. Under the new guidelines, the voting right of the biggest shareholder of a parent company will be limited at three percent under the Commercial Act if the parent company's affiliate is listed. Also, the guidelines require a parent company's board to review the impact of split listing on its shareholders. Regulators also require a parent company to draw up measures to ensure shareholder protection, the FSC and the bourse operator said.
Korea bets on regional airports to reshape inbound tourism
Korea is stepping up efforts to turn regional airports into international tourism gateways, seeking to draw more overseas visitors beyond the Seoul metropolitan area as arrivals through Cheongju and Daegu continue to climb. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Monday they are accelerating the Regional Airport International Tourism Hub initiative, aimed at strengthening regional tourism and easing the concentration of inbound travel through Incheon International Airport. KTO launched a dedicated task force in April, bringing together 29 departments and regional offices as well as consultative bodies for Cheongju and Daegu airports. The task force is focused on expanding international air routes, developing regional tourism products and improving infrastructure around regional airports. Through May, more than 50,000 foreign visitors entered Korea through Cheongju International Airport, an increase of more than 114 percent from the same period last year, the organization said. Daegu International Airport welcomed more than 46,000 overseas
Pope Leo invited to homeland of St. Andrew Kim Taegon next year
The mayor of Dangjin requested a papal visit to the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-1846), Korea’s first Catholic priest, ahead of the upcoming 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, the city said Monday. On Sunday, Dangjin Mayor Kim Ki-jae met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy of the Holy See, to request that Pope Leo visit the Solmoe Holy Ground during the global Catholic festival. The meeting took place at the Solmoe Holy Ground in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, where the cardinal was visiting to celebrate a mass commemorating the feast day of St. Andrew Kim Taegon. During the meeting, the mayor emphasized the symbolic importance of the birthplace of Korea’s first priest, calling it the cradle of Korean Catholicism. Additionally, looking ahead to a potential papal visit to North Korea, he proposed a performance of the Gijisi tug-of-war, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage that originated in Dangjin, as a symbolic gesture to convey a message of peace and inter-Korean harmony. You, who spoke with reporters in Seoul on Friday
Homeplus' days are numbered
Retail chain Homeplus is running out of time. The company has failed to find a new buyer during the court-led rehabilitation process that began in March last year. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court decided to terminate the rehabilitation proceedings after Homeplus failed to secure the 200 billion won ($130 million) in funding needed for its restructuring plan. In a July 3 press release, the court said that while Homeplus Express, the supermarket subsidiary, had been sold, the company's remaining businesses continued to operate without attracting a buyer through a merger or acquisition. As a result, revenue has continued to fall while debt has increased. The court cited Homeplus' deteriorating financial condition and lack of a viable recovery plan as the reasons for ending the rehabilitation process. To avoid bankruptcy, Homeplus — once the nation's second-largest hypermarket chain — has only one remaining option: It must secure 200 billion won and file an appeal within the next two weeks asking the court to overturn its decision. That, however, appears highly unlikely. Raising such a large
What happens to your body when you eat kimchi?
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. When it comes to gut health, kimchi is hard to overlook. The fermented dish contains probiotics — beneficial bacteria that can support a healthy gut microbiome. Napa cabbage, its main ingredient, is rich in dietary fiber, which helps stimulate bowel movements and may lower the risk of constipation and colorectal cancer. Kimchi does have a downside. Because it is made by salting vegetables before fermentation, it can be high in sodium. Excessive sodium intake may contribute to high blood pressure and increase the risk of stomach cancer. Still, with a few adjustments, kimchi can remain an excellent part of a healthy diet. Unlike fresh vegetables, kimchi is rarely eaten on its own. If it is overly salty, people often eat more rice than they realize to balance the flavor. For those trying to lose weight, this can lead to excessive carbohydrate intake. Even multigrain rice, while slower to raise blood sugar than white rice, is still a carbohydrate-rich food. One solution is to prepare kimchi with less salt. Kimchi is not limited to traditional na
Over 700 undocumented foreign delivery riders penalized in crackdown
A sweeping five-month investigation by the Ministry of Justice has exposed a sprawling underground network of undocumented foreign gig workers using stolen, borrowed or rented accounts to operate illegally within the nation’s food delivery sector. Between January and May, immigration authorities intercepted 734 foreign riders and 16 local delivery agency operators for clear violations of the Immigration Act. The scale of the enforcement reveals a shifting labor landscape: the number of infractions represents an elevenfold spike compared to the 67 riders caught during the entirety of last year, illustrating an illicit market that has ballooned in tandem with the country’s heavily relied-upon smartphone delivery infrastructure. According to data released by the ministry's Immigration and Foreign Policy Bureau, Vietnamese nationals comprised the vast majority of those caught, accounting for 61 percent (444 individuals). Chinese nationals made up 22 percent (164 individuals), followed by Uzbek workers at 12 percent (86 individuals). More than half of the apprehended riders — 410 indiv
New KT CEO vows $12 bil. investment for transition to AI platform company
New KT CEO Park Yoon-young pledged Monday to invest 18 trillion won ($11.77 billion) into network security and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, as part of his plan to rebrand the telecom operator as an AI transformation platform company. Park said KT seeks to become an AI transformation platform company built on two core business pillars: its telecommunications business and AI business, which includes data centers, cable and AI transformation services. “The network business is our foundation, and we have to make that foundation stronger so we can build the company's next stage of growth through AI transformation," Park said during a press conference in Seoul, his first since taking office in March. “Our vision is built on two pillars: reinforcing our core business while driving the company's next phase of growth through AI transformation. To strengthen its telecommunications business, KT plans to invest 12 trillion won over the next three years in information security, IT and network infrastructure. As part of the investment, 4 trillion won will be allocated to information
CJ Olive Young opens dedicated logistics center on Jeju Island
Major beauty retailer CJ Olive Young has strengthened its delivery capabilities for Jeju consumers by opening a new logistics center on the island. The K-beauty retail chain under CJ Group said Monday that it opened its Micro Fulfillment Center (MFC) Jeju on Wednesday in Aewol, located in the island's central region. The 1,702-square-meter facility is designed to enable same-day delivery for products ordered through the company's e-commerce platform, with purchases arriving before midnight on the day they are placed. The company said the new center allows about 90 percent of orders on the island to be delivered to customers' doorsteps on the same day. The launch of MFC Jeju comes as the island has long faced slower and more expensive deliveries than the mainland. Previously, orders to Jeju typically took at least three days to arrive, compared with up to two days for most mainland deliveries. Customers on the island were also required to pay a 2,500 won ($1.63) "remote area surcharge" on every delivery, regardless of the purchase amount. With the facility, the surcharge will no longer be
At RIMPAC, Korea’s newest warships signal Navy’s growing role
HONOLULU — “Possible enemy missile launch detected.” The announcement echoed through the combat information center aboard the ROKS Jeongjo the Great and conversations stopped instantly. Sailors fixed their eyes on rows of tactical displays as a simulated missile track appeared on the main screen. Another order came seconds later. “SM-2 interceptor launch in 10 seconds.” The countdown ended. Operators continued working quietly at their consoles while the missile icon closed on its target. A few moments later, another voice broke the silence. “Target disappeared from radar.” The engagement lasted only minutes. It was only a simulation ahead of the sea phase of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), but inside the Republic of Korea Navy’s newest Aegis destroyer, there was little to distinguish the drill from combat. The scene aboard Jeongjo the Great captures how far the ROK Navy has come since sending two frigates to its first RIMPAC in 1990. This year, nearly all of the country's newest major naval assets have converged at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam — the 8,200-ton Ae
Baskin-Robbins teams up with Baemin to expand digital offerings
Baskin-Robbins is deepening its push into digital commerce through a new partnership with food delivery platform Baemin, as the ice cream chain seeks to strengthen customer engagement with exclusive products, promotions and social initiatives. The company said Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baemin, to expand long-term collaboration across digital channels. The agreement was signed at Woowa Brothers' headquarters in Seoul, with Yoon Moon-geon, head of commerce marketing at Baskin-Robbins Korea, and Kim Ji-hoon, head of business at Woowa Brothers, attending the ceremony. The partnership is aimed at responding to rapidly changing consumer behavior as more customers engage with brands through digital platforms. The companies said they will cooperate on product development, promotional campaigns and marketing initiatives while expanding customer experiences within the Baemin platform. As part of the agreement, Baskin-Robbins will offer exclusive benefits on a regular basis to members of Baemin Club, the platform's subscription program. The co
OpenAI joins Korean initiative to deploy AI for social welfare
OpenAI is partnering with a new leadership academy in Korea to help train young social welfare professionals to use artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle real-world challenges, expanding the company's efforts to support the public-interest sector. The company said Monday it will participate as a partner in the CMK Social Welfare Innovation Leaders Academy, a program jointly organized by the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation, Seoul National University's Institute of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The academy is designed to help the next generation of social welfare leaders develop practical skills to identify and solve emerging social problems using AI. Thirty participants were selected, including undergraduate students majoring in social welfare, graduate students and early-career social welfare professionals with at least three years of experience. Participants will complete two overnight training sessions at Seoul National University before returning to their organizations for a three-month team-based action learning project. The curriculum includes policy
Joseon Dynasty’s royal archives take center stage in Busan
For a dynasty that endured for five centuries, the survival of its memory relied on an almost obsessive commitment to the written word. That legacy goes on display Tuesday in the southern port city of Busan as the National Palace Museum of Korea and the Busan Museum open a landmark exhibition, "The Records and Culture of Joseon: Transmitting to Ten Thousand Generations." Running through Aug. 30, the exhibition is timed to coincide with Busan’s hosting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session later this month. It aims to introduce an international audience to Korea’s most treasured documentary wealth, showcasing items inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World register. At the heart of the collection are the Joseon Wangjo Sillok, the sprawling daily annals of the dynasty. In a museological first, surviving volumes from all four historic repositories — where duplicates were stored away for safekeeping after the devastating late-16th-century Japanese invasions — will be displayed together in a single room. They are flanked by the Uigwe, highly detailed royal protocols featu
Seoul museum to host Quebec world music concert
The Seoul Baekje Museum will host a complimentary world music concert this month, offering residents a unique window into Canadian cultural heritage through a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional indigenous sounds. Scheduled for 3 p.m. on July 11 at the museum’s Hanseong Baekje Hall, the concert, titled "Ecliptique," is organized in collaboration with the Quebec Government Office in Korea. The performance is part of an ongoing international cultural exchange program designed to showcase Quebec’s rich cultural diversity. The host venue provides a fittingly historic backdrop for the exchange. Located within Olympic Park in southeastern Seoul, the Seoul Baekje Museum is dedicated to preserving the city's ancient roots as a capital of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. - A.D. 660). Built near the historic Mongchontoseong earthen fortress, the museum serves as a primary cultural hub for exploring Seoul's deep pre-Joseon Dynasty history. "Ecliptique" itself is a joint production by two acclaimed Canadian ensembles: Oktoecho, a Quebec-based group celebrated for blending Middle Eastern and
Paichai baseball team members apologize to Gwangju peers for disparaging chants
Students at a Seoul high school visited Gwangju Monday to formally apologize for chanting disparaging slogans about the 1980 Gwangju Uprising during a national baseball tournament last month. All 36 members of Seoul's Paichai High School baseball team visited Gwangju Jeil High School — the opposing team of which was targeted by the chants — for a reconciliation meeting. The 36 student athletes were accompanied by their headmaster, coaches, teachers and parents, bringing the delegation's total to 86 people. The visit was also accompanied by the superintendents of the Seoul and Gwangju regional education offices, Jung Keun-sik and Kim Dae-jung, respectively. "We sincerely apologize to the players and parents of Gwangju Jeil High School, as well as the citizens of Gwangju, who were deeply hurt by our inappropriate remarks and behavior," Paichai's team captain said, reading a written apology aloud before their Gwangju peers. "What we did was something that should never have happened between fellow athletes ... We know that our words and actions have hurt many people, and we will continue
Mourners throng funeral procession in Tehran for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
TEHRAN, Iran — Mourners dressed in black flooded into Iran's capital Monday for a procession as part of the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with throngs of people calling for the death of U.S. President Donald Trump. Khamenei's flag-draped coffin, and those of members of his family killed Feb. 28 in an airstrike at the start of the war launched by Israel and the United States, sat on board a truck decorated to resemble the ornamental grating that surrounds the shrine of an imam. The massive turnout, encouraged by Iran's theocracy as a sign of strength, came as it negotiates with the U.S. over a permanent end to the war that killed the 86-year-old cleric. Helicopter images aired on Iranian state television showed a massive crowd stretching from Tehran’s Azadi, or Freedom, Square for kilometers (miles) down a multilane street of the same name. The crowd appeared to be larger than the one that turned out for the 2020 procession for the late Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Solemani, which drew over 1 million people. Authorities offered no immediate crowd count
Migrant workers flood new rights hotline after gov't streamlines abuse filing
A newly streamlined government hotline dedicated to protecting foreign laborers from institutional and workplace abuse has seen a sixfold surge in reported cases during its first month of operation, the Ministry of Justice said Monday. The dramatic influx of reports underscores the precarious conditions faced by the country’s rapidly expanding migrant workforce and highlights a critical gap in access to legal protection that had long gone unaddressed. Enacted on May 27, the policy shift simplified the state-run 1345 immigration helpline by designating the "No. 1" hotkey exclusively for reporting human rights violations. Previously, noncitizens seeking immediate help for systemic issues like wage theft, physical assault or sexual harassment had to navigate a complex labyrinth of disparate administrative bodies, a process frequently stymied by severe language barriers. Under the overhauled system, pressing a single digit immediately routes callers to dedicated counselors fluent in 20 languages, including Vietnamese, Tagalog and Arabic. The ministry reported that average monthly filings
Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's capital kills at least 10
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched waves of missiles and drones targeting Kyiv early Monday that killed at least 10 people, authorities said, hours after Ukraine’s president warned that another large-scale attack was imminent. Another 46 were injured, according to local officials, as emergency workers combed through rubble looking for survivors at residential high-rise buildings in two locations that suffered direct hits. “These are residential buildings. Places where people slept and lived their ordinary lives,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration in a post on Telegram. A residential building in the Podilskyi district partially collapsed, he said. In the Darnytsia district, several multistory buildings were damaged and people were believed to be trapped under the rubble. The attack involved waves of ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. Explosions echoed across the city as civilians sought shelter in metro stations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned hours earlier of another large-scale Russian attack on the city. Monday's a
Watchdog begins deliberations on popular Korean grill chain operator
Korea's fair trade watchdog said Monday it has launched a deliberation process into Myeong Ryun Dang, which operates a Korean barbecue restaurant chain, for allegedly offering low-interest loans to its money-lending affiliates using funds from state financing programs. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said its examiners' report showed Myeong Ryun Dang, which operates Myeong Ryun Junsa Pork Ribs, offered excessive economic benefits to 14 credit businesses under its wing from December 2021 to April 2026 by lending funds at significantly low interest rates. The report showed the restaurant chain operator provided up to 10 billion won (US$6.5 million) per credit business using funds raised through policy financing from Korea Development Bank, with the affiliates then lending the money to stores. The 14 affiliates, which had faced difficulties securing funds independently as newly launched entities, received funds from Myeong Ryun Dang at a relatively low interest rate of 4.6 percent. The FTC said such arrangements allowed the 14 companies to enjoy economic benefits of around 21.7 billion won.
Police investigating online death threat against President Lee
Police said Monday they have launched an investigation to track down an online user behind a series of death threats against President Lee Jae Myung on social media. Seoul's Hyehwa Police Station said it was currently working to track down the suspect after authorities received a report of a death threat against Lee on social media at around 9:30 a.m. The online user is suspected of uploading five posts threatening to kill Lee on social media at about 6:30 a.m.
England hands Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach quarterfinals
MEXICO CITY — Jude Bellingham scored two goals 98 seconds apart, Harry Kane converted a penalty when England was down to 10 men, and the Three Lions handed Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, a wild 3-2 victory on Sunday night to reach the quarterfinals. England moves on to face Norway on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Florida, for a spot in the semifinals. Bellingham stunned the crowd of more than 80,000 at a venue where Mexico was unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches, including three this year, when he scored on a header in the 36th minute and again in the 38th on a pass from Kane. Julián Quiñones scored for El Tri in the 42nd minute, and the game appeared to turn in Mexico’s favor when England’s Jarell Quansah was sent off in the 54th for a dangerous foul on Jesús Gallardo. But England was awarded a penalty for a challenge by Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, and Kane converted for his sixth goal of this tournament and 14th of his World Cup career, matching Gerd Müller of West Germany for fifth on the scoring list. Kane has six goals in this tournament, one behind Lione
Soul and visage
A person's face often reveals more than words. Joy, anxiety, serenity and frustration all leave their mark on our expressions. It is as if the mind quietly paints the face with the colors of its thoughts. I was reminded of this a few days ago when a friend traveling on Jeju Island sent me a photograph from a hospital bed. A bandage was wrapped around her head, and her face appeared completely blank, devoid of its usual expression. She is a sharp, energetic woman who manages every detail of her life with remarkable precision. While climbing Mount Halla, however, she stumbled, hit her head on a rock and got a concussion. For a time, she was unable to think clearly or respond as she normally would. Fortunately, she recovered within a few days and her bright, lively expression returned. The experience led me to reflect on a simple question: Where do our facial expressions come from? Our smiles, frowns and tense brows are not merely the mechanical movements of facial muscles. More often than not, they are the outward reflections of our thoughts and emotional state. Although my friend's condi
'The Lives of Others' transforms film into raw, heart-wrenching theater
"The Lives of Others" is returning to the stage, offering a profound look at how human empathy can break through totalitarian control. Running from July 1 to Sept. 13 at the LG Arts Center Seoul U+ Stage, this co-production by Project Group Ilda and Library Company adapts Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s acclaimed film, "Das Leben der Anderen." Under Son Sang-kyu’s direction, the play revisits the journey of a state spy who is irrevocably transformed by the very suffering he is ordered to watch. Set in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the story delves into the psychological shift in the mind of Gerd Wiesler (Yoon Na-moo), a secret police officer with what seems to be an unshakeable faith in the socialist regime. Assigned to wiretap East Germany’s top playwright Georg Dreyman (Jang Seung-jo) and his partner, the popular actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Im Soo-hyang), Wiesler finds himself drawn into their private lives. While Dreyman and Sieland try to live as mainstream artists, they are increasingly forced to choose between conformity and resistance. When Dreyman’
Lee calls for prompt execution of chip cluster, AI investment projects
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday called for the prompt execution of the government-led large-scale chip cluster and AI investment projects by expediting administrative procedures, including streamlining environmental impact reviews. The president made the call at a meeting with senior government officials and top executives of leading chipmakers — Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. — to discuss follow-up measures for the investment projects. Last week, the government unveiled the "three mega projects" initiative, centered on large-scale investments in semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers, as the country bets big on those advanced industries for its future. In particular, the government plans to establish a semiconductor production cluster in the southwestern Honam area, with Samsung and SK pledging to invest a combined 800 trillion won ($522 billion). "The world is witnessing very intense competition, while an entirely new future is being shaped around AI," Lee said in his opening remarks. "At a time when all-out competition that will deter
Chung Mong-gyu resigns as nat'l football chief
Chung Mong-gyu resigned as head of the national football federation on Monday. The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Chung submitted his formal resignation letter earlier in the day after presiding over his final meeting with senior executives at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul. Chung had been at the helm since January 2013. On May 29, Chung announced he would step down as KFA president following the end of the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Although the tournament will end on July 20 in Korean time, Chung chose to leave his post two weeks ahead in the aftermath of the national team's earlier-than-expected elimination from the group stage. Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, finished third in Group A with three points from a win and two losses and could not squeeze into the last 16 as one of the eight best third-place teams. Hong resigned immediately after his team's fate was sealed. Chung had been under fire for what many critics claimed was an opaque process in hiring Hong in July 2024. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism conducted a wide-ranging prob
Buddhist sect to promote culture, cuisine during UNESCO heritage meeting in Busan
The Jogye Order, Korea's largest Buddhist sect, will hold an array of events to promote Korean Buddhist culture and cuisine on the sidelines of the upcoming UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan later this month, officials said Monday. The Buddhist sect will install various booths aimed at promoting cultural assets on the sidelines of the 48th session of the committee, which will run from July 19 to 29 in the southeastern port city of Busan, according to the officials. The booths will highlight UNESCO World Heritage assets, such as the Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of Buddhist wooden printing blocks, and Tongdo Temple, which has been registered under the "Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea" classification. As part of the event, the Jogye Order plans to invite delegations visiting the country for the UNESCO meeting and hold a Buddhist cuisine dinner at Beomeo Temple in Busan. For meeting participants, it will hold a "K-dessert day" event to showcase Buddhist desserts and finger foods. The Jogye Order will also organize field trips to UNESCO heritage sites and tradit
Korea exports food safety tech via training for Saudi, Indonesian officials
Korea is intensifying its bureaucratic and technological diplomacy to safeguard its growing culinary footprint abroad, launching a high-level human resources exchange designed to help domestic exporters navigate increasingly stringent international food regulations and the trillion-dollar global halal market. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, alongside the Korea Institute for Food Safety Management Accreditation, said Monday that it will host senior regulatory officials from Indonesia and Saudi Arabia for a weeklong food safety exchange program beginning July 13. The initiative arrives at a critical juncture for Korean food companies, which face an impending mandatory halal certification law in Indonesia and shifting import standards across the Middle East. Delegates from Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority will examine Korea’s digitized safety infrastructure. Central to the program is Smart HACCP — Korea’s automated, real-time hazard monitoring system — which officials here hope to position as a gold standard for in
Foreign delivery workers using borrowed accounts surge 11-fold
The number of foreign workers engaged in illegal delivery services has jumped over 10 times from a year earlier, the justice ministry said Monday. According to the ministry, 734 foreigners were caught between January and May working illegally as delivery persons, using borrowed service accounts, up nearly 11 times from 67 cases recorded in all of 2025. By country, those from Vietnam accounted for the largest share at 61 percent, followed by Chinese at 22 percent and Uzbeks at 12 percent. By visa type, students on D-2 visas made up 56 percent, followed by overseas Koreans on F-4 at 20 percent and job seekers at 14 percent. Among those caught, 68 foreigners were deported and 643 were fined a combined total of 1.62 billion won ($1.06 million). Sixteen delivery agencies are also under investigation for providing their delivery application accounts to unqualified foreigners. To root out unqualified foreign riders, the justice ministry has urged delivery platform companies to implement facial recognition systems within their rider apps and strengthen their oversight of local agencies, according
Ex-PM announces bid for ruling party leadership
Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced his candidacy for leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Monday, vowing to reform the party for the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration. The four-term lawmaker made the announcement as the ruling party plans to hold a convention on Aug. 17 to elect its new chairperson and members of the party's Supreme Council. "With an unwavering sense of responsibility for the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration, I announce my candidacy for the leadership of the DPK," Kim said in the southwestern city of Gwangju, a traditional stronghold for the liberal party. Kim called for sweeping changes in the party, saying the DPK had failed over the past year to convert public approval for the Lee administration into support for the party and electoral success. Despite winning 12 of the 16 mayoral and gubernatorial seats in the June 3 local elections, the ruling party lost key battlegrounds, including the Seoul mayoral race. "We must restore the DPK as a capable, strong and winning party as it was under the leadership of Lee Jae Myung,"
'Still in her 30s?' 63-year-old Hwang Shin-hye stuns in swimsuit
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Actress Hwang Shin-hye has once again impressed fans with her slim, toned physique. Recently, Hwang shared photos on social media of herself enjoying the water with her daughter, Lee Jin-yi, captioning the post, "It's summer." Wearing a swimsuit and sunglasses, she effortlessly embraced the season with a youthful look. Her sun-kissed skin and lean, sculpted figure — the result of years of consistent self-care — quickly caught the attention of fans. Many commented, "I would believe she's in her 30s," and "She's motivating me to work out." Hwang has long been open about her wellness routine. Rather than relying on intensive training programs or restrictive diets, she has repeatedly said that one of her favorite forms of exercise is something almost anyone can do: climbing stairs. Stair climbing is an accessible aerobic exercise that requires no special equipment. Climbing stairs burns about 1.5 times more energy than walking on flat ground, helping reduce body fat and cholesterol while improving cardiovascular fitness. It is also an effective
Prosecutors indict HD Hyundai Oilbank in $17 bil. price-fixing case after US-Iran war outbreak
Prosecutors said Monday they have indicted major domestic refiner HD Hyundai Oilbank Co. and two company officials in a price-fixing case believed to be worth 26 trillion won ($17 billion) following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war. The company is accused of engaging in collusive activities to raise prices of petroleum products after the war triggered sharp rises in global energy prices in late February, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office. Two officials from HD Hyundai Oilbank's pricing department have also been indicted in the case. Prosecutors accused HD Hyundai Oilbank and another refiner SK Energy Co. of direct collusion valued at 14.2 trillion won and two other refiners — GS Caltex Corp. and S-Oil Corp. — of matching the rigged price hikes, undermining market competition by a total of around 26 trillion won. They did not indict SK Energy under a leniency program. The other two companies also did not face charges as the alleged activities did not fall under fair trade law violations. Their investigation found that HD Hyundai Oilbank and SK Energy colluded
Innocean names former Apple Korea executive as CEO of digital marketing arm
Advertising firm Innocean has appointed Lee Il-sup, former director of Apple Korea, as the new CEO of its digital marketing subsidiary, D-Plan360. Lee is a digital marketing specialist with more than 25 years of experience, leading marketing and advertising businesses at major global companies. His expertise spans brand strategy, performance marketing and advertising technology. At Apple Korea, Lee led the firm’s search advertising business, overseeing the launch and expansion of the relevant business here. Previously, as chief marketing officer at GM Korea, he spearheaded large-scale brand campaigns and the carmaker's digital transformation initiatives. He has also held leadership positions at WiderPlanet and Yahoo Overture where he gained extensive experience in advertising platforms, performance marketing and sales organization management. Innocean said Lee's broad industry experience and data-driven marketing expertise are expected to strengthen D-Plan360's competitiveness and accelerate the firm’s expansion into new growth areas in media, data and artificial intelligence (AI). "L
Christopher Nolan to make 1st Korea visit with Matt Damon, Charlize Theron for 'The Odyssey'
In a major play for the Asian box office, Universal Pictures has locked in a historic promotional tour for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming cinematic tentpole, "The Odyssey." The Oscar-winning director is set to make his first-ever official promotional visit to Korea on Aug. 3, leading a star-studded delegation that includes actors Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. Korea has long served as an ultra-lucrative stronghold for Nolan, with his collective filmography — including "Interstellar," "Dunkirk," "Tenet" and "Oppenheimer" — raking in a staggering 36 million admissions in the country alone. Local exhibitors have affectionately dubbed the market "Nolan’s country," a reflection of a sophisticated moviegoing public that routinely turns his cerebral, complex narratives into massive cultural events. Yet despite this multidecade fandom, scheduling bottlenecks and tightly wound production timelines had previously prevented the filmmaker from executing a proper local press tour. The upcoming trip was initiated at the direct request of Nolan himself, who personally restructured his global p
[LAUGHING THROUGH HISTORY 28] 'At Least He Got Over His Malaria'
Today I’m translating a joke that targets a shortsighted man for his foolishness. In that way it’s similar to the last installment of this series, which translated a joke called “The Rice Cake Is Mine!” In this one, a father is so eager to treat his son’s illness that he doesn’t realize that the treatment is worse than the disease. Both these jokes fit with a superiority theory of humor. According to this view, the joke is funny because we can see how foolish the characters are being, and since we have a better understanding of the situation, we can laugh because we feel superior to them. The joke I’m looking at today is different from the previous one, though, because this one is also about Koreans at the turn of the 20th century learning to navigate the modern world — in this case, modern medicine. The disease in question is malaria. Experts say the history of malaria can be difficult to trace because before modern germ theory was developed, words associated with malaria were used for a variety of fever-causing conditions not necessarily caused by the malaria parasit
[PHOTO] Atlas makes World Cup debut
Atlas, the humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, delivers the match ball to referee Ismail Elfath before the second half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday. The Atlas performance is part of Hyundai Motor's "Next Starts Now" global brand campaign, marking the automaker's role as an official FIFA partner since 1999. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
TUESDAY, July 7, 2026
1520-Hernán Cortés and the Tlaxcalans defeat a numerically superior Aztec force in the Battle of Otumba in Mexico 1807-French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte and Russian Tsar Alexander I meet on a raft in the middle of the Neman River and sign the first Treaty of Tilsit 1937-Japanese and Chinese troops clash at the Marco Polo Bridge near Beijing, beginning the Second Sino-Japanese War 1947-Alleged and disputed Roswell, New Mexico UFO incident 2005-Coordinated terrorist bomb blasts strike London's public transport system during the morning rush hour, killing 52 and injuring 700 2005-Influenced by global Live 8 concerts, G8 leaders pledge to double 2004 levels of aid to Africa from $25 billion to $50 billion by the year 2010 and to drop the debt owed by 18 of the most heavily indebted poor countries. Results are mixed.
Wildfires rage in Portugal, Greece, Spain while Greek authorities warn of toxic smoke
ATHENS, Greece — Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires in Portugal, Greece and Spain on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to Portugal to help with a massive blaze burning for more than three days. Authorities urged residents in parts of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, to remain indoors and shut their windows and doors due to toxic smoke from a burning recycling plant that was engulfed by a wildfire. Another major wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon west of the Greek capital, Athens. The fire department said 210 firefighters, backed up by volunteers, specialized teams and 29 aircraft, including water-dropping planes and helicopters, were deployed to battle the blaze burning through pine forest in the Mandra area. Authorities were racing to contain the blaze before nightfall, when aircraft can no longer perform firefighting operations. In central Portugal’s Vouzela area, more than 1,200 firefighters backed up by nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft tried to put out a blaze that broke out Thursday, according to the Civil Protection authority. The wildf
Ronaldo says it again: His 6th World Cup will be his last
ARLINGTON, Texas — Cristiano Ronaldo's sometimes playful banter in a rare World Cup news conference ended in an exchange between Portugal's superstar and a reporter from Argentina. Ronaldo took the moment on the eve of a round of 16 clash with border rival Spain to repeat something he has said at least once before. This sixth World Cup for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star will be his last. “What remains with me is the people — the people who love you. I share hotels with the staff, Latino people, and those are spectacular memories. Yesterday on the flight, there was an Argentine flight attendant. And knew she was Argentine by the way she looked at me: ‘I knew you were Argentine by the way you looked at me. If you look away quickly, it means you don’t like Cristiano,’” Ronaldo said in translated remarks Sunday, breaking into a smile. “I want to enjoy what will be my last World Cup to the fullest,” Ronaldo continued. “Hopefully, tomorrow won’t be my last match. That way, you can keep bashing me some more.” Ronaldo, the career leader in international
Neymar says after World Cup elimination he is done playing for Brazil
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Neymar said Sunday he is done playing for Brazil’s national team, making the announcement after he and his teammates were knocked out of the World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Norway in the round of 16. “I tried,” Neymar said. “It started here at MetLife Stadium, and I finished here. It is now over.” Neymar, 34, played his first game for Brazil on Aug. 10, 2010 — a friendly against the U.S. at the stadium in the Meadowlands in northern New Jersey. Against Norway, he scored on a penalty kick in the final minutes after subbing in off the bench. Because of a nagging right calf injury , Neymar appeared in only two of Brazil's five games in the tournament. He also was on the field for 15 minutes against Scotland in group play. Brazil’s best player for more than a decade had been slowed by injuries in recent years that limited his impact. The country is now entering a period of transition, with the next generation taking over. “We ask that people will have the patience with the new generation and support them from the get-go,” captain Marquinhos said.
Customs agency uncovers $503 mil. worth of trade security violations
Korea's customs agency said Monday it has detected a total of 770.3 billion won ($503 million) worth of trade security violations in the first five months of this year, in line with the government's efforts to root out illegal activities. The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said the record-high amount marks a sharp rise from 655.6 billion won reported for all of 2025, following its intensive crackdown on exports involving false countries of origin and illegal shipments of strategic items. In detail, the KCS said it has uncovered 527.3 billion won worth of cases involving foreign-made goods brought into Korea and falsely labeled as Korean-made products for export. "Such violations are aimed at taking advantage of the brand image of South Korean products, dodging import regulations and avoiding high tariffs, anti-dumping measures or countervailing duties," the KCS said. The agency added it has also detected 243 billion won worth of attempted unauthorized exports of strategic items over the period, hovering above 198.3 billion won tallied for all of 2025. "Amid intensifying global conflicts and
Philippine impeachment court to open politically volatile trial of vice president
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Senate, acting as an impeachment court, will open the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday in a politically volatile event that will unfold with the backdrop of her bitter political feud with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. More than 6,000 police officers, including anti-riot squads, were deployed to secure the Senate, where pro-and anti-Duterte demonstrators were expected to converge. Duterte or her lawyers can appear at the start of the trial, which will run for 92 days, according to a pretrial plan seen by The Associated Press. If convicted of the charges, which include amassing unexplained wealth and publicly threatening to have Marcos assassinated, Duterte may be permanently disqualified from holding public office. She denies the charges. A conviction would be a lethal blow to her announced plan to seek the presidency in mid-2028, when Marcos ends his six-year term. They were running mates in the 2022 elections in a whirlwind alliance that combined the vote-getting power of two of the country’s most formidable political dynasties, b
Haaland knocks Brazil out of World Cup as Norway reach quarters
EAST RUTHERFORD, United States — Erling Haaland scored two late goals to send Norway through to a first World Cup quarter-final with a stunning 2-1 win over Brazil that condemned the five-time champions to their earliest exit since 1990. Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland produced a sensational display and saved a first-half penalty from Bruno Guimaraes before Haaland struck twice in the last 11 minutes to shock Brazil at MetLife Stadium. Neymar pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time with Brazil's second spot-kick of the match, his final contribution in a record-breaking international career, but one that ultimately never delivered World Cup glory. Haaland's brace took him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on seven goals for the tournament as Norway booked a showdown against either co-hosts Mexico or England in Miami on July 11. For Brazil, who hired Carlo Ancelotti in a bid to end a 24-year World Cup drought, it is the sixth straight tournament where they have been knocked out by European opposition. The last time Brazil failed to reach at least the quarter-finals came 36 years
Museum brand MU:DS posts record first-half sales
Sales of cultural merchandise from Korea's national museums topped 20 billion won ($13 million) for the first time in the first half of this year, driven by the global popularity of Korean culture, sources in the cultural sector said Monday. The National Museum Foundation of Korea's official merchandise brand MU:DS recorded about 21.8 billion won in sales from January to June, up roughly 90 percent from 11.48 billion won a year earlier, according to the sources. MU:DS — a portmanteau of "museum" and "goods" — produces items inspired by key artifacts housed at the National Museum of Korea and its regional affiliates. Since the foundation's launch in 2004, the brand has grown steadily, surpassing 10 billion won in annual sales for the first time in 2022 and reaching a record 41.3 billion won last year. This year's first-half sales have already exceeded MU:DS' total revenue for 2024, which stood at about 21.28 billion won. Foreign customers accounted for around 1 billion won in sales during the period, nearly doubling from a year earlier, a foundation official said. Among the bestselling
Con Air Force One
Con Air Force One
N. Korea's new ambassador to Austria assumes post: state media
North Korea's new ambassador to Austria has assumed the post, as he presented his credentials to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen last week, Pyongyang's state media reported Monday. While presenting his credentials last Wednesday, Kyong Hak-min conveyed "warm greetings" from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the Austrian president, according to the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Van der Bellen said he hoped "everything would go well in the DPRK in the future and the relations between the two countries would develop," the report said, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Last month, the North's foreign ministry announced that Kyong had been appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Austria. He is believed to have replaced Choe Kang-il. North Korea has maintained 43 overseas diplomatic missions worldwide as of June, according to South Korea's foreign ministry. In Europe, the North operates a total of 15 diplomatic missions, including resident embassies in Austria, Germany, Russia, Britain, Switze
Seoul shares turn lower late Monday morning on institutional, foreign selling
Seoul shares turned lower late Monday morning after a mixed close on Wall Street, with institutions and foreigners offloading local stocks ahead of major companies' second-quarter earnings releases. After opening 1.06 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 138.60 points, or 1.71 percent, to 7,949.74 as of 11:20 a.m. On Thursday, U.S. stocks ended mixed before the Independence Day holiday. U.S. markets were closed on Friday in observance of the holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.14 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 0.8 percent. Investors are assessing whether the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven rally can be sustained and are looking to corporate earnings for signs that massive spending on AI infrastructure is translating into profits. Institutions and foreigners sold a combined 1.29 trillion won ($840 million) worth of stocks, while individuals bought a net 1.23 trillion won. In Seoul, technology stocks were mixed. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.65 percent, but SK hynix fell 3.1 percent ahead of the chipmaker's pla
Foreign cruise visitors to Korea top 200,000 in May
The number of foreign visitors arriving in Korea by cruise ship surpassed 200,000 for the first time in May, official data showed Monday, driven largely by Chinese travelers. A total of 206,542 foreign passengers and crew disembarked from cruise ships in May, up 13.4 percent from the previous month and 12.2 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Monthly arrivals have risen steadily since late last year, from 56,000 in December to 57,000 in January and 112,000 in February, before breaking the 200,000 mark in May. Cumulative foreign arrivals for the first five months of the year reached 709,000, up 5.9 percent from the same period in 2025. The annual total, if the current trend continues, could exceed 1.6 million visitors, the all-time record set last year. By port, Seogwipo on the southern resort island of Jeju recorded the highest number of arrivals in May with 84,000, followed by Busan with 78,000, Incheon with 25,000 and Jeju with 17,000. Nearly half of all cruise visitors entered via Jeju. Chinese nationals accounted for the largest share at 93,
Lee's approval rating inches up after 6-week decline: poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating edged up for the first time in seven weeks, a poll showed Monday. In the poll commissioned by the EKN newspaper and conducted by Realmeter, Lee's approval rating rose 0.5 percentage point from the previous week to 47 percent, while disapproval of his performance fell 0.3 percentage point to 49.2 percent. Realmeter attributed the rebound to the government's announcement of the "three megaprojects" initiative, a 4,755 trillion-won ($3.11 trillion) investment plan centered on semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers. The pollster said, however, that the sharp decline in stock prices and the weak Korean won held back the rebound. The weekly survey, conducted on 2,525 people aged 18 and older from Monday to Friday, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. In a separate survey conducted by the same pollster, support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea gained 2 percentage points from a week earlier to 43 percent, while that of the main opposition People Power Party
Gov't vows support for AI-driven growth of service industry
Korea will make efforts to revamp regulations and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the service sector, the finance ministry said Monday. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol discussed such measures with relevant ministries as Korea aims to further propel the growth of the service industry, which accounts for 60 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. "Currently, the service industry is facing a major transformation driven by AI, leading to convergence with the manufacturing sector, innovation in public services and major changes in daily life," Koo said. The finance ministry said such changes can be observed in online shopping, noting Korea must gain an early foothold in the AI agentic commerce market, where AI agents can recommend and compare products while placing orders and making payments. "To help Korean businesses take the lead in the global market, the government will promptly come up with measures to allow AI agents to be tested throughout the entire shopping process," Koo said. The finance min
Jennie headlines 2 major European music fests
BLACKPINK's Jennie performed as a headliner at Denmark's Roskilde Festival and Poland's Open'er Festival over the weekend, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to headline two major European music festivals back-to-back, her agency said Monday. The singer performed her hits, including "Mantra," "ExtraL," "Starlight" and "Like Jennie," appearing at the music festivals on Friday and Saturday (local time), respectively, according to OA Entertainment. "Jennie's inclusion reflects current trends and reinforces Roskilde's identity as a festival moving toward the future," said Thomas Soenderby Jepsen, the festival's head of music. Open'er organizers described her as "one of the most influential female artists of this era." Jennie has drawn interest in the global music market in recent months, with her collaboration "Dracula" with Tame Impala reaching No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is scheduled to appear at several other major international festivals later this year, including Spain's Mad Cool Festival 2026, Lollapalooza Chicago in the United States, and Japan's Summer Sonic 2026
Detroit Tigers trade Korean reliever Go Woo-suk to Minnesota Twins: reports
The Detroit Tigers have reportedly traded reliever Go Woo-suk to the Minnesota Twins, putting the Korean pitcher on the verge of a major league debut. MLive Media Group's Evan Woodbery tweeted Sunday (U.S. local time) that the Twins were getting Go in exchange for cash consideration. Per Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Go, who had not been on the Tigers' 40-man roster, has an assignment clause in his contract and must now be added to the Twins' roster. Later in the day, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Go will be added to his new club's 26-man roster for Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field in Minneapolis. If Go takes the mound this week, he will become the 30th Korean player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He will also join his brother-in-law, San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo, as the only two active Korean players in MLB at the moment. Two others who have seen action this season, Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves, are currently in the minors and on the injured list, respectively. Go, 27, has b
American democracy’s biggest losers: voters in closed-primary states
Halfway through the U.S. primary election season, at least one thing is clear: Voters in states that hold closed party primaries are, as usual, losing out. More than 20 states hold primaries in which only registered party members are eligible to participate. In a battleground state or district, that process can produce competitive general elections between Democrats and Republicans. But in areas where one party dominates, which is most of the country, it often leaves voters stuck with a single candidate who lacks majority support and reflects the priorities of ideological interest groups more than those of average voters. Take New York City’s recent primaries. In a four-way race for a Manhattan State Assembly district, the results were so close — the two leading candidates each have about 27 percent of the vote — that a recount may be required. But whoever comes out on top will not face a runoff — or a Republican, since none is running, which is the case in many other races, too. When Republicans, independents and third-party members arrive at the polls in November, joined by m
Is a European single market for energy such a good idea?
LONDON — Whatever happens with the US-Iran peace process and global energy prices, the strategic implications of this year’s supply disruptions are already clear. The crisis is further confirmation of the need to phase out fossil fuels, both to mitigate climate change and to strengthen energy security. But for Europe, which remains heavily dependent on imported energy, some less obvious implications may ultimately prove more consequential. To address the precipitous decline in its share of global GDP this century, Europe must lower its energy costs. European de-industrialization stems not just from the decline of energy-intensive output such as chemicals, fertilizers, and steel, but also from the fact that European industries pay twice as much for electricity as their U.S. and Chinese competitors. As long as that remains true, the continent will fall behind in the industries of the future, not least AI, which depends on power-guzzling computing power. We have all heard the optimistic pitch for a transition from imported fossil fuels to domestically produced, price-competitive renew
KBO's top 2 clubs set for clash in final series before break
The two best clubs in the Korean baseball standings will square off in their final series before the annual midseason break this week, with the top spot up for grabs. The LG Twins, in first place with a record of 51-31-0 (wins-losses-ties), will visit second-place Samsung Lions (49-31-2) at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu from Tuesday to Thursday. This is their final three-game set before the All-Star break, which will go on from Friday to July 15. The season will resume July 16. The Twins, the defending Korean Series champions who also won the 2023 title, have been in first place every day since May 30. However, they are now in danger of falling to second place, as the Lions have moved within one game on the heels of their four-game winning streak. So far this season, these two rivals have split their season series, 4-4-0. The Lions have been swinging a hot bat over their past 10 games, leading the Korea Baseball Organization with 8.9 runs per game and a .314 batting average during this stretch. The Twins, on the other hand, have been scrambling to get by with m
ATEEZ scores 3rd No. 1 on Billboard 200 with 'Golden Hour: Part. 5'
K-pop boy group ATEEZ has claimed its third No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart with its new album, "Golden Hour: Part. 5." Billboard reported in a chart preview on Sunday (local time) that "Golden Hour: Part. 5" secured the top spot this week over Olivia Rodrigo's "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love" and Drake's "Iceman." It marks the group's third No. 1 on the chart, following "The World Ep. Final: Will" in 2023 and "Golden Hour: Part. 2" in 2024. "Dating to its first in 2022, the group has racked up nine top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and stands as the group with the most top 10s in the 2020s," the music magazine said. The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units comprising physical and digital sales, as well as streaming and digital track downloads. "Golden Hour: Part. 5" earned 228,000 equivalent album units during the latest charting period, with 223,000 coming from album sales. Both figures are the highest it has ever recorded. Released on June 26, the album depicts ATEEZ embracing moments
How 24-hour FX trading could reshape Korean won
Korea’s 24-hour won-dollar trading, set to launch Monday, is expected to reshape market dynamics as the local currency remains under pressure, with the exchange rate staying above the psychologically important 1,500-per-dollar level for more than 30 consecutive days, analysts said Sunday. While the extended trading hours could fuel greater volatility in the near term, analysts expect the move to improve access for foreign investors and deepen integration with global financial markets over time, laying the groundwork for a more stable exchange rate. Won-dollar trading in Seoul’s foreign exchange market will run from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Saturday during U.S. daylight saving time (DST), effectively extending trading on a near 24-hour schedule and significantly lengthening hours from the previous 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. weekday regime. Outside the DST period, hours will shift to 7 a.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Dollar trading will also continue on public holidays unless they fall on weekends. Trading in nondollar currencies will remain unchanged at 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Just a year ago, the won
Int'l collaboration key to preserving cultural heritage: KHS chief
DAEJEON — Preserving cultural heritage is not the task of a single country but one that requires international collaboration, as the destruction of cultural assets stems from events such as wars and climate change, which affect the entire world, Huh Min, administrator of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), said. As Korea prepares to chair and host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan later this month, Huh believes the event is an opportunity to position Korea as a "global agenda setter" by leading collaboration initiatives. "At this meeting, the core philosophy we want to emphasize is 'peace' and 'collaboration' through world heritage. As the host and chair country, we are aiming to present this very vision through the 'Busan Declaration,'" he said during an interview with The Korea Times at KHS headquarters in Daejeon on June 29. It is the first time for Korea to host the annual session since it joined the World Heritage Convention in 1988. The committee has established strategic objectives to guide the implementation of the convention called the "5 Cs" — credibi
New superintendents put teacher protection at top of policy agenda
Newly elected education superintendents nationwide are making teacher protection their top priority amid growing calls to restore the classroom authority of educators, fueled in part by the popularity of the hit Korean drama "Teach You a Lesson," which highlighted the erosion of such authority. Each regional education office is planning to establish a superintendent-led body that will report teacher rights violations directly to the superintendent, enabling swift intervention and providing schools and teachers with a one-stop support system. Ahn Min-seok, superintendent of Gyeonggido Office of Education, has been at the forefront of calls to strengthen teacher protection. Having made the issue a key campaign pledge, he announced plans to establish a dedicated administrative body modeled after the fictional education rights protection bureau featured in the drama. The proposed organization would intervene immediately when teacher rights violations occur, providing affected teachers with protection measures and legal support while coordinating a rapid response by schools and the education
Teenagers cleared of murdering 15-year-old boy in sword attack
Amen Teklay died after a confrontation involving the two boys, who were aged 14 and 15 at the time, in Glasgow in March 2025.
How to get through World Cup-induced sleep deprivation
The euphoria from England's dramatic victory over Mexico might not be enough to get you through Monday.
Amber heat-health alerts issued as UK could see 10 consecutive days of temperatures over 30C
Temperatures in the UK could reach above 30C for 10 consecutive days during the third heatwave of the summer
Buckingham Palace says Prince Harry will not stay there despite his team announcing he would
Royal sources say the Duke of Sussex had not responded to the offer of accommodation at a Royal residence by the deadline last week.
SK hynix lowers Nasdaq ADR offering to 43 trillion won
South Korean chip giant SK hynix Inc. said Monday it plans to raise up to 43.14 trillion won ($28.14 billion) through a stock offering linked to the listing of its American depositary receipts on the Nasdaq market. The amount was revised down from 45.45 trillion won in an earlier plan, reflecting Friday's closing price of 2.42 million won on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index , compared with 2.55 million won on June 23. In a regulatory briefing, SK hynix said it will issue up to 17.79 million
Man who raped 10-year-old niece jailed for 11 years
A man who sexually abused and raped his 10-year-old niece when he was babysitting her has been jailed for 11 years.
S.Korea may lose Canada's multibillion-dollar submarine bid: local media
A South Korean consortium may lost its bid for Canada's multibillion-dollar submarine procurement program, with the Canadian government selecting Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the preferred bidder, The Globe and Mail reported Monday, citing anonymous sources. According to the report, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to officially announce the decision later Monday in Halifax, bringing to a close the competition launched in August 2025. The bidding process drew sweeping
Hero's welcome for Cape Verde players after World Cup run
Thousands of ecstatic fans escorted Cape Verde's Blue Sharks through the streets of Praia yesterday for a celebratory parade following their slender defeat to Argentina in one of the World Cup's most surprising matches.
Ukraine warns of interceptor missile shortage as 19 killed in Kyiv region
President Zelensky says Sunday's "massive Russian attack" on Kyiv consisted of 68 missiles and 351 strike drones.
ITV hits such as I'm a Celebrity to stay free to watch after Sky takeover
Sky boss Dana Strong's comments came as the channel announces it is buying ITV's media and entertainment divisions in a £1.6bn deal.
Huge crowds fill Tehran streets for Khamenei's funeral procession
Many people were waving Iranian flags and red banners symbolising vengeance for the former supreme leader's war death.
From AI to ‘killer robots’: UN chief issues urgent governance call
UN chief António Guterres appealed on Monday for far-reaching, worldwide controls on Artificial Intelligence, as increasingly powerful AI chips that are designed for civilian use shift to the battlefield, where “killer robots” are already the norm.
How England used five mini games to beat Mexico
The tactical breakdown of how Thomas Tuchel's 10-man England pulled off a remarkable World Cup win in a hostile Mexico City.
Sentences finalized for 3 people in ex-first lady's corruption case
Suspended prison terms and fines have been finalized for three defendants on charges of handing bribes to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, legal sources said Monday. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the ruling on June 26. Their sentences were finalized Friday after both the defendants and the plaintiff, special counsel Min Joong-ki's team, gave up their appeals against the first-instance ruling, according to the sources. The lower court had sentenced a construction company chairman to
Presidential deregulation official resigns amid Gwangju mockery controversy
Lee Byung-tae, vice chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, resigned Monday after criticizing the punishment imposed on high school baseball players for mocking the Gwangju Democratic Uprising, according to Cheong Wa Dae. The committee was established to advance deregulation across a wide range of sectors as part of the administration's efforts to promote innovation, with President Lee Jae Myung serving as chair and the prime minister as a vice chair. Lee, a business professor at Kore
UK fighter jets intercept Russian plane over Norwegian Sea
The Ministry of Defence calls Moscow's activity "unsafe" and "unprofessional".
Average farm incomes jumped 49% to over €53,800 in 2025
Farm incomes across all systems saw a significant rise last year, according to the latest Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS).
World absorbs historic Iran war oil supply loss, but depleted stocks bring risks
Replenishing oil stocks, never cheap, has likely been made more expensive by the war.
Wegovy weight loss pill now available in UK - here's what you need to know
The once-a-day pill, from the makers of the Wegovy weight-loss jab, can now be bought privately in UK pharmacies.
How England's epic night at the Azteca unfolded
Relive all the drama from England’s 3-2 win over Mexico, as Thomas Tuchel’s team progressed to a quarter-final meeting with Norway on Saturday.
Na Hong-jin, 'Hope' stars unpack alien epic ahead of July release
"Compared to my previous films, I thought the level of violence here would be far lower — and that's how I wanted to make it," director Na Hong-jin said Monday. That may come as a surprise to anyone who has seen "Hope." Na's first feature in the decade since "The Wailing" is a creature spectacle of staggering scale, one that levels half a town and burns through enough ammunition to stock a small army. But for the director, who met the press after a media screening at Megabox Coex in southern Seo
Japan-linked ships escaping Hormuz in convoy through Iran route
The vessels include five supertankers, each capable of hauling 2 million barrels of crude, two chemical tankers and a car carrier.
From an audience of one to 45,000: Wolf Alice's homecoming gig shows how far they've come
The band break out their own version of Smells Like Teen Spirit at their biggest-ever headline show.
Irish actress and producer Slaine Kelly dies aged 43
Irish actress, writer and producer Slaine Kelly, who appeared in The Tudors, has died aged 43.
SIGNIS ready for World Congress in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled for 3–8 August
Father Professor Walter Chikwendu Ihejirika, SIGNIS Africa President and Chairperson of the Africa Organising Committee for the SIGNIS World Congress to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 3 to 8 August 2026, says the continent is ready to welcome delegates and guests.
Vatican publishes Preparatory Document for October Meeting on 'Amoris Laetitia'
The Vatican publishes the Preparatory Document for the October 2026 Meeting on 'Amoris Laetitia,' marking ten years since the publishing of the late Pope Francis' Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the family.
Prince Harry will not stay at palace during visit to UK
Britain's Prince Harry will not stay at Buckingham Palace during his stay in the UK this week, the palace has said, despite a spokesman for Harry telling media today that he had accepted an invitation to do so.
Tottenham seal £100m move for Newcastle's Tonali
Tottenham complete the signing of midfielder Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for a club-record fee which could reach £100m.
Watch: Why Australia's PM apologised for 'inappropriate' Kylie comments
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised for remarks he made about popstar Kylie Minogue in a podcast interview last week.
Over 11,000 buyers now approved under First Home Scheme
The latest report on the First Home Scheme shows that over 11,000 approvals have taken place since its inception in 2022, while the scheme has supported almost 6,000 home purchases to date.
Inquiry into care of man held after zoo attack
Norfolk County Council confirms it has launched the inquiry following the attack near Huntingdon.
Cameroon Archbishop decries inhumane prison conditions and corruption
In a pastoral letter on prison conditions published at the end of June, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala, Cameroon, sounds the alarm on forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and inhumane prison conditions in the country, reports the Vatican agency 'Fides.'
FIFA's Balogun decision 'crossed a red line', says UEFA
UEFA says FIFA's decision to suspend a red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun "crossed a red line".
Sisters’ evangelizing presence immersed in digital culture
For eight months, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) in the United States and Canada accompany women in their 20s and 30s through an “onlife” experience—both online (a “third space”) and, in some cases, in person. This journey offers guided vocational discernment, helping participants explore a call to marriage, religious life, or consecrated virginity.
No child should be 'guinea pig' for unregulated AI - UN
AI is developing faster than anyone can keep up, the UN chief warned, adding that "no child should be a guinea pig for unregulated AI".
Kenporen seeks medical insurance reform talks
Japan should engage in discussions involving all stakeholders on whether and how to revise its public medical insurance system, deputy head Takashi Yonekawa said.
Person dies after car goes into Aorere River
Emergency services were called to the crash were a vehicle had gone into Aorere River
Motive sought over murder of man in Dún Laoghaire
Gardaí have said they are trying to establish a motive for the murder of a 39-year-old man who was shot dead in Dún Laoghaire yesterday.
Japan’s NATO envoy highlights importance of European stability
Japan's ambassador to NATO also said the organization's unity, based on collective defense, is unwavering, while adding that the alliance is "rock-solid."
Victims mourned 8 years after western Japan rain disaster
Residents across the Chugoku region on Monday mourned over 300 people who lost their lives in the incident that hit the area in 2018.
Familiar voice of Seoul subway lives on after actor's death
The familiar voice that has guided Seoul subway riders for nearly three decades is expected to remain on the network for now, despite rumors online that it would be replaced following the death of voice actor Kang Hee-sun. Kang, whose voice has guided passengers on Seoul Subway Lines 1 to 8 since 1996, died in Seoul on Saturday. She was 65. Following her death, unverified claims circulated online that Seoul Metro had an internal rule requiring announcement voices to be replaced when the voice ac
Rogers buying remaining stake in MLSE for $4.35B
Rogers Communications Inc. says it has signed a deal to buy the remaining 25 per cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment it does not already own from Kilmer Sports Inc. for $4.35 billion.
Fighting yen psychology is a losing battle
Turning the currency around, never easy at the best times, has just become harder given the renewed embrace of the greenback.
King Charles just got a lot more treasure
Charles' mother Queen Elizabeth II began paying tax only after a public outcry at the government's decision to pay for expensive repairs to Windsor Castle after a fire in 1992.
Soccer reform begins after World Cup fallout
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched the K-Football Innovation Committee on Monday, appointing former national team player and current member of FIFA's standing committee Park Ji-Sung and Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min as its co-chairs. Holding its inaugural meeting in Seoul, the K-Football Innovation Committee was attended by 10 members. This list included Cultural Minister Chae Hwi-young, Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun, Secretary General of the Korean Prof
Number of people who have tried cocaine reaches new high in Japan, study shows
Those found in possession of the drug also hit a record high of 804 arrests in 2025, according to the National Police Agency.
Big Hit Music ramps up Yeonjun's global solo push with new EP
Tomorrow X Together's Yeonjun will release his second solo EP on Friday before taking another step onto the global stage next month as the second K-pop solo artist to perform on ABC's "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series, following BTS' Jungkook. According to Big Hit Music on Monday, "No Labels: Part 02" arrives about eight months after the K-pop singer's previous solo release and marks the next chapter in his career, with promotions extending beyond South Korea through the major US tele
Integrity of game at stake over Fifa Balogun decision - Uefa
Uefa says Fifa's decision not to uphold Folarin Balogun's immediate ban at the World Cup is "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable".
Maternity advice ensures women's voices are heard - HSE
The Clinical Director of the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme said pregnant women's voices are being heard after concerns were raised that women are being sent home in early labour.
Beyond Brexit — and back to Europe
Those who follow only intergovernmental debates in the media might think that nothing has changed in the decade since British voters decided to leave the European Union.
NATO needs to create its own defense market
Strengthening defense capabilities is not only about security policy. It is also industrial policy.
Prior to launch, Japan ‘strongly urged’ China to reconsider missile test in Pacific
The Chinese Navy successfully conducted the test launch of a "strategic missile" by a nuclear submarine into the Pacific Ocean on Monday.
Ten launches creative company Illimnt following SM departure
NCT and WayV member Ten has officially launched Illimnt, a creative company he co-founded, three months after concluding his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment. According to Illimnt, the company officially opened Monday as a creative hub spanning music, culture, visual arts, fashion, original content and brand partnerships. With the launch, Ten is set to begin a new phase of his global career. The Thai singer is expected to pursue a range of projects across music, live performances, conten
Beyond hanbok, foreign tourists now craft their own K-accessories
International visitors to Korea are moving beyond wearing hanbok for photos and are now making their own traditional accessories to take home. Hands-on workshops where tourists craft "norigae," ornamental pendants hung from hanbok, and "daenggi," traditional ribbons used to tie braided hair, are gaining popularity as travelers seek participatory cultural experiences over sightseeing. According to Creatrip, an inbound travel platform, reservations for traditional accessory-making experiences rose
Day6’s Young K to return with second solo LP ‘Youngest’
Day6’s Young K is set to return as a solo artist with his second LP “Youngest” on July 27, according to JYP Entertainment on Monday. The release will mark Young K’s first solo album since releasing "Letters with notes” in September 2023. Alongside the announcement, the agency unveiled a prologue teaser image through Day6’s official social media channels. The image featured fragmented reflections of Young K’s face across broken glass, with a key engraved with the initials “YK,” sparking curiosity
Farage says he's 'done no wrongdoing' after benefits from ally not declared
The Liberal Democrats have asked the Reform UK leader to be "straight with the British people".
Kiwis get 'gold medal for hazardous drinking', alcohol researcher says
The country's low-risk drinking guidelines are out of date and too high, Massey University professor Andy Towers says.
England hands Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach quarterfinals
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane carried England to the World Cup quarterfinals, overcoming a raucous crowd, the elevation of Estadio Azteca and a man disadvantage in the second half to beat Mexico in a 3-2 thriller on Sunday night. In the same stadium where England fell victim to Diego Maradona's Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup against Argentina, it was the foot of Kane that gave the nation redemption 40 years later. "I am just proud of the mentality and the attitude ..
Reliability for jury, not police, to decide - former High Court judge tells trial
Two former police officers are on trial, charged with wilfully attempting to obstruct the course of justice in relation to Arthur Easton's 1985 murder.
Japan might be giving the currency market the silent treatment
Officials are saying less than they did before to defend the yen, and when they do speak, they opt for vague and relatively weak statements.
Japanese teen arrested for booting users off streaming service
The teen identified a vulnerability in the Bandai Channel system and used an artificial intelligence chatbot to create a malicious program to cancel the accounts.
Defense Ministry introduces e-scooter sharing at Tokyo headquarters
The move raised concerns about the possible leakage of location data on ministry employees who handle classified information, though the defense minister has allayed such fears.
Thousands evacuated from homes in southwest France as wildfire burns
A wildfire burning out of control in southwestern France has forced the evacuation of 10,000 people from two dozen small towns and villages near the Spanish border and officials said strong winds on Monday would further fan the blaze.
Southland town fundraising to keep nurse at medical centre
The nurse at the Nightcaps Medical Centre was funded by WellSouth Primary Health Network for 20 hours a week until March.
Fans banned from Tour de France stage amid wildfires
Wildfires are continuing to rage across southern Europe, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes and prompting officials to ban spectators from a stage of the Tour de France.
Seoul stocks end lower on foreign selling ahead of Q2 earnings
Seoul shares ended lower Monday as foreigners continued to offload local stocks ahead of major companies' second-quarter earnings releases. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. After opening 1.06 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index reversed course, falling 37.01 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 8,051.33. Trade volume was moderate at 442.43 million shares worth 31.59 trillion won ($20.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 461 to 412. Investors are asse
Saskatchewan village celebrates new beginning without ‘Queen of Canada’ cult
Richmound, Sask., held a street party on Saturday to celebrate starting over after two years living with the Kingdom of Canada cult. They marked the occasion by announcing a year-round greenhouse project.
Japanese firms face need to improve jobs for disabled workers
The statutory minimum employment rate for those with disabilities was raised to 2.7% from 2.5% last week.
Australian PM apologises for inappropriate Kylie comments
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has apologised after making comments about Kylie Minogue during an appearance on a comedy podcast.
Prince Harry won't stay at Buckingham Palace during U.K. visit
Prince Harry will not stay at Buckingham Palace during his stay in Britain this week, the palace said, despite a spokesman for the King's second son telling media on Monday that he had accepted an invitation to do so.
Neymar calls time on Brazil career after World Cup exit
Neymar's legendary career for Brazil is over, the forward said following the 2-1 defeat to Norway in the round of 16 game on Sunday.
[Photo News] Dollar-won trading goes 24-hour
DOLLAR-WON TRADING GOES 24-HOUR An electronic board at Hana Bank's Hana Infinity Seoul dealing room shows the dollar-won exchange rate on Monday morning, the first day of Korea's 24-hour foreign exchange trading system. The shift expands dollar-won trading from the previous 9 a.m.-to-2 a.m. session to a near-24-hour structure, with trading now available around the clock except on weekends and Jan. 1. (Yonhap)
Japanese dancers win ballet prizes in Moscow
Ryoma Hudzeleu won gold in the senior men's solo category at the International Ballet Competition. Sakura Nagai received the bronze medal in the girls' solo category.
After Gwangju-mocking chants, Korea debates how to teach, not just punish
A controversy over high school baseball players chanting slogans mocking the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising has sparked wider debate in South Korea over how schools and sports bodies should respond when students engage in hate speech. The debate is centered on a six-month suspension imposed by the Korea Baseball Softball Association on Seoul’s Paichai High School baseball team after its players chanted at opponents from Gwangju Jeil High School during a game. Gwangju was the site of the milita
'They dropped the ball': Oamaru locals frustrated at council flood response
Some people have been left stranded by the deluge while others are counting the cost of damage.
Korea raises shareholder hurdle for parent-backed subsidiary IPOs
The Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange on Monday unveiled draft guidelines that would make it harder for listed parent companies to pursue dual listings by separately listing subsidiaries. The move is aimed at strengthening minority shareholder protections and tackling the so-called Korea discount: Reforms would lengthen the IPO process and require parent companies to demonstrate that a subsidiary listing enhances, rather than undermines, shareholder value. The FSC said it rede
Japanese brewers expand zero-proof and low-alcohol lineups
The companies believe that many young consumers still want to enjoy the lively atmosphere of drinking parties while avoiding or limiting alcohol consumption.
ITV, Sky reshape UK TV landscape with £1.6 billion deal
Comcast's Sky has agreed to buy the broadcast channels and streaming service of Britain's ITV for £1.6 billion, creating a UK company with the scale to compete with global players like Netflix, Amazon and Disney.
Russian missile and drone attack kills at least 18 people in Ukraine
Russia launched waves of missiles and drones at Ukraine early Monday, killing at least 18 people in an attack that exposed widening gaps in country's air defences, authorities said.
Concerns emerge in Fukushima over Reconstruction Agency’s expiration
Residents of the prefecture fear a watering down of the focus on reconstruction in the event its ambit is absorbed by a new Disaster Management Agency.
Korean Air raises $123m through Samurai bond
Korean Air has issued 20 billion yen ($123.4 million) in Samurai bonds with support from the Export-Import Bank of Korea, underscoring its credibility among global investors and confidence in its growth outlook. A Samurai bond is a yen-denominated bond issued in Japan by a foreign company. The issuance was completed despite external uncertainties, including high oil prices and foreign exchange volatility. Investors gave high marks to Korean Air’s stable profitability, backed by its balanced pass
Zeekr's 7X surpasses 1,000 units in pre-sale in Korea
Pre-orders for Chinese electric vehicle brand Zeekr’s mid-sized SUV 7X have surpassed 1,000 units in Korea within a month, Zeekr Korea said Monday. Pre-sales began on June 5 at the brand’s nine physical locations across Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon and Busan, drawing strong interest. The vehicle was launched in three trims — Pro (rear-wheel drive), Max (rear-wheel drive) and Ultra (all-wheel drive) — with each priced at 52.99 million won ($35,000), 59.99 million won, and 69.99 million won.
Former PM slams rival for 'self-serving' politics
Former Prime Minister Rep. Kim Min-seok on Monday announced his bid to run for Democratic Party of Korea chair at the upcoming party convention in August, slamming his rival for "self-serving" politics. The outcome of the ruling party's national convention will likely serve as a litmus test to gauge whether the liberal President Lee Jae Myung can cement his leadership within the liberal bloc. Kim's speech in Gwangju was filled with criticism directed at Rep. Jung Chung-rae, a liberal firebrand w
The bid to save Tararua's Donald the wandering pig
The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is hoping to speak with the purchaser and see if they can secure Donald's freedom.
AI's energy crunch exposes China's battery edge
The global race for artificial intelligence is running into an unexpected bottleneck: electricity. As AI data centers drive a surge in demand for energy storage systems, the US is confronting an uncomfortable reality. Powering its AI ambitions increasingly depends on lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries — a technology overwhelmingly dominated by China. Despite Washington's efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, Beijing retains a commanding lead in LFP batteries, which have bec
Hanjin Logistics chief calls for fairer market for women entrepreneurs
Hanjin Logistics said Monday that President Emily Cho delivered a keynote speech and participated in a panel discussion at the 2026 ICSB World Congress, one of the world's leading international conferences on small business and entrepreneurship. Cho spoke during the "Global Voices: Entrepreneurship Without Borders" session at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, alongside global scholars and women business leaders. “Women entrepreneurs around the world seek not pr
Hanwha Qcells wins Meta-linked solar module order
Hanwha Qcells said Monday it has signed a contract with Zelestra Energy to supply about 320,000 solar modules and provide engineering, procurement and construction services for a 200-megawatt solar power plant in Gibson County, Indiana. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, the project will supply renewable electricity to Meta under a power purchase agreement. The solar farm will be built on a former coal mining site. Named "Reclamation," the project aims to transform previously developed
Innocean names former Apple Korea exec as D.Plan360 CEO
Innocean said Monday it has appointed Lee Il-seop, former director of Apple Korea, as the new CEO of its digital marketing subsidiary D.Plan360. Lee brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising across major domestic and global companies, with expertise spanning brand strategy, performance marketing and advertising technology. At Apple Korea, Lee led the company's Search Ads business, overseeing the launch and growth of its advertising business in the Korean market. He als
Lee pushes faster chip investment as Gwangju site emerges for Honam cluster
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday ordered the government to accelerate semiconductor and artificial intelligence investment plans, calling for administrative procedures to be streamlined and carried out in parallel as Seoul races to secure a competitive edge in future industries. In line with Lee's call to accelerate the government's so-called three mega projects, Cheong Wa Dae announced that the Gwangju military airport site is the preferred location for a planned semiconductor manufacturing cl
Why Ukrainian strikes on annexed Crimea are a blow to Putin
Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford explains why Crimea is a target for Kyiv, and why the peninsula matters to Vladimir Putin.
'Respect paradise': Martin Short among ratepayers angry over proposed subdivision near his Ontario summer home
Seguin Township councillors appear divided over whether to allow a residential development proposed for a parcel of Muskoka behind a series of waterfront cottages on Ontario's Lake Rosseau. They include the summer home of Canadian comedian-actor Martin Short, who calls the proposed subdivision "preposterous" and "silly."
Manitoba allocates $1M a year to U.S. trade office, documents show
Three parties, two levels of government, one new pipeline plan. The politics of Carney’s pipeline triple play.
Neymar hints at Brazil retirement after World Cup exit
Neymar all but hinted at his retirement from Brazil's national team after Brazil was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Brazil, with Neymar in the lineup, lost 2-1 to Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday. Neymar converted a penalty kick just before the final whistle to score Brazil's lone goal, but Norway striker Erling Haaland scored twice in the 79th and 90th minutes as Brazil crashed out of the tournament. Neymar broke down in tea
Padres snap 8-game skid despite early ejections
The San Diego Padres snapped an eight-game losing streak despite losing both their manager and a coach to ejections just one minute into the game. San Diego beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-2 on the road on Sunday at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium, ending its eight-game skid and earning its first victory in 10 days since defeating Los Angeles on June 26. The Padres lost acting manager Craig Stammen and infield instructor Ryan Goins in the top of the first inning after both were ejected for arguing
Henderson injures wrist in England celebrations
England midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered a "really bad" while celebrating his side's World Cup win over Mexico, head coach Thomas Tuchel says.
EcoPro BM marks first decade as global cathode supplier
EcoPro BM said Sunday it marked the company's 10th anniversary with a promotional campaign highlighting a decade of growth, investment and technological innovation. The battery materials maker was established in 2016 through a corporate split from EcoPro to focus on cathode materials for rechargeable batteries. Since then, annual sales have surged from 99.8 billion won ($65 million) to 2.5 trillion won in 2025, an increase of more than 25-fold. The company credited aggressive investment and tech
Samsung earnings, SK hynix ADR listing to test Kospi rally this week
After a volatile stretch, South Korea's stock market is bracing for two major chipmaker events that could determine its near-term direction: Samsung Electronics' preliminary second-quarter earnings and SK hynix's American depositary receipts listing in the US. Samsung Electronics is widely expected to post record-high earnings on Tuesday, buoyed by the artificial intelligence-driven chip boom. The market consensus calls for revenue of about 170 trillion won ($111 billion) and operating profit of
New phone sign-ups face tougher ID checks
South Koreans buying a new mobile phone with a new subscription or switching carriers will now face tougher identity checks, as authorities move to curb fraudulent activations linked to identity theft and financial crimes. Major mobile carriers and mobile virtual network operators began implementing the new requirements Monday. Customers opening a new line or transferring their number must verify their identity using one of three methods: facial recognition, a mobile ID issued by the Ministry of
Pressure mounts on minister over military academy merger
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back is facing mounting pressure over his plan to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force academies. The proposal, part of Ahn’s push to reform military education and strengthen jointness among the services, has drawn growing criticism from opposition politicians, retired military leaders and academy alumni groups. On Sunday, Seoul mayor and prominent People Power Party figure Oh Se-hoon criticized the proposal. He said the officer training system was a “matter of long-te
At the foot of Mount Olympus, a return to ancient Greek heritage
For more than 30 years, hundreds of people who worship ancient Greek deities have been coming to the area to revive ceremonies whose roots stretch back to antiquity.
Experimental Ebola trial begins in Congo as death toll tops 500
The World Health Organization-sponsored trial will test the monoclonal antibody cocktail MBP134 and the antiviral remdesivir alongside optimized supportive care.
Japan bets on character IP to drive global growth
Hard-working Japanese businesses and creators are banding together to drive what is now one of Japan's most valuable assets.
Tanzania looks to Korea to expand tourism and business ties
South Korea is a priority market for Tanzania's Go Eastern Strategy that aims to attract tourists and business relationships, officials from the country's embassy in Korea and tourist board said at the Destination Tanzania Roadshow in Seoul on Monday. At the event, the Tanzania Tourist Board and the Embassy of Tanzania pitched the country's attractions and investment opportunities. Tanzanian Ambassador Noel Emmanuel Kaganda showcased his country as a world-class destination, highlighting the Se
Christopher Nolan to make first Seoul visit to promote 'The Odyssey'
Director Christopher Nolan will visit South Korea for the first time next month to promote his latest film, "The Odyssey," Universal Pictures said Monday. Nolan will arrive in Seoul on Aug. 3 alongside cast members Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. The visit marks Nolan's first trip to South Korea. In a handwritten letter released through Universal Pictures, Nolan thanked Korean audiences for their longstanding support. "I'm deeply grateful for the support and love you've shown for my films. I'm e
Sara Duterte faces impeachment trial with Philippine presidential dream at stake
The trial could deepen political turmoil in the Philippines, where growth has stuttered after revelations of graft led to a slump in consumer and investor confidence.
Four refiners indicted over alleged W14.2tr fuel collusion after US-Iran war
South Korean prosecutors indicted the country’s four major oil refiners Monday on fair trade charges, including allegations that two of them colluded to raise fuel prices after the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran in March. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office estimated that the alleged collusion by HD Hyundai Oilbank and SK Energy caused 14.2 trillion won ($9.27 billion) in direct anticompetitive impact. Including the ripple effect from GS Caltex and S-Oil following
AI memory crunch pushes Samsung to raise foldable prices again
Samsung Electronics is expected to raise prices across its Galaxy Z8 foldable lineup, with the entry Galaxy Z Flip8 rising about 13 percent over its predecessor, according to leaked pricing from Korean telecom distribution channels reported by local outlet Bloter. It is yet another consumer sign of a memory chip shortage born in the AI boom that is now reshaping the economics of the electronics industry. The Flip8 offers the cleanest read on the increase because it is the only new model with a d
Referees withdraw from Wellington club rugby over ongoing abuse
Ongoing abuse has forced Wellington referees to pull out of this weekend's club rugby games in the region - a move likely to result in the cancellation of games this weekend.
Atlas takes the World Cup stage
The development model of Hyundai Motor Group's Atlas humanoid robot delivers the FIFA World Cup match ball before the Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway in New Jersey on Monday, marking the robot's first live public appearance as part of Hyundai's "Next Starts Now" campaign. (Hyundai Motor Group)
No apartment? You can't join this dating app
Housing status is emerging as a new yardstick in South Korea's dating scene, with even a dating app now requiring users to verify they live in an apartment before signing up, news reports said Monday. The app Apting has been generating buzz online for being exclusively open to apartment residents in their 20s and 30s, regardless of whether they own or rent their homes. Residents of villas, officetels and other types of housing are not eligible. Connect Seoul, the app's operator, verifies applica
The supertanker tycoon making millions on Hormuz ‘shuttle runs’
Ga-Hyun Chung oversaw a successful covert project that sneaked crude oil out of the Persian Gulf through the vital waterway during the Iran war.
Checkmate your weekend in Suwon
Chess may be played quietly, but every match is a small battle of patience, focus and nerve. For foreign residents who like strategy games and want to test their skills, Suwon has a tournament coming up. The KT Suwon Branch International Chess Tournament will be held on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at KT Suwon Branch in Jangan-gu, Suwon. The tournament is open to KT customers, with foreigners living in Korea also welcome, according to the event poster. A separate notice says the event is for for
How Rescene Woni’s native dialect sparked a bizarre online controversy
A K-pop singer from South Gyeongsang Province has been swept into a controversy after she was accused of using a phrase resembling far-right internet slang in a video posted last month. Woni, 22, a member of the girl group Rescene, used the phrase “Museop-no,” meaning “It’s scary,” in a video posted to YouTube channel on June 28. The phrase drew attention after Kim Hyun-ji, a producer at MBC Gyeongnam, claimed on X that the ending “no” was associated with Ilbe, a far-right online community. Ilbe
Japanese doctors mark 34 years of free cleft-lip surgeries in Vietnam
In many developing countries, treatment for cleft lips or palates is often delayed because of financial hardship and limited access to specialized care.
KT unveils W18tr AI push under new CEO
KT announced Monday that it will invest 18 trillion won ($12 billion) to accelerate its shift into an AI-driven platform company, while reinforcing its core telecom, security and network infrastructure. The plan, unveiled by CEO Park Yoon-young at his first press conference since taking office in March, marks one of the telecom carrier’s most aggressive investment pushes as it seeks growth beyond its traditional mobile and broadband business. “KT’s fundamental role in connecting the country does
Where's our doctor, dentist, new school? The sprawling Glasgow suburb lacking basic amenities
About 2,000 new homes are currently being built in Robroyston, but residents say no amenities are being provided alongside them.
[Photo News] Around-the-clock won trading
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol (center) poses with Bank of Korea Assistant Gov. Kwon Min-soo (second from left), Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (second from right), Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-sung (far right) and Finance Ministry Senior Deputy Director Moon Ji-sung at Hana Infinity Seoul on Monday as they mark the launch of South Korea's near-24-hour dollar-won trading system. The new framework extends trading hours from the previous 9 a.m.-to-2 a.m. session to a
The battle for basics: Musinsa vs. Uniqlo
Musinsa reclaimed the lead in card payments among South Korea's fashion retailers in June, overtaking Uniqlo just a month after the Japanese giant briefly held the top spot, in the latest sign of an intensifying rivalry. Data from WiseApp Retail shows Monday that Musinsa recorded an estimated 347.3 billion won ($228 million) in card payments in June, up 27.3 percent from a year earlier and representing a 30.9 percent share among the country's 10 largest fashion retailers, including Uniqlo, Zara,
'I ate ketchup and cheese,' says Venezuelan girl trapped under quake rubble for 32 hours
Fabiana was trapped in the rubble of a 10-storey residential building after two earthquakes rocked Venezuela in June.
Falsely convicted man who spent £500k clearing his name is rejected for compensation
Brian Buckle, who was falsely convicted of sex abuse, spent more than five years in prison.
Pizza Express held inquiry into Andrew's Woking claim
BBC Newsnight has learnt the pizza chain held an internal investigation into the former prince's assertion that he had visited its Woking branch.
Commemorative €2 coin to mark Ireland's EU Presidency
A new €2 EU Presidency commemorative coin is being launched to mark the first working week of Ireland's term in the six-month role.
Timmins reptile store owner charged after confronting alleged vandal with machete
A Timmins reptile-store owner is facing assault-related charges after police say he confronted and injured a man who had smashed the business’s storefront window. The local police are using the incident to tell the public not to pursue people suspected of committing crimes, saying such situations can quickly turn violent.
What Haaland's home town did when Norway beat Brazil
Watch how Erling Haaland's hometown of Bryne reacted to their hero scoring both goals as Norway knocked out Brazil to advance to the quarter-final of the World Cup.
Taiwanese film hunters rescue aging reels from bygone era
Ranging from popular operas to romance dramas, the films resonated with many Taiwanese who had been educated during Japan's colonial rule and had limited Mandarin skills.
New free observatory opens at Seoul City Hall
A new free lookout spot has opened at Seoul City Hall, offering unobstructed views of some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Deoksugung, Jeong-dong and Gwanghwamun Square. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday that the Sky Observatory, spanning the eighth and ninth floors on the west side of the main City Hall building, opened Monday. The observatory offers south-facing views of the Deoksugung and the adjacent Jeong-dong neighborhood, while the north side overlooks Gwanghw
Jail sought for trio in BB gun attack on dog
Prosecutors are asking for prison sentences for three men accused of shooting two dogs with BB guns at a restaurant in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. During a hearing on Friday at the Busan District Court, prosecutors asked for two-year prison sentences for two of the men, both in their 20s, on charges that include special property damage. They requested a one year and six month sentence for the third man, also in his 20s. The three are accused of attacking two pet dogs at a restaurant on Jun
Caregiver who was jailed for raping elderly woman and sexually assaulting another named
Nilushan Jayanga Silva Ginthota Vidhanage was earlier found guilty of rape and two charges of unlawful sexual connection, RNZ can reveal.
Summer McIntosh breaks last women’s ‘supersuit’ world record
McIntosh broke Liu Zige's long-standing record (2:01.81) at China's National Games in October 2009.
10-man England outlasts Mexico to advance to World Cup quarterfinals
The result set up a last-eight clash with Norway, which shocked Brazil 2-1 earlier on Sunday.
Watch: England's Henderson injures wrist tripping over during match celebration
England midfielder Jordan Henderson suffers a wrist injury while celebrating his side's dramatic World Cup last-16 win over Mexico.
National Museum merchandise sales jump 90% in first half
Merchandise sales at the National Museum of Korea reached 21.8 billion won ($14.2 million) in the first half of 2026, up 90 percent from a year earlier, cultural authorities said Monday. It is also the first time that first-half sales at MU:DS, the museum's merchandise brand, have exceeded 20 billion won. The museum store offers a wide range of products, from everyday household items to souvenirs, inspired by Korea's cultural heritage and historical artifacts. The merchandise, branded as MU:DS —
One pass covers data, transport and sightseeing in Seoul
Visitors to Seoul can now purchase a single pass for everything from mobile data to museum entry, as the Seoul Tourism Organization expands the benefits of its Discover Seoul Pass. The pass, issued by the Seoul Tourism Organization, is exclusively for international visitors and can be purchased either as a physical card or a mobile pass. It covers admission to major attractions, transportation and mobile data. The pass comes in time-based options of 72 hours and 120 hours, while the Pick 3 Basic
Over 700 foreign riders caught in delivery app crackdown
Hundreds of foreign nationals were caught working as delivery riders in South Korea by using other people’s app accounts, as authorities move to crack down on unauthorized work in the fast-growing platform delivery industry. The Justice Ministry said Monday it caught 734 foreign riders and 16 delivery agencies during a five-month crackdown from January to May. The number of riders was nearly 11 times the 67 caught throughout last year. The ministry said the riders were accused of working outside
18 dead in Russian strikes on Kyiv on eve of NATO summit
Russia fired missiles and drones into apartment buildings in Kyiv for the second time in a week on Monday, killing at least 18 people on the eve of a crucial NATO summit, authorities said.
Movie ticket discounts are back. Here's how to grab one
For the second time this year, Korea is rolling out movie-ticket discount coupons to draw audiences back to theaters. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that the coupons, each worth 6,000 won ($3.90) off a ticket, will become available at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The first round went out in May, and this week's release adds another 2.05 million into circulation. If you have an online account with one of the country's four major multiplex chains — CGV, Lotte Cinema, Megabox or Cine
Weekend sleep-ins tied to higher teen suicide risk
Irregular sleep patterns between weekdays and weekends may be linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among teenagers, a study showed Monday. According to the study, published in the Journal of Korean Public Health Research by Han Seung-jun of Kyung Hee University’s Graduate School of Health Science and Management, teenagers with greater social jet lag were more likely to report suicidal thoughts, suicide plans and suicide attempts. Social jet lag refers to a mismatch between
Watch key moments from England's 3-2 win at the Azteca
Jude Bellingham scores twice and Harry Kane converts a penalty as 10-man England beat Mexico 3-2 in the World Cup.
Govt willing to engage with unions on pay deal - Tánaiste
The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has said that the Government is willing to engage with trade unions on a new public sector pay deal, but added that the deal would not come at any cost.
Federal workers return to the office 4 days a week. Will it be smooth sailing or 'another hot mess'?
Think you can win on prediction markets? Here's why you're more likely to lose
Americans don’t recognize the damage Trump is doing, says novelist John Irving
U.S.-Canadian novelist John Irving says he won’t travel to America to promote his new book, Queen Esther, because of his opposition to President Donald Trump.
Fake police scams in Tokyo down nearly 40% in January through May
The number of such cases decreased to 548, while the total financial damage from such scams shrank 38.3% to ¥6.17 billion.
Death toll from Venezuela quakes rises to just over 3,300
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to numbers released by the Venezuelan information ministry.
England into quarter-finals - what is their path to the final?
BBC Sport takes a look at what England will need to do to reach the final after progressing the quarter-finals.
Huge crowds gather for funeral of Iran's supreme leader
Massive crowds have gathered for the funeral procession of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, with authorities estimating millions were on the streets in numbers that could rival those of his predecessor's farewell nearly four decades ago.
NATO chief faces challenge at summit as Trump demands 'loyalty' and not just burden-sharing
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Since he started work as NATO secretary-general almost two years ago, Mark Rutte has spent much of his time trying to keep the United States anchored to the world's biggest military alliance, employing outright flattery to dissuade US President Donald Trump from acting on threats to abandon it. But the goalposts keep shifting, raising the stakes ahead of this week's summit in Turkey. Initially, it was about money. Trump has long railed against NATO allies for spending too
Australia signs defense alliance with Pacific nation Fiji
Canberra is bolstering ties with its South Pacific island neighbor as it seeks to outmaneuver China in the region.
Museum brand Mu:ds posts record first-half sales
Sales of cultural merchandise from South Korea's national museums topped 20 billion won ($13 million) for the first time in the first half of this year, driven by the global popularity of Korean culture, sources in the cultural sector said Monday. The National Museum Foundation of Korea's official merchandise brand Mu:ds recorded about 21.8 billion won in sales from January to June, up roughly 90 percent from 11.48 billion won a year earlier, according to the sources. Mu:ds -- a portmanteau of "
Australia space agency has found 'likely source' of mystery space balls
The agency says that they "appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle".
Woman granted name suppression after allegedly smothering child with pillow
The woman was held in custody on a separate matter.
Millennial Samsung union leader’s $26 billion bonus victory turns to bitterness
South Korea's artificial intelligence gold rush has both emboldened a new generation of Korean tech workers and created new divisions among them.
Smells bothering Auckland's Whenuapai School for years, public health officials say
The primary school is moving children out of four classrooms after tests found chemical compounds were causing the odours.
The heavy rain has moved on from Otago, but snow is shutting down roads in the high country, with SH8 closing again.
Car smashes into central Auckland building, causes extensive damage
One person is injured and people where evacuated after a car hit the building following a collision.
UK's next heatwave begins - but how will it be different?
As some parts of the UK start to experience their third heatwave of the year, Simon King explains how this one could be different from the last.
Witnesses to stabbing at Whangārei party sought by police
A young man remains in hospital following the stabbing at a large party in Te Kamo.
State Highway 2 north of Masterton closed after serious crash
The highway was closed for several hours near the Mikimiki Rd intersection.
The dark side of the Brazilian butt lift boom
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The aesthetics industry is worth billions but campaigners say there have been numerous cases of serious harm.
Three things you can do to stop EU border checks at the airport costing you
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Queues are expected at airports this summer owing to EU's new digital border control system.
JD Sports to reissue nearly €250,000 in gift card credit
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JD Sports has agreed to reissue nearly €250,000 in unspent gift card credit to Irish consumers, after the company had sold gift cards to them with incorrect expiry dates.
Unions call for an end to unpaid internships
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Trade unions have called on the Government to use its presidency of the European Union to progress an EU directive aimed at ending unpaid traineeships.
Oamaru woman stuck at house due to flooding after trying to evacuate her blind nephew
Raylene Mulligan, a local of more than 50 years, said she had never seen flooding so severe.
Haaland the hero as Norway beat Brazil to last-eight spot
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Erling Haaland struck two late goals as Norway stunned Brazil by winning 2-1 in New Jersey to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
A global hub for fake luxury goods, Vietnam cracks down on its black market
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The Trump administration wants Vietnam to stamp out its booming counterfeit industry. Locals are divided.
Summer McIntosh breaks women’s 200m butterfly world record at Canadian swim trials
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More temporary beds added to hospitals around NZ to meet winter demand
An extra 81 beds are now available across the country, and the number is expected to reach 103 by mid-July.
What is the future of Auckland's Avondale Racecourse?
Horse racing is riding into the sunset at Auckland's Avondale Racecourse, but what will happen to the 35-hectare site?
World Cup 2026: Brazil 1-2 Norway recap
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Norway beat Brazil 2-1 in New York/New Jersey to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Death toll from Venezuela's earthquakes rises to 3,342
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The death toll from Venezuela's twin quakes has risen to 3,342, according to numbers released by the Venezuelan information ministry on Sunday. The new tally also puts the number of injured at 16,470, while the number of homeless has risen to 17,345.
Train derails northeast of Montreal, police say no injuries
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Police in Repentigny, Que., say a train derailed in the city's Le Gardeur sector on Sunday afternoon. There were no reports of injuries.
'Diversity does not need to be a source of division' - Race Relations Commissioner calls for greater unity
The race relations commissioner says an updated policy is timely, given "recent race-based attacks either online or in person."
Norway headed to World Cup quarterfinals for 1st time after 2-1 win over Brazil
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Erling Haaland headed in the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time, carrying Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Brazil on Sunday that
FIFA's decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play in the United States' World Cup last-16 clash with Belgium has been welcomed by Donald Trump, while the Belgian Football Association said it was "astonished" and "investigating all potential options".
'Posh George': Who is aristocrat and convicted criminal at heart of Farage controversy?
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The 32-year-old reported crypto entrepreneur, once convicted of fraud in the US, is a long-time Farage ally.
Pope Leo XIV greets crowds upon arrival at Castel Gandolfo
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Arriving in Castel Gandolfo, just southeast of Rome, Pope Leo XIV briefly appeared at the balcony of the Apostolic Palace to greet the faithful gathered in Piazza della Libertà. He thanked them for their warm welcome and reaffirmed the importance of coming together as brothers and sisters.
Four-legged rescuers lead way after Venezuela quakes
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11 days after one of Latin America's worst earthquake disasters killed nearly 3,000 people, international teams are winding up their missions with little hope of finding more people alive. But dogs played a key role.
Steve's Music closes doors to its first location and last remaining store after more than 60 years
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O'Connor goal sees Limerick snatch victory at the death
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Limerick are through to another All-Ireland final after a late goal from Aidan O'Connor saw them edge out Clare in a suffocating encounter.
'Very dangerous' super typhoon nears US Pacific islands
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Howling winds and lashing rains battered Guam and the Northern Marianas today, hours before the projected arrival of a "super typhoon" with equivalent force to a category-5 hurricane over the US Pacific territories.
Woman in her 50s found dead after assault in Co Laois
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A woman aged in her 50s has been found dead following an assault in Co Laois.
Pope: Only God's mercy can fill hearts with genuine solidarity
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In a letter to the Bishop of Lodi, Italy, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on the occasion of the 27th Columbanus Day, Pope Leo emphasizes that only God's mercy can fill hearts with genuine solidarity and "enable enemies to extend a hand to one another." He also recalls his recent pastoral visit to the Lodi area and his tribute to Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.
Homegrown app Gander wants to make social media more Canadian
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Gander, a new social media app similar to X or Bluesky, was designed for Canadians — but many are skeptical that being homegrown alone will be enough to get users to try it.
Metro Vancouver workers responsible for cleaning, maintaining parks and trails walk off the job
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Over 100 workers with Metro Vancouver's regional parks walked off the job on Sunday, with the union citing member frustration over lack of movement in talks with the district.
Social media ban a 'distraction', say Opposition TDs
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Attempts to ban social media access for under-16s in Ireland and across the EU are a "distraction" from the deeper need to "stand up" to tech companies over their algorithms, it has been claimed.
Proposed class actions target City of Montreal, West Island suburbs, after floods
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Two class-action lawsuits have been filed in Quebec Superior Court after heavy rains on June 20 led to flooding in parts of Montreal's West Island. The proposed lawsuits allege the municipalities didn't do enough to mitigate known flood risks.
Pope: May the Church in the US continue to evangelize and serve society
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Pope Leo XIV sends a video-message for the conclusion of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in the United States and encourages the participants to draw from the Eucharist a source of renewal and unity.
Thousands welcome home Cape Verde footballers after stunning World Cup run
Tens of thousands of fans formed an ocean of blue outside the airport in capital city, Praia.
Mexico fans fail in bid to wake up England players
England players feel little to no impact of Mexico fans attempting to disturb their sleep by letting off fireworks outside their hotel.
Belgium 'astonished' after FIFA suspends U.S. forward's 1-game ban, allowing him to play Monday
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Folarin Balogun's one-game ban was surprisingly suspended by FIFA, clearing the American forward to play in the team's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium, a decision that was praised by U.S. President Donald Trump and promoted outrage from the Red Devils.
Government will work with EU on Aughinish, says minister
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A Government minister has said Ireland will "absolutely work" with the EU to update sanctions on products exported to Russia if a still-awaited independent report into Limerick-based Aughinish Alumina site confirms products are being used by Russia's army.
2 people pulled from Montreal's Lachine canal overnight in critical condition
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Rescue teams spent hours looking for two individuals in Montreal's Lachine Canal in the overnight hours of Saturday to Sunday. They were both taken to hospital in critical condition.
Competitor, 50s, killed in Skerries 100 motorcycle race
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A man in his 50s has died after a single-motorcycle collision at a race in Skerries, Co Dublin.
All-Ireland SHC semi-final: Limerick v Clare recap
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Neighbours Limerick and Clare meet in Croke Park for a place in the All-Ireland final against Galway. Can Clare upset the odds and beat Munster champions Limerick?
Canada's Auger-Aliassime advances to face Djokovic in Wimbledon quarterfinals
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Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon on Sunday.
'Start work at 11' - but will other bosses be as flexible over England's 1am match?
Employers are being urged to use their "common sense" to allow staff to work flexibly where they can.
Minister has no 'hard data' to back up legal fee reform
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A senior counsel who practises in the criminal courts has said Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan does not have the "hard data" to back up his claims about reforming the payment structure of solicitors.
Shifting winds around Wrigley, N.W.T., causing fire to 'hiccup'
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"So far our lines have held," say N.W.T. Fire officials. As of Sunday, the fire remains out of control, but there have been no reports of structure loss.
Government eyes new fund to invest tax windfall from AI-driven chip boom
The government plans to establish a new fund to effectively invest windfall tax revenue generated by the semiconductor industry’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven boom, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said Sunday. He explained that the fund is intended to finance future priorities and challenges, including the government's three industrial megaprojects unveiled last week, as well as support for people in their 20s and 30s. "We must not spend the additional tax revenue resulting from the semiconductor upturn carelessly at this critical moment that will determine Korea's future," Kang said during a high-level meeting between the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) at the prime minister’s official residence in Seoul. He went on to say the Lee Jae Myung administration plans to establish what he called a "future response fund" to use additional tax revenue as a "source of investment for future generations." “The creation of the future response fund will lay the foundation for realizing an ‘irreplaceable Korea,’” he added, calling for close cooper
Iran invited Korea to late supreme leader's funeral, later canceled plan: sources
Iran invited Korea to participate in the funeral event for its former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but later withdrew the invitation, diplomatic sources said Sunday. "After receiving an invitation from Iran, the diplomatic mission planned to participate, but Iran later noted last-minute that the mission's attendance would be difficult due to venue-related issues," an official from Seoul's foreign ministry said. Observers said Iran appears to have decided not to receive condolences from foreign diplomatic missions in Tehran as it focused on receiving high-level delegations from other countries. The Korean government is also believed to have accepted Iran's change of plan, considering its relations with Washington, they added. The former Iranian supreme leader was killed on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks on the Middle Eastern nation.
OPEC+ approves further oil output increase as Hormuz exports start to recover
LONDON — OPEC+ has agreed a further increase in output targets from August, the group said in a statement on Sunday, adding to global supply at a time when oil prices are falling due to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports. The oil-producing group agreed during an online meeting to increase quotas by 188,000 barrels per day from August, on top of similar increases for June and July. Seven core members of OPEC+, which groups OPEC and allied producers including Russia, have hiked their output quotas from April through July by almost 800,000 bpd. Yet the increase has remained largely on paper because of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which closed the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic for some of the most important OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. Production begins to recover OPEC+ output fell to 33.13 million bpd in May, according to OPEC data, from 42.77 million bpd in February. It began to recover in June thanks to U.S. efforts to help the UAE and other OPEC+ nations export more oil, but is still below pre-war levels. Despite persisting supp
Samsung to limit size of homes eligible for employee loan program: sources
Samsung Electronics plans to tighten requirements for its employee housing loan program for workers without homes by restricting support to smaller residences, industry sources said Sunday, amid criticism such benefits could fuel property price hikes. According to the sources, the Korean tech giant decided to limit eligible homes to those measuring 85 square meters or smaller, a widely preferred apartment size, in the greater Seoul area and six major cities. In May, Samsung Electronics agreed with its labor union to offer housing loans of up to 500 million won ($326,700), depending on employees' positions, with an annual interest rate of just 1.5 percent. The latest revision came as some critics raised concerns that such low-interest loan programs could be abused to dodge the country's lending regulations, eventually leading to further property price hikes. In June, Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin said such corporate housing loans should be partially regulated for the public good, although there are also limits to such regulations under the market economy system. The sourc
Samsung, SK, Hyundai's investment plans fuel US trade pressure concerns
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix’s unprecedented 800 trillion won ($522.8 billion) investment plan for Korea's southwestern semiconductor belt is emerging as a critical test of their relationship with the United States, as experts and industry officials warn that Washington could intensify pressure on the Korean firms to expand manufacturing on U.S. soil. They said the Donald Trump administration, which has consistently used tariffs and trade policy to encourage foreign companies to invest in the U.S., is unlikely to view such massive domestic investment plans by the Korean chipmakers favorably. Earlier this year, Trump warned that memory chipmakers that failed to build manufacturing facilities in the U.S. could face tariffs of up to 100 percent, a remark widely interpreted as targeting Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Although the proposed semiconductor tariffs have since been put on hold and have yet to be implemented, the measure remains a potential source of leverage in future trade negotiations between Seoul and Washington. Samsung Electronics is currently investing $37 billion t
Tesla’s price hike sparks call for regulatory framework
Tesla Korea’s decision to raise electric vehicle (EV) prices shortly after qualifying for the government subsidy program has sparked calls for tougher safeguards to prevent automakers from exploiting public incentives and undermining their intended purpose. Critics argue that carmakers receiving subsidies should be required to maintain stable pricing for a certain period to ensure that taxpayer-funded benefits reach consumers instead of boosting corporate profits. The controversy erupted Wednesday after Tesla Korea increased its prices across several models. A day earlier, the government announced the automakers and models eligible for this year's EV subsidy program. The Model 3 Long Range increased by 7 million won ($4,575), while prices for other models rose by about 3 million won to 5 million won. The timing triggered an immediate public backlash with consumers criticizing Tesla for raising prices as soon as subsidy eligibility was confirmed. This year’s subsidy program evaluates manufacturers on a broad range of criteria, including technological competitiveness, contributions to
150 people from 50 countries become US citizens at Mount Vernon on America's 250th birthday
MOUNT VERNON, Va. — The people who were about to become United States citizens sat in folding chairs on George Washington's lawn at Mount Vernon on Saturday, 250 years after the Declaration of Independence. The sun beat down and the well-dressed crowd was a flutter of paddle fans stamped with American flags. Their families clung to the shade of the trees on either side, where one woman had two American flags stuck through her ponytail. “Well, good morning, everybody,” said Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. “Good morning!” an excited crowd returned. “And Happy Birthday, United States of America!” exclaimed Petri. There were 150 people from 50 globe-spanning countries sitting in front of the small stage as they prepared to be sworn in as U.S. citizens on the July Fourth holiday and America's 250th birthday. Among them was U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare from Guinea, who attended in his pressed Dress Blue uniform with three medals pinned to his left breast. Sangare had served two deployments, and, like all assembled, had gone through the long
NATO chief faces challenge at summit as Trump demands 'loyalty' and not just burden-sharing
ANKARA, Turkey — Since he started work as NATO secretary-general almost two years ago, Mark Rutte has spent much of his time trying to keep the United States anchored to the world’s biggest military alliance, employing outright flattery to dissuade U.S. President Donald Trump from acting on threats to abandon it. But the goalposts keep shifting, raising the stakes ahead of this week’s summit in Turkey. Initially, it was about money. Trump has long railed against NATO allies for spending too small a fraction of their national budgets on defense. But those problems were addressed at their summit last year, when U.S. allies committed to invest as much as America, in gross domestic product terms. NATO's real problem now is turning that money into military capabilities, particularly as European countries worry about a possible attack from Russia. Still, Rutte tried to put to bed any lingering concerns at a White House meeting last month, with a new pitch using a chart labeled the “The Trump Trillion” in gold letters — showing $1.2 trillion in spending by European allies and Canada
Seoul City Hall to open new observatory with panoramic views to public
A new public observation deck inside Seoul City Hall will open later this week, offering panoramic views of some of the capital's best-known landmarks, from the tranquil grounds of Deoksu Palace and the historic Jeong-dong neighborhood to Gwanghwamun Plaza. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Sunday that it will open the newly renovated Sky Observatory on the eighth and ninth floors of the west wing of City Hall later this week, transforming what was once an employees-only area into a public space. To the south, visitors can overlook the tranquil grounds of Deoksu Palace and the historic Jeong-dong neighborhood, while to the north, the skyline stretches toward Gwanghwamun Plaza and the city's main boulevard. Until recently, the space served as a simple waiting area connected to a multipurpose hall on the eighth floor. Access was restricted to City Hall employees and event participants, and the area was used primarily as a small lounge. City officials explained that the decision to open the space followed internal discussions, during which it was agreed upon that such exceptional
Braves' Kim Ha-seong out with finger injury
Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves has hit the sidelines with right middle finger inflammation, as his frustrating season took a turn for the worse. The Braves placed Kim on the 10-day injured list Saturday (U.S. local time), with Kyle Farmer being activated in a corresponding move. For Kim, this is the same finger that was surgically repaired after he slipped on ice in his native Korea and tore a ligament in January. The incident occurred soon after Kim had signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Braves, who had designs on having the former Gold Glove winner as their primary shortstop. Kim only made his season debut in mid-May and has been struggling mightily at the plate, batting just .068 (5-for-73) in 27 games with zero home runs, three RBIs and 22 strikeouts against only nine walks. The Braves have been rotating Mauricio Dubon, Jorge Mateo and Jim Jarvis as their starting shortstop. With Kim out, San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo is now the only active Korean player in Major League Baseball.
'Agent Kim Reactivated' finds success by focusing on father's love
Actor So Ji-sub's action drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" surpassed the 20 percent viewership mark just four episodes into its run. According to ratings tracker Nielsen Korea on Sunday, the fourth episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama, recorded a nationwide rating of 21.6 percent on Saturday. That makes it the third-highest-rated SBS Friday-Saturday drama in history, trailing only "The Penthouse 2," which hit 29.2 percent, and "The Fiery Priest,” which reached 22 percent. The show has climbed steadily since its premiere. It opened with 9.5 percent, jumped to 15.7 percent in the second episode, reached 18.8 percent in the third and broke 20 percent by the fourth episode. The series, which premiered on June 26, follows Kim (So Ji-sub), a former special agent, who now lives a quiet life as a worker at a small bank. The change in job was the last wish of his late wife, who asked him to "just live as a father." However, when his only daughter Min-ji (Seo Su-min) is kidnapped, he draws on his deadly fighting skills to save her. In the fourth episode, Kim teams up with his old friends Seong Ha
Mobile phone activation rules tighten Monday with facial recognition option
The government will require stricter identity verification for new mobile subscriptions starting Monday, including facial recognition or digital ID authentication, as part of a broader effort to combat identity theft, illegal phone registrations and voice phishing. Under the new procedures, users signing up for a new line or switching carriers must verify their identity using facial recognition, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's mobile ID app or a certified copy of their resident registration record issued on the same day. For users who either fail facial recognition or do not wish to use biometric authentication, carriers can use nonfacial recognition alternative methods to approve and proceed with conditional activation. The new rules will apply across all channels, including carrier stores, third-party retailers and online platforms, covering both major telecom operators and mobile virtual network operators. The strengthened verification does not apply to customers upgrading devices with the same carrier. The measures aim to prevent fraudulent mobile activations using stolen id
[K-LIT REVIEW] K-drama mixes with Jane Austen in June Hur’s 'Behind Five Willows'
In the late 18th century, King Jeongjo of Joseon found himself with a headache — one that was simultaneously his British contemporaries a continent away, in debates about the importance and appropriateness of the novel. While Jeongjo was a staunch advocate of classical, moralistic texts modeled after the ancient Chinese masters, the people of Joseon were being swept away by new literary winds. With the increase in trade between Joseon and Qing China came an influx of new Chinese books — vernacular fiction written in casual styles that focused on everyday people and their feelings rather than philosophies of reason and grand Confucian virtues. Writers in Joseon took notice and were soon producing literary works of their own that were satirical, deeply emotional, whimsical and utterly, unspeakably popular. Alarmed, Jeongjo unleashed the “Munche Banjeong” movement, which directly translated means “the restoration of proper literary style.” This crackdown aimed to purge all “unorthodox” writing styles and return readers’ attention to morally grounded classical texts. Shin
Hana Financial taps new student ambassadors to reach younger generations
Hana Financial Group has appointed 50 university students as its new brand ambassadors to help promote the group's social initiatives and expand outreach to the younger generations, the financial group said Sunday. The 20th class of the group's SMART student ambassadors was appointed in a ceremony attended by Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo at the group's headquarters in central Seoul Thursday. The students will serve as ambassadors for two months, taking part in brand promotion campaigns and volunteer activities. Under the slogan "Ha. Ha. Ha.," the students will participate in three main programs — Happy Hana, focused on online and offline brand promotion, Harmony Hana, which involves volunteer activities, and H.Q. Hana, centered on field programs at the group's future headquarters in Incheon's Cheongna International City. As part of expanded on-site activities, participants will tour the Cheongna headquarters site and develop promotional ideas in collaboration with local residents and small business owners. The students will also participate in domestic and overseas volunt
U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly traded shares of Coupang Inc. through an asset management firm after beginning his second term, according to U.S. financial disclosure reports, raising questions over a potential conflict of interest in the company that has become a source of diplomatic unease between Korea and the United States. The reports, filed with the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and released in May and again this month, show that Trump traded Coupang Inc. shares 18 times between October 2025 and May this year through two investment accounts. Trump is estimated to still hold up to $130,000 worth of common stock in U.S.-listed Coupang Inc., although it accounts for a relatively minor portion of his overall investment portfolio. Several senior foreign policy and trade officials in the Trump administration were also found to have received compensation from the company for speaking engagements, advisory work or consulting services before taking office, although they did not trade Coupang Inc. shares as Trump did. Among them were U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who r
Police delayed probe into Hong Myung-bo appointment despite calls for swift action
Police investigating alleged irregularities in the appointment of former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo left the case dormant for over nine months despite an internal oversight body's recommendation for a swift investigation. Although the case was recently transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), police are facing mounting criticism that the investigation came too late, after public and political pressure intensified following the national team’s disappointing World Cup result. On Sept. 23 last year, the SMPA instructed Jongno Police Station to expedite its investigation into a complaint accusing Lee Lim-saeng, the former technical director of the Korea Football Association (KFA), of obstruction of business. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a citizen in July 2024, alleging that Lee violated the KFA's bylaws and national team operating regulations during the appointment of Hong as national team head coach. After police repeatedly delayed a decision, the complainant sought an investigative review, a procedure that examines whether an investigation
Korea overhauls heat wave alert system for 1st time in 18 years
Korea has overhauled its heat wave warning system for the first time in 18 years, introducing a new top-tier alert aimed at providing earlier warnings as increasingly extreme summer temperatures pose greater health risks. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) activated the revised system on Wednesday, replacing the previous two-tier structure with a three-stage framework consisting of a heat wave advisory, heat wave warning and the newly created severe heat wave warning. Under the previous system, a heat wave advisory was issued when the perceived temperature was forecast to remain above 33 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days, while a warning required apparent temperatures of 35 degrees or higher for two days. The new highest-level alert, however, can be issued if the perceived temperature is expected to reach 38 degrees or if the actual air temperature reaches 39 degrees for just one day, allowing authorities to respond immediately without waiting for prolonged extreme heat. The KMA said the change reflects the growing threat posed by unprecedented heat waves, whic
BOK joins warnings over Samsung, SK hynix leveraged ETFs
The Bank of Korea (BOK) warned Sunday that single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix could amplify market volatility, joining growing regulatory concerns over the high-risk products. The rare warning is expected to add momentum to financial authorities' efforts to tighten investment requirements for the products. In a written response to Rep. Park Sung-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party, the BOK said leveraged ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK hynix could exacerbate the market's heavy concentration in the two major chipmakers, which account for more than half of the Korean stock market by market capitalization and trading value. "The domestic stock market has become increasingly concentrated in a handful of semiconductor stocks amid improving earnings in the sector," the BOK said. "Single-stock leveraged ETFs could further intensify one-way trading as investors pour money into or pull out of the products in response to changes in market expectations or the business environment." The central bank warned that a sharp decl
Trump hails US, blasts 'communists' in 250th anniversary speech
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump hailed America on its 250th birthday Saturday as the "crowning achievement" of human history, even as he used the event to renew his attack on domestic opponents he branded communists. In a speech delayed by several hours when storms forced the temporary evacuation of crowds in Washington, Trump claimed that under his presidency the United States was "prouder than ever before." While Trump had promised a huge political rally to stamp his brand on the national celebrations, the 80-year-old Republican largely stuck to a more traditionally patriotic script. "For two and a half centuries, our American republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history," Trump told tens of thousands of people on the National Mall. On stage, he hailed also veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. But he then hailed the latter two as examples of the battle against "communists" — reprising his message from his speech on Friday night at the iconic Mount Rushmore monument. "Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the wor
SK Telecom plans 15GW AI data center buildout across Korea by 2035
SK Telecom on Sunday announced its plan to develop up to 15 gigawatts of artificial intelligence (AI) data center capacity nationwide, aiming to position Korea as a leading AI infrastructure hub in Asia. The initiative comes as surging demand for AI model training and inference is driving an unprecedented need for high-performance computing infrastructure. The company said it will advance the project in alignment with the government’s AI G3 goal, reviewing power, site and operational requirements. "The AI data center initiative is designed to proactively prepare the computing infrastructure needed for the global AI ecosystem," SK Telecom CEO Jung Jai-hun said. "We will work closely with the government, industry and local communities to help establish Korea as Asia's leading AI infrastructure hub." The telecom will take a phased approach, beginning with its first AI data center in Ulsan, currently under construction, and expanding into a broader cluster exceeding 2 gigawatts across the southeastern region. It aims to use the cluster as a foothold to attract global tech giants seeking to
Coupang's US entanglement
The decision by Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration to publicly accuse Korea of unfairly targeting Coupang marks a troubling escalation in bilateral tensions. What should have remained a regulatory dispute has now been elevated into a political and trade issue, with American politicians echoing allegations that Seoul is discriminating against a U.S.-owned e-commerce company. Every democratic nation has both the right and the obligation to enforce its laws, regardless of a company's nationality. Korea's investigation into Coupang arose from one of the country's largest reported customer data breaches, affecting more than 37 million users. Regulatory scrutiny also extended to corporate governance and competition matters that fall within the jurisdiction of Korean authorities. These actions were not initiated because the company is American-owned, but because they concerned alleged violations of Korean law. Yet the report issued by Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee portrayed these investigations as a coordinated campaign o
Forrest green
Forrest green
The 'new' 6.25 of Korean genealogy
Americans call it the Korean War. Koreans call the three-year fratricidal war that broke out on June 25, 1950, the “yug-i-o,” meaning the day the war began. Like Dec. 7, 1941 (“a day that will live in infamy” — FDR), or Sept. 11, 2001, these were days so horrific that the event is known by that day as a numeric. I’m going to suggest another meaning for 6.25. I’ve mentioned this briefly in a previous column when I was writing about the new jokbo in Korea. I presented this idea to the audience at the Global Forum that The Korea Times sponsored on the new Korean jokbo — “Not just grandfathers, but grandmothers jokbo, too.” In my presentation there, and I wrote about it in my column here, I suggested the new Korean jokbo will be similar to the Western jokbo — and at the same time, will recapture the traditional Korean jokbo before the male dominance, before the patrilineal takeover of the Korean jokbo. Koreans, before the late 17th century, kept what was called a “pal gojo-do.” The beginning structure in Western jokbo, or genealogy, what we now like to call “fami
No. of moviegoers for Korean films jumps 75 % in H1
The number of moviegoers for Korean films jumped 75 percent on-year in the first half of the year, led by the historical film "The King's Warden," which topped 16 million admissions, data showed Sunday. Korean films drew 37.4 million admissions in the January-June period, compared with 21.4 million viewers the previous year, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council. In the cited period, ticket sales of domestic films soared 81.7 percent on-year to 370 billion won ($242 million). In the first half, the number of newly released Korean movies fell to 217 from 240 the previous year, but viewer admissions and ticket sales jumped on the back of the popularity of "The King's Warden." Directed by Jang Hang-jun, "The King's Warden" attracted 16.9 million admissions, becoming the second-most-watched film of all time in South Korea. The Korean zombie thriller "Colony" also broke 5 million admissions, and the supernatural horror film "Salmokji: Whispering Water" surpassed 3 million admissions.
Why US and China are struggling to reach a consensus over future shape of relationship
China and the United States may have agreed to establish a "constructive" relationship characterised by "strategic stability" but deep-seated differences have left the future shape of the relationship looking uncertain, a forum in Beijing heard on Saturday. Looking ahead to President Xi Jinping's possible U.S. visit later this year, Sun Yun, director of the China programme at U.S. think tank the Stimson Centre, said such trips typically required a list of deliverables, "but to my knowledge, both the two sides have not reached any consensus on what that deliverable package will look like". Sun told the World Peace Forum held by Tsinghua University: "The two leaders have reached the consensus to establish a constructive relationship of strategic stability, but both sides do not have a shared consensus as for what exactly it means." She also highlighted a fundamental difference in priorities, with Beijing focusing on the constructive aspects such as cooperation while Washington was more concerned about how to manage disputes. For the U.S., the most important issue was to establish regular c
Koreans mourn Kang Hee-seon, voice actor for ‘Crayon Shin-chan,’ Hollywood actresses
Voice actor Kang Hee-seon, best known as the Korean voice of Misae Nohara, referred to by local audiences as Bong Mi-seon, Shin-chan's mother in the Japanese animation "Crayon Shin-chan," died Saturday after battling cancer. She was 65. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Kang became one of Korea's most recognizable voices through animation, foreign film dubbing and public transportation announcements. She provided the Korean voice for Hollywood actors including Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman, while her subway announcements accompanied millions of commuters in Seoul and Busan for nearly three decades. News of her death prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media, where many users described her voice as a defining part of their childhood. Posts featuring Bong Mi-seon's memorable scenes from "Crayon Shin-chan" quickly filled with messages thanking Kang for bringing warmth, humor and emotion to one of Korea's most beloved animated mothers. Public figures also paid tribute. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Kang's voice had accompanied Seoul citizens throughout
China frees jailed pastor Ezra Jin
BEIJING — China has released the founder of an underground church who has been detained since October, his church and family confirmed to AFP on Sunday, after US President Donald Trump raised his case with counterpart Xi Jinping. Ezra Jin is the founder of Zion Church, one of China's unregistered churches that some Christians choose to worship at instead of state-sanctioned ones regulated by the government. Jin, also known by his Chinese name Mingri, was detained along with other church members on October 10 on "suspicion of the illegal use of information networks". Trump raised his case when he visited Xi in May, and had said the Chinese president would "strongly consider" releasing him. On Saturday, rights group ChinaAid said in a statement that Jin had arrived in Los Angeles after being released from detention in China. The pastor was told by Chinese officials that his release "resulted from discussions between US President Donald J Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and was presented as a goodwill gesture coinciding with America's Independence Day", the statement said. "We thank
Thinking in 3 languages
The biggest lesson I have learnt about language did not come from my Korean classroom. It came while reading an English essay written by my Korean student. Until recently, I assumed learning a language was mostly about memorizing vocabulary and grammar. After all, that is what language classes often seem to revolve around. Now, after studying English, Chinese and Korean, I have realized I was completely wrong. The hardest part of learning a new language is not learning new words or grammar. It is learning a new way of thinking. While marking my student's essay, I noticed a recurring pattern. He knew a lot of words and understood the grammar we had studied. Yet many of his sentences sounded awkward and unnatural. Every individual word was correct. Together, however, the sentences did not sound like English. Then I noticed something even more interesting. The mistakes were not random. They were predictable. Around the same time, a chapter in my Korean course at Korea University introduced the concept of language typology and explained that English, Chinese and Korean belong to three very di
S. Korea's yearly working hours fall by 32 hours last year but remain longer than OECD average
The average annual working hours for South Koreans fell by 32 hours last year from the previous year but still remain nearly 100 hours longer than the average for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as a whole, data showed Sunday. South Korea's average annual working hours came to 1,833 hours in 2025, down from 1,865 hours the previous year, according to the OECD. Amid the South Korean government's efforts to reduce real working hours, including the introduction of the 52-hour workweek system in 2018, the country's average annual working hours have been on a steady decline. But South Korea's 2025 yearly working hours still remained 97 hours longer than last year's average of 36 OECD member states at 1,736 hours, data showed. Currently, the OECD has 38 member nations. Of the 36 OECD nations for which data was available last year, South Korea ranked sixth in terms of working hours. Mexico topped the list with 2,205 hours last year, followed by Costa Rica, Chile, Greece and Israel, the data showed. Last year, South Koreans worked 33 hours longer than U.S. workers
Trump's financial gains flow through money landscape
President's financial gains flow through money landscape
Advanced AI uses 136.5 times more electricity than standard chatbots, study warns
The next generation of artificial intelligence could trigger a massive global energy crisis. A groundbreaking new study by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has quantified the hidden electricity costs of advanced AI agents for the first time. The findings reveal that these autonomous systems consume up to 136.5 times more energy per query than the conventional generative AI tools we use today. While standard chatbots simply answer a question and stop, AI agents act like digital assistants. Given a goal like planning a vacation or managing a budget, they independently figure out how to do it. To finish the job, the agent will search the internet, make calculations and execute commands entirely on its own. However, this independence comes at a massive environmental cost. To complete a complex task, the agent has to talk to itself and rerun its core AI programming over and over again. This continuous looping means answers can take 153.7 times longer to generate. Even worse, expensive computer graphics chips sit completely idle more than half the time, burning el
Police starting to track down person behind Gwangju high school bomb threat
Police said Sunday they have launched a search for an individual who wrote an online post claiming that an explosive device had been planted at a high school in the southwestern city of Gwangju amid a controversy over baseball trash talk. The Korean National Police Agency said an investigation was launched after police and fire authorities received a report Saturday regarding an online message that claimed a bomb had been placed at Gwangju Jeil High School. "This act is an obvious crime that infringes on students' right to study and undermined the people's peaceful daily life," the police agency said. Police searched the high school Saturday, but an explosive device was not found. A controversy involving school baseball teams erupted after some players of Pai Chai High School in Seoul derided opponents of Gwangju Jeil with insensitive trash talk during a recent high school baseball tournament. Some Pai Chai players were heard yelling toward the Gwangju Jeil dugout, "Let's go to Starbucks!" and "Tank Day!" in reference to a controversial promotion by Starbucks Korea on May 18, the annivers
Lee congratulates Trump, US citizens on 250th anniv. of American independence
President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump and the people of the United States on the 250th anniversary of American independence, referring to South Korea as a "precious partner" to the U.S. Lee wrote the message on X, formerly known as Twitter, as the U.S. commemorated the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding Saturday. "The U.S. began a great journey toward the ideals of freedom and democracy 250 years ago and has overcome so many challenges and led the international community's peace and prosperity," Lee said. "The Republic of Korea is a precious partner to the U.S., having upheld such values together." Lee highlighted young U.S. soldiers' sacrifices for the 1950-53 Korean War, noting that his country will remember their sacrifices forever and make efforts to further strengthen the Seoul-Washington alliance. "Both nations are developing as future-oriented partners of shared prosperity, expanding the scope of cooperation beyond security to future-related areas, including the economy, advanced technology, energy, shipbuilding, nuclear energy and art
Researchers identify molecular subtypes of pediatric brain tumor, paving way for treatment
A Kookmin University research team has identified previously unrecognized molecular subtypes of medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric brain tumor, in collaboration with researchers in Korea and abroad, opening new possibilities for personalized treatment. The university said Friday that the team, led by applied chemistry professor Kim Kyung-hee, conducted the study as part of the National Cancer Center’s Cancer Proteogenomics Research Program, an initiative dedicated to advancing proteogenomics-based precision medicine for cancer. The collaborative research team included Kim Young-wook of the National Cancer Center, Park Jong-bae of Kyung Hee University, Kim Seung-ki of Seoul National University, Yoon Jong-hyuck of the Korea Brain Research Institute and Jason K. Sa of Korea University. International collaborators included Antonio Iavarone and Fulvio D’Angelo from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Michael D. Taylor of the Toronto-based Hospital for Sick Children. The researchers performed a comprehensive proteogenomic analysis by integrating genomic, tra
Sejong University ranks 10th in Korea, 64th in Asia in Asia University Rankings 2026
Sejong University ranked 10th in Korea and 64th in Asia in the Asia University Rankings 2026 released by Times Higher Education (THE), posting the highest research quality score among Korean universities. The rankings evaluated leading universities across Asia based on five key performance areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook. The university said Friday that it scored 93 in the research quality category, becoming the only Korean university to score above 90. The indicator, a key measure of the quality of research output, underscores the strong international recognition and impact of the university’s research. In addition, the university’s research influence score increased to 85.66 from last year’s 83.1, demonstrating the growing global reach and influence of its research achievements. The university said it also delivered a strong performance in internationalization. Its proportion of internationally co-authored research rose from 59.9 percent to 61.4 percent, reflecting the continued expansion of its global research
How did Lee Sang-min finally clear years of debt? TV star discloses $1.1 mil. income
Korean TV personality Lee Sang-min has revealed that he earned 1.5 billion won ($1.1 million) last year, offering a glimpse into how he was able to finally pay off the massive debt that followed him for nearly two decades. The figure was disclosed in the latest episode of the Wavve survival reality show "Blood Game X," released Friday. Cast members were asked to reveal their previous year's income as part of a challenge to determine their team's starting funds. Lee, who led Team P1, suggested that everyone disclose their earnings. Fellow contestants said they had earned 50 million won, 80 million won and 200 million won, respectively. When Lee simply answered, "1.5 billion won," the studio fell silent in surprise. After hearing the numbers, Team P1 decided against taking a financial gamble and instead chose its guaranteed team funds. "There was no reason to gamble," Lee said. "Since my income was the largest, I suggested we stick with what we had." Contestant Park Ji-min also expressed surprise, saying, "I don't think anyone else would have written down more than 1.5 billion won." The reve
Japanese beer imports top 100,000 tons for 1st time in 2025 on rising demand
Imports of Japanese beer into Korea surpassed 100,000 tons for the first time last year, driven by growing demand at convenience stores, supermarkets and other retail outlets, data showed Sunday. Korea imported 100,322 tons of Japanese beer in 2025, up 22 percent from a year earlier, according to the annual imported food inspection report released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Imports of Japanese beer had risen steadily to over 86,000 tons in 2018 but fell to just over 50,000 tons in 2019 after a nationwide boycott of Japanese products amid frayed bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo. Annual imports remained below 10,000 tons in 2020 and 2021 before rebounding in 2022. They surpassed 70,000 tons in 2023 and 82,000 tons in 2024. Japanese beer also overtook imports from the European Union (EU) to become Korea's largest source of imported beer by region in 2025, with a market share of 41.7 percent. In contrast, beer imports from the EU, which had approached 200,000 tons in 2019, have declined steadily in recent years, falling to 84,254 tons in 2024 and 63,161 tons in 2025.
Korean won falls nearly 6% against dollar this year amid foreign stock sell-off
The Korean won has fallen nearly 6 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, central bank data showed Sunday, as foreign investors sold off more than 156 trillion won ($102.3 billion) worth of domestic stocks. The average exchange rate stood at 1,484.56 won per dollar during the first half of the year, according to the Bank of Korea's Economic Statistics System. It marked the second-highest first-half average on record, behind 1,493.08 won in the first half of 1998 during the Asian financial crisis. The exchange rate climbed above the 1,500-won level in March for the first time since the global financial crisis, following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Although it briefly retreated to the low 1,400-won range, it rebounded above 1,500 won in mid-May and has remained above this level ever since. The broad weakness of the won this year has made it one of the worst-performing major currencies. The Korean currency won had depreciated 5.92 percent against the dollar on July 3, compared with the end of last year, according to Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency.
MONDAY, July 6, 2026
1348-Papal bull of Pope Clement VI issued during the Black Death states Jews are not to blame and encourages their protection 1775-Congress issues the "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms," written by Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson and lists American grievances but denies any intent to be independent 1785-U.S. Congress unanimously resolves to name the U.S. currency the "dollar" and adopts decimal coinage 1885-Louis Pasteur successfully gives an anti-rabies vaccine to 9-year-old Joseph Meister, saving his life 1923-The Central Executive Committee accepts the Treaty of Union, signed in Moscow in December 1922, and the Russian Empire becomes the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 1967-Nigerian Civil War erupts as Nigerian forces invade the secessionist state of Biafra 1970-California passes the first no-fault divorce law in the United States
'No Hong' signs greet embattled former coach in US
SEATTLE — Koreans in Los Angeles had hoped to watch Korea play there during the World Cup knockout stage. Instead, they are reacting to the arrival of former coach Hong Myung-bo, whose handling of the national team's World Cup campaign has made him one of the country's most criticized sports figures. Hong arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday, just days after stepping down following Korea's disappointing World Cup exit. His departure came as lawmakers prepared to question football officials over the Korea Football Association's (KFA) handling of the national team amid growing calls for accountability over its performance. The frustration was evident not only in online posts but also on storefronts across Los Angeles' Korean community. Photos shared on Threads and Instagram showed restaurants, cafes and grocery stores posting signs barring Hong from entering. One proposal gained traction on the Korean American online forum MissyUSA, where a user suggested local business owners join in. "In Korea, he probably thinks he can walk away and people will eventually forget," the user wrote. "There
To avoid climate peril, the world must electrify
ISTANBUL — The cascade of shocks to the global economy over the past few months has offered a glimpse of our new reality. The Gulf conflict has taken an extraordinary—and dangerous—amount of oil, gas, and fertilizer off the market, and now a possible “super” El Niño cycle could bring more extreme weather. That means this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference — COP31 in Antalya, Turkey—will come just as millions of people have been pushed deeper into energy and food poverty, forced to suffer truly terrible conditions as they endure more severe natural disasters. These perils underscore the danger of continuing to depend on imported fossil fuels. Around 80% of the global population lives in countries that remain net importers of fossil fuels, and we have just witnessed how vulnerable this reliance leaves our economic security. Around the world, but especially in developing countries, the prices of essentials have spiked, financial conditions have deteriorated, and debt distress has spread. This latest global crisis further reinforces the need for cleaner, more
Loans from securities firms hit record high in Q2 amid stock rally
Korean retail investors borrowed a record amount from securities firms in the second quarter of this year as the local stock market extended its strong rally, industry data showed Sunday. The combined average daily balance of margin loans and stock-backed loans reached a record 61.98 trillion won ($40.5 billion) in the April-June period, up from 57.42 trillion won in the January-March period, according to the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA). The average daily outstanding balance of margin loans stood at 46.95 trillion won in the second quarter, up 15.9 percent from the first-quarter average of 31.01 trillion won. Margin loans refer to funds borrowed by investors from brokerage firms to purchase stocks that have yet to be repaid and are widely regarded as a key gauge of debt-funded stock investing. The average daily balance of stock-backed loans, which allow investors to borrow against pledged securities, came to 25.97 trillion won in the April-June period. The surge in borrowing is expected to have boosted brokerage earnings, with domestic securities firms estimated to have
China's Xi vows 'long-term, stable' development of ties with N. Korea
Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to ensure the "long-term and stable" development of his country's ties with North Korea in a reply sent to the North's leader Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang's state media reported Sunday. Xi's reply was in response to Kim's congratulatory message sent to the Chinese president on July 1 marking the 105th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Expressing his "sincere" thanks to Kim, Xi said North Korea's Workers' Party of Korea and the CCP are the "Marxist ruling parties," according to the KCNA. "I am ready ... to lead the China-DPRK relations to a long-term, sound and stable development and thus promote the stable and long-term development of the socialist cause of the two countries," the message read. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. Xi made a two-day state visit to Pyongyang on June 8-9 in his first trip to North Korea in seven years. During the visit, Kim and Xi agreed to deepen cooperation and strengthen high-level communication. N
As Venezuela death toll rises, survivor recounts days beneath the rubble
LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA — Juan Zapata had just eaten dinner in his fifth-floor apartment overlooking the Caribbean and was about to take a shower when he was thrown across the room by the force of the twin earthquakes that ripped across Venezuela's coast 10 days ago. He spent two days and seven hours trapped in the rubble, wedged between two pieces of rebar, before civilian rescuers pulled him out. "When they were rescuing me I said, 'I'm on the fifth floor' and they told me, 'no, you're in the lower basement.' I couldn't believe what had happened to me," Zapata said, as he stood next to his cot in a field hospital in La Guaira state run by disaster relief group Samaritan's Purse. Zapata was initially treated at the public hospital in La Guaira, the site hardest hit by the quakes, and came to the field hospital after visiting his building, Costa Brava, and finding it destroyed. He is recovering from several fractured ribs, as well as serious cuts and scrapes. His lower legs are bandaged and it still hurts to breathe. "All my material things were lost, but God has given me health," he said.
N. Korea's Kim observes weapons tests from naval destroyer Kang Kon
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen tests of strategic cruise missiles and other weapons from a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, ordering the warship to be commissioned into the Navy within two months, state media reported Sunday. Kim observed tests of cruise missiles, naval artillery, automatic guns and electronic warfare means from the destroyer Kang Kon on Friday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In June last year, North Korea launched the destroyer Kang Kon, about one month after it had tipped over during its initial launch attempt. The South Korean military said Sunday it detected the North's firing of cruise weapons from the warship toward the East Sea on Friday, and Seoul and Washington are analyzing the specifics. Footage taken from various angles, released by North Korea's state-run TV, showed some 10 cruise missiles soaring into the sky in succession. The KCNA reported the latest weapons tests were part of efforts to examine and confirm an ability to "apply various kinds of weapon systems on board the destroyer in combat." The North's leader called for f
Trump's financial disclosure reveals 18 Coupang stock trades since late last year
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump made 18 trades in Coupang Inc. shares from October to May via his money managers, his financial disclosure reports showed Saturday, amid tensions between Seoul and Washington over South Korea's regulatory probes into a massive data breach involving the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant. Released in May and this month, three reports filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) showed that Trump traded Coupang shares through two investment accounts from Oct. 9 to May 22. They suggested that he likely holds Coupang shares worth up to $130,000 on the books. His stock transactions drew attention as U.S. criticism has risen over South Korean authorities' handling of Coupang's data leak scandal. A House Judiciary Committee staff report and a White House official recently criticized the probes as "discriminatory." According to the reports, Trump purchased Coupang shares worth between $1,001 and $15,000 on Oct. 9, followed by an additional purchase valued between $50,001 and $100,000 on the same day. The disclosure reports listed transaction values
PM's shout-out to CORTIS: Why middle-aged Koreans are falling for rookie K-pop group
"I'll spare no effort in boldly crossing barriers as traffic lights change and times change." That was the pledge made Han Seong-sook on June 8 during her first appearance before reporters while preparing for her parliamentary confirmation hearing to be the next prime minister. The line was a reference to "REDRED," a song by rookie K-pop group CORTIS. The song represents outdated attitudes that should be abandoned, while "GREENGREEN" symbolizes the direction the group believes people should pursue in life. One verse goes: "Stop holding back, Red Red / The traffic light has turned Green Green / Cross over the fence, Green Green." Han, who took office as prime minister on Wednesday, later explained why she mentioned the song. "My younger sibling is a CORTIS fan these days, so I've been listening to their music too," she said. Her reference contrasted with former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who invoked legendary singer Seo Taiji during his presidential campaign launch last year as a symbol of generational change. Han instead cited a group that debuted only last year to express h
History book pits 2 Korean Catholic martyrs against each other
The Korean Peninsula's Catholic history is surprisingly fascinating, even if you're a nonbeliever — like I am. Its history traces back to the 1700s, midway through the 1390-1910 Joseon Dynasty, an isolationist state. Rather than arriving via foreign missionaries, Catholicism was brought to the country by Koreans who discovered it while abroad in China. As it spread throughout Korea, the government tried to stop its expansion, leading to persecution resulting in somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 deaths. This horrific history also led to an unusually high number of saints, with 103 martyred Korean Catholics officially canonized by the Church in 1984. A new book by Brothers Anthony and Han-Yol of the French ecumenical community of Taize analyzes the lives of two early Korean Catholic figures: Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon and Ven. Father Thomas Choe Yang-eop. Titled "Martyr of Blood, Martyr of Sweat," the book presents annotated letters by the two figures, both born in 1821. Most of the correspondence is being published in English translation for the first time, with the letters previously
Viral 'bare mountain' draws Korean Gen Z, foreign tourists for summer travel
A dark blue pond sitting amid a broad green meadow crowns the summit of Mount Mindung. The hollow floor and circular pond anchor the landscape. The green summit rises high enough to overlook surrounding peaks, and without a single pine tree in sight, the view opens wide. This is Mount Mindung, an 1,118.8-meter peak in Jeongseon County, Gangwon Province. While Korea has many bare mountains, Mindungsan, which translates to "bare mountain," uses this as its official designation. When autumn arrives, this expansive field fills with silver grass. This seasonal shift traditionally established autumn as the mountain's peak visitor period. Recently, however, the summer season at Mount Mindung has drawn hikers' attention on social media. The scenery, taking on a vivid green color sharper than in any other season, is a distinct feature that has drawn popularity online. The doline pond visible from the ridge has become a photogenic spot surpassing even the famous silver grass. If Mount Gwanak in Seoul was the mountain drawing the most attention on social media earlier this year, Mount Mindung has
Netflix may be rewriting rules for Korean cinema with 'Possible Love'
Lee Chang-dong’s seventh film, "Possible Love," has been confirmed for a theatrical release, a surprising turn from widespread expectations that it would debut on Netflix. Industry observers believe the move was made with major international film festivals in mind, given Lee’s long-standing reputation as one of Korea’s most acclaimed directors on the global stage. According to the Korea Media Rating Board, "Possible Love" received an adults-only rating for directly portraying nudity and sexual acts while depicting the lives of laid-off workers, as well as themes of love, loss, trauma and the restoration of human relationships. "Possible Love" is Lee’s first film in eight years and stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. It follows two married couples leading completely different lives whose chance encounter sets off a series of emotional entanglements. With a running time of 164 minutes, it is the longest feature Lee has directed. The project was originally conceived as a theatrical release before shifting to a Netflix-backed production while seeking finan
Health secretary seeks advice over maternity inquiry staff who refused to give evidence
James Murray says he felt "numb" after hearing from families affected by the scandal.
Who Is The Fraudster Who Paid For Farage’s Security?
, updated:
Reform denies rules were broken over benefits provided to Nigel Farage.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation declares state of emergency over rising floodwaters in Manitoba
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Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has declared a state of emergency on Saturday as floodwaters quickly rise in the western Manitoba community and surrounding areas.
Reform denies rules broken by Farage after benefits from ally not declared
The Sunday Times says the Reform UK leader failed to register the support supplied by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who had been convicted of fraud.
Iran's supreme leader absent as senior officials attend ayatollah's funeral
Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public since the attack which killed his father at the onset of the US-Israel war with Iran.
Infernos devastate forests as Europe's temperatures rise
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Hundreds of firefighters are battling forest infernos in France, Spain and Portugal as temperatures rose again in heatwave-scarred Europe.
Trump mixes patriotism with partisanship as he celebrates America's 'joyous' 250th anniversary
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals on Saturday as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.” Speaking in Washington after storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall, Trump honored veterans, including several from World War II and one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat in Vietnam. They
Iran invited S. Korea to late supreme leader's funeral, later canceled plan: sources
Iran invited South Korea to participate in the funeral event for its former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but later withdrew the invitation, diplomatic sources said Sunday. "After receiving an invitation from Iran, the diplomatic mission planned to participate, but Iran later noted last-minute that the mission's attendance would be difficult due to venue-related issues," an official from Seoul's foreign ministry said. Observers said Iran appears to have decided not to receive condolenc
Polanski says he will pay any council tax owed linked to houseboat
The Green Party leader told the BBC he is waiting for a decision from Waltham Forest Council.
Police inquiry into Yes Scotland campaign's 'missing £1.5m' claim
It is claimed funds raised for the group which campaigned for independence in the 2014 referendum are "unaccounted for".
Global push for AI governance amid warnings of ‘catastrophic harm’
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Can artificial intelligence benefit all of humanity – safely, fairly and without causing “catastrophic harm”? That is the question at the heart of a major UN summit opening in Geneva on Monday.
As deadly as war and as powerful as governments, global organized crime remains in the shadows
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When people think of the world’s deadliest threats, armed conflicts usually come to mind first. Yet every year, organized crime quietly claims a comparable number of lives.
Suspected Asian fraud ring exec served fresh warrant in Japan
The man, Hu Shi, and two others were initially arrested last month by Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of submitting a false move-in notification.
International Swimming League to pay over $7M US in overdue 2021 prize money, eyes comeback
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The International Swimming League will pay more than 300 athletes long-overdue prize money owed from its 2021 season, Commissioner Ben Allen told Reuters, as the professional swimming circuit seeks to rebuild trust and relaunch after years of inactivity.
England battling history as well as Mexican nation in Azteca cauldron
England will be battling against history as well as entire nation when the face Mexico in the World Cup last 16 at The Azteca, says chief football writer Phil McNulty.
NHS app to use AI to determine which service best for patients
The update will be available to all users in England by April 2028, the health service says.
Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros 'bummed' to miss Travis Kelce's wedding to Taylor Swift over game schedule
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Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros said he was "bummed" to miss out on seeing his longtime friend and NFLer Travis Kelce marry pop icon Taylor Swift at a star-studded wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday.
Harry Styles beats Taylor Swift's and Coldplay's Wembley records
The Watermelon Sugar singer is the first artist to perform 12 shows on a single tour at the stadium.
DP lawmaker Lee Un-ju hospitalized after sexually explicit deepfakes spread online
Rep. Lee Un-ju of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea has been hospitalized after sexually explicit deepfake images and abusive posts targeting her spread online, prompting lawmakers to call for a thorough investigation and legal action against those involved. Rep. Lee is receiving hospital treatment for severe psychological distress and stress-related symptoms, according to the lawmaker's office on Sunday. Doctors have advised her to rest, making it difficult for her to communicate with others
Samsung to limit size of homes eligible for employee loan program: sources
Samsung Electronics Co. plans to tighten requirements for its employee housing loan program for workers without homes by restricting support to smaller residences, industry sources said Sunday, amid criticism such benefits could fuel property price hikes. According to the sources, the South Korean tech giant decided to limit eligible homes to those measuring 85 square meters or smaller, a widely preferred apartment size, in the greater Seoul area and six major cities. In May, Samsung Electronics
Pope Leo XIV will spend summer holidays in July in Castel Gandolfo
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The Prefecture of the Papal Household announces that, beginning on the afternoon of Sunday, July 5, the Pope will stay in the town of Castel Gandolfo until July 27 and that all audiences are suspended in this time period.
A 39-year-old man has been shot dead in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Pope Leo prays for victims of Venezuela earthquake
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Following the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV turned his thoughts to Venezuela, which has been tragically struck by two powerful earthquakes that have claimed nearly 3,000 lives. The Pope also remembered the recent beatification of Vietnamese priest Francis Xavier Tru’o’ng Bǚu, who was killed out of hatred for the faith.
Ador unveils new evidence alleging Min Hee-jin orchestrated NewJeans' split
Ador submitted new evidence that it says shows former CEO Min Hee-jin orchestrated NewJeans' effort to leave the agency, during the third hearing Thursday in its damages lawsuit against former member Danielle, her mother and Min. At the center of the newly submitted evidence was an audio recording dated Sept. 2, 2024, in which Min allegedly discussed plans surrounding NewJeans' YouTube livestream held nine days later. According to Ador, the recording captures Min telling the members' parents tha
Two found dead in crashed car in missing men search
William Hutchinson was last seen on 24 June and Stuart Tallis was reported missing three days later.
Samgyetang prices rise 29% in five years
Samgyetang, a go-to stamina dish eaten during "chobok," the first of the three hottest days of Korean summer, is getting pricier each year. The average price for a bowl of samgyetang in Seoul reached 18,154 won ($12) in May, up 29 percent from 14,077 won in 2021, according to data released by the Korea Consumer Agency on Sunday. The data also showed that famous restaurants now charge more than 20,000 won for the summer staple. Prices have risen steadily in recent years, from 14,577 won in 2022 t
Three sons of Iran's slain leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not his successor
TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Three sons of slain Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed beside his coffin and those of four other family members on Sunday, but Mojtaba, the son who succeeded him as Iran's supreme leader, did not make an appearance. State TV showed Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud Khamenei praying behind the coffins laid out in the vast courtyard of Tehran's Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla, a sprawling religious complex. Their father, alongside several other members of the family, was killed
Pope at Angelus: Amid the scourge of war Christ is hope
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During the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV reflects on how Christ takes upon himself our struggles and is the answer to the evil present in the world and highlights that God’s wisdom “is revealed in the humility of the Incarnation.”
Hayabusa2 flies past asteroid as Japan aims to acquire data for planetary defense
The encounter marks a new phase for Hayabusa2, which completed its primary mission in 2020 after returning samples from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth.
WSL brings surfing back to Korea with Siheung Open
Surfers from around the globe rode the waves at the 2026 World Surf League Siheung Korea Open, held Friday to Sunday at the Wave Park in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. The event featured men’s and women’s shortboard QS 6000 and longboard LQS 1000 competitions, with pizes totalling 130 million won ($85,000). Now in its third year in Korea, the WSL event drew around 250 surfers from 16 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea and the US. (Photos: Yonhap)
Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire in Portugal, Greek authorities warn of toxic smoke
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Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires in Portugal and Greece on Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to help contain a massive blaze that's been burning for more than three days.
Okinawa’s seaweed at a crossroads as harvesters and scientists race to save a fading tradition
As sea temperatures rise, the prefecture's ubiquitous mozuku is under threat. Scientists believe they are close to a breakthrough to protect the staple.
Evacuations in Guam as super typhoon Bavi approaches
The storm is forecast to bring winds in excess of 160mph and waves nearly 11m high when it makes landfall on Monday.
Stay humble - the Premier League feud about to hit world stage
The Premier League feud between Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Arsenal defender Gabriel goes global as Norway meet Brazil at the World Cup.
Heavy rain hits Dunedin, surface flooding across city
MetService has updated its forecast with a further 50 to 70 mm of rain expected on top of what has already fallen.
Son who succeeded slain Iranian leader Khamenei absent from funeral as 3 other sons appear
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The son who succeeded Iran's slain leader wasn't at the funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four other family members on Sunday, while three other sons showed up and prayed beside the coffins.
Seoul to finance AI-era growth with fund drawn from chip tax windfall
The Lee Jae Myung administration plans to create a new investment fund financed by a tax windfall from the semiconductor boom. The proceeds will be channeled into artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and other long-term growth projects, according to the presidential office. "The government seeks to establish a 'future response fund' so that additional tax revenue can be used as investment resources for future generations," Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said during the nint
Williams is 'Ronaldinho-like' - but can she win Grand Slam matches?
In her latest BBC Sport column from Wimbledon, Naomi Broady looks at if Serena Williams' comeback showed she can win future Grand Slam matches.
Canterbury club rugby side suspends season after team van crashes
The BDI team was involved in a two-vehicle collision in Darfield, with multiple players taken to hospital in moderate to critical condition.
Japan mulls easing travel advisory for Iran
The plan emerged as other countries move to resume business in the Middle East and Japanese companies in the region are calling to lower the travel advisory.
Three sons of Iran’s slain leader Khamenei appear at funeral, not his successor
There has still been no public sighting or image released of Mojtaba, said to have been injured in the attack that killed his father and the other family members on Feb. 28.
Why the Azteca is a legendary World Cup stadium
BBC Sport explores the history and cultural power of the Azteca, one of the great cathedrals of world football, as England prepare to face Mexico there in the last 16 of the World Cup.
World Cup 2026: Mexico 2-3 England recap
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Ten-man England beat World Cup co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium to set up a quarter-final against Norway.
Ten-man England escape Azteca cauldron to reach quarters
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Ten-man England edged out co-hosts Mexico 3-2 to book a World Cup quarter-final against Norway.
US marks 250th birthday with fireworks, flyovers and extreme weather
US President Donald Trump's speech included some of his political agenda but also honoured war veterans and American history.
‘Defense,’ not ‘warfare,’ stressed as pacifist Japan beefs up capabilities
The move is seen as at least partially aimed at winning public support for boosting the country's defense capabilities.
Staying up for the match? How to handle a 1am kick-off
Forget blocks and tackles, this is the tactical plan you need for the football.
Braves' Kim Ha-seong out with finger injury
Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves has hit the sidelines with right middle finger inflammation, as his frustrating season took a turn for the worse. The Braves placed Kim on the 10-day injured list Saturday, with Kyle Farmer being activated in a corresponding move. For Kim, this is the same finger that was surgically repaired after he slipped on ice in his native South Korea and tore a ligament in January. The incident occurred soon after Kim had signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the
No. of moviegoers for Korean films jumps 75% in H1
The number of moviegoers for South Korean films jumped 75 percent on-year in the first half of the year, led by the historical film "The King's Warden," which topped 16 million admissions, data showed Sunday. Korean films drew 37.4 million admissions in the January-June period, compared with 21.4 million viewers the previous year, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council. In the cited period, ticket sales of domestic films soared 81.7 percent on-year to 370 billion won ($242 mil
How drug gangs use social media to recruit Thai air crew as couriers
Early in the morning on June 18, a message from an unknown account slipped into the TikTok inbox of a flight attendant in Bangkok with a series of questions: "Are you flying to Australia? Do you do carry-for-hire? What is your rate?"
Three men killed in separate road crashes yesterday
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Three men died on the country's roads yesterday following crashes in counties Donegal, Cork and Kildare.
Investigations launched over mobile fees and FIFA ticket fiasco: CBC's Marketplace Cheat Sheet
The CBC's Marketplace rounds up the consumer and health news you need from the week.
Mexico return luxury watches gifted by YouTuber
World Cup co-hosts Mexico - who play England on Sunday night - return luxury watches gifted to them by a content creator because Fifa rules prohibit expensive gifts.
Police probe bomb threat after baseball chant evokes Gwangju massacre
Police have launched an investigation after an online post claimed that a bomb had been planted at Gwangju Jeil High School, days after the school became the target of a controversial chant during a national high school baseball tournament. The National Police Agency said Sunday it had opened an investigation into what it called a public threat linked to a recent cheering controversy at a high school baseball game. “Such acts are clear crimes that violate students’ right to learn and disrupt the
BTS heats up London with The City Arirang
BTS' city-wide fan festival, "The City Arirang," kicked off its London edition at the Korean Cultural Centre UK on Saturday, with organizers also announcing that the fan-themed campaign will extend to the British Museum. Celebrating BTS' upcoming concerts in the UK during the "Arirang" world tour, The City Arirang invites fans to visit London's iconic venues transformed with a BTS theme. Fans can travel to these venues and take part in an eight-stop stamp rally. An exhibition at the KCCUK, locat
Thinking of becoming 'plant butler?' Start with these low-maintenance houseplants
Seven in 10 Korean adults now live with plants. In a 2024 survey of 500 adults by the Rural Development Administration, 72 percent of respondents said they were raising companion plants. The trend even has its own name. "Sikjipsa," a compound of the Korean words for plant and butler, refers to those who tend their plants with the devotion of a caretaker, and the term has settled into everyday use as more people turn to greenery for emotional comfort. Even K-pop stars are joining in. In January,
Abuse hotline opens to flood of reports from migrant workers
Reports of human rights abuses involving migrant workers in South Korea increased more than sixfold in the first month after the government opened a dedicated multilingual hotline, the Justice Ministry said Sunday. The ministry said 142 reports were filed through the new channel at the 1345 Immigration Contact Center in its first month of operation, compared with a previous monthly average of 22. The hotline, launched May 27, allows foreign workers to report unpaid wages, sexual harassment or as
Depth of support for Trump despite declining poll numbers
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If 4 July and America 250 celebrations highlighted anything, it was the depth of support and enthusiasm for Donald Trump that exists despite his declining poll numbers, writes Washington Correspondent Jackie Fox.
Cricket match abandoned after bull storms pitch
The bull's owner brought along a cow to entice it off the Burnopfield playing grounds to no avail.
What to know about Korea's near-24-hour won market
South Korea's dollar-won spot market will move to near-24-hour trading from Monday, in Seoul's latest effort to bring more won trading onshore and open up one of Asia's most tightly managed currency markets. The shift is expected to improve foreign investors' access to won trading and reduce reliance on offshore pricing. But it will also test whether Korea's onshore market has enough overnight liquidity to absorb global shocks smoothly. Here is what to know about the key changes, expected benefi
Concern raised over national guidelines around labour
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The former master of the National Maternity Hospital has called for a review of the national guidelines around labour, warning the current recommendations can lead to dangerous outcomes for women and babies.
Do World Cup hydration breaks hold water?
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With hydration breaks being used by many broadcasters to show full screen ads - and at times being greeted by boos from fans in stadiums - the question remains: who benefits from the hydration breaks?
The ups and downs of the Deposit Return Scheme
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The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has reported some impressive figures this week - since its launch in 2024, more than 3 billion bottles and cans have been returned.
Tipperary horseracing finds itself at a crossroads
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Co Tipperary has long been regarded as one of Ireland's great horseracing strongholds - a county where racing is woven into the fabric of rural life and where generations have been raised around horses, training yards and racecourses.
Lee’s office says AI era demands ‘bigger state role’ amid megaproject backlash
Cheong Wa Dae is positioning President Lee Jae Myung’s three megaprojects — spanning semiconductors, AI data centers and physical AI — as a state-led strategy to build South Korea’s production base for the AI era, amid growing criticism from the opposition bloc. The presidential office has rejected criticism that the projects are political showpieces for favored regions, saying they are instead a plan to build the national production system behind AI — from power and water to chips, data centers
Lee Jung-hoo stays hot at Coors Field as Giants beat Rockies 6-3
Lee Jung-hoo continued his success at Denver's Coors Field, driving in a run, scoring once and collecting a hit as the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 6-3 on Saturday. The win improved the Giants to 37-51 and evened the series after Friday's loss. Batting fifth in center field, Lee finished 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. His average dipped from .319 to .317 (96-for-303), but he extended his hitting streak to two games. After going 11-for-15 at Coors Field last season, Lee h
Jefferson-Wooden edges Richardson in 100m in Eugene
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden edged Sha'Carri Richardson in a thrilling photo finish to win the women's 100 meters at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday, while Nigeria's Kayinsola Ajayi stunned world leader Oblique Seville in the men's race. Richardson is known for her extraordinary closing speed but could not hold off reigning world champion Jefferson-Wooden, who charged down the final metres to break the tape in 10.78 and win by one hundredth of a second in Eugene. Twenty-year-old Adaejah Hodge
Body recovered from water near Te Papa
The man was seen entering the water earlier this afternoon, but did not resurface.
U.S. turns 250 with Trump center stage
The birthday was marked with parades, flyovers and fireworks, as President Donald Trump stamped his mark on the landmark anniversary.
How Iran's new regime is very different to what came before
Khamenei's funeral is another reminder of the change Iran has seen, but what does its new leadership want?
NPS trims Samsung, adds SK hynix in rebalancing
The National Pension Service resumed rebalancing its domestic equity portfolio this month, but the pace of selling during the first three trading days was slower than investors had feared, suggesting the market impact may be less severe than expected. The NPS, the world's third-largest pension fund with more than 2,000 trillion won ($1.47 trillion) in assets under management, increased holdings in stocks including SK hynix, Hanwha Aerospace and Hybe while continuing to trim its overall domestic
Ive heads to North America after successful Japan dome tour
After wrapping up the Japan leg of its second world tour, "Show What I Am," with performances at Kyocera Dome Osaka and Tokyo Dome, Ive is set to continue its global trek with an eight-show North American run. According to Starship Entertainment, the tour will kick off July 21 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, before stopping in Montreal, Austin, Los Angeles, Oakland and Seattle, and concluding at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Aug. 9. The upcoming run marks Ive's second North American tour.
AI-generated fake court citations could draw fines in Korea
Bills proposed in South Korea’s National Assembly on Friday seek to penalize litigants and lawyers for submitting court documents containing fabricated case citations, amid growing concern about AI-generated errors appearing in legal filings. Rep. Lee Sung-yoon of the Democratic Party of Korea proposed revisions to the Civil Procedure Act and the Criminal Procedure Act that would impose fines of up to 5 million won ($3,270) on plaintiffs, representatives or lawyers who submit court documents cit
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly bought and sold shares of New York-listed Coupang Inc., the parent company of Korea’s Coupang business, over the past 10 months amid ongoing discord between Seoul and Washington over Coupang’s data breach. According to the financial disclosure reports released by the US Office of Government Ethics on Wednesday, Trump executed 18 transactions involving Coupang stock through two investment accounts between October 9 and May 22 this year. The disclosures sho
LG Chem expands chip materials business with Amkor deal
LG Chem said Sunday it will begin mass supplying semiconductor strippers to Amkor Technology, a leading US-based outsourced semiconductor assembly and test company. Amkor provides semiconductor packaging and testing services for major chipmakers worldwide. A stripper is a key process chemical used to remove photoresist and residue from semiconductor wafers after circuit patterning. As chip circuits become smaller and more complex, stripping performance has become increasingly important for manuf
Trump offers to help Putin find deal with Ukraine, U.S. president also speaks with Zelenskyy
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U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to Russian leader Vladimir Putin by telephone for nearly 90 minutes, offered to help find a solution to the Ukraine war, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said in comments made public early on Sunday.
N. Korean hackers use fake coding tools to steal company secrets: report
North Korea-linked hackers used fake coding tools to break into software developers’ computers, a tactic that could give them access not only to individual machines but also to the software projects and company systems those developers work on, a US software security firm said. JFrog Security Research, a Silicon Valley-based software security firm, said it discovered six malicious packages uploaded to npm, a widely used online code library where millions of JavaScript developers download ready-m
HD Construction Equipment partners with Korean Army on autonomous machinery
HD Construction Equipment said Sunday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Army Headquarters at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province to cooperate on autonomous construction equipment technologies and maintenance training. The partnership aims to help the military adapt to declining troop numbers by applying and validating autonomous construction equipment in military operations. Under the agreement, the two sides will collaborate on technologies for missions such as restor
SK Telecom targets 15 GW AI data center capacity by 2035
SK Telecom said Sunday it plans to build a nationwide network of artificial intelligence data centers in Korea, betting that demand for AI computing power will continue to outstrip supply. The project will begin in Ulsan, where the company is building its first AI data center. SK Telecom plans to use the site as the base for a larger cluster across the Yeongnam region — which includes Busan, Ulsan and Daegu, and the North and South Gyeongsang provinces — with capacity eventually exceeding 2 GW.
Hana's SMART ambassadors to pitch future finance ideas
Hana Financial Group said Sunday it launched the 20th class of its SMART student ambassador program, with 50 university students beginning two months of activities following an inauguration ceremony held Thursday at the group's headquarters in Myeong-dong, Seoul. Launched in 2012 as the financial industry's first university student ambassador program, SMART has become one of Hana Financial's flagship youth engagement initiatives. Under the theme "Ha.Ha.Ha.," the students will act as a bridge bet
Memorial held for 2020 rain disaster in Kumamoto
Participants included bereaved family members, land minister Yasushi Kaneko and Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura.
After mild June, Korea braces for heat dome
South Korea’s summer has felt less oppressive than usual so far, thanks to a delayed monsoon and lower humidity. But that brief relief may not last. Weather experts say the country could face stronger heat after the rainy season ends, as two high-pressure systems may expand over the Korean Peninsula and trap hot air near the ground. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul’s average humidity in June was 61 percent, lower than last year’s 70 percent and the long-term average of
Jeju walks back Chinese tourist rental car idea after backlash
Comments by a senior Jeju official suggesting that Chinese tourists could be allowed to rent cars after mandatory driving lessons have sparked public backlash, prompting the island government to clarify that it has no plan to ease current rules. The remarks were made Thursday during the first executive policy meeting of the new island administration, following the inauguration of Gov. Wi Seong-gon. Officials were discussing ways to increase tourism spending. “We could consider easing the regulat
Woori Bank data leak affects 17,551 customers
The personal information of 17,551 Woori Bank customers was leaked after an employee at an external software developer retained customer data without authorization and uploaded it, the bank said Friday. The leaked information included connecting information, or CI, an encrypted identifier used to verify individuals online, as well as customer nicknames. Phone numbers, resident registration numbers and home addresses were not compromised, according to the bank. The affected customers had expresse
Hotels put luxury spin on Korean summer stamina food
Seoul's luxury hotels are competing for diners with premium takes on boyangsik, the restorative dishes Koreans have long eaten to power through the hottest weeks of the year. The tradition peaks during boknal, the three hottest days of the lunar calendar, when samgyetang, eel and croaker dishes are believed to replenish energy drained by the heat. Chobok, the first of the three days, falls on July 15 this year. The second, jungbok, falls on July 25 and the third, malbok, on Aug. 14. At Park Hyat
Hotel prices triple ahead of Big Bang's 20th anniversary concert in Goyang
Hotel prices near the venue for Big Bang's upcoming 20th anniversary concert have risen to up to three times their usual levels, local reports said Sunday. Accommodation rates near Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province have risen sharply since tickets went on sale on June 25 for the group's three-day concert on Aug. 21-23. Hotels and motels near Daehwa Station — the closest subway stop to the venue on Line No. 3 — are charging more than double their usual prices for the concert weekend on online b
Trump celebrates US 250th anniversary
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals on Saturday as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.” Speaking in Washington after storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall, Trump honored veterans, including several from World War II and one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat in Vietnam. They
New Iran leader absent from Khamenei funeral
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Three sons of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei made a rare public appearance at his funeral, but there was still no sign of their brother and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Voice behind Seoul subway announcements dies
Voice actor Kang Hee-sun, well known as the voice behind subway announcements in Seoul, passed away Saturday. She was 65. Her voice is familiar to many Koreans and tourists through the subway's in-car Korean announcements advising passengers of what the next stop is and which side the doors will open. Kang was diagnosed with colorectal cancer that had metastasized to her liver and was given two years to live in 2021. In her illness, Kang underwent 47 rounds of chemotherapy but continued her work
Lovebugs fade, but biting katydids spread in Seoul area
As lovebug numbers fall, another insect is drawing complaints from residents in Seoul and nearby cities. Brown katydids, known scientifically as Paratlanticus ussuriensis, have recently been reported in large numbers around Mount Buram and Mount Surak in northeastern Seoul, as well as in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Residents have posted online that the insects are appearing on hiking trails, apartment walls, pipes and even inside homes. Brown katydids are native to Korea and grow to about 3 to
Yuhan marks 100 years with global drug ambitions
Korean pharmaceutical company Yuhan has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming an innovative global drugmaker as it recently celebrated its centennial. “The way Yuhan has been able to walk the past 100 years was based on the two unwavering values of progress, the drive to continuously forge new ways, and integrity, the commitment to uphold principles and elevate dignity,” said Cho Wook-je, CEO of Yuhan, during the celebration of the firm’s century-long history at the Willow House, the company’s r
Venezuelan doctors return home to give aid amid quake devastation
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Marianyi Bastidas is one of several doctors and specialists who left their birth country of Venezuela years ago, but returned to help after the disastrous twin earthquakes in late June.
Overdose calls to paramedics on the rise in several Ontario cities, CBC analysis shows
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Non-fatal opioid overdose calls are on the rise in four Ontario cities — nearly tripling in Hamilton in the first five months of 2026. Researchers and social workers suggest the toxic drug supply and the closure of supervised consumption sites in the past two years may be factors.
Ottawa councillors, MPPs call for help from province after Canada Day deluge
Several Ottawa city councillors and MPPs have signed an open letter calling on the province to make disaster relief funding available for residents facing financial burdens after last week’s storm.
After addiction, I had to earn my daughter's trust and learn to be a mom
Five years into recovery, Melissa MacMillan shares how she and her daughter, Eden, are learning how to rebuild their relationship.
Metrolinx issued a parking ticket for a car stolen from Oshawa, Ont., train station. Its owner is still fighting it
When Nancy Griffin parked her vehicle at the Oshawa GO station on March 25, she expected a routine trip to and from Toronto. Instead, she says she found herself at the centre of a months-long ordeal involving a stolen vehicle, confusing bureaucracy, and a parking ticket for a car she no longer possessed.
Is there any merit to the advice to ‘sleep on it?’ New research suggests our dreams may help problem-solve
A pair of recent studies by dream researchers suggest that the age-old advice may in fact be grounded in science.
Students from Kahnawà:ke bring community stories to light
CBC Montreal is proud to support a partnership between Concordia University's journalism department and Kahnawà:ke Survival School (KSS). The initiative aims to inspire Indigenous students to consider a career in media.
How traditional beadwork and clothing reinforces history, identity for Kanien'kehá:ka
Kahnawà:ke Survival School (KSS) and Concordia University's journalism department have partnered with CBC News for a week-long workshop to share stories about the Kahnawà:ke community. KSS high school graduate, Riyah-James Cross, explores the importance of traditional clothing to the Haudenosaunee and how each bead, stitch and detail done by hand represent culture, history, and accomplishments.
Kahnawà:ke program gives youth a chance to travel the world
Kahnawà:ke Survival School (KSS) and Concordia University's journalism department have partnered with CBC News for a week-long workshop to share stories about the Kahnawà:ke community. KSS high school graduate Bayley-James Robertson-Ryan reports on the Kahnawà:ke Youth Center’s travelling program, which offers local youth the opportunity to see the world and learn more about themselves in the process.
Kahnawà:ke band raises funds for local family who lost home in a fire
Kahnawà:ke Survival School (KSS) and Concordia University's journalism department have partnered with CBC News for a week-long workshop to share stories about the Kahnawà:ke community. The band 1 HATE 7 in Kahnawà:ke is making a positive impact in the community by organizing benefit concerts to raise funds for a family displaced by a home fire.
Korea's yearly working hours fall by 32 in 2025, still above OECD average
The average annual working hours for South Koreans fell by 32 hours last year from the previous year but still remain nearly 100 hours longer than the average for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development as a whole, data showed Sunday. South Korea's average annual working hours came to 1,833 hours in 2025, down from 1,865 hours the previous year, according to the OECD. Amid the South Korean government's efforts to reduce real working hours, including the introduction of the 52-h
Filmmaker explores history of discrimination against foreign nationals in Japan
Takashi Nishihara's latest work, "Now and Then," bridges a historical atrocity with the present-day treatment of asylum-seekers.
Japan positioned to link U.S. and Europe in a fragmented world
With Washington and Europe drifting apart, Tokyo's FOIP strategy offers a path to maintain unity.
Thousands protest in Germany as far-right AfD sets sights on power
ERFURT, Germany (Reuters) -- Thousands protested against Germany's far-right AfD and blocked roads to its annual conference in the eastern city of Erfurt on Saturday, where the party re-elected the two leaders who have overseen its rise as a national force. Protesters from unions, civil society groups and left-wing parties gathered as large numbers of police, including reinforcements from across Germany, were deployed ahead of the AfD's two-day conference. AfD stands for Alternative for Germany.
Samsung's Thank You Festival may boost Q2 earnings
Samsung Electronics' Device eXperience division may receive an unexpected second-quarter boost after its Thank You Festival drove stronger-than-anticipated demand for appliances, TVs and mobile devices in Korea, industry sources said Sunday. The DX division encompasses Samsung's smartphones, TVs and home appliance businesses. Samsung initially allocated around 400 billion won ($262 million) worth of digital Onnuri gift certificates to the campaign, which ran from June 8 through Sunday, according
Envoy hails growing Japan-Philippines economic and security ties
Bilateral ties are now at "the highest point ever," following Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Japan in late May, the Philippines' ambassador said.
Police starting to track down person behind Gwangju high school bomb threat
Police said Sunday they have launched a search for an individual who wrote an online post claiming that an explosive device had been planted at a high school in the southwestern city of Gwangju amid a controversy over baseball trash talk The Korean National Police Agency said an investigation was launched after police and fire authorities received a report Saturday regarding an online message that claimed a bomb had been placed at Gwangju Jeil High School. "This act is an obvious crime that infr
Shinhan deploys AI 'red team' to test strategy
Shinhan Financial Group held its management forum for the second half of 2026 from Friday to Saturday at Shinhan Bank Blue Campus in Yongin, bringing together about 300 executives from across the group to discuss competitiveness and accelerate its artificial intelligence transformation. The forum opened with a video depicting a hypothetical scenario in which Shinhan Financial had disappeared from the market by 2030, followed by a session assessing the group's competitive position from an externa
At Hanoi expo, K-pop buzz fuels Korea’s consumer goods exports
HANOI, Vietnam — Phuong leaned closer to a mirror at a booth inside Hanoi’s National Convention Center, dabbing a soft pink Korean lipstick onto her lip as K-pop music blared across the exhibition hall. The 23-year-old student had come for a chance to win a ticket to see Winner, the K-pop boy group serving as the ambassador for the Korea Brand and Entertainment Expo. But like many young Vietnamese visitors moving from booth to booth, she was also there to sample what was on offer, from cosmetics
A very British love affair - why Wimbledon regulars keep coming back
Devoted fans of the SW19 Championships tell stories of camping in the queue and lifelong friendships.
France survive Paraguay's 'disgraceful' and 'embarrassing' dark arts
After dismantling all before them at this World Cup, France had to find a new way to win against a Paraguay side whose use of the dark arts angered many of those watching.
How Manchester became an 'influencer heaven'
Influencers are showing the world why they think Manchester is a great place to live.
Asian landlords are ready for a hawkish Fed
The lesson across these markets is the same: Property owners who cleaned up their debt profiles ahead of time are well poised to navigate any economic turmoil.
Samsung and LG's next China battle: Robot vacuums
Once a niche appliance, robot vacuum cleaners have become a test of whether Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics can regain ground in a fast-growing Korean market increasingly shaped by Chinese rivals. China's strength in the sector is reflected in trade data. Figures from the General Administration of Customs of China showed China exported 11.32 billion yuan ($1.67 billion) worth of robots in the first quarter. Cleaning robots, a category newly added to customs product codes this year, accoun
Lee pledges ‘leap forward’ in alliance on US’ 250th birthday
President Lee Jae Myung marked the 250th anniversary of American independence Sunday by pledging to work with US President Donald Trump toward a “new leap forward” in the Korea-US alliance. “I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to President Trump and the people of the United States on the historic occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence,” Lee said in an English-language message posted Sunday on his official X account. “I look forward to working closely with Presid
Kylian Mbappe says France can get its ‘hands dirty’ too after scrappy win over Paraguay
"They thought we'd turn up in tuxedos, that we'd just come to pull off some spectacular moves," Mbappe said after the match.
Woman jailed for extortion after threatening to falsely accuse boyfriend of rape
A woman in her 30s has been sentenced to one year in prison for falsely accusing her boyfriend of rape and using the claim to extort money from him, a court said Sunday. The Jeonju District Court convicted the 35-year-old woman of false accusation and extortion, finding that she threatened to file a sexual assault complaint against her boyfriend, a civil servant, unless he paid her tens of millions of won. According to the ruling, the woman demanded money from the man after he tried to end their
[Photo News] Lotte's biologics bet
Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin (left) visits Lotte Biologics' newly completed Plant 1 in Songdo, Incheon, on Friday. During the visit, Shin reaffirmed the CDMO unit's role as a key future growth engine for the conglomerate and called for swift progress on pilot operations and validation work in the second half of the year. The facility houses eight 15,000-liter bioreactors with a total production capacity of 120,000 liters. (Lotte Group)
Part of Hamilton highway closed after car hit pedestrian
The pedestrian involved was in a critical condition after the crash on Lincoln Street.
Japan eyes aid for emergency helicopter pilot training costs
More than 1,000 hours of flight experience is required to become a captain of a firefighting and disaster relief helicopter or a medical helicopter.
Korean won falls nearly 6% against dollar this year amid foreign stock sell-off
The South Korean won has fallen nearly 6 percent against the US dollar this year, central bank data showed Sunday, as foreign investors sold off more than 156 trillion won ($102.3 billion) worth of domestic stocks. The average exchange rate stood at 1,484.56 won per dollar during the first half of the year, according to the Bank of Korea's Economic Statistics System. It marked the second-highest first-half average on record, behind 1,493.08 won in the first half of 1998 during the Asian financia
Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000
The government has not given any estimates, but the United Nations has estimated as many as 50,000 are unaccounted for following the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude shocks.
Iran begins dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Hundreds of thousands of mourners began a dayslong funeral on Saturday for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, beating their chests in sorrow before the glass case containing his flag-draped coffin in Tehran and calling for revenge against Israel and the United States. The funeral for Khamenei, who ruled Iran for decades before he was killed at age 86 in a Feb. 28 airstrike in the opening moments of the Iran war, could provide a boost for the country's theocracy an
Power company Genesis wants to ban incandescent light bulbs
Genesis claims one dollar buys you 250 hours of LED lighting or 25 hours of incandescent bulb lighting.
Takaichi holds key to breaking parliament deadlock
Political maneuvering is expected to intensify, with less than two weeks to go before the current parliament session ends on July 17.
N. Korea's Kim observes weapons tests from naval destroyer
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen tests of a strategic cruise missile and other weapons from a new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, ordering the warship to be commissioned into the Navy within two months, state media reported Sunday. Kim observed tests of a cruise missile, naval artillery, automatic guns and electronic warfare means from the destroyer Kang Kon on Friday, according to the Korean Central News Agency. In June last year, North Korea launched the destroyer Kang Kon, about one mo
North Korea’s Kim oversees latest naval weapons tests
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw weapons tests last week of the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon, including cruise missile launches and "electronic warfare means," state media reported Sunday.
US 'crowning achievement' of human history, says Trump
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US President Donald Trump hailed America on its 250th birthday as the "crowning achievement" of human history, even as he used the event to renew his attack on domestic opponents.
Iran envoy says friendly nations to get ‘special’ Hormuz fee treatment
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The initial peace deal stated that ships would transit the strait free of charge for 60 days, but it remains unclear what will be in place after that period.
Trump offers to help Putin find deal with Ukraine
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he also spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Cowboys, fighter jets and US Border Patrol - inside Trump's big recruitment drive
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Space Force and Customs and Border Patrol are using a rodeo as a way to drive up recruitment numbers.
Trump speaks to Putin, Zelensky ahead of NATO summit
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US President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts to discuss the conflict in Ukraine ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, the Kremlin and the Ukrainian president have said.
What Sky buying ITV could mean for your favourite shows
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An announcement is expected imminently on Sky buying ITV's TV and streaming channels.
Inside Taiwan’s nightmare scenario: Chinese blockade, earthquake, sabotage and invasion
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It was a nightmare scenario for Taiwan: a Chinese blockade, a strong earthquake seized on by Beijing to sow chaos, hijacked television broadcasts, sabotaged infrastructure, a run on banks, civil unrest — and then a full-scale invasion.
Prince Harry and Meghan: Will they or won't they, and will we care?
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There will be much attention on whether the Duke of Sussex can build bridges with his family.
Moment of destiny for France's Le Pen in verdict to decide her future in presidential race
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Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is appealing against a verdict which found her guilty of misusing EU funds.
Stripped of Michelin stars, Sezanne embraces a changing of the guard
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Once awarded three stars, the restaurant now holds none. But new executive chef Steven Lancaster sees the sudden change as a golden opportunity.
McEntee to discuss 'stability' in region during Gulf trip
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee was due to travel to the Gulf region for meetings in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
La & Le brings a slice of Paris cafe culture to Tokyo
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After 20 years at the French capital's iconic Cafe de Flore, Tetsuya Yamashita returned to Tokyo to open a restaurant that captures the spirit of traditional Parisian cafes.
Serious crash in Canterbury leaves 13 injured
A serious crash in Canterbury's Selwyn district has left more than a dozen people injured, two of them critically.
Brandon, Man., declares state of emergency as overflowing Assiniboine River forecast to continue to rise
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The City of Brandon has declared a state of emergency, with the Assiniboine River spilling its banks days ahead of a forecast flood peak on July 12.
James doubtful for Mexico tie but Quansah fit again
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Reece James misses training on the eve of England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico but Jarell Quansah is available again.
Venezuela quake death toll rises to nearly 3,000
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Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes have killed nearly 3,000, official figures showed, as international rescue teams began winding down search operations for survivors in the rubble.
Does one town need four McDonald's?
Locals in Palmerston North are debating whether yet another McDonald's is necessary or healthy.
Fearless Alexandra Eala stuns defending champion Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon
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Eala, seeded 29th, is the first player from the Philippines to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam.
Unbeaten in 34 matches - why Morocco are World Cup contenders
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As Morocco beat Canada to book their place in the last-8, their World Cup campaign can no longer be seen as a fairytale.
Warm rivers raise concern for salmon in B.C.'s Interior
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Warm rivers and streams are becoming a growing concern for salmon in B.C.’s Interior with another low sockeye return anticipated in Okanagan waters this fall.
Trump targets Obamas again with doctored image posted on social media
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Trump mixes patriotism with partisanship while celebrating U.S.'s 250th anniversary
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World Cup 2026 recap: Paraguay 0-1 France
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Kylian Mbappe's penalty proves decisive as France overcome a Paraguay side that turned the game into a war.
Pope Leo visits US Ambassador to the Holy See for the Fourth of July
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Commemorating the Fourth of July that marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, Pope Leo XIV visits the US Ambassador to the Holy See, Mr Brian Burch, for the occasion.
Fine Gael most popular party in the country - poll
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A new opinion poll suggests Fine Gael is the most popular party in the country - but underlines the tightness of the current political race by placing it just one point above Sinn Féin and three points above Fianna Fáil.
Health NZ apologises over paused bowel cancer procedures - but what next?
The health authority finally confronted patients over paused procedures at Palmerston North Hospital.
EU to hold vote on Aughinish Alumina sanctions
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The European Parliament will hold a non-binding vote over whether MEPs want the EU to include Aughinish Alumina as part of sanctions against Russia, hours after Taoiseach Micheál Martin addresses the parliament.
Alan Shearer: Why England won't fear Mexico or the Azteca
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Former England captain Alan Shearer explains why Thomas Tuchel's team will not be worried about the difficult conditions when they play Mexico at the Azteca Stadium.
Sachiko Kazama’s art bites back at a cruel society
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Sachiko Kazama has made a name for herself as a sharp satirist. Her art from spanning a nearly four-decade long career is now on display in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture.
World Cup 2026 recap: Canada 0-3 Morocco
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Morocco hit three second-half goals to become the first side to book a quarter-final spot at the World Cup.
Galway devour shell-shocked Cork to reach decider
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Galway powered into their first All-Ireland SHC final in eight years after a sensational second-half display to add to Cork's store of trauma at GAA headquarters.
New heatwave likely to peak at 34C with week-long health alert issued
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Another heatwave is on its way and set to last significantly longer as Stav Danaos explains.
Martin Naughton - cross-border trailblazer
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The late Martin Naughton occupied a space in Irish society at the intersection between business and philanthropy.
Fans get home court advantage as first ever professional basketball game tips-off in Whitehorse
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The roar of a professional basketball crowd are sounds the Yukon had only heard on TV, until today. Basketball fans are excited following courtside access as the Canadian Elite Basketball League brings Whitehorse its first ever professional basketball game.
No houses lost in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., wildfire
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Some outbuildings have been damaged confirm officials on Saturday morning, with a challenging day ahead as fire grows in the south and continues to burn in residential areas
The first of the weekend's All-Ireland SHC semi-finals is down for decision at Croke Park this afternoon. Keep an eye on our live updates right here...
Funeral takes place of former minister David Andrews
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The funeral has taken place of former government minister David Andrews, who died on Wednesday aged 91.
Hundreds of Ukrainians must leave Citywest by September
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Hundreds of Ukrainians living at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin have been told they must leave by September.
Lee says mega development projects are for future, not approval ratings
President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday rejected criticism by opposition sides that the government's large-scale regional investment drive is aimed at boosting his approval ratings, saying the three "megaprojects" are designed to create new hope and a future for the country. Earlier this week, the government unveiled its "three megaprojects" initiative, which envisions a national transformation driven by semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers, calling for a total investment of 4,755 trillion won ($3.11 trillion). As part of the scheme, Samsung announced plans to build two memory chip fabrication plants in the southwestern city of Gwangju, while SK hynix said it will construct two fabs in the surrounding Jeolla provinces under a combined investment plan worth 800 trillion won. "If the projects had been intended to manage approval ratings, they would have been launched ahead of the June 3 local elections," Lee said in a post on X, adding that such a national transformation plan was something he had long dreamed of even before taking office. Responding to clai
Landers release slumping starter Veneziano
The SSG Landers announced Saturday they have cut ties with struggling starting pitcher Anthony Veneziano. The Landers added they will announce their acquisition of Veneziano's replacement shortly. Veneziano, the 28-year-old left-hander, struggled to a 6.10 ERA and a 2-5 record in 16 starts in his first Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season. The Landers scrambled to sign Veneziano in January after terminating a deal with their initial target, Drew VerHagen, over a failed physical. Veneziano never found his groove, giving up at least a run in 15 of his 16 outings. He posted a 7.23 ERA in four April starts and then had a 7.31 ERA in five games in June. The Landers have the highest team ERA in the KBO at 5.79 and they have received poor performances from their other foreign pitchers, too. Mitch White, a returnee from 2025, made just six appearances this year due to a shoulder injury and carried a 4.11 ERA before getting released last month. His short-term replacement, Ginjiro Hiramoto, went 0-3 with a 9.56 ERA in four outings, prompting the Landers to cut bait in early June. Thomas Hatch, w
Ruling DPK expresses 'strong regret' over recent US House report regarding Coupang
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) expressed "strong regret" on Saturday over a "seriously distorted" U.S. congressional report alleging that Korea discriminates against Coupang and other American companies, while criticizing Coupang's response to its massive data leak case. In an interim staff report released earlier this week, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee said Coupang has been a "consistent target" of the Seoul government, claiming Korea has subjected U.S.-owned firms to "coercive investigations, overly burdensome regulatory requirements and excessive fines and penalties." "The report seriously distorts the position of the Korean government, relying on one-sided claims by Coupang and unverified data," party spokesperson Jang Yoon-mi said in a written briefing. Stressing that the Seoul government does not discriminate against or unfairly pressure companies based on nationality, the DPK urged Coupang to "stop shifting responsibility to the government in order to cover up its own wrongdoing." The spokesperson also said the company should not remain silent on its personal dat
Trump hails US exceptionalism before veering into darkly political speech to usher in America 250
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump ushered in the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday with soaring rhetoric about American exceptionalism before veering into a darkly political speech with warnings about a sinister threat of communism that evoked one of the country’s ugliest chapters. “Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,” he said from Mount Rushmore. “It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11." While the language was similar to several other speeches Trump has given in recent days, it was notable for being delivered in a national park that commemorates some of America's most prominent presidents. And it swerved from the typically apolitical, unifying speeches past presidents like Gerald Ford or Ronald Reagan have delivered during earlier high-profile Independence Day celebrations. Indeed, Trump's language evoked the Red Scare of the 1950s, when alleged communists were persecuted and blacklisted from jobs across America, from Washington to Hollywood. In New York City, Mayor Zohran
Iran begins dayslong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran began a dayslong funeral Saturday for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, months after an airstrike killed him at the start of the war. He was 86. Authorities unveiled the casket containing Khamenei’s body in a glass case at the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, Iran’s capital. Mourners wept at the sight, with some chanting: “Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!” Some carried banners and flags, while billboards across the city bore Khamenei’s image. Crowds of men rhythmically beat their chests in mourning, a common practice at Shiite funerals. “I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei,” said a weeping Hananeh Mousavi, 27, who attended the funeral alongside her mother. “I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy." Coffins sat on display at Grand Mosalla An outdoor stage set up at the Grand Mosalla resembled the stage where Khamenei once gave his speeches at a husseiniyah at his compound in downtown Tehran. That site was destroyed in the Israeli airstrike that killed Khamenei and some of his family at th
Police search Gwangju high school after bomb threat amid baseball trash talk controversy
Authorities are conducting a search at a high school in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Saturday after an online post claimed that an explosive device had been planted at the school, officials said. According to the Gwangju Bukbu Police Station, police and fire authorities received a report around 11:50 a.m. regarding an online message that claimed a bomb had been placed at Gwangju Jeil High School. Search operations are under way at the school premises, but no explosive devices have been found so far, they said. The threatening message on an online community also claimed that the "future of Paichai High School has been violated," in what appeared to be a reference to a recent controversy involving school baseball teams. Some players of Paichai High School in Seoul were previously heard shouting such phrases as "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" toward the Gwangju Jeil dugout during a recent high school baseball tournament, sparking accusations of mockery and regional insults. Amid strong criticism over the incident, the Korea Baseball Softball Association imposed a six-month susp
After years as a single mother, Oh Yoon-ah celebrates son's job and her own remarriage
Actress Oh Yoon-ah is celebrating two major milestones in her family's life: her son with a developmental disability has found a job, and she has remarried more than a decade after her divorce. The actress revealed Friday through her YouTube channel that she has started a new chapter with a non-celebrity husband. The couple has already completed their marriage registration and is now living together as a family, according to her agency. Her agency, YA Entertainment, said the couple had legally registered their marriage and are spending time with their family. The news has resonated with many fans because Oh has openly shared her journey as a single mother raising her son, Min, since her divorce in 2015. Over the years, she has documented both the challenges and joys of raising a child with a developmental disability through television appearances and social media, earning widespread support. The remarriage announcement has also renewed attention on another recent milestone for her son. In May, Oh shared that Min had landed his first job, drawing warm congratulations from fans. In a video
The Korean Dystopia is a Western Coping Mechanism
Journalists love to get Korea wrong. Some are paid to share explosive takes that feed into the subsconscoius orientalist views of the wider world; others just do it for the social media clout. And you only realize how wrong they are when you get off the internet and spend an afternoon in Sokcho, Daegu, or Chuncheon. For anyone that does this, something becomes immediately apparent. Korea isn’t actually that bad. (Or great). The people get along. The kids go to school. The young people date. And everyone drinks ice americano. There is a weird sensation that comes from watching someone deliver a sociological autopsy of a nation in a 14-minute YouTube video essay. Perhaps it’s just the new era where the average internet user is operating under the delusion that a Netflix subscription is functionally equivalent to a PhD. However it arises, the narrative they’ve constructed is a sort of paint-by-numbers cyberpunk dystopia. The chaebol function as overlords, capitalism has been cranked up to some terminal level of suffering, and joy is lowkey against the law. Every Korean male is a to
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce tie the knot in elaborate Madison Square Garden ceremony
NEW YORK — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where actor Adam Sandler was the surprising officiant at a star-packed ceremony. The secrecy that surrounded the buildup to the nuptials lifted when a marquee outside the Midtown Manhattan arena proclaimed “JUST&T MARRIED” once the deed was done. The couple did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, instead opting for Swift’s brother Austin Swift to serve as her man of honor and Kelce’s brother and podcast co-host Jason Kelce serving as his best man, Swift's publicist Tree Paine said in an email. The bride and groom’s outfits came from Christian Dior Haute Couture and its designer Jonathan Anderson with shoes custom-made by Christian Louboutin. She wore Cartier jewelry. Almost-royal wedding The long anticipated union of sports and song brought hype to new heights at a venue made more for historic NBA games and bucket-list concerts. The Kansas City Chiefs' superstar tight end and the music megastar married as fans and spectators gathered outside in blistering heat, eager to be part of the occas
Australia's Great Barrier Reef avoids 'in danger' listing
SYDNEY — Australia's Great Barrier Reef, a major tourism drawcard, has avoided being listed as endangered despite the United Nations reporting "utmost concern" about mass coral bleaching and the impact of climate change. Canberra welcomed the draft decision by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Saturday, to maintain the World Heritage status of the 2,300-kilometre-long (1,426-mile) reef stretching along the coast of Queensland state. UNESCO has been monitoring the reef annually since 2021, when it warned it was at risk of being placed on the list of World Heritage items "in danger." The UN agency said in its draft report, released in Paris, Friday, that Australia was working towards addressing concerns over climate change, water quality, sustainable fisheries management and land clearing. Hard coral cover across the reef declined substantially in 2024-2025, with above-average water temperatures causing the reef's sixth mass coral bleaching event since 2016. Extreme weather, land-based run-off, coastal development and predation by the Crown of
2 illegal gambling network operators extradited from UAE in joint gov't operation
Two suspects accused of running large-scale, illegal online gambling networks have been extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to South Korea in a joint international operation, the authorities said Saturday. One suspect allegedly ran an overseas gambling site worth 4.8 trillion won ($3.14 billion) based in Southeast Asia and laundered criminal proceeds while evading arrest for 12 years across multiple countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia, according to the pan-government special task force on transnational crime. The suspect is also accused of evading 66 billion won in taxes while operating the gambling site, as well as providing and using drugs, and engaging in prostitution-related offenses. Another suspect is suspected of operating a separate 500 billion-won gambling site that recruited middle and high school students into illegal gambling operations. The two suspects were arrested in the UAE in cooperation with UAE authorities and repatriated to South Korea via Incheon International Airport. The task force said the extradition was made possible through ex
Selling experiences, not volume, key for Pernod Ricard
Like any other line of business, companies in the liquor industry see sales as their top priority. But does that mean selling more is always better? A social campaign leader at Pernod Ricard, a global liquor distributor based in Paris, says what he wants is for the public to "drink better, not more." The phrase is part of a campaign being promoted by the company’s Vice President of Global Public Affairs and Alcohol in Society Laurent Scheer. He staunchly recommends responsible drinking and encourages consumers to seek responsible and mindful drinking practices. To spread the message worldwide, he communicates with national governments, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and industry partners in the hospitality businesses to introduce policies and regulations for smarter alcohol consumption. Pernod Ricard wants to sell a good experience more than anything, according to Scheer. “Our objective is to make profits. We want to sell high-value products and increase our sales. But it’s not necessarily selling volume. We want people to buy high-val
BTS named La Plata 'honored guest' ahead of Argentina concerts
Korean boy group BTS has been named "honored guest" of Argentina's La Plata city, where it is scheduled to perform in October, its agency BigHit Music said Saturday. La Plata's city council unanimously approved the designation during a plenary session on Thursday, granting the group one of the municipality's highest official honors. Under local ordinances, the title is reserved for distinguished visitors and internationally recognized figures in culture and the arts. The K-pop septet was recognized for its global cultural influence, advocacy for youth rights and contributions to international cultural exchange, according to city officials. BTS is set to perform its "ARIRANG" world tour shows on Oct. 21 and 23,24 at the La Plata Stadium in the city, making it the first K-pop act to do so.
Korea needs Ange Postecoglou as head coach
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has opened applications for the head coach position, starting next month, as it starts a search to replace Hong Myung-bo. It is never a good sign when you are looking for a new coach before the World Cup Round of 32 has even finished but that is what happened after Korea was one of the first teams eliminated. It already feels like a long time since the 2-1 win over the Czech Republic had people talking about whether the Taeguk Warriors could make a real impression at the World Cup. Instead, it was followed by two dismal performances and successive 1-0 defeats against Mexico and South Africa. The nature of those displays was hugely disappointing with a passive team playing not to lose and then losing both. There was more than enough talent to get out of one of the easier groups in the tournament but talent alone is not enough. A proud nation needs a team. Finding a new coach, the right coach, is difficult. There is one name though, a person who is available right now and is familiar to most South Korean fans. Ange Postecoglou was Son Heung-min’s coac
Korean couples ditch luxury wedding halls for $19 public venues
With his wedding just four months away, 29-year-old Kim Yun-ho nearly canceled the ceremony. Faced with venue and catering costs reaching tens of millions of won, he considered settling for a family dinner. But his plans changed when he discovered a city-run wedding venue in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, that cost just 30,000 won ($19) to rent. "I applied because I could have a special outdoor wedding at a low cost," Kim said. "I am now able to hold a wedding surrounded by the blessings of family and friends." Kim's experience highlights a growing trend, as local governments nationwide open public facilities and parks as low-cost wedding venues. The initiatives aim to ease the financial burden on engaged couples and encourage marriage to combat Korea’s low birthrate. Suwon began taking applications last month for four public sites, including Gwanggyo Historical Park. By June 23, the city had received 22 requests, with three couples finalizing their bookings. The city charges 30,000 won for a two-hour rental. Meals follow standard city rates, starting at 35,000 won per person for boxed opt
Why is actor Hwang Jung-min looking younger and slimmer recently?
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Actor Hwang Jung-min has drawn attention for his noticeably improved skin and slimmer appearance. On Tuesday, Elle Korea's YouTube channel released a video featuring Hwang and his "Hope" co-stars Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon. In the video, Hwang appeared with a sharper jawline and a brighter, more even complexion. Fans quickly noticed the transformation, leaving comments such as, "Hwang Jung-min has become so handsome," "Did he lose weight? He looks amazing," and "His signature drinker's flush is completely gone. His self-care is incredible." Long known in the entertainment industry as a heavy drinker, Hwang had earned the nickname "sulton" — literally, "alcohol tone" — for his characteristically flushed complexion. In the new video, however, the redness had largely disappeared and his skin appeared smoother and healthier. Hwang previously revealed in multiple media interviews that he has been abstaining from alcohol for the past two years, leading many fans to credit his dramatic change to sobriety. Why quitting alcohol improves skin Alcohol
Who to blame for Korea's World Cup failure
After Korea’s early exit from the football World Cup, I find myself among the ranks of those disappointed by the team’s performance, though certainly not the most disappointed. I had hopes that Korea would do fairly well this time, hopes that have been emphatically dashed. Certainly, Korea did much worse than it should have, especially given that the expanded number of teams meant more routes for getting through to the next round. And while a loss to Mexico on its home turf is fair enough, much less forgivable is the failure at least to hold South Africa to a draw. I have no intention to anatomize the mistakes and failures which led to this disappointment. Plenty have enthusiastically taken up that task. Most of the blame has landed at the feet of former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who for the second time in his career has failed to guide the team out of the group stage. The charges leveled against him seem fair: He showed inferior leadership, insufficient creativity and made poor tactical decisions. But it is more than that: The very process by which he was appointed has become the s
Life at American gold mines in northern Korea [1]: Independence Day a century ago
On May 31, 1926, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge called upon the American people to “renew their fidelity to the fundamental principles of the Declaration of Independence,” and suggested that the period between June 28 and July 5 be known as “American Independence Week.” Patriotic celebrations were to be held throughout the U.S., including the ringing of bells at 11 a.m. on June 28, when millions of children would recite the official Patriot’s Pledge of Faith. The American community in Korea was no exception. The Oriental Consolidated Mining Company (OCMC), an American gold mining concession in northern Korea, faithfully celebrated the Fourth of July every year. The company was known for its patriotism, and even its non-American employees looked forward to the Fourth of July — even if their reasons were more about not having to work. According to Kenneth Moyer, then 23, every day at the mine seemed the same, even Sundays, except the Fourth of July. “That is the only day the mine and mills shut down out here,” he explained in a letter home to his mother. He went on to add
Weak won, K-beauty fuel Chinese shopping trips, spending in Korea
When Chelsea Wang travelled to Seoul with two friends in late April, they barely visited any of the city's palaces or tourist attractions. Instead, their three-and-a-half-day itinerary revolved around duty-free shopping, beauty treatments, hair salons and cosmetics stores. Wang arrived with a shopping list of her own: a backpack she estimated would cost at least 500 yuan ($70) less than in China, and a bottle of perfume at a similar discount. One of her friends, Wu, a 28-year-old white-collar worker from China who was preparing for marriage, had an even bigger purchase planned. After comparing prices, she bought a Chaumet wedding ring at Lotte Duty Free in Seoul's Myeong-dong neighborhood for about 37,000 yuan after discounts, tax refunds and favourable exchange rates were figured in — roughly 11,000 yuan less than she would have paid in China. "It was really quite a good deal," Wu said. Their purchases came as the Korean won has remained weak against major currencies over the past year. One yuan was worth an average of about 226 won in June, compared with around 209 won in January, acc
Bill targets deportation of drug, phishing offenders
A group of conservative legislators has introduced a bill that would allow the government to deport foreigners convicted of drug, sex or voice phishing offenses even if they don’t receive prison sentences. The amendment to the Immigration Act, submitted on Thursday by Rep. Kim Tae-ho and 11 other lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party, seeks to expand the legal grounds for deportation beyond the current standard, which hinges on the imposition of a custodial sentence. Under existing law, foreign nationals can be ordered to leave only if they receive a prison sentence — including a suspended one — and that the decision is final. “There has been criticism that the current requirement of ‘a sentence of imprisonment or heavier’ as a condition for deporting foreign offenders is excessively narrow,” the conservative party legislators said. “In particular, some people point out that the law should be amended so that foreign nationals can be deported even when they have not been given an actual prison sentence in cases involving sex crimes, drug offenses and voice
'Noseprints' to bring lost dogs home
Move over, microchips and dangling collar tags: The next big thing in municipal canine security is almost literally right under your dog’s nose. The western port city of Incheon said Friday that it is launching a pilot program next month to register dogs using their canine rhinaria patterns — the highly individualized, wrinkled skin patterns on a dog or cat's nose that act exactly like human fingerprints. For the modern pet owner, traditional registration has long posed a dilemma. Microchips, while effective, require insertion of a chip under the skin, a procedure that leaves many owners squeamish. External tags are less invasive but notorious for falling off during a game of fetch or getting lost in the brush. Incheon’s solution? A simple, painless digital scan of a dog’s snout. Starting in August, pet owners in the city’s Gyeyang and Michuhol districts will be able to bring their furry friends to mobile pop-up booths at local apartment complexes and dog parks to have their pets’ noses officially logged into a database. There is a slight legal catch. Korean law does not yet re
Grand Ole Opry's Mama Kim reflects on 50 years doing business in Itaewon
Grand Ole Opry's owner, Kim Sang-sook, better known to her customers as "Mama Kim," still goes to work six days a week at age 86. Though her voice is hoarse with age, she still commands attention in a room of rowdy drinkers. She opened the doors to her bar on June 29, her only day off that week, to speak about her life and experiences. The special event, organized by Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea, gathered more than 50 people to hear Mama Kim speak about her more than 50 years of doing business in central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon area. For decades, the alleys behind Itaewon Fire Station were filled with clubs dating back to the 1960s with names like King, UN, Playboy, Seven and Lucky that catered to American soldiers. Now, Grand Ole Opry is the last of its kind in the area. Mama Kim has been featured in the media many times, including on CNN and in Playboy Korea. With her half-century of experience working in Itaewon, it is not uncommon for her to be approached for interviews or requests to speak. For years she has spoken to Ewha Womans University students, but when they first
Why only Danielle? Ador explains damages suit as NewJeans comeback rumors grow
Ador has explained in court why it filed a damages lawsuit only against NewJeans member Danielle, even as overseas sightings of other members fuel speculation that the group may be preparing for a return. The Seoul Central District Court held the third hearing Thursday in a damages suit filed by Ador against Danielle, her family and former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin. Ador previously filed the suit only against Danielle among the NewJeans members, while also removing her from the group, saying she had seriously violated her exclusive contract. During the hearing, Ador said Danielle pursued a project with U.S. band Emotional Oranges worth about $175,000 (240 million won). The agency said the music video shoot was halted, but that much of the recording and vocal work had already taken place. ADOR also said Danielle violated her contract by taking part in photo shoots, magazine cover projects and an individual deal with a major watch brand without prior consultation. The agency also raised the issue of an alleged double contract with a company backed by Chinese capital. The company is said to have
2 new Korean cooking reality shows to watch after 'Culinary Class Wars'
Korea has long had a large culinary reality show scene, beginning with “MasterChef Korea,” followed by the “Korean Food War” series, before reaching a new peak with “Culinary Class Wars,” which drew attention from overseas. But once the wrap party ended, producers were left with a question: What now? They soon found an answer, and it was not to send chefs back into the kitchen to battle one another all over again. Instead, a new crop of culinary variety shows began using cooking in formats rarely seen before. Now, chefs are thrown into survival tournaments that test whether they can turn their food into a viable business, or sent back to the lowest rung of the kitchen hierarchy to relive the early days of their careers. Managing kitchens not enough “Street Restaurant Fighter,” which premiered on tvN on June 21, brings together some of the best-known chefs from different culinary specialties to determine who can run a food business most successfully. The lineup is stacked with prominent names, from Chinese cuisine master Lee Yeon-bok and Edward Kwon, a former head chef at Du
From toilet to blanket: 1-meter snake found inside Korean apartment
A resident of an apartment in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, was startled after discovering a snake more than 1 meter long hiding inside a blanket late at night, local authorities said Thursday. According to fire authorities, the 119 emergency call center received a report at about 10:03 p.m. Wednesday from a resident of an apartment in Deokgye-dong, Yangju, saying, "A snake came out from inside my blanket. It is more than 1 meter long." The resident said they were lying in the living room when they felt something moving beneath the blanket. After lifting it, they found a snake and were shocked. The resident did not keep snakes as pets. Firefighters responded to the scene, captured the snake and later released it in a secluded riverside area far from residential neighborhoods, authorities said. No one was injured. Authorities said a shed snakeskin was found near the toilet in the resident's bathroom, suggesting the reptile may have entered the apartment through the toilet or drainage pipes. The snake is believed to be a black kingsnake, a nonvenomous species commonly kept as a pet. Adult blac
Why a Mongolian computer engineering student is leaving Korea for China
When Michelle, a 22-year-old student from Mongolia, came to Korea to study computer engineering, her talent did not go unnoticed for long. A professor at Gachon University recruited her as an undergraduate researcher last winter. Soon afterward, she became the first author of an academic paper and the star of a news article taped to the laboratory door like a poster. The headline: “Third-year computer engineering student publishes first-author paper in leading Korean academic journal.” Michelle had devised a system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze football players’ movements, ball possession and tactical execution in broadcasts in real time. The paper appeared in a journal listed in the Korea Citation Index, a database of recognized Korean academic publications. Such journals largely receive submissions from professors and postdoctoral researchers, and papers must pass a blind review by multiple experts before being accepted. For an undergraduate, publishing the research as its first author was a rare accomplishment. For Michelle, it meant earning recognition in t
Stray Kids' Seungmin scales back activities as ankle injury lingers
Stray Kids member Seungmin will significantly reduce his activities as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his ankle, his agency said, raising concerns among fans after the singer missed several recent events. JYP Entertainment said Thursday that Seungmin is focusing on rest and treatment following medical advice for a stress fracture in his left ankle. As a result, Seungmin either did not participate in some recent filming commitments or took part only to a limited extent, with his injury condition given top priority, the agency said. JYP also said Seungmin's appearance in some upcoming content may be limited while he continues his recovery. The singer was first diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left ankle after visiting a hospital in March due to persistent pain. The injury also forced him to miss Stray Kids' performance at “The Governors Ball Music Festival” in New York City last month. Stray Kids, one of K-pop's biggest global acts under JYP Entertainment, has built a large international fan base through its self-produced music and extensive world tours. While t
'Introvert parties' in Seoul offer quieter way to connect without alcohol, noise
The question on the card sounded simple, but it silenced the room: What does it mean to live authentically? On June 6, inside a dimly lit party room in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, quiet pop music played as six people sat around a table. "Wow, that's hard," someone sighed, breaking the silence. One person cautiously answered, "For me, it's not caring about other people's judgments and not lying to myself." Another participant said growth complicates the answer. "I think living authentically means a comfortable state, but growth always comes with difficulties. Because of that, I also worry whether living authentically is always good." The exchange sounded more like a philosophy class than a party. But the people in the room had gathered to meet others at a "Deep Talk Club," one of Seoul's growing number of for introverted people. These quiet social gatherings are emerging as a deliberate alternative for young adults seeking social connection without the exhaustion of conventional nightlife. Participants pay an entry fee to meet strangers, placing the events within a broader boom in
Young girl critically injured after falling from apartment balcony in Ottawa
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A young girl was severely injured Saturday morning after falling from an 11th-floor balcony, Ottawa paramedics say.
Irish choir win top prize at international music festival
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NCH Choir Cór Linn, a mixed-voice choir for singers aged 14 to 18 based at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, have won a gold medal at the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava with a near perfect score.
Kashechewan evacuees in Niagara Falls, Ont., get apology from mayor over homelessness comments
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Evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation who have been living in Niagara Falls, Ont., for the last six months marched in sweltering heat through the city's downtown Friday to demand an apology over recent comments made by the city's former chief administrative officer and by the local mayor.
Ukraine hits major oil terminal in Russia's St Petersburg
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the target is key infrastructure "that generates revenue for Russia's war".
King hails 'truly historic milestone' on 250th anniversary of US independence
The King says the countries have forged a relationship "founded on friendship, trust and a belief in liberty".
Crowds mourn Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran begins days-long funeral ceremonies
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Hundreds of thousands of mourners began a days-long funeral on Saturday for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s late supreme leader, beating their chests in sorrow before the glass case containing his flag-draped coffin in Tehran and calling for revenge against Israel and the United States.
Thousands of Iranians gather in Tehran to mourn Khamenei
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Thousands of Iranians crowded an outdoor prayer complex in Tehran to view the coffin of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for 37 years before he was killed in February.
Toronto had little economic gain during World Cup's first 2 weeks in city, data shows
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Data collected between June 12 and 26 — the first two weeks of the World Cup in Toronto —showed that debit and credit card spending at restaurants and bars in the city rose by just three per cent compared with the same time last year.
Late Clarkson try seals epic Ireland comeback win
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Ireland's Nations Championship campaign is up and running with a bonus-point win against Australia, after Andy Farrell's side pulled off a sensational comeback in Sydney.
The massive scramble behind the scenes before the new PM arrives
As Starmer gets ready to pack his bags, there's a "bunfight for jobs" in Whitehall, one MP tells Laura Kuenssberg.
Antonelli passes Hamilton to win Silverstone sprint
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli overtakes Lewis Hamilton to win an action-packed sprint race at the British Grand Prix.
Pubs and police brace for England-Mexico 1am kick-off after Fifa U-turn
England's last-16 World Cup tie will kick off at 01:00BST on Monday, after Fifa reconsidered bringing it forward.
Ireland deny Wallabies after nail-biting finish
Replacement Australia fly-half Ben Donaldson misses a last-gasp penalty as Ireland claim a comeback bonus-point win in an enthralling Nations Championship contest in Sydney.
Dior dress and a man of honour: What we know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding
The couple tied the knot in New York on Friday, after months of speculation about when, where and how it would happen.
A safe return home: Tackling stigma on Uganda's Ebola frontline
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As Uganda works to contain an Ebola outbreak that is also affecting neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), health workers are doing more than responding to a deadly virus. They are helping families navigate fear, misinformation and stigma.
Invisible peacebuilders: How ‘diplomacy works’ to prevent conflict
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Described as “sometimes modest, sometimes historic,” UN special political missions have quietly been preventing the escalation of conflicts during the organization’s 80-year history, becoming a key instrument for maintaining peace.
Boy, 3, had five surgeries after crocodile attack
His parents say there is "uncertainty" about movement and feeling in his arms, wrists and hands.
Glen Dimplex founder Martin Naughton dies aged 87
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Irish businessman and philanthropist Martin Naughton, who founded the Glen Dimplex Group, has died aged 87.
Northern Marianas warned to prepare for super typhoon Bavi
The US National Weather Service predicts the storm will reach wind speeds of 280km/h.
Pope urges Europe to do more for migrants while visiting gateway island
The pontiff pays tribute to migrants who lost their lives at sea at a cemetery on the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Lightning, hotel security and spying - issues England face in Mexico
England are booed as they arrive at their Mexico City hotel to prepare for their World Cup last-16 game against Mexico - and it's not the only issue they face.
Cape Verde fans 'proud' despite 3-2 defeat to Argentina
Cape Verde fans say they are 'proud' of their team despite a 3-2 defeat to Argentina that ended their World Cup hopes.
Lampedusa welcomes Pope Leo, a witness to solidarity at Europe’s frontier
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On his visit to Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV thanks islanders and migrants alike for the solidarity that has made the Mediterranean outpost a sign of fraternity and hope amid contemporary migration challenges.
Kylian Mbappe's penalty booked France's spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup as they edged a 1-0 win over Paraguay in a bad-tempered Philadelphia contest.
Man, 40s, dies following serious assault in Dublin
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A man in his 40s has died following a serious assault in Mulhuddart in Dublin.
'It's been a fairy tale,' says mother of Pico Lopes
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Judie Lopes, mother of Roberto 'Pico' Lopes, has described his appearance in the World Cup for Cape Verde as a "fairy tale", but added that he was not an overnight success.
From one to 16 - ranking every team left in the World Cup
BBC Sport ranks the 16 teams left in the World Cup. Do Argentina deserve to be in the top three? Should Norway be higher? What about England's position?
Large crowds gather in Tehran on first day of Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral
Ali Khamenei's body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla until Monday, before travelling across Iran and Iraq.
Pope in Lampedusa: Faced with enormous suffering, we must radically respond
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During Mass on the island of Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV condemns the brutal treatment of migrants and refugees and the loss of life at sea, urging the world to concretely and compassionately respond to the "enormity of suffering." During his pastoral visit, the Pope also visits the "Gateway to Europe," a monument symbolizing hope for migrants arriving by sea, as well as a cemetery where many who lost their lives on the Mediterranean are buried.
Andy Farrell's men weren't at their best against Australia but they got the job done in Sydney with a 31-33 win.
Lopes proud of history-making Cape Verde
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An emotional Pico Lopes reflected on his own football journey and that of Cape Verde after their dramatic and heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Argentina.
Eight of the 10 most populous countries are not in the World Cup
Many countries with massive populations consistently miss out on football’s biggest party. What can they do to change their sporting fortunes?
Pope Leo assures Americans of prayers on 250th anniversary of United States
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Pope Leo expresses his prayers for all Americans in a letter he sent to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, which falls today, July 4th, 2026, with the hope that "the Spirit of 1776 continue to inspire hope and unity as the United States of America moves into the future."
Sharp targets ¥300 billion new business sales by fiscal 2030
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Sharp also plans to expand its satellite communications equipment business, including compact antennas.
St. Petersburg oil terminal hit as Ukraine presses long-range drone campaign
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A Ukrainian drone attack struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg on Saturday, Russian officials said, as Kyiv pressed on with the bombardment of Russia’s oil infrastructure.
Vance blasts US critics on America's 250th birthday
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US Vice President JD Vance has slammed those who criticise America's "imperfections" in a lengthy July Fourth address from the deck of an amphibious assault ship in New York.
Mexico-England kick-off time not to be moved
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England's World Cup last-16 game against Mexico will kick-off as scheduled on Sunday, it is understood.
Lord's Day Reflection: 'Gentle and lowly in heart’
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As the Church celebrates the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Edmund Power reflects on the theme: “Gentle and lowly in heart.”
Lee says mega development projects are for future, not approval ratings
President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday rejected criticism by opposition sides that the government's large-scale regional investment drive is aimed at boosting his approval ratings, saying the three "megaprojects" are designed to create new hope and a future for the country. Earlier this week, the government unveiled its "three megaprojects" initiative, which envisions a national transformation driven by semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers, calling for a total i
Child missing in Henderson found safe, well
Ten-year-old Taia was found just before 7pm.
Korea’s beach season begins as summer heat sets in
Major beaches across Korea are opening for the summer season as the country braces for the height of the holiday rush, with coastal cities extending operating periods and adjusting swimming hours to draw visitors. Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, held its opening ceremony Saturday and will operate for 51 days through Aug. 23. One of the east coast’s best-known summer destinations, the beach has a 1.8-kilometer stretch of sand and is about 70 meters wide. Gangneung’s 17 other beache
Thousands protest in Germany as AfD sets sights on power
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Thousands protested against Germany's far-right AfD and blocked roads to its annual conference in the eastern city of Erfurt, where the party re-elected the two leaders who have overseen its rise as a national force.
Thousands protest in Germany ahead of AfD conference
Thousands of opponents of Germany's far-right AfD have taken to the streets of Erfurt and blocked roads to the party's annual conference.
Free cold water in Itaewon buffers summer heat
A social media post about a vending machine in Itaewon that offers free water has gone viral, especially with temperatures in Seoul on the rise. A post on X in Japanese showed a picture of a vending machine in Itaewon that gave out free bottles of cold water, with the poster saying she felt revived under the scorching heat. The post quickly gained attention, recording over 5 million views within two days as of Friday. The vending machine at the center of attention was reportedly at Yongsan-gu Sa
Regions eye bakery tourism boost, but will it rise to the occasion?
In South Korea, the latest battleground for regional tourism is neither beaches nor mountains nor historic landmarks. It is bread. Inspired by destination bakeries that have sparked so-called “bread pilgrimages” across the country, local governments are investing in bakeries, bread festivals and bakery districts in hopes of reviving economies hit by depopulation. But experts say bread can only go so far. While it may bring visitors to a city, it does not necessarily make them stay overnight unle
Summer stories only Korea could tell
At 11 a.m. Monday, Seoul was placed under its first heat wave advisory of the season. Summer has officially arrived. The Korea Meteorological Administration expects a hotter-than-average summer this year, with heavier rainfall. The monsoon has not fully settled in, so weeks of rain are likely before the summer heat takes over in July. However hot, sticky or humid it gets, every Korean summer seems to leave behind a story worth telling. To mark the start of the season, we’ve gathered seven of the
The only Seongsu shopping guide you need
Once an industrial district of flour mills and workshops for handmade shoes, eastern Seoul's Seongsu-dong has become one of the city's most closely watched neighborhoods for fashion and beauty. Factory buildings that once turned out footwear now house design studios and flagship stores, and the area draws a steady mix of foreign visitors and young locals. The shift picked up in the 2010s, when repurposed warehouses such as Daelim Changgo were reborn as cafes and cultural spaces. It accelerated a
Pope Leo arrives in Lampedusa
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Pope Leo XIV lands in the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on Saturday morning, beginning his pastoral visit to this territory known for being a landing point for migrants travelling from Africa to Europe by sea.
Fireworks, flyovers and a 'really long' Trump speech ahead as US celebrates 250th
The celebrations in the US capital will feature 850,000 fireworks, a "really long" speech from the president and scorching temperatures.
Samsung reportedly plans 20% DRAM price hike in Q3
Samsung Electronics is reportedly planning to raise DRAM prices by about 20 percent in the third quarter and has verbally notified some customers of the plan, a Chinese media outlet reported Saturday, citing industry sources. An executive at a Chinese electronics manufacturer told the outlet that the company had discussed the matter with Samsung last month and had already received verbal notice of the planned price increase. The executive confirmed the move, saying higher DRAM prices could event
China launches coast guard patrol east of Taiwan despite international pushback
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China has begun using its coast guard to enforce its territorial claims in what Taiwan calls "lawfare" to claim a legal basis for Chinese actions.
Huge crowds gather as funeral ceremonies for Iranian supreme leader Khamenei begin
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Iranian authorities say they anticipate between 15 million and 20 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days.
Smell of smoke in Air NZ plane cabin triggers emergency reponse at Christchurch Airport
Several fire trucks could be seen on the runway, with police also attending.
Global food prices dip for second month in June
Global food prices fell for a second straight month in June, as lower prices for cereals, dairy products and sugar more than offset gains in vegetable oils and meat, South Korea’s Agriculture Ministry said Saturday, citing data from the UN food agency. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ food price index stood at 130.3 last month, down 0.3 percent from 130.8 in May, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The index, which tracks monthly changes
How Aughinish overshadowed Ireland's Presidency fanfare
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Ireland has been impressive with the launch of its six-month EU Presidency, but the spectre of the Aughinish Alumina investigation has overshadowed the fanfare, writes Europe Editor Tony Connelly.
RAM Jam: Why Apple & other tech firms' prices have spiked
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Last week Apple jacked up prices on many of its products, following similar moves by others, and it's all thanks to the AI industry, writes Adam Maguire.
Lithium battery fires hit record high in Japan in fiscal 2025
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Mobile power banks were the products most frequently responsible for fire or smoke incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, followed by heated tobacco products.
Murals, flags and beef dishes - Messi mania takes hold in Miami
Lionel Messi's World Cup goals roadshow continued with his seventh of the tournament for Argentina against Cape Verde - and delighted the fans who were in Miami to see their hero.
Micron breaks ground on $9 billion western Japan plant expansion
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The U.S. company is building the facility to make chips such as high-bandwidth memory crucial for AI processors.
SK hynix is said to weigh 0.5% fee payout in mega ADR offering
SK hynix is considering paying about 0.5 percent of the proceeds from its US listing — one of the largest share sales ever — to banks working on the deal, according to people familiar with the matter. While SK hynix has indicated it will issue as much as 2.5 percent of its total shares, the final deal size — which will determine the fee amount — is not yet set, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing non-public information. SK hynix may also choose to pay discretionary incenti
Venezuelans in NZ fundraise for quake survivors
Every second Venezuelan here knows someone who has been affected, a community member says.
Police search Gwangju high school after bomb threat amid baseball trash talk controversy
Authorities are conducting a search at a high school in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Saturday after an online post claimed that an explosive device had been planted at the school, officials said. According to the Gwangju Bukbu Police Station, police and fire authorities received a report around 11:50 a.m. regarding an online message that claimed a bomb had been placed at Gwangju Jeil High School. Search operations are under way at the school premises, but no explosive devices have been fo
Energy-hungry Asia is already drawing lessons from Iran crisis
The region is realizing that it needs bigger buffers, a greater diversity of fossil-fuel suppliers, and a better mix of power sources overall.
Trump extols America and rails at communism in U.S. 250th celebration
He urged Americans to protect the freedoms envisioned by the nation's founders against what he called the "communist" threat posed by progressive Democrats.
Dropkick Murphys on Trump, The Pogues, and Irish America
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Dropkick Murphys front man Ken Casey has said his band chose to cover The Pogues' song The Body of American on the upcoming Shane MacGowan tribute album as a wake-up call to Irish Americans.
Heatwave disrupts Fourth of July events across US
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A dangerous heatwave upended Fourth of July celebrations across swathes of the central and eastern US.
Ruling party rebuts US report on Coupang
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday rejected a US congressional report alleging South Korea discriminated against American-owned companies including Coupang, saying the document leaned too heavily on the e-commerce giant’s account of a massive customer data leak. In a written statement, party spokesperson Jang Yoon-mi said the interim report released by the US House Judiciary Committee misrepresented the Korean government’s response to the incident by citing what she described as un
Canada wants to build up to 10 new nuclear plants. Will our pension funds pay for them?
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Canada's ambitious new nuclear strategy has called for private investment to help expand the industry. Given that nuclear power plants are notoriously expensive to build, the government will have to heavily de-risk the ventures to attract large investors, like pension funds.
The test of time: Canada’s only watchmaking school still ticking after 80 years
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The École national d’horlogerie was founded after WW II as a way to help veterans reintegrate into society. Today, it’s about training professional watchmakers for the global market.
DND official rebuked for custom-made business card featuring F-35s
Amid the ongoing review of Canada's fighter jet procurement, a Department of National Defence official has been told to stop using a custom-made business card featuring two Lockheed Martin F-35s after she handed copies out at a recent military trade show.
Some profs are taking an old-school approach to classes. Here's why they think it helps students
Hand-written notes. Problem-solving through discussion. Using a typewriter to complete an assignment. In-depth Q&As after oral presentations. These are some of the classroom methods from the past that professors are reviving in hopes of boosting student engagement and steering them away from AI shortcuts.
To swat or not? These scientists suggest we rethink our fear toward insects
When a bug lands, do you swat or step back? We are taught to fear insects, but by looking closer at how they help our environment, we can trade our reflexive panic for wonder and learn to share our outdoor spaces, scientists say.
Farewell Cape Verde - defeat by Argentina but they are the underdogs the World Cup will never forget
Cape Verde may have been the World Cup's second-smallest nation but they leave the largest impact as they depart following defeat by defending champions Argentina in an epic.
Hope, skepticism and cautious optimism: What Gwangju residents think about Korea's W800tr chip bet
GWANGJU — When the government announced plans for a whopping 800 trillion won ($519 billion) investment into building a new semiconductor belt centered on Gwangju and South Jeolla Province, the reaction in the region was not simply celebration. There was excitement, pride, but also hints of caution. Though initial debates largely revolved around why Gwangju was chosen, the conversation on the ground had already shifted to the practical realities of making such an ambitious project happen. “I was
NU Festival tests Takanawa Gateway City complex’s culture cred
JR East has been positioning the sprawling new Takanawa Gateway City as a cultural hub since before it even opened. The music, art and tech NU Festival put that claim to the test.
Six Christchurch businesses hit within 90 minutes during early morning break-ins
Stolen cars were also seen at various places across town, police say.
Parts of South Island in for a weekend of snow, rain and wind
Heavy snow, rain and wind warnings are spread out across parts of Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
The schools starting late after 1am England kick-off to 'reduce pressure' on parents
Some schools are opting to open late, arguing they are striking the right balance, and many parents have backed the decision.
2 illegal gambling network operators extradited from UAE in joint gov't operation
Two suspects accused of running large-scale illegal online gambling networks have been extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to South Korea in a joint international operation, authorities said Saturday. One suspect allegedly ran an overseas gambling site worth 4.8 trillion won ($3.14 billion) based in Southeast Asia and laundered criminal proceeds while evading arrest for 12 years across multiple countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Cambodia, according to the pan-governmen
Mini-marts linked to convicted people smuggler closed after BBC investigation
We traced Twana Jamal, once the "the godfather" of French migrant camps, to two shops in Leicestershire.
Japan foreign and defense ministers to attend NATO events in Turkey
Tokyo had initially considered having Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attend the events, but decided against it because of her parliamentary commitments.
BTS honored by Argentine city ahead of concerts
BTS has been granted one of the highest official honors by the Argentine city of La Plata ahead of the K-pop supergroup’s three stadium concerts there in October, the group's agency BigHit Music said Saturday. The La Plata City Council unanimously approved a motion on Thursday to designate the group as an honorary distinguished visitor, a title reserved under city ordinance for visiting dignitaries and internationally recognized figures in culture and the arts. The council cited BTS’ global cult
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 26 points as Canada routs Puerto Rico 110-84 in basketball World Cup qualifying
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Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 26 points as Canada led from whistle-to-whistle in a
110-84 win over Puerto Rico on Friday in a FIBA Americas World Cup qualifying game.
Person pulled from the Kingston Wharf dies at the scene
Police were notified that a person had been pulled from the Kingston Wharf unresponsive around 10:20am on Saturday.
European nations now believe some Hormuz fees are inevitable
Privately, some Gulf Arab officials hold the same view, sources said, though this is not necessarily the formal position of their governments.
Five and a half hours that left England's World Cup tie in chaos
For several hours on Friday, no-one seemed to know when England's World Cup last-16 match against co-hosts Mexico would kick off. BBC Sport tells how a story of confusion and anger - culminating in a Fifa U-turn - unfolded.
Venezuelans frustrated by quake response want new presidential elections
Nearly half of respondents to a poll conducted after the disaster said that holding new elections is more urgent than rebuilding.
Ear plugs have become a festival must-have - but they aren't all created equal
Ear plugs are becoming an increasingly popular accessory at music festivals.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married, as pair hosts New York celebration
"JUST&T MARRIED," flashed on giant screens on the exterior of the Manhattan sports arena.
B.C. nurses to form picket lines at Vancouver General Hospital next week
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Nurses will be escalating job action on Tuesday at 5:30 a.m. PT, the B.C. Nurses' Union announced Friday evening. It says essential services will be maintained.
What could new rights for unmarried couples mean for your money?
Co-habiting couples in England and Wales could be given more protections if they break up under new government proposals.
Alberta’s pipeline pitch is heavy on public, light on private investment — so who benefits?
Woman adopted 21 children from overseas, but people trafficking ruled out
Legislation going through Parliament will ensure international adoptions from some countries will have to go through the Family Court.
Iran exploring oil sales to Japan, with buyers seeking longer sanctions waiver
Three Japanese buyers were looking at possible crude oil purchases from Iran, their first since 2019, said two Iranian sources.
NATO leaders — including Trump — to affirm ‘ironclad commitment’ to collective defense
NATO members are also set to pledge $80 billion in military assistance to Ukraine for 2026 and "at least equivalent levels" of support in 2027.
'Hotter and hotter and hotter' - Europe's new climate in seven charts
Temperature records were smashed in June - and scientists warn this is a sign of things to come.
Argentina beat Cape Verde in World Cup extra-time thriller
The clash went into extra time on Friday, with an own goal in the 111th minute giving the reigning champions the win.
Swift and Kelce outfits by Northern Irish designer
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Northern Irish fashion designer Jonathan Anderson was the man behind Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's outfits for their highly anticipated wedding in New York City.
Swift and Kelce outfits by Northern Irish designer
Northern Irish fashion designer Jonathan Anderson was the man behind Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's outfits for their highly anticipated wedding in New York City.
China’s Xi taps new military anti-graft chief as he rebuilds top command
Under a yearslong anti-corruption campaign initiated by the Chinese leader, scores of senior officials and top generals have been investigated, removed and purged.
'Flamingo Revolution' takes off as thousands demand Albanian PM's resignation
Flamingos have become a national symbol of protest, triggered by opposition to a luxury development.
Force bosses to face MPs over maternity scandal, says Streeting
Former health secretary Wes Streeting says the "cowardice" of leaders who refused to co-operate was "an insult".
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially married
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Megastars Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married, the singer's publicist announced as guests attended a star-studded celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Bavi now a life-threatening 'Super Typhoon': Pacific islands warned to prepare
A life-threatening typhoon is barrelling its way across the western Pacific with sustained wind speeds of more than 250km/h, with people in the area warned to prepare urgently.
Trump's new take on 250 years of American expansionism
The US has grown, both in terms of its land and its people, over the last 250 years. What's next?
Europe has replaced most U.S. cuts within NATO, top commander says
"European allies have definitely stepped up in terms of backfilling the adjustment in the U.S. forces in Europe," Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe Sir John Stringer said.
Keiko Fujimori declared winner of Peru presidential race
The conservative was officially declared the winner after weeks of protests, fraud accusations and review of contested ballots in a razor-thin race.
U.K., Italy and Japan award $6.14 billion contract to advance GCAP fighter jet
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The contract award comes after a rival Franco-German fighter program collapsed in June, leaving European defense alliances in flux.
Japan tax revenues hit record ¥84 trillion in fiscal 2025
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The growth reflected higher wages and corporate earnings, as well as a rise in the value of consumption amid inflation.
Russian bomb attack kills at least four in north Ukraine
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A massive Russian glide bomb strike on the centre of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy killed at least four people, including a child, and injured 27, according to the city's regional governor.
Russia looks to students to make up for mounting losses in Ukraine
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Moscow's campaign for students to sign army contracts comes as the Kremlin seeks to sustain its war effort for a fifth year.
Advocates horrified by report of human rights abuse at Wakari Hospital
Take a wider look at psychiatric facilities in New Zealand, patient advocate says, after inspectors found some inpatient treatment amounted to torture.
Japanese nail salons are tourists’ new obsession
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A combination of more affordable pricing, faster service and attention to detail is drawing more and more tourists to Tokyo's nail salons.
Casement Park 'will be built' - NI First Minister
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Casement Park is an absolute priority and will be built, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said.
China's internet got so mad about a celebrity's 'bad' singing, her concert was cancelled
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Celebrities have become outlets for young people's social and economic frustrations.
Trump promises 'really long' Fourth of July speech despite heat warning
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U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to deliver a ‘really long’ Fourth of July speech despite many celebrations for America’s 250 birthday in Washington have already been cancelled due to severe heat.
Heartbroken girlfriend of B.C. captain tells of close call days before deadly sinking
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The heartbroken girlfriend of a young charter boat captain feared drowned in a deadly sinking in B.C. waters last Sunday says she was aboard the vessel two days earlier when a broken door swung open and water flooded in.
Some Victim Support staff 'horrified' by CEO's response to workplace culture concerns
Several current and former workers raised concerns about the culture at Victim Support as being "toxic".
World Cup 2026: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde recap
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Argentina and Cape Verde played out one of the greatest ever World Cup ties as Pico Lopes' gallant men bow out with their heads help high.
Starmer tells of 'intensely personal' decision to quit and warns Burnham in first interview since resigning
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In an untypically candid interview, the outgoing PM tells the BBC it was "really tough" to accept his political career was over.
From Elle to Obsession: your weekend watch cheat sheet
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This week, those looking for a summer blockbuster may be disappointed to see plenty of screen times for Minions & Monsters and … not much else. Here's a list of recent releases which — depending on your tastes — should be worth your time.
Saskatoon teen wants apology after school removed her keffiyeh-inspired scarf during grad ceremony
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A video of the incident at Centennial Collegiate's June 23 graduation ceremony has been viewed 16.5 million times and the school says its principal has been the target of abuse.
Pancakes, pipelines and independence: politics serving up new flavour at this year’s Calgary Stampede
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Generations of Canada’s political class have summited at the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” to shake hands and flip pancakes. This year’s festival arrives with a looming referendum on Alberta’s future within Canada and, as of Thursday night, a multibillion-dollar pipeline bid.
Mexico-England tie may be brought forward due to weather
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FIFA is in discussions to move England's World Cup last-16 clash with Mexico to an earlier kick-off time due to the risk of weather disruption.
World Cup 2026: Australia 1-1* Egypt recap
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Australia and Egypt meet in their Round of 32 clash at Dallas Stadium.
Initiative launched to save curlew in Ireland
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A landmark conservation initiative aimed at saving the iconic curlew from extinction in Ireland has been launched on an island in Lough Corrib.
Garda's daughter grew up expecting to be hit, court told
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A daughter of a garda charged with raping his wife and child cruelty has told his Central Criminal Court trial that she grew up knowing she would be hit or given out to if she did not eat her dinner as a young child.
Yukon clinics are embracing AI — too quickly, some say
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AI tools have been in use in some Yukon clinics for months— and they’ve become a valuable resource for healthcare providers. But others argue AI has been embraced too quickly, without fully understanding potential impacts on patients.
Lampedusa: Symbols of hope mark Pope Leo XIV’s visit
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As Pope Leo XIV prepares to travel to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, a series of poignant and deeply symbolic events and gestures will reflect the enduring legacy of Pope Francis’ historic visit and his urgent call to reject indifference and to recognise migrants and refugees as our brothers and sisters.
After 250 years, do US citizens still believe in the American Dream?
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Historian Heather Cox Richardson on what history tells us about modern America
New Zealand's warmest June on record
The highest temperature of 26.0°C was observed at Bromley in Christchurch on 20 June.
Limerick primed to call time on neighbours' last dance
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Clare will look to summon the emotion and intensity that saw them take an even more invincible Limerick side to the brink in 2022 and 2023, beating them in the round robin in the latter campaign. But all form and logic points to a Limerick win, writes Conor Neville.
Around 90 jobs under threat at tech services firm Genpact
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Around 90 jobs are under threat at the Irish operation of technology services firm Genpact.
The Story Of Andy Burnham's Return To Westminster - Live At Crossed Wires Festival
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Chris and Faisal look at how he's gone from mayor to likely next PM.
Pope Leo draws hard line on breakaway traditionalists, but it could get messy
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As the Vatican excommunicated four bishops of the ultra-traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X this week, notice was also served that the society’s priests and lay Catholics who formally adhere to it are also considered cut off from the Roman Catholic Church — a move that raises the spiritual stakes for thousands of followers worldwide.
'Historic': What we know about the European heatwave
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Europe is still taking stock of a powerful heatwave in late June but experts are already confident it ranks among the worst ever recorded - even rivalling a freak 2003 episode.
Pope Leo XIV awarded Liberty Medal: 'God bless America'
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Accepting the prestigious Liberty Medal from the U.S. National Constitution Center for his lifelong commitment to promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression around the world, Pope Leo XIV addressed those gathered in Philadelphia from Rome, praying that the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States would be an occasion for a solemn recommitment to the fundamental ideals on which the country was founded, especially life and freedom.
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce marry in elaborate ceremony at NYC's Madison Square Garden
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Gordie Howe bridge cost still $6.4B despite delays, federal authority says
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The cost of the new Gordie Howe bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit is still $6.4 billion despite multiple delays, according to the federal authority that oversees the bridge.
Angry note left at scene of double murder of sons insisted father was the victim
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In the house where police found two dead brothers — both boys believed to have been murdered by their father Mohammed Al-Lami before he died by suicide — investigators found a note left on the desk of Al-Lami's office, CBC News has learned.
€700m exchequer surplus recorded for first half of year
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Strong income and corporation tax receipts contributed to an Exchequer surplus of €700 million for the first half of 2026.
Unions to prepare industrial action ballots over pay deal
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Public sector unions are to meet to prepare for potential industrial action ballots over what they have described as the failure to establish a basis for talks on a new public service pay agreement.
Relief for Govt as EU Presidency off to a good start
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The Coalition will be breathing a sigh of relief as the first three days of the EU Presidency pass off without a hitch, writes Political Correspondent Barry Lenihan.
Over 10,800 abortions in 2024, HSE figures show
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The HSE has published its first report on the termination of pregnancy services which began in January 2019, which shows access to abortion has expanded significantly here in the last seven years.
'No stone will be left unturned' in fight - McKee family
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The family of Lyra McKee have said "no stone will be left unturned" to get justice after three men were found not guilty of her murder.
Man guilty of murder of Cork postman Barry Daly last year
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A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of the murder of Cork postman Barry Daly.
How Korea’s birth mothers are exposing the hidden cost of overseas adoption
Korea’s 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) crossed its 100-day milestone earlier this month, revealing that 437 new cases detailing human rights violations in overseas adoptions have been filed since Feb. 28. Tucked inside those numbers is a shift that demands our attention. For the first time, the voices demanding the truth do not belong solely to adult adoptees — they also belong to the Korean birth mothers left behind. I recently stood with one of these mothers in Seoul and saw the other side of erasure. I watched what it costs to be told your child is gone, to mourn her as dead and to learn years later that she had lived. In 1993, Lee Aeri Rana gave birth to a daughter in a hospital. She was told her baby was ill and needed to be transferred to a larger hospital. She was not allowed to see her. One week later, she was told the child had died. She believed this for years. When she finally tried to find where her daughter was buried, she discovered there was no grave. Her daughter had not died at all. She had been sent — on falsified documents, without her consent —
Lee to review mega chip cluster project next week
President Lee Jae Myung plans to preside over a meeting next week to review progress for a mega semiconductor production base in the country's southwestern region, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. The joint public-private meeting will be held at the presidential office next Monday to review the semiconductor cluster project in the southwestern region, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung. During an event led by Lee on Monday, Samsung announced plans to build two memory chip fabrication plants in the southwestern city of Gwangju, while SK hynix said it will construct two fabs in the surrounding Jeolla provinces under a combined investment plan worth 800 trillion won ($522.3 billion). It is part of the government's "three megaprojects" initiative, which envisions a national transformation driven by semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers, and calls for a total investment of 4,755 trillion won. The upcoming meeting will mark the first strategic review session since the investment plans were unveiled, as Lee has pledged to personally oversee the pr
Korea to establish low-Earth orbit communications network by 2035
South Korea aims to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network composed of hundreds of satellites by 2035 and accelerate the country's first lunar landing to 2030, the state-run space agency said Friday. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) unveiled the plan during a public briefing on advanced industry development held in the southeastern city of Jinju. The strategy was approved earlier in the day by the National Space Council, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung. KASA said building the network will help strengthen South Korea's domestic satellite and launch vehicle development and manufacturing ecosystem as the country pushes to build its own version of SpaceX's Starlink network. "Leading space nations are making all-out efforts to build low-Earth orbit satellite communications networks, which are critical infrastructure for safeguarding national security and communications sovereignty, as well as a strategic foundation for the 6G era," KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok said. The agency said it plans to launch between 128 and 512 satellites, which cost at least 4 tri
Gov’t considers building more nuclear reactors to meet chip, AI power demand
The government should quickly review plans to build additional nuclear reactors to meet rapidly growing electricity demand from semiconductor manufacturing complexes and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment Kim Sung-hwan said Friday. Kim said the issue needs to be addressed as soon as possible because the government plans to finalize its 12th basic plan for long-term electricity supply and demand ahead of the regular parliamentary session later this year. "Semiconductor production requires a stable supply of electricity around the clock, making it similar to a baseload power source," Kim said in an interview with MBC Radio. "It will not be easy to meet the growing demand with renewable energy alone, so we need to promptly examine whether additional nuclear reactors should be built." Kim said the semiconductor clusters planned in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and the southwestern region of the country will require electricity equivalent to the output of about 15 nuclear reactors with a capacity of 1.4 gigawatts each. Regarding potential sites
Trump cannot denuclearize NK, says Middle East expert
Alex Vatanka, a senior fellow of the Middle East Institute, said U.S. President Donald Trump will not be able to denuclearize North Korea as Pyongyang is already a “nuclear state.” Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on June 25, Vatanka said Washington would risk a war if it wants to denuclearize Pyongyang. “Trump cannot denuclearize North Korea because North Korea is already a nuclear weapon state, unless you want to take a chance and risk major war,” said Vatanka, a Middle East expert and founding director of the Iran program at the Washington-based think tank. He joined the forum as a speaker during a session titled “The Post-War Future of Middle East Peacebuilding.” The Middle East and Iran expert emphasized that North Korea’s nuclear program is now irreversible, unlike Iran’s program, which remains controllable amid ongoing negotiations with the U.S. to halt its nuclear ambitions and end the war. “I don't know how many (nuclear weapons) they (North Korea) have. They have probably many d
Overcrowded bus plunges into ravine in southwest Pakistan, killing 40 passengers and injuring 8
QUETTA, Pakistan — A speeding, overcrowded passenger bus plunged from a highway into a rocky ravine in southwestern Pakistan early Friday, killing 40 people and injuring eight others in one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years, officials said. The bus went out of control and fell into the ravine in Dana Sar, a remote area near the border of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said. He said the bus was carrying not only its own passengers but also passengers from another bus that had broken down, leaving the vehicle overcrowded. Rind said rescuers were working to identify those killed in the crash. One of the injured survivors told local media from his hospital bed that some passengers protested after the driver stopped to pick up people from another bus that had broken down and was also headed to Peshawar. He said an argument followed, during which one passenger allegedly grabbed the driver by the neck. Moments later, the driver lost control of the bus, which plunged into the ravine. The account could not
3rd appeals trial begins for former K-pop star Steve Yoo over visa denial
The third appeals trial over a visa denial for singer Steve Yoo, better known in Korea as Yoo Seung-jun, against the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles opened Friday, with a ruling scheduled for Sept. 4. The Seoul High Court held the first hearing to review the visa denial for the singer. Consulate representatives said the requested overseas Korean visa — known as an F-4 — grants privileges nearly identical to citizenship. They called Yoo an "icon of draft evasion" in Korean society and questioned granting such benefits to someone who renounced his citizenship to avoid conscription. Yoo's lawyers said the government is ignoring the rule of law to appease public sentiment. They said officials have repeated the same arguments for 10 years without addressing previous Supreme Court rulings in Yoo's favor. Yoo debuted in Korea in 1997 and publicly promised to fulfill his mandatory military service. However, he left the country in January 2002 for an overseas performance and acquired U.S. citizenship, dodging the draft. As domestic criticism mounted, the Ministry of Justice banned his
Appeals court to begin ex-President Yoon's drone infiltration trial on July 15
An appeal trial for former President Yoon Suk Yeol will begin later this month on charges that he ordered drone incursions into North Korea in an attempt to incite a North Korean provocation that could justify his martial law declaration, legal sources said Friday. The Seoul High Court has scheduled the trial's first hearing for July 15, according to the sources. Yoon was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison last month for ordering the Drone Operations Command in October 2024 to send unmanned aerial vehicles to Pyongyang in an attempt to trigger a military clash that could provide a pretext for his martial law bid, declared in December that year and struck down only hours later by a National Assembly vote. Among the co-defendants, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was also given a 30-year prison term, while Yeo In-hyung, then commander of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, was sentenced to 15 years. Kim Yong-dae, former head of the Drone Operations Command, received a suspended three-year term. Both the defendants and the plaintiff, a special counsel team led by Cho Eu
Korea to establish low-Earth orbit communications network by 2035
Korea aims to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network composed of hundreds of satellites by 2035 and accelerate the country's first lunar landing to 2030, the state-run space agency said Friday. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) unveiled the plan during a public briefing on advanced industry development held in the southeastern city of Jinju. The strategy was approved earlier in the day by the National Space Council, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung. KASA said building the network will help strengthen Korea's domestic satellite and launch vehicle development and manufacturing ecosystem as the country pushes to build its own version of SpaceX's Starlink network. "Leading space nations are making all-out efforts to build low-Earth orbit satellite communications networks, which are critical infrastructure for safeguarding national security and communications sovereignty, as well as a strategic foundation for the 6G era," KASA Administrator Oh Tae-seok said. KASA also aims to bring forward Korea's first lunar landing to 2030, two years ahead of schedule. Instead
Drought risk missing in water supply plan for new chip cluster
The government has come up with a plan to supply industrial water to semiconductor plants that Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have committed to build in Korea's southwestern region, but questions remain over the lack of clear principles on how water should be prioritized in the event of shortages during droughts. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced on Tuesday the plan to supply 650,000 tons of industrial water per day to the proposed chip cluster by adjusting water allocations from nearby dams. The plan came in response to concerns raised by semiconductor companies and opposition parties that the region is vulnerable to water shortages. Citing this risk, the opposition bloc has argued that the government-led 800 trillion-won chip cluster plan is seeking to attract new semiconductor plants to an unsuitable area. Under the plan, the government will secure 350,000 tons of water per day by combining the existing 50,000 tons of surplus capacity at Juam Dam with an additional 300,000 tons obtained by increasing the storage capacity of Dongbok Dam. It also seeks to secur
Korean doctors send advance medical team to Venezuela quake zone
The Korean Medical Association (KMA), the nation’s largest organization of doctors, has dispatched an advance volunteer team to Venezuela to assess needs and prepare broader assistance in the wake of devastating earthquakes last week. The organization’s spokesman told The Korea Times on Friday that KMA Vice President Seo Jung-sung had departed earlier in the day for the quake-struck Caracas region with one staff member as its first team in the South American country. The KMA has been coordinating with the Venezuelan Medical Association ahead of the visit to ensure the mission responds to actual needs rather than providing only symbolic support. “As doctors, we believe our mission should not be bounded by national borders, and in that sense we see this as the right thing to do,” the spokesman said. “Before sending the team, we contacted the Venezuelan doctors’ group in advance and asked whether our team would really be of help, and they told us support is needed, so we decided to go.” As of Friday, the death toll from the two major earthquakes increased to 2,595, according t
SKT to invest $91.5 bil. for 'hyperscale' AI data centers in Yeongnam
Korea's SK Telecom said Friday it will invest 140 trillion won ($91.5 billion) to transform the southeastern region of Yeongnam into Asia's artificial intelligence (AI) hub, with the construction of massive data centers there. Jung Jai-hun, the chief executive officer of the telecom company, outlined the plan during a public briefing presided over by President Lee Jae Myung in the southeastern city of Jinju, as part of the government's megaproject centered on attracting massive investment in AI and high-tech industries. Under the plan, SKT will start work on a 100-megawatt hyperscale AI data center in the port city of Ulsan, with the goal to start operations by the fourth quarter of next year. It will later add 900 megawatts and an additional 1 gigawatt of AI data centers in the region outside of Ulsan, he said. "The massive AI data centers could transform the region into a hub for the verification and expansion of manufacturing AI, when combined with the manufacturing capabilities in the region," Jung said. SKT plans to expand its total AI data center capacity to 5 gigawatts by 2029, whi
Hyundai Motor to invest $27.3 bil. in southeast to develop mobility, physical AI
Hyundai Motor Group said Friday it will invest 42 trillion won ($27.3 billion) over the next decade to establish next-generation mobility and physical artificial intelligence (AI) hubs in Korea's southeastern region. Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon unveiled the investment roadmap during a public briefing presided over by President Lee Jae Myung in the southeastern city of Jinju, as part of the government's mega project centered on semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers. The investment is intended to transform the Gyeongsang region, also known as Yeongnam and home to the group's main manufacturing operations, into a hub for autonomous vehicles, AI-powered manufacturing and future aerospace technologies. "By making additional investments in new growth businesses in the Yeongnam region, the birthplace of Hyundai Motor Group, we will foster it into a key hub for future advanced industries and contribute to strengthening Korea's industrial competitiveness," Jang said. Under the plan, Hyundai Motor Group will turn its Ulsan production complex into a hub for next-genera
Homeplus heads toward liquidation as court pulls plug on rehabilitation
Homeplus, Korea’s second-largest hypermarket chain, is heading toward liquidation after a court terminated its rehabilitation proceedings, ruling that the cash-strapped retailer had no viable path to carrying out its turnaround plan, according to industry officials, Friday. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court dismissed Homeplus’ revised restructuring proposal — which called for sweeping cost cuts, including shuttering nearly half of its stores and reducing its workforce — after the company failed to secure the minimum 200 billion won ($130 million) in fresh funding needed to execute the plan. “The minimum funding required to implement the plan has yet to be secured,” the court said. “As the proposal is therefore not feasible, the rehabilitation proceedings will be terminated without further hearings.” Homeplus has 14 days to appeal. If the ruling stands, the company will be dissolved and creditors will be free to pursue legal remedies, such as asset seizures and foreclosure. Within hours of the decision, the troubled retailer again appealed to its largest creditor, Meritz Financia
Termination of Homeplus rehabilitation endangers 12,000 workers
A court decision on Friday to terminate the rehabilitation proceedings for cash-strapped discount store chain Homeplus has raised concerns for the company's 12,000 employees who could lose their jobs. After Homeplus first filed for rehabilitation in March last year, the retailer began reducing its offline outlets. Of the 126 locations, only 67 stores remain, while the number of employees dropped from 20,000 to about 15,000 following the downsizing. After the company sold its supermarket unit Homeplus Express to NS Shopping last month to secure more cash, the workforce dropped again to 12,000 people. If Homeplus ultimately goes into bankruptcy, the government will activate a substitute payment program, which would allow it to advance unpaid wages of up to 21 million won ($13,600) per employee and later recover the funds. Employees who lose their jobs would also be eligible for unemployment benefits equivalent to 60 percent of their average wages over the three months preceding their termination. The government also plans to provide at least 440 billion won in emergency liquidity to help sm
KOSPI snaps back to 8,000 as Samsung, SK hynix rally
Korean stocks rebounded sharply from the previous day's sell-off on Friday, with the benchmark KOSPI reclaiming the 8,000 level as investors piled into large-cap chip shares. According to the Korea Exchange, KOSPI closed at 8,088.34, up 5.76 percent from the previous session. The index had retreated to the 7,300 level in early trading, but sharp gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix helped lift the market, triggering a buy-side sidecar. Samsung Electronics closed at 309,500 won, up 8.22 percent from the previous session. SK hynix closed at 2,425,000 won, climbing 10.88 percent. A renewed sell-off in U.S. chip stocks overnight initially weighed on investor sentiment, though bargain hunters appeared to step in after the sharp decline. Sentiment was also supported by Kioxia's rebound in Japan, where the shares turned higher after opening sharply lower, helping lift the sector. Institutional investors drove the advance on the main KOSPI market with net purchases of 4.46 trillion won. Foreign investors sold a net 2.19 trillion won, while retail investors were net sellers of 2.31 trillion
Conglomerates to invest $201.7 bil. in southeast for AI, SMR sectors
Korean conglomerates will roll out a combined 312 trillion won ($201.7 billion) in investments across cutting-edge industries, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and small modular reactors (SMRs), in the southeastern region, the finance ministry said Friday. The business groups — Hanwha, Hyundai Motor, Samsung and SK — unveiled a set of projects to foster the chip, electronics and space industries in the southeastern Yeongnam region, building on its existing industrial infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The drive comes under President Lee Jae Myung's tripolar mega projects, which center on advancing technologies across the country and turning Korea into an industrial powerhouse in the emerging AI era, following similar announcements for the southwestern and central regions earlier this week. In detail, Hanwha Group vowed to invest 55 trillion won in areas including satellites, launch vehicles, and AI data centers for the space and defense sectors, while Hyundai Motor Group will allocate 42 trillion won to build the groundwork for AI-based autonomous
Lee pledges to establish 'aerospace industry belt' along southern coast
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday pledged to create an "aerospace industry belt" along the country's southern coast, calling it one of the new growth engines that Korea will seek to nurture in an effort to compete in future global markets. Lee made the pledge while announcing investment plans for the country's southern region at an event in South Gyeongsang Province, as part of the government's broader "three mega projects" initiative, which calls for large-scale investments in semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers. Lee said large-scale investment will be made to foster the region's next-generation semiconductors, AI data center and physical AI industries, transforming its industrial manufacturing bases into intelligent industries. In particular, the government plans to "establish a southern coast aerospace industry belt that will encompass satellites, rockets, next-generation aircraft and the new space industry," Lee said, calling them new growth engines to be driven by the region.
Korea's Coupang probe not discriminatory: presidential office
Cheong Wa Dae on Friday rejected a U.S. Congress report that accused Korea of discriminating against the U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang during its investigation into a massive personal data breach. “Korea does not discriminate against corporate activities based on nationality or single out specific companies for investigation,” National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a press briefing. His remarks came after the U.S. House Judiciary Committee issued a report earlier this week criticizing the Seoul government for “discriminatory attacks” against Coupang. A White House official also argued that Coupang is being "singled out" by the Lee Jae Myung administration, when asked by a Korean media outlet for comment on the report. The 35-page report followed Korean authorities' investigations into Coupang's personal data leak, which is believed to have exposed the personal information of more than 33 million customers. “The report’s claims that the investigation is discriminatory, targeted or the result of unfair regulation are far from the facts,” Wi said. “It appears th
Ex-World Cup star Park Ji-sung to co-lead new committee on reforming football
Former FIFA World Cup hero Park Ji-sung will serve as the co-head of a new government-formed committee on reforming Korean football, officials said Friday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the launch of the "K-Football Innovation Committee," with Park and Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young jointly at the helm. According to the ministry, the committee also appointed seven members, including Ryu Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee; Kim Seung-hee, executive director of the Korea Football Association (KFA); and two former national team players Lee Young-pyo and Park Joo-ho. The committee will hold "comprehensive discussions" on measures that can help bolster Korean football's global competitiveness and cover areas such as football governance, youth development and adoption of the latest technologies, the ministry said. The committee has been put together in the aftermath of Korea's elimination from the ongoing FIFA World Cup after the initial group stage. Earlier this week, Chae announced plans for the ministry to conduct an audit into operations at
Modern hanok in Imsil moves toward national heritage status for rare architectural details
A modern hanok in Imsil County known for its distinctive blend of traditional Korean architecture and early modern design has been designated for preliminary registration as a National Registered Cultural Heritage, the Korea Heritage Service said Friday. The agency said the Imsil Seongga-ri Modern Hanok, located in Seongga-ri, Imsil County, North Jeolla Province, was selected for its well-preserved architectural features that distinguish it from traditional hanok. Built in 1939, the house has a documented construction date confirmed through an inscription placed during the roof-raising ceremony, the agency said. The residence reflects changes in architecture and daily life that emerged during the modern era, including a floor plan that separates the kitchen from the chanbang, a room used to prepare or store side dishes, and a circulation route that connects the kitchen to interior rooms through a wooden porch. The agency said the house also retains distinctive handcrafted design elements that are rarely found in other registered modern hanok, including a double-rafter roof structure, arc
Ukraine FM's commitment to NK POWs must be kept
The Russia-Ukraine war is now in its fourth year. What started with Russian aggression has wrought a multitude of changes in warfare and geopolitics, including renewed and rebalanced ties between Russia and North Korea. North Korea has sent soldiers and military resources in support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Some North Korean soldiers who fought and returned home were hailed as heroes. According to battlefield reports, some North Korean soldiers died by suicide to avoid capture. However, two North Korean prisoners of war (POW) captured in January 2025 in Kursk, Ukraine, are likely to face a different kind of return. The two have professed interviews with media and human rights groups a desire to go to South Korea, knowing that they will be in danger of persecution in North Korea. However, they still remain in Ukraine, despite talks between Kyiv and Seoul. It's time to expedite and translate into action both Ukraine and South Korea's pledges and follow international law. Ukraine has maintained that the fate of the POWs will be addressed in accordance with international humanitarian
Quantum leaders converge in Seoul as Dutch, Australian and Canadian delegations expand Korea ties
Quantum Korea 2026 continued to serve as a key meeting point for global quantum players this year, with the embassies of the Netherlands, Australia and Canada organizing official national pavilions to strengthen research collaboration, explore business opportunities and expand long-term cooperation with Korea. The three embassies brought delegations of companies, researchers and public organizations to the three-day event at Dongdaemun Design Plaza from Thursday to Saturday, showcasing the strengths of their respective quantum ecosystems and facilitating partnerships with Korean academia and industry. The Netherlands returned for a second consecutive year with six leading quantum organizations — QDNL, TNO, QuTech, Qblox, QuantWare and Delft Circuits — under a government-supported program aimed at strengthening cooperation with Korea. The Dutch delegation showcased expertise spanning quantum computing, hardware, control systems, networking and applied research, while operating a dedicated Netherlands Lounge for meetings with Korean partners. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency supporte
Hanwha to invest $35.6 bil. in aerospace, AI by 2040
Hanwha Group, Korea's largest defense and aerospace conglomerate, said Friday it will invest 55 trillion won ($35.6 billion) in the aerospace and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors by 2040 to develop launch vehicles, satellites and AI data centers. Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan outlined the roadmap during a public briefing presided over by President Lee Jae Myung in the southeastern city of Jinju, as part of the government's mega project centered on attracting massive investment in AI and high-tech industries. Kim said the initiative aligns with Korea's broader push to strengthen indigenous defense capabilities while reducing reliance on foreign satellite and intelligence infrastructure. "The future of self-reliant national defense lies in space," Kim emphasized. "Based on our launch vehicle and satellite technologies, Hanwha will build the capabilities needed for Korea to independently secure the information it requires." Under the plan, Hanwha Aerospace will inject about 23 trillion won into space launch vehicles, assembly facilities and launch vehicle testing infrastructu
Korea, China to hold public diplomacy forum in Seoul next week
Korea and China will hold a forum on public diplomacy in Seoul next week in an effort to explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties, the Korea's foreign ministry said Friday. The 12th edition of the Public Diplomacy Forum is set for Monday and Tuesday as a 1.5-track public-private dialogue platform, according to the ministry. It marks Seoul's first hosting of the forum since 2019. Co-hosted by the two countries' foreign ministries, the forum has served as a consultative body for building mutual understanding, bringing together government officials, academics and experts from both countries since its 2014 establishment. Attendees include Korea Foundation President Song Ki-do, Public Diplomacy Ambassador Lim Sang-woo, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing and China Public Diplomacy Association President Chen Xu, among others, who will exchange views on advancing Seoul-Beijing relations.
BTS' V to front Jinro's global expansion campaign
HiteJinro has appointed BTS member V as the global ambassador for its export soju brand Jinro, as the company steps up efforts to expand its presence in overseas markets. The company said Friday that the appointment is part of its strategy to make the Jinro brand more familiar and accessible to consumers around the world. As global ambassador, V will help strengthen Jinro's brand recognition and appeal across international markets while also participating in a range of domestic marketing campaigns for the soju brand, engaging with consumers both in Korea and abroad. In the soju industry, female celebrities have traditionally been favored as brand models because of the industry's predominantly male consumer base. However, Jinro serves as HiteJinro's flagship export brand and has also gained strong popularity among younger consumers in Korea, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, thanks to its signature toad mascot. HiteJinro said it selected V because of his global recognition and his ability to embody the youthful, trendy image the Jinro brand seeks to project. HiteJinro currently expo
Korea's brokerages are raking it in. Their stocks aren't.
Korean brokerage stocks should be having their moment as trading booms, earnings head for another record and the broader market rallies. Instead, investors are chasing semiconductor shares and questioning whether trading value has already peaked, leaving brokerages stuck on the sidelines. According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Friday, the KRX Securities Index jumped 59.82 percent in the first quarter, outperforming both KOSPI and the KRX Semiconductor Index, which gained 40.65 percent. The rally has since faded. Since April, the securities gauge has trailed the broader market, falling 10.69 percent in the second quarter. The KRX Semiconductor Index, by contrast, has surged 100.36 percent. The weakness contrasts with robust trading activity. Average daily trading value on the KOSPI and Kosdaq reached 90 trillion won ($58.4 billion) in the second quarter, up 35.1 percent from the previous quarter and a record high, according to Samsung Securities. In June, as KOSPI climbed above 9,000, monthly turnover reached 313 percent, surpassing the previous peak of 310 percent set in January 2021 du
Preparations for funeral of Iran's supreme leader in full swing
TEHRAN — Preparations for the funeral of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei were in full swing on Friday, with authorities expecting millions and a coterie of foreign dignitaries to attend the official ceremony. Pakistan, a key mediator in talks between the United States and Iran on ending the Middle East war, said its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be at the funeral in Tehran on Saturday. China, Afghanistan and Iran's neighbours in the Caucasus region said they would also be sending representatives. Workers were readying Tehran's Grand Mosalla religious complex on Thursday, while security teams stopped passing cars and curious bystanders looked on. "We are planting flowers and watering the shrubs for the farewell ceremony of our martyred guide," said worker Hossein Moghadassi, clad in a hat and a scarf to cover his face as the temperature soared. "People will come from all over Iran. There will be huge crowds." Tehran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had called on Thursday for a massive turnout at the event as a way to avenge the supreme leader's death in U.S.-Isra
After Park Na-rae, Simon Dominic reveals home burglary: ‘I don’t film at home anymore’
Even celebrities are not immune to home burglaries, as rapper Simon Dominic and TV personality Park Na-rae have recently made clear. “I’m not saying where my expensive watches are anymore. They’re all in a safe. I was robbed,” Korean rapper Simon Dominic said during a recent appearance on fellow celebrity Kian84’s YouTube channel. Simon Dominic, known for collecting sneakers, perfume, watches and other accessories, made the remark after Kian84 asked about the whereabouts of his luxury watches. He then recalled a burglary at his home in which a diamond-covered luxury watch worth hundreds of millions of won was stolen. “The thief consigned it to a watch shop I often go to,” he said. “A friend of mine who owns the same watch happened to go there and saw it. He told me, and when I went there to try it on, it fit my wrist perfectly.” Simon Dominic said he later went to the shop with police as soon as it opened at 10 a.m. on Christmas Eve. After checking CCTV footage, the suspect was arrested that same day. Since the incident, Simon Dominic said he no longer films content at h
Japan coach says Hong 'fought for Korean football' despite World Cup failure
Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu has defended former Korea coach Hong Myung-bo, saying he does not believe Hong deserves to be remembered as the country's worst national team manager despite Korea's disappointing group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday after returning to Japan with his squad, Moriyasu was asked by a Korean reporter for his assessment of the Korean national team. "I don't know the situation in Korea well enough, so there's only so much I can say," Moriyasu said. "But Hong and I have stayed in touch as rivals and friends. I don't think he should be regarded as the worst coach in Korean football history. He fought tirelessly for Korean football." Moriyasu added that Hong had done everything he could under the circumstances. "He gave it his best. Evaluations are always based on results, but that doesn't mean everything he has done up to this point was wrong," he said with a smile. "I hope the Korean media will also report on the positive aspects." Hong resigned after Korea failed to advance beyond the group sta
Smilegate showcases 'Chaos Zero Nightmare,' 'Miresi' at Anime Expo 2026
Korean video game developer and publisher Smilegate said Friday it has officially opened booths for two of its mobile games, "Chaos Zero Nightmare" (CZN) and "Miresi: Invisible Future" (Miresi), at Anime Expo 2026, North America's largest anime and pop culture convention, which opened Thursday in Los Angeles and runs through Sunday. Miresi, an upcoming collectible role-playing game developed by Control9, is being showcased at a booth in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. The booth includes a hands-on demo zone where visitors can try the game, a four-sided LED experience area and a 360-degree photo zone. The Miresi stage will host daily events. On Saturday morning, Control9 CEO and Creative Director Kwon Se-woong, Production Director Cho Sun-gu and Art Director Kim "Hyulla" Hyung-sup will hold a Dev Talk to share the game's development philosophy and history. Illustrators REIQ, Karory and Ruca will also appear over three days for live drawing shows, sketching the game's characters in their own styles. REIQ is also scheduled to join a separate panel session Saturday evening
Seoul expands accessible bus travel options for wheelchair users
Korea’s capital is broadening travel options for residents with mobility restrictions by easing regulations and expanding the geographic reach of its specialized accessible minibus fleet. The Seoul Facilities Corporation, which manages public infrastructure in the capital, said Friday that its fleet of customized small buses will now operate overnight and travel deep into the country's central and eastern provinces. The policy shift aims to grant wheelchair users greater autonomy for long-distance and overnight travel. Previously, the city's larger accessible coaches could be chartered for multiday trips across the country. However, its fleet of modified Hyundai Solati minibuses, which accommodate two wheelchair positions and six standard seats, were strictly restricted to same-day return trips within the boundaries of the Seoul metropolitan area. Under the new directives, these mini-buses can now cross provincial lines into the Chungcheong and Gangwon regions, and can be booked for trips lasting up to two days and one night. The policy adjustment follows a sharp rise in demand for acc
Unification ministry gauges public opinion on using N. Korea's official name
The unification ministry said Friday it views growing calls to refer to North Korea by its official name as part of a broader effort to build public consensus on the issue. "The ministry is paying attention to religious leaders' call for the two Koreas to use each other's official names," deputy spokesperson Chang Yoon-jeong said at a regular briefing. "Since their announcement, we have also noted support from various sectors of society, and we will continue listening to these voices going forward," she added. The Korean Council of Religious Leaders said the previous day that genuine peace begins with "acknowledging each other as they are," urging both South and North Korea to refer to each other using their official names, respectively, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Respecting each other's name is the first step" toward peaceful coexistence, the group said. Kang Chang-il, vice chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory body on unification, echoed the call. "I would first like to express my deep appreciation for the s
[PHOTOS] US marks 250th anniversary of independence in Seoul
James Heller, second from left, chargé d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, pays respect to the U.S. flag as he stands next to Cho Hyun, first from left, foreign minister, during a ceremony at the 250th U.S. Independence Day celebration held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan District, Seoul, June 30. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is running the “Freedom 250” campaign this year to mark America’s 250th anniversary, working with various Korean institutions and organizations to celebrate the values of freedom, democracy and innovation. Joint Press Corps
Alumni plead for leniency for Paichai High School baseball team banned over 'Tank Day' talk
Alumni for a Seoul high school whose baseball team has been suspended over insensitive trash talk pleaded for leniency on Friday. In a statement, the alumni association for Paichai High School asked the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) to reconsider its recent six-month suspension on the school's baseball team. The team's players were banned for mocking their opponents from Gwangju Jeil High School, based in the southern city of Gwangju, during their first-round game at the Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship on Monday. It is the country's oldest and biggest high school baseball tournament. Some Paichai players were heard yelling toward the Gwangju Jeil dugout, "Let's go to Starbucks!" and "Tank Day!" These were in reference to a controversial promotion by Starbucks Korea on May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The campaign offered discounts on "Tank" tumbler sets with the phrase, "Put it on the table with a sound of 'Tak!'" Starbucks Korea was widely criticized for mocking the democratization movement, as the word "tank" evoked mem
Murder suspect's father evades charges, fueling debate over Korea's family evidence-tampering exemption
The father of Jang Yoon-gi, a suspect in the murder of a high school girl, allegedly destroyed evidence in the case, renewing debate over Korea's criminal code exemption shielding family members from evidence-tampering charges. Last month, prosecutors indicted Jang, 23, on charges of stabbing and killing the girl in Gwangju in May after following her with intent to rape. He was also indicted on charges of attacking another student with a knife when they tried to intervene. Investigators later found that Jang's father, an active-duty police officer, had disposed of items from his son's residence, including several mobile phones and a sex doll whose chest and neck areas showed concentrated damage. The father was not indicted, however. Under current law, destroying evidence in another person's criminal case carries penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 7 million won ($4,530), but relatives or family members living with the offender are exempt. Lee Yung-hyeock, a professor of police science at Konkuk University, said the exemption exists in Korea because of questions whe
President to embark on trip to NATO summit, Mongolia
President Lee Jae Myung will embark on a five-day, two-leg overseas trip next week, attending the NATO summit in Turkey before making a state visit to Mongolia, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. It said Lee will travel to Ankara from July 7 to 8 to attend the NATO summit at the invitation of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, followed by a three-day state visit to Mongolia from July 9 to 11 at the invitation of President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh. The NATO summit will mark Lee's second major multilateral gathering in less than a month, following his attendance at the G7 summit in France, reflecting his administration's efforts to broaden Korea's diplomatic engagement. The summit also reflects the Lee government’s push to expand defense exports and deepen strategic partnerships beyond traditional allies. "The trip will further expand Korea's diplomatic outreach and, in particular, marks the beginning of a full-scale effort to strengthen defense industry cooperation with NATO allies." National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac during a press briefing. He noted 32 NATO allies collectively account for 55
Toss to face stricter oversight as Korea's first fintech financial conglomerate
Viva Republica, which operates Toss, is poised to become the first fintech company subject to the same regulatory framework as Korea's other large financial conglomerates, marking a major shift in oversight for the fast-growing platform. Originally launched as a mobile money-transfer app, Toss has since rapidly evolved into a financial platform spanning banking, brokerage and insurance. Authorities are expected to formally designate the company as a “financial conglomerate” later this month. Introduced in 2021, the system is designed to strengthen oversight of groups with multiple financial subsidiaries by requiring integrated supervision of intra-group risk and related-party transactions. Seven conglomerates — Samsung, Hanwha, Mirae Asset, Kyobo, Hyundai Motor, DB and Daou Kiwoom — are currently subject to the regulations. To qualify, a group must operate across at least two of three sectors — banking, insurance and financial investment — with the smallest business holding more than 5 trillion won ($3.24 billion) in assets. Toss qualifies through Toss Bank and Toss Securitie
KRX activates buy-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp rise
Korea's bourse operator on Friday activated a buy-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index rose sharply, led by bargain buying in semiconductor shares following the previous session's heavy sell-off. Program trading for the KOSPI-listed shares was suspended for five minutes at around 1:50 p.m., according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). After opening 1.2 percent higher, the KOSPI added 410.29, or 5.36 percent, to 8,058.38 as of 1:57 p.m. Investors snapped up semiconductor shares following reports that artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic is in talks with Samsung Electronics to develop a custom AI chip. The rebound came after the index plunged 7.89 percent Thursday, dragged down by a sharp sell-off in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix amid concerns that the AI-driven rally might have peaked. A buy-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index rises 5 percent or more for at least one minute.
Gov't to support Homeplus workers, partners amid botched rehabilitation
Korea will make efforts to support employees and partner companies of troubled discount store chain Homeplus after a local court decided to terminate its rehabilitation proceedings, the finance ministry said Friday. The meeting, chaired by the Ministry of Finance and Economy, came after the Seoul Bankruptcy Court decided to terminate rehabilitation proceedings for Homeplus in a move that could pave the way for the company's dissolution. The company earlier pledged to reorganize its business but did not specify how it would secure the necessary funds of at least 200 billion won ($130 million). During the meeting, the government unveiled financial support measures for employees of Homeplus, including up to 21 million won to compensate for unpaid wages. Korea will also offer low-interest loans of up to 10 million won at a rate of 1.5 percent within the amount of their unpaid salaries. The government will additionally provide around 440 billion won worth of liquidity support for small merchants and businesses that rely on Homeplus as a major business partner. Businesses wishing to shut down ca
'KPop Demon Hunters' star Arden Cho ties knot while wearing hanbok
Korean American actress Arden Cho, who gained global attention for voicing Rumi in Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters," recently got married in Italy with a distinctly Korean twist to the dress code. “Ever since we started planning, I dreamed of welcoming everyone to Italy with a hanbok celebration,” Cho wrote on social media on Thursday, sharing photos of herself, her husband and their guests dressed in traditional Korean attire. She said it felt surreal to see her friends and family wearing hanbok and filling the ballroom with vibrant colors. “It was art within art,” Cho wrote. “I never imagined seeing hanboks celebrated like this in Italy, and my heart is so full that everyone embraced this part of our culture with such joy.” Cho married orthopedic surgeon Christopher Lee on June 27 in Florence, Italy. “We’ve been at the villa for over a week, and it felt like welcoming all our loved ones into our home,” she added, teasing that she plans to share more moments from the celebration soon. Cho earned widespread acclaim for voicing Rumi, the leader of the fictional K-pop group
[PHOTO] Hana Financial Group launches 20th class of SMART student ambassadors
Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, second from left, poses with university students selected for the group's 20th class of SMART Ambassadors at a launch ceremony held at the company headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. Since the program started in 2012, a total of 1,060 university students have participated as honorary ambassadors. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group
PM calls for anti-flood measures as monsoon season begins
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook visited the Han River Flood Control Office on Friday and called for measures to prepare for worst case scenarios defying past data and experiences, as the annual monsoon season has kicked in. "We should prepare for worst case situations, rather than average years. In the era of climate crisis, there are times when past experiences and data don't apply," Han said. "When it comes to disaster response, it's better to be overly prepared than under prepared." She also asked officials to make sure that newly introduced measures, including an urban flood warning system, operate as intended, and that related government agencies handling predictions, dam operations and evacuations work together as if they are one organization.
Viral fame could be dangerous for Tasmania's Neil the seal and his fans
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Like plenty of local boys before him, Neil has come home to the stretch of Australian coast where he was born. Unlike most of them, he trails fame, fans and property damage in his wake. He is also a 1,000 kg (2,200 pound) elephant seal. In June, the bellowing and blubbery 5-year-old mammal hauled himself onto land for his twice-yearly tour of beachside towns in southern Tasmania state after months of feeding at sea. That's posing problems now that he weighs as much as a small car and has a social media following more than double Tasmania’s human population. His rampage through local infrastructure has claimed bent traffic bollards, a sign warning the public about seals and a fence that did not survive Neil’s attempt to vault it. The rest of the time he lies placidly any place he likes, which is sometimes the middle of the road, bringing towns he visits to a standstill. But officials say their biggest concern is that Neil's popularity could lead to ill-advised human-seal encounters that are dangerous for both sides. Neil is a bad boy with a long rap sheet Ne
Erdogan's ties to Trump helped get the US leader to NATO summit
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has berated and belittled many of his European counterparts expected to attend next week's NATO summit in Turkey. But host Recep Tayyip Erdogan has drawn on his close ties with the U.S. president to secure his presence at the Ankara event — an appearance that may even come with a significant gift related to Turkish defense. Trump has frequently lavished praise on the Turkish president, calling him a “hell of a leader” and a good friend. “I would not have gone for most people,” Trump said last week. “But he called me up. He said: ‘Please, I have it in Turkey. You got to be there. The United States has to be in there.’ And so I’m going out of respect to President Erdogan.” Leveraging that respect has helped Erdogan avoid the disarray that the U.S. president’s absence would cause the alliance, particularly at a time when Trump has been repeatedly threatening to pull U.S. forces from Europe and scale back America’s role in NATO , unsettling allies. Trump has long rebuked other NATO countries over their defense spending —
Fairytale at New York's Madison Square Garden: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce’s wedding set to take place
Today will be a fairytale. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding is slated to take place Friday at Madison Square Garden, where the couple's closest friends and family — and several hundred more — will attend what is expected to be an elaborate event inside the iconic New York venue. Many of the details surrounding the pending nuptials are still unknown, but a city permit obtained by The Associated Press shows that Friday's wedding event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and could last until 4 a.m. the next morning. A law enforcement official briefed on security plans had previously told the AP that a smaller rehearsal dinner would be held Thursday night. A tented area shielded guests from view as they were dropped off Thursday evening. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the events publicly. The wedding is the latest development in the superstar singer and football player's relationship, which has continued to thrill and fascinate millions around the world — particularly the Swifties, the pop star’s enormous and ardent fan b
Jeonbuk National University to provide Korean language education for foreign residents in Namwon
Jeonbuk National University has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Namwon City Childcare Support Center to provide Korean language education for foreign residents and support their settlement in the region. The university said the agreement was signed by Cho Hwa-rim, director of the university’s office of international affairs, and Han Young-soo, director of the municipal center, on June 26. Kim Tae-yeon, director of the university’s division of language education, and other officials from both sides attended the signing ceremony. The agreement calls for cooperation in providing tailored Korean language education for foreign children and their parents, as well as play-based educational programs for children, through the Korean Language Institute to be established at the university’s Namwon Glocal Campus. In addition, the two sides will develop customized family-oriented programs and build a cooperative network with local partner organizations. The university said that going beyond language instruction, the initiative aims to establish a practical Korean language education
11-year-old driver crashes truck into Buddhist monks in Thailand, killing 10
BANGKOK — An 11-year-old driver crashed a truck into Buddhist monks on a pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, killing 10 of them and injuring others, officials said. A total of 35 monks from Mukdahan province, about 600 kilometers (372 miles) northeast of the capital Bangkok, were on the pilgrimage. Five monks died at the scene, while five others died at a hospital. More than 10 were hospitalized and one remained in critical condition, according to the provincial administration. The group started the 260-kilometer (161-mile) walk to Ubon Ratchathani province about 30 minutes before the crash. Security camera footage shared by a local rescue group, Ruam Jai Mukdahan Rescue Association, shows the monks walking in a single line on the side of a road before the truck crashes into them. The boy was in custody and police have said his parents may be charged with negligence. The cause of the accident is under investigation, but police said the monks described seeing the vehicle swerving before it slid off the road and crashed into the group.
University of Seoul to cultivate AI-convergence professionals under government-led BK21 Project
The University of Seoul has been selected for a government pilot program under the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Project to expand interdisciplinary artificial intelligence (AI) research and nurture AI professionals. The university said Wednesday that it will establish an AIX Environmental Health Digital Twin Education and Research Center under the program. It added that it will build an interdisciplinary education and research system integrating AI with urban studies, environmental science and public health. Through the system, the university aims to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals capable of addressing future societal challenges. “Being selected for this pilot program is particularly meaningful because it lays the foundation for cultivating professionals capable of addressing the complex challenges facing future society through the integration of AI with urban studies, environmental science and public health,” said Jeon Jong-june, a professor of statistics who will lead the center. “By bringing together the expertise of our multidisciplinary faculty, we will strive to ensure th
Kookmin University professor wins top prize at design exhibition
A Kookmin University professor won the top prize at the 2026 KSDS International Spring Invitational Exhibition held last month by the Korean Society of Design Science. The university said Thursday that Kim Youn-hee, a professor in the College of General Education, received the Grand Prize for her project, “Algorithmic Silhouette,” which explores the theme of creative collaboration between artificial intelligence and humans. Her work was recognized for artistic excellence and originality. It is an avant-garde sculptural sportswear piece that combines generative artificial intelligence (AI) with human artistic direction. Drawing on architectural volume, modular construction and dynamic silhouettes, the work reinterprets sportswear as a sculptural object while proposing a visual language that expands the boundaries between fashion, art and digital design. The university noted that Kim created the work through a collaborative process that combined prompt-based AI image generation with her own creative interpretation. Her project demonstrates the potential of future fashion design, where h
Celltrion Q2 operating profit jumps 77% to $278 mil.
Celltrion said Friday its second-quarter operating profit increased 77 percent year-on-year to 430 billion won ($278.14 million), driven by a higher share of new high-margin products and an improved cost structure. In its regulatory filing, the biopharmaceutical company reported 1.3 trillion won in sales and 430 billion won in operating profit for the second quarter, both record highs for the April-June period. Sales increased 35.2 percent from a year earlier. It said the numbers also exceeded a previously announced second-quarter operating profit target of 400 billion won, reinforcing confidence in its ability to deliver on its full-year business plan. During the second quarter, sales of the company's newer products, including Remsima SC, Yuflyma and Steqeyma, continued to grow across major global markets, with the new products accounting for more than 60 percent of total sales. Celltrion also said it is seeking regulatory approvals in Korea and North America for CT-P55, a biosimilar referencing Cosentyx for autoimmune diseases. It is also pursuing approvals in major markets for Herzuma
APR, Amorepacific shine in Amazon Prime Day promotion event
Korean beauty giants APR and Amorepacific shined during Amazon's major discount event in the United States and Europe, topping search rankings and posting sharp year-on-year sales growth. According to APR on Friday, its flagship beauty brand Medicube topped Amazon's trending search rankings across all product categories in the United States during the June 23-26 discount event, outperforming the iPad, Lego and AirPods. The brand climbed from ninth place a year earlier. The brand's Zero Pore Pad topped the Beauty & Personal Care and Toners & Astringents categories. Its Collagen Jelly Cream and PDRN Pink Peptide Ampoule were also among the most popular picks during the event. The company said its overall sales during the e-commerce giant’s annual event hit record levels. Eleven Medicube product types entered Amazon Prime Day’s top 100 bestsellers in the beauty category this year, the highest number among K-beauty brands available on the platform. Medicube also gained traction in Europe following its Amazon launch in the United Kingdom late last year and subsequent expansion into German
Korea boosts global medical push with English data
Korea’s drug safety ministry released its comprehensive annual medical product approval reports in English, Friday, in a move aimed at enhancing regulatory transparency and bolstering the international credibility of the country’s booming health care sector. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said the newly translated reports cover pharmaceuticals, quasi-drugs and medical devices approved throughout 2025. By providing granular data to global audiences, the ministry said it hopes to strengthen the competitive edge of Korean medical products. The English-language publications follow a domestic Korean release in April. They arrive as Korea seeks to deeply integrate its pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries into global supply chains, requiring closer alignment with international regulatory reporting standards. “Expanding the disclosure of transparent approval information is critical to raising global trust in our medical products,” a ministry spokesperson said. Available on the agency's official English website, the reports offer a deep dive into Korea's regulatory landscape
Jeongneunggol's last residents forge solidarity in eviction struggle
There are over 500 houses in Jeongneunggol, a mountainous village in northeastern Seoul, but most of them lie vacant. The area's redevelopment plans are moving forward. On June 30, four remaining tenant households were granted rental housing and relocation support within Seongbuk District. As the affected tenants were previously ineligible for support, the agreement is considered a step toward resolving a longstanding conflict over Jeongneunggol's urban renewal. During rapid urbanization in the 1960s and 1970s, displaced residents of former shanty towns along Cheonggye Stream and Ahyeon-dong relocated to the hills above Jeongneung Stream, near the entrance of Bukhansan National Park. It became one of many so-called "moon villages" and a haven for the urban poor and working class. More than half a century later, the quiet village is on the verge of disappearing into history. After designating the area for redevelopment in 2012, the Jeongneunggol District Housing Redevelopment and Maintenance Project Association has gradually moved forward with plans to build a multistory complex of 1,40
July packed with K-pop career milestones
Not every comeback is just another comeback. July's K-pop release calendar is filled with milestones. Some artists are releasing their first full-length albums after years in the industry. Others are launching new units, returning to solo work after lengthy absences or expanding into overseas markets. Rookie groups, meanwhile, are using the month to build on recent momentum and start new chapters of their own. The result is a lineup defined not simply by new music but by moments that could reshape some of K-pop's most famous careers. The month begins with girl group i-dle, which will release its ninth mini-album, "We made," on July 6. Led by "Gimme Dat Love," the five-track album recalls the group's 2019 EP "I made," suggesting a thematic connection between the two releases. The comeback continues the group's activities following its rebranding last year from (G)I-DLE to i-dle, while expanding on the identity it has cultivated over the past year. A day later, boy band MONSTA X's main vocalist Kihyun returns with "BORDERLINE," his first solo release in three years and nine months. The seven
Le Sserafim turns discography into collectible 'Sound Coin' albums
Le Sserafim is packaging its musical journey into a new collectible album series, offering fans a coin-shaped release that brings together every chapter of the group's career as its latest album continues to gain traction on the U.S. charts. The five-member group said Friday that it will release six versions of its new "Sound Coin" albums at 1 p.m. on July 10. The announcement was made through Hybe's fan platform Weverse. The collectible series spans the group's debut single album through its fifth mini album. Each coin-shaped edition features the logo and concept photos from one of the group's releases, including "FEARLESS," "ANTIFRAGILE," "UNFORGIVEN," "EASY," "CRAZY" and "HOT." The albums also provide access to the same music and digital content available through previous Weverse album versions, allowing fans to revisit the group's earlier releases in a single collectible format. Source Music said the project was designed to celebrate the group's journey following the launch of a new chapter with its second full-length album, "PUREFLOW pt.1," released in May. "We hope this becomes a spec
Presidential official refutes electricity supply concerns over Honam chip cluster plan
A senior presidential official on Friday rejected skepticism that the southwestern Honam region may not have enough electricity supply capacity to power a government-envisioned semiconductor cluster in the region. Kim Woo-chang, presidential secretary for state artificial intelligence (AI) policy, made the remarks in his appearance on a radio program by state-run broadcaster KBS, days after the government announced plans to establish a chip cluster in Honam. Under the plan, the government aims to develop the country's second semiconductor cluster in Honam, in addition to the first one in the capital region, in a bid to preemptively secure chip production capabilities amid intensifying competition in the AI industry. Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Group, the parent group for SK hynix, have committed large-scale investments to the project. The semiconductor investment is part of the government's "three mega projects" initiative, which calls for large-scale investments in semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers. The chip cluster plan has drawn skepticism that the southwest region mig
Court ends rehabilitation process for troubled retailer Homeplus
A court decided Friday to terminate rehabilitation proceedings for troubled discount store chain Homeplus, pushing the company closer to shuttering its doors as it struggles to find a buyer. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court rejected Homeplus' revised rehabilitation plan submitted earlier this week, noting the company failed to come up with the necessary funds of at least 200 billion won ($130 million) to carry out the plan. The retailer, wholly owned by private equity firm MBK Partners, has become financially strapped due to a slump in the discount store industry and entered court-led rehabilitation proceedings in March last year. Homeplus had submitted an initial rehabilitation plan in December before handing its revised plan to the court on Tuesday. "In order to carry out the rehabilitation plan in the current situation, at least about 200 billion won is needed, which has yet to be secured," the court said. "As there is no possibility of the plan being carried out ... the rehabilitation proceedings have been terminated." MBK Partners acquired a 100 percent stake in Homeplus in 2015 from Briti
Tesla tops imported car sales in Korea in H1
U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla was the best-selling imported passenger car brand in Korea in the first half of this year, capturing 30 percent of the market, industry data showed Friday. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA), 184,032 imported passenger cars were newly registered in the January-June period, up 33.2 percent from a year earlier. Tesla topped the list with 56,139 units, accounting for 30.5 percent of total imports. Its market share surged from 13.9 percent a year earlier, while sales soared 192 percent, allowing the U.S. EV maker to overtake German luxury brands. BMW ranked second with a 21.3 percent market share, followed by Mercedes-Benz at 16.2 percent. Both brands saw their shares decline by more than 5 percentage points from a year earlier. Chinese EV maker BYD came in fourth with a 6.3 percent share. In June, 38,059 imported passenger cars were newly registered, up 27.5 percent from a year earlier, driven by strong demand for EVs. The Tesla Model Y Long Range was the best-selling imported model last month with 5,155 units,
Korea identifies FMD outbreak at farms in North Gyeongsang Province
The agriculture ministry on Friday confirmed foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) infections at one pig farm and five nearby cattle farms, issuing the highest Level 4 alert for the region. The ministry said it has confirmed the FMD cases at the farms located in Yecheon, around 160 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Following the discovery, the ministry issued the highest alert under its four-tier warning system for Yecheon, as well as in six adjacent areas, including Andong, Uiseong and Sangju. Korea has been tracking 39 farms in North Gyeongsang Province after finding traces of FMD during a regular inspection of slaughterhouses last month. Agricultural authorities are currently controlling the entry of personnel, animals and vehicles into the affected farms. "We need close cooperation from farms to carry out quarantine measures, such as vaccination and disinfection, in order to contain the spread of FMD," the ministry said in a release.
Lee's approval rating rebounds to 54% after dipping to lowest level
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose last week after hitting its lowest level since his inauguration, a poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,005 people aged 18 and older, showed that 54 percent of those polled approved of the way Lee managed state affairs, up 3 percentage points from a week earlier. Lee's handling of the economy and people's livelihoods was cited most frequently as the reason for the positive evaluation at 24 percent, followed by diplomacy at 14 percent and overall performance at 8 percent. Gallup said economic issues accounted for a larger share of the reasons cited for Lee's approval than a week earlier, while "balanced regional development" was newly mentioned among both positive and negative evaluations. The pollster partly attributed this to the government's recent announcement of the "three mega projects" initiative, which calls for large-scale investments by chip giants Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., as well as other companies, in semiconductors, physical artificial intelligence (AI) and
FDI pledges to Korea up 9% in H1: data
Foreign direct investment (FDI) pledges to Korea rose 9.1 percent on-year in the first six months of 2026 on the back of growing global confidence in the country's cutting-edge industries, data showed Friday. The country received $14.28 billion in FDI commitments in the January-June period, up from $13 billion a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The amount of investment that actually arrived in the country also shot up 42.6 percent to $10.73 billion. "Amid the growing downward pressure on global investment activities following the Middle East geopolitical issues, it was notable that both FDI pledges and arrivals increased," the industry ministry said. "This indicates the projects pledged earlier are being implemented, with new investment also flowing into the country on the back of the trust in Korea's supply chain in cutting-edge industries and innovation ecosystem," it added. By sector, the manufacturing industry attracted $3.81 billion in investment pledges in the first half, down 28.4 percent from the same period in 2025 due to a decrease in inv
LG Energy Solution-Honda JV begins production of ESS battery cells
Korea's LG Energy Solution Ltd. said Friday that its joint venture with Honda Motor has begun mass production of lithium-ion battery cells for energy storage systems (ESS) in the United States. The battery plant in Jeffersonville, Ohio, operated by the joint venture L-H Battery, began producing ESS battery cells on Thursday (U.S. local time), the company said. The battery cells will be supplied through LG Energy Solution Vertech, the company's North American ESS system integration subsidiary, for use in power grid, commercial, industrial and residential ESS applications across the U.S. The plant was originally designed to manufacture battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs). However, LG Energy Solution shifted its production strategy to focus on ESS batteries in response to changes in the U.S. regulatory environment for EVs and the strong growth prospects of the energy storage market. L-H Battery said it plans to maintain a flexible production portfolio by manufacturing battery cells for hybrid EVs, as well as ESS, depending on market demand. The start of mass production marks a significa
Twins become 1st KBO team to reach 50 wins in 2026
The defending Korean baseball champions LG Twins have become the first club to win 50 games this season, as they try to claim their second consecutive title. The Twins held off the Kiwoom Heroes 7-5 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Thursday to improve to 50-30-0 (wins-losses-ties) for the season. They are in first place by 2 1/2 games over the Samsung Lions. Over the history of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), teams that beat others to the 50-game mark have gone on to finish first that season about 69 percent of the time — 25 out of 36. And 21 of those teams have also won the Korean Series titles. The Twins are trying to become the first team to repeat as Korean Series winners since the 2015-2016 Doosan Bears. Austin Dean slugged his league-leading 27th home run in Thursday's win, and closer Son Ju-young pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 19th save, only one behind the leader, Kim Jae-yoon of the Lions. It was also Son's 14th consecutive save, a new Twins franchise record. Dean and Son have been the two biggest stars for the team that otherwise ranks in the middle of the pack
Korean won sharply strengthens on weaker US employment growth
The Korean won sharply strengthened against the U.S. dollar Friday, as slower U.S. jobs growth weakened expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve. The won was quoted at 1,525.6 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 30.2 won from the previous session. This marks the won's strongest exchange rate since June 17. The Korean currency opened at 1,544.5 won per dollar, up 11.3 won from the previous session, after weaker-than-expected U.S. employment data dimmed anticipations of a quick rate hike this year. It had been under constant pressure over expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve. The won's rise was also helped by the strengthening of the Japanese currency vis-a-vis the dollar, analysts said. Foreign investors sold a net 2.2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) worth of local stocks on Friday, while the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped nearly 6 percent to close at 8,088.34.
ATEEZ sets own record with latest album selling 1.88 mil. copies in 1st week
K-pop boy group ATEEZ has set its own first-week sales record with its latest album selling more than 1.88 million copies, its agency said Friday. The group's 14th EP, "Golden Hour: Part 5," hit the milestone based on data from local album sales tracker Hanteo Chart, according to KQ Entertainment. Released on June 26, the album depicts Ateez embracing moments driven by instinct and sensation with a playful energy. The five-track release is led by the lead track "Bad," and also includes "Mamacita" and "Toxin." It has become the seventh million-selling album from the group.
Marine Corps participates in multinational peacekeeping drills in Mongolia
Korea's Marine Corps has participated in a multinational peacekeeping exercise in Mongolia aimed at strengthening interoperability with participating forces, the armed service said Friday. The Khaan Quest exercise, held from June 20 to July 3, took place near Ulaanbaatar involving some 700 troops from 17 nations, including the United States, India, Britain and Germany. During the drills, the troops conducted a field training exercise in a simulated contingency scenario in a disputed region. Notably, this year's exercise involved the Marine Corps integrating advanced combat systems, such as gun sights and high-performance magnifiers, onto its K2C1 rifles to improve training outcomes. On Tuesday, Gen. Xavier Brunson, the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, visited the training site, where he stressed the need for deeper multinational cooperation among U.S. allies and partners. Launched in 2003, Khaan Quest began as a bilateral exercise between Mongolia and the U.S., before growing into a multinational peacekeeping exercise involving U.S. allies and partners in the Pacific region. Korea has p
Korea to offer $9.62 bil. to support SMEs amid FX volatility
Korea will spend 14.9 trillion won ($9.62 billion) to support small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hit by the recent foreign exchange volatility, the finance minister said Friday. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol discussed the measures with related ministries, under which the government will provide the funds in loans and guarantees for SMEs experiencing financial challenges due to the recent slide of the Korean won against the greenback. Koo said such moves came amid the government's push to utilize all available financial and taxation measures to help SMEs, as the foreign exchange volatility has been weighing on people's livelihoods, including through higher consumer prices. "Korea has been stably managing risks at home and abroad, which led to an unprecedented boom in exports despite the Middle East war," Koo said, noting the government will further speed up efforts to shield the economy from uncertainties. Touching on the government's recent drive to promote investment in regional areas, including projects by Samsung Group and SK Group, Koo said the government will push for all-ou
Navy names new submarine 'Seo Hui'; new frigate dubbed 'Pyeongtaek'
The Navy has named a new submarine after a historical diplomat and christened a new frigate after a key hub city south of Seoul, the armed service said Friday. The second vessel of the 3,600-ton Jang Yeong-sil-class KSS-III Batch-II submarine program has been given the name "Seo Hui," after an eminent diplomat from the early years of Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), the Navy said in a release. Seo Hui (942-998) is best known for his brilliant diplomacy that averted war with the Khitan forces, who then ruled present-day northern China. His achievements helped Goryeo secure its strategic six provinces east of the Amnok River. The fifth vessel of the 3,600-ton FXX Batch-III frigate program has been named "Pyeongtaek," after an industrial city in Gyeonggi Province surrounding Seoul, also home to the Navy's Second Fleet. The Navy said the submarine's name reflects the spirit of overcoming national crises, making it the perfect fit for the vessel as a core asset for maritime defense. The new frigate's name marks the key naval base responsible for defending the Yellow Sea, where the vessel is set to
G-Dragon named honorary ambassador for UNESCO Heritage Committee meeting in Busan
K-pop star G-Dragon will serve as the public face of the upcoming UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan, officials said Friday, as the country prepares to host the international gathering for the first time. The Korea Heritage Service said the singer-rapper, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, was appointed as the honorary ambassador for the 48th session, which runs from July 19-29 in the southeastern port city. "G-Dragon is an artist with global influence extending beyond K-pop into the broader cultural and arts sphere," the agency said in a release, citing his role in promoting public-interest initiatives and addressing social issues through art. It described him as an "ideal partner" to raise international awareness of the significance of the World Heritage Committee, a key UNESCO body that decides on the inscription and protection of cultural and natural heritage sites. South Korea will host the committee for the first time in 38 years since it joined the World Heritage Convention in 1988. The 37-year-old has in recent years expanded his activities into philanthropy. In 2024,
Seoul shares up 2.1% late Friday morning on bargain hunting
Seoul stocks traded higher late Friday morning in choppy trading as investors snapped up bargain-priced semiconductor shares following the previous session's sharp sell-off. After opening 1.2 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its gains, rising 163.52 points, or 2.11 percent, to 7,809.61 as of 11:20 a.m. The index plunged 7.89 percent the previous session, dragged by a heavy sell-off in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose more than 1 percent to a record high as weaker-than-expected June jobs data eased concerns over a near-term interest rate hike. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 0.8 percent, weighed down by another sharp sell-off in semiconductor stocks. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index tumbled 5.4 percent, extending its decline for a second consecutive session. Investors bought semiconductor shares following reports that AI startup Anthropic is in talks with Samsung Electronics to develop a custom AI chip. Tech heavyweights lifted the overall market. Samsung Electronics advanced 6.12 percent, and ch
Korea's foreign reserves rise in June despite FX market-stabilizing measures
Korea's foreign reserves rose in June despite efforts by authorities to manage exchange rate volatility, the central bank said Friday. The country's foreign reserves stood at $427.36 billion as of end-June, up $370 million from a month earlier, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The figure marked a turnaround from an $880 million decline in May. The BOK attributed the monthly increase to a rise in foreign currency-denominated deposits by financial institutions despite market stabilization measures, such as foreign exchange swaps with the National Pension Service. The Korean won has traded far over the psychologically important level of 1,500 won against the U.S. dollar throughout June amid net selling of local stocks by foreign investors. The local currency dropped to 1,549.4 won per dollar on the last day of June, marking the weakest level since March 6, 2009. Foreign securities, including U.S. Treasuries, fell by $330 million from a month earlier to $380.34 billion at end-June, accounting for 89 percent of the country's total foreign reserves. The value of foreign currency de
KBO clubs shutting down key pitchers as All-Star break nears
With the end of the first half in the Korean baseball season around the corner, clubs have decided to give their ailing pitchers extra rest starting this week. The LG Twins, tops in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with a record of 50-30-0 (wins-losses-ties), will keep left-hander Song Seung-ki on the injured list for an additional two weeks. Manager Youm Kyoung-youb said Thursday that Song, who had been expected to return from back spasms next Tuesday, will instead take the mound after the July 10-15 All-Star break. Song led all rookies last year with 11 wins and a 3.50 ERA. He was also selected for the Korean national team at the World Baseball Classic, and posted an excellent 1.42 ERA across his first five starts of this season. Things took a sudden turn for the worse for Song in May, though. He endured a stretch in which he allowed 18 earned runs in just 16 2/3 innings, as his ERA jumped to 4.71. Song tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings on May 30 but then was roughed up for six runs on nine hits, including two home runs, in two innings on June 7. He hit the sidelines the next day, with
Ukraine, Russia vow escalation as strikes on Kyiv kill 27
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine and Russia on Thursday vowed fresh assaults in their over-four-year war after Moscow launched a massive barrage on Kyiv, killing at least 27 people, tearing open apartment buildings and sending tens of thousands to shelters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces would "definitely" retaliate for the overnight pummelling as he inspected an apartment block that was partially destroyed. The European Union's top diplomat proposed new sanctions on Moscow, as Zelenskyy pressed the United States for licences to manufacture Patriot air-defence missiles. U.N. chief Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russia's barrage and repeated a ceasefire call. "Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure wherever they occur are a clear violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately," said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric. But the Kremlin vowed to further ramp up "pressure" on Kyiv, sticking to its no-compromise rhetoric. 'Most massive attack' Russia has routinely launched waves of missiles and drones during its invasion, Europe's
Rescuers save trapped man from Venezuela mall rubble nearly eight days after quakes
CATIA LA MAR/LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Rescuers dug out a 44-year-old survivor trapped in the ruins of the mall where he worked in the Venezuelan state of La Guaira, more than a week after two strong earthquakes devastated the country's northern coast. Work to save security guard Hernan Alberto Gil from the rubble of the nine-story Galerias Playa Grande shopping center began on Monday, according to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who has been posting updates on X about the operation that also involved teams from Chile, the United States, Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica and Venezuela. Rescuers provided him with hydration via tubing, according to Bukele, but needed to dig two separate tunnels to reach him, because of the instability of the ruins. Gil was carried out of the rubble on a stretcher on Thursday morning and loaded into an ambulance as cheering rescuers and reporters looked on. "I'm grateful to God for keeping him alive for so many days," said Gusbimar Gonzalez, Gil's wife. "He endured it all like a warrior." The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes struck less than a minute apart almost
Ex-Trump official warns Coupang dispute could strain S. Korea-US alliance amid security threats
WASHINGTON — A former senior U.S. official warned Thursday that a dispute over South Korea's treatment of e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. could strain the Seoul-Washington alliance amid intensifying security challenges, including North Korea's evolving military threats. Fred Fleitz, who served as chief of staff of the National Security Council during President Donald Trump's first term, issued the warning in an opinion piece on Newsmax, a U.S. news outlet, a day after the House Judiciary Committee released a report accusing South Korea of "discriminatory attacks" on Coupang and other U.S. firms. Noting a set of pressing security issues, including North Korean threats, he called for Seoul and Washington to address the commercial matters "head-on" and demonstrate that their partnership prioritizes "strategic imperatives" over "parochial" disputes. "The bigger risk lies in how this dispute could strain the broader U.S.-South Korea alliance. As I argued (in a past article), this vital partnership -- forged over seven decades and strengthened by (the) personal rapport between Presidents Trum
White House official says Coupang 'singled out' by Lee gov't, warns against 'unfair' trade practices
WASHINGTON — A White House official said Thursday that e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. is being "singled out" by Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration, expressing concern over what Washington called "discriminatory" targeting of the U.S.-listed firm. The official made the remarks in response to Yonhap News Agency's request for comment on the release this week of the House Judiciary Committee's interim staff report accusing Korea of "discriminatory attacks" on Coupang and other American-owned businesses. The 35-page committee report followed Korean authorities' investigations into Coupang's massive personal data leak, which is believed to have affected more than 33 million users, about 68 percent of the Asian country's entire population. "The administration is deeply concerned with the ROK government's discriminatory targeting of U.S. technology companies," the official said, using the acronym of Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. "By any reasonable measure, Coupang is being singled out by the Lee government. The Trump administration will not tolerate unfair trade pra
Climate change is bringing heavier downpours. Are cities ready?
"Will it rain every day throughout July?" A rumor spread online recently suggesting that it would rain continuously for an entire month starting in July. Korea's weather agency quickly debunked the claim, pointing to a post back in April explaining that the rainy season is identified only after it has passed through observational data analysis. While the so-called "monsoon rumor" turned out to be false, there is little room for complacency as the rainy season approaches. Climate change is making heavier rainfall an unavoidable reality, not only in Korea but around the world. So how exactly is rainfall changing and what must cities do to prepare? More frequent cloudbursts driven by climate change According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's 113-Year Climate Change Analysis Report, released in December and covering the period from 1912 to 2024, Korea's annual precipitation has increased by an average of 17.83 millimeters per decade. The report also found clear increases in rainfall intensity, the number of heavy rain days and the frequency of hourly rainfall exceeding 50 millimeter
Making the most of summer in Seoul
Summer in Seoul is not something locals try to escape. Instead, they have learned to adjust to it. Outdoor activities begin early, afternoons are often spent indoors and evenings become the best time to enjoy the city. Seasonal foods also play a role in helping people cope with the heat. For visitors, following these local habits may be the easiest way to experience Seoul during its hottest months. Start early The best way to enjoy Seoul in summer is to begin the day before the heat reaches its peak. Historic attractions such as Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and Mount Nam are generally quieter and more comfortable during the morning. Many residents also schedule exercise, walks and daily tasks before lunchtime rather than spending long hours outdoors in the afternoon. Starting early not only helps visitors avoid the strongest sunshine but also leaves time to explore indoor attractions later in the day. Slow down during the afternoon As temperatures and humidity rise, many Seoul residents simply change pace instead of trying to stay outside. Large shopping malls, museums, department
As 'jeonse' fades, path to homeownership narrows further in Korea
Kang, an office worker in her 20s, currently rents a studio apartment in Seoul on a monthly lease. During her search for a home, she ruled out Korea’s traditional “jeonse” system — the once-dominant rental arrangement where tenants pay a large lump-sum deposit instead of monthly rent — because of a series of high-profile deposit fraud cases that have undermined trust in the market. “There are also far more monthly rental listings these days, so it’s hard to find a decent jeonse property in the first place,” Kang said. The trade-off is that paying monthly rent leaves little room to build savings for a home of her own. “Even neighborhoods that used to be relatively affordable in Seoul have become so expensive that the difference hardly feels meaningful anymore,” she said. “With monthly lease being my only realistic option, it has become even harder to dream of buying a home.” Jung, a 30-year-old finance professional, had hoped to either secure a jeonse home or buy an apartment with her fiancé. Instead, the couple has widened their search to include monthly rentals a
Love bread? Add one more thing to every slice
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. For many people, breakfast is as simple as a slice of toast, a bagel or a croissant. Bread is quick, convenient and easy to prepare, but frequent warnings that it's unhealthy can leave people feeling guilty. The good news is that there's no need to give it up altogether. Instead, follow one simple rule: Whenever you eat bread, add either a source of protein or a serving of vegetables. Spread peanut butter instead of jam on toast and pair it with a boiled egg on the side. Eat a small salad with your bagel. If you're having a croissant, also eat a cup of Greek yogurt. These simple combinations help create a more balanced meal and keep you feeling full for longer. One egg for every serving of bread Although bread does contain some protein, it is primarily a source of carbohydrates. Two slices of white bread provide about 6 to 7 grams of protein. Adding one boiled egg contributes another 6 grams, helping make up for what the bread lacks. Protein is essential not only for maintaining muscle but also for promoting satiety. Meals made up mostly of carb
Ukrainian woman named by Interpol as main suspect in Monaco bomb attack
Officials in Monaco say they believe she was "disguised as a man" and may not have acted alone.
Police hunt for Ukrainian woman over Monaco bomb attack
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Authorities are looking for a Ukrainian woman with a tattoo suspected of planting a bomb in Monaco that injured three people including a Ukrainian-born tycoon, after German police raided her flat.
America is turning 250. Some people are grappling with how — and what — to celebrate
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With political divisions heightened in the U.S., Yale historian Beverly Gage says the country's 250th anniversary is a moment of both celebration and reckoning.
Scope of Puska's conviction appeal may change, court told
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Lawyers representing Jozef Puska in his bid to overturn his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy have told a court that the "ambit of the appeal" may change.
Police criticise timing of decision on pubs staying open for England match
The "late announcement" extending opening hours to 05:00 on Monday means taking officers away from other duties, the National Police Chiefs' Council says.
Mum of TikToker has murder sentence appeal rejected
Ansreen Bukhari was convicted of the murder of Saqib Hussain and Hashim Ijazuddin in February 2022.
Lee to review mega chip cluster project next week
President Lee Jae Myung plans to preside over a meeting next week to review progress for a mega semiconductor production base in the country's southwestern region, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday. The joint public-private meeting will be held at the presidential office next Monday to review the semiconductor cluster project in the southwestern region, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung. During an event led by Lee on Monday, Samsung announced plans to build two memory chip fabrication
Dialog group event at Powerscourt in Wicklow cancelled
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Powerscourt Estate have said that an event, organised by a network co-founded by billionaire investor Peter Thiel, will not be taking place.
Man who killed boy in play park jailed for 35 years
Aderahman Boumzough was jailed for 35 years for murdering Rene Graham and also for attempted murder.
Burnham says there is some room for movement on tax
But the likely next PM says he will stick to Labour's pledges to not raise VAT, income tax or national insurance.
Hamilton fastest in Silverstone practice session
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton leads the way in practice at the British Grand Prix before sprint qualifying later on Friday.
As it happened: Von der Leyen, Martin hold EU briefing
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Follow live updates as the Taoiseach and the EU Commission President hold a press conference.
Journalist Karen Hao on Sam Altman, OpenAI & the "Quasi-Religious" Push for Artificial Intelligence
As part of our July Fourth special broadcast, we continue our extended interview with Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI. The book documents the rise of OpenAI and how the AI industry is leading to a new form of colonialism. “One of the things that you really have to understand about AI development today is that there are what I call quasi-religious movements that have developed within Silicon Valley,” says Hao. “The concept of artificial general intelligence is not one that’s scientifically grounded.”
"Empire of AI": Karen Hao on How AI Is Threatening Democracy & Creating a New Colonial World
In our July Fourth special broadcast, we revisit our interview with longtime technology reporter Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI, which unveils the accruing political and economic power of artificial intelligence companies — especially Sam Altman’s OpenAI. Her reporting uncovered the exploitation of workers in Kenya, attempts to take massive amounts of freshwater from communities in Chile, along with numerous accounts of the technology’s detrimental impact on the environment. “This is an extraordinary type of AI development that is causing a lot of social, labor and environmental harms,” says Hao in an extended interview.
Liberia: A Catholic sister's mission in the community
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Sister Philomena W. Jappah, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family, argues that "in Liberia, education is far more than the transmission of knowledge; it is a ministry of evangelization, healing, hope, and nation-building." Her daily work lies at the intersection of faith, education, and social transformation.
Cork retain the favourites tag but arrive in Croke Park wary of the threat.
Mexico's unlikely hero who England could fear most
Julian Quinones' path to being a Mexican hero has been unorthodox - and he will hope to become a legend against England on Monday morning.
"What to the Slave Is the 4th of July?": James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglass's Historic Speech
We begin our July Fourth special broadcast with the words of Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery around 1818, Douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement. On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, Douglass gave one of his most famous speeches, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” He was addressing the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The late actor James Earl Jones read the historic address during a performance of Voices of a People’s History of the United States, which was co-edited by Howard Zinn.
Police officer investigated for trying to board plane with live rounds
A police officer is under investigation for attempting to board an airplane while carrying live ammunition, Jeju Island police said Friday. The officer was not carrying a gun at the time. Officials at the Jeju Seobu Police Station said they have launched a formal investigation into the officer in his 30s, who is part of the Gyeonggi Province police force. He is accused of violating the Act on the Safety Management of Guns, Swords, Explosives, Etc. The officer had two bullets with him when he was
El Niño forecast to intensify, increasing likelihood of extreme weather
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More blistering heatwaves and other weather extremes are becoming increasingly likely across the world now and in coming months, linked to strengthening El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Friday.
Civilian dangers multiply as drones transform Ukraine's battlefield
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As drones reshape the battlefield in Ukraine, they are also creating new and increasingly complex dangers for civilians, threatening recovery efforts, agriculture and global food security long after the fighting ends.
Sudan’s people subject to ‘relentless’ drone strikes in El Obeid
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The war in Sudan threatens to spiral further as the strategically-important town of El Obeid continues to face “relentless” drone attacks by advancing paramilitary militias, the UN’s human rights chief, Volker Türk, said on Friday.
Greek man found guilty of murdering Scottish woman in Crete
The man is sentenced to 10 years for killing Jean Hanlon from Dumfries, who was found in the waters off the Greek island in 2009.
1,000 people prevented from entering EU due to new checks
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The Minister for Justice has said around 1,000 individuals who had been identified as being "a danger to the EU", had been prevented from entering the bloc thanks to controversial new EU border checks.
Gyeonggi gov. orders inspection, after bullying death of nurse
Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae on Friday ordered officials to conduct inspections on medical facilities in the province, following controversy sparked by a young nurse's death following workplace bullying. "The virtue of fairness held by the Gyeonggi Province means no one should have to endure bullying and injustice at work by oneself," Choo said, after calling for the inspection of six hospitals under the Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center. A 27-year-old nurse was found dead in an apparent suicid
O'Callaghan 'not for turning' in legal aid fees row
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Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said he is "not for turning" in relation to the dispute with solicitors over legal aid fees.
England fan tickets on resale for up to £26k - including 15% Fifa fee
Tickets originally bought by England fans for Monday's last 16 game against Mexico are relisted for thousands of pounds on Fifa's official resale portal.
Former World Cup star Park Ji-sung co-chairs soccer reform committee
South Korea's government said Park Ji-sung, one of the most successful and beloved soccer stars in Korean history, will co-lead the new committee set to reform soccer in the country. The news comes as the Korean Football Association is in the hot seat over its controversial appointment of former World Cup star Hong Myung-bo as head coach, which many believe resulted in the national team's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hong resigned after the elimination. The Ministry of Culture, Sport
'Less than 10% sheep': How millions may have unknowingly eaten goat, skin and fat kebabs
Millions are likely to have eaten "lamb" kebabs that were actually made with goat, skin and fat.
Man jailed for four years over crash that killed friends
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A 22-year-old man, who was almost three times the legal alcohol limit, has been jailed for four years for causing the deaths of two of his college friends in Co Limerick in 2024.
20 gardaí sent home as part of dispute over rest days
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At least 20 gardaí who turned up for work in the south east of the country this morning were sent home after being told their services were not required.
Iran nuclear and military damage revealed after restricted satellite images released
Targets hit include ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear sites, and naval bases.
Iran begins week of funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
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The body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lay in state in a vast hall in Tehran on Friday as clerics, officials, foreign dignitaries and other mourners paid their respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader, killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike earlier this year.
Argentina v Cape Verde: Breaking down biggest World Cup knockout mismatch
Lionel Messi versus Vozinha. It is the World Cup battle no-one knew they wanted, but which fans now cannot wait to see.
Irish families flee French campsite due to wildfires
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Irish families have been evacuated from their campsite in southern France after wildfires, fuelled by strong winds, swept through parts of the country's Mediterranean coast.
Household recycling of equal standard to Re-turn - IWMA
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Cans and bottles disposed in household bins are recycled to the same standard as those processed through the Deposit Return Scheme, the organisation representing waste management companies has said.
Arrest warrant sought for armed rampage at Geoje beauty salon
South Korean police said Friday they have requested an arrest warrant for a man in his 80s, who is accused of a knife attack against two people in a beauty salon in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. The suspect is under investigation for attempted murder for the attack that occurred at around 11:26 a.m. on Thursday against the salon worker in her 30s and a customer in his 40s. The two victims sustained non-fatal injuries and are currently being treated at a local hospital. The suspect told polic
No-gift policy for Taylor Swift, but how much should you give at a wedding?
Wedding lists are being replaced by cash requests, but guests are divided over how much to give.
BBC offers 'Stay Up or Catch Up' for England v Mexico
The BBC will be launching a special 'Stay Up or Catch Up' offer for its live coverage of England's game against Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.
Nasa launches mission to save falling space telescope
A Nasa-funded robot has blasted off to catch a falling telescope in mid-orbit and blast it back to safety before it burns up.
France records 2,025 excess deaths at peak of heatwave as Europe braces for more extreme weather
Forecasters are warning of further extreme temperatures on the continent in the next few days.
S. Korea to establish low-Earth orbit communications network by 2035
South Korea aims to establish a low-Earth orbit satellite communications network composed of hundreds of satellites by 2035 and accelerate the country's first lunar landing to 2030, the state-run space agency said Friday. The Korea AeroSpace Administration unveiled the plan during a public briefing on advanced industry development held in the southeastern city of Jinju. The strategy was approved earlier in the day by the National Space Council, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung. KASA said build
Germany want Klopp talks as Nagelsmann resigns
The German football association is seeking talks with Jurgen Klopp about becoming their men's national team coach after Julian Nagelsmann resigned.
Here’s what it takes to become an Air Force pilot: surviving 6 times gravity
CHEONGJU, North Chungcheong Province — As the countdown begins, the cockpit-shaped simulator spins faster, and the body sinks deeper into the seat as the force surges to six times the pull of gravity. Cheeks are pulled back, legs locked in place and short, guttural breaths come out every few seconds. Breathing is no longer taken for granted. “Keep your head back. Keep your lower body and abdomen tight,” an instructor tells me. I have to inhale and exhale forcefully with the abdomen, hips and leg
EU to consider Occupied Territories trade ban - McEntee
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said she has been assured that proposals for an EU-wide ban on goods and services from the Occupied Territories will be tabled by 13 July.
Khamenei's body lies in state in Tehran ahead of funeral
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The body of Iran's supreme leader, killed in US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, has arrived at Tehran's Grand Mosalla ahead of his funeral.
Divine Word missionaries focus on synodal leadership in their ministry
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Thirty-five newly appointed leaders of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) conclude a two-week formation programme in Nemi, near Rome, with a renewed commitment to exercise leadership in a synodal spirit, placing God's mission at the centre of their service.
The bench is made in memory of Matthew Girard who died in 2020 from cancer.
Uganda: Kabale Diocese hosts faith formation workshop for pastoral agents
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The National Executive Secretary of the Doctrinal Commission at the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Fr. Peter Debo, recently facilitated a two-day joint workshop for the Diocese of Kabale and the Archdiocese of Mbarara. The formation workshop was held under the theme: “Growing Together in Faith: Strengthening Catholic Identity through Local Faith Groups.”
KB Financial shortlists 6 candidates for chair post
KB Financial Group's race for its next chief is taking shape as the field narrows to six candidates, including incumbent Chair Yang Jong-hee, the group announced Friday. Following a meeting of its chairman candidate recommendation committee, the group announced it had shortlisted six candidates for the top post. The internal candidates are Yang; Lee Jae-keun, chief business officer of global, wealth management and corporate finance; Lee Chang-kwon, chief strategy officer; and Lee Hwan-ju, CEO of
Six on life support at Temple St after e-scooter injuries
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Six children have been put on life support in the past fortnight in CHI Temple Street because of injuries they have sustained on e-scooters.
Japan’s 2026 wage talks result in third year of gains above 5%
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Workers at 5,368 companies affiliated with Rengo, the country's largest labor union group, have secured an average wage increase of 5.01%.
Ontario couple sentenced to life in prison for murdering boy 'got what they deserved,' brother tells court
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Japan’s princesses face life-altering legal revisions
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After decades of discussion over their future, the princesses may soon have the option to either leave or remain in the imperial family.
Cheong Wa Dae rebuts US report accusing Seoul of targeting Coupang
South Korea’s presidential office on Friday rejected a US congressional report accusing Seoul of discriminating against Coupang, calling its claims “inaccurate” and “at odds with the facts.” “We do not treat any business activities differently based on nationality, nor do we target any individual or entity for investigation,” National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said when asked about Cheong Wa Dae's position on the report during a press briefing in Seoul. “The report recently issued by the US H
Lee pledges push to make South Korea a space power
President Lee Jae Myung pledged Friday to foster South Korea’s space and aerospace industry as a key pillar of national security and a future growth engine, saying global technological competition is rapidly expanding beyond Earth. “Space is becoming a stage of boundless opportunity for countries equipped with advanced technology and industrial capabilities, much like the seas during the age of exploration,” Lee said during a meeting of the National Space Council in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Provi
Concern over transport for proposed winter sports arena
A Dublin councillor has said she is concerned about whether transport infrastructure can meet the demand of a proposed winter sports arena in south Dublin.
Tujiko Noriko’s new album is a feline tour de force
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On tour in Japan this month, the France-based artist talks about channeling her "crazy cat woman" energy into musical creation and finding harmony in dissonance.
Potential human rights abuses uncovered at Dunedin's Wakari Hospital - ombudsman
Health New Zealand plans to close a Wakari Hospital ward after the chief ombudsman uncovered potential human rights abuses.
Iran begins public mourning for Ayatollah killed in February
Ali Khamenei's body will lie in state in Tehran's Grand Mosalla from Friday ahead of days-long funeral events.
Families mourn victims of 2021 Atami mudslide
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On July 3, 2021, heavy rain triggered a mudslide involving some 55,500 cubic meters of earth and sand, which destroyed over a hundred houses and other buildings, killing 28 people.
Hanwha, Hyundai unveil W97tr investment plan for southeastern Korea
Major Korean conglomerates unveiled a combined 312 trillion won ($204 billion) in investment plans for the Yeongnam region in southeastern Korea on Friday, as the country pushes to build regional bases for AI-powered industries. Hanwha Group and Hyundai Motor Group announced a combined 97 trillion won over the next decade, targeting aerospace, defense, future mobility and advanced manufacturing. Samsung Group followed with a 60 trillion won plan for AI transformation, robotics, batteries and shi
Murakami says his novels are ‘different’ from AI literature
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When he is deeply focused on writing a story, characters suddenly show up, and "that's not something that comes out from analogy," he said, adding "AI probably can't do that."
Person seriously injured after crash involving vehicle and horse
Tram Road in Swannanoa was closed following the crash.
Drones spot sharks 73 times in two days off Sydney
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New dawn-to-dusk drone patrols of Sydney's beaches spotted sharks 73 times in the first two days, forcing multiple closures, data obtained by AFP shows.
Will SK hynix's Nasdaq debut save troubled won?
South Korean chipmaker SK hynix's planned listing of American depositary receipts in the US could strengthen the ailing Korean won, which recently slid to its weakest level in 17 years against the dollar, providing a rare source of dollar inflows. The chipmaker plans to list its ADRs on the Nasdaq on July 10, aiming to raise as much as $30 billion in what would rank among the largest overseas equity offerings by a South Korean company. If a substantial portion of the dollar proceeds is repatriat
Lee touts investments to transform southeast into AI-aerospace hub
South Korean firms on Friday committed trillions in investment into the nation's southeast, in the last of back-to-back announcements on related "megaprojects" to bolster the region's growth. President Lee Jae Myung touted the conglomerate's decisions as an important step in the southeast's transformation into a technology manufacturing hub focused on physical artificial intelligence and the aerospace industry. The government announced Friday that Hanwha, Hyundai Motor, Samsung, SK, Doosan and L
National Museum sets the table for Korea's food history
In Korea, "have you eaten?" has long served as a greeting, while countless expressions — from sikgu, meaning family and derived from "people who share meals" to idioms built around the dining table — reveal how deeply food is woven into everyday language and relationships. The newly opened exhibition "The Korean Table: Food, Nature, and Life" at the National Museum of Korea explores the history of Korean dining culture and food through some 650 artifacts, paintings and immersive installations in
X Games returns to Chiba with new team format
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Athletes are chasing both individual gold and crucial team points in the debut season of the Formula One-style X Games League.
Haiti: Thousands displaced with new violence amidst humanitarian crisis
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Thousands of people have been displaced in the new outbreak of armed violence in Haiti in the Artibonite and West departments, increasing the severity of the emergency on humanitarian aid, disrupting healthcare services and increasing forced returns. Despite these challenges, the local church communities continue to sustain education, pastoral outreach, and humanitarian activities.
Why games and Korean traditional arts are the hottest new pairing
Games and traditional arts may seem worlds apart, but the unlikely pairing is quickly becoming the South Korean gaming industry's newest obsession. Industry officials say the partnerships are creating a two-way exchange, introducing new audiences to traditional crafts while giving artists fresh creative inspiration rooted in game worlds. The latest example comes from Nexon Games, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nexon Foundation and the Korea Ceramic Foundation to pro
Te Koutu from Rotorua wins Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Title
More than 40 groups competed across three days at Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, with the nine finalists competing on Friday.
Experts warn AI could both fight and conceal corruption
Experts warned Friday that artificial intelligence could serve as both a safeguard against corruption and a structural threat to transparency as the technology is increasingly embedded in public administration and oversight. “In anti-corruption policy, AI can be a double-edged sword,” said Choi Yong-jeon, a professor at Daejin University, during the International Anti-Corruption Forum co-hosted by South Korea’s Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the United Nations Development Progra
Kyoto University to be third recipient of world-class research aid
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It is expected to be certified as a University for International Research Excellence by the end of summer, which would make it eligible for aid from a ¥10 trillion fund.
'Truly international network' of men drugging and raping women uncovered, NCA says
Eight arrests have been made as the National Crime Agency says it has identified 270 people linked to the abuse websites.
Death toll from Venezuelan earthquakes rises to 2,645
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The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 2,645, with more than 12,600 injured, according to new official figures.
Interpol names suspect in Monaco bombing that reportedly wounded Russia-linked tycoon
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Interpol on Friday identified a 39-year-old woman from Ukraine as the main suspect in a bombing in Monaco that is thought to have targeted a Ukrainian tycoon with links to Russia.
'Notes from the Last Row' stars compare notes
Choi Min-sik went in with one image for his character: meat on a hook. "I wanted to strip this man bare and hang him up like a slab of meat," he said of Heo Mun-oh, the failed novelist turned embittered literature professor at the center of "Notes from the Last Row." "He's a professor, an author. But learning has nothing to do with character. He's just a lump of desire." Released June 26 on Netflix, the six-part suspense drama from director Kim Gyu-tae adapts a Spanish play by Juan Mayorga. Mun-
National Assembly to reconvene amid PPP boycott
The 22nd National Assembly is set to reconvene on Monday following a short respite at the midpoint of its four-year run. According to the National Assembly Secretariat on Friday, the parliament will hold a special session Monday for the first time since the inauguration of the new speaker, Rep. Cho Jeong-sik. This follows a ruling Democratic Party-led request to convene the session earlier, despite the fact that seven standing committee chairs have yet to be elected amid partisan clashes, while
Man admits sending fake ransom notes in Guthrie abduction
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A man has pleaded guilty to felony harassment charges in a US federal court for sending fake ransom notes posing as a kidnapper of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie's missing elderly mother.
Seoul stocks jump nearly 6% as bargain buying lifts chipmakers
South Korean stocks rebounded nearly 6 percent Friday as investors snapped up bargain-priced semiconductor shares after the previous session's steep sell-off. The Korean won also strengthened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 440.25 points, or 5.76 percent, to close at 8,088.34, after rising as high as 8,211.54. The rebound came after the index plunged 7.89 percent on Thursday, dragged down by a sharp sell-off in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. At ar
Iran war exposed, but hasn’t changed, Japan’s reliance on imported oil
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Japan received over 93% of its oil imports through the Strait of Hormuz last year before it was effectively closed.
JRS: Pope‘s Lampedusa visit shines the light on the faces of migration
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Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lampedusa, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) advocate Amaya Valcárcel says his concern for migrants and for often overlooked crises such as Myanmar and Sudan serves as a powerful reminder of the innocent victims of conflict and displacement, and calls the world to place human dignity and solidarity at the centre of its response.
Moose Jaw spa shows how cities, First Nations can help each other prosper: FNUniv business lecturer
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The First Nation acquired Temple Gardens, Moose Jaw's famous spa, in 2022. Now, it has reopened the spa after a renovation and acquired naming rights for the local arena, now known as the Temple Gardens Centre.
Solidarity walk in downtown Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday aims to support Kashechewan evacuees
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Members of the Indigenous community and supporters will host a solidarity walk in downtown Niagara Falls on Friday to protest how Indigenous people evacuated from Kashechewan First Nation were portrayed at a recent city council meeting. Controversy erupted after a former chief administrative officer for the City of Niagara Falls told council that some residents may have the mistaken impression that evacuees from Kashechewan are experiencing homelessness.
Jury to resume deliberations in trial of ex-sports coach
The jury in the trial of a former sports coach accused of abusing four girls over 40 years ago is expected to resume their deliberations today.
Capital Group lifts KT&G ownership to 8.2%
KT&G said Friday that Capital Research and Management Company has raised its stake in the cigarette maker to 8.22 percent, extending a run of purchases that signal growing foreign confidence in its overseas growth. The US asset manager now holds about 8.53 million KT&G shares, up from 7.21 percent in June and 5.61 percent in May, according to regulatory filings. The latest disclosure shows Capital Group has added roughly 1 million shares since its previous filing. "The steady stake increases fro
Cape Verde bow out despite taking Argentina the distance
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Cape Verde's breathtaking World Cup debut ended in heartbreak at the hands of Argentina after Diney Borges' extra-time own-goal handed the world champions a 3-2 win in Miami.
Pay to Uisce Éireann CEO surges to €391,953 for 2026
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The CEO of Uisce Éireann Niall Gleeson will receive an overall pay package this year of €391,953 - an overall rise of €118,000 on his pay package for 2025.
Tibet campaigner dies after setting himself on fire at UN
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A man died after setting himself on fire outside the UN's headquarters in New York last night, police said, with activists and reports identifying him as a Tibetan independence campaigner.
Extreme heat may change mix for European drinks makers
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Extreme heat in Europe is testing the assumption that hot summers mean a boost in sales of alcohol, with studies showing drinkers less inclined to reach for a chilled beer or Aperol Spritz when it gets too hot.
Aughinish probe 'for Ireland to lead' - Von der Leyen
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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the investigation into Aughinish Alumina is "for Ireland to lead", adding that the Government will set any timeframes.
Charity WanderSearch, which provides trackers for at-risk people, sees big jump in interest
One mum says she uses WanderSearch to keep her largely non verbal daughter with autism spectrum disorder safe.
Paichai baseball team to visit Gwangju for apology over controversial chants
The Paichai High School baseball players who drew criticism for their controversial chants during a game against a Gwangju school will visit the city next week to apologize in person, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Friday. An 80-member delegation from Paichai High School, including members of the baseball team, school officials, teachers and parents, is scheduled to visit Gwangju Jeil High School on Monday to apologize and take part in a reconciliation program. Paichai student a
Portugal braced for highs of 44C as forest fire rages
A forest fire raging in northern Portugal for two days has injured four people, the fire service said today as the country battled a third day of intense heat, with temperatures predicted to reach 44C.
Portugal survives late drama to beat Croatia and reach World Cup last 16
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Portugal got a last-second break on an offside call to set up a last-16 clash with Spain.
More people are visiting Seoul's royal palaces, but fewer are paying
Admissions revenue from Seoul’s historic grand palaces declined last year, even as visitor numbers increased, due to more tourists entering for free, according to a Friday report by the local daily Hankyoreh. According to data from the Korea Heritage Service, combined ticket revenue from Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung, as well as Jongmyo Shrine, declined for the first time in five years. The number of visitors to the five royal heritage sites rose from about 13.1 mi
Packages and promotions
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul presents summer gourmet promotions Sofitel Ambassador Seoul presents a summer dining lineup at L'Espace, the Parisian lounge on the hotel's sixth floor overlooking Seokchon Lake. The Summer Drafts promotion offers six premium draft beers, including Stella Artois, paired with herb garlic butter grilled shrimp (32,000 won), beef bourguignon poutine (31,000 won) and other dishes. It runs through Aug. 31. L'Espace also serves two premium bingsu. The Citron Basil Bingsu, new
Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits from October
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Under the new structure, fees will vary depending on the length of the permit, with those in the top bracket required to pay at least ¥65,000.
BTS’ Chile concerts face venue uncertainty after National Stadium use denied
BTS’ upcoming concerts in Chile have been thrown into uncertainty after the country’s National Sports Institute declined to authorize the use of Estadio Nacional in Santiago for the group’s scheduled October shows. The concerts, organized by promoter DG Medios, are scheduled for Oct. 14, 16 and 17 as part of BTS’ “Arirang” world tour. Tickets for all three shows reportedly sold out after going on sale in April, with each concert expected to draw more than 48,000 fans. According to Chilean media
Global educators gather in Seoul to expand Korean-language education
Teachers and education administrators from 44 countries gathered at the National Assembly on Thursday for an annual conference aimed at expanding Korean-language education overseas. The Education Ministry and the International Korean Language Foundation held a ceremony at Sarangjae, a hanok-style venue at the National Assembly, to celebrate the 24th International Conference for Korean Language Educators Abroad. Launched in 2003, the conference is held annually for overseas educators involved in
Culture minister and Park Ji-sung to chair new K-Soccer Innovation Committee
Amid mounting calls to reform South Korean soccer following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will launch the K-Soccer Innovation Committee on Monday, the ministry announced Friday. The committee will be a temporary body aimed at reforming South Korean soccer, with Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and retired Korean soccer star Park Ji-sung, who is a member of the FIFA Men's Football Stakeholders Committee, serving as co-chairs. The committee brings together a d
El Niño likely to strengthen rapidly, UN warns
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El Niño will quickly develop into a strong event between July and September, fuelling the likelihood of extreme weather, the United Nations' weather and climate agency has warned.
Lee heads to NATO summit with eye on world’s largest defense market
President Lee Jae Myung will the July 7-8 NATO summit, where he hopes to deepen security, defense and economic cooperation with member states while laying the groundwork for South Korea's entry into the alliance's defense procurement market. Cheong Wa Dae announced Friday that Lee will attend the summit in Ankara, Turkey, at the invitation of NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. It will be Lee's first participation in the alliance's leaders' meeting since taking office in June 2025. The event come
Canada’s massive military buildup: Part 2
In part two of our documentary on Mark Carney’s defence strategy: what could happen when the world comes knocking on the Canadian defence industry’s door?
Foreign man kissing 'haenyeo' statue in Jeju sparks outrage
A foreign man sparked outrage online after a video of him hugging and kissing a statue honoring Jeju's haenyeo, or female divers, went viral, news reports said Friday. The video shows the man climbing onto the statue near Hamdeok Beach in Jocheon-eup, Jeju City, and making lewd gestures toward it while his companions laugh nearby. The man has reportedly lived on Jeju for about a year, while the person who filmed and uploaded the video is a Korean resident of the island, according to JTBC. The vi
KITA visits Washington to urge better investment conditions in US
A delegation led by the Korea International Trade Association visited Washington this week for talks with US government and trade officials, seeking improved investment conditions for Korean companies operating in the US. KITA said Friday that the delegation, led by Executive Vice Chairman Lee In-ho and joined by major industry groups, including the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association and the Korea Iron & Steel Association, conducted a high-level outreach mission in Washington from Monday
K-beauty giants post record Amazon sales in US, Europe
Amazon's biggest shopping event of the summer offered fresh proof of South Korea's staying power in beauty, as K-beauty's new and old guard, APR and Amorepacific, posted their strongest US and European sales yet. APR said Friday its flagship brand, Medicube, recorded its highest-ever sales during Amazon Prime Day, which ran from June 23-26, becoming the most-searched brand across all product categories in the US. Several Medicube products ranked among Amazon's top beauty and personal care seller
Will the next Messi be a robot?
While the world's eyes are on Lionel Messi at the FIFA World Cup, another soccer tournament unfolds in Incheon — with robot players. RoboCup 2026 kicked off Thursday in Incheon's Songdo Convensia, showcasing a wide range of artificial intelligence robots capable of performing complicated tasks such as soccer and household chores. Often referred to as the "World Cup of Robotics," RoboCup has been held annually since its first event in Nagoya, Japan, in 1997. Thousands of competitors bring robots
Ukrainian MP wants 'transparent' approach on sanctions
A Ukrainian MP has called for a transparent approach in relation to sanctions imposed on Russia, adding that loopholes to get around them should be closed.
Gannet colonies could take 15 years to recover from bird flu
The 2022 outbreak led to an "unprecedented deadly blow" to the seabird colonies in Scotland and Wales.
Regulator set to sanction MBK over Homeplus handling
The Financial Supervisory Service, South Korea's financial watchdog, decided to recommend disciplinary actions against private equity giant MBK Partners on Thursday, reportedly including a suspension from duties. The sanction will be finalized through approval by the Financial Services Commission. The FSS did not disclose the level of the recommended sanction on the day. But sources familiar with the matter say the watchdog decided to maintain its previous recommendation to suspend MBK Partners
Vowels as music: Korean, French artists meet in shared language of sound
French sound artist Remi Klemensiewicz sees the differences between Korean and French in their vowels. Ah, eh, ee, oh, oo — the same basic sounds exist in nearly every language, yet they are never quite the same. And to Klemensiewicz, they are also music. Klemensiewicz is one of six musicians behind the Korean-French collaboration "The Wind & Sand Tour — A Sonic Collection," which premieres this weekend at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. Joining them are haegeum player Kim Ye
Kioxia ships samples of new flash memory for AI data centers
The Tokyo-based chipmaker's latest high-density 3D flash memory chips aim to better meet AI data center needs with better efficiency and transmission speeds.
Google loses fight against record €4.1 billion EU antitrust fine
The ruling by Europe's top court is seen as being likely to boost the bloc's crackdown on Big Tech.
Homeplus nears liquidation as court ends rehabilitation process
The Seoul Bankruptcy Court terminated Homeplus's rehabilitation proceedings Friday, pushing the retailer closer to liquidation and leaving it a narrow 14-day window to secure fresh funding and appeal the ruling. The court found that Homeplus's revised rehabilitation plan, submitted Tuesday and calling for the closure of unprofitable stores, business transfers, and mergers and acquisitions, lacked a realistic prospect of success. "At least 200 billion won in operating funds is needed to continue
I started selling clothes from my nana's house - now I'm turning over £10m
Murci has grown from a side hustle to being featured on Love Island and promoted by influencers.
Family plea for Irish passport for engineer stranded in Iraq
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The Irish family of Robert Pether has reiterated calls for the Government to grant him accelerated Irish citizenship on humanitarian grounds.
Little hope for a declining yen amid structural pressures
Ultimately, the value of the yen reflects faith in the Japanese economy's long-term prospects.
Indigenous Relations minister says province reviewing Innu timeline
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Newfoundland and Labrador's Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Lela Evans says the provincial government is dedicated to "true reconciliation" with Innu people, but stopped short of any endorsement of Innu history in the region extending beyond 300 years.
Prison sentences finalized for pair who blackmailed Son Heung-min with false pregnancy claim
A woman who blackmailed South Korean football star Son Heung-min with a false pregnancy claim has been sentenced to four years in prison, while her male accomplice received a two-year sentence. Both sentences are now final. In June 2024, the woman, in her 20s, extorted 300 million won ($195,000) from Son by threatening to publicize the false pregnancy claim. Prosecutors said that Son paid to protect his reputation and career. The woman did not appeal the four-year sentence issued by the appeals
Celltrion posts record Q2 sales as profitability improves
Celltrion said Friday it posted record second-quarter sales and a 77.3 percent jump in operating profit, as newer, higher-margin products helped lift margins and push earnings above its own guidance. The Korean biopharmaceutical company reported preliminary consolidated revenue of 1.3 trillion won ($845 million) and operating profit of 430 billion won for the April-June period. Revenue rose 35.2 percent from a year earlier, marking Celltrion’s highest-ever second-quarter sales, while operating p
Hyundai, Kia log record H1 US sales on hybrid demand
Hyundai Motor and Kia posted record first-half sales in the US, helped by strong demand for hybrid vehicles even as electric vehicle sales declined. The two Korean automakers said Thursday they sold a combined 920,383 vehicles in the US market from January to June, including Genesis models, up 3 percent from a year earlier and their highest-ever tally for a first half. Hyundai Motor sold 489,656 vehicles, including Genesis, up 2.7 percent on-year, while Kia’s sales rose 3.4 percent to 430,727 un
Huge VAR call prolongs Ronaldo's last dance but ends Modric's
Veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo gets another day on the World Cup stage after Croatia are denied a late equaliser by a huge VAR call.
North Korea behind two-thirds of global crypto stolen in H1: report
North Korea-linked hacking groups were responsible for about two-thirds of cryptocurrency stolen worldwide in the first half of this year, a report by San Francisco-based blockchain analysis firm TRM Labs showed Friday. According to the report, North Korea-linked actors stole $643 million worth of cryptocurrency during the January-June period, accounting for 66.2 percent of the $972 million in global crypto hack losses. TRM Labs attributed much of the stolen value to two major decentralized fina
New book revisits French diplomat who helped introduce Korea to the West
The French-Korean bilingual publication “Victor Collin de Plancy: Entre France et Coree” was released to shed light on the life of French diplomat Victor Collin de Plancy, one of the earliest Western figures to document and promote Korean culture. The book traces Collin de Plancy's years in Korea following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1886. Its release marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea. French art historian Step
Group defends baseball team that mocked pro-democracy protests of 1980
A right-leaning civic group on Friday filed a criminal complaint against the amateur baseball federation, saying its decision to ban Pai Chai High School's baseball team from national tournaments for six months was excessive. The high school team sparked controversy last month when some of its players shouted a chant at the opposing team from Gwangju Jeil High School. The chant appeared to mock the May 18, 1980, protests and massacre known today as the Gwangju Democratic Uprising, during which t
DP chair hopeful says Seoul should bolster its diplomatic capacity
Rep. Song Young-gil, a six-term lawmaker who is considered a potential candidate for the ruling Democratic Party's chair post, said that South Korea must strengthen its diplomatic capacity as global bipolarization unfolds. "Former President Kim Dae-jung said that South Korea must become a nation that engages in diplomacy, yet we are seeing diplomatic standing in the international community decline with poor performance," Song said at a parliamentary forum to evaluate Seoul's foreign policy that
KOTRA chief eyes Hallyu brands as next export engine beyond chips
HANOI, Vietnam — South Korea should broaden its export portfolio beyond semiconductors by expanding sales of cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals, fashion and other consumer goods, the chief of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency said, arguing that a more balanced trade structure would make Asia’s fourth-largest economy more resilient to industry cycles. Kang Kyung-sung, president of KOTRA, said at a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday that Korean consumer brands are becoming an increasing
‘I grabbed my child’: Kyiv residents face devastation of biggest Russian barrage of war
At least 30 people were killed and dozens wounded in what was Russia's biggest attack on Kyiv since invading more than four years ago, according to Ukrainian officials.
Weather: Rain, wind and snow to disrupt start of school holidays
And forecasters say worse still could be on the cards.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy calls Russia’s bluff in Belarus
An ultimatum on drone relay stations exposed the limits of Moscow's power – and the reach of Beijing's.
'Our families were so scared': Indian sea captain fears for other seafarers still stuck in Persian Gulf
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An Indian sea captain who was stuck on an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf for more than two months as the U.S. and Israel-Iran war raged says thousands of mariners are still at risk and don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Gaza has become frozen in 'humanitarian purgatory' — and it could get worse
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Nine months after Hamas and Israel agreed to a hard-fought ceasefire in Gaza, the term has become a cruel irony for the two million Palestinians trapped inside the territory.
StubHub sold ‘ghost tickets’ for World Cup months before real ones were issued, CBC finds
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StubHub claims it doesn’t allow the listing of “speculative” tickets on its platform. But CBC News found “ghost tickets” were available for the FIFA World Cup months before they were issued — and was able to list non-existent tickets for the 2028 Olympics.
Sentencing begins for Burlington, Ont., couple guilty of murdering boy, torturing brother today
In May, Brandy Cooney and Becky Hamber of Burlington, Ont., were found guilty of murdering a boy in their care, and assaulting and confining his younger brother. Today, their sentencing hearing begins in Milton, and it's possible the court will hear victim impact statements.
Farmer feels lucky to be alive after semi rear-ended his tractor at high speed
Craig Waddell's family has been farming on Mitch Owens Road for six generations, but they say truck traffic and dangerous driving now has them facing close calls almost daily.
Instagram running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India, BBC finds
The ads use terms including “rape” and “child video” and link to content on the messaging app Telegram.
Japan’s first standalone ramen shop reopens in Asakusa
Fifty years after it closed its doors, Asakusa Rairaiken is now back to court a new generation of ramen lovers with the shoyu-seasoned broth it created in 1910.
Happy birthday, America? At 250, nation may be too divided to celebrate as one
With U.S. President Trump stamping his imprint on the official commemoration, many Americans are struggling with how to separate the politics from the pageantry.
Waikato Hospital ward will not be ready until 2027, health minister says
The new 28-bed ward was supposed to be ready this year.
Seiya Suzuki marks 100th home run in MLB career
The milestone home run put Suzuki alongside Hideki Matsui, Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani.
Advisory group proposes axing pay parity for early childhood teachers
The ministerial group set out three options, none of which included keeping the current government-subsidised pay parity scheme.
Where is China’s trillion-dollar trade surplus going?
This growing role of private actors in deploying China's trade surplus reflects financial deepening and underscores the expanding role of markets in the economy.
Tradition vs. change: Japan’s imperial succession debate intensifies
For decades, the government has postponed action. This week, however, Prime Minister Takaichi's administration submitted a bill to the Diet to revise the Imperial House Law.
Trump financial disclosure shows 21,000 trades in 2025
The U.S. president averaged 85 trades per market day, an analysis of the report shows.
Inside Japan’s $25 billion consumer market built on fan devotion
From collecting Hello Kitty goods to manga figurines, what was once considered a niche hobby has evolved into a fan-merchandising economy estimated to be worth ¥4.1 trillion.
SoftBank plans to rent AI compute in U.S. at 10-gigawatt scale
The mobile carrier operator and group company will set up the new venture this month, aiming to supply data center capacity at a scale of 10 gigawatts by around 2030.
Samsung in talks to produce Anthropic’s advanced AI chips
Anthropic is in talks with Samsung Electronics to produce advanced artificial intelligence chips using the Korean chipmaker’s next-generation foundry and packaging technologies, according to a report, in a potential boost to Samsung’s efforts to win more big tech customers. The Information reported Thursday that the US AI model developer is considering using Samsung’s 2-nanometer foundry process and advanced packaging facilities to manufacture its own high-end chips. The discussions are still at
Modi is rigging Indian democracy
The result of voter purging is an electoral system increasingly designed to favor India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
Daewoo E&C makes US comeback with New Jersey housing project
Daewoo Engineering & Construction is committing nearly $300 million to a residential housing project in New Jersey, marking its return to the US property market after nearly two decades as it works to build a long-term development platform in North America. The builder said Friday it will invest $291 million to build an 18-story, 540-unit apartment complex in Palisades Park, a Bergen County borough that is home to a large Korean American community. The complex will also have retail space and par
Seoul expands shuttle service for people with disabilities
A shuttle service for people with disabilities that operates in the greater Seoul area has expanded to cover nearby Chungcheong and Gangwon provinces, the Seoul Facilities Corporation said Friday. The shuttle service operated by the city-run public company has three buses and four vans available for transportation for people with disabilities, their guardians, and state organizations. The buses can be used for up to three days anywhere in the country, while the vans can be used for a single day
La Plata names BTS ‘Guests of Honor’ ahead of Argentina concerts
The La Plata City Council in Argentina has unanimously approved a resolution naming BTS "Guests of Honor" ahead of the group’s Buenos Aires concerts, scheduled to take place in October. Being named a Guest of Honor is a formal civic distinction conferred by municipal or national governments in Argentina on distinguished foreign visitors in recognition of their cultural, scientific or social contributions. The La Plata City Council unanimously approved the resolution Thursday after it was propose
NBA to test ‘one free throw’ rule in Summer League games
Under the rule, one free throw would be worth the same total number of points as the free throws it replaces.
Jaylen Brown both ‘excited and disappointed’ by trade
Fans and analysts have been highly critical of the trade, which sends Brown to Philadelphia for 36-year-old Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks.
Japan’s convertible bonds regain favor as rates continue to rise
Japanese companies issued ¥1 trillion ($6.2 billion) worth of convertible bonds in the first half, the highest amount since 2004.
Russian envoy to skip Hiroshima peace ceremony
The annual peace ceremony will have had no Russian representative for five years in a row since the country's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Following petition, female lawmakers in Japan get two more toilets
The cross-party petition, whose 58 signatories included Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, asked for more toilets for women in the parliament building.
Seoul libraries become summer's coolest hangouts
Seoul's public libraries are transforming into summer retreats this July and August, offering air-conditioned refuge from the heat alongside books and cultural programming. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Friday that 223 public and small neighborhood libraries, including Seoul Metropolitan Library, are participating in a two-month campaign called "Libraries Are Cool: Off & Library," featuring 1,665 programs of lectures, performances, exhibitions, hands-on activities and film screenings
Mother charged with manslaughter after death of 3-year-old
The child was found dead at an address in Auckland's Devonport on New Year's Day.
JICA holds memorial for victims of 2016 Dhaka terror attack
During the ceremony, participants, including bereaved families and representatives from Japan and Bangladesh, observed a moment of silence and laid flowers in front of a cenotaph.
Police officer mistakenly kills woman she was sent to help
An Incheon police officer is under criminal investigation Friday for a fatal mistake she made while on duty, when she ran over a collapsed citizen she was sent to help. Officials at the Incheon Michuhol Police Station said the officer in her 20s is accused of death resulting from a traffic accident. The officer was dispatched after receiving a report that a woman in her 60s had collapsed and was lying in the road. She ran over the woman with her patrol car at around 12:45 a.m., Friday. The offic
Embattled former national soccer team coach defends decision not to start Son
Hong Myung-bo, the controversy-ridden former head coach of the South Korean men's national soccer team, once again defended his decision not to start star player Son Heung-min in the team's final group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and denied rumors about a feud among the players. The 57-year-old briefly talked to reporters at Incheon Airport on Thursday afternoon, before leaving for Los Angeles. He reiterated his stance on his controversial decision to bring the team's captain Son off
Marine Corps participates in multinational peacekeeping drills in Mongolia
South Korea's Marine Corps has participated in a multinational peacekeeping exercise in Mongolia aimed at strengthening interoperability with participating forces, the armed service said Friday. The Khaan Quest exercise, held from June 20 to July 3, took place near Ulaanbaatar involving some 700 troops from 17 nations, including the United States, India, Britain and Germany. During the drills, the troops conducted a field training exercise in a simulated contingency scenario in a disputed region
'Teach You a Lesson' becomes Netflix's fifth most-watched Korean series ever
"Teach You a Lesson" has become Netflix's fifth most-watched Korean series of all time, overtaking the 2022 hit revenge drama "The Glory." According to Tudum, Netflix's companion site, the series amassed 46.6 million views between its June 5 premiere and June 28, the latest reporting period available. Under Netflix's methodology, a title's view count is calculated by dividing total hours viewed by its running time. As of Friday, "Squid Game" Season 1 remains Netflix's most-watched Korean series
Donohoe inquest adjourned after 25 hours of deliberations
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The inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe has been adjourned after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Exhibition celebrates Porirua's trailblazing Pacific women
Marama Malama: Te Manava Moana Women at Pataka Art and Museum honours generations of women whose leadership, advocacy and service have impacted Pacific communities.
Emergency services rush to scene of bus and car crash in Dunedin
One person was taken to Dunedin Hospital with injuries.
Ex-US Olympian charged with Reflecting Pool vandalism
A former US Olympian was charged with vandalising Washington's newly renovated Reflecting Pool and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Man charged after assault on North Shore bus last month
Police say the offender could not be located at the time but was arrested on Thursday.
Rare copy of US Declaration of Independence found by volunteer in UK archives
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The newly discovered copy is one of only 11 of its kind in the world.
Local board votes for widespread intensification in Auckland's central suburbs
Some residents are calling it a "development grenade", while a local board has backed widespread intensification.
On the Strait of Hormuz, BBC finds seized ships and shark fishermen as uneasy calm returns
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The BBC travels to the city of Bandar Abbas - the first international journalists to visit the Iranian side of the strait.
After 250 years the American Dream is surviving, but only just
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The American Dream has persisted since the days of the Founding Fathers, but faith in the ideal is fading
NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day
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The "marathon a month" scheme, developed with former Olympic medallist Sir Brendan Foster, will launch early next year.
Why Wonderwall has become England's World Cup anthem
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Post-victory singalongs between England fans and players have become a new tradition this summer.
New legal right to speak to a human for finance consumers
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New rules have been signed into law that will give consumers the legal right to speak to a person instead of an AI chatbot when buying financial products or services either online or over the phone.
Most US multinationals plan Irish employment increase
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A survey of members of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland has found that 90% of respondents plan to increase or maintain employment numbers in Ireland over the next year.
World Cup 2026: Portugal 2-1 Croatia recap
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Recap an extraordinary contest in Toronto as Portugal edged past Croatia in dramatic fashion.
'Lingers on their skin': Puzzling odour forces children out of classrooms
Whenuapai School has done two years of tests and finally pinned the source to phenols, likely in the ground under the rooms.
Croatia World Cup fans photobomb wedding shoot | The Moment
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Newlyweds Ashton and Zach Smith tell The National about the moment excited Croatia World Cup fans in Philadelphia photobombed their wedding shoot.
Fatal crash on Fernie, B.C., mountain bike trail shocks riding community
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Elk Valley RCMP say a man died after a mountain biking crash on Trail Dogs in Fernie, B.C. Police say there is no indication of criminality, and the B.C. Coroners Service is investigating.
Oyarzabal scores twice as Spain ease past Austria
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Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain proved too strong for Austria in a 3-0 win at the SoFi Stadium to take their place in the last-16 of the World Cup.
Heads-up on El Niño gives rural sector time to prepare
On-farm decisions are being influenced by the incoming El Niño weather pattern, which could mean a dry spring for many.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce reported to have married
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have married in private ahead of a planned celebration at New York's Madison Square Garden, the New York Post's Page Six has reported, citing multiple unidentified sources.
Does your will cover your pet?
Ana Holden says her cats, Hannah and Marmite, are beloved members of her family, so it made sense to add them into her will.
Dauphin, Man., left with 'very limited' health services as water recedes, flood cleanup begins
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Dauphin is in a cleanup phase after heavy downpours flooded basements and led to the evacuation of the western Manitoba city's hospital.
Barrister takes health insurer to court over refusal to pay for ADHD diagnosis
The Waikato man says he thinks Southern Cross has denied the claim in bad faith.
Environmental group hails court decision on orange roughy catch-limit
A judge has found a former minister failed to consider protection for important environments, like spawning grounds, when deciding the limit.
Watchdog puts blame on U.S. Secret Service for missing crucial radio calls during 2024 Trump shooting
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The U.S. Secret Service did not receive more than 100 local radio transmissions about the gunman who attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump at a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pa., according to a government watchdog report released on Thursday.
Sony to end releasing PlayStation games on disc, earning ire from gamers despite market shift to digital
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Sony will stop producing discs for physical copies of all new PlayStation video games starting in 2028, the company announced Wednesday, citing customers' growing preference to buy and download their games online.
World Cup 2026: Spain 3-0 Austria recap
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Favourites Spain take on Austria in the hopes of progressing to the last-16 of the World Cup.
'I will kill everyone around you': Threat to ex by father in double-murder suicide emerges
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Police have identified the man who is believed to have killed his seven- and 12-year-old sons in his south Ottawa home and firebombed his dental practice in a nearby village before dying by suicide in a vehicle fire on Monday, as details of his threat to cause bodily harm to his ex-wife come to light.
What happens when a World Cup match gets dangerously hot?
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It was extremely hot and humid at the final World Cup match hosted by Toronto on Thursday. In fact, it was near the "wet bulb" temperature threshold where world soccer union guidelines recommend that games be delayed. But how hot is too hot? And what actually happens to players and their matches at that temperature?
Extreme heat is everyone's problem
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Football speaks up, Europe's worst heatwave on record, and call it what it is — climate change
Nearly 600 wildfire evacuees from Kasabonika Lake First Nation staying in Toronto
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Kasabonika Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario has paused an evacuation of its most vulnerable members, as a cluster of five wildfires surrounding the community have stabilized for the time being. Kasabonika Lake’s Chief Matthias Anderson says as of Thursday afternoon, 548 evacuees remain in Toronto and 37 more are on the way from Thunder Bay, making up nearly half the community's population. Here's the latest on the situation.
One in five secondary teacher vacancies unable to be filled - survey
Secondary school principals say they are getting more applicants for teaching jobs, but many are not good enough.
Weekly quiz: Why did the princess climb the UK's three highest peaks?
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How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?
IOM: Pope Leo’s Lampedusa visit will highlight human dimension of migration
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The International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Chief of Mission for Italy and Malta says Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lampedusa offers a powerful reminder of the human dignity of migrants and the need for shared responsibility.
The FAI has said a boycott of the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel would cause "significant and lasting harm" to football in Ireland in a letter to General Assembly members ahead of the association's Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 8 July.
No closure from Bouchaker verdict - injured girl's mother
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The mother of the young girl seriously injured in the Parnell Square attack has said that Riad Bouchaker's conviction has not brought closure despite justice being served.
How can Canada beat Morocco? It could be found in Promise David’s sublime group-stage goal
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If there’s a reason for Canada’s men to believe they can beat Morocco on Saturday, it’s most easily found in Promise David’s singular moment against Switzerland.
Anna Lambe thought TV was superficial, until she found its power
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In a Q interview in Banff, the award-winning star of North of North tells Tom Power how her acting career builds on her activism.
Artist happily reunited with lost tea towel art
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Holly Searle had posted her work and was distraught when it was not delivered to its destination.
Outbreak of hantavirus on ship in April declared over
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The World Health Organization has declared an end to the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship which sparked international alarm, after the last person left quarantine.
Tornado warning lifted for area west of Cornwall, Ont.
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Environment Canada has lifted a tornado warning that was briefly in place on Thursday afternoon for an area west of Cornwall, Ont.
Ex-Olympian indicted on felony charge over what Trump called reflecting pool vandalism
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A former U.S. Olympian was indicted Thursday on a felony charge in what President Donald Trump has called vandalism of the reflecting pool.
Gary Glitter charged with historical sexual offences
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Former pop star Gary Glitter has been charged with four sexual offences against a girl dating back to 1978.
'Atmosphere of violence' in home of garda, court hears
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The eldest daughter of a garda charged with rape and child cruelty has said the family home had "an atmosphere of violence and threats" and it felt like living in a military barracks growing up.
Growing recognition for Inuk war hero John Shiwak brings ‘sense of relief’ says relative
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Even though he died more than a century ago, fighting far from home, seeing Inuk war hero John Shiwak's growing recognition for his sacrifice is a relief for his family.
O'Donnell aims to go out on a high before last hurrah
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He had mooted it at the end of last year. 2026 will be last season Shane O'Donnell will don the saffron and blue of Clare.
Lefebvrite priests and lay faithful: Procedure to return to Catholic communion
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The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has sent a communication to bishops around the world outlining what must be done to welcome back those who decide to leave the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X following the schismatic act that led to excommunication.
Tech worker wins claim as €150k salary unpaid for months
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A tech firm employee who signed up for a job with a €150,000-a-year salary, but ended up "unable to heat her home" having received just €11,500 in 11 months of employment has won a claim for her unpaid wages.
Former army commander denies mistreating platoon members
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A former platoon commander accused of the mistreatment of recruits at the former Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks in Naas has told the Defence Forces Tribunal that he denies ever mistreating any member of his platoon.
Man should not have been carried while prone - inquest
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A verdict of death by misadventure has been recorded into the death of a prisoner with a history of mental illness after he had been physically restrained by staff at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin six years ago.
Extreme heat pushes Windsor-Essex closer to 19th-century record temperatures
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An orange heat warning continues to be in effect for Windsor-Essex with possibilities of the temperature reaching record level seen in the 1800s.
Trump considers attending Irish Open in September
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US President Donald Trump has said he is thinking about visiting Ireland for the Irish Open golf tournament this autumn.
Western Manitoba First Nation declares state of emergency as flooding sparks calls for federal aid
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Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation, in Manitoba’s flood-stricken Parkland area, has declared a state of emergency due to washed out infrastructure, joining more than 30 communities that have done the same.
Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face 'forceful response'
Iran’s joint military command warned Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response,” again ratcheting up tensions over a waterway crucial for international energy supplies. The strait, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, has emerged as one of the top issues in negotiations to reach a permanent end to the Iran war. The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command, reported by Iranian state television, comes after both U.S. and Iranian diplomats met with mediators on Wednesday in Qatar. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the threat from Iran. However, the U.S. military's Central Command had put out a statement about having a meeting with officials from Mideast nations in Bahrain that said “leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.” That appears to have been the phrase to anger Iran, which is preparing for the funeral that begins this weekend for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , who was killed in the war's fir
'I like stories that lay human nature bare': veteran actor Choi Min-sik
After more than 35 years in the industry, Choi Min-sik has solidified his status as a living legend of Korean cinema. In his latest project Netflix psychological thriller, "Notes from the Last Row," the 64-year-old veteran actor delivers a haunting performance as professor Heo Mun-oh, a failed novelist who becomes dangerously consumed by the voyeuristic genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), an enigmatic student sitting in the back of his classroom. "When I first got the script and read the original play, I instantly thought, 'This is a drama that leaves room for thought,'" Choi told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. He said the series has a classic feel, different from recent trends. "Much like my past film 'Failan' (2001), I was drawn to this short but incredibly intense story. It felt like one of those small, lightweight paperbacks we used to carry around in our pockets back in school," he said. Narrative stripping humans bare Choi has never been one to shy away from the darker, less glamorous corners of human nature. While mainstream media often favors flawless heroes, Choi
Shinhan, Kiwoom face probe over JTBC bond sales amid default fallout
Korea’s financial watchdog has launched inspections into Shinhan Securities and Kiwoom Securities over their distribution of corporate bonds issued by broadcaster JTBC, which is currently under court-led rehabilitation proceedings, industry sources said Thursday. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is reviewing whether the two brokerages continued underwriting and selling the bonds despite signs of JTBC’s deteriorating financial condition. It is also examining whether risks were properly disclosed and whether the products were recommended in line with investors’ risk profiles. The move comes amid rising concerns over potential losses for retail investors following JTBC’s default. The crisis at JoongAng Group escalated after JTBC failed to repay a 20.6 billion won ($13.3 million) asset-backed debt at maturity on June 12. Four affiliates, including holding company JoongAng Holdings, subsequently applied for court-led rehabilitation at the Seoul Bankruptcy Court on June 14, with JTBC following suit a day later. Retail investors have filed complaints with the FSS, alleging that se
UK formally apologizes for state's role in forcing unwed mothers to give up babies for adoption
Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally apologized Thursday for the British state's role in separating tens of thousands of unmarried mothers from their babies , a practice that lasted for decades until the 1970s. He said in Parliament that “we are deeply and profoundly sorry” for what he called a “stain on our history.” An estimated 185,000 babies of unmarried mothers were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. Campaigners have fought for years for acknowledgment that women were pressured, deceived and threatened into giving up their babies. Starmer met Thursday with a group of campaigners, who watched from the public gallery of the House of Commons as he delivered the apology. He said that women were “coerced, bullied or misled into feeling that they had no choice but to have their children taken away from them.” “Children grew up believing they were unwanted” and mothers were told “their babies would be better off without them,” he said. “To every one of those affected we say a deep and heartfelt sorry,” said Starmer, who is his final weeks as Britain
Labor side lowers proposed hourly minimum wage for next year to 11,700
The labor side revised down its proposed hourly minimum wage for next year to 11,700 won ($7.56) during ongoing wage-setting negotiations Thursday, still higher than the business side's proposal. The revised minimum wage proposal was presented by the labor side at a plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission, down from its initial proposal of 12,000 won. The latest proposal marks the labor side's fourth revision from its initial offer. During the meeting, the business side proposed 10,410 won, narrowing the gap between the two sides down to 1,290 won. The minimum wage is set each year by the Minimum Wage Commission, which is made up of representatives from labor, business and public interest. The two sides plan to meet again next week in an attempt to reach an agreement, though observers expected negotiations to continue till mid-July. If the two sides continue to fail to reach an agreement, public interest representatives could step in to mediate the negotiations. This year's minimum hourly wage is 10,320 won, up 2.9 percent from last year.
Special counsel indicts ex-JCS chief over martial law involvement
A special counsel team investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration indicted a former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Thursday over his alleged involvement. Special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team indicted Kim Myung-soo for allegedly playing a key role in the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, when Kim served as the nation's highest-ranking military officer. He was indicted without detention. Investigators allege Kim took no action as martial law troops moved into the National Assembly and that he helped set up a martial law command. They contend Kim was aware at that time that the martial law bid and troop deployment were unlawful, and argue he failed to act appropriately given his position as the nation's top military officer. The team said testimony it had obtained showed Kim's aides warned him several times that the declaration was procedurally flawed and that troops at the National Assembly should be pulled back. Legal experts had also advised him, according to the testimony, that command authority over the military would stay with the JCS
Gov’t ramps up crackdown on ‘salt farm slavery’
The government is ramping up a crackdown on labor exploitation in salt farms in an effort to close loopholes that have allowed “salt farm slavery” to persist and become an international human rights and trade issue. Under a plan jointly announced Thursday by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, government workers will cooperate with police to create a standing, field-centered response system targeting abusive practices in salt farms. The move follows the latest such case in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, in which a salt farm owner was arrested for allegedly exploiting three workers, at least one of whom has a serious intellectual disability. The case has reignited worries over rights violations in remote coastal workplaces. On June 25, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it formally designated the three workers as victims of human trafficking. As recognized victims, they can receive up to six months of living expenses support of 783,000 won ($505) per month each, along with access to medical, legal and other assistance. Offici
Korea expresses regret over US House committee’s 'lopsided' Coupang report
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday rejected a report by U.S. lawmakers criticizing Korean authorities’ handling of Coupang regarding its customer data breach from last year, saying the report overlooked the company's violations of Korean law and only defended the U.S. firm. The ministry said the House Judiciary Committee’s interim staff report released on the committee’s website on Wednesday (local time) had a half-eyed view toward the massive data breach discovered last November. "We express regret that the report appears to reflect only Coupang's claims in a one-sided manner," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing, adding that the Korean government has been “faithfully” transparent to the United States regarding the process of Korean authorities' investigation. Park said all Korean investigations and measures regarding Coupang are being conducted lawfully and without discrimination in accordance with domestic laws, and that the government guarantees a fair corporate operating environment regardless of nationality. “Therefore, the report's claim tha
KEPCO rallies industry to commercialize direct current power systems
Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) convened a coalition of government officials, manufacturers and researchers Thursday to fast-track the commercialization of direct current (DC) power systems, a move driven by surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers. About 120 participants attended the "K-DC Industry Expansion 2026" event at LS Electric's Cheonan base under the theme, "Beyond DC Demonstration to Industry." KEPCO said the event marked a shift from pilot projects to broader industrial adoption of direct current technologies across the power grid and commercial facilities. The utility plans to expand its direct current portfolio beyond high-voltage direct current transmission into medium- and low-voltage distribution systems for industrial complexes, factories and data centers. The company also said it will promote large-scale projects aligned with government policy while developing commercial business models designed to attract sustained private-sector investment. To speed up commercialization, KEPCO plans to establish a fast-track framework linking standards,
What is actor Yoo Ah-in's next move after drug use scandal?
Rumors surrounding actor Yoo Ah-in's return to the entertainment industry have reignited public debate, with earlier speculation about his casting in the upcoming film "Vampire" drawing renewed attention. On Tuesday, a representative from United Artists Agency (UAA) told Xports News that the agency's contract with Yoo had ended. Yoo had been with the agency since 2014, and news of his departure gained further attention amid speculation that he could sign with Galaxy Corporation. Galaxy Corporation is widely known as the agency representing G-Dragon. In recent years, it has expanded its roster to include stars from various fields, such as Kim Jong-kook, Taemin, Song Kang-ho and Lee Jung-hoo. Yoo was sentenced on July 3 last year to one year in prison, suspended for two years, after being convicted on drug-related charges. As reports of a possible agency transfer surfaced during his hiatus, speculation has also grown over a potential acting comeback. This has led to renewed interest in earlier reports linking him to director Jang Jae-hyun's upcoming film "Vampire." Late last year, local med
'Marty Supreme' director praises Chalamet's intense performance
Josh Safdie, the director of the sports comedy movie “Marty Supreme,” expressed deep admiration for actor Timothee Chalamet, highlighting the unique combination of traits that made him perfect for the lead role. Speaking at an online press conference, Thursday, the filmmaker praised the actor for bringing a rare balance of power and innocence to the character. “One of the things that drew me to Timmy was his intensity, but his intensity was softened by a certain sort of eternal youth and a boyish wonder about the world,” Safdie said. “One of the things I did really admire about him is that he takes things very seriously, obsessively." “Marty Supreme,” which was released in theaters here on Wednesday, is set in the 1950s and follows the journey of Marty Mauser, a young man who tries to become a world champion table tennis player. To achieve his goal, he competes in underground gambling matches and performs circus-style trick shots. Safdie has built a reputation in Hollywood for his distinct filmmaking style, previously directing acclaimed titles such as “Good Time” (2017
Hate speech seeps into Korean classrooms
“Gravity.” When a science teacher at a high school in Gyeonggi Province was beginning to explain the concept, a few students giggled. Only after class ended did the teacher discover why. In some far-right online communities, the Korean word for gravity, "jungryeok," has been appropriated as coded slang mocking the 2009 death of liberal former President Roh Moo-hyun, who died as a result of a fall from a cliff. The expression has since spread beyond those communities, with some students using it without understanding where it came from. “How can you teach physics without saying ‘gravity?’” asked another teacher at the school, surnamed Lee, who recalled the story shared by their coworker. “About 10 years ago, I rarely came across hate expressions I didn’t recognize. Now, new ones appear all the time and even teachers struggle to keep up.” Teachers say such incidents are becoming increasingly common in classrooms. A recent incident at a high school baseball game highlights how severe the situation has become. Members of the Paichai High School baseball team used chants evokin
Hanwha Aerospace explosion likely occurred while cleaning explosive waste: police
Last month's deadly explosion at a Hanwha Aerospace facility in Daejeon appears to have occurred while cleaning a washing machine that may have contained explosive waste residue, police officials said Thursday. The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency unveiled its initial assessment in a press briefing, citing a statement from a worker who was cleaning a tank within the washing machine at the time of the explosion on June 1 that left five workers killed and two others injured in the city located some 130 kilometers south of Seoul. "I was cleaning a tank inside a washing machine at the time of the explosion. The blast seemed to originate from the machine," the worker was quoted as telling police. According to the police, workers used chisel-like metallic scalers to remove waste residue accumulated on the washing machine, which, apparently, may have included explosive waste. Investigators have secured 17 items from the scene, including tools believed to have been used to clean the machine, and requested a forensic analysis by the National Forensic Service, they said. Still, the police said th
Korean Cultural Center to stage K-culture festival at Vienna's Danube Island Festival
The Korean Cultural Center in Austria said it will present a three-day Korean culture festival at the Danube Island Festival, one of Europe's largest free open-air music festivals, from Friday through Sunday. This year's edition of Inspire Me Korea, now in its fifth year, is built around a stage called "Next K-Pop," produced with CJ Cultural Foundation, featuring Korean indie, hip-hop and electronic acts alongside mainstream K-pop. The center said the lineup reflects a broader range of Korean popular music beyond idol groups. Organizers are also planning four booths offering Korean food, beauty products and tourism information, run with the local Korean community association, the Korea Tourism Organization, LG and other Korean businesses operating in Austria. The center pointed to Korean beauty brands now sold at Austrian drugstore chains dm and Bipa, and Korean instant noodles available at major supermarkets, as signs that interest in Korean culture has spread beyond entertainment fans into everyday consumer habits. Austrian food magazine Falstaff featured Korean cuisine on its cover i
Ukraine FM reveals Russia wants swap between N. Korean POWs, Ukrainians
As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed Russia's proposal of exchanging thousands of Ukrainian civilians in Moscow's custody for the North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) held in Ukraine, Seoul is being pushed to offer increased support to ensure that the POWs will be transferred to South Korea. On Monday, Sybiha met with officials from a South Korean think tank, revealing that Kyiv has been asked to trade captured North Korean POWs for Ukrainian citizens held in Russia. He visited Seoul from Monday to Tuesday and engaged in bilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Tuesday. “When Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had a meeting with Yoon Young-kwan, chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies on Monday, Sybiha said Ukraine was told by Russia to do a prisoners of war (POWs) swap by exchanging two North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine for thousands of Ukrainian citizens currently held by Russia,” a source familiar with the matter told The Korea Times, Thursday. “But the Ukrainian foreign minister reaffirmed that the Ukrainian governm
BYD Korea looks to offset subsidy exclusion with PHEV sales
BYD Korea is expected to pivot its strategic focus toward plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to offset its exclusion from the government’s electric vehicle (EV) subsidy program. The Chinese EV maker recently rose to the fourth spot in the nation’s imported car sales, behind Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but the momentum has hit an unexpected snag, as its all-electric models became ineligible for subsidies starting Wednesday. However, the carmaker is widely forecast to counter the disadvantage by aggressively expanding its PHEV lineup, anchored by its strategically priced Sealion 6 PHEV. According to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, BYD Korea failed to win the subsidy for its passenger car business here due to its weak profile in supply chain contribution, a category given greater weight under the government's revised evaluation criteria. Having entered Korea's passenger vehicle market only in January last year, the company scored poorly in that category. Under the government’s updated EV subsidy rule, the climate ministry scores automakers across five categori
'Only 2½ hours of sleep': BTS' V asks fans to stop visiting tour hotels
BTS member V asked fans to stop visiting the hotels where the group is staying during its "ARIRANG" world tour, saying the crowding compromises his privacy and disrupts his performances. V made the request Wednesday on Weverse, an online fan platform, thanking fans for welcoming him but urging them to avoid private lodgings. He said having the freedom to walk around, dine at local restaurants and enjoy the tour is precious to him. The singer also shared a screenshot of his sleep tracker showing he rested for only two hours and 27 minutes — including 21 minutes of REM sleep and 37 minutes of deep sleep — to highlight his exhaustion. The plea comes as his agency, BigHit Music, ramps up legal action against privacy invasion. The agency recently said a suspect stood trial on charges of trespassing and stalking after being held in custody for three months. The court sentenced the defendant to a one-year suspended prison term with two years of probation, according to the BTS' agency. The agency said loitering outside artists' residences and leaving gifts without consent were criminal acts
Lee orders thorough readiness against heavy rains
President Lee Jae Myung instructed the government Thursday to prepare thorough measures to prevent possible damage from heavy rains. Lee gave the order during a meeting with his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae ahead of the start of the annual monsoon season this month. "Rainy season in July is unusual and could lead to extreme heavy rains like a monster," he said. "Thorough readiness is needed. What is really important on top of the efforts of the central government is the role of the local governments on the front line." Lee especially called for preemptive checks on landslide-prone areas, semi-basement houses, construction sites and other vulnerable facilities at a time when many local administrations have undergone leadership changes following the June 3 local elections.
KOSPI sinks below 8,000 on fears over slowing AI chip demand
Seoul shares plunged Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI falling below the 8,000 mark for the first time in about 15 trading sessions, as chip heavyweights tumbled on growing concerns over weakening demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors. According to the Korea Exchange, KOSPI closed at 7,648.09, down 7.89 percent from the previous session. The index opened at 7,933.10, marking the first time in about 15 trading sessions that it had fallen below 8,000 during intraday trading. At around 9:07 a.m., KOSPI futures also fell by more than 5 percent, briefly triggering a sell-side sidecar. Foreign investors drove the decline, net selling 5.46 trillion won ($3.5 billion) worth of shares on the main bourse, marking a 10th consecutive day of net selling. Institutional investors also sold a net 114.6 billion won, while retail investors purchased a net 5.39 trillion won. The sharp decline came after reports said Meta may enter the cloud computing business by using its surplus computing capacity. The news raised concerns that AI demand may be weaker than expected and that the AI inves
OECD urges stronger fiscal discipline amid aging population pressures
Korea’s economy is maintaining its growth momentum despite conflict in the Middle East, supported by a recovery in consumption and strong semiconductor exports, the OECD said Thursday. But it also warned that the country’s medium- to long-term growth trajectory is likely to weaken due to persistently low fertility rates and a rapidly aging population. In its latest OECD Economic Surveys: Korea 2026 report, the Paris-based organization said fiscal policy should continue to support recovery in domestic demand in the short term, while stressing the need for stronger medium-term fiscal consolidation to address risks. The organization projected Korea’s economy to grow 2.6 percent this year, while consumer inflation is also expected to average 2.6 percent. For 2027, the OECD forecast economic growth to slow to 1.9 percent, with inflation easing to 2.2 percent. In its March report, the OECD cut its growth outlook for Korea this year to 1.7 percent from 2.1 percent, citing concerns over the conflict in the Middle East and rising energy costs. It then sharply revised its assessment in June,
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POSCO resets portfolio, expands into energy, lithium
POSCO Group on Thursday said that it will expand its core businesses into lithium production and renewable energy as it seeks to reposition itself as a leading supplier of Korea's key industrial resources. Chairman Chang In-hwa hosted “CEO Investor Day," where he shared the group's new “triple core” business portfolio. It frames steel as an industrial resource; lithium, anode, cathode and rare earth minerals as strategic resources; and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy as energy resources. The most anticipated venture among POSCO investors was lithium. The group said it will introduce a production capacity of 173,000 tons per year by 2033 and become one of the world’s top five producers of the mineral. The group expects its lithium-based operating profit will reach 1.8 trillion won ($1.2 billion) by 2035. POSCO produces brine lithium from Argentina, where its regional subsidiary, POSCO Argentina, turned profitable in March. The company has also acquired the Argentine government’s approval for a large investment incentive scheme. The group said it will make an ea
Tech leaders showcase technology at Quantum Korea 2026
Leading technology companies and institutions showcased their latest quantum technology developments at Quantum Korea 2026, which opened on Thursday, as the government seeks to position Korea as a global leader in quantum technology through various policy initiatives. Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT since 2023, Quantum Korea will run through Saturday. This year’s edition focuses on how quantum technologies are being implemented and used in actual settings. A total of 56 companies and research organizations from 12 countries, including SK Telecom and KT, participated in the event, displaying quantum computer models and showcasing technologies that use quantum-based encryption and other security solutions. The telecom companies focused on quantum security solutions, as advances in quantum computing are expected to increase the risk of existing encryption systems being compromised. The key concept in their exhibitions was quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. QKD sends encryption keys using the quantum states of photons. Because observing a photon changes its quantum state,
Marine Corps conducts regular live-fire drills on western border islands
The Marine Corps said Thursday it staged regular live-fire drills on islands near the tensely guarded inter-Korean maritime border in the Yellow Sea. The exercise, involving K9 propelled howitzers and Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems, took place on the islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong near the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border. The drills, which are defensive in nature, are part of routine exercises held in waters south of the NLL, the Marine Corps said in a release. During the drills, troops reportedly fired some 330 rounds into surrounding waters, according to officials. It marked the second such drills this year, after the first session in February. The live-fire drills were suspended in 2018 under an inter-Korean pact aimed at reducing military tensions. South Korea resumed the drills in 2024 with the suspension of the pact under the previous conservative Yoon Suk Yeol government. Despite speculation that the drills could again be suspended under the liberal Lee Jae Myung government in line with its plan to gradually restore the inter-Korean military pa
What China’s HBM catch-up should teach Korea
Two headlines in June should shape Korea’s artificial intelligence (AI) debate. The first was a victory lap. SK hynix overtook Samsung Electronics by common-share market capitalization for a day, powered by high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI systems. Samsung has a fair caveat: If preferred shares are included, it remains larger. But the market signal was clear. AI has turned memory from a cyclical commodity into critical infrastructure. The second headline was less comfortable. Korean and industry reports suggest China’s ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) is moving faster in HBM than many in Seoul expected. Korea still leads. But the margin is narrowing, and that should change how Seoul thinks about its AI goals. Start with what the CXMT story actually shows. HBM3 is no longer the frontier. Nvidia’s Rubin platform uses HBM4, and Korean firms are already pushing into HBM4 and HBM4E. SK hynix has shipped samples of 12-layer HBM4E chips to major customers, while Samsung has showcased HBM4 and HBM4E products for Nvidia’s next-generation platforms. CXMT is trying to close
OECD warns of rising shock exposure from Korea's dependence on chip exports
Korea's growing dependence on semiconductor exports may make the country more vulnerable to external shocks and cyclical volatility, despite serving as a major "growth driver," the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Thursday. The Paris-based organization made the assessment in a report titled "OECD Economic Surveys: Korea 2026," which came around a month after it raised Korea's economic growth outlook for this year to 2.6 percent from 1.7 percent three months earlier, citing the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. "Semiconductor exports have been an important growth driver, with the growth contribution of exports and investments accelerating in early 2026," the report said. Government data released the previous day showed Korea's monthly exports hit a fresh high by surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time in June, amid a record-breaking chip performance. Exports of semiconductors nearly tripled to reach $44.82 billion, with monthly exports surpassing $40 billion for the first time on the back of surging demand for memory chips. The OECD, however, s
Aespa to drop first Japanese EP on July 24
K-pop girl group aespa will release its first Japanese EP, "Kiss N Tell," on July 24, the group's agency SM Entertainment said Thursday. The six-track album will include the title track of the same name, along with five other original Japanese songs. Ahead of the release, the quartet is set to hold a three-day meet-and-greet session for its Japanese fans from July 18 to 20 at Tokyo's Keio Arena. Aespa's second full-length album, "Lemonade," released on May 29, has sold more than 1 million copies.
Finance minister chairs 1st meeting on US investment project review
Korea's finance minister on Thursday hosted the inaugural meeting of a steering committee tasked with reviewing the viability of potential projects in the United States under Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol hosted the steering committee meeting with the Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corp. (KUIC), which will be responsible for decision-making and fund management, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Korea has been making preparations to implement its investment pledge made last year under trade negotiations with Washington, with the National Assembly passing the Special Act on Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Management in March. Potential investment projects are subject to review by the project management committee led by the industry minister and KUIC's steering committee, and will require additional approval from the National Assembly before consultations with Washington. During the meeting, Koo suggested three main keywords for Korea's investment projects in the U.S., namely "together, opening and productive." "We will aim to impleme
Record medical tourism spotlights Korea's push for sustainability
The K-Medical Tourism Roundtable 2026 convened Thursday, bringing together government officials and industry leaders to discuss shifting Korea's medical tourism strategy toward a more sustainable and competitive ecosystem. Co-hosted by the Korea Medical Tourism Promotion Association (KMTPA) and the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea, the forum topics ranged from Seoul's medical strengths to the structural challenges threatening the industry's long-term growth. “Korea's medical credibility and competitiveness are now recognized worldwide,” Kim Dae-hyun, second vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said in his congratulatory remarks, citing a record 2.01 million foreign patient arrivals last year. Kim added that the country's medical tourism industry is growing beyond treatment into a high value-added sector combining beauty, wellness and tourism, giving foreign tourists more diverse reasons to visit. Kim Jin-kuk, president of the KMTPA, said in a keynote speech that Korea's medical tourism sector remains strong but has yet to reach its full potential. “The tour
Korea's leveraged chip ETFs struggle to bring investors home
Korean retail investors continue to pour money into leveraged products listed overseas, suggesting that the launch of domestic single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix has done little to curb broader demand for high-risk overseas products, industry officials said Thursday. Leveraged products accounted for 21 of the 50 U.S.-listed securities most heavily bought on a net basis by Korean investors between June 2 and July 1, up from seven the previous month, according to SEIBro, a portal run by the Korea Securities Depository. Net purchases surged to $1.65 billion from $490 million in the May 2-June 1 period. Korean investors were net sellers of Hong Kong-listed single- stock leveraged products from May 27 to July 1, but buying activity remained sizable. During the period, they purchased $151.5 million worth of the SK hynix product and $79.3 million worth of the Samsung Electronics product, the two largest purchase amounts among Hong Kong-listed securities bought by Korean investors. Unlike in the domestic market, investors trading leverag
KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori face mounting headwinds despite solid profits
Korea’s four major financial holding companies are on track to deliver another record-breaking performance in the first half of the year, driven by robust interest income and a booming domestic stock market, industry officials said Thursday. However, the outlook for the remainder of the year is expected to be less upbeat as a persistently weak Korean won, the prospect of interest rate hikes by the Bank of Korea and tighter regulatory pressure weigh on profitability. The combined net profit of KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori financial groups is projected to reach an all-time high of 11.05 trillion won ($7.1 billion), up 5.7 percent from 10.46 trillion won a year earlier, according to market tracker FnGuide. All four groups are expected to post higher net income compared with a year earlier, with KB Financial Group projected to lead with about 3.68 trillion won. Strong first-half earnings were largely driven by steady net interest income amid higher market interest rates, as well as rising noninterest income supported by gains from securities subsidiaries. However, whether this momentum can b
Doosan Bears sign temporary replacement pitcher to full contract, acquire new infielder
The Doosan Bears announced Thursday they have signed a temporary injury fill-in Wes Benjamin to a full contract and acquired a new infielder Yunior Severino. Benjamin agreed to a $450,000 deal that will keep him in the Bears' rotation for the remainder of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season. Benjamin first joined the Bears in early April on a six-week contract as a replacement for injured starter Chris Flexen. Benjamin then earned another six-week deal in late May, as Flexen remained out with shoulder problems. The Bears then cut ties with Flexen on Monday, two days before Benjamin's second six-week contract was set to expire. Then on the last day of his deal, Benjamin struck out a season-high 10 batters while giving up one unearned run in six innings against the Lotte Giants. Benjamin has pitched to a 2.66 ERA since making his season debut on April 21, the third-best mark in the KBO during that period. For the season, the American left-hander owns the second-best ERA on the Bears, who lead the KBO with a 3.97 ERA. Benjamin previously pitched for another KBO club, the KT Wiz, fro
$445 taxi ride from Seoul to Incheon? Taiwanese tourist challenges excessive fare
Allegations that a taxi driver overcharged a Taiwanese tourist nearly tenfold for a ride to Incheon International Airport sparked online debate. The tourist posted a photo of the receipt on Threads, warning others about their experience when leaving the country on Tuesday. "Do not take a taxi unless you are prepared to pay 690,800 won ($445) for taxi fare," the tourist wrote. Earlier that morning, the tourist traveled from eastern Seoul to the airport using the ride-hailing app Uber. The estimated fare was 70,800 won, which the tourist planned to pay through the app. However, upon arriving at the airport terminal area, the driver allegedly chased the tourist and demanded an immediate separate card payment. The tourist said the driver insisted on processing the card immediately and refused to let the tourist leave until the payment was processed. Facing an approaching flight, the tourist complied with the demand and later discovered the 690,800 won charge. "With this amount of money, isn't it at the level of going from South Korea to North Korea?" the tourist said, adding they had just arri
[PHOTO] AKTC at Yeongwol mayor's inauguration
Yeongwol County Mayor Kim Gil-soo, second from right, poses with Almonty Korea Tungsten Corp. (AKTC) Operations Superintendent Byun Seung-min, left, and AKTC CEO Office Manager Beatriz Rendo, second from left, during Kim's inauguration ceremony at the Yeongwol Culture and Arts Center in Gangwon Province, Wednesday. AKTC operates the Sangdong mine in Yeongwol where it produces tungsten and molybdenum ores, which are key minerals in the defense, semiconductor, aerospace, steel, medical and other manufacturing industries. AKTC has recruited 45 percent of its employees from Yeongwol and other parts of the province and plans to expand its workforce from 107 to 140 by the end of this year. Courtesy of AKTC
Russian missiles and drones kill 11, cause damage across Ukraine capital
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's capital overnight into Thursday that killed at least eight people and injured dozens as loud explosions shook Kyiv for hours. The attack with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones damaged buildings and civilian infrastructure across the city. Many residents took shelter at metro stations after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other authorities issued the first warnings of the attack. The attack killed 11 people in Kyiv and damaged 20 residential buildings, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said 54 people were injured, including two children. Damage was recorded in 30 locations across the city, mainly residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, he added. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defenses following what he described as a “night of horror” in Kyiv, urging partners not to delay decisions on supplying air defense systems and missiles. Writing on X, Sybiha sa
Yongsan revamps website to better serve int'l visitors, foreign residents
Yongsan District has overhauled its multilingual website, rolling out redesigned online services in seven languages as the district seeks to make administrative information easier to access for the growing number of foreign residents and international visitors. The revamped website, unveiled Wednesday, supports English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, German and Vietnamese. The redesign focuses on improving readability, navigation and user convenience while preserving the district's existing multilingual services. The website consolidates essential information on administrative services, civil affairs, daily life, tourism and accommodations in one place. Frequently searched information is displayed on the front page to help users find key services more quickly. Visitors can also access information on major attractions in Yongsan, including Itaewon, Hannam-dong, the National Museum of Korea and the War Memorial of Korea, along with shopping and lodging options. For foreign residents, the website provides guidance on administrative procedures, public services and basic information needed
Museum of antiquity in Seoul opens portal to modern Europe
The ancient kingdom of Baekje once thrived as a vibrant crossroads of East Asian cultural exchange, connecting the traditions of the Korean Peninsula, China and Japan. Today, a municipal museum dedicated to preserving that legacy is expanding its historical mandate, transforming itself into a modern gateway for global diversity — one child at a time. The Hanseong Baekje Museum announced Thursday a collaborative educational initiative with European cultural institutions designed to introduce young Koreans to foreign cultures through hands-on creative play. The program underscores a growing movement among Seoul’s public institutions to foster global citizenship and creative thinking in early childhood education. The initiative’s centerpiece, a workshop titled "COSTRUIAMO" (Let’s Build!), will debut July 10 in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul. The program aims to translate Italy’s towering architectural history and design philosophy into an interactive playground. Children will experiment with spatial concepts, building their own miniature structures to n
Gov't to consider easing regulations to deploy drones in wildfire battles
The government will consider easing regulations on drones to allow the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for efforts to put out large wildfires, officials said Thursday. The envisioned measure was one of three "regulatory sandbox" projects that the Office for Government Policy Coordination has additionally selected in the first half of the year to look into the feasibility of easing or waiving those regulations. Under the current regulations, it is difficult to deploy drones to put out wildfires because drones weighing more than 150 kilograms are classified as aircraft that must obtain permission before flight and are also banned from nighttime flights. Should the use of drones prove effective, nighttime flights and post-operation flight permissions will be allowed. "If the aerial firefighting method using fleets of large drones is expanded, it is expected to help secure the golden time and stop the spread of large-scale wildfires," the office said.
Lee proposes golf meeting with opposition lawmakers: PPP officials
President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a golf meeting with senior lawmakers from the People Power Party (PPP) as part of an effort to improve communication with the opposition, PPP officials said Thursday. They said a senior presidential official called three-term PPP lawmaker Shin Sung-bum in mid-June and invited him to join the president for a round of golf. The official said the meeting was intended to give Lee an opportunity to hear candid views and criticism from opposition lawmakers. The presidential office did not confirm the report. Shin, nevertheless, said, "I received a call from a senior Cheong Wa Dae official inviting me to play golf with the president." "The official said the purpose was for the president to meet opposition lawmakers and listen to their criticism," the lawmaker added. Shin said he declined the invitation because he does not play golf, but welcomed the idea. He added that he told the presidential official it would be worthwhile for the president to meet opposition lawmakers and hear their views on pending issues, including concerns over the government's handling
KAIST workshop to showcase AI agents for HBM design automation
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) will showcase on Friday artificial intelligence (AI) agents capable of automating high-bandwidth memory (HBM) design, offering a glimpse into the future of semiconductor research. KAIST's HBM Design and Research Automation Workshop Using the OpenClaw AI Agent will run from 8 a.m. to noon and highlight practical applications of the laboratory's in-house OpenClaw AI Agent platform. Graduate student researchers from the laboratory, led by KAIST electrical engineering professor Kim Joung-ho, will demonstrate practical applications for these AI agents. Their presentations will focus on automating chip design and simulation, optimizing document management and streamlining semiconductor research workflows. The first session, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., will introduce the OpenClaw AI Agent platform and its use with the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Presentations will cover AI agents for package design and analysis using KiCad MCP, semiconductor power delivery network simulation, eye diagram dataset construction and equalizer optimization
When political hatred enters the classroom
Schools should be places where young people learn to think critically, engage respectfully with differing opinions and develop the habits of democratic citizenship. They should never become arenas where political hostility and ideological contempt are normalized. Yet a recent survey of Korean teachers suggests that precisely such a transformation is taking place — and that the consequences extend far beyond the classroom. According to a survey conducted by the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union, nearly nine in 10 teachers believe that politically charged hate speech in schools has become a serious problem. Additionally, four out of five reported frequently witnessing students using such language, while more than 70 percent said the phenomenon had intensified following the political turmoil that erupted in December 2024. The expressions cited range from insults directed at current and former presidents to xenophobic rhetoric, misogynistic slurs, historical distortions and disparaging remarks targeting minorities. Although the survey reflects teachers' perceptions rather than a
Warmer seas bring endangered whale shark to Jeju coast
A fishing boat reported sighting a whale shark in the waters near Jeju Island, Wednesday. A video uploaded to fishing vessel Seungryong's social media account shows the distinct white spots and the broad head shape of a whale shark, estimated to be around 3 meters in length. While whale sharks are typically found in tropical waters, they have been sighted in waters near Korea in recent years, a trend attributed to warmer ocean temperatures as a result of climate change. Korean waters have traditionally been a crossroads for cold and warm ocean currents, but a 2020 study found that the sea surface temperature of Korean waters has been increasing nearly 2.5 times higher than the global average. As a result of climate change, the Kuroshio Current — the main source of heat from equatorial waters to Korea — has shifted northwards by roughly 1.7 degrees of latitude and continues to advance. Meanwhile, the North Korea Cold Current continues to weaken due to warming temperatures in subarctic regions. Consequently, sightings of subtropical oceanic species such as chub mackerel and bluefin tuna
Consumer preference for flagship devices gives advantage for LG Display
The growing consumer preference for flagship devices is giving LG Display a relative edge, as its focus on OLED displays across smartphones and other consumer electronics has left the company well positioned to benefit from the trend. According to industry officials, Thursday, the display industry is facing mounting cost pressure as surging memory prices are forcing device makers to keep their bill of materials (BOM) costs under control by demanding price concessions from other component suppliers. Market tracker TrendForce said in a recent report that memory prices for smartphones surged by up to 200 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, raising memory’s share of total smartphone BOM costs to 30 to 40 percent from the previous 10 to 15 percent. While rising memory costs have driven up the prices of a wide range of consumer electronics and are set to put pressure on smartphones as well, demand for premium products has remained relatively resilient. According to Omdia, Samsung Electronics and Apple ranked first and second, respectively, in global smartphone shipments in the first q
Disability rights activists halt commuter buses, drawing mixed public reactions
Disability rights advocates resumed a regular “bus-boarding” protest in Seoul on Wednesday for the first time in 22 years, calling on the Seoul Metropolitan Government to improve access to public buses for people with disabilities. Members of Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, along with other human rights activists, gathered at a bus stop in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno District, central Seoul, at 8 a.m. The protesters, many of whom use wheelchairs, boarded arriving buses in groups of two or three. They used wheelchair ramps or lifts to board low-floor buses. On buses with steps, some left their wheelchairs and pulled themselves up the stairs using their arms and legs. At one point, the protesters moved onto the road and blocked traffic after police attempted to divert approaching buses away from the stop where the demonstration was taking place. The protesters criticized the Seoul city government for failing to fulfill its pledge to replace all city buses with low-floor models by 2025. They said people with disabilities remained unable to move freely around the city despite the e
Sungkyunkwan University’s project group opens Alberta office to validate oil sands technologies
Sungkyunkwan University’s unconventional oil technology development project group opened a local office in Calgary, Alberta, on Tuesday to expand international cooperation in oil sands production technologies. The opening marks a significant milestone, establishing a foothold in Canada to commercialize Korea-developed oil sands plant technologies and bring them to the global market, the university said Wednesday. The group has been implementing the “Unconventional Oil Technology for Production Plants with Innovative Construction and Enhanced Engineering Research” project since 2022 to develop technologies for oil sands extraction. The project is a national research and development (R&D) initiative led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and supported by the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA). Through the Canadian demonstration program, the group plans to open the way for the commercialization and global expansion of Korean plant equipment and technologies based on operational data and expertise gained from field operation. The university
Korea's referee drought exposed again at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Korea's showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup disappointed for more reasons than just the national team's exit in the round of 32. Equally troubling was the country's failure to produce a World Cup referee for a 24th consecutive year. Not since referee Kim Young-joo officiated at the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan has a Korean center referee been appointed to the tournament. Even among assistant referees, there hasn't been any representation since Jeong Hae-sang's appearance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. While the national team qualified for 11 straight World Cups, Korean referees repeatedly fell short of reaching football's biggest stage. Beginning in the 2010s, the Korea Football Association (KFA) appeared to invest in developing elite officials by designating promising referees as "special referees," a program intended to nurture future World Cup candidates. More than a decade later, however, the results have been disappointing. At this year's tournament, only one former participant in the program reached the preliminary candidate list, ultimately failing to ma
AMCHAM launches AI Leadership Council to bolster Korea-US AI cooperation
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) on Thursday launched an AI Leadership Council aimed at strengthening public-private cooperation and supporting Korea's ambition to become a global artificial intelligence powerhouse. The announcement came during the AMCHAM AI Forum 2026 in Seoul under the theme "Powering Korea's AI Future: Partnership, Policy and Scale." More than 150 government officials, business executives and technology experts from Korea and the United States attended the event to discuss AI policy, investment and industrial competitiveness. The newly established council brings together senior executives from major global companies, including Apple, Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Cohere, Corning, J.P. Morgan, Lam Research, OpenAI, PTC, Qualcomm and Tesla. Chaired by AMCHAM Chairman and CEO James Kim, the council will provide industry perspectives on AI policy, regulation, data governance and ecosystem development while promoting closer collaboration between the government and private sector. "Korea has a unique opportunity to help shape the next era of global innovati
SK bioscience, Gates Foundation to launch AI-driven vaccine platform
SK bioscience said Thursday it will lead an artificial intelligence (AI) project funded by the Gates Foundation aimed at speeding up decision-making in vaccine development. The Research Optimization & Trial Outcome Recommender (ROTOR) project will build an AI platform that analyzes clinical and scientific data generated during vaccine development to help researchers decide how to advance a candidate vaccine. Global health nonprofit PATH and consulting firm Slalom will also take part, the company said. In drug development, companies typically decide whether to move into large, costly Phase 3 trials based on Phase 2 results. That decision is harder for many vaccines, including rotavirus vaccines, because scientists often lack a reliable biological marker — a correlate of protection — that predicts whether a vaccine will work, or because lab tests produce inconsistent results. SK bioscience said the AI platform is meant to make that process more scientific and reduce costly guesswork. The platform will initially be built and tested using rotavirus vaccine data from SK bioscience and PAT
US and China compete for Nepali youth with skill programs: It's about who leads the next generation
The United States and China are competing to attract Nepali youth with skill programs following the deadly 2025 Gen Z protests in Nepal. Both nations have almost simultaneously opened applications for youth leadership and skill development programs in Nepal. This is classic long-game geopolitics and a smart move for influence with the future leaders in the Himalayan nation. Last year's Gen Z protests in Nepal, set off by a short- lived ban on social media and discontent at corruption and economic inequality, led to the resignation of the KP Sharma Oli-led government and the dissolution of parliament. The two-day Gen Z protests in Septemberresulted in 76 deaths and many injuries. Nepal's youth protests have changed the conversation and changed the rules of power. That protest was not just youthful rebellion, but a call for democratic renewal and reinvention. The programs were rolled out just a couple of months after Nepal’s rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, was sworn in as prime minister after his party scored a landslide victory in the election. The Chi
HD Hyundai Electric lands $720 mil. power deal with global Big Tech firm
HD Hyundai Electric has secured a power infrastructure supply agreement worth up to 1.12 trillion won ($720 million) with a global Big Tech company, strengthening its foothold in the fast-growing North American data center market as artificial intelligence (AI) fuels surging demand for electricity infrastructure. Under the long-term framework agreement, HD Hyundai Electric will supply distribution equipment worth 553.9 billion won and high-voltage equipment worth 567.3 billion won to data centers under construction across North America through 2028. Individual purchase orders will be issued in phases according to the customer's construction schedule. The deal is significant because it goes beyond supplying individual products, covering an integrated package of power infrastructure equipment required to operate large-scale data centers. The company will provide both distribution equipment, which safely distributes electricity throughout a facility, and high-voltage equipment, which regulates voltage and ensures efficient transmission and distribution of electricity. Supplying both produc
Olive Young to launch inaugural K-beauty festival in LA
CJ Olive Young, Korea's largest health and beauty retailer, said Thursday it will debut its signature Olive Young Festa in Los Angeles this August, marking the company’s first large-scale experiential beauty festival in the United States. The festival will run from Aug. 14–16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, anchoring itself to KCON LA 2026 to capitalize on the massive influx of international K-pop and pop culture enthusiasts. The move marks an aggressive acceleration of Olive Young's global retail strategy. It follows the debut of the company's first physical U.S. location in May, as well as a highly successful market test through a sister festival in Japan that same month. Held under the theme "The K-Beauty Playground Festival," the roughly 4,700-square-meter, or about 50,000-square-foot, space will feature 55 Korean beauty and lifestyle brands. At its center will be a mock Olive Young store showcasing best-selling products, surrounded by four zones styled after Seoul shopping districts popular with tourists —Hongdae, Myeongdong, Seongsu and Gangnam — with Korean-language
Parliamentary committee conducts 1st on-site inspection at blockaded vote counting site
Members of a special parliamentary committee investigating ballot shortages that marred the June 3 local elections on Thursday entered a vote counting venue that has long been barricaded by angry protesters to prevent the removal of ballot boxes stored inside. The on-site inspection came 27 days after protesters demanding a rerun of the elections began blockading the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul on June 5, two days after ballot shortages temporarily suspended voting at polling stations across the nation. Police cleared protesters from the entrance to the stadium, which served as a ballot counting site on election day, to allow committee members access to the stadium. A man in his 60s was arrested on charges of obstructing official duties after allegedly pushing police officers while trying to prevent them from clearing the entrance. Led by the committee chief, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the main opposition People Power Party, lawmakers inspected a basement storage area where around 380 ballot boxes, some 2.47 million ballots and voting logs were stored. The committee said
Travelers take a shine to Korean beauty, wellness tourism
A viral video of a Japanese calligraphy teacher's reunion with her famous student offered an interesting glimpse at one of Korea's fastest-growing tourism trends. In a YouTube video uploaded on June 28 by rising K-pop girl group RESCENE, Japanese member Minami visited her hometown in Chiba and reunited with her former calligraphy teacher. During their conversation, the teacher revealed that she had flown back to Japan that day, after undergoing a cosmetic procedure near Sinnonhyeon Station in southern Seoul, drawing laughter from the group. Although the conversation was lighthearted, it showed one of the reasons why many foreign tourists choose to visit Korea. For years, K-beauty was largely synonymous with cosmetics. Tourists would fill their suitcases with sheet masks, skin care products and makeup before heading home. Today, however, an increasing number of visitors are booking appointments at dermatology clinics, receiving scalp treatments, consulting personal color experts, visiting pharmacies and participating in wellness programs that promise healthier lifestyles as well as improv
Bill Plute is director of intelligence
Bill Plute is director of intelligence
Lee vows to turn Chungcheong region into center of AI-led innovation
President Lee Jae Myung vowed Thursday to turn the central Chungcheong provinces into the global center of artificial intelligence (AI)-led innovation as he promoted the government's plan to support large-scale facility investment in the region. Lee made the pledge during a public briefing held in Asan, about 80 kilometers south of Seoul, as a follow-up to the government's announcement of a tripolar mega project centered on attracting massive investment in semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers. "Chungcheong possesses infinite growth potential," he said. "If it is combined with businesses' strategic investment and the government's firm will, Chungcheong will stand upright as the center of global innovation beyond the center of the Republic of Korea's advanced industry, that leads the AI era." Ahead of Lee's remarks, companies including Samsung Group and SK hynix unveiled plans to invest 392 trillion won ($252.5 billion) to construct a high bandwidth memory fab, a packaging facility and other sites in Chungcheong. "The four major advanced industries of semiconductors, displays, s
Genesis BBQ debuts in India's chicken dining scene
Global fried chicken restaurant franchise company Genesis BBQ has debuted in India, opening two locations in the southern city of Bengaluru. The company said Thursday its HSR Layout and Koramangala branches opened on June 26 through its partnership with a local company under a master franchise deal. Genesis BBQ said it will expand its Indian market to other cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai and Vellore. Bengaluru, according to Genesis BBQ, is one of India’s hubs for IT and startups, along with young consumers. HSR Layout is in a premium commercial district and in the vicinity of IT business districts, including Electronic City, Sarjapur Road and Outer Ring Road. The company said the area also has a large population of those in their 20s to 40s with high incomes. Koramangala is nestled in the largest dining and commercial hub in Bengaluru, according to the Korean firm. A variety of global dining brands and trendy restaurants are concentrated in the area, which made it an ideal location for Genesis BBQ to promote itself to local consumers. Both stores will operate as quick-service rest
FRIDAY, July 3, 2026
324-Battle of Adrianople: Roman Emperor Constantine I defeats Licinius, his co-emperor, who flees to Byzantium 1863-Battle of Gettysburg, the largest battle ever fought on the American continent, ends in a major victory for the Union during the U.S. Civil War 1884-Dow Jones publishes its first stock index, the Dow Jones Transportation Average 1996-U.K. House of Commons announces that the Stone of Scone, aka the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish and subsequently English and British monarchs, will be returned to Scotland after 700 years in Westminster Abbey 1998-Svoboda, oldest Ukrainian-language newspaper in U.S., founded in 1893 in Jersey City, New Jersey, contracts from daily to weekly publication 2004-Official opening of Bangkok's subway system
BIFAN set to open for 11-day run with record 321 films
The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Korea's largest genre film fest, will kick off its 11-day run Thursday with a record 321 films, organizers said. BIFAN, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, will take place in venues across Bucheon, west of Seoul, through July 12, according to the organizers. Under the slogan "New era, new skin," this year's event will showcase features and shorts from 50 countries, including 93 films that will make their world premiere. Opening the film fest will be prominent Hong Kong filmmaker Yuen Woo-ping's "Blades of the Guardian," an action film starring martial arts icon Jet Li. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the film fest will launch a new section called "Asian Genre Films 99," a three-year project to map the landscape of Asian genre cinema. A special section will be dedicated to French sci-fi films to mark both the film fest's 30th anniversary and the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and France this year. Reflecting the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the film fest wi
Korea trims bureaucracy to woo elite global tech experts
In an increasingly competitive global scramble for advanced technology, Korea is rolling out the red carpet for elite foreign engineers and researchers. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced Thursday the expansion of its “K-Tech Pass” program, introducing a more flexible screening framework designed to aggressively boost the recruitment of global talent by domestic firms. The overhaul shifts away from a rigid visa system that corporate leaders complained was disconnected from the realities of hiring in cutting-edge fields. Previously, foreign applicants could only secure the fast-tracked "Top-tier" residency visa if they met strict quantitative milestones. These included holding a postgraduate degree from one of the world’s top 100 engineering schools, an employment history at Fortune 500 companies or a salary at least three times Korea’s gross national income per capita. Under the new "qualitative track" launched Thursday, applicants will be evaluated on a broader 100-point rubric. While quantitative metrics still account for 65 points, 35 points are now alloc
Hyosung wins $200 mil. power equipment deal in Australia
Hyosung Heavy Industries has secured a power equipment supply contract worth 310 billion won ($200 million) with Australia's AusNet, strengthening its position as a key supplier in one of the world's fastest growing energy transition markets. The company said Thursday that it signed a five-year agreement with AusNet, the sole transmission network operator in the state of Victoria, to exclusively supply Hyosung’s ultra-high-voltage transformers, reactors and other critical power equipment for the region's transmission grid. The deal marks another major win for Hyosung in Australia, following the 142.5 billion won energy storage system project it secured in Queensland in March. With projects spanning Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, the company has further solidified its standing as a top-tier supplier across the country. Under the agreement, Hyosung will provide ultra-high-voltage power equipment to support Australia's expanding transmission infrastructure, as the country accelerates its transition toward renewable energy. The company currently holds the largest
MAGA meet the Mamdani clones
The takeover of the Democratic Party by extremist socialists is gaining new momentum as candidates in several big cities are celebrating victories – mirroring how MAGA has seized control of the Republican Party. The old parties are slowly fading away as more and more anti-establishment outsiders are winning races and replacing more moderate elected officials across the country. The new battle line in America is MAGA vs. Socialists, not Republicans against Democrats. The pendulum is swinging away from the parties in power, and combined with President Donald Trump’s fading popularity, driving voters toward socialist candidates. The question becomes are voters ready for socialist government? Will they embrace it in the midterm elections? Is the Democratic Party giving way to socialism? Will Democrats nominate a socialist in 2028? In Washington, D.C., a so-called Democratic Socialist – the new euphemism for socialist – is set to take over the mayor’s seat just blocks away from the White House, where Trump has warned the feds could take over from a “crazy socialist.” Janeese Lewis
Korea's drug exports top $10 bil. for 1st time as production hits record high
Korea’s pharmaceutical industry achieved a major commercial milestone in 2025, driven by an unprecedented surge in overseas demand for biopharmaceuticals and a record-shattering performance by domestic manufacturers. According to data released Thursday by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the nation's drug exports climbed 12.4 percent year-over-year to reach 15.5 trillion won ($10.44 billion), breaching the psychologically important $10 billion threshold for the first time. Combined with a 5.9 percent increase in imports to $8.93 billion, the surge propelled Korea to a record-high pharmaceutical trade surplus of $1.51 billion. The export boom coincided with unprecedented activity at home. Total domestic pharmaceutical production rallied to 33.85 trillion won, marking the highest volume recorded since the government began compiling the industry's data in 1998. Overall, the domestic pharmaceutical market expanded slightly by 0.03 percent to a total value of 31.71 trillion won. At the heart of this growth is Korea’s highly competitive biopharmaceutical sector, which has transformed
Talks on having Korean tour players at LPGA tournament fall through
Negotiations on having Korean tour players compete at an LPGA tournament on their home soil have fallen through, officials said Thursday. The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) said in a statement that the upcoming BMW Ladies Championship, the lone U.S. LPGA event held in Korea each fall, will not be co-sanctioned with the Korean circuit, after the LPGA declined to accept the Korean proposal of having at least 30 homegrown players in the field of 78 players. The BMW Ladies Championship is scheduled to take place from Oct. 22 to 25 at Pine Beach Golf Links in Haenam, some 330 kilometers south of Seoul in South Jeolla Province. The KLPGA said it had met with its LPGA counterpart on 16 occasions over the past eight months and insisted that there would have to be a minimum 30 KLPGA players teeing off in order for the tournament to be co-sanctioned with the domestic tour. However, the LPGA countered that it could only accept up to 10 KLPGA players and the two sides were not able to come to a compromise. The KLPGA said it was willing to make concessions on other aspects of the t
Classiq, QAI sign partnership to launch Korea's 1st quantum cloud service
Classiq Technologies, an Israeli quantum software firm, and Korean data center operator QAI have signed a multiyear agreement to launch the country’s first locally operated "Quantum-as-a-Service" platform. The cloud-based model will allow Korean businesses to rent quantum computing power instead of building expensive, proprietary hardware. The deal pairs Classiq's software platform, which converts high-level program designs into code that can run on different types of quantum computers, with QAI's domestic data center infrastructure. The companies said the combination will let Korean companies, government agencies and researchers test and run quantum computing applications without deep technical hardware expertise. QAI will operate the service under its own brand and handle sales and customer support in Korea, while Classiq will provide technical backing, the companies said. They also plan to address data sovereignty and security requirements sought by Korean public institutions, and to pursue joint marketing and engineer training programs. "Quantum computing will not flourish through h
TWICE brings fans one last summer celebration before world tour finale
K-pop girl group TWICE is giving fans one more reason to celebrate before the curtain falls on its biggest world tour yet, opening a special pop-up store Wednesday to mark the Seoul finale of its sixth world tour, "THIS IS FOR." The pop-up store runs from through July 12 at Plat1399 Studio in Seoul's Gangdong District and celebrates the final stop of the group's world tour, which spans 81 concerts across 44 cities. Designed around TWICE's official characters, TWICE LOVELYS, the venue embraces a bright summer theme with yacht-inspired displays, marine-themed decorations and seasonal props that create a playful atmosphere. Visual elements tied to the Seoul finale are featured throughout the space, allowing visitors to relive moments from the tour while exploring merchandise and interactive exhibits. The first floor is dedicated to official merchandise, while the second floor offers exhibition and hands-on experience zones inspired by the tour. Fans can participate in several interactive events, including the "TALK THAT TALK: LYRIC QUIZ," where those who correctly answer at least seven of ni
TikTok-era ‘fast-food terrorism’ is replacing ideological struggle
Terrorism is evolving, sometimes almost beyond recognition. The pace of radicalization is accelerating. Attacks have become increasingly basic, unsophisticated and cheap. For some, terrorism seems to be like a craving, a source of dopamine to satisfy carnal impulses. Quick preparation, convenience and mass production: Welcome to the age of fast-food terrorism. A growing proportion of terrorist perpetrators are very young, with minors now representing up to a third of the counterterrorism workload in several European countries. Terrorism historically has been a youth problem, appealing particularly to “military age males” between 18 and 35. But today’s profiles are getting much younger, with arrests of individuals as young as 12 becoming almost daily occurrences. These young perpetrators are mostly radicalizing online, where they spend a good part of their lives and are regularly bombarded with extreme content, mostly on social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Like fast-food marketing, terrorist propaganda online seeks to engage young brains in desperate need
Pediatricians — No child should live in fear of gun violence
“I felt like a rock.” Those were the words of nine-year-old Odai Shanah in a news interview that gained viral attention on social media. Odai was a witness to the horrific shooting that took place at the largest mosque in San Diego last month. In the video, we can all see a young boy recounting his experience with stunning composure, recalling seeing and hearing what his innocent mind can only process as “bad stuff.” While he speaks with the same calmness of how we imagine he might also share the day’s lessons or playground antics, he speaks of hearing gunshots and how his legs were shaking. Hearing Odai talk about this traumatic experience in the mosque where he attended school broke our hearts. As we observe National Gun Violence Awareness Month, our message is clear: No child should ever have to experience that fear – all children should be safe from violence in all the places where they live, play, learn, and pray. However, the sad reality is that exposure to gun violence is routine for children across our country. For several years now the statistics have painted a grim p
Samsung, SK hynix to build HBM packaging fabs in Chungcheong region as part of $252.5 bil. in total investment
An industrywide 392 trillion-won ($252.5 bil.) investment will be injected into the central Chungcheong area, including high bandwidth memory (HBM) fabs and packaging facilities by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, as part of the government's drive to spread artificial intelligence (AI)-led growth, the industry ministry said Thursday. It is a follow-up plan to the government's tripolar mega projects, unveiled by President Lee Jae Myung earlier this week, aimed at advancing technologies across the country and turning Korea into an industrial powerhouse in the emerging AI era. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, Samsung Group pledged to invest a total of 140 trillion won in Chungcheong Province to build an HBM fab and packaging facility by Samsung Electronics, as well as an organic light-emitting diode and next-generation display production line by Samsung Display. Samsung Electro-Mechanics will construct high-performance package substrate facilities for AI servers and Samsung SDI will build an advanced battery manufacturing factory. Samsung Group expects the invest
Korean won slides further against U.S. dollar on foreign selloff of local stocks
The Korean won weakened further against the U.S. dollar Thursday, due to the steady selling of local stocks by foreign investors. The won was quoted at 1,555.8 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 0.9 won from the previous session, with the exchange rate remaining at the 1,550-level for the second consecutive day. The won opened at 1,552.3 won per dollar, up 2.6 won from the previous session, after remarks by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh that inflation expectations had moderated. On Wednesday, the won hit its weakest level since March 5, 2009, slumping to 1,554.9 won to the dollar at the close of onshore trading. Foreign investors sold a net 4.3 trillion won ($2.7 billion) worth of local stocks on Thursday, remaining net sellers of local stocks for the 10th consecutive trading session. Earlier in the day, Vice Finance Minister Huh Chang said the government is ready to take measures to stabilize the foreign exchange market if necessary. Huh said the exchange rate is "misaligned" given the nation's economic fundamentals.
BOK expects inflation to ease in July on lower crude oil prices
Inflation is expected to ease in July from the previous month, supported by the government's efforts to stabilize consumer prices and lower crude oil prices following eased tensions in the Middle East, the central bank said Thursday. "Consumer prices in June expanded further from May as petroleum product prices remained elevated and the increase in agricultural product prices accelerated," Deputy Gov. Lee Ji-ho said during a meeting to review inflation trends. "Inflation is projected to remain elevated for the time being as downward pressure from lower crude oil prices will be offset by demand-side pressure stemming from economic growth," he said. Earlier in the day, government data showed that Korea's consumer prices rose 3.2 percent in June from a year earlier, marking the steepest growth since December 2023, when the figure was at the same level. In May, consumer prices rose 3.1 percent. Fuel prices surged 24.7 percent last month, contributing 0.93 percentage point of the overall increase in consumer prices. It was the sharpest growth since 35.2 percent posted in July 2022. Prices of a
PM says gov't should put top priority on reining in inflation
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Thursday the government should focus on reining in inflation, after data showed that the country's consumer prices rose at the fastest pace in 30 months last month due to the lingering impact of the Middle East conflict. Despite easing tensions in the Middle East, the government should not let its guard down as the economy is still facing challenges, such as high oil prices and a weakened Korean won, Han said while presiding over an emergency economic response meeting on her second day in office. "More than anything else, we should make it our highest priority to concentrate on managing prices," Han said. "We should put in maximum efforts to stabilize prices, such as monitoring the prices of items closely related to people's livelihoods in real time and swiftly carrying out supply measures in a bold manner." Han said the government should also prepare measures in advance for economic cooperation with the Middle East, including restoring machinery and auto exports to the region and contributing to post-war recovery efforts. Earlier in the day, data from
N. Korea highlights feats during Korean War ahead of anniv. of armistice signing
North Korea on Thursday highlighted its military achievements during the 1950-53 Korean War in a move seen as aimed at bolstering the regime's unity ahead of the 73rd anniversary of the armistice signing. In an article carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea claimed the victory in a naval battle in waters off Jumunjin in July 1950 was a "miracle" as it successfully defeating U.S. warships in the East Sea with four torpedo boats. "At that time, world people said that it is a miracle, not a battle to sink a heavy cruiser with torpedo boats and it is the greatest miracle that cannot be seen in the world history of naval battles," the KCNA said, highlighting North Korea's state founder Kim Il-sung's role in the operation. The Korean War, which started with an invasion by the North, ended with the Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. North Korea celebrates the armistice signing date as "Victory Day" in what it calls the Great Fatherland Liberation War. There is speculation that North Korea may hold a military parade to commemorate Victory Day this year, given the large
Hanwha Ocean picked as preferred bidder for $5.1 bil. Navy destroyer project
Hanwha Ocean Co. said Thursday it has been selected as the preferred bidder for Korea's next-generation Navy destroyer project worth 7.8 trillion won ($5.1 billion). In a regulatory filing, Hanwha Ocean said the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) notified the company of the selection on Wednesday. Hanwha Ocean beat rival HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. to lead the Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) program, which aims to build six next-generation destroyers using domestically developed technologies. The envisioned 6,000-ton-class Aegis destroyers are expected to become one of the Navy's core strategic assets, offering capabilities comparable to those of the 7,100-ton King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, currently the service's most powerful warships. Thursday's announcement caps a grueling two-year delay for the KDDX project that had been locked in a fierce legal dispute between the two rivals. The dispute erupted after several HD Hyundai employees were convicted between 2022 and 2023 for stealing Hanwha's initial KDDX conceptual designs. The breach pr
Digital frontline of East Asia security regime
Northeast Asia is entering a period of profound strategic transformation. The region is no longer defined solely by military balances, territorial disputes or nuclear deterrence. Instead, it is increasingly shaped by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), cyber capabilities, hybrid warfare, technological competition, energy security and shifting major-power alignments. The result is an emerging security architecture that is more complex, interconnected and unpredictable than at any point since the end of the Cold War. Recent diplomatic developments illustrate the speed of this transformation. U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed engagement with China's President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategic coordination with Beijing, and Xi’s outreach to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un underscore how major-power politics continues to shape Northeast Asia. Yet the region’s future is not being determined only through summits and military posturing. Increasingly, the decisive battleground lies in cyberspace, technological innovation, AI governance, semicondu
Xi-Kim summit rebalancing chessboard?
The lavish welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping received on his recent visit to North Korea stylistically underscored a deep and comradely relationship between the two communist regimes. Xi’s trip to Pyongyang, his first visit in seven years to the secluded socialist state, was nonetheless more about reviving and rebalancing ties with the dictator Kim Jong-un than about political substance. Xi as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, lavished praise on North Korea, a neighboring state sharing many of China’s cultural traditions. State media reported that both are “socialist countries led by communist parties with traditional friendship, rooted in their shared ideals and beliefs as well as their common goals, and backed by a profound historical foundation, a solid political basis, and strong emotional bonds.” During the 1950-53 Korean War for example, newly founded People’s Republic of China sent hundreds of thousands of “volunteers” to aid North Korea’s attack on South Korea. The Chinese communist forces sustained huge losses in helping their North Korean co
KOSPI drops 5% below 8,000 on US tech losses
Korea's bourse operator on Thursday activated a sell-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index tumbled on heavy selling in semiconductor shares. Program trading for the KOSPI-listed shares was suspended for five minutes shortly after the market opened, according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). After opening 4.46 percent lower, the KOSPI fell 446.8 points, or 5.34 percent, to 7,856.61 as of 9:08 a.m. The benchmark index came under pressure as investors dumped semiconductor stocks, tracking an overnight selloff in U.S. technology shares. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index falls 5 percent or more for at least one minute.
Hope fades, hunger sets in a week after Venezuela quakes
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — Hope of finding more survivors faded Wednesday as Venezuela marked a week since twin earthquakes killed almost 2,300 people, while many who lived through the disaster were running desperately short on food. As the death toll mounted, Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning, saying the country's "soul is torn apart by the human losses." Tens of thousands of people remain unaccounted for. The majority of collapsed buildings in the hardest-hit city of La Guaira, just north of Caracas, have been marked with the letter 'D' for 'deceased' — a sign they had been searched with no signs of life found. "Time isn't wasted in a place where there is no expectation of recovering people alive," said Javier Rodes, the coordinator of a Spanish rescue team whose sniffer dog Nala searched in vain through the rubble for traces of life. There have been miracle survivors, such as a three-year-old boy found alive Tuesday, six days after Venezuela's most powerful quake in over a century. But experts say trapped victims are unlikely to survive more t
Padres' Song Sung-mun hits 1st MLB home run in loss
Song Sung-mun has hit his first home run in Major League Baseball. Song hit a solo shot off Chicago Cubs starter Colin Rea to lead off the top of the fifth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wednesday (local time). Song drilled a middle-middle fastball from Rea and sent it 385 feet into the stands in right field. The line drive shot left Song's bat at 107.7 miles per hour, with a launch angle of 20 degrees. Song had hit a double in his first trip to the plate in the third inning. The former Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) All-Star flied out in the sixth and grounded out in the eighth. The Korean is batting .233 in 33 games in his first major league campaign, and has a home run, nine RBIs and six steals. Song's home run cut the Padres' deficit to 9-1 and they went on to lose by 23-3. San Diego starter Walker Buehler served up three home runs and reliever Kyle Hart, a former starting pitcher in the KBO, also surrendered three dingers. Catcher Rodolfo Duran, who pitched the final two innings of the blowout, gave up two more long balls, as the Padres suffered their fifth consecutive loss.
6 carmakers to recall over 146,000 vehicles due to faulty parts
Hyundai Motor Co., BYD Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea and three other automakers will voluntarily recall more than 146,000 vehicles in Korea to fix defective components, the transport ministry said Thursday. The six companies, which also include Volvo Car Korea, Jaguar Land Rover Korea and Stellantis Korea, will recall a combined 146,505 vehicles across 38 models, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Hyundai Motor will recall 54,792 units across two models, including the Tucson, after software errors in the instrument cluster control system were found to cause the display to flicker or shut off. Chinese automaker BYD will bring in 18,091 units across six models, including the SEALION 7, because the seat belt reminder warning may be obscured by other notifications. Mercedes-Benz Korea is summoning 2,113 units of the C 300 4MATIC over durability issues in the steering wheel electronics control circuit. Volvo Korea is calling for 55,405 units across seven models to undergo preventative maintenance, including the XC60, because of a durability issue involving a componen
Hyundai Motor’s Namyang R&D Center drives software-defined vehicle transformation
HWASEONG, Gyeonggi Province — Inside a dimly lit studio at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center, a researcher sits in a carbon-fiber cockpit surrounded by a massive 270-degree curved screen. As he hits the accelerator, the simulated road rushes past, and the entire rig tilts and vibrates, mimicking subtle asphalt textures of a real test track. Building countless physical prototypes for every design iteration is no longer viable. Instead, Hyundai Motor relies on a high-performance driving simulator operating on a six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) motion system. The simulator translates linear and rotational movements — including roll and pitch — into an ultra-realistic driving experience. To achieve maximum fidelity, the carmaker scanned its Namyang proving grounds down to the millimeter, capturing specific slopes, speed bumps and surface roughness. To prevent massive rendering files from lagging, the company deployed a world-first "Terrain Server" system that streams topographical data in real time based on the virtual car’s location. The simulator is highly versatile. Researcher
Consumer prices rise to highest in 30 months in June on Middle East war impact
Korea's consumer prices rose more than 3 percent from a year earlier for two straight months in June, reflecting the lingering impact of the Middle East war on supply chains and oil prices, data showed Thursday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, increased 3.2 percent last month from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It marked the sharpest increase since December 2023, when the figure was at the same level. Prices of industrial products rose 4.4 percent, driven largely by higher fuel prices. The data ministry said fuel prices shot up 24.7 percent, contributing 0.93 percentage point of the overall increase in consumer prices. It was the sharpest growth since 35.2 percent posted in July 2022. In detail, gasoline prices rose 23.1 percent and diesel prices jumped 33.7 percent. Korea relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs. Prices of agricultural and fishery products rose 3.2 percent, led by increases in the prices of domestic beef and rice, which climbed 7.5 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively. The price of green onions, a staple
208 kg of heavy water leaked from Wolsong-4 reactor; no radiation issue reported
A leakage of heavy water from a nuclear reactor in the southeastern region of the country occurred earlier in the week, with no issue related to radiation having been detected, nuclear safety officials said Thursday. The leak incident at the Wolsong-4 reactor in the city of Gyeongju was reported by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) at around 2:26 p.m. on Wednesday to the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission. Nuclear safety officials said it plans to dispatch a group of experts for on-site inspection. No irregularities in external radiation levels have been detected. As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, the amount of heavy water leaked was estimated at 208 kilograms, but the water has not escaped outside the facility, the commission said. The Wolsong-4 reactor has been shut down for a regular inspection since July. The KHNP said it immediately closed related pumps after detecting the leak.
US House committee issues report accusing Korea of 'discriminatory attacks' on Coupang
WASHINGTON — A U.S. House committee on Wednesday released a report accusing Korea of "discriminatory attacks" on e-commerce giant Coupang Inc. and other American companies, claiming the Asian country's treatment of them violates last year's bilateral trade deal. The House Judiciary Committee issued the 35-page interim staff report, titled "Closed for Competition: Korea's Discriminatory Attacks on American-owned Businesses," as Coupang has faced public criticism and investigations for a massive data leak in Korea. The report particularly zeroes in on Korean authorities' probes into the data breach case of Coupang, which it says has been a "consistent target" of the Seoul government, at a time when Seoul wants to ensure that the case does not get in the way of the two countries' cooperation on security, trade and other fronts. "Korea has a long history of engaging in economic discrimination against foreign companies," it says. "These practices include coercive investigation tactics, overly burdensome regulatory requirements, and massive fines and penalties intended to punish American com
US, Iran talks conclude in Doha, focused on Strait of Hormuz
DOHA/DUBAI/VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia — Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday with no sign they had made headway toward a lasting peace, focusing instead on issues that they said had been resolved when an interim agreement was announced two weeks ago. Sources familiar with the discussions said negotiators for the two countries spent two days in Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing Iran's funds, two critical issues under the initial agreement. The next meeting will take place after funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried on July 9, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said. The Doha discussions produced "positive progress" on issues related to the memorandum that halted the war in June and were "building on the outcomes" of a summit in Switzerland, the ministry spokesperson said in a post on X. In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said the two sides were making progress on possible limits to Iran's nuclear program — the main reason he launched the war along with
Airbility bets on high-speed drones as Iran war reshapes counter-drone market
The recent U.S.-Israeli war against Iran underscored an increasingly costly reality of modern warfare: Shooting down a low-cost drone can require an interceptor missile worth more than 100 times as much. As inexpensive drones become more common on the battlefield, militaries are searching for more cost-effective ways to defend against them. That shift is creating new opportunities for companies developing next-generation counter-drone technologies. One of them is Airbility, a Korean startup developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered counter-drone system built around a reusable high-speed unmanned aircraft system. Its CEO believes the company's platform could offer a more economical alternative to conventional air defense systems by deploying interceptor drones from the air, rather than relying solely on costly ground-based missile systems. "In modern conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and the recent U.S.-Iran conflict, we've repeatedly seen militaries fire interceptor missiles costing more than 100 times as much as the low-cost drones they are trying to shoot down," Airbility
Korean high school where 1 in 4 graduates heads straight to Samsung Electronics
Even at vocational high schools, principals who don't have to worry about their graduates finding jobs are a rare breed these days. Seo Un-suk, principal of Chungbuk Semiconductor High School, is one of them. “We have 96 students in each grade, and more than 100 semiconductor companies have signed agreements to hire our graduates,” Seo said. “There is no need to worry about finding jobs.” Seo beamed as he led a tour of the school. Unprecedented global demand for semiconductors, he said, has brought the school growing attention from companies both in Korea and overseas. “We do not have enough students to send even one graduate to each company,” he said. Located in North Chungcheong Province, the school began as a conventional vocational high school. In 2008, it adopted its current name, and two years later, it was designated Korea’s first Meister high school specializing in semiconductors. Since then, it has established itself as a leading training ground for the industry’s future workforce, building expertise in semiconductor technology that school officials say is unrival
Berklee music professor breaks silence on suicide loss
In the spring of 2006, Ray Seol was a 31-year-old jazz student in New York, at a time when Asian musicians were still a rarity in the jazz scene. Four years earlier, he had stunned his family in Korea by announcing that he was traveling halfway across the world to pursue a career in music, all because of a chance encounter with guitarist Wes Montgomery’s spellbinding rendition of “Polka Dots and Moonbeams.” “I experience music through images,” Seol recalled. “When I heard this piece, I couldn’t tell where it began or where it ended. It felt completely unbound, like this dazzling image with no sense of logic.” Then, during finals week, an unexpected international phone call came. His mother had taken her own life. “I’m 51 now,” he said quietly, “the same age my mother was when she died.” Seol, now a jazz bassist and professor at Berklee College of Music, spent the next decade carrying a grief that never seemed to loosen its grip. In many ways, it felt like part of him remained imprisoned by the day she died. But like many bereaved ones, his family retreated into sil
Vietnamese actor Kaity Nguyen looks to Korean cinema as model for global success
“The appeal of Vietnamese cinema lies in its diversity,” Kaity Nguyen, a 27-year-old Vietnamese actor and producer said of the local film industry as the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival opened in the coastal city of Da Nang, Vietnam. “From the north to central Vietnam and the south, each region has a different culture, and there is history accumulated over many years. There are so many stories to tell audiences around the world,” she told the Hankook Ilbo in an interview on Sunday. “Not only historical events but also stories about the lives of Vietnamese people today are being made more and more.” Nguyen is the festival’s youngest juror and has also moved into production. She has built a career marked by critical recognition and box-office success in Vietnam. She rose to stardom with her 2017 debut film, “Em Chua 18,” winning best actress at the Viet Film Festival. She later appeared in Blood Moon Party” in 2020, “The Last Wife” in 2023 and “Hijacked” in 2025, films that won over critics and audiences. Looking back to the year she made her debut, Nguyen s
Over 90% of women TDs, senators experience abuse online
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Over 96% of women TDs and senators have experienced threats of violence online, according to new research.
Over 90% of women TDs, Senators experience abuse online
Over 96% of women TDs and Senators have experienced threats of violence online, according to new research.
Gary Glitter charged with historic sexual offences
The former singer, whose real name is Paul Gadd, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 5 August.
Gardaí conclude fresh Wicklow searches for Dullard, Jacob
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Gardaí have confirmed that fresh searches in the investigations into the disappearances and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have concluded.
Why are Man City breaking the bank for Anderson?
Elliot Anderson will become the most expensive British player, but why are Manchester City prepared to pay a record fee to sign the midfielder?
Lopes family US-bound as 'composed' Pico to take on Messi
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As the countdown continues to the Cape Verde match against Argentina tomorrow night, the family of Roberto 'Pico' Lopes from Dublin are returning to the United States after Aer Lingus arranged to fly the family back for the game.
Rescuers inch closer to quake survivor after eight days - and he's cheering them on
Emergency workers have been trying to free Hernán Gil, who has been given an intravenous drip, for more than 100 hours.
Bryan Adams takes aim at Trump with protest song 51st State
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Canadian rock star Bryan Adams dropped a protest song on Canada Day. And while the powerful rock anthem never mentions Donald Trump by name — it’s abundantly clear who the message is for.
Jockey Frankie Dettori breaks ribs in car crash
The racing jockey is in hospital recovering from the crash.
Inside Lampedusa's "hotspot"
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Imad Dalil, Director of Lampedusa's "hotspot", describes the work of the Italian Red Cross on the island, which has seen over 180,000 migrants pass through after crossing by boat along the Central Mediterranean route.
McDonagh to return to NTMA after wind down of NAMA
The head of the National Asset Management Agency has said that he will return to the National Treasury Management Agency after NAMA has dissolved.
RCMP raid alleged migrant smuggling stash house in Montreal, arrest 2
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The RCMP say officers are searching a residence in the Montréal-Nord borough in an investigation into a suspected human smuggling ring.
Alberta pitches new West Coast oil pipeline to B.C.'s South Coast
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Furbank to face Boks in first start in nearly two years
George Furbank will make his first England appearance in nearly two years in Saturday's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Fed up with apartment problems, these tenants made a zine
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Led by artist Sonali Menezes, the tenant association of a Hamilton apartment complex created Welcome to Lamoreaux Gardens. The publication includes images of pest infestations, leaking pipes and overflowing garbage.
Pope's July prayer intention: 'for respect for human life'
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Pope Leo XIV releases his prayer intention for the month of July, and invites Catholics to pray 'for respect for human life,' so all may 'recognize and protect the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being.'
UNHCR: Pope Leo’s Lampedusa visit a call for shared responsibility
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Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lampedusa, UNHCR Communication Officer Filippo Ungaro says the Pope’s presence offers a powerful reminder that migration must be approached with solidarity, shared responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the dignity and protection of every human person.
"The American Revolution Was Hardly an Anti-Colonial Movement": UCLA Historian Robin D. G. Kelley
Ahead of the July Fourth holiday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we speak with the acclaimed scholar Robin D. G. Kelley, who examines how Black radicals have interpreted the document throughout U.S. history in a new essay for Hammer & Hope. Although the declaration famously asserts that “all men are created equal,” Kelley says that clearly did not extend to Indigenous or enslaved Black people. “When the drafters developed this declaration, they assumed that human beings were basically white men,” he says. But despite the “hypocrisy” of the declaration, many Black radicals still found value in its words, including a “justification for rebellion,” says Kelley.
'We want to win World Cup for him' - Portugal carry Jota's memory
One year after his death, Portugal are using Diogo Jota's memory to help inspire them at the 2026 World Cup.
Government rules out extending pub hours for England v Mexico game
The 1am kick-off time for England's World Cup match on Sunday falls outside changes to licensing laws.
Exam board sorry for delay to Sats results in England
One school leaders' union says it now wants "cast-iron assurances" the final results will be accurate.
"Rule of Law vs. Rule of Billionaires": Supreme Court Says Trump Can Fire Regulators, Except at Fed
In a 6-3 ruling this week that overturned nine decades of precedent, the Supreme Court granted President Donald Trump the power to fire and replace officials at independent government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission. But in a separate 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can stay in her job as she challenges Trump’s efforts to fire her.
The seemingly contradictory rulings suggest a two-tier system of regulation, says Alvaro Bedoya, a former FTC commissioner who was fired by Trump last year. The independence and stability of the Federal Reserve is important to “billionaire Wall Street Bankers,” and therefore remains protected, says Bedoya. “But then you have this whole series of other agencies that keep your toys safe, that keep health insurers from robbing people blind, that keep supermarkets from merging to make milk, eggs and beef … even more expensive. The court said that all those regulators can report directly to the president and be entirely beholden to his whims.”
Watch: BBC at site of deadly Russian attack on Kyiv flats
Sarah Rainsford reports from the completely destroyed nine-storey block of flats in Ukraine's capital.
Ireland to 'develop approach' with EU over Aughinish
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Taoiseach Mícheál Martin has said Ireland will "develop an approach" with the European Commission on how to respond to the shipments of alumina from the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick to Russia.
Car finance compensation payments delayed until next year
Millions could be entitled to compensation as a result of commission arrangements between lenders and dealers.
Labour failed to prepare for power, admits PM's former top aide
In his first-ever interview, Morgan McSweeney tells the BBC the party did not deliver quickly enough in office.
Profiting from the Presidency: Trump and Family Rake In Billions from Crypto, Real Estate & More
New financial disclosures by President Donald Trump show that he made more than $1.4 billion from his family’s various cryptocurrency ventures last year, reaping a windfall after pulling back on regulation of the industry and promoting the United States as “the crypto capital of the world.” Other Trump businesses, like his resorts and golf courses, have also flourished since his return to the White House, while the Trump Organization has also licensed the family name to properties in countries that are crucial to U.S. foreign policy interests, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“It’s been an incredibly successful period for the Trump family,” says Reuters investigative reporter Tom Bergin.
16.3m tune in to watch England beat DR Congo
England's dramatic win over DR Congo in the World Cup last 16 attracts an audience of 16.3m on the BBC.
Russian strikes kill 17 in largest ever attack on Kyiv, mayor says
In Moscow, the Kremlin vowed to further ramp up the "pressure" on Kyiv after the strike.
The U.S. turns 250: Celebrate with the saints and a nationwide novena
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A National Shrine in Wisconsin is inviting people from the United States to celebrate the nation’s birthday through a novena for unity and renewal and an exhibit showcasing the lives of 76 holy men and women from the U.S. from July 1-9.
Shabir Ahmed, known as 'Daddy' by his victims, was jailed for a total of 22 years in August 2012.
Venezuela's earthquake-hit hospitals pushed to the brink as disease risk grows
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A week after earthquakes tore through northern Venezuela, hospitals in La Guaira are buckling under the weight of the disaster – and the risk of disease outbreaks in shelters is rising fast.
Ukraine: Rescuers work to save trapped residents after wave of Russian attacks
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Aid agencies in Ukraine on Thursday rushed to respond to a massive uptick in deadly strikes by Russia, including one of the largest attacks on Kyiv to date.
Taking the world’s temperature: WHO chief spotlights global health emergencies
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The hantavirus global outbreak is officially over, Ebola outbreaks are growing in Africa and responders are helping recovery efforts in quake-hit Venezuela, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Thursday, announcing updates on global health emergencies.
Racism significantly impacts access to sport: Independent expert
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From high participation costs and restrictions on Palestinian athletes – to bans on Muslim women wearing hijabs – racism continues to shape who gets to participate in sport, a new UN report published on Thursday has found.
Security Council LIVE: Emergency meeting on Iranian attack in Bahrain
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The 15-member Security Council is meeting in emergency session on Thursday morning to address the escalating tensions in the Gulf region following Iran attacks in recent days on Bahrain and Kuwait while Tehran and Washington continue to trade strikes over the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint. Stay tuned for live updates.
Headlines for July 2, 2026
Trump Defends Financial Report Showing His Personal Income Soared to $2.2 Billion in 2025, Sons of Donald Trump and Howard Lutnick Profit from U.S.-Backed Kazakhstan Mining Deal, Rights Groups Demand End to Venezuela Sanctions as Earthquake Death Toll Passes 2,000, Texas Lawmaker Condemns ICE for Attempting to Deport Families to Venezuela After Massive Quakes, Sudan’s Currency Plummets as Paramilitaries Besiege City of El Obeid, Russian Drones and Missiles Rain Down on Kyiv, Killing at Least 20, Palestinians Mark 1,000 Days Since Israel Began Full-Scale Assault on Gaza, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Declares Israel’s Assault on Gaza a Genocide, Urges Arms Embargo, World’s Oceans Experienced Record Heat Wave in June, U.S. Faces Record Heat Over 4th of July Holiday, as Spain Says June Heat Wave Killed 1,000+, ICE Arrests 10,000 Immigrants in Under a Week as White House Demands Speedier Deportations, Seven More Receive Harsh Sentences for “Terrorism” After Attending Protest at Texas ICE Jail, Speaker Mike Johnson Says Trump Won’t Veto Housing Bill He Called “A Big Yawn”, House Votes to Disclose Lawmakers Behind Taxpayer-Funded Sexual Misconduct Payouts, Actor and Activist Danny Glover Reveals Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
What is known about Riad Bouchaker?
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Our Legal Affairs Correspondent Órla O'Donnell looks at what we know about the Parnell Square attacker and explains why there are so few images of the convicted man.
Forced adoptions 'a stain on our history' says Starmer as he gives formal apology
The practice saw thousands of babies taken from their mothers between 1949 and 1976.
Japan deploys bear cameras in mountains as attacks surge
Bears have killed at least five people since April 1, all in the northern region of Tohoku.
Summer bonuses at major Japan firms top ¥1 million for first time
The weighted average amount of summer bonuses rose 1.88% from a year before to ¥1,008,706, thanks to robust corporate earnings and base salary hikes.
Quebec's biggest landfill gets emergency approval to pile garbage higher
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The Quebec government has authorized the temporary expansion of the province's largest landfill north of Montreal. The Terrebonne site is expected to reach its maximum capacity in less than a year.
Finance Minister Katayama says G7 will discuss AI defense standards
Japan's Financial Services Agency is considering using advanced AI models to conduct cyberattack response drills at financial institutions.
Home Secretary admits failures led to Southport attack
Shabana Mahmood says the government accepts the "fundamental failures" identified by an inquiry.
Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face a 'forceful response'
Iran’s joint military command warned Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response,” again ratcheting up tensions over a waterway crucial for international energy supplies. The strait, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, has emerged as one of the top issues in negotiations to reach a permanent end to the Iran war. The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command, reported by Iranian state television, comes af
Special counsel indicts ex-JCS chief over martial law involvement
A special counsel team investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration indicted a former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday over his alleged involvement. Special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team indicted Kim Myung-soo for allegedly playing a key role in the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, when Kim served as the nation's highest-ranking military officer. He was indicted without detention. Investigators allege Kim took no action as martial law troops moved
Support floods in for influencer Nara Smith after daughter's cancer diagnosis
In an emotional video, Nara Smith reveals toddler Whimsy Lou was diagnosed with cancer late last year.
Review highlights need for nursing home regulatory reform
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An independent review assessing the regulatory processes of HIQA's inspection of nursing homes has highlighted the need for regulatory reform in a number of key areas.
How do you handle World Cup drama? Take our quiz to find out
Super fan or nervous wreck? Find your World Cup style with this test
Labor side lowers proposed hourly minimum wage for next year to 11,700
The labor side revised down its proposed hourly minimum wage for next year to 11,700 won ($7.56) during ongoing wage-setting negotiations Thursday, still higher than the business side's proposal. The revised minimum wage proposal was presented by the labor side at a plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission, down from its initial proposal of 12,000 won. The latest proposal marks the labor side's fourth revision from its initial offer. During the meeting, the business side proposed 10,410 wo
Opposition parties CRA, CDP and Komeito discuss merger
The three parties agreed that they should establish a new political structure ahead of the fall session of parliament.
Domestic economy posts healthy growth of 4.7% in 2025
The domestic economy grew by a healthy 4.7% last year, latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show.
Mickelson disputes new misconduct allegations
Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson denies allegations of misconduct and rejects claims he was forced to leave several California golf clubs.
England were 15 minutes from humiliation - the issues Tuchel must solve
Before England's World Cup last-16 tie against Mexico, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty looks at the issues that remain for Thomas Tuchel.
Cardinal Tagle: A martyr helps a confused world discover Jesus’ truth
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Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, presides over the beatification Mass of Fr. Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp, a Vietnamese priest who dedicated his life to his flock and was killed in the aftermath of the Second World War.
OECD warns of rising shock exposure from S. Korea's dependence on chip exports
South Korea's growing dependence on semiconductor exports may make the country more vulnerable to external shocks and cyclical volatility, despite serving as a major "growth driver," the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Thursday. The Paris-based organization made the assessment in a report titled "OECD Economic Surveys: Korea 2026," which came around a month after it raised South Korea's economic growth outlook for this year to 2.6 percent from 1.7 percent three months
World Kiswahili Language Day 2026 – a language for peacebuilding
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The International Day of the Swahili Language, announced by the UNESCO General Conference in 2021, recognises the importance of Swahili as one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and as a powerful tool for intercultural dialogue. It is in this context that UNESCO has organised, on 6 and 7 July, at its Paris headquarters, the fifth commemoration of World Kiswahili Language Day and the Second International Conference on Kiswahili.
Four arrested over attempted theft before Haneda Airport cash ambush
The Metropolitan Police Department suspects that the four mistook the victim, a man in his 20s, for their intended target.
Doosan Bears sign temporary replacement pitcher to full contract, acquire new infielder
The Doosan Bears announced Thursday they have signed a temporary injury fill-in Wes Benjamin to a full contract and acquired a new infielder Yunior Severino. Benjamin agreed to a US$450,000 deal that will keep him in the Bears' rotation for the remainder of the Korea Baseball Organization season. Benjamin first joined the Bears in early April on a six-week contract as a replacement for injured starter Chris Flexen. Benjamin then earned another six-week deal in late May, as Flexen remained out wi
Disability rights activists resume subway protest in Seoul after 6-month hiatus
A disability rights advocacy group resumed its subway boarding protest in Seoul on Thursday, following a six-month hiatus. Sixty activists from the Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, many of them in wheelchairs, boarded a train at City Hall Station, occupying six train cars, with 10 activists in each car. The protest took place after the morning rush hour, causing less disruption than expected as there was enough room on board for both the wheelchairs and commuters. "We are here to ta
Vice chair of unification council raises need to call N. Korea by its official name
The vice chair of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council on Thursday raised the need for South and North Korea to call each other by their official names in a bid to help bring peace to the Korean Peninsula. Kang Chang-il, vice chair of the PUAC, a presidential advisory body on unification, made the call, after senior leaders of South Korea's seven major religious orders urged the two Koreas to mutually use their official names. South Korea currently refers to the North as "North Korea" rathe
EU border delays 'not bearable' over summer, warns airport boss
Holidaymakers face long waits under the EU's new Entry-Exit System, the head of Berlin's airport says.
The pain of a rupture
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Our Editorial Director reflects on the schismatic act carried out by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X and the ‘latae sententiae’ excommunications that followed.
Google must pay €4.1bn fine for using Android to 'block' rivals
A Google spokesperson said the judgement "fails to recognise" the firm's "significant investment to ensure Android remains open."
Jury in Noah Donohoe inquest continues deliberations
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A coroner's court is sitting late while the jury in the inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe is continuing its deliberations.
Members of rebel Catholic group in schism and excommunicated, Vatican says
The Vatican said on Thursday that priests and lay Catholics who are part of a breakaway right-wing Catholic group that ordained bishops without Pope Leo's approval are in schism with the wider church and now excommunicated.
Kilometers apart but a world away: the Starbucks with a view of North Korea
Perched on a hilltop beneath the Aegibong Peace Ecopark observatory, the shop has drawn tens of thousands from South Korea and beyond since opening in November 2024.
Murphy urges ban on 'cruel practice' of coursing
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy has said he wants the law to change on hare coursing due to it being a "cruel practice".
Search ongoing for 7-year-old boy who went missing at Hamilton conservation area
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Hamilton police say a seven-year-old boy was found dead after a day-long search at the Binbrook Conservation Area. Before he was found, he had last been seen on the beach near a floating inflatable playground.
Carbery's Leinster return is confirmed
Leinster have confirmed the return of Ireland international Joey Carbery ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Sejong City secures landmark W8tr investment from Samsung
SEJONG -- Sejong Special Self-Governing City has achieved its largest-ever single investment deal since its establishment, securing 8 trillion won ($5.2 billion) from Samsung Electro-Mechanics to build a cutting-edge semiconductor package substrate production line, city officials said Thursday. The agreement was signed at Samsung Display’s second campus in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, with new Sejong Mayor Cho Sang-ho, regional governors and executives from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Celltrion
Gueye quits Senegal until coaching staff replaced
Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye says he will be "taking a break" from playing for his country while the current management is in charge.
Eight Thai monks killed after boy drives truck into procession, police say
Police said the boy had taken his parents' pickup truck without permission before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into the monks.
The heroism and humanity of ‘Ultraman’: Documentary looks back on 60 years
The iconic sci-fi franchise is the focus of a documentary, co-helmed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, that examines its cultural impact on generations of Japanese and international viewers.
A $450 taxi fare sparks fresh concerns over tourist scams in South Korea
A series of high-profile overcharging incidents is raising fresh concerns over whether South Korea’s tourism infrastructure is keeping pace with its growing international reputation. The latest case involved a Taiwanese tourist who said he was charged nearly 700,000 won ($450) for a taxi ride from eastern Seoul to Incheon Airport — roughly 10 times the usual fare. The tourist said on social media that he used Uber on May 30 to travel from Jayang-dong in Seoul’s Gwangjin-gu to Incheon Internation
Samsung Electro-Mechanics forms W480b glass core joint venture with Sumitomo unit
Samsung Electro-Mechanics will set up a 480 billion won ($310 million) joint venture with a Sumitomo Chemical Group unit to produce glass cores, a key material for next-generation semiconductor substrates used in advanced chip packaging. The Korean components maker said Thursday it signed a final agreement with Dongwoo Fine-Chem, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Co., to establish the venture, tentatively named GlaSSEM. Samsung Electro-Mechanics will hold a 66.2 percent stak
Government signals flexibility on ¥1,500 minimum wage target
Its annual policy guidelines indicate the much-discussed goal could be reached early next decade rather than by the end of this decade.
Evacuation order to be reassessed as rainfall helped fight Labrador West wildfires, mayor says
Rainfall over wildfires burning near Labrador West provided some much needed relief on Wednesday, but the mayor of Labrador City says it's still too early to know when an evacuation order could be lifted for residents.
9 monks struck and killed in Thailand by 11-year-old driver
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An 11-year-old boy crashed a pickup truck into a group of monks on a pilgrimage walk in northeastern Thailand on Thursday, killing nine, officials said.
Netflix director likens BTS reunion to Homer's 'The Odyssey'
Bao Nguyen, director of the Netflix documentary "BTS: The Return," likened BTS' military hiatus and reunion to Homer's "The Odyssey," describing the group's return as a modern journey shaped by separation, longing and homecoming. Speaking in a recorded interview screened Thursday at the fifth BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Nguyen said the comparison first came to him while watching BTS perform at SoFi Stadium in 2021, before the members began their mand
SoftBank plans to offer AI-tailored cloud services in U.S. from next fiscal year
The mobile carrier operator and group company will set up the new venture this month, aiming to supply data center capacity at a scale of 10 gigawatts by around 2030.
Hanwha Aerospace explosion likely occurred while cleaning explosive waste: police
Last month's deadly explosion at a Hanwha Aerospace facility in Daejeon appears to have occurred while cleaning a washing machine that may have contained explosive waste residue, police officials said Thursday. The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency unveiled its initial assessment in a press briefing, citing a statement from a worker who was cleaning a tank within the washing machine at the time of the explosion on June 1 that left five workers killed and two others injured in the city located s
Court protest not 'correct course of action' - Taoiseach
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he does not believe "withdrawing from the courts is the correct course of action" in relation to the solicitor protest over legal fees.
Interrogation footage to be shown at trial over prosecutor questioning
According to the complaint, prosecutors interrogated a man for 41 days in a row between May 2021 and July 2021, totaling roughly 205 hours.
Samsung, SK hynix in talks with SNU on chip programs at regional universities: reports
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are discussing plans with Seoul National University to launch company-sponsored semiconductor programs at regional universities, as the government pushes for a semiconductor megaproject in South Korea’s southwest, local media reported Thursday. The plan centers on SNU receiving investment from the two chipmakers and helping regional universities establish company-sponsored degree programs — known in Korea as contract departments — that will use SNU's semiconducto
Police officer accused of destroying evidence in son’s murder case
A police officer has been accused of destroying evidence in his son’s murder case, raising questions over a legal exemption that shields relatives from punishment for concealing or destroying evidence on behalf of family members. The officer is the father of Jang Yoon-gi, the 23-year-old suspect accused of abducting and killing high school student Lee Chae-won in Gwangju on May 5. According to local media reports Wednesday, Jang’s father allegedly disposed of items that prosecutors later cited a
Ottawa-Gatineau cleans up after storm under smothering heat
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The Ottawa-Gatineau area is cleaning up from massive, powerful thunderstorms that struck the afternoon and evening of Canada Day — and doing so under a punishing heat wave with a risk of more storms.
Swiss too strong for Algeria as they progress to last 16
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Goals in either half from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye helped see Switzerland into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup following a 2-0 win over Algeria in Vancouver.
Portugal survive late drama to edge past Croatia
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A late Goncalo Ramos header saw Portugal advance to the last 16 of the World Cup, courtesy of a 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto.
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce reportedly set to wed tomorrow
Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce will celebrate their wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, according to reports.
No charges for officer after 2024 shooting of Cold Lake First Nation man: ASIRT
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A police watchdog investigation into the shooting of a Cold Lake First Nation man has found the officer was acting in self-defence. But his brother says he believes more could have been done to de-escalate the situation, and the First Nation's chief says he believes crisis resources could have been used.
From the Vatican Observatory Faith and Science Pages — The Vatican Observatory: In The Service of Nine Popes
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From the Faith & Science Resource Center: The most complete written history of the Vatican Observatory (full text in multiple formats).
Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face 'forceful response'
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Iran's joint military command warned Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a "forceful response," again ratcheting up tensions over a waterway crucial for international energy supplies.
Net-zero champion Europe snared by climate change on its doorstep
June's record-breaking heat wave in Europe has focused minds on the urgency of adapting to global warming in a continent once complacent about its relatively gentle climate.
Jeju cafe owner's message to Venezuela goes viral. Now he hopes it brings real help
The South Korean cafe owner, whose message of support for victims of Venezuela's devastating earthquakes resonated with thousands of people online, said he hopes the unexpected attention will translate into real help for those affected. After Korean news outlets picked up his story, Yum Ji-hong, who runs a dessert cafe on the southern resort island of Jeju, shared a follow-up message on TikTok thanking viewers and reflecting on the response. "What started as a short video to check on my TikTok f
Vatican excommunicates six ultraconservative bishops
The Vatican has excommunicated six bishops from the ultraconservative Society of St Pius X, following the ordination of four new bishops in Switzerland.
London landmarks to go BTS' Arirang red
BTS will bring its citywide fan festival “BTS The City Arirang” to London this week, transforming some of the British capital’s most recognizable landmarks into immersive installations. Beginning Saturday, the project will spread across central London with exhibitions, interactive fan events and large outdoor installations ahead of BTS’ concerts in the city. One of the festival’s most prominent attractions will take place on July 6, when the London Eye will be illuminated in the signature red co
Should workers get time off to mourn pets?
For many pet owners, losing a companion animal can feel like losing a family member. But whether that grief should be recognized at work remains a divisive question in South Korea. A small but growing number of companies now offer pet bereavement leave, reflecting the rise of pets as family members. But the idea remains controversial, exposing a gap between changing household realities and workplace benefits still largely built around marriage, childbirth and childcare. As of 2026, only a handfu
EU top court dismisses Google fight against record fine
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Europe's top court has dismissed Google's fight against a record fine imposed by EU antitrust regulators eight years ago.
Erdogan shows Europe why NATO needs Turkey’s clout on defense
Turkey has become a major source of hardware as Europe arms itself in response to Russia's war in Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure.
Wellington councillor made 'nuisance' of himself at search scene - top cop
Inside the complaints between the city's mayor and one of his councillors over his presence at a search and rescue scene.
France’s far right pledges 40 million air conditioners as heat turns political
Across Europe air conditioning is a new battleground as officials grapple with how to adapt aging infrastructure to debilitating heat as the climate changes.
Four injured in serious crash near Kaitoke
Motorists should expect delays.
Seoul shares plunge nearly 8% on tech sell-off amid renewed AI concerns
South Korean stocks dipped nearly 8 percent Thursday, dragged down by a sharp sell-off in semiconductor shares as investor sentiment soured amid renewed concerns over excess capacity. The Korean won weakened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plunged 655.32 points, or 7.89 percent, to close at 7,648.09. after falling as low as 7,616.33. Due to the sharp drop, the bourse operator Korea Exchange activated a sell-side sidecar for the KOSPI around 9:07 a.m., halti
Japanese-language education is at a turning point
Once volunteer-based, the system is shifting toward shared responsibility between local governments and trained professionals.
Lefebvre's schism repeated 38 years later
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The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X once again separates itself from Rome through illicit episcopal consecrations carried out against the Pope's will, despite the generous efforts of Pope Saints Paul VI and John Paul II, the decision by Pope Benedict XVI to lift the excommunication, and the faculties granted by Pope Francis.
Excommunication decreed for Lefebvrite episcopal ordinations
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A document signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, defines the rite celebrated on 1 July as an “act of a schismatic nature,” with an explanatory note providing details of the grave canonical sanction of excommunication.
Vancouver 'RoboCop' is 1st Canadian ALS patient to receive Elon Musk's Neuralink brain implant
On May 20, VPD Sgt. Lee Marten became the third Canadian, and the first Canadian ALS patient, to receive a Neuralink brain implant as part of a clinical trial at Toronto Western Hospital. He is just the 26th person in the world to undergo the procedure which is being tested on people unable to move because of ALS.
Madonna's Confessions II is finally here - but is it worth the 21-year wait?
The pop star's 15th album starts on the dancefloor, but ends with deep personal revelations.
Samsung, SK narrow site search for Gwangju chip fabs
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are reviewing potential chip fab sites in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province as the government moves to back an 800 trillion won ($514.7 billion) semiconductor investment plan aimed at expanding chip production beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. Cheomdan District 3 in Gwangju Innopolis, a research and development zone, and the site of the city’s military airport have emerged as key candidates because of their access to power, water, roads and nearby research faci
Jury sent home for day in trial of former sports coach
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The jury in the trial of a former sports coach accused of abusing four girls over 40 years ago is to resume their deliberations tomorrow.
Officials skeptical of EU push to reset China trade amid retaliation fears
China retains a stranglehold on minerals and chips critical to key European industries such as defense and automobiles.
Takaichi looks to India in the face of supply chain and energy concerns
Takaichi and her Indian counterpart met in New Delhi to advance cooperation in artificial intelligence, economic security, clean energy and defense.
LDP to halt debate on JIP priorities to focus on imperial family bill
The LDP is ready to halt debate on controversial bills while discussions on proposed Imperial House Law revisions are underway, LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki has said.
Taiwan needs a ‘hornet’s nest’ of drones to deter conflict, U.S. diplomat says
The U.S., Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, has strongly backed the government's military modernization plan and increased defense spending.
AmCham launches AI leadership council in Korea
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea on Thursday launched the AmCham AI Leadership Council, bringing together major global technology companies and policymakers to support South Korea's ambitions of becoming a global artificial intelligence hub. The announcement came during the 2026 AmCham AI Forum held at Grand Hyatt Seoul under the theme, "Powering Korea's AI Future: Partnership, Policy, and Scale." The event drew about 150 participants from government, industry and academia, including te
Russia hammered Kyiv with an 11-hour drone and missile attack overnight into Thursday morning, killing at least 21 civilians in the city and injuring scores more, in what Moscow said was retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities.
'Let's go to Starbucks' chant becomes political lightning rod
A controversial chant by high school baseball players has erupted into a political flashpoint in South Korea, with rival parties clashing over whether the students deserve harsh punishment. The "Let's go to Starbucks" chant was widely interpreted as a derisive slogan evoking Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotion. The campaign sparked outrage last month for allegedly belittling the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, a significant event in South Korea's democratic history commemorated on May 18. L
Olive Young to bring K-beauty festival to KCON LA
CJ Olive Young said Thursday it will host its flagship beauty festival overseas in August alongside KCON LA 2026, as it steps up efforts to globalize K-beauty. The three-day event, Olive Young Festa LA 2026, will start Aug. 14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and feature 55 K-beauty and lifestyle brands. Launched in 2019, the event was Korea's first large-scale beauty festival, featuring brands sold through the retailer's platform and showcasing flagship products. By partnering with KCON LA
Classiq, QAI team up to launch Korea's first local quantum cloud service
Classiq Technologies said Thursday it has signed a definitive agreement with Korean quantum AI data center specialist QAI to launch South Korea's first locally operated Quantum-as-a-Service, or QaaS, business. The partnership aims to make quantum computing more accessible to companies, government agencies, research institutes and universities by allowing them to develop, test and run applications across multiple quantum hardware environments. Classiq is a global quantum software company that has
OECD calls for tax overhaul as Korea ages
South Korea needs stronger fiscal rules, a broader tax base and deeper structural reforms to prevent rapid aging from pushing public debt onto an unsustainable path, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said Thursday. "Without action, the cost of aging will put debt onto an unsustainable path," Douglas Sutherland, head of country studies in the OECD Economics Department, said at a press briefing in Sejong. "This is not our projection — it reveals the risks of aging pressures
Parliamentary committee finds issues with surveillance of ballot boxes
A parliamentary committee inspecting a sealed ballot counting site in southern Seoul on Thursday raised concerns over how the National Election Commission has been managing ballot boxes from the June 3 local elections, citing possible blind spots in the site’s surveillance system. Lawmakers said they found potential surveillance blind spots in areas where ballot boxes are being stored at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul. “It is absurd for the NEC to store the ball
Kospi tumbles 8% as AI demand fears hit chip stocks
South Korea's benchmark Kospi tumbled nearly 8 percent on Thursday, led by sharp losses in heavyweight chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, tracking an overnight sell-off in US technology stocks as investors grew increasingly concerned about a slowdown in chip demand. The index fell below the 8,000-point mark at the open, triggering a sell-side sidecar, a five-minute curb on program trading, at 9:07 a.m. Although it briefly recovered above the threshold during intraday trading, it ultima
Ukraine PM said Russia offered thousands of POWs in exchange for N. Koreans: sources
Russia has proposed exchanging thousands of Ukrainian detainees for two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine, Ukraine’s top diplomat told experts in Seoul, sources close to the matter confirmed Thursday. If confirmed, the proposal could complicate Seoul’s efforts to bring the prisoners to South Korea. Separate diplomatic sources familiar with the matter, however, expressed skepticism over whether Moscow would make such an offer of that scale. The remark by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii
Posco bets W16.7tr on lithium, energy beyond steel
Posco Group Chairman Chang In-hwa on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the group's business portfolio, pledging to transform the steelmaker into a "national champion supplier of strategic resources" spanning steel, lithium and energy. Speaking directly to investors at the group's CEO Investor Day event, Chang said rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain fragmentation and the accelerating shift toward low-carbon industries require a fundamental rethinking of corporate growth strategies
America 250 art exhibit shows Turtle Island is 'still our house' for Haudenosaunee
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As the United States gears up to celebrate 250 years of independence, a Haudenosaunee art exhibit in New York state shows a history less heroic than the version taught in schools.
How people can help N.W.T. wildfire evacuees
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As wildfire evacuation orders remain in effect for Fort Simpson and Wrigley, front line relief organizations say this is how people can help.
Quesnel, B.C., rolling out the red carpet to attract U.S.-trained doctors — and it's working
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The community of Quesnel in northern B.C. is pulling out all the stops to attract U.S.-trained physicians and solve previously long waits for family doctors. A health-care recruiter in the community of around 10,000 people says the so-called "red carpet" approach is working — with at least four doctors committed to work there by the end of the summer.
Alberta government to announce details for West Coast pipeline proposal
The Alberta government is expected to announce details on Thursday regarding its proposal to build a new oil pipeline stretching to the West Coast.
Canada’s massive military buildup: Part 1
A dispatch from Canada’s biggest arms expo as Mark Carney seeks to dramatically increase Canada’s military might and industry.
Syria president names last members to finalize first post-Assad parliament
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday finalized the formation of the country's first post-Assad-era parliament, which is set to hold its first session next week in a step seen as a test for the country's transition. After toppling longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024 after more than 13 years of civil war, the new authorities dissolved Syria's rubber-stamp legislature and adopted a temporary constitutional declaration to cover a five-year transition period. In a process that began
Virtual roads and wire cars: Hyundai’s digital proving ground
HWASEONG, Gyeonggi Province — As vehicles evolve into software-heavy machines, quality inspection has become increasingly complex, raising the bar for advanced, efficient testing powered by digital twin, robotics and artificial intelligence. A key example of this shift is Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang research center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where the automaker is pioneering new inspection technologies for the era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The Namyang center unveiled its new Ad
Daredevil couple propose atop Empire State Building
An apparent marriage proposal appeared to take place on a sky-high platform of the Empire State Building in New York City yesterday.
Venezuelan medics fear medical crisis
Doctors said Wednesday they feared the aftermath of Venezuela’s devastating twin earthquakes could trigger a widening medical crisis marked by untreated injuries, infectious diseases and a health care system already on the brink. Thousands of displaced Venezuelans are sleeping in crowded shelters or outside without access to clean water amid dismal sanitary conditions following the June 24 earthquakes which officials say killed at least 2,295 and left more than 11,000 injured. Aid workers said t
Man arrested after his ex-wife and daughter found dead in Nagano
The same man was arrested on suspicion of trying to kill his 14-year-old son with a knife earlier the same day.
Taoiseach welcomes von der Leyen to Cork ahead of talks
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Taoiseach Mícheál Martin has officially welcomed European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to his home city of Cork.
Lotte Cinema-Megabox merger collapses
Lotte Cinema and Megabox, South Korea's No. 2 and 3 cinema chains, will no longer pursue a merger, Lotte Shopping announced Wednesday. In the company's corporate filing released Wednesday, Lotte Shopping said the memorandum of understanding signed with Contentree JoongAng to merge Lotte Cinema and Megabox was terminated on June 30. Signed on May 8, 2025, the agreement to merge Lotte Cinema and Megabox had attracted attention for potentially reshaping the theater industry. The memorandum of under
Police in Japan work to crack down on fraud-linked social media posts
Based on reports from the public, the Internet Hotline Center requests that illegal or harmful online content be removed, and it reports such cases to the police.
AI to boost Korea growth, but demand remains key: S&P
S&P Global Ratings said South Korea's government-backed artificial intelligence push is likely to support economic growth over the next few years, but warned that the long-term payoff depends on whether demand ultimately matches expectations. "The near-term impact is clearly positive because today's investment translates into capital spending and economic growth," said Kim Eng Tan, managing director of S&P Global Ratings' Asia-Pacific sovereign ratings team, in an interview with The Korea Herald
Hanwha, MarcyPen launch fund platform for K-culture brands
Hanwha Asset Management and US-based MarcyPen Capital Partners have launched MarcyPen Asia, a joint venture aimed at investing in high-growth consumer brands in South Korea and across Asia. First announced in December 2025, the venture was launched after receiving regulatory approval. It will use Korea as its regional base to identify companies with strong cross-cultural appeal and global expansion potential. MarcyPen Asia will invest in consumer brands tied to cultural content, products and exp
Labour pledges to scrap controversial Disability Support Services Bill
People with disabilities, carers and advocates gathered at Parliament on Thursday to handover a petition against the bill.
Van Leeuwen scoops New York flavors into Gangnam
US ice cream brand Van Leeuwen is making its debut in South Korea, opening its first store near Gangnam Station on Friday as the Brooklyn-born company looks to tap into one of Asia's most influential food markets. The 32-seat shop, operated by franchise partner A Twosome Place, pays homage to the brand's origins through a display of the yellow ice cream truck from which founders Ben Van Leeuwen, his brother Peter and their partner Laura O'Neill launched the business in New York in 2008. "We beli
Seoul rejects US House claims of bias against American firms
South Korea on Thursday rejected allegations by the US House Judiciary Committee that it systematically discriminates against American companies, calling the claims factually inaccurate and saying Korean authorities enforce regulations fairly regardless of nationality. "We regret that the report released by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday appears to unilaterally reflect only Coupang's arguments," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a regular briefing. Park said investiga
Hospitals to hire backup staff for parental leave
General hospitals and other medical institutions will soon be required to hire backup staff for health care workers taking parental leave, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday. Tertiary hospitals must calculate the number of hours lost over the past three years when doctors, nurses and medical technicians took leave related to childbirth and child care — including leave for miscarriages, stillbirths and infertility treatments — and then add that number to the average number of hours
WTA Finals moves to Indian Wells after early end of deal with Saudi Arabia
The WTA Finals, featuring the top eight women's singles players and doubles teams, will take place from November 8 to 15.
Sinking yen and robust economy support BOJ case for earlier rate hike
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has indicated her preference for monetary easing, helping push the yen to its weakest level against the dollar since 1986.
Parliamentary committee enters blockaded ballot counting site for inspection
Members of a special parliamentary committee investigating ballot shortages that marred the June 3 local elections on Thursday entered a vote counting venue that has long been barricaded by angry protesters to prevent the removal of ballot boxes inside the venue. The on-site inspection came 27 days after protesters demanding a rerun of the elections began blockading the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul on June 5, two days after ballot shortages temporarily suspended voting at po
What's coming to Avignon: Sneak peek at the Korean lineup
Expressing a mix of disbelief and excitement, many of the Korean artists featured in this year's festival said they could never have imagined standing on the Avignon stage one day. Founded in 1947, the Avignon Festival, alongside the Edinburgh Festival, is considered one of Europe's major performing arts festivals. This year's edition marks the first official inclusion of Korean works since 1998, when the festival's "Desir d'Asie" program spotlighted East Asian arts. Korean has been named this y
Army vows improved safety after reservist’s death in training
South Korea’s Army pledged Thursday to strengthen safety controls and medical support for reservists during training, after concluding that a reservist who died during a mobilization exercise in May had died from a preexisting medical condition. The announcement came amid growing public criticism of the military’s handling of the case. A public petition calling for the impeachment of Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, uploaded on June 18, had gained more than 260,000 signatures as of Thursday. The p
SK Bioscience to lead Gates-backed AI vaccine project
SK Bioscience said Thursday it will lead a Gates Foundation-funded project to develop an AI-powered platform designed to support clinical development decisions in vaccine research. The project, called Research Optimization & Trial Outcome Recommender, or ROTOR, will bring together a global consortium that includes a technical collaboration with global health nonprofit PATH and technology consulting firm Slalom. ROTOR is designed to analyze clinical, immunogenicity and scientific datasets generat
Japan set to retain Moriyasu after World Cup exit
The Japan Football Association plans to retain coach Hajime Moriyasu after Japan's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the team being eliminated by Brazil in the first knockout round, according to a report from Kyodo News. Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said the federation has not yet made an official decision, but told reporters it intends to bring Moriyasu back following Japan's World Cup campaign. Japan advanced out of what many considered one of the tournament's toughest groups, finishing runner-
U.S. shifts focus to Belgium after short-handed win over Bosnia and Herzegovina
The U.S. moved into the World Cup's round of 16 with a gritty 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
People smuggler convicted in France found by BBC living in UK and seeking asylum
Once described as "the godfather" of French migrant camps, he has been working in a Leicestershire village.
Litter fines to rise by €100 from 1 September
Litter fines will be increased from €150 to €250 from 1 September, Minister of State for the Circular Economy Alan Dillon has said.
Amber Davies feared Love Island ruined theatre career
Amber Davies has said she worried that winning Love Island had "ruined any chance" of a career in musical theatre.
Some Prince Edward Islanders to get extra money from province to help with rising costs
Some Prince Edward Islanders will see extra money in their bank accounts on Friday as the province rolls out its new Island Essentials Benefit.
Ontario farmers embrace extreme heat after weeks of storms, hail damage crops
Farmers in southwestern Ontario say that weeks of extreme weather events, including torrential rain and hail, has made growing crops a challenge. Some say they're embracing a week of hot temperatures, which can help crops get healthy.
'Two weeks after her death I got a call': Gaza patients face agonising delays for evacuation
An estimated 300 Palestinians referred for treatment abroad have died since the ceasefire began, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
'I spent $6,000 on a World Cup trip but was left stranded at the gate'
Hundreds of fans who bought World Cup tickets on resale site StubHub say they have had them cancelled at the last minute.
GBF speakers urge leaders to spot Korea’s hidden cracks
Cracks in a society rarely appear all at once, and leaders must learn to detect them early — whether in markets, borders or public literacy, speakers at this week’s Global Business Forum said Wednesday. The weekly forum, organized by The Korea Herald and Herald Business, brings together figures from diplomacy, business, culture and other fields to discuss changes in the business environment and future strategies. This week’s session, held in Seoul under the theme of the “grit of leadership,” ope
Drought, unpicked apples, and freezing winters: El Niño's greatest hits
Every El Niño is different - but history shows there are certain weather patterns New Zealanders can expect over the coming months.
Lee calls claims of pressuring firms into regional investments ‘outdated’
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday dismissed claims that the government had pressured companies into making large-scale regional investments as "outdated," stressing that companies invest where it makes the most economic sense. Speaking in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, Lee also pushed back against criticism that the government's regional development drive amounted to handing out "gifts" to certain areas. Such investments, he added, should not be viewed as competition among regions. Samsung
Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung benched vs South Africa over interview boycott row: lawmaker
South Korea captain Son Heung-min and veteran midfielder Lee Jae-sung were left out of the starting lineup for the team's final World Cup group-stage match against South Africa over internal disagreements about an interview boycott, a lawmaker claimed, citing a whistleblower report. Rep. Jin Jong-oh of the main opposition People Power Party said Thursday that the report, received through the Korea Football Association, alleges divisions within the squad deepened over whether to continue a media
Weeks after Huang visit, Nvidia expands Korea hiring into robotics, HPC
Nearly a month after Jensen Huang said Nvidia had begun hiring for a Korea R&D center, the company’s latest local job postings suggest the US chipmaker is building a more concrete engineering presence around Korea’s core industries. A Korea Herald check of Nvidia’s official careers website found late-June postings covering robotics simulation, high-performance computing and automotive software, areas tied to Korea’s manufacturing, semiconductor and auto sectors. The newest Korea posting seeks a
HD Hyundai Electric lands W1.12tr Big Tech data center deal
HD Hyundai Electric said Thursday it has signed a framework agreement worth up to 1.12 trillion won ($721 million) to supply power and distribution equipment to a global Big Tech company. The agreement covers 553.9 billion won in distribution equipment and 567.3 billion won in power equipment for large-scale data centers. HD Hyundai Electric did not disclose further details, including the customer's identity, citing confidentiality. HD Hyundai Electric said the deal allows it to provide core dat
Daewoong inks W145.2b Envlo export deal for MENA
Daewoong Pharmaceutical said Thursday it has signed a 145.2 billion won ($93.4 million) export and supply agreement with Switzerland-based Acino Pharma AG to launch its diabetes drug Envlo in eight major markets across the Middle East and North Africa. The company said the deal is Envlo's largest export agreement to date and marks the first entry of a Korean-developed sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor into the MENA market. Under the agreement, Daewoong plans to secure marketing a
Bear spray goes off in Japan post office, leaving five hospitalized
At least five people have been killed by bears in Japan since April 1 after a record 13 deaths last fiscal year.
Japan and three neighbors agree to cooperate against eel export curbs
The move follows a proposal last year to strengthen such restrictions at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Extraordinary heat in US Northeast arrives to clash with revelry
Multiday warnings of extreme heat landed in New York, Boston and Philadelphia on Wednesday as sultry weather pushed east just ahead of Fourth of July celebrations in a region that revels in its role as a historic hub of US independence. Temperatures in the high 30s Celsius were forecast for the Northeast; Philadelphia and Boston could top 38 C by Thursday. Throw in humidity, and the real-feel heat index will be even higher at times, the National Weather Service said. A heat dome — high-pressure
Sony Open flips over to PGA Tour Champions event
HONOLULU (AP) -- The golf season in Hawaii again starts at Waialae Country Club next year as a PGA Tour Champions event that will be called the Sony Championship. The PGA Tour and Sony on Wednesday announced the change, which had been expected since April when the tour said it would not be returning to Maui for The Sentry, which since 1999 had preceded the Sony Open. The Sony Championship will be Jan. 14-16 -- ending on a Saturday -- at Waialae, which had hosted a PGA Tour event since 1965. The
Zelensky vows retaliation as Russian strikes kill 25
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retaliate for Russia's strikes on Kyiv that killed at least 25 people and wounded dozens
Local assembly chambers in Japan open their doors for studying and weddings
As the chambers are only sparingly used when assemblies are not in session, it is hoped allowing residents to make use of the spaces will raise public awareness of the assemblies.
Trump isn't extending CUSMA trade deal, so what happens now?
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The Trump administration surprised no one with its long-expected announcement Wednesday that the U.S. would not join Canada and Mexico in extending the free trade deal between the three countries. Where things go from here, however, is anyone's guess.
Want to cool off with a dip in a river or lake? Here's how to stay safe
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After a rash of drowning deaths during Europe's ongoing record-breaking heat wave, advocates are urging Canadians to stay safe this Canada Day as they push for more public swimming access across the country.
Ontario pushed ahead with strong mayor powers expansion despite 'predominantly negative' feedback
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Premier Doug Ford’s sweeping expansion of strong mayor powers to nearly half of Ontario’s municipalities was met with "predominantly negative" feedback during consultations, with respondents calling the system “unnecessary” and “undemocratic," documents obtained by CBC News reveal.
Even birds living in protected Ontario reserve can't escape climate change, new study finds
New research published in a U.S. science journal found that as the number of insects declines, tree swallows at Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario have been producing fewer eggs and are shrinking in body size.
An English furniture maker faces AI era of bots buying sofas
Consumers are using chatbots to research products now, but agentic AI could one day see bots acting as their personal shopper.
Prendergast brothers start for Ireland's opener in Sydney
Cian and Sam Prendergast will both start for Ireland in their opening Nations Championship Test against Australia on Saturday (11.10am Irish time).
Government to go ahead with expansion of programme to help young children's language
Education Minister Erica Stanford said the Enrich scheme running 65 early childhood services would grow to 525.
'Incredibly disheartening': Airborne asbestos found in children's play sand
The Minster for Commerce and Consumer Affairs met with officials today to work through the study's findings, saying he is taking it very seriously.
Can AI help doctors save patients on life support?
A clinical trial involving intensive care units will use AI in hopes of reducing the mortality rate for patients on life support.
Ministry staff supporting school lunch programme spend $130,000 on travel in a year
The programme's general manager splashed more than $17,000 alone, going between Wellington and his Rotorua home.
Man pulled alive from Venezuela rubble 8 days after quake
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Rescuers cheered and embraced after pulling a 43-year-old man alive from the ruins of a collapsed building eight days after deadly earthquakes.
More paid parking at South Island tourist sites after trial raises $1.5 million
The money will go towards better protecting nature, cultural heritage and other projects, the Department of Conservation says.
Google launches improved pronunciation tool for te reo Māori place names
Google and the Māori Language Commission have launched an Aotearoa New Zealand voice in Google Maps.
Fires in southern France after European heatwave
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Firefighters are battling several wildfires fanned by strong winds in southern France, as the country experiences parched conditions following Europe's recent heatwave.
Kiwi coaches face homicide charges over Manila drownings
Two Kiwi sports coaches in the Philippines will likely face homicide charges after two athletes at a Manila university drowned during a training exercise.
Reports made to police amid 'monk' scam in Auckland
There has been a rise in online reports of individuals dressed as monks fundraising aggressively.
Smell of gas in Auckland sparks school evacuation, FENZ call-outs
Fire and Emergency crews have been chasing the smell of a gas leak in several Auckland locations on Thursday morning.
US, Iran conclude talks focused on Strait of Hormuz
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Iran and the US have concluded a round of indirect talks with no sign they had made headway toward a lasting peace.
Prison inmate charged with bribing guard to smuggle contraband
The Christchurch Men's Prison inmate has pleaded not guilty to three charges of corruptly giving a bribe to the guard between December 2023 and January 2024.
Variation in take-up of public-only consultant contract - data
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69% of all hospital consultants are now working the 2023 Public-Only Consultant Contract, according to new data from the Department of Health.
From friendship bracelets to wedding rings: A Taylor and Travis timeline
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are expected to celebrate their wedding with a party at New York's Madison Square Garden this weekend.
Americans are celebrating their split from Britain - how is the UK marking it?
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As the United States turns 250 years old, people across the pond are running events of their own to mark the big breakup.
Third UK heatwave increasingly likely as 30C temperatures forecast
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Temperatures are forecast to climb throughout the weekend, potentially leading to a heatwave being declared in parts of the UK
64% of jobs will require significant reskilling due to AI
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Almost two-thirds of jobs will require significant reskilling because of the impact of artificial intelligence, according to new research from business group Ibec.
Tirau's sheepdog, ewe and ram buildings are baa-ck on the market
One of the most iconic landmarks in the North Island is up for sale.
Ottawa thunderstorms keep Carney from delivering Canada Day unity speech in Edmonton
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Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Canadians to remain united in a Canada Day speech in the nation's capital on Wednesday, but his plan to deliver similar remarks in Edmonton later in the day was upended by thunderstorms that prevented his plane from taking off on time.
From Truman's pension to Trump's billions - a White House windfall unmatched by any president
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Historians say Trump's $2.2bn income last year is unprecedented and blurs the line on conflicts of interest.
Kim Dotcom's legal battle to stay in NZ and avoid extradition to the US: A timeline
A stunning police raid, numerous court hearings, a failed political party and health battles - Dotcom's fight against extradition has had many ups and downs.
Albertans express patriotism, melancholy on Canada Day amid talk of separation
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The possibility of Alberta separating from Canada was top of mind for Maple Leaf-clad Albertans in the province's largest city as they celebrated the birth of Confederation.
'We're not savages' - the full story of Parnell attack
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Crèche worker Leanne Flynn was zipping up the coat of one of the little boys in her care when she noticed Riad Bouchaker darting towards a five-year-old girl further up the line.
Soccer fans file class-action lawsuit against StubHub over cancelled World Cup tickets
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Soccer fans in the U.S. are suing StubHub, accusing the resale platform of failing to deliver expensive tickets for the FIFA World Cup that they bought on the secondary market.
World Cup 2026: Belgium 3-2 Senegal recap
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Late drama in Seattle sees Belgium advance after a thriller.
El Niño officially declared in New Zealand
Earth Sciences NZ has followed counterparts in Australia, Japan and the US in declaring an El Niño event.
"Leo in Rome" - Documentary
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The Editorial Directorate of the Dicastery for Communication presents the documentary "Leo in Rome", featuring interviews, archival footage, and images that retrace the years Robert Francis Prevost—now Pope Leo XIV—spent in the Eternal City. The documentary was produced by journalists Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, Salvatore Cernuzio, and Tiziana Campisi, with editing by Jaime Vizcaíno Haro.
Junior Simolo sought by police in Auckland 'considered dangerous'
Police are urging members of the public not to approach him but to call them immediately.
Fórsa members reject SNA development plan
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Special Needs Assistants, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, have rejected the Government's proposed Special Needs Assistants Workforce Development Plan.
Why one superfan thinks now is the right time for Canada's Eurovision debut
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When it was announced that Canada would be entering the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest — it was music to Matti McLean’s ears. A Canadian superfan of the international music competition, co-host of the Think About Eurovision podcast and creator of the Fringe Festival show A Canadian Explains Eurovision to Other Canadians, McLean says he has been campaigning for years to see this moment become a reality.
Political realities pierce through EU pomp and ceremony
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Long before social media made the presentation of your best self a daily, even hourly requirement, the template had already been set by something called a State ceremony.
Kane's late brace rescues England after huge Congo scare
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Harry Kane's brace saved England from World Cup humiliation as Thomas Tuchel's men survived an almighty scare against the Democratic Republic of Congo to set up a mouth-watering clash with co-hosts Mexico.
US, Iran enter talks to reopen Hormuz and unfreeze assets
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The US and Iran held indirect technical talks in Doha as they seek to agree on the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a lasting ceasefire, a source with direct knowledge of the talks and an Iranian official said.
New standards for building on whenua Māori come into force
The government hopes the changes will "unlock" papakāinga across Aotearoa - but one housing provider says it removes just one of the many barriers affecting Māori land.
Wellington community tired of brazen tyre thieves
Residents in the seaside suburb of Eastbourne say they're considering community patrols as the area is being repeatedly targeted.
Help sought to document role of Irish immigrants in US
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A campaign celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States has launched a website inviting people to share stories of the Irish American experience.
N.L. government declares fire ban for all Labrador, until at least July 13
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The Minister of Forestry has ordered a blanket fire ban for Labrador, effective to at least July 13.
Health NZ says repairs being made to leak-stricken Hutt Hospital
Earlier this week a nurse told RNZ this week staff were confronted by sodden and collapsed roofing panels, failing lights, and electrical sockets crackling with electricity.
The Missionaries of Africa Pursue their Commitment to Fostering a Culture of Safeguarding for Minors and Vulnerable Persons
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Training in Safeguarding is part of the broader commitment of the Missionaries of Africa to contribute to the creation of safer spaces for everyone within the Church
Planned strike action by perfusionists, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, has been paused following engagement with the HSE on the implementation of a Labour Court recommendation.
Officer spotted blood on face of man who died in custody
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An inquest into the death of a prisoner shortly after he had been physically restrained in Cloverhill Prison in Dublin six years ago has heard blood was spotted on his face by a prison officer during the incident.
2 people arrested after hanging 'power of love' banner on Empire State Building antenna
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Two people got to the top of the Empire State Building's antenna and unfurled a banner about "the power of love" at midday Tuesday, before starting to descend, embracing, taking selfies and ultimately being arrested.
Man charged over alleged arson attack on Dublin mosque
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A man has been before the District Court in Dublin charged over an alleged arson attack on a mosque in Dublin city centre two days ago.
Officials fear medical crisis as Venezuelans displaced by quakes crowd shelters, hospitals
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Thousands of displaced Venezuelans are living in dismal sanitary conditions without access to clean water as already strained hospitals struggle to cope with an influx of emergency patients following the June 24 earthquakes that have killed more than 2,000. Aid workers say the country is facing a major medical crisis that, unless quickly controlled, will take more lives in the days and weeks ahead.
Archbishop Sipuka reflects on leadership and the Church’s mission after pallium investiture
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Among the 35 archbishops who received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Basilica on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul was Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka, who was installed as the Archbishop of Cape Town on 14 March 2026.
'I can't unsee it', says witness who intervened in attack
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What happened on Parnell Square East that day in November 2023 has affected many.
Teen driver charged after man on riding lawnmower killed in fatal collision in North Dumfries, Ont.
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A 16-year-old has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, speeding and stunt driving after a fatal collision between a car and riding lawnmower last month. A 51-year-old North Dumfries Township man died in the collision.
Trump won't return U.S. to full war in Iran 'unless he has to,' Vance says
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Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks Wednesday with no sign they had made headway toward a lasting peace, focusing instead on issues that they had supposedly resolved two weeks ago.
Actor Danny Glover reveals he has Alzheimer's disease
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Actor and activist Danny Glover, best known for starring as an easy-going police officer in the Lethal Weapon franchise, has revealed he has Alzheimer's disease.
Less than one third passing taxi driver entry test - NTA
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Less than a third of taxi-driver entry test sittings were passed last year, despite efforts to attract new drivers into the industry.
Astronomy & Space Science Education & Public Outreach Newsletter – June 2026
Dr. Larry Lebofsky discusses a wide range of astronomy and space science news in his twice-a-month newsletters.
Food safety rules to ensure listeria limits compliance
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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has issued new guidance to food businesses on how to comply with stricter EU food-safety legal limits for the control of listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods.
Anxiety part of 33% rise in youth mental health referrals
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More young people than ever before are seeking help from the youth mental health service Jigsaw, with referrals up 33% in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
US signs agreement to build permanent embassy in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM — The United States on Wednesday signed an agreement to build a new embassy compound in Jerusalem, in a move that Israel said reflected the "unbreakable alliance" between the countries. During his first term, US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 and ordered the relocation of Washington's diplomatic mission from Tel Aviv. But the services were spread across several locations in Jerusalem until a single permanent site could be found. "The United States not only recognises Jerusalem as the eternal, indigenous, and forever capital of the Jewish people, but also that the United States says that we're going to do something about it," US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said during a signing ceremony at Israel's foreign ministry. "We are going to plant our flag, our American flag, on the soil of Jerusalem for a permanent and a brand new embassy compound that will serve as our mothership of diplomatic activities here in Israel. "I would say God made that decision 3,800 years ago, and we finally got around to acknowledging what had been
Americans step out for their nation's 250th in a proud moment sown with division and doubt
One of the stars of the American firmament once advised citizens of all stripes how to express their love of country. Mark Twain's long-ago words capture how Americans are stepping out this week to wish their nation a happy milestone birthday . “Our patriotism is medieval, outworn, obsolete,” Twain wrote in 1905. “The modern patriotism, the true patriotism, the only rational patriotism, is loyalty to the Nation all the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it.” In these rabidly partisan times, those who think President Donald Trump deserves their support and those who don’t are joining in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Whether all the partying to come gives the nation a breather from disunity or aggravates it is an open question. It's a proud and loud moment, sown with division and doubt. Love of country comes in different flavors, of course. Some love it as is. Some love what it could become and press on with their activism and protest in pursuit of history's call for a “more perfect union." Some love what
US, Iran officials hold indirect talks in Doha
DUBAI — Indirect talks in Doha between officials from the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war have started, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Wednesday. The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, confirmed negotiations were underway after they earlier said the US and Iran were to hold "indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators". The Doha talks are based "on the memorandum of understanding, building on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit," the diplomat said, referring to recent talks in the Swiss resort town and the negotiating framework endorsed by the two sides in June. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are not taking part in the technical talks, the diplomat added, after they met with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday. Both the US and Iran had said they would send officials for meetings in Qatar. The US-Iran memorandum of understanding, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, includes a 60-day ceasefire in the war that
Russia buys gasoline from India to tackle shortages, sources say
Russia has started seaborne imports of gasoline from India, two industry sources said on Wednesday, in an effort to mitigate fuel shortages triggered by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. Fuel shortages are being felt across Russia's 11 time zones with rationing, long queues at filling stations and a record gasoline price increase. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia was in contact with other countries and discussing imports of fuel at acceptable prices. Russia's energy ministry and India's oil ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An industry source said at least 60,000 metric tons of gasoline have been dispatched from India to Russia. Another source said that two tankers, with parcels of 30,000 to 40,000 tons each, have been sent. A third source said that in total, Russia plans to import 400,000 tons of gasoline from various countries each month, including from neighbouring Belarus, which has already been exporting fuel to Russia. Gasoline consumption in Russia is at least 110,000 tons per day in summer, when demand for fuel is high. It is not cle
New PM orders thorough measures with heavy rain forecast to hit southern region
New Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Wednesday ordered thorough measures to prevent any damage from downpours expected to hit southern parts of the nation. Han, who took office earlier in the day, gave the instruction to relevant ministries and agencies, as the nation's southern region, including the island of Jeju, was forecast to get drenched by heavy rain. Han instructed the relevant ministries to thoroughly check evacuation and safety measures for those living in areas prone to downpours, according to the prime minister's office. Also, Han directed officials to step up monitoring of vulnerable areas, and preemptively enforce evacuations and restrict access in case of danger, the office said.
Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say
China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by President Vladimir Putin's defence minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents seen by Reuters. The officials said the involvement of such high-ranking individuals in training linked to the Ukraine war signalled the importance for Russia and China of such cooperation, which has caused alarm in Europe even as Beijing has denied it took place. A classified Russian document seen by Reuters directly referred to an internal decree issued by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in August, 2025. It said that, in accordance with a decision by Belousov, a delegation from Russia's armed forces travelled to China to participate in training exercises at People's Liberation Army (PLA) facilities. The same report detailed one of the training courses - a three-week session focused on radiological, chemical and biological protection at a military facility in Beijing in November. The report and a second one described and displayed images of Ru
Defying Pope Leo XIV and risking schism, traditionalists go ahead with Latin Mass consecrations
A breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics directly defied Pope Leo XIV by consecrating four bishops without his consent Wednesday, dismissing the resulting excommunications and schism by declaring it was a “sacred duty” to defend the Catholic faith. The Society of St. Pius X, which opposes modernizing reforms in the Catholic Church, went ahead with a ritual-filled ceremony at its seminary in Econe, Switzerland, despite a last-ditch appeal by Leo to call it off. The American pope warned in a letter Tuesday that consecrating bishops without his approval amounted to a “sin of extreme gravity” that will actually harm their faithful. And yet bells tolled through the misty Alpine mountain valley as hundreds of priests processed two-by-two to the altar under a tent at the start of the service, which was attended by thousands of faithful Catholics who prefer the traditional Latin Mass over modern liturgies. The Mass, rich in velvet and gold-trimmed vestments, chant and incense, was livestreamed on the society's YouTube channel, with simultaneous translation in several languages. The
President Lee vows continued efforts to replace inter-Korean armistice with peace regime
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday government will pursue sustained efforts to engage North Korea and replace the Korean War armistice with a peace regime. Lee made the remarks in a meeting of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory body on unification of the two Koreas. "At least to open a 'Korea premium' era for the future Korean Peninsula that is drawing global attention, we must replace the armistice with a peace regime," Lee said. However difficult it may be, the government should continue to "knock on North Korea's closed door," the president said. "Difficult does not mean impossible ... If we keep knocking, it will eventually open." North Korea has remained unresponsive to the Lee administration's repeated dialogue overtures, instead hardening its hostile stance toward Seoul. Since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, the two Koreas remain technically at war. "Now is the time to resume action toward peace," Lee declared, pledging to find a way for the two Koreas to peacefully coexist while respecting each other'
SK hynix finishes filing for US depositary share offering
SK hynix has finished filing its registration statement for listing American Depositary Shares (ADS) on the Nasdaq market Tuesday (local time), after adding its litigation risks into the statement. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company completed its ADS listing process by filing the statement with the SEC. The statement reflected a June 24 board decision to issue up to 17.79 million common shares, which is about 2.5 percent of its outstanding common shares, for the ADS listing. The statement left blank both the offering price, volume and the number of ADSs representing one common share, but the company said in its board decision that it seeks to have 10 ADSs represent one common share, meaning the Nasdaq listing could raise up to $29.4 billion if the ADSs are priced in line with the company's current share price. Compared to the previous version, the latest statement revised its Risk Factors section to add an antitrust class action lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on June 25 by 14 U.S. consumers and t
Flowers foster Korea-Japan friendship at exhibition in Seoul
The Japanese Embassy in Seoul opened a special flower exhibition Wednesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Ohara School of Ikebana's Seoul chapter, presenting ikebana, or the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, as a symbol of cultural exchange between the two countries. Organized jointly by the embassy and the Ohara School Seoul Chapter, the two-day exhibition runs through Thursday at the embassy's Public Information and Culture Center in central Seoul. The event commemorates the ten-year anniversarry of the establishment of the Seoul branch and highlights the role of traditional arts in fostering people-to-people exchanges. Ikebana dates back centuries and emphasizes harmony, balance and the beauty of nature over elaborate decoration. The Ohara School, one of Japan's leading ikebana institutions, was founded in 1895 and is particularly renowned for its "moribana" style, which recreates natural landscapes using seasonal flowers and branches set in shallow containers. The exhibition features more than 50 floral arrangements by 42 artists from the Ohara School's Seoul and
Unilateralism has no place in Assembly
The National Assembly under its new speaker, Cho Jeong-sik, is demonstrating a new aspect of unilateralism. Cho accepted the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) call to hold a plenary meeting on Tuesday. DPK lawmakers were decided to lead 11 standing committees, including the vital Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Members of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) rejected their committees placements, assigned by the Speaker. The chairs of the seven other standing committees remained vacant, which should be filled through parties' discussions and negotiations. The ruling party holds the majority, but the Assembly is not a place where unilateralism should take hold. This is not the first time the DPK has acted unilaterally. However, the Speaker using his authority although based on a law governing National Assembly to assign committees to PPP legislators is rare, even as the PPP moved slow on it. All these developments do not bode well for the legislative body. It is also regrettable that a member of the opposition party was not appointed to lead the Legislation and Judici
[VIDEO] In a country where every man is drafted, an army cook's 14-hour shift kitchen shift
For young Korean men, the 18-month mandatory military service is a sacred duty. While many march toward the barbed-wire fences gripping rifles, a unique group of soldiers fights an entirely different kind of battle. They are the frontline culinary soldiers — the military chefs. Their day unfolds in a rhythm completely detached from the rest of the unit. At 5:30 a.m., when the entire base is still blanketed in silence, these soldiers are already heading to the kitchen. Beginning their breakfast preparations at dawn, they sort through mountains of ingredients unloaded from supply trucks. By evening, clad in heavy protective gear, they deep-fry meat for over a hundred personnel. Their grueling schedule finally winds down only after the kitchen is thoroughly scrubbed after dinner. The true struggle of these culinary soldiers lies in the shadows and their work is often taken for granted. Because the task of providing food is so deeply woven into the fabric of daily military life, its value is easily overlooked. They are always the first to arrive at the mess hall and the last to eat. Know
Pope promotes Italian nun to top migrant role in his first major appointment of a woman to Holy See
ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday made his first major appointment of a woman to the Holy See hierarchy, promoting Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to head the Vatican office responsible for migrants, the environment and development. Smerilli, an economist, is currently the No. 2 in the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. As prefect, she replaces the retiring Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who turns 80 soon. With the appointment of Smerilli, Leo appears to be following the lead of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who made a point of promoting women to top-level management positions within the Holy See as part of his response to calls by women for greater decision-making roles in the church. Earlier this month, Leo named a Mexican-American woman, Maria Montserrat Alvarado, to head the Vatican's communications operations. But for more central Holy See offices like Smerilli's, Leo too is following Francis’ lead by simultaneously naming Cardinal Fabio Baggio as a “pro-prefect” of the office, where he is currently undersecretary. The dual nominations recognize that some
From 'Hope' to 'Spider-Man': Mix of local productions, Hollywood blockbusters, animation to delight moviegoers
After a difficult 2025, marked by the absence of major tentpole releases and million-ticket blockbusters, Korea's movie industry has regained momentum as it heads into the peak summer season. This July, audiences can choose from a wide range of films, including big-budget Korean productions, Hollywood blockbusters and family-friendly animation, making for one of the busiest summer lineups in recent years. The most anticipated release is director Na Hong-jin's "Hope," which opens July 15. It marks the filmmaker's first feature since "The Wailing" (2016). The film generated strong buzz after premiering in competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, where it received favorable reviews. Set in a village near the Korean Demilitarized Zone, "Hope" follows Beom-seok, the head of a local police outpost, who is alerted by young villagers that a tiger has appeared in the area. With the entire community thrown into panic, he finds himself confronting a series of unimaginable events. The science-fiction action thriller stars Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britt
Renault Korea's June sales plunge 45 % on weak demand
Renault Korea Motors, the South Korean unit of France's Renault S.A., said Wednesday its June sales plunged from a year earlier due to weak demand in both the domestic and overseas markets. The automaker sold 4,651 vehicles last month, down 45.7 percent from a year earlier, the company said in a release. Domestic sales dropped 32.2 percent on-year to 3,400 units last month, while overseas sales tumbled 45.7 percent to 4,651 units. Renault Korea's cumulative sales in the first half of this year reached 33,384 units, down a sharp 29 percent from a year earlier. Domestic sales fell 24.5 percent on-year to 21,187 units in the first six months of this year, while exports dived 35.7 percent to 12,197 units.
GM Korea's June sales rise 6.6% on robust overseas demand
GM Korea, the Korean unit of General Motors, said Wednesday its global sales rose in June from a year earlier, driven by strong overseas demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) The automaker sold 48,134 vehicles worldwide last month, up 6.6 percent from a year earlier. Overseas sales rose 7.3 percent on-year to 47,085 units last month, while domestic sales dropped 18 percent to 1,049 units. The Trax Crossover SUV was the company's bestselling model overseas, with 30,503 units sold, followed by the Trailblazer SUV at 16,582 units. In the first half of the year, GM Korea's cumulative global sales increased 10.5 percent from a year earlier to 275,523 units. Domestic sales declined 35.1 percent to 5,271 units, while overseas sales shot up 12.0 percent to 270,252 units.
Hyundai Motor's global sales down in June on weaker demand
Hyundai Motor said Wednesday its global sales declined from a year earlier in June, weighed down by weaker demand both at home and overseas. Korea's largest automaker sold 338,313 vehicles worldwide in June, down 5.9 percent from the same month last year. Overseas sales fell 5.8 percent on-year to 280,081 units, while domestic sales declined 6.2 percent to 58,232 units. In the first half of the year, Hyundai Motor sold 1.96 million vehicles globally, down 4.9 percent from a year earlier. The company said sales are expected to gradually recover, supported by the launch of the facelifted Grandeur flagship sedan last month and the planned release of the redesigned Avante compact sedan in the second half of the year.
FM says nuclear, tech cooperation will bring greater benefits to Korea-US alliance
Strategic cooperation between Korea and the United States, particularly in nuclear energy and cutting-edge technologies, will bring greater benefits to both countries and make their alliance more capable and future-oriented, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has said. Cho made the remarks in a speech at a reception hosted Tuesday by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. "Our strategic cooperation, especially in areas such as nuclear energy and cutting-edge technologies, will bring even greater benefits to both our peoples," Cho said, according to a script of his speech released by his ministry. "A stronger Korea that pulls its weight will make the alliance more capable, more forward-looking and more mutually beneficial." Cho also emphasized that Seoul and Washington are entering a new phase in their partnership following an agreement reached between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump last year. "If the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty of 1953 marked the birth of our alliance, the joint fact sheet last year is the beacon for its future
Lee offers consolation to national football team after World Cup group-stage elimination
President Lee Jae Myung offered words of consolation to the men's national football team Wednesday after the country failed to advance beyond the group stage at this year's FIFA World Cup. The president left the message on social platform X, formerly Twitter. Korea was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after securing a 2-1 win against the Czech Republic, followed by 1-0 losses to both Mexico and South Africa. "I extend my deep consolation to the Korean football team players, who must have heavier hearts than anyone," Lee wrote. "Captain Son Heung-min and other national team members have indeed gone through great hardship." "(I cannot imagine) How futile they must have felt about the reality that this whole journey ended just in a few days," the president said, praising the players for not giving up until the end and giving their all on the pitch. "Regardless of the competition results, they are Korea's proud national players." "Genuine cheering means not letting go of our hold on the players' hands despite disappointing results," the president added, pledging efforts to help the la
Presidential unification body adds over 2,000 advisers, plans overseas expansion
The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC), a presidential advisory body on unification, recently appointed over 2,000 additional members and is planning an overseas expansion, a council official said Wednesday. Bang Seung-yong, the council's secretary general, said 2,176 new advisers have been appointed at home and abroad to "strengthen activities by region and expand consensus on peace," speaking at the opening ceremony of the 22nd Eurasia Regional Assembly in Incheon, west of Seoul. The new appointments brought the council's total number of advisers to a record 25,000, Bang said. The positions are honorary and unpaid. He also mentioned the council's plans to restructure its overseas operations, expanding the number of regional assemblies from five to eight. "An amendment to the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council Act aimed at increasing the number of vice-chairs is currently under review at the National Assembly to support the expansion plan," he added. The council is a constitutional presidential advisory body tasked with promoting peaceful unification through policy consultat
Dinos sign new infielder Crim
The NC Dinos announced their signing of new infielder Blaine Crim on Wednesday. The Dinos said Crim agreed to a deal worth $275,000 for the rest of the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season. The 29-year-old American, who can make another $50,000 in incentives, is scheduled to join the Dinos on Thursday. Crim, who bats and throws right, has appeared in 20 major league games, all of them coming during the 2025 season for the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies. He batted .200 with five home runs and 12 RBIs in those games. Crim was drafted by the Rangers in 2019 before the Rockies selected him off waivers in August 2025. After the Rockies released him, the Rangers picked him off waivers in May this year. Crim has spent the entire 2026 season in Triple-A and batted .265 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs in 57 games there. Crim, who has primarily played first base but has also appeared at third base and both corner outfield positions, launched at least 20 home runs in every minor league season from 2021 to 2025. The Dinos said Crim combines power and plate discipline, adding that his co
7 lessons to escape a world in disorder
Our international environment today is as chaotic, disorderly and bleak as any of us can remember. The last decade or more has been a far cry from the cooperation and optimism that generally prevailed in the first two decades after the end of the Cold War. The litany of what has gone wrong is long. We have seen an erosion of respect, especially by the biggest powers, for international law, multilateral institutions and processes. We have witnessed the waging of aggressive war in Ukraine and Iran, the militarization of the South China Sea, paralysis in the U.N. Security Council and a collapse of development assistance funding. The United States has withdrawn from multiple international agencies, and retreated from the World Trade Organization while adopting trade coercion. There has been a failure of response to mass atrocity crimes, assaults on the International Criminal Court and weakness in collective responses to the great existential threats of climate change, pandemics and nuclear war. Nuclear arms control agreements are either dead, dying or on life support, and no solutions hav
JoongAng Ilbo puts controlling rights up for sale amid creditor workout
JoongAng Ilbo, one of Korea's largest newspapers, is preparing to put its management rights up for sale as part of a workout plan aimed at stabilizing operations and restoring its finances. The publisher reportedly told its creditors that it is considering a sale of its controlling stake as part of its plan submitted to the workout committee. The plan also includes selling off real estate assets and subsidiaries, as well as cutting costs, with the aim of securing about 66.4 billion won ($43 million) in liquidity. JoongAng Ilbo's largest shareholder is JoongAng Holdings, which owns 64.73 percent of the paper. Chairman Hong Seok-hyun holds a 15.63 percent stake as the second-largest shareholder, while CJ Olive Networks holds a 9.24 percent. The move comes after JoongAng Ilbo failed to meet an early repayment request on corporate paper worth 22 billion won on June 19, prompting the company to file for a workout with Hana Bank. Under Korea’s workout regime, troubled firms pursue restructuring and a return to normal operations by negotiating debt adjustments with creditors to avoid court-le
Netflix dating reality 'Better Late Than Single' Season 2 promises fierce return
In a golden age of dating reality shows where perfectly curated singles trade razor-sharp flirtations, Netflix is doubling down on a completely different kind of romance — the clumsy and utterly genuine kind. Netflix show "Better Late Than Single" is a "dating makeover reality show," which tracks the first romantic steps of people with zero dating experience but maximum expectations. Following the sleeper-hit success of its first installment, the show's second season promises to dive even deeper into the relatable "swamp of delusions" that defines first love. For the show’s creators, the massive popularity of the series lies in its raw, unfiltered nostalgia. "I’ve previously described this show as an old diary," said producer Kim Noh-eun during a press conference for the show at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo District, Wednesday. "When you open it up years later, it makes you cringe so hard your hands and feet curl —yet you absolutely cannot stop reading. It's that universal human experience that resonated so deeply with viewers." Returning panelists actors Seo In-guk and Kang
Kia's global sales rise 9.5 %in June on robust overseas demand
Kia said Wednesday its global sales increased nearly 10 percent in June from a year earlier, driven by strong demand for its sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The Korean automaker sold 295,720 vehicles worldwide last month, up 9.5 percent from a year earlier. The Sportage SUV remained the company's best-selling model, with 54,058 units sold, followed by the Seltos SUV with 35,007 units and the K4 compact sedan with 22,373 units. Overseas sales rose 7.6 percent on-year to 240,259 units in June, while domestic sales jumped 18.6 percent to 54,508 units. For the first half of the year, Kia sold a record 1.63 million vehicles globally, marking its highest-ever first-half sales.
Navy chief to visit Hawaii this week for RIMPAC exercise
The chief of the Korean Navy will travel to Hawaii this week to inspect troops participating in a multinational naval exercise and hold meetings with his counterparts from key nations, the Navy said Wednesday. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul will visit the island from Wednesday through Thursday (local time), to inspect and encourage troops taking part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the Navy said in a media note. The Korean Navy has assumed the role of maritime component commander for this year's RIMPAC, taking place until the end of this month, becoming the first navy from an Asian country to lead the force. While in Hawaii, Kim plans to hold bilateral meetings with U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Stephen Koehler and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Adm. Akira Saito to discuss maritime security cooperation. The three admirals will also meet in a trilateral format. Kim will then fly to New York to attend an international forum hosted by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command and speak about Korea's strengths in shipbuilding and the defense indus
HS Hyosung marks 2nd anniversary, eyes next growth phase
HS Hyosung marked its second founding anniversary with a commemorative event on Tuesday, pledging to build on its industrial heritage while accelerating growth in advanced materials and future businesses. HS Hyosung is the conglomerate spun off from Hyosung Group in 2024. The anniversary ceremony, held at the company’s headquarters in Mapo District, Seoul, reflected on its achievements since spinning off from Hyosung Group and outlined its next phase of growth. In his keynote speech, Chairman Kim Kyoo-young, the group’s first non-owner chief in its 60-year history, called on employees to achieve a competitive edge across technology, quality, service and execution, while stressing that customer-centric innovation should remain the foundation of all business activities. “We must reflect on how far we have come while reaffirming the direction ahead. We need to fully embrace our slogan, ‘Value, Together,’ and achieve a decisive competitive edge through overwhelming depth and scale,” he said. “We must build customer trust by delivering clear differentiation across technology, qu
Photo display of N. Korean Embassy in Beijing features more photos of leader Kim's daughter
The North Korean Embassy in Beijing was seen Wednesday to have updated the photo display on its outdoor bulletin board, adding new images of leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter. The embassy irregularly changes the photos on the board, which sits beside its main gate. The recent update featured 25 new photos in total, with a central portrait of Kim flanked by 12 images on either side, drawn mostly from his inspection trips dating from 2016 until as recently as February this year. It included two photos from this year — one showing Kim visiting a livestock farm and the other capturing him at a construction completion ceremony alongside his daughter, Ju-ae, both in February. Her appearance brought the number of photos featuring her to six, up from three in March, though same as before, none of the captions identified her by name. The bulletin board has long served as a window into how North Korea wants to be seen abroad, and Pyongyang has used it to send political messages on its own timeline rather than to broadcast diplomatic milestones as they happen. The photo replacement seen on Wednes
[PHOTO] Celebrating 40th anniv.
Merck Korea Managing Director Kim Woo-kyu, fourth from left, cuts cake to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company's Ansan production site during a ceremony at the plant in Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. The company said Wednesday the company has been making industrial contributions through semiconductor facility construction and other projects, and has engaged in various volunteer efforts for social contribution during its history. Starting second from left are Merck Electronics Global Head of Equipment Cluster Rob Mortensen, Ansan City Vice Mayor Heo Nam-seok, Kim and Ansan Site Director Kim Sang-yup. Courtesy of Merck Korea
Seoul unveils master plan to transform Yeouido Park into cultural hub
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a comprehensive master plan to redevelop Yeouido Park, aiming to transition the aging 48-acre green space into a culturally integrated waterfront landmark by 2030. A consortium led by local landscape architecture firm Saram And Namu won the city's design competition with a proposal titled "Cultivating Yeouido Park Together." The blueprint uses a spatial philosophy of emptying and filling to seamlessly connect the financial district of Yeouido with the adjacent Han River and Saetgang tributary, erasing the stark concrete borders that currently isolate the park. The revamp is timed to coincide with the construction of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts II, a major secondary municipal cultural complex slated to break ground inside the park limits in 2027. "The winning design establishes an organic relationship between the urban streetscape and the natural park boundaries," said professor Kwon Jin-wook of Yeungnam University, head of the evaluation panel, praising its balance of open vistas and urban integration. The master plan reconfigures
Paichai High School baseball team suspended 6 months over 'Tank Day' chant against Gwangju school
The Paichai High School baseball team has been suspended from national tournament play for six months after a chant evoked Starbucks Korea's controversial "Tank Day" promotion during a national tournament match against a school from Gwangju. The Korea Baseball Softball Association held a sports fair play committee meeting Wednesday to review the incident and imposed the suspension after determining the chant violated the spirit of sportsmanship and disrupted order on the field. During Monday's match against Gwangju Jeil High School at the 81st Cheongnonggi National High School Baseball Championship in Seoul's Mokdong Baseball Stadium, some Paichai players repeatedly chanted “Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks” in unison. One student even shouted “Tank Day.” The chant was a direct reference to Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotion launched on May 18 — the 46th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising — which used the phrase in a reference widely condemned as denigrating the pro-democracy movement. The backlash at the time drew responses from consumers and politicians alike
Won nears 1,560 on strong dollar, foreign stock selling
The Korean won weakened to 1,559 per dollar in intraday trading Wednesday, showing little sign of stabilizing despite suspected intervention by currency authorities. The won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,554.9 in Seoul's onshore trading, up 5.5 won from the previous session, marking the local currency's weakest close since March 2009 during the global financial crisis. The rate opened at 1,549.8 and breached the closely watched 1,550 level during the session, climbing as high as 1,559 before paring gains amid dollar-selling by exporters and caution over possible official intervention. Foreign exchange authorities spent a record $22.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 and another $13.6 billion in the first quarter of this year to help support the won. Still, broad dollar strength driven by the Federal Reserve’s hawkish outlook, coupled with the won’s tendency to track weakness in the yen, is putting renewed upward pressure on the exchange rate. Foreign selling in Korean equities is adding to pressure on the currency. Overseas investors net sold 148 trillion won of KOSPI-listed
Cha Eun-woo baptized as Catholic during military service
Actor and singer Cha Eun-woo has officially become a Catholic after being baptized during his mandatory military service, his agency confirmed Wednesday. A representative from Fantagio said Cha received the Catholic sacrament in June, confirming earlier local media reports. According to the reports by News1, the ASTRO member was baptized during a religious ceremony held on his military base as part of faith activities available to service members. Cha enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the Korean Army in July last year and is currently serving in the Army military band. He is scheduled to be discharged in January 2027. The actor has remained in the spotlight even while serving in the military. Earlier this year, he faced controversy over a tax payment dispute. Initial reports claimed authorities had imposed an income tax reassessment of about 20 billion won ($14.7 million), but later reports said he ultimately paid approximately 13 billion won in additional taxes. Cha apologized over the controversy at the time. "I sincerely apologize to my fans and everyone else for the disappointment
Oh Se-hoon begins final mayoral term with 2030 presidential bid in view
Oh Se-hoon was reinaugurated as Seoul mayor Wednesday, beginning a final four-year tenure many view as a launch pad and test ground for a presidential bid in 2030. Having secured his place as one of the key leaders within the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), Oh’s term this time is expected to serve less as a routine mayoral administration and more as a high-stakes audition for the nation’s highest office. In his address, Oh sketched out five priorities — young people, health, housing, transport and small businesses — but spoke in terms that reached well beyond the capital, promising to confront youth employment insecurity, soaring housing costs and the squeeze on small businesses. “If young people no longer believe that honest work leads to a decent life and that taking risks opens up opportunities, there is no greater crisis for Korea,” Oh said. “We must not allow even a single citizen to live in the despair of believing they will never own even one home in their lifetime. There can be no more important livelihood task than easing people’s housing worries.” He
Chipmakers face pressure to share ‘excess profits’ despite investment pledge
Despite committing a combined 4,755 trillion won ($3.05 trillion) to semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investments in support of the government's balanced development agenda, Samsung Group and SK Group's chipmaking units are now expected to face fresh calls to share excess profits. Politicians are already floating profit-sharing proposals, such as establishing a national wealth fund financed by additional tax revenue, distributing public dividends or returning a portion of excess profits to underdeveloped rural areas. The government plans to begin public discussions on the issue within a month, with the labor minister describing chipmakers’ "astronomical excess profits" as "the aggregate gains created by society." In a Facebook post on Sunday, Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, said that how to distribute semiconductor companies’ “extraordinary profits between shareholders and workers” would be one of the key questions shaping the country's future. He wrote that excess liquidity should be channeled into overseas investments and
Petrochemical overhaul faces renewed urgency as margins slide again
The petrochemical sector is coming under renewed strain as naphtha and ethylene margins have slipped back below break-even levels following a brief wartime rebound, reinforcing calls for the government to accelerate its long-delayed industry restructuring. Margins briefly recovered during the U.S.-Iran conflict as feedstock shortage fears lifted petrochemical prices. The ethylene-naphtha spread, a key profitability gauge for naphtha cracking centers (NCCs), jumped to about $370 per metric ton in April from $90 in February, but fell back below $200 in June as supply concerns eased and buyers delayed purchases. The fading war premium comes as the industry's fundamental challenge remains unchanged, with aggressive capacity expansions in China, India and the Middle East continuing to drive a global oversupply. Ethylene demand is expected to grow by about 6 million tons this year, while new capacity additions, led by China and India, are projected to reach roughly 9 million tons, leaving supply growth outpacing demand. In light of this, Seoul has begun pushing industry restructuring, with a t
Lee, Moon stress party unity ahead of DPK leadership race
President Lee Jae Myung and former President Moon Jae-in held their first official meeting at Cheong Wa Dae since Lee took office to emphasize party unity Wednesday, as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) faces growing factional tensions ahead of its leadership election next month. The luncheon came as the race for the party chairmanship increasingly evolves into a contest between pro-Lee and pro-Moon factions, fueling concerns over growing divisions within the ruling party. While the presidential office said the gathering had been planned since shortly after Lee’s inauguration and was delayed only because of scheduling conflicts, the timing prompted speculation among political circles. Lee welcomed Moon at Sangchunjae, a traditional house inside the presidential compound, where the two held talks over tea before lunch. They discussed a wide range of issues, including the economy, foreign affairs, security and national unity. Cheong Wa Dae described the meal as a “table of unity.” The menu featured croaker soup, one of Moon’s favorite seasonal dishes, and bibimbap, which s
Woori relocates microcredit bank to better support small businesses
Woori Financial Group said Wednesday it has relocated the headquarters of its Woori Smile Microcredit Bank from Seoul's Euljiro to Changsin-dong in Dongdaemun District, aiming to improve access to financial services for small business owners and low-income borrowers. The move marks the first step in the group's plan announced in March to strengthen its microfinance network. Changsin-dong, home to traditional markets and a garment manufacturing cluster, was chosen to bring financial counseling and support closer to small business owners. Woori said microcredit bank employees will also visit business sites to provide on-site consultations for people who have difficulty visiting branches during business hours. Woori Financial plans to expand the microcredit bank's regional network from eight branches to 12, adding offices in cities including Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. The relocation ceremony was attended by Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-yong, Kim Eun-Kyung, president of the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency, Woori Bank CEO Jung Jin-wan and
Major banks' household loan grows sharpest in 11 months in June
Household loans at major Korean banks increased by the largest amount in 11 months in June as borrowers took out more credit for stock investments and to finance home purchases, data showed Wednesday. Outstanding household loans at five major lenders — KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank and NH Nonghyup Bank — stood at 774.96 trillion won ($497.4 billion) as of June, up 4.137 trillion won from a month earlier, according to data compiled by the banks. The June lending growth marks the highest since July last year when their household loans gained 4.138 trillion won. The increase in borrowing was driven largely by unsecured credit loans, as investors borrowed more funds to capitalize on a rally in the stock market. Outstanding credit loans rose 2.16 trillion won last month. Rising home prices and increased home transactions also fueled demand for borrowing. Outstanding mortgage loans at the five banks climbed to a record 615.15 trillion won as of end-June, up 1.76 trillion won from the end of May.
SK signs deal to form renewable energy JV with KKR
SK Inc., SK Group's holding company, said Wednesday that it has signed a deal with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) & Co., a U.S. investment firm, to establish a joint venture for renewable energy as part of its business rebalancing efforts in response to rising energy demand. SK Group's three energy-related affiliates — SK Innovation, SK ecoplant and SK Discovery — are currently transferring their respective renewable energy assets to KKR through business and share transfers for the establishment of the new JV, according to SK Group. The new HoldCo, a 49:51 JV between SK and KKR, is scheduled to be launched by the end of this year. The JV will have a portfolio covering all sectors of renewable energy generation except hydrogen, including solar power, offshore and onshore wind power, fuel cells and energy storage systems (ESS). Its operating capacity will total about 1.7 gigawatts (GW), with plans to expand it to 10 GW by 2031. SK said the deal will provide an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of its renewable energy business while continuing to restructure its portfolio to enhanc
Aespa's Giselle and Ningning reveal matching belly button piercings
Aespa members Giselle and Ningning have surprised fans by revealing that they got matching belly button piercings together, sharing the spontaneous story behind the friendship milestone. The pair opened up about their new piercings in a video titled "[R(ae)cord] Chobaz's friendship piercing story," uploaded to Aespa's official YouTube channel on Tuesday. "We got belly button piercings," Giselle said. Ningning said the decision was completely unplanned. "We just did it on the spur of the moment," she said. Giselle explained that the idea came during a recent day off. "We had a day off a few days ago. We were out shopping, and that's when we got them," she said. The singer said she had wanted a belly button piercing for a long time but had been too nervous to go through with it. "I'd always wanted one, but I was too scared. Then I asked Ningning, 'Do you want to get a piercing?' She said yes, and I thought, 'Oh no,'" Giselle said with a laugh. To decide who would go first, the two played rock-paper-scissors. "I lost, so I had to go first. It definitely hurt, but it wasn't as painful as I expecte
30 years on, Kosdaq struggles to regain investors' trust
As Kosdaq marks its 30th anniversary on Wednesday, the government is moving to weed out marginal firms and promote higher-quality companies in a broad overhaul aimed at restoring investor confidence. During a ceremony held at Conrad Seoul hotel, Korea Exchange (KRX) Chairman and CEO Jeong Eun-bo reaffirmed plans to structurally reform the junior tech-heavy market. "The buildup of marginal companies has weighed on the broader market's valuation and made it vulnerable to unfair trading practices," Jeong said. "The goal is to replace weaker firms with innovative technology companies and help them grow into stronger listed businesses." Starting Wednesday, the market capitalization threshold for delisting will be raised to 20 billion won ($12.9 million) from the current 15 billion won. Penny stocks trading below 1,000 won will also become eligible for delisting. KRX expects the tougher rules to sharply increase the number of delisted companies, from eight in 2023 and 38 last year to about 88 this year. Another proposal calls for a "promotion-and-relegation" system, under which the market woul
Will Homeplus liquidation decision be postponed again?
Homeplus has submitted an amended rehabilitation plan just three days before a court deadline, but its failure to secure a crucial 200 billion won ($129 million) capital injection is increasing uncertainty over whether the troubled retailer will face liquidation, industry sources said Wednesday. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court will now assess the feasibility of the revised proposal to determine whether to continue with rescue proceedings or dissolve the company. Although the current deadline expires this Friday, expectations are rising that the court will defer the date once more to review the new submission. The country’s second-largest retail chain, controlled by private equity firm MBK Partners, filed for corporate rehabilitation on March 4 last year after struggling with financial difficulties and facing credit rating downgrades. The original deadline for court approval of its rehabilitation plan was March 4 this year, but the court first extended it to May 4 before granting an additional extension until this Friday. Bankruptcy law dictates that a rehabilitation scheme must receive appr
KCCI enhances biz ties with US on America’s 250th anniversary
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Wednesday reaffirmed the economic value of the Korea-United States alliance on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American independence, while pledging to further strengthen its job platform connecting U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) veterans with Korean companies. In reaffirming the economic ties between Seoul and Washington, the business organization held the ROK-U.S. Cooperative Event for the USFK Job Platform as part of the U.S. government's Freedom 250 initiative, underscoring the two countries' commitment to deepening economic cooperation. The initiative is a public-private campaign commemorating the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and celebrating its founding ideals, including freedom and democracy. KCCI said its USFK Job Platform echoes those values by helping U.S. military veterans build new careers with Korean companies. KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, Korea’s Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUSAF) President Leem Ho-young, James Heller, charge d’affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seo
Gyeonggi Province expands funding to upgrade migrant worker facilities
Faced with a shrinking domestic workforce and a chronic labor shortage across its industrial heartland, Korea’s most populous province is deploying financial incentives to get small manufacturers to improve conditions for foreign workers. Gyeonggi Province, the sprawling manufacturing belt that encircles Seoul, said Wednesday that it selected 15 small- and medium-sized enterprises for its "Happy Workplaces" initiative. The designated companies will receive corporate grants of up to 10 million won ($7,200) each. The money is explicitly earmarked to upgrade the basic facilities that affect the daily lives of migrant workers: renovating drafty on-site dormitories, upgrading cafeterias and installing safety equipment on hazardous factory floors. The incentive program, co-managed with the Gyeonggi Provincial Job Foundation, arrives amid an intensifying national debate over the treatment of migrant laborers. Korea relies heavily on low-skilled foreign workers to sustain its factory lines and agricultural sectors. Yet grassroots labor advocacy groups have long documented substandard housing
Samsung SDI forecasts earnings turnaround this year, urges AI-driven transformation
Samsung SDI expects to return to profit this year after spending the past year strengthening its business fundamentals, CEO Choi Joo-sun said Wednesday as the battery maker marked its 56th anniversary. Speaking at a commemorative ceremony at the company's headquarters in Giheung, Gyeonggi Province, Choi said the company had laid the foundation for renewed growth despite a challenging business environment. "Over the past year, we have steadily strengthened the fundamentals of our business with a mindset of 'pessimistic optimism,' laying the groundwork for a renewed leap forward," Choi said. "As promised earlier this year, we expect an earnings turnaround to be achievable this year." The comments come as Samsung SDI seeks to recover from slowing global electric vehicle demand and intensifying competition in the battery industry. Choi highlighted several achievements across the company's businesses, including securing a series of energy storage system projects, signing supply agreements with global premium automakers, restoring the competitiveness of its cylindrical battery business and exp
Seocho District to hold friendship concert marking 250 years of US independence
An affluent municipal district in southern Seoul is turning to classical orchestration and traditional Korean strings to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, framing the musical convergence as a reflection of the enduring defense alliance between Washington and Seoul. The Seocho District Office said it will host the "Korea-U.S. Friendship Concert" Friday at the Seocho Culture and Arts Center. Co-organized with the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation, the performance explicitly marks the milestone U.S. anniversary. The billing of the concert — featuring a medley of military marches alongside traditional Korean instrumentation — underscores a persistent effort by Korean officials to publicly reinforce ties with Washington amid shifting regional security dynamics. Organizers said the event will bring together local residents, Korean dignitaries, and members of United States Forces Korea, including retired Gen. Lim Ho-young, the former four-star Korean army general who heads the alliance foundation. "We hope this concert becomes a meaningful moment to reaffirm
Why Korean music shows are no longer just about K-pop
Korean music shows are no longer mere promotional platforms for new music releases. Mnet's "M Countdown" recently diversified its programming by bringing musical theater actors, fictional bands from television series and viral content creators to its stage. "M Countdown" is rethinking its role, departing from its traditional format centered on digital music charts and K-pop comeback stages. The shift serves as a strategic response to declining television ratings and shifting media consumption habits, drawing a positive reception from K-pop fans and regular viewers. Music shows previously served as the primary promotional vehicle for new releases. Today, audiences consume music through streaming services and short-form video platforms. Fans also seek out official YouTube channels or fan cams — fan-shot performance videos — on their own schedules, significantly diminishing the exclusive content traditional programs can offer. Viewership for broadcast and cable network music shows has plummeted in recent years. With audiences prioritizing online clips over live television, networks mus
'Stop the bullying': Japan defends crucified Korean football manager after disastrous World Cup exit
Public anger in Korea has fallen squarely on national football team manager Hong Myung-bo, with critics blaming him for the country’s disastrous 2026 FIFA World Cup exit. But across the sea in Japan, a wave of sympathy has emerged for the embattled coach, with public figures and commentators casting the criticism in Korea as excessive and vitriolic. Former J.League colleagues rally behind Hong Among those who came to Hong’s defense was Taro Kono, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives. Kono, who served as foreign minister and defense minister under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and later as digital minister under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, wrote Monday on X, formerly Twitter: “Don’t bully our OB Hong Myung-bo.” Derived from the English term “old boy,” “OB” is commonly used in Japan to refer to a former member of an organization or a former player for a sports club. Kono served as chairman of Shonan Bellmare from 2000 to 2005, several years after Hong played for the J.League club in 1997 and 1998, when it was known as Bellmare Hiratsuka. Although the two apparentl
Sejong University ranks 12th in Korea, 398th globally in QS World University Rankings 2027
Sejong University ranked 12th in Korea and 398th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2027, reaffirming its competitiveness in research and internationalization. The QS rankings evaluated 1,504 universities in 106 countries, with 43 Korean universities included in the assessment. The rankings are based on indicators including research, education, internationalization, employability and sustainability. The university said Wednesday that it was recognized for its strong research impact in the global academic community. It ranked fifth in Korea and 94th globally in the “citations per faculty” category, a key indicator of research performance in the QS rankings. The university’s citations-per-faculty score increased from 227.3 in 2025 to 246.9 this year, indicating continued qualitative growth in its research achievements. Sejong University said it also achieved notable results in internationalization. It ranked fourth in Korea for the “international research network” category, reflecting its expansion of global research networks through active joint research with leading
Time to rein in youth social media use
Smartphones and social media have become inseparable from young people's daily lives, serving as primary gateways to learning, entertainment and social interaction. But their benefits come with growing costs: addiction, anxiety, declining academic performance, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content. Korea can no longer afford to ignore these risks. It is time to begin a serious discussion about introducing reasonable safeguards for minors' use of social media. Recent developments in the education sector underscore the growing urgency of the issue. Newly elected superintendents across the country have embraced "smartphone-free schools" as a key policy. Gyeonggi Province plans to restrict mobile phone use not only during classes but also throughout breaks and lunchtime, while Gangwon and North Jeolla provinces are rolling out smartphone-free school initiatives and digital detox programs. These are more than educational experiments. Schools have increasingly reported that excessive smartphone use disrupts learning, fuels conflicts among students and facilitates cyberbullying. Altho
Pavilion that inspired ‘Chunhyang’ named Korean National Treasure
It has stood for four centuries as a monument to Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) architecture, a scenic gathering place for the region’s poets and the literary backdrop to Korea’s most enduring romance. On Wednesday, the Cultural Heritage Administration officially elevated the Gwanghanru Pavilion in the southwestern city of Namwon to the status of National Treasure. Long celebrated as "Honam Jeilru" — the premier pavilion of the Honam, or Jeolla region, in southwestern Korea — the sprawling wooden structure has been recognized for its exceptional architectural innovation and its deep roots in Korean cultural history. While its earliest iteration was built in 1419 by famed chief state councilor Hwang Hui during a period of political exile, the pavilion was burned to the ground in 1597 during the Japanese invasion. The current structure dates to 1626, when it was rebuilt by Namwon’s magistrate, Shin Gam. For the next 400 years, local communities continuously maintained and preserved the site, leaving a remarkably intact record of early 17th-century craftsmanship. To literary scholars,
Celltrion secures FDA’s 1st interchangeable status for Rituximab biosimilar
A key cancer treatment developed by Celltrion has become the first rituximab biosimilar to receive interchangeability status from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a designation expected to strengthen its position in one of the world’s most competitive drug markets. Celltrion said Wednesday that its blood cancer treatment Truxima (rituximab) has been granted interchangeability status by the FDA, marking the first time a rituximab biosimilar has received such recognition in the United States. The company said the designation allows Truxima to be substituted for its reference biologic without requiring a new prescription, under conditions permitted by U.S. law, and confirms no clinically meaningful differences in safety or effectiveness. The FDA decision also grants Truxima exclusivity tied to its status as the first interchangeable biosimilar in its class, according to the company. Truxima is approved in the United States for all adult indications held by the reference product, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis and m
OB Beer donates drinking water to vulnerable groups as temperatures soar
As early-summer heat intensifies across Korea, OB Beer is expanding its disaster relief efforts, providing more than 31,000 bottles of eco-friendly bottled water to support vulnerable groups facing heightened risk of heat-related illness. OB Beer said Wednesday it has delivered OB Water, a disaster relief bottled water product, in partnership with the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, to help people most exposed to extreme heat. The company said the water distributed this year comes from a prior donation to Hope Bridge and is being used to prevent heat-related illness and support hydration for people with disabilities and individuals experiencing homelessness. On June 11, about 8,600 bottles were delivered to the Daegu branch of the Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association. On June 22, about 23,000 bottles were delivered to the Korea Homeless Facilities Association. The shipment to homeless shelters is being distributed through a hub in Incheon, reaching facilities across Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Gangwon Province and Jeju. OB Water is produced in collaboration with Sansu
Seoul adds rest stop on Olympic Expressway to prevent drowsy driving
Driving the Olympic Expressway, the concrete artery that hugs the southern bank of the Han River, has long meant enduring some of Korea’s most grueling urban traffic jams. Unlike the country’s expansive cross-country expressways, which are punctuated by massive, food-court-laden service stations, Seoul’s intracity highways have lacked places for exhausted drivers to pull over. But municipal authorities are trying to turn a chronic highway hazard into a scenic destination. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Facilities Corp. unveiled the city’s first observatory-style rest area Wednesday on the Olympic Expressway. Located near the southern end of Olympic Bridge in eastern Seoul, the facility marks a stark departure from the utilitarian concrete pull-offs that typically characterize highway infrastructure. Instead, the outpost combines mandatory highway safety features with a landscaped viewing platform specifically angled to capture the Han River’s famous sunsets. The project is part of a broader effort to curb driver fatigue on the city’s 27-mile riverside thorough
HD KSOE wins $570.7 mil. in orders to build LNG carrier, floating LNG terminal
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) said Wednesday it has secured 885 billion won ($570.7 million) worth of orders to build one gas carrier and one floating storage regasification unit (FSRU). HD KSOE said the FSRU is valued at 492.8 billion won, while the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier comes in at 392.2 billion won. An FSRU is a specialized vessel that stores LNG and regasifies it at sea before supplying the natural gas to onshore facilities. The company said both vessels will be built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and delivered to their respective clients by the first half of 2029. With the latest contracts, HD KSOE has secured orders worth $15.72 billion so far this year, achieving 67.4 percent of its annual order target.
SK Group retains top spot in operating profit over Samsung Group in 2025: data
SK Group retained the No. 1 position over Samsung Group in annual operating profit last year, driven by the strong performance of its chipmaking affiliate, SK hynix, amid an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven semiconductor supercycle, industry data showed Wednesday. SK Group reported 50.19 trillion won ($32.2 billion) in operating profit in 2025, topping the country's corporate earnings rankings for the second consecutive year, according to data from market tracker Korea CXO Institute. The figure was about 27 percent higher than Samsung Group's 36.62 trillion won. The gap between the two conglomerates widened after SK Group edged out Samsung Group by just 0.4 percent in operating profit in 2024. Over the period, SK hynix's operating profit more than doubled from 21.33 trillion won to 44.01 trillion won. Samsung Group, meanwhile, led in sales, net profit and employment last year. Samsung Group posted combined sales of 432.23 trillion won, accounting for 18 percent of the total sales generated by the 102 conglomerates covered by the Korea CXO Institute's data. Its net profit totaled 49.02 tr
Krafton, Unknown Worlds settle legal dispute over bonuses
Krafton said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that the company and the lead developers behind the globally popular Subnautica video game franchise decided to drop their court fight over controversial earn out bonuses. The Korean game company and executives from Unknown Worlds Entertainment officially settled the dispute and decided to withdraw all pending lawsuits as of Tuesday, the filing read. Krafton acquired the U.S. game studio in October 2021 in a deal aimed at diversifying its portfolio beyond its flagship shooter PUBG: Battlegrounds. At the time, the company highlighted the studio's strong intellectual properties and reputation for globally appealing, community-driven gameplay experiences, such as the hit underwater survival game Subnautica. Last year, the Korean game company removed the co-founders and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ted Gill from their positions, citing what it described as a lack of leadership and delays in the development of Subnautica 2, an underwater survival game. In response, the former Unknown Worlds leaders filed a lawsuit against Krafton with the Delaware
[PHOTOS] Samba heat hits Seoul streets
Brazilian performers from Lotte World Adventure stage a samba performance to promote the opening of Lotte World's summer festival season at the Myeong-dong Theater intersection in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Medical tourism key to Korea's global competitiveness, industry chief says
When asked about Korea's signature export these days, most people would say semiconductors. Kim Jin-kuk has a different answer. The president of the Korea Medical Tourism Promotion Association (KMTPA) believes that medical tourism — combined with the cosmetics, wellness, travel and health supplement industries — is already on track to become one of the country's signature products. “There is a strong desire among foreigners to go to Korea and become beautiful,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday. “The medical tourism sector alone may be small compared to semiconductors, but combined with the surrounding cosmetics, travel, wellness and health supplement businesses, it becomes massive.” The numbers back up that vision. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2.01 million foreign patients visited Korea last year, the highest since the country began compiling such data in 2009. Their impact extends far beyond hospitals, with foreign medical tourists generating an estimated 22.8 trillion won ($14.6 billion) in economic ripple effects in Korea last ye
Hanwha Life partners with Severance Hospital on integrated dementia care
Hanwha Life Insurance signed a memorandum of understanding with Severance Hospital to build a more integrated care model for dementia as Korea grapples with the challenges of a rapidly aging population, the insurer said Wednesday. Dementia has become one of the country’s most pressing health challenges, placing growing financial and emotional strain on patients, their families and the health care system. The agreement aims to bring together the insurer’s financial expertise and the hospital’s medical capabilities to develop an integrated framework spanning prevention, early detection, treatment and insurance protection for Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related neurocognitive disorders. Hanwha Life, one of Korea’s three largest life insurers, said it will draw on its client base of 5.5 million policyholders, while Severance Hospital will contribute its expertise in research and clinical care. The two organizations plan to incorporate the latest medical research into future insurance products and jointly develop Severance-certified training programs to strengthen professional
Operatic miracle: How former baritone from Korea found global success as lead tenor
Korean tenor Baek Seok-jong says his career has been defined more by failure than success, reflecting on a musical journey that ultimately led him to the world's most prestigious opera houses. Now, he is set to make his first full-length opera appearance in Korea as Calaf in Puccini's "Turandot," presented by the Seoul Arts Center from July 22-26. "Failure has far outweighed success in my life," Baek said in a written interview with the Hankook Ilbo. Looking ahead to his long-awaited domestic opera debut, he added, "Hardship has been a greater blessing than comfort." Baek built his international reputation by turning understudy opportunities into career-defining performances. In 2022, he was cast as the cover for Samson in Saint-Saens' "Samson et Dalila" at the Royal Opera House in London, before making his principal debut in the role. Soon afterward, he stepped in for renowned German tenor Jonas Kaufmann as the lead in Mascagni 's "Cavalleria Rusticana," earning widespread acclaim. The following year, he sang leading roles in Verdi's "Nabucco" and "Turandot" at the Metropolitan Opera i
Local clinics, walking clubs: Korea’s new blueprint for grassroots health care
When Ulsan’s industrial shipyards bring in hundreds of foreign laborers, or when Jeju Island’s isolated rural villages see obesity rates climb, the national health care system can feel a world away. But a quiet transformation is taking place at the municipal level in Korea. Faced with sharp regional disparities and an aging demographic, local health clinics are shifting away from top-down medical directives. Instead, they are evolving into localized community hubs designed to integrate wellness into everyday neighborhood routines. In Ulsan's industrial Dong District, municipal authorities discovered that foreign laborers, subcontracted shipyard workers and small-scale vendors were entirely falling through the cracks of traditional hospital networks. In response, the local clinic launched a mobile health initiative that partnered with migrant centers, local merchant associations and university clinics. By bringing checkups directly to factory dormitories, worker shelters and night-shift workers, the city successfully brought preventative chronic disease monitoring to traditionally un
Lee's grand plans
Korea's ambitious plan to establish a second semiconductor cluster in the country's southwest marks one of the most significant industrial policy initiatives in its history. With Samsung Electronics and SK hynix committing a combined 800 trillion won ($513 billion) to build four new semiconductor fabrication plants, the project promises to strengthen the nation's position in the global chip race while advancing the long-standing goal of balanced regional development. President Lee Jae Myung has rightly described the investment as a milestone, yet the success of this vision will ultimately depend not on the scale of the announcement but on the government's ability to turn promises into results. The administration has presented an ambitious blueprint. Alongside the new semiconductor cluster, it plans to accelerate the development of the existing Yongin cluster, bringing forward completion schedules that had previously stretched well into the future. If realized, the twin-cluster strategy would significantly expand Korea's manufacturing capacity at a time when global demand for advanced
KAIST develops AI that analyzes mouse behavior to detect autism
A team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed an artificial intelligence model that interprets mouse movement patterns the way language models interpret text, and used it to independently identify behavioral traits linked to autism in mice, the university said Wednesday. The model, called BehaVERT, was developed by a team led by professor Kim Dae-soo in KAIST's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. It converts the skeletal movement of the nose, ears, spine, limbs and tail into "tokens," the basic units language models use to process words, then feeds them into a BERT-based transformer, a type of AI architecture originally built for natural language processing. Without being given any prior biological knowledge, the model successfully identified core social and behavior deficits in mice bred to model autism, the researchers said. It surpassed existing benchmarks across five international standards covering social interaction, multianimal behavior, 3D motion analysis and autism-related behavior analysis. In tests distinguishing autism-model mic
Kookmin University to host international e-business symposium
Kookmin University will host the 2nd IFIP WG 8.4 International Symposium on E-Business Information Systems Evolution (EBISION 2026) at its campus in Seoul from July 8-10, the university announced Tuesday. The symposium is an official flagship event of Working Group 8.4 (WG 8.4) of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), a leading international nonprofit organization dedicated to information and communication technologies and sciences. The university said EBISION 2026 is organized to provide an international academic forum for sharing the latest research achievements and industry trends in areas such as e-business, ICT convergence, information security and data-driven digital innovation. You Il-sun, a professor at the university’s Department of Information Security, Cryptography and Mathematics, will chair the event. He currently serves as director of the university-affiliated Global ICT Convergence Security Innovation Research Center. “EBISION 2026 brings together researchers and industry experts in e-business information systems and ICT convergence security t
Seoul expands free weddings, cultural programs at historic houses
Looking to move past the era of treating historic architecture merely as static museum pieces, Seoul metropolitan authorities are opening the heavy wooden doors of the city’s public "hanok" — traditional Korean houses — to become interactive backdrops for contemporary civic life. Starting this summer, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will dramatically scale up community programming across its network of public properties in the historic Bukchon and Seochon neighborhoods, municipal officials said Wednesday. The pivot follows a highly successful spring season that saw over 44,000 visitors, alongside a tidal wave of interest in a new pilot program offering free wedding photo sessions for newlyweds inside designated historic properties. The lottery-based wedding photography initiative initially drew dozens of couples vying for just four slots when the program was launched at the Hong Geon-ik House, one of the city's best examples of a merchant's home from the 1930s. Couples cited a desire to escape the sterile environment of commercial studios in favor of the natural lighting, slopi
Samsung Epis Holdings opens 1st overseas R&D center in Beijing
Samsung Epis Holdings, the holding company overseeing Samsung's biopharmaceutical investments, officially opened its China Research & Development Center Tuesday, marking the launch of its first overseas research and development (R&D) base. The company held an opening ceremony in Beijing's Changping District for the new center, registered locally as Samsung Bioepis, and began full-scale research operations, according to a company statement. The Beijing center was established as a field-specialized unit to build a technology platform centered on antibody-drug conjugates — a class of cancer treatment that pairs a targeting antibody with a cytotoxic drug through a chemical linker, allowing the drug to attack cancer cells more precisely while limiting side effects to healthy tissue — and to strengthen the company's capabilities in new drug development. Changping District is home to the Zhongguancun Life Science Park, a biotechnology hub, and sits near Peking University and Tsinghua University, giving the site access to strong research infrastructure and talent, the company said. "With the
'My dream is broken': Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
TOKYO — In a tiny Tokyo restaurant filled with the smell of Nepalese dumplings, Budhathoki Samjhana surveys the business she built from scratch but may now have to give up as Japan tightens visa rules. Even though Japan has a rapidly ageing population and is suffering labour shortages in many sectors, opposition to immigration is growing and the new rules for business manager visas were introduced by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in late 2025. Nepalese national Budhathoki, who spent a decade away from her young daughter to create a new life for them in Tokyo, faces expulsion from the country because she may not be able to meet the specifications. "I always wanted to become a bridge between Japan and Nepal ... but my dream is broken," the 38-year-old told AFP from the capital's Okubo district, where her restaurant is nestled alongside Vietnamese cafes, Indian curry houses and Korean barbecue joints. The stricter rules come as some residents complain of overtourism and soaring land prices in part due to foreign investment, prompting a push by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
New PM vows to fast-track Korea's AI push on 1st day in office
Newly appointed Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Wednesday vowed to help the government accelerate its push for artificial intelligence (AI) transformation to ensure Korea takes the lead in the rapidly evolving AI era. "Korea is no longer simply catching up in an era of sweeping transformation but is instead emerging as a country that leads such transformation,” Han told reporters on her first day in office after the National Assembly endorsed her appointment late Tuesday. She made the remarks while referring to the government's recent announcement of three megaprojects focused on semiconductors, AI and AI data centers to meet surging global demand for AI. The announcement was led by President Lee Jae Myung, reflecting his administration’s sense of urgency to position Korea at the forefront of the AI era. "The government must move more quickly to ensure necessary policies are implemented in a timely manner," Han said. The prime minister went on to say that “we will make bolder investments in AI and advanced industries while actively pursuing regulatory reform to remove barriers to i
Birthright citizenship ruling hailed as victory by Wong Kim Ark's great-grandson
The great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark, the Chinese American at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court case that established the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship, called Tuesday’s ruling a victory for all Americans, saying it reaffirmed that precedent. “I don't consider this stuff a personal victory," Norman Wong told The Associated Press. “It’s an obligation and a duty for every American to care about this because ultimately we’re not fighting for the rights of Chinese or Japanese or whatever. We’re fighting for rights for all Americans because these are fundamental rights.” Wong, 76, has become an unexpected public face of the movement to protect birthright citizenship. He began giving speeches and interviews in January 2025 — shortly after President Donald Trump issued his executive order declaring children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. In a 6-3 decision, a divided Supreme Court upheld a broad interpretation of birthright citizenship , rejecting Trump’s arguments. In an opinion by Chief Jus
Busan to host int'l heritage conference on archaeology, disaster prevention
The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH), a branch of the Korea Heritage Service, will co-host an international conference with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) on Monday and Tuesday in Busan, timed to coincide with the 48th World Heritage Committee session, which is also being hosted in the city. The conference, titled "A Timeless Issues on Heritage," will run July 13-14 at the Grand Josun hotel in Busan's Haeundae District. It marks the fourth joint conference under a memorandum of understanding NRICH and ICCROM signed in June 2023, and the first with an expanded format. Previous conferences focused narrowly on archaeology under the name "World Archaeology International Conference," while this year's event broadened its scope to include heritage safety, disaster prevention and conservation management. Monday's sessions, "Cultural Heritage Driving Social Change," will feature international case studies examining how heritage sites function within contemporary political and economic contexts. Tues
Mbappé scores twice to tie Messi for World Cup lead with 6 goals
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kylian Mbappé and France are sizzling — and not just because of MetLife Stadium's broiling conditions. Mbappé had his third two-goal game of this World Cup and set a career scoring record for the tournament's knockout rounds, leading Les Bleus over Sweden 3-0 on Tuesday to set up a round of 16 match against Paraguay. “I personally haven't seen a better team,” Sweden coach Graham Potter said. “The quality they have all over the pitch and then the options for them off the bench are very, very strong, so they’ve got as good a chance as anybody, I would suggest.” France's 27-year-old star scored the go-ahead goal with a brilliant crossover step in the 45th minute and added his sixth goal of the tournament in the 74th to tie Lionel Messi for the tournament scoring lead. He has 18 goals in 18 World Cup games, one behind the Argentine's career scoring record of 19 in 29 matches. In between, Bradley Barcola had a 53rd-minute goal for France, which became the first nation to score three or more goals in five consecutive World Cup matches. “I’m very aware
Defense minister says unified military academy necessary to break down silos
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Wednesday doubled down on the need to combine military academies into a single education entity, stressing the need to break down what he called "silos" between armed forces and achieve all-domain warfare capabilities. Ahn made the remarks in a meeting with top commanders meant to review their progress in the first half of the year. His remarks come amid strong pushback from the armed services, as well as the alumni associations of the three separate academies of the Army, Navy and Air Force. "We talk about all-domain warfare, but in reality, the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Marine Corps each talk about their own all-domain operations in their own silos. Am I wrong? The expertise of each armed force must be protected, but that expertise must never become a barrier to integration," Ahn said in his opening remarks. "It is time for a fundamental paradigm shift to effectively respond to the future battlefield and nurture national talent capable of leading society," he added. The drive for the tentatively named National Military Academy has faced stro
Sophomore starter for Bears happy to be ahead of schedule in progress
Doosan Bears starter Choi Min-seok was not as highly touted as some of his contemporaries coming out of high school two years ago, with the club picking him in the middle of the second round at the 2024 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) draft. However, the right-hander recalls he still had unwavering faith in himself, believing that he could develop into a viable starting pitcher within two to three years. Now in the midst of his second year, Choi is more than just that. Choi, who turns 20 on Thursday, has put up some of the best numbers by a starting pitcher in the KBO in 2026. After hurling six shutout innings for a 5-0 win over the Lotte Giants on Tuesday, Choi has an 8-2 record with a 2.39 ERA in 15 starts, marked improvements from a 3-3 record and a 4.40 ERA in 17 outings as a rookie. Choi is second overall in ERA and is tied with two others for second in wins. In other categories, Choi is seventh in innings pitched with 86 2/3, eighth in strikeouts with 80, and sixth in walks and hits per inning pitched with 1.18. "I have often imagined I would have a moment like this, and now that
Parliamentary committee to conduct 1st on-site probe into ballot shortages
A parliamentary special committee looking into ballot shortages during the June local elections will conduct its first on-site inspection this week, officials said Wednesday. During a plenary meeting earlier in the day, the committee approved a plan to inspect the Songpa District Election Commission and the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul at 10 a.m. Thursday as part of its investigation into the voting and ballot-counting process. The committee plans to send an official letter requesting police cooperation ahead of the inspection, considering the ongoing protest at the Olympic Park area over the ballot shortages. The second on-site inspection, originally scheduled for next Wednesday, was moved up to next Tuesday, though its location has yet to be decided. The committee will hold its first hearing on July 14 and a second hearing on July 22 before adopting its final report on the investigation. It also plans to file complaints against witnesses who fail to appear at the hearings or are found to have given false testimony. Last month, the National Assembly launched the 18-m
Watchdog launches review on Google's alleged fair trade violation
Seoul's antitrust watchdog said Wednesday it has launched an investigation into U.S.-based Google LLC, as well as its Singaporean and Korean offices, over allegations of violations of the fair trade law involving game developers on its app marketplace. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said its examiners' report showed Google has abused its dominance in the Android marketplace, with related sales totaling $9.21 billion. Under the law, the watchdog may impose a fine of up to 6 percent of the amount following its deliberations. This indicates the fine may reach up to 849.6 billion won ($547.3 million). The FTC said Google signed the Games Velocity Program (GVP) agreements with major game developers at home and abroad to prevent their potential departure from its app marketplace. The program centers on subsidizing game developers' costs for using Google services, such as Google Cloud and advertising, on the condition that they give Google most favorable treatment compared to other app marketplaces, including earlier release dates. The FTC said its examiners had concluded that the agreements ha
Seoul extends visa fee waiver program for group tourists from 6 countries until end of 2026
Korea has extended to the end of the year its visa fee waiver program for group tourists from six countries, the justice ministry said Wednesday. Under the extended program, visa issuance fees will be waived for group tourists coming from China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines, according to the ministry. The program was introduced following a national tourism strategy meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae in February to promote and revitalize foreign group tourism. The justice ministry said it expects the extension to bring positive effects on vitalizing the tourism industry and recovering local economies. Around 790,000 foreigners entered the country on group visas in 2025, marking a 39 percent increase from a year earlier, according to the ministry. Of those, only 0.07 percent overstayed their visas or continue to stay here illegally, marking a drop of more than 50 percent from the previous year.
To boost domestic tourism, Korea launches ‘K-Vacation’ campaign
Looking to channel post-pandemic travel fervor inward, Korea’s state tourism agency is joining forces with the country's most powerful business lobbies to convince citizens that the ultimate summer getaway is in their own backyard. The state-run Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will take over the Yeouido Hangang Park’s Mulbit Stage square in Seoul, Saturday, to launch the "K-Vacation" campaign. Operating under the slogan "Travel Close to Home, Heat Up Domestic Demand," the initiative aims to reinvigorate regional economies by steering vacationers away from crowded international departure gates and toward the country's lesser-known provinces. The coordinated push is the direct result of a major joint compact signed last winter between four high-profile government ministries — including the interior, culture, agriculture and maritime ministries — and six major business organizations, led by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI). Together, these public and private sector giants are pooling resources to counter a chronic economic drain caused by a surging deficit in Korea’s i
Korea enlists bakers to solve grain glut
In Korea, the pursuit of the perfect pastry is treated less like a casual snack and more like a holy pilgrimage. Enthusiasts have even coined a term for it: "bbangji sullye," or "bread pilgrimage," a viral phenomenon where foodies travel across the country to document their bakery visits on social media. Now, the Korean government is hoping to harness this culinary fervor to solve a serious agricultural crisis: a chronic oversupply of traditional rice and declining domestic grain self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Wednesday launched its largest-scale bread pilgrimage campaign. Over the next four months, the government is partnering with 300 bakeries nationwide to introduce a wide array of new pastries made from "garu ssal" or powdered rice. Powdered rice is a specialized grain variety developed by agricultural scientists to be milled easily into flour without the intensive soaking required by conventional rice. The ministry views the ingredient as a critical lifeline for balancing grain supply and demand. By substituting imported wheat with domestic
Soldier again, mother always
It took years for former Army Staff Sgt. Choi Woo-ri to return to uniform. Leaving the military was never about giving up her dream. It was a decision she made for her family after she and her husband, both career soldiers, struggled to balance military service with raising their three young children. “My discharge wasn’t giving up on my dream. It was simply putting it on hold,” Choi said in an interview with The Korea Times. Choi, who now serves as a long-term standing reservist with the Army’s 60th Infantry Division, said she had wanted to be a soldier since childhood. Her father, a former reconnaissance battalion soldier, was her biggest role model, while lessons from an elementary school teacher about serving the nation left a lasting impression. Learning about the 2010 sinking of ROKS Cheonan while working as a security officer in her early 20s cemented her decision to enlist. Becoming an Army noncommissioned officer in 2011, Choi spent years doing what she had always dreamed of before stepping away from military service to focus on her family. Even after leaving the Army, howe
Cracking down on hidden fees, Korea overhauls hotel rating system
Korea’s hospitality sector is facing its most significant regulatory shake-up in years, as the government moves to fundamentally reshape how the nation’s hotels earn their stars. The sweeping changes blend bureaucratic streamlining for hotel operators with aggressive new penalties designed to protect consumers from price gouging. Starting Wednesday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will implement a comprehensive overhaul of its hospitality rating criteria, according to an official decree. The initiative replaces a convoluted, multitiered framework with a single, unified evaluation standard — a long-awaited response to an industry that hoteliers argued had grown out of step with a modern global tourism market. Under the new guidelines, the criteria used to judge everything from a modest budget property to a sprawling five-star luxury resort will be integrated into a standardized points system. The move is engineered to alleviate the substantial administrative and financial hurdles faced by operators, who previously had to navigate vastly different compliance rules depen
Creating blessings
While living in Andong in northeastern Korea, I enjoyed the profound riches of the so-called capital of spiritual (moral) culture. Every track I have walked is filled with the traces of various histories. I really appreciate the faithful and constant preservation of inveterate history of Andong since the prehistoric era around 40,000 years B.C. As I leave Andong due to recent personnel changes, I have a gracious memory of atmospheric and picturesque mountain paths. Among them, I remember the tracks from Dosan Seowon (Confucian Academy) to the Korea Seonbi Culture Training Center. “Seonbi” in Korean means moral and spiritual scholar. Seonbi Culture Training Center is dedicated to teaching Confucian values, history and the scholarly mindset (the spirit of Seonbi) of the Joseon Dynasty. Located near the Seonbi Culture Training Center is the Toegye Ancestral House, where the descendants of Toegye take turns maintaining the house. Among the descendants, the 16th is Lee Geun-pil, who founded the training center on the hopes it might inspire as many people as possible to realize moral rest
Temu boosts IP protection for K-brands
Major Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has formed a partnership with Korea’s state-run intellectual property (IP) agency to bolster protection of products made by Korean firms. The Chinese company, which has around 7 million monthly active users in Korea, made the commitment as K-branded products’ popularity is on the rise among consumers worldwide, prompting producers to place increased importance on their IP rights. The Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency's (KOIPA) Executive Director of Management Innovation Division Son Chang-ho met Temu’s Vice President of Operations Jeremy Jin at the Chinese firm’s headquarters in Shanghai on Monday and signed the partnership. Under the deal, Temu and KOIPA will operate a dedicated communication channel to facilitate rapid response and enforcement against IP infringement affecting K-brands. Temu will use its detection technology and global team of expert reviewers to identify and remove IP-violating products from its platform. KOIPA will support the Chinese firm by verifying the authenticity and ownership of IP rights tied to K-br
National Growth Fund to scale up investment in physical AI sector
The chief of the country's financial regulator said Wednesday that the National Growth Fund, a mega-sized investment fund aimed at nurturing key industrial sectors, will help finance the emerging physical artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Under the plan, LS Cable & System Ltd. was named as the fund's first physical AI investment, although details were not unveiled. Lee Eog-weon, chairman of the Financial Services Commission (FSC) said physical AI will help boost productivity and create new growth locomotives. The investment plan came as the country announced a massive investment plan for the semiconductor, AI and robotics sectors earlier this week. The FSC said Korea can win a competitive edge in the AI factory, robotics and future mobility sectors given the country's high-end manufacturing sector. "Along with the industry ministry, we will continue to support leading firms for investment and policy backup," Lee said. Launched late last year, the National Growth Fund aims to nurture startups in strategic industries, such as AI, bio and semiconductors. The government plans to raise up to
University of Seoul signs academic, student exchange agreement with Université Paris Nanterre
The University of Seoul has signed an academic and student exchange agreement with Université Paris Nanterre, one of France’s prominent public universities. The agreement was signed on June 23 as part of efforts to expand educational and research collaboration between the two institutions, according to the University of Seoul. The agreement was reached after the two universities signed a letter of intent on bilateral cooperation last October when a delegation from the University of Seoul, including President Won Yong-kul, visited Université Paris Nanterre. Under the agreement, the two institutions plan to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including exchanges of students, faculty members and researchers as well as joint research projects, academic conferences and joint educational programs. A University of Seoul official said students from both universities will be able to study at the partner institution and earn academic credits that will be recognized toward their degree programs at their respective home universities. “Université Paris Nanterre is one of France’s renown
What about Park Ji-sung or Lee Young-pyo as head coach?
Now that Hong Myung-bo has resigned, there will be a debate as to who is next to take the national team hot seat, one of the most pressured jobs in Asia. In the past this used to be a fun ritual. First, the media would throw lots of names around — both foreign and domestic. Then there would be a short list revealed and the excitement would move up a level with rumors, reports and all the rest. Outgoing Korea Football Association (KFA) chief Chung Mung-gyu spoiled it all of late by going outside the normal practices to ensure Jurgen Klinsmann got the job in 2023 and Hong in 2024. Indeed, this is part of the reason for the current anger. Now, though, there is going to be a new boss and while it is best not to rush, the question will soon start to be asked: Who? Despite all the criticism at Hong, he is actually one of the most successful Korean coaches. He led Ulsan HD to two successive K-League titles in 2022 and 2023 and also won bronze with the U-23 team at the 2012 London Olympics. Two years ago, there weren’t a lot of choices in terms of quality local coaches and that is still an i
BTS extends Billboard chart run as HYBE artists make strong showing
K-pop supergroup BTS continued its long-running presence on the U.S. Billboard's main charts, with its latest album and lead single charting for the 14th consecutive week, while other artists under HYBE also secured multiple entries. According to the latest Billboard charts, BTS' fifth studio album "ARIRANG" held steady at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, unchanged from the previous week. Released in March, the album made K-pop history by becoming the first to spend three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the chart, and has since remained in the top tier. The album's lead track "Swim" ranked No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Other K-pop acts under HYBE's labels also made notable appearances. The collaborative single "Iconic By Mistake" by girl groups Le Sserafim, Illit and Katseye debuted at No. 43 on the Hot 100, while Katseye's "Pinky Up" ranked No. 97. Cortis, a rookie artist under BigHit Music, came in at No. 94 on the Billboard 200 with "GreenGreen." Katseye also placed two additional releases on the chart, with "Beautiful Chaos" at No. 118 and "SIS" at No. 179. Els
THURSDAY, July 2, 2026
626-Incident at Xuanwu Gate: Prince Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rivals, the brothers Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng, sons of Emperor Gaozu; he then forces the emperor to name him as successor to the throne 1582-Battle of Yamazaki: Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeats Akechi Mitsuhide 1776-Continental Congress resolves "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States" 1823-Bahia Independence Day: End of Portuguese rule in Brazil, with the final defeat of the Portuguese crown loyalists in the province of Bahia 1865-One-time Methodist Reform Church minister William Booth and his wife Catherine Booth found the East London Christian Mission, now known as The Salvation Army 1949-The State of Vietnam is internationally recognised, governing the southern half of Vietnam, with Bao Dai as chief of state 1964-U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act into law 1986-General strike against Pinochet regime in Chile 1990-1,426 pilgrims are trampled to death after a panic in a tunnel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Kim leaves office as prime minister
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok left office Wednesday, asking civil servants to put the people's lives and the socially vulnerable ahead of anything else. "I think politics is to see the future through the eyes of the weak," Kim said during his departure ceremony, pointing to his official prime ministerial tie that features a pattern of sheep with an empty space in the center. "This is an expression of our pledge to look after and take care of all, with no one left behind, in the course of (the economic) recovery, growth and a leap forward," he said. "I hope you will maintain the attitude of civil servants in the Lee Jae Myung administration to put the top priority on people's lives and the weak." Kim is widely expected to run for leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. "I will work with a greater sense of responsibility in the new arena to back the success of the Lee Jae Myung government and open up a new era," he said. The National Assembly held a two-day confirmation hearing on Kim's successor Han Seong-sook last week and approved her nomination Tuesday night. Han, a former CEO of o
1 more Korean vessel exits Strait of Hormuz
One additional Korean-operated vessel has exited the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there amid the U.S.-Iran war, bringing the total number of ships remaining in the region to just two, the oceans ministry said Wednesday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the vehicle carrier bound for Korea safely passed through the strategic waterway and is sailing normally, with six Korean sailors on board. It was among the 26 Korea-related vessels that had been stranded in the strait after Iran blocked shipping routes in the waterway in late February amid its conflict with the United States and Israel. With the latest departure, only the HMM Namu, which sustained damage in Iranian-linked missile attacks and is undergoing repairs at a port in Dubai, and one other ship are Korea-linked vessels still within the Persian Gulf. The ministry said the HMM Namu is expected to leave the strait in late July after repairs are completed, while the other vessel will likely resume its sailing in accordance with its shipping schedule. A total of 35 Korean sailors now remain in the Persian Gulf, includin
Gov't denies rumors over new think tank on utilizing chipmakers' huge profits
Korea's industry ministry on Wednesday denied recent rumors that the government is pushing to establish a new think tank tasked with utilizing chipmakers' massive profits generated by the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom. "The rumor circulating online that Seoul has sent letters to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix to launch a government-led think tank related to the sharing of profits is completely false," the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a statement. The rumor came amid growing discussions in Korea over how to utilize additional tax revenue generated by chipmakers' record profits to support long-term growth. "We will take strong action against the spread of such misleading information with malicious intent by referring the matter to investigative authorities," it added. Last month, President Lee Jae Myung suggested a basic income grant as a way to "distribute some of the excess profits to the general public" during an interview with The Economist, referring to the recent debate over how to share the windfall gains of chipmakers. The presidential office later
Multicultural conscripts to receive interpretation services during physical exams
The military manpower agency said Wednesday it will provide interpretation services for conscripts with multicultural backgrounds during their physical examinations in a bid to help ease their difficulty in communication. The Military Manpower Administration (MMA) said it will offer interpretation services for 10 languages, including Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Filipino, through the cooperation of translators from government-run family and multicultural family support centers across the country. The move is expected to increase the accuracy of the results of the pre-enlistment physical exams for conscripts who face difficulties communicating in Korean, as the number of enlistees with multicultural backgrounds is on the rise, the MMA said.
Korea, Int'l Red Cross discuss ways to expand cooperation on humanitarian aid
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina has met with the chief of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and discussed cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. During the talks held in Seoul on Tuesday, Kim and IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain exchanged views on Seoul's humanitarian assistance policy and measures to strengthen cooperation with the organization, according to the ministry. Kim highlighted the IFRC's role in responding to natural disasters and helping enhance the international community's capacity in the health sector amid a growing number of humanitarian crises worldwide. The vice minister also outlined Korea's efforts to play a greater role in humanitarian aid and called for continued cooperation with the organization, based on the IFRC's expertise and global network. Chapagain expressed appreciation for Seoul's support, saying it has made a tangible contribution to the agency's operations. He also requested Seoul's attention to areas facing growing humanitarian needs, inclu
Dr. Fauch and Covid deaths
Dr. Fauch and Covid deaths
Korea's monthly exports hit $100 bil. for 1st time in June
Korea's monthly exports hit a fresh high by surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time in June, amid the record-breaking performance of chips, data showed Wednesday. Outbound shipments surged 70.9 percent on-year to $102.25 billion in June, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Imports rose 30.1 percent on-year to $66.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $36.15 billion. It also marked the first time that the monthly trade balance has surpassed $30 billion. Exports of semiconductors nearly tripled to reach $44.82 billion, with monthly exports surpassing $40 billion for the first time on the back of surging demand for memory chips. Outbound shipments of computer products soared more than 300 percent to $5.41 billion as global tech companies expanded investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, the ministry added. Exports of mobile devices also jumped 51.9 percent to $1.55 billion amid growing demand for new smartphones. The data showed automobile exports rising 5.8 percent to $6.71 billion following the stabilization of auto parts supplies. Ou
Seoul shares return gains late Wednesday morning on tech sell-off
Seoul stocks returned earlier gains late Wednesday morning, as investors offloaded semiconductors and large-cap tech shares. After opening sharply higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) changed its trajectory, to fall 272.5 points, or 3.21 percent, to 8,203.98, as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, U.S. stocks closed higher on a continued chip rally, while investors closely watched developments regarding peace talks between Washington and Tehran. The two sides are expected to meet in Qatar's capital this week for further negotiations. The decline also came as Black Rock Inc. downgraded its view on emerging-market equities, including South Korea, citing concentration risks in artificial intelligence (AI)-related companies. In Seoul, most market heavyweights were trading lower. Top-cap Samsung Electronics fell 5.39 percent, while its rival SK hynix dipped 4.53 percent. Industry leader Hyundai Motor retreated 3.74 percent, battery maker LG Energy Solution slid 4.01 percent, and leading financial company KB Financial moved down 2.45 percent. The Korean won was quoted at 1,558.3 wo
Lee set to meet ex-President Moon over lunch ahead of party leadership convention
President Lee Jae Myung was set to meet with former President Moon Jae-in over lunch on Wednesday, a meeting widely seen as an attempt to settle, if not quell, a growing rift within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) ahead of an upcoming national convention to elect new leadership. The meeting at Cheong Wa Dae will be an opportunity for Lee to seek advice from the former president on improving people's livelihoods and promoting national unity, Hong Ik-pyo, presidential secretary for political affairs, said earlier. The presidential office has also said Lee had sought to host Moon since the early days of his presidency. Still, the focus of attention is on whether Lee and Moon will deliver any message calling for party unity as the meeting comes amid rivalry among potential candidates for the ruling party leadership who are considered to be close supporters of the president and his predecessor. The DPK is set to hold its national convention in August, with Lee's former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok soon expected to declare his candidacy and run against Rep. Jung Chung-rae, former par
N. Korea's Kim vows strong ties with China on founding anniversary of Chinese Communist Party
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has marked the 105th founding anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in a congratulatory message to Chinese President Xi Jinping, reaffirming his commitment to strengthen ties with Beijing, state media reported Wednesday. "There is no new China without Communist Party. This is the truth the Chinese people have realized while advancing under its guidance for many years," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying. Kim recalled his summit with Xi in Pyongyang last month, calling it a "historic occasion of deepening the comradely friendship and trust between us and reconfirming the unshakable will to more dynamically promote socialist construction in the two countries and their traditional friendly relations," according to the KCNA. Xi made a two-day state visit to Pyongyang on June 8-9, his first trip to North Korea in nearly seven years. During the visit, the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across politics, economy and culture, pledging to strengthen high-level communication and open a new chapter in bilateral relations. "
Poor numbers aside, new Japanese pitcher Iimura enjoying life in KBO
His numbers at the start of his South Korean baseball journey may not be all that pretty, but Shota Iimura, the new Japanese pitcher for the Lotte Giants, is still having a ton of fun. If you just looked at the way Iimura kept a smile on his face, both on the mound and in the dugout last weekend, it would have been difficult to tell the pitcher was in the process of allowing five runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings in his first two games in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Before joining the Giants as their new Asian quota player two weeks ago, Iimura had spent time with semi-pro clubs in Japan and Taiwan. At 28, he is getting his first taste of professional baseball at the highest level in South Korea. As far as he is concerned, there is so much to like. "I am just having so much fun playing in the KBO and I think it showed on my face," Iimura told reporters Tuesday through an interpreter before the Giants took on the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "As a baseball player, I felt really happy to be surrounded by so many fans. I was not nervous at all." Iimura made hi
'Teach You a Lesson' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chart for 4th week
The action-packed Korean school drama "Teach You a Lesson" retained its top position on Netflix's non-English chart for the fourth consecutive week, the streaming platform said Wednesday. Released June 5, the series accumulated 7.3 million views during the latest tracking week ending Sunday, compared with 11.8 million views in the previous week, according to Netflix. "Teach You a Lesson" was the most-watched show in the category in six countries and regions, including Indonesia, Japan and Singapore, and also reached the top 10 in 69 others. Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the Netflix original follows a team of inspectors at the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau -- Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon) -- who set out to teach bullies a lesson. The realistic episodes that mirror real-life incidents and a cathartic plot that prioritizes the rights of victims -- both students and teachers -- while also blending in comedy and action have resonated with global audiences. Three other Korean shows landed in the top 10. "Agent Kim Reactiv
Son Heung-min, other players greeted by encouraging fans in return from World Cup
INCHEON — Captain Son Heung-min led a small group of men's national football team players in their return home from the FIFA World Cup early Wednesday, as they were greeted with encouraging words from dozens of supporters. Fans' reaction to the players at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, was in stark contrast to boos and profanity that targeted former head coach Hong Myung-bo the previous day. Hong had resigned from the post Sunday morning in the team's base camp in Zapopan, western Mexico, after failing to take South Korea out of the group stage. South Korea finished third in Group A with three points from a win and two losses. They still had hopes of sneaking into the knockout round as one of the eight best third-place teams but ended up 10th in the rankings of those nations. The government plans to launch an audit into operations at the Korea Football Association (KFA) to determine where it went all wrong for the national team program and revisit what many critics say was an opaque process to appoint Hong for the second time in July 2024. Hong's detractors have claimed
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in a high-profile ruling, dealing a legal setback to his administration's immigration policy. In a 6-3 decision, the top court upheld a lower court decision against Trump's executive order issued in January last year, which sought to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders. The ruling marked yet another legal defeat for Trump at the court, following its February decision that struck down his administration's country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court reaffirmed the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, which states "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." "Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights to freely participate in our political community. The
What’s new in Korea in 2nd half of 2026: 1-week parental leave, unified rail app and more
Korea will introduce short-term parental leave, expand spousal leave around pregnancy and miscarriage and toughen penalties for wage theft as part of a broad package of social policy changes coming into force in the second half of this year. Government ministries on Tuesday announced a six-month policy package spanning family-friendly workplace rules, rail services, weather forecasting and disaster alerts. From Aug. 20, workers who have children aged eight or younger will be able to take one- to two-week blocks of child care leave once a year. The new option is designed for short-term care needs during school holidays or temporary closures of child care facilities, and allow parents to split their child care leave into shorter segments instead of only using it in lengthy stretches. Officials hope this flexibility will encourage more male employees at small firms to actually use parental leave rather than forgoing it due to workplace pressures. Spousal leave rules will also be relaxed. From Sept. 18, men will be allowed to take spousal maternity leave starting up to 50 days before their p
Korea's 'fake news' law set to redraw online speech rules
A viral YouTube video, a one-star review on a delivery app, a heated post on a parenting community — all of these will fall under the same legal standard starting July 7. Korea's revised Information and Communications Network Act, widely known as the "fake news" law, introduces punitive damages for YouTubers with more than 100,000 subscribers and high-traffic TikTok accounts if they display what authorities define as "unlawful" content, while platforms such as Naver, Kakao, Google and Meta stand to face steep penalties if they fail to police such content. High-traffic influencers targeted The enforcement decree spells out who can be sued for punitive damages over illegal and fabricated information. Individuals on online platforms like YouTube or TikTok who have posted at least three pieces of content over the past three months and either have more than 100,000 subscribers or average more than 100,000 monthly views in that period will fall under the definition of major online information producers. If they are found to have deliberately spread false information that causes harm in order
The Catholic University of Korea says faith is its strength in AI race
As universities race to expand artificial intelligence (AI) education, The Catholic University of Korea is betting that its strongest competitive advantage lies not in AI alone, but in its Catholic identity and the values guiding the technology's use. President Choi Jun-gui said the university's vision, "Be Catholic, Be Excellent," seeks to distinguish the institution by combining cutting-edge AI and biomedical innovation with education rooted in human dignity, ethics and respect for life. "AI is a tool. Human beings must always remain the ones who guide and control that tool," he said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. Korea's first medical AI ethics code The university is putting that philosophy into practice through a series of AI initiatives centered on medicine and biotechnology. Starting this fall semester, the university will launch an interdisciplinary graduate program in AI drug discovery and regulatory science, jointly operated by the colleges of pharmacy, medicine and medical AI. Choi said the initiative responds to a growing global demand for professionals who understa
Vietnamese Gen Z treats Korean esports players like K-pop idols
Min Hai, 20, a second-year student at Hanoi Law University, was among the thousands of fans who gathered to meet the members of Hanwha Life Esports (HLE), one of Korea’s leading League of Legends teams, on June 18 at Quan Ngua Sports Complex in Hanoi. Holding a placard that read “I am a Hanwha fan,” Min Hai said HLE’s rise into a team representing League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) taught the importance of effort and perseverance. “For me, cheering for HLE is more than just a hobby,” she said. “Watching the players overcome adversity gives me courage to face difficulties, too. They are like role models in life, with many things to learn from.” The scene looked more like a K-pop concert than an esports team fan event. When HLE's star players Zeus, Kanavi, Zeka, Gumayusi and Delight walked out, fans erupted with cheers, chanting their names. Jung, a 20-year-old University of Virginia student, said the players felt like both stars and friends after years of playing League of Legends (LoL) and following them since she was in high school. “It took 26 hours of flying over
Craving spicy rice cakes? Skip the glass noodles and try these smarter choices
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. The sweet and spicy aroma of tteokbokki (spicy simmered rice cakes) wafting from a street stall is enough to tempt almost anyone. And once you've decided to indulge, it's easy to add fried snacks, sundae (Korean blood sausage) and a soft drink to the order. The problem is that this combination quickly turns into an extremely high-carbohydrate meal. Fortunately, you don't have to give up tteokbokki altogether. Choosing different toppings, beverages and desserts — along with making a few simple adjustments before and after eating — can make the meal less taxing on your blood sugar. Skipping meals beforehand can backfire People trying to manage their weight often think, "I'm having tteokbokki for dinner, so I'll skip lunch." But eating a large amount of refined carbohydrates such as rice cakes after a long fast can cause blood sugar to rise even more rapidly. Extreme hunger also encourages faster eating and makes it easier to overeat rice cakes or order extra toppings. Instead of skipping a meal, it is better to eat a light meal beforehand, esp
Pilot EV grant scheme fully subscribed within one hour
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A pilot scrappage scheme, to encourage motorists with older petrol and diesel cars to switch to electric vehicles, was fully subscribed an hour after opening this morning.
Application portal opens for $100 affordability payments for Albertans
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Albertans can start applying today for $100 that the provincial government says is intended to help deal with the high cost of living.
Judge 'wrong' to spare rapists jail, court told
Three teenage boys convicted of rape should have been jailed, the Court of Appeal has heard.
Holy See calls obstruction of aid in Gaza a grave violation of humanitarian law
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The Holy See has reaffirmed its financial support for UNRWA at the United Nations, calling for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, unhindered aid delivery in Gaza, and renewed international backing for the agency's vital mission.
Fire at Antwerp apartment block kills at least six
A man is seen clambering through a window to escape black smoke in the block where some 200 people live.
U.S. declines to extend CUSMA trade deal with Canada, Mexico
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U.S. President Donald Trump's administration officially announced that it's opting not to extend its trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, triggering what are expected to be tough negotiations on amending the deal.
Reparations Efforts "Sweeping the Country" Despite DOJ Attack on Evanston, IL Groundbreaking Program
The Department of Justice is attempting to sabotage a reparations initiative that compensates victims of historic housing discrimination in Evanston, Illinois. For decades, Black residents of Evanston were subjected to redlining and other forms of housing discrimination, which prevented them from obtaining bank loans to purchase property. “Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century, housing has been the primary way that families have built wealth, and we are in a country where there is 10 times as much wealth in the white community as there is in the Black community. … [T]hat gap is a result, primarily, of this type of dispossession on the grounds of housing,” explains Howard University law professor Justin Hansford.
Evanston’s reparations program, funded through donations and a local tax on recreational marijuana sales, grants Black residents and their descendants up to $25,000 for property down payments, mortgages, home repairs and other related fees. It is the first of its kind in any U.S. city and seen as a model for similar initiatives across the country and the world.
“The effort to bring a lawsuit to stop this particular program is meant to send a message to programs in cities and states around the country that this is something that is dangerous or illegal,” says Hansford, who is helping Evanston city officials defend their reparations program from the DOJ’s claims that its race-based criteria are unconstitutional. “We want to make sure that everyone knows that it is constitutional to pursue reparations in the United States.”
Watch: Live coverage of EU Presidency opening ceremony
The opening ceremony marking the start of Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency is under way.
'Everything was worth it' - Evans bids emotional farewell as career ends
Dan Evans bids an emotional farewell at Wimbledon as he and Henry Searle lose in the final match of the Briton's career.
Cardinal Pizzaballa: 'Gaza is a disaster. Do not leave the Holy Land alone'
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The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem receives the Limes Prize for Dialogue and Peace from the Italian geopolitical magazine Limes and speaks about his latest visit to the Gaza Strip: “One thing the images do not convey is the smell. And one of the greatest scourges right now is the rats, which bite. They bite children above all, and Gaza is full of children”
Williams' knee injury leaves Wimbledon doubles in doubt
Serena Williams' hopes of playing alongside her older sister Venus in the Wimbledon doubles look in doubt because of a knee injury.
Supreme Court Approves Mail-In Voting, But Trump Keeps Pushing Extremist SAVE Act Ahead of Midterms
President Donald Trump has received another setback in his ongoing quest to control U.S. elections. In a 5-4 split, the Supreme Court ruled that mail-in ballots do not need to be received by Election Day to be counted, as long as they were postmarked by then. Although a “rare victory for voting rights,” the conservative justices’ assertion that voting by mail is prone to fraud — a disproven theory that Trump blames his loss in the 2020 election for — is “very disturbing,” says Ari Berman, the national voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones. “My fear is that this is going to embolden Republicans to double down on their efforts to try to get rid of mail voting, including the SAVE America Act, Trump’s sweeping voter suppression bill, which he seems desperate to go to any lengths to try to pass,” says Berman, who also comments on the court’s decision to strike down a federal law limiting campaign spending.
Canada will take part in Eurovision Song Contest 2027
The country becomes the first new participant since Australia joined the contest in 2015.
Canada to make Eurovision debut in Bulgaria next year
Canada is to make its Eurovision Song Contest debut in Bulgaria next year, becoming the first new country to join the competition since Australia in 2015.
"We Continue to Fight": Chase Strangio on the Supreme Court's Ban on Trans Girls & Women in Sports
The Supreme Court has ruled that states can prohibit transgender student athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports teams, with the court’s conservative justices finding that such bans — currently introduced in Idaho and West Virginia — do not violate the Constitution, and all nine justices agreeing that they do not violate Title IX, the federal anti-sex discrimination statute. These bans are part of an “effort that we’re seeing escalate to push trans people out of public life,” says Chase Strangio, co-director of the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. They have the ultimate effect of “increasing the legitimacy of the Trump administration’s authority over every aspect of our bodily autonomy and everyday life.”
Trump reports $1.4 billion in income from crypto ventures
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US President Donald Trump reported more than $1.4 billion in income from his family's crypto ventures last year.
Top diplomats of S. Korea, Guatemala discuss FTA, development cooperation
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with his Guatemalan counterpart, Carlos Martinez, in Seoul on Wednesday and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on trade, development assistance and other issues of mutual interest, Seoul's foreign ministry said. During the meeting, the two ministers agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to facilitate early completion of Guatemala's accession to the Korea-Central America Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to the ministry. South Korea's FTA with fiv
Brewery boss who banned phones and swearing from pubs dies aged 81
Humphrey Smith had been at the helm of the Tadcaster brewer since the 1980s.
Pick your England XI to face DR Congo at World Cup
Who should start for England against DR Congo in their last-32 tie? It's time to put yourself in Thomas Tuchel's shoes.
High Court orders release of Enoch Burke from prison
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The High Court has ordered the release of teacher Enoch Burke from prison.
Twice's Jihyo joins Shenseea for summer single 'Distant Lover'
Jihyo is set to collaborate with Jamaican singer Shenseea on the new single "Distant Lover," marking her latest international music project. According to local media reports, Tuesday, "Distant Lover" will be released July 10. The summer-themed track is described as blending a smooth, sultry mood with Jihyo's powerful vocals and Shenseea's distinctive Caribbean sound. The collaboration was arranged through Musicow's global "Fandom" project, which was launched in partnership with US entertainment
Evan revisits 'LeeMujin Service' with new musical identity
Evan, formerly Heeseung of Enhypen, returned to KBS Kpop's YouTube series "LeeMujin Service" last week, performing songs from his debut solo single and reflecting on his growth as a songwriter and artist. The singer appeared in the episode released Monday, marking his first appearance on the program in four years. He opened with "Ride or Die," the title track from his debut solo single of the same name, reinterpreting the alternative rock song with a piano arrangement. He then shifted to a softe
"America Is a Multiracial Democracy": Supreme Court Denies Trump's Bid to End Birthright Citizenship
“Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community. The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment extended that promise to 'every free-born person in this land.' … We keep that promise today.” So concludes the decision of the Supreme Court in the landmark case Trump v. Barbara, affirming the constitutional right to birthright citizenship and rejecting President Trump’s attempt to end it. Trump’s executive order had aimed to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign residents from automatically becoming American citizens. We speak to Columbia University historian of immigration Mae Ngai about the case and the white nationalist logic behind Trump’s challenge.
Cortis extends Billboard 200 run to seven weeks
Cortis has extended its record-breaking run on the Billboard 200, continuing the strongest chart performance by a K-pop boy group that debuted within the past five years. According to the latest Billboard charts dated July 4, released Tuesday, the group's second EP, "Greengreen," ranked No. 94 on the Billboard 200, marking its seventh consecutive week on the main albums chart. The group also continued to perform strongly across Billboard's other charts. "Greengreen" topped the World Albums chart
AI explained: Why the world needs to act now
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving faster than governments can keep up.
World News in Brief: Risk of atrocities in Sudan, UN programme prevents climate displacement, more civilians killed in Ukraine
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Drone attacks by advancing rebel fighters who are besieging El Obeid, Sudan, continue to result in civilian casualties, putting around half a million civilians at grave risk of large-scale atrocities.
‘Everything blew up’: A baseball stadium becomes a refuge in Venezuela
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Where children once trained as baseball players, families now sleep under tarpaulins. The stadium at Playa Grande, on Venezuela's central coast, has become an emergency shelter for people who lost their homes – or cannot safely return to them – after the deadly quakes that struck the country on 24 June.
Expanding areas under Israeli control in Gaza increase risks to civilians, UN warns
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The continued expansion of areas under Israeli control in Gaza since October’s ceasefire agreement is placing civilians at greater risk and severely constraining humanitarian operations, the UN and humanitarian partners warned on Wednesday.
Venezuela earthquake disaster: needs ‘skyrocketing’, say relief agencies
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In Venezuela, a rescue operation in La Guaira has succeeded in getting a toddler out alive from under the rubble, six days since the double-earthquake disaster.
‘The science is here’: UN chief welcomes first global AI assessment
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Fresh scientific evidence and options for harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) were unveiled Wednesday following the launch of the first global, independent scientific assessment of opportunities, risks and impacts by a pioneering UN expert panel.
2 legendary polar exploration shipwrecks are about to get their 21st-century close-up
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An ambitious expedition will use Canadian technology to revisit two legendary polar exploration shipwrecks. The goal: create detailed digital twins of Quest and Terra Nova while leaving the historic wrecks undisturbed on the sea floor.
Headlines for July 1, 2026
Satellite Images Show Over 58,000 Buildings Damaged by Venezuela Earthquakes, Iran’s Top Negotiator Rules Out High-Level Talks Until U.S. Abides by MOU, Israel’s Netanyahu Visits Troops in Southern Lebanon, Says Occupation Will Continue, 22 House Democrats Join Republicans to Defeat Lebanon War Powers Resolution, Trump’s “Board of Peace” Plans to Operate “Hamas-Free Humanitarian Zones” in Gaza, House Republicans Block Vote on Amendment to Halt U.S.-Israeli Military Integration, Supreme Court Upholds 14th Amendment’s Guarantee of Birthright Citizenship in 6-3 Ruling, SCOTUS Rules States Can Ban Trans Athletes from Women’s and Girls’ Sports, Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Limits on Political Parties’ Campaign Spending, Democratic Socialist Melat Kiros Defeats Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado Primary Election, Over 400,000 Children Appeared in U.S. Immigration Courts Without Lawyers, Rights Groups Accuse Ghana of Complicity in Unlawful “Third Country” Deportations by U.S., South Africans March in Anti-Immigrant Protests as Vigilantes Target the Undocumented
NTA criticised over handling of abandoned rail IT system
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Executives from the National Transport Authority have been sharply criticised by politicians for their handling of an abandoned rail traffic management system at a cost of €50m.
Duke of York's Theatre to be renamed after Sir Tom Stoppard
A theatre in London's West End is being renamed after the playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.
Two dead after plane crashed during flight experience
The two-seat Cessna plane comes down off Mill Lane in High Ongar at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.
N.L.'s loss, sacrifice at Beaumont-Hamel remembered on both sides of the Atlantic — 110 years later
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More than a century after Newfoundland and Labrador soldiers far from home in northern France lost their lives, their sacrifice is still being honoured.
North Korea-Russia bridge opening likely delayed, think tank says
The 850-meter bridge, which will connect to Russia's highway system, was agreed to during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024.
Trump made more than $1bn from crypto in first year back in office
The president's crypto income far outpaces his earnings from real estate and Trump-themed items such as watches.
Hull sell two players hours before deadline to avoid points deduction
Hull City avoided the threat of a points deduction in the Premier League by selling two players hours before Tuesday's deadline.
Up to 150 ex-WHSmith High Street stores to close as rescue deal approved
The sweeping restructuring, approved by a court, will see steep rent cuts on most remaining stores.
Family of boy attacked by crocodile thank zoo staff who rescued him
The boy remains at Addenbrooke's Hospital in a stable condition, police say.
Archbishop Hicks of New York: Don't lose hope, Jesus is on the boat with us
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In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News in Rome after receiving his pallium from Pope Leo, Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York reflects on his time in New York. Observing an increase in young adults re-engaging in the faith, he suggests they are seeking true meaning in life amid 'the brokenness of the world, of what a world looks like when it is not connected to faith, a moral tradition or some values to ground and lead them.'
More than one million people took to the streets of Mexico City on Tuesday to mark the country's win over Ecuador.
Three die in Mexico City amid World Cup celebrations
Three people have died in Mexico City after fans took to the streets to celebrate the team's qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup.
Super Junior-83z to release debut EP 'Promise'
Super Junior's new sub-unit, Super Junior-83z, will officially debut later this month with its first EP, "Promise." The duo, consisting of 1983-born members Leeteuk and Heechul, will release the six-track album on July 13. Preorders opened Tuesday, coinciding with Leeteuk's birthday. The EP includes the title track "Promise" as well as "Onsaemiro," which first drew attention when it was performed during Super Junior's 20th anniversary world tour encore concert in Seoul in April. Following the al
Beyond the Shipwreck: Transforming the Global Migrant Phenomenon
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Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lampedusa, Fr. John Lydon, OSA, reflects on his call to move beyond emergency responses to migration and build systemic, compassionate bridges of integration, dialogue, and fraternity.
IDA secures 190 investments in H1 despite competition
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IDA Ireland helped secure 190 investments by foreign companies into the country during the first six months of the year, despite what it called a "backdrop of intensifying global competition" for investment.
Number of hibakusha drops to 91,105
The average age of hibakusha rose from 86.13 to 86.66.
Venezuelan priest: Some places unrecognizable after earthquakes
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The rector of the Seminary of the Diocese of La Guaira, Father Wuilliam Vázquez, shares the concern and anguish of his people following the earthquakes in Venezuela, which claimed more than 1,900 lives.
‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
"I always wanted to become a bridge between Japan and Nepal ... but my dream is broken," Budhathoki Samjhana said.
Nowak case officers face gross misconduct investigation
Henry Nowak, 18, was handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in December 2025.
Canadians mark Canada Day as Carney urges unity, heat grips Central Canada
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Officials in many provinces are urging people to stay hydrated and check on vulnerable neighbours as communities kick off celebrations for Canada's 159th birthday.
Lefebvrians consecrate four new bishops without a papal mandate
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At the headquarters of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X in Switzerland, Bishops Alfonso de Galarreta and Bernard Fellay preside over the episcopal consecration, and the Superior General declared: "Any penalties or censures imposed for this act have no value whatsoever."
The next wave of rookies is taking diverse paths to capture attention. Some are building sizable fandoms before debuting through online content alone, while others are backed by some of K-pop's biggest names and agencies. From viral newcomers to highly anticipated major-agency launches, the race to become the industry's next breakout act is already underway. Among the most closely watched newcomers is Wayf Boys, a five-member boy group that has yet to make its debut but has already built an unus
2027 Vatican Observatory Summer School
Registration is open for the 2027 Vatican Observatory Summer School!
Around 300 jobs under threat at TikTok's Irish operation
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TikTok could be set to cut around 300 jobs from its Irish operation.
Galway GAA goalkeeper Gleeson signs for Galway United
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Galway United have signed the county's Gaelic football goalkeeper Connor Gleeson on a short-term contract.
Crash blocks State Highway One southbound lane near Tawa
A police spokesperson says one person is in a critical condition.
Paichai High banned from national tournaments for 6 months over controversial cheering
Paichai High School's baseball team has been suspended from all national tournaments for six months following a controversial chant during a recent match. The Korea Baseball Softball Association on Wednesday said its sports fairness committee imposed the sanction during an emergency meeting, concluding that the team’s conduct "violated the spirit of sportsmanship" and "disrupted order during the game." The ban takes effect Thursday, automatically eliminating Paichai High School from the 81st Blu
Village People lead singer Victor Willis dies aged 74
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Village People lead singer Victor Willis has died aged 74, a post on the band's official Facebook page has confirmed.
Village People frontman Victor Willis dies aged 74
Victor Willis was the band's frontman and co-wrote most of their hit songs including YMCA.
Delegation of Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople visits Rome
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As it does every year, a delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople visited Rome from June 27 to July 1 on the occasion of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of the city.
Time for Tuchel to show hand as England enter World Cup danger zone
England coach Thomas Tuchel must now play his strongest hand as he enters the danger zone in a World Cup of shocks, says chief football writer Phil McNulty.
Japan’s FX chief flags contact with U.S., intervention impact
Mimura's remarks indicate that he continues to see intervention as a useful tool to stem excessive moves in the currency market.
Trump's crypto businesses took in about $1.2B US last year, federal filing shows
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U.S. President Donald Trump took in nearly $1.2 billion US from his crypto businesses last year, a federal filing released Tuesday shows, locking in profits as his investors suffered losses.
Bouchaker guilty of attempted murder at Parnell Square
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Riad Bouchaker has been found guilty of the attempted murder of three children at Parnell Square in Dublin almost three years ago.
Jury resumes deliberations in Bouchaker trial
The jury in the trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, who denies attempting to murder three children and assaulting four other people in November 2023, has resumed deliberating.
Lebanese Christians remember Br Estephan, the mountain monk
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As Lebanese Christians process to the mountain monastery that was once home to Br Estephan Nehmé, its superior tells Vatican News that “the prayer of these crowds will make him a saint.”
Over 1,000 deaths in Spain attributed to June heatwave
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More than 1,000 deaths in Spain were attributed to the recent heatwave that roasted Europe, as the country posted the hottest first six months recorded, officials said.
Over 1,000 deaths in Spain attributed to June heatwave
More than 1,000 deaths in Spain were attributed to the recent heatwave that roasted Europe, as the country posted the hottest first six months ever recorded, officials said today.
Chris Brown ordered to pay housekeeper $13m after dog attack
Maria Aliva was left with scarring, vision loss and nerve damage following the attack in December 2020.
A trip to India left me with 38 parasites in my brain
Lowri's headaches, seizures and psychosis were due to an infection caused by pork tapeworm larvae.
Cha Eun-woo baptized in military, takes name 'John the Apostle'
Astro member and actor Cha Eun-woo was recently baptized into the Catholic church, his agency Fantagio said Wednesday. The agency said that Cha received the baptismal name John the Apostle during a baptism ceremony held at a Catholic church while serving in the military in June. In Korea, during military service, enlisted soldiers may attend religious services held in each unit division. Participation is voluntary, and any serving soldier, regardless of their previous religious affiliation, may
Traditional Japanese mechanical dolls showcased in London
Karakuri ningyo, or wooden automata powered without electricity, became popular in Japan during the Edo Period
Victim of alleged assault set to referee game tonight
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The referee who was the victim of an alleged assault on Monday evening is scheduled to officiate a game in Clare this evening, despite suffering a cut lip during the incident.
Namwon's Gwanghallu Pavilion named a national treasure
The Korea Heritage Service designated Gwanghallu Pavilion in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, as a national treasure on Wednesday — its highest heritage tier. The move comes 63 years after the pavilion was first listed as a treasure in 1963. Gwanghallu is best known as the setting of "Chunhyangjeon," or "The Story of Chunhyang," the classic Korean novel and pansori tale of lovers Chunhyang and Yi Mong-ryong. Built as a government pavilion in the Joseon era (1392-1910), it was a place where officia
Hanyang ERICA partners with Bangkok education center to attract Thai students
Hanyang University ERICA has signed an agreement with the Korean Education Center in Bangkok to attract more Thai students to Korea and connect them with study and job opportunities after graduation, the university said Wednesday. The agreement marks the latest international outreach by ERICA — short for Education Research Industry Cluster at Ansan — Hanyang University’s campus in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. The memorandum of understanding was signed June 19 at the Korean Education Center in Bangk
NATO allies have grown silent on rights concerns in Turkey
The West has mostly been focusing on boosting security ties with the regional military power and big arms exporter.
US-bound parcel costs surge up to 32% after Korea Post rate hike
Korea Post raised rates for parcels bound for the United States, one of its most frequently used destinations, as part of a broader increase in express and domestic mail charges on Wednesday. The price for a 0.5 kilogram Express Mail Service shipment to the US rose 32.2 percent, from 29,500 won ($18.96) to 39,000 won. For a 30 kg parcel, the rate increased 7 percent to 650,000 won. Rates for other major destinations also increased. The price of a 1 kg shipment to Japan rose 9.6 percent, while ra
KCCI deepens Korea-US ties through USFK job platform
The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry held an event Wednesday to expand cooperation for its US Forces Korea job platform, marking the Freedom 250 initiative aimed at celebrating the shared values underpinning the Korea-US alliance. Freedom 250 is a bilateral project commemorating the values of freedom and democracy associated with the 250th anniversary of US independence. The event, held at the KCCI Chamber Lounge in Seoul, was attended by KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, Korea-US Alliance Found
China arrests two Japanese nationals held in Dalian
The two, both Fuji Electric group employees, are believed to have violated China's law governing rare earth exports.
RNZ investigation finds uranium, lead in black-market tobacco
Lab testing has revealed the extent of the danger the illicit tobacco presents.
US, Iran officials holding indirect talks in Doha
US and Iranian officials are holding indirect lower-level technical talks with mediators on a deal aimed at permanently ending the Middle East war, a diplomat has said.
Express bus booking to open to foreign-issued cards
Foreign tourists will soon be able to book express and intercity bus tickets online using foreign-issued cards, a change expected to ease one of the long-running travel inconveniences for visitors trying to reach destinations outside Seoul. Kobus, the integrated express bus reservation website operated by Tmoney, will accept foreign card payments starting in August, Chosun Biz reported Wednesday. The service will allow users to purchase express bus tickets with foreign-issued cards without signi
Man asked Hutt Valley child to get into his van, police investigating
Police say they are investigating after a parent reported a man asked their child to get into a van outside a school in the Hutt Valley.
Industrial firms warn EU carbon overhaul could benefit polluters
Now policymakers are facing a dilemma over whether to hold the line on carbon pricing or yield to political pressure and help heavy polluters.
Canada will enter the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest
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CBC/Radio-Canada and the European Broadcasting Union have announced Canada will participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria.
'Extreme weather' wipes out Ottawa's Canada Day activities, including fireworks
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Watch our Canada Day special, with celebrations from coast to coast
Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say
China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by Russia's defense minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals.
AOMG launches first girl crew Keyveatz with debut EP ‘Oxy_Gen’
Hip-hop label AOMG is entering a new territory with the debut of its first-ever girl crew, Keyveatz, as the five-member act officially launched Tuesday with its debut EP, “Oxy_Gen.” The group — Juwon, Yeseul, Newy, Yuna and Jione — unveiled the album during a showcase held at Yes24 Wanderloch Hall in Seodaemun-gu, western Seoul, introducing itself not as a conventional girl group but as a “girl crew” built on hip-hop culture, artistic individuality and collective attitude. The debut also marks o
Chubu Electric continued to misrepresent quake risk at nuclear plant amid probe
The power supplier allegedly underestimated the seismic ground motion the plant could experience, using a calculation method different from that reported to the NRA.
World's largest galleon replica docks in Sligo for visit
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The world's largest replica of a traditional Spanish galleon has arrived at Sligo harbour for a 12-day public visit.
Daegu wetland project pits public access against preservation
Controversy over a planned riverside walkway through a natural wetland in Daegu has become a test of how South Korea should balance environmental conservation with residents’ demands for public access to nature. The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office is seeking to build a pedestrian bridge and walkway through Palhyeon Wetland, a naturally formed riverside habitat near downtown Daegu that is home to several legally protected species. The project has been stalled for four years amid oppositi
Japan triples departure tax in push to combat overtourism
Previously set at ¥1,000, the tax has risen to ¥3,000 for all travelers departing Japan, regardless of nationality.
Chris Mason: Starmer's defence plan leaves crunching trade‑offs for Burnham to confront
The BBC's political editor Chris Mason reflects on the fallout from the Defence Investment Plan.
Village People lead singer Victor Willis dead at 74
Victor Willis, Village People's lead singer and co-writer of hits including Y.M.C.A. and Macho Man, has died one day before what would have been the Dallas-born entertainer's 75th birthday.
Barren Lands First Nation rejoices after 'badly' needed local grocery store opens
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Barren Lands First Nation is celebrating the opening of a new community-owned grocery store. It is one of two new projects in the remote northern First Nation, where residents say they have struggled with food accessibility for years.
Seoul shares dip over 2% on tech losses amid Iran deal uncertainty
South Korean stocks ended by more than 2 pct Wednesday as investors locked in gains following recent artificial intelligence-fueled rallies in semiconductor shares, amid uncertainty over fragile US-Iran peace talks. The Korean won weakened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 173.07 points, or 2.04 percent, to close at 8,303.41. Overnight, US stocks closed higher on a continued chip rally, while investors closely watched developments regarding peace talks b
Health NZ shelves major hospital restructure
The Public Service Association said it, alongside other unions, exposed fundamental flaws in the proposal.
Talks in Qatar after US-Iran deal: What we know
Iran has said it will meet with Qatari mediators today to discuss negotiations with the United States.
Taranaki couple want Crown to back off after land acquisition withdrawn
The farming couple want the government to stop chasing them for court costs after the Crown dropped plans to seize part of their land for the Mt Messengers Bypass.
Estimated 100,000 killed in Myanmar's five-year civil war
More than 100,000 people have been killed across all sides in Myanmar since a military coup five years ago triggered civil war, a conflict monitor has said.
Japan adds new mobile phone number prefix amid expected shortage
The addition of the 060 prefix — in addition to the existing 090, 080 and 070 — will increase total cell phone numbers from 270 million to 360 million.
Balogun scores and sees red as USA beat brave Bosnia
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The United States will be without prolific goalscorer Falorin Balogun for their last-16 clash with Belgium after he received a red card in the host nation's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Man arrested after woman and girl found dead in Nagano
The same man was arrested on suspicion of trying to kill his 14-year-old son with a knife earlier the same day.
Samsung, Shinhan join Open USD stablecoin network
Korean financial institutions have joined a global consortium backing Open USD, a new dollar-pegged stablecoin aimed at business payments and cross-border transactions. Open Standard, the independent company behind the project, said Tuesday it plans to launch Open USD later this year with support from more than 140 companies spanning payments, banking, asset management, technology and crypto. Founding participants include major global names such as Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, BlackRock, BNY, Stand
Belgium through to last-16 with dramatic 3-2 win
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Belgium booked their place in the World Cup round-of-16 with a dramatic 3-2 win over Senegal on Wednesday, scoring two late goals to force extra-time before Youri Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute.
Lee vows to revive policy of reconciliation with N. Korea
President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea would push to revive the peace policy for the Korean Peninsula pursued by previous liberal administrations, as he met former President Moon Jae-in over lunch at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday. It was the first occasion on which Lee formally received a former South Korean president since his inauguration in June last year. Over a lunch of chicken porridge with ginseng, Korean herbs, braised beef, Korean-style croaker soup and bibimbap, Lee and Moon discussed p
Chip boom drives S. Korea into $100b monthly export club
South Korea's exports surpassed $100 billion for the first time for the month of June, making it only the fourth country in the world to reach the milestone, after Germany, China and the United States. Korea's exports marked $102.25 billion in June, up 70.9 percent from a year earlier, according to preliminary data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Fueling June’s performance were semiconductors, which surged 199.5 percent to $44.8 billion, accounting for 43.8 percent of the
K-pop rookie race, part 1: 3 groups that defined 2026 so far
The K-pop rookie race is entering a new phase as the second half of the year gets underway. Several breakout acts have emerged, but the competition for the spotlight is only starting to heat up as a new wave of debut acts prepares to pull focus. In the first of a two-part series, The Korea Herald highlights three rookie groups that emerged as the biggest success stories of the first half of 2026. Part two, to be published July 3, will turn to four more promising newcomers expected to shine in th
Is it really happening this weekend? What we do and don't know about Taylor Swift's wedding
The couple has been mum about their upcoming nuptials, but speculation has mounted about a multi-day celebration at Madison Square Garden.
Six of the best: rikishi of note in each sumo division
The latest banzuke offers more than just top-tier intrigue, with the July meet set to feature standout stories in every division of professional sumo.
AI decodes animal movements like language
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed an artificial intelligence model that interprets animal movement patterns in a way similar to how language models analyze words, the institute said Wednesday. The research team created an AI model called BehavERT that analyzes sequences of animal movements in context, much like a language model studies how words form meaning in a sentence. KAIST said the model independently detected core social behavior deficits
Atletico Madrid expands into Korean market as Lee Kang-in move nears
Atletico Madrid has launched a major push into the South Korean market. On Monday, Atletico announced on its website that it has created its first official Asian fan club in South Korea. The club said the new organization, comprising 45 members, aims to serve as the main hub for Atletico supporters in the country. Many fans see the move as closely tied to Atletico's expected signing of Lee Kang-in, who has long been linked to the Spanish team. Atletico reportedly showed interest in Lee even befo
Waikato Hospital ED death: Mum and daughter describe chaos as staff tried to resuscitate man
"The nurses were trying to do the best they could with the amount of people that they had - they were stressed, and the patients were getting quite agitated."
How extreme heat is changing Europe
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Cities across Europe have hit record temperatures during this year’s heatwave. As extreme heat becomes more common, what does it mean for life across the continent?
Seoul Mayor Oh starts fifth term with focus on youth, housing
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon began a new term Wednesday as the first person in South Korea’s constitutional history to be elected Seoul mayor five times. Speaking at his inauguration ceremony at Seoul City Hall, Oh pledged to restore opportunities for young people and expand housing supply, and acknowledged the weight of his unprecedented mandate. “I am fully aware that being chosen five times carries more than five times the responsibility,” he said at his inauguration ceremony at Seoul City Hall. “I
'Supergirl' can't get off the ground in Korea, either
Superman's high-flying cousin is coming up short of expectations on both sides of the Pacific, and it's not even close. "Supergirl," the second film in James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebuilt DC Universe, opened in Korea on June 24, two days ahead of its North American debut. In terms of competition, there wasn't much standing in its way. Other than Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 5," which was cruising at No. 1 a week into its run with close to half of all ticket sales, the chart was mostly weeks-o
Who rules Kospi? Samsung, SK hynix locked in battle for No. 1
Samsung Electronics' 26-year reign as the benchmark Kospi's most valuable company came to an end on June 22, when its crosstown rival SK hynix briefly overtook the tech giant in market capitalization. While Samsung Electronics' lead remains solid when preferred shares, worth roughly 165 trillion won ($106 billion), are included in its valuation, SK hynix's surge on a common-share basis has nevertheless challenged its long-standing dominance at the top of Korea's equity market. The shift was driv
North Korea's Kim reaffirms support for Xi, hails Pyongyang summit as milestone in China ties
Recent remarks by Kim Jong-un reflect Pyongyang's efforts to institutionalize closer ties with Beijing amid a shifting geopolitical landscape, experts say. The North Korean leader shared a message marking the 105th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party, in which he reaffirmed his support for Chinese President Xi Jinping and portray last month's Pyongyang summit as a turning point in bilateral relations. In a congratulatory message to Xi released by the Korean Central News Agency on Wednesda
Beyond hanok: Architects redefine K-Architecture on global stage
Seoul took its K-architecture initiative to the global stage this week at the UIA World Congress of Architects, using one of the world’s largest gatherings of architects to showcase Korean architects and present its vision for the capital’s built environment. The participation was part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s broader push to promote Korean architecture globally under its K-Architecture Comprehensive Support Plan, according to Myung Nou-Jun, housing office director of the General o
SK, KKR to launch Korea's largest renewable energy company
SK Inc. said Wednesday it will partner with US private equity firm KKR to launch South Korea’s largest renewable energy company, consolidating group-wide clean energy assets to meet rising power demand from artificial intelligence data centers and semiconductor plants. The company said it signed an investment agreement with funds managed by KKR to set up the integrated renewable energy firm, tentatively named HoldCo, by the end of this year. The new entity will combine renewable energy assets cu
Japan plans sovereign AI model and 10 million AI robots
The country will reportedly invest around $6 billion in the homemade AI model, which will be developed by Noetra, a consortium of firms including SoftBank and Sony.
Mexico rampant at fortress Azteca - and England could be next
Mexico have won all four games and not conceded a goal at this World Cup. Their last-16 opponents must also contend with playing at the Azteca Stadium.
Recap: Ireland wants to see Ukraine in EU, says Martin
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Look back on updates as Ireland's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union was formally launched.
Ceremony launching Ireland's EU Presidency begins
Follow live coverage as the Government formally launches Ireland's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Japan’s trilateral fighter jet program locked in following U.K. funding commitment
The news comes after months of uncertainty and concerns about delays to the Global Combat Air Program with Britain and Italy.
What can we learn from whale poo?
A molecular ecologist is hoping that studying the faeces of southern right whales, or tohorā, will help protect them from the threat of climate change.
From factories to power grids: FAMS maps AI mobility future
The Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 in Seoul on Tuesday presented AI mobility as far more than autonomous vehicles or transport technology, portraying it instead as an industrial ecosystem spanning manufacturing, logistics, energy, data and international cooperation. The summit, held under the slogan "Motion to Emotion," brought together policymakers, executives and researchers from Korea, China, India and the United Arab Emirates to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the mobility v
Next generation weighs in on AI mobility
Before the Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 opened in Seoul on Tuesday, students participating in the FAMS Junior Summit shared their views on AI mobility, a technology they believe will reshape not only transport, but everyday life. The program brought together students of different ages for discussions and hands-on experiences related to AI mobility. Participants also took part in an interpretation activity, performed and contributed artwork to the event. For Moon Soo-hyuk, an 11th grader at St.
Temu, Korean IP agency join forces to combat counterfeits
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu said Wednesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency to strengthen intellectual property protection for Korean brands on its marketplace. Under the agreement, Temu and KOIPA will establish a dedicated communication channel to respond more quickly to trademark and intellectual property infringement cases involving Korean products. Temu said it will use its internal detection technologies and specialist revie
HK inno.N earns top ESG rating from Sustinvest
HK inno.N said Wednesday it received the highest ESG rating of AA from Sustinvest for the first half of 2026, ranking first among Korean companies with assets of 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion) or more. HK inno.N topped the Korean rating agency's ESG Best Companies 100 ranking among companies in the 2 trillion won-plus asset category. The latest result marks the fifth time the biopharmaceutical company has received Sustinvest's highest ESG grade since the first half of 2024 and the first since joi
Japan weighs state ownership of defense plants to boost arms supply
A draft of the government's basic economic and fiscal policy guidelines calls for reviewing existing law to allow greater state involvement.
Strange bedfellows: Manga and lesbian sex work agencies team up for storytelling
Agencies and sex workers seek to present more nuanced depictions of their work and to challenge mainstream narratives that often emphasize scandal, eroticism or exploitation.
World’s oceans break June heat record: EU monitor
Global average sea surface temperatures in June were 20.98 C, beating the previous records of 2023 and 2024.
Venezuela quake survivors seek food, shelter
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela (AFP) -- Tens of thousands of people desperately sought food and shelter in Venezuela on Tuesday after the two earthquakes killed nearly 2,000, but rescue teams managed to pull a 3-year-old boy alive from the rubble six days after the shocks. Last week's 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude shocks -- one of the worst earthquake disasters in Latin American history -- collapsed whole residential complexes, left tens of thousands unaccounted for and prompted frantic search-and-rescue operatio
Iran says it won't meet with US envoys
Iran said Tuesday it would not meet with top US envoys who flew to the region following an outbreak of hostilities, clouding the prospects for a lasting peace between the two countries. Iranian officials also said the two sides must still sort out the terms of a ceasefire they signed two weeks ago before they could tackle more difficult topics, such as possible limits to its nuclear program. The developments indicated the two sides are far apart on key pillars of the initial framework, which c
'My Royal Nemesis' creators on turning an unapologetically Korean romance into a global hit
The global success of "My Royal Nemesis" had come as a shock to the series' writer, who didn't expect the time-slip romance between a Joseon-era woman and a modern-day Seoulite to have such wide appeal. "In truth, I didn't set out to write for a global audience," screenwriter Kang Hyun-joo told The Korea Herald in a recent written interview. "My only goal was to tell a story I truly enjoyed and portray the characters I cared about with as much sincerity as possible." Yet, that intimate approach
CJ CheilJedang reshapes portfolio to boost profitability
CJ CheilJedang is replacing its food-and-bio framework with a three-division structure — lifestyle food, technology materials and core ingredients — as it reallocates capital to higher-growth businesses. The company said Wednesday the move sharpens strategic focus on higher-growth units while pruning weaker operations, part of a preemptive rebalancing to navigate a fast-changing business environment. "The objective is to secure future growth opportunities by aligning each business with its core
'We're still standing': Americans on the state of the nation in its 250th year
The BBC spoke to US citizens across the country ahead of its big anniversary celebration this weekend.
FAMS 2026 opens with call for Korea's AI mobility shift
VIP speakers opening the Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 on Tuesday urged South Korea to use artificial intelligence to expand its mobility industry beyond manufacturing and into services, data and global partnerships. Welcoming participants at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lee Seok-gu, chairman of the Korea Future eco-Mobility Service Association, said AI is already changing the rules for industries across the board. “AI is no longer a matter of choice. It has become an inevitable
Paichai High School's apology visit postponed after Gwangju school says they are not ready
Paichai High School has postponed a planned in-person apology by its baseball players, their parents and teachers on Wednesday after Gwangju Jeil High School said its students "were not emotionally ready" for the visit, following a controversial chant during a recent national tournament. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said that teachers from Paichai High School, along with the baseball players involved in the incident and their parents, had planned to visit the school in Gwangju to o
FAMS 2026 charts future of AI mobility
Mobility, artificial intelligence and energy leaders from Korea, China, India and the United Arab Emirates gathered in Seoul on Tuesday for the Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 to discuss how AI is reshaping vehicles, logistics, factories, data centers and energy infrastructure. Co-hosted by Herald Media Group, publisher of The Korea Herald and Herald Business, and the Korea Future eco-Mobility Service Association, the summit was held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the slogan
Samsung C&T, Japan's Infroneer join forces on global infrastructure development
Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction said Wednesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan's infrastructure services company Infroneer Holdings to cooperate on global infrastructure development, concession and public-private partnership projects. Infroneer Holdings is one of Japan's leading infrastructure operators, with businesses spanning airports, roads, water facilities and stadiums through concession and public-private partnership models. Under the agreement, Samsung C&T will
Celltrion's Truxima wins FDA interchangeability designation
Celltrion said Wednesday that its blood cancer treatment Truxima received interchangeability designation from the US Food and Drug Administration, becoming the first biosimilar version of rituximab to secure the status and its associated exclusivity period. Truxima is approved in the US for all adult indications held by its reference biologic, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis and microscopic polyangiitis. The FDA's interchangeability designation
Woman raped by Superdry co-founder tells BBC she was working for him at the time
She described feeling fear and dread as she returned to her job, working for James Holder, after the attack.
Around 60 solicitors walk out of Dublin court in protest
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A District Court judge has said a refusal by criminal legal aid solicitors to take on work under the terms of the new legal aid scheme was "the very last action any solicitor wished to take".
It looks like an ordinary house - but our tropical garden is packed with poisonous plants
The garden was once a sun trap with decking - it is now filled with tropical trees and ferns shading it.
South Wairarapa slips could take more than a week to clear
Roading crews will be clearing large slips along White Rock Road for the next few days.
For UAE tycoon Al Ketbi, mobility's future turns on AI sovereignty
The contest that will shape the next era of mobility is not over who builds the best cars or aircraft, but over who controls the artificial intelligence beneath them, Obaid Al Ketbi told the Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 on Tuesday. Al Ketbi, founder and chairman of Abu Dhabi-based Dr. O Group Holding and a former UAE major general, argued in his keynote at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul that AI, mobility and what he called the "low-altitude economy" are converging into a s
Xiaomi designer says cars are becoming partners, not products
Xiaomi did not move from phones into cars to add another screen to its ecosystem, the company's chief designer told the Future AI Mobility Summit on Tuesday. It did so to build something the driver relates to rather than merely operates. "With AI, the car can become a partner that understands you," said Li Tianyuan, general manager of industrial design and chief designer at Xiaomi Auto, as well as a former exterior-design expert at BMW, in one of the day's most closely watched sessions at the Ko
Crow is main culprit in downed power line accident
The driver of a concrete mixer was severely injured after a high-voltage power line snapped and fell onto his vehicle in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province, authorities said Wednesday. The accident occurred at about 11:43 a.m. Tuesday as the man, in his 70s, was driving along a paved farm road in Songhyeon-ri, Sowon-myeon. A power line connected to a roadside utility pole broke and struck the top of the truck, leaving the driver with severe electrical burns, according to local police and t
Samsung Epis opens 1st overseas R&D center in China
Samsung Epis Holdings has opened its first overseas research and development office in Beijing, looking to leverage the local talent and infrastructure to speed up new drug discovery. According to Samsung Epis Holdings on Wednesday, it held an official opening ceremony for Samsung Bioepis China on the previous day. In May, the firm announced that it had recently set up Samsung Bioepis China, a fully owned subsidiary, in Beijing’s Changping district, without disclosing the size of the investment.
Thai K-drama remakes to reach Indian viewers
Thai adaptations of Korean dramas will be available on Amazon MX Player in India this week, CJ HK Entertainment said. The company announced Wednesday that six Thai remakes of K-dramas have been distributed to Amazon MX Player, an Indian advertising-supported streaming platform, with all episodes set to be released on Thursday. The six titles — "Good Doctor," "Dear My Secretary," "23:23," "Start-Up," "Happiness," and "Thank You Teacher" — were produced by True CJ Creations, a local joint venture
Aoora wins 'Iconic Spiritual Song of the Year' at Indian music awards
Aoora has won the Iconic Spiritual Song of the Year award at the Mid-Day Showbiz Icons Awards, held in Mumbai, India, Saturday, marking a milestone in India's mainstream music industry. The honor was awarded for the K-pop singer's February single "Shiva Shivam." Reinterpreting Hindu mythology through a contemporary lens, the music video has surpassed 14.35 million views on YouTube as of Wednesday. The song combines modern K-pop production with spiritual themes rooted in Indian culture, earning w
Some startups see opportunity in an aging Japan
The demographic challenges faced by the country could create demand for products that help older people and support treatment.
Han becomes South Korea's 1st female PM since 2007
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook took office Wednesday, succeeding Kim Min-seok, who is returning to the National Assembly as a lawmaker after completing his one-year term as prime minister. Han, 59, is the first female prime minister of South Korea in about two decades, and the second in South Korea's modern history. Prior to her, Han Myeong-sook served in the role from 2006 to 2007 during the former liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration. On her way to the office at the Government Complex Seoul, Han
Improved learning support for kids with disabilities considered by Audit Office
The office is also considering looking at the school-readinesss of five-year-olds.
Why do we salute with 21 guns?
How did armed forces the world over settle on an uneven number like 21 that has no obvious symbolic value? The answer goes back to an age-old pursuit: administrative cost-cutting.
Kawasaki Heavy seeks ¥200 billion via new shares and convertible bonds: sources
The company will decide on the details of the issuance as soon as this week, the sources said.
Mexico sees off Ecuador to break 40-year World Cup curse
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when it last hosted the tournament.
Man indicted over livestreaming murder in Tokyo admits to charges during trial
Kenichi Takano attacked Airi Sato as she was walking and livestreaming on a street in Tokyo last March, stabbing her face and chest multiple times with a knife.
Law revisions regarding imperial family invite controversy about succession
Revisions to the laws meant to tackle the imperial family's dwindling numbers included clauses that throw succession rules into question.
Greenspan deflated one bubble — his own authority
Years of economic success under Alan Greenspan ultimately gave way to financial turmoil that critics say his policies helped create.
UK boosts military spending by $20 billion but critics say it's not enough
Self-flying fighter jets, uncrewed submarines and drones will be at the center of Britain’s future military under a defense plan announced Tuesday that includes a 15 billion pound ($20 billion) spending boost. Like other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the UK is under pressure to increase defense spending to counter a more aggressive Russia and less reliable US. But its Defense Investment Plan has been repeatedly delayed as military leaders and Treasury officials wrangled over
Tens of millions swelter as heat wave blasts US
Tens of millions of Americans sweltered under furnace-like temperatures Tuesday as central and eastern cities hunkered down for a heat wave set to last through the July 4 holiday weekend. Dozens of local temperature records could be broken, the National Weather Service warned, with temperatures in many places to surpass 38 degrees Celsius and high humidity pushing the heat index as high as 46 C. It comes as America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence, and as the United St
The Vespa at 80: Why the Italian scooter remains the coolest thing on 2 wheels
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Thousands of Vespa riders have been moving in swarms through Rome to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the iconic Italian scooter, which became famous in the 1953 film Roman Holiday.
From Tamil to Cree to Mandarin, these stand-up comedians are using their mother tongue to land punchlines
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Across Canada, a growing number of comedians are turning to their mother tongues on stage — not just as a stylistic choice, but as a way to tell more honest stories, reclaim histories shaped by migration and colonialism, and introduce audiences to perspectives not often heard.
I walked across Canada and it changed what I thought I knew about it
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For most of her life, Sonya Richmond's understanding of Canada came from maps, media and flying quickly between major landmarks. That changed when she spent years walking across the country on the Trans Canada Trail.
Cartoon villains with foreign accents drive language bias, Canadian study finds
When popular villains in cartoon shows and movies speak in foreign-accented English, the young children watching the conniving depictions also seem to pick up language biases, Canadian researchers say.
Could cities recycle the heat produced by data centres? Here's why that's very possible
United States lifts ban on Anthropic AI tools, opening access for New Zealanders
Anthropic said that it would begin restoring access "tomorrow".
Person seriously injured in workplace incident in rural Auckland's Glenbrook
Emergency services were called to the address on Glenbrook Rd at 2pm on Wednesday.
China’s export controls target Japan to split the Group of Seven
Why Japan and why now? Tokyo raised the first question itself: Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara protested that controls singling out Japan depart from international practice.
Roadside land prices rise in popular Japanese tourist sites
Across the board, the prices of land facing major roads in Japan as of Jan. 1 went up by 2.9%, marking a fifth consecutive year of increases.
Panasonic targets further AI growth to build on record valuation
The Japanese electronics conglomerate is attracting renewed investor attention as a beneficiary of the artificial-intelligence boom.
More than a million cigarettes seized, five arrested in black market crackdown
Five people have been arrested and more than a million cigarettes seized as part of the effort to crack down on the black market tobacco trade.
Takaichi sets target for nominal GDP of $6.8 trillion in 2040
The projections are in line with Cabinet Office estimates based on the premise that the government's growth strategy is successfully implemented over the next 14 years.
Chiefs lose another player overseas
All Black loose forward Samipeni Finau is heading to Japan.
Taiwan’s aging seaweed harvesters hope younger women will wade in
There are no more than four women in the Magang fishing village in Taiwan who still regularly collect Gelidium algae, and all of them are in their 70s or older.
World's oceans break June heat record
The world's oceans experienced their hottest June on record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead as El Niño and climate change drive temperatures even higher, scientists have said.
Explainer: Why don't we get more daylight faster after the winter solstice?
Explainer: Why does it take so long for the days to get lighter after winter solstice? Look to the stars for the answers.
Crash blocks road to Milford Sound
Police say two people were injured in the crash on State Highway 94.
United, free and brilliant - can anyone stop France masterclass?
France boss Didier Deschamps urges caution despite watching his side dismantle Sweden to leave Les Bleus fans dreaming of winning the World Cup.
Crash closes SH3 through Awakino Gorge
The crash has occurred north of the major slip site which occurred in April.
Drinking water meets 'very high standards', says EPA
Publicly supplied drinking water in Ireland is safe and continues to meet very high standards for more than four million people, the Environmental Protection Agency has said.
Man who died in Wellington crash remembered as always having a positive outlook
Police named the man as Gregory David Diggins, 62, from Lower Hutt.
Drug checking service identifies other substance sold as GHB in Wellington
It comes after one person died and five others were hospitalised following a string of suspected overdoses of the fantasy drug GHB in Wellington in recent days.
Icy roads causing crashes, fog disrupting air travel on chilly day around NZ
Hamilton and Christchurch are among centres below zero this morning.
World Cup 2026: Mexico 2-0 Ecuador recap
Mexico overwhelm Ecuador in the first half to set up a potential last-16 clash with England.
Call for reserved Dáil seats for Traveller women - study
A report examining the absence of Traveller women from Irish politics has warned that their continued underrepresentation in political life will perpetuate their broader exclusion from society.
Three major cyberattacks have raised alarms about New Zealand's security
The most recent National Cyber Security Centre report, for the first quarter of the year, says there were three incidents likely to impact key sensitive date or disrupt essential services in organisations of national significance.
'Back with vengeance': Western Manitoba faces heavy flooding again
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Flooding in Manitoba's Parkland area has swamped already-waterlogged communities, washed out roads and forced the closure of a provincial park — stranding campers, cottagers, lodge guests and staff.
A plane crashed into a tower in Beijing but China is not saying what happened
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The collision left holes on the side of the tower, but Beijing has scrubbed other visible traces of the incident.
Horowhenua College teacher dismissed over conduct concerns towards student
Asaria Saili was previously the language dean at the college, but now holds no authority to teach.
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
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Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
Women with PMOS should have yearly NHS checks, says health watchdog
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Despite affecting millions of women in the UK, PMOS is still under-diagnosed and inconsistently managed, say experts.
Opt-out window opens for auto-enrolment pension scheme
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Workers who have been automatically enrolled in the 'My Future Fund' pension scheme can choose to opt out of the system from today.
Failure to take climate action could cost €13bn - IFAC
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Failing to take action on climate change could cost the State up to €13 billion by 2050, the State's fiscal watchdog has warned.
Failure to take climate action could cost €13bn - IFAC
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Failing to take action on climate change could cost the State up to €13 billion by 2050, the State's fiscal watchdog has warned.
No talks on public sector pay as deal expires
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The latest public sector pay deal has officially expired and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement.
Ireland at 'forefront of upholding rules-based order'
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Ireland has consistently been at the forefront of upholding international rules-based order, the ceremony to mark the start of the country's EU presidency has heard.
Workers to rally in Dublin on first day of EU Presidency
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Workers in the cleaning, security and catering sectors will hold a rally in Dublin to demand better working conditions and wages to mark the first day of Ireland's EU presidency.
Public memorial for slain Montreal police officer to be held July 7
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A public memorial for Montreal police officer Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, who was killed last week in the line of duty, will be held July 7.
Police seeking Anthony Ngapera who is considered dangerous
There is a warrant for the 41-year-old's arrest and police say he should not be approached.
FSAI recalls cooked ham batches after Listeria detection
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A number of batches of cooked ham have been recalled from retail outlets by the FSAI due to the possible presence of listeria monocytogenes.
Hospitals can now give out bowel cancer screening tests to symptomatic patients
It's part of a new nationwide initiative to reduce colonoscopy waitlists by up to 30 percent by prioritising who needs the most urgent care.
'You pay the price for the price you pay' - original school lunch contractor
A group that lost its contracts through the government's shake-up says a scathing review confirms long-standing warnings.
Multiple crashes close part of Auckland's northern motorway
One person has received moderate injuries in one of the two crashes on Greenhithe Bridge.
mRNA vaccines proved safe and effective during COVID, review says. Cancer could be next
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The mRNA vaccines approved to treat COVID-19 are safe and effective and show promise in treating other diseases including cancer, according to a new review published in The Lancet Tuesday.
World Cup 2026: France 3-0 Sweden recap
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France showed why they are the team to beat for so many with a stunning display against Sweden.
Lawsuit attempting to reopen Cowichan Aboriginal title case dismissed
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Montrose Properties, the area's largest landowner, took the unusual step of trying to have the case reopened, arguing it was unfairly omitted from the original trial and that its fee simple land interests are directly affected by a declaration of Aboriginal title. But a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled this week it is an "abuse of process for relitigation" and will not be allowed.
One dead after crash in Manawatū
The person was found in a critical condition and taken to hospital, where they died overnight.
Republicans portray Canadian border as a threat, but U.S. statistics tell a different story
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Republican members of Congress tried turning up the heat on Canada on Tuesday, depicting the northern border as a dangerous security threat allowing lots of drugs and illegal migrants into the U.S.
Rapid review after Waikato Hospital ED death to be done by end of the week
Health New Zealand says wait times at the hospital's emergency department aren't where they need to be.
What Does It Cost To Keep The UK Safe?
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The government releases it’s long awaited defence investment plan.
What exactly is proposed in rural planning guidelines?
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As TDs express enthusiasm about the new rural planning guidelines unveiled by ministers today - what exactly is proposed in the plans?
Govt TDs set to oppose motion to ban hare coursing
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Government party TDs are to oppose a forthcoming Dáil motion proposing a ban on hare coursing, with Coalition representatives not to receive a free vote on the issue.
U.S.-inspired World Cup beaver statue in Toronto destroyed, police investigating
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A United States-themed beaver sculpture designed to welcome World Cup tourists to downtown Toronto was destroyed over the weekend, prompting a police investigation and indignation from the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
Howard pulls off remarkable qualification for the Open
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Corkman David Howard, diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was seven years old, has earned a fairytale ticket to the Open Championship after coming through final qualifying for the major.
Prosecutions may be coming from Moa Point failure - but public won't know until at least December
A local MP says it's time to dump the company which had been operating the plant at the time, but the new water entity boss says it will remain while its contract is in place.
Heat scorches parts of U.S., millions facing 'extremely dangerous' conditions
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People in the U.S. Midwest and Great Lakes states are sweltering under intense heat and humidity in the lead-up to the Fourth of July holiday. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned that temperatures are expected to climb into the high 90s and triple digits, with a heat index that could peak at around 112 F (44 C).
Conservative wins, some Trump limits at Supreme Court
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The US Supreme Court handed conservatives major victories on presidential power, immigration, elections and social issues during its nine-month term, while placing significant limits on President Donald Trump's agenda.
Investigation into alleged assault of GAA referee
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An investigation is under way into an alleged assault of a referee during an incident at an underage GAA match in Co Clare on Monday evening.
Apology comes after controversy over comments about Indigenous evacuees in Niagara Falls
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Indigenous community members and organizations say they feel targeted after comments made by a former Niagara Falls administrator and current Mayor Jim Diodati at a June 23 city council meeting about evacuees overburdening the city.
NZ and US sign 'statement of intent' over military space operations
The US says NZ has been able to demonstrate that a "small capability in relative terms, can contribute disproportionately to collective space activities".
Roofs ripped off, homes damaged after storm hits Winnipeg
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Residents in the city's southwest cleaned up and assessed damage after a fierce rainstorm on Monday.
Details emerge connecting double murder, explosion and suicide in eastern Ontario
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Will Summer McIntosh break more records at the Canadian swimming trials?
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CBC Sports' daily newsletter previews Summer McIntosh's return to the Canadian swimming trials, where she has other goals in mind after last year's record-smashing performance.
A slew of new laws are coming into effect in Ontario on Canada Day. Here's what you should know
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July 1 marks the day when a host of regulatory and legal changes take effect. They include changes to landlord and tenants rules, auto insurance changes and expanded powers for pharmacists.
Manitoba teen accused of planning school attack denied bail
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A provincial court judge in Brandon has denied bail for a Rivers, Man., teen accused of planning a school attack. The 14-year-old has been in custody since RCMP arrested him March 16.
Serena Williams 'enjoyed the moment' despite 3-set loss at Wimbledon in comeback at age 44
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Serena Williams, 44, wasn't quite able to dominate like she used to on Tuesday, and was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by an opponent less than half the American's age, 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia, in the opening round of Wimbledon.
Disruption to courts to continue as solicitors protest
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Disruption to the work of the courts is expected to continue after solicitors indicated they would stop taking free legal aid cases in protest at plans to reform fees.
South African anti-migrant protests are a political scapegoat based on lies, says activist
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While some South Africans are chasing migrants out of the country with threats and violence, others are rallying to help those running for their lives. Sharon Ekambaram is one of those helpers.
Saskatchewan posts $947M deficit for 2025-26 after predicting surplus
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The Saskatchewan Party government reported a deficit of $947 million for 2025-26, a difference of $959 million from the $12-million surplus forecast in the budget that was tabled last year.
Raptors close to reacquiring Kawhi Leonard in blockbuster trade 7 years after title run: reports
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Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the Toronto Raptors after they struck a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to reunite with the player who led their run to the 2019 NBA championship, a person with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Proposed class-action lawsuit filed over alleged Alberta voter privacy breach
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A retired Alberta lawyer has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging one of the largest privacy breaches in the province's history exposed the personal information of about 2.9 million voters.
Man who pleaded guilty to firebombing Montreal synagogue says he was driven by drug addiction
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A 20-year-old man who pleaded guilty to firebombing a synagogue in the West Island Montreal suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., and damaging a nearby Jewish community centre in December 2024, says the acts were driven by a drug habit rather than antisemitism.
Garda goes on trial for child cruelty and rape of wife
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A garda has gone on trial accused of child cruelty of his children and the rape of his wife.
New AI cybersecurity guidelines issued for public service
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New cybersecurity guidelines have been issued for the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) by the public service.
Father worried son might be 'danger to himself' - inquest
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The father of Ivan Rosney, who died in prison almost six years ago, has told an inquest that he worried about his son being "a danger to himself" and he had hoped he would receive mental health treatment when he was brought into custody.
Dáil passes bill to end Dublin Airport passenger cap
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The Dáil has passed legislation to end the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.
Events mark 160th anniversary of Blacksod Lighthouse
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Blacksod Lighthouse in Co Mayo is marking its 160th anniversary with a special programme of events.
Victim Support facing fresh scrutiny over claims of 'toxic' and 'bullying' workplace culture
The agency's chief executive says the claims don't reflect Victim Support today.
An Post puts its stamp on Ireland's Presidency of the EU
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A stamp has been issued by An Post to mark Ireland's Presidency of the European Union.
Astronauts are doing a space walk to repair robotic arm on the ISS
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The Canadarm2, a 56-foot-long arm that has been in operation for more than 25 years on the International Space Station, is undergoing repairs after a joint malfunctioned last month. The arm is an important part of the ISS and is used to move large equipment and capture cargo vehicles.
Blake Lively wants $8M US in legal costs from Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us aftermath
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Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni may have agreed to settle their differences , but that hasn't stopped the drama — Lively is now looking for just over $8 million US in legal costs from her It End With Us co-star and director.
Zambia: Bishop Msipu urges priests to find strength in God amidst priestly challenges
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Diocesan priests of Zambia’s Solwezi Diocese have just concluded a week-long annual retreat dedicated to spiritual renewal and priestly fraternity. The retreat was held at St. Augustine’s Mpima Major Seminary in Kabwe. Leading the priests in prayer and reflection, Bishop Gabriel Msipu Phiri, Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata Diocese, addressed thirty-eight diocesan priests. He emphasised that “priesthood is noble and a special gift God has willingly shared with us, as his priests.”
Jasper, Alta., to get $520M in additional reconstruction funding from federal government after 2024 wildfire
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Jasper will receive more than half a billion dollars in funding from the federal government to accelerate the rebuilding of destroyed and damaged park assets and provide temporary housing for residents displaced by the 2024 wildfire.
State of emergency, flash flood warning issued in southwestern Manitoba after deluge
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Southwestern Manitoba is under a flash flood warning and the Municipality of Boissevain-Morton has declared a state of emergency after torrential rains hit the storm-battered region again on Monday.
NDAs, permits and street closures: Evidence is mounting for a Taylor Swift wedding at Madison Square Garden
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Ever since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, fans have been dying for details. While absolutely nothing is confirmed by the couple themselves, here's what's got people talking.
Trump's bid to restrict birthright citizenship rejected
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The US Supreme Court has rejected President Donald Trump's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the US.
11 teens charged after Montreal police investigates moments prior to police killing Longueuil teen
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On Tuesday, Montreal police announced that 11 suspects are facing criminal charges following an investigation into the moments leading to the killing of 15-year-old Nooran Rezayi. The suspects were between 13 and 17 years old at time of the shooting.
Nestle to cut artificial colourings from all products
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Nestle plans to remove artificial food colourings from all products worldwide by the end of 2026, a senior executive has said, making it the first major food company to take such a step.
Qatar rules out direct US–Iran talks amid widening regional strain
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Qatar has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Doha but will not hold direct meetings with Iranian officials.
Elbows up, cashspiel, kokum: new Canadian terms enter the Oxford English Dictionary
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The Oxford English Dictionary is adding seven new terms from Canadian English, helping the rest of the world see Canadians more like we see ourselves.
Why 'Wild Thing' viewers can't stop talking about Oh Jung-se over lead actor
The 2021 film "I Don’t Fire Myself" shines a spotlight on transmission tower workers, whose stories are rarely highlighted on the screen. Although they perform the critical task of inspecting and repairing power transmission towers, the workers are employed by subcontractors. The film vividly portrays their grueling work, hazardous conditions and unfair treatment. Jeong-eun (Yoo Da-in), an employee temporarily assigned from the main contractor, and Choong-sik (Oh Jung-se), the least experienced member of the crew, bring the workers' struggles to life. The film was shot around Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, in late autumn 2018. Most of the transmission tower scenes were filmed at an electrical training center to ensure the safety of the actors. Before filming began, however, director Lee Tae-gyeom and the cast decided to climb an actual transmission tower to experience, even briefly, what the workers feel. The climb was intended only as an experiential exercise, not an actual maintenance operation, so the director instructed everyone to stop halfway up. He himself climbed only to the
Winners of the 22nd Economic Essay Contest
The Korea Times is pleased to announce the winners of its 22nd English Economic Essay Contest for university students. The Grand Prize winners are Alexandra Maria Escobar Garay, a Salvadoran student at Busan University of Foreign Studies, and Ko Kyung-hwan, a Korean student at Hanyang University. Each winner will receive 3 million won in prize money and an award certificate. The runners-up are Sultanova Khadizha, a Kyrgyz student at Woosong University, and Said Jonathan Luviano Lessie, a Mexican student at Ajou University. Each will receive 2 million won and an award certificate. Commendation awards went to Tran Minh Ngoc, a Vietnamese student at Hanoi Financial and Banking University, Narzullaeva Maftuna Shukhrat Kizi, an Uzbek student at Inha University, and Lee Hyo-jeong, a Korean student at the University of California. Each will receive 1 million won and a certificate. The contestants wrote essays addressing one of two subjects. The first topic covered Korean banks and securities firms. The contestants were asked to write an essay based on this writing prompt: Korean banks and securitie
Blooming trumpet vines become symbol of Korean summer
Neungsohwa, or trumpet vine, is emerging as a summer icon for young Koreans, who increasingly treat its blooming season as an experience to savor. Part of the trumpet creeper family, the plant produces clusters of large flowers in vivid shades of yellow and orange. It sends long, flexible stems up walls, fences and tree trunks, reaching heights of up to 10 meters. It typically blooms from July to September, peaking around August. Its blooms spill over theatrically, highlighting even small spaces and creating a sense of drama. The plant is hardy, tolerating heat, rain and wind, and has long been cultivated at homes and gardens around Korea. The flower’s recent popularity roots in its name and symbolism. The name of the flower can be translated as "insulting the sky." Essays have gone viral on social media playing with the idea of “laughing at” or “defying” the harsh summer sky, along with the season's monsoon rains, typhoons and oppressive heat. Old stories describe the flower as a sign of dignity and integrity even in decline, as its blossoms drop intact rather than scattering
IMF paves way for $1.6 bil. disbursement to Egypt
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Egyptian authorities on reviews of the country's loan program, clearing the way for the disbursement of $1.6 billion. Egypt has multiple programs with the IMF, with a four-year $8.5 billion Extended Fund Facility that began in 2022 and a $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility arrangement signed last year. Heavily indebted Egypt is struggling with double-digit inflation as the effects of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran hit energy and other sectors, with the Egyptian currency depreciating as a result. "The impact of the war in the Middle East on the Egyptian economy has remained relatively contained, supported by the authorities' timely and decisive policy actions," said Amine Mati, IMF mission chief for Egypt, in a statement on Monday. Nevertheless, the Fund warned that downside risks were significant, with renewed global inflationary pressures and tightening financial conditions. In April, the IMF slashed its Middle East and North Africa growth forecast to 1.1 percent due to the effects of the war on I
Bears shut out Giants to begin new week in KBO
Light-hitting shortstop Park Chan-ho crushed a big home run as part of a four-RBI night, while sophomore starter Choi Min-seok continued his breakout season with a second straight scoreless outing, as the Doosan Bears blanked the Lotte Giants 5-0 in Korean baseball Tuesday. The Bears improved to 39-38-2 (wins-losses-ties) for this Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season, and they are 7-3-0 against the Giants in 2026. The Giants fell to 33-42-2 after winning two straight games over the weekend. The Bears scored the first run in the bottom of the second. Kim Min-suk led off with a double off starter Park Se-woong and advanced to third on a groundout, before Park Chan-ho cashed him in with a single. The game then turned into a pitching duel between Park Se-woong and Choi. Park settled down after allowing the first run and held the Bears to just two singles over the next three frames. Choi kept putting zeroes on the board despite giving up a fair share of hits. The right-hander allowed three singles in the top fifth but still kept the Giants off the board, with Jeon Min-jae getting thrown ou
US envoys arrive in Qatar for meetings on Iran amid tensions following weekend attacks
Two U.S. envoys arrived in Qatar on Tuesday for talks with mediators about the implementation of an initial deal to end the war in Iran, an official said. The visit by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special Mideast envoy, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, comes after a weekend of crossfire in the Persian Gulf over efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic. The envoys won’t be having direct negotiations with Iranian diplomats while in Qatar’s capital, Doha, said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Instead, mediators are working for the time being as go-betweens for the talks, which won’t include any high-level officials, he added. Such indirect negotiations have happened in the past between Iran and the U.S. However, the two previous rounds of talks collapsed into the 12-day war Israel launched against Iran in 2025 and the recent Iran war. “We’re not expecting any high-level Iranian officials at the moment, but as I said, the technical meetings are ongoing ... and they haven’t stopped since then,” al-Ansari told jour
Too hot, too busy, too sick to exercise? Here’s how to lose weight anyway
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. What is the best way to lose weight? The standard answer is to eat less and exercise more. In reality, however, there are situations in which exercising is difficult or even impossible. Sometimes the issue is not a lack of willpower but a health condition that limits physical activity. Examples include injuries, arthritis, fibromyalgia or episodes in which exercise causes blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low. Exercise helps boost your metabolism, allowing the body to burn calories more efficiently. Without it, your metabolism may slow down. But if weight loss is necessary despite an inability to exercise, there are still ways to make progress with careful planning, according to U.S. News & World Report and other health sources. One important point is that losing weight without exercise usually takes longer. However, gradual weight loss is not necessarily a bad thing, as it may help reduce the risk of regaining the weight quickly. For that reason, experts recommend setting long-term goals rather than focusing on weekly targets. A reasonabl
Defense minister backs push for unified military academy as fundamental reform for future
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Tuesday stood by the government's push to unify military academies into one single institution, calling it a "fundamental reform" that will help pool future cadets amid a demographic cliff and other changing trends. Ahn made the call in a command letter to the leaderships of the armed forces, amid growing backlash over the Lee Jae Myung government's drive to consolidate the academies of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. Debate is heating up as retired top brass and alumni associations of the armed forces have joined forces to issue formal statements calling on the government to reconsider the campaign. "I believe everyone from the superintendents to the cadets is working harder than anyone else," the letter obtained by Yonhap News Agency showed. "However, fundamental reform is essential across the board, including for the visions and goals of the academies, their faculties, facilities and infrastructure, as well as the educational curriculum," he said. Ahn highlighted the need to bolster "jointness" among the military branches to hone the cadets' abili
Market braces for pension fund's stock rebalancing
The National Pension Service (NPS) is expected to resume rebalancing its domestic equity portfolio on Wednesday after its allocation to local stocks climbed well above this year’s target, market analysts said Tuesday. They warn that the move could generate selling pressure of as much as 74 trillion won ($48 billion), adding to downside risks if it coincides with continued foreign investors’ selling of Korean equities. Data from Daishin Securities showed that domestic equities accounted for an estimated 30 percent of the NPS portfolio as of Friday, exceeding its 2026 target allocation of 20.8 percent by 9.2 percentage points. The pension fund periodically adjusts its asset mix to keep each asset class in line with its long-term strategic allocation. When an asset’s share moves too far above or below its target level, the NPS sells assets it holds in excess and increases exposure to those it is underweight in. By systematically rebalancing its portfolio, the fund locks in gains after strong market rallies while accumulating assets during market weakness, a strategy aimed at enhancing
Korea secures 2.07 mil. ton dedicated EU steel quota under new TRQ
Korea has secured a dedicated 2.073 million metric ton duty-free steel quota under the European Union's new tariff-rate quota (TRQ), cushioning the impact of the bloc's tighter import restrictions that take effect Wednesday. On Tuesday (local time), the EU announced the operational framework of its new steel import measures, which will replace existing safeguard measures, along with country-specific quota allocations. Under the new measures, the EU has raised tariffs on out-of-quota imports to 50 percent from 25 percent across 30 steel product categories, while cutting total duty-free import volumes to 18.35 million tons from the previous 33.82 million tons annually, which is about a 46 percent reduction. The new structure differentiates quotas by product and trade status, creating separate allocations for WTO country quotas, FTA country quotas and FTA-only shared quotas, effectively providing additional duty-free access to countries with EU free trade agreements, including Korea. The trade ministry announced that Korea’s total dedicated quota was cut 19.7 percent from 2.581 million to
hathaw9y introduces ‘introvert’s way of loving’ with sophomore album
For the three members of Busan-based indie-pop band hathaw9y, love is the anchor that best captures the stories they hold close to their hearts. What others may find cheesy or cliche sits opposite for the band, which recently released its sophomore album, “Lovers,” a record that explores the quiet, nuanced ways that introverts love. “I’ve always thought that all the countless emotions we feel in life are ultimately discovered within the biggest emotion of all, which is love. That thought still holds true for me today, which is why I think I keep coming back to the theme of love,” drummer Seyo told The Korea Times. Instead of loud declarations or grand gestures, the band gravitates toward what feels most natural to the members. For instance, the quiet, steadfast presence of the drummer’s childhood cat served as the inspiration for the title track, “Lover,” beautifully capturing the overarching theme of the album. “It’s interesting because we actually are introverts, and we’re becoming even more introverted over time,” main vocalist and guitarist Kiwi mused. While l
Keyveatz debuts with fresh take on girlish hip-hop
Hip-hop and R&B label AOMG's first-ever girl crew Keyveatz made its official debut Tuesday, dropping its title track "OXY" and staking a claim in one of K-pop's last open spaces — girlish hip-hop. The five-member group — Son Ju-one, Newy, Um Ji-one, Kim Yu-na and Kang Ye-seul — have been deliberate about the "girl crew" label, positioning themselves apart from the typical girl group mold for an identity rooted in "subculture and underground aesthetics." Hours before the release of its debut EP "OXY_GEN," the group met press at YES24 Wanderloch Hall in Seoul, arriving in sharp streetwear but radiating first-day nerves. "I'm incredibly nervous," said Son, the group's leader. "Standing on an official debut stage, I feel excited and anxious all at once. A lot of time and effort went into getting here ... Our slogan is 'Don't miss what's next,' so we're asking you to keep an eye out for us." On what "girl crew" means in practice, the members pushed back against the idea of image as something manufactured. "It's built on attitude, not concept," Kim said. "Creating unpredictable individual
Korean authorities sell net $13.6 bil. in Q1 to stabilize FX market
The Korean authorities sold a net $13.6 billion in the first quarter to stabilize the foreign exchange market, central bank data showed Tuesday. It marked the sixth consecutive quarter of net dollar selling since the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing the cumulative total to a net $45.35 billion over the period, according to data released by the Bank of Korea (BOK). The Korean won weakened to 1,530.1 won against the U.S. dollar at the end of March from 1,439 won at the end of last year. Korea's foreign reserves fell by nearly $4 billion in March amid the authorities' intervention in response to the sharp depreciation of the Korean won following the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war. The March decline was the largest monthly drop in foreign reserves in 11 months since April last year, when they fell by $5 billion.
Bears hoping to bring back temporary pitcher on full contract
The Doosan Bears remained hopeful Tuesday that they will be able to retain their temporary starting pitcher, Wes Benjamin, on a full contract for the rest of the Korean baseball season. Benjamin joined the Bears as a short-term injury replacement for Chris Flexen in April. Since 2024, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has been allowing teams to sign temporary replacements for foreign players sidelined for at least six weeks. Benjamin, who previously pitched for another KBO club, KT Wiz, from 2022 to 2024, has filled in admirably for Flexen, who made only two starts before going down with a shoulder injury. Benjamin has a 2.90 ERA with a 4-6 record that belies his overall effectiveness. The American left-hander has tossed three scoreless outings. Benjamin is currently on his second six-week contract, which will expire Wednesday. It also happens to be the day of his 13th start for the Bears. And after releasing Flexen on Monday, the Bears are expected to keep Benjamin around the rest of the way. "Talks between the player and the club are going well," Bears manager Kim Won-hyong told re
Outgoing North Chungcheong governor raided over bribery allegations
Kim Young-hwan, the outgoing governor of the central North Chungcheong Province, was raided Tuesday over suspicions of accepting bribes, investigators said. Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials searched the governor's office and other locations, after detecting circumstances of bribery, according to the officials. Kim is suspected of receiving billions of won in cash and gifts from a local businessman in exchange for administrative favors, including business permits. Tuesday was Kim's last day in office following his loss in the June 3 local elections to Shin Yong-han of the ruling Democratic Party, whose four-year term is set to start Wednesday.
Samsung, SK chip investment timelines leave room for adjustment
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix announced a combined 800 trillion won ($516.4 billion) investment commitment to establish advanced chip plants in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province in Korea's southwest, but stopped short of providing a timeline for when the investments will be made or construction will begin, leaving room to adjust their spending plans until the long-term memory chip cycle becomes clearer. According to the government and the chipmakers, Samsung and SK will each invest 400 trillion won to build two advanced memory fabrication each in the region, for a total of four new fabs as part of the government’s “three megaprojects for Korea’s leap forward.” Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong named Gwangju as the candidate site, while SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won referred to the region as a whole. While announcing the massive plans while standing with President Lee Jae Myung, who have been urging the chipmakers to make investment in the southwestern region, the leaders refrained from specifying timelines for the new fabs. The companies also did not mention
KakaoBank lands 4 papers at leading AI conferences
KakaoBank said Tuesday that four of its research papers on financial artificial intelligence (AI) were accepted to international journals this year, highlighting the internet-only lender's efforts to improve the safety and reliability of AI use in finance. According to the company, the papers were accepted to the International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR), the Association for Computational Linguistics (ACL) and the Language Resources and Evaluation Conference (LREC). The research focuses on improving the security, accuracy and safety of generative AI models for financial services. One paper, presented at ICLR in April, introduced a system for detecting prompt injection attacks targeting large language models used in specialized fields such as finance and law. Developed jointly with The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the model was trained on a proprietary dataset of about 59,000 samples and outperformed existing models in detecting malicious prompts. Two more papers were presented at LREC in May. One proposed a method for detecting prompt injec
S. Korean, Ukraine FMs agree to resolve North Korean POW issue under international law
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, agreed Tuesday that the repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) captured during the Russia-Ukraine war should be handled in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. The two ministers discussed the POW issue as well as a wide range of mutual interests and bilateral cooperation during Sybiha's visit to Seoul, according to the ministry. It marked the first visit in 11 years by a Ukrainian foreign minister to Korea for bilateral talks. Cho and Sybiha agreed to continue seeking a resolution to the North Korean POWs issue that respects the detainees' free will, the foreign ministry said in a press release. "The two foreign ministers had a shared understanding that this matter should be resolved in a manner consistent with international law and humanitarian principles," ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a briefing, adding that the government will continue its diplomatic efforts to advance and resolve the issue. He declined to elaborate further, citing the sensitivity o
CORTIS faces backlash over late boarding for Paris flight
BigHit Music apologized after rookie K-pop group CORTIS were late boarding a flight departing from Paris, saying traffic congestion caused by an accident delayed their arrival at the airport. The agency issued a statement Tuesday following online posts claiming the group’s late arrival Friday delayed the departure and inconvenienced passengers aboard the aircraft. The agency attributed the group's late arrival to traffic delays. An online user claimed the flight had been scheduled to depart at 2:40 p.m. The user alleged the members boarded at 2:45 p.m., which delayed the departure until 3:18 p.m. BigHit Music firmly denied the additional allegations circulating online. The agency explained that images showing the members on a jet bridge were taken last October while returning to Korea from promotional activities in Japan. The agency said the members were not changing clothes, but merely gathering their belongings after all other passengers had disembarked. CORTIS is a five-member group comprising James, Juhoon, Martin, Seonghyeon and Keonho. The act made its debut last August. The case
Kookmin University student wins 2nd place at IBM Bob Hackathon
A Kookmin University student won second place at the IBM Bob Hackathon, an international artificial intelligence (AI) competition held June 11, the university said Monday. The award went to Kim Chan-joong, a student from the university’s department of artificial intelligence, who participated in the event individually. The university said Kim was recognized for developing “Atlas,” a web application that visualizes the structure of a code repository as a city map. The tool provides a single visual overview of a repository’s architecture, helping users quickly understand complex software projects where countless folders and files can make the overall structure difficult to navigate, especially for first-time users. The competition was co-hosted by NativelyAI, the operator of the AI hackathon platform lablab.ai, and IBM. Participants developed software within a limited time frame using IBM’s AI development tool, “Bob.” A total of 5,628 participants representing 1,672 teams from around the world took part in the competition, with 503 projects submitted. The university said that t
LG Electronics to establish control tower for robotics business
LG Electronics said Tuesday it will establish a robotics business center to consolidate its capabilities in robot commercialization, manufacturing and other parts of the robotics supply chain. According to the company, the new organization will report directly to CEO Lyu Jae-cheol and be headed by Song Si-yong, who previously held senior leadership positions at the company's Production Engineering Research Institute. LG Electronics carried out an organizational restructuring solely to establish the new organization, which will begin operations on Wednesday. The company said the center will operate as “an end-to-end business organization” covering business development, sales and operations. It will also have a dedicated data factory organization, so that it can secure data factory capabilities promptly to collect high-quality operational data and advance LG’s robot foundation model. As part of this strategy, LG Electronics said it is building a large-scale data factory at its Yangjae R&D Campus in Seoul, with operations set to begin this year. LG Electronics said it expects the cente
Soon-to-be PM Han carries high expectation for AI transformation
Han Seong-sook, Korea’s soon-to-be prime minister, arrives at the post with high expectations that she will leverage her technological expertise to help accelerate the country's artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. The parliamentary confirmation hearing committee approved a report, Tuesday, clearing Han as qualified for the post, with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leading the approval after she was nominated on June 7. Han is now just one step away from officially taking office, with her appointment to be finalized once the National Assembly approves the confirmation motion at a plenary session. The process leading to Han’s likely appointment comes as President Lee Jae Myung pushes to position Korea among the world's top three AI powers, alongside the United States and China. The blueprint has become increasingly concrete since Lee outlined the vision last year, with initiatives such as the government's allocation of a record 9.9 trillion won ($6.3 billion) for AI this year and public-private plans to build four new semiconductor plants in southwestern Korea to m
KOSPI edges higher after volatile session as tech stocks drive gains
KOSPI ended slightly higher on Tuesday after opening on a positive note, supported by a strong overnight rally in U.S. technology shares, but overall trading was marked by fluctuations. The index began the session up 22.05 points, or 0.26 percent, at 8,416.70, and briefly built on early momentum. However, it soon drifted into a narrow range as fluctuations persisted throughout the day before closing at 8,476.48, up 81.83 points, or 0.97 percent, from the previous session. Persistent foreign selling acted as a drag on broader upside momentum. In the United States, equities finished higher as a rebound in mega-cap tech stocks helped reverse recent weakness tied to valuation concerns. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.59 percent, breaking above the 52,000 mark for the first time. The S&P 500 rose 1.18 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.07 percent. Semiconductor names led the advance, with Nvidia, Micron Technology and Broadcom fueling a 3.83 percent gain in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index. Those positive moves provided some support for Korean chipmakers, though gain
Ukrainian outlet's critique exposes gaps in Korea's counter-drone strategy
A Ukrainian defense media outlet questioned the realism of Korea’s first live-fire counter-drone drill, prompting debate over the military’s evolving drone defense strategy. The Republic of Korea Air Force defended the exercise as a first-step test of existing weapons systems rather than an attempt to replicate combat conditions in Ukraine. Defense Express, a Ukrainian military news outlet, recently analyzed footage from the ROK Air Force’s drill, in which eight M167 Vulcan air defense guns were used to engage 50 low-flying drones. The outlet argued that the exercise differed sharply from real battlefield conditions, pointing out that actual first-person-view (FPV) drones do not fly slowly in a tight formation. It also questioned the cost-effectiveness of firing anti-aircraft rounds at cheap FPV drones. The Air Force rejected the suggestion that the drill lacked value, saying it was the first exercise of its kind and was designed to test whether existing weapons could be used against a swarm of drones. “The purpose was not to reproduce actual battlefield conditions exactly, but t
The Korea Times launches K-universities, global platform for Korean higher education
The Korea Times on Tuesday launched K-universities, a new global platform designed to showcase the international competitiveness and strengths of Korean higher education. The platform offers a wide range of information for overseas readers, from prospective international students and their parents, to overseas university officials and education policymakers. The platform features three core sections — University Rankings, News and Study in Korea. The University Rankings section presents Korea Times University Rankings and outlines the methodology behind the assessment. Introduced last year, the rankings provide international students with targeted information on Korean universities, including international student enrollment, graduate employment rates and scholarship opportunities, helping them compare each institution’s strengths at a glance. The News section covers universities’ internationalization efforts, campus developments, higher education policy and global education trends, while Study in Korea provides practical guidance for prospective international students on degree pr
Lee Kang-in on verge of Spain return with Atletico Madrid switch
Korean men's national football team member Lee Kang-in is reportedly in the final stages of completing a transfer to Atletico Madrid, with personal terms already agreed and only the remaining details between the Spanish club and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) left to be finalized. If the move is completed, Lee would become the first Asian player for Atletico Madrid. Spanish daily Marca reported Saturday that Atletico is wrapping up negotiations for its first signings ahead of the new season. The club is pursuing Alejandro Grimaldo and Lee as key additions to its squad. According to the report, Atletico is expected to announce Grimaldo's signing within days, before turning its full attention to finalizing Lee's transfer. Lee's transfer fee is expected to be around 35 million euros ($41 million), with additional performance-related bonuses potentially increasing the overall package. Combined with Grimaldo's reported 20 million euro fee, Atletico would invest roughly 55 million euros in its first two summer signings. Sports writer Fabrizio Romano also reported that negotiations have made significa
Incheon airport operator to halve employee parking permits
Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) will slash the number of parking permits issued to airport employees by more than half beginning Wednesday, as part of a sweeping reform aimed at addressing lax management and the misuse of employee parking privileges, the state-run airport operator said. The measure follows a recent inspection by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which found that IIAC had issued an excessive number of long-term parking permits, while failing to adequately oversee their use. The audit also identified cases in which some employees used complimentary parking privileges for personal purposes rather than for work-related needs. In response, IIAC has pledged to completely overhaul its employee parking permit system, invalidating all existing permits and requiring workers to reapply under stricter eligibility criteria. Under the revised rules, the standard for obtaining a permit will be tightened from cases where parking is considered “necessary for work” to circumstances where it is deemed “essential for work.” The corporation plans to reduc
Rival parties fail to agree on parliamentary committee formation ahead of plenary meeting
The ruling and main opposition parties failed to reach an agreement Tuesday on the formation of the parliamentary standing committees for the second half of the National Assembly. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said it plans to unilaterally elect 11 parliamentary committee chiefs, including the chair of the legislation and judiciary committee, at a plenary session scheduled for 5 p.m. The rival parties have been wrangling for weeks over how to distribute the parliamentary committee chairmanships, with the two sides remaining especially at loggerheads over who should chair the judiciary committee, a key Assembly panel that has the power to approve bills before they are put to a plenary vote. DPK floor leader Han Byung-do and his main opposition People Power Party (PPP) counterpart, Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig, sat down for last-minute talks earlier in the day but failed to reach a compromise. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Jeong stressed that "checks and balances would be undermined" unless the PPP chairs the judiciary committee. The DPK has the majority needed to unilaterall
S. Korea postpones plan to launch solid-fuel space rocket over safety concerns
South Korea on Tuesday postponed a plan to launch a solid-fuel space rocket due to safety reasons, the defense ministry said, pushing back what would have been the first launch of a fully assembled four-stage vehicle. The Mir space rocket was scheduled to lift off at 2 p.m. from a sea barge off the southern coast of Jeju Island, but the launch plan will be rescheduled. "The planned launch of the solid-fuel space rocket has been canceled out of safety concerns as a set of issues was detected during final launch preparations," the ministry said in a message to media. "The rescheduled launch plan will be announced at a later date," it said. If launched, it would have marked the rocket's first test launch in a fully assembled four-stage vehicle, after a series of trials conducted in 2022 and 2023 that each evaluated partial three-stage configurations. The last launch took place in December 2023. South Korea has been developing the solid-propellant space launch vehicle since 2021 to place small observation and surveillance satellites into a sub-500 kilometer low-Earth orbit. The program aims to
Court grants JTBC time for autonomous restructuring amid liquidity crisis
A court on Tuesday allowed JTBC to negotiate restructuring plans directly with its creditors amid the local broadcaster's liquidity crisis. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court approved JTBC's autonomous restructuring support (ARS), temporarily halting the media company's court-led rehabilitation proceedings until July 30. JTBC, an affiliate of JoongAng Group, requested the ARS program when it filed for rehabilitation on June 15, three days after failing to repay 20.6 billion won ($13.3 million) in asset-backed loans at maturity. The court can freeze receivership for up to three months and extend the deadline if significant progress is made. Meanwhile, the court ordered four other JoongAng Group affiliates, which filed for receivership on June 14, to commence rehabilitation proceedings. Megabox JoongAng and ContentreeJoongAng must submit their rehabilitation proposals by Dec. 1 and Dec. 15, respectively, followed by JoongAng Holdings and JoongAng P&I by Dec. 22. The court plans to look into the financial circumstances of the five companies that led to the current crisis.
N. Korea's port activity jumps fivefold since 2019, suggesting illicit coal trade: report
Commercial vessel activity at North Korea's ports has surged fivefold since 2019, a report said Tuesday, raising fresh suspicions of illegal coal trading. The report, co-published by the Seoul-based Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights and British research group Data Desk, tracked vessels longer than 80 meters at North Korea's five major ports — Nampho, Chongjin, Wonsan, Rason and Kimchaek. Recorded activity climbed to 3,756 cases last year, up from 783 in 2019. Nampho, North Korea's largest coal export hub, saw the sharpest rise with more than 3,000 cases last year, up from 554 in 2019. The findings were based on satellite imagery of the ports combined with AIS data — the digital location signals sent by ships. One key detail in the report is that only between 14 and 33 percent of vessels visible in satellite photos appeared in AIS records — a gap the report says points to ships deliberately going dark to evade detection. North Korea's coal exports have been banned outright since the United Nations passed Resolution 2371 in 2017. The ban, however, has not stopped the tr
Summer labor strife looms
The labor rights of Korea's unionized workers have, over decades of growth, been the subject of tug-of-wars with management. The so-called “summer labor struggles” — as most companies begin wage negotiations around this time of the year — have historically been notably dynamic. While sometimes tenuous or volatile, management and labor have generally been able to reach a workable balance on Korea's path to becoming an export powerhouse. This summer, labor-management relations face new sources of strife, as more unionized workers ask companies to share the excess profit generated by the country's artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor sectors. Recent labor negotiations have also been attributed in part to the “yellow envelope law,” which took effect in March. The law amended Korea's Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act to guarantee the bargaining rights of subcontracted workers. Calls for companies to share excess profits with workers and the expected rise of negotiations between subcontractors and principal employers are not only major labor hurdles but are
Gyeonggi Province scraps waiting period for migrant child care subsidies
For immigrant families navigating the grueling early months of relocation, economic survival often hinges on a simple question: Who will watch the children? In Korea, where a shifting demographic landscape has forced a dramatic rethink of immigration policy, Gyeonggi Province said Tuesday that it will immediately eliminate a contentious 90-day residency requirement that had blocked newly arrived foreign workers and residents from accessing child care subsidies. The sweeping policy shift, set to take effect in July, represents a calculated attempt by provincial authorities to close a glaring regulatory gap that had left children of migrant families vulnerable during their critical initial transition period. Previously, local ordinances in Gyeonggi Province — a massive economic engine enveloping Seoul that houses the country’s largest concentration of foreign workers — forced immigrant parents to pay for daycare entirely out of pocket until they reached the three-month mark, regardless of their legal registration status. Under the newly amended Gyeonggi Foreign Resident Support Ordi
SK Chemicals boosts decorative film flexibility with new SKYPEL material
SK Chemicals has introduced a highly durable, flexible decorative sheet for furniture and architectural finishes, part of a strategic push to deepen its presence in the home interior market. The company said Tuesday it developed a flexible decorative film using its elastic material SKYPEL in collaboration with Toray Advanced Materials. Hansol Homedeco applied the material to its existing Story Film product, improving processability and installation performance. The upgraded sheet retains the high gloss, transparency and color clarity of GAG PET films, which are widely used in premium furniture and interior finishing. GAG PET is a composite sheet material based on glycol-modified amorphous polyester that is valued for its visual clarity and surface quality. SK Chemicals said the key improvement comes from integrating SKYPEL, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer that combines rubber-like flexibility with the strength of engineering plastics. The material is known for heat resistance, mechanical strength, impact resistance and chemical stability. By adding SKYPEL to the existing structure, t
Korea’s temples reinvent summer vacation with surfing, scuba, meditation
As urban temperatures soar and the relentless hum of modern life grows louder, a centuries-old monastic tradition is transforming into Korea’s newest summer escape. The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism said Tuesday that it will roll out a curated network of more than 60 specialized "Summer Special Templestay" programs across 50 historic temples nationwide through July and August. The initiative marks a significant evolution for the state-supported cultural program. Once strictly defined by austere dawn chanting, vegetarian monastic meals and hours of meditation, modern temple stays have broadened their appeal to attract a younger, digitally fatigued demographic by merging ancient asceticism with contemporary leisure. This summer’s decentralized itineraries partition the monastic experience into distinct experiential tracks tailored for a modern audience. For adventure-seeking travelers, coastal and mountain temples are embracing regional outdoor sports. Naksan Temple, perched dramatically over the East Sea, will offer surfing lessons paired with wave meditation. Down south, Ssanggye
Venezuelans search more earthquake ruins as attention turns to humanitarian crisis
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — With the window for finding survivors shrinking fast, Venezuelans combed Monday through more ruins of buildings toppled by last week’s powerful back-to-back earthquakes, and attention turned to the country's humanitarian crisis that could persist for years. Relief organizations say the first 72 hours after a natural disaster is the most crucial time period for rescues, though survival can be extended if people have access to food and water. Five days after the twin quakes, questions loomed about whether the cash-strapped government will be able to coordinate the effort needed to care for thousands of people who have been left homeless. In other developments, a 4.6 magnitude aftershock rumbled through the disaster zone in the northern state of La Guaira. The death toll stood at more than 1,700 people, according to the government, which has long retained tight control over news media. Venezuelan government promotes its efforts Facing criticism that authorities have done too little, too slowly, government officials aggressively promoted their recovery and rescue ef
Woori Financial's bid to take Tongyang Life private continues to stall amid shareholder backlash
Woori Financial Group’s plan to take Tongyang Life Insurance private has hit a snag in the final stages, as a dispute over the proposed share-swap ratio draws heightened regulatory scrutiny and underscores Korea’s growing emphasis on protecting minority shareholders, according to industry watchers Tuesday. The case highlights a broader dilemma facing financial holding companies: how to pursue strategic acquisitions while still demonstrating that such deals are fair to ordinary shareholders. Woori is carrying out a comprehensive share swap to acquire the remaining stake in Tongyang Life, the final step in bringing the insurer under full ownership following last year’s acquisition. Under the proposed terms, the life insurer’s shareholders would receive 0.2521056 Woori Financial shares for each Tongyang Life share they own. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), however, ordered the holding company to revise its securities registration statement, seeking additional disclosure on the rationale for the deal and the methodology used to calculate the exchange ratio. The main point of
Global crypto exchanges repackage Korean chip stocks as perpetual futures
Global cryptocurrency exchanges are offering high-leverage perpetual futures linked to Korean chip stocks and the KOSPI, seeking new revenue streams as crypto trading volumes decline sharply, industry officials said Tuesday. Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, has been among the most aggressive players in the shift, rolling out a series of products. One of its products even gives investors exposure of as much as 150 times the move in the KOSPI. On June 22, Binance listed KORUUSDT, a perpetual futures contract tied to KORU, a triple-leveraged KOSPI exchange-traded fund listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The product offers leverage of up to 20 times. Four days later, Binance added another KORU-linked product with leverage of as much as 50 times. Perpetual futures, a staple of crypto trading, allow investors to speculate on the price of an asset without owning it. Unlike traditional equity products, they can be traded around the clock and often come with far higher leverage. The expansion builds on Binance's earlier move into derivatives tied to Korean semiconductor stocks. On
Trot singer released on parole 5 months early as fans cheer return despite hit-and-run conviction
Trot singer Kim Ho-joong walked free Tuesday after being granted parole, ending his prison term about five months earlier than originally scheduled for his drunk hit-and-run conviction. The singer was greeted by devoted fans outside prison, highlighting the unwavering support he continues to receive despite widespread public criticism over the case. Kim was released Tuesday morning from Somang Correctional Institution in Yeoju after passing a parole review by the Ministry of Justice earlier this month. His original release date had been set for November. Dressed in a black suit and wearing a face mask, Kim left the prison without making any public remarks before getting into a waiting white vehicle. Supporters had gathered outside the correctional facility hours before his release. Fans repeatedly shouted his name as his car departed, while banners reading "My son, you've been through so much. We love you" drew attention. Others held purple banners and signs representing his fan club, Aris, reaffirming their support. According to Kim's agency, the singer's immediate priority will be reco
Labor, infrastructure remain hurdles for Korea's AI megaprojects
Korea’s ambitious plan to build a new semiconductor manufacturing hub in the country's southwestern region and expand artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure faces growing practical questions over how to secure the workforce and industrial infrastructure needed to support these projects outside the Seoul metropolitan area. The government on Monday unveiled three flagship megaprojects — semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers — as new growth engines, backed by more than 1,350 trillion won ($872 billion) in planned public and private investment. The initiative includes about 800 trillion won to build four memory fabs, two each for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in the southwestern region, while strengthening existing manufacturing bases in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and other sites around the capital region. SK Group, GS Group and Naver are also expected to invest around 550 trillion won to develop AI data centers with a total capacity of 8.4 gigawatts in the initial phase and expand to 18.4 gigawatts by 2035. Samsung Group and SK Group separately pledged a combined 4,
BTS' Suga reportedly scores at least 20-fold return from early SpaceX investment
Suga of BTS has reportedly emerged as an early investor in SpaceX, with industry sources estimating that his investment has generated returns of at least 20 times its original value. According to an Edaily report published Monday, Suga invested in the private space company through Link Asset Partners, a Korean investment firm that became the first domestic institutional investor to back SpaceX before it was publicly traded. Citing investment banking industry sources, the report said Suga continues to hold his stake and has earned "overwhelming" gains from the investment. The report said Suga invested before 2022, estimating a conservative return of around 20 times his initial investment. If he entered around 2020, the return could be closer to 40 times, according to the report. Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX was valued at roughly $46 billion in 2020. The company's valuation rose to about $100 billion in 2021 following additional fundraising rounds. The company went public on June 12, debuting with a market capitalization of approximately $1.77 trillion based on its initial public offering p
LS Electric, KAIST open joint research center to develop next-generation power technology
LS Electric and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) opened a joint research center Monday aimed at developing technology to lead the global power equipment market, the company said. The opening ceremony was held at KAIST's main campus in Yuseong District, Daejeon, with LS Electric Executive Vice President Ahn Gil-young, who oversees production and research and business development, and KAIST Senior Vice President Kim Kyung-soo among those attending. Through the center, the two organizations plan to jointly develop high-value power solutions aimed at overcoming technical barriers in the global market, while also building a pipeline of specialized engineering talent through joint research and training programs. The center will focus on five areas: next-generation high-efficiency power conversion, direct current power distribution, artificial intelligence (AI)-based design optimization, fault diagnosis technology to improve equipment reliability and next-generation cooling technology. These fields are considered central to a broader shift in the power industry dr
Global BTS conference to explore next chapter of Korean wave
As K-pop juggernaut BTS enters a new era following the release of its latest album, "ARIRANG," scholars from around the world will gather in Korea to examine the group's cultural influence through fandom, technology, politics and globalization. The fifth BTS: A Global Interdisciplinary Conference will take place Thursday and Friday at the International Convention Center of Jeonbuk National University, under the theme "The Next Generation Hallyu & BTS." Hallyu refers to the Korean wave. Hosted by the International Society for BTS Studies (ISBS), the conference will bring together 50 presenters from 10 countries, including Korea, the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mongolia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Australia and Japan. The event is co-organized by Jeonbuk National University's Namwon Glocal Campus Administration, Center for Glocal University Project, department of K-entertainment and Big Movement. Opening the conference, Lee Ji-haeng, professor of K-entertainment at Jeonbuk National University, will deliver the keynote address exploring the cultural significance of
Safety warning issued over toxic chemicals in imported kids' footwear
Safety tests on children's products sold through overseas online shopping platforms found dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals in some sandals and other items, prompting Seoul city officials to request the sale of the items be stopped. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that five of 21 children's products purchased from AliExpress, Temu and Shein failed to meet Korea's safety standards after inspections of summer footwear, toys and hats. The city said two pairs of children's sandals contained phthalate plasticizers at levels up to 284.6 times above the legal limit of 0.1 percent. Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and have been linked to endocrine disruption and reproductive health problems. The city said di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP, one of the substances detected, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 2B possible human carcinogen. Another pair of children's shoes failed the inspection because it contained eight small detachable parts prohibited in products intended for children younger than 36 month
Accelerated Yongin investment well within Samsung, SK hynix financial flexibility: S&P
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have sufficient financial flexibility to accelerate planned investment in the Yongin semiconductor cluster, S&P Global Ratings said Tuesday, easing concerns that the chipmakers' upcoming investment package could weigh on their financial stability. Speaking at a media briefing in Seoul, Jeremy Kim, associate director for Asia-Pacific corporate ratings at S&P Global Ratings, said the timing of the planned investment in the chip cluster in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, could be brought forward, resulting in a modest increase in capital expenditure over the next two years. "There could be some increase in capital expenditure this year and next, but both SK hynix and Samsung Electronics have sufficient financial capacity to absorb that through their free cash flow," Kim said. The comments came a day after Samsung Electronics and SK hynix unveiled an approximately 4,700 trillion won ($3.4 trillion) investment package, including about 3,500 trillion won earmarked for expanding production of advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Sams
Israeli incursion in southern Syrian town rattles villagers
ABDIN, Syria — As Israeli troops and vehicles entered the town of Abdin in southern Syria, residents blocked the roads with rocks, and some young men and boys threw stones to push back the military patrol. Tensions in this part of the country created by a buffer zone occupied by Israeli forces have flared into violence in recent days, leaving residents anxious that more escalation is coming. Residents of Abdin, located near a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone now controlled by Israeli troops, tried to resist against a military incursion Sunday. Residents said Israeli troops fired warnings shots at walls and between the angry protesters, before firing artillery rounds at the village. No one was harmed in the exchange, but most residents fled, and most were still too afraid to return on Monday. Many fear that there will now be more intense incursions and raids following the skirmish. “They come into the village regularly, every few days,” said resident Mohammad al-Hassan, standing not far from a group of children looking at an exploded shell. “They come in armored 4x4 vehicles, they roam
Explosion in Monaco injures 3, suspect flees to France
PARIS — A blast from an explosive device has seriously injured three people at a residential building in Monaco, and the attacker fled to France, local authorities said. French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured. The unusual attack Monday night stunned the elite principality on the Mediterranean Coast. Monaco’s leader Prince Albert II called it “an odious act” and said all the country's services were mobilized to ensure security. French and Monaco authorities are searching for the attacker, whose motive is under investigation, Monaco’s most senior government official, Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, told reporters. The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. at the entryway of a residence near the French border, injuring two adults and a child who were taken to hospitals in France, he said. The suspect crossed the border into France on foot, and was identified via video surveillance in Monaco and the neighboring French town of Beausoleil, Mirmand said. A French national police official said French police are searching for the s
Samsung union approves confidence vote for chairman after wage deal backlash
Samsung Electronics' largest labor union said Tuesday that its members approved a confidence vote in Chairman Choi Seung-ho, reaffirming support for the union leader despite criticism over a recently concluded wage agreement with management. The motion passed with 87.5 percent support among participating members after recording a 70.8-percent voter turnout, the union said. Under union rules, the motion required approval from more than half of the members who voted. In a statement, Choi said the union would pursue separate bargaining for Samsung's device solution (DS) division, which oversees the company's lucrative semiconductor business, by utilizing Korea's labor law provisions that allow bargaining-unit separation. "Even if the separation is not approved, we will seek better results for the DS division through independent negotiations by the industrial union," Choi said. Under the wage agreement reached in May, Samsung will provide a special semiconductor performance bonus equivalent to 10.5 percent of business performance earnings. The bonuses will be paid in company stock over a per
Assembly committee adopts report on confirmation hearing of PM nominee
A parliamentary committee on Tuesday adopted a confirmation hearing report for Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook, paving the way for a plenary vote. The confirmation hearing committee adopted the report in a meeting boycotted by members of the main opposition People Power Party. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) was expected to put Han's confirmation motion to a vote at a parliamentary plenary session later in the day. The DPK can pass the motion on its own as it currently holds a parliamentary majority with 161 out of 300 seats. Han came under scrutiny over a series of controversies during her confirmation hearing last week, including a personal information leak involving the government's audition-style startup incubation program.
Global influencers fan out across Korea to spotlight hidden culinary gems
For the millions of international travelers drawn to Korea by the global ascent of its cultural exports, the culinary itinerary rarely extends beyond the neon-lit barbecue joints of Seoul or the ubiquitous presence of packaged kimchi. But Korean tourism officials are betting that the future of the country’s travel boom lies far outside the capital — hidden in the bubbling cauldrons of provincial tofu houses and the centuries-old fermentation vats of the rural south. The state-run Korea Tourism Organization launched an aggressive initiative Tuesday, aimed at transforming hyperlocal regional cuisine into the next global lifestyle trend. The agency invited 33 prominent food and travel influencers from 13 countries to Samcheonggak, a traditional cultural complex in northern Seoul, to inaugurate "K-Local Food Hunters 33," a coordinated, multiday culinary expedition spanning the Korean peninsula. The strategy relies heavily on the digitized word of mouth. The selected participants, hailing from major tourism markets across Greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas, wiel
Lee Jae Myung faces his moment of truth
Politics can be remarkably unforgiving. Just a few months ago, President Lee Jae Myung appeared to be governing with extraordinary confidence. He televised live Cabinet meetings, openly reprimanded ministers and insisted that his administration would be guided by pragmatism rather than ideology. He spoke confidently about revitalizing the stock market so that ordinary citizens could receive regular dividend income from their investments. He accused the previous administration of undermining democracy and the constitutional order, presenting his own election as the beginning of a new political era. His consistently strong approval ratings seemed to validate that image. However, public expectations have a way of colliding with political reality. The political atmosphere changed rapidly after the local elections. Lee’s ruling party failed to achieve the results it had anticipated, and the outcome of the Seoul mayoral election sent unmistakable signals that public sentiment was beginning to shift. Matters became even more complicated when controversy erupted over failures in election adm
Sungkyunkwan University selected to participate in National Research Lab project
Sungkyunkwan University will participate in the National Research Lab (NRL) 2.0 project, a government initiative aimed at fostering world-class university-affiliated research institutes in Korea. The university said Tuesday that its affiliated Sungkyun Intelligent Energy Solution National Research Laboratory has been selected for the NRL 2.0 initiative funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and ICT. The government will provide the laboratory with 10 billion won ($6.46 million) in annual funding, with the total investment expected to reach 95 billion won over the next 10 years. Led by chemical engineering professor Park Nam-gyu, the research institute plans to establish an intelligent energy platform that will integrate energy production, storage and utilization technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies. The laboratory will also develop industry-tailored intelligent energy solutions to ensure a stable supply of energy and respond to highly variable loads such as AI data centers by integrating high-efficiency solar cells, next-gen
The evolving Europe-Korea strategic partnership: A view from Brussels and Berlin
I have recently been conducting research and holding meetings with senior officials in Brussels and Berlin. I arrived shortly after the summit between Lee Jae Myung and European Union leaders, which began a swing through Europe for the Korean president. Lee had a packed agenda: an EU-Korea summit, bilateral summits with the Belgian and Italian prime ministers, an audience with Pope Leo XIV and attendance at the G7 leaders’ meeting in France. As former EU ambassador to Korea Michael Reiterer put it, “a Korean president spending 10 consecutive days in Europe sticks out.” Indeed, after 18 months of relative torpor in Europe-Korea relations, Lee’s visit marked a step forward. Above all, it was a moment for strategic partners to take stock of a mature relationship that had suffered deprioritization due to recent distractions — notably Europe’s focus on Russia and Seoul’s reestablishing of political normalcy following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law folly. My time in Brussels and Berlin thus came at the right moment, and provided a timely opportunity to hold disc
Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Chang Jae-hoon delivers a speech during an opening ceremony of the carmaker's new High-Tech Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. The facility will serve as a major vehicle maintenance facility for the carmaker's customers in the southern part of the province. Its total floor area spans roughly 51,500 square meters. Hyundai Motor plans to transform the facility as a maintenance center particularly designed for advanced, high-level repair services in an era of electrification and software-defined vehicles. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
BMW Korea pins high hopes on iX3 electric SUV
BMW Korea is pinning high hopes on its next-generation flagship electric SUV — the iX3 — as the vehicle is expected to serve as a major sales driver for the premium carmaker. Deliveries to Korean customers will begin in July. The iX3 is the carmaker’s first mass-produced model built on its Neue Klasse design language. BMW Korea has already achieved preorders of more than 4,500 iX3 vehicles. The iX3 embodies BMW’s future mobility vision under the new platform. Blending the brand’s heritage with groundbreaking advances in driving dynamics, design and digital technology, the model signals a new direction for premium electric mobility, according to the German automaker. The new iX3 showcases a progressive design language that harmonizes BMW’s legacy with a futuristic aesthetic. Its streamlined body achieves a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.24, enhancing both efficiency and performance. The vertically oriented kidney grille reinterprets the styling of the original Neue Klasse models from the 1960s, while illuminated contour lines replace traditional chrome accents to create a
Lee says gov't will actively support chip cluster project in southwest
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday reaffirmed the government's all-out support for the mega investment plans by Samsung Electronics and SK Group unveiled the previous day as part of an 800 trillion-won ($519 billion) project for the creation of a semiconductor cluster in the southwestern region. The project, announced in a government event led by Lee on Monday, envisions the construction of two memory chip fabrication plants by Samsung and two fabs by SK hynix in the southwestern city of Gwangju and the surrounding Jeolla provinces. "The government will actively support it so that your decision to choose your country's future over a foreign country does not end up being the wrong decision," Lee said during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae. "Every ministry should not spare its preemptive and full support based on close cooperation with local governments so that the companies that made a big decision experience no difficulties in their investment activities," he added. The plan has drawn praise from the ruling bloc but criticism from the main opposition People Power Party over what it cl
Son Heung-min apologizes for Korea's World Cup exit
Korea national football team captain Son Heung-min apologized on social media early Tuesday following the team's exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and vowed to bounce back. "I do not know where to start. I cannot ignore it, nor do I want to hide from reality," the Los Angeles Football Club forward wrote. He sincerely apologized to the public, while noting that his apology could not capture the disappointment and hurt of Korean fans, acknowledging the emotional toll the tournament took on those who cheered on the team. Calling the exit a shattered "childhood dream," he said he was devastated. "Even now, it is not easy to accept this reality," Son said. "I will give everything to bring you joy again. I have not forgotten the promise I made to the fans," he added. "As long as the fans still need me, I will give everything to prepare well again." Son, meanwhile, urged fans to support the players instead of criticizing them. Son entered the tournament with three goals and one assist across his three previous World Cup appearances. He was tied for the most World Cup goals by a Korean player with
SAP Korea to host AI Tour event focused on autonomous enterprise strategy
SAP Korea will host its annual SAP NOW AI Tour Korea event on July 14 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, the enterprise software company said Tuesday. The conference brings together SAP clients, partners and industry tech leaders to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming core corporate workflows. This year’s program centers on SAP’s Autonomous Enterprise strategy, underpinned by its Business AI Platform and Autonomous Suite — tools designed to leverage decades of corporate data into automated, high-precision operations. Jan Bungert, SAP’s chief revenue officer for Business Data Cloud and Business AI, will deliver the keynote address to outline the multinational’s road map for fully automated business operations. Ha Kyung-nam, a senior executive at SAP Korea, will follow with a presentation on why companies must transition AI from a supplementary tool into a core execution mechanism. The event will feature digital transformation case studies from prominent Korean conglomerates. Highlighting practical applications of SAP's cloud and AI-driven S/4HANA E
Korean language boom prompts Seoul to add 29 new King Sejong Institutes worldwide
Korea is aggressively expanding its state-backed language schools worldwide to keep pace with an unprecedented global surge in demand for Korean language and cultural education. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the King Sejong Institute Foundation unveiled 29 new institute locations across 23 countries Tuesday. This latest expansion pushes the total global network to 273 institutes in 89 countries, broadening the reach of the government’s flagship cultural export program. The rollout follows a milestone year for the language network. In 2025, total enrollment across all King Sejong Institutes hit an all-time high of 239,020 students across both online and offline learning platforms. International interest from foreign educational institutions wanting to host the schools has also peaked, with 102 organizations across 45 countries applying to open branches this year — marking the highest application volume the ministry has seen in five years. The latest selection establishes a permanent presence for the state-funded language program in Greece, Rwanda and Sri Lanka for th
America is not ‘one nation under God’
On July 4, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document that throws off the yoke of a divinely appointed ruler. But President Donald Trump is exploiting this occasion to promote a revisionist history of America as “one nation under God.” These words, importantly, appear nowhere in the declaration. It wasn’t until 1954, during the height of the Cold War, that the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance after heavy lobbying of Congress by religious groups and clergy. Similarly, “In God We Trust” was adopted as the nation’s motto in 1956. Those who insist America is “one nation under God” or even a “Christian nation” look to the Declaration of Independence as proof. Presumably, this is because it contains four passing references to deity: “Nature’s God,” “Creator,” “Providence” and “Supreme Judge of the world.” Thomas Jefferson’s original draft of this document, archived at the Library of Congress, has only one deistic reference, to “the laws of nature & nature’s g
[PHOTO] Korea Times hosts visa information webinar for international students
Lee Seong-je, top right, a career development specialist at the Korea International Trade Association, speaks during an online seminar on visas, employment and long-term stay for international students in Korea, Thursday. The event was the second webinar in a series hosted by The Korea Times to help international students better navigate life in the country. Dozens of students from across Korea attended the session. Screenshot from the Zoom seminar
Leveraging smart power in age of AI (I)
Diplomacy has long been an essential instrument for conducting negotiations and managing relations, both among states and among private actors, even back in the Middle Ages. Today, diplomacy has evolved into the fundamental art of communication and negotiation among states, as well as among public and private groups. In times of peace, it contributes to the consolidation of stability and cooperation; in times of war, it plays a crucial role in preventing escalation and facilitating the restoration of peace. Diplomacy can be broadly categorized into several forms. State diplomacy manages a country's official foreign affairs; public diplomacy advances the interests and values of public and private groups through engagement with foreign publics; and personal diplomacy serves the interests of individual rulers, monarchs or authoritarian leaders. In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), however, the role of diplomacy is undergoing profound change. Traditional diplomatic practices are no longer sufficient in a world that has rapidly moved beyond the digital age into the AI era. The unpre
Korea marks decline in new annual HIV infections
New human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Korea fell below 1,000 last year, continuing a modest downward trend even as health officials track a rise in cases among foreign residents and a growing number of long-term survivors over age 65. According to the annual report released Tuesday by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 927 individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2025. This marks a 4.9 percent decrease from the previous year. Among the newly diagnosed, Korean nationals accounted for 659 cases (71.1 percent), while foreign nationals made up 268 cases (28.9 percent). While local transmissions dropped, the share of foreign nationals among new diagnoses increased by 2.2 percentage points year-on-year. This demographic shift was particularly stark among female patients. Out of 105 newly diagnosed women, 80 percent were foreign nationals. Meanwhile, men accounted for the vast majority of new infections overall (822 cases), with nearly 78 percent being Korean nationals. The cases remain heavily concentrated among younger generations, with individuals in
Fortune tellier prioritizes Trump future
Fortune tellier prioritizes Trump future
Koreans swap day trips for overnight getaways, survey shows
Korea’s domestic travel market is officially booming again — and locals are spending more than ever to escape the capital. After a dip in 2024, the 2025 National Travel Survey revealed that Koreans are not just traveling more — they are spending more and, crucially, pushing their travel habits well beyond the borders of Seoul and the capital area. The data paints a picture of a nation eager to get moving again. In 2025, the proportion of citizens taking local trips climbed to a massive 97 percent, with the total volume of domestic travel reaching 300 million trips annually. On average, every Korean citizen took 6.5 local vacations throughout the year, spending a total of 10.2 days exploring their own country and spending roughly 852,000 won ($550) per person in the process. The most significant trend isn't just the sheer volume of travel, but the quality of it. More Koreans are choosing to stay overnight rather than just taking day trips, with the share of overnight stays rising to 41.3 percent. This shift is providing a major economic lifeline for provincial destinations that have
Chinese EV makers gain traction in Korea's import car market despite uphill battle
When Choi, a 35-year-old office worker living in Korea, started looking for her next car, she did not expect BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand, to make her shortlist. “I've wanted an electric vehicle, but domestic models are just too expensive,” Choi said, adding that rising fuel prices first sparked her interest in EVs. Her attention later turned to Chinese brands after reading about China's rapid adoption of EVs and how it helped cushion the country from recent oil-price shocks linked to the conflict in the Middle East. “I still have some biases against Chinese products, but with so many people driving them in China, I figured they can't just be cheap junk,” she said. “They’ve probably spent years developing the technology and gone through plenty of trial and error.” Choi’s case reflects a subtle shift underway: Chinese EV makers are stepping up their presence in Korea, one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets, and are now gaining traction. The push comes as Chinese-made vehicles overtook Japanese brands in Korea’s import market for the first t
RESCENE's rise proves small K-pop agencies still have a chance
In a K-pop landscape where entertainment giants hold most of the cards, one five-member girl group is proving the rules can still be bent. RESCENE is winning over the public through a playbook that looks nothing like conventional K-pop marketing, fueling hope that small agencies still have room to break through, even as industry watchers debate exactly what RESCENE's formula is. RESCENE debuted in March 2024 with the album "Re:Scene" under The Muse Entertainment, a newly formed agency. The multinational lineup, made up of Woni, Liv, Minami, May and Zena, built its identity around an unusual concept: reviving a "scene" through "scent." But without the backing of a major label or a big-budget marketing push, the group struggled for years to make a name for itself. Momentum finally arrived this year through social media. In March, content showing Woni and Minami sporting Japanese "gyaru"-style (a flashy, dramatic Japanese street-fashion look) makeup while touring Woni's rural hometown of Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, went immensely viral online. The YouTube moment also sent a spotlight
The promise and peril of AGI
NEW DELHI — The prospect of artificial general intelligence (AGI) — systems capable of performing any human cognitive task — has inspired both hope and anxiety. While AGI could usher in an unprecedented increase in global living standards, it could also sharply reduce demand for human labor, fueling unemployment, social unrest, and conflict. Much of the AI debate in recent years has swung between these two extremes. Strikingly, one of the most insightful analyses of the promise and peril of AGI came from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In a blog post originally published in 2023 and updated in 2025, Altman displayed a measure of philosophical skepticism uncommon among tech optimists. “We want AGI to empower humanity to maximally flourish in the universe,” he wrote, while recognizing that doing so would require “successfully navigating massive risks.” To be sure, some skepticism is warranted when assessing the potential benefits of technological advances. Since the Enlightenment, humanity has increasingly rejected superstition and dogma in favor of the skeptical spirit of scientifi
Late Filipino captain designated Korean War hero of July
The veterans ministry on Tuesday named late Philippine Army Capt. Conrado Yap as the Korean War hero of July in recognition of his sacrifice and valor in the 1950-53 Korean War. Yap, who participated in the war as the commander of the special company of the Philippine 10th Battalion Combat Team, fought in the Battle of Yuldong, a defensive battle against Chinese communist forces in April 1951. During the battle, the Philippine forces succeeded in holding off Chinese attacks for two days despite being outnumbered. The special company under his command succeeded in retaking the hill occupied by the Chinese forces, but Yap suffered severe wounds in the process and died while rescuing survivors and recovering the corpses of his fellow comrades. The South Korean government posthumously awarded him the Taegeug Order of Military Merit in 2018. The Philippines sent 7,420 troops to the Korean War, of whom 112 died, 299 were wounded and 16 went missing.
Beyond K-pop: Korea wants handicrafts to be its next cultural export hit
Having already conquered global airwaves with K-pop and streaming screens with K-dramas, Korea is placing its next big economic bet on an older, more tactile asset: its rich tradition of handmade crafts. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism unveiled Tuesday a comprehensive five-year road map aimed at transforming local artisanal crafts — dubbed "K-craft" — into a high-value, export-ready industry. The initiative seeks to leverage the global momentum of the Korean wave to supercharge the country's interactive travel experiences. Central to the strategy is a push to turn cultural heritage into an immediate draw for international travelers. Under the new plan, the government will establish a network of high-profile immersive cultural centers in major tourist hubs heavily frequented by foreign visitors. These dedicated spaces will function as hybrid experiential zones, allowing travelers to try their hand at traditional craft-making techniques before purchasing authentic, locally made goods. To deepen the connection between tourism and local economies, the ministry said it will al
Kwon Soon-woo wins 1st-round match at Wimbledon
Kwon Soon-woo has marked his return to Wimbledon with an opening-round victory. The South Korean defeated Martin Landaluce of Spain in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, to begin the men's singles competition at All England Lawn Tennis Club in London on Monday (local time). Kwon, world No. 200, had to win three qualifying matches to get to the third Grand Slam tournament of the year. It was his first Wimbledon appearance since losing in the first round in 2024. Kwon's previous Wimbledon victory had come in the first round of the 2021 event. Kwon once ranked as high as 52nd in the world but injuries have since derailed his career. He is currently fulfilling his military duty with the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps. Kwon has shown some signs of a bounceback this year, winning three tournaments on the second-tier Challenger Tour and qualifying for Wimbledon. In Monday's match, Kwon put down 18 winners against just nine by Landaluce and broke him once in the first set. Then in the second set, Kwon converted both of his break points and capitalized on eight unforced errors by his opponent. Landal
CORTIS agency vows legal action after GPS tracker found on group’s vehicle
BigHit Music is taking legal action over invasive and malicious behavior targeting K-pop boy group CORTIS, including alleged privacy violations by obsessive fans. The agency said Monday in a notice posted on the fan platform Weverse that it regularly files criminal complaints based on round-the-clock monitoring and reports submitted by fans. BigHit Music said it has continued to take firm action against malicious online posts, violations of the artists’ rights, the illegal distribution of flight information and other invasions of privacy or breaches of fan etiquette. “We identified posts and comments across online platforms that infringed upon the artists’ rights,” the agency said. “The latest complaints cover content involving disparagement and insults, the dissemination of clearly false information about the artists and the performance of their albums and songs, as well as maliciously altered images that violate their dignity or cause sexual humiliation.” The agency also said it had gathered evidence against several high-volume accounts accused of illegally selling informat
Chungnam National University selected for National Research Lab project to lead theranostics research
Chungnam National University has been selected to participate in a large-scale government-led research and development project along with three other universities. The university said Monday that it will carry out the National Research Lab (NRL) 2.0 project funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and ICT. The three other participants are Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University and Changwon National University. NRL 2.0 is a key national research and development (R&D) initiative aimed at securing world-class fundamental technologies and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in strategic technologies. Under the project, the selected universities are tasked to establish globally competitive research institutes with participation from government-funded research institutes, corporations and hospitals. The government has selected the four universities among more than 30 universities vying to participate in the project through a rigorous evaluation process. The four universities will each receive 10 billion won in annual research funding for a 10-year pe
WEDNESDAY, July 1, 2026
1520-Spanish conquistadors are expelled from Tenochtitlan following an Aztec revolt against their rule under Hernán Cortés during "La Noche Triste" (the Night of Sadness). Many soldiers drown in the escape, and Aztec emperor Moctezuma II dies in the struggle. 1860-Famous debate on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is held at Oxford University Museum, dominated by arguments between Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce 1905-The mutinous battleship Potemkin arrives in Odessa in the Russian Empire, where sailors take the bodies of dead crewmen ashore and join civilians in revolutionary actions during the 1905 Revolution 1908-A giant fireball, most likely caused by the air burst of a large meteoroid or comet, flattens 80 million trees near the Stony Tunguska River in Yeniseysk Governorate, Russia, in the largest impact event in recorded history 1934-Adolf Hitler stages a bloody purge of the Nazi party in the "Night of the Long Knives" 1997-British lease on the New Territories in Hong Kong expires, established by the Second Convention of Peking 2019-At least 16 people killed in
Lotte to launch Korea-Japan food joint venture in Singapore to spearhead Asia expansion
Lotte Group will launch a joint venture in Singapore early next month to integrate the Asian operations of its Korean and Japanese food businesses, marking a major step in Chairman Shin Dong-bin's "One Lotte" strategy aimed at strengthening the group's global competitiveness. The new company, jointly established by Lotte Wellfood of Korea and Japan's Lotte Confectionery, has already secured board approval from both companies, as well as clearance from the relevant competition authorities. Shin Yu-yeol, head of Lotte Holdings' future growth division, will serve as chairman of the joint venture's board and oversee the group's overseas food business strategy and cross-border synergies. The joint venture represents one of the most tangible outcomes of Shin's long-standing effort to deepen cooperation between the group's Korean and Japanese affiliates. Shin has regularly chaired "One Lotte Food Strategy Meetings," urging closer collaboration to build a stronger global presence as growth in the domestic markets of both countries slows. Under the strategy, the two companies have expanded coope
Dossier reveals chaos behind Koreas' nuclear negotiations in early 1990s
Inter-Korean talks on the North Korean nuclear issue dissolved into shouting matches behind closed doors, with officials cutting each other off and hurling insults, according to newly declassified government records on the 1991-1993 nuclear negotiations Tuesday. The unification ministry released the 3,836 pages of transcripts from 32 rounds of inter-Korean nuclear talks held between December 1991 and January 1993. The disclosure marked the ministry's eighth release of archival records on inter-Korean talks since May 2022. At the center of these talks was the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula signed by the two Koreas on Jan. 20, 1992. Following the landmark agreement, North Korea said it would agree to accept inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while South Korea agreed to suspend the Team Spirit, its annual military exercise with the United States. Negotiations, however, proved challenging. A joint nuclear control commission, which was set to manage mutual inspections, quickly stalled as the sides disagreed with inspection method
Lee says all but 2 Korean vessels have left Strait of Hormuz
President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that all but two Korean-operated vessels have left the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there amid the U.S.-Iran war. Lee provided the update during a Cabinet meeting, saying the two that remain have circumstances that prevent them from leaving the strait, which was effectively shut following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February. "This is all thanks to the people who gathered their strengths while trusting the government, and the result of the sincere efforts of public servants at the oceans ministry, the foreign ministry, the National Intelligence Service and other relevant ministries," he said during the meeting at Cheong Wa Dae. Lee cautioned, however, that the "crisis is not yet over" as a considerable amount of time will be required to fully bring the world economy back to normal, even after a peace agreement is signed. "We need more effective and focused crisis management in the mid- to long-term," he said, asking the government to maintain a thorough emergency response system and pursue long-term tasks, such as diversifying
Tax revenue up 19% in May on higher income, bullish stock market
Korea's tax revenue shot up nearly 19 percent in May from a year earlier due to higher incomes and the recent bullish run in the stock market, data showed Tuesday. The government collected 35.8 trillion won ($23.2 billion) in taxes last month, compared with 30.1 trillion won posted a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The finance ministry attributed the sharp increase to higher income tax collections, which totaled 22 trillion won in May, up 16.5 percent from a year earlier, following gains from overseas securities and property transactions. Korea also collected 1.3 trillion won in securities transaction tax in May, soaring from just 300 billion won tallied last year. Corporate tax revenue jumped 9.6 percent on-year to 7.6 trillion won in May, amid improved earnings reports. For the January-May period, tax revenue came to 199.9 trillion won, up 16 percent from a year earlier.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics bags $294 mil. MLCC supply deal with US Big Tech firm
Samsung Electro-Mechanics will supply multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for artificial intelligence (AI) servers to a U.S. Big Tech firm, signing a $294 million (454 billion won) contract. The company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday that it has signed a one-year supply deal that will begin on Jan. 1 next year. The company did not identify the customer, but sources said it is a U.S. cloud service provider. The deal accounts for approximately 9 percent of the component division's 2025 revenue of 5.2 trillion won. MLCC is a component that stabilizes power for semiconductors and other electronic devices. As power fluctuations in servers can directly affect performance, MLCCs have become increasingly important in AI server environments. AI server applications require high-performance MLCCs that can withstand the harsh operating conditions created by intensive computing workloads, such as high heat and greater stress for warpage. AI servers contain more than 10 times as many MLCCs as conventional servers. A typical AI graphics processing unit is equipped with more than 20,000 MLCCs, mea
Korean won hits fresh 17-year low on fund outflows
The Korean won weakened further against the U.S. dollar to hit a fresh 17-year low Tuesday, as overseas investors continued to sell local stocks. The won was quoted at 1,549.4 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 4.2 won from the previous session, marking the weakest level since March 6, 2009. The won opened at 1,543.1 won per dollar, up 2.1 won from the previous session, but fell to as low as 1,550.2 won per dollar at one point in the morning trading. It was the first time in 16 trading sessions that the won slumped to the 1,550-won level in intraday trading. The won's weakness has continued as foreign investors remained net sellers of local stocks with investors betting on a strong dollar. Adding pressure on the won, the Japanese currency also dipped to a 40-year low against the dollar. Foreign investors sold a net 3.8 trillion won ($2.5 billion) worth of local stocks on Tuesday, remaining net sellers of local stocks for the eighth consecutive trading session. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), meanwhile, rose 0.97 percent to close at 8,476.47.
Korea's Marine Corps participates in annual multinational exercise in Philippines
Korea's Marine Corps has taken part in a multinational joint exercise in the Philippines, seeking to enhance its interoperability with foreign troops, the armed service said Tuesday. The KAMANDAG exercise, which kicked off on June 14, is set to run through Wednesday near Luzon island in the Philippines, involving troops from three other nations: the United States, the Philippines and Japan. Korean troops established a joint command-and-control center with other participating countries to train staff officers in a simulated scenario as part of the command post exercise (CPX). This year, Korean marines also shared tips on the operation and maintenance of the Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle (KAAV) with their Filipino counterparts. The Philippine Marine Corps fielded eight such armored vehicles in 2016. Established in 2017, the multinational drill, jointly led by the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps, is designed to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities and coastal defense operations. Korea has participated in the drills annually since 2022.
Hyundai Motor set to open advanced service center in Gyeonggi Province
Hyundai Motor Co. said Tuesday it will open a new vehicle service center in Gyeonggi Province this week, featuring automated maintenance systems to improve service efficiency and diagnostic capabilities. The Suwon Hi-Tech Center, located in Yongin, just south of Seoul, spans 51,497 square meters of total floor space across two basement levels and five above-ground floors. The company held an opening ceremony at the facility one day ahead of its official launch Wednesday. The center is Hyundai Motor's first to showcase a smart mobility-based automated maintenance system, designed to improve servicing efficiency and reduce customer waiting times. To automate parts logistics, the facility deploys autonomous mobile robots, guided vehicles and case robots, while an unmanned vehicle lift system transports vehicles to maintenance bays. Hyundai's remote diagnosis service platform analyzes vehicle data before customers arrive, enabling technicians to prepare for repairs in advance. The center also strengthens Hyundai's data-driven diagnostic capabilities, operating data and noise, vibration and har
Korea revises upgrade plan for next-generation military radio system
Korea on Tuesday revised a plan to upgrade its military radio system with next-generation software used by the United States and its allies in a move to meet U.S. compatibility standards, the arms procurement agency said. The decision-making committee of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the revised plan to employ the second generation anti-jam tactical ultra-high frequency radio (SATURN) for the armed forces, in line with U.S. security policy restricting its integration into foreign-made radio systems. Under the revision, the military will adjust the ground and naval assets subject to the system upgrade. The deployment timeline has also been pushed back to 2032 from the initial target of 2028, DAPA said. SATURN is designed to prevent enemies from jamming, blocking or eavesdropping on vital communication between allied aircraft, ships and ground forces during combat operations. Korea is spending 2.17 trillion won ($1.43 billion) between 2022 and 2032 to upgrade the military radio systems with the advanced SATURN software. The budget is also expected to increa
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New risks lurk for Korea-US shipbuilding partnership
On June 5, U.S.Rep. Jared Golden's amendment passed the House Armed Services Committee as part of the FY 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), now heading to a House vote. Intended to promote the U.S. domestic shipbuilding industry, the amendment prohibits any FY 2027 NDAA funds from being used to obtain battle force ships and parts built in foreign shipyards. Historically, the U.S. Navy has never purchased a battle force ship from a foreign country. This practice is also codified in existing law: Under 10 U.S.C. 8679, the military is generally prohibited from procuring major components of the hull or superstructure of any such vessel from foreign shipyards. The Golden amendment would close off any remaining flexibility, prohibiting foreign procurement of battle force ships and parts entirely. The problem is that the ban the amendment proposes directly goes against where U.S. defense strategy has been heading. Facing workforce shortages, the U.S. ability to sustain sea operations through battle force and commercial ships is a known vulnerability across the Pacific. According
Gov't newly designates 3 areas in Gyeonggi as speculative zones
The government on Tuesday designated three new areas in Gyeonggi Province as speculative zones subject to tighter lending rules, following a sharp rise in home prices in the areas. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said it designated Dongtan Ward in Hwaseong, Giheung Ward in Yongin and Guri as regulatory zones during a residential policy deliberation committee meeting held Monday. The ministry said the designations are intended to curb speculative buying, protect genuine homebuyers and address overheating in the housing market. Property prices in Dongtan and Giheung have risen recently amid expectations of further gains, fueled by windfall bonuses received by employees of Samsung Electronics and improvements in transportation infrastructure. The two areas are near the chipmaker's headquarters in Suwon and key production facilities. Real estate prices in Guri have also climbed, as the city is close to Seoul, particularly the Gangnam business district. Home prices in Dongtan rose a cumulative 11.38 percent as of the fourth week of June, marking the largest increase in the c
Seoul shares edge up late Tue. morning on Wall Street gains
Korean stocks traded slightly higher late Tuesday morning, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as easing tensions in the Middle East boosted investor appetite. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 8.97 points, or 0.11 percent, to 8,403.62 as of 11:20 a.m., after opening 0.68 percent higher. Investor sentiment improved after the United States and Iran were set to resume talks in Qatar aimed at easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, alleviating concerns over a prolonged disruption to global oil supplies. Overnight, Wall Street rebounded sharply as investors returned to tech stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59 percent to close at a record high, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.07 percent and the S&P 500 advanced 1.18 percent. Crude prices rose modestly as investors monitored implementation of the U.S.-Iran peace framework. Tech shares were mixed. Top market cap Samsung Electronics rose 1.86 percent, while chip giant SK hynix slipped 0.27 percent. The two companies on Monday announced major long-term investment plans to accelerate construction
Industrial output down in May on chip volume adjustments
Korea's industrial output fell in May from a month earlier due mainly to a decline in chip production caused by a base effect and volume adjustments, data showed Tuesday, while retail sales rebounded slightly over the period. Industrial production fell 0.3 percent last month from April, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, extending on-month losses for two consecutive months. Output in the mining and manufacturing sector, a key pillar of the economy, fell 3 percent due to a decline in the production of chips and pharmaceutical products, while that of the automobile sector increased. The Ministry of Finance and Economy said the overall decrease in the industrial output came amid disruptions in the supply of raw materials following the Middle East war, along with an adjustment in chip production, which had recently increased sharply. In detail, the production of the semiconductor industry fell 10 percent, with the data ministry citing a decrease in the shipment of memory chips, including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), due to a base effect and volume adjustments
Latest LPGA major winner Ryu Hae-ran cracks top 10 in world rankings
Fresh off winning her first LPGA major title, Ryu Hae-ran has cracked the top 10 in the women's golf rankings for the first time since last summer. Ryu jumped five spots to reach No. 7 in the latest rankings released Tuesday. Ryu won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, on Sunday (local time), holding off fellow South Korean player Yoon Ina by two strokes at 13-under 275. It was Ryu's first LPGA major victory and her fourth title on the tour overall. Ryu had last been inside the top 10 on Aug. 11, 2025. The 25-year-old has previously ranked as high as fifth. Ryu is one of three South Korean players in the top 10. Kim Hyo-joo stayed at No. 3 and Kim Sei-young remained at No. 10. Yoon soared 22 spots to reach her career-high No. 17. The LPGA sophomore began the year at No. 67.
Can Korean football family really change its mentality?
The 2026 World Cup is over for Korea and the inquest into what happened in Mexico is well underway. Starting now is the discussion about what should happen next. As mentioned previously, there is a lot of anger and emotion at the moment and that can help promote the desire for change. But when actually thinking about what should happen, cool heads are needed. It is going to be a long journey, but the first steps have to be taken, and I am not talking just about finding a new coach. There are short-, medium- and long-term changes that need to be done. In the short-term, there has to be a collective breath taken and a calm discussion. Talking to coaches who are on the outside watching Korea, they all remark about how much pressure is put on the coach and the players. A question to ask all stakeholders — the fans, the media, the politicians, the players, the public and private sector — is whether people are prepared to tolerate relative failure if the necessary progress is being made? For example, the Asian Cup kicks off in January. It’s just six months away, and will be in Saudi Arab
Trump says Iran meeting to take place in Qatar
TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran has requested a meeting that will be held Tuesday in Qatar, despite Tehran denying any direct negotiations were planned with Washington on the deal aimed at ending the Middle East war. The announcement came after Iran held its first talks with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.-Iran deal was signed, and as Washington and Tehran agreed to halt their attacks, which had strained the agreement. "IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!" Trump posted Monday on his Truth Social platform, without specifying the participants. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later told Fox News that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner "will be flying to Doha for high-level meetings this week". Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Monday said a delegation of the country's own experts would travel to Doha this week, but staunchly denied any sit-down with the Americans. "We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement," he said, noting that "ove
Outgoing coach, nat'l team players return home to boos after early World Cup exit
Former head coach Hong Myung-bo and a few of his players for the South Korean men's national football team were met with boos from angry people as they returned home Tuesday from a short stay at the FIFA World Cup. Hong and nine of his 26 players landed at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul, in the wee hours of Tuesday, a little over 24 hours after Hong announced his resignation from the post to take responsibility for South Korea's exit from the World Cup after the group stage. South Korea finished third in Group A with three points from a win and two losses. The Taegeuk Warriors began the competition by defeating the Czech Republic 2-1, but suffered successive 1-0 defeats against Mexico and then lower-ranked South Africa. With the eight best third-place teams out of 12 also getting a chance to play in the knockout round, along with the top two nations from each of the 12 groups, South Korea ended up 10th among the dozen teams that finished third in their groups. Before leaving Mexico, where South Korea had played all three group matches, Hong said Sunday morning (local t
Despite public support, Korea struggles to raise age threshold for seniors’ free subway rides
As Seoul pushes to raise the eligibility age for free subway rides from 65 to 70, calls are growing to extend the change across the broader range of social benefits provided to older citizens to reflect the demographic reality of a “superaged society,” in which more than 20 percent of the population is 65 or older. But the threshold is tightly bound up with a host of other policies, including the statutory retirement age, making it increasingly difficult for the Korean government to revise a definition of old age written into law decades ago. Under the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, people aged 65 and older receive a range of benefits, including free rides on subways nationwide and free admission to national parks, museums, galleries and historic palaces. They are also entitled to a 30 percent discount on rail services such as the KTX. Various welfare programs introduced later, including the basic pension and long-term care insurance, followed suit by setting their eligibility threshold at 65. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on Sunday, that age standard has remained
What's left to curb weak won?
Market attention is increasingly focused on what, if anything, can reverse the won’s slide as the won-dollar exchange rate has remained above the psychologically important 1,500 won level for more than a month despite easing geopolitical tensions, according to industry analysts, Monday. With heavy foreign selling of Korean equities and a stronger U.S. dollar continuing to weigh on the won, concerns are growing that the currency’s weakness may be becoming structural rather than merely reflecting a temporary external shock. The analysts said the key variables that will determine the won’s direction in the second half include whether the pressure of foreign investors’ selling eases, whether the Bank of Korea (BOK) raises its benchmark interest rate and whether an expected influx of U.S. dollars from SK hynix’s $30 billion American depositary receipt (ADR) listing on the Nasdaq next month materializes. The government has also stepped up microlevel measures, including closer monitoring of the offshore non-deliverable forward (NDF) market and illegal foreign exchange transactions. I
[K-pop Report Card] From meme hooks to industrial pop, here's what defined K-pop's wildest 2 months
For K-pop, May and June were gloriously messy. Over the past two months, artists bounced between internet memes and club sounds, nostalgia and reinvention, minimalist production and maximalist spectacle. Veteran acts proved they could still evolve without losing themselves, while younger groups continued searching for sounds they could truly call their own. Some experiments paid off. Others raised more questions than answers. Here's what stood out, or fell flat, in K-pop's latest wave of releases. BABYMONSTER, "CHOOM" EP — title track "CHOOM," released May 4 Verdict: Nearly there BABYMONSTER deserves some credit for refusing to chase trends. The track is unmistakably YG: a throwback packed with production choices that recall the label's glory days, when BLACKPINK, or even 2NE1 before them, defined its identity. The instrumental, in particular, feels lifted from that era, and there's certainly an audience still hungry for that sound. The question is whether nostalgia is the right strategy for one of K-pop's youngest groups. A familiar formula can keep longtime YG fans happy, but whether i
Photo of Gaya tombs wins top prize in UNESCO heritage photo contest
A photograph of tombs from the Gaya Confederacy (42 B.C. – A.D. 562) in southeastern Korea won the Grand Prize in the Discover Korea's World Heritage Photo Contest, according to The Korea Times, Monday. The competition was hosted by The Korea Times in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) ahead of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will be held in Busan from July 19 to 29. Korea is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 12 tentative sites. Participants were invited to submit photographs featuring one of the country's World Heritage or tentative sites. From a total of 576 entries, The Korea Times and the KHS selected 60 winners. Grand Prize winner Tim Schilstra of Canada captured the Songhak-dong Tumuli in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, one of the seven burial sites that make up the Gaya Tumuli, which were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The burial mounds belonged to the Gaya Confederacy, a polity that flourished in the southeastern Korean Peninsula during the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. – A.D. 668) but is oft
School trip surprise as students meet The Rock
About 50 children from Sudbury meet Dwayne Johnson on a school visit to London.
Manhunt after bomb injures Ukrainian oligarch in Monaco
The blast was caused by an explosive device which appeared to contain bolts and pellets, the head of Monaco's government said.
Williams fightback falls short on Wimbledon comeback
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Serena Williams gave Centre Court reason to dream but a winning return to grand slam tennis ultimately proved beyond her as she lost 2-1 to Australian Maja Joint.
Former foreign affairs minister David Andrews dies
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Former Fianna Fáil TD and foreign affairs minister David Andrews has died aged 91.
Former foreign affairs minister David Andrews dies
Former Fianna Fáil TD and foreign affairs minister David Andrews has died aged 91.
Glacial lake near Pemberton, B.C., bursts, sending flood water to small community
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Experts believe flood waters are likely to peak late in the day on Wednesday and people are being asked to stay away from Gates Lake and nearby creeks due to dangerous conditions.
Hope fades of finding more Venezuela earthquake survivors as official death toll rises
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Rescue teams in Venezuela were losing hope on Tuesday of finding more survivors of twin earthquakes that struck the country last week, following hours of exhausting work searching for victims beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Ex-Leicester defender smashes six and blows kiss to bowler on cricket debut
Just a day after resigning as Newport County head coach, Christian Fuchs blows a kiss to a bowler after hitting him for six while making his cricket debut for Derbyshire village side Grindleford.
Human trafficking charges for staff at pornography studio
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Nine people will stand trial in the Czech Republic on charges of forcing young women to act in pornography films after luring them with modelling offers, prosecutors have said.
Deadly B.C. boat sinking believed to have occurred in waters up to 180 metres deep
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An RCMP underwater recovery team is now searching for a capsized vessel that sank off the shores of Richmond, B.C., on Sunday.
Gradual excise restoration to help avoid 'cliff edge'
Follow all the political reaction after the Government extended excise reductions on petrol and diesel until 1 September.
Labour defends Ogbu over deleted webpage 'typo'
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The Labour Party has defended Mayor of Galway Helen Ogbu after what it described as a "typo" on her webpage in relation to the timeline of her seeking asylum in Ireland.
"Keep Supporting the Venezuelan People": Thousands Missing as Earthquake Rescue Efforts Continue
Rescue efforts in Venezuela continue as thousands of people remain missing — trapped under the rubble of flattened homes and buildings nearly a week after two back-to-back earthquakes devastated the capital, Caracas, and the nearby city of La Guaira. Rescue teams are desperately searching for survivors, with Venezuelan health officials saying Monday that over 1,700 people are confirmed dead. The toll is expected to rise dramatically as the window for finding survivors closes.
In the face of the wreckage, “we’re seeing also a lot of solidarity from the Venezuelan people” who are sharing space and resources with those displaced by the quakes, says Beatriz Ochoa, Latin America head of advocacy for the Norwegian Refugee Council. Looking ahead, “We will need to transition to more medium- and longer-term solutions, so that people can have affordable housing and a more dignified place to sleep and to be able to rebuild their lives,” says Ochoa, calling for more international support.
Outgoing UK PM announces 'record' defence spending
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Britain would spend a "record" of almost £300 billion over the next four years to modernise its armed forces in the face of rising threats.
Ballygar locals hail 'important' return of ATM to town
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The Central Bank has launched a new map showing the location of every ATM and cash service point in the country. From today members of the public can also use an online form to notify the regulator if they believe there is insufficient access to cash in their are
Ballygar locals hail 'important' return of ATM to town
The Central Bank has launched a new map showing the location of every ATM and cash service point in the country. From today members of the public can also use an online form to notify the regulator if they believe there is insufficient access to cash in their are
Meet Aber Kawas, DSA-Backed Palestinian American Who Won New York State Senate Primary
The Democratic Socialists of America’s slate dominated the New York primaries last week, with Aber Kawas winning the Democratic nomination for a New York state Senate seat in the New York City borough of Queens with a 20-point lead against progressive State Assemblymember Steven Raga. Born and raised in New York to Palestinian parents, Kawas campaigned on affordable housing, universal healthcare, immigration reform, public transit, climate action and opposition to U.S. support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Over the past decade, the DSA has grown from about 5,000 members to over 100,000 members in 200 chapters across the United States. “What we are saying is that we want to make sure that people who are struggling are provided the best social services possible by our government,” says Aber Kawas of DSA candidates. “That is not a threat to people. That is a really hopeful message that so many Americans and so many people are looking for, and that is why we were able to win in these landslide victories.”
Takaichi’s new BOJ board pick signals tame view on inflation
Ayano Sato begins her five-year term just two weeks after the BOJ raised its benchmark interest rate to the highest level in 31 years.
JAL fraudulently receives subsidies for state project
The major Japanese airline plans to return the subsidies, totaling about ¥280 million. The misconduct may date back to 2022.
Swan through but Boulter becomes 11th Briton to fall at Wimbledon
Katie Swan becomes the first Briton to reach the second round at this year's Wimbledon - but Katie Boulter loses to a qualifier.
Coach called former Sheffield United footballer Maddy Cusack a 'psycho', inquest told
A team-mate tells an inquest Maddy Cusack was "anxious" about Jonathan Morgan joining Sheffield United.
Warning over illegal and unsafe teeth-whitening products
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Consumers have been warned that illegal and potentially unsafe teeth-whitening products with high levels of hydrogen peroxide are entering the Irish market.
Canadians share hopes and wishes for America's 250th birthday
We asked Canadians across the country what they would say and give to their southern neighbour.
Shetland backs plan to connect islands with £1.5bn undersea tunnels
The undersea links between some of the UK's most northerly islands could be in place within eight years.
"Merciless Indian Savages": Cherokee Podcaster on Racist Slur in the Declaration of Independence
Ahead of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July Fourth, we speak to award-winning Cherokee author and journalist Rebecca Nagle about what’s missing from the conventional story of the American Revolution.
“The last grievance in the Declaration of Independence is about 'merciless Indian savages,'” says Rebecca Nagle. “According to our founders, in their own words, the thing that they were most angry about was Native people.” She also argues that the “biggest myth” is that the founders built a democracy, “because they also built an empire,” and that the two can’t coexist.
Nagle partnered with leading Indigenous scholars on a new documentary podcast called First America. The series challenges the conventional U.S. origin story by examining the experiences of Indigenous peoples, and traces how laws and legal doctrines first used to dispossess Indigenous nations continue to impact questions of executive power, immigration, xenophobia, citizenship, territorial expansion and U.S. foreign policy today.
Nagle links the dark history of the United States’ founding to ongoing oppression in the country. “I would be reporting on America’s past, and then the same thing would happen in our present,” she says. “Rounding people up, putting people in detention, even shooting anybody who gets in the way, these are things that our government has done before — not once, not twice, but many, many times.”
Government promises to act after 'shocking' failings in maternity care in England
An independent inquiry has found "unacceptable racism and discrimination" is affecting patient safety.
Minimum wage gap narrows, but breakthrough still elusive
Labor and business representatives narrowed their differences over next year's minimum wage after submitting a second round of revised proposals, but negotiations remained deadlocked with the two sides still 1,540 won ($1) apart. The labor side proposed raising the hourly minimum wage to 11,900 won, while the employer side offered 10,360 won during the Minimum Wage Commission’s meeting at the government complex in Sejong on Tuesday. Although the latest proposals narrowed the gap from the initial
UN scraps rule forcing it to repay money it never received
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The United Nations has overhauled a decades-old “Kafkaesque financial rule” that requires it to return unspent funds to Member States - even when those funds had never been deposited in the first place.
Amid crushing European heatwave, things are about to get hotter for transport systems
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As European transport officials scramble to deal with melting train tracks and buckling roads amid a crushing heatwave, a UN report released Tuesday warns of more extreme weather in the decades ahead for Europe, Central Asia and North America.
World News in Brief: Aid convoy attacked in South Sudan, Ebola threatens livelihoods, UN deplores death penalty
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Five humanitarian workers have been killed after a clearly marked aid convoy was ambushed in Jonglei State, South Sudan.
Despite record $100 million shortfall, Palestine relief agency still ‘a critical platform’ for Gaza recovery
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The UN agency serving 5.9 million Palestine refugees, UNRWA, continues to strive to deliver on its mandate while facing an unprecedented $100 million budget shortfall, a gap it hopes to narrow during Tuesday’s pledging conference at UN Headquarters.
Strait of Hormuz: Gradual re-opening is no quick fix for developing nations, UN warns
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Re-opening the Strait of Hormuz would bring vital relief for many economies, but developing countries will continue to grapple with increased food and fuel costs, according to a new UN report released on Tuesday.
New WHO plan urges stronger action against fungal disease
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has published new guidance to help countries confront the rising burden of fungal disease and antifungal resistance - one of the most neglected global health threats, yet still largely absent from national health plans.
Children are turning to AI for homework – and life advice
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Millions of children across the globe are already using artificial intelligence to learn, solve problems and even seek advice about personal worries, while safeguards are failing to keep pace with the technology's rapid adoption.
Quake latest: Food grows scarcer for thousands of Venezuelan families
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The deadly Venezuela quakes have deepened hardship for families who already needed support and left others without homes, income or regular access to food.
Venezuela quake: Key services crippled and health workers missing
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Search and rescue operations continued in Venezuela on Tuesday as thousands of displaced survivors struggled to find shelter and humanitarians issued an alert over the spread of infectious disease.
Headlines for June 30, 2026
Iranian Officials Deny Trump’s Claims of High-Level Talks in Doha, Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill 8, Including 2 Children, as Smotrich Calls for Gaza Settlements, Rights Group Says Israel Is Killing Palestinian Children in West Bank at Fastest Rate Since 1967, More Than 130 Venezuelans Recently Deported from U.S. Feared Dead in La Guaira Earthquakes, Ukrainian Drones Target Moscow After Russian Attacks on Ukraine Kill 8, SCOTUS to Allow the President to Fire Independent Agency Heads, Except at the Federal Reserve, Divided Supreme Court Upholds Grace Periods for Mail-In Ballots Postmarked by Election Day, SCOTUS Rules Cellphone Location Data Is Protected by the Fourth Amendment, SCOTUS Declines to Hear Trump’s Appeal of $5 Million Sex Abuse and Defamation Case, Supreme Court Will Consider Arizona Laws Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote, DSA-Backed Insurgents Target Democratic Incumbents as Colorado Holds Primaries, New York City Council Employee with TPS Released from Newark ICE Jail After 5 Months, Trump Bought Stock in Taser Company Before ICE Announced $220 Million Contract, New York Mayor Mamdani Closes Part of Rikers Island Jail
EU to implement trade deal with US from tomorrow
The EU will implement its tariff deal struck last year with the US from tomorrow, the European Commission said, meeting a July 4 deadline set by President Donald Trump.
Williams' Wimbledon legacy before return to Centre Court
A look back at Serena Williams' Wimbledon legacy to date, including her seven singles titles and remarkable comeback from retirement before her return to Centre Court.
Aflac Japan reports data breach affecting over 4 million customers
For about 230,000 customers, information about premium payment accounts was also compromised.
Government 'cannot deport' grooming gang ringleader
A 55-year-old law means the government has no legal powers to remove Shabir Ahmed from the UK.
Germany fans in need of hope as prospect of Klopp looms
As Germany again fail to progress at a World Cup BBC Sport looks at the fallout from their defeat by Paraguay and what happens next.
Homeplus, Korea Zinc unions join forces to condemn MBK Partners
The labor unions of Homeplus and Korea Zinc have teamed up for the first time to intensify the pressure on private equity firm MBK Partners, accusing it of prioritizing profits over workers and long-term corporate sustainability. The two groups stressed that Homeplus' ongoing corporate rehabilitation and MBK's attempt to gain control of Korea Zinc are manifestations of the same problem during a joint press conference at a Homeplus hunger strike site in Gwanghawmun Square, central Seoul, on Tuesd
Ruling party wins 11 committee chairs, confirms PM Han amid opposition boycott
The National Assembly on Tuesday elected 11 lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea as chairs of parliamentary committees after weeks of negotiations with the main opposition People Power Party collapsed. Those put to the vote for election in Tuesday's session were Rep. Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee; Rep. Yoo Dong-soo, chair of the National Policy Committee; Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, chair of the Economy, Planning and Budget Committee; and Rep. Han Byung-d
Doctor admits careless driving causing daughter's death
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A doctor has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing his six-year-old daughter's death in 2024.
Doctor admits careless driving causing daughter's death
A doctor has pleaded guilty to careless driving causing his six-year-old daughter's death in 2024.
Peter’s Pence 2025: €54.5 million to support Pope’s mission of charity
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The 2025 Annual Disclosure for Peter’s Pence shows that offerings made to the Holy Father sustained his service to the universal Church and supported projects of direct assistance in 74 countries.
Jury in Bouchakar trial to resume deliberations tomorrow
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The jury in the trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, who denies attempting to murder three children and assaulting four other people in November 2023, will resume deliberating tomorrow.
Pope: All Christians called to celebrate 2033 anniversary of Christ's Redemption
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Addressing representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Rome, Pope Leo XIV says all Christians are called to be credible witnesses at this time of war and polarization, and also expresses his hope that all Christians will work together to celebrate the Year 2033, commemorating two thousand years of the Lord's Redemption.
Flooding hits Ghana's capital killing 13 people - with another storm forecast
People have been urged to relocate to high ground or stay indoors as more rain is expected to come.
France superstars thriving thanks to Deschamps' bold changes
Why Didier Deschamps' changes to personnel and formation could propel 2022 runners-up France to go one better in this World Cup.
Labor ministry official convicted over stalking and trespassing
Tokyo District Court handed down its ruling on Atsushi Takabayashi, 39, who had been on leave since his indictment.
Disruption of EU Presidency will not be tolerated - Kelly
The Garda Commissioner has said that any attempt by protesters to block critical infrastructure such as motorways, ports, airports and fuel depots during the EU presidency will be met with robust policing.
'Unprecedented' jump in complaints to data watchdog
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The Data Protection Commission has described as "unprecedented" a 45% jump in complaints to its office last year.
King Charles arrives in Edinburgh for Royal Week celebrations
The King's first engagement was the traditional Ceremony of the Keys in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Msgr Ruiz appointed Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity
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The Argentine priest, who has served as Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication since 2015, was appointed by the Pope on Monday as Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, commonly known as the Apostolic Almonry. He will take up the post on 1 September 2026.
New ASIF statute: A further step toward international standards
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Pope Leo approves an organic reform of the Vatican Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF). The positions of President and Board will be replaced by a Management composed of a Director and Deputy Director, supported by Consultors.
Japan nears longest postwar growth even as households struggle
The government kept its view that the economy is "recovering moderately," signaling the expansion still has room to run.
WhatsApp will allow users to go by usernames, closing a privacy blind spot
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WhatsApp users will soon get the option of going by usernames instead of phone numbers, the company said Monday, announcing plans to address a privacy blind spot. WhatsApp, which says it has more than 3 billion users globally, has until now allowed users to be contacted by anyone who has their phone number.
On immigration, Trump administration has chalked up many more wins than setbacks
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IN PHOTOS | See the stunning strawberry moon
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The so-called strawberry moon, which marks the first full moon of the summer, was on full display last night.
Wemade sold to China-linked NeoPulse for W920b
Wemade — a Korean game developer known for its hit massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or MMORPG, franchise the Legend of Mir — has been sold to China linked company NeoPulse. According to Wemade on Tuesday, founder Park Kwan-ho signed a stock purchase agreement with NeoPulse, a Korean subsidiary of Hong Kong-based investment company Shengsong Investment, to sell his entire 39.33 percent stake in Wemade worth about 920 billion won ($593 million). Once the stock purchase is complete o
Another UK heatwave could be on the way
As parts of Europe continue to swelter in record temperatures, higher temperatures could develop again across the UK later this week, as Simon King explains.
PC was closing road when car hit her, inquest hears
Jess Turnbull suffered "catastrophic" injuries while responding to a separate crash, an inquest hears.
Watch: Power pole catches fire in Wellington's Island Bay
Wellington Electricity says up to 130 homes in the south coast suburb of Island Bay are without power.
Annual inflation slows to 4-month low of 3.3% - estimate
The rate of inflation is estimated to have eased to 3.3% in June from 3.5% a month earlier to hit a four-month low.
Sister Smerilli new Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development
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Pope Leo appoints Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect, Cardinal Fabio Baggio as Pro-Prefect, and Monsignor Jozef Barlaš as Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with all three appointments taking effect on 1 September 2026.
U.S. Supreme Court clears way for transgender sports bans
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New Central Bank map shows ATM locations nationwide
The Central Bank has launched a new map showing the location of every ATM and cash-service point in the country.
Pope Leo XIV updates the Constitution of the Vicariate of Rome
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Pope Leo XIV updates the Constitution of the Vicariate of Rome, confirming the role of the Cardinal Vicar while entrusting coordination of the Vicariate's offices and administrative structure to the moderator curiae.
Almost 200,000 Irish historical records released online
Almost 200,000 historical records have been released online by the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland.
Jury in Donohoe inquest sent out to consider findings
The jury in the inquest into the death of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe has been sent out to consider its findings.
Lily Allen defends tour after some fans criticise show length
Some fans had complained that the show is too short because the singer only performs her latest album.
In with the bulldozers, out with the gravel - flood-hit farmers want change in river management
Locals are nearing their wits' end after rivers once again burst their banks in the region, submerging farmland and destroying roads.
South Africa's anti-migrant protesters march nationwide after thousands flee violence
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Anti-immigrant protesters draped in flags and wielding wooden weapons marched across cities in South Africa on Tuesday to mark a deadline they had set for undocumented migrants to leave, with some marches hit by violence and looting.
Joanne McNally: 'I wasn't messing around'
Joanne McNally has said she feels "very lucky" to have built a successful comedy career, but believes there is still much more she wants to achieve.
WhatsApp to let people chat by swapping usernames instead of phone numbers
The app's new usernames feature will be rolled out globally over the next few months.
Police investigate suspected fatal bear attack in Aomori Prefecture
Authorities said that a man found dead on a mountain may have been attacked by a bear.
Korea secures 2.07m-ton tariff-free steel quota from EU
South Korea has secured 2.07 million metric tons of dedicated tariff-free steel exports to the European Union under the bloc's new import regime, with Korean steelmakers potentially able to ship up to 3.55 million tons, including access to shared quotas. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Tuesday the European Commission announced the operating plan and country-by-country allocations for the new tariff-rate quota system, which takes effect Wednesday and replaces the existing steel
Ukrainian-born oligarch with Russian ties reportedly injured in Monaco explosion
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Police in Monaco and France were searching for a suspected bomber on Tuesday after three people were wounded by an explosion in the wealthy principality, which two sources said was an attack on a Ukrainian-born oligarch.
Refugees would be told to repay around £10,000 under new asylum bill
The Home Office will be given powers to recover costs from adults who have received asylum support under new laws.
Samsung, SK hynix say Yongin won't be enough for AI era
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix on Tuesday reaffirmed plans to invest about 800 trillion won ($518 billion) to turn Korea's southwest into the country's next semiconductor hub beyond Yongin, citing surging AI-driven memory demand. Samsung Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun and SK hynix Chief Executive Officer Kwak Noh-jung laid out their investment road maps at a government-hosted event at the Kimdaejung Convention Center in Gwangju, a day after the government and major companies unveiled three megap
Japan adopts bill to revise Imperial House Law
The government aims to enact the bill during the ongoing Diet session, currently scheduled to end on July 17.
Pether's health 'deteriorating rapidly,' says family
The wife of an Australian man who is unable to return home to Ireland from Iraq due to a travel ban has said that his health is "deteriorating rapidly".
N.W.T. braces for another day of worsening wildfires
As evacuees filled recreation centres in Yellowknife and Fort Smith, shifting weather conditions threatened to worsen wildfires menacing two Dehcho communities.
Yen hits 40-year low against the dollar, breaking ¥162 level
The market remains skeptical about the effectiveness of government efforts to prop up the yen, and pressure on the currency has been steady.
Baby and man dead in Russia after Ukraine drone strikes
A six-month-old baby in Russia died after debris from a drone fell on a building in the Moscow region today, while a man was also killed overnight by a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Belgorod region authorities said.
‘The Korean Table’ serves up more than food
In Korea, "Have you eaten?" has long served as a greeting, while countless expressions — from "sikgu," meaning family and derived from the phrase "people who share meals," to idioms built around the dining table — reveal how deeply food is woven into everyday language and relationships. The new exhibition "The Korean Table: Food, Nature, and Life" at the National Museum of Korea explores the history of Korean dining culture and food through some 450 artifacts, paintings and immersive installatio
Why are South Korean fans so angry at their football coach?
Hong Myung-bo has resigned after South Korea failed to advance to the World Cup knockout stages.
Parish Priest in Caracas: Many people left with unsafe homes
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Father Luis García, parish priest of San José Parish in Caracas, describes the hardships people are facing in the wake of the earthquake in Venezuela. He says the words of Pope Leo XIV "have been a great source of encouragement for all of us."
Twenty-four arrests, drugs, guns and cash seized in year long police operation across North Island
The arrests included members of the Comanchero and Mongol motorcycle clubs and the Mongrel Mob.
Japan to invest ¥150 billion in Rakuten’s domestic satellite project
The investment is part of a push to develop a homegrown satellite network and to reduce Starlink's dominance in the field.
'Starbucks' chant by student players highlights regional hatred among younger S. Koreans
A chant of “I’ll go to Starbucks” during a livestreamed high school baseball game has triggered renewed criticism over far-right memes mocking the victims of South Korea’s 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The chant echoed controversy surrounding Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” promotion earlier this year, which prompted a public apology after drawing nationwide backlash. Paichai High School has since apologized, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education opened an investigation. Yet critici
Matt Damon to make Korea visit for 'The Odyssey'
Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon is coming to Korea this summer as part of the global premiere tour for "The Odyssey," People magazine reported Sunday. Damon is set to embark on a global press tour beginning in July for the upcoming film, the magazine said. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan, with Damon playing the lead character, Odysseus. "We're going to Europe, we're going to do premieres in Mumbai, Beijing and Seoul. It’s a big push," Damon told People. “I'll bring my family for
Japan to see price hikes for 2,566 food items in July
Higher crude oil and naphtha prices have pushed up the costs of packaging and raw materials, leading to price increases mainly for processed foods like instant noodles.
Korea's biggest piracy operator is finally home — and behind bars
For years, readers who didn't want to pay for their webcomics and manga knew exactly where to go. Until it shut down in April, Newtoki and its sister websites offered pirated copies of Korea's most popular webtoons, along with Japanese manga and web novels. The man said to be running them stayed shrouded in mystery for years, thought to have fled to Japan and taken citizenship there to put himself out of reach. That run is finally over. The alleged operator is now in Korea, where he has been han
Yoo Ah-in, Ryu Jun-yeol in talks with Galaxy Corp.: report
Actors Yoo Ah-in and Ryu Jun-yeol are reportedly in discussions with Galaxy Corp., the entertainment company best known as the agency of G-Dragon, over potential exclusive contracts. According to local media reports Tuesday, both actors recently met with Galaxy Corp. to discuss possible representation. Coincidentally, the two actors previously belonged to the same management agency, United Artist Agency. Neither side directly denied the claims. Responding to speculation over Ryu's possible depar
Police refer 20 hospital staff over unprescribed anti-anxiety drugs
Police have referred the head of a nursing hospital, along with doctors and nurses, to prosecutors on suspicion of repeatedly administering unprescribed psychotropic drugs to patients. The Seoul Jongam Police Station said Tuesday that it had referred 20 people, including the hospital chief, night-duty doctors and nurses, to the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors’ Office without detention on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act and the Medical Service Act. They are accused of arbitrari
Spain’s war on football piracy is breaking the internet
LaLiga's aggressive campaign against sports piracy knocks out thousands of websites in Spain as collateral damage every weekend.
Japan’s food waste falls to lowest on record in fiscal 2024
The food waste amount dropped by 30,000 tons from the previous year to 4.61 million tons in 2024, decreasing for a third consecutive year.
Complaints to food watchdog advice line rise by 23%
Consumer complaints to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland jumped by nearly a quarter last year, with the majority of complaints relating to unfit food and hygiene standards.
VAT rate to be cut to 9% from 13.5% from midnight
The VAT rate charged in cafes, restaurants, catering services and hairdressers will be cut from 13.5% to 9% from midnight tonight.
Pick Kobbie Mainoo over Elliot Anderson against DR Congo, says Wayne Rooney
Former England captain Wayne Rooney says he would start Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo instead of Elliot Anderson in Wednesday's World Cup last-32 tie with DR Congo.
Pope’s final appeal to Society of Saint Pius X: Do not tear the seamless garment of Christ
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The letter sent by Pope Leo XIV to the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X is dated 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two days before the Lefebvrists’ announced episcopal consecrations without a pontifical mandate, which would constitute a new schismatic act.
Co-hosts Mexico brushed aside Ecuador 2-0 in their last-32 World Cup tie to set up a likely clash with England at the Azteca Stadium in the next round.
Sparkling France sweep Sweden aside to reach last 16
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Kylian Mbappe drew level with Lionel Messi at the top of the 2026 World Cup goalscoring charts as France swept aside Sweden 3-0 to seal their place in the last 16 with an exhilarating performance in New Jersey.
Almost 1,900 women turned away from DV services - report
Almost 1,900 women were turned away from domestic violence services during a six-month period, according to Safe Ireland.
US security chief 'danced happy dance' after Iran exit
The United States' head of homeland security says he "danced a happy dance" when Iran's elimination from the World Cup was confirmed.
One seriously injured in three-vehicle crash south of Northland's Ruakaka
The crash happened on State Highway One - south of Ruakaka in the Whangārei district.
Legal aid fee row could impact court hearings tomorrow
Disruption to the work of the courts is expected after several solicitors indicated they would stop taking free legal aid cases tomorrow in protest at plans to reform fees.
Former Whangārei Coin Saver owner Snehal Patel accused of blackmail and migrant exploitation
Snehal Patel the former owner of Whangārei chain stores Coin Saver and his company, Osh Enterprises, are on trial in the Whangārei District Court.
What you need to know about new customs charges
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From 1 July, new customs charges affecting purchases valued below €150 entering Ireland from outside the EU will take effect.
Awards for the best and brightest of New Zealand science
Saving infants and communicating around controversy - these are the winners of the Prime Minister's Science Prize.
North Korea's national dog and the ancient heritage of Korea's native canines
[Visual History of Korea] KAESONG — Finding the Pungsan-gae in North Korea was far more difficult than I had imagined. During my first reporting trip to North Korea in 1995, I asked nearly everyone I met where I could find the country's famous hunting dog. Eventually, my government guides took me to the Pyongyang Central Zoo, where several Pungsan dogs were exhibited alongside imported breeds such as German shepherds and Labrador retrievers. The Pungsan-gae immediately stood out. Larger and more
In pictures: Stunning Strawberry Moon lights up the sky
Clear night skies over Hampshire and Dorset give stunning shots of the Strawberry Moon.
Will Takaichi invoke 60-day rule to pass controversial bills?
The ruling coalition aims to pass bills to trim Lower House seats and establish the concept of a secondary capital in the current session of parliament, which ends in three weeks.
Lee goes to Gwangju to launch Korea's AI Industrial Revolution
President Lee Jae Myung traveled to Gwangju to pitch South Korea's southwest as the starting point for the country's "AI Industrial Revolution," backed by massive investments in chips, artificial intelligence data centers and related industries. Lee attended an event unveiling a development vision for advanced industries in the southwestern region Tuesday. The gathering followed Monday's announcement of massive regional investment plans drawn up by the government, Samsung Electronics and SK hyni
Teenage boy dies following fall from e-scooter in Carlow
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A teenage boy has died after he fell from an e-scooter in Carlow last night.
Seoul shares rise nearly 1% on tech gains, with upcoming US-Iran talks in focus
South Korean stocks ended nearly 1 percent higher Tuesday, led by gains in technology shares, as investors watched for a possible resumption of US-Iran talks in Qatar aimed at easing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The Korean won weakened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 81.83 points, or 0.97 percent, to close at 8,476.47. Investor sentiment improved after the United States and Iran were set to resume talks in Qatar aimed at easing tensions in the S
Japan announces aid for domestic AI development project
The industry ministry aims to help the country catch up with the United States and China in AI technology.
Is the tide turning against Russia in Ukraine?
There is no guarantee that Putin will seek a negotiated freeze in the Ukraine conflict, not least because he might not grasp the situation Russia is in.
Anti-migrant politics sparking resurgence of racism in the U.K., polls suggest
A focus on crimes committed by members of ethnic minorities by right-wing activists and politicians has tapped into tensions over national identity and immigration.
Rescue hopes fade for finding Venezuela quake survivors
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Rescue teams in Venezuela were losing hope of finding more survivors of twin earthquakes that struck the country last week, following hours of exhausting work searching for victims beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Kakao Bank AI safety research gains global recognition
Kakao Bank said Tuesday its Financial Tech Lab's research on financial artificial intelligence safety has gained global recognition, with four papers accepted at major AI-related conferences this year. The papers focus on generative AI security and improving the reliability of AI systems used in finance, the bank said. In April, Kakao Bank presented technology at the International Conference on Learning Representations 2026 that detects prompt injection attacks targeting generative AI in special
'Our sea is gone': Haenyeo from Pohang seek answers, compensation
Under the scorching Tuesday morning sun, dozens of women sat shoulder to shoulder on mats outside a high-rise in Seoul's Songpa-gu. Some were in their 60s and 70s. Others were well into their 80s. All wore white towels on their heads and red headbands bearing the phrase "Damage compensation." Some held signs that read: "Our livelihoods have been taken away. Compensate for the damage!" The 52 women are haenyeo, Korea's traditional female divers, who traveled more than 300 kilometers to Seoul from
Russia’s small businesses pay the price of spiraling Ukraine war
Amid huge outlays on Moscow's war in Ukraine, tax rises, stubborn inflation and nervy consumers are all weighing on Russian small companies.
David Seymour bites back at Auditor-General over lunch report
David Seymour has questioned the Auditor-General's credibility after it raised concerns about the government's school lunch programme.
Homes harder to sell as high mortgage rates frustrate buyers
Three in five homes listed for sale since January remain on the market, says property portal Zoopla.
Top diplomats of S. Korea, Ukraine discuss N. Korean POWs, bilateral cooperation
South Korea's and Ukraine's top diplomats held talks Tuesday on bilateral cooperation and the issue of two North Korean prisoners of war held in Ukraine, with Seoul saying the matter is being discussed under the shared principle that it should be resolved in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a one-on-one meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha at 1 p.m., followed by an expanded luncheon meeting, Foreign Minist
LG sets up CEO-level robotics unit for physical AI push
LG Electronics said Tuesday it will set up a new robotics business center directly under its chief executive in a reshuffle aimed at accelerating one of its key future growth bets in physical AI. The new Robotics Business Center launching Wednesday will bring together business development, sales and operations functions, giving the unit a full business structure covering everything from finding new opportunities to supply chain and manufacturing, the company said. The center will be led by Song
'Always smiling' - tributes to 3 killed in Spain crash
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Tributes have been paid to the three people from Co Westmeath killed in a car crash in Spain at the weekend.
Korea's earnings increasingly hinge on chips: S&P
South Korea's corporate earnings are becoming increasingly dependent on semiconductors, even as the AI-driven chip boom is expected to continue through at least 2028, S&P Global Ratings said Tuesday. "Corporate earnings have been very strong this year, but the picture varies significantly across sectors," said Jeremy Kim at a Seoul briefing. "Growth is concentrated in semiconductors, while most other sectors are either growing modestly or remain under external pressure," he said, describing this
Korean stock market braces for NPS rebalancing sell-off
The South Korean stock market faces a potential supply overhang as the National Pension Service, the world's third-largest pension fund by total assets, is expected to rebalance its domestic stock holdings from Wednesday, fueling concerns over a sizable sell-off. Though the benchmark Kospi's blistering rally is expected to have pushed its domestic equity weighting well above target levels, the pension fund had deferred rebalancing through the end of June, allowing it to maintain its expanded sto
Canada cools Korea-Germany submarine split talk
As Canada closes in on a decision on one of its largest-ever naval procurement projects, its defense minister has downplayed speculation that Ottawa might split its multibillion-dollar submarine contract between South Korean and German bidders. According to a report by Canadian broadcaster CTV News on Monday, Defense Minister David McGuinty said dividing the order between two rival suppliers would likely raise costs and complicate maintenance and operations. “If you split a fleet of any kind, yo
Hyundai Steel holds first Innovation Festival
Hyundai Steel said Tuesday it held its first Innovation Festival at its training center in Dangjin on June 16, bringing together employees to showcase key improvement projects from across the company. The inaugural event was designed to identify standout innovation cases and expand their adoption across business areas, including production, research, quality control and workplace safety. The 22 selected projects, all presented in person at the event, covered operational efficiency, cost reductio
Hundreds of beds would be needed for rough sleepers given move-on orders
The idea that rough sleepers could be subjected to move-on orders has left the head of the Auckland mission feeling "distressed, concerned, agitated, worried, confused and upset".
Korea's W800tr chip bet depends on moving talent south
When the head of SK hynix spoke in Seoul on Monday about Korea's largest-ever semiconductor commitment, his first request to the government was not for money, land or power; it was for good schools. Without them, the chief executive Kwak Noh-jung warned, sending young engineers south could create "weekend couples," the Korean shorthand for families split by a distant job posting. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have committed a combined 800 trillion won ($517 billion) to build four memory fabs
Meet new faces powering K-dramas' 2026 global surge
As Korean TV dramas continue to captivate audiences around the world, a new generation of actors is stepping into the spotlight. The first half of 2026 has introduced breakout performers who have led some of the year's biggest series — and are already lining up major projects that could define the next chapter of Korean television. Here are six rising K-drama stars to watch, and what's next for them. Rom-com "Sold Out on You," a rural-set series that aired from April to May, delivered one of the
Incheon Airport to halve staff parking permits after audit
Incheon International Airport Corp. will overhaul its employee parking permit system, cutting staff passes and converting hundreds of spaces to passenger use following a government audit into system misuse, the operator said Tuesday. The changes, which take effect July 1, stem from a special audit by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in May that found some airport workers had used long-term parking permits for personal purposes and occupied spaces intended for passengers. The ai
US DRAM lawsuit unlikely to derail AI memory boom
The world's three largest memory chipmakers have been named in a proposed US class-action lawsuit accusing them of restricting DRAM supply during the industry's shift toward artificial intelligence memory products. Analysts, however, expect little immediate impact on Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and Micron Technology, or the memory market. According to industry sources Tuesday, 17 plaintiffs comprising individual consumers and small businesses filed the complaint in the US District Court for th
Chungbuk-Transportation University consortium faces loss of Glocal status
A consortium between Chungbuk National University and Korea National University of Transportation faces losing its Glocal University status after receiving the lowest grade for the second time, the Education Ministry said Tuesday. It was the first time the ministry disclosed the annual performance review results for the Glocal University program, a flagship project to support regional higher education. The Chungbuk National University-Korea National University of Transportation consortium was on
Fujimori promises 'order' after winning Peru presidency
Peru's conservative president-elect Keiko Fujimori has vowed to restore "order and hope" after narrowly defeating left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez.
What Indigenous comedians say about laughter, community and connection
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CBC Indigenous spoke with nine First Nation, Métis and Inuk comedians about their views on comedy. They share how Indigenous comedy is a tool for healing, bridging gaps between communities and challenging stereotypes.
Tanning caribou hides is about community and tradition for this Gwich'in artisan in Old Crow, Yukon
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Christine Creyke’s hide tanning reveals the interconnectedness of being a Gwich'in woman living in the Arctic, fighting for the future of the Porcupine caribou herd, and continuing her traditional cultural practices.
More families turning to financial aid to afford overnight summer camps
The rising cost of living is forcing many Canadian families to make tough choices about whether they can afford to send their kids away for camp.
AI 'gone awry' made up case law, a Manitoba court says. Justice experts say it highlights a lack of access
Experts say they aren't surprised AI-hallucinated case law continues to show up in courts, especially among self-represented people, because of how easy it is to use and how hard it can be to access the justice system.
Morocco advances after penalty shootout win over Netherlands in Monterrey thriller
Thousands of Morocco supporters erupted at the final whistle in the last World Cup match to be played in Monterrey.
Harris rejects fuel protest fears led to excise delay
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Tánaiste Simon Harris has denied that the decision to delay the excise duty restoration was linked to fears around new fuel protests.
Coffee shop owner loses franchise after accusing worker of stealing 3 drinks
A coffee franchise operator has terminated its franchise agreement with one of its stores, saying the owner damaged the brand’s public image through unlawful acts, including accusing a part-time worker of embezzlement over three drinks. Theborn Korea, operator of Paik’s Coffee, recently notified the store in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, of the termination, according to Money Today. “The entire Paik’s Coffee franchise has been subject to criticism since the Cheongju incident,” a company
Classic Revolution traces classical music to its folk roots
Classic Revolution, the annual summer classical music festival organized by Lotte Concert Hall, will trace the canon back to its folk roots this year, gathering some of the world's busiest performers under the theme "Origin: From Folk to Classic." From Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, the festival presents seven concerts, balancing orchestral programs with chamber music and solo recitals. Greek violinist and conductor Leonidas Kavakos returns as artistic director for a second year, after leading last year's
Lyall Bay landslip damages wastewater pipe
The pedestrian path that connects View Road with Queens Drive has been closed for public safety.
'Love in the Big City' author was obsessed with love while writing it
Novelist Park Sang-young once spent so much time thinking about love that it became something of an obsession. While writing his bestselling novel "Love in the Big City," Park immersed himself in the subject with the fervor of a devoted fan — much like the Korean slang "deokjil" describes the act of enthusiastically diving into every aspect of something one loves. "I found myself obsessing over why relationships kept failing," Park said during a talk at the Seoul International Book Fair, Friday.
Hyundai unveils 1st smart service center
Hyundai Motor Co. said Tuesday it has opened its new Suwon Hi-Tech Center in Gyeonggi Province, a highly automated facility designed to deliver faster, more advanced and customized maintenance services for next-generation vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Chang Jae-hoon, Hyundai Motor Co. CEO Jose Munoz, Hyundai Glovis CEO Lee Kyoo-bok, Hyundai Mobis Vice President Son Chan-mo and other executives attended the opening ceremony earlier in the day. The center is Hyundai’s first automated ma
Safety rules on the way for blind cords
Blind cords have caused the deaths of eight children since 2009.
Mr Blobby costume sells for £8,500 at auction
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Auctioneers say they had bids from around the world for the costume of the 'iconic' TV character.
The school podcast that beat the professionals to a top award
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The Reading Cafe features pupils from Holy Cross High School in Hamilton quizzing authors, musicians and other cultural figures about books.
Children's Minister defends handling of Gloriavale child safety concerns
Action to address child safety concerns at Gloriavale Christian community was already underway when the Education Review Office formally raised them in writing, Karen Chhour says.
Takaichi tops 2025 income rankings for Japan party heads
The prime minister earned ¥36.41 million in 2025 while the average income among nine party leaders stood at ¥24.53 million.
PPP chair struggles to address calls for resignation
The leader of South Korea's right-wing People Power Party, Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, is facing mounting calls for resignation in reckoning for the party's defeats in June's local elections. Reformists accused him of suppressing opponents to cling to his leadership post after Jang refused to resign and hinted at disciplinary action against other members for damaging the party. In the latest tally, more than 10,000 people had signed a petition started by party reformists on June 22 calling for Jang's
Repeat sex offender jailed for 13 years for child sexual abuse and objectionable material
Glen Elwyn Connor was sentenced after pleading guilty to 43 charges, including offending against children.
Stalker who faked ex's Tinder profile caught using doorbell camera
Asad Hussain, 36, created a fake profile in the victim's name after she ended their relationship.
'I love my superhero legs', says boy who 'inspires everyone around him'
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The school says the young double amputee's courage and positivity has "inspired everyone".
Man, 91, completes skydive for community group
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Alan Still completed the skydive for Rowleys Centre for the Community in Cranleigh.
Pupil put in isolation booth for more than half a school year, BBC learns
The pupil's experience in a Yorkshire school highlights concerns about zero-tolerance behaviour policies.
Funding for new housing, family centre in Ugpi’ganjig improves life for families
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Former chief Sacha LaBillois proudly explains the Mi’kmaw names on some of the streets as she drives though Ugpi’ganjig’s newest neighbourhood. Since 2021, her community, also known as Eel River Bar, has built 48 new homes and a $14-million child and family resource centre.
Why, why, why is the last day of school only 2 hours long? N.S. parents want to know
"Silly," "pointless" and "nonsense" is how some parents describe the final, two-hour day of school.
Babymonster launches 2nd world tour with rock festival intensity
Babymonster turned the stage of Jamsil Indoor Stadium into a full-fledged dance party over the weekend, opening its second world tour with the kind of powerful live vocals and high-intensity performance the group has become known for. The group kicked off its world tour, "Choom," with three shows in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul, from June 26-28. Spanning 18 cities and 29 shows so far, the tour will reach five continents — including first-ever stops in Oceania, Europe and South America — with more d
LDP’s flag desecration bill clears Lower House
Under the bill, desecrating the flag is punishable by up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥200,000.
South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo marked his return to Wimbledon with a straight-sets victory, advancing to the second round of the year’s third Grand Slam tournament. The world No. 200 defeated Spain’s Martin Landaluce 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in London. It was Kwon’s first main-draw victory at Wimbledon since 2021. Kwon, who is set to complete his mandatory military service next month, has enjoyed a strong comeback this season. He secured titles at the Gwangju Ope
UAE looks to Korea for water security partnership ahead of UN summit
The United Arab Emirates is seeking deeper cooperation with South Korea in desalination, artificial intelligence and clean energy as it prepares to host the 2026 UN Water Conference, positioning Seoul as a key partner in efforts to tackle the growing global water crisis. In a written interview with The Korea Herald, UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi said South Korea's technological strengths make it a natural partner for the conference, which the UAE will co-host with Senegal in Abu
Japan’s factory output rises as Iran fallout stays manageable
The government says it can secure enough crude oil through March 2028 by cultivating alternative procurements to the Strait of Hormuz.
Stars, cult favorites and AI on the bill at BIFAN's 30th edition
There are types of films enjoyed everywhere but deemed too quirky for the prestige circuit: the late-night creature feature, the gleefully gory horror picture, the action flick built for pulpy thrills. For three decades, the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) has been where those films come to be taken seriously. It is the home of the genre movie in Korea, and that focus sets it apart from the country's other major festivals. Where Busan draws the mainstream crowds and Jeonju
Have you noticed? Sunglasses are surprisingly rare on Seoul's streets. Here's why
For Ella Mitchell, an Australian graphic designer, packing a pair of sunglasses for the office was once part of her daily summer routine. But this summer, the 29-year-old living in Korea swapped her sunglasses for a parasol, or sun umbrella. "Any time I had to go outside at work, whether it was for lunch or a meeting, I'd put on my sunglasses. But I was always the only one wearing them. Everyone else had a sun umbrella," said Mitchell, 29, who moved to South Korea in 2023 and has since worked at
A tree honouring Newfoundlanders who died at the Battle of the Somme to be unveiled in France
For years, a lone tree stood in what was once a battlefield in northern France as a symbol of loss for Newfoundland and Labrador, but a new representative, built to last, will soon be in its place.
TXT to release 4th single in Japan in August
Tomorrow X Together set fans in Japan abuzz with the announcement that it was rolling out its fifth single in the country on Aug. 19. The group of five shared the news first during the final show for its special concert tour that celebrated its seventh year, held in Kobe last week. Label Big Hit Music officially announced the single Tuesday. The upcoming single, “Setsuna Hanabi,” will consist of four tracks, three new songs in Japanese and a rearranged version of the main song. The quintet will
Taiwan opposition pitches $7.5 billion drone plan after stalling government bid
The debate is being closely watched because use of unmanned systems elsewhere has shown how the technology can be leveraged to defend against larger adversaries.
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Tochigi Prison, which houses 456 inmates, is a microcosm of what female prisons across the nation are facing, from a rising foreign population to mental health issues.
Genewel showcases Welpass to Indonesian partner Pyridam Farma
Genewel, the life sciences arm of Dongsung Chemical, said Tuesday it hosted a product presentation and surgery observation session for Indonesian pharmaceutical company Pyridam Farma to showcase its postoperative pain management device, Welpass. The event featured a product presentation by Cho Jong-ho, professor of thoracic surgery at Samsung Medical Center, and a live surgery observation session led by Seong Yong-won, professor of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at SMG-SNU Boramae Medical C
Lotte World Tower launches Spider-Man-themed exhibition
Swing through Seoul's skies like Spider-Man. Lotte World Tower is launching a Spider-Man-themed exhibition in celebration of the upcoming film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," at its observatory Seoul Sky from Friday to August 31. The exhibition will feature a Spider-Man-themed photo zone and a store selling limited-edition merchandise, according to Lotte World Tower on Monday. The photo zone at the tower's 121st floor will feature a Spider-Man sculpture against Seoul's skyline. On their way to the
Taiwan raids Super Micro in widening China chip smuggling probe
The raids mark an expansion of Taiwan's first public crackdown on artificial intelligence chip diversion after years of pressure from Washington.
More than a boundary: Why Japan-Philippines maritime talks matter for China
Beijing says the talks infringe on maritime rights it claims through Taiwan and sees discussions as part of a broader effort by Manila and Tokyo to deepen strategic coordination.
Carney promises Arctic investment will benefit Inuit during meeting with leadership
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Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Inuit leadership Tuesday in Kuujjuaq, the largest community in the Nunavik region in northern Quebec. It was the first trip by a sitting prime minister to the village in almost 20 years.
What goes into making World Cup-quality turf, and the Canadian behind it
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When Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach came off the turf after the first FIFA World Cup game in Vancouver, it wasn't the crowd or atmosphere that had caught his attention — it was the grass.
'No rescuers have been sent': Venezuelans accuse government of negligence over earthquake response
People in areas devastated by twin earthquakes say they need more support from the government.
Japan to revise its Arctic policy as region’s geopolitical importance grows
The Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for national security as China and Russia intensify their activities.
Bridge cut off by Wairarapa floods reopens
The Tūranganui River bridge, which washed out in torrential rain over the weekend, has reopened to about 500 cut-off homes.
Blazers acquire Morant in three-player deal with Grizzlies
The Trail Blazers acquired the two-time All-Star in exchange for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
1 million applied for Spain's mass regularisation scheme
More than one million undocumented migrants in Spain have applied for regularisation under a scheme that has defied a crackdown on irregular immigration elsewhere in Europe.
Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki says his guns have been seized by police
The controversial church leader says police cancelled his firearms licence two days ago.
Mizuho and SMFG fuel record Japanese corporate bond sales overseas
The surge in issuance in overseas currencies is in part being fueled by the depreciating yen, which slid to its weakest level against the dollar since 1986 this week.
From surveillance to prevention: Intellivix's AI vision
Choi Eun-soo has spent more than two decades in an industry built on looking backward, but the Intellivix CEO is now betting that cameras can help prevent accidents before they happen. “AI should not be about showing off technology,” Choi said during a recent interview with The Korea Herald at Intellivix’s headquarters in Seoul. “It has to work in the field and prove itself through revenue.” For years, closed-circuit television has served as a record of what went wrong — footage to review after
Naomi Osaka serves up a fashion slam at Wimbledon
Osaka, the 14th-seeded player and former world No. 1, did her walk-on in an all-white look by Hana Yagi, an independent Japanese designer, titled "Evolving Ceremony."
Samsung union chief survives confidence vote after wage backlash
The leader of Samsung Electronics’ largest labor union has survived a confidence vote after asking members to judge his handling of this year’s wage negotiations. The Samsung Electronics Labor Union said Tuesday that 38,336 of its 54,165 members cast ballots in an electronic vote held from June 24 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, putting turnout at 70.8 percent. The confidence motion was approved with 33,550 votes in favor, or 87.5 percent of ballots cast. Members also voted on proposed revisions to the unio
US endorses grace periods for mail-in ballots
The US Supreme Court backed on Monday state laws that allow mail-in ballots received after Election Day to be counted, rejecting a Republican-led challenge to a five-day grace period in Mississippi and dealing a setback to President Donald Trump. The justices in a 5-4 ruling overturned a lower court's decision that had deemed Mississippi's law inconsistent with US statutes that set the timing of federal elections — for the presidency, Senate and House of Representatives. Trump last year vowed t
Europe's deadly heat wave scorches east, Slovakia hits record
Europe's most severe heat wave on record set new temperature records in eastern parts of the continent Monday and forced Ukraine to order power cuts to cope. The scorching heat, which first smothered western Europe, has already set records in Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany as it moved east in recent days. Slovakia on Monday registered a new record temperature of 41 degrees Celsius in Turna nad Bodvou in the southeast, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute said. The mercury reached 41.
Ebola outbreak in Congo spreads to 4th province
KINSHASA, Congo (AFP) -- A deadly Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread to a fourth province, meaning the country's entire northeast -- home to around 15 million people -- is now affected. The epidemic has claimed 360 lives out of 1,274 confirmed cases, according to figures from the World Health Organization. Congo declared its 17th outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic fever on May 15. This time, it is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment. Clinical tria
Koreans kept it local in 2025 as domestic tourism rebounds
Koreans took more domestic trips, traveled for longer and spent more doing so last year, reversing a yearlong dip, with growth concentrated in provincial regions outside the Seoul metropolitan area, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday. The 2025 National Travel Survey found that 97 percent of Koreans took at least one domestic trip in 2025, up 1.6 percentage points from 2024. They made 300.9 million domestic trips spanning 472.5 million days and spent 39.5 trillion won ($25.5
US Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to fire Fed's Cook but expands presidential powers
The US Supreme Court refused on Monday to let Donald Trump fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook as it stood firm to preserve the central bank's cherished independence against an unprecedented challenge by the Republican president. The court, in a 5-4 ruling, blocked Trump from removing Cook for now, providing a safeguard for the Fed specifically, even as it boosted the president's power over government in a separate landmark ruling on Monday. In that ruling, involving Trump's dismissal of a
Dynasty daughter Keiko Fujimori wins Peru presidency on fourth go
The daughter of disgraced late President Alberto Fujimori won by the slimmest of margins.
Peruvian political heir Fujimori wins presidency
Peru's conservative president-elect Keiko Fujimori vowed Monday to restore "order and hope" after defeating left-winger Roberto Sanchez in the latest victory for a resurgent Latin American right. Fujimori won the June 7 presidential runoff by the slimmest of margins, outpolling Sanchez by fewer than 50,000 votes out of the more than 18 million ballots cast, the final results showed. "Each time we draw closer to starting on the path of order and hope for all Peruvians," she wrote on X after being
Ohtani rookie card sells for record $2.56m
A one-of-a-kind rookie card featuring Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has sold for more than $2.56 million at a public auction, setting a record for the Japanese baseball star’s rookie cards. MLB.com reported Tuesday that the 2018 rookie card, released during Ohtani’s debut season in Major League Baseball, was sold for $2,562,229. The card is part of Topps’ premium “Topps Chrome” series and features the highly coveted “SuperFractor” design, a rare gold-patterned parallel card typical
Wairarapa locals say repeated damage to a washed out bridge is 'demoralising'
The Tūranganui River bridge which was washed out in last week's storm cutting off 500 homes was also damaged during floods in February.
Black ice and freezing fog predicted for Canterbury highways
The risk of hoar frost and black ice is forecast to continue through to Friday.
Rapid review to be carried out after patient dies in Waikato Hospital ED waiting room
Media reports say the person was found unresponsive in a toilet after a nine-hour wait.
Police Minister to 'get advice' on legal protections for people in drug overdoses
Mark Mitchell said people were making poor decisions and his message was "don't use drugs", following a spate of overdoses.
Manhunt after Monaco bomb targets Ukrainian-born oligarch
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Police in Monaco and France were searching for a suspected bomber today after three people were wounded by an explosion in the wealthy principality which two sources said was an attack on a Ukrainian-born oligarch.
Terrorist motive ruled out in Monaco parcel bomb attack
Monaco authorities are investigating a blast that wounded three people as "attempted murder", and are not considering it as a "terrorist" act, a public prosecutor said.
AI in Pacific healthcare: 'Significant work' needed, says professor
A New Zealand health professor says there is still significant work needed to ensure AI systems perform well for Māori and Pacific people.
Vehicle hits pedestrian on busy Auckland highway
One person has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
World Cup 2026 recap: Morocco advance on penalties
Morocco set up a date with Canada after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Netherlands.
Rocket Lab to acquire satellite firm Iridium
Rocket Lab will acquire satellite communications company Iridium in a deal worth US$b, with the aim of challenging SpaceX's Starlink service.
'There's a rongoā within the kupu Māori' - NZ poet laureate
Robert Sullivan says there is a "new wave" of poets writing in te reo Māori, inspired by their predecessors.
'Avoid the area': Gas leak closes intersection in Wellington's Mount Victoria
The intersection of Pirie Street and Austin Street was temporarily cordoned off due to a gas leak.
'An unforgivable miscarriage of justice' - police officers accused of withholding vital evidence in Alan Hall case
The two officers have pleaded not guilty to charges of wilfully attempting to obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice.
More than 1500 cannabis plants found hidden in Auckland rental properties
Police say they found more than 1500 plants across 17 unoccupied properties rented by Vietnamese nationals.
We had packed lunches every day for 10 years and retired at 40
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The Fire (Financially Independent, Retire Early) movement sees followers save as much as possible.
Qatar says no direct US-Iran talks to take place in Doha
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No high-level meetings or direct talks between the United States and Iran were planned in Doha after Washington said it had sent a top delegation for negotiations.
New draft guidelines for rural and Gaeltacht housing
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New draft planning guidelines for rural and Gaeltacht housing have been launched.
"You're paying the bills, buddy."
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Princeton, BP, and a sad but extremely revealing chapter in the climate fight
The obscure virus that causes some children to go deaf
Sarah Percy had never heard of cytomegalovirus, until her daughter Camden was diagnosed with profound deafness in her right ear, aged three.
Alberta to unveil details of 'million-barrel-per-day' oil pipeline route to West Coast on July 2
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The Alberta government says it plans to unveil details Thursday about a proposed "one-million-barrel-per-day oil pipeline" through British Columbia.
Janice says 'I forgive you Drake' after apology party | The Moment
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Janice Vilaca and Janice Ceita tell The National about the moment they attended an apology party in Toronto thrown by rapper Drake, who wanted to make up for his his hit song Janice STFU.
WhatsApp to allow people chat without using phone numbers
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WhatsApp users will no longer have to share phone numbers to exchange messages as part of the latest update to the service.
'No one move!': The agonising silence as Venezuela rescuers listen for survivors
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With tens of thousands of people still believed missing, teams listen for signs of life beneath the rubble.
Man rescued by 'angels' after days under rubble
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International rescuers pulled a 21-year-old man alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira, Venezuela, yesterday evening, more than four days after the deadly earthquakes that jolted Caracas and nearby regions.
Farmland effective nesting habitat for endangered hoiho penguins, new research finds
Hoiho penguins are declining on the South Island, but a new study says that they can thrive on farmland without the need for expensive reforestation projects.
Police seek 43-year-old for breach of home detention
Police said Francis Veevors was considered dangerous and should not be approached.
One big win and three defeats for Trump in dramatic day at Supreme Court
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While Trump celebrated a ruling expanding presidential power to remove and replace regulators, other decisions were major setbacks.
Social media sites pushing self-harm content, says mother of B.C. teen who died
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The grieving mother from British Columbia has issued an emotional call for change, including a push for the regulation of self-harm and suicide-promoting content targeting minors, and independent oversight of social media platforms.
'It took 10 seconds to do this': Manitoba retirees lose home to tornado
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Bernadine and Brian Brown's home in Rossburn was destroyed after a tornado swept through the western Manitoba community on the weekend. The retirees were rummaging through the debris to see what they could salvage Monday.
Kiwi ICE detainee Everlee Wihongi: 'Although I've been released, I am not yet free'
Describing her time in ICE custody as "horrific", Everlee Wihongi says she was never informed why she was being detained.
World Cup 2026 recap: Germany exit to Paraguay
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A shock in Boston as Germany exit the World Cup on penalties to Paraguay.
Staff warn of 'disgraceful' leaks at Hutt Hospital
A nurse says the problems across the hospital's buildings are becoming a worry for patient health.
Oranga Tamariki takes months to respond to Gloriavale child safety concerns
The then-acting Education Review Office chief executive wrote to Oranga Tamariki's boss after a special review of homeschooling by 28 families at the West Coast Christian commune.
Judiciary must listen to ordinary people, says Supreme Court nominee Glenn Joyal
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Canada's newest Supreme Court nominee believes that better outreach and communication of the work of the judiciary can restore trust in the institution at a time when judges are under increasing scrutiny.
Trump's death spiral of threatening Iran | About That
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U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened to wipe out Iran, saying 'the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist' if Iran continues to violate the ceasefire agreement. Andrew Chang breaks down the cycle of the two countries' recent attacks, retaliations and perceived provocations to try to understand how they keep vacillating between conflict and dealmaking.
(Photo credits: The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images)
What's Andy Burnham's Plan For Number 10 (North)?
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Burnham unveils "Number 10 North" in first speech since running for PM.
Has the Supreme Court just made Trump the most powerful president in history?
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A landmark decision expands Trump’s presidential power
Sudan declares new cholera outbreak months after official end to one that lasted nearly 2 years
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Sudan has declared a new outbreak of cholera, the country's Ministry of Heath reported Monday, with 117 deaths in West Kordofan state, another seven confirmed cases and 838 suspected cases.
Fact check: How have grocery prices changed in a year?
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Grocery prices keep rising more than a year after Carney said Canadians would hold his government to account based on 'their experience at the grocery store.' Here are the facts.
Edmonton records its rainiest June ever following latest weekend downpour
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As of Sunday at noon, Edmonton had received 262 millimetres of rain, shattering the previous monthly record held for over a century.
Pupils perform for Foo Fighters in stadium show
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The Bell Tower Beats, from Anfield Road Primary School, performed for the US stars in Liverpool.
Body of missing inmate found in waters off Vancouver Island
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Correctional Service Canada (CSC) says an inmate who was declared missing from a seaside minimum-security prison on Vancouver Island is dead.
B.C. wildfire balloons to 1,200 hectares, forcing evacuations in the Fraser Canyon
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Residents still in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., ordered to shelter in place due to wildfire
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Man drowned after falling into Dublin city dock - inquest
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A man who fell into the Inner Dock in Dublin's north inner city drowned despite his friend managing to hold his head above the water for around 40 minutes before they were rescued, an inquest has heard.
Minister raises legal aid fee for solicitors to €520
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Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has increased the proposed flat fee for criminal legal aid solicitors in the district court to €520 from the original proposal of €455.
Morocco get past Netherlands after shootout drama
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Morocco progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup in a thrilling penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands after the sides drew 1-1 in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Paraguay dump Germany out of World Cup on penalties
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Germany crashed out of the World Cup after they were beaten on penalties by Paraguay following a 1-1 draw in Boston in the round of 32.
Podcast: Reducing excise cuts and increasing pension age
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Cuts in excise, of 32 cent on diesel and 27 cent on petrol, which were brought in due to rising oil prices as a result of Iran war, are due to expire at the end of July.
Palestinian exhibit at human rights museum 'should be rectified': federal heritage minister
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Heritage Minister Marc Miller said Monday the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg has erred in how it curated an exhibit about displaced Palestinians.
1 in 2 people worried about insurance affordability as risk of climate disasters grows - poll
One in two worried about house insurance affordability as risk of climate-driven disasters grows
UN experts express 'grave concern' over Pether's health
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UN experts have expressed "grave concern" that Australian engineer Robert Pether, who had been living in Elphin in Co Roscommon, is rapidly declining as he faces a life-threatening medical situation in Iraq.
World Cup 2026: Brazil 2-1 Japan recap
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Brazil have beaten Japan in Houston to reach the last 16 of the World Cup. Read back on how the action unfolded.
Mother of sex assault victim wins remote work dispute
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The mother of a teenage sex assault victim has won €2,500 in an employment rights case at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Inside the World Cup's international police command centre
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CBC News got rare access inside the International Police Cooperation Center in Virginia, where law enforcement agencies from around the world are coordinating security for the FIFA World Cup, including monitoring drone threats and sharing intelligence.
New Man City boss Maresca to pay compensation to Chelsea
Enzo Maresca signs three-year Manchester City deal after agreeing to pay compensation to former club Chelsea.
Concern over Ireland's absence from prosecutor's office
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The incoming European Chief Prosecutor has warned that Ireland's absence from the European Public Prosecutor's Office may have created a gravitational pull for organised crime gangs to operate out of Ireland for the purposes of VAT fraud and money laundering.
Sixth person dies after shooting at youth welfare centre in Germany
Four women and a man were shot dead at the scene while a sixth person died in hospital, police say.
Burnham's Manchesterism could change the UK, but is not yet a full economic plan
Andy Burnham's speech depicted a different way of seeing and running the UK, though there are many other questions about the detail.
Suspects charged after N.S. couple confronts car thieves to rescue stolen dog
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Three people are facing charges following the June 11 incident in Pictou County.
Supreme Court rejects Trump's appeal of E Jean Carroll's sexual abuse case
The decision means the US president will now have to pay her the $5m (£3.6m) in damages she had been awarded.
Ex-MP Craig Williams pleads guilty over general election betting offence
Williams was MP for Montgomeryshire and an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before the 2024 election.
US court won't hear Trump appeal in E Jean Carroll case
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The US Supreme Court has declined to hear President Trump's bid to overturn a verdict in favour of E Jean Carroll after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defaming her.
Akwesasne man pleads guilty in smuggling case that left family with 2 toddlers dead
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A 31-year-old man pleaded guilty last week for his role in a human smuggling conspiracy that led to the 2023 drowning deaths of a family, including two children under the age of three, in the St. Lawrence River.
Recovery effort underway for 4 men, 2 women presumed drowned off B.C. coast: RCMP
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Murder-suicide leaves 2 boys and their father dead, Ottawa police say
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Ottawa police say they are investigating a murder-suicide that has left two children and their father dead.
DR Congo bans mass gatherings in the capital to prevent spread of Ebola
Opposition politicians accuse the government of using the outbreak to halt a planned protest.
'I'm done' - England's Ben Stokes rules out reversing retirement
England captain Ben Stokes has rejects suggestions he could reverse his international retirement for next year's Ashes, saying he is "done".
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Trump-led challenge against mail-in ballots
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The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count ballots that arrive after election day, a persistent target of President Donald Trump.
Supreme Court blocks Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook
The decision, seen as a win for central bank independence, sends the fight over removal back to the lower courts.
Ger Gilroy joining RTÉ to present sports podcast
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Ger Gilroy is leaving Newstalk and joining RTÉ to present a daily sports podcast.
Petition signature counting resumes as Alberta separatist group gets partial win at court of appeal
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An Alberta separatist group has secured a partial win at the province’s top court after a lower court judge quashed its referendum petition last month.
Italy, Balkans latest in Europe to feel brunt of record-breaking heat wave
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Italy and the Balkans felt the impact on Monday of a record-breaking heat wave that has caused hundreds of excess deaths and disrupted daily life across the continent for more than a week, with growing concerns over the spread of wildfires.
Draper out of Wimbledon as injury struggles continue
Britain's Jack Draper says he is "devastated" after withdrawing from Wimbledon because of the arm injury which has stopped him playing for most of the past year.
NFL record holder Johnson reveals ALS diagnosis
NFL record holder Chris Johnson reveals that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The “Sistine Chapel Revelations” exhibition is currently underway in Sydney
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In Sydney an immersive experience of Faith and Art A visit to the Sistine Chapel, in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, is an experience that millions of...
Africa's World Cup success leaves Asia looking for answers
The 2026 World Cup has been an amazing story for African football - while Asia has been left to reflect on failure.
Ireland's home game against Israel to be played in Serbia
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The FAI have confirmed that the Republic of Ireland's home Nations League game against Israel will take place behind closed doors in Backa Topola, Serbia on Sunday 4 October.
Venezuelans race against clock looking for earthquake survivors
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Five days have passed since twin earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, killing more than 1,450 people, according to the government. Relief organizations say the first 72 hours after a natural disaster is the most crucial time period for rescues, though survival can be extended if people have access to food and water.
Archbishop of Westminster receives pallium: ‘It’s a very powerful sign'
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Archbishop Richard Moth was one of the thirty-five men who received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV. In an interview with Vatican News, he describes the important symbol of the pallium, outlines his new role as the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and expresses hope to continue dialogue with the Church of England.
'I'll be in hospitality' - Stokes rules out Ashes comeback
Ben Stokes rules out reversing his decision to retire from international cricket in time for next summer's Ashes following England's series defeat by New Zealand.
6 killed in shooting at shelter for mothers, children in Germany
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Police said three people were detained, including the suspected shooter, and that all the fatalities were adults.
June heatwave was hotter than thought whilst relief from heat set to be short lived
Many will experience cooler air and some rain this week before a possible return to hot weather at the weekend.
Man admits terrorist offence over Galway mosque fire
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A man has pleaded guilty to a terrorist offence in connection with a plot to set fire to a mosque in Galway last year.
Venezuela rescue efforts continue as 50,000 reported missing
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In the wake of Pope Leo XIV's prayers for the people of Venezuela struck by a succession of deadly earthquakes last week, a 4.6-magnitude aftershock hit north of the capital, Caracas, early on Monday, while rescue teams continued their fourth day of round-the-clock work in the hope of finding survivors.
Ben Stokes’ storied England career ends in a series defeat by New Zealand, who wrap up the third and deciding Test on the final day in Nottingham.
More than 60% do not trust Govt to be unbiased in AI use
More than 60% of people do not believe that the Government will ensure fair and unbiased treatment of all citizens when using AI, new figures show.
Dad describes sisters' deaths at Brighton as 'unbearable' as family gathers for funeral
A funeral is held for three sisters who died in the sea off the coast of Brighton in May.
Inspired by Wimbledon and the World Cup? Here's how to play sport for free
As the world's best players begin play at Wimbledon, how can you get into sport on a budget.
"Meet a Stranger": StoryCorps Facilitates Conversations Across the U.S. for 250th Anniversary
The Trump administration’s commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding have drawn criticism for their overt partisanship and conflicts of interest for the Trump family. Surveys show widespread ambivalence and lack of enthusiasm for the semiquincentennial.
StoryCorps founder Dave Isay has set out to capture the national mood with Connect250, an oral history project matching strangers across the United States to interview each other about their lives, families and formative experiences. The series is produced in partnership with NPR’s Morning Edition, with the conversations to be preserved in the Library of Congress.
“It’s actually a very hopeful project,” says Isay. “We have to hold on to hope.”
Man's defence over Parnell Street attack 'absurd' - court
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The prosecution has said Riad Bouchaker's defence that he did not mean to kill anyone during an attack with a knife at Parnell Square in Dublin, lasting just 15 seconds, was "absurd" and a "lame excuse" and he should be judged by his actions not his words.
"America, U.S.A.": Eddie Glaude on the 250th Anniv., Race & "The Madness at the Heart of the Country"
“I do not love America, and never have, especially now.” Those are the opening words of America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries, a new book from Princeton historian Eddie Glaude. Released ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, the book is a critical look back at how the United States has celebrated previous milestone birthdays, including what narratives were left out of the official commemorations. This comes as President Donald Trump has made himself the center of many events and celebrations for the 250th anniversary, while promoting a “storybook version” of U.S. history that elides the injustice that was baked into the very founding of the country, Glaude tells Democracy Now! in a wide-ranging conversation about race, inequality and the legacy of slavery.
“Donald Trump and his supporters, they want to be white without judgment,” says Glaude. “History is a battleground, because history, of course, holds them to account.”
The Good Life actress Dame Penelope Keith dies aged 86
Tributes are paid to the "comic genius", who starred in some of Britain's most popular sitcoms.
Teyana Taylor's tears and Lauryn Hill tribute steal show at BET Awards
Taylor had an emotional reaction to being presented with the Icon of the Year award by Janet Jackson.
Venezuela earthquake death toll passes 1,700 as UN continues to scale up response
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Five days after powerful earthquakes struck central-northern Venezuela, the death toll continues to climb along with the intense rescue operation and the UN coordinates humanitarian assistance, warning that recovery “is going to take time.”
Sudan: UN welcomes extension of vital aid corridor amid rising insecurity
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The United Nations has welcomed Sudan’s decision to extend the opening of an aid corridor with neighbouring Chad and continues to express concern over the ongoing escalation in El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan state.
Venezuela quake: Search goes on for survivors amid ‘impossible odds’
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Emergency response teams pressed on with their lifesaving mission in Venezuela on Monday as countless local responders and families continued their search for missing relatives “against impossible odds”, five days since the double earthquake disaster.
Middle East conflict leaves developing countries paying the price
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With another weekend of strikes involving the United States and Iran, renewed diplomatic efforts on Monday have eased immediate fears of escalation, but the economic shockwaves are already taking a heavy toll on some of the world's poorest countries.
World News in Brief: Afghanistan airstrikes, rights violations in DR Congo, Gaza displacement
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At least 28 civilians were killed and 49 injured in airstrikes carried out in Paktya, Paktika and Kunar provinces in Afghanistan on Sunday evening, the UN Mission in the country has reported.
International cooperation critical as terrorism threat evolves
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Terrorism is evolving amid global instability characterised by heightened geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts and growing fragmentation – and the international response must also evolve to meet the challenge.
UN details humanitarian toll of strikes on Ukrainian power industry
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Missile and drone attacks killed at least a dozen civilians in Russia and Ukraine over the weekend as both countries continue to launch long-range drone strikes.
Security Council LIVE: Spotlight on Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory
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Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territory, declared illegal under a decade-old resolution, are under the spotlight at the Security Council’s open meeting at 10am local time on Monday, with updates from the office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and two civil society representatives. Stay tuned for live updates.
Headlines for June 29, 2026
Nearly 50,000 Remain Missing in Venezuela as Earthquake Rescue Efforts Pivot to Recovery, Iran Denies U.S. Claims of Upcoming Talks Following Weekend Clashes, Israel Renews Attacks on Southern Lebanon After Signing U.S.-Brokered Deal, Children Among the Dead as Israel Continues to Bombard Gaza, Despite Ceasefire Deal, Gaza Humanitarian Convoy Activists Released from Libyan Prison, France’s Death Toll Tops 1,000 as Europe Bakes Under Unprecedented Heat Wave, Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s Rollback of Pollution Limits from Coal-Fired Plants, Kenyan Activists Arrested at Anti-Government Protests Say They Were Tortured by Police, Trump Taps Former Oklahoma State Trooper Lance Schroyer as Next ICE Director, Mexican Immigrant Dies at For-Profit ICE Jail in Texas, the 20th Such Death in 2026, Tens of Thousands in Budapest Celebrate First Pride Event Since Viktor Orbán’s Ouster, Court in Chile Sentences Former Secret Police over 1976 Assassination in Washington, D.C.
Ford rehires human engineers after AI fails to match quality checks
The car-maker found AI quality checks failed to match the skill of veteran technicians.
Germany suspect was in custody dispute - police
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The suspected shooter who killed six people at a German youth welfare centre was in a custody dispute over his three-month-old daughter, police said.
Fife man dies after being shot 'multiple times' in Caribbean
Daniel Vettrino, 37, was killed following the incident on in the island of Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
'Monster' tornado destroys century-old brick farmhouse in western Manitoba
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Severe thunderstorms on Sunday swept through beleaguered western Manitoba — still recovering from storms earlier this month — bringing at least one tornado that a storm chaser called a "monster."
High heat and humidity forecast for southern Quebec and Ontario
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Environment Canada is warning about an extended period of hot and humid weather forecast for southern Quebec and Ontario this week.
Police to deploy 100+ officers at Incheon Airport for Hong Myung-bo's return
South Korean police will deploy more than 100 officers at Incheon Airport on Tuesday for the return of the national soccer team and former head coach Hong Myung-bo, who was the target of a death threat posted online following the team's group-stage elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The Incheon Airport police division said it will station three mobile riot units from the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency alongside airport police personnel to manage crowds and maintain order. Hong and the team
U.S. Supreme Court rules against Trump bid to fire Lisa Cook, Federal Reserve governor
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The U.S. Supreme Court refused on Monday to let Donald Trump fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook as it stood firm to preserve the central bank's cherished independence against an unprecedented challenge by the Republican president.
How Thomas Tuchel is still searching for solutions out wide
Former England captain Alan Shearer explains why there are lots of reasons to be positive about England so far at this World Cup, but having a settled side is not one of them.
Former NBA players Malik Beasley, Ed Davis latest to be charged in gambling scandal
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Ex-NBA players Malik Beasley and Ed Davis have been indicted in the latest round of charges in the government's gambling investigation, authorities said Monday.
Heavy rainfall triggers flood warnings west of Calgary
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The province says the Elbow River west of Calgary has risen by two metres and could rise another half-metre in the coming days.
IN PHOTOS | Pride parades here and abroad
Pride Month celebrations peaked Sunday with big parades in Toronto, San Francisco and other major cities on the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, which accelerated and transformed the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Reform panel calls for easing data center building standards
The panel's proposal urged the government to exclude lithium-ion batteries from the restrictions by introducing safety standards for batteries.
IMF urges Government to minimise spending overruns
The International Monetary Fund has told the Government it should increase revenue from income tax, VAT and local property tax to reduce reliance on corporation tax paid by multinationals.
Pope thanks those who support his ministry through Peter’s Pence collection
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On the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome, Pope Leo XIV expresses gratitude for the faithful’s support of the Peter’s Pence collection and greets all those who live in the Italian capital.
Alaskan frustration grows over trawling during the Yukon River salmon moratorium
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Alaskan tribal nations and small-scale commercial fishers say they are bearing the weight of salmon conservation while the commercial fish trawl industry continues harvesting in the ocean — and tens of thousands of chinook salmon are ending up as bycatch.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders on fame, pressure and World Cup fever
As the Netflix show following their lives returns, the squad open up about their new-found fame.
Move over Messi and Ronaldo - the new generation shining at World Cup
BBC Sport looks at five young players who are making a big impression on the same World Cup stage as veterans Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
'I see tourists pee in front of my house': The campervan problem on the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is among the Highlands' most popular destinations for thousands of holidaymakers.
Catholic anti-trafficking leaders meet in Thailand to strengthen global response
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Thailand hosts Catholic anti-trafficking leaders from 23 countries this week as the Talitha Kum network promotes education, grassroots leadership, and international cooperation to combat human trafficking and modern exploitation.
How formidable sitcom star Penelope Keith won the nation's hearts
The life of the much-loved comedy actress best known as Margo Leadbeatter in The Good Life.
Kaixiao Liu's journey from failed China's Got Talent contestant to Auckland mystery death
Kaixiao Liu's has been found guilty of the kidnapping and manslaughter of one of his followers, Shulai Wang, whose body was found in Auckland's Gulf Harbour.
U.S. Supreme Court declines Trump's appeal in E. Jean Carroll case
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The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear President Donald Trump's bid to overturn a $5-million US verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll.
Burnham vows UK's 'biggest' decentralisation of power
Andy Burnham promised to give the UK a "new direction" with the biggest transfer of power out of Whitehall in modern times.
The Good Life star Penelope Keith has died aged 86
Penelope Keith, best known for her roles in classic sitcoms The Good Life and To The Manor Born, has died aged 86, her family has said.
Wildfires as southwestern Europe hit by heatwave
The Balkans felt the impact of the record-breaking heatwave that has caused hundreds of excess deaths and disrupted daily life across the continent for more than a week, with growing concerns over the spread of wildfires.
Why Netherlands v Morocco is more than just a match
Morocco’s World Cup meeting with the Netherlands tells a story about migration, identity and the battle for Dutch-born talent.
Pope at Angelus: Sts. Peter and Paul embody Church’s unity in diversity
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At the Angelus prayer on the Solemnity of Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV says the Holy Apostles were very different in character and upbringing, but the Holy Spirit brought them to unity for the good of the Church.
Michael Jackson movie becomes highest-grossing biopic of all time
The Michael Jackson movie was questioned by critics but has been a hit with fans around the world.
First wildfire evacuees from Fort Simpson, N.W.T., arrive in Yellowknife
Firefighters continue to tackle an out-of-control blaze on the outskirts of the Dehcho community, as many of the community’s 1,300 residents are evacuating to Yellowknife.
World Cup offers chance to find right broadcasting balance for fans in Japan
The diversification of broadcasting methods for soccer, such as online streaming, could be a potential for further growth for the sport.
Thai mother sentenced for trafficking daughter to Tokyo sex trade
The mother entered Japan with her daughter in June last year on the pretext of sightseeing before abandoning the girl at the massage parlor, according to a court in Bangkok.
Liberia: A Catholic sister’s mission in the community
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“In Liberia, education is more than the transmission of knowledge; it is a ministry of evangelization, healing, hope, and nation-building,” says Sr. Philomena W. Jappah, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family, Education Secretary of the Diocese of Cape Palmas and National Coordinator for Catholic Schools in Liberia. Her daily work places her at the intersection of faith, education, and social transformation.
Government vows to fight suit on bail denials for Ohkawara adviser
The state called for the suit filed by three family members of Shizuo Aishima, who died in 2021 at age 72, to be dismissed.
4,000-year-old stone circle discovered near Belfast
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A previously unknown 4,000-year-old stone circle has been discovered by students from Queen's University working alongside schoolchildren from east Belfast.
2 years ago a boy died of rabies from a bat. Doctors are reminding the public to be aware
In the latest issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, infectious disease physicians described the case of an 11-year-old child who died of rabies almost two years ago, and urged people to seek medical attention if they have any contact with bats to prevent potential rabies infection.
Prosecutors seek life sentence over 2013 Ohsho president murder
The defendant, Yukio Tanaka, is accused of shooting Takayuki Ohigashi, the Ohsho president who was 72 at the time, to death in Kyoto.
Korea shares women’s entrepreneurship policy model with Egypt
South Korea is using its official development assistance program to export policy experience in women’s entrepreneurship to Egypt, as Cairo seeks to expand women’s participation in the labor market and small business sector. The International Women and Family Foundation, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency, is hosting a 14-day training program from Sunday to July 11 for 15 mid- to senior-level officials from Egypt’s National Council for Women, the foundation said. The
Culture Ministry to launch special audit of Korea Football Association
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct a special audit of the Korea Football Association to determine the causes behind what it called the dismal failures of Korean soccer, Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young said in a social media post Monday. The ministry will form an investigative committee including outside experts to examine the incompetence, mismanagement and complacency the association has shown, Chae wrote. If the inquiry uncovers irregularities, misconduct or unlawful acts
China blacklists more Japanese entities as row deepens
The move is the latest by Beijing to tighten restrictions on firms and entities it claims are tied to Tokyo's "remilitarization."
Special counsel books PPP lawmakers over alleged obstruction of Yoon warrant execution
Three veteran lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party have been booked on charges of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk Yeol in 2025, officials said Monday. Special counsel assistant Kwon Young-bin told reporters that the team had booked lawmakers Kim Gi-hyeon, Kwon Young-jin and Yoon Sang-hyun on charges of aggravated obstruction of official duties. “Through analysis of video evidence taken during the execution of the arrest warrant for fo
Seventeen’s V8 embraces challenge, growth on debut EP ‘V8’
Seventeen’s new unit V8 — consisting of The8 and Vernon — embarks on a new musical journey with the release of its self-titled EP on Monday. According to Pledis Entertainment, the album follows a theme of youth shaped by uncertainty, weaving together moments of wandering, confusion, recovery and growth. The eight-track release is led by the lead track “Singasong,” which the bandmates took the lead in producing alongside global producers Pharrell Williams, Mechatok, Kirara and Dylan Brady. The al
Are Hybe’s artist controversies really a company problem?
Hybe has found itself at the center of a string of artist-related controversies in recent months, prompting renewed questions over whether the company's multilabel structure is beginning to show cracks or whether the world's largest K-pop agency is simply experiencing industry-wide issues on a more visible scale. Katseye member Manon has remained on hiatus since announcing an indefinite break in February, fueling speculation over her future with the group. Former Enhypen member Heeseung's sudden
Russian strikes across Ukraine kill at least 9, injure dozens
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Russian attacks across Ukraine killed nine people and wounded dozens on Monday, authorities said, with strikes continuing into the afternoon as the death toll climbed.
Australia gives regulator more power to pursue Big Tech over under-16 social media ban
The move comes as evidence suggests children are still able to access the platforms six months after the world-first restrictions took effect in December.
Pope invites new Archbishops to be 'Good Shepherds' on Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
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During the Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV invites the faithful to be inspired by the two Patrons of Rome who, despite their flaws, became extraordinary witnesses to the Gospel. He also invites the new Metropolitan Archbishops receiving their pallium to imitate the Lord and be Good Shepherds to the faithful entrusted to them.
Singer and actor Kazuya Kamenashi to marry Minami Tanaka
The pair added that Tanaka is pregnant with their first child.
Which celebrities stopped by the Seoul book fair?
The 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, the country's largest book festival, wrapped up its five-day run at Coex in southern Seoul on Sunday. Organizers estimate that around 150,000 people attended this year's fair, a turnout comparable to last year's. Long queues were a common sight throughout the exhibition halls as crowds flocked to popular publishing booths in search of limited-edition books and merchandise. Last year, actor Park Jung-min drew massive crowds after appearing as the head of hi
Starbucks Korea marketing debacle is far from over
Last month's debacle, broadly perceived as mocking the victims of a brutal military crackdown, was not caused by front-of-house staff.
Trump’s march of folly in Iran
It did not occur to the Trump administration that Iran would have a plan: retaliate with long-range strikes and close the Strait of Hormuz.
When killing the messenger becomes a strategy of war
Record journalist deaths in Gaza raise urgent questions about war, accountability and the targeting of reporters.
Dozens killed in Pakistani attacks on eastern Afghanistan
Pakistan's security forces have said they killed at least 29 militants in ground and air operations along the Afghanistan border while the Afghan Taliban said at least 38 civilians were killed in airstrikes.
Toyota sales drop again in May as Iran conflict hits output
Toyota's global sales in May, including those of subsidiary Daihatsu, fell 7.4% from a year earlier to 885,207 units.
Mum rescued from Venezuela rubble with newborn baby tells BBC how he helped her survive
The "miracle" rescue of 18-day-old baby Juan David is a symbol of hope in Venezuela after the devastating earthquakes.
Australia proposes increasing fines for social media companies in under-16 ban
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Australia introduced new legislation in Parliament on Monday to strengthen enforcement of its under-16 social media ban and give its internet regulator more power to pursue tech giants in court for non-compliance.
Spate of abandoned half-empty milk bottles baffles South Island community
On and off for almost two years, someone has been leaving half empty bottles of flavoured milk on top of a self service pump at a fuel stop in Alexandra.
Prediction markets emerge in Japan, with shopping vouchers
New homegrown startups are finding ways to skirt regulations.
'We're running out of specialist blood cancer scientists in NZ'
New Zealand has no clear plan for recruiting and keeping scientists, says a leading blood cancer specialist who is leaving for Australia.
Gulf Harbour body in a bag: No one reported her missing, so who was Shulai Wang?
Shulai Wang came to Auckland to meet the leader of a fringe religious movement. Eight months later she was dead.
As summers grow hotter, Korean shoppers cover up
Stronger ultraviolet rays and extended summers are driving demand for fashion that physically shields skin from the sun, such as parasols and long-sleeved pieces. Searches for parasols on LF Mall rose 26 percent between April 1 and June 25 from a year earlier, while searches for sun-blocking clothing items climbed 338 percent. The shift reflects consumers moving beyond sunscreen to avoid sun exposure altogether. Leading the category are all-weather umbrellas, designed for both sun and rain. Once
Relief as pony who went missing from charity is found
A pony missing from a My Lovely Horse Rescue sanctuary at the start of June has been found.
Seoul shares end tad lower on tech losses, Iran uncertainty
South Korean stocks slid Monday as investors remained cautious amid renewed concerns over the fragile US-Iran ceasefire and rising oil prices, with tech shares leading losses. The Korean won weakened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 16.56 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 8,394.65, after rising as high as 8,525.53. Oil prices climbed after the United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes over the weekend, raising renewed concerns over energy supplie
New retirement age rights for employees come into effect
New retirement age rights allowing employees to remain in employment beyond their contractual retirement age have come into effect.
Japan to stop focusing on public works cost effectiveness
The government will shift its focus to an overall assessment that places an emphasis on basic functions to protect lives and livelihoods, under annual guidelines due next month.
A new Brazil is taking shape - and Cunha is key
Former Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva explains why Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha is so important to Brazil's adaptable system under Carlo Ancelotti.
Last coal boiler in a NZ hospital decommissioned
The project to replace the 13 remaining coal boilers across eight Health New Zealand campuses has now finished.
Burnham to pledge sweeping devolution in bid to become U.K. PM
The former Greater Manchester mayor will set out on Monday how he'd "lift Britain back up" by handing more decision making powers to local authorities.
Australia and Vanuatu agree deal after impasse over China ties
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Vanuatu counterpart, Jotham Napat, signed the Nakamal Agreement in Canberra on Monday.
Japan looking to upset Brazil at World Cup without injured Takefusa Kubo
Japan finished second to the Netherlands in Group F with a win over overmatched Tunisia and two draws.
Japan calls China Coast Guard moves in its EEZ near Yonaguni ‘unacceptable’
The unusual moves follow an agreement between Japan and the Philippines last month to launch maritime border delimitation talks, which overlap with areas claimed by Beijing.
'It is a challenge' - Health NZ denies poor planning led to lack of gastro doctors at Palmerston North Hospital
After one specialist retired and a couple left because of unexpected illness, a lot of pressure was put on the remaining gastroenterology staff, says Health NZ.
Lee calls Samsung, SK chiefs 'national heroes' in W900tr chip push
South Korea is betting nearly 900 trillion won ($583 billion) that the artificial intelligence boom will create enough demand for memory chips to justify building an entirely new semiconductor production belt outside the Seoul metropolitan area. At Monday's presidential public briefing on the government's three megaprojects, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won unveiled investment plans totaling 881 trillion won, including four memory fabs in the southwest
Punishment alone cannot stop violence against women
South Korea has repeatedly tightened laws in response to stalking murders, digital sex crimes and intimate partner killings. But global experts say the country’s next challenge is focusing not only on how to punish violence against women, but how to prevent it. That requires treating violence against women not as a systemic problem that demands long-term prevention across government, according to Melissa Alvarado, programme specialist on Ending Violence against Women at UN Women’s Regional Offic
Korea to power regional growth with AI, chip ‘megaprojects’
South Korea on Monday unveiled a blueprint for three flagship "megaprojects" centered on semiconductors, artificial intelligence data centers and physical AI, seeking to create new growth engines while promoting more balanced development beyond the capital region. President Lee Jae Myung convened business leaders and government officials at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul to present the projects to the public, pledging to personally oversee their implementation and ensure their swift execution. The bluep
AI images proliferated after Bondi attack, inquiry hears
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A Jewish lawyer wounded in a mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach discovered that AI-generated images depicting him as a "crisis actor" were proliferating online as he was going into surgery, a royal commission inquiry has heard.
Red Devils demand Hong Myung-bo leave Korean soccer for good
The Red Devils, the official supporters’ group of the South Korean national soccer team, demanded Monday that head coach Hong Myung-bo be permanently barred from returning to Korean soccer. “Hong did not apologize or ask for forgiveness until the end. Instead, he uttered nonsense and insulted Korean soccer fans. He should no longer remain in Korean soccer,” the group said in an official statement titled “2026, the day South Korean soccer vanished.” The group urged Hong to leave Korean soccer for
England test captain Ben Stokes to retire from international cricket
When the news was announced at Trent Bridge on Sunday it drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
'No one wants to be sick forever' - ACT Party's new welfare policy slammed
ACT leader David Seymour is making huge assumptions about people he has never met, according to a beneficiary advocate.
Military investigation agency seeks stronger oversight under reform
South Korea's military investigative agency has commissioned a policy study on democratic oversight as it prepares to assume broader investigative powers following the breakup of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, officials said Monday. According to military sources, the Criminal Investigation Command, an agency under the Defense Ministry, recently launched a research project to examine control mechanisms after it absorbs the DDC's security investigation unit. The move comes as the Crimina
Binance's 50x Korea stock trades expose regulatory blind spot
Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, is offering derivatives with leverage of up to 50 times on Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, raising concerns over investor protection and potential spillover risks for Korea's stock market. The products come as investors are already debating the risks posed by newly launched 2x leveraged exchange-traded funds tied to the two chipmakers on the Kospi. According to industry sources on Monday, Binance launched SAMSUNGUSDT, SKHYNIXUSDT and HYUNDA
Japanese banks offer loans secured by future growth potential
The system is designed to make it easier for companies to get loans without putting up land, factories or other assets as collateral or individual managers as joint guarantors.
KAIST picks Bae Choong-sik as new president
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology has named Bae Choong-sik, a professor of mechanical engineering, as its new president, the university said Monday. KAIST’s board of trustees selected Bae, 63, as the university’s 18th president during an extraordinary board meeting held at its Yangjae campus in Seoul. Bae is a leading scholar in eco-friendly energy and carbon-neutral power engineering. He graduated from Seoul National University’s department of aeronautical engineering in 1985
Urban Upcycling Cooperative takes Korean housing model to Uzbekistan
Urban Upcycling Cooperative said Friday it signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the Urgench District government in Uzbekistan's Khorezm Region to pursue a 130,000-square-meter mixed-use residential development project. The initiative explores a public rental housing model based on a public-private-people partnership framework. Drawing on Korea's experience in urban regeneration, social housing and cooperative-managed rental housing, the cooperative plans to propose a housing mod
Koreanosaurus, 1st dinosaur fossil named after Korea to become natural monument
Korea's first indigenous dinosaur fossil to bear the country's name in its scientific classification is set to be designated a natural monument, the Korea Heritage Service said Monday. The agency said it plans to designate the Koreanosaurus boseongensis skeletal fossil discovered in Boseong, South Jeolla Province, as a natural monument, along with the pig-nosed turtle skeleton fossil from Yeosu and the Tafoni weathering pits of Suudo Island in Tongyeong. Natural monument designation grants the f
More facilities in Japan placing sanitary bins in men’s restrooms
The need to change pads and adult diapers has become a daily concern for some men as not only older people, but also some cancer patients can experience incontinence.
Two hospitals in Japan to conduct pig-to-human kidney transplant clinical trials in 2028
The startup spun out of Meiji University said it would aim to obtain production and marketing authorization after confirming their safety through the trials.
Top physicians warned Winnipeg hospitals nearing 'disintegration' in March letter
Top Winnipeg doctors warned in a confidential letter in March that urgent-care centres might have to close and another patient death was inevitable unless immediate changes were made.
What’s fueling residential school denialism?
The senate voted against criminalizing residential school denialism. We look at the debate over how to confront the issue.
Rumble in Russell: Politicians have a bruising encounter with ex-All Blacks
The fundraiser for the Rugby for Life charity has grown into one of the biggest fixtures in Northland's sporting calendar.
Angry 'sea women' take to street
Dressed in their diving gear, a group of "haenyeo," or female divers, from Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, gathered outside the headquarters of Ssangyong Engineering & Construction in Seoul on Monday, demanding compensation for what they say are years of lost income caused by a harbor renovation project. The divers claim that pollution from construction at Homigot Port and changes to ocean currents caused by a newly built breakwater have sharply reduced marine life, leading to steep declines
Boston Dynamics taps Korean suppliers for Atlas rollout
Boston Dynamics, a US-based robotics subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, is leveraging the robotics parts value chain in Korea as it gears up for a commercial rollout of the Atlas humanoid robot. According to media reports Monday, around 10 engineers from Boston Dynamics have spent nearly a month in Korea, evaluating over 10 auto parts factories largely affiliated with Hyundai Motor, including Hyundai Mobis, Hwashin Precision Co. and SOS Lab. This tour was reportedly aimed at assessing the potent
SK hynix ADR listing could attract W7tr in passive inflows: Mirae Asset
SK hynix's plan to begin trading American depositary receipts on the Nasdaq could lift its valuation to a new level, attracting an estimated 7 trillion won ($4.5 billion) in passive fund inflows, according to Mirae Asset Global Investments. "While SK hynix has long traded at a valuation discount due to its limited access to global investors, an ADR listing would significantly improve its accessibility to US institutional investors and passive funds," Jung Ui-hyeon, head of ETF management at Mira
As recoveries rise, doctors are finally learning how Bundibugyo Ebola behaves
The number of recoveries reported by Congolese health authorities almost doubled in a week, even as treatment centers admit dozens of patients daily.
Convoys keep cut-off South Wairarapa community supplied
South Wairarapa residents have banded together to support each other after a storm left some cut off.
Cape Verde, Africa’s outlier in LGBTQ+ tolerance
The archipelago is currently the most welcoming country in Africa for the LGBTQ+ community, ahead of South Africa, according to Equaldex.
Mirae Asset launches global investment platform MAPS in Hong Kong
Mirae Asset Securities' Hong Kong unit on Monday launched MAPS-- Mirae Asset Portfolio Service -- global investment platform that allows users to trade traditional financial products and digital assets through a single mobile app. The platform is the first product introduced under the brokerage's "Mirae Asset 3.0" growth strategy and consolidates the firm's country-specific mobile trading services into a single global ecosystem. Drawing on Mirae Asset's mobile trading experience in Korea, India,
‘I’ll just die on the island’: Some in Okinawa to resist evacuation
For many older people on Okinawa's remote islands, Taiwan contingency plans do not necessarily guarantee their safety, while some are scarred by memories of World War II.
One in 10 road deaths linked to jaywalking
Roughly one in 10 traffic deaths in South Korea last year involved pedestrians crossing roads outside of designated crosswalks, underscoring the continued risks of crossing away from marked intersections. According to the Traffic Accident Analysis System, operated by the Korea Road Traffic Authority, 234 people died in pedestrian accidents that occurred while crossing roads outside of crosswalks in 2025. This makes up nearly one-tenth of the 2,549 traffic fatalities recorded during the same peri
Does a new arsenal of deterrence run through Japan?
A spate of defense deals have highlighted Japan's emergence as a potentially key manufacturing base for the Indo-Pacific region.
Former Calendar Girls dancers tell court they could not choose their clients
Nineteen dancers were fired from Calendar Girls in 2023 after protesting a new contract.
In photos: MPs, sports stars and hāngī chef rumble in Russell
Hundreds turned out to see the Parliamentary Rugby Team take on a Russell invitational side in Saturday's Rumble in Russell. See how it all unfolded with RNZ's photo gallery.
One in 3 new doctorate holders out of work
South Korea's worsening youth employment is increasingly affecting even the country's highest-educated workers, with one in three newly awarded doctorate holders either unemployed or economically inactive, government data showed Monday. The trend reflects a shrinking entry-level job market that experts say has been exacerbated by the adoption of artificial intelligence, while a declining college-age population has reduced university hiring, particularly hurting graduates in humanities and other
Tensions flare inside ruling party ahead of leadership race
Internal division within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea appears to be growing as left-leaning commentators accuse President Lee Jae Myung of alienating core supporters in his effort to appeal to swing voters. The controversy comes less than two months before the party's Aug. 17 national convention, where members will elect a new chairperson. The race is shaping up to be a contest between outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Rep. Jung Chung-rae, who recently stepped down as party chair
Gangs searching bins for Re-turn items, say businesses
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City centre businesses have said they believe organised gangs and vulnerable individuals are among those searching in bins for bottles and cans to recycle.
Lee's approval rating falls for sixth straight week: poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating fell for a sixth consecutive week to 46.5 percent, remaining below the 50 percent mark for the second straight week, according to a Realmeter poll released Monday. The survey, conducted by Realmeter from June 22-26 among 2,502 eligible voters aged 18 and older, put Lee's job approval rating at 46.5 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the previous week. Negative assessments of his performance also edged down 0.2 percentage point to 49.5 percent, while
For Korea, World Cup disappointment rarely ends at the final whistle
For South Korean soccer fans, the pain of an early World Cup exit rarely ends with the final whistle. Instead, disappointment spills into days of public anger, resignations and soul-searching, as the country grapples with another campaign that failed to meet lofty expectations. Under mounting pressure, with criticism reaching as high as President Lee Jae Myung, who called for sweeping reforms of Korean soccer, head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned Sunday, after the team was eliminated in the group s
Gulf Harbour trial: Leader of fringe religious group and wife guilty of kidnapping and manslaughter
The body of 70-year-old Shulai Wang was found wrapped in plastic bags by a fisherman on 12 March 2024.
Seoul court issues first AI-assisted ‘easy-read’ ruling
A Seoul court on Thursday issued the country’s first “easy-read” court ruling, rewriting a complex legal judgment in plain Korean with visual aids so that a plaintiff with an intellectual disability could understand the outcome of their suit. “Conclusion of the ruling: Plaintiff won the case. The district office must pay the money spent in the suit,” the simplified ruling read. The Seoul Administrative Court said Monday that it ruled in favor of a plaintiff with an intellectual disability in a l
Fruit sando emerges as this summer's go-to dessert
As temperatures rise, fruit has moved to the front of the dessert case. Bakeries, cafes, bingsu shops and coffee franchises are all leaning on seasonal fruit to draw summer customers, offering bright, refreshing flavors and vivid color. At the center of the trend is the fruit sando, a sandwich of soft bread and whipped cream packed with ripe fruit such as sunset melon and mango. The dessert traces back to a fruit specialty shop in Fukuoka, Japan, where the softness of white bread met the freshne
Truck explodes into flames on Coromandel highway
State Highway 25A is closed between Kirikiri Valley Road and Puketui Road.
Person found dead in Te Kūiti following firearms incident
Armed police descended on the small King Country town of Te Kūiti following a firearms incident on Monday morning.
Former Korean coaching candidate takes Canada to last 16
Jesse Marsch, who was once considered a leading candidate to coach South Korea's national team, is making history with Canada at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 in the Round of 32 at Los Angeles Stadium in California on Sunday. After advancing to the knockout stage for the first time in World Cup history as the runner-up in Group B, Canada secured its place in the Round of 16 with the victory, becoming the first team at this year's tournament to reach the last 16. South
Fuel excise cuts set to be extended until 1 September
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The Coalition leaders have decided to extend the current excise reductions on petrol and diesel until 1 September 2026.
Taoiseach notes challenges of Troubles legacy at forum
The Taoiseach told the fifth forum of his Shared Island Initiative of the need to acknowledge that the legacy of the Troubles causes immense challenges for society.
Biggest-ever Seoul concerts just the beginning for TWS
Boy group TWS took another major step in its rise as one of K-pop’s leading fifth-generation boy groups, holding its first solo concert at Kspo Dome just over two years after its debut. The six-member group held its “24/7:For:You” concert on Saturday and Sunday at Kspo Dome in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul, drawing a combined audience of 18,000 across two sold-out shows. The concerts marked TWS’ largest solo performances to date and the opening stop of the group’s first Asia tour. For many K-pop act
Cooler late June, delayed monsoon: Is Korea’s summer just warming up?
Summer is in full swing in South Korea, but it doesn't feel like the late June most Koreans have come to expect. While temperatures are forecast to climb to 33 degrees Celsius in Seoul on Monday and exceed 30 degrees across much of the country's inland areas, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the muggy air that usually blankets the country this time of year has yet to take hold due to the delayed monsoon. Last year, the monsoon began on Jeju Island on June 12, reached the cou
How population decline is exposing Germany's old divides
Decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a population slump in the east lays bare the existing divisions
For Dwayne Johnson, 'Moana' runs in the blood
Some parts end when the cameras stop. Maui — the role Dwayne Johnson plays in Disney's "Moana" — is, the actor will tell you, something closer to an inheritance. "I don't even consider him a character," Johnson said of the seafaring epic's shape-shifting demigod, a part he first voiced a decade ago and now plays in the flesh. "I consider him just part of the culture and lore of Polynesian culture, so it just becomes very natural." Johnson, the former WWE star known as The Rock, joined co-star Ca
When sound meets light: Yang In-mo and Kimchi and Chips
When the GS Arts Center approached digital art duo Kimchi and Chips last year with a proposal to collaborate with a classical violinist, the artists were hesitant. The timeline was tight, but the heavier weight was the prospect of fusing two art forms so different in texture. That unease lifted, the duo says, the moment it first sat down with violinist Yang In-mo. "We had no idea where the journey of this collaboration would end up," the duo said in a recent email interview, "but talking with Ya
JTBC crisis deepens as World Cup setback, payment delays fuel fallout
South Korean broadcaster JTBC is facing crisis after crisis after filing for court-supervised corporate rehabilitation, with its financial troubles now rippling across its sports, entertainment and scripted programming businesses. The broadcaster's exclusive World Cup rights have already taken a hit after Korea failed to advance beyond the group stage at the expanded 48-team tournament, sharply reducing the commercial value of the remaining matches. JTBC holds the country's exclusive broadcastin
Asia’s vendors grapple with rising costs of ever-present plastics
Vendors say they do not have a practical alternative to the plastic products they use on a daily basis.
Kushner-linked protests reveal depth of anger at Albanian leaders
The rallies are unprecedented in a country that has experienced periods of significant political and economic turmoil since the fall of communism in 1992.
Venezuela toll rises, rescue continues
Rescue teams raced Sunday to find more survivors of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela, with signs of life bringing occasional relief to a grim quest to whittle down a list of tens of thousands missing. The death toll from Wednesday's twin earthquakes neared 1,500 people as foreign rescue teams poured into La Guaira, the hardest-hit state of a country long mired in a deep political and economic crisis. Dozens of buildings collapsed into piles of sand and rubble in the coastal st
At least 1,719 dead in Venezuela quakes - new toll
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The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela five days ago has risen to at least 1,719, National Assembly president Jorge Rodriguez has said.
Another suspected overdose in Wellington brings total to six, with one death
Police say they are trying to work out if the cases are linked, including one at a luxury dog retreat on the outskirts of the city.
Free drug giveaway draws 17-year-old in ‘out of curiosity’
South Korean prosecutors said Monday that a 17-year-old girl has been indicted and detained for repeated drug use, along with a 20-year-old dealer who lured her in with free samples of the illegal substance. The teenage suspect is believed to have injected herself with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine five times between October and March, according to the Incheon District Prosecutor's Office. She first obtained the illegal drug through a free handout event — held by the adult suspect and advertised
Man rescued after hanging from building for over 20 minutes
A 47-year-old Myanmar man narrowly escaped serious injury after falling from a six-story building and landing on an outdoor air conditioning unit one floor below, avoiding a potentially fatal fall. Officials at the Incheon Bupyeong Police Station said they received a report at around 10:40 a.m. Sunday that the man was hanging from an outdoor AC unit on the fifth floor of a commercial building in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. Police forced their way into an adjacent unit and rescued him 23 minutes after
GIC’s Tokyo property said to draw $1.4 billion bid by Kenedix
Kenedix submitted a bid of around ¥230 billion ($1.4 billion) for office floors owned by GIC in Pacific Century Place Marunouchi, sources said.
LG AI Research secures ISO 27001 certification
LG AI Research recently obtained ISO 27001 certification, demonstrating compliance with international information security standards across the entire AI lifecycle, from data training and model development to deployment and service delivery. Issued by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 27001 is one of the world's leading information security certifications, verifying an organization's ability to protect and manage information assets against a wide range of security threats.
Aotearoa needs more Pacific representation within architecture profession, leading scholar says
Leali'ifano Dr Albert Refiti says Pacific representation in the architecture profession is critical to creating spaces that reflect the needs and values of Pasifika communities.
1000 litres of fuel stolen from Tarras business
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Makah Tribe in Washington state waits on approval to hunt a grey whale
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Some Canadians are concerned over a whaling application that would allow the Makah Tribe in northern Washington to hunt one whale a year off the coast of its traditional territory. Scientists say there is little risk to the grey whale population if the permit is approved.
As winds of change blow toward Cuba, how will Havana chart a path forward?
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Six months into a tumultuous year for Cuba, the winds of change are aggressively blowing across the Straits of Florida, toward the island nation.
Apartments can become sweltering in summer. Why heat bylaws could be coming to a city near you
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As temperatures and deaths connected to heat keep climbing, more tenants, politicians and climate advocates are calling for cooling rules. During municipal debates — from councils in British Columbia to Newfoundland — the same question keeps coming up: Who should pay for the upgrades?
Family of teen fatally injured on Quebec ski lift grieves a life that 'shouldn't be over'
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Megan Bell died in February, four days after a school field trip to Centre Vorlage in western Quebec. According to police, her clothes got caught in a chairlift. For the first time, her parents are speaking out about that life-changing tragedy, and the questions they have about the emergency response that day.
Ottawa relaunches federal green home retrofit program in 4 provinces
After a hiatus, the popular greener homes program is returning to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and British Columbia.
A key CUSMA 'checkpoint' is coming. Businesses and unions are balancing anxiety and hope
Businesses and labour groups are watching with a mix of anxiety and hope as a key trade moment arrives on Wednesday, as Premier Doug Ford sets off on his third trip in less than a month to meet with U.S. lawmakers.
Inside Lilly's biotech startup factory
SAN DIEGO — Inside the social room on the second floor of a building at Lilly Gateway Labs in San Diego, researchers and scientists gathered in separate groups, casually discussing ongoing projects or sharing lunchtime conversation on Thursday. Next door to the spacious, comfortable social room was a module — a combination of an office space and a laboratory — of a resident biotechnology firm. "Our philosophy is that the access to our scientific leadership and expertise is just as valuable as th
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
LGBTQ+ people in Japan face such limited fertility treatment options, they could ultimately be deprived of the right to safely start a family.
Toddler died day after being sent home from hospital after seizure
The Health and Disability Commissioner found a language barrier contributed to a breakdown in communication before a boy's death.
Deaths of three Irish people in Spain crash 'devastating'
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The deaths of three people from Co Westmeath in a car crash in Spain have been described as "absolutely devastating".
More Korean men than ever are full-time homemakers
More than a quarter of a million men in South Korea have taken themselves out of the labor force to care for children or do housework, government data showed Monday, in a possible sign that traditional gender roles in the country are changing. Around 274,000 men were categorized in the first quarter as economically inactive — neither working nor looking for a job — due to child care or housework, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics. The figure marked a 16.6 percent increase from a y
Kakao workers log off in all-day strike
Kakao’s union staged an all-day walkout Monday by having members log off from internal work systems, raising pressure on management as a dispute over performance-based pay enters its second month. The action, called “Logout Day” by the union, involves employees taking a full day of leave and staying off company work platforms throughout the day. The union said there were no separate start or end times for the strike. Monday’s walkout is the union’s second collective action undertaken in June, fo
BoyNextDoor hits career-best with 1st LP
BoyNextDoor has wrapped up promotions for the group's first studio album, “Home,” as of Sunday. The LP was released on June 8, preceded by prerelease “Ddok Ddok Ddok,” and debuted on Billboard 200 at the group's highest-ever No. 16. The eight-track set landed atop Oricon’s Daily, Weekly and Weekly Combined Album Rankings as well as a series of major music charts at home and abroad. The LP sold over 1 million copies in the first week, becoming the six-piece act’s fourth consecutive million-seller
Beat the summer heat the Korean way – with chicken soup
As Chobok, the first of Korea’s three traditional dog days of summer, approaches, the Seoul Foreign Resident Center is inviting foreign residents to learn how to make dak hanmari, a hearty chicken hot pot widely enjoyed as a summertime energy booster. The dish, made with a whole chicken, potatoes, garlic, green onions and other vegetables simmered in a rich broth, is considered one of Korea’s classic nourishing foods, traditionally believed to help cope with the summer heat. Participants will al
Serbians keep up protest after Vucic says he will step down
Thousands of protesters descended on the Serbian city of Kraljevo Sunday, keeping up pressure on President Aleksandar Vucic a day after he said he would step down within weeks to pave the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections. Although many protesters expressed satisfaction over Vucic's resignation, they fear he may not fully relinquish power. Analysts say he may try to run for prime minister and install an ally in the presidency so he can continue to wield power. "I cannot im
Putin says Russia will press on with front-line campaign
President Vladimir Putin said Sunday that Russia will press ahead with its battlefield aim of fully capturing four Ukrainian regions, rejecting what he said was a new proposal by Ukraine to rein in hostilities in the more than four-year-old war. Putin, speaking to a Russian state television interviewer, also said Russia needed to boost its air defense capacity to counter intensified Ukrainian drone attacks aimed mainly at its oil industry. He said Russia was coping well in tackling fuel supply
Pakistan 'carries out' operation on Afghan border
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces Sunday carried out a ground operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, followed by “calibrated strikes” against militant hideouts and safe havens, killing 29 fighters, officials said. In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operation was launched in response to multiple militant attacks across the country. There was no immediate response from Afghanistan. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks targeting police and
3 firefighters killed in Colorado as wildfires sweep
Blistering heat and strong winds Sunday stoked wildfires across the US West after three firefighters were killed a day earlier in Colorado while battling a blaze along the state's border with Utah. The US National Weather Service said wildfire conditions “remain critical” across the Southwest, with risk high in the Four Corners region where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah intersect. The agency warned of “extreme fire behavior” along the Utah-Colorado border, where “rapid fire growth is li
Israel destroys Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon
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The Israeli military has destroyed underground infrastructure used by the militant group Hezbollah in a village in southern Lebanon.
Heat wave alert issued for entire Seoul
The state weather agency issued a heat wave advisory for all of Seoul on Monday, the first such alert for the capital this year. The advisory took effect as of 11 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration said. Advisories will also take effect in other parts of the capital area and the central cities of Gongju, Cheongju and Sejong. A heat wave advisory is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain at or above 33 C for two or more consecutive days. Previously, advisori
Babymonster to release ‘I Like It’ music video
Babymonster will release a music video for “I Like It” on July 6, label YG Entertainment announced Monday. Yang Hyun-suk, founder and executive producer of the label, promised the third music video from the group following the videos for “Choom” and “Sugar Honey Ice Tea,” both of which generated 100 million views on YouTube. “I Like It” is a B-side track from the seven-member act’s third EP “Choom.” The group performed the dance tune on stage for the first time at its Seoul concerts held from Fr
Raids in relation to suspected breaches of sanctions against Russia carried out by police
No charges have been laid, however New Zealand police have obtained a restraining order for a property in Christchurch.
Emergency response crews hope to deliver aid to cut-off Wairarapa communities
The bridge was washed out by flood waters on Friday cutting off hundreds of homes in Wairarapa.
Historic graves damaged by wild weather in Wellington
Old trees falling in Karori Cemetery have damaged a number of historic graves.
One in 10 children in England referred for mental healthcare - with anxiety the main reason
Demand is soaring beyond capacity, meaning children in England wait years for help with various conditions.
'Snapped clean in half': Daughter speaks out on mother's injuries at Ryman village
Daughter Nicky Foreman says video of the incident when her mother was hurt was "quite shocking".
Zendaya stars in this heated tennis love triangle
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A love triangle forms between three tennis players.
Three Irish people killed, one injured after Spain crash
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Three Irish people have died and another Irish person is seriously injured following a road crash in Spain.
Woman's mission to rid shops of meth pipes
Jodie Rameka says glass pipes are being sold in every $2 shop she visited, along with vape stores and even dairies.
Applications open for Te Māori fellowships to the UK.
The Māori curators would work directly with some of the taonga Māori held at Oxford in the United Kingdom.
Test Match Special Podcast
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Ben Stokes speaks after the announcement he's to retire from international cricket.
Up to five fire trucks called to Manawatu house fire
Up to five trucks were called to the property in Rangiotu about 12:15am on Monday.
World Cup 2026: South Africa 0-1 Canada recap
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Co-hosts Canada leave it very late to find a way past South Africa in LA.
Second Gloriavale school review as lawyers prepare for High Court challenge
The school remains open as a result of a High Court challenge by the board, with a judicial review hearing in October.
More than 5000 teens fail NCEA numeracy test four times or more
About 14 percent of teens who met the literacy and numeracy requirements last year used alternative standards.
6 still missing, 4 rescued after charter boat sinks in B.C.'s Georgia Strait
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Four people have been rescued but a search continues for six people missing after a charter boat sank in British Columbia's Georgia Strait on Sunday.
Dublin's remarkable run continues as they overcome Galway
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This is quickly turning into a remarkable All-Ireland Senior Football Championship campaign for Dublin who, for the second weekend running, have taken out a serious Sam Maguire Cup contender in a memorable Croke Park contest.
Northern Manitoba evacuations continue Sunday as wildfire threat grows
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Hundreds of people have been forced out of their homes as wildfires continue to threaten communities in northern Manitoba.
Ireland repeat trick for famous series win over India
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Ireland have recorded a first-ever T20I series win over a major nation after defeating world champions India by one run in a thrilling contest in Belfast.
Wildfires prompt First Nation in northwestern Ontario to order vulnerable residents to leave
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The remote fly-in community of Kasabonika Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario is making preparations to evacuate vulnerable residents, as concern rises over numerous wildfires surrounding the community. Close to 60 wildfires are now burning across northwestern Ontario after dozens of new fires were sparked over the weekend.
History as 14-man Louth refuse to yield against Monaghan
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A man down for the majority of the game, gallant Louth still found a way to secure a dramatic All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win at Croke Park, powering through to the championship's last four for the first time since 1957.
Putin vows to make Russia secure after Ukrainian strikes
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Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to ensure security and overcome challenges as Ukraine stepped up its retaliatory strikes inside Russia amid Moscow's four-year war.
Post-mortem to take place after suspicious death in NI
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A post-mortem examination is to take place following a suspicious death in west Belfast yesterday.
Minister to look at increasing new fees for solicitors
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Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said he will be looking to see whether he can increase the new set fee of €455 for solicitors for criminal legal aid work.
France reports 1,000 additional deaths as extreme heat shatters European records
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France saw around 1,000 additional deaths last week at the height of its record-smashing heat wave, the country's public health agency said Sunday, as the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent and needs to do more to protect its citizens.
Italian NGO helps bring clean water to villages in Ethiopia
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Five water supply systems, built in partnership with the authorities of the Basketo, Semen Ari, and Geze Gofa districts, are now bringing clean water to local villages, together with support from the Comunità Volontari per il Mondo (CVM) - an Italian NGO that has been working in the country since 1980.
We look at new details from the controversial defence plan a new PM would inherit.
State apology for Kenneally survivors to be made 14 July
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Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has confirmed a State apology will be offered to the survivors of convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally on 14 July.
Humpback whales visiting coast earlier each year - study
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Humpback whales are visiting the Irish coastline, earlier each year, correlating with rising global ocean temperatures, according to new academic research.
Storms flood parts of Regina, nearly 100 mm of rain recorded in southern Saskatchewan
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Severe thunderstorms swept across southern Saskatchewan on Saturday with heavy rain that flooded parts of Regina and reached nearly 100 millimetres in the community of Mankota.
Sunday's All-Ireland football QF results and reports
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Louth and Dublin have booked their spots in the All-Ireland semi-finals, where Mayo and Kerry await.
11 people killed as skydiving plane crashes in France
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A skydiving plane has crashed in eastern France, killing all 11 people on board, local authorities said, in one of the country's deadliest ever light aircraft incidents.
Venezuela earthquakes leave 680,000 children in need of assistance: UNICEF
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Some 680,000 children are among the 1.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June, the UN child rights agency UNICEF reported on Sunday as rescue efforts continue.
Magnitude 4.8 quake shakes lower North Island
The earthquake struck just after 11pm.
Skydiving plane crashes in France, killing 11 people, officials say
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The plane belonged to a parachutist school. The pilot and all 10 passengers — five students and five instructors — died in the accident, the prefecture said.
Call for probe into what PSNI knew about Donaldson
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Former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Doug Beattie has said the Police Ombudsman must begin an investigation into what the PSNI knew regarding Jeffrey Donaldson's child sex offences.
Pope Leo prays for Venezuela as quake death toll rises
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Pope Leo XIV expresses his solidarity and calls for prayers for the people of Venezuela, as the death toll from two earthquakes rises sharply.
Australia to double social media ban fines for tech firms
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Australia has said it would double the maximum penalty it can impose on tech firms that fail to uphold a ground-breaking social media ban for children, as evidence mounts that the ban has had little effect on teen use.
Greyhound who refuses to race finds new home in US
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Kiki, who was bred to race, will cross the Atlantic to live in California with her new family.
Smart tech helps keep Rome's elderly safe during heatwave
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Dina Gazzella, an 85-year-old Roman widow, no longer has any company at home since losing her husband in 2023, and her cat a year later. But thanks to smart technology, she is not alone.
Police seek witnesses to alleged Dannevirke assault
A group of vehicles may have engaged in "anti-social activity" in area on the night of the incident.
Brooke Henderson 1 shot back of lead entering final round of Women's PGA Championship
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Haeran Ryu shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead over Canadian Brooke Henderson after three rounds of the Women's PGA Championship. The 28-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., shot a 3-under 69 at Hazeltine in Chaska, Min.
Lord's Day Reflection: 'The Silent Collapse and conversion of the Ego'
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As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “The Silent Collapse and conversion of the Ego."
All the knockout fixtures as World Cup group stage ends
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The fixtures for the World Cup's first ever knockout round of 32 have been confirmed following the completion of the group phase, which finished in thrilling fashion last night, with Austria's last-gasp equaliser against Algeria ensuring their progression at Iran's expense.
1,300 excess deaths recorded in Europe heatwave, says WHO
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The World Health Organization has said that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since 21 June in connection with the record-breaking heatwave roasting much of the continent.
Community, culture the answer to combat HIV stigma: Indigenous people
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Manitoba and Saskatchewan are home to some of the highest rates of new HIV infections in Canada, and the numbers show Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected.
Ukraine and Poland still partners despite recent dispute
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RTÉ's Eastern Europe Reporter Liam Nolan looks back at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk this week which showcased billions in reconstruction deals.
Baby and mother pulled alive from Venezuela quake rubble
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US search and rescue teams working alongside local firefighters pulled a baby and his mother from the rubble days after devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
Venezuela quakes kill 1,450 amid race to find survivors
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Rescue crews are racing to find survivors in the rubble of Venezuela's powerful earthquakes as the death toll reached 1,450 and hopes dwindled more than three days after the disaster.
Heatwave exposes Europe's cascading climate risks
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Environment Correspondent George Lee looks back on a week that has shown how climate change can trigger cascading failures across energy, transport, healthcare and infrastructure, with consequences that Ireland is not immune from.
What does NATO mean in 2026 under Donald Trump?
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Donald Trump is known for his fondness for charts, gold and flattery. NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte is known for winning over the US president.
Report exposes power imbalance in agri-food sector
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The agri-food regulator released its annual supplier survey, opening a window into what had been the relatively secret relationships between suppliers and grocery retailers, writes Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Correspondent Aengus Cox.
Opposition to development near birthplace of Cú Chulainn
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Campaigners in Dundalk are opposing a proposed housing development near a site said in mythology to be the birthplace of Cú Chulainn.
The policies that will define Ireland's EU presidency
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In the second of two reports on the upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU, Europe Editor Tony Connelly examines the pressures Ireland will face to steer key EU legislation during the next six months.
One person rescued from Auckland apartment fire
St John say one person is in a moderate condition following the fire.
Kentucky governor says 4 dead amid flooding caused by heavy rains
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Flash flood warnings were in effect Saturday for parts of Kentucky and Indiana amid heavy rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.
Shirli Ewanchuk shares her traditional Anishinaabe gardening tools
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Cultural educator Shirli Ewanchuk, also known as Black Thunder Bird, teaches Indigenous people in Manitoba how to grow food and medicines like their ancestors did. She met up with Unreserved host Rosanna Deerchild to explain how her traditional Anishinaabe agriculture tools work.
King Charles reveals his income tax for the 1st time, but questions remain over royal finances
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There was much interest in the move by King Charles to reveal for the first time how much income tax he pays, but in ways, the numbers that emerged this past week add to the longstanding opaqueness around royal finances.
French police accused of targeting Black and Arab men with discriminatory fines
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According to a report released last week by Human Rights Watch, (RE)Claim and the Community Centre for Development and Solidarity, French police systematically target Black and Arab youth, conducting identity checks and issuing on-the-spot fines.
A glacial lake in B.C. is at risk of bursting — again. How climate change has raised this risk
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The threat of a glacial lake overflowing and potentially sending a torrent of meltwater and debris rushing toward homes has become an annual fear for people living near British Columbia's Place Glacier. But experts says this is an increasing risk as the effects of human-caused climate change hit Canada's glaciers hard.
Wildfire near endangered whooping crane nests sparks scientific opportunity
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It's too soon to say what the long-term impacts of earlier wildfires might be on the world’s only natural wild migratory whooping crane flock. But scientists could be a step closer to finding out after a wildfire in Wood Buffalo National Park came near a handful of the endangered species' nests.
Changes are coming to auto insurance policies in Ontario. Here's what you need to know
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As of July, some benefits that were previously mandatory under standard car insurance policies will be optional. This could drop the cost of premiums for customers who opt out of certain coverages, but insurance experts warn against leaving coverage exposed to risk.
Hundreds expected to be cut off for days after storm washes out vital bridge
Hundreds of people cut off by this week's storm will likely be isolated for several days, some without power, and authorities are considering getting food and supplies through by boat or by air.
English Language Bill: No changes suggested by Justice Select Committee
The Justice Select Committee has recommended a bill to make English an official language be passed without any changes, despite strong opposition to the move.
World Cup 26: Jordan 1-3 Argentina, Algeria 3-3 Austria
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Lionel Messi is on target again as Austria and Algeria finishes in the most dramatic of fashions.
Hundreds march in Vancouver to oppose planned AI data centres
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Hundreds of people took to the streets in Vancouver on Saturday to oppose the construction of two new AI data centres in the city.
Fatboy Slim: 'Getting sober probably the hardest thing'
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Celebrity DJ Fatboy Slim has called his alcohol addiction a "parasite" and said getting sober was "probably the hardest thing I've ever done".
Iran and US step up attacks and threaten to escalate
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Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early today, shortly after President Donald Trump threatened to wipe out the Iranian leadership.
Two seriously injured in Hamilton service station fight
Emergency services were called to Avalon Drive in the western suburb of Nawton around 10pm on Saturday.
Health NZ to front community as Palmerston North loses last gastro doctor
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora says it wants to reassure the community gastro services are continuing and that recruitment is under way.
AI promises breakthrough in bowel cancer detection
Researchers would train the artificial intelligence on bowel screening samples discarded after being tested.
Chuckwagon racing legend Tom Glass dies at 77
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Tom Glass, a monumental figure in Western Canadian sports history, has died after suffering a stroke at 77. As "the face of chuckwagon racing," Glass dominated the sport locally and internationally during the 1980s and 1990s.
World Cup 2026: Panama 0-2 England, Croatia 2-1 Ghana
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England come good in the second half to top their group while Croatia pick up a vital win.
Kerry credentials tested by McCurry-inspired Tyrone
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Kerry's quest for back-to-back All-Ireland titles remains on course, but Jack O'Connor's outfit were put to the pin of their collar by an excellent Tyrone.
Wind, snow, rain and swells pound North Island amid severe weather warnings
The storm is expected to continue into Saturday morning, but MetService expects the worst has passed.
One dead after five overdose on fantasy in separate incidents
Police are urging the public to exercise caution, and anyone who may have this type of substance is urged not to consume it.
Pope closes Consistory, 'an experience of communion at service of mission'
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Pope Leo XIV delivers his closing address for the Extraordinary Synod of Cardinals, focusing on hope, synodality, and the Church’s responsibility in a world marked by war and a crisis in human relationships.
Cardinal Grech: Synod is a sign of gentle listening
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Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, delivers the introductory address for the fourth session of the Consistory, inviting participants to view the implementation phase as a process of integrating insights into the life of communities.
Two men have been charged with assault causing harm to an off-duty garda in Dublin city centre last Sunday.
Family, friends of Pico 'so proud' as Cape Verde progress
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Irish interest in the World Cup continues after Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto 'Pico' Lopes team Cape Verde became the smallest nation in the world to progress to the knockout stages of the competition.
Canadian Army holds sunset ceremony to deactivate 5th Division
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The 5th Division of the Canadian Army is transitioning with new structure and missions. A ceremony was held on Saturday in Halifax to commemorate its accomplishments in the Atlantic region.
Consistory: Fourth session focuses on the Synod and priesthood
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During the fourth session, the cardinals reflect on the need to offer the clergy an image of the priesthood that is “beautiful, creative, evangelical, and at the same time not clerical.” They also discuss the risk that the complexity of consultation processes could weigh down the Church precisely at a time when it is called to bear witness to the world.
66 fires currently burning in the Northwest Territories, evacuation alert remains in place for Fort Simpson
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"Thousands of lightning strikes" mean a very busy weekend, says N.W.T. fire. Fort Simpson fire remains main concern, as well as fire near the Alberta border that threatens the highway. High heat and the risk of dry lightning continues for the area around Wood Buffalo National Park, Fort Smith and in the Sahtú and Dehcho.
Consistory: Third session upholds Gospel hope as antidote to individualism
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During the third session of the Extraordinary Consistory, the Cardinals reflected on the Church’s mission to foster goodness and build up society.
Iranian drones attack Bahrain; ship is struck in strait after US airstrikes on Iran
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran launched a drone assault targeting Bahrain while a ship in the Strait of Hormuz separately came under attack Saturday, likely Tehran's response to overnight airstrikes by the United States. The attacks across the Persian Gulf show the danger of the Iran war again spinning out of control, even after Iran and the U.S. reached an interim deal to try and agree on a final accord to end the conflict. The U.S. had launched its airstrikes in response to an Iranian drone attack on a ship trying to get out of the strait on Thursday, continuing a string of attacks that have shaken the uneasy ceasefire in the war. Meanwhile, a multinational maritime body overseen by the U.S. Navy said Saturday that it would expand a route near Oman in the strait to allow for both inbound and outbound traffic — likely setting up a new flashpoint with Tehran. Bahrain condemns Iran's drone attack That Iran targeted Bahrain likely was not coincidental. The kingdom has been one of the strongest critics of Iran and is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. It just hosted U.S. Secretary of
Ex-justice minister appeals 25-yr prison sentence in martial law trial
Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae has appealed against a court ruling sentencing him to 25 years in prison for playing a key role in an insurrection through his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid, sources said Saturday. Park's legal team filed the appeal at the Seoul Central District Court on Friday, four days after the court handed down the punishment for Park, according to the judiciary sources. The jail term is longer than the 20-year prison term sought by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, which earlier indicted Park on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection and abusing his power by calling a meeting of senior ministry officials following Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The court convicted Park on both charges, recognizing the special counsel team's argument that Park had called the meeting to review dispatching prosecutors to a martial law-supporting body, check the capacity of correctional facilities, allegedly to hold politicians and key figures expected to be arrested under the martial law, and order ministry officia
Japan's defense chief in Korea for deeper defense ties
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi arrived in Korea, Saturday, for talks with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, as the two countries seek to step up cooperation and exchanges at the defense level. Koizumi's two-day trip to Seoul — his first in his current capacity — comes amid a continued positive momentum in bilateral relations and reciprocates Ahn's visit to Yokosuka near Tokyo in January for bilateral talks. Koizumi began his trip by visiting the Seoul National Cemetery and paying respects to fallen soldiers. Later in the day, Koizumi was set to join Ahn on a visit to an Air Force base in the eastern provincial city of Wonju, home to Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team. Their visit to the unit draws attention because Japan had rejected Korea's request for refueling support for the Black Eagles en route to an air show in Dubai in November last year. It took issue with one of the team's aircraft after it took part in a routine drill over Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, over which Japan has long laid territorial claims. Ahn and Koizumi agreed to settle the issue during their
Body changes spark pregnancy rumors, exposing intrusive scrutiny of female celebrities
Recent pregnancy rumors surrounding female celebrities have once again highlighted the intense scrutiny placed on women's bodies. Online posts speculating that an actress or singer is pregnant often spread rapidly after photos show her wearing loose-fitting clothing or appearing slightly different from before. Such rumors are no longer limited to married celebrities but have also targeted women who are merely engaged or preparing for marriage. Actor Shin Min-a became the latest target after attending the press screening of the film Eyes on June 15. Some internet users claimed she appeared fuller-faced than in the past and speculated that she was expecting a child. The rumors echoed similar speculation that surfaced after her marriage to actor Kim Woo-bin last November, when online users pointed to what they described as a "swollen" appearance. Her agency dismissed both rumors as completely unfounded. Shin is far from the only celebrity to face such speculation. Singer Ailee also found herself at the center of pregnancy rumors after appearing at a recent event wearing a loose-fitting outf
Figure skating legend Kim Yuna shares
candid reflection in fourth year of marriage
Former figure skater Kim Yuna shared heartfelt thoughts about what marriage has meant to her. On June 26, Elle Korea's YouTube channel uploaded a video titled "Queen Yuna's Flirting Tips?" In the video, Kim hosted a "Counseling Corner," where she listened to viewers' concerns and offered advice. One viewer asked, "Everyone around me is married, but I'm still unsure about getting married. What does marriage mean to you?" Kim replied, "I haven't been married for very long either, so I still feel like a beginner when it comes to talking about the meaning of marriage." Kim married Forestella member Ko Woo-rim, who is five years younger than her, in 2022. Speaking about her husband, she said, "It feels like I've gained someone I can always talk to and lean on — a true companion." She continued, "We're also each other's legal guardians, but beyond simply being a husband and wife, I've come to realize that we're people who protect one another. It feels very reassuring to have someone like that by my side." Meanwhile, comments Ko Woo-rim made earlier about why he decided to marry Kim have also dr
Summer's superfood: How tomatoes support heart, skin and bone health
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Tomatoes are now in peak season. Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, they have been linked to a variety of health benefits, from lowering the risk of certain cancers to supporting heart health and healthy blood sugar levels. Botanically, tomatoes are classified as fruits because they develop from the flower of the plant after fertilization. In the culinary world, however, they are typically treated as vegetables and are widely used in salads, sauces and soups. Tomatoes are among the most popular foods worldwide thanks to their impressive nutritional profile. They are rich in vitamins C and K, folate, potassium and dietary fiber, while also providing antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein and choline. In Korea, tomato season generally runs from May through September, with the sweetest and most flavorful tomatoes harvested between June and August. Grown under abundant summer sunshine, they are at their nutritional peak during this period. Based on information from the U.S. health and medical website Healthline and other
Latte Stage Capitalism
To talk about the café economy in Seoul is to talk about an architecture of disappointment. A noisy and rumbunctious ever-moving organism of tents, ajumma, toasts, street hawkers, and fake goods has been usurped by air-conditioned coffee shops, all playing the same music, offering the same drinks, and providing the same service. (Admittedly, however, only one of them has recently been forced to issue a groveling apology for not knowing anything about Korean history or, perhaps, knowing too much about Korean history). Latte is horse Korean people are often traditionally associated with tea. My friend Brother Anthony has written books on the subject and proudly offers anyone who visits his office to drink from a wonderfully small cup as he creates concoctions of herbal goodness. And we’re not talking the British kind of “white with two sugars please, darling.” Korean tea is a rainbow of flavors. The southern regions of Boseong and Jeju produce the famous green tea. Yuja tea is made with citron and honey and always given to those with a cold. Boricha (barley tea) is a daily herbal r
Climate-ready beauty: New K-beauty products target heat and UV exposure
As climate change brings longer, hotter summers, Korea's beauty industry is introducing an increasingly diverse range of products designed to help consumers cope with extreme heat and stronger UV exposure. What was once limited to sunscreen creams and sprays has expanded into sun powders, scalp-specific UV care, men's sun sticks and cooling skincare that helps soothe overheated skin. According to the beauty industry on June 24, sun care products are evolving into a wide variety of formulations, including hydrating sun serums, mattifying sun powders and even hand creams with UV protection. The diversification reflects growing demand and a broader consumer base. During CJ Olive Young's monthly sales event, searches for "sun powder" on its online mall surged 284 percent from a year earlier. An industry official said that as sun care products become available in more accessible formats — such as ampoules, essences, sticks and balms — they are attracting consumers of all ages and genders. One of the most notable developments is the emergence of scalp-specific sun care, an area that had l
How bald is bald enough? Young Koreans closely watch hair loss insurance debate
Public interest is mounting ahead of a government-hosted public forum on July 4 that will examine whether national health insurance should be expanded to cover hair loss treatment. The issue has drawn particular attention from young adults aged 20 to 34, the group being considered for potential coverage, who are seeking answers about how hair loss is diagnosed, what treatments are available and whether it can be cured. The government's discussion focuses on medications used to treat androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male or female pattern hair loss. Hair loss is broadly classified into alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia, depending on its cause. Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, resulting in one or more round or oval bald patches measuring about 1 to 5 centimeters across. Androgenetic alopecia develops when testosterone circulating in the bloodstream is converted into a more potent hormone after reaching hair follicles, accelerating hair follicle shrinkage. Hair on the front of the scalp and crown gradually becomes thinner, shor
US allows limited access to Anthropic's Mythos AI model
SAN FRANCISCO, United States — Anthropic said Friday it had received authorization from the U.S. government to allow a small group of American cybersecurity firms to access its powerful AI model Mythos 5. Access to Mythos 5 had been blocked by U.S. authorities due to concerns about national security. Anthropic will continue discussions with the Trump administration to "expand access to Mythos 5 and make Fable 5 available again" to the general public, a company spokesperson said. The government abruptly forced Anthropic to cut off access to its two cutting-edge artificial intelligence models on June 12 after discovering vulnerabilities in the safeguards put in place to prevent misuse of the tool. The strong action against Anthropic has drawn accusations of government overreach. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said in a letter to the company, cited by Politico and Reuters, that "Anthropic has worked with the U.S. government to address risks associated with the Covered Models." "These efforts have yielded significant progress," he said. Commerce department spokesperson Benno Kass said "
Korea clinging to last spot to qualify for knockouts
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — With one matchday left in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, Korea are clinging to the last spot to sneak into the knockout phase. Korea are eighth among the 12 third-place countries after Groups G, H and I completed their play Friday across Mexico, Canada and the United States. They are now battling for one of three remaining knockout tickets. With the tournament now featuring 48 teams, up from 32, eight best third-place teams will advance to the knockout stage, along with the top two countries from each of the 12 groups. The group stage will end Saturday with matches for teams in Groups J, K and L. The goal difference is the first tiebreaker among third-place nations, followed by goals scored. Korea finished third in Group A on three points from a win and two losses. They defeated Czechia 2-1 on June 11 but lost to Mexico 1-0 seven days later. A win or a draw against South Africa on Wednesday would have sent Korea into the round of 32 as the Group A runner-up, but Korea instead lost 1-0. Korea began Friday sixth in the standings for third-place nations but dr
Vice FM attends Pax Silica Summit in Washington, discusses AI, chip supply chains
Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina attended the Pax Silica Summit in Washington this week where partner nations discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains, the foreign ministry said Saturday. The Pax Silica Summit is a U.S.-led strategic initiative and coalition of more than 20 partner nations dedicated to securing the global technology supply chain. On the first day of the second summit, held from Thursday to Friday and attended by countries including Australia, Finland, India, Japan and Britain, participants discussed intergovernmental and industry cooperation to build an ecosystem that facilitates AI innovation, the foreign ministry here said. The second day focused on policy efforts to bolster AI innovation along with efforts to ensure fair competition. The ministry said Kim, during a session, introduced Korea's strategy for supporting the semiconductor industry and urged partners to join efforts to build a stable and predictable business environment to jointly ensure the resilience of semiconductor supply chains. The vice minister also reaffirmed Seo
Nearly 10 Chinese, Russian military aircraft briefly enter Korea's air defense zone: JCS
Nearly 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft briefly entered and left Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) above the country's eastern and southern waters, Korea's military said Saturday. The Chinese and Russian military aircraft did not violate Korea's airspace, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), adding that it detected the aircraft before they entered the air defense zone. The Korean military dispatched Air Force fighter jets to prepare for any possible contingencies. The air defense zone is not territorial airspace but is delineated to call on foreign planes to identify themselves so as to prevent accidental clashes. The brief entry appears to have occurred during joint air drills between the two countries, according to a JCS official.
Mystical night at seaside arboretum built by former US intelligence officer
A faint sea mist blankets the forest floor, thick with broad ferns. Patches of earth show through the dense undergrowth, while fragmented rays of sunlight filter through the thick maple branches overhead. The clock has just turned 6 a.m. The hour is too early even for the most popular destinations to be crowded with travelers. The same is true where I stand, at one of Korea’s best-known arboretums overlooking the sea. Across its vast 589,429-square-meter grounds, not a single soul is in sight. Only the distant horns of ships entering port and the calls of birds overhead echo through the trees. It is a rare, tranquil privilege that only those who begin their day at Chollipo Arboretum in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, can enjoy. It is well known as “a garden overlooking the sea” and “an arboretum where visitors can spend the night.” The arboretum has other rarities as well. It is Korea’s first private arboretum. It was built on a salt-laden coast, an unusual setting for an arboretum. And it was founded by the first American to become a naturalized Korean citizen. Born an Am
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say it targeted US positions in response to attack
CAIRO — Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday it targeted U.S. military positions in the region, in response to a fresh U.S. strike against Iran. The Guards did not provide details on the U.S. positions it targeted in the region. The statement by the IRGC came after semi-official ISNA news agency carried an earlier statement it said was from the IRGC saying the force's response to a fresh U.S. attack against Iran will be "swift and decisive," before later deleting the statement.
2 more Korean vessels clear Strait of Hormuz
Two additional Korean vessels have cleared the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there for months amid the conflict in the Middle East, the oceans ministry said Saturday. "Two vessels operated by Korean shipping companies, which had been waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz, are sailing normally after passing through the strait," a ministry official said. They were among the 26 Korea-related vessels that had been stranded in the strait after Iran blocked shipping routes in the waterway in late February amid its conflict with the United States and Israel. The first two of them cleared the strait during the conflict with Iranian assistance, while the remaining vessels were leaving the waterway one by one after the U.S. and Iran signed a ceasefire deal earlier this month. The latest passage left three Korea-related vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, including the HMM Namu, which sustained damage in Iranian-linked missile attacks and is undergoing repairs at a port in Dubai. Four Korean crew members were aboard the two vessels that recently cleared the strait, but neither vessel is
Israel, Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in 'first step' toward peace, Rubio says
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Israel and Lebanon’s ambassadors to the U.S. Friday to announce a framework agreement that was described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The agreement does not include Hezbollah and prompted one of the group's officials in Lebanon to warn of civil war. The U.S. State Department said the framework establishes a process for dismantling Hezbollah and for Lebanon to regain territory that was taken by Israeli forces as they battled the militant group. The U.S. will facilitate a newly created “Military Coordination Group for Lebanon” to implement the framework, the State Department said, while committing $100 million in humanitarian assistance. “For Lebanon, this Framework provides a genuine pathway out of a long crisis,” the State Department said. “For Israel, it creates a verifiable path to removing the persistent threat on its northern border.” Friday's agreement was signed in front of Rubio in Washington by Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambass
Venezuela quake toll tops 900; search intensifies for hundreds trapped
LA GUAIRA/CARACAS — Desperate Venezuelans and rescue teams raced to find survivors Friday as the death toll from twin earthquakes rose above 900 with foreign rescue teams and aid only beginning to reach devastated areas nearly two days after the quakes. The government said 172 people remained trapped, 920 were dead and 3,360 injured while a website listed more than 50,000 people reported missing. Frustration mounted over scarce equipment and uneven state support for the rescue effort after the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes devastated parts of Caracas and surrounding areas Wednesday evening. A U.N. report estimated direct damage at about $6.7 billion, while reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter said the gap between economic and insured losses was likely to be "quite large.” Moron, a town near the epicenter, was still without electricity, the local fire chief told Reuters. Eyes on La Guaira Reuters witnesses traveled along highways cracked by the quakes and passed dozens of buildings reduced to broken concrete and twisted metal. Some ruins were spray-painted with building names to help rescue
US strikes Iran in response to drone attack on ship that Trump says violated ceasefire
WASHINGTON — The U.S. struck Iran, Friday, in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries to begin working to end their months-long war and reopen the pivotal waterway. U.S. President Donald Trump said the drone attack violated the ceasefire . The strikes came shortly after Trump told reporters, “You’ll find out,” whether the U.S. would respond. U.S. Central Command said the military struck missile and drone locations and coastal radar sites in Iran. “I don’t like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually four of them,” Trump said at the White House shortly before the U.S. struck back. When asked why there would be strikes when Trump has insisted talks with Tehran are going well, Trump said of Iran: “They’re a little bit different.” He then abruptly cut off questions and reporters were ushered out of his office. Ebrahim Azizi, who heads the Iranian parliament’s national security commission, responded to Trump on social
Korea left to play waiting game for Round of 32
Korean fans were reduced to supporting Japan on Friday morning, in the hope that the old rival could help bring about a place in the Round of 32. In the end, the Samurai Blue did not defeat Sweden by the needed two goals. The 1-1 draw made Korea’s chances of squeezing through to the knockout stage a little less likely. After the dismal 1-0 defeat to South Africa a day earlier, the Taeguk Warriors dropped into third-place in Group A and into a state of limbo of having to wait and see what happens elsewhere. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups of four advance automatically into the Round of 32. There they are joined by eight of the best performing third-placed teams. This is where Korea currently finds itself and needs to rely on the results of others. "I personally didn't want to end up in this kind of situation, where we have to wait and see if we will reach the knockouts,” Son Heung-min said. “It's disappointing that we didn't get the outcome we deserved, considering the amount of hard work we've done, but it's out of our hands now and we will have to accept our fate, wh
[EXPLAINER] What Lee Jae Myung's selective enlistment plan means for Korea's shrinking military
Korea has one of the lowest birthrates in the world and a mandatory military service requirement that has shaped the lives of virtually every man in the country for generations. Now those two facts are on a collision course. Every able-bodied Korean man between the ages of 18 and 38 is required by law to serve in the military. Most undergo a physical examination around age 19 and complete their service in their 20s, typically spending 18 months as rank-and-file personnel in the Army or Marine Corps, or slightly longer, in the Navy for 20 months or the Air Force for 21 months. Those who qualify and apply can serve instead as noncommissioned officers (NCOs) — a rank between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers — or as commissioned officers, with initial commitments of four and three years, respectively. But because the rank-and-file route is relatively shorter and requires no selection process, most conscripts take it, despite the limited personal freedom, a strict environment and a long history of hazing and violence within military units. The system was designed for a country
Seoul anoints masters of quilting technique, silver inlaying to preserve traditional crafts
In a bid to safeguard Korea’s vanishing artisan heritage, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has designated two women to lifelong honors in the traditional crafts of geometric silk quilting and intricate metal inlaying, the city said Friday. Kim Yun-sun, a veteran artisan who has spent more than 40 years resurrecting a nearly forgotten textile art, was named as the city's first official master of "saeksilnubi" (colored thread quilting). Concurrently, Shin Seon-i, an internationally recognized metalworker, was appointed as a certified "transmission educator" for "ipsajang" (iron-inlaying), an elite status that tasks her with training the next generation in a craft whose survival remains economically precarious. Kim’s designation as a master — a title reserved for those who can flawlessly replicate historic techniques — recognizes a four-decade dedication that began in 1980, when she stumbled upon her grandfather’s antique tobacco pouch. Captivated by its raised, corded geometric patterns, she began analyzing museum relics and buying up marketplace antiques to reverse-engineer t
Uncovering stories of Cheonggye Stream’s restoration
At his final lecture for Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea on Dec. 10, 2003, Horace Grant Underwood II shared stories of the past while discussing late Joseon-era and colonial-era photos. At one point, he came to a photo of Cheonggye Stream in the early 20th century and commented on the still-unrealized plan to uncover the waterway: “They say they want to return it to being a clean stream. It was never a clean stream!” Indeed, within a few decades of establishing Seoul as the capital in 1394, the newly founded Joseon government had come to rely on Cheonggye Stream as the city's principal conduit to flush waste out of the city. Attempts to cover the stream began during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule, but really took off in the late 1950s, when, over a period of two decades, the stream was covered in stages for a distance of 6 kilometers. Atop this was built an elevated expressway, the first section of which opened in 1969, seven years before it was completed. A well-known section of the covered stream was Hwanghak-dong Flea Market, which had grown to hundreds of stalls, many of
Pianist Cho Seong-jin's steady path to musical greatness
In Korea's classical music scene, Cho Seong-jin has become a brand in his own right. When he was still in his 20s, he swept the country's three most prestigious classical music honors — the Samsung Ho-Am Prize in the Arts, the Grand Prize at the Daewon Music Awards and the Kumho Musician Award. Internationally, he has established himself as one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation. During the 2024–25 season, Cho served as artist-in-residence with the Berlin Philharmonic, and in 2025–26 he was selected as the London Symphony Orchestra's Artist Portrait. His 2025 Opus Klassik Award in Germany almost seemed overdue considering the reputation he had already built across Europe. In July, Cho will return to the stage as an in-house artist at Lotte Concert Hall, presenting both solo recitals and chamber performances. He is also scheduled to perform with Berlin Philharmonic members, including violist Park Kyung-min. Audiences across the country, from Busan and Bucheon to Hwaseong and Sejong, will have opportunities to hear him in a variety of programs. Shy child who began pl
Overcrowded and overheated, Korean prisons become intolerable for both inmates and officers
With a metallic click, cold metal cuffs close around both wrists. “You are now in custody.” Suddenly, moving one’s arms freely becomes impossible. The discomfort sets in quickly, as even scratching one’s head becomes an awkward struggle inside the moving prison transport van. But after passing through a firmly shut iron gate and arriving at Cheongju Women’s Prison, where pale yellow buildings surround a small exercise yard, the handcuffs suddenly seem like the least of one’s problems. Inside one of the prison’s shared cells, the space is so cramped and crowded that there is barely enough room to stretch out an arm, even after the handcuffs are removed. The grim reality is that Cheongju Women’s Prison is considered to be in better condition than most prisons in the country. As Korea’s only correctional facility exclusively for women, it is generally regarded as one of the better-equipped institutions. Yet even here, the persistent problem of overcrowding proved impossible to escape. The Cheongju Women's Prison was designed to accommodate 619 inmates at 100 percent capacity
Evacuation order issued for Lynn Lake, Man., as wildfire expected to reach town Sunday
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As of Friday, an out-of-control wildfire south of the town has quickly grown to 1,600 hectares in size since it was detected on Thursday, according to a provincial fire status report.
Cardinal Brislin: Human progress must serve dignity and common good
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Opening the third session of the Extraordinary Consistory, Cardinal Stephen Brislin reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas, saying the Church is called to engage the struggles of history with a synodal approach rooted in faith, charity, and hope.
Watch: Moment newborn baby is rescued from Venezuela earthquake rubble
Two powerful earthquakes rocked Venezuela within seconds of each other on Wednesday, killing at least 920 people.
Hundreds of Heathrow and Gatwick flights delayed due to thunderstorms
More than 600 flights have been delayed at Heathrow and Gatwick, many due to stormy weather south of the UK.
Heat wave in Europe shatters records in Denmark, Switzerland and Czech Republic
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Temperatures hit record highs from Switzerland to the Czech Republic and Denmark on Saturday, as a heat wave that baked western European countries this week moves to central and eastern parts of the continent.
Flooding damages South Wairarapa bridge again
Part of the Tūranganui River bridge south of Martinborough has been washed away, limiting access to around 460 homes.
Two tropical storms bring heavy rains to parts of Japan
The two storms helped shatter June records for rain in a number of areas in eastern and southern Chiba Prefecture.
Venezuela earthquakes: International rescue teams join the search for survivors as death toll surpasses 1,400
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More than 2,000 rescue workers from 27 countries have been deployed to Venezuela to locate people trapped under the rubble following the twin earthquakes on Wednesday, in a deployment supported and coordinated by the United Nations.
Irish woman reflects on 'escaping' hantavirus on cruise
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An Irish woman who was released from quarantine on Monday following her trip on a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak has spoken of her surprise at how she never contracted the virus.
Irish woman reflects on 'escaping' hantavirus on cruise
An Irish woman who was released from quarantine on Monday following her trip on a cruise ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak has spoken of her surprise at how she never contracted the virus.
Mahmood announces new refugee sponsorship route into UK
The home secretary says "capped safe and legal" routes would help to restore confidence in the asylum system.
Body found in search for teenage swimmer in lake
The boy, 15, was reported missing after last being seen swimming in Testwood Lakes on Wednesday.
'Trent Bridge falls silent!' - England lose three early wickets
England lose three wickets for eleven runs as Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith are dismissed early on day three of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
We have been treated unfairly by USA - Iran
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei says his nation have been treated unfairly by the United States during the World Cup
Crocodile enclosure where boy attacked reopens to public
The Cambridgeshire zoo had closed its Tropical House after the incident.
Caritas Venezuela president says priority is the injured and search for survivors
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Faced with the devastation caused by two earthquakes, Archbishop José Luis Azuaje Ayala is calling for an unrelenting search for the thousands of people still missing, urging civil society, private companies, and government agencies to "work together so that everyone can help address this difficult situation."
A Miami priest on mission in Italy to proclaim the Gospel
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Father Michele Sega, 29, a parochial vicar at a parish in the United States, recalls several highlights from a retreat organized by the Neocatechumenal Way with around 800 priests from North, Central, and South America. Among these highlights are their participation in the Pope’s general audience and a four-day mission in Italy, traveling in pairs and without money.
Iran accuses the US of violating their deal and says it struck targets linked to American forces in response.
Amber extreme heat warning extended before cooldown ends record-breaking heatwave
The record-breaking heatwave is set to end with cooler and more unsettled weather by
Sunday.
Trump administration allows Anthropic to release Mythos AI to 'trusted' U.S. organizations
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Anthropic said on Friday that the U.S. government has allowed it to release its powerful Claude Mythos 5 artificial intelligence model to some "trusted" U.S. organizations, partially reversing an order two weeks ago to suspend access over national security risks.
Pilot dies after small plane crashes into China high-rise
A pilot was killed when his small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest building, with 13 people also injured, Chinese authorities have said.
Should we fear an AI bubble bust?
Recent swings in tech stocks are reviving fears of an AI bubble — and some experts warn that if it pops, the fallout could be bigger than anything Wall Street has ever seen.
Is Andy Burnham Labour's saviour, or just its best bet?
Labour insiders give Laura Kuenssberg their take on the man tipped to replace Keir Starmer as PM.
Russian strikes kill two in Ukraine, response kills one
Russian strikes overnight killed two people and injured more than 20 in Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities have said.
Lightning causes fires and serious house damage
Six blazes caused by strikes have been dealt with by crews across Kent, East Sussex and West Sussex.
Swiss glaciers facing 'enormous' loss from heatwave
Swiss glaciers are set to lose an enormous amount of ice due to the heatwave battering Europe, the head of Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland has said.
'We held our nerve' - Pico set for Messi match-up
Pico Lopes said that he and his team-mates had "held our nerve" to secure a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia which was enough to progress to the knockout phase of the World Cup and a Round of 32 clash with Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Austria and Algeria advance after ridiculous finale
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Austria and Algeria played out an incredible 3-3 draw in Kansas City, both sides progressing to the knockout phase thanks to a last-gasp score from Austrian substitute Sasa Kalajdzic.
Japan to draw up energy-related package by end of August
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa has been tasked with drawing up an action plan to address the energy risks that became apparent amid the Middle East conflict.
Iran says it has launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain
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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said early on Sunday that its navy and aerospace forces had launched joint missile and drone operations targeting U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to recent U.S. strikes against Iran.
Unwanted items from Alan Carr's castle head to auction
The sale includes dozens of items from a "concrete menagerie" of animals, figures and rural scenes.
I'm 98 but I still do my 40 press-ups every day
Bill Kober, who lives in Woodbridge, is proving that age is just a number... one press-up at a time.
Senior LDP lawmaker and South Korean president agree to work on boosting ties
"I would like to facilitate close communication at various levels (with South Korea)," Ryota Takeda told reporters after the meeting.
Lord's Day Reflection: 'Preferring nothing whatever to Christ’
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As the Church celebrates the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Preferring nothing whatever to Christ.”
The End of the entire universe is not so near. How do we know? Observations of the Moon!
S. Korea clinging to last spot to qualify for knockouts
GUADALAJARA, Mexico (Yonhap) -- With one matchday left in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, South Korea are clinging to the last spot to sneak into the knockout phase. South Korea are eighth among the 12 third-place countries after Groups G, H and I completed their play Friday across Mexico, Canada and the United States. They are now battling for one of three remaining knockout tickets. With the tournament now featuring 48 teams, up from 32, eight best third-place teams will advance to the
Korea joins AI supply chain talks at Pax Silica summit in Washington
South Korea took part in an international meeting on artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains in Washington, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday, as countries seek closer cooperation on the infrastructure behind AI development. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah attended the second Pax Silica Summit in Washington, DC, where participants discussed ways to strengthen cooperation on AI innovation and semiconductor supply chains. Pax Silica is an AI supply chain consultation frame
Chinese, Russian military aircraft enter KADIZ, no airspace violation: JCS
South Korea scrambled fighter jets Saturday after more than 10 Chinese and Russian military aircraft entered its air defense identification zone over the East Sea and waters off the country’s south, Seoul’s military said. The aircraft entered and left the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone in sequence earlier in the day, but did not violate South Korean airspace, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “Our military identified the Chinese and Russian aircraft before they entered the KADIZ and
What we know about foreign victims of Venezuela quakes
The latest death toll from the twin earthquakes that rattled Venezuela on Wednesday stands at 920, and foreign nationals have been confirmed among the dead.
Who is Michele Kang, the Korean American behind Lyon takeover?
Korean American sports businessperson Michele Kang is set to take control of Olympique Lyonnais, the French soccer giant commonly known as Lyon, or OL. According to OL’s website, Eagle Bidco, the controlling shareholder of OL’s parent company Eagle Football Group SA, has agreed to sell an 87.8 percent stake to Kang. She has served as chairperson and CEO of Eagle Football Group and has been CEO of OL since June 2025. Kang is offering $30 million to acquire the stake and will also inject about 71
Two Michelin kitchens, four hands, one night in Seoul
For one night, Yu Yuan's kitchen was led by four hands instead of two. On June 19, the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul shared its kitchen with Zi Yat Heen, the one-Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Macao, for a single seating. Yu Yuan chef To Kwok Wai and Zi Yat Heen chef Anthony Ho built a seven-course menu that set Korea's early-summer ingredients next to Macao's Cantonese repertoire. The four-hands dinner is part of a series that Four S
Cooking fumes may worsen Alzheimer’s-related brain changes: study
South Korean health authorities have suggested that exposure to cooking fumes may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia, based on findings from an animal study. According to the National Institute of Health on Thursday, researchers observed changes in the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for memory and learning, after laboratory animals were exposed to ultrafine particulate matter. The animals showed impaired spatial memory and a reduced abili
'Teach You a Lesson' star Kim Moo-yul could barely scrape together bus fare
There's a particular man Korean directors keep asking Kim Moo-yul to play: rough on the surface, colder underneath, the kind of tough guy who solves problems with his fists and rarely needs to raise his voice. He's been some version of that figure for the better part of 15 years, often the live wire of the work and almost always the face you remember on the way out. So it makes perfect sense that a pulpy revenge fantasy about a government unit that beats the country's worst students back into li
Why pay more? Young Koreans are opting for DIY wedding shoots
Wedding planning in South Korea comes with its own notorious ritual: A bundled package of studio photography, dress rentals and professional makeup known as “sudeume” in Korean. It means dealing with a sprawling network of planners, venues and vendors while paying hefty upfront costs. Yet today, a growing number of young Koreans are taking a DIY approach, cutting costs on what many deem an overpriced tradition. A 2025 survey by Embrain found that nearly 70 percent of unmarried adults aged 19 to
Artist-barista makes an offer: A brew for what you drew
On a Wednesday afternoon at a cafe hidden inside a museum in Seoul, visitors pay not with cash or cards, but with drawings. When a mother and daughter order two cups of coffee, they are handed blank sheets of paper instead of a receipt. As they sip, the pages gradually fill with colorful sketches. By the time the drinks are finished, so are the drawings — their payment for the coffee. "Honestly, we came in because we heard the coffee was free," said Joo, who visited the cafe with her daughter, a
Tens of thousands take part in Dublin Pride parade
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Tens of thousands of people are taking part in the annual Dublin Pride parade this afternoon.
Cooler days ahead with 22C forecast as warnings expire
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A Status Yellow high temperature warning for Ireland lifted this morning, having been in place since Tuesday.
Brazil’s Rayan cramming for Japan test in World Cup knockout stage
The five-time champion faces the Asian side in the round of 32 in Houston on Monday.
Ireland's EU Presidency: What it is and why it matters
Given the cycle of crises the EU has confronted in recent years, the stakes could not be higher as Ireland assumes the Presidency of the EU, writes Europe Editor Tony Connelly.
Justice 'in sight' for gay men historically wronged
As Dublin city was preparing for Pride celebrations this week, inside Leinster House legislation to correct a "historical injustice" done to gay men was moving its way through the Seanad.
Neighbourhood Watch: Growing unease over smart doorbells
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A new feature of Amazon's Ring doorbell has caused widespread unease, and highlighted just how powerful and widespread private surveillance is becoming, writes Adam Maguire.
Dunderrow women speak publicly after years of silence
This week, victims of sexual abuse at Cork primary school called on the Government to take responsibility for the trauma they suffered. Our correspondent Ailbhe Conneely tells their story.
Hottest June day record broken for third day in row as temperature hits 37.3C
Suffolk saw the highest temperature on Friday - but many will feel the heatwave begin to ease over the weekend.
Scotland's World Cup hopes at 0.07% - these are results they need
Defeat against Brazil left Scotland in a precarious position, but little has gone their way since either.
KHI and Airbus eye cooperation on Japanese variant of Eurodrone
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has signed a preliminary deal with Airbus to cooperate on a possible Japanese anti-submarine version of a European defense drone.
Korea's beaches open for summer season as heat sets in
Vacationers crowd Sokcho Beach in Gangwon Province on Saturday as hot weather grips the country. Beaches across South Korea are opening for the summer season, with local governments strengthening safety measures as hot weather draws vacationers to the coast. Gangwon Province is among the first to welcome beachgoers, with 86 beaches along the east coast opening in phases after Ayajin Beach in Goseong opened June 12. Sokcho Beach opens July 3, followed by Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung on July 4. Jej
Threat of slips in South Wairarapa, Lower Hutt following severe weather
Wild weather is forecast to ease after battering much of central New Zealand on Friday, but many are still without power and the town of Martinborough is cut off.
‘The colors speak for themselves’: How Japan’s chroma bible went global
Originally published as a six-volume series in the 1930s, "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" has become a go-to for creatives in Japan and around the world.
Lee rebuts water concerns over possible Honam chip investment
President Lee Jae-myung on Saturday pushed back against concerns that South Korea’s southwestern Honam region may lack enough water to support possible semiconductor investments by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, saying the region has sufficient resources if they are properly managed. “Honam has enough water, just as Yeongnam and the Seoul metropolitan area do,” Lee wrote on X, sharing a report on the government’s review of industrial water supply measures for the region. Lee said studies had
Water restrictions at Antarctic station after power 'blink'
McMurdo Station's 200-plus staff can now only shower for two minutes twice a week, including around 30 New Zealanders.
'I leave nothing' - the end of 'toxic' Bielsa's Uruguay reign
With Uruguay eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, BBC Sport looks at what has gone wrong for them under colourful coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Some Russians are turning on Putin as drones hit Moscow. Does it matter?
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After the largest Ukrainian drone offensive on the Russian capital and other strikes on energy infrastructure, confidence in Putin's leadership has seemed to waver among civilians and prominent nationalists alike. But analysts are skeptical whether it is enough to turn the tide.
At the 2026 World Cup, Iraqi Shias reconcile celebration with grief during holy month
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Soccer fans usually feel upbeat emotions when watching their national team play in a FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years. But this year, some Iraqi supporters have had to balance cheering the national team with observing the Shia Islamic month of mourning.
Refining cobalt in Cobalt, Ont.? That's the plan for this northern Ontario town
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A facility near Cobalt, Ont., has been tapped to be the home of North America's first battery-grade cobalt refinery. Projected to be fully operational by late 2027, the plant will import and process mined cobalt — experts say it could bring Canada into an industry dominated by China.
Nearly 20 years after her murder in Quebec, an arrest in Guinea gives her loved ones hope
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Rachelle Wrathmall, 31, was found dead in her Lennoxville home in Sherbrooke, Que., in June of 2007. She had been stabbed to death. The day before she was found, her husband left Canada and eventually returned to his home country.
Canada puts $800M Griffon helicopter upgrade on hold over technical 'complexity'
The federal government has suspended the Royal Canadian Air Force's $800-million Griffon helicopter life-extension program amid technical problems and growing concerns over cost and complexity. The pause raises fresh questions about whether all 82 aircraft will be upgraded as Ottawa weighs an $18-billion replacement program and mounting NATO commitments.
Liberals claim to be the party of law and order now. Inside the party's about-face on crime
After years of criminal justice reform that included a lighter touch for some offenders, the federal Liberal government has done an about-face over the last year and enacted stricter policies to tamp down on crime rates that have become a political liability in some vote-rich parts of the country.
Venezuelans on the front line of earthquake relief: 'It's all improvisation'
As the official death toll continues to rise following Wednesday's earthquakes, Venezuelans say the civilian population has shouldered the brunt of the rescue and recovery work.
Anthropic’s Mythos 5 AI model cleared by U.S. for wider use
The clearance eases a confrontation that erupted two weeks ago when the government abruptly barred Anthropic from giving foreign nationals access to Mythos 5 and a related model.
Are we in for a summer of serial heatwaves?
Forecasters have suggested that summer is likely to be warmer than average with an increased chance of more heatwaves, as Simon King explains.
Germany could revive conscription by mid-2027, senior lawmaker says
Berlin is looking to revamp its army and has committed to increase its troop strength to at least 260,000 soldiers — up from the current 185,000 — by 2035.
Who could England face in last 32 after qualifying for next round?
England's place in the knockout stages of the World Cup is confirmed by other results before they face Panama in their final group game on Saturday.
Temperature records broken in Europe, heatwave moves east
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From Scandinavia to the Alps, Europeans endured sweltering conditions with temperatures breaching 40C in some parts.
An analyst’s missed remark surfaced in deadly Iran school strike probe
An analyst's missed remarks and U.S. intelligence systems that weren't connected to one another are among the missteps that led to an airstrike on an Iranian school.
Yoon Ina stretches lead to five strokes Women's PGA Championship
WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Yoon Ina conjured five birdies in a three-under par 69 on Friday to push her lead to five strokes in the Women's PGA Championship, where Nelly Korda was six adrift in her bid for a third straight major title. Yoon, whose Thursday 63 matched the lowest first round in the history of the event, built a 36-hole total of 12-under 132 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, where she'll take the lead into the weekend in a major championship for the first time. "It's a
Swiss glaciers facing drastic loss from heat wave
The snow and ice accumulated last winter by Switzerland's glaciers is expected to have all melted away by Monday.
U.S. and Iran trade strikes putting new strain on Mideast ceasefire
The U.S. said its strikes were a response to "unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces" that "clearly violated the ceasefire."
Suspected drug overdose at Wellington's mysterious Woofingtons castle
A woman died at a Wellington castle-like mansion after drinking GHB from a bottle, her friend says.
2 more Korean vessels clear Strait of Hormuz
Two additional South Korean vessels have cleared the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded there for months amid the conflict in the Middle East, the oceans ministry said Saturday. "Two vessels operated by South Korean shipping companies, which had been waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz, are sailing normally after passing through the strait," a ministry official said. They were among the 26 South Korea-related vessels that had been stranded in the strait after Iran blocked shipping routes in t
Seoul envoy says Korean War veterans' sacrifices remain foundation of S. Korea-US alliance
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top envoy to the United States said Friday that the sacrifices of Korean War veterans laid the foundation for the bilateral alliance, stressing that strong security cooperation is "essential" amid growing North Korean threats and other challenges. Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha made the remarks during an event commemorating the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 war at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, underscoring that South Korea will
Gripping, star-studded environmental thriller
Past ties drag corporate lawyer Rob into conflict with a company he usually assists.
S. Korea to provide $5m in humanitarian aid to quake-hit Venezuela
South Korea will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country’s northern region, the Foreign Ministry said Friday. The aid will be delivered through international organizations and used to support recovery efforts in affected areas and provide relief for displaced residents, the ministry said. “We hope the assistance will help with the recovery of the affected areas and support the swift return to daily life for local residents,” th
Madonna was 'jealous of Kylie' - and more things we learned in her Graham Norton interview
All the revelations from Madonna's chat with Graham Norton, including a big hint about Glastonbury.
See it, say it, not sorted. I was let down when I reported my train sexual assault
After reporting an incident on a train, Esme Rice waited 13 hours for a response from the British Transport Police.
Biopic starring Will Smith as Venus and Serena Williams' father
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Richard Williams is determined to write daughters Venus and Serena into sporting history.
Ukraine’s Crimea attacks expose limits of Putin’s protection
Ukrainian drone and missile strikes are disrupting Russian logistics and supply routes to Crimea, plunging the region into crisis as officials resort to emergency measures.
Israel and Lebanon reach framework deal aiming to end conflict
Israel will maintain a "security zone" along the boundaries of the yellow line, which marks a seized territory that stretches some 10 km into Lebanon from the Israeli border.
Michael Bublé surprises fans with intimate Dublin gig
Michael Bublé surprised fans with an intimate performance at Dublin's Ruby Sessions on Friday night ahead of his shows in Dublin and Limerick this weekend.
Japan and India to set up framework for promoting biogas-run cars
The two sides will aim to increase the number of plants in India that manufacture methane from fermented cow dung for compressed natural gas vehicles to 1,000.
Japan ‘snow monkey’ park to cap visitors after overcrowding and bad behavior
As the number of tourists snowballed, so did instances of bad behavior, such as trying to feed or touch the monkeys.
Fresh ship struck in Hormuz as Iran and US trade attacks
A tanker has reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the US and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
SH6 closed after serious crash at Kawarau Bridge
Two people are seriously injured after a three-vehicle crash near Queenstown.
Genetic switch helps land-locked whitebait adapt
Researchers find the fish undergo dramatic biological shifts when their path to the sea becomes blocked.
How completing the World Cup sticker book is like having a second job
From car park meet ups to Facebook groups, how families try to complete the set on a budget.
Over 920 dead and 50,000 missing after Venezuela quakes
Desperate Venezuelans and rescue teams are racing to find survivors after the death toll from twin earthquakes rose above 900.
Trooper Salute marches to its own beat on dazzling debut album
The quintet's debut album "Tomogachi Ga Imashita," released on June 17, features an impressive array of styles drawn from the band members' wide-ranging influences.
Japan government to avoid deficit-covering bonds for food tax cut
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The move to avoid the issuance of deficit-covering bonds follows a policy that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has consistently emphasized.
Venezuela quake crisis tests legitimacy of Delcy Rodriguez regime
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As Rodriguez's administration races to rescue victims, restore infrastructure and secure international assistance, the opposition is mounting its own support operation.
Plane appears to crash into Beijing’s tallest building
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Video footage taken by witnesses showed what appeared to be part of a small plane on the ground beside the building.
Venezuela quake toll tops 900 as search intensifies for hundreds trapped
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The government said 172 people remained trapped, 920 were dead and 3,360 injured, while a website listed more than 50,000 people reported missing.
Two years ago, she was delivering parcels - now KWN is an R&B star
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The R&B singer broke out with the single Worst Behaviour, which she sold on a custom-built website.
Going to a festival as a neurodivergent person can be tough - but there are ways to recharge
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Some festivals are rolling out calm spaces and noise-cancelling headphones, but there are calls to go further.
Why GTA 6 will launch without a disc and what it means for gamers
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Music and films are now largely digital-only - does the lack of a disc for GTA 6 mean gaming is going the same way?
Could you handle a 20-plus hour flight? This airline is banking on it
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Some analysts say the first non-stop London to Sydney flight is a major milestone - but would you buy a ticket?
They quit the West for Russia's traditional values. It wasn't what they expected
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The BBC asks Westerners who moved to Russia if life there lives up to expectations.
Meloni and Trump: A very public fall-out that is proving very hard to fix
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Italy's PM was not long ago being called the "Trump whisperer", but their relationship has gone from public attacks to personal insults.
Three unusual things about the King's tax bill
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King Charles paid £12.9m in tax for 2024-2025 - here's what we know about his unique tax situation.
World Cup 2026: New Zealand 1-5 Belgium, Egypt 1-1 Iran
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Read how it all unfolded as Belgium climbed to the top of Group G, ahead of Egypt, with hoping to get one of the best third-placed berths.
World Cup: C Verde 0-0 Saudi, Uruguay 0-1 Spain recap
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Read how it all unfolded as Cape Verde finished second in Group H to set up a date with Argentina in the Round of 32.
B.C. woman sets record at 4,400-km Tour Divide bike race
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A cyclist from Kelowna has broken the women's record at the Tour Divide, an event many consider the pinnacle of offroad ultra-distance bike racing.
US strikes Iran after attack on ship in Strait of Hormuz
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The US attacked Iran in response to an Iranian drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military has said, throwing the future of the interim peace deal recently agreed between the two countries into question.
Consistory: First day of discussions concludes with a focus on peace
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In the Paul VI Hall, the second session of the Extraordinary Consistory centered on peace, emphasizing the need to work toward building peace and a "civilization of love." Many groups also emphasize the need to move beyond the logic of the "just war" doctrine and instead speak of the right to proportionate self-defense.
Alberta says pipeline proposal on track for July 1 deadline, as uncertainty hangs over project
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As a Canada Day deadline fast approaches for a pipeline submission to Ottawa's major projects office, questions still surround whether the proposal will be ready in time, and if the project is commercially viable.
Gathering at Greasy Grass marks 150th anniversary of the Battle at Little Bighorn
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Thursday marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass, known to many as the Battle of Little Bighorn. For Native Americans, it's a time to commemorate one of the most famous and symbolically charged events in U.S. history.
Skyward by David H. Levy – June 2026
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David H. Levy is recovering from an illness, and has resumed his nightly observations.
DUP launches review into issues arising around Donaldson
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The DUP has announced it is commissioning an independent review into a "number of issues arising" following the conviction of former leader Jeffrey Donaldson.
Maple Leafs make forward Gavin McKenna first pick of NHL draft
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The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted slick Whitehorse-born winger Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick on Friday night in Buffalo, N.Y.
Ottawa adds retired judge Corrine Sparks to diversity council after pushback over membership
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The first Nova Scotian of African descent to be appointed to the province's judiciary, now retired, is joining the federal government's newly formed Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, after scathing criticism directed at Ottawa for its initial omission of a Black representative.
California appeals court upholds Weinstein's rape conviction, orders resentencing
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An appeals court on Friday upheld Harvey Weinstein's 2022 rape and sexual assault conviction in California, but ordered his trial judge to resentence him.
B.C. launches probe into StubHub over World Cup resale ticket fiasco
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British Columbia's attorney general announced an inquiry into online ticketing site StubHub, days after a CBC News investigation that revealed a mass failure by the ticket reseller platform and cancellation of thousands of FIFA World Cup tickets in Vancouver, Toronto and host cities across North America.
Artist Joe Caslin unveils latest artwork ahead of Pride
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Irish artist Joe Caslin has unveiled his latest artwork 'Seen' in Dublin city centre ahead of Pride this weekend.
Canada hopes to avoid slow start in World Cup knockout match against South Africa
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Forward Tani Oluwaseyi knows Canada can't afford another slow start when it faces South Africa on Sunday in a FIFA World Cup knockout match in Los Angeles.
Trump threatens 100% tariff over digital services tax
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US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap a 100T tariff on European countries that impose a digital services tax, adding that existing trade deals would be scrapped.
Ireland stun world champions India at Stormont
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The Ireland men's cricket team have beaten T20 world champions India by 34 runs at a sweltering Stormont - their first win over them in their 20th meeting across all formats including nine T20 internationals.
Here's a look at the controversial Palestinian exhibit unveiled at Winnipeg's human rights museum
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After four years of development, a new exhibit focused on displaced Palestinians has been unveiled at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
Kinahan figure in court over UK extradition warrant
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One-time senior Kinahan Cartel member Peter 'Peadar' Keating has appeared before the High Court in Dublin on foot of an extradition warrant from the UK.
Kiwi accused of sharing violent extremist material faces additional charges in Australia
The 24-year-old was initially charged by Australian police in February, after Border Force officers found videos on his phone of multiple overseas terrorist attacks.
U.S. strikes Iran in retaliation for attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz
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The U.S. struck Iran on Friday to respond to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries to begin working to end their months-long war and reopen the pivotal waterway.
Global warming leading to 'very extreme humidity levels'
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A Maynooth-based climate scientist said global warming is leading to "very extreme humidity levels" and that each summer is going to get hotter and hotter as a result.
OpenAI restricts release of newest ChatGPT model to Trump-approved group during testing period
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OpenAI says its new AI product, called GPT-5.6 Sol, will only be initially available to a "small group of trusted partners" approved by the Trump administration. The move comes after OpenAI's rival, Anthropic, took two of its models offline shortly after release to comply with a Trump directive.
Boiling point: The week of extreme heat
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Danger to life warnings and record heat: how the UK and Europe struggled to cope.
Home goods store Flying Tiger lands in Canada, where competition awaits
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The Danish brand that sells all-things cheap and cute, like dish towels in fruit motifs, animal-shaped erasers and jewelry boxes resembling fancy sofas for low prices, opened its first Canadian store at Toronto's Eaton Centre on Friday. Experts say the brand will face competition from the likes of Miniso and Daiso — Asian entrants which also came to the Canadian market in recent years.
Toronto hotels emptier during first 2 weeks of World Cup than same time last year: industry group
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An organization representing Toronto hotels says demand for accommodations in the city is down as more rooms stood empty during the first two weeks of the World Cup than in the same time last year.
And so "climate" returns
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The next--and most important--cycle in a long-running battle
Martin Scorsese on the sense of wonder in filmmaking
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On June 25, the Anteo Palazzo del Cinema in Milan, “La Milanesiana,” hosted a tribute to American film director Martin Scorsese, who sent a video message shown at the event, which was attended by Fr. Antonio Spadaro, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
Former Ireland women's rugby head coach Philip Doyle has died aged 61.
Podcast: 30 years since the murder of Veronica Guerin
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Journalist Veronica Guerin was murdered in her car 30 years ago as she waited at traffic lights on the Naas dual carriageway.
The King (sort of) reveals his finances
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King Charles has become the first monarch to reveal their tax bill, paying £12.9m.
Ex-husband found guilty of murdering Tatjana Stefanski in B.C. Interior
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Vitali Stefanski has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2024 death of his ex-wife, Tatjana Stefanski.
Tyrone defiance necessary in face of Kingdom lost cause
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The result is not the be-all and end-all for Tyrone this weekend, but they must put up a fight to stop the Kerry coronation, writes Enda McGinley.
Small aircraft crashes into Beijing's tallest building
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An aircraft about the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest building, CITIC Tower, two bystanders said, as police closed off roads around the skyscraper and stopped passersby from filming the scene.
Consistory: 178 Cardinals take part in the first session with Pope Leo
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The first session of Pope Leo XIV's Extraordinary Consistory brought together 178 cardinals, who reflected on the world's growing social, political and spiritual challenges while reaffirming the Church's mission to foster communion, peace and hope.
Solicitors protest outside CCJ against new payment model
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Around 100 solicitors who work in the criminal legal aid system in Dublin have protested outside the Courts of Criminal Justice against a new model of payment due to be introduced next week.
Edmonton, central Alberta expected to get drenched with up to 70 mm of rain
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After weeks of water-logged weather, communities in the Edmonton region and across central Alberta are again bracing for another severe rainstorm.
Lise Hand, friend of journalist Veronica Guerin, said her death stopped people in their tracks because not only was she a well-known journalist, but she was a wife, a mother and a young woman who had been "executed in broad daylight".
Is your name Janice? Drake would like to apologize for his song Janice STFU with a very exclusive party
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If your name is Janice and you feel personally victimized by Drake’s song Janice STFU, you're in luck — provided you can show government-issued ID. Representatives for the Canadian rapper confirmed he plans to make amends by throwing exclusive Janices-only apology parties in multiple cities, including Toronto.
Registered sex offender pleads guilty to sexual assault of 3-year-old in Welland, Ont., other charges
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Daniel Senecal was arrested on Aug. 31, 2025, after police were called to a home in Welland, Ont., for a "medical assistance call involving a child." The 26-year-old pleaded guilty this week in St. Catharines court to multiple charges.
Strong earthquake jolts Yamanashi and Kanagawa amid landslide fears
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The magnitude 5.6 quake came as two tropical storms neared the main island of Honshu, with heavy rain falling in recent days and more to come over the weekend.
Europe heatwave swamps hospitals, halts parties
BERLIN — Authorities banned alcohol and major weekend festivities as a deadly European heatwave was forecast to shift east on Friday, choking 150 million people under 35C temperatures. Medics in Britain and France warned hospitals were struggling with the heat and a surge in emergency calls. German's weather service DWD warned of "severe to extreme heat stress in nearly all parts of the country," with records likely to be broken. Authorities have reported hundreds of people dead in Spain and others across Europe, including in France, where scores of people drowned and several children died in hot cars. Some cooler air breezed over western parts, but central and eastern Europe warned their heatwaves had yet to peak. The Czech Republic and Hungary were on red alert for the weekend, with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius forecast. Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming driven by humans burning fossil fuels — and are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense. Heat dome At a homeless shelter on Thursday in Berlin, where the tempe
MOSCOW — Authorities in Russian-annexed Crimea on Friday declared an "emergency situation" in a bid to ease the fallout from increasing Ukrainian aerial attacks on the peninsula. The announcement comes amid fuel shortages and power cuts triggered by the Ukrainian attacks on logistics chains and oil facilities across Crimea, the rest of Russian-occupied Ukraine and southern Russia. "A decision has been made... to sign decrees declaring a regional-level emergency situation in the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol," the Moscow-installed governor Sergey Aksyonov said in a post on Telegram. The emergency situation would allow for a "rapid resolution of tasks related to ensuring the stable operation of all sectors," Aksyonov said in the post. Kyiv has stepped up its air attacks that it calls fair retribution for Russia's near-daily barrages on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure since Moscow launched its offensive in February 2022. Russian air defenses shot down 660 Ukrainian drones overnight, including over the capital Moscow and the annexed Crimea, its defense ministry
Lee meets Japanese chair of bilateral lawmakers' union, calls for closer ties
President Lee Jae Myung met with a Japanese lawmaker who heads a bilateral lawmakers' union Friday and emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries amid international uncertainties. Lee held a meeting with Ryota Takeda, chair of the South Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' union, a bipartisan lawmakers' group promoting bilateral ties, at Cheong Wa Dae. "International relations are becoming increasingly complex," Lee said during the meeting, adding, "At times like this, significantly improving South Korea-Japan relations would be beneficial to both countries." The president said he hopes the two countries will greatly improve their ties and become "ever closer" neighbors. Exchanges between the two countries' lawmakers are as important as those between their peoples and leaders, Lee noted, expressing hope for closer interaction between the two parliaments. Takeda referred to the "shuttle diplomacy" under which Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi exchanged back-to-back reciprocal visits, calling it a "new role model." The Japanese lawmaker also recalled a Ja
Police capture suspect behind stabbing at museum in central Seoul
Police on Friday captured a suspect accused of stabbing a man at a museum in central Seoul, hours after he fled the scene, officials said. The suspect in his 70s, whose identity remains unknown, is accused of stabbing the victim in his 40s with a sickle at the Ilmin Museum of Art early Friday morning, according to police. He then fled the scene. The Jongno Police Station said it put the suspect under urgent arrest after finding him hiding at a friend's residence in Seoul's Gwanak Ward at 5:50 p.m. The victim was being treated at a nearby hospital after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials. Police plan to look into the exact circumstances of the incident and the suspect's motives before filing for a warrant to arrest him.
Korea cuts fuel price cap by 150 won per liter as oil prices retreat
Korea will lower its fuel price cap by 150 won ($0.09) per liter starting Saturday, reflecting the recent decline in global crude oil prices and easing tensions in the Middle East, the government said Friday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced that the seventh round of the country's fuel price cap system will take effect at midnight Saturday, lowering the ceiling for gasoline, diesel and kerosene by 150 won per liter from the previous level. The move came after Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said earlier Friday that the government would adjust the cap system while maintaining emergency measures aimed at stabilizing consumer prices. "The government will adjust the emergency measures currently in place in phases by closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and the Korean economy," Koo said during a meeting of economy-related ministers. Under the new cap, refiners will be allowed to supply gasoline at up to 1,784 won per liter, diesel at 1,773 won and kerosene at 1,380 won. The government expects retail fuel prices at gas stations to fall from the low-2,000 won
Ex-Japanese PM calls on Seoul to mend Japan-China rift
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — South Korea should take the lead in reviving trilateral diplomacy with China and Japan by pushing for a three-way summit as soon as possible, former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Friday. Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, Hatoyama said Seoul is uniquely positioned to bridge a deepening rift between Tokyo and Beijing. "What I expect the most is that South Korea will take the lead in holding a trilateral summit by talking to China as early as possible, as the current relations between Beijing and Tokyo are not easy. I hope South Korea could create that mood," said Hatoyama, the 93rd prime minister of Japan and current president of the East Asian Community Institute. Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have deteriorated sharply following remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who said Japan could respond to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan. China, which considers Taiwan its own territory under the One China principle, responded by slashing the number of flight
NATO deputy commander wants Turkey summit to spur more defense spending, show unity
LONDON — NATO's deputy commander told The Associated Press that he wants a summit in Turkey to spur member countries to spend more on defense, reaffirm support for Ukraine and underline the unity of the alliance. Air Chief Marshal John Stringer, NATO’s deputy supreme allied commander in Europe, spoke to AP in London less than two weeks before the crucial Ankara summit on July 7-8 tests the cohesion of the 77-year-old alliance. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent conflicting signals over America's force posture in Europe and has threatened to leave the alliance. He has also unnerved European leaders with his push to annex Greenland and his flattery of NATO adversary Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lambasted NATO allies last week for not allowing use of their bases to attack Iran, as he announced a surprise six-month review of American forces in Europe. Meanwhile, in the U.K. — the country which holds the position of NATO deputy supreme allied commander — government ministers quit recently over what they said were military spending plans that
Supreme Court finalizes acquittal of 'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su in sexual misconduct case
The top court on Friday finalized the acquittal of "Squid Game" actor O Yeong-su on charges of sexually harassing a woman in 2017, ending a legal battle that had lasted more than three years since his indictment. The Supreme Court dismissed the prosecution's appeal and upheld the lower court's ruling that acquitted the 82-year-old of sexual assault charges, according to judicial officials. O was indicted without physical detention in 2022 on charges of hugging and kissing a woman on the cheek against her will during a regional tour for a play in 2017. The district court had initially sentenced the actor to an eight-month prison term, suspended for two years, but the appellate court overturned the ruling and acquitted O of the charges. The appeals court at the time said O may have committed sexual assault but still acquitted him, citing the need to protect the defendant's interest in cases where reasonable doubt remains. The prosecution has since appealed the acquittal, but the top court dismissed the appeal. O won Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role on TV at the 2022 Golden G
‘Hana Korea’ spotlights realistic journey of North Korean defector
A new cinematic collaboration between South Korea and Denmark is set to hit local theaters in July to offer an emotional and realistic look into the challenges faced by North Korean defectors settling in South Korean society. The film “Hana Korea” follows the journey of a young female defector named Hye-seon (Kim Min-ha), who strives to move forward despite facing an unfamiliar and harsh environment. The story is inspired by in-depth interviews with around 30 North Korean defectors who have settled in the South. The title of the film directly connects to Hanawon, officially named the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, where defectors stay to prepare for their new lives. The name combines the Korean word "hana," meaning one, and "won," meaning facility. This reflects the center's core mission to help defectors adapt and truly become "one" with South Korean society, explaining why the movie is called “Hana Korea.” The movie realistically portrays the struggles of immigrants through the lens of Hye-seon. While the protagonist arrives in South Korea seeking freedom,
Korean, Iranian FMs discuss Hormuz transit, Mideast situation over phone
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, held phone talks Friday and discussed recent developments in the Middle East, including vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz, Seoul's foreign ministry said. During the talks, Cho welcomed the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending their monthslong conflict and expressed hope for the faithful implementation of the agreement, as well as further progress in follow-up negotiations, according to the ministry. Cho also stressed the importance of ensuring the free and safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi briefed Cho on the status of negotiations with Washington and Iran's position on related issues. "The two ministers also exchanged views on pending bilateral issues and agreed to remain in close communication regarding the safety of vessels and crews, as well as the protection of their nationals," the ministry said in a release. The call marked the fifth telephone conversation between the two ministers since the conflict began in lat
Watching World Cup may be good for your health, studies suggest
As the FIFA Men's World Cup reaches a fever pitch, football fans have gathered in homes, offices, cafés and public viewing sites to share the excitement. Beyond the thrill of the game, research suggests that watching and cheering for sporting events may also provide measurable benefits for both mental and physical health. One study that supports this is a paper published in the January 2023 issue of the journal Frontiers in Public Health. Conducted by a research team led by Helen Keyes from the Department of Psychology and Sport Science at Anglia Ruskin University in the U.K., the study is titled "Attending Live Sporting Events Predicts Subjective Wellbeing and Reduces Loneliness." The research team analyzed survey data from 7,209 British adults aged 16 to 85. People who watched live sporting events reported higher levels of life satisfaction and a stronger sense that their lives were meaningful — two widely used indicators of overall well-being. They also reported feeling less lonely. The researchers noted that previous studies have consistently shown that greater life satisfaction i
German author reflects on kindness, loss and caring for aging parents
German author Volker Kitz met readers in Seoul Thursday, during the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, sharing the deeply personal story behind his Der Spiegel bestseller "Aging Parents: On Caretaking and the Time We Have Left" — a direct translation from its German title — newly published in Korea under the title "I Decided to Be Kind to You Until the End." Invited by the German Embassy in Korea and Korean publisher Gimmyoung, it was Kitz 's first visit to Korea. The Berlin-based writer, lawyer and columnist has authored 10 books, with "The Laws of the Mind" selling more than 100,000 copies in Korea. The latest book draws on Kitz's experience caring for his father, who lived with dementia. Introducing the event, a Gimmyoung editor said the book initially appeared to be about aging parents and caregiving, but ultimately revealed itself to be a meditation on kindness. “Although we cannot stop our parents from growing old or stop time itself, what we can choose is our attitude,” the editor said. “And in this book, that attitude is kindness.” Kitz opened the event by reciting t
N. Korean defectors revisit heavily-fortified border for fleeting look at home
For the nearly 100 North Korean defectors who boarded a special train heading north from Seoul on Friday, the journey was a painful exercise in geographical proximity. Traveling to the edge of the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily mined buffer strip separating the two Koreas, they reached an elevated vantage point that offered the closest physical view of their native towns since they risked their lives to cross one of the world's most heavily fortified borders. The daylong pilgrimage, organized by the Ministry of Unification, served as a poignant prelude to the upcoming third annual North Korean Defectors’ Day on July 14. The national holiday was established to recognize the civic integration of the more than 34,000 defectors now living in the South, a community increasingly referred to by officials as "bukhyangmin" — defectors who honor their North Korean heritage while adapting to the complexities of life in the democratic South. The group — comprising community organizers, vulnerable families and young university students — arrived via the DMZ Peace Connection Train at Dorasa
2 foreigners flee to Brunei after vandalizing Busan subway
Police said Friday they have identified and are pursuing two foreign nationals accused of vandalizing a subway train with graffiti at a rail depot in Busan before fleeing to another country. The Busan Gangseo Police Station said the suspects are an Australian man in his 20s and a Belgian man in his 30s, facing charges of trespassing and property damage. They allegedly entered the depot in Gangseo District at around 2:51 a.m. on Tuesday and spray-painted a two-car subway train. CCTV footage showed them scaling a fence before carrying out the graffiti attack. Officers said the painting itself took only about three minutes, although the two men remained inside the depot for roughly 18 minutes before leaving. After the incident, the suspects boarded a KTX train bound for Seoul. Police believe they deliberately attempted to evade detection by wearing face masks, changing clothes multiple times, paying with cash and getting off at different locations. Investigators said the pair flew to Brunei the following day. Police tracked their movements by reviewing CCTV footage before confirming through
GC Wellbeing secures rights to obesity treatment RZL-012 for Korean market
Korean health care company GC Wellbeing signed a strategic partnership agreement with U.S.-Israeli biotechnology firm Raziel Therapeutics to commercialize a localized obesity treatment in Korea. The agreement, finalized Thursday at the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, California — the world's largest biotechnology industry event — grants GC Wellbeing exclusive commercialization rights for RZL-012 in Korea. GC Wellbeing will also participate as both a strategic and financial investor in Raziel Therapeutics. The two companies said the partnership would combine Raziel's innovative technology with GC Wellbeing's commercialization capabilities to create new growth opportunities in the rapidly expanding medical aesthetics and obesity treatment markets. The ceremony was attended by Raziel Therapeutics Chairman Philip Shayson and CEO Alan Blumenfeld. GC Wellbeing was represented by CEO Kim Sang-hyun, who reaffirmed the company's commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership. Kim Hyo-jun, chairman of Future Consulting Group and former chairman of BMW Group Korea, also a
US professor questioned over alleged defamation of President Lee
Morse Tan, a Korean American professor at U.S.-based Liberty University, has been questioned by police over his alleged defamation of President Lee Jae Myung, his lawyers said Friday. The U.S. professor underwent a two-hour private questioning session Thursday, according to his lawyers. Tan is accused of falsely claiming at a press conference in the United States last year that Lee was involved in murder as a teenager and had been sent to a juvenile detention center for the crime. "We believe further questioning to be highly unlikely," the lawyers said in a notice to the press. Tan was originally scheduled for questioning Wednesday but demanded a change in schedule, citing concerns of media exposure. After entering the country on May 28 to observe the June 3 local elections, Tan had failed to comply with earlier police summons. Consequently, police requested a travel ban on the professor, and the justice ministry earlier barred him from leaving the country until Tuesday.
Busan uses K-pop to woo int'l students to stay after graduation
Looking to convert international students into permanent residents, Korea’s second-largest city is launching a major cultural festival, pairing its pitch for regional settlement with the gravitational pull of K-pop. Busan will host the 2026 Foreign Student Festival, Saturday, at Busan Asiad Auxiliary Stadium, the Busan Metropolitan City said Friday. Operating under the banner "Stay in Busan, Connecting the World," the festival is strategically synchronized with the Busan One Asia Festival, a massive K-pop concert drawing thousands of international fans to the main stadium. By placing the student event directly in the concert's holding area, city officials hope to spark natural networking between local residents, international tourists and the city’s foreign students. The initiative comes as provincial Korean cities grapple with steep demographic declines, prompting local governments to aggressively pursue efforts to recruit and retain international students to stabilize regional labor markets. Rather than relying purely on administrative job fairs, Busan’s festival utilizes a gamif
Civic groups oppose unification minister's 'two-state' approach
Civic organizations advocating the reunification of the Korean Peninsula urged the Lee Jae Myung administration to abandon what they called its "two-state relationship" policy, arguing that it contradicts Korea's Constitution and risks legitimizing the permanent division of the Korean Peninsula. The criticism stems from the Lee Jae Myung administration's first white paper on unification, released last month, which describes inter-Korean relations as "a peaceful two-state relationship." The coalition argued that the wording effectively formalizes the view that the two Koreas are de facto separate states, a position it said runs counter to the Constitution's goal of national reunification. At a press conference at the National Assembly on Thursday, 54 civic organizations under the One Korea National Coalition called on Lee to issue a public apology and demanded the resignation of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young. Lee Hee-bum, co-chair of the coalition and standing president of the Korea NGO Association, linked the controversy to the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Kor
Seoul court upholds 6-month prison sentence for US streamer Johnny Somali
A Seoul appeals court upheld a six-month prison sentence Thursday for American YouTuber Johnny Somali, rejecting appeals by both prosecutors and the defendant in a case involving disruptive public acts and sexually explicit deepfakes. The Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Appeals Division 1 maintained the lower court's sentence of six months in prison and 20 days of detention for the streamer, whose legal name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael. However, the court set aside an earlier order to confiscate a mobile phone used in the crimes, stating the confiscation lacked legal grounds. Somali faced charges including interfering with business operations and distributing sexually explicit deepfakes under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. The content creator drew widespread public anger after kissing the Statue of Peace, a memorial to victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery. The formal charges stemmed partly from an October 2024 incident at a convenience store in Seoul's Mapo District. He played loud music and spilled cup noodle broth on a table, disrupting bu
UK envoy publicly backs Hanwha Ocean's bid for Canada's submarine project
The British ambassador to Korea publicly expressed support for Hanwha Ocean's bid to win Canada's next-generation submarine program during a recent meeting with President Lee Jae Myung, signaling the U.K. government's willingness to cooperate with the Korean shipbuilder on the multibillion-dollar defense project. British Ambassador Colin Crooks told Lee during a reception for the diplomatic corps at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday, in Korean, that "the U.K. government would like to work with Hanwha on the Canadian submarine project." Lee responded with a smile, saying, "Yes, I hope it succeeds." The comments are widely seen as more than a diplomatic courtesy, given the United Kingdom's growing involvement in Hanwha Ocean's campaign to secure the Canadian contract. Hanwha Ocean has partnered with Babcock Canada, a subsidiary of British defense contractor Babcock International, through a memorandum of understanding and a teaming agreement for the Canadian program. Under the arrangement, Hanwha Ocean would supply the submarine platform and oversee construction, while Babcock would provide in-count
KOSPI slides nearly 6% amid profit-taking in chips
KOSPI tumbled nearly 6 percent on Friday, as the index came under pressure from profit-taking after recent gains, in addition to a sharp overnight decline in U.S. equities. The benchmark index opened down 117.12 points, or 1.31 percent, at 8,813.18 and swung between gains and losses before closing at 8,411.21, down 519.09 points, or 5.81 percent, from the previous session. Heavy losses in large-cap technology stocks amplified the decline, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix falling 5.29 percent and 8.36 percent, respectively. As selling intensified, pushing KOSPI down more than 8 percent from the previous day’s close for one minute, the Korea Exchange imposed a circuit breaker at 12:10 p.m., halting trading on the main board for 20 minutes. Earlier, a sidecar was triggered at around 11:12 a.m. after KOSPI 200 futures fell more than 5 percent, briefly curbing program-driven selling. The KOSPI circuit breaker was triggered for the fifth time this year, with nearly half of all 11 activations since the mechanism was introduced now occurring this year. In a rare sequence, the safeguard was
Unification minister calls for moving away from 'denuclearization first' policy for N. Korea
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young called Friday for shifting away from an approach that sticks to denuclearization as the sole solution to the North Korean nuclear issue, saying such a precondition has been one of the reasons for stalled diplomacy with Pyongyang. Chung made the remarks in a keynote speech at a forum, co-hosted by Yonhap News Agency, pointing out that the lack of progress in nuclear diplomacy has only helped the North bolster its nuclear and weapons capabilities for the past three decades. "As the past 30 years have shown, whenever peace talks were halted by the denuclearization hurdle, North Korea used that time to further advance its nuclear capabilities," Chung said at the Korean Peninsula Symposium. "We must move away from the old notion that a peace regime can only be discussed after the North Korean nuclear issue is resolved ... We need to pursue a phased and pragmatic solution. It is time for a paradigm shift," he said. Recalling major breakthroughs in nuclear diplomacy with Pyongyang in the past, Chung stressed the path toward peace opened up when relevant cou
Korea launches joint drone headquarters
The Ministry of National Defense unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the military’s drone operations Friday, shifting combat responsibilities from a centralized drone command to individual service branches while creating a new defense drone headquarters under the ministry. Under the restructuring, operational control of drone units will be distributed across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The existing drone operations command headquarters will be reorganized into a defense drone headquarters focused on force development, procurement support and cooperation with the private sector — no longer commanding combat units directly. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East had demonstrated that drones had become game changers on the battlefield. “In the past, a small number of expensive weapons systems dominated the battlefield. Now, large numbers of low-cost drones are fundamentally changing the way wars are fought,” Ahn said. Ahn said the policy is intended to strengthen the military’s defense capabilities against unmanned aerial veh
Korea Zinc, Australian government discuss critical minerals cooperation
Korea Zinc said Friday that it has come to an agreement with the Australian government to strengthen communication and explore new opportunities for cooperation aimed at advancing critical minerals value chains and enhancing supply chain resilience. According to the company, Chairman Choi Yun-beom met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday to discuss ways to bolster Australia's critical minerals supply chain and improve the competitiveness of its smelting industry. During the meeting, Choi introduced Korea Zinc's Project Crucible, a large-scale integrated smelter project currently under development in Tennessee. Under the project, Korea Zinc plans to invest a total of $7.4 billion by 2029 to build an integrated smelting facility in Clarksville, Tennessee, capable of processing approximately 1.1 million tons of raw materials annually. Choi explained that the project combines Korea Zinc's advanced smelting technology with policy support from the U.S. government to help establish a stable and secure critical minerals supply chain. In response, Albanese descr
Hyundai Motor unveils redesigned AI-driven Avante sedan
Hyundai Motor has unveiled the all new Avante, the eighth-generation version of its best-selling compact sedan, at the 2026 Busan International Mobility Show, marking the global debut of the model that reflects the automaker’s accelerating shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered mobility, the carmaker said Friday. The redesigned Avante came about six years after the launch of its predecessor in 2020. Long regarded as one of Korea’s most popular passenger cars, the Avante has been comprehensively redesigned with a stronger focus on connectivity, digital services and next-generation in-car experiences. The new model becomes Hyundai Motor’s second sedan to feature the firm’s up-to-date infotainment platform, Pleos Connect, following its flagship Grandeur sedan. It also adopts Gleo AI, Hyundai Motor Group’s generative AI-based voice assistant, extending advanced conversational AI capabilities to a broader range of customers. Hyundai Motor said the all new Avante represents a new chapter in the evolution of mobility by integrating soft
Ex-first lady sentenced to 7 years in prison for taking gifts for job appointments
A Seoul court on Friday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to seven years in prison for taking expensive gifts in return for job appointments and business favors. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence to Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, after she was indicted on charges of accepting bribes for mediation, including over 100 million won ($64,750) worth of jewelry in exchange for a government job for a son-in-law of a construction company chairman. In total, she was charged with taking approximately 300 million won worth of gifts, and the court found her guilty on all counts. "The defendant disregarded the social responsibilities associated with the position of first lady and used it merely as a means to pursue her private interests," presiding judge Cho Sun-pyo said during the hearing, which was televised live. Kim was indicted in December on charges of receiving a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and other jewelry from the construction company chairman between March and May 2022; a golden turtle ornament in April 2022 from Lee Bae-yong, former h
Lee says 3 more Korean vessels expected to exit Strait of Hormuz over weekend
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that he expects three more Korean-operated vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz to exit the waterway this weekend, leaving only two that are unable to leave the area due to other issues. Lee made the remark on X, formerly Twitter, while sharing a news article on the recent departure of eight Korean-linked ships from the strait that had effectively been shut since late February following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran. "Now there are five remaining vessels, and three of them, excluding the Namu, which is under repair, and another vessel that has stated its intention to stay due to cargo issues, are expected to pass through before the end of the weekend," he wrote. The Namu, operated by major Korean shipping company HMM, was damaged in early May after being attacked by what the government has said were likely anti-ship missiles developed by Iran. "The efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the (presidential) National Security Office and the National Intelligence Service were considerable and effective in enabling an escape of vess
Korea dispatches envoys to NATO, Europe to secure space, defense ties
In a strategic move bridging commercial space tech with Western defense architecture, Korea is dispatching a joint public-private delegation to the European Union, NATO and key Eastern European allies to secure a foothold in the rapidly integrating global space and defense markets. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said Friday that the delegation will tour Belgium, Romania and Poland beginning Monday. The multicity tour will feature a robust contingent of Korean tech and defense giants — including Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries and Hyundai Rotem — alongside cutting-edge space startups like Innospace and Nara Space. The mission underscores Seoul's ambition to transform its domestic space capabilities into an export-driven powerhouse, moving past traditional satellites into space-defense convergence. By targeting Brussels, Bucharest and Warsaw, Seoul is directly positioning its defense-heavy space sector to meet the heightened security anxieties and modernization demands gripping the North Atlantic alliance and Eastern Europe. Th
LS vice chairman highlights North America as cornerstone of global growth strategy
LS Group Vice Chairman Myung Roe-hyun underscored North America as central to the company’s global growth strategy, pledging to position the company at the forefront of the global power and energy industry through expanded investment in the region. During a 10-day visit to the United States beginning June 17, Myung met government officials and key stakeholders and inspected production sites, including the upcoming submarine power cable plant in Virginia, as the group ramps up its North American expansion, aiming to establish global leadership in power and energy. "North America represents an enormous opportunity, with decades of expansion expected to be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) data center buildouts, aging power grid upgrades and investments in renewable energy infrastructure," Myung said. "By concentrating the group's resources on our operations across 17 sites in nine U.S. states, including the Virginia submarine cable plant, and ensuring their successful execution, we aim to establish LS as a global leader in the power and energy industry." On June 18, Myung joined the
SK hynix Nasdaq ADR listing seen as potential support for won amid prolonged weakness
SK hynix’s planned American depositary receipt (ADR) listing on the Nasdaq next month is drawing attention as a potential catalyst for easing the won’s prolonged weakness, with the won-dollar exchange rate having remained above the 1,500 won level for nearly a month. Market experts estimate the listing could bring in as much as $30 billion to Korea. Should those funds be converted into won, the resulting increase in dollar supply could help ease upward pressure on the exchange rate and support the local currency. The major chipmaker’s board approved the issuance of new shares for the ADR offering and the Nasdaq listing last Thursday. The ADRs are scheduled to begin trading on July 10, with the subscription and settlement set for July 14. ADRs allow shares of foreign companies to be traded on U.S. stock exchanges, improving access for global investors. SK hynix plans to issue as many as 17.79 million new shares, or about 2.5 percent of its outstanding stock, as part of the Nasdaq ADR listing. Based on the company’s closing share price before the board approved the transaction, the
GM Korea’s union on verge of strike as carmaker bears nearly all tariff burden
GM Korea’s labor union is on the verge of a strike after wage negotiations reached an impasse, with tensions exacerbated by the automaker’s decision to shoulder the vast majority of the cost from U.S. auto tariffs that have weighed heavily on its earnings last year. The carmaker’s labor union has moved closer to the labor action, after an overwhelming majority of members voted in favor of a strike. The status quo is feared to worsen the carmaker’s already deteriorating financial performance amid mounting tariff-related costs. Korean automakers, including GM Korea, face an auto tariff of 15 percent when exporting vehicles to the United States. Some 86.5 percent of GM Korea’s union members favored the walkout last week. The carmaker’s union and management had held nine rounds of wage negotiations, but failed to find a breakthrough. The conflict between the two sides escalated after it turned out that GM Korea did not share its tariff burden with its U.S. headquarters, instead taking on the full burden. The union argued that the tariff-related costs should be shared with headquar
French author urges Korean readers to follow inner calling over material success
French novelist Bernard Werber encouraged readers to pursue their unique calling rather than material success, arguing that true happiness comes from discovering the talent each person is born to develop. Speaking at a special lecture during the 2026 Seoul International Book Fair, Thursday, where France is this year's guest of honor, the bestselling author shared his lifelong fascination with spirituality, a recurring theme in many of his novels. Werber said he began exploring yoga, Buddhist meditation and other spiritual practices at the age of 13, leading him to believe there are two fundamentally different ways of living: one driven by materialism and another guided by spirituality. "A materialistic life revolves around finding a job, earning money, building a family and repeating the same cycle," he said. "A spiritual life begins by asking why we were born, why we are here and what only we can contribute to the world." Werber sees spirituality not as a collective doctrine but an individual journey of finding one's vocation. Each person, he said, possesses a unique talent and purpose
8 more Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz
Eight more Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to five, the maritime ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally. A total of 37 Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for Korea, the ministry said. With the latest departure, the number of Korean-linked ships remaining inside the strait has fallen to five. The ministry said 47 Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 30 aboard foreign-flagged ships. Under the ceasefire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the interim pact.
From robot football to AI art, Seoul gamifies tech for kids
As the summer heat settles over the capital, Seoul is transforming one of its tech hubs into a massive, hands-on science playground designed to make cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and drone technologies accessible to everyday citizens. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday it will host the fourth annual Seoul Future Lab Festival on Saturday at its dedicated exhibition center and across the Magok Square plaza in western Seoul. Operating under the theme "A Summer Where Future Tech Becomes Play," the single-day event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering dozens of interactive stations tailored for children and families. The festival marks a broader push by city officials to demystify complex emerging tech, moving away from dry classroom lectures toward physical, gamified learning. The event features a diverse coalition of municipal science museums, libraries and private tech startups — including AI and robotics firms like UVnex and Yusha. To handle the crowds, organizers have divided the outdoor plaza into three distinct interactive zones: a Tech Zone whe
Hong’s time is surely over
Whatever happens in the coming days, Hong Myung-bo’s time as head coach of South Korea is surely over. Regardless of whether the team squeezes into the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, there has to be a change. The coach’s two-year spell will be defined by the question posed by a reporter after the 1-0 loss to South Africa in Monterey in the final game of Group A. He wanted to know if there had been an outbreak of food poisoning or some other issue behind the scenes that could explain such a dismal performance. The video has gone viral around the world, and many see it as amusing. For Korean fans, however, it is hard to smile. Just to recap: The tournament started with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic that had people talking of the Taeguk Warriors as dark horses. Then came a poor defeat against Mexico, when the tactics seemed to be to play for a draw. Still, only a point was needed against South Africa to secure second place and a game in Los Angeles in the next round. Instead came a truly terrible performance against one of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournam
Gyeonggi Province moves to close health care gap for uninsured foreign residents
In an ambitious effort to close a gap in its health care system, Korea’s most populous province passed a landmark ordinance to provide medical services to undocumented and uninsured foreign residents, framing the measure as a critical defense for wider public safety. The Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly approved the bill this week, establishing a formal legal framework to connect marginalized foreign workers with regional public health resources. Officials announced the bill's passage Friday, emphasizing that the initiative is designed to prevent preventable medical emergencies and contain potential infectious disease outbreaks before they compromise the broader community. Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital city of Seoul, serves as Korea's industrial and agricultural heartland, relying heavily on a vast network of foreign laborers. Yet, those without valid visas or traditional employment are locked out of the country's National Health Insurance system. For these residents, a routine hospital visit can result in astronomical fees under international billing rates. Combined wit
Korean film programmer named knight of French arts and letters
Nam Jong-suk, a programmer for the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), has been awarded France’s Chevalier rank in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, marking the first time a film festival programmer in Korea has received the distinction. The festival, which opens its 30th edition on Thursday, said Nam received the honor in recognition of his contributions to film programming and international cultural exchange. The French Ministry of Culture’s Order of Arts and Letters is one of the country’s highest cultural honors and is divided into three ranks: Commandeur, Officier and Chevalier. Nam’s recognition is significant because it is the first awarded to a programmer, rather than a director or performer. The French government said it decided to confer the honor in October 2025 in recognition of Nam’s work promoting Korea-France film exchange, including through the 2025 NAFF Project Market program Focus: France. Philippe Bertoux, the French ambassador to Korea, said Nam’s career has helped open new horizons and offer innovative perspectives in cinema. “The awar
Long road ahead for Korea-US nuclear sub cooperation, says ex-US official
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines still faces a long road ahead despite Seoul's hopes of producing tangible results with Washington, according to Eliot Kang, former US assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation. “It may take more than a year. This is not simply up to the executive branch of the United States government,” Kang said during a press conference on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum, Friday. He said the initiative requires significant changes to the fundamental civil nuclear cooperation between the two allies. “In order to have supply nuclear material from the US for military use, we must have another separate agreement,” he added. “It’s probably a mutual defense agreement.” His remarks come as Seoul and Washington continue discussions on Korea's goal of acquiring its first nuclear-powered submarine following a security agreement reached by President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump last October. Seoul's foreign ministry on Monday expressed optimism that the two sides can make meaningf
Gaon Cable lands 1st global EV supply chain deal with AI data center project
Gaon Cable has secured its first project tied to the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, winning an order to supply busduct systems worth about $38 million (60 billion won) for an artificial intelligence (AI) data center operated by a global EV company. The company said Friday that its U.S. subsidiary, LSCUS, will provide the busduct systems for the facility, marking another step in expanding its presence in the fast-growing AI power infrastructure market. The latest order broadens LSCUS' customer base beyond global big tech companies to include a major electric vehicle manufacturer, the company said. Busducts are power distribution systems that deliver electricity from a data center's main power source to servers and racks. Often described as the "arteries" of AI data centers, they have become increasingly important as computing workloads require higher power density and more reliable electrical infrastructure. Gaon Cable said the AI data center power infrastructure market has high barriers to entry because suppliers must pass rigorous quality verification before winning contracts
[PHOTO] Korea Times hosts visa information webinar for international students
Lee Seong-je, top right, a career development specialist at the Korea International Trade Association, speaks during an online seminar on visas, employment and long-term stay options for international students, Thursday. The event was the second webinar in a series hosted by The Korea Times to help international students better navigate life in Korea. Dozens of students from across the country attended the session. Captured from Zoom webinar
Upbit steps onto fairway with KPGA Tour sponsorship
Dunamu, the operator of Korea’s largest digital asset exchange, Upbit, is stepping onto the fairway. The fintech heavyweight said Friday that it will serve as an official naming sponsor for the 2026 Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour, anchoring its presence with the newly minted "Upbit Long Drive Award." The corporate sponsorship reflects a broader push by cryptocurrency platforms globally to weave themselves into mainstream sports culture, trading volatile digital charts for the affluent, stable demographics of professional golf. The season-long award will honor the player who records the highest average driving distance across the entire 2026 tour. By rewarding sheer power combined with sustained accuracy over months of competition, Dunamu is betting that the award will capture the public's imagination while humanizing a brand built on complex blockchain financial architecture. "The Upbit Long Drive Award celebrates athletes who push boundaries to reach the furthest horizon," a Dunamu representative said Friday. "This closely mirrors Upbit’s own corporate ethos of
Korea designates 15th-century ceramic flask, 4 rare Buddhist artworks as nat'l treasures
A rare 15th-century ceramic flask that was smuggled out of Korea during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial occupation has been officially designated a national treasure, underscoring a renewed push by cultural authorities to elevate and protect the country’s vulnerable heritage. The flask, a Buncheong stoneware flat bottle with incised fish and line designs, is one of five historical artifacts newly designated as national treasures, the Korea Heritage Service said Friday. The designation places the pieces under strict state-backed preservation frameworks, reflecting the government's ongoing campaign to safeguard works that survived centuries of regional conflict and colonial exploitation. Crafted in the southwestern Jeolla region during the early Joseon Dynasty, the ceramic bottle is celebrated for its surprisingly modern aesthetic. After shaping the vessel on a wheel, artisans flattened its sides to create a distinct canvas, applying a white slip before scratching fluid, abstract geometric lines and waves across its surface. The flask’s journey mirrors Korea’s turbulent 20th-century h
Korea in 6th among 3rd-place teams with 2 matchdays left
Korea remained in position to sneak into the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday with two more matchdays left in the group stage. Korea are in sixth among the 12 third-place teams after Groups D, E and F finished up their play Thursday across the United States. Korea finished third in Group A on three points from a win and two losses. They fell to South Africa 1-0 in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, on Wednesday, when a win or a draw would have sent them directly to the round of 32 as the Group A runner-up. Korea's knockout status is now at the mercy of other teams. With the tournament having expanded from 32 to 48 nations, eight best third-place teams get to play in the knockout stage, along with the top two countries from each of the 12 groups. Korea began Thursday in fourth place among third-ranked teams, with Bosnia and Herzegovina, after finishing third in Group B on Wednesday, having already secured their knockout spot with four points. Then on Thursday, Ecuador and Sweden joined them at four points — with the former upsetting Germany 2-1 and the latter playing Japan to
Late rescue volunteer recognized as Itaewon disaster victim
The former owner of a store in Itaewon who killed self after suffering from a traumatizing experience of helping others killed in the 2022 crowd crush in the Seoul district was Friday named a victim of the disaster, the government said. The deceased, identified only as Park, operated a bar near the site of the accident that left 159 people killed, according to the interior ministry. Park helped transport injured people to hospitals at the time of the disaster, but had since suffered from physical and psychological trauma before being found dead at the age of 37 in April 2025. "The government will continue to make sure all necessary support is provided to the victims and their bereaved families while protecting their honor and privacy," a ministry official said.
Hyundai Rotem scores higher in global ESG ranking, upgrading from bronze for 1st time
Hyundai Rotem, the rail, defense and industrial plant affiliate of the Hyundai Motor Group, has received a Silver Medal from global ESG rating agency EcoVadis, the company announced Thursday. It is the first time the company has reached that tier, marking a one-grade improvement from the Bronze Medal it held for four consecutive years from 2022 through 2025. EcoVadis — which assesses more than 130,000 companies across 180 countries on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance — awards the Silver Medal to companies ranking in the top 15 percent of all assessed firms. The agency evaluates companies across four themes: environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Hyundai Rotem improved its scores across all four categories year-on-year. The company said its Transparent Management Committee, an internal governance body composed entirely of outside directors that has operated since 2020, contributed positively to its ethics score. The committee reviews intergroup transactions, fair trade compliance and shareholder protection matters, and publishes
Seoul, Hanoi seek to smooth out corporate tax hurdles
The heads of the tax authorities of Korea and Vietnam met in Seoul on Thursday to hammer out cross-border fiscal disputes, highlighting the growing administrative friction that threatens one of Asia’s most critical economic corridors. The 25th Korea-Vietnam Bilateral Tax Commissioners' Meeting between Lim Kwang-hyun, commissioner of the National Tax Service, and Mai Xuan Thanh, director general of Vietnam's General Department of Taxation, comes at a high-stakes juncture. Vietnam is Korea’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral commerce reaching $94.5 billion last year. Meanwhile, Korea remains the single largest foreign direct investor in Vietnam, where more than 2,600 Korean companies operate, a footprint larger than in any other foreign market, according to the state-run Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency. That deep integration, however, has led to complex corporate challenges. During the talks, Lim pressed his Vietnamese counterpart on three systemic issues squeezing Korean multinationals: chronic delays in value-added tax refunds, rising volatility in transfer prici
Korea turns to public for next tourism strategy
As Korea grapples with an accelerating demographic crisis that threatens to hollow out its rural provinces, the government is turning to its own citizens to help rescue local economies. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Tourism Organization, recently concluded a fast-paced, three-week public policy competition that drew over 1,100 submissions. The competition aims to crowdsource novel, actionable ideas to boost inbound international travel and breathe life into the country’s quiet regional economies. The initiative follows directives from February’s National Tourism Strategy Council, where officials stressed the urgent need to decentralize tourism away from Seoul. Ultimately, judges selected 20 winning proposals, ranging from regulatory overhauls to transit overhauls. Taking the grand prize was Kim Deok-hyeon, a graduate student in his 20s, who proposed expanding Korea's existing tourism resident ID card to foreign visitors. Currently restricted to citizens, the program grants cardholders discounts on lodging and experiences in designated regions with
Korea backs 100 small businesses in global export push
Korea is betting that its next generation of global export powerhouses will not come from sprawling family-run conglomerates, but from the kitchens, boutiques and workshops of its neighborhood small business owners. The Ministry of Startups and SMEs said Thursday that it selected 100 small and micro-businesses to receive tailored packaging, regulatory consulting and up to 100 million won ($72,000) each in commercialization funding. The initiative, dubbed Local to Global, reflects a strategic pivot by Seoul to transform specialized domestic merchants into international consumer brands, capturing growing global demand for Korean food, beauty, fashion and lifestyle products. The final cohort was narrowed down from 649 applicants through a highly competitive 6.5-to-1 audition process. To ensure transparency, the ministry broadcast the proceedings live on YouTube and introduced a public evaluation panel consisting of 15 domestic citizens and five foreign nationals, who vetted products firsthand at the Pangyo Creative Economy Valley startup hub. The selected enterprises relied heavily on dist
Petition calls for Korea head coach's immediate dismissal after World Cup setback
A petition is calling for the immediate dismissal of Korean national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo, just hours after the team's 0-1 loss to South Africa in its final Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a defeat that ended Korea's hopes of securing an automatic berth in the Round of 32. The petition, posted on the National Assembly's public petition website on Thursday, is seeking Hong's immediate dismissal and the "introduction of a system to invalidate coaching appointments made in violation of official procedures." The petitioner, identified only by the surname Jeon, argued that Hong's appointment had been tainted by procedural flaws from the outset. "Hong's appointment was surrounded by numerous allegations and procedural defects," the petitioner wrote. "The Korea Football Association's official selection process was effectively ignored, making it difficult to avoid criticism that the appointment was fundamentally illegitimate." The petition also blamed Hong for the national team's "lifeless" performance at the World Cup. "Despite fielding what many considered the stron
University of Seoul to dispatch global volunteer team to Kyrgyzstan in July
The University of Seoul will dispatch a summer global volunteer team to Kyrgyzstan on July 4 to provide Korean language and cultural programs as well as sports activities in Bishkek, the university said Wednesday. The university held a ceremony to launch “ 2026 Summer University of Seoul Global Volunteers: Kyrgyzstan” at the Centennial Memorial Hall on its campus in Seoul, Tuesday. The team, consisting of 25 students and three faculty and staff members, marks the university’s 23rd overseas volunteer dispatch to the Central Asian country. During their 12-day stay in Kyrgyzstan, the volunteers will provide Korean language education for local students and ethnic Koreans in Bishkek as well as specialized programs based on their majors and expertise. They will also offer cultural and sports programs, including K-pop dance, cheerleading and taekwondo. In addition, they will provide education programs linked to the Sustainable Development Goals reflecting local conditions. Furthermore, the volunteers plan to engage with local students through cultural and sports activities, including a min
Bourse operator issues circuit breaker for KOSPI on sharp fall
South Korea's bourse operator on Friday activated a circuit breaker for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as stocks crashed due to a slump in tech heavyweights. Trading of KOSPI-listed shares was halted for 20 minutes. The Korea Exchange (KRX) triggered the measure at around 12:10 p.m. after the KOSPI plummeted more than 8 percent from the previous session's close. The benchmark index came under heavy selling pressure as investors dumped large-cap technology stocks on profit-taking. It marked the fifth time this year that the KRX has activated a circuit breaker.
Korean language morphs from cultural curiosity into lifelong opportunity
Watching the winners of the third Korean Language Speaking Contest on stage at the Korea Cyber University on Wednesday brought a wave of quiet emotion to the hall. The winners delivered their speeches with highly impressive and fluent Korean. However, the real emotion came from their personal stories of growth, which connected different parts of the world to Seoul, thanks to their command of the Korean language. Organized by The Korea Times, this year’s contest drew a record-breaking 3,908 entries from 110 countries, a massive 120 percent jump from the previous year. The diversity of the participants clearly reflected the growing global popularity of the Korean language. While Asia still represented the largest group of applicants at 72.3 percent, a significant number came from Europe, with 12.8 percent, followed closely by a growing presence of applicants from Africa, with 6.8 percent. This wide geographic spread showed the language is becoming a practical tool for youth worldwide. Viewed through the lens of national pride, it is easy to simply celebrate these record numbers. However,
Korea mobilizes young diaspora across 8 cities in global networking drive
Seeking to transform a historically scattered diaspora into a tightly woven global network, Korea’s Overseas Koreans Agency announced Friday a sweeping expansion of its initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of ethnic Korean leaders living abroad. The program, known as the Future Leader’s Conference (FLC) Reunion, will stage successive networking conventions across eight major global hubs this year. Designed for young professionals aged 25 to 45, the initiative marks a concerted effort by Seoul to deepen ethnic identity, amplify geopolitical influence and build robust networks among the millions of ethnic Koreans worldwide. The global tour kicked off in New York this March and will head to Osaka, Japan, this Saturday, before moving to Munich, Germany, on July 4. Subsequent forums are scheduled throughout autumn in Tashkent, Moscow, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Paris. Unlike traditional top-down government programs, these reunions are conceived, structured and executed directly by local diaspora participants, allowing them to collaboratively tackle localized challenges. The up
KRX activates sell-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp fall
South Korea's bourse operator on Friday activated a sell-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index slid sharply. Program trading for the KOSPI was suspended for five minutes around 11:13 a.m., according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). The KOSPI sharply lost ground as investors dumped big-cap technology shares for profit hunting after a 5.42 percent hike the previous day. The KOSPI shed 451.39 points, or 5.08 percent, to 8,478.91 as of 11:13 a.m. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index decreases 5 percent or more for at least one minute.
How Korea's strict waste management confuses new foreign residents
“Are onion skins not food waste?” “Do I have to remove the cap from a glass bottle before throwing it out?” These questions came quickly during a waste sorting workshop for international students at Dongguk University’s Hyehwa Hall in central Seoul on June 17. About 20 participants followed the session in Korean and English, learning how to sort general waste, food waste and recyclables, as well as when to put trash out for collection. Many nodded as instructors explained rules that can feel routine to Koreans but confusing to newcomers. Cristina, 31, from Peru, said the system was difficult to understand when she first arrived because waste is not separated the same way in her home country. “In Peru, we don’t sort trash, so when I first came to Korea, I didn’t know what counted as general waste and what could be recycled,” she said. “I thought I had gotten used to waste sorting after living here for two years, but this was the first time I learned that chicken bones should go into general waste, not food waste.” Tan Yong Xin, 22, from Malaysia, who has been living
Lee's approval rating sinks to lowest point since taking office: Gallup poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating dropped to 51 percent, marking its lowest level since he took office in June last year, a poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,000 people aged 18 and older, showed that the positive assessment of Lee's performance fell 6 percentage points from the previous survey released two weeks earlier. His negative assessment rose 6 percentage points to 41 percent, marking the first time his disapproval rating exceeded 40 percent in Gallup polls. The economy, housing policies and alleged irregularities involving the National Election Commission, the country's election watchdog, were cited as the main reasons for the negative assessment. Support for the ruling Democratic Party remained the same at 41 percent from the previous survey, while that of the main opposition People Power Party fell 2 percentage points to 27 percent. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
Messi or Ronaldo? Study links preference to political leanings
The choice between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may reveal more than just a fan's favorite football star. It could also reflect their political leanings and psychological traits, a new study suggests. A research team led by Saifuddin Ahmed at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore analyzed the relationship between football star preferences and individual values. The preprint study, recently posted on the SSRN repository, surveyed 10,661 adults across 26 countries. The study has yet to undergo peer review, and the team plans to conduct follow-up research to analyze the specific causes behind these associations. In the preprint study, researchers asked participants whether they preferred Messi or Ronaldo and assessed their political leanings as liberal or conservative. The team also evaluated various factors, including age, self-esteem and news consumption habits. Across all 26 countries, liberal respondents tended to favor Messi, while conservative respondents tended to favor Ronaldo. This association was strongest among younger generations and weakened with age. At the countr
Cheong Wa Dae denies report of nat'l security adviser meeting Russian official in Kazakhstan
Cheong Wa Dae denied a news report Friday that National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac met with a senior Russian government official during a visit to Kazakhstan last month. According to the Donga Ilbo newspaper, which quoted multiple unnamed diplomatic sources, Wi met the Russian official behind closed doors during his May 28-30 trip, in an apparent effort to manage South Korea-Russia tensions triggered by the war in Ukraine. "The national security adviser's visit to Kazakhstan was intended for bilateral consultations between South Korea and Kazakhstan," Cheong Wa Dae said, dismissing the report as untrue. "South Korea and Russia are having necessary communication through the countries' embassies and other diplomatic channels in order to stably manage bilateral relations and protect our people and businesses," it added.
Le Sserafim to return to BlizzCon stage
K-pop girl group Le Sserafim will return to the BlizzCon stage this year to deliver the closing performance for Blizzard Entertainment’s flagship community event in September, the U.S. game developer said Friday. The five-member act is scheduled to take the main stage on Sept. 13 (Pacific Time) at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The performance will take place just ahead of the group's upcoming U.S. tour. This marks their return to the event three years after the group’s appearance in 2023, where they became the first K-pop artists to perform at BlizzCon, one of the world's largest single-franchise gaming conventions. BlizzCon is a massive weekend-long festival that draws gaming fans from around the world to celebrate major announcements, esports tournaments and cosplay, centering on Blizzard’s iconic franchises such as "World of Warcraft," "Diablo" and "Overwatch." Le Sserafim has established a strong global presence since their 2022 debut. The quintet's return to the prominent game event underscores their rising status in the mainstream American music scene.
Defense ministers of Korea, Japan to hold talks in Seoul over weekend
Defense ministers of Korea and Japan will hold talks in Seoul over the weekend, Seoul's defense ministry said Friday, as the two neighbors seek to enhance defense cooperation amid a positive mood in bilateral ties. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will meet one-on-one with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi for talks on Sunday, less than a month after their previous bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a defense forum in Singapore. Koizumi's two-day visit to Seoul starting Saturday marks a "reciprocal visit following Ahn's trip to Yokosuka in January for talks with his Japanese counterpart," the ministry said in a release. The two sides plan to announce the outcome of talks in a joint press statement. The upcoming talks come after Korea and Japan resumed their joint maritime search and rescue exercises (SAREX) earlier this month following a nine-year hiatus, in what was seen as a significant step forward in their defense ties. How the two sides will build on this momentum to further expand defense cooperation will likely be the focus of the upcoming defense ministerial talks. Drawing
Why Netflix relies on fresh faces over celebrity star power
The Korean content market is struggling to discover new actors. While familiar pairings ensure reliable entertainment, audiences have increasingly voiced fatigue over predictable A-list casting. In the midst of this stagnation, Netflix original series "If Wishes Could Kill" and "Teach You a Lesson" are drawing viewers by using fresh faces to enhance their narratives. Released June 5, "Teach You a Lesson" retained the top spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list for a second week. This success has driven growing interest in the cast. Viewers are focusing not only on the leads but also on the performers anchoring individual episodes. In Episode 5, Park Ji-yeon garnered widespread attention for her role as an overzealous parent who corners a teacher with malicious complaints. The actors portraying antagonists for the series have successfully provoked viewer anger, driving overall engagement with the series. Released earlier in April, "If Wishes Could Kill" succeeded by placing newcomers at the forefront. The series featured a rare ensemble of rising actors, including Jeon So
Korea coach unable to pinpoint reasons behind deflating loss
Some 24 hours after Korea finished third in their group with a demoralizing loss at the FIFA World Cup, head coach Hong Myung-bo still couldn't pinpoint reasons behind his team's plight Thursday. Hong instead doubled down on his mea culpa approach, saying it was his fault as head coach that his players failed to execute their game plans. Korea returned to their base camp in Zapopan, western Mexico, on Thursday, a day after losing to South Africa 1-0 in another Mexican city of Guadalupe. Korea would have finished second in Group A and punched their ticket to the round of 32 with a win or a draw, but the 25th-ranked side got blanked by the 60th-ranked squad without putting up much of a fight. Korea, who previously beat Czechia 2-1 and lost to Mexico 1-0 in Zapopan, must now wait and see if they will end up as among the eight best third-place teams that will progress to the knockout stage. With Group E having completed their play Thursday and teams in Groups D and F to follow later, Korea ranked fifth with three points and a goal difference of -1. Before a training session at Chivas Verde V
Seoul shares sharply down late Friday morning on profit taking
South Korean stocks extended losses late Friday morning as investors dumped tech shares to take profit from the previous session's sharp rally amid lingering woes on artificial intelligence (AI) investment. After opening 1.31 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended losses, losing 501.16 points, or 5.61 percent, to 8,429.14 as of 11:20 a.m. Due to the sharp drop, the bourse operator activated a sell-side sidecar for the KOSPI around 11:13 a.m., halting program trading for five minutes. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index decreases 5 percent or more for at least one minute. A selling spree by foreign and institutional investors weighed heavily on the market following a 5.42 percent spike the previous day. Wall Street was choppy as tech heavyweights finished in negative territory amid lingering concerns over the future of large-scale investment AI infrastructure. Latest data showed that U.S. consumer prices rose 4.1 percent in May, far higher than the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target, adding to projections that the centra
N. Korea's Kim inspects new facilities at Wonsan-Kalma resort on east coast
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected newly built facilities at the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone, state media reported Friday, as Pyongyang appears to be seeking to attract foreign visitors to earn hard currency. Kim visited the newly constructed Kalma Tourist Railway Station and reviewed its construction quality and operational readiness during an on-site inspection Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Calling the station's completion within a year "remarkable," Kim praised construction workers while also pointing out shortcomings in finishing work and stressing the need to strengthen legal standards on construction quality and maintenance. Kim also unveiled plans to modernize railway stations in provincial cities across the country based on the experience from the project, ordering officials to prepare scientific designs, budgets and management measures tailored to local needs. Photos released by state media showed the station equipped with convenience facilities, including snack bars, souvenir shops and retail stores. Kim also inspected a newly bu
N. Korea's Kim oversees tests of key weapons seen as aimed at S. Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has overseen tests of a new multiple rocket launcher and other weapons, stressing the need to bolster the "deadly and destructive" offensive posture against the enemy, state media reported Friday. North Korea conducted the weapons tests Thursday, the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, in an apparent bid to demonstrate its ability to target major facilities in South Korea, which the North has labeled its "primary foe." The North's leader supervised the test of "important weapons" as part of the country's project to modernize the artillery and missile forces under a five-year defense development plan, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The tests involved an upgraded version of the 240mm-caliber 24-tubular multiple rocket launcher system, "special mission" warheads for tactical ballistic missiles and the extended-range shells for a 155mm self-propelled howitzer, according to the KCNA. With the latest tests, North Korea appeared to be focused on upgrading the performance of striking means that could put South Korea wit
Uncomfortable lessons of Iran war
When wars end, most people ask a simple question: Who won? But the real question is: Who emerged stronger? The recent conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran offers a powerful reminder that military success and strategic success are not always the same thing. History is filled with examples where battlefield victories failed to produce the political outcomes for which wars were fought. From a military perspective, the United States and Israel achieved impressive results. Iranian nuclear facilities were damaged. Senior leaders and commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were eliminated. Critical military infrastructure was degraded. Iran's ability to project power suffered a significant setback. Measured in tactical terms, these were clear successes. But wars are not fought for tactical victories alone. As Carl von Clausewitz famously observed, war is a continuation of politics by other means. Military operations are instruments designed to achieve political objectives. The real question, therefore, is whether those political objectives were achieved and did th
Gov't to lower cap on fuel prices, freeze utility rates in H2
South Korea will lower the cap on fuel prices to reflect the recent decline in global crude oil prices, the finance minister said Friday, while freezing electricity and gas rates in the second half. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol made the remarks during a meeting with economy-related ministers, noting the cap system will remain in place until consumer prices are fully stabilized. Details of the adjustment to the cap are expected to be announced later Friday. In mid-March, the government introduced fuel price caps in a bid to stabilize domestic fuel prices amid supply chain disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East. "The government will adjust the emergency measures currently in place in phases by closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and the South Korean economy," Koo said. Koo noted external uncertainties have been gradually easing following the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran. "However, as uncertainties still remain surrounding follow-up negotiations, burdens on the public, such as high consumer prices, the weak Korean won, high in
Death toll in Venezuela earthquakes rises to 589 with almost 3,000 injured
CARACAS/LA GUAIRA, Venezuela — The death toll from two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela rose to 589, with 2,980 injured, acting President Delcy Rodríguez said early Friday. She made the announced surrounded by government and military officials as she welcomed the arrival of rescue crews from all over the world. “We are going to rescue the people who are trapped,” she said. “We are working tirelessly on this task.” She said the state of La Guaira has been hardest hit by the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Wednesday evening, noting that it has been militarized as crews search for survivors and distribute food and water. The International Organization for Migration said that up to 6.76 million people in Venezuela could be affected by the quakes, some 2 million of them in Caracas alone. Loyce Pace, the International Red Cross’ regional director for the Americas, said ” people are still terrified to reenter what were their homes.” The injured were pulled out covered in dust and blood, among them children. Venezuelan state TV showed dramatic images of rescues, in
How one foreign entrepreneur is building a future in Korea — on his own terms
Every summer, thousands of international students across Korea step off the stage at graduation and into a high-stakes countdown. With student visas ticking toward expiration, they find themselves in the race to secure full-time employment in a competitive job market. For many foreign graduates, the transition from campus life to a long-term career in Korea is far more complicated than they expect. While some pursue traditional corporate jobs, others are searching for different ways to build a future here. “There are a lot of talented foreigners in Korea,” said Casimir Agossou, a startup founder originally from the West African nation of Benin. “The challenge is helping people understand where they fit best and how they can contribute.” Agossou is the founder of Acafo, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based platform designed to help international job seekers better understand and navigate Korea’s employment landscape. Drawing from his own experiences studying and working in Korea over the past decade, he hopes the platform can help make the process less overwhelming for other f
[K-LIT REVIEW] Susan Choi’s family saga ‘Flashlight’ illuminates historical horrors
When a book starts with a mysterious disappearance into the sea, you can bet good money that the cause is more complicated than “he slipped and fell.” Precisely how complicated, how bleak and shattering the truth is, however, no reader of "Flashlight" could have prepared for. The sixth and longest of National Book Award winner Susan Choi’s novels, "Flashlight" was shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize and the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction. The multigenerational family saga flows from the 1940s to the 2000s and moves from Japan to the U.S. to South Korea. The story opens with the incomprehensible disappearance of Serk Kang, father of protagonist Louisa, when she is 9 years old. One pitch-black night in Japan, father and daughter are walking and chatting on the breakwater of a quiet beach. A flashlight falls. Her father’s tense grip crushes her small fingers. This tumble of hazy snatches is all Louisa remembers when she wakes in the crisp sheets of a hospital bed to the news that her father is missing, presumed drowned. Leaving readers on this cliffhanger, the story zig-zags th
Holy See: Nations must increase efforts to protect children in wars
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The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations issues a statement calling states and the international community to further work to protect children and vulnerable people that are affected by conflicts and wars.
As it happened: Storms in Ireland as Europe swelters
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Read back through updates as high temperatures continue to grip Europe.
Number of people homeless falls by over 100 to 17,447
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The number of people registered as homeless in Ireland last month fell slightly compared to the previous month.
New June record set as red heat warning in place but cooler weather coming
A red warning for extreme heat remains in place for the south-east but cooler air is starting to move in from the west as Elizabeth Rizzinni explains.
Venezuela 'a nightmare movie', says community in Ireland
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Vice chair of the Venezuelan Community in Ireland said the country, which was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, was not prepared for such a catastrophic event.
Pilot dies after plane crash near airfield
Police say the pilot believed to be a woman in her 40s was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Foreign rescue teams reaching quake-hit Venezuela where 589 dead, many missing
Foreign rescue teams and aid were arriving on Friday in Venezuela nearly two days after devastating twin earthquakes flattened areas in and around the capital Caracas, forcing residents to dig through rubble to save relatives, friends and neighbors. The government has estimated hundreds of people still trapped and missing on top of 589 confirmed fatalities and 2,980 injuries. A website set up to take reports of people still unaccounted for had 50,000 listed as of Friday morning. The magnitude
Court rules 13 men who allegedly helped rapist drug and abuse wife can be named
13 men are accused of helping a man abuse his wife over a period of years.
Sherritt shutting down Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., refinery as feed from Moa mine in Cuba runs out
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Sherritt International Corp. is shutting down operations at its refinery in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., after running out of the feed inventory it receives from its Moa mine in Cuba.
Bayer/Monsanto Wins Roundup Case as Supreme Court Blocks Suit over Link Between Herbicide & Cancer
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 to restrict thousands of lawsuits claiming Bayer, the parent company of Monsanto, had a duty to warn consumers about potential cancer risks from its popular weed killer Roundup. The case before the Supreme Court began in St. Louis, Missouri, where a resident named John Durnell, who had used Roundup for decades and was later diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sued Monsanto under Missouri state law for not putting a warning label on its product. But because the federal Environmental Protection Agency found no cancer risk in its assessment of Roundup, the court has ruled against Durnell.
“The ruling essentially says that only the EPA can make a determination that something is harmful to us and has to carry a warning label,” explains reporter Nate Halverson, who has been documenting health and environmental harms allegedly linked to Roundup, as well as efforts to hold Monsanto accountable. In his reporting, Halverson found that scientific studies cited by the EPA in its Roundup assessment were “ghostwritten” by Monsanto itself — and “that ghostwritten information has now made its way into the Supreme Court’s decision.”
Antonelli leads Russell in Austrian first practice
Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell in a Mercedes one-two in first practice at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Cardinal Ryś: The Good Samaritan offers the Church a model for today's world
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Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś tells the Extraordinary Consistory that the Parable of the Good Samaritan offers the Church its model for proclaiming the Gospel today, calling Christians to recognise both the wounds of modern humanity and the signs of compassion already present in the world.
Supreme Court Strips Protections for Haitian & Syrian Immigrants in "Racially Inflected" Decision
Thousands of Haitians and Syrians living in the United States are newly at risk of deportation after the Supreme Court ruled to allow the Trump administration to strip them of “temporary protected status,” or TPS. The program, designed for foreign citizens of countries the U.S. government believes are too unstable or dangerous to be returned to, often due to natural disasters or war, has been a major target of attack by the Trump administration and its anti-immigrant agenda.
“We are looking at the catastrophic deficit in the workforce in the United States if we allow this deportation machine and cruelty to take effect,” our guest, Haitian Bridge Alliance’s Guerline Jozef, says.
“This is just part of the Trump administration’s efforts to feed the detention and deportation machine and essentially halt immigration,” adds Lupe Aguirre of the International Refugee Assistance Project. “It’s about maintaining their campaign promises to root out people that they see as undesirable.”
Winnipeg police taking 'zero-tolerance approach' to open drug use in 10-day crackdown
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Winnipeg police say they have had more than 100 "interactions" and made two dozen arrests since the service ramped up patrolling in areas of the city affected by open drug use and trafficking earlier this week.
Has VAR become a lottery at the World Cup?
After a week of strange decisions many supporters have been left scratching their heads with VAR.
Venezuela Earthquakes: U.S. Sanctions Impede Rescue Efforts as Death Toll Soars
The death toll from twin earthquakes that hit Venezuela Wednesday night is expected to reach into the thousands as rescuers continue to search for bodies trapped in the rubble. Hospitals are rapidly reaching a breaking point, and thousands of survivors have been left homeless. Reporter Andreína Chávez’s building was one of the countless residences in Venezuela’s capital Caracas and its surrounding region that were damaged by the massive quakes. Chávez was on the street when the earthquakes struck, and says she “saw at least three buildings partially collapse right in front of [her].”
As Venezuelans band together to find survivors, the country is calling for international support and resources to step up critical rescue and recovery efforts. “We weren’t prepared for a disaster of this magnitude,” says Chávez. “Venezuela is a country that has been under U.S. sanctions … as well as a country that has an infrastructure that is very deteriorated. We have public services that are very deteriorated, and all of that has been something that has really added to this tragedy.”
Delight for Pico and Cape Verde as journey goes on
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Cape Verde, with Shamrock Rovers' Pico Lopes in their ranks, have reached the knockout stage of the World Cup, becoming the smallest country in history to qualify for the next phase of the competition after a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia.
Soldier Jared Deal demoted for insulting, threatening officer at Waiouru Military Camp
Jared Deal threatened to kill an army captain during an argument over a disputed kiss earlier in the year.
In "Devastating" Immigration Ruling, Supreme Court Allows Trump Admin to "Turn Back" Asylum Seekers
The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration in a major blow to the rights of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The court ruled 6 to 3 along partisan lines to sanction so-called metering at the southern border, which allows immigration officers at ports of entry to block asylum seekers from setting foot on U.S. soil.
“In a time of increasing conflict and climate catastrophe, this will result in many more deaths,” warns Erika Pinheiro of Al Otro Lado, the lead plaintiff in the case. When the turnback policy was first introduced, recounts Melissa Crow of the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, who served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs’ case, many asylum seekers became “so desperate that they ended up trying to enter between ports of entry, either by swimming across the Rio Grande or by traversing the desert under harrowing conditions, and many, many of them didn’t make it to the other side.”
Israel, Lebanon sign framework agreement with U.S. in 'first step' toward peace
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors to the U.S. Friday to announce a framework agreement that was described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Guterres urges renewed commitment to multilateralism on UN Charter Day
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Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock reaffirmed the principles outlined in the UN Charter and called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism at a General Assembly meeting on Friday marking the Charter’s 81st anniversary.
UN envoy urges parties to ‘stay the course’ towards peace in eastern DR Congo
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The new head of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has urged parties to the peace processes for the volatile eastern region to maintain momentum and fully implement their commitments.
World News in Brief: Violence displaces thousands in Haiti and Lebanon, Gaza updates, UN food agency delivers in Ebola-stricken DR Congo
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More than 2,600 people were displaced in the Artibonite department of Haiti following clashes between armed groups last week as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA).
Sudan: Window is closing to prevent wider escalation in El Obeid
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A senior United Nations official warned on Friday that the opportunity to prevent a major escalation in the Sudanese city of El Obeid is “rapidly narrowing” as fighting intensifies in and around the North Kordofan state capital.
Strait of Hormuz: UN evacuates 2,500 seafarers before attack freezes rescue operation
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The United Nations’ maritime agency said on Friday that it had successfully evacuated about 2,500 stranded seafarers from the Persian Gulf before suspending the operation, after an attack on a commercial vessel exposed uncertainty over who can guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Global drug use reaches record high as increasingly potent synthetic drugs spread
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More people are using drugs than ever before, while synthetic substances are reshaping illicit markets and exposing vulnerable communities to greater health risks, according to the UN World Drug Report 2026, released on Friday.
Deaths in US immigration custody must be investigated: UN rights chief
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday called for stronger independent oversight of the United States immigration detention system and investigations into all deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Venezuela earthquakes LIVE: Death toll rises amid recovery and rescue efforts
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Nearly seven million Venezuelans could be affected by this week’s double earthquakes as the death toll rises to at least 235 people amid massive, growing needs and ongoing emergency search and rescue efforts, UN agencies reported on Friday. UN News app users can follow here.
Venezuela quake: ‘People still terrified to re-enter what were their homes’
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Aid agencies on Friday highlighted massive needs across Venezuela caused by a double earthquake disaster that has killed at least 235 people so far, with search and rescue for people trapped under the rubble still the top priority.
Headlines for June 26, 2026
Over 500 Are Dead and Thousands Remain Missing Following Twin Earthquakes in Venezuela, U.N. Shipping Agency Halts Strait of Hormuz Evacuations as Projectile Strikes Cargo Ship, Israeli Airstrikes Kill 2 in Lebanon as Netanyahu Says Occupation Will Continue Indefinitely, Supreme Court Allows Trump Administration to Block Asylum Seekers at U.S. Border, Supreme Court Will Allow Trump to End TPS for 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, Supreme Court Blocks Cancer Patients from Suing Bayer over Popular Weed Killer, U.S. Plans to Deport Over 500 Unaccompanied Immigrant Children, Federal Agents Confront Election Worker at Syracuse Polling Place over Instagram Post, Judge Blocks Trump’s Order Creating “Confirmed Citizen Lists” and Restricting Mail-in Voting, JD Vance Praises Richard Nixon, Downplays Watergate Scandal, New York City to Freeze Rents for Nearly 1 Million Apartments for Next Two Years
What is the 'Omega Block' causing Europe's heatwave?
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The intense heatwave engulfing Western Europe, resulting in more than 50 deaths in France alone, is being sustained by a weather pattern known as an omega block.
Canada's most wanted fugitive, a Quebecer, arrested in Spain
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All Boivin, considered the most wanted fugitive in Canada, has been arrested in Spain, according to Quebec provincial police.
Construction set to start on first road to Ontario's Ring of Fire mineral deposit
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An environmental assessment has been approved for a road the Ontario government says is vital in accessing critical minerals in the Ring of Fire, which Ontario Premier Doug Ford says will add $22 billion to the economy and create 70,000 jobs. Here's what we know about the project and concerns expressed by neighbouring Neskantaga First Nation.
Supreme Court finalizes acquittal of 'Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su in sexual misconduct case
The top court on Friday finalized the acquittal of "Squid Game" actor O Yeong-su on charges of sexually harassing a woman in 2017, ending a legal battle that had lasted more than three years since his indictment. The Supreme Court dismissed the prosecution's appeal and upheld the lower court's ruling that acquitted the 82-year-old of sexual assault charges, according to judicial officials. O was indicted without physical detention in 2022 on charges of hugging and kissing a woman on the cheek ag
Mahmood restricts minister's access to documents as Home Office row escalates
Shabana Mahmood believes Mike Tapp should be sacked for writing an article but No 10 says the PM is taking advice.
Love Island USA removes second contestant for using racial slur
Alannah Keyser appeared briefly in Thursday's episode before viewers were told she had left the villa.
Lee calls for ‘even closer’ Seoul-Tokyo ties in talks with Japanese lawmakers
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that he hoped South Korea and Japan would become "even closer neighbors" during a meeting with Ryota Takeda, chair of the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, at Cheong Wa Dae. Lee met Takeda, a former internal affairs and communications minister who was appointed the union's new chair in March, succeeding former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, along with other members of the delegation. "Korea and Japan are often described as 'close, yet distant neigh
Boy, 14, charged with murder after body found in search for girl in south Wales
The body was found during the search for a 14-year-old girl, Lilly Jones, who was reported missing.
Small plane makes emergency landing on highway in western Manitoba
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A pilot landed on a rural Manitoba highway Thursday night after issuing an alert to emergency officials.
Rainbow flags await Egypt and Iran at awkward World Cup Pride Match
Iran's coach refuses to discuss pride celebrations in Seattle, where his country face Egypt in a crucial Group G match.
In Rome, African Ambassadors celebrate the continent’s resilience and culture
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Commemorated annually on 25 May, Africa Day was celebrated this week in Rome, Italy, at a colourful event. The celebrations were championed by the group of African ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, resident in Rome. It was an opportunity for the diplomats to promote "African culture and African fraternity cemented by various cultural expressions ranging from food, dress, and music."
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy faces tensions in his relationships with bosses, players and fans after a move to Burnley collapsed.
John Bolton, former Trump adviser, pleads guilty to 1 count of illegally retaining classified info
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John Bolton, national security adviser during Donald Trump's first presidential administration, pleaded guilty on Friday to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal with federal prosecutors.
King and Queen will not live in Buckingham Palace after renovations
King Charles and Queen Camilla will continue to reside in Clarence House, Buckingham Palace says.
Christmas market attacker jailed for life for murdering six in Germany
A nine-year-old and five women were killed when Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen drove into the market in 2024.
What do numbers tell us about Scotland's World Cup attacking intent?
BBC Scotland crunches the numbers behind Steve Clarke's blunt attack and looks at the potential deeper issues.
S. Korea pledges $5 million in earthquake aid to Venezuela
The South Korean government will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela through international organizations operating in the country following this week's devastating earthquakes, the Foreign Ministry said Friday. The ministry said the assistance is intended to "support a swift response to the loss of life and property damage caused by the powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, as well as early recovery efforts." "The Korean government hopes this assistance will help restore the
Senior Ukrainian intelligence official jailed for life for spying for Russia
Col Dmytro Kozyura agreed to share state secrets and systematically disclosed classified information, prosecutors say.
Israel, Lebanon sign framework peace deal
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Israel and Lebanon have signed a framework agreement in Washington following several days of talks to secure an end to fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Even if you're fit and young, avoid runs and too many beers in the heat, experts say
Cardiac arrests have gone up during very hot weather, and it's not just among the elderly and frail, experts are warning.
Man arrested after sickle attack in central Seoul
A man in his 70s was arrested Friday, about 10 hours after allegedly attacking another man with a sickle at a museum in central Seoul and fleeing the scene, police said. According to Seoul's Jongno Police Station, the suspect was apprehended at around 5:50 p.m. in Seoul's Gwanak District on suspicion of attempted murder. The suspect is accused of stabbing a man in his 40s with a sickle at the Ilmin Museum of Art, located in the Dong-A Ilbo building in Seoul's Gwanghwamun area, at around 7:47 a.m
Cardinal Bychok: Ukraine is not alone, Church and Pope are with us
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Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, Australia, speaks about the flag and cross from a Ukrainian soldier he gifted to the Pope and his hopes for the Extraordinary Consistory.
First responders and volunteers pulled a survivor from under the rubble of a collapsed building in La Guaira.
Pope Leo offers encouragement to Synod continental leaders
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Pope Leo XIV meets with leaders of the Synod continental bodies as they reflect on the implementation of the Synod on Synodality and the path toward the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly.
BBC DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson taking a break from work due to health issues
The Radio 2 and 1Xtra presenter said he was now "concentrating on getting better".
‘Leo in Rome’: Vatican News documentary to be released on July 1
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"Leo in Rome," a new documentary by the Dicastery for Communication, is set for release on July 1 on Vatican News' platforms, recounting Pope Leo XIV’s years in Rome before his election.
Prisoners earn degrees at the Catholic University of Lublin
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At the prison in Lublin, Poland, inmates are offered the opportunity to pursue full-time university degrees in person from inside the prison as students of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin John Paul II.
Driver in Christmas vehicle attack in Germany that killed 6 people sentenced to life in prison
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A Saudi doctor was sentenced to life in prison in Germany on Friday for killing six people and injuring hundreds, after he rammed a rented BMW into crowds at a historic market in the eastern city of Magdeburg days before Christmas in 2024.
King becomes first monarch to reveal tax bill as royal public funding to double to £100m
New figures show the monarch paid £12.9m in tax last year, but do not give any detailed breakdown of how that tax was calculated.
Why are World Cup underdogs doing so well?
Are the surprise results achieved by lower-ranked teams in the World Cup a matter of luck - or clever planning and execution?
UK van driver gives lift to armed police chasing suspect
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Body-worn video footage has captured the moment a van driver in the UK pulled over to help armed police chase down a suspect as he threatened to get away.
Lower House committee approves flag bill in appeal to conservatives
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The proposed law would prohibit publicly damaging, removing or defacing the national flag in a way that "causes extreme discomfort or disgust to others."
RBC fined $4.25 million over incorrect credit card statements
Between 2001 and 2024, the FCAC says RBC failed to transfer credits from deactivated credit card accounts to customers' new ones. This resulted in incorrect monthly credit card statements.
Seattle to fly Pride flag despite Iran and Egypt protests
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FIFA said it will allow fans to bring rainbow flags inside Seattle Stadium for tonight's World Cup match between Egypt and Iran, although it appears no additional activations will be permitted promoting the city's annual PrideFest.
Remember the P.E.I. restaurant with $0 rent and ocean views? It finally found an operator
A restaurant at Prince Edward Island’s northernmost point has found a new operator for this summer, after a public search that included a $0-rent offer.
Austrian nurses' medical tools at Sorokdo leprosy hospital eyed for national heritage
Medical tools used by two Austrian nurses during their decades of service to patients with Hansen’s disease on Sorokdo Island are being considered for designation as National Registered Cultural Heritage. The Korea Heritage Service said Friday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Sorokdo National Hospital, the Marianne and Margaret Foundation, and Goheung County to preserve and promote the island’s cultural heritage and to pursue heritage registration for artifacts used by the nurse
Japan mulls delaying minimum wage hike
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Japan's average minimum hourly wages in fiscal 2025, which ended in March, stood at ¥1,121, up 6.3% from the preceding year.
Serena Williams’ return set to electrify Wimbledon
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When 44-year-old Williams strides on to the Centre Court she once owned, there will be only one story in town.
S. Korea, Iran agree to closely coordinate on Strait of Hormuz vessel transit
South Korea and Iran agreed Friday to maintain close communication on the safety of ships and seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz and the protection of South Korean nationals in Iran, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi reached the agreement during a phone call that also covered recent developments in the Middle East and bilateral relations. It marked their fifth phone conversation since the outbreak of the US-Isr
US interested in hosting 2038 World Cup, says Giuliani
The United States could consider making a bid to host the men's 2038 World Cup, with Fifa considering expanding the tournament to 64 teams.
EU to refuse refuge to military-age Ukrainian men
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The EU has proposed a stoppage to granting Ukrainian men of fighting age refugee protection to settle in the bloc, while extending the right for others from the country to stay beyond 2027.
Pope Leo opens Consistory, asks Cardinals for frankness, loyalty
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Pope Leo XIV opens the Extraordinary Consistory and invites the Cardinals to help him discern the Holy Spirit’s action in the Church today through their explicit support and counsel.
Yen’s decline makes perfect sense to some analysts
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They have started to wonder whether there is really much at all holding the currency up.
Kospi whipsaws again, sliding 6% as chip sell-off rattles market
South Korean stocks tumbled Friday, erasing the previous session's chip-fueled rally, as the Kospi slid nearly 6 percent and triggered another circuit breaker amid mounting concerns over extreme market volatility The benchmark Kospi fell 519.09 points, or 5.81 percent, to close at 8,411.21 after dropping as much as 8.19 percent during the session. The tech-heavy Kosdaq lost 36.44 points, or 4.1 percent, to 851.37. The sell-off triggered a sell-side sidecar at 11:12 a.m. after Kospi 200 futures f
FENZ to visit Canterbury property owners, after burn-offs get out of control
FENZ staff will visit Canterbury property owners after fires from11 burn-piles spread quickly in the record for June temperatures.
K-pop stars, actors join fan backlash after South Korea's shock loss to South Africa
When South Korea suffered a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in its final Group A match — a game in which a draw would have been enough to secure automatic qualification for the Round of 32 — criticism poured in not only from soccer fans but also from K-pop stars and actors known for their passion for the sport. For celebrities, particularly K-pop idols whose words and actions are closely scrutinized, publicly expressing opinions on current events is relatively rare. When they do, it is often because
Europe on high alert as killer heat spreads, prompting alcohol ban and Pride parade delay in France
Health authorities across Europe were on high alert on Friday as a killer heat wave progressed across the continent, prompting alcohol bans and festival cancellations in France and cracking road surfaces open in Germany.
Volvo Korea sees strong demand for flagship S90, XC90
Volvo Car Korea said Friday that sales of its flagship S90 sedan and XC90 SUV nearly doubled in the first five months of this year, as the Swedish automaker seeks to strengthen its presence in Korea’s premium family import car market with upgraded features and competitive pricing. According to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association, S90 sales reached 768 vehicles from January to May, up 92 percent from a year earlier. Sales of the XC90 rose 91 percent on-year to 907 vehicles o
Lopes hopes history repeats as Cape Verde face Saudis
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Pico Lopes and his Cape Verde team-mates take the pitch in Houston tonight, aiming to overturn Saudi Arabia and reach the knockout stages at their first World Cup.
Heat-related deaths increase during European heatwave
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Spain has reported scores of heat-related deaths and France has said dozens have drowned, along with several infants who have died in hot cars.
S. Korea-ASEAN partnership should evolve beyond manufacturing ties: envoys
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Southeast Asian diplomats on Friday said South Korea's partnership with ASEAN should evolve beyond the view of the region primarily as a manufacturing base. Speaking at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, the diplomats called for greater emphasis on higher-quality investment, innovation and tangible outcomes under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. "Economic cooperation should move beyond the view of Southeast Asia as a production base, and instead develop in
Christine Sinclair, Michael J. Fox promoted to Order of Canada's highest level
Recently appointed Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour on Friday added 56 new Canadians to what is considered the country's highest civilian honour.
Former Alberta doctor again ordered to stop ‘cancer coaching’ as appeal bid rejected
Alberta’s highest court has barred a former Edmonton physician from launching an appeal against court-ordered sanctions that prohibit him from practising medicine or implying he’s licensed to care for any patient in the province.
Foreign investors dump record W47tr in Korean stocks in May
Foreign investors dumped a record 47 trillion won ($30.6 billion) of South Korean stocks in May, yet their market ownership climbed to an all-time high as the Kospi rally lifted the value of their remaining holdings. According to the Financial Supervisory Service on Friday, foreign investors sold a net 49 trillion won on the Kospi while buying a net 2 trillion won on the Kosdaq, according to the regulator's monthly foreign securities investment report. Net selling over the first five months of t
Court rejects inmates' damages claim over alleged prison overcrowding
A South Korean court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by inmates seeking damages over alleged overcrowding in correctional facilities, ruling there was insufficient evidence to support their claims. The Incheon District Court rejected a 39.5 million won ($25,700) damages claim brought by 24 inmates against the government. The plaintiffs argued that they suffered psychological distress after being housed in overcrowded cells that failed to provide the minimum living space necessary for basic daily l
Fans take over iconic Shibuya Crossing as Japan reaches World Cup knockout round
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Fans watched in packed bars, cafes and even on the side of the road as the Samurai Blue secured a second-place finish in Group F at the World Cup.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu relishes chance to face ‘serious Brazil’ in knockout stage
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Japan advanced to the round of 32 as the runner-up in Group F.
Serena Williams draws 20-year-old Maya Joint in first Wimbledon singles match in 4 years
Serena Williams will face an opponent less than half her age when she plays 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon for her first singles match in nearly four years.
Korea is proof that light still exists, French novelist says
For bestselling French novelist Bernard Werber, artificial intelligence is already yesterday's question. Speaking at a press conference Thursday during the Seoul International Book Fair, where France is the guest of honor, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Werber said that humanity has always lived through technological upheaval. "AI has become such a major topic that it has generated enormous fear," the 64-year-old writer said. "But every scientific dis
Principals call out new testing as unfit for purpose
Some principals said the new tool for assessing children in Years 3-8 was not accurate for measuring children's achievement.
Young people say employment programme kept them from 'bumming out'
Youth unemployment is soaring and at nearly 15 percent - roughly three times that of the wider working population.
Former first lady gets 7 years in influence-peddling case
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday after a Seoul court found her guilty of accepting luxury gifts in return for exerting influence over government appointments, in a high-profile influence-peddling case that prosecutors described as a “sale of public office.” The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of peddling influence under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, ruling that she knowingly accepted valuables from businesspeopl
MFAT issues SafeTravel messaging to New Zealanders in Venezuela after earthquakes
Venezuelan authorities have confirmed 188 deaths from the twin magnitude seven quakes.
Pope at Consistory Opening Mass: War is never blessed by God
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Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass to begin the Extraordinary Consistory and invites the Cardinals to reflect on the true freedom of faith and the gift of peace, stressing that "war is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God."
Lee sets 2030 goal to build Korean security-tech giants to match Palantir
President Lee Jae Myung on Friday unveiled an ambitious plan to build South Korea's own generation of security-technology champions, seeking to cultivate companies capable of matching industry leaders such as Palantir. Lee set a goal of creating five companies valued at more than 1 trillion won ($650 million) and 50 firms with annual sales exceeding 100 billion won by 2030. Lee announced the initiative while chairing a strategy meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, where officials outlined plans to
Seoul shares nosedive nearly 6% on profit hunting after AI-led rallies
South Korean stocks tumbled nearly 6 percent Friday as investors locked in profits after recent rallies driven by stocks related to artificial intelligence. The Korean won gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 519.09 points, or 5.81 percent, to close at 8,411.21, after falling as low as 8,126.84. The market rout came after the Kospi rallied by 5.42 percent gain on Thursday and racked up a 3.26 percent rise on Wednesday. The index opened 1.31 percent l
World Cup failure puts Hong Myung-bo's controversial appointment back in spotlight
South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo is facing mounting criticism after the national team’s disappointing World Cup campaign, with questions over his tactics and squad selection shedding light on the controversial process that brought him back to the job. The Taegeuk Warriors finished third in Group A on Wednesday with one win and two losses, scoring two goals and conceding three. The result has left them dependent on other groups’ results to determine whether they will advance to the Round of 32 as
Pedestrian hit by vehicle in Auckland's Ōtāhuhu
The person is critically injured.
Maple Leafs or not, Yukon's Gavin McKenna set to make hockey history in NHL draft
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McKenna is projected to be the first overall selection at this year's draft, which happens on Friday. That means the 18-year-old could be headed to Toronto.
Kawacatoose Boyz Singers and Dance Troupe preserves traditions through generations
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A family group from the Kawacatoose and Piapot First Nations in Saskatchewan has been singing and dancing at events across the country for 20 years, and now includes three generations.
Tears and champagne as Saskatoon runner finishes 1,500-km north-to-south run in memory of her mother
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A Saskatoon teacher who just turned 38 — the same age her mother died from leukemia — marked the milestone by running 1,500 kilometres in a month, crossing Saskatchewan north to south. She reached the finish line at the Canada-U.S. border Thursday.
Stellantis and Nissan in talks to buy assets from troubled Marelli
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Marelli is going through a complex and lengthy restructuring process after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy one year ago.
Takaichi’s blueprint of women’s policies focuses on menopause, education and housekeepers
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Support for women's health in different stages of life forms one of the main pillars of the government plan.
Heavy rain continues across country with two approaching tropical storms
Central Japan Railway said the Tokaido Shinkansen may be delayed or suspended Saturday, while East Japan Railway warned of possible regular train line delays over the weekend.
Reliance on multinationals goes 'beyond' corporation tax
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New research has found that almost €1 out of every €5 collected in income tax, USC, PRSI and VAT comes from foreign-owned firms in manufacturing, tech and financial services.
Hyeri, Jisoo and Jung Ho-yeon put Muju on summer travel map
Three of K-entertainment's closest friends have turned a quiet mountain county into this summer's most talked-about getaway. Singer-actress Hyeri shared a set of photos from her recent trip with Blackpink's Jisoo and model-actress Jung Ho-yeon on her social media on Thursday, captioning the post "our perfect first trip." Jisoo had posted her own snapshots a day earlier. The images show the trio in matching plaid shirts and bare-faced ease, hiking, sharing meals and celebrating Jung's birthday, w
8 more S. Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz
Eight more South Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to five, the maritime ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally. A total of 37 South Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for South Korea, the ministry said.
Reflecting Pool liner cut with sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says
Earlier in the week Donald Trump blamed vandals for "a 300 foot long gash" in the pool and accused someone of putting fertiliser in the water.
Russia reports large-scale Ukrainian drone attack across 12 regions
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Russian air defences intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones in a major nighttime attack on 12 Russian regions as well as the Russia-held Crimean peninsula, the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, Russia's Defence Ministry said Friday.
Korean father, son missing after Hawaii hike
A South Korean father and his teenage son were still missing in Hawaii on Thursday, two days after they left their Waikiki hotel for a hike near Hanauma Bay and did not return. The 49-year-old man and his 16-year-old son left the hotel at around 7 a.m. Tuesday to hike the Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge Trail on the eastern side of Oahu, according to the US Coast Guard and local media reports. Their names have not been released. The search has since expanded across land, sea and air, with the Honolulu F
K-beauty still a draw for tourists
Korea's honorary tourism ambassadors took center stage at the start of the Korea Beauty Festival on Thursday, sharing what keeps drawing them back to the country: beauty and wellness experiences they say are difficult to find anywhere else. The event, featuring a welcome dinner and billed as KBF Night, brought about 200 guests to The Shilla Seoul, including 120 travel industry buyers and sellers, 40 influencers, and members of the local media. The evening's highlight was a talk show-style progra
Associate Health Minister David Seymour wants Pharmac to use AI to speed medicine funding
The associate minister of health told Checkpoint humans should remain firmly in control of the process.
‘Very strong’ nuclear verification needed in Iran after war: IAEA head
The United States and Iran are negotiating a broader agreement to end the war, with Tehran's nuclear program remaining one of the key sticking points.
Gwanghwamun office worker stabbed; former co-worker sought
Police are searching for a man in his 70s after a former co-worker was stabbed with a weapon resembling a sickle at an office building near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on Friday morning, according to a report from Herald Business. The attack took place at around 7:47 a.m. at the Ilmin Museum of Art building near the Sejong-daero intersection in Jongno-gu, close to Gwanghwamun Square. The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered a serious arm injury but was not in life-threatening condition, according
Nunavut gov’t denies liability in the death of a child in a care home
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The Nunavut government is denying all the allegations filed in a lawsuit last year by the parents of a child who died under the care of the Naja Isabelle group home in Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. It argues its Health and Family Services ministers hold statutory immunity.
We know violent and gory videos exist online. Teens are seeing more of them than you'd think
School fights. The Charlie Kirk killing. Violent encounters with police. A new survey of more than 1,000 teens across Canada offers a glimpse into the violent content they say they're seeing online — largely without seeking it out — and what young people want done about it.
Kospi triggers circuit breaker after plunging more than 8%
South Korean stocks triggered a marketwide circuit breaker on Friday after the Kospi plunged more than 8 percent in intraday trading, capping a volatile week marked by sharp swings in chip-heavy shares. The Korea Exchange suspended trading on the Kospi market for 20 minutes from 12:10 p.m. after the benchmark index remained more than 8 percent below the previous session's close for one minute, meeting the conditions for a circuit breaker. Trading in all Kospi-listed shares, as well as stock inde
Seoul offers couples up to W3m for public-venue weddings
Seoul will offer up to 3 million won ($1,940) to couples who hold weddings at selected public venues, as the city seeks to ease competition for conventional wedding halls and help alleviate the financial burden on newlyweds. “We hope this event will help more couples discover the appeal of different urban spaces,” Ma Chae-sook, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Women and Family Policy Affairs Office, said Friday. “Seoul will continue to find more venues suitable for weddings to ease bo
NPS could sell up to W74tr in stocks if Kospi tops 9,000
South Korea's National Pension Service could sell as much as 74 trillion won ($47.9 billion) of domestic equities if the Kospi rises above 9,000, according to estimates from South Korea's financial investment industry. Potential selling could climb to 121 trillion won, should the benchmark index reach 10,000 points. The estimates come as foreign and retail investors have turned net sellers after the market's sharp rally. According to South Korea's financial investment industry on Friday, domesti
Investigation after up to 40 hospital staff access records of boy attacked by crocodile
Cambridge University Hospitals refers itself to the Information Commissioner over the breach.
Rural school bus 'disaster' hits parents in the pocket
Parents are reporting frustration halfway through first school year after review of rural bus routes.
Doctor arrested for $180,000 worth of student loan debt
Dave Ananth says the more a student loan is ignored the more it compounds, leaving people owing thousands of dollars more than they expect.
Japan enacts bill to add space operations into ASDF’s fold
The renaming of the ASDF by the end of fiscal 2026, will mark the first name change for any branch of the Self-Defense Forces since its establishment in 1954.
Seoul subway to ban e-scooters, large lithium batteries from July 1
Starting July 1, passengers will no longer be allowed to bring lithium battery-powered personal mobility devices onto the Seoul subway, as authorities move to reduce fire hazards linked to battery-powered devices. Seoul Metro announced that it has revised its passenger transportation regulations to ban passengers from bringing such devices into subway stations and on trains. The ban applies to personal mobility devices powered by lithium batteries, including electric scooters, electric bicycles,
Inside the cold store where it's -18C in a heatwave
Staff at Magnavale, near Grantham, say the "giant freezer" is a great place to be in hot weather.
‘One Piece’ manga characters join Paris wax museum
The 10 wax dolls of the Straw Hat Crew members are the first Japanese anime characters to join the Grevin Museum.
New bodycam footage shows Henry Nowak killer's arrest and repeated lies to police
Henry Nowak's killer is seen lying to police in bodycam video released after a request from the BBC.
Primary school enrolment decline impacts teacher numbers
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Primary schools are closing for the summer holidays amid a national decline in enrolment that is having an impact across the system, but in different ways.
Inside Dadaab: Aid cuts push young people to risk route to Europe
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Young refugees are making the desperate choice of leaving for the dangerous route to Europe from Africa's largest refugee camp.
Korea to spend W1tr to ease living costs, lower fuel price caps
South Korea will deploy 1 trillion won ($647 million) to ease the burden of high living costs, while lowering fuel price caps and freezing major public utility rates in the second half of the year. "We will inject 1 trillion won in fiscal spending to support small merchants hit by high oil prices and mobilize all available measures to do our utmost to keep consumer inflation below 3 percent in the second half," Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Friday. Koo announced t
Effects of Veronica Guerin's murder felt 30 years on
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Crime Correspondent Paul Reynolds details the events surrounding Veronica Guerin's killing and recounts the lives of those responsible for her murder in the years since.
Lawsuit filed in case of polluting, derelict N.S. tug that cost $4.1M to clean up
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The alleged owner of a derelict former tugboat that was leaking oil in a rural harbour along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore is being sued over cleanup and dismantling costs that the Canadian Coast Guard claims top $4.1 million.
Hyundai unveils all-new Avante with AI, larger cabin
Hyundai Motor has unveiled a fully redesigned Avante compact sedan, bringing more cabin space and its latest software and artificial intelligence features to one of South Korea’s best-known passenger cars. The eighth-generation Avante made its global debut on Friday at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show at BEXCO in the southeastern port city of Busan. The all-new model arrives six years after the seventh-generation Avante was released in 2020. The most noticeable change comes inside the cabin. The rev
S. Korea to acquire 20,000 low-cost drones, fast-track 'K-Lucas' suicide drones
South Korea will acquire more than 20,000 low-cost drones and accelerate the deployment of a domestically developed long-range loitering munition, dubbed "K-Lucas," as part of a sweeping overhaul of its uncrewed warfare strategy, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Friday. The initiative comes as militaries around the world race to adapt to a rapidly evolving battlefield shaped by budget drones, following lessons drawn from Russia's war in Ukraine and the recent US-Iran conflict. "The widespread
Salt farm slavery cases return amid trade concerns
South Korea’s long-running “salt farm slave” problem is again testing the country’s human rights safeguards, this time with possible trade consequences, after three salt farm workers were officially recognized as victims of human trafficking. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family recognized the three workers as human trafficking victims on Tuesday, as recurring labor abuse cases in the country’s salt farming industry continue to raise concerns. According to the ministry on Thursday, the thr
Mei Hanada's response video to her termination from idol group AKB48 echoes a scandal involving a different member of the pop outfit from 2013.
Court to rule on SK Group chief, ex-wife's asset division case next month
An appellate court said Friday it will deliver its verdict late next month on the high-profile asset division case between SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong. The Seoul High Court said it will hand down its ruling on July 24 in a hearing attended by both Chey and Roh, after the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Seoul High Court in October while confirming their divorce. Chey and Roh both left the court without responding to reporters' questions. The two sides
Bourse operator issues circuit breaker for KOSPI on sharp fall
South Korea's bourse operator on Friday activated a circuit breaker for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index as stocks crashed due to a slump in tech heavyweights. Trading of KOSPI-listed shares was halted for 20 minutes. The Korea Exchange triggered the measure at around 12:10 p.m. after the KOSPI plummeted more than 8 percent from the previous session's close. The benchmark index came under heavy selling pressure as investors dumped large-cap technology stocks on profit-taking. It m
CJ CheilJedang, Lotte Chemical to develop next-generation food packaging materials
CJ CheilJedang said Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lotte Chemical to jointly develop next-generation food packaging materials that enhance consumer convenience and product safety. The agreement was signed Thursday at CJ Blossom Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, with Eric Soegeyanto, head of global packaging at CJ CheilJedang, and Lee Hyun-seop, senior research engineer of basic materials R&D at Lotte Chemical, in attendance. The partnership combines CJ CheilJedang’s food
How one First Nation in Quebec is reclaiming its language, one stop sign at a time
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Bilingual stop signs in Wendake near Quebec City are being replaced to show the Wendat word säa'tatenh, in an effort to revitalize the Indigenous language.
European heatwave is most severe ever recorded - study
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Europe is experiencing the most severe heatwave ever recorded and is unequivocally the result of climate change, according to a study.
He managed Jesuit finances for decades. Now he has to repay the Catholic order $8.8M in stolen funds
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CBC News has learned that a former finance director of the Jesuits of Canada has settled with the Catholic order for $8.8 million after fraud allegedly dating back more than a decade was discovered last year.
Why Europe can't air condition its way out of extreme heat
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Hundreds of people are dead from Europe’s heatwave, in a continent where air conditioning is not the norm. But while ACs may save lives, they can also make the problem worse.
MLB owners look to place limits on free-agent deals in latest proposal
The owners want to implement a maximum contract length of five years for all free agents who switch teams, along with six years for players who re-sign with their existing teams.
Energy minister to name 5 priority power-line projects for federal backing today
The federal government is expected to announce on Friday that it will prioritize infrastructure upgrades that allow provinces to share excess electricity more cheaply and easily.
Supergirl is almost impressively boring. Almost.
Written by first-time screenwriter Ana Nogueira and directed by action-newbie Craig Gillespie, it is frankly a shock how directionless this follow-up to the DCU's 2025 eclectically energetic Superman is.
Iran and Egypt will headline Seattle's 'Pride Match.' Here's why that's controversial
Iran and Egypt's FIFA World Cup game on Friday is being marketed as the 'Pride Match' by Seattle organizers. It's not a decision made by FIFA, but that hasn't stopped a wave of controversy from clouding the buildup to the pivotal group-stage game.
Big Bang’s August gig sells out in minutes
Big Bang's three-date concert in August sold out in minutes when tickets went on sale Thursday, according to label YG Entertainment. The concert in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, will mark the beginning of the group’s world tour and is a celebration of its 20th anniversary. The ticket sales drew approximately 210,000 concurrent users. The tour will run until February 2027, and the trio — G Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung — will zip around 18 cities across the world with 31 shows scheduled. The group is
Chief victims advisor calls out University of Auckland for poor handling of bullying complaints
The chief victims advisor's comments were made after the University of Auckland claimed it has "robust policies, procedures and guidelines" to support the appropriate handling of bullying and harassment.
Names of prosecution inquest panel in Yamaguchi leaked
Sources in the prosecutor's office said that a document naming the panel members was mistakenly sent to a petitioner.
Australia considers tougher controls on social media ban
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Australia's prime minister said he was keen to make sure the country's social media ban for children was as strong as possible, as a new study found that the measure has had little impact.
P1Harmony to tour 3 cities in Asia this summer
P1Harmony is set to launch a three-city tour in Asia, its agency FNC Entertainment announced Friday. The six members are heading to Taipei, Macao and Bangkok next month for the tour named “Asia Stage Be Unique.” The first stop is in Taipei on July 18 and visits to the other two cities are scheduled for August. The tour is slated to follow a fan meetup in Seoul to be held on July 11 and 12. On July 29, the group will release a Japanese-language edition of its ninth EP “Unique,” adding two new son
Two men charged in Hawke's Bay drug bust
An 18-year-old and a 24-year-old face charges including drug supply and unlawful possession of ammunition.
And2ble signs with Sony Music ahead of Japan debut
And2ble has signed with Epic Records Japan, marking its entry into the Japanese market. YH Entertainment announced Friday that And2ble had signed a contract with Epic Records Japan, a record label under Sony Music Labels, a division of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. And2ble, a five-member boy group, debuted in May 2025 with the mini album "Sequence 01: Curiosity." The album surpassed 730,000 sales in its first week on Hanteo Chart, Korea's real-time album sales chart, ranking fourth among debut
What we know so far
The two quakes have killed at least 235 people and injured more than 4,300, with more feared trapped under rubble.
I-dle gives taste of all tracks from 9th EP
Girl group I-dle uploaded a snippet of its ninth EP, “We Made,” via agency Cube Entertainment on Friday. The preview includes parts of all six songs from the forthcoming EP, from the main track “Gimme Dat Love” to B-side tracks “Morning” and “Love is Pain” and prereleases “Mono (feat. skaiwater)” and “Crow.” The mini album is set to be fully unveiled on July 6, fronted by what the group is promoting as a summer song. Meanwhile, the quintet will have two shows at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong June
Sony discontinues Japan sales of Aibo robot puppy
The first iteration of Aibo came out in 1999, followed by numerous models over the years.
Babymonster tops 100m views with ‘Sugar Honey Ice Tea’ before kicking off tour
Babymonster clocked 100 million plays on YouTube with the music video for its digital single “Sugar Honey Ice Tea” as of Thursday, according to label YG Entertainment. This is the 17th video from the seven-member group to reach the milestone, which came in about 17 days. The video topped the platform’s trending videos worldwide and global daily music videos charts upon its release. The news came a day before Babymonster kicks off its second international tour “Choom” with three shows June 26 to
Watchdog investigating Police Commissioner Richard Chambers since December
But it wasn't until June this year that one of the complainants was interviewed.
Takaichi’s social media strategy tests old political norms
While traditional media outlets remain vital, the greatest merit of online platforms is "giving the full context" in a timely manner, Takaichi's public affairs chief said.
Nelly Korda maintains competitive mindset while pursuing rare heights
Twenty-seven points must be accumulated to earn a spot in the LGPA Hall of Fame, and Korda is two points shy.
The world should reject China’s latest maritime power grab
The U.S. and international community must immediately reject that claim. Otherwise, Beijing will interpret the silence as tacit acceptance.
U.S. missile moves in Japan send China clear message: A new era has arrived
The planned longer-term presence of a U.S. midrange missile system in Japan, combined with the fielding of other advanced weaponry, is complicating Chinese military planning.
59-year-old ‘King Kazu’ to continue playing with Fukushima United after extending loan deal
Miura, popularly known as "King Kazu," joined Fukushima on loan from Yokohama FC at the end of December and will remain with the J3 League club.
Samsung weighs W1,000tr chip, AI push beyond Seoul
Samsung Group is reportedly drawing up a long-term investment plan worth as much as 1,000 trillion won ($646 billion), as Korea seeks to turn its semiconductor and AI ambitions into a broader regional growth strategy. The plan, according to a local media report Friday, was discussed during a dinner meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong at Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday. It is said to cover semiconductors, artificial intelligence, next-generation batteri
Britain and Switzerland break June temperature record as deadly heat wave grips Europe
The early summer heat wave has killed dozens, disrupted power supplies, and closed schools and cultural landmarks.
Cook Islands fisher lost at sea for a week describes his ordeal
Apiuta Apiuta, from the tiny island of Pukapuka, was spotted by a NZDF aircraft team and plucked out of the ocean by the crew of a Taiwanese fishing vessel last Thursday.
Indian FM proposes five-step plan to bridge fragmented world
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar unveiled a five-step plan to reimagine global cooperation amid growing geopolitical fragmentation, calling for more resilient supply chains, stronger partnerships and reformed multilateralism. In his keynote address at the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on Thursday, Jaishankar said that the international community must adapt to an increasingly divided world by reducing economic vulnerabilities and expanding cooper
Ateez continues 'Golden Hour' series with 14th EP
Ateez has released its 14th EP, "Golden Hour: Part. 5," continuing the group's ongoing "Golden Hour" series centered on its brightest moments. The new album, released Friday, captures the group's signature high-energy sound while exploring moments driven by instinct and emotion, agency KQ Entertainment said the same day. Members Hongjoong and Mingi participated in writing the lyrics for all tracks. The lead single, "Bad," is a Brazilian funk-inspired dance track featuring an addictive chorus and
Apparent senior member of ‘Luffy’ crime ring detained in Manila
The Tokyo Summary Court has issued an arrest warrant for Hideharu Inoue, 56, on suspicion of theft.
Hormuz tolls ‘unacceptable,’ top U.S. envoy says after touring Gulf nations
Marco Rubio's comments came after Iran and Oman said earlier in the week that they were working toward an agreement to jointly administer the Strait of Hormuz.
Improper handling of secrets found at Cabinet Secretariat
Documents were stored inappropriately, such as being left in office drawers, instead of being kept in lockable safes, according to a report.
The twin quakes come less than six months after Venezuela's then-leader Nicolás Maduro was seized by US forces.
[Bio USA] Celltiron posts record showing at BIO International Convention
SAN DIEGO — Celltrion has expanded its global partnering efforts with its artificial intelligence-powered drug discovery capabilities and next-generation biologics pipeline at the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego this week, the Korean biosimilar company said Thursday. This year’s convention, arguably the world’s largest biopharmaceutical and biotechnology showcase, drew approximately 20,000 participants from more than 68 countries, including over 1,600 exhibitors. Celltrion reporte
Expert witnesses demand amendment to retrial reform bill
The bill to revise the Code of Criminal Procedure limits the scope of evidence that courts may order public prosecutors to submit to that related to an appeal for retrials.
Envoys at Jeju Forum see Korea-Central Asia summit opening ‘new era’
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Envoys from five Central Asian countries predict that the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit in September will open a new phase in relations with South Korea, as both sides seek deeper cooperation in energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, infrastructure and cultural exchanges. The summit will mark the first leaders' meeting between South Korea and the five Central Asian nations as a group, elevating a dialogue mechanism launched in 2007 to a summit-level fra
Three youths jailed over fatal assault of college student in Hokkaido
The case involved a 20-year-old student being beaten to death by six people in a park in 2024.
Indo-Pacific name change unnerves many
Names reveal strategic priorities. Even if the area of responsibility has not been altered.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton not ready to close door on Formula One title bid
Hamilton is second in the championship behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.
Lee's approval rating sinks to lowest point since taking office: Gallup poll
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating dropped to 51 percent, marking its lowest level since he took office in June last year, a poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,000 people aged 18 and older, showed that the positive assessment of Lee's performance fell 6 percentage points from the previous survey released two weeks earlier. His negative assessment rose 6 percentage points to 41 percent, marking the first time his disapproval rating
Naver opens AI Tab to all users in push beyond search
Naver on Friday opened its AI Tab to all users on mobile and desktop search, marking a broader push by the Korean internet giant to turn search into a gateway for tasks such as shopping, local discovery and reservations. The AI-powered tab, now available directly on Naver’s main search box, is designed to understand what users are trying to do and connect them to relevant services across the company’s ecosystem, including shopping, maps, places and bookings. Unlike a conventional search feature
FIFA will allow rainbow flags at Egypt vs. Iran match at World Cup
Both countries' federations have stated objections to the so-called Pride Match.
S. Korean, Japanese defense chiefs to meet again within a month
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi are set to hold their second face-to-face meeting in less than a month. The Defense Ministry said Friday that Ahn and Koizumi will hold talks at the ministry’s headquarters in Seoul on Sunday. “Koizumi’s visit to Korea is being carried out as part of shuttle defense diplomacy between the two countries’ defense ministers,” following Ahn’s visit to Japan in January, the ministry said in a statement. In Korea-
Naver, Hyundai team up to bring AI services into connected cars
Naver said Friday it is expanding its mobility partnership with Hyundai Motor Group by integrating its flagship services into the automaker's next-generation infotainment system, Pleos Connect. At the 2026 Busan Mobility Show on Friday, Hyundai unveiled the new Grandeur and the all-new Avante, both equipped with Pleos Connect. Starting with the new Grandeur, the companies plan to expand their collaboration to bring Naver's AI-powered services to Hyundai's next-generation connected cars, resultin
Crash kills driver on the West Coast
The single vehicle incident happened on State Highway 6, north of Kumara Junction, around 5:30 this morning.
Korea's Round of 32 hopes dim as group stage results come in
South Korea’s hopes of advancing to the Round of 32 at the World Cup have dimmed after the team slipped to sixth place in the race among third-place teams, with several groups still to complete their final group-stage matches through Sunday (Korea time). Australia and Paraguay’s draw on Friday pushed Korea down another rung in the race for one of the eight best third-place teams, after Groups D, E and F wrapped up group play. Paraguay secured four points in Group D after a goalless draw with Aus
Govt. to roll out discount events for agricultural products to tame inflation
South Korea will implement discount events worth 350 billion won ($226 million) for agricultural and fishery products as the government aims to keep consumer price inflation at around 3 percent, the finance ministry said Friday. Under the plan, the government will support discount events for agricultural and fishery products at local supermarkets without limiting eligible product categories, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy. Consumers will be eligible for discounts of up to 30,00
Research looks into bowel cancer in younger people as early-onset cases increase
Early-onset bowel cancer is rising rapidly - around 350 Kiwis under 50 are diagnosed each year, and a third present with late-stage, incurable disease.
How male infertility is still not getting enough attention
How could the system better support men who have been told they might have a fertility issue?
Human error behind industrial chemical being used on Christchurch childcare centre's waterslide
WorkSafe will not take further action against the centre which used industrial sanitiser instead of detergent on a water slide.
Over 50,000 missing, 920 dead after Venezuela earthquakes
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The head of Venezuela's national assembly Jorge Rodriguez said the death toll following the deadly earthquakes in the country has risen to 920.
Chris Mason: The anatomy of the prime minister's downfall
Sir Keir, like his predecessors Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, lost the capacity to viably govern, our political editor writes.
Paris restricts alcohol consumption and sales as Europe's heatwave shifts east
Temperatures in Germany could hit 40C in some areas while French officials bring in alcohol restrictions to ease pressure on hospitals.
Missing Glastonbury? There's a festival on your doorstep this weekend
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Stars like Fatboy Slim and Becky Hill will play small local venues to celebrate the UK music scene.
Funnel cloud in Galway sky amid thunderstorm warnings
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A Status Yellow thunderstorm warning is in effect for several parts of the country as temperatures remain very high.
Pedestrian dies after crash near Hamilton
State Highway 39 remains closed after the crash.
Former B.C. correctional officer turns herself in after warrant issued
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Arrest warrant issued for former B.C. correctional officer charged with breach of trust
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Why the trail went cold in Nancy Guthrie case
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The lack of a breakthrough in the abduction of a famous TV anchor's mother is puzzling given the huge publicity.
Living with parents again? How to make it work while saving to move out
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Rising costs are forcing more young adults to live with their parents, here's how not to come to blows.
Wolfhound features on new 'unmistakably Irish' passport
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The Government has unveiled the next generation Irish passport featuring updated security technology and artwork inspired by the country's natural environment.
Workers reminded of right to disconnect on summer leave
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The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has reminded workers that their right to disconnect from work applies while on annual leave this summer.
Guerin family urges murderer to acknowledge his actions
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A brother of Veronica Guerin has said that an apology from the man serving life in prison for her murder 30 years ago today would make a difference to the family.
World Cup 26: Japan 1-1 Sweden, Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands
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Group F concluded with the Netherlands topping the group and Japan and Sweden finishing second and third respectivelly to also qualify for the Round of 32.
Kiwi cybersecurity expert says maths a defence against AI superhacking
Kry10 CEO Boyd Multerer is an advocate of a maths-based cybersecurity approach called 'formal methods', which is now being tested by the US Air Force.
£30m in taxes paid by Britain's King Charles since 2022
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Britian's King Charles III has paid more than £30 million (€34 million) in personal taxes since becoming monarch in September 2022, Buckingham Palace has announced, in the first such disclosure by a reigning British sovereign.
Watch: Driver gives lift to armed officer chasing suspect
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The chase was caught on camera as the motorist pulled over to help in Margate.
The aeroplane inside Wellington Hospital you probably don't know about
On level nine of one of the older blocks, plastic patients lie in the beds, and one room is taken up by half a plane.
World Cup 2026: Turkey 3-2 USA, Paraguay 0-0 Australia
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Australia kept hold of second place ahead of Paraguay in Group D as Turkey signed off with a win over table-toppers USA.
'Definitive' decision on excise cuts on Tuesday - Martin
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said a "definitive" decision will be taken at cabinet on Tuesday regarding the phased removal of excise cuts.
Police Commissioner investigation: Who knew what, and when?
RNZ has revealed an investigation is underway in relation to complaints about Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement into all-star game after receiving most American League fan votes
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Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement is heading to the MLB all-star game after finishing as the surprise top recipient of fan votes among American League players.
Principals debate scripted lessons
The government is pushing for more structured teaching with careful step-by-step instruction to ensure all students learn the same content in a clear sequence.
Fundraising goal to restore 24 Sussex Drive set at $50M
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Carney confronts our national home reno nightmare at 24 Sussex
Galway brothers, 80s, turning turf while the sun shines
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Turf cutters in east Galway continue to toil in the heat as others enjoy a day out at Loughrea Lake.
World Cup: Ecuador 2-1 Germany, Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast
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Ecuador beat Germany to reach the last-32, while Ivory Coast advance in second place after ending Curacao's adventure.
Vote against ban on services in Occupied Territories Bill
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The Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee has voted against including a ban on trade in and advertisement of services in the Occupied Territories Bill.
Montreal shooting leads to national security investigation on ideological violence
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A specialized national security unit within the RCMP has opened an investigation into ideologically motivated violent extremism after Monday's midday shooting in Montreal that left three people dead, including a police officer and a bystander.
16 arrested in Calgary probe into South Asian extortion; all but one are out on bail
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Calgary police say they are making progress in tackling extortion against members of the city's South Asian community. But they say they need the public's help and released mugshots of most of the suspects in an attempt to get it.
The My Fostering Journey project involved listening to biological and adopted children, otherwise known as "children who foster", about their experiences.
Labour criticises delay in survivors' compensation bill
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Labour leader Ivana Bacik has criticised the Government's decision to delay her party's bid to compel religious orders to pay more compensation to survivors.
Venezuelan Montrealers anxiously await news of loved ones after deadly earthquakes
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Montrealers of Venezuelan descent are living in uncertainty after two earthquakes struck north central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon. The earthquakes, one a magnitude of 7.2 and the other 7.5, struck just one minute apart, causing widespread devastation and triggering the collapse of several buildings in the capital Caracas.
Weekly quiz: Who did Donald Trump anger after saying they begged for a photo with him?
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How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?
Canada 'at a disadvantage' in Iran but no plan to open embassy, Carney says
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Canada is "at a disadvantage" in countries like Iran where it lacks a diplomatic presence, but his government is not looking to re-establish relations with Tehran, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday.
This satellite is falling towards Earth, so scientists hatched a plan to give it a lil' push
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NASA and the commercial company Katalyst Space have concocted a plan to stop a powerful astrophysics satellite from hurtling towards Earth and burning up in the atmosphere.
King Charles won't live in Buckingham Palace after completion of £369M renovation
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Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after the completion of a 10-year, 369-million-pound ($692 million Cdn) refurbishment program as the monarchy seeks to increase public access to the historic building that has been the centre of royal life for almost 200 years.
Why is this heatwave so much worse?
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The UK recorded for the hottest June day has been broken for the second day in a row.
Former coach attempted to rape girl at camp, court hears
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A woman has told a Central Criminal Court jury that a sports coach attempted to rape her during a summer camp over 50 years ago.
Weinstein sex assault case to be dropped after mistrials
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US prosecutors moved to drop a sex assault case against disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein after two separate juries were unable to reach verdicts in the case.
Scooter-riding bank robber evades police in back-to-back stickups in Dawson Creek, B.C.
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RCMP say although the two robberies took place four days and 170 metres apart, it is not clear if they are connected or if there are two scooter-riding bank robbers at large.
Did Canada luck out with its World Cup playoff matchup?
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CBC Sports' daily newsletter assesses Canada's chances against South Africa in the World Cup knockout stage this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
'No hiding places' for paedophiles in authority - Kelly
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Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has said he accepts the way that gardaí originally dealt with recidivist paedophile Bill Kenneally "fell far short" of what should have been expected.
Ship evacuation in Strait of Hormuz paused following attack on cargo vessel
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The UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) paused its program to shepherd ships and seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after a cargo ship reported a suspected attack, reigniting fears over a preliminary deal to end the Iran war.
'We were tortured': ex-soldier on Army Apprentice School
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A former soldier has told a tribunal that he "walked into hell" when he joined the Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks, Naas in Co Kildare, almost 40 years ago due to the level of verbal, mental and physical abuse he suffered.
Alberta man charged with sex crimes involving minors while out on bail
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Grande Prairie RCMP urges potential victims to come forward as Joseph Kidd has received numerous charges relating to sexual offences. Police have identified four alleged victims so far, ranging from 12 to 18 years old.
Israel: No troop withdrawal timeframe from Lebanon, Gaza
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Israel has said that it had set no timetable for withdrawing its forces from Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, as Israeli and Lebanese officials engaged in US-brokered talks in Washington.
Trust undermined, Innu harmed by N.L. government response to exhibit dispute: MUN profs
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A letter signed by eight anthropologists and archaeologists at Memorial University expresses support for Innu in the ongoing dispute with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, relating to declarations on Innu history. The academics are calling on the provincial government to "clarify the evidentiary basis for any claims" about history of the modern Innu people in Labrador.
Poland, Ukraine hold key conference without Zelensky
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Poland and Ukraine tried to strike a conciliatory tone as they opened the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference in the Polish port of Gdansk after weeks of squabbling over historical differences.
Residents northwest of Pemberton, B.C., ordered to leave as glacial lake threatens to burst
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Residents of a small community northeast of Pemberton, B.C., have been ordered to leave immediately due to the imminent risk of flooding from a nearby glacial lake.
Carney says he talked about Iran, NATO in wide-ranging security call with Trump
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Prime Minister Mark Carney says a lengthy conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump went well beyond NATO, covering Iran, Middle East security, Arctic defence and Canada's military spending plans. Carney also predicted Canada will hit four per cent of GDP spent on defence by 2029, ahead of NATO's planned review.
Pope Leo sends aid to earthquake-struck Venezuela
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Pope Leo sends an initial €100,000 emergency donation to Venezuela as rescue efforts continue following devastating earthquakes that have killed at least 164 people and left widespread destruction.
Not just for golf courses: Electric carts are another EV option hitting the streets
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In this issue of our environmental newsletter, we find how people are using EVs with four wheels that seat multiple people and start at around $10,000; get an aerial view of methane-emitting lines criss-crossing the oilsands; and, learn why wildflower mixes aren't great for your garden.
Canada can now enter Eurovision, but CBC won't say whether it will
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CBC/Radio-Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union on Thursday, which means Canada is now eligible to enter the Eurovision Song Contest, but the country’s public broadcaster won’t say whether it will participate in the popular competition.
Carney vows to defend Canadian unity ahead of Alberta's fall referendum
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Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada's hard-earned reputation as one of the most "trustworthy, reliable and desirable countries" is on the line in Alberta's upcoming separation referendum, warning Thursday that a vote to leave would prompt years of uncertainty at the worst possible time.
Girl left with 'life-long' disability after Dublin attack
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A five-year-old girl who was stabbed in the heart on Parnell Square in Dublin almost three years ago has been left with a "life-long, life-limiting" severe disability, the Central Criminal Court has been told.
So Ji-sub awakens combat instincts in 'Agent Kim Reactivated'
Actor So Ji-sub is set to deliver "brutal and intense action" in SBS’ highly anticipated revenge series "Agent Kim Reactivated," a drama centered on the fierce depths of paternal love. So stars as Kim Do-hyeon, known as Manager Kim, a former elite special agent living undercover as an ordinary employee at a small savings bank. Once a legendary operative known as "Codename 66" — even earning a spot on North Korea's blacklist — Kim had retired to honor his late wife's dying wish to "just live as a father." However, when his only daughter is thrust into extreme danger, he is forced to awaken his deadly combat instincts once more. "I really wanted to do an action drama again," So shared during a press conference for the drama at SBS headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul, Thursday. "Manager Kim's narrative, alongside his desperate mindset while tracking down his daughter, felt like a compelling challenge." He noted that the show's action stands apart from his previous works, including his 2025 action noir "Mercy for None." "The difficulty was advanced," he said. "Unlike other dramas where the
Apple raises prices of MacBooks, iPads as memory costs skyrocket
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices on Thursday, saying it could no longer shield customers from soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry's datacenter buildout. The move does not affect Apple's main cash cow, the iPhone. But it would take starting price of the Neo — its lowest priced laptop aimed at winning marketshare from affordable Windows and Chromebook laptops — from $599 to $699 months after launch. The increase shows even the world's most valuable consumer electronics company with supply chain relationships that are the envy of the industry is not immune to a memory price surge that has dulled the outlook for smartphone and PC sales. Memory makers such as Micron have in recent months prioritized orders from AI chipmakers like Nvidia, helping them earn record profit but leaving little supply for electronics makers that have been forced to increase prices. "We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly," Apple said in a statement. "We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached
Foreign minister vows pragmatic approach to Korean Peninsula denuclearization
South Korea will pursue a phased and practical approach to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and stronger cooperation with like-minded countries to advance regional peace and stability, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday. Cho outlined South Korea's foreign policy priorities during an official dinner for participants of the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity under way on the southern resort island of Jeju, according to the ministry. "We will pursue sustainable peace and coexistence, while taking a phased and practical approach toward the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula," Cho said, underscoring the importance of peaceful coexistence and conflict prevention. Cho also reaffirmed the country's commitment to strengthening its own defense capabilities based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance, while expanding cooperation with like-minded countries, including the Group of Seven (G7), as well as emerging and developing countries in the Global South. South Korea will seek to serve as a bridge among nations by leveraging its strengths in development cooperation, adva
China defends patrols east of Taiwan after 3 European nations raise alarm
BEIJING — China on Thursday defended its recent patrols in waters east of Taiwan, one day after Britain, France and Germany expressed alarm about what they described as “novel Chinese activity." While the three European countries said the activity, which they did not specifically identify, endangered regional stability, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China's law-enforcement and patrol activities were aimed at maintaining regional stability and maritime order. China deployed coast guard ships in response to an announcement by Japan and the Philippines that they would discuss their maritime boundaries in waters that Beijing views as its own. “These are necessary actions in response to Japan’s and the Philippines’ manipulation of maritime delimitation issues and infringement upon China’s maritime rights and interests,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a daily briefing. A joint statement from the de facto embassies of the three European nations in Taiwan said China's actions threatened regional stability, freedom of navigation and the safety of int
Luxury market shows early signs of recovery in Q2 despite Middle East war
MILAN — The global personal luxury goods market is showing signs of a recovery in the second quarter, despite the war in the Middle East, as demand in the U.S. was stronger than expected, consultancy Bain & Company said on Thursday. In an update to its closely watched annual outlook for the sector, Bain said its base-case scenario now points to a 2 percent to 4 percent rise in personal luxury sales this year. That compares with a previously forecast 3 percent to 5 percent increase published in November, before the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. The personal luxury goods market, which was valued at 358 billion euros ($406 billion) in 2025, has contracted over the past two years. It shrank by 2 percent at current exchange rates in 2025, although it edged up 1 percent in constant currencies. Looking at the broader luxury industry, experiences continue to outpace tangible goods, according to the study, produced with Italian luxury industry group Altagamma. "We see growing uncertainty and turmoil at the macroeconomic and socio-political levels, but the market is there," Bain part
At least 164 dead, 971 injured after powerful quakes rock Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela — At least 164 people have died and 971 were injured after a pair of powerful quakes rocked Venezuela, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Thursday, adding that rescue teams are rushing to the hardest-hit areas to free people trapped under rubble. Wednesday evening’s 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region. The country's main airport was damaged and closed, while buildings were evacuated in places as far away as Brazil’s Amazon, about 1,700 kilometers from Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. Television broadcasts Thursday showed rescue workers using power tools to work their way into piles of rubble where buildings once stood. Panicked residents of the capital were sent pouring into the streets, and after the quakes many people walked among the debris searching for the missing among collapsed buildings and toppled electric poles. Footage on state TV showed three children, covered in dust but alive, pulled from the rubble in La Guaira state, which Rodríguez descr
SeeDevice CEO speaks out on KBS defamation lawsuit, seeks up to $1.23 bil. in damages
The founder of a U.S. tech company that has filed a defamation lawsuit against Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and its U.S. affiliate, KBS America, says false reporting by the broadcaster cost him years of research and a major commercial opportunity and he is seeking up to $1.23 billion in damages. Kim Hoon, founder and CEO of SeeDevice, told The Korea Times in an interview that the KBS report caused substantial harm to both his reputation and that of his company. “In addition to recovering the economic losses caused by the false report, we are seeking compensation for the reputational harm suffered by me and the company,” Kim said. “We are also seeking punitive damages to the maximum extent permitted under U.S. law, as well as a retraction of the false report.” A damages expert retained by SeeDevice calculated the company's economic losses at between $236.25 million and $1.23 billion, citing business opportunities that fell through following the KBS report. A trial has been set at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to begin in January 2027. The case
Deglobalization calls for shift toward financial cooperation in East Asia: experts
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — As geopolitical tensions and trade fragmentation reshape the global economy, East Asia should look beyond trade-led integration and deepen financial cooperation to sustain regional growth, Korean economists and scholars said Thursday. Speaking at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, Kim So-young, professor at Seoul National University and former vice chairman of the Financial Services Commission, argued that the traditional trade-driven model underpinning East Asia's economic success has reached its limits as supply chains are increasingly reorganized along geopolitical lines. “One of the most interesting facts on finance is financial globalization is still going, but the trade integration is now somehow decreasing. We have to think about how to respond to these two different trends,” Kim said during a session of the forum titled “Deglobalization and East Asian Economic Cooperation.” Kim noted that global trade expanded rapidly from the 1990s until the 2008 global financial crisis, driven by the establishment of the World Trade Organization, China's
Trump retains 'very strong interest' in Kim Jong-un: ex-White House official
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Former White House national security official Alex Wong said Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump continues to have a "very strong interest" in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, suggesting the U.S. leader could create conditions for renewed engagement with Pyongyang next year. "President Trump is a world historical actor, the one who is active, who engages, who takes action on the world stage. He could change the conditions in the short term — in the next year — to make the conditions conducive for engagement," Wong said during an interview with local media on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, when asked about the prospects for renewed U.S.-North Korea diplomacy. "When the conditions are right, I think all powers should be ready for engagement," he added. Wong, who currently serves as global chief strategy officer at Hanwha Group, was deeply involved in North Korea policy during Trump's first administration, leading working-level negotiations with Pyongyang. He later served as principal deputy national security adviser during Trum
UN chief candidates call for stronger multilateralism as global institutions weaken
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Candidates vying to lead the United Nations gathered at the Jeju Forum, Thursday, to call for a renewal of multilateralism at a moment when the international body's influence is waning and global cooperation is fracturing under the weight of conflict. The session, titled "Reimagining Multilateralism: A Dialogue with U.N. Secretary-General Candidates," brought together Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former president of the 73rd U.N. General Assembly and former minister of foreign affairs of Ecuador, as well as International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, U.N. Conference on Trade and Development Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and former President of Senegal Macky Sall. Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and former U.N. high commissioner for human rights, could not attend in person due to a scheduling conflict and instead sent a video message. The session came as the U.N. faces severe funding shortfalls and a growing number of global conflicts,
Finding home between worlds: How Glumroll turned third-culture journey into music
Home is a complicated idea for those who grow up between cultures. For artist and songwriter Glumroll, who just dropped her debut EP "Pretty Nabi," it was never defined by a single country. Born in Korea but raised abroad from the age of 4, she spent much of her life moving from place to place before eventually graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2025. Like many third-culture kids, she learned to adapt quickly. Every move brought new communities, expectations and ways of seeing the world. The act of balancing cultures can shape everything from friendships and communication styles to ideas of success, independence and belonging. For years, Korea was not necessarily that place for Glumroll. Although her family had returned to Korea, she never imagined building a life there herself. "Until my last year of university, I never really considered going back," she said. "I didn't grow up there, and I never really saw myself there." Her experience reflects a reality shared by millions of members of the Korean diaspora. While connected to Korea through heritage and family, many spend much of
300 kg of salmon, 116 kg of cheese: Behind Norway's World Cup run
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Norway's impressive start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been attributed not only to its star-studded squad but also to a carefully planned diet centered on salmon and Norwegian brown cheese. The Scandinavian nation, making its first World Cup appearance in 28 years, secured a place in the knockout stage after defeating Senegal 3-2 in its second Group I match at New Jersey Stadium near New York, June 23. The victory followed a commanding 4-1 win over Iraq in the opening match. Norway boasts some of Europe's biggest football stars, including Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard. However, U.S. media outlets including TBS and CNN reported that the team's nutrition strategy has also played a key role in its success. To ensure players remain in peak condition throughout the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Norwegian Football Federation transported more than 500 kilograms of premium food ingredients. The shipment included over 300 kilograms of salmon, 116 kilograms of cheese, more than 6,000 or
Korean president, Samsung Electronics chief discuss chip cluster investment in southern region
President Lee Jae Myung met with Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Thursday to discuss plans for regional semiconductor investments, including the possible development of a chip cluster in the southwestern Honam region. The meeting at Cheong Wa Dae is set to touch on plans for the proposed Honam semiconductor cluster, as well as investment projects by top chipmakers — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix Inc. — according to industry sources. The talks are widely viewed as part of the ongoing preparations for the government's upcoming conference on balanced regional development, tentatively scheduled for next Monday. The president had earlier met with the head of SK hynix to exchange views on regional investments. At the latest get-together, Samsung Electronics may outline a large-scale regional investment plan. Earlier, Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, said the greater Seoul area is facing growing constraints on land, electricity and water resources, suggesting the government may seek to establish an additional semiconductor cluster outside the ca
Half of stranded Korean ships exit Strait of Hormuz as transit gains pace
Half of the Korean vessels stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict have successfully exited the strategic waterway, raising expectations that the remaining ships could soon follow, officials said Thursday. A total of 13 Korean vessels had transited the strait as of Thursday morning, accounting for half of the 26 ships that had been trapped inside the waterway since the conflict between the United States and Iran began in late February, according to foreign ministry officials. The pace of transit has accelerated since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week aimed at ending their conflict and reopening the strait. Eleven out of the 13 Korean vessels cleared the waterway over the past three days alone. Currently, 13 Korean vessels remain inside the strait. There are 54 crew members aboard South Korean-flagged ships and 33 Koreans serving on foreign vessels in the area. "The continued safe passage of vessels has raised expectations that the long-standing transit issue may soon be resolved, barring any deterior
Transport ministry approves Korean Air's integration with Asiana Airlines
Korea's transport ministry on Thursday approved Korean Air Co.'s integration with Asiana Airlines Inc., paving the way for the launch of a combined entity in December. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport made the decision after Korean Air and Asiana Airlines applied for approval following the signing of an integration agreement last month. In November 2020, Korean Air signed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines, aiming to form the world's 10th-largest airline by fleet size. Asiana Airlines is currently being operated as a Korean Air subsidiary. The transport ministry said its advisory panel, composed of aviation, legal and accounting experts, conducted a thorough review of the application and concluded that the merger meets the legal requirements. The approval, however, was granted on the condition that Korean Air guarantees aviation safety and consumer convenience. The new entity will officially launch on Dec. 17. "The ministry will thoroughly oversee the integration to ensure aviation safety and consumer convenience are not undermined, given the signifi
Why so many people in Korea are walking barefoot — should you try it?
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Walk through a park or along a nature trail these days, and you're likely to spot people taking off their shoes to walk barefoot on dirt or clay paths. The practice has become especially popular among middle-aged and older adults in Korea, with many joining barefoot walking clubs or traveling to famous clay trails in pursuit of better health. Participants often report feeling that their feet are lighter, their sleep has improved and even their back and knee pain has eased after their walks. But what does barefoot walking actually do for the body? The soles of the feet contain thousands of sensory receptors. Walking barefoot allows people to directly feel subtle changes in the ground's texture and pressure, prompting the small muscles in the feet and ankles to work harder. This increased stimulation may help improve balance and overall coordination. As people reach middle age and beyond, declining leg strength and balance becomes a major risk factor for falls. Some studies suggest that barefoot walking enhances sensory input from the soles of th
Vietnamese woman sentenced to 10 years in prison for abandoning, killing own baby
A Seoul court on Thursday sentenced a Vietnamese woman to 10 years in prison on charges of killing her newborn baby by abandonment. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence for the student in her 20s who had been indicted on charges of abandoning her baby outside a building near Dongguk University in central Seoul in December, resulting in the newborn's death. While the infant had been rushed to the hospital after police and rescue authorities responded to a report of an abandoned baby inside a paper bag, the newborn ultimately died. The court said the infant could have survived if the defendant had not abandoned the newborn out in the cold winter weather. "The healthy baby was denied the opportunity to live by the mother without ever receiving a blessing," the court said. "(The defendant) must bear strict responsibility commensurate with the act." It also convicted another Vietnamese national on charges of helping the mother, and handed down an eight-month prison term suspended for two years.
Foreign minister of East Timor to make 1st official visit to Korea
East Timor's top diplomat plans to visit Seoul next week for talks with Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the economy, security and a range of other sectors, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. The visit by East Timorese Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas will mark the first official trip to Korea by an East Timorese top diplomat since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002, according to the ministry. During talks scheduled for Monday, Cho and Freitas will discuss cooperation in the economy, development, security and international affairs, as well as ways to implement the vision for the comprehensive strategic partnership between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the ministry said. Timor-Leste became ASEAN's 11th member in October 2025. "The upcoming talks are expected to provide an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties and explore ways to deepen cooperation between Korea and ASEAN," ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a press briefing.
Global dance festival brings world beats to Seoul
The ninth edition of the Arts in Tank Dance Festival (ADFK) in Korea is set to kick off in Seoul on Sunday, transforming a public park into a vibrant hub for international artistic exchange. Running through July 3, the annual event will take place at Oil Tank Culture Park in western Seoul, a prominent culture and arts complex built from repurposed oil tanks. Under the leadership of artistic director Choi Moon-ea, this year's festival will feature artists from 12 countries, including the United States, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China and Japan. The organizer said in a press release that the event has expanded its role beyond a traditional performance-based festival to serve as a comprehensive global dance platform. “We aim to build a sustainable network where local and international choreographers can actively inspire one another and co-create beyond borders," the organizer said. To foster international exchange, the festival has established partnerships with eight overseas institutions. These include the Seattle International Dance Festival and the Los Angeles Danc
A tale of two cities: can Shanghai challenge Hong Kong's offshore finance crown?
Hong Kong has been seizing every opportunity to consolidate its role as a global financial centre, leveraging unique advantages and national strategies. In the first piece of our miniseries focusing on the city's financial industry ahead of the handover anniversary, we examine what Shanghai's rapid development of offshore markets means to Hong Kong. Beijing's latest push to strengthen Shanghai's offshore financial capabilities is prompting fresh questions about whether Hong Kong's long-standing dominance in the sector could eventually come under pressure. For many analysts, it is not any single policy measure that stands out, but rather the speed of Shanghai's ambitions, the determination of local officials and, most importantly, Beijing's explicit commitment to support the city in "taking the lead in building an offshore financial business system". The message was underscored at this month's Lujiazui Forum, where People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng unveiled a pilot foreign-exchange trading programme in Shanghai's free-trade zone. According to domestic media citing the China Fo
Korea expresses condolences over deadly Venezuela quakes; no Korean casualties reported
The foreign ministry on Thursday expressed condolences to Venezuela after powerful earthquakes killed dozens of people, while confirming that no Korean nationals have been reported among the victims. The earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit northern Venezuela within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening (local time), killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700 others, according to foreign media reports. "Around 100 South Koreans are currently residing in Venezuela, and no cases of Korean casualties have been reported so far," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a press briefing. "The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to check whether any South Korean nationals have been affected," he added. Park also extended condolences to the Venezuelan government and people and expressed sympathy to the victims of the earthquakes, while wishing for no further damage and a swift recovery. Asked about any plan to provide assistance, ministry officials said the government is reviewing the situation and possible responses.
Son Heung-min sorry to teammates for World Cup loss to South Africa
GUADALUPE, Mexico — For the first time in his international career that started in 2010, Son Heung-min began a World Cup match on the bench Wednesday. The veteran admitted to feeling helpless, as Korea struggled to generate much offense in the first half against South Africa in their final Group A match in northeastern Mexico. Son was subbed in at the start of the second half, with the match still scoreless. But then South Africa scored in the 63rd minute and hung on to win by 1-0 to book their first-ever knockout spot. Korea, relegated to third place, now must wait for the rest of the group stage to play out to see if they will be among the eight best third-place teams to qualify for the knockouts. "It's so frustrating that the match didn't go the way we wanted it to, and we as players are obviously very disappointed," Son said. "I feel sorry to my teammates that I didn't give them much help on the pitch." Son had been in the starting lineup in his 12 previous World Cup matches beginning at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Hong Myung-bo, the current national team head coach, was also in
Hyundai Motor union set to leverage strike against Atlas robot deployment
Hyundai Motor’s labor union is poised to use a potential strike as leverage to secure job protections against the carmaker’s planned deployment of Atlas humanoid robots in its manufacturing operations. More than 86 percent of the carmaker’s roughly 40,000 union members voted in favor of the walkout, Wednesday, setting the stage for a contentious showdown over wages, job security and the upcoming robot deployment. The union also gained the legal right to go ahead with the strike, Thursday, after a state labor mediation committee decided to suspend its arbitration process between the two sides. While the carmaker’s annual wage negotiation has typically revolved around compensation, this year’s talks have hit a roadblock over a new core agenda on manufacturing automation amid the rise of physical artificial intelligence (AI). Earlier this year, Hyundai Motor Group unveiled its plan to gradually deploy Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid robots across its major production lines here and abroad, which has drawn severe backlash from its union. Starting from 2028, the carmaker is schedul
KOSPI reclaims 9,000 intraday as chip stocks surge on Micron earnings
KOSPI jumped more than 6 percent intraday Thursday to reclaim the 9,000 level, led by a surge in semiconductor stocks after U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology reported stronger-than-expected earnings. The benchmark index opened at 8,703.42, up 232.40 points, or 2.74 percent, from the previous day's close, and extended its gains to 9,000.88 by 2:24 p.m., rising 529.86 points, or 6.25 percent, from the previous session to reclaim the 9,000 mark. The index later surrendered part of its gains and closed at 8,930.30, up 459.28 points, or 5.42 percent, from the previous session. Reflecting strong buying momentum, a buy-side sidecar was triggered at 9:07 a.m., temporarily suspending program buy orders. The benchmark index drew support from Micron's better-than-expected quarterly results and upbeat guidance. Investor optimism toward the semiconductor sector further intensified ahead of second-quarter earnings announcements from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. SK hynix's planned Nasdaq listing through American depositary receipts, tentatively scheduled for July 10, provided an additional ta
Korea eyes tech-focused noncommissioned officer track amid conscription reform push
Korea plans to introduce a noncommissioned officer track focused on advanced military technology as part of its push to reform the conscription-based military service system by augmenting voluntary enlistment, the defense ministry said Thursday. The move comes as the Lee Jae Myung administration pushes for a "selective voluntary enlistment system" designed to attract more young people into military careers while maintaining mandatory military service for men. The "tech-intensive" noncommissioned officers would specialize in areas such as manned-unmanned systems, cyber operations and artificial intelligence, and serve for four to five years unless they choose to pursue a longer-term military career, ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said in a press briefing. "We plan to gradually expand the number of 'tech-intensive' noncommissioned officers in line with efforts to restructure the military with a focus on advanced science and technology," Chung said. "While maintaining the conscription system, we are considering ways to broaden service options, which is the basic concept behind the select
3 contenders, 3 leadership styles compete in DPK chair race
The race to lead the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is taking shape as a three-way contest after party chair Jung Chung-rae stepped down Wednesday to seek another term, setting up an expected showdown with outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and veteran lawmaker Song Young-gil. All three have cast themselves as supporters of the Lee Jae Myung administration. Their political strengths, however, are markedly different. Each is appealing to different factions within the ruling party — Jung to its activist base, Kim to lawmakers seeking close coordination with Cheong Wa Dae and Song to those looking for an alternative should the race extend beyond the first round. Jung, the party man Jung enters the race with perhaps the strongest organizational backing. “No matter what anyone says, I will stand by President Lee Jae Myung until the very end,” Jung said as he announced his resignation as party chair. “Lee and I share a political community and a destiny.” His remarks followed weeks of speculation about tensions with the presidential office. Differences over the pace of prosecut
Travel Wallet gears up for Kosdaq listing amid global expansion
Travel Wallet, a digital wallet platform operator in Korea, is gearing up for an initial public offering after selecting NH Investment & Securities and KB Securities as its lead underwriters, according to company officials, Thursday. The firm targets a Kosdaq listing in 2027. Travel Wallet is a fintech company that provides app-based foreign currency top-up and overseas payment services. Users can load the foreign currency of their choice in real time through the app and make payments with the card at online and offline merchants overseas. The company currently supports foreign currency top-ups and payments in 46 currencies. As of June 2026, it had issued more than 9.6 million cards and surpassed 9.8 trillion won ($6.3 billion) in cumulative transaction volume. The company has been expanding into the global digital wallet business, building on its domestic operational experience. In April, it launched service in Japan, marking the start of its global digital wallet business for users in overseas markets., the company said. It is also focusing on expanding its business-to-business payment
Mixed messages on leveraged ETFs fuel investor confusion
Newly introduced single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, originally promoted by the government as part of efforts to invigorate the domestic capital market, are drawing renewed scrutiny after the head of Korea's financial watchdog publicly criticized the products just a month after their launch, industry officials said Thursday. The apparent disconnect between the government's market-friendly agenda and the Financial Supervisory Service's (FSS) assessment has fueled concerns about policy consistency and investor confidence. At a press briefing Monday, FSS Gov. Lee Chan-jin expressed regret over not having pursued every possible measure to stop the introduction of the products. "The products were introduced under a tight timeline," he said. "The expected benefits have fallen short, while the associated risks and unintended consequences have proven more significant than anticipated." On May 27, brokerages launched 16 single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, attracting a rapid influx of retail in
Democrats losing media mouthpieces to carry their water
Desperate Democrats are rapidly losing their media mouthpieces at a time when they need them more than ever to carry their water and disdain for President Donald Trump. Their once formidable left wing media army – led by CNN, the Washington Post and 60 Minutes – is dwindling to just a ragtag few that have forfeited their power, influence, ratings and readership. The left wing media mob that Democrats could always count on for a quick Trump hit job, social media meme or well timed joke once featured a powerful lineup including MSNBC, CBS, public radio and Stephen Colbert. But they have all succumbed to a combination of financial pressures, demographic changes and political realities. It’s panic time over at the DNC, which was counting on their mainstream media sycophants to beat the negative Trump drumbeat to victory in the midterms and 2028 election. But the reality is with all the changes to the mainstream media, that Trump negative drumbeat is getting fainter and fainter. Just in the last few years, an earthquake has decimated the media landscape, and here are the latest examples:
LS Electric steps up hiring of veterans, service members
LS Electric is stepping up efforts to recruit active-duty service members and military veterans, viewing their commitment to national service as a valuable asset in the workplace. The Korean power and automation solutions provider said it has adopted a human resources policy aimed at expanding recruitment of active-duty service members and veterans across all job functions. The company is particularly focused on creating new career opportunities for career military personnel transitioning to civilian life at a relatively young age due to mandatory retirement rules. As part of the initiative, LS Electric recently launched a recruitment process for reserve force staff officers through referrals from a government-run employment support center for military veterans, as part of its broader effort to expand hiring of former service members. The company has also been supporting transitioning service members through its participation in a series of job fairs organized by the Ministry of National Defense and related organizations. In April, LS Electric participated in a military employment fair a
HD Hyundai, LS, SK hit pause on IPO plans as Korea delays dual-listing rules
Delayed government guidelines on dual listings are forcing major Korean conglomerates, including HD Hyundai, LS and SK, to shelve or reassess subsidiary initial public offering (IPO) plans, raising concerns that regulatory uncertainty is cooling the country's listing market, industry officials said Thursday. Among the companies affected is HD Hyundai Robotics, a major IPO candidate whose listing plans have been thrown into uncertainty. The company suspended working-level preparations for its listing in February. HD Hyundai, which owns an 81.82 percent stake in the robotics unit, had been preparing the IPO, saying it was necessary to support the stable growth of its robotics business, which requires continued large-scale investment. The halt came as guidelines on dual-listing regulations, originally expected to be released earlier this month, remain in limbo, with no fixed announcement date. A dual listing refers to a case in which a listed parent company spins off and lists a profitable business unit, or lists an unlisted subsidiary. Because the subsidiary's value is usually already ref
Former UN chief slams US for leaving int'l organizations
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday criticized the United States for withdrawing from international organizations, warning that no country can survive without cooperating with the rest of the world. Speaking at the World Leaders Session, a key event of the annual Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, Ban said he was "angry" over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull his country out of dozens of international institutions. "I am very angry that President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw from 31 U.N. organizations and 35 international organizations like WHO, UNESCO and UNFCCC," he said. Expressing concern over the weakening role of the U.N. and other international institutions, Ban appealed for Washington to reverse its course. "I really appeal to the U.S. — please return. You are the leader," he said. "Not a single country in this world can live alone without working together with members of the international community." His remarks came after Trump in January signed a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. to withdraw
2026 World Cup Korea vs. South Africa
Teams South Africa and South Korea before the start of their World Cup Group A soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, June 24 (local time). AP-Yonhap
Symposium to spotlight Korea's 2nd oldest surviving genealogy
During the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), families preserved their genealogical records in books called "jokbo." These records offer a window into individual family histories and the broader social structure of the kingdom. In recent years, efforts to register jokbo as a UNESCO Memory of the World heritage item have gained momentum in Korea. Interest in these genealogical records will be on full display at a symposium on the genealogical book of the Cheongsong Shim clan, scheduled for Saturday at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. The symposium is hosted by the Cheongsong Shim Clan Association and supported by the Korean Genealogy Academic Committee. "Cheongsong Shim Clan Eulsa-Sabo," the earliest genealogy book of the Cheongsong Shim clan, is the second oldest surviving ancient genealogy in Korea, following the Andong Kwon clan's "Seonghwa-bo." The book, published in 1545 by Shim Tong-won (1499–1572), has drawn attention from genealogy scholars and traditional clan associations. Jokbo is globally recognized for its unparalleled historical and anthropological value. The Eulsa-Sabo i
Seoul revamps OASIS program to turn expat tech startups into global players
When Ravi Pandit Shankar arrived in Korea, navigating the country's dense corporate laws and tax codes felt like an insurmountable hurdle. But after completing a specialized municipal program, his tech startup, Konnect — a "super-app" catering to expatriates — went on to win major domestic startup competitions and secure backing from the prestigious Asan Nanum Foundation. "Now I want to become a mentor for the aspiring foreign entrepreneurs following behind me," Shankar, an Indian national, said. Seeking to replicate such successes on a broader scale, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday a major overhaul of its flagship immigrant entrepreneur initiative. Dubbed OASIS 2.0 (Overall Assistance for Startup Immigration System), the program is expanding its curriculum to provide a seamless, end-to-end pipeline from initial business conception to legal incorporation, alongside a newly established alumni mentoring network. The initiative comes as Seoul aggressively positions itself as a global tech incubator, looking to diversify its domestic economy by attracting experts fr
Korean heritage music meets modern swing in Incheon
A century ago, in the smoke-filled cafes of colonial-era Seoul — then known as Gyeongseong — a radical new sound began to turn heads. Detractors sniffed that those who abandoned decorum for the infectious, Western-inflected syncopations of swing and ragtime were part of a shameless "jass" band. Next month, that historical audacity returns to the stage in a contemporary skin. The Incheon Culture and Arts Center said Thursday that its flagship matinee series, the Coffee Concert, will host a collaborative performance titled "Modern Jass" on July 15, pairing traditional gukak vocalist Chun Young-rang with the veteran jazz quartet Prelude. The performance offers a rare cross-generational bridge, reimagining the hybrid pop music of the 1930s and 40s. During that era, "jass" served as a sonic umbrella for "shin-minyo" (new folk songs), comic songs and early Korean swing. By filtering these archival melodies through contemporary jazz arrangements, the artists aim to evoke the romantic, turbulent atmosphere of early 20th-century Korean café culture. The collaborative pairing brings together
Jongno District opens free pop-up splash parks for families
For families seeking respite from the sweltering summer heat without leaving the capital, a network of free urban splash parks is opening across the historic heart of the city. Jongno District announced plans Thursday to operate four park-based water play areas throughout the summer season, pairing the refreshing splash zones with specialized educational programs for children. The district's flagship facility, the Yeonji Water Playground, opened its gates earlier this month and will operate through Aug. 30. It features an array of interactive installations, including two water slides, giant and miniature tipping buckets, a water tunnel and ground-level fountains. Three additional temporary splash pads — located at Sungin Park, Sanmaru Playground and Sangsang Guldduk Playground — will welcome visitors from July 11 through Aug. 16. The facilities are specifically tailored for elementary school students and younger children, with adult supervision strictly mandated for toddlers aged 7 and under. To ensure maximum accessibility, the parks will transition from weekend-only operations in
Kookmin University unveils 2 Korean typefaces to mark 80th anniversary
Kookmin University has developed two Korean typefaces to embody its history and future vision in celebration of its 80th anniversary this year. The university said Wednesday that the development was carried out for nearly a year to establish a consistent design identity across various anniversary projects and to reflect its unique identity in both internal and external communications. It noted that the new typefaces, Sungkok Font and Haeong Font, focus on capturing the university’s beginnings and its future vision. Sungkok Font symbolizes the university’s founding spirit and the historical legacy of Sungkok Kim Sung-kon, who played a key role in the revival of Kookmin University. Haeong Font, meanwhile, embodies the spirit of challenge and innovation for the future represented by Haeong Kim Suk-won, the eldest son of Kim Sung-kon and former chairman of the SsangYong Group. The fonts were designed to visually embody Kookmin’s vision of becoming a university that sets new standards in higher education. “The development of the typefaces is one of the 10 major projects for Kookmin Univ
Why did Jensen Huang refuse to see the future?
On the June 10 episode of tvN's "You Quiz on the Block," host Yoo Jae-suk asked Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to choose between perfect foresight and unbreakable resilience. Huang answered without hesitation: resilience. His reasoning was arithmetic. One option is impossible for any human to hold. The other anyone can be built. There was nothing to weigh. Set that beside the second question Yoo posed. Speak with your past self or your future self? Huang chose the future. He declined the chance to correct past mistakes and instead walked toward his future self. Two answers, one worldview. He does not try to reach back and control time. He bets on enduring whatever arrives and standing up again. Nvidia is the proof. In 2006, when the market was focused on graphics cards and nothing more, Huang poured a fortune into CUDA. For nearly a decade, investors looked away, and the company's value once fell below $10 billion. He has spoken often about the mid-1990s, when Nvidia came within weeks of collapse. He did not survive by predicting the artificial intelligence wave. He survived by surviving the
Special counsel again seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon on insurrection charges
A special counsel team on Thursday again sought the death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol during his appellate trial on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed 2024 martial law bid. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team made the request at the Seoul High Court, matching its earlier sentencing recommendation in Yoon's first-instance trial. In February, a lower court sentenced the ousted former president to life imprisonment for the charges. Thursday's hearing marked the resumption of Yoon's appeals trial after a monthlong pause due to his request for a recusal of the appellate court bench. The Supreme Court rejected the request earlier this month. At the hearing, Cho's team called for the death penalty, arguing the lower court's punishment was too lenient. The team also disputed the lower court's ruling that did not recognize the notes of Noh Sang-won, a retired military commander, as evidence for preparations for martial law. Meanwhile, the team sought life imprisonment for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on charges of playing a key role in the insurrection. Ki
SK Telecom to deploy proprietary AI model in steel, auto parts factories
SK Telecom (SKT) has signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with steel manufacturer KG Steel and automotive parts maker KONEC to pilot its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) foundation model in their production facilities — marking the first deployment of the model in the manufacturing sector. SKT has been developing the model, called A.X K1, since earlier this year. The company began collecting process error reports, equipment manuals and operational log data from KG Steel and KONEC in April and has since completed a demo version of what it calls a "manufacturing-specialized AI agent" built on the model. A.X K1 is a large language model with 519 billion parameters — the numerical variables that determine a model's behavior. The company said the model is structured so that only about 33 billion parameters activate during each inference, allowing it to run efficiently in industrial environments while retaining the reasoning capacity of a much larger system. Parameters are a standard measure of a language model's scale and complexity. In the second half of the year, SKT and it
Hyundai Glovis pushes AI adoption with in-house boot camp, executive training
Hyundai Glovis, a logistics and distribution arm of Hyundai Motor Group, is rolling out a structured program to embed artificial intelligence tools into daily operations across its business divisions. The company said Wednesday it recently completed the first cohort of its AI Boot Camp, a six-week in-house training initiative in which employees from each division used AI agents and coding tools to tackle real workplace improvement projects. Participants moved beyond concept pitches, producing applied results in data analysis and process redesign. One participant from the car carrier division — which transports finished vehicles by sea — built an operations portal using vibe coding, a technique where a user describes a task in plain language and AI generates the underlying code. The portal consolidates ship route data, port facility information and cargo-handling cost calculations that previously required searches across separate databases. A participant from the used car division applied the same approach to build a customer vehicle recommendation system. The tool profiles buyers ba
Gov't reaches conclusion on completely abolishing prosecution's investigative rights: PM
The government has reached a final conclusion that the prosecution should not be allowed the right to supplementary investigations, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Thursday, a decision the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) would welcome as it has pushed to abolish the prosecution's investigative rights altogether. Whether to allow the prosecution to conduct supplementary investigations or scrap all of its investigative power has been a hot issue, with the ruling party calling for completely scrapping the rights and the opposition arguing that it could cause serious negative effects. The government has shown a slight divergence from the DPK on the issue, with President Lee Jae Myung cautiously voicing concern that negative effects could arise in case all of the prosecution's investigative rights are scrapped, though he has said he basically agrees with stripping the agency of its supplementary investigative authority. "The basic principle of the Lee Jae Myung administration's prosecution reform push is the separation of investigation and indictment," Kim told reporters. "Scrapping
Samsung OLED TVs dominate June Consumer Reports rankings
Samsung Electronics' OLED televisions ranked first in their respective screen-size categories in Consumer Reports' June ratings, the Korean electronics maker said Wednesday. The Samsung OLED 77-inch S95H scored 91 points to take the top position among televisions 70 inches and larger, while the company's 55-inch S95H scored 90 points to lead the 55-to-60-inch category. Consumer Reports, one of the United States' most widely read independent product-testing publications, evaluates televisions on picture quality as well as high dynamic range (HDR) performance, viewing angle, sound quality, brand reliability, data privacy and data security. The publication gave the 77-inch S95H's picture quality its highest rating of "Excellent," describing it as capable of reproducing fine detail with exceptional accuracy, with color fidelity — including skin tones — appearing natural and lifelike. It also highlighted the set's contrast performance, noting that the range between the deepest blacks and brightest whites produces a strong sense of depth in dark scenes. On HDR, a format that expands the ran
LG CNS debuts agentic AI testing tool in push for global ERP market
LG CNS, the IT services subsidiary of LG Group, announced Wednesday the launch of PerfectWin ERP Edition, a specialized software testing product aimed at global enterprise resource planning systems. The product automates testing of SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems — the software platforms large organizations use to manage finance, manufacturing, procurement, logistics and human resources in an integrated environment. Companies migrating from legacy SAP systems to S/4HANA, SAP's current cloud-based ERP platform, or launching a new ERP system, must verify that the system functions correctly before going live — a process that typically requires staff to manually design test cases across every business function, which can take several days. PerfectWin ERP Edition uses agentic AI, which can plan and execute multistep tasks on its own, to handle that process. The system analyzes each department's workflows and live operational data to automatically generate test scenarios without requiring staff to specify which processes need testing or which cases are most appropriate. It
World Bank brings global transit officials to CJ Logistics to explore supply chain solutions
The World Bank Group brought more than 100 transport and logistics officials from over 10 countries across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and Latin America to CJ Logistics facilities in Korea this month as part of a program exploring ways to upgrade supply chains in developing economies. The visits — four sessions at the Gunpo Smart Fulfillment Center and the Incheon Global Distribution Center between June 16-25 — were organized under the World Bank Group Academy on Advancing Connectivity and Logistics Solutions, a capacity-building program run jointly with the Korea Transport Institute, a government-funded research body, and KDI School of Public Policy and Management, a graduate institution affiliated with the Korea Development Institute. The academy is aligned with the World Bank Group's broader push to build economic corridors — integrated road, rail, port and logistics networks linking countries within a region — as a way of strengthening cross-border connectivity. On Friday, Nicolas Peltier-Thiberge, global director for transport at the World Bank, visited CJ Logistics' headquar
Chaevi wins government EV fast-charger contracts
Chaevi, Korea's largest operator of public electric vehicle fast-charging infrastructure, has won two government contracts — one from the Korea Environment Corporation, a public agency under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, and another from Seoul Energy Corporation, a Seoul city-owned utility. The K-eco contract designates Chaevi as the operator for Zone 4 of the 2026 Public EV Fast Charger Manufacturing and Procurement Project, covering the southern regions of Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang Province and North Gyeongsang Province. Under the contract, Chaevi will manufacture and install 136 standalone 100-kilowatt chargers and 113 simultaneous 200-kW chargers at major transit points across the zone. Under the Seoul Energy Corporation contract, Chaevi will install 12 dual-type fast chargers rated at 100 kW and 200 kW, along with eight canopy structures, at public facilities in Seoul by December. Chaevi will produce and install approximately 260 public fast chargers in total. The tender drew attention for its evaluation structure with technical capability worth 90 of
Busan museum opens exhibition on Korean War heritage sites ahead of UNESCO committee session
The Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum opened a 105-day thematic exhibition today marking the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is being held in Busan. The exhibition, titled "Sites of the Busan Wartime Capital," runs through Sept. 27 in the museum's second-floor special exhibition hall. The show spotlights 11 heritage sites associated with Busan's role as Korea's provisional wartime capital during the Korean War (1950-53). When North Korean forces captured Seoul days after the war began, the South Korean government relocated to Busan, the country's southernmost major city, which served as the de facto capital for a combined 1,023 days. The sites were added to Korea's UNESCO World Heritage Priority List in November 2025, a step toward formal nomination for inscription. The exhibition is divided into three sections. The first covers sites that sustained government functions during the war, including the temporary presidential residence, the provisional central government complex and a meteorological observatory that supported national operations. The second
Seongsu's success comes at a cost for startups
One of the defining features of Seoul's Seongsu-dong is its abundance of pop-up stores — retail spaces that operate only for a limited time. Because the neighborhood attracts young consumers and international tourists, companies frequently open pop-up stores there to promote new products and services. Unlike traditional retail shops, which focus primarily on sales, pop-up stores are designed to create memorable experiences. Eye-catching displays encourage visitors to stop by, take photos and share them on social media, generating buzz for brands, products and companies. As a result, everything from K-pop merchandise and food to fashion, electronics and even long-established digestive drinks familiar to older generations have found their way into Seongsu's pop-up scene. For startups in particular, pop-up stores have been an effective marketing tool. Without the financial resources to open permanent stores or launch large-scale advertising campaigns, many young companies have relied on temporary spaces to introduce themselves to consumers. Their creative pop-ups have also helped shape S
Could Son Heung-min play until 40?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be remembered as the tournament of seasoned veterans. Players who in previous generations would likely have retired to become coaches or television pundits are still competing on football's biggest stage. The tournament highlights how advances in sports science, coupled with meticulous self-care, have fundamentally changed the limits of athletic longevity. Players in their 40s have become a striking presence throughout this World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, scored twice against Uzbekistan in Portugal's Group K match Tuesday (local time), becoming the first player ever to score in six consecutive World Cups. Luka Modrić, 41, remains the heart of Croatia's midfield, while Edin Džeko, 40, continues to lead Bosnia and Herzegovina's attack. Among goalkeepers, Craig Gordon, 44, of Scotland, Manuel Neuer, 40, of Germany, Vozinha, 40, of Cape Verde, and Guillermo Ochoa, 41, of Mexico are all still competing at the highest level. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, 39, has added another milestone by becoming the Men's World Cup's all-time leading scorer. Sports sci
Chinese liquor giant Wuliangye sends 5,000 workers to Korea on incentive tour
In a major sign of recovery for East Asia’s corporate travel market, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Friday that it attracted a 5,000-member incentive trip from the Chinese liquor giant Wuliangye Group. The corporate delegation, consisting of Wuliangye employees and regional distributors, will travel in two consecutive waves of 2,500 people. Departing from Shanghai aboard Adora Cruises, the first group arrived in Korea Thursday, with the second wave scheduled through July 3. The travelers are splitting their itineraries between the southern resort island of Jeju and the southeastern port city of Busan. The breakthrough is the direct result of a hypertargeted regional strategy. Recognizing that Sichuan and Guizhou provinces in southwestern China house six of the nation’s top 10 traditional liquor manufacturers, the KTO’s Chengdu branch launched a dedicated campaign focused on the region's prominent spirits conglomerates. Wuliangye, famed for its high-end baijiu, became the primary target. The success also marks the first tangible dividend from a high-level corporate blitz
Korean captain dead, 2 Indonesian crew members still missing after fishing boat sinks off Busan
ULSAN — A fishing boat sank Thursday in waters off the southeastern city of Busan, leaving the boat's Korean captain dead and two Indonesian crew members missing, maritime authorities said. The 79-ton fishing boat sank after colliding with a 992-ton liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier at 10:10 a.m., according to the Ulsan Coast Guard. The collision threw all eight crew members of the boat — two Koreans and six Indonesians — into the sea. The LPG carrier managed to rescue six of the crew members, but two Indonesian nationals, both in their 30s, remained missing hours after the sinking. The Coast Guard has deployed patrol vessels, helicopters and other pieces of equipment near the site of the accident to locate the two, according to officials. Among the six rescued was the 62-year-old skipper, who was immediately sent to a hospital as he was deemed in serious condition, but was pronounced dead at 1:30 p.m. The other five were also taken to hospitals after showing signs of hypothermia, the officials said. President Lee Jae Myung ordered the mobilization of all available resources to
KHNP leads cultural, sports exchanges with Czechia amid nuclear power expansion
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), a state-run nuclear plant operator and technology developer, has demonstrated its commitment to the Czech Republic by hosting cultural exhibitions and taking part in local sporting events as it expands its presence in the country. Employees of KHNP, a group of Korean university students and 50 youth football players took part in a nine-day trip to Eastern Europe that began on June 16. The volunteer outreach program, targeting communities near the planned nuclear power plant sites, marked the 10th year of KHNP's annual initiative. The participants visited Tyn nad Vltavou near Temelin, where KHNP is seeking to build an additional nuclear power plant. They also traveled to Trebic near Dukovany, where the company plans to construct another new nuclear power plant. On the first day of the outreach program, June 17, they visited a youth center in Tyn nad Vltavou and hosted a Korean culture class, offering local participants an opportunity to experience K-pop, taekwondo, traditional Korean music and games. The following day, they joined a local arts festival
K-pop rookie CORTIS' debut album racks up 600 mil. Spotify streams
K-pop boy band CORTIS' debut album, "Color Outside the Lines," has surpassed 600 million streams on Spotify, the group's agency said Thursday. The feat comes after the album surpassed the 100 million mark a month after its release in September, according to BigHit Music. Physical album sales have so far reached 2.1 million units, it added. The five-member group's second EP, "GreenGreen," ranked No. 61 on the Billboard 200 in the latest tracking week, after peaking at No. 3 last month.
Korea coach shoulders blame for World Cup loss to South Africa
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo blamed himself and nobody else in the aftermath of a 1-0 loss to South Africa on Wednesday to close out the group stage at the FIFA World Cup. A win or a draw at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, would have sent the Taegeuk Warriors into the round of 32 as the runner-up in their group. Instead, Korea finished third in Group A with three points from a win and two losses, as they were unable to respond to Thapelo Maseko's goal in the 63rd minute. Korea must now wait for the rest of the groups to finish play to see where they end up in the rankings of third-place teams. In addition to the top two teams from each of 12 groups, the eight best third-place teams will progress to the knockout round. With Groups A, B and C having finished their group stage, Korea are fourth among No. 3 teams, though four nations have already bagged three points with one match remaining. "On a stage as big as this, the head coach is responsible for all the results," Hong said at his postmatch press conference. "Ultimately, I made wrong decisi
Korea University to launch International Summer Campus 2026 Saturday
Korea University is launching International Summer Campus (ISC) 2026, the nation’s largest summer university program for international students, at its Seoul campus on Saturday. The university said Wednesday that more than 2,000 students from around 300 universities in some 50 countries will participate in the ISC, which consists of four-week and six-week programs. ISC 2026 offers over 90 courses taught by approximately 40 faculty members. The lineup includes five newly introduced courses delivered by distinguished scholars from around the world. The new courses will be taught by faculty members from leading global universities, including University College London, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, KU Leuven and the University of Toronto. The courses cover a wide range of fields, including creative industries, life sciences, entrepreneurship, Chinese characters and cultural psychology. Korea University said it has added three new cultural experience programs to the summer program lineup this year, reflecting international students’ growing interest in Korean culture, inclu
British revolving door
British revolving door
Korea Eximbank, shipbuilders join forces on $150 bil. US investment plan
The Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the country’s three largest shipbuilders, Thursday, to support a $150 billion investment drive aimed at strengthening Korea-U.S. cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. The signing ceremony, held at the bank’s headquarters in Seoul, brought together the heads of five state-backed lenders — Korea Eximbank, Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation, Korea Development Bank, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation and Korea Ocean Business Corporation — as well as the CEOs of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean. The agreement forms part of follow-up measures stemming from last year’s bilateral trade and investment deal, under which Seoul pledged to invest $150 billion in the U.S. shipbuilding sector as part of a broader $350 billion investment package. The parties will establish a joint working group to identify investment opportunities and coordinate financing and support relevant projects. Korea Eximbank will serve as the group’s coordinator, overseein
[PHOTOS] World Cup Fever: Korean football fans pack Gwanghwamun Square
Crowds of fans gather at Gwanghwamun Square to watch South korea's third group stage match of the 2026 World Cup against South Africa on a large screen in Seoul, June 25. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Korea, Japan must strengthen defense alliance amid US uncertainty, says ex-Japanese foreign minister
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Japan and South Korea should build a stronger security alliance to anchor regional stability as U.S. commitment to East Asia becomes less certain, former Japanese Foreign and Defense Minister Taro Kono said Wednesday. “I think it is indispensable for peace and stability for East Asia that Japan and Korea create a very strong security alliance, not just the economy. Japan and Korea need to sit down and discuss security in the region,” Kono said during the “Asia-Pacific in the age of American First: Asian Leaders’ View” press conference, held on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. “If you look at the situation in East Asia, Japan and Korea only have each other. The Philippines is a bit far away, Australia is even further down. There is the United States — yes, the U.S. military is still present on the Korean Peninsula and Japan. But I think we need to step up our own effort for stability in the region,” he said, while stressing that Washington remains indispensable. Kono pointed out that while European countries will still be
Lackluster Team Korea show little urgency in World Cup loss to South Africa
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Korea could not have picked a worse time to submit such a lackluster performance at the FIFA World Cup. Needing only a draw against South Africa on Wednesday in their final Group A match in northeastern Mexico, South Korea instead absorbed a 1-0 loss on a goal by Thapelo Maseko. The result left South Korea in third place in the group with three points. They opened the tournament by rallying to beat Czechia 2-1 on June 11, but they lost to Mexico 1-0 a week later. In the expanded, 48-team tournament, the eight best third-place teams out of 12 will progress to the knockouts. South Korea must now wait to see if they will advance after all, with Groups J, K and L set to finish up their play Saturday across the United States. With Mexico punching their knockout ticket thanks to that victory, South Korea still had a chance to advance to the round of 32 on Wednesday, as long as they avoided losing to 60th-ranked South Africa. However, losing is exactly what 25th-ranked South Korea did, while displaying a shocking lack of urgency. South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo held lon
LS Cable breaks ground for undersea cable facility in US
LS Cable & System said Thursday its manufacturing subsidiary in the United States, LS GreenLink, has begun constructing a cutting-edge facility used to produce undersea cables in Chesapeake, Virginia. The vertical continuous vulcanization (VCV) tower is a key facility in the manufacturing of high-voltage cables, as it forms the insulation layer that determines cable quality and reliability. By producing cables vertically, the system minimizes the effects of gravity during the production process, thereby improving both product quality and production efficiency, according to LS Cable. LS GreenLink’s cable factory is the largest undersea cable production base in the United States. Commercial cable production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2028. Standing at 201 meters tall, the VCV tower will become the world's largest VCV facility and the tallest structure in the state of Virginia upon completion. The investment comes as the U.S. is rapidly expanding its power grid infrastructure to replace aging transmission networks and support the proliferation of artificial intelligence
PM nominee calls N. Korea 'threat, compatriot'
Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook said Thursday that North Korea is both "a threat and a compatriot" when asked to define South Korea's main enemy, stressing that the key is how to manage relations with the North for peace on the Korean Peninsula. "All that threaten the Republic of Korea is our enemy," Han said during her parliamentary confirmation hearing in response to a question from opposition lawmakers about who South Korea's main enemy is. "It is a very dualistic situation where North Korea is both a threat and a compatriot." Peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is an objective that everyone can agree on, Han said. "How to forge and manage relations (with North Korea) is important," she said. Han also said there should never be war on the peninsula.
S. Korea to launch 4th medium-sized multipurpose satellite on July 9: space agency
SACHEON — South Korea plans to launch its fourth next-generation medium-sized satellite on July 9, with final preparations under way at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the country's space agency said. Oh Tae-seok, administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), announced the plan during a meeting with reporters at the agency's headquarters in Sacheon, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Wednesday. The 500-kilogram Earth observation satellite will be jointly utilized by the Rural Development Administration and the Korea Forest Service for applications such as crop growth analysis and wildfire monitoring. The launch will mark KASA's third satellite mission in less than a year, following the successful deployment of Multipurpose Satellite 7 in December and next-generation medium-sized satellite No. 2 in May. Both satellites are currently operating normally and carrying out their missions. At the same time, South Korea's latest multipurpose satellite, Arirang 6, is facing a fresh delay due to setbacks in the development of a foreign co-passenger satellite tha
MSCI setback should spur deeper reform
Korea’s latest failure to secure a place on the watch list for inclusion in the MSCI Developed Markets Index is undeniably disappointing. For a country that ranks among the world’s largest economies and boasts one of Asia’s most dynamic capital markets, continued classification as an emerging market appears increasingly incongruous. However, the setback should be viewed less as a verdict on Korea’s economic stature than as a reminder that genuine market advancement depends not on size alone, but on accessibility, transparency and investor confidence. The decision by MSCI, the global index provider whose benchmarks influence trillions of dollars in investment flows, came despite years of efforts by the government and financial regulators to modernize the country’s capital market. Korea has expanded foreign exchange trading hours, reformed short-selling regulations and pursued a broad agenda of market liberalization. In terms of economic scale, liquidity and corporate competitiveness, the country already meets many of the characteristics associated with developed markets. Never
S. Korea's financial assets in US hit fresh all-time high in 2025: BOK
South Korea's financial assets in the United States reached a fresh record high last year on increased investment in the U.S. stock market amid a rally on Wall Street, a central bank report showed Thursday. The outstanding value of financial assets in the U.S. held by South Korean individuals and companies reached $1.15 trillion at the end of last year, up $204.2 billion from a year before, according to the report by the Bank of Korea (BOK). The reading topped the $1 trillion mark for the first time and has broken yearly records for the third consecutive year since 2023. The amount also accounted for the largest share of overall overseas financial assets at 47.1 percent, according to the BOK. The BOK said the record financial assets in the U.S. came as South Korean individuals sharply increased their investment in the U.S. stock market amid a bullish run on Wall Street last year. Koreans' investments in U.S stocks totaled $802.8 billion, up from the previous high of $178.6 billion reported a year ago. Last year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 13 percent and the Nasdaq composite jump
Seoul, Beijing agree on simplified origin certification
South Korea and China have agreed Thursday to simplify the origin certification process and expand cooperation on services and investment under their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), Seoul's trade ministry said. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, Seoul's trade delegation chief, held the 15th round of follow-up FTA negotiations with Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative, in Beijing, according to the ministry. The two sides agreed to simplify the overall certification process for South Korean exporters, by allowing them to have the right to issue origin certifications. They also agreed to enhance cooperation for the protection of South Korean content by cracking down on illegal circulation in China. Seoul and Beijing implemented their bilateral FTA in December 2015, eliminating tariffs on a wide range of products. The two countries have held 14 rounds of follow-up negotiations since 2018 to expand the scope of the trade pact in the services and investment sectors. "We hope the follow-up negotiations will lead to free and open trade in services, as well as a more predictable
Korea's World Cup goes from bad to worse
South Korea lost 1-0 to South Africa in Mexico, Wednesday (local time), and will now have to wait and see if it progresses to the Round of 32. After another poor display in Group A, if the team does end up going home, it is not likely to be missed by many at the World Cup. Needing just a point to finish second, Korea was unable to do so and now has to depend on other results to see if it can progress as one of the best third place teams. It should never have come to this. Coach Hong Myung-bo should thank Mexico as it could have been a lot worse. The host was already certain of top spot but still managed to defeat the Czech Republic. Had the Europeans won then Korea would be in last place in its group. Thapelo Maseko scored for South Africa — ranked 61, 38 places below Korea — just after the hour to send the team into the knockout stages for the first time. Korea just didn't have the imagination to come out ahead against a weaker opponent. More and more that 2-1 win over the Czechs in the opening game looks like it was because of the weakness of the European team than anything else. Aga
Korea stuck awaiting fate after falling to South Africa
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Once in the driver's seat to advance to the knockout round at the FIFA World Cup, Koreans now find themselves at the mercy of other teams. This abrupt turn of fortune is self-inflicted, as world No. 25 Korea lost to 60th-ranked underdog South Africa 1-0 in their final Group A match Wednesday at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico. Thapelo Maseko was the lone goal scorer, as South Africa advanced to the knockouts for the first time. With a combination of their loss and a Mexico victory over Czechia, Korea finished third in their group with three points. The Taegeuk Warriors opened the competition with a 2-1 win over Czechia on June 11 but then lost to Mexico 1-0 last Thursday. Mexico clinched the top spot in Group A with that victory, and Korea had a chance to join them in the knockouts as the Group A runner-up with a win or a draw against South Africa — regardless of the outcome in the Mexico-Czechia match. However, Korea blew the opportunity and they must now wait a few days to see how the remaining group matches will play out. With this year's tou
Samsung Electronics maintains No. 1 spot in global DRAM market in Q1
Samsung Electronics Co. maintained its position as the world's largest dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) supplier in the first quarter, industry data showed Thursday. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, Samsung Electronics accounted for 38 percent of global DRAM revenue in the January-March period. Korean rival SK hynix Inc. ranked second with a 29 percent share, while U.S.-based Micron Technology Inc. came in third with 22 percent. SK hynix led the global DRAM market in the first and second quarters of last year, while Samsung ranked second. The two companies were tied at 33 percent in the third quarter before Samsung regained the top position in the fourth quarter and extended its lead for a second consecutive quarter in the first three months of 2026. The gap between Samsung and SK hynix widened to 9 percentage points in the first quarter from 4 percentage points in the previous quarter, according to the data. Although Samsung's market share declined from a year earlier, the company continued to hold a dominant position in the global DRAM market, accounting for we
Korea loses to South Africa to finish 3rd in World Cup group; knockout status in limbo
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Korea finished third in their group at the FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 loss to South Africa in northeastern Mexico on Wednesday, sending their status for the knockout round into limbo. Thapelo Maseko scored for South Africa in the 63rd minute and South Korea failed to respond at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, as they suffered their second defeat in Group A. South Korea, world No. 25, finished third with three points from a win and two losses. The Taegeuk Warriors earlier defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 but fell to Mexico 1-0. Mexico clinched the top spot in Group A with that victory, and South Korea needed a win or a draw against 60th-ranked South Africa to join Mexico in the round of 32 as the Group A runner-up. However, South Africa leapfrogged South Korea to second place, while Mexico beat Czechia 3-0 to finish a perfect run through the group stage. With this year's tournament featuring 48 nations, up from the previous 32, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups earn automatic spots in the knockouts, along with the eight best third-place teams. With Groups
PM nominee undergoes confirmation hearing amid controversies over data leak, multiple homes
Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook began undergoing a two-day confirmation hearing at the National Assembly on Thursday as the main opposition party questioned her eligibility for the post. Han, who currently serves as minister for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, has come under scrutiny over a series of controversies, including a personal information leak involving the government's audition-style startup incubation program. "I will become a prime minister who focuses solely on working for the happiness of the people and deliver tangible results," Han said at the hearing. The nominee described the next few years as a critical period that will determine South Korea's competitiveness amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), saying she will draw on experiences that she gained over "three decades working on the frontlines of technological innovation." "I will make all-out efforts to drive a bold AI transformation that reshapes the economic structure, help the future generations grow and create a warm safety net for the underprivileged," said the former C
From bar owner to village chief: director Lee Yu-jin’s ‘Manok’ puts middle-aged lesbian in charge
A middle-aged queer woman rarely leads Korean films, let alone cheerful political comedies set in a sleepy village. With “Manok” (2025), director Lee Yu-jin wanted to start right there — with what she calls an “imperfect hero” charging toward a “too much” happy ending. Middle-aged queer hero Lee began with a simple desire: make a queer comedy with a happy ending. Out of that goal, the idea of self-admitted “kkondae lesbian,” Manok, took shape. “Stories about young queer characters often revolve around first love or identity crisis,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. “I was more interested in someone who has already lived as a queer person and now has to deal with everything else life throws at her.” Equally important was avoiding the “model minority” trap that queer characters often fall into. “I didn’t want her to be a good, exemplary person,” Lee said, mentioning that she has watched how real-life queer figures who come out publicly are often held to an unusually high moral standard. “Why do you have to be perfect just to exi
'Korea discount' still persists despite chip-driven rallies
KOSPI has risen roughly 144 percent over the past eight months, but the gains have been concentrated in a handful of memory names. The broader market remains substantially undervalued: 68.2 percent of KOSPI constituents trade below book value, against just 1.9 percent for the S&P 500, 23.4 percent for Taiwan’s TAIEX and 22.2 percent for Japan’s Nikkei 225. The “Korea discount” persists. The discount is structural. At about 93 percent of KOSPI 200 companies, a single shareholder or family exercises effective control, while holding only around 44 percent of the shares; with this year’s shareholders' meetings attendance averaging just under 74 percent, such a holder can pass ordinary resolutions largely unaided. Pyramid ownership compounds the problem, and a high inheritance tax gives founding families a persistent incentive to keep share prices low. Korea is now addressing these issues directly. Successive amendments to the Commercial Act have extended directors’ fiduciary duty beyond “the company” to “the company and its shareholders,” made cumulative voting mandator
Seoul taps overseas students for grassroots global PR campaign
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is shifting its global public relations (PR) strategy away from expatriates and toward digital natives abroad, launching its inaugural Seoul Global Culture Crew initiative to turn overseas college students into cultural ambassadors. The city held an online kickoff ceremony Wednesday for 13 selected undergraduates from SOAS University of London and Hungary's Eötvös Loránd University, all of whom are majoring in Korean studies. Unlike traditional municipal supporter programs that recruit foreign residents living in Korea, this pilot project taps students to generate localized, peer-to-peer buzz in their home countries. The student correspondents will operate through October, producing monthly social media campaigns across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. By leveraging local perspectives, the city aims to showcase Seoul's culture, tourism and daily lifestyle trends with authentic regional nuance. "The Seoul Global Culture Crew is a novel global PR program that introduces Seoul through the eyes of those living abroad," said Kim Tae-hee, director-general of
Korea loses to South Africa, finishing 3rd in Group A
Korea fell to South Africa 1-0 on Wednesday (local time) for its second loss in Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Thapelo Maseko scored the lone goal in the 63rd minute for South Africa.
Senior officials of Korea, US discuss AI supply chains, economic cooperation
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina has met with a senior U.S. State Department official and discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) supply chains and broader bilateral economic ties, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. The talks between Kim and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg took place in Washington on Wednesday (U.S. time), as Kim is visiting the United States to attend the second Pax Silica Summit, according to the ministry. The two sides shared the view that cooperation among trusted partners is essential to ensuring stable supply chains in AI, digital technologies and other advanced industries, and agreed to continue discussions on ways to strengthen their countries' manufacturing capabilities through the summit and other frameworks. Kim introduced Seoul's efforts to promote strategic investment projects in the U.S., while calling for continued consultations on institutional improvements needed to facilitate progress in their cooperation in the shipbuilding sector. The two sides agreed to hold the vice-ministerial Senior Economic
BTS tops 2 categories on Japan's Oricon music chart in 1st half
K-pop supergroup BTS clinched two top spots on Japan's Oricon music chart with its fifth studio album "ARIRANG" in the first half, data showed Thursday. The album topped both the album ranking chart, which compiles physical album sales, and the combined album ranking chart, which includes physical album sales, digital album downloads, as well as streamings, in the Dec. 8 to June 7 period, according to the data. "Arirang" ranked No. 3 on the digital album ranking chart in the same period. The album has been recognized among the best releases of the first half of this year by leading global music publications, including U.S. pop culture outlet Complex and magazine Rolling Stone, as well as Britain's The Telegraph and music publication NME. On the Oricon's combined album ranking chart for the first half, K-pop boy bands Enhypen and Tomorrow X Together (TXT) ranked No. 4 and No. 9, respectively. The two groups also ranked No. 4 and No. 7 on the album ranking chart, respectively.
Thapelo Maseko scores for South Africa vs. Korea
Thapelo Maseko scored in the 63rd minute for South Africa, making it 1-0 against Korea.
How to conserve tropical forests
STANFORD — Six months after last year’s United Nations Climate Conference (COP30), the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) has gone from being a headline-grabbing promise to a test of whether climate finance can survive contact with markets, politics, and time. The TFFF’s purpose—conserving tropical forests—is of paramount importance. Tropical deforestation and land-use changes have contributed to nearly one-fifth of the world’s cumulative carbon dioxide emissions since 1850. Tropical forests are also among the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems and home to many Indigenous Peoples and local communities. But tropical countries face opportunity costs when conserving forests, so it falls on northern countries to compensate them for conservation efforts that benefit everyone. Such was the reasoning behind the Brazilian COP presidency’s TFFF proposal. Within the TFFF is a Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF) that seeks to raise $125 billion, part of which will be invested in emerging and developing economies. The hope is that, with sponsor capital, guarantees, and a hig
Policy lenders, shipbuilders sign MOU to implement Seoul's US investment initiative
Korea's policy lenders and major shipbuilders on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to effectively implement the Seoul-Washington shipbuilding cooperation initiative worth $150 billion, officials said. The state-run Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corp., the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the Korea Development Bank, the Korea Trade Insurance Corp. and the Korea Ocean Business Corp. are parties to the MOU, along with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Samsung Heavy Industries Co. and Hanwha Ocean Co. Under the MOU, the policy lenders, institutions and shipbuilders will form a consultative body for Korea-U.S. shipbuilding cooperation, taking the lead in information sharing among participants, exploring business opportunities and facilitating policy financing support. The MOU signing came as Korea has pledged to invest $150 billion in the U.S. shipbuilding sector as part of last year's trade deal that committed the Asian country to investing a total of $350 billion in the U.S. with an annual cap of $20 billion. "The shipbuilding cooperation is one of the two pillars of Korea-U.
DHL spurs pharmaceutical logistics in Korea with new Icheon hub
Global logistics giant DHL Supply Chain has launched a new logistics hub in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, to bolster its transportation and storage capacity for pharmaceutical and life science products that require delicate environmental control. DHL Supply Chain Korea said on Thursday that a new DHL Health Logistics Hub has been completed in Icheon’s Baeksa. The hub spans 10,000 square meters and is designed to meet the growing demand for highly specialized, compliant health care logistics services here. The new facility is part of a larger 45,500-square-meter warehouse complex developed under DHL’s partnership with real estate asset management firm Qube Industrial in Seoul. The Icheon hub is built to handle a wide range of temperature-sensitive health care products and offers advanced storage and handling capabilities. It also provides temperature-controlled storage for up to 3,800 pallets, cold-chain storage for up to 1,300 pallets and ultra-low-temperature facilities equipped with freezers capable of maintaining temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius and minus 80 degrees Celsius
Privacy watchdog fines Bithumb $135,700 for violating overseas data transfer rules
Korea's privacy watchdog said Thursday it has fined Bithumb, a major crypto exchange in the country, 210 million won ($135,700) for violating rules on the overseas transfer of users' personal information. The Personal Information Protection Commission decided to levy the penalty and order corrective measures against the company over the violations in a plenary session the previous day. The regulator said its investigation found Bithumb transferred the personal information of users overseas while sharing order books with a foreign exchange between September and November 2025. Although Bithumb notified users that their information would be sent to the Stellar exchange, it was actually transferred to bingx.com, a system operated by a different exchange. The watchdog additionally found that Bithumb failed to receive proper consent from users when sending their personal information to 13 foreign exchanges during asset transfers.
Korea, South Africa goalless at halftime
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Korea and South Africa were goalless in the first half of their crucial Group A showdown at the FIFA World Cup in northeastern Mexico on Wednesday. Korea were in control early before South Africa pushed back, though neither side found the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe. Captain Son Heung-min was not in the starting lineup for Korea, with Oh Hyeon-gyu taking over as the striker. Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan were the attacking midfielders, with Hwang replacing Lee Jae-sung from the two previous matches. Center back Kim Min-jae wore the skipper's armband, and he nearly put Korea on the board less than two minutes into the contest. Lee delivered a fine cross toward Kim, whose fierce header was blocked on the line by defender Aubrey Modiba. Lee threatened to score on eight minutes, with his left-footed effort from inside the penalty area sailing just right of the target. Korea breathed a sigh of relief when defender Lee Gi-hyuk blocked a shot by Thapelo Maseko in what could have been an open look on a rapid counterattack in t
FRIDAY, June 26, 2026
363-Roman Emperor Julian is killed during retreat from the Sassanid Empire. General Jovian is proclaimed Emperor by troops on the battlefield. 1794-Battle of Fleurus: Major victory by forces of the First French Republic under General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan over the Coalition Army (Great Britain, Hanover, Dutch Republic, and Habsburgs) with the first use of a reconnaissance balloon 1857-The first 62 recipients receive the Victoria Cross for valor in the Crimean War from Queen Victoria 1917-First U.S. troops arrive in France during World War I 1945-The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 nations in San Francisco 2016-Panama Canal's third set of locks opens to commercial traffic, doubling the canal’s capacity at an estimated cost of $5.25 billion
4th of July fireworks source
4th of July fireworks source
Venezuela reeling after powerful twin earthquakes kill at least 32 people as promises of aid pour in
CARACAS, Venezuela — Powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening killed at least 32 people and injured at least 700, the nation's acting president said, as communities across the South American country sustained damage. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach devastated areas after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck shortly after 6 p.m. Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation late Wednesday and said the quakes caused damage in several states. The casualty figures released early Thursday excluded the state of La Guaira, which Rodríguez described as a “disaster zone” and the area hardest hit. “Dozens of buildings have collapsed there, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Caracas, and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said. The earthquakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities and are
Lee vows to build peaceful Korean Peninsula free from fear of war
President Lee Jae Myung pledged Thursday to establish a peaceful Korean Peninsula free from the fear of war as South Korea marks the anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War. Lee made the pledge in his speech at a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the war, which was held in Gyeonggi Province and brought together hundreds of war veterans, and government and military officials. "(The government) will safeguard the people and the territory through strong defense capabilities and build a peaceful Korean Peninsula which has neither fear of war nor a need for conflict," Lee said. "I believe that doing so would be the surest reward we can give to the heroes who dedicated their lives and youth to defending this country," he said. The president recalled the sacrifices of those from home and around the world who fought for the country during the Korean War, saying the government "will unwaveringly safeguard this great Republic of Korea built by heroes." The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea. "Remembering and commemorating these heroes is the m
Unification minister renews call for multilateral dialogue to foster peace on Korean Peninsula
South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Thursday renewed his call for multilateral dialogue to restore inter-Korean trust and foster lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, stressing the need for support from the international community, including the United States. Chung made the call in a written message delivered at a peace forum in Washington. The renewed call comes after he proposed a four-way dialogue involving the two Koreas, the U.S. and China on the denuclearization of the peninsula during his visit to Ulaanbaatar earlier this month. "Now is the time to build an institutionalized peace on the Korean Peninsula. It is time to start multilateral dialogue to rebuild trust between the two Koreas and transition to a peace regime on the peninsula," Chung said in the message for the forum hosted by the Korean American Public Action Committee, a nonprofit organization. "The peace regime would serve as a foundation for sustainable peace not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the entire Northeast Asia. Toward that end, we need support and cooperation from the internat
20,000 gather at Gwanghwamun to cheer for Korea in final World Cup group match vs. South Africa
Up to 20,000 fans were expected to gather in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Thursday to cheer for Korea in its final group stage match against South Africa, the organizers of the watch party said. With the game scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m., fans began gathering early in the morning, with 68-year-old Kim Ik-su saying he woke up at 3 a.m. to come to the watch party while another fan, 20-year-old Han Jee-ah, arrived at Gwanghwamun at 7:30 a.m. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and South African Ambassador to Korea Sindiswa Ntombolimo Mququ were among those gathered in Gwanghwamun Square, waiting to cheer for their respective countries in the coming match. Korea, currently in second place with three points, only needs a draw against South Africa on Thursday to advance to the knockout stage. A loss, however, leaves their fate in the hands of the Mexico-Czechia Group A match, starting simultaneously at 10 a.m. A Mexican win or draw would relegate Korea to third place, keeping their hopes for the round of 32 alive as one of the eight best third-place teams. Conversely, a Czech victory would eliminate K
N. Korea again claims US started Korean War under 'well-crafted' script
North Korea on Thursday reiterated its claim that the 1950-53 Korean War was the result of invasion by the United States under a "well-crafted script," while highlighting its resolve to confront South Korea and the U.S. The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's most widely read newspaper, issued the claim in an editorial in commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the Korean War. "In the early hours of June 25, 1950, the South Korean puppet army launched an armed invasion against our republic," the Rodong Sinmun said, adding the North had to engage in a defensive war for 1,129 days due to "warmongering" by U.S. imperialists. The newspaper also flatly denied the legitimacy of the participation of U.N. forces in the Korean War, despite the U.N. Security Council's adoption of a resolution calling on member states to assist South Korea's war effort. In a separate front-page editorial, the newspaper urged North Korean people to arm themselves with a strong "anti-U.S. struggle spirit," highlighting the country's determination to fight the U.S. and South Korea. Historians have repeatedly confirmed that t
Vice defense minister calls for US congressional support for nuclear-powered subs, OPCON transfer
Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee has called for U.S. congressional support for Korea's nuclear-powered submarine program and efforts to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington during his meetings with U.S. lawmakers, the defense ministry said Thursday. Lee made the call when he separately met with Reps. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Pat Harrigan (R-NC) in Washington on Wednesday (local time), according to the ministry, as Seoul is pushing to acquire nuclear-propelled naval vessels and source low-enriched uranium for fuel under a summit agreement between the two countries' leaders. Korea is also working to reclaim wartime OPCON from the U.S. before the Lee Jae Myung government's five-year term ends in 2030. Lee "asked for continued attention to and support at the U.S. congressional level for Seoul's efforts to acquire low-enriched uranium for nuclear-powered submarines," the ministry said in a release. He briefed the lawmakers on the progress of the OPCON transition and its significance, asking them to support the efforts toward the OPCON transfer, the ministry said. Lee also c
After K-food’s global success, a question about health
For many Koreans, the global success of Korean food is more than a business story. It is emotional. It carries memories of home, family, school snacks, street markets, late-night meals and, in many cases, a quiet sense of pride that Korean culture has finally become familiar to people far beyond the peninsula. I still remember how Korean food was first introduced to many international viewers through "Dae Jang Geum," also known as "Jewel in the Palace." In that drama, food was not presented simply. It demonstrated care, discipline, seasonality and devotion. The kitchen was not just a place for cooking. It was a space where knowledge, patience and affection were expressed through ingredients. Since then, the global image of Korean food has changed dramatically. In the 2010s, mukbang videos brought Korean eating culture into the digital world. Later, Korean fried chicken, instant noodles, tteokbokki, bibimbap and kimchi have become familiar to people across the world. Today, it is no longer surprising to see international consumers themselves trying extra-spicy Korean instant noodles or
Finance chief vows all-out efforts to fight inflation
The country's top economic policymaker said Thursday that the government will mobilize all available tools, including taxes and fiscal measures, to rein in rising inflation and reduce the burden on ordinary people. In a meeting with high-ranking officials, such as from the agriculture ministry, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the government's top priority at present is price stabilization. The minister said energy prices have been rising since the Middle East war, and unusual weather conditions are affecting inflation as well. Last week, President Lee Jae Myung also said inflation is the government's most urgent policy challenge and urged officials to devise extraordinary measures to stabilize prices and ease the burden on households. Consumer prices in Asia's fourth-largest economy rose 3.1 percent in May from a year earlier, marking the fastest growth in 26 months, amid the Middle East conflict.
5 more Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz
Five more Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to 11, the maritime ministry said Thursday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally. A total of 21 Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for Korea, the ministry said. With the latest departure, the number of Korean-linked ships remaining inside the strait has fallen to 13. The ministry said 87 Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 54 aboard Korean-operated vessels and 33 serving on foreign-flagged ships. Under the ceasefire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the interim pact.
Snapchat faces lawsuit over rape of minor by adult stranger
The parents of a girl who was raped when she was 12 years old by an adult stranger she met on Snapchat have sued its parent company, Snap, and the attacker in Missouri state court. The lawsuit filed Wednesday claims the social media company has refused to disable dangerous features in its app or warn parents about potential harms it may cause. According to the lawsuit, the girl began using Snapchat in 2021 when she was 11 without her parents' knowledge. While the app requires users to be 13 to sign up, the lawsuit says the girl does not remember what birth date she entered and that children knew they could easily bypass the minimum-age requirement. About a year after she began using Snapchat, the lawsuit says the app recommended her and teen girls from nearby high schools as friends to defendant Gabriel Joel Valentin-Rios, an adult who had no real-life connections to them. It did not warn the children that connecting to strangers might be dangerous. After the girl and Valentin-Rios connected, Valentin-Rios began sending her unsolicited nude photographs, the lawsuit says. The girl "did no
Investigators question election officials over ballot shortage
Two election officials who oversaw polling stations hit by ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections appeared before investigators on Thursday to undergo questioning over the incident, legal sources said. A joint police and prosecution team called in the Songpa District Election Commission officials to question them about the election watchdog's internal instructions in response to the shortages, according to the sources. The team is probing allegations that the National Election Commission hastily decided to reduce the number of printed ballots and failed to respond effectively to ballot shortages on election day. The team was also set to question nine local government officials who distributed ballots at polling stations in Seoul that ran out of ballot papers. The team plans to question them about the election watchdog's response measures to the shortages. The questioning session comes a day after the joint investigation team raided the offices of 12 election commission officials who oversaw polling stations in Seoul that experienced ballot shortages. Meanwhile, protesters dema
Number of stock accounts hits record high on bull run
The number of stock trading accounts in Korea has reached a new high, thanks to a bull run led by major chipmakers despite some market gyrations, data showed Thursday. The number of trading accounts stood at 108.7 million as of Wednesday, up more than 10 million accounts from 98.28 million tallied at the end of last year, according to the data from the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA). The figure has been rising sharply this year as more retail investors purchased local heavyweight stocks, including Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. Last year, the number of stock trading accounted increased by 11.7 million. This month, the nation's benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged past 9,000 points for the first time, on the back of a technology rally driven by artificial intelligence (AI) optimism. However, market volatility has been also growing. The KOSPI 200 volatility index, or VKOSPI, stood at 84.81 on Wednesday, up 6.04 percent from the previous session. The VKOSPI is the official Korean volatility index and serves as a "fear gauge," measuring the mark
Trump asks Congress for more funds to fight Iran, defying rebuke on war powers
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's administration asked the U.S. Congress on Wednesday for $87.6 billion in additional funding, most of it related to the Iran war, setting the stage for another fight with lawmakers already frustrated with the conflict. The supplemental funding request, posted on the White House website and transmitted to Congress, includes $67.15 billion for the military, in addition to some $1 trillion appropriated last year and another $1.5 trillion Trump wants for next year. The White House said the latest funding request is to cover operational costs of the Iran war, including for military personnel and readiness, operational costs to rebuild weapons stocks, and classified programs. The funding request for the military includes $21 billion to procure munitions, strengthen the U.S. industrial base and support critical capabilities. Senate joins house in vote to halt Iran war The U.S. Senate passed a war powers resolution on Tuesday directing Trump to halt military action against Iran, weeks after the measure passed the House, as a handful of Trump's fellow Republi
KRX issues buy-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp rise
Korea's bourse operator on Thursday activated a buy-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index spiked sharply, driven by a tech rally. Program trading for the KOSPI-listed shares was suspended for five minutes shortly after the market opened, according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). The KOSPI rose 431.95 points, or 5.1 percent, to 8,902.97 as of 9:09 a.m. The KOSPI sharply gained ground as investors scooped up semiconductor shares on U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology's better-than-anticipated quarterly earnings. A buy-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index increases 5 percent or more for at least one minute.
Seoul shares extend gains late Thursday morning on tech rally
Korean stocks extended their gains late Thursday morning, driven by a semiconductor rally, as Micron Technology's better-than-expected earnings erased concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) growth. After opening 2.74 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended gains, adding 414.55 points, or 4.89 percent, to 8,885.57 as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed on concerns about overvaluation of artificial intelligence (AI)-related shares. After the market closed, however, Micron, the world's No. 3 memory chipmaker, released its quarterly earnings, sharply beating market expectations. In Seoul, blue chip shares led the early run. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 4.77 percent, and chip giant SK hynix soared 9.61 percent. Hanmi Semiconductor, a leading chip equipment maker, advanced 2.22 percent, and LG Electronics rose 0.24 percent. Financial shares were also among the winners as KB Financial Group gained 1.91 percent and Samsung Life Insurance climbed 6.47 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1,547.25 won against the U.S. dollar
Son Heung-min benched at start of key match vs. South Africa
GUADALUPE, Mexico — Captain Son Heung-min will begin Korea's crucial Group A match of the FIFA World Cup on the bench on Wednesday. Son, who had been Korea's striker in the two previous matches, was held out of the starting lineup for head coach Hong Myung-bo, who inserted Oh Hyeon-gyu into the forward spot in Korea's final group stage match against South Africa at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, or 10 a.m. Thursday (Korean time). Son did not score in either of the two earlier matches and was subbed out during the second half for Oh on both occasions. Korea beat Czechia 2-1 on June 11 and fell to Mexico 1-0 a week later. Son is a goal away from becoming Korea's all-time World Cup leading scorer with four. He is currently tied with two former players, Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung. In another lineup change from the Mexico match, Hwang Hee-chan is taking over from Lee Jae-sung as an attacking midfielder alongside Lee Kang-in. The backline remained unchanged for the third straight contest, with Kim Min-jae flanked by Lee Gi-hyu
'I'm not special': new Twins reliever wants to blend in with rest of bullpen
Yacksel Rios has only been pitching for the LG Twins for two weeks, but manager Youm Kyoung-youb believes the Puerto Rican hurler is already the most lethal bullpen weapon in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). Other than a hiccup last week, Rios has been virtually untouchable while taking care of high-leverage situations for the league's best team. And after recording four holds in his first five outings, Rios earned his first KBO save Wednesday night against the Samsung Lions — just hours after Youm declared that Rios was the "No. 1 reliever" in the KBO. As appreciative as Rios was of the skipper's praise, the hard-throwing righty just wants to blend in with the rest of the boys. "I am glad our manager had that kind of trust in me," Rios said after locking down a 2-0 win at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "I'm trying to be another guy in the bullpen because it's not only about me. We have nine innings to cover. We are all good and I'm not special. I'm just part of the team." But Rios has been quite special for the Twins, who improved to 47-26-0 (wins-losses-ties) Wednesday. He r
Korea should strengthen defense ties with Southeast Asia
The international order is undergoing rapid transformation. As the U.S.-led unipolar system gradually weakens and China's military and economic influence continues to expand, the Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a focal point for global security. Security tensions surrounding the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait are steadily increasing, prompting regional countries to seek new frameworks of cooperation to safeguard their national interests and security. Under these circumstances, Korea can no longer remain merely a beneficiary of security provided by the U.S. It must expand its role as an active participant and contributor to regional security cooperation. At the heart of this effort lies defense diplomacy. Defense diplomacy is far more than the sale of weapons. It is a comprehensive diplomatic instrument encompassing military cooperation, education and training, technology sharing, industrial collaboration, and the cultivation of strategic trust. Major defence-exporting nations such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom have long used arms exports and military co
Micron forecasts strong quarterly results on soaring memory chip demand
Micron forecast quarterly profit and revenue well above expectations on Wednesday and said its customers had committed $22 billion to lock in future supply of memory chips, sending its shares surging 12 percent in after-hours trading. The forecast — and third-quarter results that beat Wall Street estimates — underscore how AI-driven shortages are forcing Micron's large-scale data center customers and other chip buyers to fund capacity, moves that are reshaping the memory market. Micron, which is the only U.S.-based manufacturer of high-end memory chips used alongside Nvidia's AI processors, has seen demand for these HBM chips far outstrip its production capacity. "We expect tight conditions to persist beyond calendar 2027 as a result of AI-driven demand across all segments coupled with structural supply constraints," Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said in the company's prepared remarks. Micron's stock has surged more than threefold this year, despite a 13 percent plunge on Tuesday as part of a broader selloff. The chipmaker also outlined a business model shift aimed at making demand less
Magnitude 6.9 quake hits northern Japan; no tsunami warning
TOKYO — A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Japan on Thursday, the country's weather agency said, adding that there was no tsunami warning. There were no immediate reports of major damage. The quake occurred off the northern region of Iwate, with the depth of the epicentre at 50 kilometres, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. One local woman in the town of Hashikami, where the shaking was strongest, told AFP that the only damage in her home was a photo frame falling down. Footage on public broadcaster NHK showed regular traffic in Hachinohe city with traffic lights still functioning as normal. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire". The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, typically experiences hundreds of jolts every year and accounts for about 18 percent of the world's earthquakes. The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth's surface at which they strike. It is haunted
Malaysia and Korea: Building next chapter of enduring partnership
When Koreans think of Malaysia, many immediately picture tropical islands, warm hospitality and popular holiday destinations such as Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi or Penang. Others may associate Malaysia with semiconductors, palm oil or the growing presence of Korean companies across the country. Yet, the relationship between the two friendly nations today is evolving into something far more strategic and multidimensional. Following the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Seoul in November 2024, both countries are entering a new phase of cooperation, one driven not only by trade and investment, but also by innovation, sustainability, tourism and people-to-people connectivity. At a time when the global economy is increasingly shaped by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain realignment and technological competition, Malaysia and Korea are discovering that their strengths are more complementary than ever. Strategic economic partnership for future For decades, Korea and Malaysia have enjoyed strong economic relations b
Rubio says tolls on Strait of Hormuz will not happen
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that charging tolls on the Strait of Hormuz will not happen, amid reports that Iran seeks to establish a mechanism with Oman to regulate traffic in the crucial waterway. Rubio made the remarks during a press availability in Kuwait, reiterating U.S. President Donald Trump's opposition to the idea of Iran imposing a fee on shipping through the strait, which the secretary has called an "international waterway." Concerns have continued that Tehran could seek to assert its control over the strait as last week's preliminary peace deal between Washington and Tehran stipulates safe passage of vessels through the waterway "with no charge for 60 days only." "I think the whole world will be against any mechanism that charges money to use an international waterway. It's that simple. The president's already said that that's not going to happen," Rubio told reporters. He added, "I know of no country on the planet that supports tolling or a fee for the use of the straits. That's not going to happen. The president has been abundantly clea
Biz sentiment falls in June for 1st time in 3 months: BOK survey
Korea's business sentiment worsened for the first time in three months in June on sluggish construction and travel sectors, a central bank survey showed Thursday. The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries stood at 97.7 in June, down 1.2 points from a 3 1/2-year high of 98.9 in May, according to data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). It marked the first on-month decline since March. The index measures corporate outlooks on overall business conditions, with a reading below 100 indicating that pessimists outnumber optimists. The CBSI among manufacturers climbed 0.4 point from a month earlier to 101.2 in June, marking the highest point since August 2022, when the reading stood at 102.9. The manufacturing index surpassed the 100 mark for the second consecutive month after topping the 100 threshold in May for the first time since August 2022. However, the index among nonmanufacturers went down 2.1 points to 95.4 weighed down by low business sentiment among construction and travel-related companies. The outlook for July also dropped 2.4 points to 95.2 from the previous month's p
Positive outlook for Toyota, BYD's expansion in PHEV market
Toyota and BYD are aggressively targeting Korea's niche plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market, a move experts and industry officials view as a highly viable strategy to capture transitional demand and capitalize on Hyundai Motor Group’s absence in the sector. Local customers have not favored PHEVs due largely to their vague positioning between traditional hybrid cars and all-electric vehicles. PHEVs are also excluded from government subsidies here, making them compete at a distinct price disadvantage against typical electric vehicles (EVs). While a standard hybrid self-charges and relies primarily on a gasoline engine, PHEVs utilize a larger battery that requires external charging to deliver all-electric driving. According to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, PHEVs accounted for just 0.7 percent of the Korean passenger vehicle market between January and May, with 4,739 PHEVs newly registered. This represents a 24.6 percent decline compared to the same period last year. Despite this structural hurdle, industry experts remained optimistic over the latest pu
JoongAng Group's fate split between court, creditors
The fate of JTBC and other JoongAng Group affiliates now lies with the court amid their worsening liquidity problems, while the normalization of the group’s core company, JoongAng Ilbo, depends on its creditors, according to industry officials and analysts Wednesday. Five key affiliates, including broadcaster JTBC and holding company JoongAng Holdings, have recently filed for rehabilitation proceedings. Major newspaper JoongAng Ilbo has also formally applied for a workout with its lead creditor, Hana Bank, amid the group’s financial strain. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court held hearings with the representatives of the five companies on Tuesday, marking the start of a full-scale review of their rehabilitation cases. Executives who attended outlined the group’s debt exposure and proposed restructuring measures to the court. “I am sorry. We will fully comply with the court’s decision,” Hong Jeong-do, vice chairman of JoongAng Group, told reporters near the court. The group’s restructuring crisis began after JTBC defaulted on June 12, failing to repay 20.6 billion won ($13.4 million)
Korean swimming culture explained: Guide to local pools and etiquette
Swimming in Korea is not just about finding a pool and diving in. For many locals and long-term residents, it means crash course in bureaucracy, unspoken rules and shared shower culture. As Seoul slips into summer, as the city begins to feel hotter and more crowded by the day, there's no better time to learn about Korea's rules for the pool. This guide brings together the experiences of Korean and foreign swimmers in Korea to help you navigate like a local, from registration and etiquette to a few recommended places to dip your toes. Why swimming in Korea feels confusing Compared with many countries, swimming in Korea comes with a noticeably high entry barrier. Fees can be steep, free-swim hours are limited and registration systems are often designed with Korean-speaking, tech-saavy users in mind. “Even Koreans struggle to find information about pools, free-swim slots and lessons. There’s even less information in English, so I imagine it could be confusing for foreigners,” said Lee Da-eun, a Gyeonggi-based amateur swimmer who started after a new pool opened next to her home in Uiwa
The Grateful Camp reimagines what music festivals can be
As music festivals in Korea continue to grow in size and scale, The Grateful Camp is going a different direction. The upcoming festival features at least 20 great local acts, including Galaxy Express, Seoul Electric Band, Windy City, Chang Kiha, Tiger Disco, CHS, hathaw9y and Radio Revolution, performing at at Jjangttungeo Beach in Sinan, South Jella Province, from Sept. 4 to 6. Rather than focusing only on bigger stages and larger lineups, The Grateful Camp aims to create a temporary world where music, nature and people come together. For the team behind the festival, the most important part is not what happens on stage, but what happens between people. The festival began in 2020, when tropical psychedelic groove band CHS held a small performance at a campsite in a forest in Gapyeong County, northeastern Gyeonggi Province. Surrounded by nature and a ree-spirited audience, the experience became the foundation of what The Grateful Camp wanted to create. Ahead of its next chapter, Kim Se-hoon, executive director of The Grateful Camp, spoke about the festival’s origins, philosophy and why
[MORNING CALM TALES] The day I crashed a Korean War commemorative event
Seoul was already sweltering by midmorning on June 25, 2000. Heat rose in wavering sheets above the broad plaza outside the War Memorial of Korea as buses pulled up one after another, unloading elderly veterans of the Korean War (1950-53) alongside family members and foreign dignitaries arriving for the ceremony. Inside the memorial grounds, ushers guided guests toward rows of reserved seats while security personnel moved briskly through the growing crowd. Everywhere there were flags, cameras, police, military officers and the low murmur of Korean, English and a dozen other languages blending together in the heavy summer air. I was not supposed to be there. A month earlier, I had interviewed Gen. Paik Sun-yup for an article accompanying my review of his autobiography, "From Pusan to Panmunjom." After the interview, I met several members of the 50th anniversary committee organizing the Korean War commemorative ceremony at the War Memorial in Seoul. President Kim Dae-jung was scheduled to speak, along with military dignitaries, diplomats and veterans from around the world. And somehow, the
Stray cats or endangered wildlife? YouTuber sparks debate by calling for cat euthanasia
A popular Korean wildlife YouTuber has reignited a long-standing debate over stray cats after arguing that euthanasia is necessary to reduce their population and protect native wildlife. The controversy began after YouTuber Korean Birder, known for content about Korean wildlife and ecosystems and followed by roughly 500,000 subscribers, uploaded a video on Saturday titled "Cats, we have no choice but to kill them now." The video opens with footage of cats on Mara Island, a small island off Korea's southern coast, hunting a Crested Murrelet, a protected seabird designated as a Natural Monument and classified as an endangered species in Korea. The YouTuber argued that the problem extends far beyond Mara Island and has become a nationwide ecological issue, claiming that stray and feral cats are harming vulnerable wildlife across the country. He also criticized current cat management policies, including shelter placement, adoption programs and trap-neuter-return efforts, in which stray cats are captured, sterilized and released back into the wild. "Current policies being implemented in Korea
Seoul ranks 17th in global quality of life
Seoul placed 17th in Monocle magazine's 2026 Quality of Life Survey, the British lifestyle publication's annual ranking of the world's most livable cities, released Wednesday. Tokyo topped this year's list, followed by Copenhagen and Lisbon. Seoul was the highest-ranked city in Northeast Asia outside Japan. Monocle's survey, now in its 19th year, evaluates cities on criteria including safety, public transport, green space, governance, cultural offerings and nightlife, with the 2026 edition placing particular emphasis on civic vision and a city's ability to provide joy to its residents. The survey's assessment of Seoul highlighted the city's swift recovery from the political turmoil that followed former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024 — for which he was subsequently impeached and sentenced to life imprisonment — calling it a reflection of "the resilience of one of Asia's most sophisticated democracies." On the positive side, Monocle cited Seoul's outsized global cultural footprint through K-pop, K-beauty, Korean food and television, and noted that
Man charged with murder of Masumeh Manojan found dead
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A man charged with the murder of a woman in Co Galway last month has been found dead in his cell in Castlerea Prison.
No plans to decriminalise possession of drugs - minister
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The Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy has said there are no plans to decriminalise possession of all drugs - contrary to the recommendation of an Oireachtas committee.
Education secretary says she'll turn Tory leader's insult into a T-shirt
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's called Bridget Phillipson a 'spiteful class warrior' at PMQs.
Hospital saw another murdered toddler day before Preston Davey
Damion Russell was examined in the same hospital that failed to raise the alarm about Preston's injuries.
"How to Think About AI": Cory Doctorow on Big Tech, Understanding AI, Labor Automation & More
Democracy Now! speaks with science fiction author, activist and journalist Cory Doctorow about AI and his latest book, The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence — Before It’s Too Late.
Doctorow comments on AI’s “bad unit economics” and the connection between automation and labor. “When labor drives automation, it’s usually in service to making the product better, and when capital drives automation, it’s usually in service to making more of the product,” says Doctorow.
Oil price falls back to pre-Iran war levels
Signs that traffic through the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route is gradually resuming has helped to push the oil price down.
Severe thunderstorms trigger tornado warnings across southwestern Ontario
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Red tornado warnings were issued for several London-area communities Thursday afternoon and evening as a severe thunderstorm made its way across southwestern Ontario, bringing torrential downpours and strong winds.
Prairieland Nine: Texas ICE Protesters Get Up to 100 Years in Prison as Trump Targets Anti-Fascists
A group of anti-ICE protesters in Texas were sentenced to 30 to 100 years in jail on Tuesday, after federal prosecutors accused them of being an “antifa terror cell.” The activists attended a protest outside the Prairieland ICE jail in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4 of last year, during which fireworks were set off and a police officer was shot and wounded. All nine defendants were found guilty after being tried before a federal judge in Texas. Matt Sledge, political reporter for The Intercept, warns that “we just have to watch for this playbook to be applied elsewhere.”
“Now anyone engaged in basic protests with the wrong political beliefs can be labeled a domestic terrorist, when they have no intention of violence, not engaged in any violence, not interested in any violence,” says Sufia Khalid, deputy director of the National Security Criminal Defense Center, who represents one of the Prairieland defendants.
NHS boss 'shocked and upset' by Nottingham maternity findings
A major review into failures at Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust will be acted on, its boss says.
Harvey Weinstein's New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can't endure 4th trial
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Harvey Weinstein avoided a fourth trial on a New York rape charge after his accuser said she could not endure testifying again, leading prosecutors to drop the #MeToo-era case on Thursday.
"Utter Devastation": Thousands Feared Dead in Venezuela After Double Earthquakes
Thousands are feared dead in Venezuela after back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck the country Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital Caracas and surrounding areas. Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency as rescue workers frantically search for survivors in the rubble of “dozens” of collapsed buildings. Historian Alejandro Velasco, who has family in Venezuela, reports that “many Venezuelans abroad are trying to get in touch with their loved ones in Venezuela and are having a hard time doing so.”
The current death toll is at 164, with 1,000 people injured, but the U.S. Geological Survey warns there’s a high chance the death toll could rise into the tens of thousands — or even top 100,000.
Ryanair says it will reluctantly not charge parents to sit next to children
The airline had typically charged adults a fee of £8 each way to sit with their young children.
Chaos after building collapses on Caracas outskirts
The capital and its surrounding areas have seen some of the worst damage from the 7.2 and 7.5 quakes, which hit a minute apart.
Europe heatwave breaks records as UN agencies ramp up health warnings
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As a record-breaking heatwave grips large parts of Europe, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), national weather services and partners are mobilising heat-health action plans for millions of people facing dangerous temperatures.
Security Council extends critical stabilisation force in Syria
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The 15-member Security Council unanimously adopted a draft resolution on Thursday renewing the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months.
Jonathan Safran Foer: Literature awakens empathy that can change the world
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Speaking to Vatican News after meeting Pope Leo XIV during celebrations marking the centenary of the Vatican Publishing House, American novelist Jonathan Safran Foer reflects on literature, truth, climate change, artificial intelligence, and why empathy remains humanity's greatest hope.
Venezuela quake disaster: UN urges collective effort to help victims
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UN teams scrambled on Thursday in support of the international response to the devastating double earthquake disaster in Venezuela, where buildings lie flattened and people are likely still trapped in the capital, Caracas, and beyond.
World News in Brief: Ebola prevention, Yemen child deaths, Colombia elections, Japan climate campaign
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The UN's top humanitarian official has allocated $8 million in funding to help Burundi and South Sudan prepare for the potential spread of Ebola.
From Lebanon to the Strait of Hormuz, a Middle East hanging on fragile peace talks
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Since Tuesday, United Nations peacekeepers have detected no airstrikes or new missile fire in southern Lebanon. The lull remains fragile, however, as Israeli drones continue to fly over the area and military operations continue on the ground.
UN envoy warns of growing risks in El Obeid as Sudan conflict drags on
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The United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan voiced alarm on Wednesday over escalating violence in and around the city of El Obeid, warning that further military escalation could put thousands of civilians at risk and deepen Sudan’s already devastating humanitarian crisis.
LIVE: From conflict to stability, how the UN is supporting peacebuilding around the world
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As wars persist in different parts of the world, it’s perhaps easy to lose sight of the many countries that have managed to recover from past violence, sustain peace and prevent conflict. The UN Peacebuilding Fund, which is marking its 20th year of operation in 2026, has contributed to many of these success stories. UN News app users click here.
Thousands trapped in southern Ukraine struggle to survive
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Thousands of civilians trapped in frontline communities in southern Ukraine are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as access to food, medical care and evacuation routes continues to shrink, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country, HMRRU, warned on Wednesday.
Venezuela earthquakes LIVE: UN rapidly deploys aid and rescue teams
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Two deadly earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart on Wednesday, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing at least 164 deaths and widespread destruction in and around the capital, Caracas as international assistance begins to arrive early Thursday, with UN agencies rapidly deploying aid, support and rescue teams. UN News app users can follow here.
Poland and Ukraine’s difficult history creates political minefield for Tusk
Polish sentiment toward Ukraine has grown increasingly negative in recent years due to weariness with refugees, grain import disputes and the legacy of World War II killings.
Headlines for June 25, 2026
Thousands Feared Dead After Twin Earthquakes Rock Venezuela, White House Requests $87.6 Billion in Supplemental Funds, Mostly for Iran War, Israel Kills Two in Southern Lebanon, Straining U.S.-Iran Ceasefire, Drone Kills 12-Year-Old in Gaza as U.N. Inquiry Finds Israel Targets Children in Ongoing “Genocide”, Palestinian Journalist’s “Shocking” Photo Shows Effects of Torture, Medical Neglect in Israeli Jails, Professor Fired for Pro-Palestinian Activism Reinstated by San José State, Trump Clashes with GOP Senators over Iran and Blocks Housing Bill to Force SAVE Act Vote, Ukrainian Drones Kill 3 in Russian-Held Donetsk as Russia Bombards Team Clearing Landmines, Moscow Court Sentences Politician to Seven Years in Prison for Antiwar Messages, Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to Resume Mass Deportations Without Trial, Pentagon Restores Flu Vaccine Mandate After Outbreak Sickens Hundreds at Air Force Base, “Five Eyes” Intelligence Alliance Warns AI Models Pose Huge Cybersecurity Risks, Keiko Fujimori, Daughter of Peru’s Former Dictator, Poised to Win Razor-Thin Presidential Runoff
TikTok influencer charged with Dubai murder
Influencer Brooke George, 23, from Kent, claims she acted in self defence in stabbing her partner.
Number of children getting special educational needs support hits another record high
It is the highest yearly increase in education, health and care plans (EHCPs) since they were introduced.
As Europe roasts in a heat wave, Asia’s air-con makers see robust business
Air conditioning is rare in Europe and people are struggling to stay cool as searing heat claims lives, disrupts power supplies and shuts schools.
Macron and Meloni seek closer ties after Trump rift
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Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, fresh from a spat with US leader Donald Trump, met French President Emmanuel Macron to build on a nascent rapprochement and tighten ties.
Venezuela earthquakes in maps and graphics - where they hit and how severe they could be
The shallow quakes occurred within seconds of one another, exacerbating the damage caused.
Stay or go home? Tartan Army in limbo as Scotland await fate
BBC Scotland examines options for the Tartan Army in Miami as Scotland wait to discover if their World Cup adventure will continue or not.
Lee expresses condolences over deadly Venezuela quakes
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday expressed condolences to Venezuela after powerful earthquakes killed dozens of people, while expressing hope for the safe return of those who went missing. "On behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Korea, I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones and their homes due to the sudden disaster," Lee said in a social media post. The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Kore
Foreign minister vows pragmatic approach to Korean Peninsula denuclearization
South Korea will pursue a phased and practical approach to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and stronger cooperation with like-minded countries to advance regional peace and stability, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday. Cho outlined South Korea's foreign policy priorities during an official dinner for participants of the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity under way on the southern resort island of Jeju, according to the ministry. "We will pursue sustainable peace and coe
Transport ministry approves Korean Air's integration with Asiana Airlines
South Korea's transport ministry on Thursday approved Korean Air Co.'s integration with Asiana Airlines Inc., paving the way for the launch of a combined entity in December. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport made the decision after Korean Air and Asiana Airlines applied for approval following the signing of an integration agreement last month. In November 2020, Korean Air signed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Asiana Airlines, aiming to form the world's 10th-largest air
Semi-final draw on RTÉ this Sunday, barring three results
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A draw for the All-Ireland football semi-finals will take place on The Sunday Game Live following the conclusion of the quarter-finals, barring three results.
Bodies found in state of 'advanced deterioration' at under-fire trust
An inspection of Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust mortuaries found 10 shortfalls, the Human Tissue Authority said.
Japan unveils multiyear framework as part of budget reform
The mechanism is expected to start next fiscal year and will be used to fund measures including investments in economic security and crisis preparedness.
Ghosn says calls for his Nissan return show investor anger over results
Ghosn led Nissan for nearly two decades and has lived in Lebanon since fleeing Japan in late 2019.
Electric Picnic confirms Lewis Capaldi for line-up
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After much speculation, Lewis Capaldi has been added to the bill of this year's Electric Picinic in Co Laois.
Pope Leo: Sport is medicine for body and spirit
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Pope Leo XIV praises the value of sport in promoting growth of body and spirit, as he meets with the Italian Swimming Federation.
Burnley and West Ham to meet on first Championship weekend
Relegated Burnley and West Ham will meet on the opening weekend of the Championship season on Sunday, 16 August.
How brands banned from the World Cup became the story
When we try to suppress something, we often make it more visible - and Fifa is living that in real time with its sponsors.
'I thought I was going to die' - people describe earthquake panic
Buildings were flattened in the capital Caracas, where voices have been heard calling from the rubble.
55 years to clear social housing needs, Dáil hears
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The Dáil has heard that it will take 55 years to clear "current and emerging" social housing needs.
Ireland years behind on social housing needs, Dáil hears
The Dáil has heard that it will take 55 years to clear "current and emerging" social housing needs.
Fostering programme seeks to recognise role of children
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A new support programme has been launched to support families with children who take in foster children across Ireland.
Over 100m Europeans experiencing temperatures over 35C
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At least 101 million Europeans are expected to experience temperatures in excess of 35C, as scores of people are reported have been killed by the heatwave.
Schools shut in France as heatwave grips much of Europe
The mayor of Paris has told citizens to slow down as large parts of Western Europe remained in the grip of a deadly heatwave that has claimed dozens of lives, disrupted power supplies, and shut schools and cultural landmarks.
Average of 27 attacks on women reported every day - CSO
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An average of 27 attacks on women were reported every day during the first three months of the year, according to the Central Statistics Office.
8% increase in number of women attacked - CSO
There has been an 8% increase in the number of women who were attacked in the first three months of this year when compared to the same period last year.
Ryanair announces 'tweak' to its family seating policy
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Ryanair said it has adjusted its family seating policy, after an investigation was launched into it charging parents to sit with their children.
Pope: Universities are powerful channels to promote solidarity and common good
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In a meeting with the Presidents of Jesuit colleges and universities in North America, Pope Leo XIV says colleges and universities can be ideal spaces for confronting issues facing society, such as addressing the needs of marginalized people and reflecting on the impact of artificial intelligence.
3 people killed in Israeli strike on car in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire deal
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Three people were killed in southern Lebanon in an Israeli airstrike on a car on Thursday, Lebanon security and medical sources told Reuters.
Trump describes Burnham as the 'mayor of a town' and 'extremely liberal'
The US president gives his first public reaction to the man widely expected to be next UK prime minister.
IBM hails new 'block of flats' design breakthrough for ultra tiny chips
IBM says it has created the world's first known chip tech below 1 nanometre - but it will be some time before it's ready for production.
Catholics invited to donate to annual Peter's Pence appeal
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As part of the annual Peter's Pence collection, Catholics around the world are invited to support the Pope's universal mission of peace, hope, and charity by expressing our love and trust for the Successor of Peter through a donation, even a small offering.
Japan clears 18 officials to handle economic security info
The personnel were qualified under the security clearance assessment system based on the law, which was enacted in May 2024.
Cool Japan Fund may be scrapped by industry ministry after posting high losses
The plan to end the Cool Japan Fund is being considered after its cumulative losses reached ¥54 billion in fiscal 2025.
Severe southerlies lash Wellington, stronger gales expected
MetService says conditions will worsen overnight.
3 dead in plane crash near Fort Simpson, N.W.T., fire officials confirm
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N.W.T. Fire extended its condolences to the families of three people who have been confirmed dead following a plane crash near Fort Simpson on Wednesday evening. The plane involved was responding to a wildfire, when it crashed about 50 kilometres from the N.W.T. community.
Austrian GP declared heat-hazard race amid heatwave
This weekend's Austrian Grand Prix is declared a heat-hazard race by Formula 1's governing body the FIA.
Kioxia plans new U.S. listing in spring, stock split at home
The supplier of NAND storage aims to take advantage of runaway demand for exposure to AI-related semiconductor stocks.
Canadian defense minister says he discussed GCAP fighter with Japanese counterpart
Canada's potential interest comes as the program attracts attention from potential new partners and a rival European fighter project has collapsed.
Trump asks Congress for billions for Iran war, after tension with Republicans
But the budget faces an uphill battle as the president spars with some members of his own party over the issue.
Qatar player suspended 5 games after breaking leg of Canada's Koné
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Qatar player Assim Madibo was given a five-match ban on Wednesday for the tackle that broke the leg of Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné at the World Cup. Madibo was issued a straight red card for the incident during Canada's 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver last Thursday.
Seventeen’s Joshua pledges continued support for young people’s dreams
Seventeen member Joshua returned to UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Thursday, delivering a speech on behalf of the group that reaffirmed its commitment to supporting young people through creativity, collaboration and well-being. Speaking at the commemorative event “UNESCO x Seventeen: Celebrating Youth, Creativity and Well-Being Together,” Joshua reflected on the group’s journey since becoming UNESCO’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Youth in 2024 and highlighted the impact of the Global Youth Gra
‘All the Lovers in the Night’ film adaptation brings ‘unstable beauty’ to the screen
During the Cannes Film Festival, director Yukiko Sode and actors Yukino Kishii and Tadanobu Asano reflected on the process of bringing Mieko Kawakami's novel to life.
Japan enacts bill that sets numerical standards for dangerous driving
The bill stipulates the charge of dangerous driving be uniformly applied to accidents causing death or injury by drivers exceeding the speed limit by over 50 kph on ordinary roads.
“Freedom Under Grace:” Pope Leo XIV’s early writings to be released in English
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The English edition of “Freedom Under Grace” is set to hit bookshelves in September, bringing together homilies, addresses, messages, and letters written by Fr. Robert Francis Prevost during his years as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine.
G.Na returns to music 10 years after sex-for-money scandal
Korean Canadian singer and actress G.Na is set to return to music with her first official release since 2016, nearly a decade after a prostitution scandal brought her career to a halt. The singer revealed Tuesday through a social media post that the song she will remake for her comeback, her 2010 debut hit "I'll Back Off So You Can Live Better," was selected by fans. "It's been a long time since I've revisited this chapter of my life, but somehow this feels like the right song to start with," sh
UN pauses Hormuz operation after ship reports attack
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The UN International Maritime Organization paused its operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz after a vessel reported an attack, reigniting fears over a preliminary deal to end the Iran war.
How hot will it be today?
Today's weather forecast will be sunny and hot for many, with June temperature records set to be broken again.
Jail time and unlimited fines planned under conversion practices ban
The government says a new Bill will protect LGBT people from "abusive acts" to change who they are.
Find out which university degrees could earn you most across your lifetime
New data suggests which university degrees have the highest and lowest financial returns over a lifetime.
A K-drama version of Liam Neeson's 'Taken'?
So Ji-sub, one of Korea's most enduring action stars, channels shades of Liam Neeson in his latest series, "Agent Kim Reactivated," a live-action adaptation of the hit Naver webtoon "Manager Kim." The series centers on a man known only as Manager Kim (So), an unassuming bank employee and devoted single father raising his daughter, Min-ji, on his own. To the outside world, he appears to be an ordinary salaryman. But when Min-ji suddenly vanishes, Kim is forced to reveal a hidden past and unleash
Cortis joins F1 Singapore opening lineup as sole K-pop group
Cortis will perform on the opening night of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix race weekend in October. The F1 Singapore GP unveiled an updated concert line-up on Thursday for its race weekend at Marina Bay this fall. Cortis is the only K-pop group named in the announcement. Other newly listed performers include Janet Jackson, James Arthur, Zara Larsson and SNSD's Hyoyeon. Cortis will kick off the F1 weekend event on October 9 along with JJ Lin, Spacey Jane, Borderline, Shingo Nakamura, Split En
Red meat may not raise cancer risk for Koreans, study suggests
Red meat has long been regarded as a potential cancer risk, with the World Health Organization classifying it as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” But a new Korean study suggests the association might differ depending on population, sex and type of meat consumed. Seoul National University Hospital said Thursday that higher red meat consumption was linked to lower gastric cancer mortality among Korean men in a large cohort study. Men in the highest quartile of red meat consumption had a 52 perce
Canadian singer David Clayton-Thomas, who led Blood, Sweat & Tears to hits and Grammys, dead at 84
David Clayton-Thomas, the powerhouse Canadian singer who lifted American band Blood, Sweat & Tears to the heights of pop music success, including Grammy awards and one of the biggest-selling albums of its time, has died.
With loss to S. Africa, Hong Myung-bo now Korea's most defeated World Cup coach
Head coach Hong Myung-bo took responsibility for South Korea's 1-0 loss to South Africa in the group-stage finale that left the team's World Cup hopes hanging in the balance on Wednesday. "On a stage as big as this, the head coach is responsible for all the results," Hong said at his post-match press conference. "Ultimately, I made the wrong decisions that led to this outcome." Following the loss at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, South Korea finished third in Group A with t
No Korean casualties reported in Venezuela earthquake: Seoul
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday expressed condolences to those affected by a recent earthquake in Venezuela, saying it was checking whether any Korean nationals had been affected. Speaking to reporters at the ministry headquarters in Seoul, ministry spokesperson Park Il offered sympathy to the Venezuelan government and people. “We extend our condolences to the government and people of Venezuela over the severe damage caused by the earthquake, and express our deepest sympathy to the vi
Vietnamese student gets 10 years for death of abandoned newborn
A Vietnamese university student was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Seoul court for abandoning her newborn baby near Dongguk University last year, causing the infant’s death. The Seoul Central District Court on Thursday convicted the woman, who is in her 20s, of child abuse resulting in death under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes. Another Vietnamese national indicted for helping her give birth and taking part in the abandonment was sentenced to eight
Seoul optimistic most South Korean vessels will clear Hormuz within days
Most South Korea-linked vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following the recent Middle East conflict are expected to clear the strategic waterway within days, with the government expressing optimism that the long-running disruption to maritime traffic is nearing an end. A Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity Thursday that vessel movements through the strait are proceeding normally and that the issue appears to be moving toward resolution unless security conditions deter
Japan rejects Chinese claim SDF ‘harassed’ Chinese aircraft carrier group
The Defense Ministry in Tokyo said the accusations "are not true" and pledged to continue to "professionally and diligently" monitor the waters and airspace around Japan.
Seoul court upholds prison term for US livestreamer Johnny Somali
A Seoul appeals court upheld a six-month prison sentence for US livestreamer Johnny Somali, who drew public anger in South Korea last year after kissing a statue commemorating victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery. The Seoul Western District Court on Thursday rejected appeals filed by both Ramsey Khalid Ismael, better known online as Johnny Somali, and prosecutors, leaving intact a lower court ruling that sentenced him to six months in prison. Ismael was convicted on charges including obstru
Firefighters respond to blaze at central Auckland restaurant
The fire had mostly been put out, but crews were working on the last hotspots and starting on the salvage operation.
Could the history of Mars be set in stone? Meteorite discovery may offer clues to Red Planet's past
Garnet found in a 4.4-billion-year-old meteorite gives potential insight into the history, development and geological processes of Mars.
Cow tendons eyed as ligament material for ACL reconstruction surgery
One of the researchers involved hopes to eventually apply the cow-derived material to the reconstruction of other ligaments in the knee, as well as in the ankle and inner elbow.
GTA 6 - all you need to know about Rockstar's blockbuster game
Rockstar's sixth game in the franchise is set to be the biggest game release of the year.
Two storms approach Japan, with possible convergence complicating forecasts
If Tropical Storm Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos meet, they could act unpredictably — diverging, moving in succession, or merging into one storm.
Emperor thanks Netherlands and Belgium for warm welcome
The imperial couple's visit included trips to a monument to the war dead in Amsterdam and a semiconductor research center in Belgium.
I've spent 30 years in recruitment - this is how to get a job
The recruitment agency boss shares his tips on getting noticed in a tougher jobs market.
Academy invites 'KPop Demon Hunters' team to be members
The team behind "KPop Demon Hunters" will soon have a vote at the Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body behind the Academy Awards, announced Wednesday it has invited 529 people to join for 2026, a class that includes much of the team behind last year's breakout animated hit. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were invited, along with Ejae, the singer-songwriter who voices lead character Rumi and co-wrote the chart-topping "Golden." In all, seven of the film's c
FSS moves to cool single-stock ETF frenzy
South Korea's financial watchdog is preparing to tighten oversight of single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, amid growing concerns that speculative trading is amplifying volatility in the stock market. According to industry sources Thursday, the Financial Supervisory Service will meet executives from asset management companies to discuss measures to cool the rapidly growing market. The talks are expected to focus on additional safeguards for levera
KOSPI spikes over 5%, briefly topping 9,000 level again on chip rally after Micron earnings
South Korean stocks soared by more than 5 percent Thursday, briefly topping the 9,000-point level again, driven by a tech rally ignited by US chip giant Micron Technology's expectation-beating earnings report. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 459.28 points, or 5.42 percent, to close at 8,930.30, following a 3.26 percent gain the previous day. The index briefly topped the 9,000-point threshold, rising as high as 9,044.04. Finishing
Japan’s government blueprint nudges BOJ to fuel demand, clouding rates path
The draft urges the Bank of Japan to align its decisions with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's drive to reflate growth.
Thousands feared dead after two major earthquakes strike Venezuela
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160 kilometers west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 temblor.
Traditional navigators encourage more people to 'look up' at Matariki
Tamahau Tangitu, Hinerapa Rupuha and Manihera Forbes were all part of a crew who sailed from Aotearoa to Samoa and back aboard the waka hourua Ngahiraka Mai Tawhiti.
Neck bone eating contest at treaty celebration in Regina brings good memories, full bellies
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Jerome Moose, from Yellow Quill First Nation, ended up securing first place. He was presented with a small trophy, but said the true reward was leaving the event feeling completely full and satisfied.
Hajime Moriyasu praises Japan’s teamwork as squad eyes spot in knockout stage
With four points, the Japanese are likely to progress to the last 32 even if they lose to Sweden on Thursday, but Moriyasu has his sights set on the top spot.
LG CNS launches agentic AI ERP testing solution
LG CNS said Thursday it has launched an agentic AI-powered enterprise resource planning, or ERP, testing solution, as it steps up its push into the global SAP market. Called PerfecTwin ERP Edition, the solution automates ERP testing using real transaction data, helping companies detect defects before migrating to SAP's latest ERP platform, S/4HANA, or launching new ERP systems. ERP systems manage core business functions including finance, manufacturing, procurement, logistics and human resources
Korea Zinc Chairman, Australia PM deepen critical minerals ties
Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-birm met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday to discuss strengthening cooperation in critical minerals supply chains. During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Canberra, Australia, the two agreed to deepen communication on advancing critical minerals value chains and supply chain resilience and explore new areas of collaboration. Addressing challenges in Australia’s smelting industry, Albanese highlighted Korea Zinc’s Sun Metals Co
Experts call for N. Korea strategy rooted in nuclear reality
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island -- Security experts and policymakers called Thursday for a more pragmatic approach to North Korea's nuclear program, arguing that diplomacy must begin from the reality of Pyongyang's growing nuclear arsenal while maintaining denuclearization as the ultimate objective. Speaking at the Jeju Forum during a session titled "Security Assurances in Question: Can P3+3 Work When Trust Is Eroding?" the panelists said the rapidly changing security environment in Northeast Asia has mad
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers under investigation after complaints
Richard Chambers says he strongly rejects the claims.
Best World Cup stadium? BBC Sport experts have their say
BBC Sport reporters have their say on the best stadium experiences at the 2026 World Cup.
From fan to co-star: Chase Infiniti stars in Ateez’s ‘Bad’
Ateez has released two music video teasers for the main track of its upcoming album "Golden Hour: Part 5" featuring actor Chase Infinity. The first teaser, released on Wednesday, opens at Infinity's wedding. However, eight rings representing the eight members of Ateez are already on her ring finger. As the groom tries to add another ring, one of the members interrupts the ceremony. The second teaser, out Thursday, shows more chemistry between Infiniti and Ateez members. Infiniti is seen with Jon
U.S. defense firm Anduril in talks for Nissan plant to build drones in Japan, sources say
While sources say no decision has been made, any deal could transform one of Japan's first large-scale postwar car factories into a weapons hub.
Scholars from 10 countries to explore BTS’ cultural influence after military service
Scholars from around the world will gather in South Korea in early July for an international academic conference exploring BTS’ cultural influence and the group’s post-military service era. The International Society for BTS Studies announced Thursday that the event, “BTS: A Global Interdisciplinary Conference,” will be held July 2-3 at Jeonbuk National University International Convention Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, under the theme “The Next-Generation Hallyu and BTS.” The annual con
Why are more young Koreans walking away from elite careers?
For generations, South Korea offered young people a clear bargain: study hard, enter a prestigious university, land a secure job at a major conglomerate and climb the corporate ladder. More young Koreans are now questioning whether that bargain still pays off — in money, autonomy, mental well-being and the ability to build a life that feels livable. When Lee Seung-jun graduated from one of South Korea’s top engineering schools and landed a job at Samsung Electronics, he appeared to have achieved
Mirae Asset marks 20 years of ETF growth
Mirae Asset Global Investments is marking the 20th anniversary of its exchange-traded fund business, which has become a major growth engine for the asset manager, the company said Thursday. Its first ETF products, the Tiger Semiconductor ETF and the Tiger Banking ETF, were launched in June 2006, meaning 20 years have passed since the products were incorporated into Mirae Asset's business portfolio. Over that period, the asset manager has broadened its lineup to include products tracking major US
Govt. backs removal of prosecutors' investigative powers
The South Korean government on Thursday endorsed the abolition of prosecutors' remaining authority to conduct supplementary investigations, backing the full removal of the prosecution's investigative powers as the ruling bloc presses ahead with its judicial overhaul. The decision resolves one of the final outstanding questions surrounding the reform package: Would prosecutors retain limited authority to conduct "further investigations" in exceptional cases after a new crime investigation agency
Ko Seok-hyun eyes third straight UFC victory
South Korean fighter Ko Seok-hyun, nicknamed the "Korean Tyson," will seek his third straight victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship next month. Ko, 32, is set to face Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night on July 19 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. It will mark Ko's first fight in eight months after defeating Phil Rowe last November. A scheduled February bout against Jacobe Smith was canceled because of a rib injury. The July matchup is expected to showcase co
Suspected attacker dies in crash after Gunma woman stabbed to death
A man who was believed to have fled the scene died in a car accident in neighboring Saitama Prefecture later in the day.
Shinhan Financial Group said Thursday it met with Uzbekistan's Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov in Seoul to discuss expanding financial cooperation and supporting Korean companies' investments in the Central Asian country. The meeting, held at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Wednesday, follows a series of high-level exchanges aimed at strengthening financial ties between the two countries. Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in April 2025
LS Cable begins work on US submarine cable plant
LS Cable & System said Thursday that its US subsidiary, LS GreenLink, has begun constructing a vertical continuous vulcanization tower for its submarine cable manufacturing plant in Chesapeake, Virginia, as it accelerates its expansion in the fast-growing US power infrastructure market. The submarine cable plant, the largest of its kind in the US, is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2027, with commercial production set to begin in the first half of 2028. LS Cable & System President
Jinro drops K-pop-themed summer bottles
HiteJinro said Thursday it will launch a limited-edition summer version of its Chamisul Green Grape soju featuring a "K-pop Star Dookkeobi" label, as it looks to boost its global brand appeal by riding the worldwide popularity of K-pop. Chamisul Green Grape is HiteJinro's best-selling fruit-flavored soju in overseas markets. The release is part of the company's broader effort to expand the Dookkeobi character universe. The new labels feature HiteJinro's signature mascot reimagined as a K-pop sta
Posco said Thursday its long-running employee blood donation campaign has surpassed 65,000 cumulative participants, marking nearly three decades of efforts to support patients in need. Since launching the campaign in 1998, the steelmaker has held regular blood donation drives in Pohang, Gwangyang and Seoul using mobile donation buses. As of June 17, employees had donated 26 million milliliters of whole blood, enough to help save an estimated 200,000 patients requiring transfusions. Employees hav
Trump kicks off US's 250th birthday with rally
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President Donald Trump opened a 16-day celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary with a campaign-style rally.
Samsung ADR could spark fresh rerating: KB Securities
With SK hynix shares surging after the chipmaker unveiled plans to list American depositary receipts, Samsung Electronics could see a fresh rerating if it pursues a similar move, KB Securities said Thursday. Shares of SK hynix have rallied on optimism surrounding its planned Nasdaq ADR listing, briefly overtaking Samsung Electronics earlier this week to become South Korea's most valuable listed company by market capitalization. Samsung Electronics could also benefit from a US ADR listing, which
Korea's AI future hinges on better data, programmable money: GBF speakers
South Korean companies and financial institutions need to prepare for an AI era in which software does not just answer questions but performs tasks and makes payments on its own, speakers said Wednesday at the Global Business Forum in Seoul. At the 11th session of the forum, hosted by The Korea Herald and Herald Business, Park Min-jun of Wrtn Technologies and Korea Insurance Institute President Ha Tae-kyung argued that AI adoption will hinge less on the technology itself than on the systems buil
Anthropic accuses Alibaba of ‘illicitly’ accessing AI models
The U.S. AI developer had previously decided to keep its products out of China.
Why Seoul, UNC see North Korea's DMZ activities differently
South Korea and the United Nations Command's interpretations of North Korea's recent activities inside the Demilitarized Zone reflect contrasting views of what constitutes a violation of the 1953 Armistice Agreement. The disagreement centers on North Korea's construction of fences, road repairs, land clearing and suspected mine-laying inside the 4-kilometer-wide buffer zone surrounding the Military Demarcation Line, the de facto border between the two Koreas. Seoul says the work, particularly wh
Lee to host ex-President Moon for lunch
President Lee Jae Myung will host former President Moon Jae-in for lunch at Cheong Wa Dae next week, according to the presidential office. The meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on July 1 at the presidential compound, senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announced during a briefing Thursday. Former first lady Kim Jung-sook will not attend because she is overseas, and first lady Kim Hea Kyung is also not expected to join, The Korea Herald has learned. The luncheon will be Lee's first on
Incel violence and the Montreal shooting
After a shooting in Montreal left three people dead, police found a manifesto tied to the incel movement. Why is this online subculture driving young men to violence? And what can be done to stop it?
Weather: Strong winds hit powerlines, cancel flights, ferries and close highways
And warnings say gusts could reach up to 130km/h in parts of the country.
Anti-sunscreen social media trend has skin cancer experts worried
So-called 'wellness influencers' are posting videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram claiming commercial sunscreens are toxic and harmful.
Kakao Bank to buy Mastern Capital in push beyond online banking
Kakao Bank said Thursday it plans to fully acquire Mastern Capital, marking its first major move into nonbank lending as Korea's largest digital-only lender seeks to broaden its financial services portfolio. The bank's board approved the purchase Wednesday of all 5 million shares in Mastern Capital for 24.1 billion won ($15.6 million), according to a regulatory filing. Founded in 2022 through a joint investment by Mastern Investment Management and NH Investment & Securities, Mastern Capital is a
Shohei Ohtani delivers on mound, at plate as Dodgers sweep Twins
Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with a double and a solo home run for Los Angeles, which completed a three-game road sweep against the Twins.
PM nominee calls NK 'threat and compatriot'
Prime minister nominee Han Seong-sook said Thursday that North Korea is both a threat and a compatriot, as lawmakers questioned her views on inter-Korean relations during her confirmation hearing. One key issue raised during the opening day of the two-day hearing was whether North Korea's regime and military should continue to be designated as South Korea's enemy in the defense white paper. In response to an inquiry by Rep. Kim Sun-gyo of the main opposition People Power Party about whether Nort
Lotte Department Store kicks off summer sale Friday
Lotte Department Store said Thursday it will kick off its 2026 Summer Sale on Friday, offering discounts of up to 40 percent across fashion, sports, children's and home products through July 12. About 400 brands will participate in the campaign, with discounts on seasonal bestsellers and Lotte gift certificates worth up to 15 percent of purchases, depending on the product category. Luxury brands including Thom Browne, Jacquemus, Tory Burch and Ami, along with leading Korean fashion labels, will
Wimbledon players extend prize money protest
An ongoing dispute over prize money in tennis has now extended to Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam tournament of the season. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that players competing at Wimbledon have decided to limit media interview sessions to 15 minutes as part of an ongoing protest over prize money. The move follows similar actions that began during the French Open, where players had voiced frustration that the tournament's total prize pool accounted for only 14.3 percent of the total ev
Eyewitness footage captures moment Venezuela quake struck
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Eyewitness footage shows the moment an earthquake rocked Maiquetia airport in Venezuela.
Eyewitness footage captures moment Venezuela quake struck
Eyewitness footage shows the moment an earthquake rocked Maiquetia airport in Venezuela.
Recap: Quake response requires 'massive' effort - UN
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Coverage as it happened after Venezuela was devastated by two powerful earthquakes strikes.
Pike River families rally against overhaul of workplace safety laws
Changes to health and safety in the workplace laws will "undoubtedly lead to more injuries", say family members of those killed in the Pike River Mine explosion.
JPMorgan lifts Kospi target to 12,500, keeps Korea top Asia pick
JPMorgan on Thursday raised its 12-month target for South Korea's benchmark Kospi, keeping the country as its top equity market in Asia on expectations that AI-driven earnings will outweigh heavy foreign selling and volatility. The bank lifted its base-case Kospi target to 12,500, up from its previous target of 10,000 given in May. It also set a bull-case target of 15,000 and a bear-case target of 8,000. In a report released Thursday, JPMorgan strategists said investors should add exposure on pu
Hyundai eyes full ownership of Boston Dynamics
Hyundai Motor Group is considering swapping its US artificial intelligence research arm for SoftBank's remaining stake in Boston Dynamics, which would give the automaker full ownership of the robotics company ahead of its planned initial public offering. According to media reports on Thursday, if the deal goes through, Hyundai would acquire the remaining 9.65 percent stake in Boston Dynamics currently held by SoftBank, making the robot maker a wholly owned subsidiary, while transferring its robo
Korea launches $150b US shipbuilding investment alliance
South Korea on Thursday launched a joint financing alliance with its three biggest shipbuilders and major state policy lenders to drive a $150 billion Korea-US shipbuilding investment initiative aimed at expanding Korean companies' presence in the US market. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said the Korea-US Strategic Investment Corp., the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea Development Bank, Korea Trade Insurance Corp. and Korea Ocean Business Corp. signed an agreement with HD Hyund
Public to get their say on changes to Wellington rates
Wellington City had some of the highest rates differentials for commercial, industrial and business properties, but reducing the city's commercial rates burden could add to residential rates bills.
[Bio USA] Samsung Biologics steps up CDMO tech race
SAN DIEGO — Samsung Biologics is accelerating research and development efforts to strengthen its position in the contract development and manufacturing organization market by leveraging proprietary platforms, next-generation modalities and strategic technology investments. “Supporting core technology for contract development business is the most important task at (Samsung Biologics’ Bio R&D Center),” Jeong Hyeong-nam, chief of Samsung Biologics’ Bio R&D Center, said at press conference at the BI
How aircraft are still built largely by hand
SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province — Inside Plant 1 at South Korean aerospace manufacturer Kencoa Aerospace, large metal jigs hold aircraft parts in place before they are drilled, riveted and assembled into structures destined for global aerospace supply chains. The factory floor is filled not with finished aircraft but with the painstaking work that comes long before one takes flight. During a media tour on Wednesday, Kencoa showcased structures related to Embraer's C-390 military transport air
June's temperature record set to be broken again
Thursday is expected to be a hotter day for parts of England and Wales with June's record temperature set to be broken for a second day in a row as Simon King explains.
Reports of missing dementia sufferers in Japan fell in 2025 but remain high
Among those who were found, 139 were using location-tracking devices such as GPS or loss prevention tags for safety purposes.
Captain dead, two Indonesian crew missing after boat sinks off Busan
A South Korean captain died and two Indonesian crew members remained missing after a fishing boat sank following a collision with an LPG carrier off Busan on Thursday. The accident occurred at around 10:10 a.m. about 23 nautical miles, or 42.6 kilometers, southeast of Daebyeon Port in Gijang, Busan, when a 79-ton trawler collided with a 992-ton LPG carrier, according to the Ulsan Coast Guard. Eight crew members of the fishing boat — two Koreans and six Indonesians — fell into the sea as the vess
[Bio USA] Korea Exchange courts global biotech IPOs at Bio USA
The Korea Exchange hosted an investor outreach event for global biotech companies at BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego on Tuesday, stepping up efforts to attract overseas firms to Korea's capital market. BIO International Convention is the world's largest biotechnology exhibition, drawing about 20,000 participants from 72 countries last year. Co-hosted with Invest Seoul, the event introduced the Kosdaq listing process for foreign companies and key initial public offering requirement
S. Korea's fate left hanging after defeat to S. Africa
South Korea’s hopes of reaching the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are no longer in their own hands after a costly 1-0 defeat to South Africa left the Taegeuk Warriors third in Group A on Wednesday. The team conceded a goal in the 63rd minute, with Thapelo Maseko scoring for the African nation. Currently sitting at No. 25, South Korea finished third at this stage with three points from one win and two defeats. The team opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic before s
Soldier found guilty of threatening to kill senior colleague after cocktail party
He was also found guilty of using insulting language to a superior, by calling him a b****.
The 'constant fear' of living in an overheated home with a baby
Jackson Bylett and his wife, who live in a flat in east London with their baby, fear for the future.
Korea eyes role in NASA's lunar base project
SACHEON, South Gyeongsang Province — The Korea AeroSpace Administration is seeking a role for South Korea in future lunar infrastructure projects with NASA, while trying to reduce its reliance on foreign launch providers as rocket slots become harder to secure worldwide. Oh Tae-seog, administrator of the KASA, said Wednesday that talks with NASA are moving into more concrete areas as the US space agency advances plans for a sustained presence on the Moon. “Our cooperation with NASA is continuing
Japan to review elderly driving test after higher accident rate
The rate of accidents caused by drivers who took the test was 2.8 times the level recorded for those who were not subject to it, according to a study released Thursday.
IOC to give all Olympic athletes $10,000 grant
The International Olympic Committee has decided to provide athletes competing in the Olympics with a $10,000 participation grant per person instead of prize money. The move is aimed at offering universal benefits to all athletes who reach the Olympic stage, rather than limiting rewards to medalists. According to the Associated Press, the IOC announced during its 146th Session held Wednesday in Lausanne, Switzerland, that it would create a fund worth up to $140 million to directly support athlete
Kim Gun-mo returns with first new single in 10 years
Legendary singer-songwriter Kim Gun-mo will release a new digital single, "How Far Are You?," on July 1, his first new song in a decade, his agency Guneum Company announced Thursday. The release is Kim's first since his 2016 EP "50," which commemorated the 25th anniversary of his debut. "How Far Are You?" is a remake of the title track from Korean folk singer Jeon Young's 1977 debut album. For the first time in his career, Kim performs while playing the guitar himself, setting aside the piano pe
Waitaki residents protest against 'unaffordable' rate hikes
A 17 percent rates hike will force people to choose between paying their bill or for necessities like power and food, residents say.
'Food doesn't last' - Aid cuts hit Africa's largest refugee camp
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In Africa's largest refugee camp, the effects of global aid cuts are not an abstract notion or lines on a spreadsheet.
As U.S. tensions persist, buy-local movement remains strong in Nova Scotia
U.S. President Donald Trump’s talk of Canada becoming the 51st state made Halifax’s Dale Darling stop buying American products. And she's far from alone, numbers show.
Korea gets its first bisexual dating show. Will queer dating TV survive here?
Though South Korea has aired its first bisexual dating reality show, queer dating programs remain a niche segment in the country. Still, experts say the continued rollout of such shows reflects growing confidence in LGBTQ+ content, fueled in part by the demand for screen adaptations of boys' love (BL) web novels and webtoons. Korean streaming platform Wavve on June 19 launched "Stand Bi Me," the country's first dating reality series centered on bisexual singles. The show's participants move into
Byeon Woo-seok named top advertising model in K-Brand Index
Actor Byeon Woo-seok topped the K-Brand Index ranking of advertising models for the first half of 2026, according to the Asia Brand Research Institute on Thursday. The Asia Brand Research Institute, a big data evaluation agency, announced that Byeon Woo-seok ranked No. 1 in the advertising model category of the 2026 first half's K-Brand Index. The research analyzed 3.62 billion pieces of online data of the 30 most-searched celebrities this year. The K-Brand Index was calculated based on multiple
Council sorry for parking fines after fatal train crash near Bedford
Stranded passengers find fixed penalty notices on their cars at Bedford railway station.
Brent oil erases wartime gains as Hormuz reopening boosts supply
The global benchmark pushed lower for a fourth session, dropping below $72.48 a barrel — its pre-war closing price — before fluctuating around that level.
Why an ex-national chief wants to sue Canada over its secret Indigenous spying program
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Irish Internet Hotline designated as 'Trusted Flagger'
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The Irish Internet Hotline has been designated as a "Trusted Flagger" under the European Union's Digital Services Act by Comisiún na Meán.
Military held on to nearly 70% of sexual offence cases after Ottawa promised transfer to civilian police
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Military police failed to transfer almost 70 per cent of sexual offence cases over the past five years to civilian police, despite the government committing to doing so as it worked to pass a permanent change into law.
Takaichi’s smear video scandal shows Japan’s digital campaign rules are behind the curve
The issue emerged when an outlet published that one of Takaichi's secretaries met with an individual who participated in a smear campaign against rival candidates.
Headed to the ER? Here's why you could now wait more than 48 hours to be admitted
A report released Thursday by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that limited emergency room capacity, difficulties in accessing standard care and the country's aging population are to blame for patients spending more than 48 hours waiting in ERs.
Mark Carney's plan to bulk-buy unsold Vancouver condos might be a bailout, but it doesn't have to be
People need affordable homes, and thousands of empty condos in British Columbia are waiting to be sold. The federal government has an idea to help with both: Prime Minister Mark Carney is partnering with the B.C. government to convert vacant condos into affordable housing units.
'Mayday to Ottawa': $400M carbon capture facility could be cancelled after changes to Alberta's carbon tax
A shovel-ready, $400-million proposed facility to convert landfill waste in Edmonton into electricity that took five years to develop, could now be cancelled after the recent carbon tax agreement between the Alberta and federal governments.
Battle over 5-figure pay hikes for federal judges is causing unease in legal circles
The federal government and more than 1,000 federally appointed judges are at odds over the best way to settle an ongoing salary dispute, raising concerns in both the legal and political community that the case could end up tarnishing the judiciary's reputation.
Finland’s secretive training course prepares its elite for war
Participants attend classified briefings and visit strategic facilities as well as government sites normally closed to the public over a period of three to four weeks.
Thai stock market thriving as surprise beneficiary of AI boom
While the country lacks the semiconductor champions of Taiwan or South Korea, investors are increasingly recognizing its role in supplying the infrastructure behind AI.
Sony Pictures invests $100 million in giant-screen startup Cosm
Founded in 2020, Cosm serves food and offers seating that includes high-top tables and booths designed to create a more social theater experience.
Rate hikes needed every few months, hawkish BOJ board member says
While the remarks suggest another rate hike may come earlier than BOJ watchers expect, they also show there is some caution around raising rates again in July.
Māori providers say Taranaki ready for new med school doctors
The government announced Taranaki will be one of five areas hosting students from the new med school in the Waikato.
Carlo Ancelotti praises Vinicius Junior as Brazil tops Scotland to win Group C
Vinicius scored twice, including a header, in the first half in Miami to set Brazil on the way to a victory which allowed it to progress to the last 32 as winner of Group C.
Teacher facing indecent assault charges keeps name secret
The judge ruled all identifying information would remain suppressed until the trial - slated for October.
NATO chief seeks to ease tensions with US over Iran war
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NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte sought to calm tensions with US President Donald Trump at the White House using a mix of flattery and gentle pushback.
'Pipes and pumps' option halts South Dunedin flood plans
In South Dunedin, more than half of the 6,000 households and 1,000 businesses are considered at risk of flooding.
National promises homeowners low-cost loans to install solar power
The party would also allow people to install solar panels without the need for council consent.
Missing Auckland teen found safe
The 13-year-old was reported missing on Wednesday.
Taranaki Base Hospital's new East Wing opens, easing capacity pressure
A new six-storey East Wing has opened at Taranaki Base Hospital, with Health NZ saying the facility will ease pressure on a stretched system.
Thousands feared dead after Venezeula earthquakes
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Desperate Venezuelans are trying to rescue loved ones trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings after two major earthquakes killed at least 188 people.
How to cope in a heatwave - according to you
From what to wear to getting a restful night's sleep, you share your tips for beating the heat.
Australia teen social media ban has little impact - study
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Australia's social media ban for under 16s has had little impact on teenagers' scrolling habits, researchers have said in one of the first evaluations of the measures.
New whare 'making a dent' in Te Tai Tokerau's significant housing need
The homes will be affordable rentals with a mix of whānau moving in, from young families, to kaumātua, to intergenerational families.
Obesity cases rising fastest in young adults
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Experts say the cost of living, pandemic and boom in unhealthy food are behind the rise in cases.
Three Ireland blocked over 26 million scam calls in 2025
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Mobile operator Three Ireland said it blocked more than 26 million suspected scam calls and intercepted over 455,000 fraudulent SMS messages in 2025.
Thunderstorm warnings in place, 32.1C recorded in Galway
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Thunderstorm warnings are in effect for 12 counties as temperatures reached 32C in parts today.
Beaumont Hospital apologises over governance failures
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Beaumont Hospital in Dublin has apologised for governance and control failures identified in its 2024 accounts.
Further food price rises on the way this year - ESRI
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The Economic and Social Research Institute has warned of "second-round effects" on prices later this year as a result of higher energy costs.
Sewage discharging into Wellington coastal waters, again
People are being urged to stay out of the water between Ōwhiro Bay and Breaker Bay for the next 48 hours.
The woman who fought for Pakistan's disappeared men now faces life in jail
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The Nobel Peace Prize nominee has spent years demanding answers about the missing in Balochistan province.
Prostate Cancer Foundation warns against at-home test
Diagnosis was more complex than the result of a single test, which had a risk of causing unnecessary anxiety or false reassurance.
Banned swimmer's daughters to realise family's Commonwealth Games dream
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Annette Cowley was not allowed to compete at the 1986 Games as she was caught in a political storm.
Luxon 'constantly underwhelmed' by slow AI uptake in NZ businesses
The prime minister said he wants to brutally commercialise our science system" and catch up to countries like China and Singapore.
Venezuelans now face grim and daunting task of recovering bodies from devastated areas
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Some Venezuelans fear a dark and dangerous future in aftermath of twin earthquakes
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Death toll climbs to 589 in Venezuela, with nearly 50,000 missing, in wake of monster earthquakes
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Search for survivors underway, at least 164 dead after Venezuela struck by back-to-back earthquakes
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World Cup 2026: Scotland 0-3 Brazil, Morocco 4-2 Haiti
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Brazil the masters against Scotland and Morocco prevail in a scorefest against Haiti, all that means the Scots must wait to see if they'll have another game at the tournament.
Universities worried about scripted school teaching method
Teacher educators are worried by the rise of scripted lessons for subjects like maths and reading, and say the practice can undermine good teaching.
Emergency doctors warn of worsening hospital crisis with the winter flu season yet to peak
But Health NZ says winter is always a busy period for health services and planning for this year's season has been underway since March.
World Cup '26: Czechia 0-3 Mexico, S Africa 1-0 S Korea
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Mexico are already through to the round of 32, so Czechia, South Africa and South Africa are in a battle to keep their World Cup dream going
Swiss collector eager to sell his collection of Indigenous artifacts back to communities
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A Swiss collector who has amassed thousands of Indigenous artifacts says he is eager to have his collection repatriated back to the communities it has come from.
European leaders thank Starmer at final E5 meeting
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European leaders offered Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer kind words at a Berlin meeting, days after he announced his resignation following months of pressure and miserable poll numbers.
The great solar-coal flip
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Solar passes coal, super El Niño looms, and show your warming stripes
Baby, it's cold inside: Half of Kiwis say homes aren't warm enough
A major new study shows that many New Zealand households are putting up with indoor temperatures below the recommended healthy minimum.
Community plants wetlands a decade after country's worst waterborne illness outbreak
It's been 10 years since a campylobacter outbreak killed four people, infected thousands, and led to major nationwide changes to how drinking water is managed.
Trump's D.C. reflecting pool is the butt of online jokes. What happened?
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The pool's $14.7-million US renovation and subsequent rapid deterioration has become the butt of internet jokes. Some have dubbed June "ALGAEBTQ Pride Month" or commented that Trump, who promised to "drain the swamp" in Washington, has instead created a swamp.
What The UK's Biggest Maternity Review Tells Us About Maternity Care
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A review has found “systemic failures” in maternity care at a hospital in Nottingham.
Two women challenge refusal of Irish passport for child
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Two married women have taken a High Court challenge over a decision by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to refuse a passport for their son, who was born with the assistance of a UK fertility clinic.
Halifax-bound Air Canada flight diverted after captain became incapacitated, restrained by passengers
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Flight 7664 was en route from Newark to Halifax on Wednesday afternoon. The captain experienced a medical issue during the flight and it was diverted to Boston. Air Canada says it is working to help its 61 passengers who were on the plane make new travel arrangements.
FENZ keeps in the good, blanks out the bad about flood rescues
RNZ has seen original reviews done by swift water rescuers, but FENZ has redacted many key lines when releasing the same reviews under the OIA.
Mother fears Disability Support Services Bill will lead to desperate caregivers harming children
Victoria Coleman's court case is one of those that will be axed by the Disability Support Services Bill, which is currently before the Social Services and Community select committee.
World Cup 2026: Switz'land 2-1 Canada, Bosnia 3-1 Qatar
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Switzerland and Canada progress from Group B while Bosnia keep their hopes alive. Read back on how the action unfolded.
'I've had students deny the Holocaust in class': far-right extremism on the rise in classrooms
Teachers' union seeking expert advice due to reports of a growing prevalence of extremist views from some students.
How about Free? Is that affordable enough for you?
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The latest on energy, climate and affordability
Can Trump convince Republicans he’s won the war on Iran?
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Republicans are critical of the US lifting sanctions against Iran
ⓜ Full Moon-th Meetup with Alexa DeSanctis – June 29, 2026
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Join us on Mon. June 29th for a Full Moon meetup with Alexa DeSanctis – a summer Research Assistant at the Specola Vaticana in Italy.
All 13 Mi'kmaw communities in N.S. now united under a single education authority
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Millbrook First Nation is the final Mi'kmaw community in Nova Scotia to join Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, fulfilling a vision of self-determination in education first set out 30 years ago.
Bosnia-Herzegovina boosts chances of advancing at World Cup with win over Qatar
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Bosnia-Herzegovina eliminated Qatar and increased its chances of advancing at the World Cup with a 3-1 victory
in a Group B match on Wednesday in Seattle.
Electoral Commission adjusting to AI threat in lead-up to November
"We are confident in the security of our systems," says the acting chief electoral officer.
You asked, we answer: Canada's new social media rules for kids
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The federal government is moving to restrict social media access for Canadians under the age of 16. Parents, educators and experts have differing opinions on the Safe Social Media Act — and plenty of questions about the details. So you asked, and we answered.
Canada finishes 2nd in Group B after 2-1 loss to Switzerland, will play South Africa in knockout game Sunday
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Canada’s men lost to Switzerland 2-1 in a sweltering B.C. Place on Wednesday afternoon, ending their hopes of continuing their historic World Cup campaign at home.
Train driver killed in UK crash 'passed' red stop signal
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A UK train driver killed in a collision between two trains went past a red stop signal and braked only seconds before the crash, British rail investigators said.
Election posters play a key role in engagement - report
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Election posters play an important part in public engagement with the electoral process, despite environmental and hazardous location concerns, a report from An Coimisiún Toghchán says.
Podcast: Will drug decriminalisation actually happen?
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An Oireachtas committee has recommended fully decriminalising the possession of drugs for personal use.
While focus remains on men's World Cup, clock starts on 2027 Women's World Cup
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While most of the soccer world is focused on the men at the World Cup, the countdown has begun for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Northland flooding evacuees still can not go home after five months
Several evacuees are still staying at the local marae, with their lives in limbo.
Extradition case hears Greek prisons 'run by prisoners'
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The High Court is seeking further information from Greek authorities before ruling on the extradition of an Irish man wanted on a human trafficking charge
N.W.T. leaders react to fast-tracking of Mackenzie Valley Highway as ‘project of national interest’
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N.W.T. officials were generally positive in responding to news that the federal government would be working to fast-track a long-desired highway in the territory — though already, some local leaders are raising concerns that they have not been adequately consulted.
Number seeking international protection falls by 29%
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The number of people seeking international protection fell by almost a third last year after reaching a record high in 2024, according to figures released by the Department of Justice.
Trapped Everest survivor recounts escape
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A Nepali mountaineer has described spending three days trapped inside a deep a crevasse on Mount Everest.
SIPTU calls on RTÉ to boycott Israel fixtures
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SIPTU has written to RTÉ calling on the station to refuse to broadcast scheduled football fixtures against Israel and has committed to supporting workers who refuse to work on them.
Meet the Calgarian behind Team Canada's World Cup 2026 jerseys
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Team Canada's 2026 kit has been in the works since the last World Cup four years ago — and it's the brain child of a Calgarian. As the lead designer at Nike for the national team's latest kit, Calgary-based Holly Gallacher was behind the designs of the national team's home and away jerseys.
Central Bank of Ireland seeking savings of €75 million
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The Central Bank of Ireland is planning cost-cutting measures to make savings of €75 million.
'From excitement to emptiness': Families affected by largest NHS maternity scandal tell their stories
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Families explain how they became part of the biggest maternity scandal in NHS history.
Convicted paedophile Donaldson to renounce knighthood
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Jeffrey Donaldson has asked for his British royal knighthood to be renounced following his conviction for rape and 17 other sexual offences.
Toronto gang war led police to a trove of evidence in Ryan Wedding cocaine case, court docs say
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More than two years after the arrest of alleged hitman Malik Damion Cunningham in a Toronto suburb, new details about the circumstances of the police operation have emerged from unsealed warrant documents. Cunningham was purportedly hired, armed and trained by Ryan Wedding’s alleged drug ring.
Pheasant Rump families honour loved ones with Flower Day
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Families at Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation in Saskatchewan gather each year to remember loved ones who have died, by tending gravesites and a community feast and gifts.
Cardiac specialists to strike next week over pay dispute
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Cardiac surgeries are facing cancellations next week when perfusionists, who are members of the Fórsa trade union, engage in further strike action in a dispute over pay.
N.L. Crown prosecutor charged with smuggling, prohibited weapon possession
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The RCMP in eastern Newfoundland have charged a provincial Crown attorney with more than 10 charges related to smuggling, illegal importation, and weapons offences.
Seoul-Tokyo economic security ties to deepen as NK-Russia axis grows, former Japanese spy chief says
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — South Korea and Japan will deepen economic security ties as the bond between North Korea and Russia grows stronger, former Japanese spy chief Shigeru Kitamura said Wednesday. "North Korea has been focusing on nuclear issues and has recently been putting efforts into building intense relations with Russia. It is the reality that Pyongyang is supplying their warheads to Russia in return for foreign currency," Kitamura said in an interview with The Korea Times on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. "In the future, economic security between Seoul and Tokyo will be a big part in bilateral cooperation and the two countries will be able to cooperate in many forms." Kitamura, a former secretary-general of Japan's National Security Secretariat and one of the key aides to the Abe administration, attended the forum as a speaker for a session titled "Between Collective Defense and Collective Security: Toward a New Security Architecture in East Asia." During the session, he argued that alliances are essential to keeping the region stable, particularly a
UK, Germany and France express concern over Chinese actions east of Taiwan
TAIPEI — Great Britain, France and Germany on Wednesday issued a rare joint statement expressing alarm over Chinese activities east of the self-ruled island of Taiwan, where China earlier this month deployed coast guard patrols. The de-facto embassies of the three European nations in the Taiwanese capital Taipei said the “novel Chinese activity,” which was not specifically identified, endangered regional stability. China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as its breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to annex the island, called the maneuvers earlier this month a “maritime traffic enforcement and hydrographic survey operation.” Chinese state media said the activities were “sending a pointed warning” to Japan and the Philippines over an announcement that the countries would discuss their maritime boundaries in waters that Beijing views as its own. China on Tuesday also sailed its newest and most powerful aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait, the body of water separating China from Taiwan, just hours after Taiwan began a five-day military exe
Trump says assured by Iran no tolls to be charged at Hormuz
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has been assured by Iran that no fees will be collected from ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue to secure a lasting end to the war in the Middle East. "Iran has informed the U.S. that... there are 'NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ'," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without specifying whether those assurances would remain in place after the 60-day negotiating period. Tehran has repeatedly said it plans to charge what it calls maritime service fees for crossing the strait, as opposed to tolls, a plan fiercely opposed by the United States. Iran and Oman said Tuesday they will study the costs to be charged for services provided in administering the Strait of Hormuz, insisting they held sovereignty over the waterway.
Trump turning attention back to North Korea: former US envoy to Seoul
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be turning his attention back to North Korea, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said Wednesday, echoing remarks made by President Lee Jae Myung last week. Speaking at the Jeju Forum, an annual international peace forum held on Jeju Island, Harris argued that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is even less likely to abandon his nuclear ambitions following recent developments in Iran and Ukraine. The session, titled "Between Collective Defense and Collective Security: Toward a New Security Architecture in East Asia," brought together Harris, former Defense Minister Suh Wook and Kitamura Shigeru, former secretary-general of Japan's National Security Secretariat. "As President Lee from South Korea said, President Trump is now focused on North Korea again. So who knows where that focus will take both countries," he said. The former ambassador argued that previous U.S. administrations should have done more to prevent North Korea from achieving its nuclear ambitions, adding that Trump, during his first term, went fur
Dutch documentary brings Korean War veterans' stories to Seoul
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Seoul held a special documentary screening on June 23 to honor Dutch veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War and mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hoengseong — one of the fiercest engagements of the conflict, fought in February 1951 — highlighting their sacrifices and the enduring friendship between the two countries. The event at Seoul Art Cinema featured a documentary produced in collaboration with the nonprofit initiative Project Soldier, which has spent years documenting the memories and legacies of Korean War veterans around the world. Titled “Dutch Soldiers in the Korean War: Documenting the Living History,” the film sheds light on the contributions of Dutch veterans to the defense of freedom and peace on the Korean Peninsula. As part of the project, the Project Soldier team visited eight Dutch Korean War veterans at their homes across the Netherlands, collecting their personal stories. The one-hour documentary follows the team's journey and captures intimate encounters with the veterans, offering a rare glimpse into the
Ships already sailing through Hormuz under UN evacuation scheme, agency says
LONDON — Ships have already sailed through the Strait of Hormuz under a newly launched evacuation scheme by the U.N's shipping agency, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. "Ships have already begun to pass under the plan," a spokesperson with the U.N's International Maritime Organization (IMO) said, declining to provide any details on the vessels that had crossed. At least two dry bulk ships and one cargo ship have sailed through Hormuz under the scheme in past 12 hours, London Stock Exchange (LSEG) ship tracking data showed on Wednesday. At least 35 other commercial ships, mainly dry bulk, cargo and container vessels were preparing to sail through the strait, according to LSEG and MarineTraffic ship tracking data based on Reuters analysis of ship movements. The scheme, which has taken months to conclude, will enable hundreds of ships with some 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf to sail through Hormuz, the IMO said on Tuesday.
Hyundai Motor union votes in favor of strike plan
Unionized workers of Hyundai Motor on Wednesday voted in favor of a strike plan amid stalled wage talks in a move that could lead to a potential walkout at the company for the second consecutive year. In a vote, 86.65 percent of the union's 39,668 members approved the strike plan, with 94.15 percent of the members casting ballots, according to the union. The approval gives the union the right to stage a legal walkout in the event the state labor relations committee decides to suspend mediation between labor and management in the negotiations. The committee is expected to make a decision on whether to suspend mediation Thursday. The union and management have held 11 rounds of wage talks since May, but they have yet to narrow their differences over the union's demands. The union is demanding a 149,600-won ($96.70) increase in the monthly base pay per worker and 30 percent of Hyundai's net profit logged last year for performance-based pay. It is also calling for bonuses to be increased from 750 percent to 800 percent, raising the retirement age to at most 65 and better job security amid conce
Hanwha Aerospace partners with UAE defense firm for expansion into Middle East
Hanwha Aerospace, Korea's leading defense company, said Wednesday it has signed a deal with a United Arab Emirates (UAE) defense firm in order to tap deeper into the Middle East by producing K9 self-propelled howitzers in the region. Under the deal, Hanwha Aerospace and Generation 5 Holding will work together to produce and sell Hanwha's K9 155-millimeter self-propelled howitzer, currently in service in 10 countries. With the deal, Hanwha Aerospace will be able to expand its status as a defense firm in the Middle East.
SK hynix to raise up to $29.4 bil. via Nasdaq ADR offering
SK hynix is set to raise up to 45.45 trillion won ($29.4 billion) through an American depositary receipt (ADR) offering backed by newly issued shares, expanding its global investor base and funding major semiconductor projects. The chip giant said Wednesday that its board approved the ADR issuance, with the securities set to debut on Nasdaq on July 10. Depositary receipts are bank-issued securities that represent shares in a foreign company, allowing investors to trade them on local exchanges. Under the offering structure, newly issued common shares will be deposited with a local custodian in Korea, and a U.S. depositary bank will issue ADRs representing those underlying shares for trading on Nasdaq. The indicative price is set at 255,500 won per ADR, based on the company's Tuesday closing price of 2.555 million won for the underlying common shares. Each ADR will represent 0.1 of a common share, with up to 17.79 million new shares to be issued under the offering. Bank of America, Citi, Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan are acting as joint lead underwriters for the offering. The Korea Securiti
Global forum leaders call for stronger cooperation amid growing fragmentation
SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island — Global forums must evolve from platforms for dialogue into drivers of practical cooperation as geopolitical tension, protectionism and technological disruption reshape the international landscape, speakers at the Jeju Forum said Wednesday. The session, titled “From Connection to Cooperation: How Global Forums Reinvent Collaboration in a Fragmented World,” brought together leaders of major international dialogue platforms from Asia and Europe to examine how forums can remain relevant amid growing global divisions. Zhang Jun, secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia and former Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, warned against the growing influence of unilateralism and protectionism, saying international forums have an important role to play in rebuilding trust and strengthening multilateralism. “We really need to keep high alert, (and) to make tough efforts to stop the further escalation and spreading of unilateralism and protectionism,” Zhang said. He also called for a more equitable global governance system that better reflects the rise of th
'Framed in Sound' project brings together photographers, musicians
A collaborative project between Korea-based global photographers and musicians will be presented with a photo exhibition and live music performances celebrating Seoul's international creative scene on Saturday. The project, "Framed in Sound," paired photographers with independent musicians during a photo walk on May 2, giving the photographers a chance to develop their portrait photography skills while providing musicians with professional promotional images. For the exhibition, 10 photographers will share five photographs each of their musician partners, who will perform later in the evening. The initiative was co-created by Filipino musician Nicky Juanite and Indonesian photographer Dhira Noor, who both saw an opportunity to support emerging artists by combining their respective communities. “We invited photographers and musicians to spend a day together at Hangang Park, with the hopes of benefiting from each other's talents," Juanite told The Korea Times. "Musicians received professional photographs they could use for their portfolios, promotional materials and future opportunities.
Foreign diplomats voice support for UNESCO World Heritage session in Busan
Foreign diplomats from member states of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee expressed support for Korea's preparations to host the committee's annual session in Busan next month during a briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 23. The ministry invited representatives from 13 committee member states stationed in Seoul to provide an update on preparations for the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which will take place in the southeastern port city from July 19 to 29. During the briefing, the ministry outlined Seoul's preparations for the gathering and introduced the government's proposal to adopt a "Busan Declaration" aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation. The ministry called on committee member states to lend their support and contribute to discussions surrounding the declaration, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in safeguarding shared cultural and natural heritage. Diplomats attending the event, including ambassadors from Peru, the Czech Republic, Kenya and Mongolia, commend
For KOFICE chief, MyK FESTA goes beyond K-pop
For Park Chang-sik, president of the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), a public institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism tasked with promoting two-way cultural exchange between Korea and the world, the 2026 MyK FESTA is not just a concert. It's an experiment in turning the K-pop fandom into a sustainable, two-way cultural economy. Now in its second year, MyK FESTA is a four-day K-culture festival combining K-pop concerts, business showcases and exhibitions, running from June 25-28 at KINTEX and SONO Calm GOYANG in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Organized by KOFICE and hosted by the culture ministry, the event brings together top K-pop acts, hundreds of Korean lifestyle and content companies and international buyers under one roof, free of charge. "This is the second year, and the scale has grown considerably compared to last year. The number of buyers, participating artists, B2C (business-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) partners has all expanded significantly," Park said in an interview with The Korea Times at the foundation's he
Lee visits front-line Marine Corps unit, stresses strong deterrence against enemy
President Lee Jae Myung visited a front-line Marine Corps unit near North Korea and stressed the importance of strong deterrence against the enemy to ensure peace on Wednesday, the eve of the 76th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. Lee traveled to the Marine Corps unit based on Yeonpyeong Island, just below the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea, the de facto inter-Korean maritime border, to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 war. The war ended on July 27, 1953, with the signing of an armistice, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided into the capitalist South and the socialist North, with the two sides technically still at war. Sharing lunch with the unit's service members, Lee described three stages of ensuring national security: winning a fight, winning without a fight and making a fight unnecessary. The president named making a fight unnecessary as the most important part of all. "This exactly constitutes peace. Peace is the most solid foundation for security," he said. Lee said peace should be based on "strong deterrence to overpower the enemy," pledgi
Speaking contest witnesses growing influence of Korean culture
The Korea Times witnessed the growing global influence of Korean culture and language as it awarded winners of the Korean Language Speaking Contest during a ceremony at the Korea Cyber University's Inchon Hall in Seoul, Wednesday. Now in its third year, the event has seen explosive growth, cementing its status as a premier global platform for Korean language learners. This year’s contest drew 3,908 applicants from 110 countries. This marks a 120 percent increase in number of applications compared to the previous year, with participants submitting short and long videos across platforms including YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Jung Hyang-mi, deputy minister of the culture and arts policy office at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized the deep cultural connections fostered by learning the language. She noted that the number of students at the King Sejong Institute, a state-run Korean language education center with branches around the world, nearly doubled from 138,000 in 2021 to 239,000 last year. "Learning a language goes beyond mastering a communication tool. It is a p
[PHOTO] Marking 76th anniversary of Korean War
A Korean family from the United States visits the graves of relatives killed during the 1950-53 Korean War at Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District, Wednesday, the day before the 76th anniversary of the war's outbreak. Korea Times photo by Yoon Ki-hoon
Choi Min-sik returns in Netflix thriller ‘Notes from the Last Row’
Veteran actor Choi Min-sik is set to delve into the intricate layers of human nature in his highly anticipated Netflix project "Notes from the Last Row." The psychological suspense drama centers on Heo Mun-oh (Choi), a failed writer and Korean literature professor. His life takes a sharp turn when he uncovers the raw genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), a mysterious student who sits in the very back row of his classroom. Choi Min-sik, celebrated globally for his powerhouse performances in "Exhuma" (2024) and "Big Bet" (2022), masterfully portrays Mun-oh, a professor consumed by a deep sense of inferiority. "I found myself yearning for a project imbued with a rich literary fragrance," Choi said during a press conference at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery, Wednesday. "While there are plenty of highly popular and entertaining shows these days, I felt this script really gave the audience room to think. People might find Mun-oh's flaws hitting a bit too close to home, allowing viewers to see themselves in him." He added, "The message of the piece and the dynamic between the teacher and student
UNC, S. Korean gov't clash over NK's border activity
The South Korean government and the United Nations Command (UNC) are giving conflicting accounts of North Korea’s recent move to intensify border fencing, with South Korea viewing the activity as a violation of the armistice agreement and the UNC disputing the framing. It is the second dispute in recent months between the two over border issues, with a previous disagreement taking place over authority to grant approval for nonmilitary access to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The UNC on Wednesday publicly challenged South Korea’s assessment in a fact sheet on its website. The fact sheet came after a report that North Korea installed barbed wire fences just 80 meters from the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The South Korean defense ministry said Monday that the activity is “in clear violation of the armistice agreement,” which halted the 1950-53 Korean War. The MDL separates the two Koreas and the DMZ is a buffer zone extending 2 kilometers on either side of the MDL to restrict troops and heavy weapons. In its fact sheet, the UNC wrote, "Recent North Korean construction activities
Korea's long wait for equality law
June is Pride Month and in much of the developed world, the rainbow flag is hard to miss — draped across public buildings as well as corporate storefronts. In Korea, it is harder to find. Beyond the Seoul Queer Culture Festival and its parade, the rainbows symbolizing the LGBTQ+ community are largely absent. Even Korean companies that create Pride campaigns for their overseas markets tend to stay quiet at home, wary of the backlash that such public support can invite. That reticence reflects a deeper gap. Korea remains one of only two OECD members, alongside Japan, without a comprehensive anti-discrimination law. Rep. Son Sol of the Progressive Party introduced a bill in January, followed by Rep. Chung Choon-saeng of the Rebuilding Korea Party in February. Gender Equality Minister Won Min-kyong also pledged her support. Yet the law remains unrealized, deferred once again on the familiar grounds that society has not reached a consensus. The comparison with Korea's neighbors makes the lag sharper. Japan, the other OECD holdout, has no national equality statute either, but municipal par
Police identify, summon woman over solo blockade of vote counting center
Police have identified a woman who staged a solo blockade of a vote counting center after the June 3 local elections and issued a summons for her to appear for questioning, sources said Wednesday. On June 16, the woman, said to be in her 30s, stood outside a door to the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul, which had been used as a ballot counting center, to prevent anyone from going inside amid an ongoing standoff between protesters demanding a rerun of the elections and sports organization officials trying to enter the gym to access their offices. The protests, which are now on their 20th consecutive day, began after shortages of ballot papers were reported at multiple polling stations on election day, causing some voters to turn back without casting their ballots. To end the standoff, lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party had negotiated a deal with the protesters to let the sports officials inside, but the agreement fell through after the woman blocked the door and demanded the preservation of ballots and ballot boxes that remain in the gym. Police reportedly
KOSPI rebounds from sharp sell-off on Samsung buyback hopes
Korea's benchmark stock index jumped more than 3 percent Wednesday, clawing back some of the previous session's 10 percent plunge, as bargain-hunting and hopes for a major Samsung Electronics buyback lifted investor sentiment. According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI closed at 8,471.02, up 3.26 percent from the previous session when it plunged nearly 10 percent. It climbed as high as 8,577.52 during the session, but turned lower in the afternoon and briefly fell to 8,080.99. It later resumed its upward trend and closed higher. Despite weakness in U.S. semiconductor stocks, investor sentiment was boosted by news that Samsung Electronics is close to announcing a 90 trillion won ($58.2 billion) share buyback. Its shares rose 9.84 percent to close at 340,500 won, reclaiming the top spot by market capitalization. SK hynix also rose 0.98 percent to close at 2,580,000 won, but failed to close the gap with Samsung Electronics. Market laggards also advanced, supported by bargain-hunting. The pharmaceutical and biotech sector rebounded on expectations surrounding the 2026 BIO International Conve
S. Korean, Indian FMs discuss bilateral cooperation, Middle East situation
The top diplomats of South Korea and India on Wednesday discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors and exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and global supply chains, Seoul's foreign ministry said. During talks in Seoul, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reviewed progress on follow-up measures from the April summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the ministry. Cho welcomed the steady implementation of follow-up projects in the economic, social and cultural fields by the two governments, while Jaishankar stressed the need to faithfully implement relevant measures to further advance the two countries' special strategic partnership. Following the April summit, Seoul's foreign ministry established a task force to accelerate follow-up measures in key areas and plans to hold a meeting with Indian businesses operating in South Korea. India also hosted "Korea Week" this week to enhance communication with South Korean companies operating in the cou
POSCO’s new portfolio boils down to 8 specialty steels
Major steelmaker POSCO has revamped its product portfolio by streamlining it into eight “strategic steels” for global markets. The company said Wednesday that the eight key product categories will be managed under its new “One Team” system, which seeks to eliminate internal limitations posed by different bureaus and divisions. The renewed operation is the company’s response to rising low-priced steel imports in Korea and nontariff barriers in its global markets. POSCO last February launched four project teams tasked of operating half of its strategic steels: stainless steel for next-generation growth markets; PosMAC for renewable energy; high-manganese steel; and premium electric arc furnace steel. Last December, the company also introduced other project teams for the rest of its strategic steels: heavy plates for energy infrastructures; electrical steel for power transformers; GigaSteel (ultra-high-strength lightweight steel); and HyperNO (high-efficiency non-oriented electrical steel). POSCO said the eight project teams have all begun operations. Each team individually takes
Special exhibition to be held in US to mark 150th birth anniv. of Korean independence hero Kim Koo
A special exhibition will be held in the United States over the next three months to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of a renowned Korean independence hero who fought against Japanese colonial rule, the veterans ministry said Wednesday. The exhibition on Kim Koo (1876-1949), a pivotal leader of the Korean independence movement during Japan's 1910-45 colonization of Korea, will take place at the Old Korean Legation in Washington from June 26 to Sept. 26, the ministry said in a release. An opening ceremony will be held Wednesday (local time). Kim spearheaded resistance against Japan's colonial rule for over three decades, serving as the first president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai during the struggle. UNESCO officially commemorated the 150th anniversary of Kim's birth this year, honoring his profound belief that culture is the ultimate engine for national growth, human happiness and international peace, as written in his book, "My Desire." The exhibition will be held to mark Kim's legacy in recognition of the UNESCO commemoration, alongside this
Election officials raided over ballot shortage in June 3 local elections
A joint police and prosecution team on Wednesday raided the offices of 12 election officials who oversaw polling stations in Seoul that experienced ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections, officials said. The raids targeted three officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission and nine from the Songpa District Election Commission, in an effort to reconstruct the events on election day, trace how they reported the ballot shortages up the chain of command and what specific directives they were given. Launched on June 9 under orders from President Lee Jae Myung, the joint investigation team is probing allegations that the National Election Commission (NEC) hastily decided to reduce the number of printed ballots and failed to respond effectively to ballot shortages on election day. On June 11, investigators raided the NEC and seized internal approval documents and voting logs. The team plans to question the 12 officials after analyzing their seized materials, and is expected to expand their probe to high-level officials of the election watchdog, including former Chairman
Seoul city council passes ordinance on free bus rides for people aged over 70
The Seoul Metropolitan Council passed an ordinance Wednesday calling for the introduction of free bus rides for citizens aged 70 and over. The proposal, which calls for subsidizing all or part of city and community bus fares for the senior citizens based on criteria set by the mayor, passed a plenary council session by a 69-1 vote, with five abstentions. Details, such as the extent of the subsidy and its implementation method, will be decided by the city government at a later date. The city government has also been looking to raise the eligible age for free subway rides from the current 65 to 70. The introduction of free bus rides for senior citizens was a campaign pledge of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon during the June 3 local elections. It aims to expand public transport services for people living in areas without a subway station. The city government has said, however, that to minimize the financial burden the number of free rides could be capped at 14 per month. According to its estimate, providing that many free rides will cost approximately 52.5 billion won ($34 million) a year, but would be
Jeolla region eyed for new semiconductor cluster: presidential policy chief
The government and chip companies are planning to establish a massive semiconductor cluster in the Jeolla region, separate from the current one near the capital, the presidential policy chief said Wednesday, citing abundant electricity and water in the southwestern provinces. He also stressed the need to start public discussion on how to share the benefits of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, saying the issue comprises social networks, labor policy and excess tax revenue generated by the booming AI-related industries. Speaking at a forum hosted by Kwanhun Club, an association of senior journalists, presidential adviser for policy Kim Yong-beom said the AI boom presents an opportunity to redraw Korea's industrial geography, drawing a parallel with how a manufacturing cluster in the southeastern region transformed Korea into an industrial powerhouse decades ago. He said the demand for chips has skyrocketed and companies are being pressed to advance their plans to construct relevant plants and facilities. While Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are currently building massive semiconduct
'Dynamite' tops 2.1 bil. YouTube views to become most-watched BTS music video
The music video of K-pop superband BTS' 2020 megahit single "Dynamite" has topped 2.1 billion views on YouTube, becoming the most-viewed music video by the group, its agency said Wednesday. The video surpassed the threshold at about 8 a.m., adding 100 million views just nine months after hitting 2 billion in September to become the first music video by BTS to reach 2.1 billion, BigHit Music said. The first English-language song from the group, "Dynamite" is an upbeat disco pop song carrying a message of hope. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the first song by a K-pop act to reach No. 1 and remain atop the chart for a total of three weeks. It also stayed on the chart for 32 weeks, the longest for a K-pop artist. "Dynamite" also earned the group its first Grammy nomination, as well as Best Song at the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards and Top Selling Song at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
Lisa's rumored breakup with LVMH heir resurfaces after Vanity Fair profile
Rumors that BLACKPINK's Lisa has split from Frederic Arnault, the son of luxury goods titan Bernard Arnault, are gaining renewed attention after a recent Vanity Fair profile suggested the pair may have gone their separate ways. In its summer cover story, "The Life of a K-Pop Showgirl," published Tuesday, Vanity Fair explored Lisa's life as a global superstar, her growing influence beyond music and the personal challenges that come with worldwide fame. The magazine briefly addressed the singer's long-rumored relationship with Arnault, the fourth son of the chairman of LVMH, the world's largest luxury conglomerate. "She was rumored to have been in a relationship with Frederic Arnault, son of LVMH billionaire Bernard Arnault, since mid-2023," the article read. "They seem to have now called it quits." The comment immediately reignited speculation among fans, as neither Lisa nor Arnault has ever publicly confirmed their relationship. According to the profile, Lisa declined to discuss her personal life during the interview. Vanity Fair said her publicist warned the reporter twice not to bring u
Ballot shortage reignites debate over early voting as PPP pushes to scrap system
Political fallout from the ballot shortage controversy during the June 3 local elections continues, with the main opposition People Power Party’s (PPP) push to abolish early voting reviving debate over Korea’s election system. The issue resurfaced after PPP lawmaker Park Dae-chul introduced a bill seeking to scrap early voting, extend election day voting to two days and revive the absentee voting system. The proposal was co-sponsored by 24 PPP lawmakers and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, the party’s former leader. Han described the proposal as a long-held position. “Replacing early voting with a longer election period has been my position for a long time,” Han wrote on social media. He has repeatedly argued that election day voting should be extended instead of maintaining the current early voting system. The move came after the June 3 local elections were marred by ballot shortages at several polling stations, leading to long lines and complaints from voters. The National Assembly has since launched a parliamentary investigation into the incident. While the controversy stem
Severed leg found in recycling center: Doctor says there was more to the story
A practicing physician has spoken out about a controversial case in which a nursing hospital in Incheon amputated the leg of an elderly patient and later disposed of it improperly, saying the medical staff had tried to save a patient with nowhere else to turn, rather than providing negligent care. The case gained national attention after the severed leg, which had been mistakenly discarded as recyclable waste instead of medical waste by a volunteer worker, was discovered at a recycling facility. While the disposal error sparked outrage, the physician argued that the medical staff's efforts to treat the patient should also be taken into account. 'In a hospital room, with scissors instead of a scalpel?' Yang Sung-gwan, an author and family medicine specialist at Uijeongbu Paik Hospital, said in a Facebook post Monday that he initially found the reports difficult to believe. "When I first heard about the nursing hospital leg amputation case, I could hardly believe it myself," Yang said. "How could a leg be amputated in a hospital room rather than an operating room and with scissors rather t
New sanctuary reinterprets classical Korean garden on Mount Nam
Seoul is expanding its downtown green footprint with a massive new park on Mount Nam designed to bring classical Korean gardening aesthetics into the modern era. The 30,000-square-meter development, set to open to the public Saturday, utilizes contemporary engineering — including thermal-filtering glass pavilions and transparent observation decks — to reinterpret the nature-first philosophy of traditional landscape design. City officials said Wednesday that they will officially open the Korea Forest Garden, a 30,000-square-meter sanctuary, within the Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden. The site itself carries a narrative of urban reclamation: Once the site of residential housing, the land was razed and returned to nature in the 1990s, setting the stage for its latest transformation into a premier cultural park. The new layout features 11 distinct zones inspired by Damyang County’s Soswaewon and Myeongokheon — Joseon Dynasty gardens built by scholars seeking refuge from court politics. Those historic sites represent the peak of traditional Korean landscape architecture, which prize
The founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, attended a court hearing Wednesday on his potential arrest over allegations he forced followers to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) ahead of elections in 2021 and 2024. Lee Man-hee, 95, arrived at the Seoul Central District Court, using a walking stick, after a prosecution-police task force requested a warrant to arrest him on charges of obstruction of business and violations of the Political Parties Act. Lee is suspected of forcing at least 56,472 church members to join the PPP between July 2021 and January 2024 with the intention of swaying the outcome of the party's presidential primary in 2021 and general election primaries in 2024. In return, he allegedly sought various favors for the church, including the repurposing of the church building. The period of the alleged forced memberships largely overlaps with when the PPP was the ruling party, with former President Yoon Suk Yeol in office. Lee has reportedly denied the allegations. The court will determine after the hearing whether to grant
Seoul botanical exhibition probes balance between technology and nature
Inside the humid, glass-domed sanctuary of the Seoul Botanic Park, the boundary between the organic and the artificial has begun to blur. The municipal institution unveiled its 2026 contemporary exhibition, "A Tender Balance: Reflecting Each Other," Tuesday, a sprawling site-specific project that positions cutting-edge digital technology and anthropogenic ruins directly alongside living flora. The yearlong exhibition features major installations, media art and sculptures by four contemporary artists — Koo Ki-jeong, Um Ah-long, Lee Ji-yeon and Chang Han-na. Dispersed across four distinct zones of the botanic complex in western Seoul, the works serve as an active critique of the modern Anthropocene, challenging visitors to reconsider humanity's place within the natural order. Inside the main greenhouse, artist Chang Han-na has deployed New Rock Inuksuk, a towering installation modeled after ancient Arctic stone landmarks. However, Chang’s stones are not natural. They are "New Rocks" — petrified amalgams of industrial plastic waste and shoreline debris harvested from local ecosystem
T’way, Eastar in dilemma over unprofitable Jeju route
T’way Air and Eastar Jet face a quandary over newly acquired rights to operate flights between Jeju Island and Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, as the two low-cost carriers (LCCs) left most of the slots unused to prioritize higher-margin international flights — even at the cost of a severe ticket shortage on the route. The seat shortage stems largely from budget airlines scaling back domestic operations in favor of more lucrative international routes amid worsening macroeconomic risks — represented by the strengthening dollar and rising fuel costs. Both LCCs secured the additional flight slots following Korean Air's takeover of Asiana Airlines this year, but they have been unable or unwilling to fully utilize them due to the route’s limited profitability. As part of remedies tied to the Korean Air-Asiana integration, 13 slots on the Jeju-Gimpo route were redistributed from the two full-service carriers to four LCCs in March. Eastar Jet received six slots, Jeju Air four, Parata Air two and T’way Air one. However, not all of the newly allocated capacity has been put into ser
KT targets enterprise AX market with AI Innovation Hub
KT is deepening its push into the enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) transformation market with its AI Innovation Hub designed to help companies move beyond pilot projects to turn AI investments into measurable business results. Located at the company’s headquarters in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, the facility serves as an end-to-end AI development environment. Corporate clients can define business problems, test AI models on proprietary data and refine outputs before committing to full-scale deployment. “Companies often struggle to determine where to begin with AI adoption, or find that pilot projects fail to translate into real-world deployment due to various operational hurdles,” Jeon Seung-rok, KT’s senior vice president and go-to-market unit lead, said during a media briefing at its headquarters on Tuesday. “The Innovation Hub is intended to address these challenges and help clients jointly define their AI transformation strategy.” KT said about 200 companies have visited the facility since the hub opened last October, with more than 30 progressing to actual deployme
Busan Food Film Festa marks 10 years of culinary cinema
In the vocabulary of modern gastronomy, few pairings are as symbiotic as sight and taste. For a decade, Korea’s maritime hub has leveraged this relationship, turning the silver screen into an active dining table. On Friday, the Busan Food Film Festa will launch its 10th anniversary edition, transforming the architectural landmark Cinema Center and the banks of the Suyeong River into a three-day celebration of culinary storytelling. The three-day festival, backed by the Busan Metropolitan Government, centers on the thematic motif “Strange yet Familiar.” It is a nod to how foreign cultures and exotic cuisines organically dissolve into global comfort foods through the passage of migration, generational shifts and cinema. The festival’s opening night will feature a performance by the local youth fusion-gugak band Nallari and Jaeng_i, which blends practical pop rhythms with traditional Korean instrumentation — specifically the piercing, high-pitched horn notes of the "taepyeongso" (a traditional Korean double-reed wind instrument) and the deep, bowed bass drone of the "ajaeng" (a
UN nuclear agency boss says inspectors will visit Iran's nuclear sites under Iran-US interim deal
TOKYO — The head of the U.N.'s nuclear agency signaled Wednesday that Iranian nuclear enrichment sites would be visited by his inspectors, a key component in the interim deal between the United States and Iran to reach an end to the war. The comment by International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Mariano Grossi was the firmest yet from the United Nations agency, which is viewed as key in determining the status of Iran's nuclear stockpile. Since Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran in 2025, the IAEA has been blocked by Tehran from visiting enrichment sites where the Islamic Republic is believed to store enough highly enriched uranium to potentially build as many as 10 nuclear weapons, should it choose to rush for the bomb. Iran long has maintained that its program is peaceful, though it is the only country in the world to have uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity without a weapons program. The U.S. and Iran offered contradictory remarks Tuesday about whether those sites would be inspected. “I can understand political statements, they are part of the reality, but the fundamental
Legacy on the line: Hong faces defining moment as coach
It was always likely that Hong Myung-bo’s coaching legacy would be defined by this World Cup. At the moment, it very much hangs in the balance. It does not take much imagination to know what the headlines will be if Korea falls at the first hurdle and heads home early. But if the Taeguk Warriors, who beat Czech Republic 2-1 before losing 1-0 to Mexico, defeat South Africa to take six points from the group, which would be its best showing since 2002, all may be well. Younger fans may not appreciate the stature that Hong had as a player in Korea and Asia. He was one of the stars of the 2002 World Cup, captaining the team to the semifinals and scoring the winning goal in the penalty shoot-out against Spain in the quarterfinals. His image then was of a strong, charismatic leader appearing at his fourth World Cup. That image has taken a hit, and some of the reverence has gone — such is the life as a coach, who naturally takes the blame when results are not great. In the early days of his coaching career, Hong looked like he could become the first Asian to have a global impact, perhaps ev
98% of parents support restricting minors' smartphone use, survey finds
Nearly all parents of school-aged children in Korea support restricting minors' smartphone use, with a large majority willing to switch to a dedicated device that blocks harmful features. According to a survey by Rep. Kim Young-ho of the Democratic Party of Korea, released Wednesday, 98.1 percent of approximately 52,000 parents of elementary, middle and high school students in Seoul, Incheon and South Gyeongsang Province said certain limits on minors' smartphone use were necessary. Respondents also cited a range of other concerns, with 97.5 percent saying smartphones could increase the risk of exposure to harmful or inappropriate content. The majority flagged interference with studying at 96 percent, difficulty controlling screen time at 93.9 percent and family conflict at 90.4 percent. Most parents said they would consider a safer alternative. When asked if they would prioritize a restricted device that still met their child's essential needs, 92.2 percent answered yes. The top reason was prevention of harmful content exposure at 78.6 percent, followed by communication and safety featur
Yongsan expands cooling centers for delivery workers as temperatures soar
For the thousands of delivery couriers, postal workers and gig laborers weaving through the dense, steep alleys of Seoul, the arrival of the summer season brings an increasingly perilous threat: severe heat exhaustion. With concrete heat islands accelerating urban temperatures, municipal authorities are transforming civic infrastructure into an active shield for the city's most vulnerable workers. The Yongsan District Office said Wednesday that it launched a coordinated extreme heat safety initiative centered at the Yongsan Workers Support Center. The defensive strategy combines immediate physical relief with an unprecedented expansion of operating hours for municipal cooling centers, specifically targeting "mobile workers" whose livelihoods depend on continuous outdoor exertion. The district has deployed cooling infrastructure stock-piled with 2,000 bottles of specialized spring water, subsidized through a joint campaign with the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. Industrial ice chests have been positioned both inside and outside the
MSCI keeps Korea off developed market watchlist, but global analysts stay bullish
MSCI's decision to keep Korea off its watchlist for potential inclusion in the Developed Market Index has pushed back expectations for index-driven inflows, but analysts say the setback does little to weaken investors' constructive view of the country's stock market, which remains underpinned by artificial intelligence (AI)-related momentum. Wee Khoon Chong, APAC macro strategist at BNY, noted that the Korean stock market is in a favorable position thanks to AI-related growth momentum, even without inclusion in the Developed Market Index. "Inclusion in the MSCI Developed Market Index would be welcomed, bringing additional passive inflows, but a status quo MSCI decision would not change investors' constructive investment thesis on South Korea," he added. Korea was not added to MSCI's Developed Market Index watchlist in its 2026 market classification review, announced Wednesday. MSCI noted that underlying issues raised by global investors "have not been fully resolved." Korea was first included in the Emerging Markets Index in 1992 and was placed on MSCI's watchlist for potential inclusion
Lee Jung-hoo homers in San Francisco victory, keeps pace in batting race
Lee Jung-hoo has hit his fifth home run of the season for the San Francisco Giants. The Korean outfielder stuffed the box score in the Giants' 3-1 win over the Athletics at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tuesday (local time). Lee batted 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run, a walk and a steal. Lee raised his batting average to .331, the second-best mark in Major League Baseball behind Otto Lopez of the Miami Marlins, who is hitting .337. Lee blasted a solo home run in his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning. Lee drove a middle-middle cutter from starter Aaron Civale 414 feet over the right-center field fence. It was the longest home run of his career. Lee hit a career-high eight home runs in 150 games last year as a sophomore and now has five dingers in 70 games. After celebrating his home run with his teammates in the dugout, Lee looked into a TV camera and did a "Dae-han-min-guk" chant in support of the national football team competing at the FIFA World Cup. Korea will play South Africa in their final Group A match in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time). K
Incheon opens driving school tailored for migrant workers
For the thousands of temporary industrial workers arriving in Korea, navigating the country's highly automated, dense highway networks can be as perilous as the heavy machinery they operate. Recognizing a growing blind spot in its rapid integration of foreign labor, municipal authorities are taking to the classroom to reinforce the rules of the road. The Incheon Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that it launched an immigrant-focused driver’s education program, designed to lower accident rates and help foreign laborers integrate into local society. Run through the Incheon Migrant Workers Support Center, in tandem with the local Nonhyeon Police Department, the initiative directly addresses a rising regional anxiety: the traffic vulnerabilities of a foreign workforce operating without a firm grasp of local transit regulations. The program splits its curriculum into targeted language cohorts. A primary session on June 14 saw 116 workers from Myanmar fill the center's auditorium. A second multinational wave scheduled for Sunday will cater to laborers from the Philippines, Vietnam, Th
HD Construction Equipment launches excavator line for emerging markets
HD Construction Equipment, a Korean heavy machinery maker, unveiled a new 20-ton excavator Wednesday under its premium DEVELON brand, launching a direct bid to capture greater market share across the Middle East, Africa and other rapidly expanding emerging economies. The company held a launch event at its manufacturing plant in Pune, India, where dealers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman were shown the new model and given a live demonstration. Officials also touted the facility's production capacity and quality standards to the visiting dealers. The new excavator is designed for price-sensitive buyers in emerging markets, where 20-ton machines represent the largest segment by volume. HD Construction Equipment said it leveraged economies of scale at the Pune plant to reduce component costs while maintaining performance and durability suited to local working conditions. The Pune facility has recently expanded its annual production capacity to 9,000 units to meet rising demand from emerging markets. The plant produces both HYUNDAI and DEVELON branded equipment, an
P&G Korea promotes fresheners ahead of monsoon season
Major home hygiene products company P&G Korea is expecting stronger sales this summer as it promotes its lineup of odor-control products ahead of Korea’s monsoon season. Korea typically experiences a monthlong period of heavy rainfall from June to July. While the Korea Meteorological Administration has not yet officially declared the start of this year’s monsoon season, many expect it to arrive soon. The monsoon season is notorious for creating unpleasant odors in homes, particularly from damp laundry and bathrooms, as extended periods of rain reduce opportunities for clothes to dry naturally in the sun. According to the weather agency’s climate outlook for June through August, temperatures and precipitation levels are expected to be above average this year. Such conditions often keep people indoors for longer periods and increase household laundry loads. This summer may also see more people staying at home than in previous years, according to P&G Korea. The company cited a survey released in May by the Korea Press Foundation’s Media Research Center, which found that many respon
World Cup fever
World Cup fever
CNN to broadcast concert in Seoul honoring Hyundai Group's founder
A memorial concert held in February for late Hyundai Motor Group founder Chung Ju-yung will be broadcast globally through CNN's "Showtime" program, Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday. The episode airs Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on CNN International, reaching viewers worldwide. The concert, held Feb. 25 at Seoul Arts Center's Concert Hall to mark the 25th anniversary of Chung's death, brought together four of Korea's most celebrated pianists — Kim Sun-wook, Sunwoo Ye-kwon, Cho Seong-Jin and Lim Yun-chan — under the theme "Resonance Continued." Chung Ju-yung, who died in 2001, founded what became one of Korea's largest industrial conglomerates, with interests spanning automobiles, shipbuilding and construction. CNN's "Showtime" is a TV series that goes behind the scenes of major global events. The episode covers not only the concert itself but also rehearsals, backstage preparation and the craftspeople who made the performance possible. The program includes footage from Steinway & Sons' factory in Queens, New York, where more than 12,000 parts are assembled over roughly a year to produce a s
Brazilian DJ Alok to headline Paradise City club event in Incheon
Paradise City, an integrated resort near Incheon International Airport, will host Brazilian EDM artist Alok on July 4 in the fifth installment of its recurring club event series, CHROMA KEY. The CHROMA KEY 005-MOVE AS ONE event will take place at CHROMA, Paradise City's large-scale nightclub designed to evoke the atmosphere of Ibiza and Las Vegas. The venue features a massive LED installation called the Venetian K-Sphere and a high-end sound and lighting system. Alok, a Latin Grammy-nominated DJ-producer, is ranked No. 1 in Latin America and No. 3 globally by DJ Mag, a leading electronic music trade publication. He has more than 70 million social media followers — the second-highest of any electronic music artist worldwide — along with 33 million monthly Spotify listeners and more than 5 billion cumulative global streams. Known for large-scale live performances, Alok drew approximately 2.5 million people to a New Year's Eve concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro last year, a crowd that earned a Guinness World Record. He has collaborated with artists including U.S. singer John L
Rubio kicks off Middle East trip as allies seek answers on Iran
ABU DHABI — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a Middle East tour in earnest on Wednesday, seeking to reassure Gulf allies who view concessions in President Donald Trump’s Iran deal that include a proposed $300 billion fund as too generous to a regional foe. Arriving in Abu Dhabi late on Tuesday for a three-day Gulf trip, Rubio is undertaking his first high-level diplomatic mission on the agreement reached last week to end the four-month-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Asked on arrival if he planned to address allies' disquiet with the accord, Rubio told reporters: "That most certainly will come up in these discussions." He said they would also discuss issues not covered by the memorandum of understanding. America's top diplomat has been largely absent from Iran-related discussions in recent weeks, with Vice President JD Vance instead leading a round of talks with Iranian counterparts over the weekend in Switzerland. Rubio's remarks during his swing through the region will be closely scrutinized to see how the man once known as a hawkish critic of Iran frames a deal that many
Nostalgia on the rails
In the early 1960s, few families in Korea could afford a watch, television or even a radio. My parents, like many of their generation, relied on the distant whistle of a passing train to know when to begin their day. In those years, the railway was far more than a means of transportation; it was a dependable marker of daily life and a powerful symbol of modernity in a rapidly changing society. Yet Korea's rail story extends beyond the locomotives of older generations. Long before today's high-speed trains, trams introduced a new vision of urban mobility, bringing modern transportation directly into city streets. On the Korean Peninsula, this innovation arrived early. Seoul's first tram line began operations in 1899 during the 1897-1910 Korean Empire, connecting Seodaemun and Cheongnyangni along an 8-kilometer route. At the turn of the 20th century, the tram became a visible symbol of modernization and international engagement. For residents and foreign visitors alike, it reflected a city embracing new technologies while opening itself to the wider world. There is something romantic abou
Ex-NCT member Mark apologizes for wearing Confederate flag T-shirt
Mark, a former NCT member who recently launched a solo career, apologized Tuesday in a statement released by his new label after photos showed him wearing a T-shirt featuring the Confederate flag. The photo drew immediate backlash from international fans who cited the flag's association with white supremacy and racism. The criticism highlighted an early test of cultural awareness for the newly independent solo artist. The incident's timing, close to June 19, amplified the backlash — the date is also known as Juneteenth, a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. The shirt featured the flag of the Confederacy, which was formed in 1861 when 11 Southern states seceded from the U.S. to preserve slavery. "We would like to extend our sincere aapologies for the concern, discomfort and disappointment caused by the vintage T-shirt that appeared in a recently shared photograph," Mark said in a statement released by his agency, Upper Room. Following the global criticism, the label addressed the styling oversight. "The garment was selected solely as a vintage wardrobe item," Upper Room
NC AI debuts next-gen 3D model with top benchmark scores
NC AI, a Korean artificial intelligence (AI) company spun off from game developer NCSoft, has completed the development of VARCO 3D 2.0, the next generation of its 3D asset generation model, the company said Wednesday, claiming state-of-the-art performance on key global benchmarks. VARCO 3D is a generative AI service that converts images or text prompts into three-dimensional digital assets — objects used in games, films, product simulations and industrial design. The new 2.0 model will roll out through the company's software-as-a-service platform in July. NC AI said the 2.0 model scored 0.449 on the Uni3D metric, a standard measure of geometric similarity between a generated 3D object and its source image — a 40.8 percent improvement over the prior version's score of 0.319. The company said the result surpasses competing open-source models including Trellis2 (0.436), Ultrashape (0.428) and Hunyuan3D 2.1 (0.427). It also claimed top scores on CLIP-N and ULIP-2 evaluations. Key improvements in 2.0 center on shape fidelity — the degree to which a generated 3D model preserves the silh
Viral 'drug zombie' video shocks Korea
A man in his 30s who appeared in a viral video dubbed the "Suwon drug zombie" has been arrested by police on suspicion of drug use. The Suwon Seobu Police Station said Tuesday that it had urgently detained the man, identified only as A, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. A is accused of being under the influence of methamphetamine while wandering around near a bus stop in an apartment complex in Suwon's Gwonseon District at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. A witness at the scene filmed A staggering with both arms hanging loosely at his sides and uploaded the footage to social media. In the post, the witness wrote, "This is a bus stop in an apartment complex near our local market," adding, "I never thought I would see something like this in person." The video quickly spread online, prompting reactions from internet users. Some said, "It looks exactly like scenes from American documentaries," while others wrote, "The same thing happened in Korea, right in front of an ordinary apartment complex," and "Isn't that the posture of someone addicted to fentanyl?" Police became aware of
Daegu launches alliance to draw foreign tourists
For the millions of foreign travelers who land in Korea each year, the immediate itinerary is historically predictable: clear customs, board a high-speed train and head directly to the dense shopping districts of Seoul. But a new coalition of regional aviation, retail and gaming heavyweights is attempting to short-circuit that traditional pipeline right at the arrival gate. The Korea Tourism Organization’s (KTO) Daegu-North Gyeongsang branch said Wednesday that it signed a multilateral alliance with five major regional enterprises to fundamentally reshape how the provincial city captures international traveler spending. The signees include Daegu International Airport, regional shopping titans The Hyundai Daegu, Hyundai City Outlet Daegu and Lotte Outlet Esiapolis, alongside the Daegu Casino. The pact aims to transform Daegu International Airport from a passive transit point into a highly aggressive gateway for regional commerce. Under the new framework, the moment an international passenger steps into the arrival hall, they will be funneled into a coordinated ecosystem of financial in
Seoul turns film center into permanent base camp for young directors
Seoul is betting on student directors to secure the future of its cultural exports. By transforming the Seoul Film Center into a permanent base camp equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) training tools, free workspaces and a massive 23-university film network, municipal authorities are launching a major initiative to institutionalize the independent film sector. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday a major expansion of the Seoul Film Center, positioning the newly opened facility as a permanent, fully subsidized base camp for the next generation of filmmakers. To anchor this strategy, the city will host the Film House Film Project 2026 Film Festival from Friday to Sunday, a collaborative showcase bringing together student creators from 23 universities across the nation. Operating under the slogan “Beyond the Frame: Reconstructing Romance,” the three-day event bridges the gap between raw student enthusiasm and the commercial film market. Instead of relying on isolated student showcases, the festival links student directors from major institutions — including Y
US Senate for first time approves war powers resolution to halt Iran conflict
WASHINGTON — The Senate for the first time approved a war powers resolution Tuesday seeking to block U.S. military action against Iran, as lawmakers warily watch President Donald Trump’s efforts to resolve a conflict that the administration launched on its own and now needs Congress to fund. It was the 10th time the Senate has tried to stop the war, and the outcome, on a vote of 50-48, was a stunning turnaround from past efforts. While the resolution is largely symbolic, and does not carry the full force of law, it reflects the growing concerns from a number of Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate over both the war and the deal Trump struck with Iran to end it. The House approved the resolution earlier this month. Trump responded angrily Tuesday night on his Truth Social platform, calling the vote “poorly timed and meaningless” and saying it "provided aid and comfort" to Iran. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said, “Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war instead of the American people.” Schumer said
Korean American lawmakers stress commitment to deepening partnerships with Korea
WASHINGTON — Two Korean American lawmakers on Tuesday highlighted their commitment to strengthening economic and other partnerships with South Korea, as Seoul and Washington seek to deepen cooperation on shipbuilding, trade and security, to name a few. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) participated in an event that the Korean American Grassroots Conference, a network of Korean American voters, hosted in Washington to honor prominent members of the Korean American community. Kim, the first Korean American member of the Senate, pointed out some challenges facing the Seoul-Washington relationship, including lingering tariff tensions, but offered a sanguine outlook for its future trajectory. "I still believe the relationship between the U.S. and South Korea is very strong," he said, noting that the Trump administration's tariffs hindered efforts to maximize economic partnerships between the two countries. "But I am going to continue to try to strengthen this (relationship) and push forward." He particularly touched on South Korea's growing investment in the U.S. shipbuilding in
Seocho District launches riverside K-dessert festival
Against the neon backdrop of the Han River’s illuminated fountains, a new weekend festival is aiming to capture Seoul’s late-night tourist economy. By pairing viral confections with hands-on cultural pop-ups, city officials are launching a coordinated push to keep global travelers lingering longer. Seocho District announced Wednesday the launch of the “Seocho Sweet Night 2026 K-Dessert Festival in Hangang,” a weekend event designed to turn the country’s booming culinary scene into a permanent tourism asset. Opening Saturday, along the Moonlight Square of Banpo Hangang Park, the twilight festival explicitly targets a shift among modern international travelers away from passive sightseeing toward hands-on cultural participation. Set against the backdrop of Seoul's Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, the festival divides the riverside park into four experiential zones. At the culinary core, 15 curated vendors will showcase a spectrum of Korean confections, ranging from traditional rice crackers and honey-glazed cookies to contemporary, viral social media trends like "butter rice cakes"
France records its hottest day ever as Europe withers in early heat wave
PARIS — France recorded its hottest day ever Tuesday as an early heat wave gripped Europe, prompting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum to restrict visiting hours and disrupting school and transportation schedules in multiple countries. Punishing temperatures extended to the United Kingdom and Spain, where weather agencies issued red alerts — like France — about the risks of extreme heat for tens of millions of people. The record of 29.8 C (85.6 F) for France’s national thermal indicator — an average of temperatures measured at 30 weather stations — was only the latest in a series of never-before-registered highs heaped on Europe's largest country. The conditions were likely to persist at least until the weekend. “Further record-breaking temperatures are expected, including some that could surpass all previous records, regardless of the time of year,” the Meteo France weather service said. France's previous hottest days were recorded during heat waves of August 2003 and July 2019, with an average temperature of 29.4 C (84.9 F). Temperature records also tumbled at indiv
Korea turns to K-beauty to fuel new wave of tourism
For international fans of Korean pop culture, matching the radiant skin of a K-pop idol or the precise styling of a K-drama lead has long been a digital obsession. Now, Korea’s tourism officials are attempting to transform that fascination into actual footsteps on the ground. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, officially inaugurated the “2026 Korea Beauty Festival” Wednesday. Running through July 19 at HiKR Ground, a high-tech tourism promotional hub in central Seoul, the event represents a highly strategic push to anchor the nation’s lucrative tourism recovery in the global appeal of K-beauty. Operating under the banner “All about Beauty,” the festival seeks to demystify the country's multibillion-dollar cosmetics, hair, wellness and medical industries for international visitors. Wednesday’s opening ceremony brought out notable cultural star power, including the prominent Korean actress and model Hyeri, alongside international cultural ambassadors from Mexico and Mongolia, signaling the global scale of the cam
The farm crisis demands certainty from congress now
Something is breaking in farm country, and the warning signs are growing harder to ignore. The clearest indicator arrived this spring, when farm bankruptcies reached their highest level in six years. For many Americans, it was just another sad statistic. In rural communities, it was something far more ominous. Risk and uncertainty have always been involved in farming. Weak prices, bad weather and rising costs come with the territory, and farmers can weather those setbacks. What makes this moment different is that several challenges, both old and new, are hitting at once, resulting in a squeeze that leaves few paths to recover when something goes wrong. The current predicament has been years in the making. During COVID, commodity prices surged. But when the pandemic boom ended, so did the gains. Today, prices for major crops are down as much as 40% from their recent highs. At the same time, President Donald Trump’s tariff battles — especially with China, Canada and Mexico — continue to upend key export markets, shrinking the number of buyers for American crops. Some problems are new
Washington's troubled Reflecting Pool faces fresh scrutiny over vandalism claims, duck deaths
WASHINGTON — The saga over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool took a turn as U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that six people have been arrested over recent damage. The president’s troubled $14-million-plus rehabilitation project has become a visceral flashpoint over law enforcement, aesthetics and environmental concerns ahead of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. In a social media post, Trump claimed without supporting evidence that there had been a “350-foot gash” in the paint as the administration faces a self-imposed deadline to fix the botched renovation before the nation's 250th anniversary celebration next week. He has also said, including again on Tuesday, that the federal government would release images to substantiate his claim. Trump pledged to beautify the century-old Reflecting Pool ahead of the anniversary celebrations, draining its water and having the bottom painted a color he dubbed “American flag blue.” But since the site was restored, its water has been plagued with algae bloom and pieces of the new coating appeared to be peeling off
Population mobility falls to 52-year low in May amid housing supply decline
The number of Koreans relocating to new regions fell 1.5 percent in May from a year earlier to the lowest level in 52 years, data showed Wednesday, amid a recent decline in housing supply. Around 466,000 people changed residences in May, down 7,000 from a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It marked the lowest figure for any May month since 415,000 tallied in 1974. The population mobility rate — which refers to the number of people relocating per 100 residents — fell 0.2 percentage point from a year earlier to 10.8 percent. The ministry attributed the decline to a decrease in the number of new homes on the market. The number of completed housing units in March and April fell 41.5 percent from a year earlier, although the number of homes traded during the period rose 6.8 percent. By region, Seoul posted a net outflow of 4,221 residents, while Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, recorded a net inflow of 2,433 residents. South Chungcheong Province and Incheon, west of Seoul, added 1,284 and 1,237 residents, respectively.
To draw K-pop fans beyond Seoul, Korea leverages their 'BIAS'
For millions of global music fans, a "bias" is not a prejudice but a favorite K-pop artist. Korea’s tourism officials are betting that the fierce loyalty inspired by these idols can achieve what years of traditional advertising could not: persuade international travelers to venture outside the crowded Korean capital. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) announced Wednesday the launch of “BIAS (Be In Artists' Scenes),” a major marketing campaign running through November. Developed in collaboration with the country’s titan entertainment agencies — including Hybe, SM, JYP, and Starship — the initiative hopes to use the intense devotion of global fandoms to decentralize tourism, directing traffic toward historic areas and coastal regions. Instead of generic promotional reels, the campaign leans into localized storytelling. High-profile stars have filmed travel content showcasing their personal connections to specific regions. MONSTA X explores the ancient city of Gyeongju. EXO members Kai and Sehun travel through the wetlands of Suncheon. Stray Kids spotlights the port city of
Seoul, Beijing discuss easing technical barriers to trade
Korea and China discussed measures to reduce technical barriers to trade (TBTs), covering a wide range of products, including power banks and cosmetics, Seoul's standards agency said Wednesday. During a virtual meeting with Chinese counterparts, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) under the trade ministry said it delivered Korean businesses' concerns over Beijing's move to revise standards for power banks and lithium-ion batteries. The two sides also discussed ways to ease hurdles to Korean exports of red ginseng, cosmetics and medical devices, it added. TBTs, which include consumer safety standards, as well as energy and environmental requirements, are often used as non-tariff barriers to trade. Korea and China have held regular TBT committee meetings under their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) since 2015. "Recently, countries have increasingly imposed TBTs as they prioritize national interests and strengthen protectionist measures," the standards agency said in a release. "To address such hurdles, South Korea will proactively utilize government communication chann
Childbirths soar to highest level in 7 years in April
The number of babies born in South Korea shot up 18 percent in April from a year earlier, reaching the highest level in seven years, government data showed Wednesday. A total of 24,521 babies were born in April, up from 20,787 a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It marked the highest figure for any April since 26,104 babies were recorded in 2019. Over the January-April period, the total number of births came to 99,534, also the highest in seven years, up a sharp 15.5 percent from a year earlier. The number of births grew at a record rate for both April and the January-April period. The country's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, rose by 0.13 from a year earlier to 0.93 in April. The number of newborns has been on an upward trend since July 2024. Experts attribute the recent growth to an increase in the number of marriages, along with a more positive perception of childbirth. The rate still remains well below the 2.1 births per woman needed to maintain a stable population without immigrati
Everland releases first photos of 3-week-old giant panda cub
She began life just three weeks ago as a hairless, pink scrap of a mammal, weighing a mere 171 grams. But on Wednesday, Korea’s newest celebrity resident offered the world a glimpse of her rapidly changing form, debuting the bold, charcoal-colored patches that define her species. Everland, the sprawling resort and theme park south of Seoul, released the latest images of the 3-week-old giant panda cub. Captured during a routine health assessment the previous day, the photos reveal a noticeably plumper cub whose ears, eyes, shoulders and limbs have clearly darkened into the unmistakable silhouette of a giant panda. The female cub, who arrived on the morning of June 3 at 10:53 a.m., represents the fourth giant panda born naturally in Korea. Her lineage is local royalty: She is the offspring of Ai Bao and Le Bao, the beloved resident pair at Everland’s Panda World, making her the younger sibling to the nation's darling Fu Bao, born in 2020, and the celebrated twins, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, born in 2023. Park veterinarians and keepers reported that during her 21-day health check, the cub we
Jeju Forum kicks off amid calls to reinvent global cooperation
JEJU — An annual international peace forum was set to open Wednesday on the southern resort island of Jeju for a three-day run to explore ways to enhance global cooperation amid intensified geopolitical challenges. The 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, being held with the theme "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World," will span some 70 sessions featuring former and current senior officials, alongside global security and policy experts, from around the globe, according to organizers. Among the highlights is a session in which nearly all candidates vying to succeed U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will gather on one stage to lay out their visions for leading the world body and the international community through an era of deepening uncertainty. Five candidates are in the running -- Michelle Bachelet, former Chilean president; Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development; Macky Sall, former Senegal president; and Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, Ec
Ex-prosecutor general questioned over alleged martial law role
GWACHEON — A special counsel team said Wednesday they were questioning former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid in 2024. The team, led by special counsel Kwon Chang-young, suspects that Shim played a key role in an insurrection by reviewing the potential deployment of prosecutors to a joint martial law investigation headquarters on Dec. 3, 2024, the night Yoon declared martial law. Shim allegedly had three phone calls with then Justice Minister Park Sung-jae at the time, raising suspicions that Park may have instructed him to dispatch prosecutors to the martial law body. On Monday, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Park to 25 years in prison for his role in the martial law bid, including his instruction to Shim to send prosecutors to the martial law body. Shim is also suspected of abusing his power by ordering his subordinates to not indict Yoon's wife, Kim Keon Hee, over various corruption allegations she faced when her husband was in office.
Collaboration single by LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE debuts at No. 38 on Billboard Hot 100
LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE — girl groups under K-pop powerhouse HYBE's labels — have made a strong impact on global charts with their joint single, achieving the highest ranking for a K-pop girl group this year on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. "Iconic by Mistake," released on June 12, debuted at No. 38 on the latest Hot 100 chart released Tuesday (U.S. time). The track also reached No. 22 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. Hybe said the song's performance is notable as it was released exclusively as a digital single, without a physical album. The Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States across all genres, combining data from streaming, radio airplay and sales. Industry observers say the result reflects both its broad fanbase and mainstream popularity. The collaboration brings together three groups known for distinct concepts and fan bases, with analysts describing the project as a rare "all-star" combination that has set a new benchmark for girl group collaborations. Each group is housed by a different HYBE-affiliated label: Le Sserafim by Source Music,
State auditor gathering data to conduct financial audit of NEC over ballot shortage
The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) has begun collecting data in preparation for a financial audit next month of the National Election Commission (NEC) in the wake of ballot shortages in the recent local elections, the chief auditor said Wednesday. BAI Chair Kim Ho-cheol made the remark during a meeting with reporters as criticism of the election watchdog has been mounting over the unprecedented shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 elections that led to the temporary suspension of voting at 26 polling stations. "People are greatly interested and concerned over the unacceptable violation of voting rights. After a decision by the Council of Commissioners yesterday, we started gathering data today," Kim said. "I anticipate we can conduct an actual audit around July after determining the scope and period of the audit." The election watchdog is an independent constitutional organization that is not subject to a full-fledged performance audit, a measure aimed at shielding the agency from political influence. But an accounting audit is deemed permissible because it carries no politi
NK soldier in custody after crossing border into S. Korea: JCS
One North Korean soldier has been taken into South Korean custody after crossing the heavily fortified border earlier this week, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday, in what is believed to be a defection from the North. "The military secured custody of one North Korean soldier in the central front Tuesday night and relevant authorities are currently investigating the details," the JCS said in a message to media, without providing further details. The soldier is said to have expressed an intent to defect. The latest case marks the fourth such border crossing by a North Korean since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration in June last year. In October, a North Korean staff sergeant seeking defection crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating the two Koreas by walking southward through a path along the east coast. The previous two cases in July involved civilians. One of them crossed the central frontline into the South while the other was rescued on the southern side of the Han River estuary west of the inter-Korean border.
An unrepentant NEC
An unrepentant National Election Commission (NEC) is drawing the ire of lawmakers. While officials offered apologies, their actions suggested a lack of remorse. On Tuesday, all nine NEC commissioners were asked to appear and testify before the National Assembly, but only two showed up. Some lawmakers described their absence as a collective act of defiance, calling it unacceptable, although five more belatedly appeared. The election commission has become a public target since the June 3 local elections. It damaged its credibility, leaving people seeing it as unreliable and untrustworthy. The NEC appears to be well aware of the public anger directed at it. Yet it is still struggling to understand what went wrong and whether it is capable of fixing its problems on its own. We Chul-whan, NEC standing commissioner, admitted that the election commission had failed to inspire public confidence and had shown itself to lack competence. However, he also shifted the blame. His criticism was directed at staff members responsible for day-to-day operations rather than at the NEC leadership. He reject
Indie musician ALEPH on making music in K-pop's shadow
Ask singer-songwriter ALEPH where he writes his songs. He will not point you toward a studio. He will point you toward his bed. "This is my office and my home," the singer-songwriter said, sitting in the apartment that doubles as both, during an exclusive interview with The Korea Times in Seoul's Mapo District, Friday. A producer's studio sits nearby for arrangement and mixing, but the songs themselves are born here, in the same room where he sleeps and eats and, on good days, picks up a guitar because something in him says it is time. "I pick up the guitar, fool around with it, and if a melody comes out, I sketch it. On a good day, I finish the whole thing right here, then bring it to the studio." ALEPH, whose real name is Lee Jeong-jae, debuted in 2017 as part of a duo before the project became a solo act in 2019. Raised between China and the United States before returning to Korea for military service, he has spent the years since building a catalog that moves easily between folk, pop, rock and R&B, including the EPs "Hwaehwae" (2020) and "Forest of Tigers" (2021), and the single "Nig
SBS hit drama 'My Royal Nemesis' ends on happy note
SBS romantic comedy “My Royal Nemesis,” starring Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun, ended on a happy note, both narratively and commercially. The final episode, which aired Saturday, kept viewers on edge until the closing scenes. Shin Seo-ri, the female lead played by Lim, traveled back in time to the Joseon era to save Cha Se-gye, played by Heo, and took an arrow meant for him. Cha was left devastated, while Shin became trapped between two time periods. Ultimately, however, Cha’s unwavering devotion and patient waiting brought her back to the 21st century. The two reaffirmed their love and pledged to remain together for eternity, finally bringing their long-awaited romance to a fulfilling conclusion. A rom-com done right, delivering both laughs, romance The drama had drawn some skepticism before its premiere, but ultimately silenced its doubters with strong ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded ratings of 11.8 percent both nationwide and in the Seoul metropolitan area. Its peak rating reached 14.1 percent, setting a new personal best for the series. Overall, the
Busan mobility show seeks breakthrough as popularity fades
The 2026 Busan International Mobility Show opens Friday amid a deepening identity crisis, as experts and industry officials warn that the biennial auto exhibition risks becoming an expensive, fragmented marketing showcase for only a handful of carmakers. While eight global brands including Hyundai Motor, Kia, BMW Korea and BYD Korea will occupy the exhibition floors, the glaring absence of major players such as Mercedes-Benz Korea, Renault Korea and KG Mobility, highlights the event's declining appeal. The limited lineup for the show reflects a broader challenge facing auto shows worldwide, as manufacturers increasingly favor digital product launches and dedicated brand events over large-scale exhibitions. Industry experts have repeatedly warned that without a radical pivot toward a specialized, tech-driven identity such as a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) or software-defined vehicles (SDVs), the Busan event faces the same obsolescence that has recently claimed legacy exhibitions abroad. Despite such recommendations, this year's Busan International Mobility Show is expected to lar
Sejong University ranks 6th in Korea, 306th worldwide in Best Global Universities Rankings
Sejong University ranked sixth in South Korea and 306th worldwide in the 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings released by U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the university’s strong performance in international research collaboration and research impact, the university said Tuesday. The rankings evaluated more than 2,250 universities around the world based on comprehensive indicators including research performance and academic reputation. Sejong University achieved particularly strong results in international collaborative research and highly cited publications. The university ranked 19th worldwide in the “International Collaboration – Relative to the Country” category. This indicator measures the extent of international research collaboration while accounting for differences in national research output, highlighting Sejong’s active research partnerships with leading institutions around the world. The university also saw strong results in the “Citation Impact” category, a key measure of research quality. The university ranked 47th worldwide in “Publications among
Morning World Cup matches spark row over teacher authority in schools
Korean educators are caught between World Cup fever and academic pressures. On June 12, the day of Korea's 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage match against the Czech Republic, Choi, a 40-year-old high school teacher in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, condensed his lessons to show the game to his students. "Since the kids were happy, I felt like it was a good idea to show it, but I was nervous because the vice principal was patrolling the hallways during that period," he said. Schools are facing a dilemma as all three of Korea's group-stage matches are scheduled during weekday morning school hours. Since the time of matches overlaps with second to fourth period classes, teachers must choose between hosting watch parties and holding regular classes. The upcoming match against South Africa, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, is a critical game determining whether Korea will advance to the Round of 32, deepening teachers' concerns. Lee, a 42-year-old elementary school teacher in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, showed the recent match during lunch and recess after hearing loud cheering from th
Retail sales rise 9% in May amid improving consumer sentiment
Sales at major retailers rose 9 percent in May from a year earlier, data showed Wednesday, driven by improving consumer sentiment and stronger revenue at both online and offline platforms. Korea's retail sales increased 9 percent from a year earlier, also supported by major holidays, such as Children's Day and Parents' Day, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Offline retailers reported a 9.3 percent increase in sales, led mainly by department stores and convenience stores. The industry ministry attributed the strong performance to an increase in foreign tourists, while early summer heat boosted sales of beverages. Revenue at major online retail platforms rose 8.8 percent from a year earlier in May, maintaining solid growth in food, electronics and children's products. Online platforms accounted for 58.6 percent of total retail sales in May.
US professor accused of defaming Korean president fails to appear for police questioning
A Korean American professor accused of defaming President Lee Jae Myung did not appear for a scheduled police questioning session Wednesday, citing his wish to be protected from media exposure. Morse Tan, a professor at U.S.-based Liberty University, was due to undergo questioning over defamation allegations at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at 10 a.m. His lawyers released a notice to the press at 10:20 a.m., however, saying they are asking for the session to be rescheduled due to the police agency's own "violation" of its promise to take "personal information protection measures." Tan had reportedly asked to appear without media exposure, but the exterior of the police agency was already crowded with journalists, supporters and civic groups calling for his arrest, before his scheduled attendance. "The responsibility for the nonexecution of the personal information protection measures lies with the agency," the lawyers said. Tan made claims at a press conference in the United States last year that Lee was involved in murder as a teenager and had been sent to a juvenile detention cen
Korea hits 10 mil. tourist milestone month ahead of last year’s pace
Driven by a robust influx of visitors from across Asia, Europe and the Americas, Korea’s tourism recovery has accelerated to historic levels, reaching a pivotal milestone well ahead of projections. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday that the total number of foreign tourists visiting the country this year has officially surpassed 10 million. The benchmark, passed over the weekend of June 20, arrived roughly a month faster than last year, when the country did not reach the same threshold until mid-July. The sudden acceleration in arrivals has provided a massive windfall for the domestic economy. In May alone, foreign credit card expenditures — including online transactions — skyrocketed to an estimated 2.12 trillion won ($1.53 billion), according to data released by the state-run Korea Tourism Organization. The figure marks the first time since data tracking began in January 2018 that monthly foreign tourist spending has crossed the 2 trillion won threshold, registering a staggering 67.1 percent increase compared to May of last year. "Despite headwinds, such a
Stray Kids' Felix named global ambassador for Korean fried chicken campaign
Felix of K-pop group Stray Kids was announced as the new global face of Genesis BBQ Group's fried chicken chain Tuesday, as the company leverages his profile to promote its Korean fried chicken overseas. Stray Kids has scored eight No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, the most by any group this century. Felix has also drawn attention beyond music through his work as a global brand ambassador in fashion and beauty. The company's premium Korean fried chicken strategy aligns with Felix's image, Genesis BBQ Group said, adding that he has long been a fan of the brand. The fried chicken franchise cited Felix’s previous mentions of the menu while communicating with fans. He has discussed Crunch Butter Chicken and Jamaica Sotteok Manna Chicken — featuring sausage and rice cake skewers — while sharing his preferred meal combinations. The franchise also released two teaser videos for new menu items featuring Felix. "Felix has global influence with a distinctive presence not only in music but also in fashion and beauty," the group's spokesperson said. "Because he has a story of consistently enjo
Fine dust is damaging our skin, new study finds
While the hazardous effects of air pollution on the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems have long been documented, groundbreaking new research indicates that the threat extends far beyond the lungs, penetrating the body’s largest organ: the skin. In the largest Asia-based population study of its kind, researchers at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and the National Institute of Health discovered a powerful link between ambient particulate matter and psoriasis, a debilitating chronic inflammatory skin condition. Analyzing a massive national health database of approximately 8.4 million adults over an average of 13.6 years, the study underscores how deeply environmental degradation is rewriting human pathology. The numbers paint a troubling portrait of urban exposure. According to the findings published in The Journal of Dermatology, long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, increases the risk of developing psoriasis by 19 percent for every incremental rise of 10 micrograms per cubic meter in annual concentration. For coarser particles,
Rising leveraged investments pose threats to financial stability: BOK
Korea's financial system remains stable, but rising housing prices and growing leveraged investments amid a stock rally could fuel financial imbalances, the central bank said Wednesday. "Despite domestic and external uncertainties, Korea's financial system is generally assessed as stable, supported by strengthening growth in the real economy as well as the sound resilience of financial institutions and the country's external solvency," the Bank of Korea (BOK) said in its report on financial stability. "However, amid significantly heightened volatility in domestic financial and foreign exchange markets, potential risks remain latent sources of instability and warrant close attention." The BOK said the potential risks include mounting financial imbalances stemming from a renewed surge in housing prices in Seoul and other areas, increased leveraged investment and concerns over the spread of nonperforming loans in vulnerable sectors. Household loans rose a moderate 3.5 percent on-year to 1,993.1 trillion won (US$1.3 trillion) in the first quarter but its monthly growth pace accelerated in re
LG launches wireless wallpaper, transparent OLED TVs
LG Electronics said Wednesday it launched two new premium television models, beginning in Korea and gradually expanding to global markets, as it seeks to strengthen its leadership in the OLED TV segment. The new models are the wireless wallpaper TV LG Signature OLED W and the wireless transparent TV LG Signature OLED T, both featuring the company's latest display and wireless transmission technologies. The LG Signature OLED W, a 2026 model, features an ultraslim design measuring just 0.9 centimeters thick. It is equipped with LG's wireless transmission technology, which became the world's first to receive TUV Rheinland's "True Wireless Low Latency Vision" certification, enabling real-time transmission of 4K content at up to 165 hertz without noticeable latency or loss of picture quality. The TV is powered by LG's latest artificial intelligence (AI) picture and sound processor, the third-generation Alpha 11 chip, and offers a range of AI features, including AI concierge, AI search and AI chatbot, which provide personalized content recommendations and user assistance. The LG Signature OLED
THURSDAY, June 25, 2026
1678-Venetian Elena Cornaro Piscopia is awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the University of Padua, the first woman to receive a university doctoral degree or PhD 1876-Battle of the Little Bighorn: U.S. 7th Cavalry under Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer is wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors led by Chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull in what becomes famously known as "Custer's Last Stand" 1929-U.S. President Herbert Hoover authorizes building of Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam) 1941-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Executive Order 8802, which forbids racial discrimination in the defense industry 1950-North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War 2021-WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirms the COVID-19 Delta variant is the most transmissible to date, now present in 85 countries and spreading rapidly
Culture ministry reports 15 to police over scalping of K-pop, sports tickets
The culture ministry has referred 15 people to police for allegedly reselling large quantities of sports and K-pop concert tickets at inflated prices, including some marked up to eight times their original value, officials said Wednesday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the cases were identified through an analysis of online reports and monitoring data on illegal ticket resales between Jan. 5 and June 16. The investigation focused on activity on major secondhand trading platforms, where certain accounts repeatedly sold multiple tickets or listed dozens of seats for specific events. One seller allegedly resold 110 professional baseball tickets during the period, while another sold 54 tickets for a single game in April. Among 11 individuals involved in sports ticket resales, total estimated sales reached 36.84 million won ($23,970). In one case, a ticket with a face value of 150,000 won was resold for 350,000 won. Authorities also found suspected violations involving high-demand concerts with strict purchase limits, including BTS' "ARIRANG" world tour shows in Busan and S
It's all the fault of vandals
It's all the fault of vandals
Messi, Mbappé romping through World Cup with dazzling display of history-making goals
Lionel Messi has been mesmerizing. Kylian Mbappé has been, well, magnifique. Two of the biggest stars of the World Cup are setting records with history-making goals in a sizzling start that has even the most casual soccer fans in the U.S. taking notice. Messi has five goals in Argentina's first two matches, setting the record for career World Cup goals with 18. Mbappé has scored four times for France, moving into a tie for second with 16 goals. “Leo always scores,” Mbappé said. “He’ll always score. If I want to look at what Leo’s doing, I’ll have to do even more.” They are not alone in hitting the back of the net. Norway's Erling Haaland already has four in his country's first two games at the World Cup since 1998. And Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo broke out with two goals against Uzbekistan on Tuesday to raise his career World Cup total to 10. But Messi and Mbappé are the maestros making this World Cup their personal symphony. It's one they've been writing since the 2022 final in Qatar, when Messi scored twice and Mbappé three times before Argentina finally won on penal
North Korea bans US dual nationals from entering country: travel firm
North Korea has banned American citizens holding dual nationality from entering the country, marking a reversal from an earlier policy allowing U.S. nationals to circumvent restrictions by using passports from other countries. In a blog post published Wednesday, a travel agency specializing in tours to North Korea said the restriction applies to all U.S. visitors, including those looking to travel for tourism, business or sporting events in Pyongyang. “The restriction comes into effect immediately with applicants being checked for any links to U.S. citizenship during the visa approval process,” Young Pioneer Tours (YPT) said. “Individuals found to hold American nationality alongside another passport will no longer be granted permission to enter.” As a result, citizens of countries that have friendly relations with North Korea will no longer be able to travel to the country if they hold U.S. nationality. Pyongyang’s decision effectively closes a loophole that allowed Americans to visit North Korea despite a 2017 travel ban by the U.S. government, which Washington has renewed ann
Four more Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz
Four more Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to six, the maritime ministry said Wednesday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally. A total of 26 Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for Korea, the ministry said. With the latest departure, the number of Korean-linked ships remaining inside the strait has fallen to 18. Earlier this week, HMM's 16,000-TEU container ship Daon and the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Universal Glory also exited the area. The ministry said 108 Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 75 aboard Korean-operated vessels and 33 serving on foreign-flagged ships. Under the ceasefire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the interim pact.
Gov't to strengthen oversight of meal cards for children in need
The government will strengthen oversight of meal cards issued for children in need, officials said Wednesday, as a series of misuse cases were found, including using the cards to buy cigarettes and alcohol. Meal cards are issued to children of low-income or single-parent families and other needy kids younger than 18 to make sure that they are fed without skipping meals. The cards can be used just like debit cards to pay for food at restaurants, bakeries and convenience stores. The office for government policy coordination and the welfare ministry conducted a joint inspection between November and April to see whether the cards are used as intended, and found a series of problems, such as parents using the cards to buy non-food items like detergent and tissues. In some cases, parents used the cards to buy cigarettes and alcohol, as unlike convenience stores, some small independent grocery stores still do not have a system denying payment with meal cards for such restricted items, officials said. Dozens of parents were also found to have made false payments totaling 170 million won ($110,80
KOLOS leader wins Civil Merit Medal
KOLOS leader wins Civil Merit Medal: Chairman Lee Eun-deok, right, poses with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, center, as Lee receives the nation's Civil Merit Medal for his contributions to Korean society for improving welfare and for his veterans service to the country at a ceremony held in Yongsan, Seoul, June 19. Lee leads the Korea Love Sharing Community (KOLOS), an organization that works with companies to provide medical items to the needy in various countries around the globe.
JTBC says 'no disruption' in World Cup broadcast despite financial issues
Korean broadcaster JTBC said Wednesday it will broadcast all rounds of the ongoing FIFA World Cup without disruption, dismissing a media report on such a possibility amid a liquidity crisis. "In addition to matches involving the South Korean national team through the final stages of the tournament, we will bring vivid coverage of the World Cup," the broadcaster said in a statement, asking viewers not to be misled by "inaccurate information." The statement came in response to a report by Japanese media outlet JNN, raising the possibility of a disruption in JTBC's World Cup broadcasts, claiming the South Korean broadcaster has yet to pay broadcasting fees in full to FIFA. JTBC secured the exclusive broadcasting rights in South Korea for the summer and winter Olympics in the 2026-2032 period and for the World Cup from 2026-2030. In April, it reached an agreement with public broadcaster KBS to jointly broadcast the ongoing World Cup. Earlier this month, JTBC and four other affiliates of JoongAng Group, including JoongAng Holdings and Megabox JoongAng, filed for court-led rehabilitation proce
Bosnia must stand on its own
STOCKHOLM — Bosnia needs a political reboot. More than three decades after the Dayton Accords ended the devastating 1992-95 war, it is high time that the country bear full responsibility for its own future. As part of the 1995 settlement, an international High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina was established to help coordinate and implement all the civilian and political provisions of the peace agreement. A massive NATO force would remain responsible for separating the military forces, but it was agreed that an independent political office was needed to bring the country back together. That task fell initially to me as the first in a series of high representatives. My immediate priority was to set up the office and get the country’s institutions working, as outlined in the new constitution that had been agreed in Dayton. So, that is what I did. But the high representative was never supposed to be a permanent institution with powers to intervene directly in the country’s governance. Had any participant in the Dayton talks dared to propose such a thing, the idea would have
Ruling party chief resigns, expected to seek reelection for another term
Rep. Jung Chung-rae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) resigned as chairman of the party Wednesday in a move widely seen as a step toward seeking reelection at the party's upcoming national convention. "I spent many sleepless nights looking back on myself and my political life for the past few days," Jung said during a meeting of the party's supreme council at the National Assembly. "I am stepping down as party leader today." Jung stressed that he devoted himself to supporting President Lee Jae Myung's administration throughout his term and to ensuring that the ruling party, the government and the presidential office worked as a united team. "Although I never had a single day of peace due to resistance from within and outside the party, I carried out my duties without complaining," he said. Jung's remarks came amid criticism from some pro-Lee party members who argue that he is leading the party in a way that suits his own hard-line supporters, rather than working in tandem with Lee on key issues. The convention is expected to shape up as a three-way race between Jung and two ot
Korea hosts conference in Washington on expanding defense cooperation with US
Korea's defense ministry held a conference in Washington this week to discuss ways to expand cooperation with the United States in the defense and arms industries, ministry officials said Wednesday. The conference, hosted by Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee on Tuesday (local time), brought together some 120 people, including Michael Vaccaro, the acting principal deputy assistant secretary of state, according to the officials. During the event, the participants discussed ways to materialize bilateral defense cooperation, including on shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and operations, as an axis of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. The conference also covered deepening cooperation on advanced weapons systems and technologies, such as artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned teaming systems, to address future warfare. The defense ministry said it plans to develop the conference into a platform to support the entry of domestic companies into overseas markets in coordination with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency starting this year.
South Africa coach says team will exploit Korea's weaknesses in crucial World Cup match
GUADALUPE, Mexico — South Africa head coach Hugo Broos said Tuesday his players will be ready to pounce on the weaknesses of South Korea when the teams collide in a crucial Group A match of the FIFA World Cup this week. South Africa and South Korea will play their final group stage match at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time) at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico. South Korea, currently in second place with three points, only need a draw to progress to the knockouts. South Africa, on the other hand, are in last place with one point after a 2-0 loss to Mexico and a 1-1 draw against Czechia. In order to advance, South Africa must beat South Korea or at least get a draw while receiving some help from Mexico and Czechia. Broos, a Belgium native, said he is only thinking about winning. "I think it's a special game for both teams. We have to win the game," Broos said at his prematch press conference. "It's difficult because of the opponent. It's a very good team. It's a very disciplined team. So let's hope that we can achieve our best level, and that at the end of the game we have
N. Korea commissions 5,000-ton destroyer; Kim expects dramatic boost in naval power
North Korea has commissioned a new 5,000-ton destroyer with leader Kim Jong-un voicing expectations that the Navy's combat capabilities will be strengthened to a level "admirable beyond imagination," state media reported Wednesday. Kim made the remarks the previous day at a commissioning ceremony for the "new-type multi-mission" destroyer Choe Hyon at the western port of Nampho, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The ceremony came as the North unveiled the Choe Hyon destroyer in April last year in an effort to enhance the country's naval power. North Korea has conducted weapons tests from the Choe Hyon in recent months ahead of its commissioning. In a congratulatory speech, Kim said the destroyer was confirmed to possess "the most perfect, complex operational and combat capability," according to the KCNA. "The combat capability of our Navy will grow to be admirable beyond imagination," he was quoted as saying by the report. Referring to the North Korean navy's past reputation as the weakest branch of its military, Kim said, "Things have changed obviously now." Kim describe
Seoul stocks extend gains late Wednesday morning on bargain hunting
Korean stocks extended their gains late Wednesday morning as individual investors went bargain hunting following the previous session's massive sell-off in technology stocks. After opening 1.86 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 272.43 points, or 3.32 percent, to 8,476.27 as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, Wall Street closed lower as sharp declines in memory chip and semiconductor stocks weighed on investor sentiment amid broader concerns about the artificial intelligence sector. In Seoul, blue chip technology shares traded in positive territory. Semiconductor heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gained 7.26 percent and 2.43 percent, respectively. Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronic components affiliate of Samsung Electronics, went up 2.06 percent. Automobile shares were also among the gainers. Industry leader Hyundai Motor moved up 0.59 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia advanced 2.4 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1,536.7 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., up 2.4 won from the previous session.
'Teach You a Lesson' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chart for 3rd week
The Korean school drama "Teach You a Lesson" reigned at No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart for the third consecutive week, the streaming platform said Wednesday. Released June 5, the series amassed 11.8 million views during the latest tracking week ending Sunday, compared with 21.1 million views in the previous week, according to Netflix. "Teach You a Lesson" was the most-watched show in the category in 19 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Peru, and also landed in the top 10 in 66 others. Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the action-packed series follows a team of inspectors at the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau -- Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon) -- who set out to teach bullies a lesson. The realistic episodes that mirror real-life incidents and a cathartic plot that prioritizes the rights of victims -- both students and teachers -- while also blending in comedy and action have resonated with global audiences. Buoyed by the popularity of the series directed by Hong Jong-chan, Hong's previou
Trump’s gesture, Pyongyang’s calculations
As a ceasefire memorandum of understanding to end the Iran war came within reach, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a striking photograph on his social media channel. It showed Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walking side by side during their 2018 Singapore summit. There was no caption, yet the message seemed clear: After Iran, North Korea may be Trump’s next diplomatic agenda. Trump has reasons to revive the North Korean issue. With U.S. midterm elections only four months away, the political outlook for Republicans is uncertain. The prolonged war with Iran has pushed up oil prices, fueled inflation and weakened public support for Trump. If he seeks a dramatic event to shift public attention, few options rival another summit with Kim. Trump has also long sought to portray himself as a peacemaker. Few issues fit that image better than North Korea’s nuclear program. The Nobel Peace Prize may remain an unfulfilled ambition. Trump has repeatedly signaled his willingness to meet Kim again. He did so during last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Korea
Defender Kim Min-jae wary of skilled, speedy South African players ahead of World Cup match
GUADALUPE — South Korean center back Kim Min-jae said Tuesday he and his teammates on defense must be on their toes against the highly skilled opponents of South Africa in their final Group A match of the FIFA World Cup. South Korea and South Africa will clash at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time) at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, with a knockout berth on the line. South Korea will advance with a win or a draw, and South Africa will move on if they beat South Korea and Czechia lose to Mexico on Wednesday. "South African players have good skills, and they are also fast," Kim said at his prematch press conference. "We've been focusing on those areas during our preparation. But if we play the way we did in the two earlier matches, I think we should be able to come away with a win." South Korea opened the tournament by beating Czechia 2-1 on June 11 but then lost to Mexico 1-0 seven days later. South Africa lost to Mexico 2-0 in their opener and played Czechia to a 1-1 draw, dominating the second half in the latter match. Kim, center back for Bayern Munich competing at his
Seoul to continue push for MSCI developed market status bid after remaining in emerging category
South Korea will continue its push for inclusion in the developed-market category under the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) index after the provider decided to keep Asia's No. 4 economy in the emerging-market category, the finance ministry said Wednesday. Overnight, MSCI said South Korea will remain in the emerging-market category despite Seoul's efforts to be placed on the watch list for inclusion in the developed-market category, citing the limited convertibility of the Korean won in offshore currency markets. "MSCI acknowledged the government's efforts to advance the foreign exchange and capital markets, but for some of the remaining tasks, efforts to improve the system are still under way," the Ministry of Finance and Economy said in a statement in response to the announcement. The finance ministry added that South Korea was not included in the developed-market category this year as the market also needed time to fully reflect the impact of the completed reforms. "If we continue to implement reforms in the foreign exchange and capital markets on our own schedule, we belie
Korea lags in AI workforce readiness despite quality STEM education
LONDON — Korea has high quality education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and corporate research and development capabilities, but the higher education system is less aligned with workforce needs in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) than many of its global competitors, a new index by QS showed Wednesday. The report underscored a growing mismatch between the country's educational strengths and future labor market needs. In the inaugural QS World Future Skills Index 2027, Korea recorded an overall score of 93.4, ranking sixth globally behind the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Germany and Canada. The new index evaluates how well 89 economies are positioned to develop and deploy talent in the era of AI, digital transformation and the green transition, measuring performance across four areas: skills alignment, academic readiness, future of work and economic transformation. Korea showed competitiveness in skills alignment and economic transformation, placing fifth and fourth, respectively. Speaking to The Korea Times, Matteo Quacquarelli, QS vice president for str
4 Korean universities break into global top 20 in THE sustainability rankings
LONDON — Four Korean universities made it to the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026's top 20, with Hanyang University ranking sixth globally in results that underscore the rising international standing of Korean higher education. According to the rankings released Wednesday, Hanyang University was the highest-ranked Korean institution, followed by Korea University at joint 12th, Pusan National University in Busan at joint 16th and Kyungpook National University in Daegu at joint 20th. Hanyang’s rise was particularly notable, as it climbed from joint 44th last year to the global top 10. The results were announced as part of THE’s newly rebranded Sustainability Impact Ratings, formerly known as the Impact Rankings. The framework evaluates universities’ contributions to all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assessing areas such as poverty reduction, health, education, gender equality, climate action, innovation and partnerships. Unlike traditional university rankings that focus heavily on research output, citations and instit
Singing bowls and Buddhist temples: Seoul's certified tour program shows different side of city
Patricia Hung, a Canadian in her 40s, arrived in Seoul last week with six friends to celebrate her birthday and found a city of shopping and relentless energy — until a singing bowl meditation session Sunday showed her something else entirely. “It feels amazing and very tailored, like a reset. I'm very at peace right now, really relaxed,” she told The Korea Times. “I didn't know that there's this side of things to Seoul.” The session was part of this year's Seoul Quality Tour Packages, a city-designated program running since 2013, offers curated itineraries spanning themes from K-drama and K-beauty to esports, cultural heritage and nighttime tourism. The package Hung joined, "Seoul Mind Reset: Bongeunsa Meditation Walk," brought that range to Gangnam, a district better known for nightlife and cosmetic clinics, leading visitors to an unlikely combination of meditation, temple culture and relaxation tucked behind the high-rises. Joanna Cheng, 46, who made the trip with Hung, also found the buzzing city, then the singing bowl session revealed another Seoul. “It was amazing. My fr
Korea coach says team won't settle for draw in final group World Cup match
GUADALUPE, Mexico — South Korea will only need a draw against South Africa in their final group stage match this week to advance to the knockouts of the FIFA World Cup, but head coach Hong Myung-bo doesn't want his players to settle for anything less than a victory. "The moment we start thinking a draw will be good enough, we will be in trouble," Hong said at his prematch press conference at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, northeastern Mexico, on Tuesday, the eve of South Korea's Group A showdown against South Africa. The kickoff is 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 10 a.m. Thursday (South Korean time). "The opponents will be tough to handle," Hong continued. "We will prepare for this match with the mindset that we will win it no matter what." South Korea are in second place in Group A on three points, following a 2-1 win over Czechia and a 1-0 loss to Mexico. Mexico are already through to the round of 32 after clinching the top spot in the group with their win over South Korea. South Korea will secure second place with a win or a draw against South Africa, and may even sneak into the
Seoul Int'l Book Fair set to open amid 'text-hip' boom
The Seoul International Book Fair, the country's largest literary event, is set to open Wednesday, with about 150,000 visitors expected as the "text-hip" trend — with reading now stylish among younger generations — continues. Some 538 publishers and industry organizations from 18 nations will take part in the 68th edition, which runs through Sunday at the COEX exhibition center in southern Seoul. A total of 326 authors and speakers from Korea and abroad will also take part in the five-day event, with advance tickets already sold out. Under the theme "Homo Duduri," this year's book fair seeks to navigate what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), according to the organizers. Duduri, an ancient name for a blacksmith, is the archetype of a "dokkaebi," or goblin, that appears in old Korean texts. "Today, the fire of AI blazes before us. No matter the question, AI answers without hesitation. It writes novels, composes songs and directs films in an instant. There is no way to avoid this fire. What kind of wisdom, then, do we need in the face of these fierce flames
[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Good night, Sweet Oak
WONJU, Gangwon Province — I drove out to the city of Wonju, in Gangwon Province, after I received some distressing news. The famed barbecue restaurant Sweet Oak will be going on an indefinite hiatus, starting from June 28. My wife and I have been coming here on an annual pilgrimage for the last five years, and we knew we had to come out to send it off before it closed. Gus Flores and Euna Kim opened the restaurant in 2015, and this isn't the first time it's shut down for a while. The married couple ended up in Korea in part because of Flores' Korean heritage. He previously visited in 2008 and enrolled in a language course in Seoul, before returning to the U.S. in 2013 to learn how to barbecue. He then went to culinary school in London, where he met Kim. Eventually they returned to Korea together, ending up in Wonju due to family connections on his mother’s side and the desire for something “less cramped than Seoul.” Less cramped might not fully apply to their restaurant, though, because just a short time after we were seated, Sweet Oak was 90 percent full — a good sign for an
US official cites network separation, data localization policies as 'barriers' to Korea's AI rise
WASHINGTON — A senior U.S. official on Tuesday cited South Korea's requirements for physical isolation of government servers and data localization policies as "barriers" to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Asian country, calling for a shift toward "modernized" digital regulations. Russ Headlee, senior bureau official for cyberspace and digital policy at the State Department, made the remarks during a forum in Washington, warning against "appeals to digital sovereignty" that are "designed to discriminate against American companies." "In the Republic of Korea (ROK), the rapid advancement of AI has hit barriers, including requirements for physical isolation of government servers and blanket data localization policies that, from our point of view, pose a significant risk for the ROK itself," he said during the forum hosted by the National Bureau of Asian Research. "Our position is that digital sovereignty should mean verifiable control, not physical possession ... Shifting toward modernized regulations with logical server separation and cross-border data flows for low- to m
Rubio says no country allowed to charge tolls on Strait of Hormuz
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that no country is allowed to charge tolls on the crucial Strait of Hormuz, calling the channel an "international waterway." Rubio made the remarks during a press availability in Abu Dhabi, amid concerns that Iran could charge a fee on ships transiting the strait in the future as last week's preliminary peace deal between Washington and Tehran stipulates safe passage of vessels through the waterway "with no charge for 60 days only." "It's an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway," the secretary said, referring to the Strait of Hormuz. "That's existing international law. That's the way it is in international waters all over the world." South Korea and other countries have been closely watching developments in the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, hoping that the peace talks would lead to the restoration of free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities. Currently, 22 South Korea-li
US, Iran dispute whether Tehran has agreed to nuclear inspections
ISLAMABAD — The U.S. and Iran were in dispute Tuesday over whether Tehran had agreed to allow U.N. inspections of its nuclear sites. As officials negotiated over how to permanently end the war in Iran , a separate plan emerged to break the shipping bottleneck through the Strait of Hormuz. The disagreement over nuclear inspections came as Iran’s president met with Pakistani mediators and technical teams from the U.S. and Iran continued talks in Switzerland. A United Nations agency said Tuesday that a plan was underway to move stranded ships and their thousands of crew members through the strait — a vital passage for global energy supplies that Iran had blocked after the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28. Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, told reporters in Tehran that U.N. inspectors were not scheduled to examine nuclear sites bombed by the U.S. last year, rejecting comments made a day before by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that if Iran had not agreed to inspections, he would cut
Scorching heat shuts Paris landmarks early as France swelters
PARIS — The severe heatwave sweeping France has forced the early closures of top Paris tourist hotspots the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum, their respective managers said Tuesday. A deadly heatwave has battered France since last week, disrupting daily life as well as forcing school closures and train cancellations, with some of the most visited tourist sites in the world the latest to take precautionary measures. The operator of the Eiffel Tower, a monument made of latticed steel girders, said the site would "exceptionally close" early on Tuesday at 4 pm (1400 GMT). During the high season, starting in mid-June, the tower is open from 9 am to 12:45 am. "Due to the high temperatures forecast, the Eiffel Tower will be adjusting its operations," said the operator. It is "very likely" that the monument will close again early on Wednesday, the operator said, adding that visitors would be refunded for their tickets. Seven million tourists pay to visit the 324-metre (1,063-foot) tower each year. Unveiled in 1889 for the World Fair in Paris by engineer Gustave Eiffel, the "Iron Lady" has since
Stem vs. leaf: Which part of kimchi is healthier?
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. When it comes to napa cabbage kimchi, preferences often come down to texture. Some people pick out only the crunchy white stems, while others favor the softer leafy parts. While the difference may seem purely a matter of taste, the two parts also differ in their nutritional value. Depending on which part you eat, you may be getting more of certain nutrients than others. The thick white stem of napa cabbage contains more water and relatively higher amounts of dietary fiber. Its signature crunch comes from its firm cell structure. Dietary fiber helps promote healthy digestion and can increase feelings of fullness, making the stem a good choice for people trying to manage their weight. The stem also tends to contain more potassium, a mineral that helps the body eliminate excess sodium. This may be particularly beneficial for people who regularly consume salty foods. Its high water content means it is relatively low in calories for its volume, while the extra chewing required may also enhance satiety. In addition, the fiber serves as food for bene
Strait of Hormuz's future unsettled even as more ships venture through
NEW YORK — Ship traffic has picked up in the Strait of Hormuz since Iran and the U.S. signed an interim deal to end a war that constricted global oil supplies and fueled inflation, but questions surrounding control of the vital waterway and whether vessels will be charged tolls to cross it could interfere with negotiations to forge a lasting peace. Tehran and Washington clashed over the Strait of Hormuz again this past weekend. Citing Israel's latest attacks on Lebanon, Iran declared that it reclosed the strait. The U.S. was quick to contest that. Maritime tracking data showed that dozens of ships passed through on Saturday and Sunday, though far fewer than the daily average before the war. President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might impose its own tolls on strait crossings if a final deal with Iran was not reached during the countries’ 60-day negotiating period. Passage was free before the war, but Iran last month established a new governmental authority to collect money from ships and has said it still expects vessels to register with the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. No one
Heatwave-hit Europe must adapt healthcare - WHO
The heatwave gripping Europe is putting people's health at risk, and the continent's leaders must invest in making their health services more climate-resilient, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief has said.
Man waited to attack smallest children, trial hears
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Gardaí accused Riad Bouchaker of going for the smallest children and waiting for an opportunity when there were few adults before he attacked them with a knife at Dublin's Parnell Square.
Wales boss Bellamy in talks over Burnley job
Burnley hope to complete a deal to appoint Wales boss Craig Bellamy following Scott Parker's departure.
Crocker loses belt in Brisbane after absorbing Paro scrap
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Lewis Crocker lost his IBF welterweight title to Australian Liam Paro over 12 intense rounds at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
Train passed red signal before fatal crash, says report
A preliminary report from the Independent Rail Accident Investigation Branch is published.
A letter sent by worried staff shows why maternity care is still failing too many families
Families will continue to be failed unless the NHS makes meaningful changes, BBC's Michael Buchanan writes.
Trust pays £187k over trans changing room tribunal
Seven Darlington nurses are being compensated following a dispute over single-sex changing rooms.
'No need for panic' on Ebola case in France, WHO chief says
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WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking on Wednesday about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, weighed in on the report of a recent case of Ebola in a doctor in France who had worked in Congo, saying the risk to the rest of the world remains low.
"Second Nature": Elliot Page on New Film Exploring Animal World Beyond the Binary
A new documentary explores a growing body of scientific research documenting the wide range of gender and sexual diversity found in the animal kingdom, from pregnant male seahorses to matriarchal monkey troops. Second Nature, directed by queer filmmaker Drew Denny, is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page, who says he joined the project because “I was so moved by it and found it so affirming as a trans and queer person.”
Learning about animal life beyond binary concepts of sex and gender was life-changing, Denny shares about her inspiration for the film. “I finally felt in my body, for the first time, that I belong here on Earth, just like anybody else.” Featuring interviews with evolutionary biologists and eye-opening footage of the natural world, Second Nature is now showing in major cities across the United States.
Keiko Fujimori: Peru’s biggest political loser poised to win election
With almost all the ballots counted, Fujimori held 50.12% of the vote, a margin of just over 43,000 over her leftist rival Roberto Sanchez, according to electoral authorities.
Trump says assured by Iran no tolls to be charged at Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has been assured by Iran that no fees will be collected from ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as negotiations continue to secure a lasting end to the war in the Middle East. "Iran has informed the US that... there are 'NO TOLLS, NO INSURANCE COSTS, & NO OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND BEING SOUGHT OR RECEIVED BY IRAN ON SHIPS TRAVELING THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ'," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without specifying whether those assurances would remain in
Pope: Healthcare must reveal God’s compassion to those who suffer
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Pope Leo XIV sends his greetings to participants in a conference on health organized by Caritas Internationalis, and calls for cooperation in healthcare rooted in Gospel values.
Demand for Dublin Simon outreach services rises by 29%
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Dublin Simon's outreach team recorded 10,835 interactions with people sleeping rough in 2025, a 29% increase on 2025.
Seismic Shift: DSA and Mamdani-Backed Pro-Palestine Democrats Sweep New York Primaries
Mayor Zohran Mamdani may be the new kingmaker of New York City politics. In a sweeping affirmation of his affordability-focused agenda, all three congressional candidates endorsed by Mamdani in a set of contested Democratic primary elections declared victory Tuesday night. Manhattan and the Bronx’s Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brooklyn’s Claire Valdez and Brad Lander were all joined on the campaign trail by the progressive NYC mayor in the weeks leading up to election night. Like Mamdani, Avila Chevalier and Valdez are members of the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which backed their campaigns.
We speak to John Tarleton, editor-in-chief of the New York City local independent newspaper The Indypendent, about the insurgent left of the Democratic Party and the potential national ramifications of the Zohran-DSA machine.
Two of the races also functioned as a referendum on the growing split in the Democratic Party over Israel/Palestine. While the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC funneled an estimated $50 million into their staunchly pro-Israel opponents’ campaigns, Avila Chevalier and Lander refused to take any funding from pro-Israel groups and consistently emphasized their support of efforts to restrict U.S. military aid for Israel. “If you ignore the cause of Palestinian liberation, you do so at your own peril,” says Tarleton.
Taoiseach says Govt has health-led approach to drug use
The Taoiseach and the Social Democrats leader have disagreed over whether the Government is adopting a health-led approach to drug use.
UN nuclear chief says inspectors will visit Iran sites as part of war deal
Rafael Grossi says the IAEA is "working on modalities" but an Iranian minister says such access would only be part of a final deal with the US.
Asteroid to be visible to stargazers on Saturday
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A large asteroid that will zoom harmlessly past Earth on Saturday will be visible to stargazers using a small telescope or large binoculars.
Why this heatwave feels worse than the last one
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A combination of factors is making this heatwave more uncomfortable than some we have had in the past, as Simon King explains
Hamilton city council approves pause on data centre development
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City of Hamilton staff will report back to councillors at their next meeting on July 15 with a bylaw imposing a moratorium on the construction of the facilities that securely store, process and distribute digital information.
Security must extend beyond defense in fragmented world: ex-US ambassador
Former US Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris said traditional notions of defense are no longer enough, arguing that security must extend beyond military cooperation to include the economy, technology and supply chains. "Self-defense and collective defense remain indispensable, but collective security must encompass not only military cooperation, but also cooperation in economics, technology, especially AI and big data, supply chains, and cyber resilience," he said at a session titled "Betwee
A wave of progressive candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won big in New York last night. DSA members Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated two Democratic Party establishment picks for Congress, Antonio Reynoso and five-term incumbent Adriano Espaillat. Other DSA candidates, including Palestinian American Aber Kawas, running for New York state Senate, notched wins further downballot. And Mamdani-backed candidate Brad Lander defeated Dan Goldman, another congressional incumbent.
Darializa Avila Chevalier joins Democracy Now! in her first live broadcast interview since her upset win. After weathering a vicious and often racist campaign conducted by her AIPAC-funded opponent Espaillat, Avila Chevalier is projected to become the first Dominican American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, representing New York’s 13th Congressional District.
“Americans are tired of this politics of death, politics of cynicism, and want to make sure that our resources are coming back to our communities and investing in the life and the needs of the people here,” says Avila Chevalier, a former student organizer at Columbia University who has been active in the pro-Palestine and immigrant rights movements for over a decade. She credits part of her decision to run to her experience advocating for fellow student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil’s release from federal ICE detention last year. “When I was first considering whether or not this was a race that I wanted to throw my hat in, I just kept thinking about Mahmoud and the millions of people like him and [Khalil’s wife] Noor, who are so fearful right now, and what it would have meant to them to have a representative who was actually fighting for them.”
What we learned from Bill Gates's interview with Congress about Epstein
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Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates told a congressional panel that files released by the Justice Department in January only added to his embarrassment over interacting with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Japan unveils $2.3 trillion investment plan for next 14 years
The roadmap marks a key step in Takaichi's effort to put her stamp on Japan's growth strategy as technological change and geopolitical tensions reshape economic priorities.
UN chief: Targeting methane is a climate battle ‘we can win’
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Amid efforts to cool global warming, the battle hinges on targeting such super-pollutants as methane, which emits one third of the world’s greenhouse gases and “is a fight we can win”, the UN chief on Wednesday.
How the stories we tell about ageing shape our future
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The way societies talk about ageing can shape everything from public policy to people's own expectations of later life, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) said on Wednesday in a new report that calls for shifting away from narratives that portray older persons as a burden.
World News in Brief: Students injured in Sudan drone strike, dangerous returns in south Lebanon, celebrating women diplomats
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Ongoing fighting in the Sudanese city of El Obeid continues to endanger civilians and damage infrastructure, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Young peacebuilders: Funding matters, but so do trust and partnerships
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Young people working on promoting peace in some of the world’s most fragile and polarized places say financial support remains essential, but money alone will not sustain their efforts to organize youth to participate in peacebuilding.
Lives at risk in DR Congo as Ebola outbreak continues to outpace response
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The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to spread faster than aid efforts can keep pace, despite significant gains in treatment capacity and growing community engagement, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday.
New global rules clear the road for driverless vehicles
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A UN vehicle standards forum has approved the first global regulations for fully autonomous driving systems (ADS), marking a major step towards the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles.
Security Council LIVE: Open debate on children and armed conflict
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The UN Security Council held on open debate on Thursday focused on strengthening protections for children caught in armed conflict. The Secretary-General's latest report reveals that in 2025, soldiers and Government forces were responsible for more grave violations against children in armed conflict than non-State armed groups, marking a first in 30 years of UN monitoring. The report verified 38,558 grave violations such as killing, recruitment and abduction, affecting 24,174 children, many of whom suffered multiple violations.
Stranded Hormuz seafarers begin mass evacuation operation
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As the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) released more details of its plan to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, one mariner caught up in the emergency has described the ever-present fear of coming under attack.
Headlines for June 24, 2026
Mamdani-Endorsed Progressives Sweep New York House Primaries, Congress Directs Trump to End U.S. War on Iran, France Experiences Hottest Day on Record as U.N. Warns of More Frequent Climate Disasters, Anti-ICE Protesters Sentenced to Decades in Prison over “Terrorism” at Texas ICE Jail, Supreme Court Ruling Gives U.S. “Blank Check” to Weaken Green Card Holders’ Rights, Trump’s Efforts to Ram Through SAVE America Act Meets Resistance from GOP Senators, Trump Loyalist Bill Pulte Begins Purge at National Intelligence Office, WaPo: Tulsi Gabbard’s Political Rise Was Highly Influenced by Guru of Hare Krishna Offshoot, Congress Approves Housing Bill Limiting Institutional Investors and Easing New Construction
Baby deaths and toxic culture - the Nottingham maternity report at a glance
A long-awaited review into maternity services in Nottingham finds "systemic" failings.
Israel in talks with Lebanon on occupied territory
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Lebanon and Israel are discussing a US-backed proposal for Israeli forces to transfer some of the Lebanese territory invaded in their war with Hezbollah to Lebanon's military, officials on both sides said.
Garda appeal over Presbyterian Church abuse investigation
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Gardaí are appealing to anyone resident in Ireland who believes they are a victim of a criminal act relating to the Presbyterian Church to contact them.
La Ronge, Sask., sees record number of high school graduates
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The principals of La Ronge's two high school say a block system, a success coach, a caring environment and extra help with assignment are some of the factors that led to an increase in students graduating Grade 12 this year.
Bradford, Oldham and London first places to be looked at by grooming gang inquiry
The inquiry says it will initially focus on Oldham, Bradford and Keighley, and London.
Potential consequences of defective blocks 'enormous'
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The Dáil has heard the number of homes that may be affected by defective concrete blocks has been 'profoundly underestimated' and warned that the potential consequences will become "enormous".
Gov't to seek disciplinary measures for 17 fire officials over death of female firefighter
The government decided to seek disciplinary measures against 17 fire officials after confirming that a female firefighter in the southern city of Gwangju had been forced into unwanted after-work dinners and drinking before killing herself last year, officials said Wednesday. Officials at the fire station were also found to have ignored a request from her family for an investigation into workplace harassment allegations and released without permission the content of counseling she had before her
Hanwha Aerospace to produce K9 Howitzers in UAE
Hanwha Aerospace is partnering with a defense company from the United Arab Emirates to pursue local production of its K9 self-propelled howitzer, strengthening its presence in the Middle East defense market. The company said Wednesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Generation 5 Holding, a UAE-based defense and technology firm, during the Eurosatory 2026 defense exhibition held in Paris last week. Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate to start production of the
GTA 6 will cost $80 - and physical edition will not contain a disc
Rockstar has said physical copies of the game will contain a code for a digital download for the game.
Stokes apologises to team-mates before Test return
England captain Ben Stokes has apologised to his team-mates before his return for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Power outages hit France as record heatwave set to peak
About 68,000 homes in Brittany have been affected, with electricity unlikely to be fully restored until Wednesday night.
Irish and Welsh govts agree closer ties at forum
The First Minister of Wales is in Dublin on his first overseas trip since taking office to attend the sixth Ireland-Wales Forum.
Tuchel's England are opposite to Southgate's - and built to beat top teams
BBC Sport's football tactics writer Umir Irfan explains why Thomas Tuchel's England system is built to prosper against the world's top nations.
Police identify, summon woman over solo blockade of vote counting center
Police have identified a woman who staged a solo blockade of a vote counting center after the June 3 local elections and issued a summons for her to appear for questioning, sources said Wednesday. On June 16, the woman, said to be in her 30s, stood outside a door to the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul, which had been used as a ballot counting center, to prevent anyone from going inside amid an ongoing standoff between protesters demanding a rerun of the elections and sports organ
2026 Global Peace Index: We must invest in peace, not war
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The Australian Embassy to the Holy See hosts the presentation of the 2026 Global Peace Index with the founder of the Institute for Economics and Peace Steve Killelea as he breaks down the importance of having data on global peacefulness and how to invest in peace rather than war.
Woman killed in Israeli strike in Lebanon remembered as defender of endangered sea turtles
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Mona Khalil, who turned her beachfront home in southern Lebanon into a conservation hub for endangered sea turtles, succumbed to her wounds from an Israeli strike on her home.
As major U.S. Supreme Court decisions loom, how far will it let Trump go?
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America’s top court is set to deliver decisions on more than a dozen major cases in the coming days. And with rulings on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes and the Federal Reserve on the docket, there’s a lot at stake as the U.S. president’s agenda is tested by the justice system.
Burnham on course to be PM, but what would his No 10 operation look like?
Burnham's top team starting to take shape as questions remain over his policies and priorities.
Schools in Tokyo suburb to get bear sprays
Japan saw a record 13 people killed by bears last fiscal year, and five more fatalities and 20 people injured between April 1 and May 30 this year.
France confirms first Ebola case
More than 260 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are known to have died during the current outbreak.
Unpublished homilies of Pope Benedict XVI released in English
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Ignatius Press releases the English edition of "The Lord Holds Us by the Hand,” which brings together previously unpublished homilies delivered by Pope Benedict XVI during private Masses celebrated during his pontificate and after his resignation.
Shizuoka governor to approve maglev line construction
Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki plans to announce the approval at a prefectural assembly meeting on July 7.
Feds push to have 3 northern projects fast-tracked under Building Canada Act
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The Liberal government wants a Northwest Territories highway, an Arctic deepwater port and a nuclear waste storage facility in northwestern Ontario to be listed as projects of national interest.
Why Bellingham was not sent off for covering his mouth
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was not shown a red card despite covering his mouth while talking to Ghana's Jordan Ayew.
Ukrainian drone strikes cut power to city in Crimea
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Ukrainian strikes on Crimea triggered power outages in its largest city, Sevastopol, both sides have reported, as Ukraine intensifies its attempts to cut off the peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Cardinal Czerny for Sea Sunday: A ship must never be a place of isolation
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In his message for Sea Sunday 2026, Cardinal Michael Czerny highlights the complex challenges maritime workers face today as the sea today is “increasingly marked by tension, insecurity, war, and fear.”
Michigan Senate candidate accuses Trump of keeping Canada-U.S. bridge closed to help donor
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Mallory McMorrow's new ad accuses Trump of blocking the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and suggests he is doing it to benefit a major political donor, building on an anti-corruption message she has sought to make central to her campaign.
Toronto saw significant increase in speeders after camera removals: city report
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In a new report Mayor Olivia Chow describes as "horrifying," Toronto transportation staff say there has been a significant increase in speeding where cameras used to be located in the city.
Biggest city in Crimea without power after Ukraine strikes
Sevastopol's Moscow-installed governor warns there will be no electricity in some areas until the evening.
This is not AI. It’s intentionally, painstakingly human-made art.
Yoshitoshi Kanemaki's handcarved sculptures have a digital aesthetic, but they are firmly anchored in three-dimensional space.
Landmark legal win compensates pregnant soccer player who lost contract
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In a landmark legal win for female soccer players, sport's highest court has awarded Maja Göthberg salary compensation from Lazio Women after the Italian club ended contract talks when it knew she was pregnant.
France reports Ebola case in doctor returning from Congo
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France has announced its first confirmed case of Ebola identified on its territory, a doctor who had flown back from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is fighting a major outbreak.
France reports Ebola case in doctor returning from Congo
France has announced its first confirmed case of Ebola identified on its territory, a doctor who had flown back from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is fighting a major outbreak.
HSE €400m over budget at end of May, committee told
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The HSE told the Oireachtas Committee on Health that the service was over budget by €400m at the end of May.
Scotland hope fifth time's a charm versus kindred spirits
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Brazil and Scotland meet for the fifth time in World Cup finals tonight, with the Scots desperately seeking a result that would send them through to the knockout stages for the first time.
Jesy Nelson 'outraged' after MPs debate muscle condition that affects her twins
The singer says children face a "postcode lottery", as testing for the disease is staggered.
SK hynix seeks up to W45.5tr in July Nasdaq debut
SK hynix said Wednesday it plans to begin trading American depositary receipts on the Nasdaq Stock Market on July 10, potentially raising up to 45.5 trillion won ($33 billion) to fund a major expansion of its artificial intelligence chip production capacity. The Korean memory chipmaker said its board approved the issuance of ADRs backed by newly issued common shares. The proceeds will be used to finance key semiconductor projects, including the first fabrication plant at the Yongin semiconductor
England to face Scotland? World Cup knockout stage as it stands
Use BBC Sport's projections tool with in-game updates to plot your country's route through the World Cup knockouts.
Easter Rising 'flag of truce' sold for €62,000 at auction
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What is believed to be the original 'flag of truce' shown during the surrender on Moore Street in the 1916 Rising has been sold at auction for €62,000.
Hyundai Motor union's 30% bonus push gains momentum
Hyundai Motor Co.’s labor union has voted to secure the right to strike, with its longstanding demand for a “30 percent of net profit” bonus gaining fresh momentum following Samsung Electronics’ recent landmark agreement. Hyundai Motor’s union, involving 39,668 members, held a strike authorization vote on Wednesday, with 92.03 percent agreeing to go on strike. After securing the legal right to strike in a vote that has never failed to pass, the union will decide whether to proceed with a walkout
WHO holds briefing about Ebola outbreak
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is expected to take questions Wednesday about an ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
[Best Brand] Seoul Cyber University leads online education with AI-driven innovation
Online university Seoul Cyber University is strengthening its position as Korea’s leading online university by combining artificial intelligence education with an advanced digital learning system. The school is the first cyber university in Korea to receive the highest A grade in all three official evaluations of remote universities conducted by the Ministry of Education. It was named an excellent university in the 2007 comprehensive evaluation of remote universities, received an A grade in the
Korea gives stalking victims real-time access to suspects’ location
South Korea on Wednesday launched a new mobile alert system designed to better protect stalking victims by providing real-time information on suspected stalkers wearing electronic ankle monitors. Operated by the Ministry of Justice through a mobile application, the system allows victims to see a suspected stalker’s current location and direction of movement. The government said the measure was introduced after concerns grew over the effectiveness of existing protections. Since 2024, electronic m
JIP takes sharper nuclear stance than LDP in security proposals
The junior coalition partner in the ruling bloc is pushing for a "realistic review" of allowing nukes into the country, while the LDP is looking to bolster extended deterrence.
Pope at Audience: Let us be transformed by the Eucharistic mystery
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During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV focuses on the Eucharist as he continues reflecting on Vatican II’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, underscoring that the sacred mystery enables us 'to adopt the very way of the Lord.'
French woman allegedly held captive by husband for 12 years rescued in Pakistan
Yasmina alleges she was held along with her five children, and they were all cut off from the outside world.
Deadly 'Omega' heat wave breaks more temperature records in Europe
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Western Europe was in the grip of a heat wave on Wednesday that claimed dozens of lives, disrupted power supplies, shut schools and cultural landmarks, as forecasters warned the extreme temperatures could persist until the end of the week.
Love Story or Hoax? All of the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding rumours
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It’s a date likely etched into the minds of many Swifties: Aug. 26, 2025 — the day Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram. Since then, fans have been fixated on uncovering possible details about when and where the wedding may take place.
Kenya's Catholic Bishops urge respect for human life and national renewal
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The Catholic bishops of Kenya have called for a renewed commitment to the dignity of human life, justice, and national dialogue, expressing concern over the growing disregard for human life and the moral challenges facing the country.
Weather: Ferries cancelled amid significant swells, heavy rain warnings for Coromandel, Bay of Plenty
Motorists are being warned snow could cause potential disruption to travel tonight.
Twice's Jeongyeon in talks with Byeon Woo-seok's agency
Twice member Jeongyeon is reportedly in talks with Varo Entertainment, the management agency behind breakout actor Byeon Woo-seok and actress Gong Seung-yeon, her older sister, as the K-pop singer prepares for her big-screen debut. According to local media reports Wednesday, Jeongyeon recently held a private meeting with Varo Entertainment to discuss potential acting activities. A company official confirmed the meeting but said no decision has been made regarding an exclusive contract. "It is tr
North Korea’s Kim unveils plans for new warships and nuclear-armed navy
Kim Jong Un has vowed to modernize his navy, but questions remain whether the investment will ultimately prove worthwhile for the strongman.
Backup capital progress shows Takaichi is listening to JIP despite LDP concerns
A deal on the matter gave Takaichi the needed votes to become prime minister and form a ruling coalition.
The B.C. heat dome had a deadly impact on New Westminster. 5 years later, cooling is top of mind
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Five years after extreme heat killed 33 people in New Westminster, the city has built out a network of cooling stations and passed bylaws aimed at cooling apartments.
[Bio USA] Samsung Biologics to open first European sales office in Amsterdam
SAN DIEGO – Samsung Biologics will establish its first official European sales office in Amsterdam, as the leading Korean contract development and manufacturing organization, or CDMO, looks to continue expanding its global presence. “We are planning to open the European sales office in the third quarter of this year,” said John Rim, CEO of Samsung Biologics, in a press conference held on the sidelines of the BIO International Convention in San Diego on Tuesday. “Located at the center of Europe,
Video of police responding to Changwon stabbing sparks outrage
Surveillance footage of police responding to a fatal stabbing at a motel in Changwon last year has drawn public scrutiny after it was released online by the victims' family. The video shows officers ascending a stairwell at what many viewers described as an unhurried pace after receiving emergency calls from the victims, who contacted police twice during the assault. According to authorities, the incident occurred on Dec. 3, 2025, when a man in his 20s fatally stabbed two teenagers and seriously
Pope: Writing concerns God and helps trace outline of truth
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Pope Leo XIV meets with writers from around the world to mark the 100th anniversary of the Vatican Publishing House (LEV), reminding authors that writing is an act of humanity, truth, and the search for God.
A rare convergence of two storms — Typhoon Mekkhala and Tropical Storm Higos — are expected to bring dangerous winds and heavy rain to the country.
Two Japanese held in China for allegedly smuggling export-restricted goods
The goods the two are alleged to have smuggled were rare-earth related products, media reports said.
Lisa avoids dating talk, opens up about privacy concerns in Vanity Fair
Blackpink member Lisa spoke about privacy concerns while largely steering clear of questions about her personal life in an interview with Vanity Fair published on Tuesday. The cover story, "The Life of a K-Pop Showgirl," sheds light on the 29-year-old, who was born in Thailand as Pranpriya Manobal, not only as a successful singer and actor but also as a person. The story notes that Lisa "will not discuss her personal life in interviews" and that "her publicist warned (the interviewer) twice not
Potential 'tropical nights' forecast during hot spell
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Ireland could experience "tropical nights" tonight and tomorrow, Met Éireann has said.
Lower House begins discussions on flag-vandalism bill
Under the bill, those who publicly deface the flag in a way that causes the public to feel extremely uncomfortable or disgusted would be subject to imprisonment or a fine.
Samsung financial affiliates top W100tr in capital for first time
Samsung's financial affiliates surpassed 100 trillion won ($65 billion) in capital for the first time at the end of 2025, accounting for most of the capital growth among South Korea's major financial groups as a stock market rally boosted investment gains. According to data released Wednesday by the Financial Supervisory Service, Samsung's capital rose to 100.5 trillion won from 69.5 trillion won a year earlier, while its capital adequacy ratio improved to 191.2 percent from 185.1 percent. The 3
Taiwan says warning time for any China attack is shortening
The island's military needs to test if it can respond immediately to a war breaking out, its defense minister says.
Remembering the wrestlers who rarely make the headlines
The quiet retirement of Tsurugisho is a reminder that sumo's rank-and-file veterans deserve more recognition for the pain, sacrifice and resilience their careers demand.
China unfazed by world’s ire on trade as premier touts openness
China's widening trade surplus with major partners has come under increased scrutiny as policymakers around the world weigh fresh measures to counter a flood of exports.
Kospi rebounds 3.26% in volatile trading on bargain hunting
South Korean stocks rebounded more than 3 percent Wednesday as investors snapped up major semiconductor shares following one of the market's steepest declines on record in the previous session. The local currency weakened against the US dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 267.18 points, or 3.26 percent, to close at 8,471.02. The Kospi, which had opened higher, briefly fell into negative territory on heavy foreign selling and dropped close to the 8
How Saskatchewan's new ballroom scene is creating a fresh community for local street dancers
Saskatoon based multi-disciplinary artist Aldeneil Española has worked for three years to launch Saskatchewan's inaugural Prairie Kiki Ball, a grassroots effort to establish a permanent ballroom community in the province.
Emperor Naruhito wishes for lasting friendship at Belgian banquet
The event comes as the two countries mark 160 years of diplomatic ties.
Ukraine launches drone offensive in Crimea and inside Russia, where fuel shortages are taking a toll
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Ukrainian drones knocked out power in the biggest city in Russian-held Crimea on Wednesday and targeted facilities in central and southern Russia, underscoring the reach of Kyiv's attacks on energy infrastructure.
Hyundai founder tribute concert to air on CNN's 'Showtime'
Hyundai Motor Group said Wednesday that a memorial concert marking the 25th anniversary of the passing of founder Chung Ju-yung will be featured on CNN's "Showtime," bringing the tribute to a global audience. The episode, scheduled to air on CNN International on June 27 at 4:30 p.m., will spotlight the commemorative concert held at the Seoul Arts Center in February, while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at the months of preparation that went into the performance. CNN's "Showtime" series e
Needing only a draw, Canada coach cautions against playing safe in Group B finale vs. Switzerland
Can't Be Blue rejects indie label
Asked to name the hottest rookie band in South Korea's indie scene today, many music fans point to Can't Be Blue. But the five-member group does not necessarily see itself as an indie band. "We don't really think of ourselves as indie," lead singer Lee Do-hun told The Korea Herald in an interview Monday. "Whether it's our sound or the way we work, we've always had the mindset of a pop band." That philosophy has helped fuel the band's rapid rise. Just over two years after debuting in June 2024, C
[Bio USA] Korean biotech has innovation. Now it needs capital
SAN DIEGO – Korea’s biotechnology industry has rapidly emerged as one of Asia's most promising innovation ecosystems, but industry experts say securing global capital and adopting more flexible business models remain critical challenges if the country hopes to position itself as a global biotech powerhouse. “Korea is already an innovation hub,” said Hwang Jurie, director of public and international affairs at the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization, or KoreaBIO, during a panel discussion t
Trump and Iran at odds over nuclear inspections and frozen assets
The two countries also offered conflicting accounts about financial incentives, the Strait of Hormuz and Israel's parallel war in Lebanon.
Fans or thieves? Webtoon piracy makes artists question global readers
Rena, a webtoon artist in her 20s whose work is available on global platforms, used to see overseas comments as proof that her stories had crossed borders. These days, they make her uneasy. “I used to be genuinely happy whenever I saw comments from overseas readers,” said Rena, who asked to be identified with a pseudonym. “But now, when someone talks about my work, I can't help wondering whether they read it through an illegal site.” For creators like Rena, overseas piracy is not only a question
At front-line base, Lee calls for shift away from conscription
President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday renewed his pledge to reduce South Korea's reliance on conscription and expand the role of professional military personnel during a visit to a front-line Marine Corps unit. During the trip to Yeonpyeongdo near the western maritime border with North Korea, Lee inspected key Marine Corps weapons systems, climbed aboard a K9A1 self-propelled howitzer and fired rifles while wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet. Lee's trip came during the week marking the anniver
Soldier faces court martial for attacking senior colleague
The soldier is accused of ambushing a senior colleague after a cocktail function at Waiouru Military Camp.
Japan lays the groundwork for submarine cable resilience
Fiber-optic cables carry nearly all the world's data between continents.
SC Bank expands lifestyle offerings for wealthy clients
Standard Chartered Bank Korea is broadening its private banking services beyond traditional wealth management and offering exclusive art and education programs for affluent clients and their families. As part of the initiative, the bank hosted an art-focused event on June 18 for private banking clients and prospective customers with at least 1 billion won ($649,000) in deposits. The program, titled 2026 Master Class: The Beginning of Art Collecting and held at Seoul Auction's Gangnam Center in C
Why Korea missed MSCI watchlist again
South Korea has again failed to make MSCI's developed market watchlist, delaying Seoul's long-running campaign to move beyond emerging market status. The decision comes despite a sweeping reform drive aimed at improving foreign investor access. MSCI, in its annual market classification review released early Wednesday Korea time, kept Korea in its emerging market category and left the country off the watchlist for a potential upgrade to developed market status. The decision pushes back Korea's up
Scotland on 'brink of history', fans say ahead of Brazil World Cup tie
Scotland will play their final group stage match against Brazil later, with hopes of making it to the knock-out stages.
Paid parking extends into central Auckland suburb, businesses worried about impact
More than 80 percent of feedback was against the move.
Scotland primed for game of their lives against fallible Brazil
Scotland don't know what they need against Brazil to reach the World Cup knockout phase, but will know they need to improve on the previous two games, writes Tom English.
Korea's AI treasure is its factory data: Siemens top executive
South Korea is uniquely positioned in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, owing to its robust manufacturing sectors and the vast amounts of data generated by its factories, according to a top executive at Siemens. “The treasure we are sitting on as industrial countries is industrial data,” Cedrik Neike, member of the managing board at Siemens and CEO of Digital Industries, said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Tuesday in Seoul, referring to manufacturing powerhouses such as Ko
President Lee Jae Myung is expected to meet Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Thursday as the government enters the final stage of discussions on a major semiconductor investment package outside the Seoul metropolitan area, according to industry sources on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to focus on Korea's semiconductor strategy, artificial intelligence and regional development, including potential investments in new chip manufacturing and advanced semiconductor facilities in the
Decriminalise personal-use drug possession, cttee says
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An Oireachtas committee has recommended the decriminalisation of possession of all drugs for personal use.
Alibaba sues U.S., seeking removal from Pentagon’s blacklist
The Hangzhou-based company argued that the Pentagon hadn't provided substantial evidence or explanation for adding the e-commerce leader to the list.
'Teach You a Lesson' rules Netflix’s non-English TV chart for third week
"Teach You a Lesson" is the most-watched non-English TV series on Netflix globally. The breakout Netflix original, which follows the fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau as it tackles a range of incidents in schools, has topped Tudum’s global top 10 chart for non-English TV series for three consecutive weeks since its June 5 debut. According to the Netflix companion site, the 10-part series has amassed 126 million hours viewed. Also appearing on the non-English TV chart is SBS romantic
Luup scooters introduces automatic stop function to avoid nuisance use in Kyoto
Luup scooters, a favored transportation source for tourists in Japan, will automatically halt when nearing prohibited areas in Kyoto.
Korea nears choice of chip hub outside Greater Seoul
South Korea is nearing an announcement on a new semiconductor production cluster outside Greater Seoul, which includes Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, as the government and the country's two largest chipmakers move to expand capacity for the era of artificial intelligence. Kim Yong-beom, President Lee Jae Myung's chief policy adviser, said Wednesday that the government, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix had been engaged in "serious discussions" over a second semiconductor cluster, including its lo
Scotland must now wait after bruising loss to Brazil
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Scotland lost a second World Cup group game with a bruising 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami to leave their last-32 hopes up in the air.
BoyNextDoor earns career-best Billboard 200 ranking with first LP
Boy band BoyNextDoor has achieved a new career high on Billboard’s main albums chart with its first full-length album, “Home.” According to the latest Billboard charts dated June 27, released Tuesday, “Home” debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200. The ranking marks the group’s highest placement on the chart to date, surpassing the No. 40 peak achieved by its previous EP, “The Action.” The achievement extended BoyNextDoor’s streak of Billboard 200 entries to six consecutive releases. Previous cha
Korea expands malpractice safety net for doctors in high-risk specialties
South Korea will cover the full cost of malpractice insurance premiums for doctors in critical medical fields, as the government seeks to ease the legal risks blamed for pushing physicians away from high-risk specialties such as obstetrics and emergency medicine. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said medical institutions employing eligible physicians can apply for the high-cost medical liability insurance support program starting Thursday. Under the program, the government will fully cover ins
Opposition piles pressure on defense minister as impeachment petition tops 150,000 signatures
The main opposition People Power Party on Wednesday stepped up pressure on Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, calling for his dismissal as two public petitions opposing his reform drive gained traction at the National Assembly. One petition, posted on the National Assembly’s public petition system on June 18, calls for Ahn’s impeachment over his push to dissolve the Defense Counterintelligence Command and the ministry’s handling of the death of a reservist during training in May. It had drawn more t
Shinsegae Duty Free launches installment payments for foreign tourists
Shinsegae Duty Free said Wednesday it launched a payment service that allows foreign visitors to pay in installments using Visa cards issued overseas. Developed in partnership with Korean fintech company DealMe, the NanuPay service has been introduced at the retailer's Myeong-dong store. NanuPay enables customers with overseas-issued Visa cards to select installment payments at checkout without downloading a separate app or applying for a new card. Previously, purchases made with foreign-issued
HanmiGlobal eyes US SMR market with development arm
HanmiGlobal, South Korea's largest construction management firm, plans to establish a project development company for the US small modular reactor market as it seeks a larger role in the country's growing nuclear power sector. As part of the effort, the company hosted a seminar in Washington on Monday with the Global America Business Institute to introduce its SMR business strategy and explore potential partnerships. Representatives from major US power and infrastructure companies, including Edg
Luxury watches and £220 teapot: Police pictures reveal Peter Murrell's illicit purchases
Dozens of new images released by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service now show some of the items he purchased illegally.
North Dublin rail services resume after major disruption
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Iarnród Éireann has said its services in north Dublin have resumed after major disruption earlier due to damaged overhead lines.
Trapped on Everest for days, Nepali survivor recounts escape
The mountaineer had nearly given up hope, and his family at home had begun mourning his death, till an avalanche came to save him.
[Best Brand] Miracell secures FDA 510(k) clearance for stem cell processing system
STEM CELL PROCESSING SYSTEM MIRACELL SMART M-CELL Stem cell technology firm Miracell has secured US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for its integrated cell-processing system, marking a significant milestone in the company's efforts to expand its presence in the global regenerative medicine market. The FDA granted 510(k) clearance in April for a system comprising the Smart M-Cell cell concentration device, the BSC blood kit and the BmSC bone marrow kit. The clearance followed a subs
North Korea deploys new destroyer, stresses push for nuclear-capable navy
North Korea has deployed a new destroyer, state media reported Wednesday, with leader Kim Jong-un stressing that the push to establish a nuclear-armed navy was on course. According to the North’s state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyun was deployed into active service on Tuesday. The paper quoted Kim as saying that the North Korean navy is growing into a branch that has “strategic assets” and that its nuclear armament was advancing according to plan. “This makes (Nor
Takaichi heckled at WWII memorial in Okinawa
A small but vocal number of demonstrators shouted slogans throughout Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's speech at an event commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa.
Sports day, senior edition
More than 3,500 senior citizens gathered in Busan on Wednesday for the annual Senior Sports Day, competing in events such as giant-ball rolling, mini basketball, ring toss and the traditional Korean game of yutnori. According to the Busan Metropolitan Government, the competition offered both recreation and friendly rivalry, with participants from 16 districts and counties across the city vying for the Busan Mayor's Trophy. Jointly organized by the city government and the Busan chapter of the Kor
'Our house was turned into a cannabis farm while Dad was in hospital'
Police say estate agents and some landlords are cashing in on cannabis crime in rental properties.
Australia ramps up bird flu surveillance and testing after first cases reported
Tests are underway after dead sub-Antarctic seabirds and a pelican were found more than 1,200 kilometers from where the first two confirmed cases were reported.
Enhyphen's Sunoo donates W50m to pediatric patients on birthday
Enhyphen's Sunoo donated 50 million won ($32,400) to support pediatric patients in celebration of his birthday, Samsung Medical Center said Wednesday. Marking his 22nd birthday, Sunoo made the donation to help cover treatment costs for children receiving care at the hospital. Sunoo has been donating to Samsung Medical Center since 2024. His cumulative contributions have reportedly reached 200 million won. "Since making his first donation, Sunoo has consistently extended a helping hand to those i
Gulf Harbour body trial: Grandparents deny involvement in woman's death
The body of 70-year-old Shulai Wang was found wrapped in plastic bags in Auckland's Gulf Harbour by a fisherman on March 12, 2024.
Canterbury Uni mass food poisoning: Students' Association falsified temperature records
More than 160 cases of food poisoning symptoms were reported following a chicken souvlaki dinner at Canterbury University's Uni Lodge Hall during exams in November 2024.
Gates told Congress Epstein considered blackmailing him
In closed-door testimony this month, Gates disputed details that Epstein recorded in emails to himself regarding the Microsoft co-founder's extramarital affairs.
Police took eight minutes to find Henry Nowak's fatal stab wound
The Southampton student died from his injuries, while handcuffed on the ground by Hampshire police officers
Beach hut with no power or running water goes on sale for £200k
Despite the seemingly-high price tag, the beach hut is expected to fetch lots of interest.
China’s mineral squeeze testing Japan’s military buildup
The restrictions are exposing vulnerabilities in Japan's defense-industrial supply chains while also providing the clearest test yet of Tokyo's push to bolster economic security.
Ministers urged to act over derelict State properties
The Cabinet has been warned that urgent action is needed to address the significant amounts of derelict property under State ownership.
Enhanced security planned for EU Presidency, gardaí say
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There will be significant disruption at times during Ireland's EU Presidency, which gets under way next Wednesday, according to gardaí.
What is the ‘Mona Lisa’ of Japan?
From Hokusai to Kusama, searching for the country's ultimate artwork
One injured after vehicle hits pedestrian in Taupō
Part of Kiddle Drive is closed after the crash.
Japan’s manufacturing sector and the race for physical AI
Turning industrial strength into leadership in the next AI frontier.
Samsung, Alcedis team up on wearable-based clinical research
Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it has partnered with German digital clinical research organization Alcedis to develop ways of turning health data collected by wearable devices into evidence that can be used in pharmaceutical clinical trials. The collaboration aims to address one of the biggest challenges in digital health: converting the vast amount of biometric data generated by wearables into clinically meaningful indicators that can help evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new drugs.
HD Construction Equipment eyes Middle East, Africa with new 20-ton excavator
HD Construction Equipment said Wednesday that it had launched a new 20-ton Develon excavator in India, aiming to strengthen its presence in fast-growing markets including the Middle East and Africa. The company recently held a launch ceremony for the model at its production subsidiary in Pune, India, where it also showcased the plant's manufacturing capabilities to key dealers from the Middle East. Designed for price-sensitive markets, the new excavator is the most popular Develon model HD Const
[Bio USA] SK Biopharmaceuticals doubles down on AI, open innovation
Korea Herald correspondent SAN DIEGO — SK Biopharmaceuticals has bet big on artificial intelligence and open innovation as the two core pillars that will drive the Korean drugmaker’s future growth. “It took us almost 30 years to launch Xcopri as we did everything from development to commercialization and sales, unlike other firms,” said Lee Dong-hoon, CEO of SK Biopharmaceuticals, in a press conference at the BIO International Convention in San Diego on Monday. The growing sales of Xcopri, which
War games in orbit: Rocket Lab shows US Space Force it's good to go
The launch was the space firm's quickest yet, with the rocket shot into space from Mahia Peninsula just over 16 hours from getting the US Space Force go-ahead.
Information for 14 million email accounts possibly leaked in cyberattack on KDDI
The company said it would work with affected internet service providers to urge users to change their passwords, while continuing to investigate the extent of the damage.
Dongguk University professor dismissed over sexual harassment allegations
A professor at Dongguk University has been dismissed over allegations that he repeatedly made sexually inappropriate remarks and engaged in unwanted physical contact with students during drinking gatherings, the university said. According to Dongguk University, its faculty disciplinary committee voted on June 16 to dismiss the professor from the Department of Cultural Heritage Studies. The dismissal took effect Sunday. The case first came to public attention in November, when the department’s st
North Korean soldier under investigation after crossing MDL overnight: JCS
A North Korean soldier is under investigation after crossing the Military Demarcation Line into South Korea on Tuesday night, Seoul’s military said Wednesday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it secured custody of the North Korean soldier along the central section of the de facto inter-Korean border on Tuesday night. “Relevant details are under investigation by related authorities,” the JCS said in a statement. The soldier is believed to have expressed a wish to defect to South Korea, according to
Oil extends slide on expectations of smoother crude flows via Hormuz
Oil prices fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday, extending this week's losses and trading near four-month lows, on signs that more oil tankers stranded in the Gulf are set to move out of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell 78 cents, or 1.0 percent, at $76.30 a barrel as of 0350 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate slipped 78 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $72.43 a barrel. Both benchmarks settled down around 1 percent on Tuesday, touching their lowest levels since early March. "Positive signa
How did conceptual art take shape in Korea?
Conceptual art emerged in the West in the 1960s, emphasizing artist ideas or concepts over the appearance or form of an artwork. It shifted attention from the visual to the realms of language and ideas. "Language-based conceptual art began in New York, but when it arrived in different countries, it became connected to each country's political and social situation and was understood in different ways," curator Bae Myung-ji said on June 18 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Kor
Lee Kang-in reportedly nears Atletico move, raising prospect of Seoul debut in August
As he pursues World Cup glory with South Korea, Lee Kang-in could also be closing in on a major club move. Reports in Europe suggest that Atletico Madrid is nearing an agreement to sign the midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain, raising the prospect that Lee could make his debut for the Spanish club in Seoul later this summer if the transfer is completed in time. Fabrizio Romano, an Italian sports journalist, reported Wednesday that Lee is closing in on a move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Spani
PGA Tour revamped to feature promotion and relegation from 2028
The PGA Tour will introduce promotion and relegation in a revamped structure beginning in 2028. The Tour announced a new two-tier system, with top-level tournaments featuring purses of $20 million and fields of about 120 players. The details were confirmed Tuesday at a press conference involving former world No. 1 Tiger Woods, marking his first public appearance since a car accident in March. The upper tier, called the Championship Series, will consist of 23 to 24 events, including the majors an
Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation's Flower Day about remembering loved ones, honouring traditions
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Families at Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation in Saskatchewan gather each year to remember loved ones who have died, by tending gravesites and a community feast and gifts.
Trump threatened new tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. What if other countries follow suit?
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U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tolls in the Strait of Hormuz last weekend, sparking worries that the practice of charging to pass through critical waterways could spread — with devastating consequences to the global economy. Iran has blocked the strait for much of the war, reportedly charging tolls as high as $2 million US for ships it allows to pass.
Why a 25% discount on airfare cost a Montreal couple more — thanks to dynamic pricing
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A Montreal couple was confused and upset after they rebooked their Air Canada flight to take advantage of a new sale, and the rebooked tickets cost slightly more. Dynamic pricing, which can cause base fares to fluctuate, was partly to blame. Some experts are calling for more transparency when companies use dynamic pricing during a discount promotion.
StubHub cancels thousands of World Cup tickets, leaving fans furious and heartbroken
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StubHub is facing thousands of angry consumer complaints after cancelling World Cup tickets hours before game time.
India’s Cockroach Party shows frustrated Gen-Zers are hard to crush
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India’s Cockroach Janta Party has extended its protest in Delhi to a fourth day, as it demands the resignation of the country's education minister. The CJP, which emerged just over a month ago, is aimed at India’s bulging youth demographic, which is frustrated over a lack of jobs and a test scandal in education.
Does it seem easier to book a dermatologist for Botox than a mole check? You're not alone
Across the country, Canadians are waiting months to get access to a dermatologist for medical purposes, including skin checks, mole removals, eczema and psoriasis.
Canada's AI strategy aims to make health data more accessible. How will it protect privacy?
Connecting health data across the country will help researchers conduct clinical trials, test AI health tools and drive innovation in treatment and diagnosis, says federal Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon. But the initiative will also have to balance privacy considerations.
Orillia, Ont., to decide fate of controversial Samuel de Champlain statue
As the central Ontario city of Orillia decides what will happen to an imposing, century-old statue of Samuel de Champlain, it remains hidden away in storage. The city council will choose to either restore it, modify it, send it away or melt it down.
Congress passes war powers measure for first time, breaking with Trump over Iran
The resolution passed on Tuesday was largely symbolic, but it adds to pressure on the White House to end the conflict once and for all.
Weak monsoon due to El Nino brings 43% less rain to India
India has drawn up contingency plans for more than 300 districts which are vulnerable to a weak monsoon.
Ronaldo double fires Portugal as Ghana thwarts England
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics as he became the first man to score in six different World Cups
Witnesses blocking investigation into death of teen dirt bike rider, Far North police say
Jahkani Hamilton, 18, was found dead on a road near Kaikohe late at night after being knocked off a dirt bike two months ago.
Person critically injured at Port link to Auckland's Southern Motorway
A pedestrian was critically injured at Grafton on Wednesday afternoon.
U.K. must hasten shift from fossil fuels to hit climate goals, expert panel says
With "credible plans" missing for over half the remaining cuts pledged, the Climate Change Committee's report will be seen as a cautionary message to Downing Street.
Wizards make AJ Dybantsa top pick in NBA Draft, Raptors take Allen Graves at No. 19
The Washington Wizards selected forward AJ Dybantsa, who led the nation in scoring in his one season at BYU, with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday night, while the Toronto Raptors selected forward Allen Graves 19th overall.
Renault reminds Nissan of its clout with ouster of ex-banker
The French carmaker, which holds 15% of voting rights, abstained from voting for the reappointment of influential outside director Motoo Nagai.
Matthew Rogers named as one Auckland police officer facing charges of possessing objectionable material
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.
TXT adds another song to 100m Spotify streams list
Tomorrow X Together has generated 100 million hits on Spotify with “Devil by the Window,” the group's label Big Hit Music said Wednesday. It is the 19th song from the group to reach the milestone. “Devil by the Window” is a track from fifth EP “The Name Chapter: Temptation” which was released in 2023. The mini album made a chart-topping debut on Billboard 200. The five members are set to conclude a run of fan concerts in Japan in Kobe on Wednesday. They greeted fans in four cities in the country
4 more S. Korean-operated vessels clear Hormuz, 18 remain
Four additional vessels operated by South Korean shipping companies have exited the Strait of Hormuz, authorities said Wednesday. With four vessels having left the area, 18 South Korean-linked ships remain in the strategic waterway, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The vessels safely transited the strait and are sailing normally, according to the ministry. A total of 26 South Korean sailors were aboard the four ships, including one vessel bound for South Korea. The latest depar
S. Korea, US discuss defense industry cooperation in Washington
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense held an industry conference in Washington on Tuesday to explore broader cooperation with the United States in defense technologies and industrial supply chains. The event marked the first South Korea-US defense and defense industry cooperation conference held in the United States, according to the ministry. The conference, hosted by Seoul’s Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee, was attended by about 120 officials and experts, including Michael Vaccaro, act
Taeyeon kicks off J-pop remake project
Taeyeon is offering fans a remake of Japanese musician Tuki.’s mega hit “Bansanka" on June 29, her label SM Entertainment announced Wednesday. It is the first release of the “J-Pop Remake” project, which invites major Korean vocalists to reinterpret well-known Japanese songs. “Bansanka” fronted the debut studio set from singer-songwriter Tuki., which came out last year. The single was unveiled in advance, in 2024, and topped Billboard Japan’s Hot 100 and Oricon’s Combined Singles Ranking. It als
US Senate joins House to halt war
The US Senate backed legislation on Tuesday directing US President Donald Trump to halt US military action against Iran, the latest rebuke of the Republican president from an increasingly restive Congress. The Senate voted 50-48 in favor of the war powers resolution, which passed the House of Representatives early this month, reflecting growing concern even among some of Trump's Republicans about the unpopular conflict that began on Feb. 28. It was the first time both chambers of Congress had
Europe wilts under record heat, AC sales soar
Europe braced Wednesday for another day of an unprecedented heat wave that has smashed records in many countries and sent air conditioner sales zooming in a continent unused and ill-equipped to handle searing heat. The extreme weather is being driven by atmospheric and circulation patterns that keep hot air trapped in place for days, causing the mercury to slowly rise, with these factors exacerbated by global warming, experts say. France's national temperature indicator -- an average of daytime
US Senate votes to check Trump's war powers
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The US Senate has backed legislation directing President Donald Trump to halt US military action against Iran.
Man behind New Zealand's biggest illegal lottery sentenced to community detention
Waiariki McIlroy-Jones was sentenced at the Christchurch District Court for running schemes that generated $11 million in a year.
Buildings flooded in central Wellington after pipe bursts
Firefighters were at the scene working to keep water out of a building.
STARLIFT draws in NZ as states seek rocket launchpads
NZ has joined NATO's STARLIFT programme for faster rocket launches in case of war in space.
Emergency services called to Nelson Police Station
One person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition following an incident in Nelson.
Deaths, temperature records broken as Europe swelters
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Western Europe is in the grip of a deadly, record-setting heatwave that has killed dozens of people, disrupted power supplies, and closed schools and cultural landmarks.
Dozens dead as 'Omega' heatwave grips Europe
Rare red heat weather warnings have come into effect in the UK as it is braced for record-breaking temperatures, amid school closures and people urged not to travel.
No need to panic for England - but this was a reality check
England's drab goalless draw with Ghana is no cause to panic - but it does serve as a reality check, writes Phil McNulty.
Unsafe practices at NZ Muscle to be officially investigated
Food safety officers have met with the team behind a YouTube video who claimed the supplement retailer was up to questionable practises.
'He loved Wellington': Capital's celebrity cat Azuki Bean dies suddenly
The 5-year-old black cat often found on adventures around the city and followed by thousands on the 'Where is Azuki?' Facebook page, died after being hit by a vehicle.
Pharmac to fund another brand of ADHD medication
It had been hard for people and their families to not be able to access the medicines they relied on, director of pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon said.
Want to feel happier at work? Take a five-minute walk
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Sitting for prolonged periods is associated with health complications – but you can counteract the risks of a sedentary life.
The UK's summers are getting hotter - but how prepared are we?
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Based on current trends parts of the UK are set to see 40C summers regularly within a couple of decades.
Ten years on, Brexit's economic impact is becoming clearer
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A decade ago, many economists argued the UK would sustain longer-term economic damage by leaving the EU. So what did happen?
Alcohol dependence down but more treated for harmful use
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Fewer people are presenting with alcohol dependence, but more are entering treatment with harmful or hazardous use, according to the latest figures from the Health Research Board.
Increase in domestic abuse disclosures 'sobering'
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Domestic abuse disclosures to Women's Aid increased by 33% in 2025, reaching the highest level recorded by the organisation.
Late payments among issues for suppliers, survey finds
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Cancelling perishable product orders at short notice, late payments, and a fear of backlash for reporting unfair trading practices are among the main issues suppliers encounter when dealing with grocery retailers and wholesalers.
Children at risk of 'very real danger' from AI
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The Children's Rights Alliance has called on Government to consider the "very real danger" that exists through the rapid advance of AI technologies without proper regulation or regard for children's safety or welfare.
Corrections staffer under investigation after sexual harassment allegation
It comes as two senior staff also working in the same team are also under investigation.
Widespread fibre outage in central Auckland suburbs
The outage is affecting Grey Lynn, Westmere, and Western Springs.
Councillor frustrated to be left out of second Auckland harbour crossing discussions
Greater Auckland pitched an idea for a new bridge next to the current one with four motorway lanes and walking and cycling paths.
Fighting AI with AI - the only way to keep up on new frenetic frontier
The speed with which the most advanced models of AI software can exploit weaknesses in software poses a whole new dilemma.
Young farmers flock to new dating app seeking long-term connections
Howdy founder Mia Ryan says rural life can be lonely at times, so she wants to connect like-minded people.
Israel committed genocide in Gaza, deliberately targeted Palestinian children: UN report
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The UN's Commission of Inquiry found that Israel had genocidal intent in the Gaza Strip during the war, with the key indicator being its targeting of children. The Gaza Health ministry says that since the ceasefire began in October 2025, more than 1,000 people died, 265 of them children.
Ex-hurler's €1m payout from Johnson & Johnson cut by €58k
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Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has secured a €58,000 reduction against a High Court award of almost €1 million to a former Limerick senior hurler.
Why Wellington's air is getting worse
Wellington "should have some of the best urban air quality in the world", but is falling short.
Dogs take home top prize at Search and Rescue Awards
The dogs were part of the team recognised with a Gold Award for their 20-day search for Argentine tourist Hector Gaston Artigau.
Regina mosque faces threats after launching weekly amplified call to prayer
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A downtown Regina mosque says it has received threats after beginning a weekly amplified Muslim call to prayer from its rooftop speaker. Police said the permit is based on Regina's noise abatement bylaw and is in place until July 10, 2026, when the city and police will review the application.
Years in the making: An inside look at the PWHL's 1st outside investment
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A "belief in the growth of the game" is behind a "significant" investment in the PWHL from the Detroit-based Ilitch Companies, according to a company executive. The Ilitch Companies and Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports Ventures were announced as the first outside investors in the PWHL earlier this week.
Local publishers cry foul over education contracts
NZ education publishers fear a return to the days when children learned to read with Janet and John books imported from England.
Brexit and the border 10 years on
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Is Northern Ireland better or worse off since Brexit?
First Nation demands Carney apology amid 60-year mercury crisis
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Grassy Narrows First Nation is demanding an apology from Prime Minister Mark Carney, and for a paper mill linked to mercury contamination to be closed. Protesters say the Dryden paper mill, which dumped about nine tonnes of mercury into the English-Wabigoon River System in the 1960s and '70s, continues to pollute their community's water system.
EU hosts Taliban officials for talks on migrant returns
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A Taliban delegation has held talks with the EU in Brussels on stepping up the return of failed asylum-seekers to Afghanistan, in an unprecedented visit fiercely criticised by rights advocates.
Whistleblowers want greater protections with disclosures
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Several whistleblowers who have reported wrongdoing and poor practice in State-run organisations have called for greater protections for those who make protected disclosures.
Calgary Stampede party tent noise dispute has been cranked to 11
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Danielle Smith's government put much of its weight behind Cowboys Music Festival's demand for later weeknight curfews. City council barely budged.
World Cup 2026: England 0-0 Ghana recap
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England dropped a point against a stern Ghana side in Foxborough.
Ronaldo brace ignites Portugal's credentials in Houston
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Cristiano Ronaldo announced his arrival at the 2026 World Cup with two goals as Portugal ignited their campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan.
This Ontario city's set for final vote on a data centre moratorium. Here's more on the debate
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Hamilton city council is poised to decide whether to approve a moratorium on data centre development pending new local rules. Proponents say it'd give the city time to respond to a growing industry. Critics worry developments would be driven to other jurisdictions and there'd be missed business opportunities.
Winnipeg outreach worker wrongly detained after fatal stabbing says he feels he was racially profiled
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A community health worker who was detained near the scene of a fatal stabbing last week says he believes he might have been a victim of racial profiling.
Steve Nash encourages Canadian men's team ahead of World Cup match against Switzerland
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Ahead of Canada's group-stage finale at the World Cup, the team got a bit of encouragement from a Canadian sporting hero. Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash sent a message to the team on Tuesday before Canada's match against Switzerland on Wednesday, coach Jesse Marsch said.
New N.W.T. highway set to be Carney government's 1st national interest project: sources
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CBC News has learned the federal government is expected to announce on Wednesday that it is planning to list the Mackenzie Valley Highway in the Northwest Territories as a project of national interest.
Manitoba group raising funds to repatriate Indigenous artifacts from Switzerland
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A group of First Nations leaders and advocates is raising $20 million to buy thousands of Indigenous pieces that could be publicly sold. The collection of sacred and cultural items was purchased over years by a private collector who housed them in a Swiss museum now closing its doors.
When a pet dies: How to talk to children about loss and death
One way to help children through the experience of losing a pet is to fully involve them.
Passenger cap 'does not serve State well', Dáil hears
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The Minister for Transport has said that Dublin Airport's passenger cap "does not serve the State well" and "does not serve the people of the region well".
What is your good news during the sunny weather?
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Keeping up with the 24-hour news cycle can be overwhelming - from conflict to political tensions, the headlines can feel relentless.
The Reflecting Pool saga | About That
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U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to repair and repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., is not going as planned. Andrew Chang breaks down the race to fix a slew of problems by Independence Day, from large swaths of peeling paint to swampy algae blooms.
(Photo credits: The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images)
Canadian Army battalion commander, chief warrant officer removed amid investigation
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The Canadian Army has sidelined the commanding officer and chief warrant officer of the Edmonton-based battalion. Defence officials will not disclose the reasons, but current and former military sources point to an alleged alcohol-related incident.
Dublin production of Oklahoma! brings it all back home
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The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! is taking to the stage in a brand-new Irish production at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin.
N.S. Tories add to their supermajority with byelection win
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The Nova Scotia Progressive Conservatives just picked up the province's newest and smallest riding with 48.76 per cent of the vote.
Government won't oppose councils collecting tourist tax
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The Cabinet has agreed not to oppose proposals for local authorities to collect a tourist tax despite reservations from hoteliers.
Coroner releases findings into Caleb Moefa'auo's death, family still waiting for apology
Corrections has acknowledged the use of pepper spray on Caleb Moefa'auo was not appropriate.
Allister's Donaldson claims 'absolute nonsense' - UK govt
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The British government has described claims that it may have used knowledge of Jeffrey Donaldson's sex offending as "leverage" in a deal to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland in 2024 as "deeply distasteful and absolute nonsense".
U.S. levies sanctions on Cuban state companies that are key to island nation's economy
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The U.S. hit Cuban state companies on Tuesday with new sanctions that analysts say are expected to spook foreign investors and deepen a severe economic crisis.
Chambers says threat of fresh fuel protests 'wrong'
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Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said the threat of further disruption from fuel protesters during Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency is wrong.
Trump to present trophy to World Cup winners
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United States president Donald Trump is set to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on July 19, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said.
Provincial auditor urges Sask. to include all expected wildfire costs in budgeting
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In each of the past three years, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency's costs to respond to wildfires has exceeded its initial budget by more than $70 million.
Bright fireball in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., skies 'shocked and amazed' onlookers
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Planetary scientists with Western University in London, Ont., say dozens of meteorites from a Friday evening fireball landed on Cockburn Island, a mostly uninhabited land mass in Lake Huron.
No Quebec English leaders' debate before provincial election as 2 parties decline invite
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There will not be an English-language debate before the upcoming Quebec provincial election, after two of the main parties declined an invitation.
Up to 20,000 homes with defective blocks - study
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New research suggests the number of homes affected by defective concrete blocks could be greater than initially thought.
Tesla being investigated after car drives into home, killing 76-year-old woman
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The top U.S. auto regulator opened an investigation Monday after a Tesla using an automated driving feature slammed into a Texas home at high speed and killed a 76-year-old woman standing inside.
Expo Labrador cancelled amid dispute with province over Innu history
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The multi-day Expo Labrador event is cancelled, after a gathering of more than 120 people outside the E.J. Broomfield Memorial Arena called on the provincial government to respect Innu history in Labrador.
The World Cup brings Africa to life in Toronto
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Three of Toronto's five World Cup group-stage matches feature African teams. Local fans and some of Ghana's soccer stars weigh in on this 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience.
Fianna Fáil discussed Triple Lock 'at length' - Taoiseach
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Fianna Fáil has discussed the issue of the Triple Lock "at length".
Why is Europe the world's fastest-warming continent?
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The latest heatwave sweeping across Europe is a stark reminder that it is the world's fastest-warming continent, stretching into an Arctic that is heating at an even greater pace.
Five Eyes cybersecurity agencies warn of new AI models impact on cyber risks
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Cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology is poised to supercharge offensive hacking capabilities, and urgent action is needed to face up to the threat, U.S., British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand cybersecurity agency officials said on Monday.
Local stories show demand for change in school patronage
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Here, our Education Correspondent Emma O Kelly takes a look at the key takeaways from the survey on school patronage and the realities facing schools which may wish to change to multi-denominational.
Brexit, 10 years later: What a regret-fuelled British town can teach Canada about referendums
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A decade after Britain voted to leave Europe, neither side is happy, offering a cautionary tale for Canadians about the risks of referendums.
'I felt like he was dying in front of my eyes' - brother
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The brother of a 15-year-old boy from Finglas who died following a severe asthma attack while waiting to see a specialist consultant has said "no child with asthma should be left waiting for care".
Death announced of veteran Irish actor Des Nealon
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Veteran actor Des Nealon, whose career on stage and screen spanned more than six decades, has died aged 90.
UN probe: Israel committed genocide by targeting children
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Israel is deliberately targeting Palestinian children in what has become a key factor in an ongoing genocide in Gaza, UN investigators have charged.
Manitoba Indigenous advocates seek $20M to repatriate thousands of items from Swiss collection
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A group of Indigenous leaders and advocates are calling for sacred items in a proposed $20M sale to instead be repatriated by the Swiss owner.
Jérémy Doku left the World Cup for the birth of his 1st child, and people had opinions
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Belgium winger Jérémy Doku flew from the World Cup to be with his wife for the birth of their son on Sunday, sparking a debate about professional athletes and fatherhood.
Ronaldo makes World Cup history with 2-goal effort in Portugal's 5-0 win against Uzbekistan
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals to help Portugal roll to a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan at the World Cup on Tuesday in Houston, bouncing back after a disappointing performance in the team's opening match.
Savannah Guthrie makes emotional plea on missing mother
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US TV presenter Savannah Guthrie said she is in "agony" and appeared emotional as she pleaded for anyone with information about her missing mother to "do the right thing" and come forward.
Rescued sewage work eggs hatch into five ducklings
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The eggs were spotted in a nest at risk of toppling over on the surface at a sewage treatment works.
Ryanair condemns arson attack on properties in Swords
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Ryanair has condemned an arson attack on a number of properties housing its staff in Swords in Dublin.
Lytton, B.C., man describes harrowing evacuation before Saw Creek fire destroyed his home
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The Saw Creek fire, discovered on June 19, is now considered being held, but it is still burning south of Lytton — the village in B.C.’s Interior that was destroyed by wildfire around this time five years ago.
Will Anyone Challenge Burnham For PM?
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And, what is Burnham’s economic plan for the country?
Office, cultural use of GPO will 'keep the lights on'
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The Office of Public Works is to begin using the GPO for offices and community and cultural space while plans to redevelop the landmark building are under way.
Former sports coach on trial for historic sexual abuse
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A former sports coach has pleaded guilty to five charges of sexually assaulting a girl in the 1970s, but has denied dozens of other similar allegations made against him.
Lee calls for closer cooperation with foreign envoys
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday expressed his appreciation to foreign envoys and called for their continued cooperation in addressing global challenges. Speaking at a dinner reception for members of the diplomatic corps held at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee thanked the foreign envoys for helping advance Seoul's relations with their home countries. "Over the past year, I have met with leaders from more than 50 countries and held around 100 summits and other high-level engagements," Lee said in his welcoming remarks. "Such active summit diplomacy would not have been possible without all of you serving faithfully as bridges between your home countries and Korea." He added, "I ask for your continued cooperation so that relations between Korea and your countries can grow even stronger and we can work together to address the common challenges facing the international community." Lee also reaffirmed Korea's commitment to international cooperation, noting that the country has attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit for two consecutive years and is positioning itself as a responsible partner in addressin
Trump says unfrozen Iran funds to go into US-run escrow account
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that any Iranian funds unfrozen through sanctions relief or released by the U.S. Treasury would go into a Washington-controlled escrow account, which Tehran could tap to purchase U.S. food and medical supplies. "The Money and/or Sanctions that the US Treasury is releasing goes into escrow, controlled by the USA, and will be used for the purchase of food and medical supplies, exclusively from the United States, including Corn, Wheat, and Soybeans from our great American Farmers," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "This is a humanitarian crisis, and I feel it is necessary to help, NOW, before it is too late." After signing a deal aimed at ending the Middle East war, Washington and Tehran are negotiating key elements, including the future of Iran's nuclear program, that would ensure a lasting peace. As part of the deal, Tehran is set to get some form of sanctions relief from Washington, as well as the unfreezing of assets. The U.S. Treasury Department said Monday it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iran to allow it to produce, s
Foreign minister, MPA chairman discuss cooperation in content industry
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Tuesday met with the head of an American trade association representing major film studios and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector, the ministry said. During the meeting with Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), Cho said Korea-related content, including "KPop Demon Hunters" and "Squid Game," has gained global popularity, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He asked Rivkin to encourage MPA members, including Netflix, to invest in Korean content production and content-related infrastructure. Rivkin hailed the success of Korean culture on the global stage and suggested expanding the impact of the content industry through public-private collaboration. The two sides agreed to communicate to help create an environment conducive to smooth digital exchanges, including the protection of content copyrights, the ministry said.
PM calls for taking bilateral exchanges to next level in talks with China's premier
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok called Tuesday for elevating bilateral exchanges with China in areas across politics, the economy, culture and youth, as he held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Kim made the call during his meeting with Li in the Chinese city of Dalian, where he was visiting to attend the World Economic Forum, also known as the Summer Davos Forum. "South Korea and China need to take our bilateral exchanges to the next level, in politics, the economy, culture and youth cooperation," Kim said in the opening remarks. "Building on the previous summit between our leaders, today's meeting is highly meaningful as a bridge toward sustained political engagement in the future," he said. "I'm confident that (this meeting) will provide an opportunity to strengthen our strategic cooperative partnership as it enters a new stage," Kim added. Noting that China is set to host this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, Kim said he hopes for a successful hosting of the multilateral gathering that would "serve as an exemplar" for the international community. South
Ex-Pentagon official calls for greater strategic flexibility of USFK for deterrence in Indo-Pacific
A former Pentagon official said Tuesday that expanded "strategic flexibility" of the U.S. troops stationed in South Korea would strengthen deterrence and help create a more stable security environment in the Indo-Pacific, calling for the Seoul-Washington alliance to move in that direction with "a sense of urgency." Randall Schriver, former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, made the remarks at a forum, referring to the concept of using the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in operations beyond the Korean Peninsula to address China-related contingencies. It is seen as a shift from the USFK's primary focus on deterring North Korea. "We can imagine what an alliance effort on technology cooperation, promotion might look like when we think about the opportunities for an agreement on strategic flexibility for the U.S. forces and what that might mean for the ability to contribute to a more stable Indo-Pacific environment, buttressed by greater force flexibility to uphold deterrence," Schriver said during a forum hosted by the Korea Institute for Defense
JTBC's financial troubles raise alarm for K-drama industry
JTBC, once hailed as the broadcaster that transformed Korea's television drama industry, has entered court-led rehabilitation proceedings, sending shockwaves through the entertainment business and raising concerns about the future of the country's drama production ecosystem. The network, which produced hit series such as "Itaewon Class," "The World of the Married," "SKY Castle" and "Reborn Rich," had long been regarded as the standard-bearer for premium Korean dramas and a driving force behind the success of the country's general programming cable channels. Earlier this month, JTBC declared a default after failing to repay 20.6 billion won ($15 million) in asset-backed borrowings that had reached maturity. Industry observers say the immediate cause was its failure to refinance asset-backed securities (ABS) amid prolonged financial difficulties. The crisis quickly spread across the broader JoongAng Group. Listed media company ContentreeJoongAng and cinema operator Megabox JoongAng also entered rehabilitation proceedings, exposing wider liquidity problems within the conglomerate. Hong Jeon
Kim Dan-bi promoted to principal at Houston Ballet
Ballet dancer Kim Dan-bi, 26, was named a principal at the Houston Ballet, one of the United States' most prestigious dance companies, cementing Korea's reputation as a powerhouse of world-class ballet talent. According to Korea Ballet Stars, Kim was recently promoted from first soloist to principal, the highest rank at the Houston Ballet. She is the second Korean dancer to reach that rank at the Houston Ballet, following Cho Soo-youn, who retired last year after being promoted to principal in 2018. Kim dropped out of middle school and pursued her ballet training while homeschooling. After winning a junior gold medal at the 2015 International Dance Festival Tanzolymp in Berlin, and then an award from the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation at the 2016 Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, she entered the Houston Ballet Academy in Texas on a scholarship. Joining the Houston Ballet upon graduation in 2019, she took on leading roles in productions, including “Swan Lake,” “Raymonda” and “The Little Mermaid,” rising rapidly through the ranks to claim the title of principal dancer seven years af
Razzle-dazzle from Seoul to Broadway as Ivy lands lead in 'Chicago'
Musical actor and singer Ivy, 43, is taking her signature role across the Pacific. After 15 years owning the part of Roxie Hart in the Korean production of "Chicago," she will make her Broadway debut in the role this August. "Chicago" is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history, having won Tonies in six categories, including Best Revival of a Musical in 1997. Set in 1920s Chicago, the show satirizes the era's justice system and a culture obsessed with fame. The story follows Roxie Hart, a woman imprisoned for killing her lover, and Velma Kelly, who is locked up for murdering her unfaithful husband and her sister. In Korea, the musical has been staged regularly since Seensee Company's original 2000 production. Ivy holds the record for the longest run as Roxie Hart in a Korean production — an experience she will bring with her to the Ambassador Theatre in New York from Aug. 17 to Sept. 7. Since first taking the stage in 2012, she has performed the role in nearly 600 shows, a run that helped transform her public image from singer to leading musical theater actor. Landing t
S. Korea defends extended deterrence cooperation with US, urges China's constructive role
The foreign ministry on Tuesday countered criticism from China over South Korea's extended deterrence cooperation with the United States and expressed hope that Beijing would play a constructive role in advancing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and regional peace. The response came after China's foreign ministry recently voiced concerns over extended deterrence cooperation between Seoul and Washington, as well as between the U.S. and Japan, and called on Seoul to act prudently. "At a time when North Korea's illegal nuclear and missile programs continue to advance, maintaining a robust deterrence posture through extended deterrence cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is a legitimate response aimed at protecting the lives and safety of our people, as well as a fundamental responsibility of any responsible government," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a press briefing. Park stressed that such cooperation is fully consistent with the objectives and obligations of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, adding that South Korea continues to r
Prime minister visits alma mater in Beijing
BEIJING/SEOUL — Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok paid a visit to his alma mater, Tsinghua University, in Beijing on the second day of his trip to China on Tuesday and discussed relations between the two countries with University President Qiu Yong. Kim, who earned a Master of Law degree from the prestigious school in 2010, said during the closed-door meeting with Qiu, also a secretary of the Communist Party of China, that studying at the university remains one of his most beautiful memories, according to his office. The university is also an important producer of talent that lead China's present and future, Kim was quoted as saying, adding that he visited the university to encourage Korean students studying there and to think about how to move relations between the two countries forward. Kim said the relations between Korea and China have steadily moved forward, despite various ups and downs, and he hopes the trend will continue in the future, and that exchanges between youths of the two countries are important in further developing the ties. Qiu welcomed Kim, calling him a family me
Parliamentary committee questions election watchdog officials over ballot shortages
A parliamentary special committee on Tuesday conducted its first inquiry into the National Election Commission (NEC) over an unprecedented shortage of ballots during the recent local elections. Last week, the National Assembly launched a special 18-member committee to investigate the cause of the shortage of ballots at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections. "As the chairperson, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the shortcomings found in the NEC's oversight," former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak said at the session. The special committee is scheduled to receive a second round of reporting from the NEC and its regional offices, as well as the interior ministry and the National Police Agency on July 1. The committee also approved plans to conduct an on-site probe on July 8, followed by two days of hearings on July 14 and July 22. "I offer my sincere apologies to the voters who experienced significant confusion and inconvenience while exercising their precious right to vote, which should have been guaranteed," Wi Chul-hwan, acting chairman of the NEC,
S. Korea, Philippines hold joint committee on logistics, defense cooperation
South Korea's state arms procurement agency on Tuesday held a joint committee meeting with the Philippine defense ministry to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the defense and logistics sectors, according to officials. The meeting took place in Manila, attended by officials from the Naval Ship Program Department at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and logistics chiefs of the Philippine armed forces, according to DAPA. The two sides discussed exchanges between agencies responsible for naval ship programs and procurement, as well as cooperation on the maintenance, repair and operation of South Korean weapons systems exported to the Philippines. Officials from nine South Korean defense companies, including Korea Aerospace Industries, Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A), also met with a Philippine defense ministry delegation to discuss ongoing defense export projects. The Philippines is one of South Korea's key defense cooperation partners and operates a range of Korean-made weapons systems, including FA-50 fighter jets, four frigates, two co
Korean won slumps against US dollar on expectations of Fed rate hike
The South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar Tuesday amid renewed expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would raise its rates this year. The won traded at 1,539.1 won per dollar, down 2.1 won from the previous session, as of 3:30 p.m., partly hit by a sell-off by foreign investors in local stocks. The won opened at 1,539.4 won per dollar earlier in the day but tumbled to as low as 1,542.1 won at one point, marking the weakest level since June 8. Last week, the U.S. Fed held its benchmark interest rate steady in its first rate decision since new Chair Kevin Warsh took office, but at least half of its policymakers anticipated a higher rate later this year. Although global oil prices have declined on the back of progress in peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, the won has been slipping due to expectations of a stronger U.S. dollar. In line with the overnight selling on Wall Street, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plunged nearly 10 percent to close at 8,203.84. Foreign investors sold a net 4.1 trillion won ($2.6 billion) worth of local stocks on Tuesday.
Homeplus ordered by court to submit 200 bil.-won funding plan by next week
A Seoul court has ordered hypermarket chain Homeplus to submit a plan to secure about 200 billion won ($130.1 million) in funding by next week as part of its court-led restructuring process, industry sources said Tuesday. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court recently sent an official notice to Homeplus, its creditors and labor union, requesting a funding plan by June 30, just days before the July 3 deadline for court approval of the retailer's rehabilitation plan, according to sources familiar with the issue. Private equity firm MBK Partners acquired a 100 percent stake in Homeplus from British retailer Tesco Plc for 7.2 trillion won in 2015. However, the retailer entered court-led rehabilitation proceedings in March 2025 after facing mounting financial difficulties amid a prolonged downturn in the hypermarket sector. In December last year, Homeplus submitted a rehabilitation plan that included debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing and asset sales. The plan's approval deadline was initially set for March, but was later extended to May and again to July as the court sought additional time to review
Buddhist temple dating retreat draws record 4,225 applicants for July event
A Buddhist matchmaking event that offers young adults an opportunity to meet through a temple stay has attracted a record number of applicants for its July session. According to the Social Welfare Foundation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on Tuesday, a total of 4,225 people applied for the "I'm Solo at the Temple: Naksansa" event before applications closed on Monday. The applicants included 1,655 men and 2,570 women. Since the program will accept only 10 men and 10 women, the competition rate reached 165.5-to-1 for men and 257-to-1 for women. The previous record was 2,620 applicants for the "I'm Solo at the Temple: Sinheungsa" event held in September 2025. Beginning this year, the Jogye Order's Social Welfare Foundation has organized the program on a regional basis, limiting participation to young adults who either live in or have ties to the host region. However, the upcoming event at Naksan Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon Province also accepted applications from residents of the greater Seoul metropolitan area, contributing to the surge in interest. Ven. Doryun, head of the foundatio
Hong Kong teams up with Korea's travel industry group to invite tourists back
The Hong Kong Tourism Board launched a new global marketing campaign named and signed a strategic partnership with the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA) in Seoul, Tuesday, to boost bilateral tourism and attract more Korean travelers. The new marketing initiative, named “Only in Hong Kong,” focuses on highlighting Hong Kong's distinctive cultural blend, year-round large-scale events and lifestyle activities to encourage travelers to experience the city through a deeper, more emotional perspective. To drive this growth, Hong Kong's official tourism agency plans to expand its seasonal festivals, launch new events and use the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park for international sports matches and concerts. To accommodate travel demand from across Korea, the tourism board is expanding its promotional efforts beyond Seoul by holding another event in Busan, Thursday. Anthony Lau, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, emphasized the long-standing significance of the Korean market and expressed strong optimism about the partnership. “Korea has always been one of Hong Kong
Netflix 'The Love Lab' forces singles into extreme states of romance
Netflix's new reality dating show "The Love Lab" is a social experiment that throws singles into wild, unpredictable scenarios, capturing the exact moment their dormant romantic instincts spark to life. The show features a revolving cast of a group of ordinary singles scouted and brought in for each unique experiment and scenario. Star producer for romance reality shows Lee Jin-ju joined the production. Likening the current influx of reality romance programs to a fiercely competitive "Warring States period," producer Lee emphasized that the long-term survival of the genre hinges on a production's ability to deliver compelling, innovative content. "The longevity of dating shows depends entirely on introducing novel concepts," Lee said during a press conference at the Stanford Hotel Seoul, Tuesday. "I spent a lot of time considering what would make a 'new product' truly compelling, and we are leveraging this experimental format to test various ideas. We are producing this with the distinct mindset that the show is a literal romance laboratory." The series marks a pivot to short-form, fast-
World Cup work still remains for Korea
On Thursday morning in Korea, millions will tune in to see what transpires in the Mexican city of Monterey as Korea faces South Africa. A win or a draw will ensure second place in Group A, but defeat would mean a third-place finish — though that could still mean a place in the Round of 32 — or fourth, which would mean elimination and humiliation. Which version of the Taeguk Warriors will turn up? Will it be the team that looked full of energy, speed and imagination as they beat the Czech Republic 2-1? Or will it be the passive pack that lost 1-0 to Mexico? If they had won or tied the game, then the final group game could have been about resting a few players and getting ready for the Round of 32. Instead, there is work still to do. South Africa, ranked 38 places below Korea at 61st in the world, have yet to impress. Their opening games were a 2-0 defeat against Mexico and a 1-1 draw with the Czechs. Bafana Bafana’s Belgian boss Hugo Broos is expecting a tough test. "I'm very sorry to say this, but they are like Duracells: You plug them in, and they start running, and they run for
Acquittals of former officials confirmed in NK border murder cover-up case
The prosecution said Tuesday it will not appeal the acquittals of two former government officials accused of covering up North Korea's murder of a South Korean fisheries official in 2020, finalizing the rulings. Former National Security Adviser Suh Hoon and former Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Hong-hee were acquitted by an appellate court last week of distributing false press releases to make it appear the fisheries official, Lee Dae-jun, was shot and killed while trying to defect to the North. The Seoul High Prosecutors Office said that following a close review and consultations with the Supreme Prosecutors Office, it decided not to appeal the case further. Lee was fatally shot by North Korean troops near the de facto maritime border in the Yellow Sea in September 2020, after going missing while on board a fishery inspection ship. His body was later burned by North Korean soldiers. The then administration of President Moon Jae-in said Lee had sought to defect to the North, but prosecutors and critics accused the government of fabricating a lie to prevent the incident from hurting
Police to question US professor this week over alleged defamation of Korean president
Police plan to question Korean American professor Morse Tan this week over his alleged defamation of President Lee Jae Myung, sources said Tuesday. The questioning will take place at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at 10 a.m. Wednesday over allegations that the professor at U.S.-based Liberty University falsely accused Lee of involvement in murder as a teenager. Tan allegedly made the claim at a press conference in the United States last year. He also claimed Lee had been sent to a juvenile detention center for the crime. It will be the first time he will appear for questioning by the police. Last month, police applied for a travel ban on the professor after he failed to comply with their summonses. The justice ministry accepted the request and have banned him from leaving the country until next Tuesday. A request by Tan to suspend the exit ban was rejected by a court, and an appeal is currently under way. Tan's associates said they will hold a press conference outside the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul around 8 p.m. Wednesday to state their position on the investiga
New gender-neutral police hiring policy drives surge in female recruits
Korea’s first unified, gender-neutral hiring process for entry-level police officers resulted in women comprising a record 37.8 percent of the selected candidates. The National Police Agency (NPA) announced Monday that women accounted for 1,112 of the 2,941 applicants selected in the final round for the first half of 2026. This marks the first time women exceeded 30 percent of new hires, aligning with their 37.1 percent share of all applicants. Men accounted for 62.9 percent of the applicant pool and 1,829 of the final selections, or 62.2 percent. Under the previous system, the agency enforced strict gender quotas that generally capped female recruits near 20 percent. Under the new process, candidates faced identical written exams, interviews and physical fitness tests. The agency also shifted the physical evaluation from graded metrics to a pass-fail standard. The agency fully implemented the unified process following a recommendation from the Police Reform Committee in 2017, a directive from the NPA Gender Equality Committee in 2020 and a formal resolution by the National Police Com
LG Chem bets $9.7 bil. on semiconductors, mobility, robotics materials
LG Chem will be investing 15 trillion won ($9.74 billion) in research and development through 2035 as the company pivots toward artificial intelligence (AI)-driven growth areas, including semiconductors, mobility and robotics. During the company’s town hall meeting on Monday, CEO Kim Dong-choon outlined the strategy to sharpen its portfolio around four core future pillars: semiconductor, mobility and robotics materials and oncology drugs, aiming for a double-digit operating margin by 2030. The move comes as profitability in traditional petrochemical businesses weakens amid global oversupply and intensifying competition. Under the plan, the company will allocate about 70 percent of the investment to strategic sectors, including semiconductor, mobility and robotics materials, while accelerating efforts to secure leading technologies and new AI-enabled applications. To speed up execution, the company has already established a CEO-led new business development unit this month. “LG Chem will strengthen the competitiveness of its existing businesses while concentrating resources on future gr
Digital sex crimes by intimate partners increase share of total, report finds
Offenses involving digital sex crimes by current or former partners are making up a growing portion of sexual violence in Korea, a new government report showed Tuesday, although the country is experiencing an overall decline in several forms of sexual violence. It also said victim-blaming and secondary victimization remain high. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family released the results of its comprehensive 2025 survey on sexual violence based on a nationwide study conducted every three years under the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act. The 2025 survey was conducted with 10,151 men and women aged 19 to 64. Findings showed that lifetime victimization rates for several major offenses have fallen compared to the results of the 2022 survey. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence involving means of communication — such as phones and online platforms — decreased from 9.8 percent to 7.6 percent, while sexual harassment fell from 3.9 percent to 2.4 percent and rape, including attempted rape, from 0.2 percent to 0.1 percent. Behind the overall decline, however, th
Foreign sell-off in Samsung Electronics, SK hynix drags KOSPI down 10%
Korean stocks suffered a steep decline Tuesday as foreign investors offloaded shares across the board, dragging the benchmark KOSPI down by nearly 10 percent and triggering market stabilization measures. The KOSPI, which closed at a record high of 9,114.55 in the previous session, opened at 9,083.54, down 31.01 points, or 0.34 percent. After briefly moving into positive territory, the index reversed course and extended its losses throughout the session, finishing at 8,203.84, down 910.71 points, or 9.99 percent. The sell-off hit heavyweight chipmakers particularly hard, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, the market's two largest stocks, sliding 12.31 percent and 12.47 percent, respectively. As the downturn intensified, the Korea Exchange activated a circuit breaker on the main board at around 2:33 p.m., halting trading for 20 minutes. The measure was triggered after the KOSPI remained more than 8 percent below the previous day's closing level for at least one minute. Earlier, a sell-side sidecar was already imposed at around 11:40 a.m. following sharp declines in KOSPI 200 futures, t
Mirae Asset likely to face fines, disciplinary action over SpaceX allocation fallout: experts
Mirae Asset Securities will likely face penalties ranging from fines to disciplinary measures against executives as financial authorities launch a sweeping investigation into the brokerage’s handling of the failed allocation of SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) shares to Korean investors, industry experts said Tuesday. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has signaled that its open-ended probe will extend well beyond the circumstances surrounding the allocation failure, where the entire Korean allotment of 2.31 million shares was withdrawn without explanation just hours before the Elon Musk-led company’s blockbuster market debut on June 11. The watchdog is expected to scrutinize whether Mirae Asset — which acted as the intermediary between local investors and Goldman Sachs, the deal’s lead underwriter — adequately disclosed investment risks, made misleading promotional claims, maintained appropriate internal approval procedures and exercised sufficient management oversight. FSS is currently reviewing marketing materials provided to clients, subscription procedures and co
New fire protection association chief vows shift from response to prevention
Kim Ki-hwan, the newly appointed chairman of the Korean Fire Protection Association, pledged to shift the organization's focus from post-accident response to proactive risk management and prevention. Speaking at his inauguration ceremony on Monday, Kim said the association should evolve into a comprehensive disaster risk management institution capable of identifying risks before accidents occur. "Our mission is to identify risks before they materialize, prevent accidents and help build a safer society," Kim said. "Over the past 53 years, the association has helped shape Korea's history of risk management and disaster prevention," he said. "The expertise, experience and data we have accumulated over these decades are valuable assets that only few organizations can match." Kim pointed to growing challenges posed by climate-related disasters, electric vehicles, energy storage systems and data centers, saying rapid technological change is creating new demands for risk management. "Change is not a choice but a reality. However, this is not a crisis, but an opportunity for us to leap forward." T
Kim Ho-joong set for early release after hit-and-run case
Singer Kim Ho-joong, who is serving a prison sentence after being convicted of a hit-and-run collision while intoxicated, will be released later this month after being granted parole. A representative for Kim told Xportsnews on Tuesday that the singer recently passed a parole review conducted by the Ministry of Justice and is scheduled to be released on June 30. Kim has been serving his sentence at the Somang Correctional Institution in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, after being transferred from Seoul Detention Center in August last year. Under Korean law, inmates who have served at least one-third of their sentence may become eligible for parole. Authorities review multiple factors, including the seriousness of the crime, behavior during incarceration and the risk of reoffending. Kim was reportedly not selected during a parole review conducted late last year. However, after a subsequent review, he was included on the latest parole list, with reports saying his conduct while incarcerated was taken into account. The singer was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for fleeing the scen
Samsung Electronics, SK hynix to benefit further from AI memory bottleneck
Memory chips remain the key bottleneck in the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix still positioned as strong beneficiaries of the cycle, Sanjeev Rana, head of Korea research at CLSA, said Tuesday. During a press briefing on the sidelines of the CITIC CLSA Northeast Asia Forum held at Conrad Seoul, Rana noted that over the past 10 years, memory chips’ contribution to semiconductor industry revenue has jumped from 28 percent to 52 percent. “It’s all driven by global AI infrastructure spending. Companies are looking to expand capacity across foundry, advanced packaging, production equipment, interconnects and other areas,” Rana said. “But these bottlenecks are still likely to persist for the next several years and are unlikely to go away anytime soon.” According to CLSA, global semiconductor industry revenue is expected to reach $2.5 trillion by 2030, up 80 percent year-on-year, with the majority — approximately $1.4 trillion — coming from the memory chip sector. Rana said that as AI models grow, limitations on memory bandwidth in
BTS' Jung Kook tops 3 bil. Spotify streams with 'Seven,' first for Korean artist
"Seven," a hit solo track by BTS member Jung Kook, has surpassed 3 billion streams on Spotify, making him the first Korean artist to hit the threshold with a single song, his agency BigHit Music said Tuesday. "Seven" is also the only song released in 2023 globally to reach the milestone, according to the agency. A passionate serenade about wanting to spend every day with a loved one, "Seven" blends a catchy melody with a warm acoustic guitar sound and rhythms from UK garage, a genre of electronic music that emerged in Britain in the early 1990s. The song's music video surpassed 600 million views on YouTube in April. Since its release, "Seven" has enjoyed worldwide success, debuting at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 3 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100. K-pop supergroup BTS, to which Jungkook belongs, is currently on its largest-ever scale world tour, "Arirang."
FTC approves Coupang’s co-prosperity plan for its private brand contract
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has approved a 3 billion won ($2 million) "co-prosperity" remedy package proposed by Coupang to resolve its allegation that the e-commerce giant unfairly slashed supply prices for its private brand (PB) products. The decision will allow Coupang to avoid regulatory sanctions and will instead fund product development, advertising and other related expenses for its subcontractors. Since October 2022, Coupang had been under investigation for violating the Fair Transactions in Subcontracting Act. The company allegedly failed to issue formal, legally compliant contracts to 314 subcontractors. It was also accused of forcing 94 suppliers to fund uncontracted promotional events and cut supply prices for its PB goods. The FTC finalized Tuesday the consent decree for Coupang and Coupang Private Label Brands, which handles manufacturing and sales operations for the retailer’s private brand products. Under the consent decree, companies can settle antitrust cases without admitting liability by offering voluntary remedies. The decision marks the first time a consent dec
POSCO International attracts $2 bil. in 1st global US-dollar bond sale
Demonstrating that high-quality corporate borrowers can still command a premium in turbulent times, POSCO International successfully navigated choppy global markets Tuesday to price its first-ever U.S. dollar bond, drawing an overwhelming wave of international investor demand. The Korean energy and commodities trading powerhouse locked in $500 million in a five-year offering that attracted $2 billion in total orders — exactly four times the amount initially sought. The heavy oversubscription allowed the firm to aggressively tighten pricing to 90 basis points over U.S. Treasuries, signaling strong global confidence in its core businesses despite a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The deal marks a significant milestone for POSCO International, cementing its status as a standalone investment-grade issuer on the world stage. As the key trading and energy arm of Korea’s steel giant POSCO Group, the firm has increasingly looked to diversify its foreign currency funding bases to shield its expansive global capital expenditures from localized macroeconomic press
SK hynix's stellar performance
SK hynix overtook Samsung Electronics on Monday to become the most-valued listed Korean firm on the benchmark KOSPI, in a dramatic turnaround that would have been impossible to imagine until recently. SK hynix shares soared 5.6 percent, lifting the company's market capitalization to 2,080.4 trillion won ($1.35 trillion). Things turned around on Tuesday when both shares took a dive, with Samsung ending up back on top. Monday's performance nevertheless, when compared to when SK acquired the company 14 years ago, showed a 130-fold jump in market capitalization. After withering under high debt and creditor-led stewardship, the company achieved this milestone by focusing on the competitive high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Samsung Electronics saw its share price slide by 0.14 percent, lowering its market value to 2,066.7 trillion won Monday. By a more textbook measure, with Samsung's preferred shares also traded, the company's market value would still be larger than SK hynix at 2,246.4 trillion won. Yet for one day, it was replaced as the most v
Exhibition honors heroes of Korean War
Against the backdrop of escalating regional security anxieties and a booming domestic arms export industry, Korea’s defense establishment is turning its focus to the human cost of the conflict that defined its borders. LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A), a major player in the nation's defense industry, opened a striking photography exhibition at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan. Marking both the company’s 50th anniversary and Korea’s designated Patriots and Veterans Month in June, the exhibition offers a somber, artistic look at the aging faces of those who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War. Titled "Remember, Respect, Reconnect," the exhibition functions less as a corporate celebration and more as an urgent historical archive. It features intimate portraits of surviving international veterans and their families, captured by two distinct documentary photographers. Rami, an artist leading the "Project-Soldier" initiative, has spent years traveling globally to document U.N. veterans. A recent trip to New Zealand in March was directly sponsored by the defense contractor. Complementi
From gelato to tailored suits: Kim Woo-bin's candid Milan photos leave fans swooning
Actor Kim Woo-bin is drawing attention online after sharing a series of seemingly casual snapshots from Milan that fans say look more like scenes from a fashion editorial than everyday life. On Monday, Kim posted several photos on social media with the caption, "In Milan," offering a glimpse into his time in the Italian city. The images show the actor enjoying various moments around Milan, from strolling along picturesque streets and dining at local restaurants to relaxing with a bouquet of flowers. In one particularly popular photo, Kim is seen eating ice cream along a canal-lined street, a candid moment that quickly caught fans' attention. Dressed in a navy knit top and white trousers, Kim showcased an effortlessly stylish look, while other photos featured him in a crisp white suit, highlighting a more polished and sophisticated side. Regardless of the outfit, fans were quick to point out that even his everyday snapshots resembled magazine photoshoots. The actor's striking facial features, towering physique and relaxed confidence became a major talking point among followers. Several im
PM nominee sells three homes, leaving only one amid criticism
Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook has sold off three homes, leaving her with only one house, her office said Tuesday, as she prepares for a parliamentary confirmation hearing where her ownership of multiple homes was expected to be the main target of criticism. Han, a former CEO of online portal giant Naver before joining the government as minister for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups last year, had owned three homes in Seoul and another in Gyeonggi Province, a point that the opposition denounces as running counter to President Lee Jae Myung's criticism of owners of multiple homes and real estate speculation. The remaining home is a house in Seoul's central district of Samcheong-dong, the office said. "Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook said she feels a heavy responsibility as a high-level civil servant and will take the lead in carrying out the government's real estate policy stance," the office said. Han's parliamentary confirmation hearing is set for Thursday and Friday. Her nomination is expected to be approved as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea holds
Shooting at high school in Philippines kills 3, police arrest 2 students
MANILA, Philippines — Two students armed with hand guns opened fire in a high school in the central Philippines on Monday, killing three fellow students and wounding at least 20 others, police said. The suspects, aged 14 and 15, were arrested. The suspects and the victims were students of the San Jose National High School in Tacloban city, where the mid-morning shooting happened, regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy said. Police said 15 of the 20 injuries were caused by gunshots, including a student who was hit in the head and remained in a hospital. The rest were injured as they stumbled and jumped out of a window as they dashed to safety. An investigation was underway to determine the cause of the shooting in the government-run school, which has more than 1,500 students. Capoy said that the suspects, who were close friends, said in initial questioning that they were bullied in school. He did not elaborate. They have no criminal records. One of the suspects got the 9 mm pistol he used in the attack from an aunt, a police officer, who was being investigated. The other suspect u
Industry ministry launches new committee to review US investment projects
Korea launched a project management committee led by the industry minister Tuesday to review the viability of potential projects in the United States under Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources held the inaugural meeting of the project management committee for potential U.S. investment projects, where participants vowed to conduct a comprehensive review of both commercial viability and strategic interests. "The committee will serve as the first gateway in the domestic approval process for investments in the U.S.," the industry ministry said, noting it will review the commercial viability of projects, as well as their strategic and legal aspects and detailed terms. The steering committee under the Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corp. (KUIC), which was launched last week, on the other hand, will be responsible for decision-making and fund management. Projects reviewed by both committees will require additional approval from the National Assembly before consultations with Washington. The National Assembly passed the Special Act on Korea-U.S. S
Housing loan scams hit IBK, Woori Bank
A series of commercial property scams at major lenders has put banks on alert for similar fraud schemes involving external parties, industry officials said Tuesday. Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) on Monday disclosed a financial fraud case involving 4.78 billion won ($3.11 million) linked to a commercial property presales scam. According to a regulatory filing, the incident took place between May and December 2024 and was uncovered after investigative authorities requested related documents. The scam involved borrowers misleading the lender about property values and presales prices to secure loans larger than they would have qualified for. The bank said it has yet to determine the expected amount of losses. "The fraud involved borrowers obtaining larger loans by inflating property prices above their appraised values. The case is currently under investigation," an IBK official said. The disclosure came a week after Woori Bank reported a separate financial incident involving 4.01 billion won caused by fraudulent documents submitted by an external party. The incident occurred in August 2024 an
Labor and management began a fierce tug-of-war over next year's minimum wage Tuesday, with labor representatives seeking an increase of more than 16 percent and management representatives pushing for a freeze. The stark differences between the two sides are expected to complicate discussions in the coming months. The Minimum Wage Commission held its eighth plenary meeting at Government Complex Sejong, kicking off deliberations on next year's minimum wage, with labor and management representatives presenting their respective proposals. The commission consists of 27 members — nine representatives each from labor, management and the public interest sector. Ahead of formal negotiations, labor representatives submitted an opening proposal calling for the hourly minimum wage to be raised to 12,000 won ($7.8), up 16.3 percent from the current 10,320 won. “The minimum wage plays a critical role in protecting low-income workers and reflects the level of social equity in the country,” the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the nation’s two larges
President ramps up regional growth blueprint, putting AI, chips at center
President Lee Jae Myung will introduce a sweeping growth strategy next week to spur balanced regional development in collaboration with the private sector, according to multiple officials from Cheong Wa Dae and business circles, Tuesday. The strategy will be presented at a public briefing on Monday set to be attended by business leaders from Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG and other major conglomerates. The plan is expected to serve as the Lee administration's first concrete blueprint for fostering artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor and other cutting-edge industries beyond the Seoul metropolitan area, under a broader national transformation agenda for Lee's second year in office. The conglomerates are likely to outline domestically focused investment plans tied to their core businesses, including AI, semiconductors, data centers, future mobility, batteries and advanced materials. The government is expected to announce a package of support measures, including tax incentives, regulatory easing and assistance in securing electricity, water supplies and skilled workers for regional
Samsung unveils industry’s 1st UFS 5.0 memory optimized for on-device AI
Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest universal flash storage (UFS) 5.0 solution on Tuesday, targeting surging demand for faster and more power-efficient storage as artificial intelligence (AI) workloads increasingly shift from the cloud to on-device processing. The development comes as generative AI applications become increasingly capable of running directly on devices, driving a sharp increase in the volume of data handled locally and transforming storage from a simple data repository into critical infrastructure for AI workloads. The company said its UFS 5.0 sets a new benchmark for mobile memory, with improved performance expected to cut latency and speed up response times for large language models running on-device. “In the era of on-device AI, storage devices are evolving into a key driver defining AI experiences,” said Choi Jang-seok, Samsung Electronics’ head of memory product planning. “As we successfully move beyond the development stage of the industry’s first UFS 5.0 solution, Samsung is setting a new standard for storage on the go and will continue to drive inno
Bourse operator issues circuit breaker for KOSPI on sharp fall
South Korea's bourse operator on Tuesday activated a circuit breaker for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as stocks crashed due to a slump in tech heavyweights. Trading of KOSPI-listed shares was halted for 20 minutes. The Korea Exchange (KRX) triggered the measure at around 2:33 p.m. after the KOSPI plummeted more than 8 percent from the previous session's close. The benchmark index came under heavy selling pressure as foreign investors dumped large-cap technology stocks on profit-taking, tracking an overnight slump in U.S. tech shares. It marked the fourth time this year that the KRX has activated a circuit breaker.
Kevin Warsh can’t succeed without help from the White House
Kevin Warsh faces a truly daunting task. The new chairman of the Federal Reserve must avoid provoking a president he had to charm to get the job. He needs to repair relations with the Fed’s other policymakers, many of whom he recently criticized — not least, former Chair Jerome Powell, who remains on the central bank’s board for now. While contending with all that, he must also affirm the Fed’s commitment to get inflation back down to 2%. After his first meeting as leader of the Fed’s policymaking committee, Warsh left no doubt that he means to make a difference. But rising to these challenges — while achieving steady growth and stable prices — will require allies on the Federal Open Market Committee and room for maneuver from the White House. With luck, the president will see that an independent Fed is in his own interests, too. The most recent reading on inflation hasn’t helped. Tariffs and high energy costs thanks to the conflict with Iran have pushed consumer price inflation back above 4%. The annual rate has now been running at more than the 2% target for more than
US waives Iran sanctions, Trump says he will 'do what I have to' if Tehran misbehaves
BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland/WASHINGTON — The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks under a nascent peace deal, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying he will "do what I have to do" if Iran does not stick to its side of the agreement. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid a good foundation for a final peace deal, although Iran denied that it had begun discussions of its nuclear program. The two sides, trying to build on the interim deal they signed last week, agreed a roadmap towards a permanent agreement within 60 days at the talks in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said. They also agreed on a mechanism to end fighting in Lebanon between U.S. ally Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah, and opened a communications line to help ensure safe passage for commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz in order to avoid conflict in the strategic waterway. In the first of several steps envisaged under the agreement to provide economic relief to Iran, th
BTS' Jin and Jimin steal the spotlight with contrasting airport fashion ahead of Europe tour
BTS members Jin and Jimin turned Incheon International Airport into a fashion runway on Tuesday, drawing attention with two eye-catching looks as they departed Korea for overseas events ahead of the group's upcoming European tour. The two global stars showcased contrasting styles that quickly became a talking point among fans online — with Jin opting for a clean denim-on-denim ensemble and Jimin embracing a softer yet edgy rock-chic aesthetic. Jin arrived at the airport in a vintage-inspired semi-oversized denim jacket featuring a medium-blue wash, paired with matching wide-fit denim pants. The coordinated look highlighted his tall frame, with the relaxed silhouette and elongated pant legs creating a polished yet effortless appearance. He layered a simple white crew-neck T-shirt beneath the jacket and completed the outfit with white sneakers, maintaining a fresh and cohesive color palette. A black baseball cap, subtle silver chain necklace and minimalist black leather shoulder bag added understated sophistication to the look. Jimin, meanwhile, showcased a completely different fashion m
Starbucks Korea's history lessons must begin with accountability
Starbucks Korea's decision to close more than 2,000 stores early nationwide on Monday to conduct mandatory history and social awareness training for employees marks an extraordinary moment in the company's history. Never before, since entering the Korean market in 1999, has the company suspended operations across its entire network for such a purpose. The move follows the controversy surrounding a promotional campaign that used phrases such as "Tank Day" and "Bang on the Desk!" — expressions widely criticized as mocking the victims of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and the democracy student activist Park Jong-chul, who died by torture. The backlash was swift and severe, prompting public apologies from Starbucks Korea and from Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, as well as the dismissal of the former's chief executive. The nationwide training program signals that the company recognizes the gravity of the incident. Yet the fundamental question remains: Is Starbucks addressing the root cause of the problem, or merely managing its consequences? The controversy was not the res
Ever since Brexit, British politics has been an unruly mess
LONDON — Brexit fractured the European Union (EU), and broke British politics. The U.K. is about to get its seventh prime minister since June 23, 2016, a decade ago Tuesday, when the country voted 52 percent to 48 percent to leave the EU after more than four decades of membership. Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the referendum but campaigned for the U.K. to stay in the bloc, quit the next day. His successors have all grappled, largely unsuccessfully, with the consequences of that rupture. The latest is Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced Monday that he was stepping down after two years of a sluggish economy, malfunctioning government and a divided and jaded electorate — all legacies, at least in part, of Brexit. Though the decision has faded from headlines, “the subterranean trace of Brexit” still runs through Britain’s increasingly unruly politics, said Chris Grey, an academic who has studied the fallout from Britain’s EU departure. Brexit campaign channeled discontent Campaigners for Brexit promised that leaving the then-28 member politica
Gov't eases tax fears for returning diaspora via anonymous counseling
For many older adults who are members of the global Korean diaspora, the desire to spend their retirement years in their ancestral homeland is often complicated by a daunting, opaque obstacle: the local tax code. Fearing that the wealth they have accumulated overseas will be heavily penalized upon entry, many foreign citizens of Korean descent hesitate to pull the trigger on relocation. To eliminate that anxiety, the National Tax Service (NTS) said Tuesday that it will launch a dedicated, one-on-one online tax counseling service starting in July. The initiative aims to dispel pervasive tax myths and ease the transition for the country's 7 million global diaspora members looking to return to Korea. "Many overseas Koreans hesitate to return due to vague tax anxieties or outright misinformation," a spokesperson for the agency said. Common misconceptions include the belief that the Korean government automatically taxes all historic global income once a person registers as a resident, or confusion over how capital gains taxes apply to foreign real estate. The new program, managed by a specia
Corporate sales, profit growth accelerate in Q1: BOK
Korean companies' sales and profitability improved in the first quarter of the year, driven by strong performances in the semiconductor, transportation and other industries, central bank data showed Tuesday. Corporate sales spiked 13.5 percent in the January-March period from three months earlier, accelerating from the previous quarter's 2.5 percent gain, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The data is based on a review of 26,067 companies subject to external audits. By sector, manufacturing businesses saw their sales grow by 21.1 percent quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter, compared with 4.7 percent growth in the previous three-month period, led by gains in electronics, visuals and communication equipment. Sales in the non-manufacturing sector expanded 3.7 percent in the January-March period, also rebounding from a 0.3 percent decline the previous year, driven by service industries, such as transportation, according to the central bank data. The local firms' operating profit-to-sales ratio stood at 13.2 percent, accelerating from 6.6 percent growth the previous quarte
Busan opens 8 km of pet-friendly trails across 5 scenic routes
Korea’s second-largest city is putting its best paw forward in an effort to smooth over growing tensions between dog lovers and the rest of the public. The Busan Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday the completion of five dedicated pet-friendly trails stretching a combined eight kilometers across the coastal metropolis. The project is the latest step in Mayor Park Heong-joon’s initiative to transform Busan into a pet-friendly city. As the number of domestic pet owners continues to skyrocket nationwide, municipalities are searching for creative urban planning solutions to minimize friction in shared public spaces. Busan's solution targets five of its most popular scenic spots, retrofitting existing pathways to better accommodate four-legged pedestrians without inconveniencing two-legged ones. The newly minted trails feature clever puns incorporating the word "daengdaengi," from the internet slang for dogs. They include "Haeundaeng-gil," a 1.4-kilometer stretch near the city's famed beach, and "Geumgangdaeng-gil," which winds through the forested slopes of Geumgang Park. The c
FTC begins deliberations on lubricant makers' price-fixing case
South Korea's fair trade watchdog said Tuesday it has begun deliberations on 10 local lubricant makers over allegations that they engaged in price-fixing. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC)'s move came after its investigation concluded that the companies had fixed lubricant prices from January 2018 to October 2024, with sales affected by the alleged price-fixing estimated at 2.02 trillion won ($1.31 billion). The affected products include metalworking fluids used in cutting, grinding and other metalworking processes, as well as industrial lubricants used in machinery and equipment. The 10 companies account for 80 percent and 21 percent of the respective markets. "The companies colluded to raise prices whenever raw material costs increased, including during the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic," an FTC official said. Through the deliberation process, the FTC may impose fines of up to 20 percent of the related sales. The FTC said it plans to call on companies to submit written opinions within eight weeks, after which it will move to issue a final ruling as promptly as possible.
N. Korea's border reinforcement move not violation of armistice: ex-UNC official
A former United Nations Command (UNC) official has said North Korea's intensified border fencing is not a violation of the Armistice Agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, assessing it as "construction and maintenance activities." Michael MacArthur Bosack, the former deputy secretary of the UNC Military Armistice Commission, wrote the message on his social media, as North Korean troops have been building the fences very close to the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating the two Koreas. "In my time at UNCMAC, I saw no evidence of the KPA boundary hardening activities being hostile in nature," Bosack wrote on X on Monday, using the acronym of the Korean People's Army, the North's military. North Korea reportedly installed barbed wire fences just 80-90 meters from the inter-Korean border, clearing land to plant mines as close as 5-10 meters to the MDL, according to local media reports. On whether Pyongyang's move constitutes a violation of the armistice, Bosack claimed the activities are "construction and maintenance" work, noting that the South Korean army also does the same th
SpaceX public listing makes history
Way back on July 20, 1969, the United States made history when astronaut Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon and, with great drama, verbally confirmed the historic event back to earth. Now Elon Musk and SpaceX have achieved a somewhat comparable milestone. On June 12, the much-anticipated and highly-hyped initial public offering of SpaceX proved a success of stratospheric proportions. The stock quickly rose 19 percent. Musk has become the first trillionaire in history. Make that the first trillionaire on earth. Musk is anxious not only to explore other planets but also populate them. There is no doubt that he is a visionary, in multiple meanings of that term. When he talks, we should pay attention – though not necessarily agree. SpaceX quickly became the sixth most valuable publicly listed company, boasting a capitalization of $2.1 trillion. Shares began trading at $150, 11 percent above the initial public offering price of $135, The share price at the end of the first trading day was $160.95. Significantly, the five companies with greater initial value than SpaceX are all c
Seoul forges arts pacts across Europe to boost global soft power
Seeking to transform Korea's capital into a global hub, the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture announced Tuesday a sweeping diplomatic push across Europe designed to project the city's "soft power" through major festival partnerships and artistic exchanges. The initiative, led by the foundation’s president Song Hyeong-jong, marks a strategic effort by metropolitan officials to elevate Seoul into the ranks of the world's top cultural cities. Following a diplomatic tour through Singapore earlier this year, Seoul arts officials secured long-term partnerships with civic leaders and cultural institutions in Spain, Romania and the Netherlands. The centerpiece of the European tour came on June 9 in Barcelona, where Song signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with Xavier Marcé, the Spanish city's councillor for culture and creative industries. During the summit, Barcelona officials formally invited Seoul to be the guest of honor at La Mercè in 2028, Spain's largest street arts festival. The agreement establishes a permanent pipeline for performing and visual arts exchanges. Beginn
Kim Moo-yul, Jung Ryeo-won cast in Netflix medical drama series 'First Doctor'
Kim Moo-yul and Jung Ryeo-won have been cast in Netflix's new medical drama series "First Doctor," directed by Hong Jong-chan of hit series "Teach You a Lesson" (2026) and "Juvenile Justice" (2022), the streaming giant said Tuesday. Jung will lead the series as Heo Ji-wan, a pediatric surgeon dubbed the "troublemaker" at her hospital for her blunt and reckless personality, but who is devoted to protecting her child patients and saving the pediatric surgery department from closure, according to Netflix. Kim, who led the cast in the recent hit "Teach You a Lesson," will play Bae Su-wol, an easygoing anesthesiology professor, who is a longtime friend of Heo. The cast also includes Ha Yoon-kyung as Ki Eun-gyeol, a clever third-year resident who often clashes with Heo. Ha previously appeared in the television series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (2022) and "Hospital Playlist" (2020). The upcoming series marks the second collaboration between Hong and acclaimed screenwriter Kim Min-suk, following "Juvenile Justice."
Lee calls for policies supporting young people left out of tech stock boom
President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for state policies supporting young people, pointing out that recent booms in the semiconductor and stock markets have widened asset disparities, leaving many young people behind. The president made the remarks while presiding over a Cabinet meeting amid concerns that the record high stock market boom has widened asset disparities between stock investors and non-investors. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was trading above 9,100 points Tuesday, a sharp rise from a year ago, when the index was in the mid- to high-2,000 range. Semiconductor shares have driven the upsurge amid increased demand for artificial intelligence-related chips. "The semiconductor boom resulted in a stellar surge in the stock market, but it has also cast a shadow of asset polarization as its flip side," Lee said. The president described younger generations as the largest group left behind by the boom, with fewer opportunities to accumulate assets through stable jobs or income. "The government should painfully acknowledge the sense of isolation voiced by
KRX activates sell-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp fall
South Korea's bourse operator on Tuesday activated a sell-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index slid sharply. Program trading for the KOSPI was suspended for five minutes around 11:40 a.m., according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). The KOSPI sharply lost ground as investors dumped big-cap technology shares, tracking an overnight slump in U.S. techs. The KOSPI shed 340.22 points, or 3.73 percent, to 8,774.33 as of 11:54 a.m. A sell-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index decreases 5 percent or more for at least one minute.
No more baggage claim: Korea, US expand luggage-free transfers to LA, Seattle
People flying from Korea to the United States will soon experience a vastly simplified layover. Starting Tuesday, transit passengers flying from Incheon International Airport to Los Angeles and Seattle will no longer have to collect and recheck their bags during transfers, slicing at least 20 minutes off connection times. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Monday it is expanding its International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS) program to Los Angeles International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The initiative, built on an aviation security partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, allows for a seamless, "luggage-free" transfer to connecting domestic flights. Under the current system, travelers transferring through Los Angeles or Seattle face a logistical hurdle: They must clear immigration, go to the baggage carousel to claim their checked bags, pass through customs, and then drag their luggage to another check-in counter to re-verify it for their next flight — a process that typically takes 90 minutes. The remote screening progr
Why Gen Z are turning to 'worry stones' to ease anxiety
Smooth, pocket-sized stones are gaining popularity among young adults seeking simple ways to ease anxiety. Experts say the trend reflects a broader search for stress-management tools among people in their 20s and 30s. Many face intense pressure from job hunting, studies and the demands of daily work. The appeal lies in simplicity. The stones fit in a pocket and offer a physical action that briefly interrupts anxious thoughts. A "worry stone" features a shallow, thumb-shaped indentation in the middle. The practice dates back to ancient Greece. Rubbing the surface helps people feel calmer when experiencing low moods or anxiety. Along with stress balls and fidget toys, these portable tools provide temporary relief during work or study sessions. The effect stems from mindfulness and redirecting attention. Focusing on the feel of the stone shifts attention away from stress toward the physical sensation in the hand. Lee Jun-hee, a psychiatry professor at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, said the principle aims to "ease physical tension and increase emotional stability by briefly moving away from wor
Korea-US Friendship Conference highlights enduring alliance, honors UN veterans
Political, religious and civic leaders from South Korea and the United States gathered in Seoul on Sunday to reaffirm the enduring strength of the bilateral alliance and discuss ways to permanently honor the sacrifices of United Nations veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War. The Korea-U.S. Friendship & Peace Conference brought together about 150 leaders and officials to reaffirm the blood-forged alliance between the two nations. The event focused on finding ways to pass this legacy of cooperation down to future generations. The event was hosted by the Korean War United Nations Veterans Memorial Foundation. Officially established in November 2025 by Yoido Full Gospel Church, the foundation’s mission is to commemorate sacrifices of U.N. troops who defended South Korea's freedom and peace, most notably through an ongoing initiative to construct a dedicated memorial park in Seoul. Rev. Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church and the founding chairman of the memorial foundation, opened the event by stressing the importance of gratitude and historical remembrance. "
Rare shamanic paintings gain national heritage status
Korea has officially designated a rare set of 19th-century shamanic paintings as National Folklore Cultural Heritage, honoring a vibrant religious tradition that historically thrived on the fringes of the peninsula's rigid social hierarchies. The collection, known as the Seoul Geumseongdang Mushindo, consists of eight hanging silk scrolls originally housed inside the Geumseongdang shrine in Seoul. The paintings depict an array of deities governing human destiny, including the blind Taoist, the goddess of smallpox and the patron spirit of musicians. While Korea is celebrated as a high-tech powerhouse, its ancient animistic and shamanic roots remain deeply woven into the country's cultural fabric. For centuries, "mushindo", a genre of shamanic paintings, served as portals for the spirits during "the intense, ecstatic rituals performed by shamans to cure illnesses, pacify malevolent ghosts and bring good fortune. According to the National Heritage Administration, which announced the designation Tuesday, these specific paintings hold immense historical weight because of their indisputable l
APEC summit sparks tourism surge in ancient Korean capital
Gyeongju, the historic capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.) known for its valley of grass-covered royal tombs and Buddhist temples, is rapidly transforming into Korea’s newest international tourism powerhouse following its role as host of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. According to data released Tuesday by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, foreign tourist arrivals in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, surged 18.3 percent to nearly 569,000 between January and May compared to the same period last year. More strikingly, foreign tourist spending skyrocketed by 34.1 percent to 11.1 billion won ($8 million), underscoring a lucrative shift toward high-value experiential travel. Officials are moving swiftly to capitalize on the momentum of last year's summit, launching an aggressive strategy to cement Gyeongju as a premier destination capable of drawing crowds away from the heavily saturated capital of Seoul. "The successful hosting of the 2025 APEC summit was a decisive moment that showcased Gyeongju's deep historical and cultural ch
North Korean UNESCO official to skip Jeju Forum
A North Korean UNESCO official who had been expected to join this year’s Jeju Forum remotely will not take part in the event after all, organizers said Tuesday. Chang Gwang-chol, chief of the Education Policy Section at UNESCO, had been scheduled to participate via video in a Friday session titled “UNESCO and the Future of Education: Challenges and Prospects.” Had he joined, he would likely have become the first North Korean figure to take part in the annual international forum. According to the Jeju Peace Institute, which organizes the event, UNESCO recently informed the forum that Chang would no longer participate. A Vietnamese education expert is expected to replace him on the panel. Interest in Chang’s participation had grown in recent weeks because the event is being jointly hosted by the Foreign Ministry and Jeju Province at a time when inter-Korean relations remain largely frozen. Earlier this month, the Unification Ministry said it had accepted a contact report — required under South Korean law before nationals may contact North Korean citizens —submitted by the organi
Korea allocates $8.6 mil. to retrofit regional stadiums for K-pop concerts
Korea’s culture ministry said Tuesday that it will spend 12 billion won ($8.6 million) this year to transform regional sports arenas and multipurpose facilities into makeshift K-pop concert venues, addressing a chronic shortage of specialized performance spaces outside the capital. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will select six underutilized regional facilities with a capacity of 1,000 seats or more — one in each of six provinces and regions outside the immediate Seoul metropolitan area. Each facility will receive up to 2 billion won in government funding, but they must provide matching funds from other sources. The initiative comes as the global explosion of K-pop runs into a stark logistical bottleneck at home. While high-octane choreography and meticulous sound engineering define the genre abroad, domestic concerts are frequently staged in municipal gyms or athletic stadiums lacking basic acoustic systems and proper staging support. "This new project is a crucial first step in expanding the performance infrastructure to match the global status of K-pop," said Choi Su
Even actor So Ji-sub not exempt from Korean entertainment’s stringent beauty standards
Even actor So Ji-sub, one of the industry's most notable talents, found his early years in the film and television industry far from easy. On Sunday, the prominent actor appeared on a YouTube channel hosted by singer and music producer Jung Jae-hyung, where he shared behind-the-scenes stories about the struggles he faced early in his career because of his appearance. So began by explaining how he entered the entertainment industry after spending his school years as a swimmer and water polo player. “I had been accepted into a college of physical education and was waiting to enroll when I heard that they were looking for a supporting model to stand behind the late Kim Sung-jae of Deux, whom I was a fan of,” So said. He said he had simply followed a friend in applying for the job, only to discover later that he had been selected while his friend had not. “I later became the main model. There was another person working alongside me, and that was actor Song Seung-heon.” So said he was initially given few opportunities because of his appearance. At the time, producers were reluctant to s
Lim Yunchan wins Instrumentalist of the Year at Germany's top classical awards
Korean pianist Lim Yunchan has been named Instrumentalist of the Year at Opus Klassik 2026, Germany's most prestigious awards for classical music. The non-profit German Association for the Promotion of Classical Music announced on its website Monday (local time) that Lim received the honor for his album "J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations," released in February. He was selected from around 680 recordings and projects submitted for this year's awards. German violinist Christian Tetzlaff and horn player Sarah Willis were also named recipients in the same category. Lim's win marks the second consecutive year a Korean pianist has claimed the title, following Cho Seong-jin's victory last year for his recording of "Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works." It adds to a string of international accolades Lim has garnered in recent year. In 2024, he became the first Korean pianist to win a piano category award at the Gramophone Awards with his debut studio album "Chopin: Etudes." Last year, he took home three prizes at the BBC Music Magazine Awards last year, including Recording of the Year.
ESG, supply chain stability loom large in subsea cable sector amid tech theft dispute
As the ongoing investigation into Taihan Cable & Solution’s alleged theft of LS Cable & System’s submarine cable technology moves to prosecutors, the global energy market is closely watching how the legal outcome will reshape the international competitive landscape. The submarine cable sector is currently riding an unprecedented supercyle driven by a surge in artificial intelligence data centers, ultrahigh-voltage transmission networks and offshore wind power developments. Mega-sized projects using high-voltage direct current systems are expanding rapidly across Europe and the United States, driving a steep increase in global demand. Unlike conventional manufacturing, submarine cable contracts are uniquely forward-looking, with suppliers typically locked in three to four years before actual construction begins. Because of this multiyear timeline, project owners place heavy emphasis on a manufacturer's long-term production viability, financial health and operational reliability. Modern procurement standards have evolved beyond mere pricing and technical specifications. Environmental,
'KPop Demon Hunters' director visits Lotte World Adventure
Fresh off a historic run at the Academy Awards, filmmaker Maggie Kang made a high-profile return to her roots Monday, visiting Lotte World Adventure in southern Seoul with her family. Kang, the acclaimed director behind Netflix’s global animated juggernaut "KPop Demon Hunters," was greeted at the theme park by its signature mascot characters, Lotty and Lorry. During her visit, she rode the park’s popular Balloon Ride with her daughter, Lumi, and toured the Lotte World Folk Museum, an exhibition space dedicated to immersive displays of traditional Korean history and cultural heritage. Born in Korea and raised in Canada, Kang has transitioned into the upper echelon of global animation. Her 2025 feature, "KPop Demon Hunters," shattered streaming metrics upon its release, ultimately surpassing 500 million cumulative views to rank among the most-watched animated properties in Netflix’s history. The film’s commercial dominance was matched by critical acclaim this past March at the 98th Academy Awards. Celebrated for seamlessly blending contemporary music subcultures with traditional l
Brazilian woman gets suspended prison term for stalking BTS' Jung Kook
A Brazilian woman who repeatedly visited the home of BTS member Jung Kook, and even entered the residential property, has received a suspended prison sentence. According to legal sources on Monday, Judge Park Ji-won of the Seoul Western District Court sentenced the Brazilian woman to one year in prison, suspended for two years, on May 8 for violating Korea's anti-stalking law and trespassing. The court said she stalked Jung Kook by visiting his residence and the surrounding area in Seoul's Yongsan District 22 times between Dec. 7 and Dec. 28 last year. She allegedly rang the doorbell, loitered nearby while waiting for him and left items at the residence. Investigators said that on Dec. 13, she entered the residential property through a side gate that had been left open while a food delivery worker was coming and going. She did not stop her actions even after being arrested and later released. Police had issued an emergency order prohibiting her from approaching Jung Kook or his residence within 100 meters, but she allegedly returned on Jan. 4 and left photographs and printed materials ne
Volvo Car Korea sets sales milestone on customer satisfaction
Volvo Car Korea has achieved a major milestone early this year by surpassing 150,000 units in cumulative vehicle sales here, as the carmaker enjoys high customer loyalty and robust residual value, the company said Tuesday. In the hypercompetitive imported car market in Korea, the automaker said the achievement reflects both its quantitative expansion and qualitative excellence. Beyond product quality and competitive pricing, Volvo continues to have strong customer loyalty through intangible value, such as low maintenance costs, superior service and solid residual value. At the heart of this success is the carmaker’s commitment to elevating ownership experience. The company’s Service by Volvo initiative provides practical, direct benefits throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle, focusing on minimizing ownership costs, ensuring fast and convenient service, and reinforcing technical precision. To guarantee worry-free ownership, Volvo Car Korea offers an industry-leading warranty of five years or 100,000 kilometers for general parts and consumables — meaning owners incur virtually zero main
Mexico fast-tracks Korean drug approvals
In a significant breakthrough for transpacific pharmaceutical trade, Mexico has officially designated Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a Reference Regulatory Authority for medicines. The landmark decision is poised to dramatically streamline the entry of Korean pharmaceutical products into Latin America’s second-largest market. Under the newly established framework, Korean medical products can now bypass exhaustive local evaluations in Mexico by leveraging an Abbreviated Regulatory Pathway. The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), Mexico's health regulatory body, will significantly simplify technical reviews of the quality, safety and efficacy of these drugs. This fast-track mechanism will slash standard bureaucratic timelines, guaranteeing that final approval decisions are rendered within a maximum of 45 business days. The policy stems from regulatory revisions enacted by COFEPRIS, which grant expedited processing to nations holding elite international standing — specifically, standing members of the International Council for Harmoni
AI sovereignty is about options, not ownership
ÉVIAN — The U.S. government’s sudden decision, on June 12, to restrict foreign access to some of Anthropic’s most advanced models is further confirmation that AI is now a geopolitical issue of the highest order. Until recently, countries competed by building services, infrastructure, and applications on top of frontier artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Now, access to the systems themselves is a strategic concern. The prevailing assumption used to be that AI would follow the logic of globalization. Countries would rely on a handful of frontier models, mostly developed in the United States, while competing in downstream services, semiconductors, data, and applications. Access to the most advanced AI systems was largely taken for granted. But if this assumption no longer holds, the central question is not which model is best, but which can be accessed at all. With frontier capabilities becoming an issue of national security and diplomacy, governments will be tempted to pursue “AI sovereignty” through the development of national champions or domestic alternatives to the lead
WEDNESDAY, June 24, 2026
1497-John Cabot claims parts of North America for England in what is now Eastern Canada, believing he has found Asia in Newfoundland 1509-Henry VIII is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey, London 1812-Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Armee numbering half a million begin their invasion of Russia by crossing the Nieman River 1853-U.S. President Franklin Pierce signs the Gadsden Purchase, buying 29,670 square-miles (76,800 square km) from Mexico for $10 million (now southern Arizona and New Mexico) 1930-First detection of an airplane using reflected radio waves, a precursor to radar, by U.S. Naval Research Laboratory engineers in Anacostia, Washington, D.C. 1948-Soviet Union blockades West Berlin by stopping access by road, rail and water 2022-U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to choose abortion in a 6-3 vote
American booked for assaulting 2 US soldiers
PYEONGTAEK, Gyeonggi Province — An American man in his 30s has been booked for allegedly assaulting two U.S. soldiers while intoxicated, police said Tuesday. The man is suspected of punching two U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) service members in their 20s on a street in Pyeongtaek, some 60 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sunday, local police said. The case drew attention after a video of the alleged assault circulated on social media, showing the heavy-set man kicking and shoving one of the victims before turning to threaten a woman next to him. When the other victim tried to intervene, the man punched him squarely in the face, knocking him backward and leaving him sprawled on the ground unconscious for some time. The assailant reportedly told investigators he did not know the victims but was angered when they ignored him and used profanity against him. Police said they are investigating the details of the incident.
Tensions among states relying on the river
Tensions among states relying on the river
Police open preliminary probe into data leak from gov't website for startup program
Police said Tuesday they have launched a preliminary investigation into a recent information leak from a government website for an audition-style startup incubation program. The National Office of Investigation said the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency has opened a case into the leak from the "Startup for All" project website, which affected 5,000 people who passed the first round of the program. The office made instructions to open an investigation Thursday when the Korea Institute of Startup and Entrepreneurship Development (KISED) under the startups ministry announced the data leak on the website. The police also received a formal investigation request from KISED into the data leak Monday. The breach came to light after an artificial intelligence solutions company in support of the program was found to have exploited a security vulnerability on the project's website, gaining access to applicants' email addresses, summaries of startup ideas and judges' evaluation comments. On Monday, Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook, the incumbent minister of small and medium-sized enterprises an
Regulator to draw up road map by October for 'T+1' stock settlement
The country's financial regulator said Tuesday that it will draw up a roadmap by October for the introduction of the "T+1" stock settlement system. Currently, South Korea adopts a "T+2" scheme, where stock trading settlement occurs two business days after the trading date, in order to ensure settlement stability. Earlier this year, President Lee Jae Myung proposed the idea of shortening the stock settlement period to increase market efficiency. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) said the shortening of the settlement period would help market efficiency, and draw up measures by October this year. The FSC also said the Korea Exchange (KRX), the operator of the country's stock market, will take measures to extend stock trading hours, including the introduction of an after-hours trading system in September.
BTS' 'ARIRANG' named among best albums of early 2026
"ARIRANG," the latest album of K-pop supergroup BTS, has been recognized among the best releases of the first half of 2026 by leading global music publications. The group's fifth full-length album was included in multiple mid-year lists, beginning with U.S. pop culture outlet Complex on June 12. It was subsequently featured by Britain's The Telegraph on June 13, U.S. magazine Rolling Stone on June 15 and British music publication NME on June 16. "The biggest news has got to be the return of BTS, who showcased their Korean roots with the excellent 'ARIRANG,'" Rolling Stone said. NME described BTS as "the biggest boy band in the world," while The Telegraph called the group "the face of K-pop." The septet held two concerts in the southeastern Korean city of Busan on June 12-13 as part of its "ARIRANG" world tour. The group is set to begin the European leg of the tour in Madrid on June 26-27, with a total of 10 shows scheduled across five cities.
Korean won slumps against US dollar on expectations of Fed rate hike
The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar Tuesday amid renewed expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would raise its rates this year. The won opened at 1,539.4 won per dollar, down 2.4 won from the previous session. At one point in the morning trading, the won fell to as low as 1,540.1 won per dollar, marking the weakest level since June 8. Last week, the U.S. Fed held its benchmark interest rate steady in its first rate decision since new Chair Kevin Warsh took office, but at least half of its policymakers anticipated a higher rate later this year. Although global oil prices have declined on the back of progress in peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, the won has been slipping due to expectations of a stronger U.S. dollar. Earlier in the day, Korean stocks opened lower over measured optimism about peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Stray Kids to kick off new world tour in Seoul next month
K-pop boy group Stray Kids will launch a new world tour, "Run It," in Seoul next month, the group's agency JYP Entertainment said Tuesday. The eight-member act will open the tour with five concerts at the KSPO Dome in Seoul's Olympic Park on July 25-26, July 29 and Aug. 1-2. The group will then head to Tokyo's National Stadium in August, followed by shows in Nagoya and Osaka in September, Fukuoka in October, Hong Kong and Taipei in December, Bangkok in January and Singapore in March. Additional dates and cities will be announced later. JYP said the tour will make Stray Kids the first overseas male artist to stage a standalone concert at Tokyo National Stadium, one of Japan's largest venues. The band is expected to draw about 370,000 fans across seven concerts in Japan alone. Last year, Stray Kids completed its largest-ever world tour, "dominATE," staging 56 shows across 35 cities worldwide. The band is set to release a new EP, "This & That," on Aug. 7, with the track "Run It" to be unveiled in advance at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Stray Kids recently performed as a headliner at the Governors Ball M
Korea reaches broad consensus with EU on steel import policy
Seoul has reached a broad consensus with the European Union (EU) regarding the economic bloc's planned implementation of a new steel import quota system that could adversely affect Korean steelmakers, the industry minister said Monday. "Our quota is about 2.58 million tons, and there was a consensus that the volume would not be reduced by as much as 46 percent," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan told reporters during a press briefing held in the central city of Sejong, without elaborating on the figures. "We are not offering anything specific to the EU," Kim added. "We did point out that (the measure) violates the free trade agreement and emphasized that Seoul could also take retaliatory measures." The briefing came after Kim's recent trip to the Middle East, Europe and Kazakhstan. The remarks came as the EU plans to sharply reduce tariff-free quotas on 30 steel products and raise the tariff rate to 50 percent on imports exceeding the quotas, as part of efforts to address global overcapacity. The measures are expected to go into effect starting July 1. The new system is expected to adversel
Industry minister shows confidence in Korea's submarine bid despite geopolitical hurdles
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan signaled confidence in the competitiveness of Korea’s submarine proposal for Canada’s multibillion-dollar fleet renewal project. However, he cautioned that rising geopolitical pressures and Ottawa’s emphasis on NATO interoperability could cloud the final decision, with Germany as the other contender. Hanwha Ocean is competing with Germany's TKMS for the $39 billion project to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging fleet of four Victoria-class submarines with 12 new 3,000-ton diesel-electric vessels, with the contract also covering long-term maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. The project is seen as a pivotal opportunity for Korea’s shipbuilding sector and a gateway to expanding its defense footprint in North America. The Canadian government is expected to select a preferred bidder by the end of this month. “If (Korea) wins, it would suggest that Canada placed greater weight on the industrial cooperation package than on NATO considerations,” the minister said during a press briefing at Government Complex Sejong, Monday. “Given th
Seoul stocks sharply down late Tuesday morning on tech slide
Korean stocks extended losses late Tuesday morning as big chip shares sharply lost ground, tracking an overnight slump in U.S. techs. After opening 0.34 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 389.16 points, or 4.27 percent, to 8,725.39 as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said a "very good foundation" had been established for negotiations toward a final agreement with Iran, while mediators also reported progress in the talks. However, U.S. stocks closed mixed, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq declining 1.3 percent amid concerns about major technology companies. In Seoul, blue-chip tech shares slid. Semiconductor heavyweights SK hynix and Samsung Electronics shot down 5.34 percent and 4.95 percent, respectively. Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronic components manufacturing affiliate of Samsung Electronics, fell 8.57 percent. Automobile shares were also among the losers. Top automaker Hyundai Motor went down 8.43 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia declined 6.41 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1.533.7 won against the U.S. dollar a
Green algae in Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool
Green algae in Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool
Upgrading Korea's election system
On June 3, Korea held its local elections. The election procedures, however, became subject to widespread public outrage over the National Election Commission’s (NEC) mismanagement, including insufficient ballots at multiple polling stations. For more than a week, crowds of mostly young people gathered in Seoul to protest, with some even demanding a new election. Political figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Some have used the controversy to spread election conspiracy theories. Many others have called for government audits or special prosecutor investigations into the NEC to restore public trust in election administration. Beyond overhauling the NEC’s operations, broader policy debates will likely arise from the ongoing controversy regarding reform of election and campaign procedures. As a professor who teaches courses on U.S. politics and elections, I compare how elections are conducted in Korea and the United States. Such a comparison may help Koreans evaluate both the strengths and limitations of their current election system. Korea establishes a fixed time frame fo
Samsung's HBM4 sales top $1 bil. 4 months after launch
Samsung Electronics' sales of sixth-generation high bandwidth memory chips, known as HBM4, surpassed $1 billion, industry sources said Tuesday. The milestone comes just four months after the South Korean tech giant became the first company in the world to begin mass production and shipments of HBM4 chips in February. Industry sources expect Samsung's HBM4 revenue to exceed $1.2 billion by the end of June. Samsung has rapidly expanded HBM4 shipments since the product's launch, helping it gain market share in the fast-growing HBM segment. HBM4 chips are designed for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators, including Nvidia Corp.'s Vera Rubin platform. Nvidia's graphics processing units are widely used in generative AI applications. The global HBM market is currently dominated by fifth-generation HBM3E products. However, industry observers expect HBM4 to become a key growth driver as demand for advanced AI chips accelerates.
Korea's role at G7 summit in Evian
On the plane heading home from Evian, France, I reflected on a flurry of meetings of the past few days. As a Sherpa preparing the 2026 G7 Summit for the leaders, I could feel the shifting dynamics of global governance. This year’s gathering, hosted by France, included not only the G7 members but also pivotal global actors, such as Brazil and India. Watching the intensive debates among these leaders, it became very clear that Korea’s presence carried a distinct strategic weight. When French President Emmanuel Macron extended his invitation to President Lee Jae Myung to attend the summit in Evian, it reminded me of the recent assertion by Marc Julienne, director of the Center for Asian Studies at the French Institute of International Relations. He noted in an article in November 2025 that opening up the G7 to like-minded democracies such as Korea is essential to protect multilateralism and strengthen global cooperation. We were not there merely to occupy a seat or join a commemorative photo. I felt that the international community now actively seeks Korea's participation to find a co
S. Korea chasing knockout berth in final Group A match vs. South Africa
MONTERREY, Mexico — South Korea will close out their Group A play at the FIFA World Cup against South Africa this week in northeastern Mexico, with a spot in the knockout phase at stake. The kickoff at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, is 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 10 a.m. Thursday (South Korean time). South Korea will try to reach the knockouts for the fourth time in their World Cup history, following 2002, 2010 and 2022. The two other teams in the group, Mexico and Czechia, will go toe-to-toe at the same time in Mexico City. Mexico, one of three co-hosts of the tournament, clinched the top spot in Group A and became the first team of this year's competition to grab a knockout berth by defeating South Korea 1-0 last Thursday. They lead the way with six points and hold a tiebreak edge over South Korea even if they finish with the same point total. South Korea, who began the tournament with a 2-1 win over Czechia on June 11, have three points. Czechia and South Africa each have one point, with the European side holding a tiebreak advantage in goal difference. The thr
Jeonbuk National University positions physical AI at core of global leadership bid
JEONJU, North Jeolla Province — Inside a manufacturing test lab at Jeonbuk National University, robots move with synchronized precision across a factory floor designed to mimic a real industrial site. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) shuttle components between workstations, weaving through production lines without human guidance. Nearby, robotic arms pick up, assemble and inspect parts in a continuous sequence, while cameras and sensors track every movement in real time. The machines communicate with one another, make decisions based on real-time data and adjust on the fly. It is not a commercial factory — not yet. It is an 846-square-meter manufacturing technology test lab designed to replicate real industrial conditions and determine whether physical artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are ready for deployment on actual production floors. The facility sits at the center of Jeonbuk National University's push into physical AI, a field gaining momentum nationally as President Lee Jae Myung works to position Korea as a global leader in the field. Through its test lab and industry-
S. Korean defender ready to shut down South Africa
SAN NICOLAS, Mexico — Defender Lee Han-beom feels South Korea's backline has been getting stronger and stronger as the FIFA World Cup has gone on. And he is confident that progress will continue in South Korea's final Group A match against South Africa this week. "I think if we prepare the way we have all along, we will play just as well against South Africa," Lee told reporters Monday before a training session behind closed doors at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolas, near Monterrey, in northeastern Mexico. South Korea and South Africa will meet at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, just east of Monterrey, at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 10 a.m. Thursday (South Korean time). South Korea will claim a spot in the knockout stage with a win or a draw against the African side. Playing in his first World Cup, Lee has started each of South Korea's first two matches -- a 2-1 win over Czechia and a 1-0 loss to Mexico -- alongside Kim Min-jae and Lee Gi-hyuk in head coach Hong Myung-bo's back-three formation. "We haven't had much time as a trio, but we've been trying to get on the same page
N. Korea vows to expand nuclear arsenal at key party meeting: KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for efforts to further increase his country's nuclear assets "with a goal of overtaking the world," Pyongyang's state media reported Tuesday. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) convened the second plenary meeting of its ninth central committee for three days from Saturday, presided over by leader Kim, to assess how the country's policies have fared in the first half of the year and review the agenda set at a major party congress in February. The meeting reaffirmed North Korea's commitment to expanding its nuclear forces, describing them as "the core of the military sovereignty" of the nation and "the pivot of implementing the strategy for deterring or fighting a war." The report said the plenary session unanimously decided that "to thoroughly exercise the position of a nuclear weapons state is the most correct and unique way to actively and confidently cope with the unpredictable international military and political situation getting complicated in multiple ways." "With the nuclear techno
Lionel Messi becomes top scorer in World Cup history with two more goals for Argentina
ARLINGTON, Texas — Scoring goals and breaking records is what Lionel Messi does, and he is already doing that again in his sixth World Cup . The Argentina captain now has the World Cup scoring record all to himself after another standout performance, one that began with frustration after missing a penalty kick and ended in pure elation with another victory. Messi, who many consider the greatest player of all time, scored both goals in his team’s 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday. That gave him 18, six days after his first-ever hat trick in the tournament had matched Germany striker Miroslav Klose's previous record of 16 World Cup goals. “Beyond anything I’m so happy for the win,” Messi said. “It was huge, tough and difficult. It would allow us to be relaxed to what’s ahead. All matches in this World Cup are very even, very intense. I’m enjoying this moment and craving to enjoy with my teammates.” The first goal against Austria came in the 38th minute and two days before his 39th birthday, and amid the concern of an ailing father back at home. It was the sixth consecuti
Consumer sentiment rises for 2nd month in June on strong exports, stock rally
Consumer sentiment rose for the second consecutive month in June on strong exports and the stock market rally, the central bank said Tuesday. The composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) stood at 106.6 this month, up 0.5 points from May, according to a survey by the Bank of Korea (BOK). It followed a 6.9-point gain in May, the sharpest on-month rise in a year, rebounding from a two-month losing streak in March and April. The index also stayed over the 100-point mark for the second straight month. A reading above 100 indicates that optimists outnumber pessimists, while a figure below 100 suggests the opposite. The subindex for people's assessment of current economic conditions came in at 86 in June, up 3 points from a month earlier. The index for people's outlook for future economic conditions fell 1 point to 92 over the same period. "Despite slowing economic conditions stemming from rising inflation, solid exports and the stock market rally helped consumer sentiment rise for the second consecutive month," the BOK said. South Korea's exports jumped 60.4 percent from a year earlier in the fir
Meet Korea’s pioneering ‘instant noodle critic’
For many, instant noodles are a quick, cheap meal designed for convenience. But for Ji Young-jun, Korea's pioneering "ramyeon critic," they represent a lifetime of history, complex food science and a rapidly growing cultural phenomenon. Ji’s unconventional journey into the world of noodles began during a period of personal frustration. After enduring consecutive failures on Korea's grueling college entrance exam, he enlisted in the military. It was while wandering the aisles of the military commissary (PX) that he found an unexpected spark of inspiration. "Before finishing my service, I set a humble goal for myself: 'Let’s taste every single instant noodle available here,'" Ji recalls during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday. "Astonishingly, that simple objective completely revitalized my military life and filled it with excitement. I wanted to carry this amazing energy into the civilian world, so in 2013, I began sharing my detailed reviews on social media." For a decade, Ji balanced his passion for instant noodles with a stable career as a primary school teacher. However,
How Korea can turn its chip boom into lasting strength
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a bonanza for Korea's two chip giants, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Yet the very boom that has lifted profits, exports and investment is also reviving an old anxiety: Korea remains heavily exposed to an industry whose fortunes can turn with brutal speed. Leif Eskesen, chief economist at CLSA, warned that Korea's reliance on semiconductors could prove to be a double-edged sword, urging the country to preserve its competitive edge in memory chips through continued investment and innovation while also cultivating new growth engines beyond the semiconductor sector. "It has been an important driver of growth in the past. It is an important driver of Korea's export and investment story, and it is one of the reasons why we think growth this year could come up in the neighborhood of 3 percent," Eskesen told The Korea Times in a recent interview. "However, when and if that sort of cycle turns, it will spill over through the export and the investment channel." Eskesen is visiting Korea to participate the CITIC CLSA's inaugural Northeast Asia Forum in Seo
S&P 500, Nasdaq fall as megacap tech drags; Iran developments watched
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq fell on Monday, dragged lower by declines in megacap technology names including Alphabet, while investors also assessed developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations. AI-driven optimism has supported Wall Street's recent rally, but analysts note that investors are increasingly questioning lofty spending by hyperscalers, who are raising funds to support infrastructure expansion. Alphabet tumbled 6.1 percent, while Meta, Amazon and Microsoft fell between 2.3 percent and 4.3 percent. "There's a distinguishing aspect in this market between those who are receiving the checks, like memory and DRAM names, and those who are writing the checks," said David Wagner, head of equity and portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors. "Those who are writing the checks, i.e., the hyperscalers, have underperformed for the majority part of this year." The S&P 500 communication services index fell 4.4 percent, weighed down by declines in Alphabet and Meta. SpaceX declined almost 10 percent, extending losses for a third straight session after its stellar debut. The Elon Musk-led company laun
Bessent: Iran commits to 'free, open' Hormuz transit, IAEA inspections in talks
WASHINGTON — Iran has committed to allow "free and open" transit in the crucial Strait of Hormuz and the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to the country, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday, following negotiations between Washington and Tehran over the weekend. Bessent made the remarks in a social media post after the United States and Iran, along with Pakistani and Qatari mediators, held the first round of high-level talks to negotiate a final peace agreement in Switzerland on Sunday following their signing of a preliminary deal last week. "In line with the ongoing productive talks in Switzerland, Iran has committed to free and open transit in the Strait of Hormuz and to permit International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors into their country," the secretary wrote on X. He added that the Treasury Department has issued a temporary 60-day general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil as part of a peace framework with Iran. South Korea and other countries have been closely watching the developments in the negotiat
Kookmin University students win Red Dot Design Award
Two design students from Kookmin University have won the prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2026 for their innovative insulin pen design, the university said Monday. The winners are Kang Ha-neul and Lee Min-seo, both students in the Department of Industrial Design. They were recognized for their project called “INSPO.” INSPO was first presented at an exhibition co-organized by the product design clubs of Kookmin University and Konkuk University in spring 2025. Kookmin University said the award is meaningful as it demonstrates international recognition of design ideas developed by students through club activities and exhibitions. The Red Dot Design Award, based in Germany, is regarded as one of the world’s top three design awards, along with the IDEA awards in the United States and the iF Design Award in Germany. Among its categories, the Design Concept category focuses on discovering innovative ideas and future-oriented design concepts that have not yet been commercialized. INSPO is a smart insulin care solution designed for people with diabetes. Based on an intuitive user exp
What do we know about $300 bil. fund to Iran?
DUBAI — At the heart of the deal to end the Middle East war lies a $300 billion fund to rebuild and develop Iran — but so far it is unclear who will foot the bill. Here's what we know about the fund and its potential backers. What's in the text? The memorandum of understanding says Washington "undertakes with regional partners to develop a definitive mutually agreed plan with at least $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development" of Iran. "The mechanism for the implementation of this plan will be finalized as part of a final deal within 60 days. All required licenses, waivers, and permissions needed for the relevant financial transactions will be granted by the United States of America," it added. The text does not say who will contribute to the fund, which is only one of many economic incentives the Americans have dangled in front of Iran to encourage them to sign a definitive deal. The text also states the end of "all types of sanctions" on Iran upon the signing of a final deal, with Washington immediately issuing waivers allowing Tehran to sell oil. "I think the idea
Alan Greenspan, US Fed 'maestro' through years of boom and bust, dies at 100
Alan Greenspan, hailed as the greatest Federal Reserve chairman when he retired in 2006 but derided for a severe financial crisis that followed barely two years later, died on Monday aged 100, his wife said. Greenspan, who exerted a powerful influence on the U.S. economy during his tenure at the helm of the Fed from August 1987 to January 2006, died at his home from complications of Parkinson's Disease, Andrea Mitchell said in a statement. "He was a giant of a man who helped shape the U.S. economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes," Mitchell said. "He will be remembered for his brilliance and his kindness. Being his life partner was the joy of my life," she added. Greenspan oversaw the second-longest economic expansion in U.S. history, an uninterrupted decade of growth from March 1991 to March 2001. His decision to let the economy run — despite pressure to raise interest rates against an inflation threat that never materialized — helped foster years of U.S. prosperity and earned him rock star status as an economic "maest
Iran agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into country: Vance
BURGENSTOCK, Switzerland — Tehran has agreed to invite International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors back into the country, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Monday, after a first round of U.S.-Iran talks towards ending the Middle East war. "The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into their country," Vance told reporters at Switzerland's Burgenstock resort, where his talks with Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf opened on Sunday. "That is a major milestone for the American people and the first step in permanently denuclearising or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran," he said. The talks in Switzerland were the first stage of a two-month negotiating period set out under a preliminary deal agreed last week. Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the negotiators agreed on a "roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days", with technical talks to continue for the rest of the week at Burgenstock, an isolated hotel complex in central Switzerland. The final deal will seek to draw a line under the war launched by the United States and Israel on
Monterrey Koreans rally behind national team at FIFA World Cup
MONTERREY, Mexico — "Just seeing our national team makes my heart swell with pride. As people say these days, it's a real 'gukppong' moment." As Korea's national football team arrived in Monterrey on Sunday (local time) for its final Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, more than 100 members of the local Korean community, dressed in red, gathered outside the team's hotel hours before the players' arrival. Despite temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius by 3:30 p.m., the fans waited patiently, chatting about the team, taking photos and eagerly anticipating the players' arrival. Their excitement easily outweighed the oppressive heat. Yoon Tae-sung, 50, who first came to Mexico as an expatriate employee a decade ago and now runs his own business, was among those waiting with his three children. "We arrived three hours early," Yoon said. "It's a long wait, but it doesn't feel difficult at all. The national team reminds those of us living abroad that we're Koreans." He added with a laugh, "I bought tickets for my entire family of five through a Korean restaurant — 7,500 pesos (abo
Shooter, 7 others sentenced to decades in prison after violent incident at Texas ICE facility
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A man who shot and wounded a police officer during a protest outside a Texas immigration centre last year was sentenced to 100 years in federal prison Tuesday, while other protesters accused of having links to antifa were given multiple decades in federal prison.
Major incident declared after bus crash near roundabout in Wales
Police said the crash happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire.
Ransom note claims Nancy Guthrie died after abduction
The note from the possible kidnappers reportedly stated that they did not mean for her to die and included an apology to the family.
Over chimaek and cheers, Lee hosts ambassadors at Cheong Wa Dae
President Lee Jae Myung hosted foreign ambassadors at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday evening over chimaek — the popular Korean pairing of fried chicken and beer — calling for closer cooperation to deepen ties with partner countries and address shared global challenges. The gathering brought together ambassadors and other representatives from all 118 resident diplomatic missions in South Korea — including Moroccan Ambassadorto Korea Chafik Rachadi, dean of the diplomatic corps — as well as representati
Global crises persist in Europe, Africa and Middle East
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Conflicts and humanitarian emergencies continue across the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa.
Drowning deaths soar in France as Europe buckles in peak of heatwave
Forty people have drowned in heatwave-related deaths in France since last Thursday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says.
Who are the Ghana players England should look out for?
England face Ghana in their next World Cup match as both sides look to secure a place in the next round. BBC Sport takes a look at the Ghana players to look out for.
Farage says £5m gift spending details 'not public's business'
Rival parties have raised concerns over the gift received by the Reform UK leader before he became an MP.
Vatican Dicastery: A layperson cannot deliver homily at Mass
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The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments responds to a request made by the German Bishops, denying their petition for a layperson to preach the homily during Mass, even in exceptional cases, stating that the proclamation of the Word in the liturgical celebration is inseparable from the mission received sacramentally.
Stop pretending EU's new border system is working, says airports chief
The head of Europe's airports lobby says concerns over EES are keeping him awake at night and he doesn't know how airports will cope over the summer.
Murder investigation after 14-year-old girl reported missing
A body is found in the search for Lilly, 14, who was reported missing on Saturday.
"MAGA Inc.": CorpWatch on Trump's World of Tech Titans, Crypto Czars & Prison Profiteers
A new report by CorpWatch titled ”MAGA Inc.” reveals which allies of President Trump are profiting off of the administration’s policies. Pratap Chatterjee, executive director of CorpWatch, says that prison companies and Big Tech companies have cashed out on policies of mass deportation. “The people that we think are profiting the most out of MAGA [are in] the business of deportation, the business of gathering data,” says Chatterjee. Palantir, in particular, has provided the government with information to support the surveillance of immigrants and data to support war efforts.
The Trump family is also expanding their fortune through cryptocurrency, according to the report. “These are schemes by which you can move money anonymously around the world, something that drug dealers, gun manufacturers or gun dealers and criminals love,” says Chatterjee. “This is the sort of business that is now benefiting the Trump family.”
DSA vs. Establishment: New York Primary Tests Growing Antiwar Split in Democratic Party
Today is Election Day in New York, with a number of primary challengers hoping to unseat Democratic establishment politicians. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have a packed slate of 10 candidates across congressional, state Assembly and state Senate races. “People are really looking for something else other than these corporate Democrats,” says Liza Featherstone, author and columnist for Jacobin. Describing the DSA as a key part of the “grassroots base” of the left wing of the Democratic Party, Featherstone says DSA members want elected leaders who have come out of movements themselves, not just lifelong politicians who only turn to movements for endorsements every four years.
Palestine is a key issue in many of the races, with DSA challengers taking a strong stand against genocide, while some incumbents have received large donations from AIPAC-linked super PACs. “People are absolutely disgusted with the U.S. relationship with Israel, absolutely appalled by the killing that we’ve seen,” says Featherstone. Today’s primary results will show to what extent the DSA is seen as a genuine alternative to the establishment wing of the Democratic Party.
Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds
The former party chief executive had admitted embezzling more than £400,000 over a 12-year period.
Acclaimed conservationist Mona Khalil was killed by an Israeli strike on her beachside home in the village of al-Mansouri in southern Lebanon. The 76-year-old spent more than 25 years working to protect endangered sea turtles, and her work helped turn a stretch of southern Lebanon’s coastline into one of the most important nesting sites for endangered sea turtles in the eastern Mediterranean.
Khalil lived in “the Orange House” — her grandmother’s home, which she helped transform into a refuge for endangered sea turtles, an ecotourism site and a training ground in ecological conservation for a generation of volunteers. “This is not a project that belongs to me,” she once said. “It belongs to Lebanon. It belongs to the whole world.”
A refugee of the Lebanese civil war, Khalil returned to Lebanon from the Netherlands in 1999 and began her conservation work after seeing a turtle laying eggs on the beach near her family’s seaside home. Since then, Mona rarely left her home and the beach she had spent years protecting.
“Mona was like a symbol of hope, of life and of resistance in south Lebanon, and probably that’s one of the reasons she was killed,” says Rami Khashab, a Lebanese herpetologist who worked alongside Khalil. “They are trying to kill the hope of the Lebanese people.”
How Brexit 'drag' took British economy off course
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When you replace the smooth shapes of the EU single market regime with the less smooth shapes of the 'third country' trading regime, you get economic drag, writes London Correspondent Sean Whelan.
The World Cup stars being targeted by Premier League clubs
The World Cup stars being targeted by Premier League clubs. Who has caught the eye already, and which clubs are focusing on longer-term priorities?
Iran says no new commitments on nuclear sites after Vance says inspectors to be invited back
Iran's foreign ministry says it made "no new commitments" on nuclear inspections after talks in Switzerland.
Remembering Ahmed Wishah, the Latest Palestinian Journalist Killed by Israel in Gaza
Israel is continuing to attack Gaza despite the so-called ceasefire. Israeli strikes killed Ahmed Wishah, a cameraman with Al Jazeera, and at least six people, including two children, on Saturday. Wishah’s brother Mohammed, who also worked for Al Jazeera, was killed in an Israeli strike this April. Israel has now killed over 260 journalists in Gaza, including at least 12 working for Al Jazeera, since October 2023.
“We don’t see the type of outrage that we would see if a Western journalist was killed by a country that is not a U.S. ally,” says Sharif Abdel Kouddous, Middle East and North Africa editor at Drop Site News. “It’s really a shameful state of affairs.” Kouddous also comments on the expansion of Israel’s “genocidal tactics” in Gaza that have now been “exported outside of Palestine in places like Lebanon.”
Labour MPs weigh up leadership challenge to test Burnham
Andy Burnham could still face hurdles in his path to becoming prime minister with two potential rivals for the Labour leadership considering their next moves.
South Korea's PM Kim meets with China's Li, seeks closer cooperation
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed Tuesday to work toward improving bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation. “Korea and China need to advance exchanges to a higher level in political affairs, economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and youth interactions,” Kim said in his opening remarks during talks held in Dalian, China. He was in the northeastern city to attend the World Economic Forum meeting, also known as the Summer Davos Forum. It
Who could be the UK's next chancellor?
The prime minister's resignation has fired the starting gun on the race to be in charge of the UK's finances.
Government pledges action after Preston Davey case
Thirteen-month old Preston Davey died after months of sexual and physical abuse by Jamie Varley.
Climate crisis: UN chief lays out solutions blueprint for clean energy transition
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As a deadly heatwave continued to grip Europe on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued an impassioned appeal for more ambitious global action on climate change caused by fossil fuels, to prevent irreversible damage.
Global learning losses threaten an entire generation
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Conflict, displacement and climate shocks are disrupting education for an estimated 258 million school-aged children and adolescents worldwide, raising fears that millions risk losing not only years of schooling but future opportunities altogether, according to a new report released Tuesday.
World News in Brief: UN launches Hormuz evacuation plan, UNICEF youth champion killed in Gaza, Lebanon ceasefire ‘largely holding’
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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will begin implementing an evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, the UN agency announced on Tuesday.
Report details widespread use of sexual violence in Sudan war
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A new UN human rights report issued on Tuesday details the brutality and scale of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan since war erupted in April 2023 and its profound, long-term impacts on victims, families and communities.
Central African Republic peace gains must be preserved: UN envoy
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The Central African Republic (CAR) “has made remarkable and tangible progress towards lasting peace and security” in recent years, but security remains fragile in border areas, including with war-torn Sudan, UN Special Representative Valentine Rugwabiza told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Israel continues to commit genocide, atrocity crimes by deliberately targeting Palestinian children, UN independent commission finds
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Israeli authorities and security forces have deliberately targeted Palestinian children, resulting in genocide and atrocity crimes in the Gaza Strip and war crimes in the West Bank, a UN independent commission of inquiry said in its latest report released on Tuesday.
New Security Council resolution upholds accountability for attacks against peacekeepers
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The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday that calls for accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers.
Ebola in DR Congo: first month of outbreak sees record number of cases – UN humanitarians
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Ebola has been spreading at unprecedented speed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), bringing risk and fear into people’s daily lives, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
Headlines for June 23, 2026
Top Negotiator Says Iran Will Permanently Manage Strait of Hormuz, Pentagon Seeks $80 Billion in Additional Iran War Funding, Israeli Forces Kill 2 In Lebanon After Iran Warns Continued Attacks Could Scuttle Ceasefire, U.N. Commission of Inquiry Finds Israel Is Committing Genocide by Killing Gaza’s Children, “Not Afraid to Stand Up to Genocide”: United Auto Workers Vote to Divest from Israel, Pentagon Says Latest Attack on Alleged Drug Boat Killed Two, Leaving Six Survivors, U.N. Warns Paramilitaries Are Poised to Commit Atrocities in Sudan’s el-Obeid, Confirmed Cases of Ebola Top 1,000 in DRC, NYC Mayor Mamdani Orders Protections for Outdoor Workers Facing Extreme Heat, Interior Dept. Seeks to Roll Back Fees and Regulations for Coal, Oil and Gas Extraction, Judge Blocks Trump’s National Citizenship Database That “Threatens the Sacred Right to Vote”, Federal Judge Derails Trump’s Retribution Campaign Against Minnesota Officials, Supreme Court Postpones Considering Trump’s Appeal of E. Jean Carroll Verdicts for 15th Time, Alan Greenspan, Fed Chief Whose Policies Fueled Economic Inequality, Dies at 100
Man went to Parnell Square with knife in trousers - court
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A man accused of attempting to murder three children in Dublin almost three years ago said he felt Ireland did not want him after he got a letter refusing him a social welfare benefit, left most of his possessions in a mosque, then wandered to Parnell Square with a large kitchen knife in his pants.
Apology for family of boy who died after asthma attack
CHI delivered an apology for shortcomings in the care of a teenager who died following an asthma attack while waiting over four years to see a specialist consultant.
Reflecting Pool to be drained as Trump again blames 'vandals' for recent troubles
Trump said vandals cut a long slit in it and possibly dumped fertiliser in the water, and later threatened to sue over reporting on the pool.
From non-league to playing for Ghana at the World Cup - the Semenyo story
Winger Antoine Semenyo's football journey began in the English lower leagues. BBC Sport charts his rise from Bath City to the World Cup, with Ghana poised to face England.
Red Roses stars in line for £100k to retain World Cup
The Red Roses' top stars stand to earn £100,000 with England in 2029 should they successfully defend their Women's Rugby World Cup title in Australia.
Steam Machine launches with £879 price tag as Valve cites component costs
Valve said the cost of its PC-console hybrid reflects a broader trend of component costs rising over time.
42% of parents want multi-denominational schools - survey
A total of 42% of the parents who intend sending their pre-school child to a Catholic or other religious-run primary school in coming years would prefer that school to become multi-denominational.
Takaichi to skip NATO summit in July
Since Russia began invading Ukraine in 2022, NATO has invited Japan's leader to attend its summits.
Barclays weighs return to cash equities in Japan as market booms
Barclays has been hiring equities specialists in Tokyo.
SoftBank-backed car marketplace Carro is said to explore U.S. IPO
Carro is working with advisers and may potentially raise as much as $500 million.
UN commission of inquiry says Israel committing genocide in Gaza by deliberately targeting children
Israel rejects the new report by the three-member expert panel, calling it a "libellous sham".
Hezbollah demands timetable for Israel to leave Lebanon
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Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has demanded a scheduled withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon as authorities said Israeli gunfire killed two people there despite a recent lull in fighting.
Two-time Olympian Healy announces retirement
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Two-time Olympian Phil Healy has announced her retirement from international athletics.
Foreign minister, MPA chairman discuss cooperation in content industry
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Tuesday met with the head of an American trade association representing major film studios and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector, the ministry said. During the meeting with Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Motion Picture Association, Cho said Korea-related content, including "KPop Demon Hunters" and "Squid Game," has gained global popularity, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He asked Rivkin to encourage MPA members, in
Cardinal Koovakad: the concept of fraternity is not utopian idea
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In his opening address at the conference at the Angelicum on the theme “Building fraternity through dialogue and collaboration,” Cardinal George Koovakad, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, highlights the role of different religious traditions in defending and promoting peace in an increasingly fragmented and polarized world.
Anderson's journey to England star and potential British record
Elliot Anderson has emerged as a key part of Thomas Tuchel's England side, and could be on the verge of a British record transfer.
Around 29,000 lightning strikes light up sky across southern England
Thunderstorms caused flash flooding and travel disruption across parts of England, with more extreme heat expected on Tuesday.
Around 150 Irish-based jobs under threat at Diageo
It is understood that around 150 Irish-based jobs are under threat at Guinness parent company Diageo.
Heatwave sparks health warnings across Europe
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Coverage of the intense heatwave that is sweeping across Europe and the UK this week.
Spider which uses spring trap to capture prey discovered in Australia
Researchers say their hunting method - which allows them to prey on dangerous ants - is unprecedented.
France records hottest day as heatwave scorches Europe
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Workers sweated in choking heat and pupils stayed home as an early-summer heatwave smothered much of Europe, with France recording its hottest day on record.
New pictures show dozens of items bought illegally by Peter Murrell
The images include a range of luxury bags, watches and pens, as well as fresh pictures of a £124,550 motorhome.
Can you keep your kids off school or refuse to work during a heatwave?
As temperatures increase significantly over the next few days, these are your rights.
Teenager charged over death of mother and child in crash
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An 18-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving causing the death of a mother and daughter in Co Donegal last year.
Man charged over road crash in which woman, child killed
A man has been charged in relation to the investigation into a road collision in Co Donegal last year in which a woman and her six-year-old daughter were killed.
Japan top court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church
The ruling stated that the dissolution order "does not violate the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and association."
How do you solve a problem like Ronaldo?
Portugal take on Uzbekistan with Cristiano Ronaldo in poor form for his country and a backlash raging on social media against his team-mates.
Israeli gunfire kills 2 in south Lebanon, testing Iran-linked ceasefire
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Israeli gunfire killed two people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, Lebanon's Civil Defence and health ministry said, prompting Iran-backed Hezbollah to accuse Israel of violating a ceasefire that has largely held since Sunday.
Women in electronic music face long-term career hurdles, panelists say
Sustainability remains a major challenge for women seeking long-term careers in electronic music, speakers said during a panel discussion Monday as part of Fete de la Musique+, a monthlong event hosted by the French Embassy. Moderated by French musician Oriane Dessaux, the discussion examined the role of women in contemporary culture and the obstacles they face in sustaining music careers. Panelists included artists Oh Sung-eun, known as S.Telecom, and Haihm; Alexis Leger, founder of Posture Clu
Japan shipping industry sees safety as key to Hormuz navigation
All ships will likely resume navigation once hostilities have fully ended and details of mine removal operations are confirmed, Nippon Yusen chair Hitoshi Nagasawa added.
Something to write home about: new Ophir postmistress on her charming job
Harriet Cameron is six months into running New Zealand's oldest continually operating post office - and loving it.
How a Swedish drinking song turned into K-pop
When Rose and Bruno Mars' "Apt." became a global hit last year, millions of listeners around the world found themselves singing along to a phrase they did not fully understand. To many Koreans, however, the song's central hook required no explanation. It was a chant used in a popular Korean drinking game played at university orientations, company dinners and late-night gatherings with friends. The song’s success sparked an unexpected question in Sweden. If a Korean drinking-game chant could beco
Cork abuse victims 'will be listened to' - Govt leaders
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The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have expressed willingness to listen to victims of sexual abuse at a Co Cork school in the 1960s and 1970s.
Australia withholds climate fund reports over risk of diplomatic ‘damage’
Australia is the largest contributor to the Tuvalu Trust Fund, which has been invested on Tuvalu's behalf in funds exposed to coal mining, gas exploration and a crude oil refinery.
Israel targeted Palestinian children resulting in genocide, U.N. inquiry reports
The U.N. commission said that Palestinian children were deliberately killed during the war, including after a ceasefire came into effect in October 2025.
Takaichi and JIP agree to pass bill on backup capital this parliamentary session
The Japan Innovation Party has long sought a backup capital plan, agreeing to join the ruling coalition last year in exchange for passing legislation on it.
Laypeople and clergy of Russia and Kazakhstan standing for life
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On November 18, 1920, the USSR became the first country in the world to legalize abortion on request. According to Johnston’s Archive, more than 260 million abortions were performed during the 70 years of Soviet rule. The widespread legality and accessibility of the procedure contributed to the emergence of a so-called “abortion culture” within society.
Wellington City Council has heard submissions on whether to keep the changes outside Lyall Bay School.
World Cup 2026: Colombia 1-0 DR Congo recap
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Colombia's dominance only reflected in the one goal as they got the better of DR Congo.
Questions answered: Korean bedding, sizes and overseas shipping
Korean bedding has gained international attention over the past few years, fueled by social media exposure and word-of-mouth hype for its quality. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions following The Korea Herald's recent feature on Korean bedding. Korean bedding is highly seasonal. Lightweight blankets made from rayon, such as ‘ingyeon’ made from wood pulp, or cooling fabrics are popular during the hot and humid summer months. For spring and autumn, comforters made from
Protecting children online part of EU Presidency - Martin
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said there is potential for a powerful and impactful European-wide position to emerge over the next six months that would protect children online.
More people receiving elective treatments sooner but ED wait times barely improve
The latest data shows a small improvement in faster cancer treatment.
7 First Nations sign nuclear reactor ownership deal with Ottawa, Ontario
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Several Ontario First Nations are set to become owners of a new nuclear reactor after striking a commercial partnership with the
federal and provincial governments.
Lee to mark Korean War anniversary week
President Lee Jae Myung will mark the anniversary of the Korean War this week with a series of engagements, including visits to military units, commemorative events and meetings with defense industry officials, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Lee is scheduled to visit a Marine Corps unit and inspect security operations on the ground on Wednesday, senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tuesday. On Thursday, Lee will attend a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the 195
Ex-lawmaker Ono found partly not guilty over slush fund scandal
Yasutada Ono of the LDP was handed down a fine of ¥600,000 after prosecutors had originally demanded ¥1.5 million.
Korea, Shanghai airports team up to expand regional air links
Korea Herald correspondent SHANGHAI, China -- Korea Airports Corporation is seeking closer ties with Shanghai Airport Authority, known as Avinex, to expand the aviation network connecting Korean regional airports and Shanghai amid the rapid recovery of Korea-China air travel demand. According to KAC, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Avinex on Tuesday at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, one of two airports the state-owned operator manages in Shanghai alongside Pudong Airport. Under the agre
6-year-old Singaporean boy struck by airport buggy at Incheon Airport
A 6-year-old Singaporean boy was injured after being struck by an airport buggy at Incheon Airport on Wednesday, according to the child’s family. The incident gained widespread attention after the boy’s father, Kayden Khoo, shared details on social media and requested witnesses. Khoo said that the accident took place near the entrance to a restroom at Gate 221 while the family was waiting to board flight KE645 to Singapore. He explained that his son went to the restroom alone, and neither he nor
Man in viral ‘drugged zombie’ video tests positive for meth
A man seen in the so-called “Suwon drugged zombie” video that went viral online has been taken into custody on drug allegations, police said Tuesday. Officials at Suwon Gwonseon Police Station in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, said they detained the man, who is in his 30s, at around 10:30 a.m. after he tested positive for methamphetamine. He was not carrying drugs at the time. The man was seen wandering near a bus stop by an apartment complex in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, around 12:30 p.m. Sunday. A video o
Driver arrested after rush hour police pursuit in Auckland
The car was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing other vehicles and pedestrians.
Katayama-Bessent call pulls yen back as it approaches four-decade low
The currency strengthened so fast that some traders suspected that intervention was underway.
Vatican releases schedule for Pope’s Consistory with Cardinals
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Pope Leo XIV will meet with members of the College of Cardinals on June 26-27 for an Extraordinary Consistory focused on the current situation of the Church and the world, the pursuit of peace, and the implementation of the Synod.
Lee to unveil regional investment strategy with business leaders next week
President Lee Jae Myung will meet with the heads of South Korea's largest conglomerates next week to unveil a regional investment strategy centered on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other advanced industries, sources said Tuesday. The meeting, reportedly set for early next week, comes as his administration seeks to spread growth beyond the Seoul metropolitan area and make balanced national development a key agenda in its second year in office. According to political and industry sou
81 years on, ex-Okinawa wartime student nurse urges no more war
With Okinawa marking the 81st anniversary of the end of the ground battle, Onaga, a resident of Naha, is making a powerful appeal for peace amid rising international tensions.
Labour, Reform trade blows on Brexit's 10th anniversary
Labour has branded Nigel Farage a "threat to national security" over his stance on Europe amid claims the government failed to deliver on Brexit.
Iran rushes to woo Asia’s largest oil importers after U.S. waiver
The temporary lifeline should allow Tehran to resume exports and begin clearing a backlog of cargoes on the water.
Enjoy, but take care - caution urged during heat warning
As temperatures rise across Ireland this week, people are being urged to be careful as they enjoy the summer sunshine.
Kospi crashes nearly 10% on massive tech sell-offs
South Korean stocks tumbled nearly 10 percent Tuesday as foreign investors dumped major semiconductor shares and other market heavyweights amid profit-taking, tracking overnight losses in US technology stocks. The local currency weakened against the US dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plunged 910.71 points, or 9.99 percent, to close at 8,203.84. The index hit an intra-day high of 9,175.45. The Korea Exchange, the bourse operator, activated a circuit b
Gulf Harbour body trial: Action after death of woman a ‘panic’ decision, says defendant
A "panic" decision made after a tragedy does not amount to kidnapping and manslaughter, claim the defendants.
New campaign raising awareness of intimate image abuse
A new campaign has been launched to raise awareness of online intimate image abuse.
1st bison calves born at Batoche in nearly 150 years get Michif names
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Groos tet (Big Head) and Chiraan (Northern Light) are some of the Michif names that students helped choose for 16 bison calves born at Batoche this spring.
Consumer affairs watchdog raises alarm over air conditioner repair scams
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan is urging people to be on alert for offers to repair broken air conditioners that sound too good to be true.
EU looks to digital euro to cut reliance on U.S. payment technology
European officials often point to Washington's 2025 sanctions against International Criminal Court judges to illustrate the grip of U.S. firms.
Schools back calls for funding boost and overhaul of support for most vulnerable students
An Education Review Office report said most of the 8000 teens enrolled in various forms of alternative education left without any qualifications and too many went on to benefits or crime.
K-pop reunion wave gains momentum as nostalgia becomes driving market force
A growing number of K-pop acts from the past are reuniting years after their disbandment, as an expanding market of older fans creates new demand for nostalgia-driven projects. Groups including I.O.I, Secret and SeeYa have recently returned with reunion activities, joining a trend that industry officials say is being fueled by fans who had followed the artists as teenagers and now have greater purchasing power as adults. Among the latest examples is Secret, which released the special EP “Secret
Trump threatens prison for 'vandalism' of Washington pool
US President Donald Trump has threatened jail time for anyone seeking to damage one of his signature renovation projects, the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
Masked Tongyeong murder suspect still at large after 2 weeks
A masked assailant suspected of killing a woman in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, two weeks ago remains at large. South Korean police as of Tuesday had yet to identify the man who stabbed a woman in her 60s at her home in the city, some 370 kilometers south of Seoul, on the morning of June 10. Surveillance footage from the building showed the suspect entering the premises at around 2 a.m. The victim’s body was found by her husband at 6:24 a.m. Police believe the suspect broke into the hom
Hearts2Hearts returns with summer-themed 'Lemon Tang'
Hearts2Hearts returned Monday with its second EP "Lemon Tang," marking the group's first album in eight months and its first-ever summer-themed release. The six-track EP includes the title track and "Rude!," released in February. "Lemon Tang" is a dance-pop song built around bright summer energy and lively sounds. Its title combines "lemon" with "tang," referring to a sharp, fizzy flavor. The song compares the members' chemistry to lemons, conveying the message that they shine even brighter when
Masayoshi Son dismisses Musk’s idea for orbital data centers
The main advantage of building data centers in space would be to slash electricity costs, but such expenses comprise a small fraction of total costs.
Lee set to host ambassadors over chimaek at Cheong Wa Dae
President Lee Jae Myung is set to host foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday, serving Korean-style barbecue and chimaek, the popular pairing of fried chicken and beer. According to the presidential office in Seoul, the guest list for the dinner reception includes ambassadors from 118 resident diplomatic missions, led by Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Shafik Rachadi, Morocco's ambassador to South Korea, as well as representatives from 30
Assembly meeting highlights lack of NEC oversight
Lack of oversight of the National Election Commission came into the spotlight Tuesday in the meeting of a special parliamentary committee looking into nationwide ballot shortages and delays for voters on Election Day early this month. The meeting centered around why the NEC decided to reduce ballot paper printing, whether its former chair's overseas trips that cost tens of millions of won each were justifiable and whether NEC contracts sealed without public procurement were questionable. Rho Tae
Wolves deal Julius Randle to Nets in three-team trade
Minnesota dealt Randle and the 28th overall pick in the Tuesday draft to the Nets for the 33rd overall selection, while Brooklyn sent center Nic Claxton to the Bulls.
Divorced men fear asset split, women fear losing freedom: survey
Divorced men considering remarriage tend to worry most about the division of assets if they divorce again, while divorced women are more concerned about losing their newfound freedom, a survey by matchmaking agencies showed Tuesday. The two agencies, Only You and Bien Aller, conducted a joint survey of 648 divorced men and women, asking them what they saw as the biggest obstacle to remarriage. Men tended to be more concerned about the potential failure of a new marriage, particularly financial i
NZ First 'looking very hard' at new health and safety legislation
Party leader Winston Peters says if he is not satisfied with amendments to the legislation, he will not vote for it.
Opposition leadership rift deepens over Jang’s postelection strategy
The rift in People Power Party leadership appears to be widening, with two top officials repeatedly clashing over postelection strategy and how to assess the conservative party’s performance in the June 3 local elections. The tension between party Chief Jang Dong-hyeok and Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sig has surfaced three times over the past week, even as Jang remains hospitalized due to exhaustion. The latest dispute was triggered by a party report released Sunday under the official name of the Pe
Britain, western European countries under extreme heat alerts amid sweltering conditions
Millions of people across Europe were exposed to extreme and exceptionally high temperatures on Tuesday, with 40 fatalities from drowning recorded in France in the past week as residents seek relief from the searing heat.
Kospi suffers biggest selloff since March
The South Korean benchmark Kospi dived nearly 10 percent on Tuesday, marking the second-largest daily decline of the year. The Kospi fell 9.99 percent to close at 8,203.84. After opening at 9,083.54, down 0.34 percent from the previous session, it traded flat in early dealings before turning sharply lower around noon, eventually closing at its intraday low as losses deepened. The nearly 10 percent decline was the second-largest daily fall on the Kospi this year, after a 12.06 percent drop on Mar
Korea's bid to bring ETF money home falls short
South Korea's attempt to lure money back home by approving domestic single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds has shown little impact: Korean investors continue to hold large positions in competing Hong Kong-listed products. According to data released Tuesday by the Korea Securities Depository, Korean investors' holdings of Hong Kong-listed single-stock leveraged ETFs surged in May and remained elevated through June 21, even after Korea introduced competing products on May 27. At the end of A
What Mirae Asset's SpaceX miss really says about Korea
Mirae Asset Securities, the South Korea-based brokerage that has long sought to expand its global footprint, hit a setback in its ambitions when it failed to secure SpaceX shares for local investors earlier this month for its initial public offering. The miss came as a surprise to the Korean market, given Mirae Asset's close ties with SpaceX. The market deemed Mirae Asset Securities had an upper hand in the IPO allocation, as Mirae Asset Financial Group was an early investor in the rocket compan
List of top 5 foods that make us 'unattractive' goes viral
A Korean plastic surgeon’s social media post has gone viral for ranking everyday foods that he says can make the face look “uglier,” not by changing facial structure, but by contributing to puffiness, breakouts and faster skin aging. Ramyeon and salty snacks made the list. But what took the No. 1 spot? According to Dr. Choi Hyun-nam, salty foods such as instant noodles, potato chips and seasoned crackers ranked fifth, with excess sodium linked to water retention that can leave the face looking s
Construction begins on wind turbine in Quaqtaq, Nunavik – the start of its clean energy transition
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The 3,000-kilowatt wind turbine is one of two under development in the Nunavik region, which relies almost exclusively on imported diesel fuel.
Is the U.K. ungovernable?
With Keir Starmer out, the U.K.’s had six different Prime Ministers resign in the last 10 years. Why? And what does it say about what it takes to govern the country?
LS Electric chief highlights Utah-Korea bond
LS Electric Chairman Koo Ja-kyun on Tuesday underscored the historical bond between Utah — the company's strategic base for expanding its North American power business — and Korea, calling for deeper engagement with the local community as the company accelerates its US market push. Since acquiring LS Electric Utah in Cedar City in 2022, Koo has personally overseen a major capacity expansion while strengthening the company's ties with the local community through shared history. During the Korean
Korea secures softer EU steel quota cut, minister says
South Korea has made progress in talks with the European Union over steel tariff-rate quotas, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said, raising hopes that Korean exporters may face a smaller cut than the bloc's planned overall reduction. In a wide-ranging briefing in Sejong on Monday, Kim also discussed corporate bonus dispute, chip-related tax revenue, Canada's submarine tender and possible new semiconductor production sites. Kim said the biggest outcome of his recent trip to Kazakhstan, Europe and
AI breaks Korea memory's boom-bust cycle: CLSA
South Korea's memory chip industry is moving beyond its traditional boom-and-bust cycle as artificial intelligence demand pushes major customers to lock in long-term supply at high prices, according to CLSA. Memory has long been highly cyclical: profits rise when supply is tight and fall when capacity catches up. But the rapid growth of high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, and AI servers is changing that pattern, said Sanjeev Rana, head of Korea research at CLSA. "The fact that major memory customers
North Korea's Kim doubles down on nuclear buildup
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday doubled down on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons buildup and confrontational stance toward Seoul. Experts believe the move is aimed at foreclosing future denuclearization talks and reframing any potential negotiations with Washington around arms control rather than disarmament. According to the Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday, the ruling Workers' Party of Korea convened the second plenary meeting of its ninth Central Committee for three days beginning
Heat reportedly land Giannis Antetokounmpo in mega-trade with Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021 and is the franchise's all-time leader in games played, points, rebounds, assists and blocks.
Dunderrow women recollect 'systematic' abuse in school
In the late 1990s gardaí in Cork took statements from former pupils who had attended Dunderrow National School.
'They made my mum give me up because she was unmarried'
Reg Barker, 66, says he only found out he was adopted when he applied for a passport, aged 18.
Former Wimbledon champion Vondrousova gets four-year ban for refusing drug test
Marketa Vondrousova's suspension will end on June 21, 2030, when the two-time Grand Slam finalist from the Czech Republic will be 30 years old.
Women account for 37.8% of new police recruits in first quota-free hiring round
Women accounted for 37.8 percent of successful applicants in this year’s police recruitment exam, nearly doubling their share of around 20 percent under the previous gender quota system, the Korean National Police Agency said Tuesday. Of 29,972 applicants, 2,941 passed the exam, including 1,829 men (62.2 percent) and 1,112 women (37.8 percent), according to the agency. Police officials attributed the increase in female recruits to the removal of gender-specific hiring limits. It was the first re
Sewol survivor dies after years of survivor’s guilt
A survivor of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster has recently died, according to a former representative of the victims’ bereaved families. The survivor had been student of Danwon High School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, which lost 248 students in the sinking. Yoo Kyung-geun, former executive director of the group representing the bereaved families of Sewol victims, said Sunday that one of the surviving students had recently died. He did not disclose the cause of death, but said the student had “gone
How visible is the Taegeukgi at Seoul landmarks?
A Seoul city councilor has called on two major cultural facilities in the capital to improve the visibility of the Taegeukgi, saying the national flag is too small or placed out of public view. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Council on Tuesday, Kim Hyung-jae, acting chair of the council’s culture, sports and tourism committee and a member of the main opposition People Power Party, criticized a report on improving Taegeukgi flagpoles at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul
Inside China's race for tech self-reliance
Korea Herald correspondent HEFEI, China — Far from slowing China's technological rise, US sanctions and export controls have accelerated Beijing's drive for self-reliance, pushing Chinese companies to build domestic alternatives across industries. Landlocked Anhui province, west of Shanghai, has emerged as one of the clearest examples of that effort. Home to a growing cluster of artificial intelligence, electric vehicle, battery and renewable energy companies, the province has transformed itself
[Bio USA] Korea biotech under pressure from China's rapid rise
Korea Herald correspondent SAN DIEGO — Korea’s biotechnology sector faces a shrinking window of opportunity as China’s surge in new drug development accelerates on the global stage, an industry expert warned Tuesday. “The center of gravity in biotech is clearly shifting toward Asia,” said Lee Seung-kyou, vice president at the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO), in a press conference at the BIO International Convention in San Diego. “The question is whether Korea can secure enou
[Bio USA] Korean biotechs bolster AstraZeneca partnership
SAN DIEGO — Korean biotechnology firms have advanced their partnerships with AstraZeneca, bolstering efforts toward open innovation and technological cooperation for eventual entrance into the global market. Under the name Project NOVA, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute on Monday held AstraZeneca partnering sessions for 13 Korean companies on the sidelines of the BIO International Convention taking place this week in San Diego. “We have a very good track record of doing excellent p
Victims of Battle of Okinawa mourned 81 years on
The Battle of Okinawa was the most savage ground battle staged in Japan during the war, and Mabuni was the site of the last fierce fighting.
Unraveling U.S. sanctions on Iran unlikely to be quick or easy
At issue is whether an interim U.S. deal with Iran can translate into lasting economic relief.
Killed train driver was well-known community figure
Tributes are paid to Shaun Burton, who was killed in the crash near Bedford on Friday.
Looking for Son Heung-min cups? Karrot has them for $65
The 2026 World Cup might be generating excitement on the pitch, but a Son Heung-min collectible is stirring up a frenzy off of it. A limited edition of McDonald’s reusable cup featuring the South Korea captain has become one of the most coveted items among Korean football aficionados, with several resellers asking more than 100,000 won ($65) for the item, which is 10 times more than the price of the meal set it originally came with. The craze follows the global popularity of the World Cup meal s
Security guard finds gold in discarded rice cooker. What follows surprises many
A typical workday turned into an unexpected treasure hunt for a security guard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, after he discovered nearly 100 grams of gold tucked inside a discarded electric rice cooker, according to the National Police Agency on Tuesday. The incident occurred on the evening of April 12 while the guard in his 70s was sorting recyclable waste at an apartment complex in Geoje's Okpo-dong. Inside the abandoned rice cooker was a black plastic bag containing several gold bars, c
Nissan shareholders vote out influential director at meeting
Motoo Nagai's ouster represents Renault's biggest power move at Nissan since ceding much of its influence over the Japanese carmaker in 2023.
Taiwan KMT opposition leader falls short on U.S. trip
Cheng's adoption of Chinese Communist Party talking points — which goes further than any of her predecessors — has stoked deep concern in Washington.
Abuse survivor Louise O'Keeffe's fight for justice
At the age of eight, Louise O'Keeffe was sexually abused by her school principal Leo Hickey in a Cork primary school in the 1970s.
Fittest Family contestant's father on sudden death of 15-year-old
The family of Ireland's Fittest Family contestant Cillian Flaherty have spoken about the sudden death of the 15-year-old.
Women call for redress over historical abuse in school
Victims of sexual abuse at a Co Cork school in the 1960s and 1970s have called on the Government to take responsibility for the trauma they suffered as children.
RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grants will benefit over 1m children
It has been announced that over a million children and their families will benefit from donations to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal.
Years without fluoridated water in N.B. show pattern of tooth decay experts warned about
After more than a decade without fluoridated water in Saint John, the dental community is seeing a surge in tooth decay among young people.
N.S. banned cellphones in classrooms 2 years ago. Here's how it's going
Nearly two years into its provincewide ban on cellphones in Nova Scotia public schools, the province's education minister says it's helping to reduce distraction and improve learning. Some students are following the rules, while others need more convincing.
Through sand, slime, fog and light, Jalet and Nawa test limits of human body
The word "planet" traces its roots to the ancient Greek "planetes," meaning wanderer. To ancient astronomers, planets appeared as wandering lights drifting across the night sky. This image of perpetual wandering through unfamiliar landscapes, uncertain futures and forces beyond one's control became the starting point for Belgian choreographer Damien Jalet and Japanese visual artist Kohei Nawa's "Planet [Wanderer]" (2021), one of the defining works of their decadelong artistic partnership. This w
Trump signs orders calling for quantum computer
US President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a push to build a powerful quantum computer for scientific research and speed efforts to protect government systems from related cyber threats, bolstering US efforts in its race with China for a technology that could upend science and cybersecurity. "We believe this can happen by 2028," Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said in a call previewing the moves and referring to the quantum computer. Tru
Violent threats to schools treated seriously: Police Minister
A series of violent threats have been received at multiple organisations across New Zealand, including RNZ.
India marks Yoga Day in Seoul
About 1,000 people gathered at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Sunday for the International Day of Yoga, as India continued efforts to promote the practice abroad. Yoga originated in ancient India and was systematized in the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text traditionally attributed to the sage Patanjali. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 through Resolution 69/131, which was co-sponsored by 175 member states. Since then, Indian missions
Lebanon building damage in latest Israel war estimated at $1.38b: survey
BEIRUT (AFP) -- Direct damage to buildings in south Lebanon in the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah is estimated at around $1.38 billion, a UN agency and a Lebanese research center said Monday. "In total, 11,095 buildings were completely destroyed, impacting 17,891 housing units, while 2,242 buildings sustained partial damage ... and 9,311 buildings incurred minor damage," the United Nations Development Program and Lebanon's government-linked National Council for Scientific Research said.
Pharmacy scrambles to scrub internet of patients' private messages
An error on the website saw 29 patients' private messages to the pharmacy via its 'contact us' form made public.
Ex-partner let into woman's home by police despite protection order against him
The independent police watchdog found officers decisions were unjustified despite two internal police reviews saying it was ok.
Russian strikes injure six in Ukraine as fuel crisis deepens into Siberia
Six people were wounded in Russian airstrikes on Ukraine overnight, local authorities said, and the capital of Kyiv briefly issued an air raid alert telling residents to seek shelter in the early hours of Tuesday. The strikes came in the wake of a Ukrainian attack on a plant producing electronics for missiles in Russia's border Voronezh region Monday that the local governor said had killed five people and injured dozens. Russia and Ukraine have continued to exchange strikes as the war has drag
LG Chem to invest W15tr in chips, robotics, biotech by 2035
LG Chem will invest 15 trillion won ($9.8 billion) in research and development by 2035, allocating 70 percent of the spending to semiconductor, mobility and robotics materials, as the company accelerates efforts to expand into high-growth sectors. CEO Kim Dong-choon announced the plan during a company-wide town hall meeting on Monday, outlining LG Chem's strategy to focus on materials for semiconductors, mobility and robotics alongside oncology therapeutics as key future business areas. This com
Faster response or privacy concern? Police seek digital access to apartment gates
In an emergency, police can reach an apartment complex within minutes — only to lose crucial time at its locked entrance. That delay is what the National Police Agency hopes to reduce with a new digital access system for apartment buildings. The agency is developing a feature for the police 112 mobile application that uses Bluetooth technology to unlock communal apartment entrances, granting access when responding to emergency calls. The plan, aimed at shortening response times, has raised quest
Is watching football bad for your health? I tested my body to find out
Watching football is an emotional rollercoaster - but is it good or bad for your health?
Why the wait? Delays in disclosure of evidence repeatedly flagged in N.L. Jordan cases
An analysis of cases impacted by R. v. Jordan shows that one of the driving factors is the delay in handing over disclosure — evidence in the case — to the defence.
Crosswords, novels and Netflix: What life's like in hantavirus quarantine
A New Zealander and five Australians were in mostly good spirits during their six-week quarantine at a facility in Perth.
Stray Kids unveil new world tour ‘Run It,’ set to launch with five Seoul concerts
Stray Kids will embark on a new world tour beginning this summer, launching the trek with five concerts in Seoul before heading to major venues across Asia. JYP Entertainment announced the first leg of the group’s upcoming world tour, “Stray Kids World Tour ‘Run It,’” on Tuesday through the group’s official social media channels. The tour will kick off with five performances at Kspo Dome in Seoul on July 25, 26 and 29, followed by Aug. 1 and 2. The group will then continue the tour across Japan,
Lee orders prosecutors to expand NEC probe beyond ballot shortages
President Lee Jae Myung called for a sweeping investigation into South Korea's election watchdog, urging authorities to scrutinize a range of alleged irregularities beyond the ballot shortages that marred the June 3 local elections. Lee told acting Prosecutor General Ku Ja-hyeon to investigate "indirect corruption-related issues and other outrageous problems that have come to light," including alleged wasteful spending and unfair hiring practices within the National Election Commission. "Whether
TirTir enters India's largest beauty platform Nykaa
Korean makeup brand TirTir has joined Nykaa, India's largest beauty platform, expanding its presence in a market where Korean cosmetics are drawing growing interest. The listing plugs TirTir into Nykaa's combined online and offline network, according to the company. The platform operates more than 260 stores across India alongside its e-commerce business and carries a mix of global and local beauty labels, making it one of the country's most prominent beauty retailers, it added. TirTir had alrea
At least 18 dead in France, including two children in hot car, as Europe bakes
At least 18 people died in France, including two children left in a hot car, as a heat wave hung over Europe, smashing temperature records in several cities Monday. As schools in France closed or modified timetables, forecasters in Britain predicted temperatures could break records for June this week. The temperature in Bordeaux in France's western wine country rose to 41.9 degrees Celsius, breaking a record set last August. In Poitiers in central France it reached 41.2 C, beating a previous h
Tourism sector floats raising departure levy as fund shrinks
Travel industry groups, lawmakers and tourism scholars have called for raising South Korea's departure levy, warning that a 2024 cut has drained the country's main tourism fund at a time when the industry is struggling with high oil prices and global uncertainty. The appeal was floated during a roundtable at the National Assembly on Monday concerning whether now is the time to raise the charge. The session was hosted by Rep. Cho Gye-won of the assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee and
Andy Burnham: 'King of the North' with Downing Street in his sights
The man who appears destined to be Britain's next Labour prime minister received a hero's welcome in parliament Monday, after incumbent Keir Starmer announced his resignation. Veteran politician Andy Burnham, fresh from his UK by-election victory last week, was sworn in as a member of Parliament. Afterward he greeted supporters in parliament's medieval Westminster Hall with a fist pump and snapped a selfie in front of a group of around 200 Labour colleagues. The newly-elected member of Parliamen
Romanian parliament rejects liberal PM-designate
BUCHAREST, Romania (AFP) -- Romania's parliament on Monday rejected liberal politician Adrian Vestea as prime minister-designate, a fresh political upset following months of turmoil in the EU and NATO country bordering Ukraine. Nominated by the president, Vestea needed 233 votes across both houses of parliament to form a government but only received 189, the official vote count indicated. Some deputies left the chamber before the vote started, after a day of debate on Vestea's proposed Cabinet l
Murrell jailed for five years for embezzling SNP funds
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been jailed for five years and three months after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.
Major German defense firm Rheinmetall eyes production base in Japan
A spokesperson said the company hopes to promote projects together with Japanese industry to open up opportunities for defense exports from Japan.
Scorching Monterrey heat looms over S. Korea-S. Africa showdown
South Korea is set to face South Africa in its final Group A match Wednesday, but Monterrey's extreme heat may add an extra challenge. Monterrey is located about 650 kilometers northeast of Guadalajara, where South Korea played its opening two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is known for its intense summer heat and humidity. Among the tournament’s 16 stadiums, Monterrey is the second-hottest venue in this year's World Cup in terms of average temperature. According to the weather forecast
Canadian asset manager Brookfield to promote AI investments in Japan
Brookfield plans to invest over $10 billion, or some ¥1.6 trillion, in Japan over the next five years.
Drive-thru chatbots are clocking in at fast-food chains
Across the United States, fast food chains are turning to AI to run their drive-thru counters - and Canada could be next. Companies say the technology now has higher accuracy than human employees - and some labour organizers worry it could displace fast food workers.
Byelection clock ticking as MPs officially resign. How does it impact Liberals' majority?
The countdown for half a dozen byelections is on as MPs who have signalled they won't be returning to Ottawa in the fall begin to vacate their seats.
Ontario's freedom of information changes are law. Why experts say they could hurt the government
The reality of Premier Doug Ford’s changes to Ontario’s freedom of information system are beginning to take hold as rejections and denials make their way to requesters.
US will not accept any tolls on Strait of Hormuz - Rubio
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Washington's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, has insisted that the US would not accept any attempt to impose tolls or fees on Strait of Hormuz.
Nagasaki hibakusha recalls wartime conversations with Dutch prisoner of war
Contact with foreigners was prohibited at the time, but Shohei Tsuiki wanted to try out the English he had started learning.
Stars sparkle early as Messi and Mbappe light up World Cup
Lionel Messi has risen to the challenge in style to become the all-time World Cup record scorer, two games into the tournament.
Greenspan’s legacy: From irrational exuberance to 2008 crisis
Some saw the Federal Reserve chair as a driving force for change at the Fed and a guiding light for investors, even as the 2008-09 global financial crisis clouds his legacy.
North Korea’s Kim says country will exercise its position as nuclear state
The leader says his position is the only way to cope with an unpredictable and complicated global security situation.
Lawmakers plan bill to provide aid to civilian victims of World War II
Submission of the bill to parliament will be the first such move in 38 years.
‘FOMO really got me’: Taiwanese go deep into debt to amp 100% stock rally
Much of the AI stock boom is fueled by money borrowed at rock-bottom interest rates.
Mayors from London to Melbourne to sign data centre pact
Mayors from 40 cities around the world are to sign a pact to limit the negative impact of data centres.
Weather: Snow, rain and gales on the way
Northland and Auckland will be in the firing line from Wednesday morning, followed by Tasman District.
Why two small councils are on opposite ends of the amalgamation debate
Southland's District mayor has been planning to amalgamate for years, while Ōpōtiki's mayor is questioning the value.
New Zealander onboard cruise ship during deadly hantavirus outbreak finally heading home
The New Zealander spent six weeks in quarantine in a facility near Perth, Australia.
Calls for Jeffrey Donaldson's knighthood to be removed
There have been calls to immediately revoke Jeffrey Donaldson's knighthood after he was found guilty of 18 historical sexual offences.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey seeks meeting to apologise to family of Waikato girl mistakenly sedated
The mental health minister says the 11-year-old and her whānau were let down, and the government is weighing compensation.
First drug to delay onset of type 1 diabetes made available on NHS
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The immunotherpay can give children and adults three extra years before they need to use insulin.
How 100 hospitals switched to pen and paper to defeat a national cyber-attack
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For four days, dozens of Romanian hospitals went offline, as cyber-experts sought to defeat the hackers.
Ransom note sent days after Nancy Guthrie's abduction said she was dead, sources say
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A ransom note sent days after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today show host Savannah Guthrie, said the 84-year-old had died, CNN and other news organizations reported Monday, citing law enforcement sources.
OPW to use GPO as office space during redevelopment
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The Office of Public Works is to begin using the GPO as office space while plans to redevelop the landmark building get under way.
Occupational pensions barely affect retirement age - ESRI
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New research from the Economic and Social Research Institute has found that occupational pension coverage has limited impact on the timing of retirement.
House prices in Dublin falling, rural prices rise - Daft
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The selling prices of homes in Dublin have begun to fall, according to the latest sales report from property website Daft.ie.
36% of families in arrears over last 12 months - report
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New research carried out for the children's charity Barnardo's has found that just over one-third of families went into arrears on their energy bills at some point over the last 12 months.
Vance touts progress in Iran talks as U.S. temporarily lifts oil sanctions
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The U.S. temporarily removed oil sanctions on Iran Monday, creating the potential for an Iranian economic windfall in U.S. dollars as the first round of talks ended in Switzerland. Vance led the U.S. delegation, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. The negotiations come as one of the main sticking points, the war in Lebanon, appeared to calm, at least for the day. Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Chris Mason: Questions multiply for the man tipped to replace Starmer
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Andy Burnham will have to set out his stall to show how he will deliver on his promises, the BBC's political editor writes.
Rescued food turned into meals for families in need
Hundreds of meals made with rescued food that would otherwise go to waste are being delivered to people in need.
Mayor sets record straight on Nanaimo cookie mispronunciation | The Moment
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Nanaimo, B.C., Mayor Leonard Krog tells The National how to pronounce the city’s name after videos circulated on social media of people mispronouncing it when buying Crumbl’s new Nanaimo cookie.
Number of students leaving mainstream system doubles
Officials want major changes to keep more at-risk teens in school.
ERO says online learning at Te Kura wrong for at-risk kids
Two years after RNZ revealed insiders' warnings that Te Kura the Correspondence School is the wrong place for many of its at-risk students, an official report has come to the same conclusion.
'I've lost my whole life': Survivors speak one year on from changes to redress
A year on from government changes to the abuse in care redress system, survivors and their advocates say it remains hard to negotiate. People who have received money say it is a pittance for the shattered lives left behind. Tim Brown reports.
More disruption as solicitors protest new legal aid fees
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Disruption to court hearings at all levels is expected to get worse in the coming days as solicitors escalate their action over payments for criminal legal aid work.
World Cup 2026: France 3-0 Iraq recap
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After a half-time interval lasting more than two hours, France made it two group wins from two.
Native, wildlife could be 'vulnerable' when deadly bird flu reaches New Zealand
Vigilance is being urged in New Zealand as Australia confirms another case of a deadly strain of bird flu.
Best way to combat AI cyber threats is with AI, Five Eyes security agencies say
Cybersecurity agencies in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada, and the UK have issued a joint warning on the cyber threat posed by artificial intelligence.
Mbappe's 2 goals help France cruise past Iraq in match prolonged by 2-hour weather delay
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Kylian Mbappe scored twice to move into a tie for second in career World Cup goals with 16, and France played through the tournament's first rain delay to beat Iraq 3-0 on Monday and advance to the knockout stage.
Record-breaking Messi sends Argentina into last 32
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Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer when he netted both goals in Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria in Group J in Dallas to confirm the holders' place in the last 32.
Why the World Cup final halftime show is controversial
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a halftime show for the first time. It has ruffled the feathers of some soccer fanatics. Here's why.
Galway two-time All-Ireland winner Paul Clancy dies
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Two-time Galway All-Ireland winner Paul Clancy has died at the age of 49.
Ebola cases in DR Congo hits 1,000, fatality rate at 25%
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More than 1,000 Ebola infections have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the latest outbreak has killed more than 250 people so far, official figures showed.
Mexico, Canada have formed a common front on CUSMA talks, says Sheinbaum
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Mexico has formed a common front with Canada during ongoing talks around the future of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), says Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Defence Force not ruling out using targeting tech used in Iran war in future
AI-driven Maven Smart Systems has been developed by the Pentagon and tech firm Palantir, and used in the Iran war to speed up targeting hugely.
Keir Starmer Resigns as Prime Minister
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Keir Starmer resigns as PM, and Andy Burnham confirms he will run to replace him.
Olivia Rodrigo announces all-women music festival featuring Chappell Roan, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks
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Nearly 30 years after Sarah McLachlan launched what would become the massively successful all-women touring festival, Lilith Fair, Rodrigo is starting a festival of her own. It's called Daisy Chain Fields, and it features an all-women lineup.
Human rights museum board member resigns over 'one-sided' exhibit on displaced Palestinians
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A trustee for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights says he has resigned from the Winnipeg facility's board over an upcoming exhibit about displaced Palestinians.
Clive Davis, music industry mogul, dies aged 94
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Clive Davis, the American music mastermind who championed some of the globe's biggest names, including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, and Santana, has died aged 94.
Our Changing World: Analysing ash and studying Vanuatu’s volcanoes
Do we need to be worried about New Zealand's active volcanoes releasing large quantities of toxic chemicals? One scientist wants to find out.
EU waits for Burnham, the unknown quantity
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Senior EU figures were quick to praise Keir Starmer's legacy given his determination to overturn years of Conservative-driven Brexit turmoil and his embrace of the EU-UK reset.
Trump continues to allege D.C. reflecting pool was vandalized, as ex-Olympian denies doing damage
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The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington's National Mall is set to be drained again for repairs after algae and peeling paint appeared just weeks after a $14.7-million US renovation, while U.S President Donald Trump threatened prison time for anyone caught damaging the pool.
World Cup 2026: Argentina 2-0 Austria recap
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Argentina have secured their place in the knockout rounds with a game to spare after two goals from Lionel Messi say them ease to a 2-0 win over Austria. Here's how it happened.
Uber board sued over alleged failure to address sexual abuse by drivers
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A group of shareholders accused Uber Technologies management and directors of ignoring internal and external warnings about Uber's alleged failure to address sexual abuse by drivers. A spokesperson for Uber says the lawsuit ignores important facts.
Man who wrongly had deportation order becomes citizen
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A Brazilian man who had a deportation order wrongly linked to his identity has become an Irish citizen at a ceremony in Kerry today.
Jury in Riad Bouchaker trial shown garda interview video
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Riad Bouchaker told gardaí he did not want to kill and what happened was a mistake in his first garda interview after his arrest for the attempted murder of three children in Dublin in November 2023.
'I don't care': Whitehorse mayor shrugs off study giving city failing grade for financial transparency
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A new report from the C.D. Howe Institute ranks Whitehorse as one of Canada's least transparent cities when it comes to budget information. But Mayor Kirk Cameron isn't bothered.
Girl, 6, dies in Newry after being struck by van
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A young girl has died after being hit by a van in Newry on Sunday night.
Lionel Messi becomes all-time World Cup leading goalscorer after Argentina's 2-0 win over Austria
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Lionel Messi set a World Cup record with his 17th and 18th goals, and defending champion Argentina advanced to the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday in Arlington, Texas.
'Hidden homelessness' in Dublin, Cork detailed in report
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Two reports released by Focus Ireland provide "one of the clearest pictures of the scale and nature of homelessness" in Ireland's two largest urban areas, according to the homeless charity.
Bennett appointed to conduct Rowing Ireland review
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Amanda Bennett will spearhead an independent review into the organisational culture of Rowing Ireland's High-Performance programme, the Government confirmed today.
Man wanted for murder of Robbie Lawlor appears in court
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A 41-year-old man wanted for the murder of gang leader Robbie Lawlor in Belfast six years ago has appeared before the High Court in Dublin.
'Lengthy sentence' for Donaldson inevitable - judge
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Coverage of developments after ex-DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of historical sex offences, while his wife Eleanor Donaldson was found to have aided and abetted him.
Deadly Montreal shooting sparks renewed calls to ban SKS rifles
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Alleged Montreal shooter followed conspiracy theorists, wrote manifesto weeks before attack
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Are more police officers getting killed in the line of duty? Here's what the data tells us
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What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?
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Some UV exposure is essential for our wellbeing, but too much is damaging and can cause skin cancer.
Ex-justice minister given 25-yr prison sentence for martial law role
Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after a district court found him guilty of playing a key role in an insurrection through his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the heavy punishment for Park, which surpassed the 20-year prison term sought by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team. The court immediately placed Park under custody, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence. Cho's team earlier indicted Park on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection and abusing his power by calling a meeting of senior ministry officials following Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The court convicted Park on both charges, recognizing the special counsel team's argument that Park had called the meeting to review dispatching prosecutors to a martial law-supporting body, check the capacity of correctional facilities, allegedly to hold politicians and key figures expected to be arrested under the martial law, and order ministry officials in charge of imposing travel
Concentration in chips 'natural'; efforts to improve foreigners' market access underway: KRX chief
The head of Korea's bourse operator assessed Monday that the current concentration in semiconductors is "natural," considering various factors, such as the operating profits of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. "I think (the market concentration) is a result of the natural price-setting process driven by supply and demand, taking into consideration various factors," Jeong Eun-bo, chairman of the Korea Exchange (KRX), said at a press conference with foreign media in Seoul. The comments from the chief of Seoul's bourse operator came amid concerns over volatility in the local market, with the combined market capitalization of Samsung and SK hynix surpassing 50 percent of the total value of companies listed on the benchmark KOSPI. "The price-to-earnings ratio (PER) based on the expected revenue of Samsung and SK hynix is set to be a bit shy of 7 to 8, while the figure for Micron Technology Inc. is over 10," he said. He added that it is too early to say if the current semiconductor rally is "speculation" and that the government is making efforts to "smooth out" such market movements. During th
Ex-lawmaker Ihn Yohan named chief of Korean Red Cross
Ihn Yo-han, a former lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party, has been named chief of the Korean Red Cross, the organization said Monday. Ihn was chosen through a vote by the organization's central committee and will take office for a three-year term upon approval from President Lee Jae Myung, honorary president of the Korean Red Cross. "Ihn served in the medical field for a long time and was considered the right person to lead the Red Cross' projects based on his activities in the public health sector, and experiences with fighting tuberculosis in North Korea and supplying medical equipment there," the organization said. Ihn, also known as John Linton, hails from an American family that has dedicated its services to developing medicine and education in South Korea. His great-grandfather and grandfather were both missionaries, while his father was a U.S. Navy officer who participated in the Incheon Landing Operation during the 1950-53 Korean War. Born in Jeonju, some 200 kilometers south of Seoul, in 1959, Ihn graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and worked as a
Searching for K-Sappho: LGBTQ+ people in Korean history
“I tell you / Someone will remember us / even in another time.” This three-line fragment of a poem is attributed to Sappho of Lesbos, a poet well-known for her wistful yet romantic musings on love. She is also the etymological origin of the term “sapphic,” and the more widely known “lesbian.” Sappho is a rare case of a historical figure that is widely agreed to have been part of the LGBTQ+ community. Historical figures, unless their sexualities are explicitly voiced, are often viewed through a lens of heteronormativity. Even considering shifting societal attitudes toward sexual orientation and gender expression, history yields proof that people have always been more complex than the comfortable binaries many believe in. Though not widely known or referenced, Korean history too features its own half-forgotten Sapphos, often mentioned only in passing but with enough consistent presence that they cannot be entirely overwritten — and when better than now to remember them? Warrior-poets of Silla Surviving records of Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) showcase a different set of norms
Seoul moves to raise subway free-ride age to 70, include bus access
Public transportation passengers aged 65 and older can ride the subway for free, but that age may soon be raised to 70. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday it will move forward with a public hearing on a proposed plan to raise the age threshold, while expanding transportation support for older residents. City officials said they received an official request from the Korean Seoul Senior Citizens Association earlier in the day to jointly host a public forum on senior transportation welfare policies. The city plans to accept the proposal and organize a hearing that allows broader citizen participation. Details on the schedule and venue will be announced on the city’s website. The plan comes as the city pushes to adjust the current free ride system, which grants unlimited free access to all residents aged 65 and older under the Welfare of Older Persons Act. Making the change was a key pledge by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon in his recent reelection campaign earlier this month. The move follows a June 19 meeting between Oh and the association’s leadership, where both sides discussed ad
Alan Greenspan, longtime US Federal Reserve chairman, dies aged 100
Alan Greenspan, hailed as the greatest Federal Reserve chairman when he retired in 2006 but derided for a severe financial crisis that followed barely two years later, died on Monday aged 100, NBC News reported. Greenspan, who exerted a powerful influence on the U.S. economy during his tenure at the helm of the Fed from August 1987 to January 2006, died at his home from complications of Parkinson’s Disease, NBC reported, citing his wife Andrea Mitchell, who is the outlet's chief Washington correspondent. Greenspan oversaw the second-longest economic expansion in U.S. history, an uninterrupted decade of growth from March 1991 to March 2001. His decision to let the economy run — despite pressure to raise interest rates against an inflation threat that never materialized — helped foster years of U.S. prosperity and earned him rock star status as an economic "maestro." The era was marked by his prescient judgment that a productivity surge in the mid-1990s would keep inflation contained. His intuition in that moment is still a touchstone for policymakers, and has been referred to by for
Vance says talks in Switzerland with Iranian officials set 'good foundation' for deal to end war
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland — Vice President JD Vance said Monday peace talks with Iran created a “good foundation for a successful final deal” to end the war that began at the end of February. “The final deal is the house,” Vance told reporters. “We set the foundation. We haven’t built the house, but we’ve laid a successful foundation to get to a good place for the American people.” Vance's comments came after he and Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Monday wrapped up a lengthy round of initial talks aimed at solidifying a permanent end to the war between the countries. The mediation effort in Switzerland, which started Sunday and stretched into the early hours of Monday, had rocky moments. But the talks also led to some agreements between the two sides. The vice president also suggested that the U.S. administration could agree to unfreeze Iranian assets for purchases of U.S. soy, corn and wheat. He said that Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump and one of the lead U.S. negotiators, came up with the idea with officials from Qatar. Vanc
Activist calls for school police as alternative to ‘Teach You a Lesson’ agents
An education activist is calling for the introduction of a U.S.-style school police system in Korea, arguing that a recent proposal to create a real-life version of a fictional teacher protection squad from the Netflix series "Teach You a Lesson" is legally infeasible and that only police officers with investigative powers can realistically safeguard teachers and students. Lee Keon-joo, representative of the Citizens' Coalition for the Future of School Education, a Seoul-based nonegovernmental organization, said the proposal by Gyeonggi education superintendent-elect Ahn Min-seok — inspired by the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a fictional squad in the drama that deploys discipline agents, sometimes through vigilante violence, to rescue classrooms from unruly students and difficult parents — fails to address the legal realities teachers face daily. “What’s depicted in the drama is a kind of fantasy, because in reality teachers would face serious legal consequences for human rights violations or child abuse if they did the same,” Lee said during a recent intervie
French, Korean artists to reimagine sound at Sejong Center
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will open its contemporary “Sync Next 26” season with an ambitious Franco-Korean sonic theater project that blurs the boundaries between music, language and everyday sound. Titled “Wind Alone, Sand Alone — Make No Sound,” the world premiere brings together three artists from Korea and three from France who treat sound not as a finished product but as a living process shaped by encounters and relationships. The performance is part of celebrations in Korea and France for the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Haegeum performer Kim Ye-ji, geomungo player Sim Eun-yong and jeongga singer Cho Yoon-young, sound artist Remi Klemensiewicz, viola d’amore player Olivier Marin and vocalist Christian Ploix will share the Sejong S Theater stage from July 3 to 5, before touring France and the United Kingdom in October. Jeongga is a genre of Korean vocal music that developed in aristocratic and court circles that is characterized by slow tempos, subtle ornamentation and a close relationship with poetic texts. The haegeum is a traditional two-stringed
From Messi to Haaland: Is there optimal height for World Cup footballers?
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Most World Cup squads average between 180 and 185 centimeters, with Korea at 181.9 cm — the second-tallest team in Group A. Experts say success depends on balancing height with agility, endurance and technical ability. According to Australian nonprofit media outlet The Conversation, elite sports follow a principle known as morphological optimization — the idea that athletes with body types best suited to their sport are more likely to succeed. One recent example is French NBA star Victor Wembanyama, whose towering 224-centimeter frame has transformed professional basketball. But does football, the world's most popular sport, also have an optimal height? Professor Tim Olds of the University of Adelaide says height alone is far less important than technical skill. "Height is certainly not as valuable an asset for a soccer player as other characteristics such as ball skills, stamina, agility, the ability to read the play and sense where players are on the field," Olds wrote in a column for The Conversation. He noted that the overwhelming major
UK's Starmer says he will resign
LONDON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would resign, with a new leader to be in place by the time parliament returns in September. Less than two years after he won a landslide election victory that promised to end chaos in British politics, Starmer said he would support whoever replaced him. The threat to Starmer, which had been building for months, increased sharply on Friday when Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, decisively won a parliamentary election to return to Westminster, beating a candidate from Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, which has led national opinion polls for more than a year. That victory gave hope to Labour lawmakers that Burnham, a career politician known for his communication skills, could transform the fortunes of a party that has lost support under Starmer, whose popularity ratings have sunk to the lowest for any British leader. But the change is not without risk. Beyond saying that the country needs fundamental change and to bring down the cost of living, Burnham has yet to make clear his approach to foreign affairs, the economy and de
TWICE's Jihyo draws attention with sister at baseball game as fans spot family's rising star power
TWICE leader Jihyo turned heads at a KBO League game over the weekend, not only for her energetic ceremonial first pitch but also for appearing alongside her younger sister, drawing renewed attention to the growing presence of the singer's family in the entertainment industry. Jihyo and her younger sister Lee Ha-eum attended the game between the Lotte Giants and Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Sunday as the ceremonial pitcher and batter, respectively. The sisters appeared in matching Kiwoom Heroes jerseys and greeted fans with bright smiles, quickly becoming a talking point online. Their similar facial features and cheerful energy drew praise from spectators, while fans noted how the siblings showcased different charms. Jihyo, known for her athletic imagee, took the mound wearing a crop top, wide-leg denim jeans and a jersey bearing her legal name, Park Ji-hyo. With her long hair tied in a ponytail, the TWICE member drew attention for her sporty styling and confident presence. She delivered a powerful pitch before flashing a smile to the crowd, earning loud cheers from fans
Hearts2Hearts projects full summer energy with new release 'Lemon Tang'
K-pop girl group Hearts2Hearts is officially in its summer era. SM Entertainment's buzzy rookie group dropped its new minialbum "Lemon Tang" Monday, ready to take over summer playlists with a sound as sweet and tangy as the title suggests. The eight-member group debuted in February 2025 and has been racking up hits ever since, channeling the same girlish, slightly mysterious charm that made label seniors Girls' Generation and f(x) icons, this time through tracks like "The Chase," "STYLE" and "FOCUS." Then came "RUDE!" in February. Powered by its fizzy production and a scene-stealing part from member Stella, the single turned into a global hit. Just hours before "Lemon Tang" dropped, all eight members — Jiwoo, Carmen, Yuha, Stella, Juun, A-na, Ian and Ye-on — sat down with press at Blue Square in Yongsan District, Seoul, all smiles about following up the success of "RUDE!" "I'm still so thankful for how much love 'RUDE!' got. The first half of this year was a lot, but a good kind of a lot," Stella said. "Hitting our goal of topping the rookie charts last year meant everything. I really
US and Iran wrap second day of talks after rough start
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland — Senior negotiators from the U.S. and Iran on Monday wrapped up a lengthy round of initial talks aimed at solidifying a permanent end to the war between the countries. The mediation effort in Switzerland started Sunday and had rocky moments. But it also led to some agreements between the two sides. Mediators Qatar and Pakistan hailed what they called “encouraging progress” made during the talks as Iran and the United States agreed to create a “de-confliction cell” to address the fighting in Lebanon. A senior U.S. diplomat claimed progress on multiple fronts, including the establishment of “mechanisms” to ensure the Strait of Hormuz , a vital waterway for global energy shipments , remains open and that a ceasefire in southern Lebanon holds. Yet the talks between the U.S. and Iran, who were accompanied by Qatari and Pakistani officials, was jolted by blistering statements from U.S. President Donald Trump , who from thousands of miles away from the Swiss negotiating venue at a mountainside resort near Lake Lucerne was firing off comments that offended
[PHOTO] Starbucks closes early
A Starbucks store in Seoul displays a notice Monday announcing an early closure at 3 p.m. for employee training on historical and social awareness. The training follows a controversy over Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" promotional campaign in May, which drew criticism for language that many viewed as evoking key moments linked to the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin later apologized for the incident. Yonhap
Korean beef sizzles in Dubai's fine dining scene
Korean fine dining restaurant Hanu in Dubai is now seeing rising demand for hanwoo, Korean beef livestock, over Japanese wagyu. The growing popularity of Korean beef is generating buzz not only for its distinctive taste but also for helping redefine hansik, or traditional Korean cuisine, in one of the Middle East’s major economies. For the past five years, Hanu chef Moon Kyung-soo has worked to secure halal certification for imported hanwoo from Korea, which is now the most popular meat selection at the establishment. “Hanwoo is not as fatty as wagyu. Hanwoo’s real flavor is in its juice and aroma. Our patrons at first doubted hanwoo but they love it now. A table once ordered 25 servings of hanwoo in a single meal,” Moon said in an interview with The Korea Times on Monday. “More than 90 percent of our guests prefer hanwoo over wagyu. As our consumption of wagyu has declined so sharply, our wagyu suppliers complained about the slowdown.” Hanu sources its hanwoo from a slaughterhouse in Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, the only meat processor in Korea with halal certificatio
Outgoing PM pledges to revive party ratings, prepares for party leadership race
Outgoing Prime Minister Kim Min-seok pledged efforts to lift public support for the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as he prepares to leave his post and focus on party affairs, signaling his intention to run for the party leadership. He implied that current DPK leaders, including Chairman Jung Chung-rae, were responsible for the disappointing results in the June 3 local elections and the downward trend in approval ratings for both the party and President Lee Jae Myung. Kim offered his evaluation of the party’s situation on Monday at a press conference, during which he also reviewed his experience as prime minister over the past year, which he is set to leave as soon as his successor is appointed. He is widely believed to be preparing to run in the party’s leadership race, in a national convention set for August. “Now is the time for the party and the administration to show perfect alignment and cooperation, and for the party to do more than it did before the elections to support the president's governance and work to raise overall support for both the party and the administration,
Seoul rules out Hormuz toll, eyes Middle East reconstruction projects
Korea is positioning itself for a postwar role in Middle East reconstruction while maintaining firm opposition to any tolls on Strait of Hormuz passage, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday, as the diplomatic fallout from the U.S.-Iran conflict continues to influence Seoul's regional strategy. “To drive the participation of Korean companies in regional reconstruction and build a comprehensive economic partnership with the Middle East, the foreign ministry launched a dedicated comprehensive economic cooperation team on Korea-Middle East, while using overseas embassies to actively scout for tailored cooperation opportunities across the region,” Cho said during a press conference. “The ministry has been preparing for the post-war era since before a potential U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.” The agreement, signed electronically by Washington and Tehran, extends the ceasefire and sets the stage for reopening the strait. Korea is among the countries reportedly being considered for participation in a $300 billion (459 trillion won) private fund designed to channel investment in
Watchdog launches probe into Mirae Asset Securities over SpaceX IPO allocation debacle
The fallout from the SpaceX “zero shares” fiasco has prompted authorities to investigate Mirae Asset Securities and several other investment management firms. This comes after a Korean allocation of 2.31 million shares was withdrawn without explanation June 12, just hours before the Elon Musk-led company’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO). Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Gov. Lee Chan-jin said Monday that authorities are reviewing both the circumstances surrounding the disputed allocation process and possible safeguards to prevent a similar episode when future high-profile listings such as OpenAI or Anthropic come to market. The remarks come as the watchdog sifts through a growing number of investor complaints linked to the offering. Ahead of SpaceX’s June 11 IPO, Mirae Asset Securities marketed $500 million worth of stock to local investors. Regulatory filings it had published before subscriptions opening showed that the brokerage had secured an allocation of over 2.31 million shares, giving investors a rare chance to participate in the offering at the $135 issue p
SK hynix overtakes Samsung in market value amid AI-driven chip boom
SK hynix overtook Samsung Electronics to claim the top position on KOSPI by market capitalization on Monday, ending Samsung's reign of 25 years and seven months as the benchmark index's most valuable listed company. KOSPI, meanwhile, edged higher to close above the 9,100 mark, setting a new record high on a closing basis. According to the Korea Exchange, SK hynix recorded a market capitalization of about 2,080.38 trillion won ($1.35 trillion), surpassing Samsung Electronics’ 2,066.66 trillion won by about 13.72 trillion won on a closing price basis. Samsung Electronics first claimed KOSPI's top spot by market capitalization on July 29, 1999, and had maintained its dominance uninterrupted since Nov. 21, 2000. The change at the top comes amid a rally in the semiconductor sector fueled by surging demand tied to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. While both Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have benefited from the trend, SK hynix has delivered markedly stronger stock performance, ending Samsung's long-standing reign as the market's most valuable company. Samsung's shares have risen nearly
Kakao Map showing detailed North Korean geographical data goes viral online
South Korean map service Kakao Map’s detailed geographical data of North Korea went viral online recently, as the information had previously been blocked on South Korean apps. Many users on X, formerly Twitter, shared posts Monday saying they found it surprising that Kakao Map includes detailed data about North Korea. “Kakao Map shows us Pyongyang. I feel like I have been there,” a user wrote. The reactions reflect the decade-long censorship against North Korean information. Due to the fact that the two Koreas are technically at war and other political reasons, South Koreans have long been prevented from accessing information about the North. For instance, if a South Korean comes into contact with someone from the North, they are required to report it to the government. A Korea Times reporter using Kakao Map found that anyone can zoom in and zoom out to see the names of North Korean mountains, railway stops and universities. While the reporter was not able to search the app by searching place names, by simply moving the cursor, details on the map could easily be reviewed. Kakao, the
Ukrainian FM to visit S. Korea next week for talks on ties, NK POWs
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha plans to visit South Korea next week and will meet with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to discuss bilateral ties and the issue of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs), officials said Monday. Cho will have talks with Sybiha in Seoul on June 30 and the assessments of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the issue of North Korean POWs in Ukraine are likely to be on the agenda, according to officials of Seoul's foreign ministry. Two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces in early 2025 after being deployed to Russia's Kursk in support of Moscow. They have expressed their intention to defect to South Korea. The Seoul government has maintained that North Korean soldiers are constitutionally regarded as South Korean nationals and that it would accept any POWs wishing to come to South Korea, while providing necessary protection and support in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. "There has been no change in the government's basic position of facilitating their travel to South Korea as promptly as possibl
Life sentence confirmed for pizza store murderer
A life sentence has been finalized for a 42-year-old man over fatal stabbings at a Seoul pizza store last year, legal sources said Monday. The Seoul High Court handed down the ruling on Kim Dong-won on June 11. Kim's sentence was finalized Friday after he gave up his final appeal against the appellate court ruling, according to the sources. Kim, who operated a franchise pizza store in southern Seoul, killed an employee of the franchiser, an interior contractor and the contractor's daughter in September following a dispute over repair costs. During the sentencing on June 11, the court rejected his defense, saying, "While he (Kim) appears to have been stressed by interior defects, his response led to murder, which is unacceptable by societal standards." The prosecution had previously demanded the death penalty.
Lee’s disapproval rating tops approval for first time amid ruling party tensions
President Lee Jae Myung’s disapproval rating has surpassed his approval rating for the first time since he took office, according to a Realmeter survey released Monday, with analysts pointing to growing tensions within the ruling camp as a key factor behind the decline. Lee’s approval rating fell 4.8 percentage points from the previous week to 46.7 percent, while his disapproval rose 5.5 points to 49.7 percent, marking the first time negative assessments have exceeded positive ones since his inauguration in June 2025. It was also the first time his approval rating fell below 50 percent in a Realmeter survey. Realmeter attributed the decline to public backlash over election management failures and intensified infighting within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). The pollster also said concerns over widening wealth disparities contributed to declining support among moderate voters and those living in the Seoul metropolitan area. Kim Sang-il, a political commentator, said the drop reflected broader concerns about how the governing camp has conducted itself since the June 3 local
Over 200 stocks face delisting as penny stock crackdown kicks off in July
More than 200 public companies could face delisting under a new Korea Exchange (KRX) rule targeting penny stocks set to take effect July 1, putting investors and affected firms on edge. Penny stocks refer to shares trading below 1,000 won ($0.65). According to KRX data, 219 companies were trading below that threshold as of Friday, accounting for 7.6 percent of all listed firms. The total includes 148 companies listed on the secondary Kosdaq market, 42 on the benchmark KOSPI and 29 on the Korea New Exchange (KONEX), a market for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. These companies account for more than 8 trillion won in combined market capitalization, raising concerns that a sizable amount of value could disappear from the market if those firms eventually fail to meet the new requirements. Given the monitoring and grace periods under the new rules, market observers expect the first companies to become eligible for delisting as early as the fourth quarter of the year. The move is part of a broader delisting reform package unveiled by the KRX earlier this year to accelerate the r
PM heads to China for Summer Davos Forum, meetings with senior Chinese officials
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok left for China on Monday for a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in the coastal city of Dalian, as well as meetings with senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Kim left for Beijing on Korean Air Force Two amid speculation about whether he will meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. After Beijing, Kim will fly to Dalian to attend the annual WEF meeting, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, where he is scheduled to deliver a special address outlining Korea's innovative economic vision and propose ways of international cooperation. It is Kim's first trip to China since taking office as the first prime minister of President Lee Jae Myung last year. In March, he had planned to visit China for the annual Boao Forum for Asia, but the trip was canceled as he had to deal with the effects of the conflict in the Middle East. Kim is also the first Korean prime minister to attend the Summer Davos Forum in 10 years since then Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn did so in 2016. On the sidelines of the forum, Kim is expected to meet with officials and business leaders from other nation
University of Seoul-supported startup to develop AI-based road safety management model
Mobilintec, a mobility and transportation data startup, plans to develop and demonstrate an agentic artificial intelligence (AI)-based traffic collision prediction and response system for local roads as part of a government-led project to develop innovative AI city technologies. The company said Friday that it will participate as a joint research institution in the “2026 AI City Innovative Technology Discovery Project” organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Mobilintec, based in the campus town program of the University of Seoul, noted that its role is to address traffic safety issues on local roads closely connected to citizens’ daily lives by leveraging AI technologies. The university-supported startup seeks to accelerate the commercialization of agentic AI-based risk situation recognition and prediction technologies and expand urban safety services. According to the firm, the project will enable agentic AI to analyze risk situations in real time and predict traffic collisions on local roads shared by diverse road users, including pedestrians, vehicles, p
Hidden treasure trove opens its doors as Seoul unveils first integrated heritage vault
A vast repository of art, history and cultural treasures usually kept out of public view is preparing to welcome visitors for the first time. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that the Seoul Cultural Heritage Center Hoengseong, the city’s first integrated storage facility for museum and gallery collections, will conduct a pilot operation through July 22, ahead of its official opening in September. Located in Hoengseong County in Gangwon Province, the center was built to consolidate, preserve, research and share cultural assets held by Seoul’s museums and art institutions. During the monthlong trial period, visitors will be able to freely explore key public spaces, including an open storage area, outdoor exhibition grounds and a reference room. Admission is free, and the facility will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Mondays. The center currently stores about 70,000 artifacts and artworks and has the capacity to hold as many as 720,000 items. Among its most distinctive features is an open storage facility displaying about 2,600 objects from major institutions, inc
Rare Pokémon cards fetch premium prices among Gen Z, sparking thefts
A 1996 Japanese Pokémon base set recently sold for $178,120 at the international online auction platform Goldin. The 102-card set, which includes a holographic Charizard, Blastoise and Venusaur, recorded the highest price at the platform's Spring Pop Culture Auction that concluded June 17. A 2002 Charizard card and a 2003 Crystal Charizard card followed, selling for $122,000 and $109,800, respectively. Pokémon cards evolved from childhood hobbies into alternative investments, fueling a resale market valued at $15.8 billion in 2024, cryptocurrency media outlet Decrypt said. Hundreds of auctioneers, brokers and grading companies gathered at a major Asian trading card event in Hong Kong from Friday to Sunday to view 10 types of rare graded cards commemorating the franchise's 30th anniversary, Esquire Hong Kong said. The tokenized Pokémon card market hit a minimum of $230 million as of May. Dominic Jang, co-founder of Pokémon card tokenization platform Deadstock, told the Hankook Ilbo on Sunday that the franchise is a global intellectual property whose narrative has remained unbroken fo
Ex-justice minister given 25-year prison sentence for martial law role
Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after a district court found him guilty of playing a key role in an insurrection through his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the heavy punishment for Park, which surpassed the 20-year prison term sought by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team. The court immediately placed Park under custody, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence. Cho's team earlier indicted Park on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection and abusing his power by calling a meeting of senior ministry officials following Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. The court convicted Park on both charges, recognizing the special counsel team's argument that Park had called the meeting to review dispatching prosecutors to a martial law-supporting body, check the capacity of correctional facilities, allegedly to hold politicians and key figures expected to be arrested under the martial law, and order ministry officials in charge of imposing travel
Seoul schools roll out AI-powered college guidance for migrant-background students
As the number of students from migrant backgrounds continues to grow in Korea’s classrooms, Seoul education officials are expanding efforts to help them navigate a college admissions system that can be difficult even for native-born students to understand. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said Monday that it will broaden customized career and college admissions support for students with migrant backgrounds through a series of information sessions, consulting programs and career fair services. The initiative is designed to provide practical admissions information while strengthening the college and career planning capabilities of students, parents and teachers. A major admissions briefing will be held Tuesday at the education office’s main auditorium. The session will introduce special admissions pathways, including social integration admissions, opportunities for students from multicultural families and admissions programs for foreign nationals. Officials will also present successful admission cases tailored to different student groups, including late-arrival immigrant stude
FRIDAY, June 26, 2026
363-Roman Emperor Julian is killed during retreat from the Sassanid Empire. General Jovian is proclaimed Emperor by troops on the battlefield. 1794-Battle of Fleurus: Major victory by forces of the First French Republic under General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan over the Coalition Army (Great Britain, Hanover, Dutch Republic, and Habsburgs) with the first use of a reconnaissance balloon 1857-The first 62 recipients receive the Victoria Cross for valor in the Crimean War from Queen Victoria 1917-First U.S. troops arrive in France during World War I 1945-The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 nations in San Francisco 2016-Panama Canal's third set of locks opens for commercial traffic, doubling the Canal’s capacity at an estimated cost of $5.25 billion
8% youth savings plan faces test as stock market booms
The appeal of a new government-backed savings program for young people, which opened for applications on Monday, is being put to the test as a stock market frenzy draws younger investors into equities. According to the Financial Services Commission (FSC), applications for the Youth Future Savings Plan will be accepted for two weeks through July 3 at 15 major banks. The program is available to individuals aged 19 to 34. Applicants must meet income requirements based on earnings from the previous year. The general tier is available to those who earn a salary of up to 60 million won ($39,000) a year, as well as small business owners with annual sales of up to 300 million won. The three-year savings product allows subscribers to deposit up to 500,000 won a month. It offers a base interest rate of 5 percent, which can rise to as much as 7 to 8 percent depending on the bank and eligibility for additional incentives. The government will provide contributions equivalent to 6 percent or 12 percent of monthly deposits, depending on income levels, while exempting interest income from taxation. The F
After $5 mil. home, BLACKPINK's Lisa shows off another luxury purchase
BLACKPINK member Lisa is once again drawing attention for her lavish lifestyle after revealing what appears to be a classic Ferrari sports car. On Monday, Lisa shared a photo on her personal social media account with the caption, "MY NEW BABY." The image showed a red vehicle believed to be a Ferrari Testarossa, one of the Italian automaker's most iconic sports cars. The post quickly drew attention online, as Lisa has previously made headlines for showcasing several high-end supercars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The latest reveal comes after reports that the global K-pop star purchased a home in Seoul's affluent Seongbuk-dong neighborhood for 7.5 billion won ($5 million) in 2023. The detached residence spans one basement level and two above-ground floors. According to reports, Lisa paid the full amount in cash. Lisa has continued to expand her global profile beyond music. On June 12, she appeared on stage during the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. As one of K-pop's most internationally recognized stars, Lisa frequently generates buzz on soci
Hanwha Aerospace receives A- issuer credit rating from S&P
Hanwha Aerospace said Monday that it has received a long-term issuer credit rating of A- with a stable outlook from S&P Global Ratings, marking its first rating from a global credit assessment agency and strengthening its access to international capital markets. The company is the first Korean defense and aerospace firm to receive a global credit rating. The investment-grade rating places Hanwha Aerospace in the same category as major global defense companies and is expected to facilitate direct fundraising in overseas debt markets. In its assessment, S&P cited the company's competitive defense platforms, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system, which are well-positioned to benefit from rising global defense spending. The ratings agency also highlighted Hanwha Aerospace's expanding weapons exports, particularly to Europe and the Middle East, as well as its ability to rapidly fulfill orders. S&P noted the company's strategic importance to Korea's national security and its record order backlog of approximately 37 trillion won ($24 billion) at the
OpenAI lands Samsung as major ChatGPT Enterprise customer
OpenAI is set to supply its chatbot ChatGPT Enterprise and its artificial intelligence (AI) coding agent Codex to Samsung Electronics employees worldwide as part of the Korean tech giant's companywide push to accelerate its AI transformation. Under the deal, the services will be available to all employees in Korea and to staff across the company’s Device eXperience (DX) Division worldwide. The agreement marks a significant expansion of OpenAI’s enterprise footprint, positioning Samsung among its largest global customers. Samsung plans to embed the generative AI tools across a wide range of functions, including software development, marketing, product design and manufacturing, to boost productivity and strengthen problem-solving capabilities. “This deployment is significant in OpenAI’s history because Samsung, a global technology and manufacturing leader, is adopting AI not as a tool specific for certain teams or tasks but as a core platform to enhance the way employees work and innovate across the organization,” OpenAI Korea General Manager Kim Kyoung-hoon said. “OpenAI will w
Candidate's faked 'political terrorism'
The two-party system that has dominated Korean politics for decades is largely responsible for the country's political polarization. Politicians have frequently resorted to divisive tactics and strategies to consolidate their support bases and expand their influence. In such a fractured political environment, the role of minor parties is essential. Depending on their performance, they can help ease partisan conflicts and reduce confrontations between the ruling and main opposition parties, transforming political competition into outcomes that benefit the broader community. In this sense, the recent scandal involving the Reform Party is particularly regrettable. The police are investigating Jeong I-han, who ran in the Busan mayoral election on the Reform Party’s ticket, over manufactured attack allegations. On April 27, during the campaign period for the June 3 local elections, Jeong issued a press release claiming that he had been the target of political violence. According to Jeong, while he was campaigning in Busan’s Geumjeong District, a driver in a passing vehicle threw coffee a
Try these simple habits for fewer mosquito bites
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As the weather gets hotter, more people are losing sleep because of mosquitoes. Even in the same room, some people seem to get bitten repeatedly while others escape almost untouched. This is because mosquitoes do not choose their targets at random. They detect body heat, carbon dioxide from breathing, body odor and chemicals released by the skin. Adopting a few simple daily habits can help reduce the number of mosquito bites. Shower after sweating Mosquitoes are believed to respond strongly to chemicals in sweat, such as lactic acid and ammonia. This is why people often notice more mosquito bites after exercising or spending time outdoors. During summer, elevated body temperatures makes people even more attractive to mosquitoes. Studies have found that people with higher body temperatures and heavier perspiration tend to attract more mosquitoes. Showering as soon as possible after outdoor activities and changing out of sweaty clothes can help reduce the risk of bites. Choose light-colored clothing Mosquitoes rely not only on smell but also on vi
Busan to host 21st International Magic Festival with competition, gala shows
The city of Busan and the Busan International Magic Festival (BIMF) Organizing Committee will hold the 21st annual Magic Convention from June 26 to 28 at the Busan Cinema Center, organizers announced Monday. The three-day indoor program at the Cinema Center's Sky Theater includes a Magic Gala Show featuring eight top-ranked magicians from Korea, France, Taiwan and Malaysia; the International Magic Competition, which is open to emerging performers; magic lectures by professional magicians; and a Winner Show spotlighting competition standouts. This year's Gala Show will include a performance by Jang Hae-seok, who appeared on the SBS entertainment program "The Magic Star." Yang Jae-hyeok, who won the Stage 1 category at last year's international competition, is set to perform in the Winner Show. The International Magic Competition will be judged under the same rules as the World Championship of Magic run by the Federation Internationale des Societes Magiques (FISM) — the global governing body for magic — making it the last qualifying opportunity before next year's FISM Asia Magic Champ
The fine line between policing facts and silencing critics
New revisions to the Information and Communications Network Act, which will take effect in July, will hand Korea one of the most decisive legal tools yet devised against online falsehoods. For a country that has watched deepfakes and manipulated clips spread faster than fact-checkers can debunk them, this is surely a step worth welcoming. But it also deserves to be implemented with care, so that a sound principle does not curdle into overreach. The revision targets influential online information producers, such as YouTubers with more than 100,000 subscribers or creators averaging over 100,000 monthly views. If such creators knowingly spread false or fabricated information and cause harm, they now face punitive financial damages of up to five times the loss incurred. Large platforms, defined as those with over a million daily users on average, must also establish formal reporting and response systems for disinformation. The case for action is persuasive. The Hyundai Research Institute has estimated that fake news costs the Korean economy roughly 30 trillion won annually, about 1.9 perce
AI-fabricated witch hunt against Kim Soo-hyun may be 1st of many
Of the several false allegations made against actor Kim Soo-hyun, the most damaging came with the release of an audio recording purportedly featuring the voice of the late actor Kim Sae-ron, whose relationship with Kim Soo-hyun had become the focus of the controversy. “We began dating when I was in middle school and broke up after I entered college. The first time we had sex was during winter break in my second year of middle school. Looking back now, I realize I was taken advantage of.” The recording later turned out to have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI). It was among the false materials cited in the case against YouTuber Kim Se-eui, who was taken into custody on charges of spreading false information about Kim Soo-hyun. In retrospect, things might have unfolded differently had the accusation been presented in another form. Had it been made in a written statement or delivered in person by Kim Se-eui, himself already a controversial figure, the public would likely have reacted with caution and demanded verification. But it came in the form of an audio recording pu
Net-zero push unites Korea's tire, auto parts giants
As global carbon regulations tighten and pressure mounts across supply chains, Hankook & Company Group is bringing its key affiliates together in a coordinated push toward its 2050 carbon neutrality goal. The group said Sunday that it recently held an energy exchange meeting at Hankook Engineering Lab in Daejeon, gathering energy management officials from Korea & Company, Hankook Tire & Technology and Hanon Systems to strengthen cooperation on carbon reduction and energy efficiency initiatives. About 20 employees from the three companies participated in the meeting, which took place Tuesday. The participants reviewed major energy sources and consumption patterns, discussed greenhouse gas management strategies and shared implementation plans for 2026. They also exchanged views on emissions trading systems, growing customer demands for carbon reduction and anticipated changes to electricity market structures. A key focus of the meeting was identifying practical ways to expand energy-saving measures and renewable energy adoption across the group. Officials introduced successful carbon reducti
Foreign repeat visits to Olive Young Sale surge 11-fold in 3 years
Foreign nationals' repeat visits to CJ Olive Young stores have surged 11-fold compared to three years ago, coinciding with the brand’s quarterly discount events, according to the beauty retailer Monday. Repeat visits by overseas shoppers to CJ Olive Young stores have been increasing annually in recent years, more than doubling each year since 2023. The company said that last year alone, 6,200 foreigners who traveled to Korea shopped at Olive Young three or more times during its discount events. Part of the reason for the repeat visits is that the Korea Customs Service refunds domestic taxes, including value-added tax, to foreign shoppers if they have a customs verification of export goods at airports or ports and leave the country within three months. The policy prompts foreign visitors to leave the country and, driven by interests in K-beauty, come back for more shopping. Olive Young Sale, held every March, June, September and December, involves more than 1,500 domestic beauty brands for discount, all of which represent Korea’s latest products and trends. CJ Olive Young said the ev
SK hynix beats Samsung Electronics in market cap to become most valuable company
SK hynix on Monday surpassed Samsung Electronics in market capitalization, to become Korea's most valuable listed company. Shares of SK hynix closed 5.61 percent higher, lifting the company's market capitalization to 2,080.37 trillion won ($1,350.98 billion), compared with Samsung Electronics' 2,066.66 trillion won after its stock slipped 0.14 percent. The milestone marked the first time Samsung Electronics has relinquished the top spot on the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) since it began its uninterrupted reign in 2000. Samsung first became the country's most valuable company by market capitalization in 1999. The shift comes as Korea's two largest chipmakers have continued to benefit from robust semiconductor demand fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with SK hynix significantly outperforming Samsung Electronics in stock gains. SK hynix, now the dominant supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI systems by customers including Nvidia and Alphabet's Google, has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global AI boom. Its shares have
Why foreign shoppers are flocking to this Seoul lifestyle store
A lifestyle store tucked into Seoul’s trendy Seongsu neighborhood has become an unlikely magnet for overseas visitors, with foreign customers now accounting for more than half of its sales. 29CM, the curated commerce platform operated by Musinsa, said Monday that its Iguhome Seongsu No. 1 store has attracted more than 1.2 million visitors since opening a year ago, cementing its status as a leading destination for Korean lifestyle brands. The store, which opened June 20, 2025, on Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu, was launched as 29CM’s first offline lifestyle retail space. Built around the concept of a “taste general store,” the shop brings the company’s online brand curation and storytelling approach into a physical setting. Its growing appeal among international visitors has turned the store into what the company describes as a testing ground for Korean home and lifestyle brands seeking exposure to global consumers. According to 29CM, international shoppers accounted for an average of 56 percent of total sales at the store from March 1 to May 31. As Seongsu has evolved into one of Seou
Why travel matters
Since my youth, I have been curious about the world beyond the Korean Peninsula. Over time, that curiosity deepened into a longing to travel the world. In pursuit of that longing, I embarked on a career as an international banker, a path that eventually led me to become an avid traveler. To be more specific, my working life spanning 30-odd years was a succession of transfers. I relocated 11 times mostly crossing international borders to work successively in seven cities across four different countries. I also traveled to many parts of the world on business or for pleasure. In retirement, I go places, as I please. So far, I have set foot on all continents except Africa. Based on my own experience, I would like to illustrate why travel matters. Above all, travel deepens our understanding of life. We can learn about many countries of the world through diligent reading. Yet what we learn from books remains merely intellectual. Travel brings our knowledge vividly to life. When we walk through the streets of unfamiliar cities and observe how people live in different countries, the world that
Seoul's Jung District launches AI platform for Dongdaemun fashion merchants
Jung District in central Seoul said Monday it has launched PROMAX, a free artificial intelligence (AI) image generation prompt platform developed specifically for merchants in the Dongdaemun fashion market, in what officials say is the first initiative of its kind by a local government in Korea. The platform, developed by the district's Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge, provides ready-made text prompts that merchants can copy and feed into generative AI tools with photos of their clothing to produce professional-quality virtual model images. Prompt writing, the process of composing detailed text instructions to guide AI image generators, had been a significant barrier for the merchants, who found trial and error too time-consuming. The Dongdaemun Buyer Lounge, a multi-purpose fashion community space on the fourth floor of Dondgaemun Design Plaza Fashion Mall, began offering one-on-one AI training to merchants in September last year. After seeing that merchants were interested in AI but struggled with actually using it, the district began platform development in May and ran a pilot before the offi
Key points from first round of Iran-US talks
BURGENSTOCK, Switzerland — Iran and the United States wrapped up the first round of talks to end the Middle East war at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland on Monday, with technical talks to continue. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hailed the "major progress" achieved with the help of mediators Pakistan and Qatar, while the United States government has yet to issue a statement. Here are the main points from the joint Qatar-Pakistan statement at the conclusion of first-round talks: Roadmap to final deal agreed The High Level Committee set up by Tehran and Washington to oversee the talks has "agreed upon a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days, laying the foundation for the immediate commencement of further technical talks", according to the statement. "Technical talks will continue for the remainder of the week at the Burgenstock resort on all issues." Lebanon 'de-confliction cell' The United States and Iran "agreed on the creation of a de-confliction cell, between the parties, the Lebanese Republic and facilitated by the Mediators, to ensure the adherence of the t
Nexen Tire to supply original equipment tires to 2 BYD models
Nexen Tire said Monday it will supply original equipment tires to two BYD electric vehicles — the Seal 6 and the Dolphin Surf — marking the Korean tire maker's first original equipment deal with the Chinese automaker. The Seal 6, a high-performance strategic model BYD has developed for global markets, will be fitted with Nexen's N'FERA Sport, a summer performance tire. The tires will be mounted on vehicles exported to Australia and other markets. The N'FERA Sport has received strong ratings in European tire tests for high-speed stability and handling. The Dolphin Surf — sold in China as the Seagull, which Time magazine named one of its best inventions of 2025 — will receive Nexen's N'Blue S for vehicles bound for Europe. The N'Blue S was developed to meet tightened European carbon emission regulations, with reduced rolling resistance and improved wet-road braking performance. It has been adopted as original equipment for a range of European vehicles and electric models. Nexen Tire, established in 1942 and headquartered in Seoul, began supplying tires to overseas automakers in 20
TUESDAY, June 23, 2026
930-World's oldest parliament, the Icelandic Parliament is established, the Alþingi (anglicised as Althing or Althingi) 1868-Christopher Latham Sholes patents the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, the first commercially successful of its kind 1960-First contraceptive pill is made available for purchase in the United States 1972-Hurricane Agnes becomes America's costliest natural disaster, affecting 15 states with 119 deaths and $3 billion in damage 1983-Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa meets Pope John Paul II during papal visit to Poland 2016-United Kingdom votes in the Brexit referendum to leave the European Union
Hyundai Engineering files patents for AI-based leak detection system
Hyundai Engineering said Monday it has filed two patents for an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that detects water leaks before they occur in data centers and other industrial facilities, developed in partnership with smart control technology firm LJ System. The system departs from conventional leak sensors, which only trigger an alert when water makes direct contact with the sensor. Instead, it continuously monitors multiple data streams — including pressure, flow rate, temperature and humidity — collected through IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, and uses AI to learn normal operating patterns and flag anomalies before a leak develops. A key feature is the system's ability to distinguish between condensation and an actual leak, a persistent source of false alarms in facility management. If humidity rises in a given area but pressure and flow readings remain stable, the AI classifies the event as condensation and suppresses the alert, reducing unnecessary shutdowns in large industrial facilities. The system also uses an on-device AI architecture — also known as edge AI
2 Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz following US-Iran deal
Two Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran that reopened the strategic waterway, the maritime ministry said Monday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the vessels are sailing normally after passing through the strait, but they have yet to completely leave the high-risk part of the passage. No Korean crew members are on board the vessels, and they are not bound for South, the ministry said, declining to disclose further details due to safety concerns. Under the ceasefire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the deal. With the departure of the two vessels, the number of Korean-linked ships remaining in the strait has fallen to 22. The ministry said 135 Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 102 aboard Korean-operated vessels and 33 serving on foreign-flagged ships.
Kookmin University research team’s paper accepted for presentation at international robotics conference
A Kookmin University research team has developed a new technology that helps artificial intelligence (AI) better understand 3D environments when objects are hidden from view or visual information is limited. The university said Friday that a paper detailing the technology has been accepted for presentation at the 2026 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) set for Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 in Pittsburgh. The team was led by Lee Seong-won, professor at the university’s School of Electrical Engineering. The team included Kim Jun-ho, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. Kim is the first author of the paper titled “RayOcc: Occlusion-Agnostic Ray Occupancy Estimation via Gaussian Mixture Intensity,” which proposes a robust AI-based method for estimating the occupancy of 3D spaces, helping overcome visibility limitations in complex environments. The university noted that the technology addresses challenges in 3D spatial understanding — essential for autonomous driving and robotics systems — and demonstrates the potential to overcome uncertainties
S. Korea slams N. Korea's expanded border fencing as armistice agreement violation
The South Korean military on Monday denounced North Korea's intensified border fencing as a violation of the armistice agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, following a report that the fences have been built very close to the inter-Korean border. The JoongAng Ilbo reported that the North has installed barbed wire fences just 80-90 meters from the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) separating the two Koreas, clearing land to plant mines as close as 5-10 meters to the MDL, citing military sources and a lawmaker. After the North's leader Kim Jong-un declared inter-Korean ties as those between "two states hostile to each other" in late 2023, the North has been fortifying the border since April 2024 by reinforcing barbed wire fences, planting mines and erecting anti-tank barriers along the MDL. "The North Korean military's installation of barriers along the MDL is a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement and our military will continue to respond in close cooperation with the United Nations Command (UNC)," the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. The JCS said the military
Sungkyunkwan University jumps 18 spots to 108th in QS World University Rankings
Sungkyunkwan University ranked 108th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, rising 18 places from 126th last year and reaffirming its global competitiveness as a leading institution. The university said Friday that the rise was driven mainly by enhanced research performance. Research-related indicators, including citations per faculty and research impact, showed significant gains, reflecting the university’s sustained research achievements accumulated over many years. The institution regards the accomplishment as one of the key outcomes of its Vision 2030 initiative. In September 2021, it announced the initiative with the goal of becoming a global leader in creating value for future society through creative challenges and innovation. At the time, the university set four strategic goals: innovating university education, becoming a leading research-centered university, building mutually beneficial partnerships and enhancing the university brand. The university said the rise in the global rankings represents a tangible result of its continued efforts to achieve the goal of becoming a l
Investigators seek arrest warrant for Shincheonji sect leader Lee Man-hee
Investigators said Monday they have filed for an arrest warrant for the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions he forced church members to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) ahead of elections between 2021 and 2024. Lee Man-hee is accused of violating the Political Parties Act, which bans forcing people to join or quit political parties. He is suspected of forcing church followers to join the PPP with the intention of swaying the outcome of the party's presidential primary in 2021 and the general election primaries in 2024. A joint investigative team between the police and prosecution, charged with investigating allegedly corrupt ties between political and religious groups, has been investigating the allegations surrounding Shincheonji.
Korea, UNESCO partner ahead of World Heritage Committee session in Busan
Korea's heritage authority and UNESCO signed a memorandum of understanding Friday in Paris ahead of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, set to open in Busan next month, in what will be the first time Korea has hosted the annual gathering. The memorandum of understanding was signed at UNESCO headquarters by Min Huh, administrator of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), and Nayef H. Al-Fayez, UNESCO's assistant director-general for culture, along with Kim Ji-hee, Korea's ambassador to UNESCO, and Lazare Eloundou Assomo, director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The agreement covers operational arrangements for the session, including security, health and personal data protection protocols, particularly given the scale of the event, which is expected to draw roughly 3,000 delegates from the 196 states party to the World Heritage Convention. The 48th session is scheduled for July 19 to 29 at BEXCO, the convention center in the southeastern port city of Busan. The committee — the main governing body under the 1972 World Heritage Convention — meets annually to inscrib
'Amazing Thailand' art exhibition makes Korean debut
The National Museum of Korea will open Amazing Thailand: Masterpieces of Thai Art on Tuesday, bringing 239 works of Thai cultural heritage to Korean audiences for the first time in the country's history. The exhibition, running through Sept. 6 at the museum's Special Exhibition Gallery 1, is organized jointly with the Fine Arts Department of Thailand's Ministry of Culture. Drawn from 21 Thai national museums, including the National Museum Bangkok, the collection spans prehistoric artifacts to contemporary works and includes sculpture, painting and decorative crafts — a breadth rarely assembled even within Thailand. The centerpiece is a 14th-century Walking Buddha from the Sukhothai period, regarded as the most original form of Thai Buddhist sculpture. The figure's fluid, forward-striding posture — unique in Buddhist iconography — represents the Buddha descending from heaven after preaching to his deceased mother. Three thematic sections guide visitors chronologically: prehistoric and prekingdom societies, the classical Sukhothai, Lanna and Ayutthaya kingdoms, and the Rattanakosin (
Korea National Park Service to offer themed eco-tours this summer
The Korea National Park Service (KNPS) said Monday it will run a series of themed ecological tours across the country's national parks from July 4 through Nov. 30, offering activities designed around valleys, coastal waters and local culture. The program, called "National Park Themed Ecological Tourism," groups excursions under four categories: ecological travel, historical and cultural travel, scenic travel and family travel. Eight parks are participating, including Juwangsan, Dadohaehaesang, Sokrisan, Gyeongju, Hallyeohaesang, Seoraksan, Woraksan and Wolchulsan. Two tours stand out for summer. At Juwangsan National Park, the "Jeolgol Valley Splash Walk" — a first for KNPS programs — allows visitors to wade through the valley's stream while observing freshwater ecosystems among the park's gorges and cliffs. The program runs July through August; starting in September, it transitions to fall foliage walks and local apple-picking. At Hallyeohaesang National Park, the "Seasonal Hallyeo Journey" takes participants island-hopping among the park's scenic islands — Bijindo, Manjido and Yeon
[PHOTOS] Taste of Thailand in heart of Seoul
Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat, ninth from right, stands next to Theerakun Niyom, eighth from right, special representative of Thailand's foreign ministry, during the opening ceremony of this year's Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival at Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul, Saturday. The opening ceremony of Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2026: Creative Life & Creative Heartbeat was attended by government officials and diplomats from both countries, as well as numerous distinguished guests from Korea and abroad. The Thai ambassador said the festival provides an opportunity for Korea and Thailand to further strengthen bilateral friendship through cultural, diplomatic and people-to-people exchanges and expressed hope that the event will become a meaningful urban festival for both residents and international visitors. Courtesy of Embassy of Thailand in Korea
GS E&C partners with I Squared Capital to expand renewable energy development
GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) is accelerating its shift toward an energy transition and developer-led business model as it seeks new growth engines in renewable energy beyond traditional construction. The company said Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with global infrastructure investor I Squared Capital to establish a joint venture aimed at developing renewable energy projects in Korea, including solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS). I Squared Capital, founded in 2012, is a global infrastructure investment firm managing more than $60 billion (90 trillion won) in assets, with a focus on power and utilities, transport, digital infrastructure, environmental systems and social infrastructure. The signing ceremony was attended by GS E&C CEO Huh Yoon-hong and executives from I Squared Capital. The partnership marks a strategic move for GS E&C as it expands from an engineering, procurement and construction contractor into a full-scale project developer securing energy assets from the early stages. Under the agreement, the two companies plan to devel
Kakao Games says no decision made on merger with Line Games
Kakao Games Corp. said no decision has been made regarding a potential merger with Line Games Corp., a game publishing company under the Japanese tech firm LY Corp., during a shareholder meeting held Monday. "Nothing has been decided yet over a merger. But we could say there will be business partnerships," the game company's chief financial officer (CFO), said, noting the mobile game SMiniz created under a partnership between Line Games and SM Entertainment. Market watchers have widely speculated that Kakao Games could merge with Line Games, after its largest shareholder was changed to an investment purpose company called LAAA Investment, backed by LY Corp., or Line Yahoo, since last week. LAAA Investment has also participated in the capital increase and the issuance of convertible bonds worth a combined 300 billion won ($200.4 million). The Kakao Games CFO said the company plans to penetrate new markets, particularly the Southeast Asia region, saying that Line has started to gain a strong foothold in the mobile market there. "We plan to target the new market in a manner similar to the pa
Korea to sharpen tobacco warnings with blunter labels
Korea is doubling down on its efforts to curb smoking, announcing Monday a sweeping redesign of the graphic warnings plastered across tobacco products. Starting Dec. 23, cigarette packs will feature more visceral imagery and blunter language, a shift intended to shock consumers out of complacency after a six-month grace period for manufacturers. The overhaul marks the sixth iteration of the nation’s warning system since its inception in 2016. Under Korean law, these public health alerts must be refreshed every 24 months to combat "warning fatigue" — a phenomenon where smokers become desensitized to the graphic images. This year’s update, however, is less of a routine rotation and more of a strategic escalation. For traditional cigarettes, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is pivoting toward harsher realities. Out is the warning for erectile dysfunction. In is a new, stark depiction of kidney cancer. Five existing graphics have also been redesigned for maximum psychological impact. More notable than the imagery is the linguistic shift. The ministry is abandoning polite, conditional
Seoul, Beijing to hold 15th round of FTA follow-up talks on services
Korea and China kicked off a new round of follow-up negotiations on services and investment under their bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), Seoul's trade ministry said Monday. Trade delegations from the two sides will hold the 15th round of follow-up negotiations throughout this week in Beijing from Monday to Friday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Seoul and Beijing implemented their bilateral FTA in December 2015, eliminating tariffs on a wide range of products. The two countries have held 14 rounds of follow-up negotiations since 2018 to expand the scope of the trade pact in the services and investment sectors. "We hope the follow-up negotiations will lead to free and open trade in services, as well as a more predictable investment environment," said Kwon Hye-jin, director general for trade negotiations at the ministry. "Amid lingering uncertainties at home and abroad, we will make efforts to achieve meaningful outcomes that support Korean companies seeking to enter the Chinese market."
First K-pop, now K-books: Korea hopes its next big export is literature
Korea has conquered global airwaves with its pop music and dominated television screens with its sleek dramas. Now, Seoul is making its most aggressive push yet to ensure that the next global Korean wave phenomenon begins on the printed page. Publishers and media executives from 31 countries gathered at the Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Monday, for the opening of the 2026 K-Book Copyright Market. The three-day event, now in its eighth year, has quietly evolved into Korea’s premier business-to-business forum for literary rights. It serves as a vital pipeline for expanding the international footprint of Korean books and intellectual property. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism alongside the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency, this year’s market matches 100 domestic firms with 100 overseas buyers for an estimated 1,850 one-on-one consultations. The stakes are increasingly high. Industry titans, including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Hachette are in attendance, alongside newcomers from emerging markets like Guatemala, the Czech Republic and Lebanon.
Ex-defense minister booked over alleged attempt to provoke N. Korea for martial law bid
A special counsel team has booked former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on suspicion of attempting to use a military intelligence unit to create a pretext for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid, legal sources said Monday. Special counsel Kwon Chang-young has been investigating allegations that the Defense Intelligence Command (DIC) attempted to push for operations against North Korea to foment inter-Korean tensions and establish a justification for Yoon to declare martial law in December 2024. It has been looking into whether anti-North Korea drills conducted by the DIC's covert agents were prepared to provoke Pyongyang for the martial law declaration. Kwon's team believes the exercise cannot be seen as regular training. The team has booked Kim and two former DIC commanders — Noh Sang-won and Moon Sang-ho — as suspects on charges of benefiting the enemy, according to the sources. It questioned former President Yoon over the allegations on June 13. Earlier this month, Kim received a 30-year prison sentence for involvement in orchestrating drone infiltrations into North Ko
US and Iran conclude high-level talks in Switzerland, mediators say
BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland/DUBAI — The first round of talks between high-ranking U.S. and Iranian officials in Switzerland ended Monday, mediators said, after a tense opening marked by Tehran's announcement it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. President Donald Trump repeating his threats to resume attacks on Iran. A joint statement from mediating nations Qatar and Pakistan said the U.S. and Iran agreed to a roadmap toward a final deal within 60 days. Technical talks will continue for the rest of the week in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock, according to the statement, which was released by the Qatari foreign ministry. The parties agreed to a mechanism to end the fighting in Lebanon and opened a communications line to help ensure safe passages for commercial ships through the contested strait, the statement said. U.S. Vice President JD Vance had opened talks with Iranian officials on Sunday under the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached last week to extend a tenuous ceasefire from April for at least another 60 days. The discussions continued
Team Korea travel to site of Group A finale
MONTERREY, Mexico — Korea arrived at the site of their final group stage match of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in northeastern Mexico on Sunday. Korean players and their staff checked into their hotel in Monterrey, greeted by dozens of fans at the entrance. Fans yelled players' names as they entered the hotel, with captain Son Heung-min drawing the loudest cheers. The Taegeuk Warriors had been training near Guadalajara, south of Monterrey, for the past two-plus weeks, as they played their first two Group A matches there. Korea opened the competition with a 2-1 win over Czechia on June 11 but then lost to the home team Mexico 1-0 last Thursday. Mexico have already clinched the top spot in Group A with six points. Korea are in second place with three points, and they can join Mexico in the round of 32 with a win or a draw against South Africa at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time) at Estadio Monterrey, or 10 a.m. Thursday (Korean time). Korea may also sneak into the knockouts as one of the eight best third-place teams, if they lose to South Africa, but Mexico defeat or have a draw against Czechia
Trump is losing his war on offshore wind power
New York Attorney General Tish James, along with AG counterparts in 17 other states, have prevailed over Donald Trump’s capricious attempts to derail offshore wind energy projects all around the country by imposing a moratorium on approvals and even the issuance permits or leases for already-approved projects. Having lost before a federal trial judge in Boston, the administration abandoned its own appeal, likely recognizing that it had no ability to actually defend this on the merits. We’ve no doubt that the administration undertook these efforts not for any real specific economic or environmental or military reasons but simply as another plank in its obsession with owning the libs, which makes it worth pointing out that this antipathy towards renewable energy and wind in particular harms everyone — liberals, conservatives, MAGA, in red states and blue states, in cities and suburbs and rural areas. Nobody is happier or safer or healthier for having higher prices at the pump, dirtier air, more reliance on volatile international energy imports or uncertain supply chains and the loss
Stray Kids to drop new album in August, announces new world tour
Popular boy group Stray Kids will release a new album in August and embark on a new world tour, the group's agency JYP Entertainment said Monday. The album, "This & That" is due out on Aug. 7. It will mark the group's first new album in nine months, following the release of "Do It" from its "Skz It Tape" project in November. Ahead of the album's release, Stray Kids will drop a digital single, "Run It," at 1 p.m. Wednesday. The pre-release track will be included on the forthcoming album. The group also announced a new world tour, building on the success of its previous run concluded in October. The tour spanned 56 shows across 35 cities, making it the group's largest to date. Further details of the upcoming tour have yet to be announced. Stray Kids recently performed as a headliner at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York on June 6 (U.S. time) and is scheduled to appear at Brazil's Rock in Rio festival in September.
N. Korea blames US, West for 'revival of Nazism,' defends Russia over Ukraine war
North Korea condemned the United States and other Western countries Monday, accusing them of fueling concerns over the revival of Nazism, on the anniversary of Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. In an article carried by the Korean Central News Agency, the North claimed that "modern-day Nazi forces" have reemerged, heightening global concern over what it described as a challenge to the future of humanity. "The danger of neo-Nazism is being highlighted more seriously through the current situation in Ukraine," the report said. "It cannot be separated from the schemes of the U.S. and the West, which have strongly defended and supported Ukraine on the international stage." The North also vowed to "firmly thwart the imperialists' attempts to revive Nazism" in order to "safeguard sovereignty, security and international justice." The remarks appeared aimed at justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine while showcasing solidarity between Pyongyang and Moscow. Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. An estimated 27 million Soviet soldiers and civilians were killed during Worl
Learning from the right sovereign wealth funds
NEW YORK — What’s not to love about a sovereign wealth fund? Gulf states’ sovereign wealth funds(SWF), which control roughly $6 trillion in assets, are no longer mere investment vehicles. They have become tools of statecraft, transforming kingdoms and emirates into power brokers and benefactors. Alongside splashy spending on sports and luxury retail — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought the English soccer club Newcastle United, and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) owns the department store Harrods — these funds have poured money into strategic sectors such as AI, logistics, and renewables. They also provide economic support to allies, serving as a foreign-policy lever. The Gulf model is so appealing that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently launched an SWF, and U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish one. But neither Canada nor the United States can match the decades of hydrocarbon surpluses that form the backbone of the Gulf model. A more relevant example would be Latin America, which has run this experiment many times
PM nominee apologizes for information leak from 'Startup for All' website
Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook apologized Monday over a recent information leak from the government's website for an audition-style startup incubation program. An artificial intelligence solution firm serving as a project partner was found to have exploited a security loophole in the website for the "Startup for All" project and collected the emails, summarized startup ideas and judge reviews of 5,000 people that passed the first round of the audition. The leak came to light after the company sent promotional emails to the successful candidates. "I earnestly apologize for the concerns and inconvenience caused by the personal information leak from the Startup for All platform," Han said in her capacity as minister for medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. "I feel heavy responsibility for failing to protect the trust of startup applicants ... and offer words of deep apology." The startup ministry also came under fire for reporting the leak to the Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) some 70 hours after learning of the incident. The ministry said it took emergency securi
Investigators to question election workers over ballot shortage
Investigators on Monday were set to question a group of civil servants who worked at polling stations that experienced ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections, legal sources said. Eight individuals have been asked to appear before a joint police and prosecution team investigating the ballot shortages that temporarily suspended voting at 26 polling stations across the nation. The civil servants in question are said to have been mobilized to manage two polling stations in Seoul that experienced ballot paper shortages. Investigators plan to question them about the election watchdog's response measures to the shortages at the time, according to the informed sources. The move comes after the joint investigation team raided the National Election Commission (NEC) on June 11 as part of its investigation into the shortages. The shortages have sparked public backlash, leading to continued protests outside a gymnasium in southern Seoul that served as a ballot counting center, with some protesters demanding a rerun of the elections. The protests at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium have con
BTS' 'ARIRANG' returns to top 10 on Billboard 200
"ARIRANG," the fifth studio album of K-pop supergroup BTS, has returned to the top 10 of the U.S. Billboard's main albums chart. The album climbed one place from the previous week to No. 10 on the Billboard 200 with 34,000 album units in the latest tracking period, Billboard said in a chart preview Sunday (U.S. time). The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week in the United States, measured by equivalent album units comprising physical and digital sales, as well as streaming and digital track downloads. Released in March, "ARIRANG" became the first album from a K-pop act to spend three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the chart. It has now remained on the chart for 13 straight weeks. American pop star Olivia Rodrigo took No. 1 this week with her third studio album, "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love."
Exports up 60% in first 20 days of June on robust chip sales
Korea's exports jumped 60.4 percent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of June, data showed Monday, setting a new fresh high for the period amid robust shipments of semiconductors. Outbound shipments reached $62 billion in the June 1-20 period, compared with $38.6 billion tallied in the same period last year, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. It marked the highest 20-day figure on record, surpassing the previous high of $54.3 billion posted in March this year. Imports went up 23.2 percent on-year to $44.5 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $17 billion, the latest findings showed. By sector, exports of chips nearly tripled to $25.5 billion amid soaring global demand for memory driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Semiconductors accounted for 41.2 percent of total exports, up 18.3 percentage points from a year earlier. Exports of automobiles and petroleum products also rose 2.3 percent and 39 percent, respectively, to $3.73 billion and $3.67 billion. Outbound shipments of auto parts, meanwhile, fell 9.5 percent to $1.1 bill
Israel PM says troops to stay in south Lebanon 'as long as necessary'
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israeli forces would remain in southern Lebanon "as long as necessary," while also vowing to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the cherished residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel... Nothing will alter that commitment," Netanyahu said. "And with regard to Iran: whatever political developments may unfold, I will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As long as I serve as prime minister of Israel, that will not happen." Later on Sunday, Netanyahu, speaking at a public event, reiterated that the Middle East war had achieved Israel's key goal of preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon. "We prevented Iran from carrying out a plan to annihilate us and today they would have had an atomic bomb to do so," he said. "We prevented that from happening. We removed the existential danger. Had we not acted... Iran would have had atomic bombs and let me tell you something, they would have used them. "That'
Seoul shares sharply up late Monday morning amid uncertainty over US-Iran talks
Korean stocks traded higher late Monday morning as an extended rally in semiconductor shares offset concerns over U.S.-Iran negotiations to end their monthslong war. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 93.37 points, or 1.03 percent, to 9,145.79 as of 11:20 a.m. The index opened 1.08 percent lower as investor sentiment was weighed down by overnight news reports that Washington-Tehran talks in Switzerland were halted after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran amid ongoing clashes between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. However, strong gains in semiconductor-related shares supported the turnaround. Market top cap Samsung Electronics rose 0.71 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix jumped 4.67 percent. SK Square, the parent of SK hynix, soared 8.48 percent, and LG Electronics surged 11.82 percent. However, flag air carrier Korean Air dropped 2.86 percent, and internet giant Naver fell 1.74 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1,538.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 10.8 won from the previous session.
Starbucks Korea to close all stores early to carry out history training after 'Tank Day' promotion backlash
Starbucks Korea will close all of its stores nationwide early Monday to provide employee training aimed at improving historical awareness and social sensitivity, following a controversial promotion linked to the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju. All 2,160 stores across the country will close at 3 p.m. It marks the first time Starbucks Korea has ended operations early nationwide since opening its first outlet in 1999. Starbucks Korea, operated by E-Mart Inc., a unit of Shinsegae Group, launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising. The event was suspended within hours after drawing widespread public criticism. "The program will consist of a brand value workshop designed to enhance employees' understanding of historical awareness, social sensitivity, and the values and mission that Starbucks seeks to uphold," a company official said. Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and other senior executives will also participate in the same training program Wednesday. The controversy stemmed from a promotional campaign offering disco
Shipping slows after Iran says it has again shut Strait of Hormuz
SINGAPORE — The number of ships that passed through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Sunday after Iran announced it had again closed the waterway, citing Israeli and U.S. violations of the interim peace deal, shipping data showed. Five vessels passed the strait on Sunday, from 26 ships spotted a day earlier, data from analytics firm Kpler showed. These included three Very Large Crude Carriers carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude and fuel oil each, one of which was heading to Japan. The data may exclude vessels that switch off their transponders while travelling in the Gulf. Iran lifted its effective blockade of the strait last week after agreeing with the United States to extend an April ceasefire for 60 days to allow for peace negotiations, but Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday declared the waterway shut once again in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The U.S. military said commercial vessels were still operating. Among the ships that exited the strait on Saturday, three of them were VLCCs carrying crude from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Ir
'Toy Story 5' tops weekend box office, dethroning 'Colony'
The Hollywood animation "Toy Story 5" debuted atop the weekend box-office chart in South Korea, snapping a four-week winning streak by the Korean zombie thriller "Colony," data showed Monday. "Toy Story 5" added 713,071 admissions over the weekend, bringing its accumulated admissions to 872,553 as of Sunday, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council, which compiles admissions from Friday through Sunday for its weekend chart. "Colony," the latest in director Yeon Sang-ho's zombie thriller lineup, ranked No. 2, attracting 188,674 admissions over the weekend and logging 5,527,525 total admissions. "Wild Sing," another Korean film starring Gang Dong-won, broke the 1-million milestone, adding 133,556 admissions over the weekend and coming in at No. 3. Foreign films mostly dominated the weekend box-office chart, with only one other Korean film landing in the top 10. The Korean-Japanese supernatural horror film "The Shrine" debuted at No. 5, according to the data.
KEPCO to keep electricity rates frozen for Q3 amid financial troubles
The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) said Monday it will keep electricity rates unchanged for the third quarter, despite factors pointing to a cut, amid its lingering financial troubles. The adjusted fuel cost, a key component of the country's electricity rates, will remain at the maximum level of 5 won per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the July-September period, KEPCO said. The company has maintained the adjusted fuel cost at 5 won since the third quarter of 2022. The adjusted fuel cost is determined before each quarter within a range of plus or minus 5 won per kWh, based on energy prices, such as coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), over the previous three months. The KEPCO report showed the electricity rates adjusted for fuel costs were supposed to be lowered by 3.4 won per kWh, with the government noting the current rate should be maintained, citing the company's overall financial situation. The government has also asked the company to thoroughly implement measures to improve its financial health, it added. KEPCO's financial troubles began when it continued supplying electricity
Tom Kim finishes 3rd at US Open
Tom Kim celebrated his birthday with his third career top-10 finish at a major tournament. Kim finished third at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, on Sunday (local time) at one-under 279, three strokes behind the champion, Wyndham Clark of the United States. Kim shot an even 70 in the final round, which fell on his 24th birthday. This was Kim's best performance at a U.S. Open and his third top-10 at a major for his career. He tied for eighth at the 2023 U.S. Open and tied for second at the Open Championship the same year. Winless since October 2023, Kim is in the midst of a down yesar during which he has nose-dived to 141st in the world rankings. He now has two top-10s in 15 starts this year and jumped to No. 64 in the rankings released right after the U.S. Open. Kim hadn't been inside the top 100 since October last year. Kim started the final round at one-under, six strokes behind Clark in a four-way tie for second place. Playing in the penultimate pairing right in front of Clark, Kim opened his chase with a bogey on the opening hole, and then traded
Impeachment petition against defense minister tops 75,000 as reform backlash mounts
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back is facing growing opposition to his military reform agenda, with a parliamentary petition calling for his impeachment surpassing 75,000 signatures just four days after it was launched. The petition, which has already cleared the 50,000-signature threshold required for referral to a National Assembly committee, cites concerns over the dismantling of the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC), the government’s handling of a recent reservist death during training and other defense policies pursued under Ahn. At the same time, a separate petition opposing the proposed consolidation and relocation of Korea’s service academies is also approaching the threshold for parliamentary review, highlighting broader resistance to Ahn's reform agenda. According to the National Assembly’s petition website, the impeachment petition was opened on Thursday and exceeded 75,000 signatures as of Sunday. It crossed the 50,000-signature mark on Saturday, making it eligible for review by the Assembly’s National Defense Committee. Petitioners argued that the defense ministry
US-Iran negotiations expected through night after Trump shakes talks with threats
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland — Negotiators expected to work through the night after high-level U.S.-Iran talks on their interim deal to end the war had a tense start Sunday in Switzerland, when Tehran took offense at President Donald Trump 's threat to attack and his warning that Iran's president should watch what he says. The comments from afar — on social media and to news outlets — complicated efforts by Vice President JD Vance and mediators Pakistan and Qatar to keep Iran engaged in discussions meant to address thorny issues like Tehran's nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets. Before anything, however, Iran wants to discuss Lebanon, where Israel's military has been fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, since the deal halts conflict on all fronts. “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump said on social media. “If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” “They would do better to be careful about the
Carmakers intensify rivalry in SDVs
Global automakers are shifting the competitive battleground in Korea from traditional hardware to software-defined vehicles (SDVs), as cutting-edge operating systems and in-vehicle artificial intelligence (AI) functions emerge as key differentiators in an era of connected cars. The trend is visible, as a wave of new models launched this year are positioning advanced software capabilities as their definitive selling points. They include Hyundai Motor’s Grandeur, BMW Korea’s iX3, Toyota Motor Korea’s RAV4 and Zeekr’s 7X. Toyota is the latest carmaker to join the SDV competition. Last week, the Japanese carmaker launched its six-generation RAV4 flagship SUV built on its foundational SDV platform, Arene. Of particular note is that Toyota collaborated with LG Uplus to integrate tailored connected-car services to adapt the vehicle for the tech-savvy Korean market. The telecom operator also identifies the automotive infotainment as its next key growth driver. European and Chinese competitors are also raising the stakes with high-performance computing hardware. BMW Korea’s recently laun
Korea wants Jeju Forum to be global platform of peace, int'l cooperation: foreign minister
Someday, "Jeju" could carry the same global resonance as "Davos," but as a name synonymous with peace, cooperation and dialogue rather than economic power. That is the ambition Foreign Minister Cho Hyun laid out for the 21st Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, which will run this Wednesday to Friday on Korea's southern island. “As Davos, a mountain city of the Alps, became a brand of the World Economic Forum itself, we hope the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity will position itself as a platform to contribute to world peace, and therefore the name ‘Jeju’ becomes a symbol of peace, cooperation and dialogue in the international community,” Cho said during an interview with The Korea Times June 5. Cho serves as the co-chair of the forum alongside Jeju Gov. Oh Young-hun. The ministry is participating in the event as a co-host starting this year, showing the government's commitment to elevating the status of the annual global event. The minister said Korea's unique historical trajectory — being the only country since World War II to transition from foreign aid recipient to major
Jimmy Kimmel announces longtime Trump adversary Rosie O’Donnell to guest host during two-month hiatus
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Jimmy Kimmel is taking a two-month break away from his late-night show and has tapped none other than comedian and Donald Trump’s longtime nemesis Rosie O’Donnell as one of several guest hosts taking the reins during his hiatus.
Starmer's premiership in six charts
BBC Verify looks at the record of Sir Keir's time in government in six key areas since he took office in July 2024.
British PM Keir Starmer resigns, opening path for leadership contest
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Keir Starmer resigns as British Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party after accepting that he had lost the support of his party to lead the country into the next general election.
Why did Starmer resign and what could happen next?
The Labour leader says he will remain prime minister until his successor is chosen.
Patriarchs of Jerusalem visit Gaza's wounded faithful
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Amid the rubble and suffering of a population exhausted by war, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch begin meeting with clergy, religious communities, local Christian families, and people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"Criminal Approach to Politics": Trump Ally Abelardo de la Espriella Wins Colombian Presidency
Right-wing Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella has clinched a narrow victory in Sunday’s runoff presidential election in Colombia, defeating leftist Senator Iván Cepeda, an ally of current President Gustavo Petro. De la Espriella ran a fearmongering, “tough-on-crime” campaign, promising to build mega-prisons inspired by El Salvador’s authoritarian President Nayib Bukele, to bomb “narcoterrorist camps” and to abandon Petro’s peace efforts. His reported victory is also a win for U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration is waging an intensifying “war on drugs” across Latin America, targeting left-wing leaders like Petro with false allegations and threats of military intervention.
“De la Espriella clearly represents a criminal approach to politics: lying, propaganda, coordination and collusion with criminal narcotrafficking, restriction of rights, and money laundering,” says longtime Colombian activist Manuel Rozental. With his victory, says Rozental, “We expect to have military operations and a U.S. intervention within the country. We expect to have human rights abuses. We expect to have militarization. And it’s all for the extraction of resources and the link of drug trafficking to the U.S. government, U.S. interests and global mafia.”
U.K. Political Crisis: PM Keir Starmer Resigns & Palestine Action "Terrorism" Sentencing of "Elbit 4"
Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as the United Kingdom’s prime minister and leader of the Labour Party following growing pressure from within his own party to step down. During his time in office, Starmer faced mounting opposition over his embrace of austerity measures amid a cost-of-living crisis in Britain, as well as his brutal crackdown on Palestine solidarity protesters. Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is widely expected to become the next prime minister. Some leaders of the British left have warned Burnham may do little to shift from Starmer’s policies, including his position on Israel.
Starmer “really lost support in the party because he was perceived as too right-wing for it and because he was too boring. He lacked charisma,” explains our guest, the Australian British human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson.
Robertson also discusses Britain’s Court of Appeal’s ruling that the government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization is lawful, making it a criminal offense to belong to or support the organization. Four Palestine Action activists were recently sentenced as terrorists over their involvement in a 2024 raid on a British factory operated by one of Israel’s largest arms manufacturers, Elbit Systems.
Schools close as more than half of France under red heat alerts
The health minister warns many citizens "will suffer", with temperatures set to peak on Monday.
US Open shows why golf is on guard against bad behaviour
With unruly behaviour both on and off the course during last week's US Open, it is imperative officials continue to closely police the situation, writes Iain Carter.
Injured ticket inspector who helped others in Bedford train crash hailed a hero
A passenger praises a member of railway staff who, despite being in pain, helped the injured.
Stocks Drift Despite Drop in Oil on US-Iran Talks: Markets Wrap
US stocks are heading for a quiet open after the long weekend, with equities finding little support from lower oil prices amid signs of diplomatic headway between the US and Iran. S&P 500 futures fell 0.1%. Brent crude dropped 1.9% toward $79 a barrel as Vice President JD Vance said US negotiators made a lot of progress in their talks with Iran. Treasuries fell across the curve after Friday’s cash-market holiday. The dollar edged 0.1% higher. Traders also followed the latest developments in UK p
N.L. government needs to ‘acknowledge the harms’ its caused, says Innu cultural guardian
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Ahead of a meeting with Premier Tony Wakeham and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Lela Evans stemming from the fallout from a cancelled exhibit, Innu Cultural Guardian Jodie Ashini says she wants meaningful action going forward.
Confirmed Ebola cases in Congo outbreak exceed 1,000, authorities say
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A total of 100 people have recovered in the outbreak concentrated in the Ituri province since it was declared on May 15, Congo's Ministry of Health said Sunday. At least 365 patients are in hospitals or in isolation, it said.
"Document of Capitulation": Spencer Ackerman & Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi on the U.S.-Iran Deal
Mediators from Pakistan and Qatar say the United States and Iran made “encouraging progress” during 18 hours of negotiations in Switzerland, where the two sides agreed to a roadmap toward reaching a final deal within 60 days. The talks took place despite Iran on Saturday announcing it was closing the Strait of Hormuz after Israel killed 83 people in Lebanon on Friday. Israel said it would agree to a new ceasefire in Lebanon but is also refusing to end its occupation of southern Lebanon.
“Iran has, through its throttling of the Strait of Hormuz, enormous leverage to produce pain on not just the United States, but global markets,” says award-winning journalist Spencer Ackerman. “We’re going to await how the Iranians will ultimately play that card when it comes to Lebanon.”
Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, fellow at the Center for Place, Culture and Politics at the CUNY Graduate Center, says that by demanding the ceasefire extend to Lebanon, “the Islamic Republic focused on creating a rift between Israel and the U.S., and I think, possibly, along with the successes in the war front politically, that was one of the most successful projects that they followed.”
Music industry giant Clive Davis, who signed Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston, dead at 94
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Clive Davis, one of the most influential people in the music industry and the record executive who helped bring Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin into the spotlight, has died at the age of 94.
Lottery players urged to check tickets with £12m prize still unclaimed
A Lotto Jackpot ticket worth £12m bought in Rhondda Cynon Taf has yet to be claimed.
'He's stored in a hard disk in my head' - watching the World Cup as a manager
Former Tottenham and Brentford manager Thomas Frank on watching new players at the World Cup - who would he sign and who will be the star of the tournament?
Former US Fed chairman Alan Greenspan dies aged 100
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Alan Greenspan, hailed as the greatest Federal Reserve chairman when he retired in 2006 but derided for a severe financial crisis that followed barely two years later, died today aged 100, NBC News reported.
Powering resilience: How Indonesia is building a more secure energy future
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As countries grapple with energy price shocks, supply disruptions and the growing impacts of climate change, energy security has become a pressing concern.
Global Ebola cases top 1,000 as UN races to reach DR Congo’s most vulnerable
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As global confirmed Ebola cases reach 1,000, nearly three million children and adolescents are at risk in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while efforts increase to treat prisoners near the epicentre of the current outbreak, UN agencies warned on Monday.
World News in Brief: Pope Leo urges action on hunger, humanitarian strain deepens in Gaza, families return to Lebanon
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Pope Leo called on the international community to renew its commitment to tackling hunger and malnutrition, describing access to adequate food as a “fundamental human right” during a visit to the World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in Rome on Monday.
Sudan: Drone attacks endanger civilians and shut down critical services in El Obeid
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Escalating violence in and around the Sudanese city of El Obeid is putting civilians at increased risk and disrupting essential services, the UN aid coordination office OCHA said on Monday.
Security Council LIVE: Warnings of ‘dangerous cycle of escalation’ in Ukraine
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Deadly drone and missile attacks in Ukraine over the weekend represented a “dangerous cycle of escalation” in Russia’s full-scale four-year-old war, the Security Council heard on Monday from Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, while Edem Wosornu, crisis response director at the UN relief office, OCHA, warned that “the choices made here can mean the difference between lives saved or lives lost.”
World at ‘perilous moment’ as leaders warn HIV gains are at risk
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Four decades after AIDS first emerged as a global crisis, world leaders, advocates and community representatives gathered at UN Headquarters on Monday issued a stark warning: progress against HIV is slowing just as financial pressures and shrinking support threaten to reverse decades of gains.
‘Better future for Syria remains within reach,’ UN Security Council hears
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Syria has emerged after more than a decade of crisis with “clear signs of progress”, but acute needs remain and efforts must boost support so the country can “move from survival towards recovery”, UN officials told the Security Council on Monday.
Myanmar: Aid decline compounds suffering amid ongoing military attacks
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A drop in humanitarian assistance is worsening the suffering of millions of people in Myanmar after five years of conflict-related violence, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report published on Monday.
AI is getting women wrong as gender bias persists, data reveals
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As artificial intelligence reshapes how people work, communicate and access information, UN Women warned on Monday that the technology is reproducing old gender stereotypes, which amplify online abuse and leave women out of the decisions that will define the digital future.
Afghanistan in crisis: Drought, malnutrition and a worsening humanitarian situation
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Imagine being one of a family of nine and sitting down to a meal of potato peelings and other scraps, boiled up into a soup. This is the harsh reality for many of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable families, forced on them by climate change and drought, widespread malnutrition and increasing restrictions on women, since the Taliban overran Kabul in 2021.
Headlines for June 22, 2026
Progress Cited in U.S.-Iran Talks Despite Trump’s Threat to Resume Bombing, Despite “Ceasefire,” Israel Killed 83 in Lebanon on Friday, Lebanese Turtle Conservationist Mona Khalil, 76, Dies After Israeli Attack on Her Home, Gaza: Israel Kills Al Jazeera Cameraman Ahmed Wishah, Keir Starmer Resigns as PM Amid Mounting Pressure from Labour Party, Trump-Backed Far-Right Lawyer Wins Colombian Presidential Election, Bolivia Declares State of Emergency, Military Deployed to Quell Protests, Under Intense U.S. Pressure, Cuban Lawmakers Approve Sweeping Economic Changes, Salah Sarsour, Head of Wisconsin’s Largest Mosque, Released from ICE Jail, Car Hits Protester Outside Delaney Hall ICE Jail During Father’s Day Vigil, U.S. to Stop Funding HIV & AIDS Program in South Africa, Trump Claims Without Proof That Vandals Caused Greening of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
Alan Greenspan, architect of the modern American economy, dies aged 100
As chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan became the world's most high-profile banker.
Seven PMs in 10 years: Britain's decade of 'chaos'
Britain will have its seventh prime minister in a decade this year after Labour leader Keir Starmer was ousted by his party.
Alan Greenspan, longtime U.S. Federal Reserve chairman, dies at 100
Greenspan died at his home from complications of Parkinson's Disease.
Lopes asks for focus as Cape Verde move towards last 32
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Roberto Lopes wants Cape Verde to fulfil their overall goal of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup after another brilliant performance against Uruguay on Sunday.
Pope: Technology should serve friendships, not replace them
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During a visit to the Vatican's summer camp for children of employees, Pope Leo XIV encourages children to use technology responsibly.
Ex-lawmaker Ihn Yohan named chief of Korean Red Cross
Ihn Yohan, a former lawmaker of the main opposition People Power Party, has been named chief of the Korean Red Cross, the organization said Monday. Ihn was chosen through a vote by the organization's central committee and will take office for a three-year term upon approval from President Lee Jae Myung, honorary president of the Korean Red Cross. "Ihn served in the medical field for a long time and was considered the right person to lead the Red Cross' projects based on his activities in the pub
U.S. to permit Iranian oil sales, easing decades-old sanctions, as peace talks continue
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The United States authorized Iranian oil sales on Monday, easing decades-old sanctions as it pushes toward a final peace deal with Tehran in return for commitments on nuclear inspections and free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Williams is the greatest - but will she produce another great fight?
Serena Williams will return to the singles court at Wimbledon aged 44 - BBC Sport analyses if she is ready and the challenges she will face.
WFP official: Food assistance is often a matter of life or death
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As Pope Leo XIV visits the headquarters of the World Food Programme, Gemma Snowdon, a WFP official who served in South Sudan, says the visit offers encouragement for the mission of UN humanitarians, especially those serving in remote areas affected by conflict and climate shocks.
How to use windows, blinds and fans to keep your home cool
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Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.
Six ways to keep your home and yourself cool in hot weather
Six simple things you can do to help keep your house cool when temperatures rise.
Minister calls on all groups to engage with CHI inquiry
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Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said she would like to see all groups affected by issues at Children's Health Ireland to engage with the independent facilitator carrying out a scoping exercise.
More than 4,600 people to become Irish citizens
Around 4,600 people from more than 139 countries will become Irish citizens at ceremonies taking place in Kerry over today and tomorrow.
Who is Andy Burnham? Ex-Manchester mayor who wants to lead the country
The outgoing Greater Manchester mayor is lining up a third attempt to be Labour leader following his return to Westminster.
Man charged with attempted murder after 2 RCMP officers shot in Melville, Sask.
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A 55-year-old man is facing nearly a dozen charges after two RCMP officers were shot in Melville, Sask., on Sunday night.
Zambian, Korean firms sign deal for 500MW solar plant
Zambia's state-owned power utility ZESCO and South Korea's KS Eco Solutions Holdings have signed a purchase agreement for a 500-megawatt solar plant and battery storage project, as Zambia seeks to diversify its energy mix after recent electricity shortages. Zambia plans to expand its power generation capacity to about 10,000 MW by 2030, up from the current 3,500-3,900 MW, to address a power deficit of more than 1,600 MW and support economic growth. Solar energy is viewed as a key renewable energ
EU reaffirms opposition to death penalty
The European Union on Monday urged renewed global efforts to abolish the death penalty at a conference in Seoul, as South Korea continues to maintain a decadeslong moratorium on executions. South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997 and is considered an "abolitionist in practice" by international human rights groups, although capital punishment remains legal. The Seoul conference was held ahead of the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, one of the largest international gat
Ex-justice minister given 25-yr prison sentence for martial law role
Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after a district court found him guilty of playing a key role in an insurrection through his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the heavy punishment for Park, which surpassed the 20-year prison term sought by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team. The court immediately placed Park under custody, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence. Cho'
At least 18 dead in France as much of Europe grapples with extreme heat
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At least 18 people died in France, including two children left in a hot car, as a heatwave hung over Europe, smashing temperature records in several cities on Monday.
Man charged with murder of his father in Co Waterford
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A 45-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his father at their family farm near Dungarvan, Co Waterford in April.
Keir Starmer: The downfall of Britain's unpopular PM
UK leader Keir Starmer swept to power in 2024, handing his centre-left Labour party a landslide victory over the Conservatives. But barely two years later, he is standing down as the country's most unpopular prime minister in decades, despite being well-regarded internationally.
Madueke's remarkable season - from petition to World Cup starter
Noni Madueke has gone from fans protesting against him signing for Arsenal to England World Cup starter. BBC Sport look at his rollercoaster season.
First round of US-Iran talks ends with encouraging progress, mediators say
The US-Iran talks began on Sunday in Switzerland, after last week's agreement, which includes a commitment to reach a final deal within 60 days.
Church leaders gather in Rome to prepare for Synod Assemblies of 2027-2028
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The General Secretariat of the Synod announces that leaders of the Church's continental bodies are gathering in Rome to assess progress in implementing the Synod on Synodality and to prepare for the ecclesial Assemblies of 2027–2028.
The boy's condition "is no longer critical", police say.
Top lawyer whose 'Mr Rules' approach failed to connect with the public
Less than two years after he won a huge majority in the 2024 general election, Sir Keir Starmer has been forced out.
Concentration in chips 'natural'; efforts to improve foreigners' market access under way: KRX chief
The head of South Korea's bourse operator assessed Monday that the current concentration in semiconductors is "natural," considering various factors, such as the operating profits of Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. "I think (the market concentration) is a result of the natural price-setting process driven by supply and demand, taking into consideration various factors," Jeong Eun-bo, chairman of the Korea Exchange (KRX), said at a press conference with foreign media in Seoul. The comme
Pope to WFP: Conflicts are 'fed' more readily than people are nourished
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Pope Leo XIV visits the UN World Food Programme headquarters in Rome and insists that food, water, and healthcare cannot be subordinated to geopolitical interests, calling for nations to work together with renewed multilateralism.
EasyJet says US bidder trying to buy it 'on the cheap' as it rejects £4.7bn offer
The airline describes the latest bid approach from Castlelake as "highly opportunistic".
How Keir Starmer's support evaporated in just 24 months
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Keir Starmer is out as Britain’s prime minister, but the country’s big problems remain. It's unclear how Andy Burnham plans to navigate a deeply polarized nation that has repeatedly turfed its prime ministers.
Late singer Oliver Tree's body returned to US after helicopter crash
The 32-year-old California native died whilst on his world tour, ahead of a date in Brazil.
Democratic Republic of Congo: ‘Magnifica Humanitas’—A Synodal language in a conflict zone
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The first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas’, published on 26 May 2026, links the pursuit of language as a tool for peace to the synodal journey of the Church. In an interview with Vatican News, Father Justin Nkunzi, president of the Justice and Peace Commission in the Archdiocese of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—a region scarred by violent conflicts—explains how this language can become an instrument of peace not only in the DRC but in the whole Great Lakes
'I witnessed Maradona's Hand of God' - a goal still talked about 40 years on
One BBC journalist's first football game had one of the sport's most controversial moments and also one of the most celebrated.
Cullen set to depart Leinster at end of next season
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Leo Cullen will leave his role of head coach of Leinster Rugby at the end of the season.
De la Espriella's law-and-order platform wins Colombia vote after earning Trump's support
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Abelardo de la Espriella, characterized by critics as far right, had earned the endorsement of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had said he would stop illegal immigration and crack down on crime and drugs.
How football united behind Doku after childbirth criticism
Jeremy Doku wants to fly home to attend the birth of his first child - but why has that proved controversial in some quarters?
Carcross/Tagish First Nation unveils totem poles in Bennett, B.C.
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Carcross/Tagish First Nation has unveiled two new totem poles in Bennett, B.C. to symbolize a reassertion of identity and presence on the culturally and historically significant land.
Iran leave note asking for peace after Belgium draw
Iran leave a message saying "may peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations" following their World Cup group game with Belgium.
Best Things to See in the Vatican Gardens Beyond the Museums
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Discover serene corners, historic monuments, ecological projects and papal secrets that make the Vatican Gardens one of Rome’s most surprising visits.
Sturgeon and Gove to team up for reality TV 'wargame'
The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.
GAA president believes hurling could take 20 years to fix
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After a disappointing weekend in the All Ireland hurling championship, GAA President Jarlath Burns told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that it might take decades for the game to become more national.
Three dead in Philippines high school shooting over bullying 'grudge'
Police say they believe the attack was motivated by a "grudge" over bullying.
Writing was on wall as Britain set for 7th PM in decade
For a man who came to Number 10 with a promise to be different, the end of Keir Starmer's premiership was uncannily similar to his recent predecessors, writes Fiona Mitchell.
Jin Seon-kyu knows you might not be laughing at this one
"Honestly, I'm my daughter's servant these days," Jin Seon-kyu says. "Whatever she asks for, she gets." It's a disarming thing to hear from the actor who once put a chill into 2017's "The Outlaws" as a Chinese-Korean mob enforcer, the breakout turn that earned him a Blue Dragon. Sitting across from him at a cafe in central Seoul on a recent Monday afternoon and that gangster is nowhere to be found. Jin is soft-spoken to the point of self-effacement, and by his own account, a passive sort, more i
Won seen strengthening toward 1,450 in second half, but volatility persists: FKI seminar
South Korea’s currency is forecast to strengthen modestly toward 1,450 won per dollar in the second half of the year, though the exchange rate is expected to remain relatively high and volatility is likely to stay elevated, according to experts on Monday. Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries, economists said that robust export performance and a record current-account surplus should provide support for the won. However, persistent dollar demand from overseas investm
PHOTOS: Yellowknife celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day
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This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, since it was declared Canada-wide in 1996. And nothing brings people together, at least in Yellowknife, like fish and bannock.
Paedophile nursery worker could have been stopped sooner, says former colleague
Staff member who raised concerns about nursery worker Nathan Bennett was "ignored" for months.
Watch and read Starmer's resignation speech in full
Sir Keir announces he will be step down as Labour leader and PM in a Downing Street address.
Keir Starmer's resignation speech in full
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he will resign less than two years after coming to power.
Unloved and directionless, U.K.’s Starmer quits after just two years
Buffeted by competing Labour factions, lobbied by vested interests and misunderstood by wary voters, many came to hate what they saw as indecision.
Dive in to summer swimwear
Women's swimwear is having a confident season. This summer's standout pieces pull back on logos and lean into bold color, with metal hardware and crochet adding the finishing touches. Demand is climbing ahead of the main vacation stretch. According to 29CM, swimwear sales rose more than 34 percent from June 1 to 14 compared with the same period a year earlier. Bikini sales more than doubled over the same window, a sign that body-conscious cuts are leading the category. This season favors pared-b
Status Yellow High Temperature warning issued for Ireland
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A Status Yellow High Temperature warning has been issued for Ireland, with Met Éireann forecasting temperatures in excess of 27C in the coming days.
Canada's inflation rate rose to 3.2% in May, driven — again — by high gas prices
Canada's annual inflation rate edged up to 3.2 per cent in May, according to Statistics Canada. Analysts polled by Reuters had estimated the annual inflation rate to touch three per cent in May, up from 2.8 per cent in April.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he will resign
Less than two years after he won a landslide election victory that promised to end chaos in British politics, Starmer said it was clear that his party wanted him to go.
Japan lifts upper limit on drones operated by one pilot
Removing the limit is aimed at optimizing logistics and infrastructure inspections, and at making damage assessment and search operations more effective during disasters.
Johnny Marr to auction guitars he played with The Smiths and Billie Eilish
The Smiths musician says he's selling his collection to stop his studio from becoming a museum.
Xiaomi chief designer, China mobility leaders to headline FAMS 2026
Eight leading figures from China's automotive, battery, manufacturing, design, media and mobility sectors will take part in Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 scheduled for June 30 at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul. Co-hosted by The Korea Herald and the Korea Future Mobility Service Association, this year's forum will be held under the theme, "Beyond the Evolution of Technology, Toward Sustainable Inspiration for Humanity." Among the headline
Vulnerable survivors facing barriers to supports - RCC
The Rape Crisis Centre has said survivors who are especially vulnerable, such as those with a disability, face particular challenges to disclosure, reporting, and accessing support.
Japan commemorates victims of discriminatory leprosy policy
A ceremony was held in Tokyo to restore the honor of leprosy patients in Japan, who had suffered severe discrimination based on a policy of forced isolation.
Study finds large gap in daily steps people in Japan take, depending on area
The study from the University of Tokyo found average step counts tended to be higher in municipalities with environments more conducive to walking.
Woman sentenced to 27 years over death of high school girl
Prosecutors had sought 27 years, arguing the "extremely cruel and malicious" crime the woman had been the ringleader of had "trampled on the victim's dignity."
Italian priest relives Pope Leo’s historic pastoral visit to Acerra
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Fr. Luigi Pugliese, an Italian priest who serves as the Rector of the Marian Shrine in Acerra, near Naples, shares his hopes for the impact of Pope Leo XIV’s visit on May 23 to the area.
Feds considering high-speed rail route change to include stop in Kingston, Ont.
The Liberal government is weighing a significant routing change for the Alto high-speed rail project that would move the line's corridor south toward the shore of Lake Ontario, CBC News has confirmed.
Former UAE general Obaid Al Ketbi to keynote FAMS 2026
H.E. Obaid Al Ketbi, founder and CEO of Dr. O Group Holding and a former UAE major general, will visit Korea to attend the Future AI Mobility Summit 2026 on June 30 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul. A veteran of the UAE military, government and diplomatic sectors, Al Ketbi spent 44 years in public service, including as chief of logistics for the UAE Armed Forces and a member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. He is best known internationally for helping build the Internati
A defender's view on how to stop the World Cup's best strikers
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane look to be on lethal form in this World Cup. So how can you stop them in their tracks?
Gulf Harbour body trial: 'This is not a burial; it's a dumping', Crown says
The Crown says suffocation, together with the denial of food, water and medical help, contributed to the death of Shulai Wang.
Pope Leo pays tribute to Jérôme Lejeune, defender of human dignity
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Pope Leo XIV meets with the members of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, and praises the French pediatrician and founder of modern genetics as a man who defended life and human dignity in favor of the common good.
Nomura raises CEO pay to $10 million after profit hits a record
Under Kentaro Okuda's leadership, Japan's biggest brokerage generated a second straight year of record net income.
'Everyone is devastated' by death of teenager at rally
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The death of 15-year-old Tadhg Callaghan-Carter on Saturday after being hit by a competitor's car at the Donegal International Rally has been described as "devastating".
'Everyone is devastated' by death of teenager at rally
The death of 15-year-old Tadhg Callaghan-Carter on Saturday after being hit by a competitor's car at the Donegal International Rally has been described as "devastating".
U.S. and Iran make ‘major progress’ in talks aimed at lasting peace deal
Plenty of obstacles remain, however, including Israel's war in Lebanon against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group.
Ex-Justice Minister gets 25 years in prison for playing key role in Yoon's martial law
Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Monday in connection with former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt in 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Park guilty of ordering Justice Ministry officials to review plans to dispatch prosecutors to a joint investigation headquarters and inspect correctional facilities after Yoon declared martial law. Park was also found guilty of drafting a document justifying Yoon’s martial law declaration
Seoul shares close at fresh peak above 9,100 on chip gains amid US-Iran talks
South Korean stocks finished at an all-time high Monday on a continued rally in semiconductor shares amid signs of progress in US-Iran talks to end their monthslong war in the Middle East. The local currency lost against the U.S. dollar. After opening 1.08 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 62.13 points, or 0.69 percent, to 9,114.55 after rising as high as 9,253.00. Trade volume was moderate at 377.2 million shares worth 41.4 trillion won ($26.9 billion)
Evan says solo debut is part of finding his 'true self’
Evan, formerly Heeseung of Enhypen, has shared his first thoughts on life as a solo artist following the release of his debut single "Ride or Die" on Monday. While he did not directly address why he left the boy group to pursue an independent career — a move some fans continue to dispute, arguing Belift Lab forced his departure — Evan suggested he is focused on discovering his authentic self through music. In a written Q&A released through Belift Lab on the same day, Evan reflected on what he lo
Vatican Radio takes part in European media summit in Prague
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The 96th General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is set to open in Prague, Czechia, on June 24, bringing together 113 public radio and television broadcasters from 56 countries, including Vatican Radio, one of the EBU’s founding members.
Kerry to face Tyrone as quarter-final draw is made
The draw for the All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-finals has produced some blockbusters ties with Kerry set to face Tyrone and Galway to meet Dublin.
In selling arms, China is still no superpower
In fact, China's strategy of avoiding military entanglements and binding security commitments is one of the reasons why it struggles to break through in the export market.
Japan’s World Cup picture comes into focus after rout of Tunisia
Japan can book its place in the knockout round with a win over Sweden.
Is Cool Japan really the secret to soft-power success?
The part of Europe where Japanese culture is growing fastest is also where Japan has invested least.
‘A little funky’: Japanese ‘nattō’ disgusts and delights the world
Aside from its supposed health benefits, 'nattō' has long been loved in Japan for its stunning affordability — charms the rest of the world seems to be warming up to.
Card quest brings collectors and cash to Dunedin market
Balclutha dad Justin Knight and his two sons are collecting a full set of Pokémon cards.
Yen continues to test fresh lows as Nikkei 225 hits new highs
Verbal intervention in the currency market has been more tempered than in the past.
'I'm not interested in anything Brian Tamaki says' - Prime Minister
Brian Tamaki made comments on social media last week, which have since been dismissed and condemned by Christopher Luxon.
Students use AI to make pornographic images of teachers
Multiple teachers have been the subject of these posts, featuring teachers bad-mouthing students to naked images.
Moscow airports reopen as Russia downs Ukrainian drones
Moscow shot down dozens of drones in the early hours of this morning and briefly suspended flights at airports, local authorities said, just days after Ukraine hit the Russian capital's oil refinery again.
Iran coach praises players’ resilience after draw with Belgium
Iran has faced the strain of considerable visa and travel restrictions in the United States during the World Cup.
Trump’s Iran deal comes with great risk — for JD Vance
For Vance, it is too late to "be careful." He largely owes his political career to Trump, and his political future largely depends on his defense of him and his policies.
Seoul seeks swift transfer of captured N. Korean soldiers from Ukraine
South Korea is seeking the swift transfer of two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russia, a senior Foreign Ministry official said Monday, marking the government's clearest indication yet that Seoul is actively pursuing their relocation to the South. "We are trying to facilitate their transfer to South Korea as quickly as possible in accordance with their free will," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. The official said Seoul and Kyiv have a
Govt. to provide trade secret certification for startup program applicants following data leak
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said Monday it will provide trade secret original certification services to applicants of a government-backed startup program to help safeguard their business ideas following a major data leak. First Vice Minister Roh Yong-seok announced the measure as he apologized for a data breach involving 5,000 applicants who passed the first round of the "Startup for All" program, an audition-style startup incubation project launched earlier this year. "We will mobilize al
Body found in pond at South Auckland park
A member of the public contacted police.
Ex-justice minister given 25-year prison sentence for martial law role
Former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after a district court found him guilty of playing a key role in an insurrection through his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the heavy punishment for Park, which surpassed the 20-year prison term sought by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team. The court immediately placed Park under custody, citing concerns that he may destroy evidence. Cho'
Soldier accused of headbutting and threatening senior after cocktail night
The defence says there were no threats or headbutting and any pushing was in self-defence.
De la Espriella win in Colombia cements Latin America’s rightward shift
Colombia and Peru now join Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Panama in moving right.
S. Korean, Indian FMs to discuss economy, AI, defense ties this week
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun plans to meet his Indian counterpart in Seoul this week to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the economy, defense, artificial intelligence and other key areas, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday. Cho is scheduled to hold talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Seoul on Wednesday during the top Indian diplomat's official visit to South Korea following his trip to Mongolia, according to the ministry. At the upcoming meeting,
Why more South Koreans are becoming ‘full-time children’
Job scarcity and climbing housing costs have fueled the emergence of a new family role: young adults who stay home, help run the household and, in some cases, care for aging parents. For years, achieving success in South Korea has been associated with a familiar life trajectory: graduate, find a stable job, move out, marry, start a family. For a growing number of young adults, however, that sequence is breaking down. Instead, some are embracing a new identity that has recently gained traction on
Japan to fully digitalize airport customs system by 2030
The phasing-out of paper customs declaration forms is among measures eyed by the Finance Ministry to handle the inbound movement of people and goods more efficiently.
PM vows to renew push for constitutional amendment
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Monday that he will revive the push for a constitutional amendment once he returns to the National Assembly. "Upon returning to the National Assembly and the party, I will begin full-scale discussions on a one-time constitutional amendment regarding the reform of the National Election Commission," Kim told reporters. The momentum for the amendment, which failed in May due to the resistance of the main opposition People Power Party, could be reignited as both part
Watchdog chief expresses concerns over overheated single-stock leveraged ETF trading
The chief of the country's financial watchdog said Monday that the newly introduced single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds has been generating many side effects, and his agency is drawing up measures to protect investors. In a press conference, Lee Chan-jin, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service said the overheated rush to the single-stock leveraged ETFs with underlying assets -- Samsung Electronics and SK hynix -- have shown extreme turnover since their introduction in late May. "
Heading into its second year, AUBL aims to get Japan more involved
While China and the Philippines are regional basketball hotbeds, Asian University Basketball League stakeholders are working to gain traction in Japan.
Earmuffs over headphones: Holloway Road residents try to escape noise
Wellington Water has agreed to fund seven nights of accommodation for one resident while overnight works are carried out.
Toss Bank partners with Solana Foundation on blockchain remittances
Toss Bank said Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Solana Foundation to explore blockchain-based financial infrastructure, becoming the first South Korean internet-only bank to partner with the organization behind the Solana network. The agreement focuses on developing next-generation cross-border payment infrastructure using blockchain technology. The two sides will conduct a phased proof of concept for international remittances on the Solana network, evaluate blockchain-bas
Lee warns against revenge-for-hire crimes
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday warned against involvement in so-called “private revenge-for-hire” crimes, stressing that such acts are serious offenses that can lead to arrest and detention. “Under no circumstances should anyone engage in revenge-for-hire,” Lee wrote in a post on X. “It is a serious crime that can result in detention.” Lee made the remarks while sharing a report from acting National Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Jae-seong on police investigations into crimes involving privat
Seventeen says goodbye for now, promises return within 3 years
INCHEON — Seventeen’s 10th “Carat Land” fan meeting brought the warmth fans have come to expect from the annual event, but this year’s gathering carried added emotional weight. Held Saturday and Sunday at Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, it marked one of the group’s last major collective events before more members begin mandatory military service. With Jeonghan, Wonwoo, Hoshi and Woozi already enlisted, nine members took the stage. Mingyu, DK, Seungkwan, Vernon and Dino are expected to enlist in the
Vance says talks with Iranian officials set 'good foundation' for a deal to end war
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U.S. Vice-President JD Vance on Monday said his lengthy talks with senior Iranian officials in Switzerland created a "good foundation for a successful final deal" as they negotiate bringing a permanent end to the war that the U.S. and Israel began in late February.
Police investigating suspected breaches of sanctions against Russia
Court documents seen by RNZ said a man, aged in his 60s, was accused of recklessly breaching a sanction by supplying a company with goods "knowing or being reckless that the [goods] were destined for Russia".
Two children found dead in car during France heatwave
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Much of Europe was preparing today for an already fierce heatwave to intensify even further in the coming days, with some countries taking special measures to mitigate its effects.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces resignation, sets out timetable for exit
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BMW's new iX3 offers first taste of Neue Klasse future
BMW has unveiled The New iX3 SUV, the first vehicle built on its Neue Klasse platform, marking the beginning of the software-defined vehicle era. Replacing the fragmented electronic architectures of conventional vehicles, the new platform unifies critical functions through centralized computing, improving performance, agility and efficiency. The latest iX3 is the first of more than 40 new and facelifted BMW models set to launch across gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric lineups.
Miyagi volunteer probation officers seek sustainable rehabilitation system
Japan is relying heavily on volunteer probation officers to support rehabilitation, but aging, shortages and safety fears are putting growing strain on the system.
Song Se-ra wins bronze at Asian Fencing Championships
South Korean fencing star Song Se-ra captured a bronze medal in the women's individual epee event at the 2026 Asian Fencing Championships on Sunday. Competing in New Delhi, Song finished third behind Irina Bakaldina of Kazakhstan and Kaylin Hsieh of Hong Kong. Ranked No. 3 in the world in women's individual epee — the highest-ranked Asian athlete in the discipline — Song had been aiming to defend the Asian championship title she won last year. However, her bid for back-to-back titles ended in th
PM nominee apologizes for data leak in state-sponsored startup contest
Han Seong-sook, prime minister nominee and current minister of SMEs and startups, apologized for a data leak involving some 5,000 participants in the ministry's flagship startup contest. "I sincerely apologize to all participants who suffered discomfort due to the personal information leak," Han told reporters on her way to the office in Seoul to prepare for the confirmation hearing. "We failed to live up to the trust of citizens who believed in the government and participated in the contest. As
'Tail wagging the dog': FSS chief warns on leveraged ETF boom
Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin signaled possible regulatory measures on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds Monday, saying the products have delivered limited benefits while exposing retail investors to growing risks. "The effect has been minimal, but the side effects have become too significant," Lee said during a media briefing at the FSS headquarters in Seoul. Single-stock leveraged ETFs tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix were introduced last month to encourage
Family of Manitoba woman still seeking restitution for rings stolen by care home worker
The family of a woman who lived with Alzheimer's is fighting for court-ordered restitution more than seven years after rings were stolen by a health-care aide off her arthritic finger at a Winnipeg personal care home.
Liberals push through bills as Parliament wraps
The House of Commons has wrapped for summer. What did Carney’s majority government prioritize, and what’s ahead for the summer?
South Korea turns to AI as personnel shortage strains military medical system
South Korea’s military has begun work on a plan to incorporate artificial intelligence into its medical system, as a sharp decline in military doctors raises concerns over the sustainability of its professional personnel-driven healthcare structure. According to military officials Monday, the Armed Forces Medical Command recently commissioned a policy research project to draw up a long-term development plan for AI-based military medicine. The move comes as the military faces growing pressure to
ACC accused of victim-blaming as motorcyclists seek High Court judicial review
About 50 motorcyclists converged on the Christchurch Law Courts as part of their fight against ACC levy increases.
Craftsmanship, elegance of Thai masterpieces on show at National Museum of Korea
A Buddha stands upon a lotus pedestal, stepping forward with the left foot while the right heel is slightly raised. His left hand is lifted near the chest with the palm facing forward. The bronze sculpture from the 14th century in Thailand is named “pang-li-la,” meaning graceful posture. "If I had to pick one work in the exhibition that captures Thailand's unique artistic identity, it is the ‘Walking Buddha.’ For Koreans, it may be comparable to the iconic Pensive Bodhisattva shown at the ‘room
Across South Korea, Starbucks stores closed at 3 p.m.
Starbucks Korea closed all of its stores early on Monday to conduct history training for employees, following backlash over its “Tank Day” promotion in May. All 2,160 stores closed at 3 p.m., marking the company’s first nationwide early shutdown since opening the first location here in 1999. Employees participated in the training by watching prerecorded lectures delivered by two professors from Sungkyunkwan University’s history and sociology departments at their respective stores. The program wa
North Korea’s MDL fortification violates 1953 armistice: Seoul
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense on Monday said North Korea’s recent installation of barriers near the Military Demarcation Line constitutes a violation of the two nations' armistice agreement. The remarks followed reports that North Korean troops had been installing fences close to the MDL. The de facto border has separated the two Koreas since the 1953 armistice suspended active hostilities in the Korean War. According to reports, North Korea has installed barbed-wire fences in some
We host strangers for dinner every month - now we have 60 new friends
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After 2 years in Belfast, Nidhi Pal and Vik Parashar found a creative way to make new friends - a monthly dinner party with strangers.
Kang Min-ji ties for fifth at Meijer LPGA Classic
Kang Min-ji recorded her best finish of the season at the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday. Kang fired a 6-under 66 in the final round of the tournament at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, carding one eagle, five birdies and one bogey. She finished tied for fifth at 14-under 274 alongside Cassie Porter. The result marked Kang's best performance of the 2026 LPGA Tour season. Her previous best finish was a tie for ninth at the Riviera Maya Open in April. Japan's Miyu Yamashita claimed t
UK Labour leadership frontrunner Burnham sworn in as MP
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Coverage of developments as Keir Starmer announces his departure as British Prime Minister.
SK hynix seeks AI premium with Nasdaq listing
SK hynix could float shares on the Nasdaq as soon as August, a move that would rank among the largest US listings in years and put one of the most important names in the artificial intelligence supply chain in front of American investors for the first time. The South Korean chipmaker, the main supplier of high-bandwidth memory to Nvidia, filed confidentially with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in March and has lined up Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America to manage t
Burnham could be PM within weeks as Keir Starmer quits
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Andy Burnham appears on course to enter 10 Downing Street within weeks after an emotional Keir Starmer quit as UK Labour leader.
Iran war puts $124 billion Persian Gulf remittance lifeline at risk
Migrant workers in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries sent an estimated $124 billion home in 2024, supporting families from Asia and the broader Middle East to Africa.
AI boom lifts SK hynix above Samsung in market value
SK hynix overtook Samsung Electronics as South Korea's most valuable listed company Monday, ending Samsung's nearly 26-year reign at the top as investors continue to pile into artificial intelligence-related stocks. Shares of SK hynix rose 5.61 percent to close at 2.92 million won ($1,900), giving the memory chipmaker a market capitalization of about 2,080 trillion won. Samsung Electronics slipped 0.14 percent to 353,500 won, leaving its market value slightly lower. The milestone marks the first
Trump builds a new U.S. tariff wall in shakeup of winners and losers
A new round of Trump tariffs is taking shape after the Supreme Court blocked his earlier measures, with countries from the Philippines to Singapore facing very different outcomes.
China targets U.S. rare earths firms in response to Pentagon list
China's designation prohibits these U.S. companies from access to items that can be used for both commercial and military purposes.
Takaichi says consumption tax cut would last only two years
Asked if the cut would expire after two years even if the economy worsened, the prime minister said the measure is only "a bridge" until a refundable tax credit program is created.
Cancer survivor 'shattered' after fruitless fight over privacy breach
Company director "played me like a fool", Cheryl Horrell says.
Police who fled stabbing scene ordered to pay victims
Two former police officers who fled the scene of a 2021 knife attack in Incheon have been ordered to pay compensation, along with the state, to the victim’s family over their botched response. The Incheon District Court recently ruled partially in favor of the family of a woman injured in the attack in a civil damages suit filed against the state. The court ordered the dismissed officers and the government to pay about 350 million won ($228,000) in compensation. The family had sought more than 2
Song drives in run, Lee and Kim held hitless
Song Seong-mun delivered a hit and an RBI in a rare starting appearance, but fellow South Korean major leaguers Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Ha-seong were held quiet at the plate. Song went 1-for-4 with an RBI double during the San Diego Padres' road game against the Texas Rangers on Sunday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The double marked Song's second two-base hit since reaching MLB, while his fifth RBI of the season lifted his batting average to .200 (10-for-50). Starting at second base and
2 South Korean-linked vessels clear Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran deal
Two vessels operated by South Korean shipping companies have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first South Korean-linked ships to pass through since Washington and Tehran agreed to reopen it last week, Seoul said Monday. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the vessels that had been waiting near the strait successfully made their way through it and are now continuing their course. However, they have yet to fully clear the surrounding area, which is still considered high-risk.
Do esports students do more than play games?
Marketing, nutrition and video editing, there is apparently more to esports than being good at games.
Lee says politics is about responsibility, not power
Politics is about taking responsibility for the nation, not about seizing power, President Lee Jae Myung wrote on his X account Monday, in an apparent continuation of his criticism of conflict within and among political parties. “The purpose of politics goes beyond merely taking power. It is to take responsibility for the fate of the nation and the lives of 50 million citizens,” Lee wrote. “The position held by a person in power is not something to take as an opportunity for happiness, but an en
Court backs firing of Coast Guard officer who abused infant son: report
A court has rejected the request of a former Korea Coast Guard officer who was seeking to overturn his dismissal after he was convicted of child abuse. According to local daily Herald Business on Monday, an appellate court on June 6 upheld a lower court ruling that found the dismissal was justified. The plaintiff has decided not to appeal, making the ruling final. The Busan District Court last month dismissed the plaintiff’s request, saying his crime and the resulting media coverage had seriousl
Funding for Shared Island Initiative to pass €1bn mark
The amount of funding allocated under an Irish Government initiative to promote co-operation across the island of Ireland will pass the €1 billion mark this week.
Donaldson found guilty of all charges including rape
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Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty on 18 sexual offence charges including one count of rape.
Research shows increase in restorative justice referrals
There has been a year-on-year increase in restorative justice referrals from the courts, according to new research published by Maynooth University in conjunction with the Probation Service.
Kids were made to eat dog biscuits off the floor - pupils speak out after school abuse payouts
Former pupils describe staff pelting them with footballs and pouring pints of blackcurrant over them.
S. Korea slams N. Korea's expanded border fencing as armistice agreement violation
The South Korean military on Monday denounced North Korea's intensified border fencing as a violation of the armistice agreement that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, following a report that the fences have been built very close to the inter-Korean border. The JoongAng Ilbo reported that the North has installed barbed wire fences just 80-90 meters from the Military Demarcation Line separating the two Koreas, clearing land to plant mines as close as 5-10 meters to the MDL, citing military sources a
Foreign shoppers increasingly planning Korea trips around Olive Young sales
The number of foreign tourists who returned to Korea for Olive Young's sale season in both its March and June rounds this year was 11 times higher than three years ago, retailer CJ Olive Young said Monday. The company based the figure on an analysis of foreign customer data conducted with Global Tax Free, Korea's largest tax refund operator. Foreign visitors who come to Korea two or more times a year to coincide with the sales have grown roughly twofold annually on average since 2023, according
Seoul offers AI-assisted career counseling for migrant-background students
Migrant-background students in Seoul will be offered customized career and college admissions counseling from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education starting this summer. Officials will visit schools with large migrant student populations and use artificial intelligence-based interpretation to support consultations. According to the Seoul education office, the city has seen a steady rise in the number of students with multicultural backgrounds, increasing the demand for customized counseling
DNA, RNA blood test may help detect Alzheimer’s earlier: study
A blood test that looks at both DNA and RNA information may help identify Alzheimer’s disease patients more accurately, according to a study led by researchers from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Indiana University. The researchers sought to develop a more practical way to screen people at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia. Current precision tests, such as positron emission tomography scans and cerebrospinal fluid tests, can be costly or invasive
[Uzbekistan Forum] Uzbekistan looks to Korea for airport city, data center development
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev and Jung Won-ju, chairman of Herald Media Group, Jungheung Group and Daewoo Engineering & Construction, discussed potential cooperation on data centers near the planned Tashkent Airport and set up a possible project agenda ahead of the Korea-Central Asia summit in Seoul in September. During a meeting in Tashkent on June 17, Khodjaev proposed that Daewoo E&C review ways to develop data centers within the airport-linked urb
Seo Chae-hyun wins bronze at IFSC Innsbruck event
South Korea's leading women's sport climber Seo Chae-hyun captured a bronze medal in the women's lead event at the sixth stop of the 2026 IFSC World Climbing Series. Competing in Innsbruck, Austria, on Sunday, Seo posted a score of 36+ in the women's lead final to finish third behind Janja Garnbret, who won gold with 44 points, and Annie Sanders, who claimed silver with 38+. The result marked Seo's third consecutive podium finish in lead competition this season, having reached the podium at all
Lovebugs are back in Seoul
“A lovebug flew into my house yesterday, and I completely panicked. I guess it's that time of year again,” said Park Jin-ju, who lives in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on Sunday. Park is right. It's that time of year when lovebugs, also called Plecia nearctica, reach maturity in large numbers and start showing up all over Seoul and nearby areas. On Monday, people shared reports of lovebug sightings on social media and online communities in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. “They were clinging to my cl
What to know before Korea’s last group stage match against South Africa
South Korea will take the field against South Africa on Wednesday (Thursday morning Korean time) with hopes of advancing to the round of 32 at the World Cup. With one win and one defeat from their opening two matches, the Taegeuk Warriors need only to avoid a defeat to book their spot in the knockout stage without relying on other results. The odds appear to be in their favor. Opta Football Predictions on Monday gave Korea a 91.22 percent chance of reaching the World Cup round of 32. (see relate
'No plan, no services, no support': How an Innu teen died after aging out of system
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Thunderheart Tshakapesh spent nearly two years in the care of the province before being released after his 16th birthday. He was dead within a month. His passing kicked off a movement that led to a public inquiry.
SK hynix beats Samsung Electronics in market cap
SK hynix has surpassed Samsung Electronics in terms of market capitalization for the first time, the bourse operator said Monday. The market capitalization of SK hynix reached 2,091 trillion won ($1,358 billion) at 12:42 p.m., surpassing Samsung Electronics' 2,090 trillion won, according to the Korea Exchange. It marked the first time that Samsung Electronics has given up its throne on the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index since steadfastly remaining at the top since 2000. It first ran
Where are Seoul's most Instagrammable outdoor pools this summer?
As the capital heats up, several of Seoul's luxury hotels have opened or are preparing to open their outdoor pools. Each offers its own version of a summer escape without leaving the city, and each comes with a backdrop worth a photo or two. Mondrian Seoul Itaewon The Altitude Pool & Lounge at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, the five-star lifestyle hotel in Yongsan-gu, returns as one of the city's most photographed summer spots. Pink tiles, sky-blue sunbeds and a blue-and-white striped awning give the p
Salah's World Cup pain ends as he fires Egypt to historic win
Mohamed Salah fires Egypt to their first ever World Cup win - 92 years on from their tournament debut.
Japanese insurers sold domestic superlong bonds as yields soared
Local insurers sold a net ¥201.2 billion ($1.25 billion) of Japanese sovereign debt due in more than 10 years, according to the latest Japan Securities Dealers Association data.
One person critically injured after assault at Canterbury military camp
Two men have been charged.
Man dies after e-scooter crash in Christchurch
Police are seeking witnesses to the crash.
Aluminum’s war shock blunted by dark transits and Chinese supply
Indonesia has also been instrumental in keeping the global market in check as buyers wait for exports to rebound.
Australian Federal Police: 17 tonnes of drugs seized in Pacific so far in 2026
The Australian Federal Police chief says most of the illicit drugs being trafficked through the Pacific are destined for Australia.
A white nationalist group visiting Canadian locations is trying to normalize extremism, says a former neo-Nazi
300 years after treaty signing, Mi'kmaw leaders say the fight for rights recognition continues
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Mi'kmaw leaders gathered in Annapolis Royal this month to mark the 300th anniversary of the Peace and Friendship treaties and reflect on generations of legal battles that have been necessary to uphold hunting, fishing and self-governance rights.
Why the debate about MAID for mental illness still rages and where the conversation is at today
The debate over whether Canadians with mental illness should have access to a medically assisted death ramped up this past week raising questions around why it's so heavily scrutinized and who is most impacted.
Ottawa cut therapy sessions for refugees to 10 hours per year. Now some are pushing back
When the federal government introduced supplemental health copayments for asylum seekers and refugee claimants earlier this spring, it also quietly brought in a 10-hour yearly cap on mental health sessions for them, CBC News has learned. Mental health practitioners have been lobbying for a reversal since, with limited success.
Remember that star that was supposed to explode in 2024? It didn't, but it could still happen soon
A new naked-eye star was supposed to grace our skies in 2024, but it never happened. Astronomers say that it's still on the books and could even happen soon.
Sam Ruthe withdraws from U20 athletics World Champs
Sam Ruthe suffered a stress fracture to his lower leg while playing football back in April.
Emperor and empress dine at a castle with Belgium’s royal family
They enjoyed their meal at a garden of the Royal Castle of Ciergnon near the town of Ciergnon in the municipality of Houyet, southern Belgium, for about an hour and a half.
Lamine Yamal-inspired Spain cruises past Saudi Arabia
Spain leads the group with four points in the standings while Saudi Arabia has one.
Triple-murderer Lauren Dickason's date for appeal set
She will be eligible for parole once she has served a third of her sentence in September 2027.
Trump-backed political outsider wins Colombia election, initial count shows
Abelardo de la Espriella appears to have narrowly defeated his rival Iván Cepeda, who says the preliminary count is "not yet official or binding".
Japan arrests man suspected of links to alleged scam syndicate Prince Group, media report
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have arrested Hu Shi, a Cypriot national, on suspicion of falsifying documents.
Japan-South Korea detente persists — but breakthrough remains elusive
Tokyo and Seoul have become better at preventing ties from fraying but have been less successful at turning stability into concrete gains.
US suspends Iran oil sanctions after Switzerland talks
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The US has temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil after VJD Vance said Iran would allow UN nuclear inspectors to return to the country.
One of World Cup's great stories - can Cape Verde become legends?
Cape Verde's impressive World Cup continues with a draw against two-time winners Uruguay - and they will now be looking to make the last 32.
A flamboyant US-backed lawyer who has never held public office has narrowly won Colombia's presidential runoff, swinging the country hard to the right on a promise to wage war against drug-running guerrilla groups.
In the foothills of the Dolomites, a champion was made
Jannik Sinner is the world's best tennis player. This is the journey that forged a champion.
Russian troop build-up threatens city seen as key to seizing Ukraine's Donbas
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If Kostyantynivka falls, Russian forces would be able push towards Ukraine's last remaining strongholds in the east.
Egypt downs New Zealand 3-1 for first World Cup victory
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Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night and secured its first-ever World Cup victory.
The BTS fans losing thousands as scammers cash in on comeback tour ticket war
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As ticket demand outstrips supply by a ratio of 15 to one, desperate fans have become easy targets.
Hunter killed in quad bike crash in Canterbury
A police investigation into how the crash happened is ongoing.
'Everything is gone': Lyttelton's The Shroom Room 'completely gutted' in blaze
Firefighters were called to the fire shortly before 8pm on Sunday, as thick plumes of smoke rose above the port town near Christchurch.
Consumers warned over scam EU customs charge messages
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Consumers are being warned to be vigilant of scam messages seeking customs payments ahead of new charges from next month for smaller items bought online from outside the European Union.
The remote town with no bank - and the nearest is an hour away
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When 84-year-old Maggie Dodd discovered that the last remaining bank in Lochgilphead was closing, she began to panic.
New retirement age rights to come into force next week
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The Government has announced that new retirement age rights for employees will come into force from Monday 29 June.
Crash between bus and car closes major central Wellington intersection
A car and a bus have crashed at a busy Wellington intersection.
Massive sturgeon reeled in on B.C.’s Fraser River | The Moment
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Fishing guide Kevin Estrada tells The National about the moment his Sturgeon Slayer tour group caught and released a massive 11-foot white sturgeon on B.C.’s Fraser River.
Canada solidifies agreement with Australia to buy Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar system
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Canada has taken the next step toward acquiring a highly sophisticated, long-range radar system to monitor the Arctic.
Officer-involved shooting sends 1 to hospital after police respond to reports of dangerous driver in Calgary
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Calgary police say one person was taken to hospital in life-threatening condition after an officer-involved shooting on Deerfoot Trail S.E. near Memorial Drive S.E. on Sunday.
World Cup 2026: Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde recap
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Live updates from tonight's clash between Uruguay and Cape Verde in Miami
'It just blew up': Tītahi Bay residents describe fast growing blaze
Residents have told of a loud boom, enormous flames spreading between two buildings, and the warning to be ready to evacuate if the flames spread further in strong winds.
Black market cigarettes selling in dairies but no packaging prosecutions in 12 months
RNZ has identified shops allegedly selling illicit cigarettes for about a third of the usual price.
The U.S. says it's open. Iran says it's closed. The Strait of Hormuz remains precarious
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Is the Strait of Hormuz open or closed? Comments from American and Iranian leaders tell conflicting stories on the critical waterway, with the U.S. saying it remains open to shipping traffic and Iran saying it's been closed again.
Abelardo De La Espriella wins Colombia election, continuing rightward trend in Latin America
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Colombian right-wing candidate Abelardo De La Espriella has clinched a narrow victory in Sunday's presidential election, according to an initial ballot count, as voters bet on his promise of a crackdown on crime and a stronger economy.
Ottawa Senators finalize deal to trade captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida Panthers
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Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk are about to team up in Florida, after the Panthers pulled off another summertime blockbuster. The Panthers and Ottawa were finalizing a deal where Florida would send four draft picks to the Senators for Brady Tkachuk.
Teddy ton marks years of dedication
It has taken Jean Cameron 15 years to knit her 1000 teddy bears for sick children.
World Cup 2026: Belgium 0-0 Iran recap
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Follow all the latest from the California as Belgium and Iran do battle in Group G.
Boy dies after being struck by car in Co Mayo
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A boy has died after he was struck by a car near Ballina in Co Mayo.
Child 'momentarily unsupervised' before septic tank death
Coroner Ruth Thomas said 'buckets, drains, ponds' and other water near homes and farms are a leading cause of pre-schoolers drowning.
Nathan Saliba obvious next man up to replace Ismaël Koné in Canada's decisive World Cup match against Switzerland
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In the considerable absence of Ismaël Koné, Nathan Saliba is the obvious next man up, both logically and emotionally.
Westmeath bow out as Croke Park beckons for Monaghan
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Westmeath's memorable campaign came to a conclusion at St Tiernach's Park as a strong second-half showing from hosts Monaghan saw the Farney men advance to the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland football championship.
Cork hammer Offaly to set up Galway showdown
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Brian Hayes grabbed a hat-trick and Alan Walsh added 2-01 on his first start as Cork strolled to an All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Galway with a 26-point dismissal of Offaly.
Stalled Indigenous bills raise questions about Carney’s priorities
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Several Indigenous bills remained stalled as the House of Commons rose for the summer, prompting questions about where Indigenous priorities rank in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s agenda.
Edmonton and surrounding areas ask locals to stop showering, flushing toilets amid heavy rain
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The City of Edmonton joined other Alberta municipalities urging residents to avoid unnecessary indoor water use Sunday after heavy rainfall pushed local wastewater systems to capacity.
'This is not a drill': Serena Williams to make singles return after receiving Wimbledon wildcard
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American great Serena Williams will make a stunning return to singles at this year's Wimbledon after being handed the final wildcard by All England Club on Sunday.
Europe faces prolonged heatwave as temperatures reach 40C
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A heatwave across Europe is forecast to produce new record temperatures throughout the coming week.
Extra-time charge sees Dublin outlast Donegal to advance
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Written off by many after back-to-back defeats earlier in the Championship, Dublin have pulled off a seismic win at Croke Park to secure their All-Ireland quarter-final place and dump Donegal out.
Westmeath's memorable campaign draws to a conclusion in Clones as Monaghan defeta the Leinster champions 1-28 to 2-18 to advance to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. Here is how the game unfolded.
State spent nearly €3m deporting people on charter jet
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The State spend on deporting people out of the country via charter jet now tops €2.88 million [excluding VAT] since February of last year.
Quebec town recognizes trees as living beings with rights
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A small town west of Montreal has decided to officially recognize trees as living beings with rights of their own, in what an environmental organization describes as a first in Quebec and Canada.
US-Iran talks underway in Switzerland
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Talks about the details of a long-term peace deal to end the war between the United States and Iran have begun in Switzerland.
Cork cruise through to the All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-finals.
Families write to minister over CHI inquiry concerns
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Two groups representing families at the centre of a planned inquiry into Children's Health Ireland have written to the Minister for Health outlining their concerns that the process will not be transparent.
LG’s top execs to visit Nvidia headquarters for ties in AI, robotics
Senior executives from LG Group’s key affiliates are set to visit Nvidia’s headquarters in California, Monday (local time), to hammer out practical business cooperation in physical artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The high-level visit comes just two weeks after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and at his corporate headquarters in Seoul for a landmark meeting. At that time, the two tech leaders agreed to solidify a comprehensive partnership across the AI ecosystem, including the co-development of reference robots, AI infrastructure and future mobility. The upcoming meeting in California underscores how rapidly the road map for cooperation between the two tech giants is taking shape. A large-scale working group of around 30 LG executives will fly to the U.S., including LG CNS CEO Hyun Shin-gyoon, LG Electronics Chief Technology Officer Kim Byoung-hoon and LG Sciencepark head Jeong Su-heon. Experts from LG AI Research will also join the delegation. The executives are also expected to pitch the so-called "One LG" strategy, pooling the core capabilit
No-fly zone for Iran talks disrupted flights at Zurich airport, authorities say
VIENNA — A technical fault in air traffic control, triggered by security measures for peace talks between the U.S. and Iran in Switzerland, caused disruptions at Zurich airport on Sunday, aviation authorities said, adding the problem had been resolved. The glitch occurred following the integration of a restricted zone over Buergenstock, the Swiss mountain resort where negotiations are taking place, into radar display systems, Swiss air traffic control authority Skyguide said. The zone was only decided at the last minute because the decision to hold the latest round of talks was not finalized until Saturday, according to a statement. Operations have since returned to normal, Skyguide said, adding: "The systems are running smoothly, and security was ensured at all times." By midday, 12 arrivals and 14 departures had been cancelled, an airport spokesperson told Reuters. At least 60 departures were delayed, she added. U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived for peace talks with Iran at Buergenstock on Sunday as foreseen in a tentative peace deal, but the diplomacy was overshadowed by Iran's a
Erdogan orders talks to reopen Orthodox Christian seminary in Turkey, linked to Trump diplomacy
ANKARA — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan ordered officials on Sunday to resume talks on reopening an Orthodox Christian seminary near Istanbul, an issue raised by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to visit Ankara next month for a NATO summit. The Halki seminary, founded in 1844 and shut by the Turkish state in 1971, played a central role in the Eastern Orthodox Church as the Ecumenical Patriarchate's main theological school. It trained generations of Orthodox clergy, including the current patriarch Bartholomew, who is based in Istanbul. Trump raised the issue in talks with Erdogan in Washington last year. Muslim and secular Turkey has long faced pressure from Greece, the U.S. and European Union to reopen the theological school on Heybeliada island near Istanbul. Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, whose diocese covers Istanbul, said the issue had entered a "new phase" after Erdogan instructed Turkey's higher education authority, to continue discussions with the Patriarchate's committee. Although there is no timetable yet for the reopening of the school, Metropolitan Emmanue
All 6 THAAD launchers return to Seongju from Osan
All six launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system deployed in the southeastern county of Seongju have returned to base following their relocation in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, sources said Sunday. The truck-mounted launchers were reported to have moved from Seongju to Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, in March, fueling speculation the U.S. military was planning to transfer THAAD missile interceptors to the Middle East to support the war. The launchers and other parts of the THAAD battery, however, were believed to have remained in South Korea, as some of the trucks were later seen returning to Seongju. U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson told a Senate hearing in April that THAAD remained in South Korea. "Currently, we are sending munitions forward, and those are sitting right now waiting to move," he said at the time, without elaborating.
Israel says no restriction on troops 'eliminating threats' in Lebanon
JERUSALEM — Israel's defense minister said Sunday that Israeli forces had standing orders to act against any threat they encountered inside Lebanon, insisting that troops would remain in the so-called security zone established within Lebanese territory. "There has never been, and there is currently no restriction on IDF soldiers in Lebanon from acting to eliminate threats... As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear: Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon," Israel Katz said in a statement, referring to an area extending roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, where Israeli forces are deployed. Katz's remarks came shortly after Iran warned that it would not enter talks on a broader agreement with Washington unless the war in Lebanon comes to an end.
Korean battery makers accelerate push into US ESS market
Major battery makers are ramping up efforts to expand in the U.S. energy storage system (ESS) market, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and a shift away from Chinese supply chains, as they seek to offset slowing electric vehicle (EV) demand. The pivot comes as EV demand weakens due to reduced subsidies, high interest rates and intensifying competition, prompting LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On to repurpose some EV battery production capacity for stationary energy storage. According to BloombergNEF, the U.S. ESS market is projected to grow from 51 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2023 to 485 GWh by 2030 and 976 GWh by 2035. Especially with the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act tightening restrictions on Chinese battery components in projects seeking investment tax credits, developers have accelerated efforts to diversify supply chains, creating fresh opportunities for manufacturers with North American production capacity. LG Energy Solution is moving aggressively to capitalize on the shift. The company operates five ESS manufacturin
Protests over ballot shortage continue for 17th day
Protests demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections marred by ballot paper shortages entered the 17th day Sunday at a ballot counting site in southern Seoul. Protesters continued to chant slogans and hold pickets claiming election fraud outside SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's southern district of Songpa, which was used as a ballot counting site for the elections. As many as 34,000 people were gathered at the venue as of 3:30 p.m., with those in their 20s and 30s accounting for more than half of the total, according to an estimate by the Seoul city government. The protests began June 5, two days after ballot shortages temporarily suspended voting at 26 polling stations. While the National Election Commission (NEC) has apologized for the ballot shortages, it says they do not warrant a rerun under the election law. A joint team of police investigators and prosecutors has been investigating the NEC over the shortages. The government has urged people taking part in the protests to refrain from illegal acts, saying that while peaceful rallies should be protected, illegal acts of v
Lee appoints new top aides as approval ratings fall
President Lee Jae Myung appointed five new senior aides, Sunday, in a move aimed at accelerating the implementation of his administration's policy agenda as it enters its second year, with appointments spanning communications, civil affairs, social policy and national security. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the appointments during a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, emphasizing that the selections were designed to help realize Lee's vision for the second year of his administration. Seong Ghi-hong, former president and CEO of Yonhap News Agency, was named senior presidential secretary for public relations and communications. Han Chan-sik, a former senior prosecutor, was appointed senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and is expected to play a key role in advancing the administration's prosecutorial reform agenda. Kim Kyoung-ja, former vice chairperson of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and a pharmacist by training, was named senior presidential secretary for social affairs. Former Army commander Kang Gun-jark was appointed first deputy national s
Samsung, SK hynix-linked semiconductor majors more competitive than SNU admissions
University departments guaranteeing jobs at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix required more competitive admissions scores than Seoul National University's (SNU) natural sciences track this year — a notable milestone given that SNU, widely regarded as Korea's most prestigious university, has long set the benchmark for top admissions scores — reflecting surging student demand for chipmaker careers amid record bonus packages at the two companies. According to an analysis released Sunday by Jongno Academy, a private university admissions prep institution, five semiconductor departments partnered with the two semiconductor giants averaged 96.2 in admission scores based on Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test, also known as Suneung, outpacing SNU's natural science track by 0.4 points. The university-corporate partnership model, introduced in 2003, pairs companies with universities to shape curricula around industry needs. Companies support tuition costs, and most students are guaranteed jobs upon completing their degrees. SK hynix has contracts with Hanyang University, Korea University
Gov't wary of chip boom liquidity spilling into housing market
Policymakers are growing increasingly concerned that a wave of liquidity generated by the ongoing semiconductor boom could spill over into Korea's already overheated housing market, fueled by record-high bonus payouts and low-interest employee loans at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. Industry estimates suggest that bonus payouts and employee housing loan programs at the two chipmakers could unleash as much as 53 trillion won ($34.6 billion) in liquidity by next year, raising worries about further pressure on the housing market. The figure includes about 23 trillion won in bonus-related cash and more than 30 trillion won in low-interest housing loans available to employees. The estimates come as both companies prepare to roll out large bonus packages driven by the global artificial intelligence-driven semiconductor boom. SK hynix, which allocates 10 percent of its annual operating profit to employee bonuses, is expected to set aside about 26 trillion won for incentive payments based on forecasts that it will post an operating profit of 260 trillion won this year. The company also offers
Woori Financial steps up productive finance with $6.5 bil. boost
Woori Financial Group will expand its productive and inclusive finance programs by a combined 10 trillion won ($6.5 billion), stepping up support for strategic industries while broadening assistance for vulnerable borrowers, the company said Sunday. The decision was made during a Friday meeting of senior executives from Woori's affiliates led by Chairman Yim Jong-yong, where participants reviewed progress under the group's productive and inclusive finance initiative, dubbed the Future Shared Growth Project. The financial group said it will add 9.4 trillion won in productive financing and 600 billion won in inclusive finance, bringing the project's total size to 90 trillion won. Most of the increase will be directed toward productive financing. Woori said it plans to provide the additional 9.4 trillion won over the next two years, including 5.7 trillion won this year and 3.7 trillion won next year, to support strategic industries, exporters and other sectors viewed as key drivers of future growth. The group also plans to significantly expand its inclusive finance programs this year. It will
Changing face of lunch hour in Seoul’s office districts
The traditional lunch hour in Seoul’s bustling business hubs, like Gwanghwamun, Gangnam and Yeouido, is undergoing a major shift. Instead of crowding into restaurants, an increasing number of office workers are flocking to sleep cafes. For many, lunchtime has transformed from being a time to eat into a vital 20- to 30-minute window for physical and mental recovery. "I've used it for several months now," said Kwon, an economist in her mid-30s who works in Gwanghwamun, Jongno District, in an interview Friday. "I work at a global firm where the lunch culture is flexible, so I usually 'brown bag' my lunch and eat it at my desk. Afterwards, I'll head out to take a short nap at Nabijam." She explained that going out for lunch can often feel more tiring than staying in the office because fighting the crowds and waiting in long lines is exhausting. "It helps provide a 'real' break from the office and from people," she added. "Especially in Korea, where lunchtime can sometimes feel like an extension of work, enjoying 'me time' with a nap provides that necessary physical and mental separation fr
Megabox crisis raises concerns over future of Korean cinema
The financial crisis facing Megabox JoongAng is raising concern across Korea's film industry, with filmmakers and distributors warning that the problems extend far beyond a single theater chain. As one of the country's three major multiplex operators and a leading film investor through Plus M Entertainment, Megabox has become deeply embedded in the Korean movie business. Industry officials said any disruption to its operations could impact filmmaking and distribution at a time when the sector is already struggling to recover from the pandemic and the rise of streaming platforms. On June 12, Megabox JoongAng was among five affiliates of JoongAng Group that filed for corporate rehabilitation with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court. The move came days after JTBC, the group’s flagship broadcaster, declared a default on 20.6 billion won ($13.5 million) in debt repayments. While Megabox theaters continue to operate normally, the filing has sent shockwaves to the industry. For more than two decades, Megabox has stood alongside CGV and Lotte Cinema as one of Korea's three major multiplex chains. Throug
OPCON transfer must strengthen, not weaken, the alliance
The decision by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee to tighten congressional oversight of the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) on the Korean Peninsula has reignited a long-running debate over sovereignty, alliance management and regional security. A provision in the Senate version of the annual U.S. defense bill would require the U.S. defense secretary to submit quarterly reports on the implementation of the U.S.-South Korea OPCON transition road map through 2030, including independent military assessments by the Indo-Pacific Command and the commander of U.S. Forces Korea. The measure reflects a growing determination in Washington to ensure that any transfer of wartime command authority is guided by military readiness rather than political expediency. That concern is understandable. North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities, while strategic cooperation between Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow has become increasingly pronounced. In such an environment, neither the United States nor South Korea can afford a transition that undermines deterren
Red Cross warns of rising global conflicts with 'Wars Have Limits' exhibition in Seoul
Marking the 60th anniversary of Korea’s accession to the Geneva Conventions, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) opened a special exhibition, "Wars Have Limits," in the lobby of the Seoul Museum of History, on May 15. Displaying the history of the Geneva Conventions and the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross during the 1950-53 Korean War, the exhibition highlights the grave dangers posed by modern warfare technologies and examines the challenges they present to international humanitarian law, particularly with the emergence of drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous weapons. While humanitarian needs are growing as wars continue to devastate lives around the world, the resources that can help affected populations are shrinking fast. As the world grapples with rising conflicts, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on a principle the entire world has agreed on — that even in war, there are limits. At a reception event on June 4, David Quesne, head of the ICRC mission in Seoul, said that there are currently over 130 conflicts worldwide, more than dou
N. Korea skips reports on World Cup matches involving S. Korea, US, Japan
North Korea's state media excluded games involving South Korea, the United States and Japan from its apparently unauthorized coverage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup matches. The North's state-run Korean Central Television aired four- to six-minute broadcasts on the results of the World Cup group-stage matches at the end of its daily evening newscasts from Monday through Thursday but excluded the results of games involving the three countries. The North, however, aired footage that showed pitch-side advertising boards for South Korean and U.S. companies, such as Hyundai Motor, The Coca-Cola Company and McDonald's. In the past, the North often blurred images related to South Korea and the U.S. in broadcasts of major sports events, such as advertising boards of companies from the two countries and the South Korean national flag. The North Korean broadcaster included major scenes from the World Cup matches in its coverage, raising suspicions the North aired them without authorization. North Korean state media outlets are not among the media rights licensees authorized by FIFA to broadcast the
In Taylor Swift’s beach town, every clue becomes wedding rumor
WESTERLY, R.I. — When a large tent appeared next door to Taylor Swift’s Watch Hill estate this week, it didn’t take long for speculation about the superstar's impending nuptials to ripple through the affluent New England seaside village — and the internet. Soon, fans were swapping theories online, photographers were staking out vantage points and residents found themselves fielding questions about a wedding that never was. Or at least, a wedding that seems yet to happen. The rumors, so far, have proved unfounded. But they offered a glimpse into life in Watch Hill, the Rhode Island beach community in the town of Westerly, close to the Connecticut border, where Swift has owned a home for more than a decade and where curiosity about the singer has become woven into everyday life. Rumors take hold From the nearby lighthouse, visitors craned for a better view of Swift’s mansion, a sprawling white home perched atop a rocky bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Security cameras dotted the property, and a guard called out to visitors who strayed too close. Wedding planner Nicole Simeral
Coway targets smaller households with compact food waste processor
As households continue to shrink, home appliance makers are redesigning products for increasingly compact living spaces, with Coway introducing a small-format food waste processor aimed at single and two-person households. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, single-person households topped 8 million for the first time in 2024, accounting for 36.1 percent of all households, while the average household size is projected to fall to around 1.8 people by 2052. This demographic shift is compressing kitchen spaces, fueling demand for compact and multifunctional appliances tailored to smaller households. To address these changing needs, Coway recently launched its Zero food waste processor series. The 2-liter model measures just 18.9 centimeters in width, making it one of the smallest food waste processors in Korea. It is compact enough to fit into narrow spaces alongside sinks, which is a key consideration in studio apartments where kitchen and living spaces are often integrated. “The product reflects changes in household structures and kitchen environments,” a company official
JD Vance lands in Switzerland to launch talks with Iran on nuclear program
OBBUERGEN, Switzerland — U.S. Vice President JD Vance landed Sunday in Switzerland to help formally launch negotiations with Iranian leaders over curbing Tehran’s nuclear program and building out the fragile interim deal to end the war in Iran. The framework was signed last week, and now top U.S. and Iranian negotiators are in a 60-day sprint to reach an agreement on the technical details that hold massive implications for the world economy and global security. Yet the first days of that two-month period were complicated by the heavy exchange of fire in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah — and by the subsequent announcement by Iran’s military that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that transits a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas. Vance had originally been slated to be on the ground at the picturesque Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne on Friday, but his departure from the United States was delayed after fighting escalated in Lebanon and Iranian officials canceled plans to attend the talks. U.S. Central Comman
Gov't approves sanctions against 166 child support defaulters
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said Sunday it has approved 184 sanctions against 166 people who failed to meet their child support obligations, including travel bans and driver's license suspensions. The sanctions, approved by the 51st child support enforcement review committee earlier this month, included 120 travel bans, 41 driver's license suspensions and 23 cases of public disclosure of personal information, according to the ministry. The average amount of unpaid child support stood at about 45 million won ($29,354), while the largest outstanding amount totaled approximately 192 million won. Under the Child Support Act, sanctions may be imposed on individuals who fail to comply with a court order requiring a lump-sum child support payment for more than 30 days, those who miss child support payments at least three times despite a court enforcement order, or those whose unpaid child support exceeds 30 million won. The number of sanctions has risen steadily, from 639 cases in 2023 to 947 in 2024 and 1,389 last year. In the first half of this year alone, 720 sanctions were ap
Korea mounts final push for Canada's $39 bil. submarine project
The Korean government and defense players are making last-ditch efforts to win Canada’s next-generation submarine project worth up to 60 trillion won ($39.14 billion), as Ottawa is expected to select a preferred bidder by the end of this month. Under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging fleet of four Victoria-class submarines will be replaced with 12 new 3,000-ton diesel-electric vessels. The comprehensive contract includes long-term maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) lifecycles. With a decision looming, Seoul has elevated its bid to top-tier head-of-state diplomacy, seeking to give Korea’s consortium, led by Hanwha Ocean, an edge over rival bidder TKMS of Germany — a traditional heavyweight in submarine technology — in the closely contested race. President Lee Jae Myung recently provided critical diplomatic backing during a bilateral summit with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. Lee said he emphasized Korea’s readiness to contribute to Canada’s defense capabil
Veteran journalist of 30 years appointed presidential communication secretary
Seong Ghi-hong, the new presidential secretary for public relations and communication, is a veteran newswire journalist with 30 years of experience covering politics, the economy and national news. Seong, 58, is the former CEO and president of Yonhap News Agency, who covered an array of areas after joining the company in 1992. In 2007, he visited North Korea with other reporters covering Cheong Wa Dae to report on inter-Korean talks between late former President Roh Moo-hyun and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of incumbent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Following his three-day trip to Pyongyang, he co-authored a book on the historic event with other reporters and Cheong Wa Dae officials. In 2016 and 2017, he led political news coverage of allegations surrounding former President Park Geun-hye and her impeachment that eventually resulted in an early presidential election. Prior to his appointment as Yonhap News Agency CEO in 2021, he also worked as the news director of Yonhap News Television from 2019. Seong is described as being trusted from both inside and outside the o
2025 Economic Census to elevate Korea's industrial mapping
Data has emerged as a national strategic asset, surpassing the traditional importance of land or resources in an era of artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, where the global economic landscape is being reshaped at an unprecedented pace. As countries around the world race to build a scientific governance system, Korea launched the Ministry of Data and Statistics as the government's central coordinator for data policy, marking a proactive step toward digital innovation. Against this backdrop, the ministry commenced the Economic Census for Reference Year 2025, or the 2025 Economic Census, on June 1. This massive national undertaking aims to assess the overall economic condition of Korea and provide the foundation for identifying future growth engines. Conducted every five years and covering all establishments nationwide, the census serves as a high-resolution map of Korea’s current industrial structure. The census will continue through July 22. This year’s census carries particular significance as the first nationwide economic census conducted since the ministry’s organization
In praise of Korean-US relations
As the United States of America approaches its 250th birthday next month, there are many kinds of columns written to celebrate two and a half centuries of life in pursuit of democracy, liberty and equality. Many choose to focus on aspects of the present in need of minor or major repair. My celebratory column will concern America’s friendship with South Korea. It has been a blessing, forged of necessity in war but hewn and made more fundamental through over 70 years of cooperation. The people of the United States owe much to their friendships and alliances, in particular to the people of South Korea. The United States entered the 1950-53 Korean War after North Korea attacked South Korea on June 25, 1950. Pushed all the way to Busan, the joint forces fought back and eventually established armistice boundaries along Panmunjeom. This place, featured in high-profile visits by recent South and North Korean Presidents and by Donald Trump, still marks the fact that the Korean War hasn’t concluded. This sobering fact occasions some comments about superpower relations. We now somewhat regula
Pharmacist-turned-activist appointed presidential secretary for social affairs
New presidential secretary for social affairs Kim Kyoung-ja is a pharmacist-turned labor activist who previously served as a senior leader of Korea's largest umbrella labor federation. Kim, 59, began her career as a labor activist in the healthcare sector in 1995, serving as head of the Inha University Hospital's labor union under the Korean Federation of Hospital Workers' Union (KHMU) She later led the KHMU's Gyeonggi regional chapter from 1998 to 2005 and served as the union's vice president from 2006 to 2008. Kim went on to serve as a vice president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of Korea's largest labor federations, in 2009, 2013, and from 2015 to 2017. She was also the federation's senior vice president from 2017 to 2020. Kim has also served as a member of the National Pension Fund Management Committee under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and worked as a visiting professor at Woosuk University in the southwestern city of Jeonju.
World Refugee Day festival brings communities together in Seoul
To mark World Refugee Day, people from different walks of life gathered on Saturday for the fifth "Shall We Walk?" Refugee Festival at Ttukseom Hangang Park beneath Cheongdam Bridge near Jayang Station on Seoul Metro Line 7. Despite the rainy weather, the festival featured refugee performances representing cultures from around the world, where refugees took center stage to share their lives, stories and unique talents. Attendees enjoyed traditional Burundian drumming, Ethiopian and Jumma cultural dance performances, Sudanese, Pakistani and Afghan music, Korean songs, African traditional singing and K-pop, highlighting the cultural diversity that refugees offer to Korean society and showcasing refugee communities living in Korea. Organized by Refugee pNan, a local nongovernmental organization, the festival was designed to foster natural encounters that overcome prejudice. Rather than relying on lectures or formal discussions, the open-space event encourages understanding through shared experiences, aiming to reduce the distance and misconceptions often associated with the term “refuge
Being in nature
Looking at flowers lets me be happy and peaceful. It is always a cheerful sight to see our neighbors taking care of flowers and plants here and there. When I take a walk in the mountains, what a joy to see a good man planting various flowers and taking care of them along the walking paths. In another nearby mountain ridge, there is a man who constantly tidies up the winding walking path by pulling weeds with an iron rake. One day, I asked him if he is a volunteer for an environmental protection group. He replied simply, “I am just exercising by pulling weeds.” While walking the trails, I observe farmers reclaiming a field at the foot of the mountains. Sometimes, I appreciate wild flowers blooming in their fields. Being surrounded by flowers and being friendly with nature always bring us much joy, hope and consolation. I think the spirit of being in nature and with nature has been inherited from Toegye Yi Hwang (1501-70). To him, nature was not a simple background, but an object of realizing human nature and cultivating the self sincerely. He believed that nature and humans are mirror
Fraud against foreigners quadruples over 2 years, with K-pop scams rising
As a record number of international visitors flock to Korea on the back of the popularity of Korean culture, crimes targeting foreigners have surged sharply, with K-pop merchandise scams emerging as a growing threat among a broader wave of fraud. According to latest data submitted by the National Police Agency to Rep. Kim Joon-hwan of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, the number of foreign nationals — whether visitors or residents — who fell victim to fraud in Korea nearly quadrupled over the past two years. The number of foreign fraud victims rose from 5,307 in 2023 to 8,671 in 2024, before skyrocketing to 19,907 last year. One of the notable fraud schemes targeting foreigners are scams related to hallyu, or the Korean wave, in which fraudsters approach overseas fans claiming they can purchase and ship merchandise related to K-pop stars or other Korean celebrities. Victims are asked to send money upfront, after which the scammers disappear without delivering the goods. Such complaints have become increasingly common on social media platforms, particularly X, formerly Twitter, wh
Ex-veteran prosecutor appointed presidential secretary for civil affairs
New presidential secretary for civil affairs Han Chan-sik, a former senior prosecutor and attorney, is expected to help steer the Lee Jae Myung administration's prosecutorial reform agenda, leveraging his deep knowledge of the prosecution service and legal affairs. Han, 59, previously served as director-general of the Justice Ministry's Human Rights Bureau and chief prosecutor of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors Office. While serving as chief prosecutor, he led the investigation into allegations of a blacklist involving senior officials under the former liberal Moon Jae-in administration. He resigned in 2019 ahead of the inauguration of Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutor general, who later became president, and joined Kim & Chang, South Korea's largest law firm, as an attorney in August 2022. Han is expected to focus on completing the administration's prosecutorial reform agenda ahead of the planned overhaul of the prosecution system in October, including the creation of separate agencies responsible for public prosecutions and criminal investigations. Attention is also focused on whether
Court to deliver ruling on ex-first lady on jobs-for-gifts bribery charges
A Seoul court is set to deliver its verdict this week on former first lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been indicted over receiving luxury gifts in exchange for job appointments and business favors. The Seoul Central District Court will hold the sentencing hearing for Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, on charges of violating a law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation, at 2 p.m. Friday, according to judicial sources Sunday. Kim was indicted in December on charges of receiving over 100 million won ($65,231) worth of jewelry, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, from the chairman of a construction company between March and May 2022, along with a request for a government position for the businessman's son-in-law. She also allegedly received a golden turtle ornament from Lee Bae-yong, former head of the National Education Commission, in April that year in exchange for her appointment to the position. In addition, Kim is suspected of receiving a Dior bag worth 5.4 million won from a pastor in 2022, as well as a Vacheron Constantin watch from an entrepreneur that year.
Iran deal
Iran deal
Samsung reviews HBM sales strategy, long-term agreements with key customers
Samsung Electronics discussed ways to expand sales of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips and reviewed long-term supply agreements with major customers at a recent global strategy meeting, industry sources said Sunday. The world's largest memory chipmaker held its semiannual global strategy meeting last week to review first-half performance and outline business strategies for the second half of the year, amid surging demand for high-performance chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications. During Thursday's meeting, chaired by Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung's device solution division, senior executives reviewed strategies to expand HBM sales and discussed long-term supply agreements with global technology companies, according to the sources familiar with the matter. HBM was one of the key agenda items, as Samsung steps up efforts to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing market for AI-related semiconductors. Samsung began mass production shipments of HBM4 in February, becoming the first company in the world to do so. Last month, it also became the first in the industry
Surveillance of Americans by big data
Surveillance of Americans by big data
Adults addicted to social media complain
Adults addicted to social media complain
Household lending at banks jumps in Q2 on leveraged investing, mortgage demand
Household loans at major Korean banks increased in the second quarter as borrowers took out more credit for stock investments and to finance home purchases, data showed Sunday. Outstanding household loans at five major lenders — KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank and NH Nonghyup Bank — stood at 646.19 trillion won ($421.5 billion) as of Thursday, up 824.1 billion won from the end of last year, according to data compiled by the banks. Household loan balances had fallen by 5.86 trillion won by the end of March from year-end levels, as borrowers repaid debt amid tighter regulations on new loans. The pace of decline slowed, with the amount narrowing to 5.25 trillion won at the end of April and to 1.57 trillion won at the end of May. The trend reversed in June, with loan balances returning to growth. The increase in borrowing was driven largely by unsecured credit loans, as investors borrowed more funds to capitalize on a rally in the stock market. Outstanding credit loans totaled 108.33 trillion won as of Thursday, up nearly 4 trillion won from 104.3 trillion won at the
MONDAY, June 22, 2026
1633-Galileo Galilei recants his "heretical" position that the Earth orbiting the Sun is at odds with the Bible and church teaching (Vatican apologizes in 1992 for how it handled the case) 1675-Royal Greenwich Observatory is established in England by King Charles II 1772-Somerset v Stewart court case finds slavery unsupported by English common law, encouraging the abolitionist movement 1848-Beginning of the June Days uprising in Paris by French workers 1865-The CSS Shenandoah fires the last shot of the American Civil War in the Bering Strait to indicate surrender 1941-Operation Barbarossa: Nazi Germany and its allies invade the Soviet Union during World War II, the largest military operation in history
Peace with Iran is all about Lebanon now
TEL AVIV—The ceasefire that was reportedly just agreed between the United States and Iran reflects U.S. President Donald Trump’s desperation to escape the quagmire that he created. Gone is the muddled array of objectives he touted in the war’s early days. All the Trump administration has reportedly secured in the new agreement is a promise to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war, and plans for new negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, which was already under discussion. But even these pared-down goals might prove unattainable if Israel continues its fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump is already fed up with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was Netanyahu who advised him in 2018 to abandon the nuclear deal then-President Barack Obama had reached with Iran three years earlier, putting Trump on the hook to deliver a better one. Netanyahu also convinced Trump to launch the current war by touting a heady vision of the world’s two most powerful air forces quickly annihilating the Islamic Republic’s military and nuclear installations and t
India's Cockroach Party supporters bang plates to call for education minister's resignation
NEW DELHI — Supporters of India’s viral Cockroach Janta Party banged steel plates with spoons in a protest Saturday to demand the resignation of the education minister over allegations of examination irregularities and repeated paper leaks. The protest near Parliament in New Delhi by hundreds of students and young supporters of the nascent movement added to the pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government while also seeking wider support among Indians. Authorities deployed heavy security and police used cameras and drones to monitor the protest. Some carried placards and others banged plates, their noise cutting through the crowd protesting and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The banging of plates appeared to satirize Modi’s call for Indians to step onto balconies and rooftops and bang utensils in solidarity with front-line health workers during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications strategist and Boston University student, urged supporters on social media to bring plates and s
Sports analytics firm gives Korea 90% chance of reaching World Cup knockouts
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — With one match remaining in the group stage at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, South Korea have more than a 90 percent chance of reaching the next knockout phase, a sports analytics firm said Saturday. According to Opta Analyst, South Korea have a 91.08 percent chance to advance to the round of 32. In Group A, South Korea sit in second place with three points, after a 2-1 win over Czechia and a 1-0 loss to Mexico. With six points, Mexico have already clinched the top spot in Group A and thus a place in the round of 32. Czechia and South Africa each have one point, with Czechia occupying third place thanks to their superior goal difference. South Korea will close out group play against South Africa at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Estadio Monterrey, or 10 a.m. Thursday (South Korean time). South Korea control their own destiny, as they will seal the runner-up spot with at least a draw against South Africa. With a record 48 nations in action, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will automatically qualify for the knockout phase. They will be joined by the eight best third
Trump deepens dustup with Italy's Meloni, who says his 'unprovoked attacks are senseless'
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday lashed out at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, insisting that she asked “over and over” for a photo with him at the recent Group of Seven summit and criticizing what he said was Italy’s lack of cooperation during the Iran war. The remarks deepen the spat that began this week with the Republican president’s interview with an Italian broadcaster, during which Trump claimed Meloni “begged” for the photo during the G7 meeting in France. Meloni has called that “completely fabricated.” The dustup led Italy’s foreign minister to cancel a planned trip to the United States as Meloni’s government lined up in her defense. “Italian Prime Minister Gigiorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,” Trump wrote on his social media platform while spending the weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat. He misspelled her first name in the initial post, which he later corrected. He continued: “She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because sh
Gyeonggi Province launches 1st survey of its 18,000 refugees
Gyeonggi Province, the populous economic engine surrounding Seoul, has launched the first comprehensive provincial investigation into the living conditions of its refugee population. The initiative marks a significant shift in how Korean local governments manage forced migration, moving beyond generalized immigrant support systems to address the distinct legal and socioeconomic vulnerabilities of displaced people. At an inaugural briefing held Thursday at the Gyeonggi Migration and Integration Support Center in Uijeungbu, officials outlined an ambitious monitoring framework designed to map the structural gaps plaguing the state's refugee safety nets. The investigation comes on the heels of the province’s pioneering Ordinance on the Protection of Human Rights and Guarantee of Basic Living for Refugees, enacted last year. As of late March, Gyeonggi Province was home to 18,169 refugees, representing roughly 2.5 percent of the region's long-term foreign residents. While Korea became the first East Asian country to pass a standalone refugee law in 2012, humanitarian groups have long critic
Seoul’s historic heart offers 11 ways to trace its history
In a metropolis dominated by soaring glass towers and subterranean transit arteries, one downtown district is making a refreshing case for slowing down and traveling on foot. This season, the Jung District office in central Seoul is launching an expanded lineup of 11 curated walking tours designed to transform the city's historic core into an open-air museum. Running through November, the initiative builds on a highly successful pilot program that drew more than 9,400 participants last year, boasting a near-perfect 96.9 percent satisfaction rate among urban explorers. The crown jewel of this year’s rollout is the newly minted "Yi Sun-sin Road: Birth of a Hero." The 1.3-kilometer thematic trail traces the early footsteps of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Korea’s legendary 16th-century naval commander. Starting at Euljiro 3-ga subway station, the 90-minute trek leads history buffs past the admiral's birthplace monument at Myeongbo crossroad, through the bustling aisles of the traditional Jungbu Market, and terminates at the historic Hadogam military camp site. For those seeking a blend of archit
US, Iran to talk Sunday in Switzerland as Tehran says it closed Strait of Hormuz again
TYRE, Lebanon — U.S. and Iranian negotiators headed to a Swiss venue Saturday for talks on adding key details to their interim agreement to halt the war, hours after Tehran said it closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel’s attacks in Lebanon and warned that little might be achieved if the fighting doesn’t stop. U.S. President Donald Trump, in response, unleashed a new threat to impose American tolls in the crucial waterway if a final deal with Iran isn’t reached in 60 days, saying the money would be for “services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East.” The agreement calls for toll-free travel for 60 days. The announcements indicated a rough start to the technical-level talks that key mediator Pakistan said will begin Sunday, with Qatari mediators also participating. U.S. Vice President JD Vance left for Switzerland on Saturday evening, just as Iranian state TV posted video showing Iran's negotiators arriving there. They are led by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and central bank and
US military 'vigilant' after Iran announces Hormuz closure
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military said Saturday it remained "present and vigilant" in the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after Iran announced it was closing the critical shipping lane. "US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. CENTCOM, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, said 55 commercial vessels had transited the strait Saturday and that "safe passage through the international waterway remained intact today." The statement was issued at around 10:30 am (local time). Iran had announced moments earlier that it was closing the strait in response to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, deeming them a violation of its fragile deal with the United States. The renewed tension came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators were expected to to continue talks on implementing the agreement in Switzerland. Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Fox News before Iran's announcement, said he expected to travel to Switzerland in "the next couple of days" to take part i
Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s joint military command said Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon and U.S. “bad faith” and “its clear breach of its commitments” by failing to end the war. The statement on state television also warned that “if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.” Ships had begun transiting the strait after the interim U.S.-Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week. Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed at least 16 people, including two children, hours after reports emerged of a ceasefire agreement. The persistent fighting threatened an interim agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East. Seven people remained trapped under the rubble after the strikes hit the southern town of Nabatiyeh and nearby villages, Lebanon’s National News Agency said. Mediators were scrambling to halt the fighting between Israel and the militant Lebanese Hezbollah group, after a heavy exchange on Friday killed at least 47 people in Lebanon an
Why Koreans are pouring their hearts out to a blunt TV grandmother
Kim, a woman in her 20s, turned to a grandmother for dating advice. This was not the gentle kind of grandmother who tells people what they want to hear. Her advice was blunt enough to serve as a wake-up call for Kim. Kim could not forget her first love, an ex-boyfriend. When she heard rumors that he might break up with his current girlfriend, she wondered whether she should wait for him. After hearing her story, the grandmother said bluntly. “Get a grip. There are plenty of men in the world,” she said. “But there is only one of him,” Kim said, still unable to let go. The grandmother seemed to have been waiting for that answer. “Do you know something? There is also only one of you in the world,” she said. “You should meet someone who loves you. Why would you wait until they break up?” Kim’s eyes widened. She covered her mouth with one hand and fell silent as the words hit their mark. The audience let out a stunned “wow,” then broke into applause. The "grandmother" was Kim Young-hee, 43, the comedian behind “Malja Grandma,” a character on KBS2’s “Malja Show.”
Mixed-race daughter Korea tried to send away is now helping adoptees return home
“578 Ganeung 3-dong, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. 3-tong, 2-ban,” she said in Korean. Meeky Woo Flippen, now 60, still has that address etched into her memory after more than 50 years. “My mother taught me the address when I was 5. ‘I’m not going anywhere,’ she told me. ‘So if someone kidnaps you, make sure you come back here.’” As she recalled, there had indeed been attempts to take her away. Whenever she returned home from school, a “lady” from Holt International waited for her around the corner. “You can’t live here,” the woman told her. “In America, you can eat all the chocolate you want.” She then seized Meeky by the hand and tried to drag her away. Meeky wrenched herself free and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. When she reached her doorstep, her mother rushed outside and roared. “I told you I’m not sending my children away. Get lost!” Meeky smiled as she recalled those memories of her childhood and her mother. She said the hurt of being jeered at as a “dirty Yankee girl” at school would fade whenever she took shelter behind her mothe
'No ambiguity' on Triple Lock in Programme for Government
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said that there is no ambiguity on what was agreed on reforming the Triple Lock in the Programme for Government.
Stokes to return as England captain for third Test
England head coach Brendon McCullum says he is ready to work with returning captain Ben Stokes for the deciding Test against New Zealand.
Reidy released from hospital and 'recovering well'
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Clare hurler David Reidy has been released from hospital following the injury he sustained in Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final win over Dublin at FBD Semple Stadium.
Low-key funeral held for giant of the art world David Hockney
The artist, who passed away at his home in London earlier this month, requested just his partner and great-nephew attend.
Each Alberta MLA gets a $160K allowance. What are they spending it on?
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An analysis of spending over the last fiscal year by Alberta's provincial politicians indicates taxpayers are footing the bill on everything from pricey dinners to a pack of gum.
Mi'kmaw leaders reflect on 300 years of Peace and Friendship Treaties
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On the 300th anniversary of the signing of the first Peace and Friendship Treaty, members of the Mi'kmaw Grand Council talk about the ongoing fight for treaty rights recognition for the Mi'kmaq.
The Climate Question: Is climate change ruining our sleep?
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How the rise in night-time temperatures is starting to disrupt our sleep and health
US activist critical of Trump's impact on executions
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The leading US anti-death penalty activist, Sister Helen Prejean, has strongly criticised President Donald Trump for employing violent rhetoric, instilling fear and seeking to increase the number of executions in the country.
Disruption to last a week after fatal Bedford train crash
Police say 28 people remain in hospital after two trains collided on Friday.
Extreme heat warning extended to four days as temperatures could hit 38C
A Met Office amber weather warning for heat comes into force on Monday and will now last through to Thursday.
Value of early access to new medicines questioned by NCPE
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The head of the committee that recommends new drug approval to the HSE has said he is opposed to early access for medicines if that means they are not assessed first, saying many "don't work very well".
Bolivia's President declares State of Emergency
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Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has declared a National State of Emergency, to empower the Police reinforced by the Military, to sweep aside road blocks which are choking the supply arteries of food and fuel. Jam
William marks 44th birthday as royals celebrate Father's Day
The Princess of Wales and the couple's children share message for "the best papa in the world".
Japan ruling LDP’s Suzuki negative on Diet extension
The remarks came after Hiroshi Nakatsuka, secretary-general of the JIP, called for an extension of the Diet session in talks with Suzuki on Monday.
Why Keir Starmer’s resignation looks more likely than ever
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The government message about the PM’s future has changed.
Three men die in White City building fire
The men were rescued from the single-storey building but died soon after, London Fire Brigade said.
Conflicts command headlines…protecting peace, less so: The UN Peacebuilding Fund explained
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Wars regularly make headlines. Preventing them rarely does.
Russian-held Crimea halts civilian gasoline sales following Ukrainian attacks
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Officials in Russia-occupied Crimea suspended civilian gasoline sales Sunday as Ukraine ramped up attacks on fuel supplies on the Black Sea peninsula.
More rain expected in southern Quebec as Montreal area deals with flooding
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Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for a repeat of Saturday evening's storms as many in southern Quebec deal with the aftermath of flash flooding.
Tributes paid to boy, 15, killed in Donegal rally crash
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The teenager who died after being hit by a competitor's car at the Donegal International Rally on Saturday has been named by gardaí as 15-year-old Tadhg Callaghan-Carter.
Dublin have beaten Donegal to make the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals. Read back on how the action unfolded.
Sooryavanshi, 15, hits record 11-ball fifty
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi breaks the record for the fastest 50-over List A half-century in history on the same day he was not included in India's one-day international squad.
Chaotic England fortnight ends with huge Test defeat against New Zealand
England's miserable fortnight ends with a crushing defeat in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval - setting up a high-stakes decider at Trent Bridge.
Signs grow that Starmer will resign as government mood shifts
The BBC's Henry Zeffman and Nick Eardley on the mood in government as speculation grows about the prime minister's departure.
Fuel sales halted in occupied Crimea as Ukraine targets oil facilities
Fuel had already been rationed due to shortages caused by Kyiv's attacks against supply routes in Russian-occupied territories.
(Uzbekistan Forum) Uzbek textile industry presents major opportunities for Korea
TASHKENT — Uzbekistan's textile and apparel industry has grown into a major pillar of the country’s economy, one that presents major opportunities for Korean manufacturers and retailers, Uzbek officials said at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum on Tuesday. Ruhullo Zikrilayev, deputy director of the Agency for the Development of Light Industry of Uzbekistan, said the sector has become “one of the key pillars” of the national economy. More than 10,000 enterprises operate in Uzbekistan’s light in
[Uzbekistan Forum] KoCham Uzbekistan to launch at Korea-Central Asia Summit
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Plans to launch a Korea Chamber of Commerce branch in Uzbekistan were unveiled Tuesday at the Uzbekistan-Korea Business Forum in Tashkent. The body, set to open during the Korea-Central Asia Summit in September, will be the first Korean Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan. "Economic cooperation between Korea and Uzbekistan has expanded rapidly across many sectors," said Yoo Bo-young, an executive member for KoCham Uzbekistan and executive director of Dasan D&C. The associati
LG executives to meet Nvidia officials in US for AI, robotics talks
Senior executives from LG Group will visit Nvidia’s headquarters in California this week for talks on physical AI and robotics, in a follow-up to a recent meeting between LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Industry sources said Sunday that executives from LG’s major affiliates are scheduled to meet Nvidia officials on Monday at the US chipmaker’s headquarters in Santa Clara, California. The LG delegation will include LG CNS CEO Hyun Shin-gyoon, LG Sciencepark President Chung S
Pope urges nations not to turn away from those seeking protection
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Following the recitation of the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Leo marks world Refugee Day, prays for victims in a car crash in Brazil and greets members of the Pentecostal Church.
[Uzbekistan Forum] Lee highlights Korea, Uzbekistan strengths, calls for closer cooperation
South Korea and Uzbekistan can turn crisis into opportunity and achieve great advancements if the two countries cooperate and combine their strengths, President Lee Jae Myung said in congratulatory remarks for the Uzbekistan-Korea Business Forum held in Tashkent on Tuesday. “I sincerely congratulate you on the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum. I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone at Herald Media Group who prepared this meaningful event, as well as to officials from the Government
Al Jazeera rejects Israeli claim journalist was Hamas
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Al Jazeera has rejected Israeli accusations that one of its journalists, killed in Gaza, was a Hamas operative, as family and colleagues mourned the cameraman in the Palestinian territory.
[Uzbekistan Forum] Korea is a vital partner in modernizing Uzbek transport infrastructure: Deputy minister
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Korea has become one of Uzbekistan's most important partners in modernizing transport infrastructure, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilhomjon Abdugafarov said at Tuesday’s Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum held in Tashkent. "The Republic of Korea is one of Uzbekistan's most important and reliable partners in implementing modern infrastructure projects, introducing advanced technologies, and developing the aviation, railway transport and logistics sectors," Abduga
Secret bets on nostalgia, reinvention in comeback
Former hit girl group Secret is embarking on a new chapter, returning with its first new music for the first time in 12 years and introducing a new member in place of two original members. The comeback has drawn attention not only because of the group's lengthy hiatus, but also because it reflects a growing trend in K-pop. As the cost of launching rookie groups continues to rise, more companies are finding value in reviving familiar brands. "Secret Flavor," released Thursday, marks Secret's firs
[Uzbekistan Forum] Uzbekistan envisions a new future through ‘New Tashkent’ project
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan’s “New Tashkent” project present opportunities for South Korean investors and companies through the transformation of the country’s capital, Uzbek officials highlight. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent on Tuesday, Sharaf Radjabov, deputy director of the New Tashkent City Development Project, introduced New Tashkent as “one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the history of Uzbekistan.” The project forms part of Uzbek Pre
Hunter dies after off-road vehicle crash in Canterbury
The body has been recovered, say police.
Pope at Angelus tells Christians to respond to hatred with love
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Pope Leo XIV urges Christians to root their mission in personal encounter and contemplation, drawing strength from an intimate relationship with Christ to witness to the Gospel with hope, love, and perseverance in every circumstance.
State Highway One near Hunterville was closed for several following the serious two-vehicle crash.
Europe swelters under heat wave, France restricts alcohol consumption
Beyond the Alps, temperatures as high as 36-37C were transforming daily life and tourism in some Italian towns.
Dutch royals enjoy two big results in one day
There may be about 5,000 miles between the Netherlands and their former colony Curacao but members of the Dutch royal family managed to see both sides play on Saturday.
U.S. to deploy powerful midrange missile system to Japan for joint drills
The deployment of the land-based Typhon system is seen as part of a more robust allied approach to countering China's growing military assertiveness in the region.
Lyttelton cafe kitchen goes up in flames
The kitchen was engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived.
Temperatures set to hit 30C by end of week
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High temperatures are forecast for the coming week, with a peak of 30C expected on Thursday.
Winnipeg church celebrates 100 years of weddings with vow renewal ceremony
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A Winnipeg church is marking its 100th birthday with a celebration of love.
The Sixties Scoop separated her from her culture. Love brought it back to her
Burnham’s ‘King of the North’ tactics will be clipped if he becomes U.K. prime minister
After winning a seat in parliament for his local area of Makerfield, Burnham, hopes to ride a level of popularity rarely enjoyed by politicians to become Britain's next leader.
How many World Cup Golden Boot winners can you name?
How many World Cup top goalscorers from down the years can you name?
Taiwan to stage five days of combat readiness drills
Taipei will base some of its drills on a scenario where China suddenly turns one of its regular exercises around the island into an actual attack.
It's splash o'clock along the Han River
Six swimming pools and water playgrounds across Seoul's Hangang parks — Yeouido, Ttukseom, Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji and Yanghwa — reopened on June 19, transforming parts of the Han River into the city's seasonal cooling zone. The facilities will operate through Aug. 30, offering everything from family-friendly pools and fountains to larger swimming areas for those looking to escape the summer heat without leaving the city. Yeouido, Ttukseom, Jamsil and Nanji operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., while
Have THAAD launchers returned to Seongju base?
All six launchers of the US' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors have reportedly been returned to the South Korean military base where they were originally deployed. Photos of truck-mounted, US-made THAAD launchers positioned in the military base in the southeastern region of Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, were released Sunday by Yonhap News Agency. Speculations have persisted as to whether the United States had been seeking to move THAAD-related defense assets in South Korea —
Japan’s AI goldrush faces backlash as data centers sprout up in urban areas
Residents living next to new developments are raising concerns over environmental and health issues linked to the "factories" of today.
Elite student club leader convicted of drug distribution
The man accused of distributing drugs to members of an elite inter-university student club has received a final 18-month prison sentence from the Supreme Court. The defendant, a 32-year-old man surnamed Yeom, was convicted of purchasing and using several types of illegal drugs, including LSD, ketamine, ecstasy and methamphetamine, and distributing drugs among club members for about a year from late 2022, local media reported Sunday. Yeom was arrested at a hotel in Seoul in December 2023 and indi
Swimmers and hikers enjoy solstice
A selection of images from across the UK to mark the longest day of the year.
Four dead and fuel sales suspended in Crimea
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Four people were killed and fuel sales were suspended in Russian-occupied Crimea, the Moscow-backed authorities there said today, after a massive Ukrainian barrage hit the Black Sea peninsula.
[Uzbekistan Forum] Korea, Uzbekistan map next phase of economic cooperation
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — South Korea and Uzbekistan moved to deepen their economic partnership beyond infrastructure cooperation, as some 500 government officials, lawmakers and business leaders gathered for a business forum last week. The Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum, jointly organized by Herald Media Group — publisher of The Korea Herald and The Herald Business — and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, was held Tuesday as both countries seek to broaden cooperation in tran
Seoul reiterates call for free navigation after Trump’s Hormuz toll remarks
South Korea on Sunday reaffirmed its position that freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed, after US President Donald Trump suggested Washington could impose tolls on vessels transiting the strategic waterway if negotiations with Iran fail. “Our basic position is that freedom of navigation and the safety of all vessels, including South Korean ships, in the Strait of Hormuz should be guaranteed as soon as possible,” a Foreign Ministry of
'Gone too far': Wellington Water traffic management under fire
Wellington city councillor Andrea Compton claims the management required for a small roadside leak was over the top.
[Uzbekistan Forum] Uzbekistan eyes tech ecosystem on global standards
TASHKENT — Uzbekistan is building a tech ecosystem that will enable global corporations to expand operations, reduce costs and enter new markets, Uzbekistan IT Park Korea Office head Nodirbek Berdiqobilov said at Tuesday’s Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum held in Tashkent. According to Berdiqobilov, Uzbekistan is building an ecosystem where global companies can expand operations, reduce costs and enter new markets. “Uzbekistan is no longer simply an emerging market,” Berdiqobilov said. “It is rap
J-pop streaming in Korea jumps 30%
Streaming of J-pop on Korean music platform Genie Music rose 30 percent in the first half of the year from the same period a year earlier, according to a report released by the company Sunday. The most-streamed J-pop track was Kenshi Yonezu's "Iris Out," the theme song for the upcoming anime film "Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc." It was followed by Official Hige Dandism's "Pretender" and Yuuri's "Betelgeuse." A KT Genie Music official attributed the growth to the increasing number of ways Korean audienc
[Uzbekistan Forum] Korea calls Uzbekistan key partner in Central Asia push
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — South Korea sees Uzbekistan as its most important partner in Central Asia as Seoul seeks to deepen regional cooperation ahead of the first Korea-Central Asia Summit later this year, a South Korean Industry Ministry official said. "The year 2026 is significant for Korea and Central Asia, with the inaugural summit set to mark a new stage in our relationship," Kim Young-man, director general for trade policy coordination at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, said
Lee aide hints at tougher taxes on homeowners amid AI boom
An aide to President Lee Jae Myung has hinted at imposing more taxes on homeowners to stop the housing market from further overheating. This prompted the right-wing opposition People Power Party's call to hold the presidential aide accountable for causing confusion in the property market, as it claimed the tax hike on the wealthy would wind up hurting the poor. On Saturday, Kim Yong-beom, chief secretary for national policy for the liberal president, wrote via Facebook that it would be plausible
[Uzbekistan Forum] Korean lawmakers seek next phase in Uzbekistan ties through minerals, AI
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Korean lawmakers pledged parliamentary support for expanding Korea-Uzbekistan economic ties beyond infrastructure and manufacturing into supply chains, advanced industries and cultural exchange, as the two countries prepare for a Seoul summit in September. At the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum on Tuesday, Rep. Kim Kyo-heung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Yoon Jae-ok of the main opposition People Power Party said the two countries’ partnership has become
After the fracture: how Britain’s financial industry recovered from Brexit
Signs the British financial industry has weathered Brexit better expected: Employment in London's financial district is near an all-time high and banks are posting record profits.
[Uzbekistan Forum] KIND eyes airport, smart city projects in Uzbekistan
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan -- Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corp. (KIND) said it was pushing ahead with airport, bio-cluster and smart city projects in Uzbekistan, as the Korean state-backed infrastructure investor seeks to expand its role in the fast-growing Central Asian market. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2026 on Tuesday, KIND CEO Kim Bok-hwan said Uzbekistan’s strategic location — at the heart of Central Asia and along the Silk Road — meant that infrastruc
[Uzbekistan Forum] Eximbank Korea eyes bigger role as Uzbekistan seeks Korean capital
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — South Korea's state export lender said it was ready to finance a new wave of Korea-Uzbekistan projects, as Tashkent seeks to draw more Korean capital into infrastructure, supply chains and technology-driven industries on the back of economic reforms. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2026 in Tashkent, Seo Jung-hwa, senior executive director of the Export-Import Bank of Korea, said Eximbank aimed to help convert government-level cooperation between the two cou
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Incheon International Airport Corp. is moving to turn Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing air travel demand into its next overseas growth engine, joining major airport development projects in Tashkent and Urgench as country seeks to make itself a regional aviation hub. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent, Lee Sang-yong, executive director of IIAC’s new business division, said the Korean airport operator aimed to apply its experience in developing and runni
[Uzbekistan Forum] Youngone bets on Uzbekistan’s cotton strength for apparel expansion
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Youngone Corporation seeks to expand its presence in Uzbekistan by building a broader textile and apparel value chain, betting on the Central Asian nation’s cotton resources, export access and growing manufacturing base. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum 2026 in Tashkent, Youngone President Park Jae-yong said Uzbekistan offers both trade advantages and long-term growth potential for the Korean textile and apparel company. "Uzbekistan has strong appeal, includ
[Uzbekistan Forum] BoMI E&C builds Uzbekistan foothold with Tashkent business tower
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — BoMI Engineering & Construction is expanding its presence in Uzbekistan through both its own projects and public-private partnership opportunities, positioning its Tashkent business tower as a platform for Korean companies entering the Central Asian market. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent, Lee Dong-yup, head of BoMI E&C’s overseas business division, said the company had been seeking to showcase Korean construction capabilities through locally ro
[Uzbekistan Forum] Zyx Technology pitches AI digital twin tools for Uzbekistan’s urban projects
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Zyx Technology is seeking to bring its artificial intelligence-based digital twin solutions to Uzbekistan’s urban development and smart construction markets, as Korean tech firms look to play a larger role in the Central Asian country’s infrastructure projects. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent on Tuesday, Zyx Technology Chairman Choi Jong-bok introduced the company’s AI-powered design and construction management tools, saying they could support f
Trump’s fears about economy undercut U.S. leverage in Iran talks
U.S. President Donald Trump cited the prospect of global economic collapse as a big reason he signed an interim peace deal. That could cost him in talks.
Advance Korean projects through reforms, new platforms: Uzbek deputy minister
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade on Tuesday urged South Korean companies to expand their presence in the Central Asian nation by taking advantage of economic reforms and new industrial and investment initiatives. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum, Ilzat Kasymov said the Uzbek government has eliminated more than 200 licensing and permit requirements, reduced taxes, liberalized the foreign exchange market, and simplified procedures
U.S. and Iran set for new talks with status of Hormuz in question
U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for peace talks with Iran as both nations seek a durable end to their war.
Former Olympian denies vandalising Washington Reflecting Pool after arrest
Davey Hearn says he was simply touching the new paint at the site out of curiosity and did not remove or alter it.
FIFA draws criticism as Infantino clocks up air miles
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been busy at this World Cup but his unquenchable thirst to pack in as many matches as possible is causing unrest among environmentalists.
Can South Korea move from G7 guest to member?
President Lee Jae Myung’s appearance at this year’s Group of Seven summit has revived a longstanding question in South Korean diplomacy: Can the country move beyond being a guest and become part of an expanded G7 framework? Lee returned from Europe on Thursday after attending the summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, as an invited leader, holding talks with major counterparts and meeting US President Donald Trump. The trip showed how far South Korea’s diplomatic profile has risen, but also made cle
'Toy Story 5' leads Korean box office for fourth day
Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 5" held the No. 1 spot at the Korean box office for four straight days. The animated sequel sold 335,740 tickets on Saturday, according to the box-office tally compiled by the state-run Korean Film Council. That brought its cumulative total to 585,524 since it opened Wednesday, two days ahead of its North American release. Directed by Andrew Stanton, "Toy Story 5" finds Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of Bonnie's toys facing a new kind of rival in Lilypad, a smart
Japan takes step toward knockout stage with 4-0 rout of Tunisia
Japan is the first Asian side to score four goals in a World Cup match.
New stamp honours ‘Father of Northern Games’
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Edward Lennie, the man who helped repopularize traditional Inuit games like knuckle hop and high kick, is being honoured with a commemorative stamp.
Online shoppers facing new customs charges
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New EU customs charges could have significant implications for online shoppers who regularly buy low-cost items from British, Asian, American and other non-EU websites.
AI meets Irish storytelling with robot seanchaí
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An NCAD student has used AI to create a storytelling robot inspired by the seanchaí - traditional Irish storytellers - he grew up listening to.
Dear Diary: Steve Bartlett's controversial podcast rise
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Steven Bartlett has become a hugely influencial voice in business, crafting one of the world's biggest podcasts in the process, but his lack of focus on facts has made him increasingly controversial, writes Adam Maguire.
Key brain paste ingredient discontinued, leaving some hide tanners in the North scrambling
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It’s been some time since a laundry soap bar that was widely used by hide tanners in their brain paste recipes was discontinued. But the loss of the product has left some having to go back to the drawing board to find something to take its place.
Wyndham Clark builds commanding lead in third round of U.S. Open
Of the 21 players who have gone into the final round of a major with a lead of six strokes or more, all but one have gone on to win.
How an indie shorts festival keeps drawing the biggest stars
When the Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival opened its 22nd edition on Thursday, the jury on hand for the ceremony read like a who's who of Korean entertainment. Actors Jung Hae-in ("I, the Executioner"), Lee Min-ho ("Omniscient Reader"), Jo Jung-suk ("Exit"), Shim Eun-kyung ("Miss Granny") and Choi Sooyoung of Girls' Generation all signed on as honorary judges this year, each assigned to one of the festival's five sections. Past editions have drawn the likes of Song Kang-ho ("Parasite"), Lee Jun
Woori Financial boosts growth, inclusive finance funding by W10tr
Woori Financial Group said Sunday it will expand funding for its "Future Shared Growth Project" by 10 trillion won ($6.5 billion), stepping up support for strategic industries, small businesses and financially vulnerable borrowers. Of the additional funding, 9.4 trillion won will be allocated to productive financing over the next two years, including 5.7 trillion won this year and 3.7 trillion won in 2027. The funds will be used to support strategic industries, exporters and regional economies,
Lee names former Yonhap chief, ex-prosecutor to senior posts
President Lee Jae Myung’s office on Sunday announced a new lineup of senior staff in a broad reshuffle, as Lee begins the second year of his five-year term. The new Cheong Wa Dae staff appointments, which are equivalent to vice ministerial-level posts, are aimed at “speedy implementation” of the Lee administration’s second-year policy goals, Lee’s chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said at a press briefing. Lee tapped Seong Ghi-hong, the former head of South Korea’s largest news agency Yonhap, as the
Airliner stuck in mud at Christchurch Airport
An Air New Zealand plane has become mired down near the runway, at Christchurch Airport.
'Whale' author worries society is losing its empathy
When Cheon Myeong-kwan was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2023 for "Whale," judges praised the novel as "a magical and grotesque epic," highlighting its whirlwind narrative in which reality and fantasy, past and present, intertwine. His latest novel "Accordion" takes a different path. "When I wrote 'Whale,' I didn't know exactly what I was writing," Cheon said at a press conference last week. "I let my imagination run free without trying to control it. This time, I did the opp
Sprightly and sweet, Kuroame is quick to make new friends
Kuroame, an 11-year-old mix of poodle and wire fox terrier, adores people and food.
LG to host descendants of Ethiopian war veterans
LG Group said Sunday it will sponsor a 36-day visit to Korea by the Kagnew Choir, made up of descendants of Ethiopian veterans who fought in the 1950-53 Korean War, as part of efforts to honor their service and strengthen cultural ties. The delegation, which includes 34 choir members and 95-year-old Korean War veteran Tesfaye Asmamaw, arrives Monday. LG is covering airfare, accommodations and other travel expenses in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. The visit is or
Korea's US stock boom is only getting started: Toss strategist
South Korean investors have emerged as an increasingly influential force in US equities, boosting their holdings of American stocks to nearly $200 billion and becoming some of the world's most aggressive buyers of leading artificial intelligence companies. Yet despite their growing presence on Wall Street, the country's investors are still in the early stages of investing in US equities, according to Lee Young-gon, head of research at Toss Securities. "Korean retail investors have only been inve
Citizen science in Japan’s Ogasawara Islands spotlights ties between ships and birds
A recent study has shed new light on seabirds' tendencies to follow ships near the island chain and highlights the role wildlife enthusiasts can play in research.
Trump threats shake up U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland on deal's details
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U.S. Vice-President JD Vance said Sunday there was an opportunity to "turn over a new leaf" with Iran as the sides held talks aimed at building out the interim deal to end the war in Iran reached by the two sides last week.
Half of S. Korean elementary teachers feel helpless dealing with parents
Nearly half of elementary school teachers in South Korea say they feel helpless in dealing with parents, a new report showed, nearly three years after the death of a young teacher in Seoul sparked nationwide debate over teachers’ rights. According to an issue paper published in May by the Korea Education Development Institute, 49.4 percent of elementary school teachers surveyed in 2023 felt helpless in their relationships with parents. The figure was significantly higher than the 31.7 percent re
This Nova Scotia teen is helping kick off a World Cup game
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Ibrahim Elsherif, a 13-year-old soccer player from Bedford, N.S., is one of seven youth in Canada chosen through a national contest to present an official match ball at World Cup games this year.
Starmer reflecting on 'political realities' - minister
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Keir Starmer is reflecting on the "political realities" he now faces, a cabinet minister said as he failed to rule out the possibility the UK Prime Minister could resign.
As more fans from overseas travel to South Korea for concerts, merchandise and other cultural experiences, police data has shown a sharp rise in fraud reports filed by foreign nationals. According to data from the National Police Agency released Sunday, the number of foreign nationals who reported fraud in Korea nearly quadrupled in a year, rising from 5,307 cases in 2023 to 19,907 last year. Some cases have involved Korean cultural content, including K-pop merchandise and concert ticket purchas
Why Korea keeps returning to soccer every four years
Every four years, something shifts — almost overnight. People who rarely follow soccer start checking kickoff times. Office chatter turns from deadlines to defensive lines. Group chats fill with lineup predictions, referee complaints and late-night watch plans. This is the pull of the FIFA World Cup. Arguably the world’s biggest single-sport spectacle, it has a way of transforming South Korea every four years. Streets grow louder, emotions run higher and a shared sense of national pride takes ov
Meet the Curacao keeper who made record 15 saves to keep Ecuador out
Curacao's Eloy Room makes a record-equalling 15 saves to help his tiny island nation to a first World Cup point against Ecuador.
Le Sserafim, Illit, Katseye's 'Iconic By Mistake' breaks into UK chart
The collaboration single "Iconic By Mistake" by Le Sserafim, Illit and Katseye continues to gain traction globally, entering the UK Official Singles Chart and posting strong performances on Spotify's worldwide rankings. According to the latest UK Official Charts released Friday, "Iconic By Mistake" debuted at No. 22 on the Official Singles Top 100 chart for the week of June 19-25. The chart combines audio and video streaming, downloads and physical sales into a single ranking system. Songs that
Sung Si-kyung, Raisa release first duet ballad 'Heaven Knows'
Korean ballad singer Sung Si-kyung teamed up with Indonesian singer Raisa for their first duet, "Heaven Knows," a romantic ballad released Friday. According to E2W Group, the collaboration brings together two artists from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds whose voices help convey the song's message of love and hope with sincerity. The track marks another first: Raisa performs in Korean for the first time, while Sung delivers English lyrics. The duet follows a social media collaborati
Can automation offset Japan’s military manpower shortage?
Japan is building a 21st-century military, but it is running out of 21st-century citizens to man it.
Mosquito dunks are selling out as bug season and 'bucket of doom' trend collide
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It could be a worse-than-usual mosquito season in some parts of Canada, and if you've scrolled social media for solutions, you may have encountered the "bucket of doom."
The Conservative Party recently released an AI-generated ad. How do voters feel about this kind of content?
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The Conservative Party of Canada recently released a political ad that featured AI-generated footage of struggling Canadians. Multiple experts told CBC News it's one of the first times a federal Canadian political party has employed AI-generated footage in its advertising.
Iran vs. Belgium: In L.A.'s 'Tehrangeles,' the World Cup weighs heavily on those who fled
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Iran is set to compete in its second FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Los Angeles this afternoon against Belgium, just days after the Iran and U.S. governments signed a deal to end the months-long war.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s struggles put Portugal in tough spot at World Cup
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has a major decision to make over the 41-year-old following a 1-1 draw with Congo on Wednesday.
Governors general can no longer bill government for casual and business clothing
Rideau Hall changed its clothing guidelines during Governor General Louise Arbour's transition to office to explicitly state that viceregals cannot bill taxpayers for casual outfits or business attire.
Tenants accused of unpaid rent will have to pay half to bring up other complaints at Ontario hearings
Ontario tenants accused of being behind on rent may soon have to fork over half of what their landlord claims they owe if they want to raise other issues about their unit at a tribunal hearing.
It sounds like weird science, but this fertilizer technology is gaining interest on Canadian farms
It sounds like weird science and some have dismissed it as "snake oil." But an emerging technology for crop fertilizer is gaining interest amid an acute shortage of fertilizer caused by wars in the Middle East.
Abandoned tuna fishing gear smashes corals, harms wildlife in marine refuges, study finds
The tuna in your sandwich was likely caught with the aid of drifting rafts called fish aggregating devices (FAD). New Canadian research finds that abandoned FADs are smashing into coral reefs and endangering wildlife — even in marine protected areas. But there are ways to make tuna fishing more sustainable, researchers say.
Samsung sharpens HBM strategy at global meeting
Samsung Electronics reviewed plans to expand high-bandwidth memory shipments and secure long-term supply agreements with major AI customers at its global strategy meeting last week, as tightening memory supply and soaring AI demand boost the strategic importance of HBM, industry sources said Sunday. Samsung's Device Solutions division, which oversees its semiconductor business, held its session Thursday under Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun. According to the sources, executives discussed supply pla
Investors weigh cost of Korea's inclusive finance push
Korean banks are ramping up debt relief for troubled borrowers as Seoul intensifies its inclusive-finance push, prompting closer scrutiny of how far lenders will be expected to shoulder social policy objectives. According to industry estimates Sunday, the five major commercial banks carried out over 4,600 in-house debt restructuring cases in the first four months of this year, nearly quadruple the 1,180 cases recorded a year earlier. The amount more than tripled to 35.9 billion won ($23.5 millio
Bolivia declares emergency to clear gridlock
Tensions soared in Bolivia Saturday after President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency, allowing security forces to begin clearing protesters' roadblocks that have paralyzed the economy over the past 50 days and left at least 14 people dead. In an early morning address, Paz said the anti-government blockades were no longer a social protest but an organized attempt to destabilize Bolivia's democracy. "There comes a moment when failing to act ceases to be prudence and becomes irresponsibil
Albanian protests against resort swell
Thousands of protesters marched through Albania's capital Saturday, one of the largest demonstrations since rallies against a planned resort linked to US President Donald Trump's family began almost three weeks ago. Since late May, protesters have gathered every evening to oppose the construction of a luxury hotel linked to Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, planned in a nature reserve on the Balkan nation's coast. Opposition to the development has become a flash point for fr
Distracted walkers in Japan are a real safety risk. My mother knows firsthand.
Despite years of awareness campaigns, aruki-sumaho — walking while using a smartphone — remains widespread and difficult to stop.
Russia frees 24 Filipinos after Marcos talks with Putin
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Russia has freed 24 Filipinos who were detained for months without charges in a Siberian city, after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raised concern for them in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Philippine officials said Saturday. The 24 arrived in Manila aboard two flights early Sunday, and the first batch was welcomed by Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, who accompanied Marcos in his talks with Putin Wednesday in the Russian city of Kazan,
Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 6, including 2 children and an Al Jazeera cameraman
Israeli strikes in Gaza on Saturday killed at least six people, including two children and a cameraman with broadcaster Al Jazeera, according to Palestinian health officials. Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed over 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The first strike on Saturday hit an apartment in Gaza City around 2 a.m., according to the ministry. At the site, an Associa
Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he returned state decoration to Polish president
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday he had returned a state decoration a day after Poland's president said he had stripped him of the award in connection with a dispute over events in World War II. Three former Ukrainian presidents said they were also returning their state awards to Poland, as did other senior officials. Polish President Karol Nawrocki said Friday he had revoked the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Zelenskyy in 2023 after the Ukrainian president renamed a m
Report says UK PM Starmer ready to quit, but source says he is still focused on the job
Britain's Observer newspaper said Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to resign this week and set out a timetable for his departure, though a government source said Starmer remained focused on getting on with the job of governing. The threat to Starmer's position, which has been building for months, increased sharply Friday when his rival Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament that would allow him to launch a formal leadership challenge. The Observer report said Starmer was discussing the m
Canterbury police target 'anti-social road user gathering'
Police tracked a convoy of vehicles north of Christchurch and met them with a 'skilfully executed' checkpoint.
Cozy fiction meets the magic of tidying up
An unlikely collaboration between tidying guru Marie Kondo and filmmaker and author Genki Kawamura plays with the tropes of the popular cozy fiction genre.
Lee Jung-hoo continues surge, eyes MLB batting lead
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants continued his strong offensive form on Friday, collecting two doubles and moving within striking distance of the National League batting lead. Lee started in right field and batted fifth as San Francisco visited the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored. The two-hit outing lifted Lee's season batting average to .331 (86-for-260), while his on-base plus slugging percentage rose to .823. League batting leader Otto Lopez, me
Chun In-gee tied for fourth place at Meijer LPGA
Chun In-gee climbed into a tie for fourth place at the Meijer LPGA Classic, putting herself in contention for the title. Chun carded a 7-under-par 65 in the third round at Blythefield Country Club on Saturday, recording seven birdies and no bogeys. She moved to a 10-under total of 206 after three rounds. Chun had been tied for 36th place after the second round but surged up the leaderboard with a strong performance in the third round. Chun, who won the 2022 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, had pre
Fire at Tokyo elementary school believed to be accidental
The fire is believed to have started on the fourth floor of the school building.
Korean biotech eyes deals, partnerships at BIO 2026
A flock of Korean biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are heading to San Diego this week with their eyes on expanding global partnerships and securing contracts at the BIO International Convention, one of the world’s largest exhibitions in the biotechnology industry. Samsung Biologics, which will take part in the annual event for the 14th consecutive year, said it will once again set up a large booth with a floor space of 140 square meters at the center stage. The Korean contract devel
Court to deliver ruling on ex-first lady on jobs-for-gifts bribery charges
A Seoul court is set to deliver its verdict this week on former first lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been indicted over receiving luxury gifts in exchange for job appointments and business favors. The Seoul Central District Court will hold the sentencing hearing for Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, on charges of violating a law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation, at 2 p.m. Friday, according to judicial sources Sunday. Kim was indicted in December on charges of receiving
Can Seoul afford free bus rides for seniors?
Seoul is considering free or subsidized bus rides for senior citizens aged 70 and older, expanding the decades-old system of free subway use for those aged 65 and above. The proposal cleared a Seoul Metropolitan Council committee on June 15 and is scheduled for a vote at the council’s plenary session on Wednesday. The subsidy would cover city and neighborhood buses, but exclude express and intercity buses. But the plan has drawn opposition from those concerned about the financial burden on a cit
National to make KiwiSaver compulsory, if elected
The National Party plans to make KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers, if re-elected, as part of a suite of changes that would cost more than $1 billion over four years.
Jeremy Clarkson in remission from prostate cancer
The presenter shared his "aggressive" cancer diagnosis on an episode of Clarkson's Farm earlier this week.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive in Belgium
The couple's visit, their first to the country since 1999, follows their trip to Netherlands last week.
Portugal’s unofficial exorcism fever worries Catholic Church
A woman closes her eyes as a young man dressed as a priest places both hands on her forehead. Moments later, she falls to the floor in front of dozens of worshipers.
Backstage at Gorillaz' epic, one-off stadium show: 'The vibe is ridiculous'
Damon Albarn, De La Soul and Moonchild Sannelly talk backstage as Gorillaz play their biggest show.
Northland woman's 'astounding' effort to tackle thousands of moth plants
Aroha Chase pulled up 11,168 moth plant vines in less than three months, most of them near her home in Pakaraka.
Report says U.K. PM Starmer ready to quit, but source says he’s still focused on job
The threat to Starmer's position increased sharply on Friday, when his rival Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament that would allow him to launch a formal leadership challenge.
McIlroy's hopes gone as Clark glides around Shinnecock
While Rory McIlroy played himself out of contention, Scottie Scheffler gave himself a shot at completing the career grand slam but will have to produce something special to reel in Wyndham Clark's six-stroke lead if he is to win the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
Panel upholds decision not to indict Hyogo governor
The committee in Kobe determined that the prosecutors' decision was reasonable, rejecting an appeal filed by a professor and a lawyer.
Kerikeri fatal crash occurred on one-way bridge
Emergency services were called to the bridge on Kerikeri Inlet Road around 8.30pm on Saturday.
Bankruptcy-induced salary cuts for Yubari city workers to end
The announcement was made on the 20th anniversary of the city's declaration of financial collapse.
Netherlands’ demolition of Sweden gives coach Ronald Koeman peace of mind
The Dutch let leads slip away twice in their opening Group F encounter against Japan last weekend, so the three points were welcome.
Germany still not satisfied despite beating Cote d’Ivoire to reach knockout stage
Cote d'Ivoire also remains in a strong position to advance and could book its first-ever ticket to the knockout stage with a decisive win over Curacao next week.
Man charged over series of attacks in Edinburgh - police
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A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh, Police Scotland has said.
Iranians walk out of talks venue after Trump threat
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Iran's delegation walked out of the Swiss venue where it held talks with the United States towards permanently ending the Middle East war, after US President Donald Trump threatened to strike the Islamic republic over its support for Hezbollah.
Time for NZ to prepare, epidemiologist says as bird flu reaches Australia
New Zealand needs to update its national pandemic plan as a deadly bird flu virus hits Australia, a public health expert is warning.
True crime's biggest convention faces its own moral dilemma
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Victims' families say there are ways to be an ethical true-crime fan - not an exploitative one.
National members 'nervously optimistic' about election campaign
One member told RNZ she was concerned Labour was ahead on issues such as health and education, at the party's 90th AGM, in Wellington.
Doku criticised over plan to return home for birth
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Winger Jeremy Doku is criticised for saying he wants to leave Belgium's World Cup camp to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child.
How the social media ban could reshape how all of us use the internet
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Why some argue the social media ban could have a profound affect on how young people gain new knowledge and the rest of us move around online
Meloni’s spat with Trump shows readiness to risk a bigger fight
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In just 24 hours, Meloni has done three things that some U.S. allies may have thought privately, but never said publicly.
Drones and depravity - Sudan's 'abandoned' crisis
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UNICEF's Peter Power has seen his fair share of conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world. But he has never come across anything like Sudan, writes Yvonne Murray
Can a single clay pot really elevate everything you cook?
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In "Simply Donabe," clay pot evangelist Naoko Takei Moore pushes for cooks everywhere to embrace this traditional implement in every part of their kitchens.
‘Kaiseki’ fine dining with a side of classical poetry
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Kyoto fine dining restaurant Kodaiji Wakuden's experiment with traditional poems is an interesting, if uneven, experiment in aesthetics.
Congo says confirmed Ebola cases rise to 956
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The Democratic Republic of Congo has said the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the country had risen to 956, including 247 deaths.
Man missing in Hanmer Springs found
The man at the focus of a search and rescue operation in Hanmer has been found safe, police say
Early positive signs following 'scary' Reidy injury
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Clare forward Shane O'Donnell admitted it was a "scary" moment to see David Reidy hit the ground after a head high challenge against Dublin, but said his team-mate was showing signs of improvement shortly after.
The Invercargill father writing children's books with his eyes
Michael Cockroft refuses to let motor neurone disease stifle his creativity, with a little help from his children and a special contributor.
Warm welcome from Americans at World Cup boosts United States’ global image
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The 2026 World Cup is exposing international visitors to places outside those normally frequented by tourists.
It started with chills. Weeks later, he was gone
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Ethan Katzberg wins 4th straight hammer throw title at Canadian track and field championships
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Olympic champion hammer thrower Ethan Katzberg won his fourth consecutive national title in dominant fashion on Saturday at the Canadian track and field championships in Ottawa.
Germany’s final minute goal against Ivory Coast thrills Toronto crowd
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Deniz Undav scored twice, including the final blow in the dying minutes of extra time, to lead his team to a 2-1 win in what must have felt like a home game for the German side.
Canterbury fires doused by overnight rain
Crews will spend Sunday mopping up affected areas and ensuring any lingering hot spots were fully extinguished.
Court date set for man accused of Panmure stabbing
Emergency services were called to Caen Road on Saturday evening, where a man was found with critical injuries.
Israeli strikes kill at least 20 in Lebanon
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Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 20 people, Lebanon's state news agency NNA said, one day after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, aimed at halting months of escalating violence.
Trump, without substantiation, blames Reflecting Pool renovation woes on vandalism
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U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that federal authorities had made "multiple arrests" of people he said were vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as he struggled to explain why the $14-million-plus US rehabilitation project he launched for the nation's 250th anniversary seemingly backfired.
More rain expected as Montreal area deals with flooding, street closures and power outages
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Environment Canada says it's still processing Saturday's data but expects similar conditions will impact southern Quebec and the greater Montreal area on Sunday with a potential for heavy rain locally.
Al Jazeera says Israeli strike kills journalist in Gaza
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Qatar-based Al Jazeera said that one of its journalists was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza.
Substitute Deniz Undav scores twice to lift Germany over Ivory Coast, into World Cup knockout round
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Substitutes helped win the day for Germany in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast that wasn't in hand until late in stoppage time on Saturday at Toronto Stadium.
EU has 'no credibility' on human rights - Higgins
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Former president Michael D Higgins has criticised the European Union, accusing the bloc of lacking any credibility on human rights and international law.
World Cup 2026: Netherlands 5-1 Sweden recap
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Follow our minute by minute coverage from the 2026 World Cup, as Netherlands and Sweden meet in Group F at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Pope Leo: St Cabrini's mission to migrants remains urgent today
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During a visit to the birthplace of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Pope Leo XIV recalls her devotion to the Sacred Heart and says her service to migrants remains a model for the Church in today's world.
RTÉ to broadcast from lighthouses to mark 100 years
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RTÉ is set to mark its 100th anniversary with special broadcasts from two Irish lighthouses for the summer solstice.
Blow for Ireland as Doris and O'Brien ruled out of tour
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Ireland's Nations Championship preparations have been dealt a major blow after confirmation that Caelan Doris and Tommy O'Brien will both miss this summer's games due to injury.
Pope in Pavia: St Augustine shows us ‘the need to turn inward’
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Pope Leo visits the church where St Augustine is buried, reflecting on pessimism, interiority, and the need to "read the signs of the times".
Colombians prepare to vote for continuity or change
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Continuity or change is the choice for voters throughout Colombia this Sunday, in the second round of the Presidential Election, with one candidate seeking to end six decades of conflict via negotiations, while the other is determined to end all dialogue forthwith.
4 sisters, 2 varsity teams: LaBelle sisters to play for University of Calgary’s rugby, wrestling teams
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Eighteen-year-old twin sisters Kayel and Austyn will join their big sisters Jai, 22, and Danyka, 20, to play for the University of Calgary Dinos Women's Rugby team this upcoming school year.
New public pay deal must be linked to inflation - ICTU
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The Chair of the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has said any pay deal that is agreed by the Government and trade unions must be "closely linked to inflation" in order to maintain living standards.
Parnell Square: The Riad Bouchaker trial so far
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Órla O'Donnell looks at the evidence heard by the jury so far in the trial of Riad Bouchaker, who is charged with attempting to murder three children at Parnell Square in Dublin in November 2023.
Trump escalates spat with Meloni over G7 photo claim
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US President Donald Trump has escalated a diplomatic row with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, accusing her of repeatedly seeking a photograph with him and linking the dispute to tensions over Iran and NATO.
Saturday's Football Championship results and reports
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There were blockbuster match-ups in Round 3 of the All-Ireland SFC, while the Tailteann Cup semi-finalists assembled at Croke Park. Read back on how it all unfolded.
Israeli strikes kill at least 5 in southern Lebanon despite new ceasefire
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At least five people have been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes and drone attacks across southern Lebanon overnight and early Saturday.
Man charged with manslaughter of Carl Holland in Belfast
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A man has been charged with manslaughter over the death of Carl Holland after an assault in west Belfast.
Korean trading cards rising assets for global collectors
Collectable trading cards are becoming increasingly profitable for Korean sellers as demand surges in the global market, with some cards selling for tens of thousands of dollars. According to global e-commerce platform eBay, Korean sellers of trading cards recorded double-digit year-on-year sales growth in the first quarter. Their overall sales on the platform ranked 10th by country in 2024 and spiked to sixth the following year. As of the first quarter, the figure rose to third. Korean sellers’ trading cards are largely categorized into intellectual property (IP) characters and sports. Their values are determined by their rarity and grade by third-party valuation. At the center of the Korean sellers’ market presence is Pokemon, a wildly popular franchise spanning games, anime, movies and trading cards introduced in 1996. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the animation’s trading cards have recently seen explosive demand, topping an IP chart with the 10 highest sales among Korean sellers on eBay. Behind the Korean sellers’ popularity is a rising global demand for trading
Why K-pop stars are getting backup careers — from dog groomers to insurance agents
Behind the glamour of South Korea's entertainment industry, an increasing number of celebrities are preparing for life beyond the spotlight. Facing the uncertainty of careers that can change overnight, several K-pop idols and TV personalities have recently drawn attention for earning professional certifications and building alternative careers — from pet grooming and beauty services to insurance consulting and fitness instruction. The trend has resonated with many young Koreans, who often discuss "backup plans" and career diversification on social media amid growing economic uncertainty. Former Secret member Jun Hyo-seong recently revealed that she obtained a pet care certification. Appearing on comedian Kim Sook's YouTube channel, June 15, Jun said she began considering what she might do if she ever left the entertainment industry. "I earned a pet care manager certification," she said. "I started thinking about what I would do if I were no longer an entertainer, and I realized I wanted to do something that helps animals." Red Velvet member Joy is pursuing a similar path. During a recent
Can plastic surgery hide national history?
I’ve spent over two decades living here and seen just how good Korea is at the glow-up. It’s a nation that loves looksmaxxing. Things get shiny. Polished. Airbrushed and tucked. From celebrities’ faces to citizens’ ID cards, everything gets cleaned. Including the history. The industries of memory have been working on the national identity with the same clinical precision as is applied to noses and eyelids. Korea remembers itself primarily as a victim while forgetting the moments when it exercised power over others. On June 23, 1965, South Korea struck an agreement with Washington to send its troops into Vietnam. They contributed approximately 325,000 troops to the Vietnam War, the second largest foreign military contributor in the conflict. In doing so, they earned an estimated $5 billion dollars. The Miracle on the Han River, the hardworking Koreans in the textile factors, fields, and foreign lands is true. But it would not have likely happened without war. A war that created the country. A war that divided the country. A war that funded the country. All of them demarcated as
Nigerian migrants returning from South Africa face same economic issues they left behind
LAGOS, Nigeria — When the flight carrying hundreds of Nigerians fleeing South Africa landed in Lagos last week, the first feeling of passenger Iniebong James was one of relief. Then came worry. Nearly two weeks after his return to his homeland, James, 52, is trying to settle back into the life he left 10 years ago when he packed his suitcases and headed for South Africa on a six-month visitor’s visa. He overstayed his visa and, despite lacking permission to stay, built a life as a car mechanic in the country's Eastern Cape Province. He was coping until he was attacked by anti-immigrant protesters in May, leaving him with a head wound, he told The Associated Press. The attack on James came in the midst of a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, when there have been marches calling for immigrants in the country illegally to leave and reports of violence against some foreign nationals. Hundreds of migrants from Nigeria and several other African countries have been repatriated from South Africa recently by their governments, citing threats of violence aga
How warm World Cup welcome is endearing US to fans
NEW YORK — Ahead of the World Cup, many international fans were skeptical of the idea of the U.S. as co-hosts for soccer's biggest tournament. There were worries over visa access, high costs, gun violence, a lack of local interest in the sport and more. While those worries have not been entirely dispelled, as the tournament has got under way social media has been flooded with posts from fans visiting the country for the first time and discovering something more positive — a distinctive culture of 24-hour retail, free soda refills, chicken wings dipped in ranch dressing and a warm welcome from Americans. "I met these two gorgeous girls from Boston. It was her birthday, she was having cocktails. I bought her another one and they kept saying 'welcome to Boston, Massachusetts!'," said "Tartan Army" Scottish fan Gail Nicholl, in a Boston pub ahead of her team's first game against Haiti. "They loved us, we loved them ... Everyone is so friendly, so nice." "Something new for me is how friendly and outgoing everyone is," said a Swiss fan from Zurich on a Reddit forum replete with praise fro
With World Cup in Guadalajara, families of Mexico's disappeared turn loved ones into soccer stickers
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — The images show young men wearing Mexico’s green national team jersey. A FIFA-style logo appears in the corner. The design mimics the collectible World Cup Panini stickers millions of soccer fans trade during the tournament. But above each face taped to a concrete bench, utility pole or wall across downtown Guadalajara is a label: “DESAPARECIDO.” Missing. One shows Christian Emmanuel Rivera, disappeared in August 2023. Another is Jaime Adrián Ramírez, missing since September 2020. As Guadalajara hosts matches during the 2026 World Cup, families searching for missing relatives have transformed one of soccer’s most familiar images into a campaign to make Mexico's 135,000 missing people visible to the tens of thousands of visitors. The initiative was launched by Luz de Esperanza, a search collective in the western state of Jalisco, which leads Mexico in disappearances with more than 16,000 people listed as missing in the state's registry. Members say other groups already have contacted them about adopting the idea. “This is our way of drawing attention to th
Ex-vice Gyeonggi governor found guilty of perjury over claims of 'drinking party' during interrogation
SUWON — A regional court on Saturday found a former vice governor of Gyeonggi Province guilty of perjury for falsely testifying to parliament that he was provided with alcohol and food during a prosecution interrogation. The Suwon District Court sentenced Lee Hwa-young to four months in prison, convicting him of violating the law on testimony before the National Assembly, according to the court document. The case was tried before a seven-panel citizen jury. Lee was indicted on perjury charges after he testified during a parliamentary hearing in 2024 that he and Kim Seong-tae, former chairman of underwear maker Ssangbangwool, were treated to alcohol and raw salmon during questioning by prosecutors over their involvement in an illegal remittance to North Korea in 2019. Lee claimed that prosecutors pressured and enticed him and Kim to give false statements incriminating President Lee Jae Myung, then the main opposition party leader who had served as Gyeonggi governor when the unauthorized money transfer allegedly took place. The court ruled that Lee Hwa-young's testimonies lacked consiste
Busan brings 'Carmen' to waterfront under summer stars
On a sweeping industrial expanse along Busan’s historic waterfront, workers will soon begin transforming a prominent landmark development site into a massive open-air theater. The production is French composer Georges Bizet's "Carmen," and the backdrop will be the shifting silhouettes of container ships and the night sky over the North Port. The grand-scale staging, scheduled for July 11 and 12, is a calculated cultural overture by Classic Busan, the city’s performing arts body. Conceived as a public celebration ahead of the highly anticipated opening of the Busan Opera House, the two-day festival aims to democratize an art form traditionally sequestered behind gilded indoor walls. At the center of the production is Chung Myung-whun, the renowned conductor and artistic director of Classic Busan. Chung, who led a critically acclaimed concert version of "Carmen" indoors last year, is expanding the opera into a sensory public festival. Director Eom Sook-jung is tasked with adapting the psychological drama of the free-spirited gypsy and her tragic lover to the vast spatial demands of a
Rain to continue nationwide through evening after heavy downpours
Rain is expected to continue across South Korea through Saturday evening after heavy downpours drenched much of the country overnight, weather officials said. Between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday, accumulated precipitation reached 137.5 millimeters on Halla Mountain on Jeju Island, 94 mm in Sangju, 88 mm in Gongju and 60.6 mm in Seoul, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Rain is expected to continue until Sunday morning in mountainous and coastal areas of Gangwon Province. Additional rainfall of 50-120 mm is forecast for the province's mountainous and coastal areas. The Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon's inland region, Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province and Ulleung Island are also expected to receive 30-80 mm more rain. The KMA warned of rough seas along southern and eastern waters, with waves expected to reach up to 5 meters in the East Sea through Sunday.
Midfielder blames S. Korean loss on bad luck
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — For a fleeting moment during the late stages of South Korea's loss to Mexico at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, Thursday, substitute Eom Ji-sung thought he could become a hero. With South Korea trailing 1-0 in the 87th minute, Eom delivered a cross toward the back post to another sub, Cho Gue-sung. Cho met the ball with his head for what appeared to be a sure goal, only to see goalkeeper Raul Rangel make a miraculous save to preserve his side's narrow lead. South Korea ended up losing 1-0 at the Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, for their first defeat in Group A play. "When I saw the replay afterward, I realized I kicked the ball pretty hard. But in real time, I thought the ball was traveling in slow motion," Eom told reporters Friday before a training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan. "If we'd scored on that play, we would have been able to bag a point and have been in a better mood going into the next match. It's just a shame." Eom said even in that short moment, the play reminded him of a header goal scored by Cho against Ghana during the 2022 Wor
BTS' RM named first global ambassador of Nat'l Museum of Korea
RM, the leader of K-pop supergroup BTS, has been named the first global ambassador of the National Museum of Korea to help promote the country's cultural heritage around the world, the museum said Saturday. The singer, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, was named in recognition of his longstanding interest in Korean traditional culture and art, as well as his efforts to support the preservation of cultural heritage, according to the museum. RM donated 100 million won ($65,231) each in 2021 and 2022 to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation to support the preservation and restoration of Korean cultural assets abroad. An avid art collector, RM is set to hold a special exhibition of works from his personal collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in October. The singer will participate in various promotional activities for the museum and help introduce Korean history and traditional culture to global audiences. "I will do my best to help more people appreciate the beauty and value of our cultural heritage," RM said. You Hong-june, director of the museum, expressed hope tha
LTI Korea chief bets on human translators despite rapid AI development
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the global translation landscape, the head of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) is making a counterintuitive bet: The future of literary translation will rely not less on humans, but more. “In literature, AI alone cannot meet the level expected by international publishers, without human intervention,” LTI Korea President Chon Soo-young said in a recent interview. “Even if more (advanced) AI models emerge, human post-editors would still be needed to review the work.” Chon cited an anecdote shared by Kim Un-su, a novelist famous for “The Plotters (2010).” At LTI Korea’s 30th anniversary event on May 21, an editor at an English-language publishing house initially showed little interest after reading a translation of his work, but later decided to publish it after reviewing a version translated by Sora Kim, a prominent literary translator. “After that, the editor even discussed his next book,” Chon said. “What mattered was not so much to the publisher what the novel was about, but whether Sora
Meet the actress quietly powering Netflix's Korean hits
There is one actor who seems to be appearing in nearly every major Netflix hit these days: Lee Sang-hee. Following standout roles in the Netflix original series "If Wishes Could Kill" and "Teach You a Lesson," Lee has continued to expand her presence this year through two productions that have captured the attention of viewers around the world. After winning multiple best supporting actress awards for the 2024 Netflix film "My Name Is Loh Kiwan," Lee reflected on her career during an acceptance speech, saying, "I am hopelessly in love with acting. I will continue that love in the future." As her remarks suggested, the passion she has devoted to acting over many years is now paying off through memorable performances in successful productions. Released on June 5, "Teach You a Lesson" recorded 6.4 million views — calculated by dividing total viewing hours by the show's runtime — within just three days of its release. The series topped Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV rankings and reached No. 1 in 10 countries, including Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore
'Reply 1994' star reveals yearlong cafe job amid career slowdown
Actress Min Do-hee has revealed that she is ending her yearlong part-time job at a cafe, saying the experience helped her regain confidence and purpose during a difficult period when acting opportunities were scarce. On Wednesday, Min shared her story through a Youtube video. In the video, she opened up about why she began working at a cafe and reflected on her daily life as a part-time employee. "It has already been more than a year since I started working part-time," Min said. "To be honest, I never expected to work there for this long." She said she initially felt nervous and embarrassed about taking the job, but now views the experience positively. "When I first started, I was anxious and self-conscious, but now I think it was one of the best decisions I made," she said. "I think starting anything is the hardest part." Min also spoke candidly about the circumstances that led her to seek work outside the entertainment industry. "It was a period when I didn't have any work and felt very discouraged," she said. "I was constantly feeling down." The actress said the cafe job helped her reali
Kim Soo-hyun faces uphill battle despite comeback momentum
Actor Kim Soo-hyun is preparing to return to the spotlight about a year after suspending all activities following a personal controversy. Questions have recently emerged about the credibility of some materials that had been cited as evidence supporting the allegations, and the actor has now entered the stage of preparing for a return after a long period of silence. Kim is set to film an advertisement in July for Philippine fashion brand Bench. The shoot will mark his first official activity since the controversy erupted March last year, leading to the termination of his endorsement contracts and the indefinite postponement of future projects. Recent developments in the investigation have also shifted attention toward the possibility that many of the allegations surrounding Kim may not have been accurate. Kim Se-ui, operator of the YouTube channel HoverLab, which raised allegations about the actor's private life, was recently referred to prosecutors on charges including defamation and violations of Korea's anti-stalking law. Police are said to have concluded that the Youtube operator ma
Now a star in the sky: Asteroid named after Barbie Hsu, wife of DJ Koo
The late Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu, wife of DJ Koo of the Korean dance duo CLON, now has an asteroid named after her. Hong Kong newspaper Sing Tao Daily reported that the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature had approved the name Xuxiyuan (Hsu's Chinese name) for asteroid 208663. The name was proposed by Hong Kong astronomer and former Hong Kong Astronomical Society President Yang Guangyu, who first observed the asteroid in 2002 from the Desert Eagle Observatory in Arizona. Yang has previously named asteroids he discovered after prominent stars, including Leslie Cheung, Teresa Teng, Andy Lau, Brigitte Lin and Faye Wong. Hsu rose to fame in 2001 for her role as Dong Shancai in the Taiwanese drama “Meteor Garden.” In Korea, however, she was more widely known as the wife of DJ Koo. The two reportedly began dating after meeting in Taiwan in 1998, but their relationship ended about a year later because of the distance between them and opposition from their agencies. More than two decades later, they reconnected following Hsu’s 2021 divorce from
End of 4 distinct seasons in Korea? Rising temperatures strengthen subtropical climate characteristics
Korea could become almost entirely subtropical by the end of the 21st century, according to a new warning from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The findings were released Tuesday through an analysis by the KMA, which looked into the current status and future outlook of subtropical climate characteristics in the country. Using observational data — including average temperatures and precipitation — from 66 weather stations nationwide between 1981 and 2025, the agency projected how Korea's climate is likely to change in the coming decades. The analysis found that temperatures in Korea have risen steadily. Over the past 53 years (1973–2025), the country's annual average temperature has increased by 0.3 degrees Celsius per decade. Last year, the national annual average temperature reached 13.7 degrees Celsius, the second-highest on record. The warming trend was especially pronounced during the transitional seasons, with February, March, September and November experiencing larger increases than other months. As temperatures continue to rise, Korea's climate is gradually sh
A South Jeolla Province elementary school teacher with two decades of experience spent four months clearing her name last summer after a parent alleged child abuse. The claim arose after the teacher tried to reconcile two fighting students, after which one child falsely told parents that the teacher scolded them unfairly. Even after police cleared her of all charges, the teacher faced continuous malicious complaints from the family, who claimed she would disadvantage the child upon returning from leave. She eventually transferred to another school. "Isn't this like putting a gun in the parents' hands?" an official from a fictional Educational Rights Protection Bureau said in episode five of Netflix' "Teach You a Lesson." Reality closely tracks the show, highlighting an institutional imbalance where parents weaponize unvetted claims while teachers face severe professional trauma. Despite authorities strengthening rights protection systems following the 2023 suicide of a teacher at Seoi Elementary School, educators say indiscriminate child abuse allegations remain rampant. Over 90 percent
Is hair loss a survival issue? Party leader hits insurance coverage proposal
Minor conservative Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok criticized the government’s plan to include hair-loss medication in the national health insurance coverage, arguing that limited resources should instead be prioritized for patients with severe and rare diseases. In a post on Facebook on Tuesday, Lee pushed back against the government’s description of access to hair-loss medication as “a matter of survival,” stating that the drugs are neither difficult to obtain nor as costly as the government has suggested. “The Lee Jae Myung administration has described access to hair-loss medication as a matter of survival, but with patents on finasteride-based treatments having expired, a flood of generic versions has brought the monthly cost down to between 10,000 won ($6.60) and 30,000 won,” the conservative party leader wrote. He went on to argue that expanding coverage to include hair-loss medication would undermine the basic principles governing the national health insurance system. “The foremost purpose of the national health insurance system is to uphold the social promise that
Should you eat melon seeds? Korea's food safety agency debunks a common myth
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. "Chamoe," or Korean melon, is enjoying growing popularity. In Japan, it is winning over consumers with its sweet flavor and convenient size. According to Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), Korean melon has been designated one of this year's strategic fruit exports to the Japanese market. Japan is the largest importer of Korean chamoe, with both export value and volume increasing significantly each year. Last year, exports to Japan reached approximately $1.055 million (about 1.6 billion won), with 271 tons shipped — up 31.4 percent in value and 39 percent in volume compared with the previous year. Compared with the larger and more expensive melons commonly sold in Japan, Korean melons are more affordable and perfectly sized for a single serving. As the number of one-person households continues to grow in Japan, this convenience has become one of the fruit's biggest selling points. The popularity of Korean culture, along with YouTube and Instagram posts recommendi
Italy's PM Meloni fires back, tells Trump to worry about his own popularity
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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday to look after his own popularity after he accused his NATO ally of trying to boost her domestic ratings by repairing ties with Washington.
Israel and Hezbollah continue strikes despite ceasefire agreement
Deaths are reported in southern Lebanon, with the IDF saying it hit "Hezbollah terrorist targets" after the group fired over 50 projectiles at Israeli forces.
'Flashbacks' in Lytton, B.C., as anxious residents face evacuation orders, alerts
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Dozens of homes evacuated as out-of-control wildfire threatens Lytton, B.C.
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Video shows scene of crash as passenger describes aftermath
As of Saturday afternoon, nine people remained in a critical condition following Friday's crash.
Cooler Saturday gives brief relief before heat returns
After a slightly cooler Saturday, temperatures will rise again, possibly touching 35C by Tuesday with a Met Office amber extreme heat warning set to come into force.
One dead as freight train wagons plunge off bridge
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Two freight trains collided on a railway bridge in Germany overnight, officials said.
PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exit
The BBC has been told that the transport secretary is among those advising Starmer to set out a timetable.
'We just have to push': Canada in position to win FIFA World Cup group
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An emotional 6-0 drubbing of Qatar on Thursday vastly improved Canada's chance of not only advancing to the tournament's knockout stage but winning Group B.
What we know so far about the collision and how it is affecting travel
Two passenger trains collided, leaving a driver dead and dozens of passengers and crew hurt.
Rebuilding the grammar of 'We'
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"Magnifica Humanitas" addresses issues that touch on many dimensions of human existence. In light of this breadth, and inspired by Article 13 of the Encyclical, we wish to broaden the discussion of the themes raised by Pope Leo XIV by inviting voices that do not necessarily belong to, or are not closely associated with, the Catholic Church to share their reflections.
From malaria to energy: Why solutions from the Global South aren’t reaching the people who need them most
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Innovators – especially in the Global South – are too often locked out of funding and opportunity despite offering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Sudan: Security Council warns of mass atrocity risk in El Obeid
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The UN Security Council has expressed alarm over reports of substantial military reinforcements by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around El Obeid in Sudan, warning of the risk of a potential ground offensive on the city.
Ebola in DR Congo: One month on, scaled up response remains insufficient
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One month after the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, case numbers continue to rise.
Talk of Starmer staying on to fight is fading - fast
After Andy Burnham’s by-election victory, support for the prime minister is evaporating, writes Laura Kuenssberg.
Wildfires in Canterbury brought mostly under control
Crews are at the scene of eight fires and some will be staying overnight to monitor the area.
Four in hospital after bare-chested man with weapon roams around Edinburgh
A man was seen battering the door of a pizzeria as members of the public run away on Friday night.
6th person dead in hospital after fatal collision in Mapleton, Ont., police say
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A sixth person is dead after a fatal two vehicle collision in Mapleton, Ont. last week, said Ontario Provincial Police.
Steve Rosenberg: Moscow oil refinery attack brings Russia's war with Ukraine closer to home
There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg.
Hong Kong and Macau bishops reflect on synodality and hope during ad limina visit
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During their ad limina visit to Rome, the bishops of Hong Kong and Macau reflect on missionary renewal, ecclesial communion, and the lived experience of synodality through dialogue, listening, and shared discernment with Pope Leo XIV.
Peeling paint adds to woes of Trump's pool project
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The blue paint is peeling on the renovation championed by US President Donald Trump to spruce up Washington's iconic Reflecting Pool ahead of the 250th anniversary celebrations of independence.
Taoiseach's Triple Lock plan facing backbench pushback
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin's desire to change the Triple Lock, and no longer require UN approval before sending more than 12 troops abroad, is facing a backbench pushback.
9 people remain in critical condition after fatal train collision in U.K.
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Nine people remain in a critical condition following a train crash on Friday near Bedford, about 100 kilometres north of London, in which the driver of one of the services was killed.
Caravan burnt down after Wellington house fire
No injuries have been reported after the fire in Titahi Bay spread to a neighbouring property due to high winds.
Tepco ends second round of fiscal 2026 treated water release
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In the just ended round, about 7,900 tons of water containing small amounts of radioactive tritium was discharged.
Driver killed in UK train collision, nine critical
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Twenty eight people remain in hospital, nine of them in a critical condition, after a collision between two trains north of London yesterday that killed one of the train drivers.
Japan to enhance global cooperation on AI risks
The draft revision of the Artificial Intelligence Basic Plan highlights the growing risk of cyberattacks that exploit AI.
'People flew from their seats': Passengers describe how collision unfolded
The East of England Ambulance Service says nearly 90 people were injured, over 30 of them seriously.
Christchurch hits June temperature high, strong winds strike
Christchurch has smashed its June temperature records, hitting 25.1 C at 2pm today, as northwesterly winds buffet the South Island and lower North Island.
The Mound, the Fort, and the Church: The Trees Speak to Science (Part II — re-run)
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This is the final part of a three-part series re-running some posts from 2018 on astronomy and Native American earthworks.
Lord’s Day Reflection: The Cure for a Midsummer Night’s Confusion
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As the Church celebrates the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jenny Kraska offers her thoughts on the day's liturgical readings, reflecting on the theme, " The Cure for a Midsummer Night’s Confusion.”
Has the sun set on nightlife? How partying has moved into the daytime
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While nightclubs and bars are still popular options for those looking to have a good time, event promoters and entertainers say party habits have evolved — and many are adapting their business models to cater to the shifting demand.
Biodiversity project inspired by Pope Francis soars
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Church grounds and graveyards across Ireland are becoming havens for birds, bees and bats as part of a biodiversity project inspired by Pope Francis.
Tourist dies in Dominican Republic luxury resort fire
Nearly 1,700 people were evacuated from the huge blaze at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach in Bayahibe, a popular resort town on the Caribbean coast.
Imperial couple plant cherry tree in Netherlands
The tree was planted at a park with a memorial monument for victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Japan’s farm minister promotes Japanese rice in France
Agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki handed out rice balls made from Japanese rice to shoppers during a Japanese food fair.
China’s key minerals exports to Japan stay at low levels in May
Exports of some key types of tungsten, as well as rare-earths dysprosium and terbium, stayed at zero in May, according to Chinese customs data.
Rousey and Paul taunt UFC over White House viewing figures
Ronda Rousey and Jake Paul taunt the UFC and Dana White for failing to break Most Valuable Promotions' MMA record audience figure with the White House event.
James Burrows, prolific innovator in US TV comedies, dies
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US director and television creator James Burrows, who worked behind the scenes on "Friends," "Cheers," "Taxi," and many other beloved comedies, has died, People magazine has reported.
Car and motorbike collision closes Palmerston North highway
Pioneer Highway is closed and serious injuries were reported after a car and a motorbike collided.
'Wildwashing' in the garden: Why wildflower mixes may do more harm than good
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Generic wildflower seed mixes promise an easy way to help pollinators and ecosystems, but many may have potentially harmful non-native species.
How Korean bedding became a coveted souvenir
At Seoul’s Gwangjang Market, a destination long associated with textiles and fabrics, a growing number of foreign visitors are shopping for something unexpected: Korean bedding. Inside one bedding store, stacks of colorful quilts and blankets lined the walls while recently purchased items were being vacuum-packed for travelers preparing to take them overseas. “About 70 percent of our customers are foreigners these days,” said the owner, surnamed Kim, of the bedding store at the market. “Many for
5 things to look out for at Seoul Book Fair
This year’s Seoul International Book Fair is shaping up to be another bustling edition, with online tickets selling out ahead of its June 24 opening. At peak times, online queues reportedly reached nearly 30,000 people. The fair runs June 24-28 at Coex in Seoul and brings together about 530 publishers, literary organizations and agencies from 18 countries, including South Korea. In the international exhibition hall, around 180 publishers and organizations from 17 countries, including France, Ger
To the land's end, through stone and clouds: Walking Korea's southwest coast
GANGJIN, HAENAM, MOKPO, SOUTH JEOLLA PROVINCE — Have you walked any of the Korea Dulle Trail, the 4,500-kilometer route that rings the country's coastline and border? The trail strings together four routes: the Haeparang Trail along the east coast, the Namparang Trail across the south, the Seohaerang Trail up the west coast and the DMZ Peace Trail near the northern border. At 5.7 times the length of Spain's Camino de Santiago, it would take about eight months to finish at a pace of 20 kilometers
[Weekender] How squishies and nostalgia revived Seoul’s old markets
The line outside a toy wholesaler in Seoul’s Dongdaemun Stationery and Toy Street on a recent weekend looked more like one outside a trendy cafe than a decades-old market. Shoppers crowded around bins of squishies, comparing textures and squeezing them before making their choice. Nearby, others tested clicking keycap toys and cracked the wax shells of stress balls, delighting in the crisp popping sound. Most of the customers were not children. They were adults in their 20s and 30s. Just a few su
Ulleungdo, Dokdo offer cliffs, history and Korea’s wild eastern edge
ULLEUNG, North Gyeongsang Province — After a six-hour overnight boat ride from Pohang across some of South Korea’s roughest waters, the first glimpse of Ulleungdo comes quietly into view: the sun rising over a misty sea, lighting up sheer cliffs, deep-blue waters and vegetation that feels almost alien. “We don’t run boats in the winter because of high waves and difficult sea conditions,” said an executive at Ulleung Cruise, which operates the only multistory ship on the Pohang-Ulleung route. “It
Poland strips Zelensky of top honour over WW2 dispute
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Poland's president has decided to strip Volodymyr Zelensky of the country's top honour after the Ukrainian president caused outrage by renaming an army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), nationalists who massacred Poles during World War Two.
Temperatures set to hit 26C early next week
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Met Éireann is forecasting highs of up to 26C this coming week, with the highest temperatures expected on Monday and Tuesday.
Bolivia's president declares emergency over blockade crisis, paving way to deploy military
Bolivia’s crisis intensified on Saturday as President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency, enabling wider military deployment to clear blockades and restore order after protests brought the economy to a halt over the past 50 days.
Israeli strikes kill 16 in Lebanon hours after Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire takes effect
Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 16 people on Saturday, Lebanese Civil Defence said, hours after a ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect, with Israel saying it was responding to projectiles fired by the Iran-backed group.
Iran says strait closed over Israeli attacks on Lebanon
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Iran has announced it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz over Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon.
Tour bus overturns near DMZ border lookout, injuring 10
A tour bus overturned near a DMZ observation post in Paju, northwest of Seoul, on Saturday, injuring 10 people. The 45-seat bus was carrying 21 tourists when it tipped over around 11:27 a.m. on a road in Paju's Jangdan area, police said. It was headed to the Dora Observatory, a popular lookout where visitors can peer across the heavily fortified border into North Korea. The bus toppled onto the left side of the road just before reaching a parking lot partway up to the lookout, according to polic
Is the worst over on oil prices?
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Consumers are beginning to breathe a sigh of relief as oil prices fall after a shaky peace deal was agreed in the Middle East.
This is not what it looks like when you've won a war
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Despite Donald Trump's triumphant claims of victory after the US-Iran interim deal, this is not what it looks like when you have won a war, writes Deputy Foreign Editor Edmund Heaphy.
On manoeuvres with Labour's 'Top Gun' - Andy Burnham
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To complete his mission and become the 'Top Gun' of the Labour Party, Andy Burnham will need all the help, tricks and special effects he can muster, writes Sean Whelan.
Wait is almost over for Olivia Dean fans in Ireland
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The wait is almost over for Olivia Dean fans in Ireland. The multi-award-winning British singer - one of pop's biggest breakout stars - plays two sold-out gigs in Dublin this weekend as part of her The Art Of Loving tour.
What good news do people in Dublin have to share?
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It's been another week of grim news headlines - so it should perhaps have come as no surprise that news avoidance is at an all-time high among Irish people.
Opposition says Govt rushing bills ahead of Dáil break
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As the Dáil recess approaches, the Opposition has again been complaining that the Government is rushing through legislation ahead of the break.
Nunavik saw a record number of tuberculosis cases in 2025. This year isn’t looking any better
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More than half of Nunavik's communities are struggling with a tuberculosis outbreak. The total number of cases in the region has grown annually for the past five years.
Nurse dies after being found unresponsive at Anyang clinic
A nurse who was found unresponsive Friday at a fertility clinic in Anyang, south of Seoul, has died, police said Saturday. The woman, reportedly in her 20s, was found by a co-worker around 4 p.m. Friday in a storage room at the clinic in the city's Dongan District, local authorities said. She was given CPR at the scene and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. She had no apparent injuries, police said. An investigation into the cause of death is underway.
Secret vetting and blocked promotions in the Pentagon: Inside Pete Hegseth’s war on diversity
A Black admiral fixed one of the U.S. Navy's worst messes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked his promotion anyway.
Swirling gusts forecast to crash Hurricanes, Chiefs rugby final
MetService predicts gusts of 90km/h inside the Wellington stadium.
Japan to raise visa fees for foreign nationals in first revision in 48 years
The fee will be increased from the current ¥3,000 to ¥15,000 for a single-entry visa and from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000 for a multiple-entry visa starting July 1.
World Cup still waits for real Brazil to show up
While rivals Argentina and France have impressed in the United States, Brazil have struggled to hit top form - despite a 3-0 win over minnows Haiti.
Almiron first player sent off for covering mouth
Paraguay's Miguel Almiron is the first player to be shown a red card for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent - doing so during the World Cup match against Turkey.
Iranian Guard’s business empire to win big if U.S. sanctions lifted
As the two sides eye a deal to end the war that could unlock billions of dollars for Iran, the elite Revolutionary Guard is poised to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Child attacked by crocodile critical two days on: Here's what we know so far
A 30-year-old man is bailed after a child ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a farm zoo.
Canada's response to Titan disaster must avoid loopholes, expert warns
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The executive director of the World Submarine Organization says countries like Canada must make submersible regulations as simple as possible, or companies will try to find "loopholes" in the future.
This tour is challenging the colonial history behind Old Montreal monuments
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The Colonial Secrets of Old Montreal walking tour is organized by Haunted Montreal, in collaboration with Cree storyteller Sophie-Claude Miller. It aims to showcase the Indigenous stories behind tourist attractions in the area.
After deadly protests, more Iranian women choosing to defy hijab law despite the dangers
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Many women in Iran are defying the country's strict dress code by refusing to wear headscarves while out and about. Though several women told CBC News they still fear the authoritarian regime, others say deadly protests in January taught them they have nothing left to lose.
The day the Five Eyes showed up to confront Russia about its plan to attack Ukraine
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It has been revealed that a group of Five Eyes officials delivered a dramatic and potentially unprecedented in-person warning to a Kremlin official about the consequences Moscow would face for attacking Ukraine, days before the start of its full-scale invasion.
Canadian lawyers urge crackdown over Alabama prison labour imports
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As Ottawa faces pressure from the Trump administration to tighten its scrutiny of imports made with forced labour, Canadian human rights lawyers are pointing the finger at companies south of the border.
How an Ontario man helped discover a lost Rembrandt, thought to be fake, but worth millions
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Jonathan Bikker, a curator at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, led the effort to authenticate Vision of Zacharias in the Temple, a painting that had been dismissed by scholars in the 1960s and largely disappeared from public view.
Is Canada's teen social media ban constitutional? It's complicated
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Legal experts say the federal social media ban for kids leaves many questions unanswered — including whether it violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Lawyers and law professors are raising flags about gaps in Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, that could leave Canada open to legal challenges.
Should everyone be on GLP-1s? What science actually tells us (and doesn't) about the broader health benefits
The laundry list of possible health benefits from GLP-1 drugs seems to get longer by the day, from cancer prevention to combating addiction. But while there’s no question these medications show immense promise beyond their use for diabetes and weight loss, science is still catching up.
U.S. claims about higher drug trafficking from Canada don't match the data: fentanyl czar
As the U.S. claims its crackdown on drug trafficking at the border with Mexico is triggering more criminal activity from Canada, fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau is pushing back — saying the numbers "really haven't borne that out."
The 2026 wedding trend: being yourself
For many young couples, the modern wedding has become an immersive experience through which their guests — and social media followers — can get a look into the unique tastes and personalities of the betrothed. When traditions are followed, they may be adapted to feel truer to the newlyweds.
A legal challenge opens a new front in the debate over Carney's climate agenda
Speaking at Trinity College in Ireland last weekend, Mark Carney recalled that Edmund Burke, the 18th-century politician and philosopher and an alumnus of Trinity, had once described society as a partnership between those who are living, those who are dead and those who are yet to be born.
There's backlash against the World Cup final's halftime show. Is it attacking tradition or just a good show?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will feature a halftime show for the first time. It has ruffled the feathers of some soccer fanatics, who see the move as a "Yankeefication" of the Beautiful Game.
Harry and Meghan offered royal accommodation during UK visit
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to visit the UK with their children next month, for the first time since 2022.
Bolsonaro to be questioned over confiscated pistol
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A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has authorised police to interrogate former president Jair Bolsonaro after a pistol registered in his name was confiscated from a member of his security team.
Ex-vice Gyeonggi gov. found guilty of perjury over 'drinking party' claims
A regional court on Saturday found a former vice governor of Gyeonggi Province guilty of perjury for falsely testifying to parliament that he was provided with alcohol and food during a prosecution interrogation. The Suwon District Court sentenced Lee Hwa-young to four months in prison, convicting him of violating the law on testimony before the National Assembly, according to the court document. The case was tried before a seven-panel citizen jury. Lee was indicted on perjury charges after he t
Rain to continue nationwide through evening after heavy downpours
Rain is expected to continue across South Korea through Saturday evening after heavy downpours drenched much of the country overnight, weather officials said. Between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday, accumulated precipitation reached 137.5 millimeters on Halla Mountain on Jeju Island, 94 mm in Sangju, 88 mm in Gongju and 60.6 mm in Seoul, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Rain is expected to continue until Sunday morning in mountainous and coastal areas of Gangwon Pro
Hours-long wait for hundreds on motorway defended after fatal crash
Authorities have defended their response to a fatal crash on State Highway 1 north of Wellington, after kilometres of motorists were trapped in gridlocked traffic for hours.
Who needs a nightclub?
Early Saturday morning, while most of the city was still asleep, a crowd was already on its feet and dancing — stone-cold sober, no booze in sight. A social club centered on early-morning gatherings, the Seoul Morning Coffee Club has built a following by upending the city's after-hours drinking culture, swapping the first round of shots for the first sip of an Americano. Founded by Park Jae-hyun, the club draws a mixed crowd — teenagers, foreign residents, even dancers in their 60s and 70s — to
Trump envoy and Iranian minister head to Switzerland for talks
Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday after escalating fighting cast doubt over U.S.-Iran talks.
Biosecurity minister says NZ prepared for deadly bird flu outbreak
New Zealand is well prepared to respond if bird flu reaches our shores, but it is important that everyone takes steps now to be ready, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
Peeling paint adds to woes of Trump’s pool project
The $14 million pool repainting project is already running into problems: the paint is peeling off and the pool is full of green algae.
RM is now the face of Korea's national museum
BTS leader RM has a new title to add to a growing list of art-world credits: global ambassador for the National Museum of Korea. The country's flagship museum announced the appointment Saturday, citing the singer's longtime interest in Korean traditional culture and art. It marks the first time the Seoul-based institution has named a global ambassador under its banner. A serious collector in his own right, RM has been an active supporter of Korean art and cultural heritage. The rapper, whose rea
Australia detects first case of contagious H5 bird flu
The announcement means that the highly contagious variant has now spread to every continent.
10 years on, how has Brexit affected key issues?
Immigration, trade and the economy were all key issues during the Brexit campaign.
Would the EU take Britain back?
A decade after the Brexit referendum, surveys show most Britons now believe leaving the European Union was a mistake.
Flawed but relentless Scotland show themselves as men of substance
Morocco threatened to blow Scotland away early on, but Steve Clarke's squad showed their resilience despite defeat, writes Tom English.
Australia detects first case of contagious H5 bird flu
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Scientists have detected the H5 strain of bird flu in Australia for the first time, the country's agriculture minister has said, meaning the highly contagious variant has now spread to every continent.
For U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Iran talks could shape political rise
The Iran war discussions are a high-risk scenario for all sides in the conflict, the broader Middle East, and for Vance's political ambitions.
New video game console aims to get kids moving
The cube-shaped console will cost £269 (€319) when it is released on 22 June in the UK and Ireland.
Hajime Moriyasu proud of fans’ reputation for cleanliness
Footage went viral online after Japan supporters were seen putting their trash in blue plastic bags following Sunday's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in Texas.
Trump unveils Qatar-gifted Air Force One replacement
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US President Donald Trump has unveiled a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, which he dubbed a "flying White House".
Japan looking to ramp up intensity against Tunisia in World Cup’s 1,000th match
Japan's first match was played in Dallas, where the air conditioning in the stadium was noticeable, but Monterrey presents a very different challenge due to the expected heat.
Ukraine’s biggest strike on Moscow spurs fuel shortage fears
The reality of four years of war pushed deeper into everyday life on Thursday when a swarm of nearly 200 drones hit Moscow's oil refinery.
Love Pride but hate big parades? These places are doing it differently
From Glasgow to Salford, smaller, unique events are celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Popping a cocktail of supplements every day might be doing you more harm than good
While many of us take supplements regularly, there are some risks people may not be aware of.
New cost estimates revealed for Hokuriku Shinkansen line extension
Construction costs for the eight routes being considered now range from ¥1.7 trillion to ¥7.9 trillion, the transport ministry said.
Nigel Farage’s national ambitions take hit as voters flock to Andy Burnham
Reform UK's emphatic defeat in Thursday's Makerfield by-election laid bare the political handicaps that stand in the way of it reaching 10 Downing Street.
Everlee Wihongi has been freed from ICE detention
New Zealander Everlee Wihongi's mother and sister-in-law speak of the relief after confirmation she has been released from immigration detention in the United States.
Parliament leaders OK outline of Imperial House Law amendment bill
The outline calls for allowing male members of the male line of former imperial family branches who are 15 or over to be adopted into the family.
An out-of-control wildfire south of the village of Lytton, B.C., triggered evacuation orders and alerts late Friday.
Italy’s Meloni says Trump ‘totally invented’ story she begged him for photo
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chided the U.S. leader for acting with far greater deference to the enemies of the West than he does toward old, established allies.
Hawke's Bay enslaver and human trafficker Joseph Matamata granted parole
Joseph Matamata, who also goes by Viliamu Samu, was the first person to be convicted of both human trafficking and slavery in New Zealand.
McIlroy challenge stalls, Clark takes control at US Open
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A chaotic back nine from Rory McIlroy in the worst of the conditions at Shinnecock Hills saw him fall out of touch with US Open second-round leader Wyndham Clark.
Want to cool down in the water? Here's how to do it safely
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Pick designated swimming spots, learn about riptides and don't use inflatables at the beach, experts say.
How to stay safe swimming outdoors - and still have fun
Pick designated swimming spots, learn about riptides and don't use inflatables at the beach, experts say.
Tequila spritz and dot cakes - why these summer trends are having a moment
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Fairy cakes, milk bread and a fresh take on a popular cocktail will be big in the coming months.
Nervy, optimist, die-hard: What sort of fan are you?
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Take our World Cup quiz and discover your fan personality type.
Japanese pop group XG went from brutal five year training to global pop stars
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The Japanese pop group have become global stars, after being recruited before they were teenagers.
A fox, a gannet and a space warrior - why election candidates wear fancy dress
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Candidates like Count Binface are motivated to run for different reasons, but their role in politics is a longstanding tradition.
Pope Leo XIV: 'Only the love of God can provide us with true and perfect joy'
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In a video message to the 50th Steubenville Summer Youth Conference, Pope Leo XIV reveals 'the secret' to being able to face challenging circumstances with a smile, and reassures all participating that 'If we have the profound conviction that God cares for us as His beloved children, we will not be flustered or discouraged, even in difficult situations.'
One dead and dozens injured after two trains collide in U.K.
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The crash occurred late afternoon near Bedford, a town around 90 kilometers north of the U.K. capital, and involved two London-bound trains on the same track.
Beyond crabs and dinos: Japan’s least-touristed region rethinks appeal
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Fukui Prefecture routinely ranks among Japan's least-visited prefectures, but a crop of young professionals in the tourism industry are pushing a new set of charms.
Tokyo’s best Four Seasons may not be its biggest
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Reopened on April 29 after an extensive refurbishment, the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi gives its sister accommodation around the corner a serious run for its money.
Cullen thrilled by 'exceptional' Leinster's performance
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A delighted Leo Cullen said there was "so much to love" about his side's display, as they made it back-to-back BKT United Rugby Championship titles.
American swimmer Kate Douglass breaks women's 50m freestyle world record
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Kate Douglass broke the world record in the women's 50-metre freestyle at the TYR Pro Swim Series meet Friday night in Indianapolis.
Carney government passes law allowing authorization of banned pesticides
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Coastal B.C. waters seeing more whales, more often
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Researchers say more West Coast transient killer whales are returning to waters near Vancouver, and more often, thanks to conservation efforts and reliable food supplies. There has also been an uptick in sightings of Grey and Humpback whales.
‘Tagusari Bros.’ searches for the meaning of justice
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Themes of vengeance and closure are nothing new in the world of crime dramas, but few tackle them with the emotional nuance of TBS' "Tagusari Bros."
Father who died with son in wrong way motorway crash was banned from driving
A father who drove the wrong way onto the Wellington motorway, killing both himself and his son, had dementia and was banned from driving, a coroner report reveals.
Iwi boards call for independent advocacy after autistic 11-year-old mistakenly sedated
The girl had been mistaken for an adult restrained and injected with drugs.
Australia confirms 1st mainland case of H5N1 bird flu
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Australia will do all it can to curb any spread of H5N1 bird flu, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday, as the first mainland infection was confirmed in a seabird a day after being detected in a remote southwestern region.
Country Life: Wool to yarn without leaving the farm
Taking the wool off the sheep's back and turning it into yarn within a few paces of the shearing shed has been a dream come true for hill country farmer Patrizia Vieno. Despite setbacks she has built a mini mill at the heart of Rewa Rewa Station near T...
Canadian-Iranians respond to the U.S.-Iran peace deal with mixed reaction
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Members of the Iranian diaspora in Toronto have mixed reactions to the U.S.-Iran peace deal, with some expressing relief that ordinary citizens will no longer live under active bombardment, but also skepticism that the new agreement will hold the Iranian government accountable.
Critics slam government plan to 'bail out' sagging condo sector in B.C.
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A plan by the B.C. government and Ottawa to buy thousands of vacant condo units and turn them into affordable housing is drawing criticism. Some call it a "bail out" for developers.
New stadium needed to keep Whitecaps in Vancouver, says MLS commissioner
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Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber said before the United States beat Australia at the World Cup on Friday that the Vancouver Whitecaps need to have a new stadium deal in order to keep the club in Vancouver.
One person dead after crash outside Gisborne
The single-vehicle crash happened in Pātūtahi on Friday evening.
Country Life: Nuffield scholar see's bright future for natural fibre
Sheep farmers are being encouraged to lean into their sustainability efforts and find programmes suited to their existing data capture, as the industry sees a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
'Absolute miracle' no one died: Kiwi skier survives massive avalanche in Norway
When an avalanche came barrelling down a mountain towards Hannah Hughes in Norway there was barely time to think, just a moment to brace for impact like a rugby tackle on ice.
Deja vu as Leinster hammer Bulls to retain URC title
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The BKT United Rugby Championship trophy is staying in Dublin, after Leinster retained their title with yet another Grand Final hammering of the Bulls at Croke Park.
Wildfire that prompted evacuations in West Kelowna was caused by prohibited campfire, officials say
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Officials have determined that a wildfire that prompted evacuation orders in West Kelowna, B.C., earlier this week was caused by a prohibited campfire inside a regional park.
Are thirsty soccer fans drinking all the beer in World Cup host cities?
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On a high note: €20m pledged to youth music programme
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A pledge of €20m has been announced to support a music programme for young people, with €5m of the funding coming from the band U2.
K'omoks First Nation chief pushes back on Poilievre's opposition to treaty
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Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced Friday that he and other Conservative party MPs will oppose the ratification of the K'omoks First Nation's treaty.
Europe swelters as temperatures in France could hit 40C
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Much of Western Europe is sweltering in a gruelling heatwave with temperatures expected to continue rising in the coming days, likely shattering yet more records.
Fr. Alessandro Omizzolo Gets an Asteroid Named After Him!
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Father Alessandro Omizzolo, Curator of the Vatican Plate Vault, has gotten an asteroid named after him!
World Cup 2026: USA 2-0 Australia recap
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First half goals from Cameron Burgess (own goal) and Alex Freeman help USA to a 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle. They now top Group D on six points.
B.C. nurses reject tentative deal with province
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Members of the B.C. Nurses' Union have voted to reject a tentative agreement with the province on Friday.
One dead, number of others injured in UK train collision
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A train driver has died and a number of others were injured after two passenger trains collided in the Bedford area, north of London.
Highest weekly number claim asylum in Ireland since 2024
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A total of 350 people claimed asylum in Ireland last week, the highest weekly arrival number since September 2024.
URC Final: Leinster v Bulls recap
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Leinster defend their URC title with emphatic 36-7 win over the Vodacom Bulls.
Man jailed for seven years for sexual abuse of daughter
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A man who sexually abused his daughter in her childhood has been jailed for seven years.
Podcast: Will Peter Thiel-backed event happen in Ireland?
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An event, organised by a network co-founded by controversial billionaire investor Peter Thiel has set its sights on Ireland.
Minimum age set for UK puberty blocker trial
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A minimum age of 11 has been agreed for children recruited to a puberty blocker trial in the UK which some campaigners have said should be axed completely amid concerns around harm to young people.
Manitoba appoints 1st associate chief judge of reconciliation
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A Manitoba provincial court judge is helping the court chart a new path forward as the province's first associate chief judge of reconciliation — a role she says she believes is the first of its kind in Canada.
Meloni turns from Trump whisperer to Trump critic
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Tensions between the US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni surfaced at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which damaged Europe's economy and re-awakened strong anti-war sentiment within Italy.
'This is our Serengeti': New study says more whales showing up in Vancouver waters
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A new study says West Coast transient killer whales, also known as Bigg's killer whales, are now being seen in the inside waters of Vancouver Island for about 250 days a year on average.
Who is the new Mayor of Galway Helen Ogbu?
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Helen Ogbu's election as Mayor of Galway comes just over two years after she was first elected to the City Council, as a Labour Party representative for the east ward.
Taylor among recipients of honorary degrees from TCD
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The boxer received an honorary degree in legal studies, with musician Sharon Sharon and writer Colm Tóibín also honoured.
Rabid bat found at Sask. daycare; school division apologizes for delay in telling parents
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Children at a daycare in Spiritwood have been offered rabies treatment after a bat found inside the centre tested positive for the virus.
Now where?
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The world has turned a corner, offering a new and improved view
Man who looted three shops during riots was 'follower'
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A man who looted three shops during the Dublin riots was a "follower" who took items including Nike runners, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.
Ottawa adding $5.4B for child care to sustain national program over next 2 years
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The federal government is giving provinces and territories an additional $5.4 billion over two years for the national $10-a-day child-care program to help with "cost pressures," Canada's families minister says.
Ukraine keeps striking Russian refineries and supply routes. How close is the country to an energy crisis?
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Experts say Russia's energy industry is under increasing pressure as Ukraine tilts the war closer to the country that has been waging it, through a combination of long- and middle-range strikes.
Manna ends Irish drone deliveries, cites planning issues
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Drone aerial delivery operator Manna has announced it is ceasing delivery operations in Ireland to concentrate its growth on the US, UK and other international markets.
Driver dead, nearly 90 other people injured after passenger trains collide north of London
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Two trains collided north of London on Friday, killing a driver and seriously injuring dozens of people on board.
The 'game from hell' and the era that rose from its ashes
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Dublin and Donegal have met just seven times previously in the football championship, but some of those contests have proven to be memorable encounters. The infamous 2011 semi-final clash is perhaps the one that lives longest in the memory.
Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné undergoes surgery to repair broken leg
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Midfielder Ismael Kone has undergone successful surgery to repair a broken leg suffered in Canada's 6-0 win over Qatar at the World Cup.
Aer Lingus flight attendant loses dismissal claim at WRC
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A tribunal has upheld the sacking of a senior Aer Lingus flight attendant said by his colleagues to have refused to let a passenger use the onboard bathroom until he was reduced to tears.
Ukraine suffers new strikes as calls for peace intensify
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At least 10 people, including four children, were injured in a Russian strike on Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian authorities said Friday. In southern Ukraine, the State Emergency Service reported that one person was killed and four others were injured in a separate Russian attack on the Odesa region.
How a Korean 'Turandot' traveled to Europe and came home a decade on
When the 20th Daegu International Musical Festival raised its curtains on June 19, it opened with a homecoming. The festival's flagship production — a musical reimagining of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot" — returned to the stage for the first time in seven years, this time refracted through the European staging it inspired abroad. DIMF first premiered "Turandot" in 2011, as the opening work of the festival's fifth edition. The reception was bruising. "When we first unveiled 'Turandot' 15 yea
19-year-old accused of killing Toronto police officer appears in court from hospital bed
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A 19-year-old charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a Toronto police officer last week made his first appearance in court Friday from his hospital bed.
Italy's top diplomat cancels US trip as Meloni slams Trump's claim she 'begged' for photo with him
ROME — The Italian government closed ranks on Friday to slam U.S. President Donald Trump over his claim that Premier Giorgia Meloni had “begged” for a photo with him during the recent G7 summit, a pushback that suggested the longtime U.S. ally had had enough of Trump’s boasting. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani abruptly cancelled a planned trip to the United States this weekend, calling Trump’s claims “serious and offensive” toward Meloni and all of Italy. Meloni for her part posted a video calling Trump’s claims “completely fabricated." She concluded: “Italy and I do not beg.” Trump had made the comments in an interview broadcast Friday morning on the La7 network. The La7 correspondent had asked Trump about Ukraine, but Trump raised Meloni and the conversation turned to their meeting, caught on video, during the just-concluded G7 meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France. Meloni and Trump were filmed speaking at several points, including alone on a small sofa. According to La7, Trump said Meloni had “begged” him for a photo-op. Trump said he wasn’t obliged to
Lee calls inflation top policy priority, urges 'extraordinary' measures to stabilize prices
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday inflation is the government's most urgent policy challenge and urged officials to devise extraordinary measures to stabilize prices and ease the burden on households. Lee made the call during a meeting with senior presidential aides, noting it will take a long time before global energy supply chains return to normal and the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened despite a ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the monthslong war in the Middle East. "The high oil prices, inflation and heightened foreign exchange rate volatility triggered by the war have done significant damage to our economy," Lee said. "The most urgent task right now is prices. Both the presidential office and the government must mobilize all available means to stabilize prices and restore the people's livelihoods," he added. Though the pace of price growth has been managed through the oil price cap system and other preemptive responses, there are still many areas that require attention, Lee said, calling for "extraordinary measures" to normalize petroleum produc
Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon in intense fighting as US-Iran talks postponed
JERUSALEM — Israel’s military struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight into Friday and Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the nascent agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war. Lebanese media reported at least 18 people killed in the strikes, and Israel said four soldiers died. The conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah is the most precarious part of the Iran deal. Neither Israel nor the militant group signed the agreement — but it is supposed to end their fighting, and Iran has signaled its willingness to risk renewed war in the region for the sake of its interests in Lebanon and its most important regional ally. Iranian officials didn't travel as planned to Switzerland for talks on Friday with the United States, in part over the fighting, a regional official said. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also called off his trip, and mediators are now scrambling to reschedule the meetings, which were supposed to begin addressing how to restrict Iran’s nuclear program — the core issue over which Israel and the U.S. wen
Hope grows for Korean firms to join supply chains of Elon Musk empire
As Elon Musk's business empire continues to expand, expectations are rising for Korean firms to deepen their presence in supply chains spanning semiconductors, chipmaking equipment and telecommunications. According to industry officials, HPSP, a domestic semiconductor equipment maker, has recently received purchase orders for its High-Pressure Hydrogen Annealing (HPA) pilot equipment for Tesla's Terafab. HPA is a front-end process that uses highly compressed hydrogen gas to heat-treat semiconductor wafers, helping reduce leakage currents and improve power efficiency. The technology has been widely used in foundry manufacturing and is increasingly being adopted for advanced memory chips. HPSP is the leading player in the global HPA market. Terafab is a $119 billion semiconductor project in Texas aimed at establishing a semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI)chip manufacturing ecosystem involving Tesla, SpaceX and Intel. The facility is expected to supply chips needed for computing infrastructure supporting SpaceX operations, Tesla's autonomous driving and robotics technologies and
JoongAng Ilbo files for creditor-led workout program
JoongAng Ilbo, one of Korea's leading newspapers, has filed for a creditor-led workout program, as the liquidity crisis at its parent JoongAng Group deepens to threaten the group's affiliates, including major broadcaster JTBC. According to the newspaper on Friday, it filed for a workout program with its main creditor Hana Bank, in a bid to restructure its debt and improve its financial health through negotiations with creditors. "We will continue discussions with creditors and faithfully devise effective debt restructuring measures and plans to normalize management," the newspaper said in a press release. Earlier this week, five JoongAng Group subsidiaries — JoongAng Holdings, JTBC, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng and JoongAng P&I — filed for court receivership after JTBC defaulted on a 20.6 billion won ($13.6 million) debt repayment. The groupwide financial crisis also affected JoongAng Ilbo. On Thursday, Hanyang Securities, which holds 22 billion won worth of commercial paper issued by the newspaper, demanded early repayment of the short-term debt, citing heightened credit ri
Morocco star Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case, French appeals court confirms
A French appeals court confirmed Friday that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star player Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case. The defender, who is currently playing with Morocco at the World Cup after winning the Champions League for a second straight year with PSG , had appealed a February decision by an investigative judge. That ruling followed recommendations from public prosecutors that Hakimi should face trial. The decision was released just hours before Morocco takes on Scotland in their Group C match. Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil in its opening game. Hakimi, one of the best right backs in the world, denies any wrongdoing. He faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb. The Versailles appeals court said in a press statement that it ordered that Hakimi be formally charged with rape. The court said that the investigations conducted during the inquiry and the judicial investigation led the investigating chamber to conclude that there is sufficient evidence against the player to stand tri
Korean Air says Asiana integration costs could reach W1 tril., offset by 2028
Korean Air said Friday the cost of integrating Asiana Airlines could reach as much as 1 trillion won ($654.02 million), with synergies from the merger expected to offset the expense as early as the end of 2028. During an investor relations session in Seoul, the flag carrier said an analysis of its post-merger integration (PMI) strategy estimated integration costs at between 900 billion won and 1 trillion won, while annual synergy effects from the merger are projected to reach around 300 billion won. "We expect the synergy effects could exceed the results of the PMI analysis," Park Hee-don, a senior vice president at Korean Air, said. "If things go well, we believe the integration costs could be fully offset sometime between the end of 2028 and early 2029," he added. The airline plans to complete the launch of the integrated carrier by Dec. 17, with the goal of becoming a global top 10 airline operating 230 aircraft and generating 23 trillion won in annual revenue. Asked about the integration of the two airlines' mileage programs, Korean Air said it hopes the process can be finalized witho
Korean, Mexican fans share dances, food at World Cup watch party
It was Friday morning in Seoul, and Mexico and Korea were set to face off in a crucial 2026 World Cup match in Zapopan, Mexico. At a Mexican restaurant in Itaewon in Yongsan District, central Seoul, a crowd had gathered to watch. But unlike a conventional watch party, where cheers and groans tend to rise in unison, the restaurant was awash in both red and green, with Korean and Mexican fans jumbled together. On one side of the restaurant where a small stage had been set up, two men danced side by side. One was dressed in red, with a giant Korean flag draped around his shoulders like a cloak, while the other wore green in support of Mexico. They danced, shouted, “This is football!” for good measure, and ended the routine laughing together. “It is a little disappointing that Korea lost, but this is the kind of World Cup atmosphere that makes it so enjoyable,” said Baek Eun-jung, 32, one of the men onstage. Baek runs a YouTube channel called “Feballas Studio.” “Regardless of who wins or loses, everyone comes together,” he said. More than 40 football fans from around the world
Korea's 'Red Devils' cheer squad holds its own against sea of green at Guadalajara Stadium
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — The floor of Guadalajara Stadium shook as the host nation took the field. More than 45,000 Mexican fans packed the stands, chanting and singing throughout the match in passionate support of their national team. The roar was so deafening that conversations with the person next to you were nearly impossible. Stadium noise levels reportedly peaked at an astonishing 149 decibels. Yet the roughly 500 Korean supporters, gathered behind the players' tunnel and in the upper section behind the goal to its right, refused to be overwhelmed. Vastly outnumbered, they waved Korean flags relentlessly and delivered what could only be described as a "one against a hundred" cheering performance. Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, where Korea faced Mexico in their second Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday (local time), had already turned into a sea of green four hours before kickoff. Fans wearing Mexico's signature green jerseys patiently waited in long lines under the sweltering sun to pass through security checks. Despite the heat and lengthy wait, few app
Police investigating alleged break-in at ballot-counting center
Police are investigating an alleged break-in at a ballot-counting center amid weekslong protests calling for a rerun of the June 3 local elections, sports officials said Friday. According to the Korea Sports Industry Development (KSID), which manages the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium that was used as a vote-counting center for the elections, three unidentified individuals broke into the facility on June 7 after damaging a basement door lock. The KSID reported the case to the police, along with surveillance camera footage showing the individuals entering the gym and filming the interior. After filing the complaint, the KSID welded the basement door shut on June 11. Video of the welding spread online, sparking unverified conspiracy theories that authorities intended to trap protesters inside the gym and start a fire or crowd crush. Protesters were demonstrating outside the gymnasium for the 15th consecutive day Friday after ballot shortages on election day disrupted voting at 26 polling stations. They have blockaded the site to prevent the removal of ballot boxes that were brought there f
Iran's chief negotiator says US talks bound by Tehran's 'red lines'
TEHRAN — Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Friday that talks with the United States would remain bound by Tehran's "red lines". "As we have shown in the past path of negotiations, we are steadfast in fulfilling the conditions and red lines set, and in achieving the interests of the Iranian nation," Ghalibaf said in remarks published by the official IRNA news agency. "If the enemy seeks to be excessive, we have proven that our fingers are on the trigger and we have no hesitation in giving a crushing response to the enemy."
Korean YouTuber promotes harmony at World Cup match after racism controversy
A Korean spectator draped in a large Korean national flag stood out in the VIP section during the a 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A match between Korea and Mexico at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. Wearing a red jersey and a headband representing the Red Devils cheering squad, she smiled broadly while mingling with nearby Mexican soccer fans and supporting her country. The spectator was popular content creator inoCat, who has 6.61 million subscribers and was targeted by anti-Asian harassment during a match one week prior. While watching the June 12 Group A match between Korea and the Czech Republic at the same stadium, a Mexican man sitting behind her made a racist gesture targeting Asians. After video footage of the incident spread online, the racism controversy quickly drew international condemnation. Internet users identified the man, prompting him to post a public apology on social media and resign as president of the Civil Engineering, Topography, Geometry, and Engineering Association of Jalisco — a local professional association. FIFA officially invited her to the VIP sectio
Why isn't Korea coach using Jens Castrop?
The continued absence of Jens Castrop is becoming increasingly difficult to understand for many fans and critics. Korea fell 0-1 to Mexico in their second Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Thursday. The Taeguk Warriors controlled possession early and attempted to dictate the tempo. Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in rotated in fluid attacks, while Hong Myung-bo's three-man defense relied on advancing wing-backs to create width. On the left, Seol Young-woo frequently pushed forward, while Kim Moon-hwan did the same on the right. However, despite tactical intent, Korea generated little real danger from wide areas. The team struggled to unsettle Mexico's defense and the few promising attacking runs were halted by offside calls. The match remained balanced until a costly mistake early in the second half. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and the defense allowed the ball to break loose, and Luis Romo capitalized to give Mexico the decisive goal. A bigger issue emerged after the concession. Needing an equalizer, Hong responded by comm
Lee looks to rebuild political momentum following diplomatic trip
President Lee Jae Myung appears to be trying to restore political momentum after returning from a 10-day diplomatic tour of Europe, Thursday, amid declining approval ratings and tensions within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). On Friday, the president convened a press briefing on the outcome of diplomatic trip, which concluded Thursday, and also a meeting with senior presidential secretaries. The briefing was held amid speculation that the president believed the achievements of his trip had been overshadowed by domestic political issues, leading him to personally present the results instead of delegating the task to aides, as is customary. Meanwhile, Friday's meeting with senior presidential secretaries followed a previous gathering with corresponding aides in Seoul, Sunday, while Lee was in Italy for a state visit. Such a meeting was unprecedented, prompting speculation that Lee remained focused on developments at home even while abroad amid the fallout from the June 3 local elections. The DPK won most of the mayoral and gubernatorial races nationwide but lost the Seoul mayora
Defense ministry expands outreach to US Congress over OPCON transfer bill
Korea’s defense ministry said Friday it is expanding its outreach to the U.S. Congress in response to a Senate bill that seeks to increase Congress' power to examine the transfer process of wartime Operational Control (OPCON) from Washington to Seoul. The bill, if passed, could be a major challenge to Seoul's plan to take over the OPCON by 2028 or even as early as the end of 2027. A defense ministry official said, “(Korea and the U.S.) are in close consultations based on a shared understanding that OPCON transfer will continue to bolster the combined defense posture of the Korea-U.S. on the defense on the Korean Peninsula.” While adding that it is inappropriate for the ministry to evaluate pending legislation in the U.S. Congress, the official said, “We are actively expanding outreach to Congress.” The remarks came as the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Armed Services passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027 on June 11, which obliges the Pentagon chief to report on the transfer roadmap to Congress every 90 days. The bill reads, “Not later than Mar
Israel hits Lebanon with deadly strikes, says four of its troops killed
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM — At least 18 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Friday, Lebanon's health ministry said, while the Israeli military said four soldiers were killed in one of the deadliest single incidents since the latest escalation began. The Lebanese health ministry said intensive airstrikes since midnight had hampered rescue and evacuation efforts, reporting a preliminary toll of 18 dead and 33 wounded that was expected to rise. Residents and Lebanese media said airstrikes and shelling hit several towns in the Nabatieh district overnight and into early Friday, in what Lebanon's state news agency NNA described as one of the heaviest bombardments in recent weeks. Israel said the strikes targeted what it described as Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure across several areas of southern Lebanon and were carried out in response to repeated ceasefire violations by the Iran-backed group. Hezbollah said its fighters ambushed an Israeli force advancing near Ali al-Taher hill in southern Lebanon, destroying three Merkava tanks with guided missiles and targeting tr
World Cup opening week fuels transfer buzz for Lee Kang-in, Lee Han-beom
The opening week of the 2026 World Cup has sparked early transfer speculation around Korea's Lee Kang-in and Lee Han-beom, with European clubs reportedly watching the pair. Spanish outlet Sport said Wednesday that FC Barcelona sporting director Deco recently met Javi Garrido, Lee Kang-in's agent, and that the 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder's name came up during transfer talks. Deco also met the father of 23-year-old Valencia player Javi Guerra. The report did not say Barcelona had made a formal move to sign Lee Kang-in, but noted the club is watching developments alongside Atletico Madrid, which is also reported to be interested. Barcelona's current roster includes 19-year-old Lamine Yamal and 30-year-old Raphinha. Transfermarkt puts Lee Kang-in's value at 28 million euros ($32.1 million) making him the highest-valued player in Group A. He ranks ahead of teammates Son Heung-min, 34, of LAFC at 15 million euros, and Kim Min-jae, 30, of Bayern Munich at 20 million euros. His on-field performance has lived up to expectations. According to data company Gradient Sports, Lee Kang-i
Foreigner stakes in KB Financial exceed 80% as chairman seeks 2nd term
Foreign ownership in KB Financial Group has surpassed 80 percent for the first time since the holding company was established in 2008, as aggressive share cancellations and expanded shareholder returns continue to attract global investors, company officials said Friday. The development has fueled speculation over whether strong backing from overseas shareholders could bolster Chairman Yang Jong-hee's prospects for another term after his mandate expires later this year. As of Thursday, overseas investors held 80.12 percent of KB Financial's shares, equivalent to more than 284.1 million shares, according to the Korea Exchange. Its foreign ownership far exceeds that of its major peers, including Shinhan Financial (61.59 percent), Hana Financial (68.37 percent) and Woori Financial (45.28 percent). Global investors' stakes in Korean banks largely faded after the 2008 global financial crisis, with ownership levels across the sector largely settling into the 40 to 60-percent range for much of the past decade. The surge in overseas ownership has also drawn attention to the future of Yang, whose
KOSPI slips from record high amid US-Iran uncertainty
The KOSPI ended lower Friday after briefly topping 9,300 to set a fresh all-time high, as uncertainty over U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the conflict appeared to weigh on investor sentiment. According to the Korea Exchange, the benchmark index closed at 9,052.42, down 0.13 percent from the previous session, after rising as high as 9,385.59 in intraday trading. However, sentiment weakened in the afternoon after the White House announced that Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Switzerland for follow-up working-level talks on nuclear negotiations with Iran had been postponed. Profit-taking pressure and fatigue from the market’s rapid semiconductor-led rally also contributed to the day’s decline, analysts said. Volatility was high, with the gap between KOSPI’s intraday high and low exceeding 553 points. Foreign and institutional investors sold a net 388.4 billion won ($254.5 million) and 1.23 trillion won worth of shares, respectively. Retail investors, meanwhile, stepped in to provide support, net buying 1.68 trillion won. “The domestic stock market opened higher on the d
New US envoy for complex alliance
The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Michelle Park Steel as Washington's new ambassador to South Korea. According to South Korea’s foreign ministry, several procedural steps, including the issuance of diplomatic credentials, must be completed before she arrives to assume her post. Steel will be the second Korean American to serve as the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, following Sung Kim, who served from 2011 to 2014. Being an envoy with Korean roots can be both an asset and a challenge. Steel can leverage her cultural background and linguistic abilities as a trilingual speaker of English, Korean and Japanese to further strengthen ties between the two countries and advance their shared goals. At the same time, her ethnic background could place her in the middle of competing expectations from both her country of origin and her adopted homeland, the United States. This potential challenge may become particularly pronounced when bilateral relations face difficult tests. The new U.S. envoy takes office at a time when South Korea-U.S. relations have shown s
Lee says Trump believes time has come to refocus on North Korea
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump believes the time has come to pay attention again to North Korea issue, as he recounted his conversation with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier this week. Lee also said he told Trump that the North Korea's nuclear issue should not be approached in the same way that other countries' issues have been dealt with. He reiterated his earlier opinion that the U.S. is the only party capable of resuming dialogue with North Korea. "The topic we discussed at greatest length was the North Korea's nuclear issue and how it should be approached going forward … President Trump said it is time to pay attention to such issue once again,” Lee said during a briefing on the outcome of his 10-day diplomatic tour of Europe through Thursday. The trip included participation in the G7 summit in France from Monday to Wednesday. Lee was seated next to Trump at the summit dinner on Tuesday, where the two leaders engaged in a conversation for more than 90 minutes on matters of mutual interest, reinforcing friendly ties, according t
Assembly speaker urges diplomatic efforts to ensure safe return of Korean vessels from Hormuz Strait
National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik called for all-out diplomatic measures Friday to ensure the safe return of Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, following a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran earlier this week. Cho made the call in a meeting at his office with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, saying "the war in the Middle East has fortunately come to a halt after 106 days." "I urge you to take all possible diplomatic measures to ensure that the 24 vessels and their crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz can return home safely," the parliamentary speaker said. He also stressed that Korea's national interests should be fully protected during follow-up measures after a formal end to the war is declared, adding that the National Assembly will do its part to help ensure the success of the country's pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests. A large number of vessels, including 24 Korea-linked ships, have been stranded in the vital waterway after commercial shipping was largely halted during the war amid threats of missile and drone attacks. T
Uncertainty hangs over timing of US-Iran peace talks as Switzerland meeting scrapped
WASHINGTON/DUBAI/ZURICH — The scrapping of plans for U.S. and Iranian negotiators to meet in Switzerland on Friday created new uncertainty about the timing of talks that will seek to turn a memorandum to end more than three months of war into a more permanent peace deal. Talks could also be complicated by an escalation of fighting in Lebanon, where Israel launched new attacks on Hezbollah militants. Lebanese authorities said 18 people were killed in airstrikes and Israel said four of its soldiers were killed in one of the Iran-backed group's deadliest attacks of the war. The memorandum of understanding signed this week by the Iranian and U.S. presidents left discussion of Iran's nuclear programme and other tough issues until later, giving the sides 60 days to reach a lasting agreement or extend the interim deal. Preparations for technical talks to start in the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock were far advanced when U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday he had dropped plans to attend, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Earlier on Thursday, a source familia
OpenAI brings ChatGPT ads to Korea, keeps paid plans ad-free
OpenAI said Friday it has expanded its ChatGPT advertising pilot program to Korea, making it the sixth market to feature ads after the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Ads will appear only for adult users on ChatGPT's free and Go tiers. Users on paid plans — Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu — will not see advertisements. OpenAI said it is applying three core principles to the rollout: keeping ChatGPT's responses independent from advertiser influence, protecting user conversation data and personal information from advertisers and giving users control over their ad experience. Ads will be clearly labeled as "sponsored content" and kept visually separate from ChatGPT's generated responses. Advertisers will have access only to aggregated performance metrics such as impressions and clicks, and will not be able to view individual users' conversation history or personal data. Users can hide ads, submit feedback and manage ad personalization settings directly within the app. Ads will not be shown to accounts identified or predicted to belong to minors,
Cosmax Neo wins award for waste-reducing packaging design
Cosmax Neo, a functional cosmetics packaging subsidiary of the Cosmax Group, said Thursday it won a prize at the Korea Star Awards 2026, an annual national packaging competition organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The company received the Korea Packaging Technologist Society President's Award for its Smudging Drop Bottle, a container that integrates dispensing and skin application functions into a single structure. When the cap is opened, a built-in applicator automatically rises. Pressing the curved top section releases a measured amount of product through an air-push mechanism, allowing users to apply contents directly to skin without touching the formula by hand. The curved dome design minimizes residue, addressing a common problem with conventional air-push containers that tend to leave excess product behind. The applicator material can be customized to client specifications, and the bottle is compatible with a range of product types including serums, essences and base makeup. The announcement also highlighted the continued international success of the Motion D
Seoul's Jung District prescribes forests to cure urban burnout
For residents of Seoul’s dense architectural core, the relentless landscape of Jung District offers little spatial reprieve. Yet looming just above the financial district's glass towers is a sprawling forest canopy. This year, local authorities are seeking to leverage that proximity to nature, transforming the southern slopes of Mount Nam into an expansive, open-air wellness sanctuary. The Jung District Office announced it will run a suite of free forest leisure programs along the Namsan Sky Forest Trail through November. The initiative, which logged satisfaction rates as high as 97 percent among participants last year, seeks to alleviate urban burnout through specialized ecological therapy, organized trekking and youth sensory education. At the center of this season's push is a newly minted forest therapy program led by certified instructors. Designed to lower stress and restore emotional stability, the sessions guide urbanites through barefoot trail walking, deep meditation and outdoor tea ceremonies. Operating four times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the
Fans' swelling cheer for national football team continue despite heat, defeat
Korea’s first heat wave of the season did little to cool the nation’s football fever Friday, as tens of thousands of fans in red shirts flooded central Seoul to cheer on the national team in its World Cup group match against Mexico — even as the team fell to defeat. By 11 a.m., midway through the lunchtime kickoff, an estimated 18,000 supporters had packed Gwanghwamun Square, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, transforming the stone plaza and surrounding streets into a sea of red. Fans in official jerseys and red T-shirts shielded themselves from the blistering sun with handheld fans, wide-brimmed hats, sun umbrellas and cooling patches, chanting “Dae-han-min-guk” under a relentless 32-degree Celsius sun. “I sneaked out from work just in time for the match,” said Kim Seung-hyun, an office worker from a nearby building, his company ID still hanging around his neck. “People say this World Cup isn’t getting much attention because of controversies surrounding coach Hong Myung-bo and the football association, but when you see this many people out here on a hot w
Summer exhibitions in Seoul celebrate worlds of sci-fi, superfans
For readers looking to escape the sweltering heat of a Korean summer, two municipal cultural spaces are offering portals into entirely different realms — one grounded in distant galaxies, and the other in the fervent devotion of subcultural fandoms. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the launch of two distinct exhibitions at its flagship, book-centric cultural complexes. Seoul Book Bogo, located in Songpa District, is hosting a science fiction and cinema showcase titled “Beyond the Scene” through Aug. 30. Meanwhile, Seoul Art Book Bogo, situated within the Gocheok Sky Dome complex in southwestern Seoul, has opened “Love’s Sudden Crash,” a deep dive into the cultural mechanics of superfandom running through Sept. 6. Run by the Korean Publishers Association, both spaces operate as hybrid cultural centers rather than traditional lending libraries. This summer, they are focusing on how deep cultural immersion can fundamentally shift a person's worldview. At Seoul Book Bogo, the science fiction exhibition reframes the genre as a tool for societal critique rather than mer
Indonesian candy Kopiko steals scenes in K-dramas
Indonesian candy brand Kopiko is stealing scenes in Korean TV and online streaming series. For years, viewers have watched characters in shows popping the sweet into their mouths, with the label prominently displayed. It is not a coincidence: Macrocom, a Seoul-based importer, has paid for the candy's product placement in more than a dozen shows since 2021. It started with "Vincenzo" on tvN, continuing with "Castaway Diva" on the same network in 2023, "Connection" on SBS in 2024, and most recently, "Brave New World," which is currently airing on SBS and Netflix. Macrocom and the brand’s manufacturer PT Mayora Indah Tbk, a major consumer goods company in Indonesia, began targeting the Korean dramas as a way to promote Kopiko. Their strategy for TV producers to show characters eating them to relieve stress and remark on its deliciousness. Over the past four years of TV exposure, Kopiko has built up its brand recognition here, leading to a boost in sales. GS25, a major convenience store franchise brand, sold more than 200,000 packages in a month after it went on shelves in 2024 for 1,000
Amputated leg discovered at Incheon recycling center prompts convalescent hospital probe
Police are investigating a convalescent hospital in Incheon after an amputated leg belonging to an elderly patient turned up at a public recycling facility, raising questions about medical oversight and waste management practices at long-term care facilities. According to police Friday, the convalescent hospital in Jung District bandaged the amputated leg of a patient in their 80s and disposed of it in a medical waste container earlier this month. The following day, a volunteer cleaning a trash mistook the leg for plaster cast debris and placed it in a recyclables bag. The leg was discovered last week by a resource recovery center employee sorting recyclables in Yeonsu District, Incheon. Unable to identify the owner, police mobilized more than 100 personnel and collected DNA from families of adult missing persons in Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. The case was resolved Wednesday when the hospital came forward voluntarily, and the National Forensic Service confirmed a match between the patient and the recovered leg. Police said they plan to consult experts, including the Korean Medical Ass
From France to AI: Seoul book fair returns next week
The 68th edition of the Seoul International Book Fair is less than a week away. Scheduled to take place from June 24 to 28, one of Korea's longest-running literary events has already demonstrated its popularity, with early-bird tickets selling out ahead of the opening. This year's fair is bringing together 538 publishers from Korea and abroad, along with 326 speakers and authors participating in book talks, lectures and workshops. The popular event has recently faced criticism from some small publishers, who argued that its growing scale and commercialization have marginalized independent presses from the book fair. Exploring AI and future of humanity Artificial intelligence (AI) will be a major theme throughout the fair. The event's keynote lecture will feature novelist Eun Hee-kyung and poet Hwang In-chan, who will examine representations of the body in literature and the meaning of human embodiment in an AI-driven era. AI will also be the focus of a separate session featuring actor and writer Kim Shin-rok and neuroscientist Chang Dong-seon. Together, they will explore a question: Can h
EJAE celebrates ‘extraordinary’ World Cup experience with fiancé
EJAE is celebrating a major career milestone with her future husband by her side. The Korean American singer-songwriter shared a series of photos from her trip to Mexico City following her performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, including a snapshot with her fiancé, Sam Kim. “Such an extraordinary experience! Mexico City, you are beautiful,” EJAE wrote alongside the Instagram post on Wednesday. In one photo, the couple press their cheeks together while posing at Estadio Azteca, offering fans a rare glimpse into their relationship just months before their wedding. EJAE and Kim are set to tie the knot in November. EJAE took the stage at Estadio Azteca during the World Cup’s opening festivities, joining Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli for a performance of “DNA,” the tournament’s official anthem. David Guetta and Megan Thee Stallion also appear on the recorded track, while EJAE contributed Korean lyrics to the song. The singer also drew attention for wearing sneakers during the performance rather than dress shoes, reportedly to help minimize damage to the stadium’
Beat the heat with these easy-to-make summer drinks
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As temperatures rise, many people find themselves saying, “I keep drinking water, but I’m still thirsty.” After heavy sweating, the body loses not only water but also electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. As a result, drinking plain water alone may not always be enough to relieve thirst. In hot weather, beverages that replenish both fluids and electrolytes can help restore hydration more effectively. Cucumbers are more than 95 percent water, making them a quintessential summer food. Adding lemon provides a refreshing flavor that may encourage people to drink more water. Cucumbers are also rich in potassium, which helps maintain the body's fluid balance, while lemons contain vitamin C and citric acid. Lemon-cucumber water is easy to prepare: Simply thinly slice cucumber and lemon, add them to water, and refrigerate for a few hours. However, people with acid reflux or stomach disorders should avoid adding too much lemon. Coconut water contains electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, earning it the nickname "natural sports drink.
Korea in good position to reach knockouts despite loss to Mexico
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea will not win Group A of the ongoing FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 loss to co-host Mexico on Thursday, but with one group match remaining, there are still multiple pathways for the Taegeuk Warriors to reach the knockout phase. By beating the home side Mexico at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, Korea would have clinched the top spot in their group and become the first team at this year's tournament to book a spot in the knockouts. But Mexico had other ideas, with Luis Romo capitalizing on a Korean miscue in the 50th minute for the narrow victory that gave them six points. Korea, who began the competition with a 2-1 win over Czechia last week, are in second place with three points. Czechia had a 1-1 draw against South Africa to pick up their first point. South Africa also have one point but trail Czechia on goal difference. The head-to-head record between the tied teams is the first tiebreaker, followed by the goal difference. If Korea beat South Africa and Mexico lose to Czechia in their finales, then Korea and Mexico will both finish with six points. However, Mex
Ex-defense minister sentenced to 3 years in prison for leaking military secrets
A Seoul court on Friday sentenced former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to a three-year prison term for leaking military secrets to a civilian in the lead-up to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty on charges of conspiring with others to hand over a list of more than 40 military intelligence personnel to Noh Sang-won, a retired general and former head of the Defense Intelligence Command (DIC), between October and November of 2024. The court recognized special counsel Cho Eun-suk's argument Kim and Noh had planned to use the list, which included information of covert intelligence agents, to form a special investigation unit under martial law that would probe alleged election-rigging. "The defendant used the military command system to play a decisive role in allowing former commander Noh, a civilian, to get access to personal information of DIC agents," the court said. "It led to the grave result of an unconstitutional and illegal emergency martial law." The ruling fell short of the special counsel team'
Jeonbuk National University rises in QS World University Rankings 2027
Jeonbuk National University strengthened its global standing with significant improvements across major indicators in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the university said Thursday. The university ranked 23rd in Korea and third among the country’s national flagship universities, while its global ranking rose by 27 places from the previous year to 677th worldwide. It showed growth across research, education and internationalization, with scores improving in six of the nine evaluation indicators. The QS World University Rankings is a globally recognized university evaluation system that assesses institutions across nine indicators in five key areas: research quality, employability, learning environment, internationalization and sustainability. It is widely regarded as one of the key benchmarks for measuring a university’s global competitiveness. In the QS evaluation, Jeonbuk National University was found to have further strengthened the quality and global impact of its research performance, with an increase in the citations per faculty indicator, which reflects research competitiv
Public power generation firms' proposed merger sparks debate
A third-party analysis proposing that the government merge Korea's five state-run power generation companies to streamline structural inefficiency is prompting debates, with civic groups arguing Friday that the merger would still fail to incentivize generators to minimize costs and ultimately expand the use of renewable energy. A day earlier, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment revealed a study report conducted by Samil PwC on optimal scenarios that could improve the efficiency of five state-run power companies — Korea South-East Power, Korea Midland Power, Korea Western Power, Korea Southern Power and Korea East-West Power. The companies were originally a singular subsidiary under the country’s exclusive state-run power distributor Korea Electric Power Corp. They were all separated in 2001 as individual entities under the government’s power industry restructuring plan. The report said merging them back is “structurally most appropriate.” It noted that while the government is seeking to introduce renewable energy-based power facilities with an overall capacity of 1
Korean goalkeeper shoulders blame for costly miscue
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu pointed a finger at himself for a miscue that cost his team in a 1-0 loss to Mexico in Group A action at the FIFA World Cup on Thursday. The match's lone goal, scored by Luis Romo in the 50th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, came off a preventable misplay inside the Korean box. Kim jumped to grab an innocuous header by Raul Jimenez but then crashed into the back of his own defender Lee Gi-hyuk on his way down. The ball was poked loose toward Romo, who scored easily into the empty net. It was the lone blemish in what was an otherwise strong match for Kim, who made a couple of big saves to keep the final score tight. "This is the life of a goalkeeper. You can play well, but you will ultimately be judged by the one you give up," Kim said. "I should have focused better in that situation. When the ball went up in the air, I figured I would only have my teammates around me. I tried to play it safe, but things went wrong there." As for how he communicated with Lee on the play, Kim said: "You have to be really quick in those situations.
Seoul pitches itself as Asia’s quantum gateway to court European tech firms
The Seoul Investment Promotion Agency staged a targeted investment seminar, dubbed “Seoul Forward,” at Europe’s largest tech conference this week, making a direct pitch to European innovators to view the Korean capital as their primary gateway into the Asian market. The event, held as an official workshop at the Viva Technology conference in Paris, reflects Seoul's intensifying efforts to court foreign tech firms in highly specialized, high-stakes sectors like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Rather than relying on broad bureaucratic promises, the agency anchored its pitch on a high-profile validation: Pasqal, the French neutral-atom quantum computing heavyweight. Representatives from Pasqal shared their firsthand experience establishing a footprint in Seoul, citing the city's robust tech infrastructure, engineering talent pool and strategic position for regional expansion as critical factors in their successful deployment. Following the case study, Korean investment officials conducted one-on-one intensive consultations with a curated group of European startups spec
North Korea accused of illegally broadcasting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches
North Korea is facing renewed allegations that its state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) aired 2026 FIFA World Cup matches without securing broadcast rights. Media outlet Alerta Mundial's account on X, formerly Twitter, said Wednesday that footage from the broadcast appeared to show country names with North Korean spelling, including Ivory Coast, Sweden and Tunisia. The video included a caption identifying the game as a World Cup group-stage match. The account said KCTV appears to be using foreign satellite feeds from neighboring countries such as China because Pyongyang lacks official permission from FIFA, football's governing body. The broadcasts could raise copyright infringement concerns if KCTV aired the matches without permission from rights holders. North Korea has a history of similar controversies, facing accusations of unauthorized broadcasts during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and UEFA Champions League matches. In July 2023, FIFA issued warnings after confirming unauthorized broadcasts of the Women's World Cup inside North Korea. The current allegations follow the breakdow
Actress Han Ga-in tours hidden mountain route closed to public for 600 Years near Cheong Wa Dae
Actress Han Ga-in became the first civilian to visit a section of Mount Bugak that has remained off-limits to the public since the Joseon Dynasty era, unveiling what has often been described as a "DMZ in the heart of Seoul." On Wednesday, Han's YouTube channel uploaded a video titled, "First-ever access: Han Ga-in enters a hidden area behind Cheong Wa Dae that even presidents couldn't visit." In the video, Han meets with an official from the Presidential Security Service to tour a trail on Mount Bugak, the mountain behind Cheong Wa Dae. Asked about the trail, the security official explained, "This area has not been open to civilians for more than 600 years." He added, "Mount Bugak is like an urban DMZ. The place we're visiting today has never been opened to the general public, from the Joseon Dynasty until today." Expressing her excitement, Han said, "This is amazing. We're the first to reveal it." When told that she would be the first ordinary citizen to set foot in the area, she replied, "Really? It's such an honor. After 600 years. Is it because of security reasons?" The security officia
30 years after OECD: Time to move beyond Korea’s developmental state
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Korea’s accession to the OECD. The OECD has assessed that Korea has achieved substantial quantitative growth, with per capita GDP approaching the OECD average, an improvement in addressing inequality and an overall rise in the quality of life, as reflected in longer life expectancy. The Korean economy achieved compressed growth through the developmental state model. In the 1960s, the government protected and nurtured infant industries. In the 1970s, it shifted toward export-heavy and chemical industries, creating an industrial structure centered on family-run conglomerates. Samsung, which began in the fertilizer industry, expanded into electronics. LG built the foundation for its electronics business with the help of the government’s radio distribution movement and import restrictions. Hyundai moved into the automobile and shipbuilding industries, based on national infrastructure construction, while Hanjin, after accumulating logistics experience during the Vietnam War, acquired Korean Air. From the 1980s onward, the government focused on fost
PM vows to properly honor patriots, fallen heroes
The government of President Lee Jae Myung will do its best to make sure that the sacrifices and dedication that patriots and fallen heroes made for the country will be properly recognized and honored, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday. Kim made the remark after awarding state decorations to patriots, their families and those credited with promoting the well-being of patriots, saying the freedom, peace and prosperity South Korea enjoys today were made possible by the "earnest dreams and sacrifices of patriotic martyrs for the country." "President Lee Jae Myung said that upholding the spirits of patriotic martyrs and fallen heroes and providing them with due respect is a historical duty that we must fulfill," Kim said, noting a series of measures that the government has taken to help patriots and bereaved families live better lives. "The government will look after the lives of state-honored patriots and their families in a more robust manner," he said. Kim also said the best way to honor the sacrifices of patriots is to build a peaceful and democratic nation where every member of soc
Sungkyunkwan University researchers develop technology for brain-like balanced learning
A Sungkyunkwan University research team has developed a technology that can strengthen or weaken the memory of an artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor device simply by changing the color of light. The university said Thursday that the team has devised a next-generation synapse for artificial neural networks by utilizing the “disorder” and “defect” characteristics — long regarded as inherent challenges of semiconductor materials — as a means of maintaining memory homeostasis. It added that the technology mimics the human brain by allowing important information to be retained for a long time, while weakening access to unnecessary information. The team, led by professors Jo Sae-byeok and Yang Woo-seok at the university’s School of Chemical Engineering, said the technology is expected to be applied to next-generation artificial intelligence chips to consume less power, as well as “see-and-remember” artificial eyes. The findings were published May 18 in the international science journal Nature Communications under the title, “Disorder-mediated Non-equilibrium Photocu
Japanese Embassy in Seoul showcases culinary heritage and regional flavors
The Embassy of Japan in Seoul hosted a special reception showcasing the appeal, quality and safety of Japanese agricultural, forestry and fishery products, offering a platform for policymakers, industry leaders and media representatives from Japan and Korea to exchange views over a shared appreciation of food. Held to promote Japan’s rich culinary culture, the event featured an array of dishes prepared with ingredients sourced from across Japan, including premium seafood, Japanese rice, wagyu beef and regional sake. In his welcoming remarks, Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima underscored the role of food in fostering mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the two neighboring countries. “Today’s reception is dedicated to promoting the appeal of Japanese food products,” Mizushima said. “I hope everyone will enjoy the reception while gaining a deeper understanding of the deliciousness and safety of Japanese food.” Addressing attendees, Yukinori Nemoto, Japan’s State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, emphasized the strong connections betwee
Korea turns traditional crafts into regional tourism drivers
Korea is launching an ambitious cultural initiative aimed at transforming its local heritage into a vibrant driver for regional tourism, leveraging its ancient artisanal traditions to stimulate local economies. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in tandem with the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, launched "Korea Craft Week 2026" on Friday. Running through June 28, the ninth edition of this national festival spans 10 cities across five regional hubs, presenting more than 450 cultural events designed to weave traditional artistry directly into the fabric of everyday life. The policy marks a distinct shift toward sustainable, stay-based travel. By reinterpreting local histories through a modern artisanal lens, officials hope to inject economic vitality into provincial destinations facing demographic challenges. This year's primary focus settles on Buyeo, an ancient fortress town in South Chungcheong Province. The government has effectively turned the entire village of Gyuam-myeon into an open-air theater of heritage. Visitors can wander through the "123 Sabi Craft Village," eng
AI race pushes LG CNS and Doosan into broad technology alliance
As companies scramble to secure an edge in artificial intelligence and automation, LG CNS and Doosan Corp. have agreed to join forces in a wide-ranging partnership that stretches from agentic AI and robotics to data centers and cloud computing. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday at LG Sciencepark in Seoul to strengthen their competitiveness in emerging technology businesses, including AI transformation, robot transformation, data centers and cloud services. The agreement brings together LG CNS’ digital transformation capabilities and Doosan Corp.’s industrial technology expertise at a time when businesses are investing heavily in AI-driven productivity and next-generation infrastructure. Under the deal, the companies said they will establish a joint business cooperation body within one month and develop detailed plans for collaborative projects. One of the central pillars of the partnership is AI transformation. LG CNS said it will leverage its enterprise agentic AI platform, AgenticWorks, to help strengthen Doosan Corp.’s agentic AI capabilities and develop
To woo Japanese travelers, Korea taps enduring J-pop icon
For millions of Japanese citizens who have never ventured beyond their nation’s borders, Korea is making a direct, highly personalized pitch to become their first passport stamp — and it has enlisted one of Japan’s most enduring pop culture icons to lead the charge. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Tourism Organization, announced the launch of the “My First Trip to Korea” campaign. Running from June through December, the initiative specifically targets the large segment of the Japanese population that holds no prior travel experience abroad, aiming to lower both the economic and psychological barriers that often discourage international novice travelers. To break through decades of insular travel habits, Seoul is relying heavily on Tsuyoshi Kusanagi. To a generation of Japanese television viewers, Kusanagi is the affable, remarkably versatile former member of SMAP, the legendary boy band that dominated J-pop for a quarter-century. Armed with an earnest, self-deprecating charm and remarkably fluent Korean, Kusanagi has long bridged the complicat
Korea’s new tourism strategy: pop-ups, tailored tickets
Seeking to capitalize on the soaring global appetite for Korean culture, the government is transforming mundane transit hubs into immersive cinematic portals designed to bring international travelers deeper into the provinces. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, launched the "Global K-Festival Pop-up Store" Friday. Running through July 5 at Seoul Station and Noon Square in downtown's Myeong-dong shopping district, the interactive hubs present local festivals not as regional events, but as premier international destinations. The initiative targets a persistent challenge in Korea’s tourism industry: the heavy concentration of foreign visitors in the capital. By deploying multilingual staff and interactive media, the ministry aims to redirect foot traffic toward 10 selected cultural celebrations across the country, including the Incheon Pentaport Music Festival, the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Daegu Chimaek (chicken and beer) Festival. Designed around the theme "Feel the Vibe, Live the Festival," the pop-up spaces mimic class
MSCI cites improved access to Korea-linked investment products ahead of review
Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) said Friday that the Korean financial market has improved in terms of the availability of investment instruments ahead of next week's annual market classification review, while noting that underlying accessibility issues remain unresolved. "Derivative products linked to Korean indexes have recently been listed on international exchanges," it wrote in its 2026 global market accessibility review, upgrading its assessment from minus to plus. A plus rating means there are no major issues, though there is still room for improvement. MSCI said some restrictions remain in Korea on the use of exchange data for the creation of financial products. The Korean market received minus ratings in six of the 18 assessment categories last year. But this year, as the availability of investment instruments category was upgraded to plus, the number of minus-rated categories fell to five: the foreign exchange market liberalization level, investor registration and account setup, information flow, clearing and settlement, and transferability. "Authorities have continu
[PHOTOS] Football fans cheer for their teams at Gwanghwamun Square
Mexican and Korean fans gather at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square during Korea's second group stage match against Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Friday. Korea lost the match 0-1. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
'Onggi Jonggi' art exhibition features Korea-based global artists who explore beyond social media and algorithms
Six global artists from diverse backgrounds are displaying their work during Insa Art Week at TOPOHAUS Gallery in central Seoul’s Insa-dong neighborhood, in group exhibition titled "Onggi Jonggi." Co-curated by Ella Kaill, founder and editor of Half Local magazine, the exhibition's vision is to step outside the frame of social media. "Onggi Jonggi," a term evoking a charming, irregular gathering of people or things, presents photography, paintings, sketches, textile work and pixel art, providing an exploration of Seoul through fresh and often unconventional perspectives. "We wanted to look at Korea in a slightly different way. If you look at social media, everything about Korea is Seongsu, pop-up stores and Olive Young. Those things are fine, but they're not the only things about Korea," she told The Korea Times at an opening event on June 12. Kaill, who first moved to Korea from England in 2019, was drawn by a long-standing fascination with the country. Having studied Korean language, cinema, culture and history at SOAS University of London, she arrived with a deeper understanding of
Vance delays trip to Switzerland to lead new US talks with Iran on its nuclear program
WASHINGTON — The White House said Thursday night that Vice President JD Vance was delaying a trip to Switzerland, where he'd been set to lead a new round of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program — raising questions about what's next for the tentative agreement to end the war. The team led by Vance had been ready to leave but was postponing, the White House said, citing difficult logistics for negotiations. The announcement followed a report from Al-Mayadeen, a pan-Arab satellite channel that is politically allied with the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, that Iran was delaying sending its delegation to Switzerland over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon. Vance, who was initially personally skeptical of the U.S. going to war with Iran , has increasingly become the administration’s face of the conflict and has been outspoken in defending the deal. Earlier Thursday, he took the relatively unusual step of appearing at the White House to defend the initial deal to extend the ceasefire 60 days and allow for more negotiating — arguing that while
Global memory chip market to quadruple in 2026: data
The global memory chip market is expected to more than quadruple this year from a year earlier, driven by growing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, industry data showed Friday. The global memory market is projected to reach 1,500 trillion won ($975 billion) in 2026, up 4.2 times from 360 trillion won recorded last year, according to data from industry tracker Counterpoint Research. The sharp growth is attributed to surging demand for server memory products, including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and NAND flash memory, as tech companies, particularly in North America, ramp up investments in AI infrastructure. Server memory products are expected to account for 56 percent of total memory revenue this year, up from 37 percent in 2025, surpassing the halfway mark for the first time. Counterpoint Research said the structural shift toward server-oriented memory products has become a key driver of growth in the memory market. The research firm added that widening supply-demand imbalances stemming from strong server memory demand are pushing memory prices higher, wi
Korea coach implores players to hold heads high after loss to Mexico
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo praised his players for their effort following a 1-0 loss to Mexico on Thursday at the FIFA World Cup, saying they now need to shift their focus to their final group stage match instead of dwelling on the defeat. Korea looked to be in control of the match but conceded the match's lone goal five minutes after the restart at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu came off his line to grab a header by Raul Jimenez in the air but then crashed into the back of his own defender, Lee Gi-hyuk, on the way down. Luis Romo was in the right spot at the right time for El Tri, as he slotted home the ball that had spilled loose. "The result is quite disappointing but the players executed their plans well overall," Hong said. "It's a shame we conceded the goal the way we did but the players gave their best effort." Hong said he hadn't yet spoken to the team about the fateful play and he speculated that Kim and Lee had a communication breakdown. "We expected Mexico to come out firing from the get-go and I reminded our pl
Unlucky Korea lack precision in loss to Mexico
Korea's 1-0 loss to Mexico in their Group A showdown at the FIFA World Cup on Thursday came on a combination of their lack of precision and a stroke of bad luck. The Taegeuk Warriors didn't quite have the clinical touch to finish off their opportunities in the frustrating loss at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, while they gifted a goal to the home side in a preventable miscue. The teams didn't score in a careful first half, though Korea made their intent clear. They wanted to hold on to the ball and bide their time trying to find space behind the defense, not to be deterred by groans and whistles from a restless, partisan Mexican crowd in the stands. Some active off-the-ball movements gave Korea some dangerous looks but their timing was just a tiny bit off — leading to four offside violations in the first half alone. One such call came on captain Son Heung-min's opportunity in the 16th minute, when he went one-on-one goalkeeper Raul Rangel and floated a shot into what was momentarily an empty net. Defender Edson Alvarez somehow kept it out with an acrobatic overhead cle
Unification ministry vows to find 'phased, viable' path to denuclearization
The unification ministry said Friday its stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, vowing to seek "phased, viable" solutions. The ministry made the remarks a day after North Korea reiterated the stance of not giving up its nuclear weapons. "The government has no change in its position to seek phased, viable solutions for denuclearization, which are mutually acceptable based on the reality," Chang Yoon-jeong, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing. The previous night, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, lashed out at a Group of Seven statement released Wednesday at the summit in France, which reaffirmed their commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea under U.N. Security Council resolutions. Kim called Pyongyang's nuclear arsenal its "core interests" and denuclearization a "line of no retreat that can never be crossed." Jang said Kim's statement appeared to be a reiteration of a position she had already staked out earlier this month, when she similarly declared the nuclear program central
Toothless Team Korea falls to Mexico
Korea’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup are still up in the air after a 1-0 loss to Mexico in Guadalajara on Thursday (local time). A second half goalkeeping error from Kim Seung-gyu handed the hosts the goal, the three points and an early place in the Round of 32. Korea meanwhile still has to face South Africa next week, needing a point to be sure of advancing but no longer able to finish in first place in Group A. Ultimately it was a frustrating performance from Hong Myung-bo’s team, who impressed when beating the Czech Republic 2-1 last week. Kim’s error will be the talking point but, at the opposite end of the field, Korea failed to trouble the Mexican defense until the final moments of the game. The first task of any team playing in front of a hostile crowd is to take the sting out of the atmosphere and that is what Korea did in the first half. The Asian team controlled much of the match, setting the tempo, even if there was little action in the penalty area for fans watching back home to get excited about. Mexico, who went closest with a Julian Qui
Korea fall to Mexico for 1st loss in Group A
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea fell to co-host Mexico 1-0 on Thursday for their first loss in Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, unable to clinch a knockout berth early. Luis Romo scored the lone goal for El Tri in the 50th minute before a delighted home crowd at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico. Korea, after beating Czechia 2-1 to begin the competition last week, remained at three points and now sit in second place behind Mexico, who improved to six points to win Group A with one match to spare. Czechia and South Africa, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier Thursday, are each at one point, with Czechia occupying third place thanks to their superior goal difference. Korea will close out the group stage against South Africa next Wednesday in Monterrey, northeastern Mexico, while Mexico will do so against Czechia on the same day in Mexico City. With the tournament having expanded to 48 nations, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will progress to the round of 32, joined by the eight best third-place teams. Korea will qualify for the knockouts and finish second in Group A by be
Human rights body calls for detained foreigners' access to outside hospitals
The state human rights watchdog recommended that foreign nationals held in immigration detention who require surgery be allowed to receive surgical treatment at outside hospitals, saying the failure to provide appropriate care amounts to a human rights violation. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said Friday it recommended to Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho that immigration detainees needing surgery be given access to outside hospitals, following two complaints filed in January. In the first case, a petitioner acting on behalf of a detainee at an immigration detention center alleged that the center director had neglected to provide appropriate care for the detainee's toe and finger injuries, which required surgery. In the second, a detainee at the same facility filed directly with the commission, alleging the center had failed to provide appropriate medical care for a knee injury requiring surgery. The detention center told the commission that outside medical visits require strict approval based on injury severity and flight risk. It added that its medical unit had been providi
'Summer’s Camera' captures gentle first love, grief
Director Divine Sung makes a memorable feature debut with "Summer’s Camera," a movie that explores the delicate intersection of teenage romance and family grief. The film approaches complex human relationships through a soft lens, focusing on how memories can cause grief but also help a person grow. The story centers on a high school freshman named Summer (Kim Si-a), who stops taking photos after her father passes away. She constantly carries her late father’s old film camera around in her bag, but she cannot bring herself to shoot the remaining four pictures left on the roll. Her frozen world begins to change during a warm summer day at school. Summer encounters Yeon-woo (Yu Ga-eun), a star player on the school football team, and feels an immediate attraction. This sudden spark motivates her to pick up the camera again to capture Yeon-woo’s daily moments. The movie takes a turn after Summer discovers old photographs of a man named Maru (Kwak Min-gyu) on the roll. Through these pictures, Summer uncovers a deep secret — her father had a male lover during his high school years. Wond
Mexico defeats Korea 1-0 in World Cup Group A match
Mexico's midfielder Luis Romo, second from left, shoots and scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and Korea at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Thursday (local time). AFP-Yonhap
Election watchdog panel recommends criminal probe into ex-chief over ballot shortage
The National Election Commission's (NEC) fact-finding committee investigating ballot shortages during the recent local elections called for a criminal probe into the commission's former chief Friday, saying the management of the elections was marked by a "total failure." Cho Hyun-wook, chairperson of the committee, made the announcement during a briefing at the NEC headquarters, as the panel wrapped up a weeklong investigation conducted to determine the cause of the ballot shortages. The committee recommended that former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak, who stepped down from his post over the debacle, be referred for criminal investigation. It also stressed that the NEC requires a sweeping overhaul tantamount to dismantling the organization. The committee, launched on June 10, consisted of six members recommended by civic organizations, media, legal and academic communities.
PM to travel to China next week for Summer Davos Forum
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok will travel to China next week to attend a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting and hold bilateral meetings with senior Chinese officials, his office said Friday. During the three-day trip starting Monday, Kim is scheduled to deliver a special address at the annual WEF meeting, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, to be held in the Chinese coastal city of Dalian. Kim also plans to meet with senior Chinese officials and attend economic and other events, the office said without elaborating on whom he is scheduled to meet with, including whether Kim's Chinese counterpart, Premier Li Qiang, is among them. "Prime Minister Kim's trip is expected to provide an opportunity to outline our government's innovative economic vision to the international community and strengthen international cooperation while at the same time carrying on the trend of recent high-level exchanges between Korea and China to accelerate mutually beneficial cooperation," the office said.
Gov't to expand supply of imported eggs amid price hikes
Korea will supply around 4.48 million imported eggs to the local market each week through July as part of efforts to address a decline in the domestic supply following avian influenza outbreaks, the agricultural ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said a total of 21.12 million eggs imported from the United States and Thailand will be supplied under the scheme, aiming to ease rising consumer prices. "Local egg prices have been rising due to highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks during the previous winter season, along with efforts to improve stocking density at poultry farms," the ministry said. The retail price of a carton of 30 eggs stood at 7,506 won ($4.83) as of mid-June, up 7.1 percent from a year earlier. The daily average domestic egg supply came to 47.05 million this month, down 3.3 percent from a year earlier, the ministry added. The ministry said Korea's egg production is expected to recover to last year's level in July as young hens begin laying eggs. "The number of egg-laying hens has been gradually increasing, with production also re
Luis Romo scores for Mexico vs. Korea
Mexico's midfielder Luis Romo, left, and Korea's midfielder Lee Jae-sung fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Korea at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Thursday (local time). AFP-Yonhap
Korea, Mexico goalless at halftime
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea and co-host Mexico went scoreless in the first half of their Group A battle at the FIFA World Cup in western Mexico on Thursday. The teams traded some jabs without either side landing a big blow in the opening 45 minutes at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan. The winner of this match will win Group A with one match to spare and book a ticket to the knockout stage. Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo made one lineup change from the previous match, with wingback Kim Moon-hwan drawing in for Lee Tae-seok. Seol Young-woo, who played as the right back against Czechia, slid over to left, with Kim taking over on the right side. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, who made some match-saving stops against Czechia, was once again the first-choice custodian. Lee Gi-hyuk, Kim Min-jae and Lee Han-beom started their second straight match together in front of Kim Seung-gyu in the back-three system. Hwang In-beom, named the Man of the Match against Czechia with a goal and an assist, started in midfield with Paik Seung-ho. Lee Jae-sung and Lee Kang-in were the attacking midfielders behind captain S
Fans gather at Gwanghwamun to root for Korea in World Cup match against Mexico
Thousands of fans were gathered in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Friday to cheer for their national football team in its group stage match against Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the game scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m., around 2,300 people had arrived at the plaza in central Seoul as of 9 a.m., according to an unofficial police estimate. Fans waved and took photos whenever they appeared on the electronic display board. Street cheering has become a cultural phenomenon in Korea since it co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when millions filled major city streets to support the national team. "I stayed up all night and I am exhausted, but I plan to watch the game until the final whistle before heading home to sleep," 19-year-old Kwon Hyuk-woo said. Fans offered differing score predictions. Lee Seung-jun, 36, expected a 3-0 victory driven by Korean captain Son Heung-min's hat trick. Bae Jun-gi, 19, forecast a tie against a tough Mexican squad, adding, "But I would still be thrilled if we won." Mexican fans wrapped in their national flags also joined the crowd. "I found about the street
Severed leg found at recycling center was mistakenly thrown out by hospital worker: police
A severed human leg found at a public recycling facility in Incheon last week was mistakenly thrown out by a hospital volunteer worker, police said Friday. The Incheon Yeonsu Police Station has been investigating the origin of the body part, which was discovered during a sorting process at the recycling center in the city west of Seoul on June 10. The leg belonged to an 80-something patient at a nursing hospital in the city, who underwent an amputation surgery two days earlier, according to the police. The leg was wrapped in bandage and placed in a container for medical waste but the volunteer worker mistook it for a cast and threw it out as recyclable waste, they said. The investigation picked up speed after the hospital reported its likely involvement to the police, helped by the head of the nursing department who had seen a news report on the discovery on Wednesday. Police took a DNA sample from the patient and sent it to the National Forensic Service, which confirmed the limb belonged to him. Police said they are looking into possible violations of the medical law related to the hospit
BioTNS selected as host of gov't's ultra-precision digital PCR project
BioTNS, a Korean molecular diagnostics company, was selected as the host organization to spearhead a 30 billion won ($19.53 million) government program to set up technical standards for ultra-precision digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (dPCR) diagnostics, according to the company, Friday. With 15 institutions participating, the program is a seven-year initiative to secure global leadership in next-generation molecular diagnostics by establishing technical standards for dPCR. Through the program, the government seeks to overcome the core limitations of legacy molecular testing methods and build a critical infrastructure for ultra-precision medicine based on domestic technologies. Along with BioTNS, the consortium includes six companies, two state-backed research institutes and seven university hospitals. Participating companies include Gencurix, Hanil Scientific, JNP Medi and Omicsyn, while GC Labs will support clinical validation and commercialization. The National NanoFab Center and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology will provide technology support. Seven hosp
Navy holds fleet exercises in waters off western, southern coasts
The Navy said Friday it conducted live fleet exercises in waters off the western and southern coasts earlier this week as part of efforts to boost combat readiness. The four-day drills that began Tuesday, involving around 20 surface ships and naval aircraft, were aimed at honing responses to various maritime contingencies and regional operational environments to ensure each fleet maintains a firm combat readiness posture, the Navy said in a release. The Second Fleet, in charge of defending the Yellow Sea, deployed the 7,600-ton Aegis-equipped ROKS Yulgok Yi I destroyer, the flagship 3,200-ton Eulji Mundeok warship, and the P-3C and P-8A patrol aircraft, as well as the AW-159 and Lynx naval combat helicopters. Also joining the drills were the KF-16 fighter of the Air Force and the AH-64E Apache attack chopper of the U.S. Forces Korea. The Third Fleet based on the southern coast mobilized the 4,400-ton Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer and the 2,500-ton Jeonbuk frigate, along with patrol aircraft and naval helicopters. The drills in the Yellow Sea focused on countering special operatio
Hyundai Rotem secures $487.3 mil. railway maintenance project in Morocco
Hyundai Rotem said Friday it has secured a railway maintenance contract worth 748.2 billion won ($487.3 million) in Morocco, building on a major train supply deal previously signed with the North African country. The defense and railway equipment unit of Hyundai Motor Group signed the agreement with Morocco's national railway operator, ONCF, in the capital city of Rabat on Thursday (local time). The project covers the maintenance of all 440 train cars to be supplied by Hyundai Rotem and will be carried out over a 20-year period through a joint venture established by the company and ONCF. The deal follows Hyundai Rotem's 2.23 trillion-won contract secured in February last year to supply double-decker electric trains to Morocco. The trains are expected to operate on routes connecting major cities centered around Casablanca as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
[PHOTOS] 2026 World Cup Korea vs Mexico
Korean fans cheer for their team outside Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico, ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and Korea, June 18. AFP-Yonhap
Police refer ex-President Yoon to prosecution over his wife's luxury bag case
Police have referred former President Yoon Suk Yeol to the prosecution over allegations of violating the anti-graft law in connection with his wife's alleged receipt of a luxury bag in 2022, sources said Friday. A special police investigation team is said to have sent the case to the prosecution on June 9, accusing the jailed former president of failing to report the Dior bag worth 5.4 million won ($3,500) to the state auditor. The team believes Yoon was aware that his wife, Kim Keon Hee, accepted the bag from a pastor in June 2022. It marks the latest criminal case against Yoon, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in February on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed martial law bid in December 2024. He has appealed the ruling. Yoon's wife is currently standing trial on bribery-related charges for her alleged acceptance of the Dior bag and other valuables, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace. A special counsel team has sought a prison term of seven years and six months for the former first lady in the case. The sentencing hearing for that trial is scheduled for July
Leftist ‘martyr’ now tries to save his own rear
Many progressives elevated accused killer Luigi Mangione to folk-hero status after he was arrested and accused of gunning down a health insurance executive in cold blood in New York City in late 2024. The horrifically twisted theory is that executing business executives should be celebrated if it seemingly advances some left-wing cause du jour. But it’s quite telling how this leftist vigilante has now gone weak-kneed when it comes to sacrificing for his misguided cause. On Wednesday, CBS News reported that Mangione’s defense “will argue that he was suffering from an extreme emotional disturbance” when he killed Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. This could allow a jury to convict him on the lesser charge of manslaughter. It’s not an insanity defense, but it is an effort to blame psychiatric problems for Mangione’s actions. “It seems like they are giving up the question of who did it,” legal expert Richard Schoenstein told the network. “This is a defense when you are conceding that he is the person who pulled the trigger. You’re not fighting that anymore. Yo
Seoul stocks sharply up late Friday morning on chip rally
Seoul stocks traded sharply higher late Friday morning, buoyed by chips and other tech heavyweights, after topping the historic 9,000 landmark the previous session. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 200.67 points, or 2.21 percent, to 9,264.51, as of 11:20 a.m., after peaking above 9,300 at one point. The index followed gains on Wall Street overnight, lead by major chipmakers, including Intel. The U.S. semiconductor company jumped after President Donald Trump said the firm had agreed to a deal with Apple to design and manufacture chips in the United States. In Seoul, market top-cap Samsung Electronics rose 1.38 percent, while its industry rival SK hynix jumped 5.92 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor moved up 1.33 percent, battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 1.88 percent, while nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility retreated 2.41 percent. The Korean won was quoted at 1,538.1 won against the U.S. dollar, as of 11:23 a.m., down 11 won from the previous session.
US-Iran MOU poses new opportunities, challenges for Korea: finance minister
The recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending their conflict presents both opportunities and challenges for Korea, the finance minister said Friday, noting the government will implement post-conflict economic policies. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol made the remark during a ministerial meeting on international economic affairs, saying the government will seek to create long-term opportunities while strengthening its economic security and enhancing supply chain resilience. "We will aim to secure areas of cooperation with Middle Eastern nations on reconstruction and improving their fiscal health," the finance minister said. "We will address risks in the global supply chain highlighted by the recent conflict." Touching on Washington's proposed tariffs on dozens of countries, including Asia's fourth-largest economy, over their alleged failure to enforce import bans on products made with forced labor, Koo said Seoul will make proactive efforts to seek a balance that serves the interests of both countries. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Son Heung-min eyes history vs. Mexico
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korean captain Son Heung-min is in the starting lineup for his second straight match at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Mexico as he takes aim at a piece of history. Son will be the striker against Mexico in the teams' second Group A match at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, for the 7 p.m. kickoff. It will begin 10 a.m. Friday in Korea. Son is a goal away from becoming Korea's all-time World Cup leading scorer with four. He is currently tied with two former players, Ahn Jung-hwan and Park Ji-sung. Son had a slew of chances but ultimately didn't find the back of the net in a 2-1 victory over Czechia last week. Oh Hyeon-gyu, who netted the go-ahead goal over Czechia after replacing Son in the second half, will begin his second straight contest on the bench. Head coach Hong Myung-bo made one change from the lineup that started against Czechia, with wingback Kim Moon-hwan replacing Lee Tae-seok. Seol Young-woo, who played on the right side in last week's match, will slide over to the left side as Kim takes over on the right. The winner of this match will be the
N. Korea vows deeper ties with Russia on 2nd anniv. of signing key treaty
North Korea on Friday marked the second anniversary of the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia, calling it "an essential legal weapon" that promises "a new global order." The Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's newspaper, said the pact — signed in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit — had given the two countries a firm foundation to weather "a confusing and volatile international situation." The treaty included a mutual defense clause committing each side to assist the other in the event of aggression — an agreement that has since seen North Korea send troops to fight alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. Friday's piece cited a new hospital under construction, restored air links between Pyongyang and Moscow, and the deployment of soldiers to Russia as part of the pact's fruits. North Korea pledged to "actively support" the Russian government's policies based on the treaty, calling deeper ties across all sectors its "steadfast position." Separately, it also reported that Vladimir Topekha
Senate defense bill includes provision calling for quarterly Pentagon report on OPCON transfer
WASHINGTON — A Senate version of an annual U.S. defense bill includes a provision calling for the defense secretary to provide regular reports on a road map for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Korea, its text showed Thursday. The inclusion of the provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027 apparently signals the upper house's will to examine the OPCON transition process, which the administration of Korean President Lee Jae Myung seeks to complete before its term ends in 2030. It stipulates that by no later than March 1 next year and every 90 days thereafter through 2030, the Pentagon chief should provide the appropriate committees of Congress with a report on the road map for the implementation of the conditions-based OPCON transition, which the allies signed in 2018. The report should include the assessment by the U.S. Pacific Command commander and the U.S. Forces Korea commander regarding the conditions that must be achieved before the OPCON transfer, the bill says. Korea handed over operational control of its troops to the U
Gov't vows to help consumers manage subscription services, curb dark patterns
Korea on Friday unveiled a set of measures aimed at improving consumer convenience in everyday life, including helping consumers better manage spending on subscription services and cracking down on "dark patterns" designed to make cancellations difficult. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced the measures during a meeting with economy-related ministers, aimed at addressing unfair practices and consumer inconveniences in everyday life, particularly in the subscription, leisure and cultural sectors. Under the plan, the government will establish a system linking financial information to help Koreans view and manage their subscription services in one place. "According to market research, consumers often do not fully remember the number of services they subscribe to or their costs, leading them to underestimate their spending," the finance ministry said, noting the service is expected to become available around September. Korea also plans to raise the maximum fine for "dark patterns" that make it difficult for users to cancel subscriptions, such as requiring requests to be submitted throug
Doosan on track for growth as portfolio aligns with AI industry
Doosan Group is expected to post strong growth as its key businesses are increasingly aligned with the core supply chain of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. According to market tracker FnGuide, the consensus estimate among brokerages for Doosan Corp.'s second-quarter earnings is 5.5 trillion won ($3.62 billion) in sales and 465 billion won in operating profit, up 3 percent and 30 percent year-on-year, respectively. Doosan Corp. is the holding company of the conglomerate but is gaining market attention with its own electromaterials business, which supplies copper clad laminates (CCL) to chipmakers. CCL is a key material used in advanced chip substrates and printed circuit boards found in virtually all electronic devices. As AI servers and high-performance computing systems require fast processing of massive amounts of data, demand is growing for high-frequency, low-loss CCLs. In the first quarter of this year, the business group’s sales reached 617.3 billion won, growing 53.2 percent year-on-year to set a new record. Operating profit soared 59.9 percent year-on-year to stand a
Card issuers turn to small-business lending as consumer loan curbs squeeze growth
As Korea’s financial authorities continue tightening their grip on household debt, card issuers are looking beyond personal card loans for growth, with many expanding into lending for sole proprietors and small-business owners, according to industry officials Thursday. In recent years, card companies have relied on card loans to offset slowing growth in their transaction fee incomes. Carrying higher interest rates than bank loans but requiring no collateral, these have become a popular source of quick funding for borrowers with limited access to mainstream credit. That appeal has also made them a target of regulators. Authorities regard card loans as a significant contributor to household leverage and have sought to restrain their growth as part of a broader campaign to curb debt accumulation and cool speculative demand in the property market. Pressure on the sector intensified this week after several major card issuers exceeded regulatory targets for outstanding card loan balances. The Financial Supervisory Service summoned the companies on Monday and urged them to strengthen interna
Korea, Mexico aim to secure World Cup knockout berths
LOS ANGELES — Mexico and Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing that a win would guarantee a last 32 berth. The Group A rivals head into the fixture at the Estadio Akron fresh from victories over South Africa and the Czech Republic in their opening games last week. In Thursday's first game of the second round of fixtures at this 48-team World Cup, Africa drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic. Teboho Mokoena slotted home a penalty to grab a point for a much-improved South Africa team, from the one beaten by Mexico, after Michal Sadilek had put the Czechs ahead in the sixth minute in Atlanta. The point will be a relief for both countries but they are likely to be left hoping to be one of the eight best third-placed teams from the 12 groups in order to progress to the knockout stage. Only the first two teams in each group are guaranteed passage into the last 32. Co-hosts Mexico are bracing for a significantly tougher test against Korea than South Africa provided in the tournament's opening fixture when they had two
Iranian supreme leader endorses direct negotiations with US
WASHINGTON — Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtab Khamenei endorsed direct negotiations with the U.S. late Thursday in a statement read by state media. “It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s opinion,” he said. It was Khamenei’s first reaction to the deal recently reached between Iran and the U.S. to end hostilities. The supreme leader has not been seen in public since he was wounded in a strike at the start of the war. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war. Vance made the announcement at a White House press briefing, where he said more oil is now flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Republican vice president said more than 12.5 million barrels went through the shipping channel Wednesday night. “So we’re also honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side,” Vance said, citing it as an immediate benefit of the deal as he downpla
US gas prices below $4 for 1st time since March, but remain 25% higher than last year
NEW YORK — U.S. gas prices fell to just below $4 a gallon on average Thursday, bringing some relief to drivers who have seen soaring costs amid Washington's war with Iran But filling up is still more expensive than it was before the conflict began. According to motor club AAA, a gallon of regular gasoline is now averaging at $3.999. It's the first time since March that prices have been that low. And the drop aligns with easing crude oil costs overall, with some optimism about an initial agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end their war. Still, American drivers are collectively paying about $1 more per gallon than they were before the U.S. joined Israel to attack Iran in February — and prices are 25 percent higher than they were at this time last year. That's caused many households to tighten their budgets in other areas, or rethink where they want to spend their money more broadly. More expensive bills beyond gas Gas isn't the only thing that's gotten more expensive over the course of the war. Groceries, airline tickets and even condoms and shoes cost more amid global supply chain
14-point US-Iran pact White House sent to Congress
WASHINGTON — The White House on Thursday sent Congress the text of an interim U.S.-Iran agreement to halt the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. The document, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, outlines in 14 points a high-level understanding that defers many of the most difficult issues, such as how to wind down Iran's nuclear program, until a final deal is reached. It paves the way for a broader 60-day negotiation period that U.S. Vice President JD Vance said began on Thursday. Here is the full document, titled "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America": 1. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, and their allies in the current war, by signing this MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and undertake from now on not to initiate any war or any military operation against each other, and to refrain from the threat or use of force against each other, and ensuring the territorial integrity and
Korean communities across US unite behind Korea in World Cup
SEATTLE — Korean community organizations and businesses across the United States organized watch parties for Thursday's World Cup group stage match between Korea and Mexico, building on the enthusiasm that drew fans to similar gatherings during the team's opening victory over Czechia last week. From Seattle and Los Angeles to New York, Korean Americans have turned restaurants, community centers and public venues into gathering places for supporters eager to cheer on the national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the Seattle area, local Korean organizations hosted public viewing events for Korea's tournament opener against Czechia last Thursday and planned additional gatherings for the Mexico match. The largest event was scheduled at Seattle Center's Mural Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue near the iconic Space Needle that regularly hosts major public festivals and cultural events. The gathering carried added significance in Seattle, one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Organizers combined the watch party with K-pop performances and other cultural activities as part of
US allows more than dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting blockade under deal, Vance says
WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that the U.S. Navy has allowed more than a dozen ships through to Iranian ports, lifting a blockade as part of an agreement to end the war. Vance made the announcement at a White House press briefing, where he said more oil is now flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Republican vice president said more than 12.5 million barrels went through the shipping channel Wednesday night. “So we’re also honoring our end of the early part of the agreement on the military side,” Vance said, citing it as an immediate benefit of the deal as he downplayed criticism that the agreement tilts in favor of Iran. And in an extraordinary rebuke, he warned U.S. critics in Israel against “attacking the only powerful ally” it has left. He lashed out at members of the Israeli government, warning them that “Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time.” Vance said he plans to travel to Switzerland for talks on the Iran deal but he doesn’t know when that will ha
How Trump decided to sign a deal with Iran at Versailles palace
PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron offered Donald Trump a glitzy dinner in Versailles — and the U.S. president seized the opportunity to sign an initial deal with Iran inside the palace. As Trump was about to leave France on Wednesday following three days of intense diplomatic talks at a G7 summit , he casually announced to reporters as he was getting into his car: “We signed in Versailles.” In videos posted on X by Macron and a White House aide, Trump was seen seated at a table signing a paper copy of the agreement. He then handed the document and pen to Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Macron, sitting next to him, told him: “Good job. Bravo.” Officials and guests applauded. One of the attendees, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure, described his surprise Thursday that the deal was signed during the dinner. Initial White House plans had considered a signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland. “We literally saw Marco Rubio leave — I don’t know if he had already printed the memorandum of agreement or went to print it — and come back,” Lescure added. “We cle
Vance says 60-day period in Iran deal begins Thursday
WASHINGTON — U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the 60-day window laid out in a memorandum of understanding approved by President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders begins on Thursday. "I would say the 60-day period officially started today," Vance told reporters at a White House briefing. Asked what happens after the 60-day period in terms of governance of the Strait of Hormuz, Vance repeated the U.S. view that the major supply route for oil and gas shipments should be free of tolls. Iran effectively closed the waterway during the war. "The final negotiations can set the terms of what comes afterwards," Vance said. The interim pact signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders kicked the hardest issues down the road to the next phase of negotiations, with no guarantee they will ever be resolved. Most analysts are skeptical the two sides can forge a final settlement within the 60-day window laid out in the memorandum of understanding.
Hair-loss drug coverage sparks debate over national health insurance priorities
The Korean government's plan to extend National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) coverage to hair-loss medication is drawing mounting criticism from patient groups and medical experts, who argue that it could undermine the core principles of the public health insurance system. Critics question whether subsidizing hair-loss treatment should take priority over expanding coverage for life-saving therapies for patients with severe illnesses. They also warn that approving coverage for hair-loss drugs could open the door to similar demands for weight-loss medications, growth hormone treatments and other therapies that fall somewhere between medical necessity and quality-of-life improvement. According to government officials on Thursday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will hold a public discussion on July 4 as part of the interior ministry's "Forum for Everyone" initiative to gather public opinion on the proposal. The ministry is considering expanding insurance coverage beyond conditions such as alopecia areata to include androgenetic alopecia — the common hereditary form of hair loss kn
Public urged to follow fortunes of migrating Irish cuckoo
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The movements of three Irish cuckoos are being tracked as part of efforts to better understand their decline and safeguard their future.
Irish man's manslaughter trial in Budapest adjourned
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A Hungarian judge presiding over the case of an Irish man charged with the manslaughter of a female American tourist in Budapest in November 2024 has adjourned the trial until 7 July.
Ryanair extends O'Leary's CEO contract up to 2032
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Ryanair group chief executive Michael O'Leary has extended his contract to 2032, the airline said today, in a deal which includes a bonus scheme that could earn the 65-year-old more than €150m.
Kickboxer who 'lost it' jailed for mother's manslaughter
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An amateur kickboxer who kicked his mother to death in a violent attack that he said took just five seconds has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Lee calls inflation top policy priority, urges 'extraordinary' measures to stabilize prices
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday inflation is the government's most urgent policy challenge and urged officials to devise extraordinary measures to stabilize prices and ease the burden on households. Lee made the call during a meeting with senior presidential aides, noting it will take a long time before global energy supply chains return to normal and the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened despite a ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the monthslong war in the M
Two men jailed over Starmer-linked arson attacks
Roman Lavrynovych 22, was jailed for seven years and Stanislav Carpiuc, 27, for two.
Stepmum jailed for 1978 killing of girl, 5
Andrea suffered severe burns to half her body and died in hospital on 13 July 1978.
Boy, 3, hurt at zoo was attacked by a crocodile, BBC understands
Police say a man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been bailed.
Nike v Adidas - the World Cup brand battle
Eye-watering budgets are nothing new, but this year both Nike and Adidas have gone bigger and bolder than ever before in the fight for World Cup attention.
Monsignor Grasselli: Experiencing providence through mission
Funeral for 5 children in Elmira, Ont.-area crash that injured 5 other family members is Saturday
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The five children killed June 12 in a two-vehicle collision in Ontario's Mapleton Township will be honoured Saturday at their funeral. Three other members of the Doerksen family and a couple were also injured.
Several killed in Israeli attack on Lebanon
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At least 18 people were killed in southern Lebanon after Israeli airstrikes overnight. At the same time, Israel confirmed four of its soldiers also died in the fighting.
Farage blames Makerfield defeat on anti-Starmer votes
The Reform UK leader says he is "disappointed" with his party's performance in the key by-election.
Ebola spreading 'fast' in DR Congo, warns WHO
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The fatal Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading rapidly, the World Health Organization warned, despite accelerating efforts to tackle the virus.
Does Burnham win mean Starmer's days as PM are numbered?
Andy Burnham's return to Westminster sets up a battle for the UK Prime Minister position, which could see Keir Starmer ousted after Mr Starmer insisted he would fight any leadership challenge.
"Another Wasted Life": Rhiannon Giddens on How Death of Kalief Browder Inspired Her Song
“Another Wasted Life.” That’s the name of a remarkable new song by the Pulitzer Prize-winning, Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens. She released a video of the song on October 2 to mark International Wrongful Conviction Day. The song was inspired by Kalief Browder, a Bronx resident who died by suicide in 2015 at the age of 22 after being detained at Rikers Island jail for nearly three years, after being falsely accused at the age of 16 of stealing a backpack. He was held in solitary confinement for two years and was repeatedly assaulted by guards and other prisoners.
In the video for “Another Wasted Life,” Rhiannon Giddens features 22 people who were wrongly incarcerated. Together, they collectively served more than 500 years in prison for crimes they didn’t commit. The video includes two men, David Bryant and Tyrone Jones, who each spent 40 years in prison. Another seven of the men each spent over 25 years locked up after wrongful convictions. Rhiannon Giddens made the video in partnership with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.
New study examines growing interest in Catholic faith
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A national U.S. study finds growing interest in Catholic faith driven by the search for truth, purpose and community
Rhiannon Giddens on Pulitzer-Winning Opera "Omar" About Enslaved Muslim Scholar Omar ibn Said
As part of our Juneteenth special broadcast, we feature our interview with pioneering musical artist Rhiannon Giddens, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her opera Omar, about Omar ibn Said, a Muslim scholar in Africa who was sold into slavery in the 1800s.
N.L. Indigenous Relations Minister acknowledges 'distrust,' but does not address Innu history timeline
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Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Lela Evans said while she was "sorry for the impact" the cancellation of the exhibit has had, she did not address any of the claims that Innu leaders said were the actual basis for the the event not going ahead — which was the provincial government limiting their history to 300 years.
Stick or twist? Rashford and Guehi are Tuchel's big dilemmas
Before England's World Cup match against Ghana on Tuesday, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty looks at Thomas Tuchel's big selection dilemmas.
Scottish setback as they lose abrasive clash to Morocco
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Scotland's spirited second-half rally was not enough to bring any World Cup joy as they suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Morocco in Foxborough.
Palestinian exhibit at human rights museum to open next week amid criticism
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The Canadian Museum for Human Rights says an exhibit about displaced Palestinians will go ahead as planned, despite criticism that it's a potentially one-sided story.
Silk Road Café landlord in court bid for arbitration
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The Silk Road Café's landlord, Chester Beatty Library, will next week begin proceedings for court orders directing the dispute over the restaurant's closedown during Ireland's EU Presidency be dealt with by arbitration.
Couple's FGM convictions declared miscarriage of justice
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A couple have had their convictions for the female genital mutilation of their daughter, which were quashed after they spent two years in prison, declared a miscarriage of justice.
Black Foils land investment deal to secure SailGP future
The New Zealand team, led by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, have been bought by an American private equity firm.
Juneteenth Special: Historian Clint Smith on Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America
We feature a special broadcast marking the Juneteenth federal holiday that commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. We begin with our 2021 interview with historian Clint Smith, originally aired a day after President Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth the first new federal holiday since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Smith is the author of How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America. “When I think of Juneteenth, part of what I think about is the both/andedness of it,” Smith says, “that it is this moment in which we mourn the fact that freedom was kept from hundreds of thousands of enslaved people for years and for months after it had been attained by them, and then, at the same time, celebrating the end of one of the most egregious things that this country has ever done.” Smith says he recognizes the federal holiday marking Juneteenth as a symbol, “but it is clearly not enough.”
UNESCO launches consultation on fair payment for news in the digital age
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UN cultural agency UNESCO has launched a global consultation process to inform its Draft Guidance on Fair Compensation for News, particularly as online platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly rely on journalistic content.
Art and culture can both fuel and counter hate, UN discussion hears on Juneteenth
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From a gold collar worn by an enslaved African to music preserved for nearly a century after the Holocaust, a staged reconstruction of a hate radio broadcast or porcelain coffee cups laid out in participatory remembrance, artists in a United Nations discussion on Friday used powerful images to underscore how culture can shape the fight against hatred.
Old and new challenges for the Human Rights Council as it turns 20
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It’s 20 years to the day since the UN Human Rights Council began its work as the world’s principal forum tasked with promoting and defending fundamental rights everywhere, particularly the world’s most vulnerable people.
UN welcomes fresh Lebanon ceasefire reports as rights experts urge Iran accountability
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The United Nations has welcomed reports of a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah on Friday while warning that civilians on the ground are still fleeing amid ongoing insecurity.
World Refugee Day: UN calls for renewed commitment and solidarity
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The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has called on the international community to strengthen support for the nearly 42 million people worldwide who have fled their home countries to escape conflict, violence or persecution.
DR Congo: Efforts ramp up as Ebola outbreak accelerates beyond borders
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The spread of Ebola is accelerating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid continued armed violence, posing a grave and growing risk to the region, UN agencies warned on Friday.
Gaza: Sneeze and you might get shot, warns UNICEF in alert on child killings
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After another deadly night of clashes in Lebanon, aid agencies issued a new alert for Gaza, where 265 Palestinian children have been killed since a ceasefire was announced in October 2025.
For one young refugee in Uganda, basketball is more than a game
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When 19-year-old Stephane Kulimushi looks around the basketball court in Kampala where he trains young refugees, he sees more than players.
Irish Refugee Council wins 2026 Human Rights Award
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The Irish Refugee Council has been named as the recipient of The Bar of Ireland's 2026 Human Rights Award.
Alberta fugitives arrested in Ontario in $5M scam investigation
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Two Alberta fugitives wanted on Canada-wide warrants for allegedly misappropriating nearly $5 million in investors’ funds between January 2019 and December 2020 have been arrested in Ontario.
Plans to end gazumping with binding agreements in house sales shake-up
Sales agreements will be legally binding sooner and making sellers provide more home information up front are part of the planned changes.
Drivers stuck for hours after serious crash closes part of SH1 north of Wellington
"People seem to be panicking," one motorist told RNZ.
Doctor thought girl stabbed at Parnell Square was dead
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A doctor who was involved in treating the child who was most seriously injured in the stabbings at Parnell Square in November 2023, has said the little girl's heart was not beating and he thought she was dead.
Jonathan Toews calls it a career, retires after 16 NHL seasons
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Winnipeg's Jonathan Toews, who played for his hometown team last season, announced his retirement Friday after 16 seasons.
Two men who ran 'online drugs supermarket' jailed
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Two men who ran an "online drugs supermarket" for one of the gangs at the centre of the Drogheda feud have been jailed.
Two men who ran 'online drugs supermarket' jailed
Two men who ran an "online drugs supermarket" for one of the gangs at the centre of the Drogheda feud have been jailed.
Son follows father's footsteps with Shannon Airport role
A man who is following in his father's footsteps by taking up a role at Shannon Airport, has said it feels like a "passing of the baton".
4 fishermen rescued after boat catches fire in Bay of Fundy
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All four people onboard a Digby, N.S., fishing vessel that caught fire on Thursday were rescued safely after being brought to shore by a nearby boat.
Flogas to increase electricity and gas prices in July
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Flogas is the latest utility provider to announce an increase in its electricity and gas prices from next month.
Amber extreme heat warning issued as 35C heatwave approaches
Temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-30s Celsius on Monday and Tuesday with impacts on health and a risk of disruption to travel.
Trump 'totally invented' story over photo claims - Meloni
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Italian Prime Minister has accused her one-time close ally Donald Trump of fabricating a story about her, after the US President said that she had "begged" him to take a photo with her.
Tories pick themselves up off the floor with unexpected Scottish by-election win
The Conservatives secured a comfortable victory over the SNP in Aberdeen South after throwing everything at the seat.
Cancer therapy course brought 'peace' to patient
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A woman who described her cancer diagnosis as "terrifying" has said she found peace around her treatment through a new therapy course.
Lee says reform of election watchdog needed through constitutional amendment if necessary
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that a fundamental reform of the state election watchdog is needed through a constitutional amendment if necessary, after the institution exposed serious flaws in its handling of the recent local elections. Lee made the remark during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, referring to how the National Election Commission (NEC) did not prepare enough ballot papers for the June 3 local elections, disrupting voting at 26 polling stations. "The NEC issue is really abs
Unification ministry vows to find 'phased, viable' path to denuclearization
South Korea's Unification ministry said Friday its stance on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, vowing to seek "phased, viable" solutions. The ministry made the remarks a day after North Korea reiterated the stance of not giving up its nuclear weapons. "The government has no change in its position to seek phased, viable solutions for denuclearization, which are mutually acceptable based on the reality," Chang Yoon-jeong, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, told a pr
US Open Day 2 recap: Irish struggles at Shinnecock
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Rory McIlroy starts the weekend seven behind leader Wyndham Clark at the US Open, but Shane Lowry, Padráig Harrington and Graeme McDowell failed to make the cut.
Army to allow long-term service transition for more noncommissioned officers
The Army said Friday it will allow qualified noncommissioned officers to transition to long-term service starting in 2028 in a personnel overhaul plan in an effort to help enhance their job security. The move comes as the Army has been struggling to attract noncommissioned officers, who make up the backbone of the military, amid a shrinking number of newly appointed officers and the country's population decline. The Army previously only selected the top 20 percent of noncommissioned officers who
Police investigating alleged break-in at ballot-counting center
Police are investigating an alleged break-in at a ballot-counting center amid weekslong protests calling for a rerun of the June 3 local elections, sports officials said Friday. According to the Korea Sports Industry Development (KSID), which manages the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium that was used as a vote-counting center for the elections, three unidentified individuals broke into the facility on June 7 after damaging a basement door lock. The KSID reported the case to the police, along with
Korean Air says Asiana integration costs could reach 1 tln won, offset by 2028
Korean Air Co. said Friday the cost of integrating Asiana Airlines Inc. could reach as much as 1 trillion won ($654 million), with synergies from the merger expected to offset the expense as early as the end of 2028. During an investor relations session in Seoul, the flag carrier said an analysis of its post-merger integration strategy estimated integration costs at between 900 billion won and 1 trillion won, while annual synergy effects from the merger are projected to reach around 300 billion
JoongAng Ilbo applies for debt workout program, pledges restructuring efforts
Major newspaper JoongAng Ilbo Co. said Friday it had formally applied for a creditor-led debt workout program amid liquidity problems across its parent group. The company said it had officially filed for a debt restructuring program with its main creditor bank, Hana Bank, after failing to honor a request for the early repayment of 22 billion won ($14.38 million) worth of commercial paper. "We will continue consultations with creditor banks, and faithfully prepare effective debt restructuring and
U.S. kills 3 people on alleged drug-carrying boat, as senators demand to see unedited video of strikes
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The U.S. military attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, killing three people, as Donald Trump's administration wages its ongoing campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America, which has now killed well over 200 people.
Obama moved to tears by wife Michelle's speech
The couple were opening a site in Chicago, which the former president described as a "celebration of community".
Enoch Burke applications against Teaching Council refused
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An application by Enoch Burke to recuse the chair of a Teaching Council panel that is looking into allegations of professional misconduct against him has been refused.
The heavily jeered $250m goldmine - are hydration break ads here to stay?
BBC Sport explores how hydration break ads work in other countries and how they could impact the future of football.
Harry Kane says singing Wonderwall with fans one of his favourite moments
Harry Kane says singing 'Wonderwall' with fans after England's win over Croatia on Wednesday was one of his "favourite ever moments" in a Three Lions shirt.
Man given life sentence likely to be acquitted posthumously
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Hiromu Sakahara was convicted of robbery-murder after a liquor shop owner was killed and her safe was stolen in the town of Hino, Shiga Prefecture. He died in 2011.
'Fail Better' explores reality, illusion, art of misalignment
At first glance, artists Yee Soo-kyung and Yangachi appear to inhabit entirely different artistic worlds: One works with roses, crowns and religious iconography, while the other investigates radio frequencies, magnetic fields and invisible infrastructures. Yet "Fail Better," the exhibition at Forum and Space in Seoul held from April 30 to June 13, brought the two together in an exploration of reality, perception and the uncertain future shaped by rapidly evolving technologies. Curated by Kim Yoo
Jury in Donaldson trial to resume deliberations on Monday
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The jury in the Jeffrey Donaldson sex offences trial has been sent home for the weekend.
Margin debt hits record as retail investors pile into Samsung Electronics, SK hynix
Debt-funded stock investing by South Korean retail investors is showing signs of overheating as the Kospi climbed to a record 9,000 mark, pushing outstanding margin loans to a record 38 trillion won ($24.8 billion) and prompting some brokerages to tighten margin lending rules. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, outstanding margin loans in the domestic stock market stood at 38 trillion won as of Thursday, up 200 billion won from a day earlier. The balance has increased by mo
Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years
The Tories take Aberdeen South, while the SNP wins in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
U.S. and Iran delay start of nuclear talks as Lebanon clashes resume
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The foreign ministry of Switzerland, where talks are to be held, announced on Friday morning that they were "postponed," without giving a reason.
Coventry play champions Arsenal in Premier League opener
Newly promoted Coventry City will travel to champions Arsenal in the first match of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
Japan to allow local governments to ban private lodging
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The move comes amid complaints of lodgers partying at night, ignoring trash rules, and leaving cigarette butts on the streets.
US keeps North Korea denuclearization high on agenda, official says
The Trump administration continues to place North Korea’s denuclearization high on its policy agenda, a senior US State Department official said Thursday. David Wilezol, deputy assistant secretary of state for Korea, Japan and Mongolia, said at a forum in Washington that discussions on North Korea within the administration remain centered on denuclearization. He cited a recent fact sheet issued after a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as a joint
CAP funding important issue for many EU states - Martin
The Taoiseach has said CAP funding is an important subject for many EU member states as EU leaders prepare to discuss the next seven-year budget on the second day of an EU summit in Brussels.
Seoul expects favorable EU response on steel quota concerns: Lee
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that Seoul expects a favorable outcome from the European Union over concerns about the bloc’s planned steel tariff-rate quota measures, which could affect South Korea's steel industry. Lee said he raised the issue directly with EU leaders during his recent visit to Brussels. Earlier, a senior presidential official said Brussels had responded that it would take Seoul’s request into full consideration. He made the remarks during a briefing at Cheong Wa Dae on th
Yen nears four-decade low, and Katayama issues warning
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The finance minister's comments were not as strong as those made in April before intervention.
Gov. Ueda has been discharged from hospital, BOJ says
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Ueda, 74, was hospitalized on June 9 for treatment of a liver cyst infection and didn't attend a policy meeting earlier this week.
42 South African nationals deported from Ireland
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Forty-two South African nationals were deported from Ireland yesterday, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said.
What is Burnham's path to becoming Labour leader and PM?
How could MPs who want Sir Keir Starmer to be replaced force a leadership contest and who could stand?
Pope: Building the 'civilisation of love' requires courage and humble leadership
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Pope Leo XIV urges participants in the first 'Borgo Laudato si’ Dialogues' to foster a new model of moral leadership and to help build a 'civilisation of love' in the face of growing dehumanisation.
Japan-owned vessel passed through Strait of Hormuz on Friday
All Japan-linked vessels carrying Japanese crew members have now evacuated the Gulf, the Foreign Ministry said.
Canadian businessman Frank Stronach found guilty of sexual assault, indecent assault
Lee highlights US role in breaking North Korea deadlock
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday he told US President Donald Trump that Washington needs to play a central role in reviving diplomacy with North Korea. Stressing the need to first freeze Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development, he explained that leaving the current deadlock unresolved would only allow the North to advance its weapons programs, making future talks more difficult. Lee made the remarks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, a day after returning from his 10-day t
Bill to revise postal laws clears parliament
The development paves the way for the government to provide subsidies to preserve the nationwide post office network.
Europe’s refugee population stabilizes after decade of growth, study shows
The number of refugees and asylum seekers in the European Union and Britain stood at 9.59 million in 2025, little changed from 9.58 million a year earlier.
Man, 30, dies following assault in Belfast
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A man who was assaulted in the Suffolk Road area of west Belfast last week has died in hospital, the PSNI has said.
Male K-pop acts revive early-2000s dance-pop in latest wave of releases
A growing number of K-pop boy groups are looking to the dance-pop's past as they shape its future. In recent years, many idol releases have been built around short-form-friendly hooks, easy-listening melodies and highly segmented song structures optimized for social media consumption. But some of K-pop’s leading male acts are increasingly embracing a more traditional approach to dance-pop — one characterized by strong melodic lines, dramatic song progression and clear verse-chorus-bridge structu
Eleven people injured in Gisborne crash
Five people are seriously injured.
Lee asks Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea, DMZ for World Youth Day
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that he asked Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea for World Youth Day 2027 and suggested that the pontiff consider visiting the Demilitarized Zone during the trip. Speaking about his visit to the Vatican, Lee said he had paid a courtesy call on the pope and pledged cooperation with the Holy See for the successful hosting of the Catholic youth event, which is scheduled to take place in Seoul from Aug. 3-8, 2027. Lee visited the Vatican on June 14 and 15, and met
Assembly speaker urges diplomatic efforts to ensure safe return of S. Korean vessels from Hormuz Strait
National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik called for all-out diplomatic measures Friday to ensure the safe return of South Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, following a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran earlier this week. Cho made the call in a meeting at his office with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, saying "the war in the Middle East has fortunately come to a halt after 106 days." "I urge you to take all possible diplomatic measures to ensure that the 24 vessel
Montreal mayor says husband, who is Black, was stopped last year 'at least 5 or 6 times — for nothing'
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Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada says a moratorium on police checks would be a “good first step” in helping address allegations of racism within the city’s police service. In an interview on Radio-Canada’s Tout un Matin, the mayor said her husband, who is Black, has been stopped “at least five or six times — for nothing” in the past year.
JoongAng Ilbo enters first default status after missing repayment
South Korean newspaper publisher JoongAng Ilbo was classified as being in first default after failing to meet an early repayment demand on 22 billion won ($14.4 million) worth of commercial paper, according to a regulatory filing Friday. According to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system on Friday, JoongAng Ilbo said in a filing that it failed to make payment on Thursday due to insufficient deposits in its account. "A creditor presented the note for payment on June 18,
Kumho Tire ramps up Europe push at Tire Cologne 2026
Kumho Tire highlighted its latest premium and future mobility tire technologies at the world's largest tire exhibition in Germany, underscoring its push to expand in the European market. The South Korean tiremaker participated in The Tire Cologne 2026 from June 9-11 in Cologne, Germany, Kumho said Friday. Under this year’s theme “Innovation to Build the Future,” Kumho presented a comprehensive lineup of products, including the ultra‑high‑performance tires ECSTA Sport S, ECSTA Sport, and ECSTA HS
Canada submarine bid hopeful but remains unclear: Lee
South Korea’s bid for Canada’s submarine project remains unclear, President Lee Jae Myung said Friday. “I met the German chancellor first, and then met the Canadian prime minister, but (I) could not get a sense about the outcome (of the bid),” Lee said during a briefing on his trip to Europe. Lee met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit held in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday, and then with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney later that day. “We
World Cup's No. 2 dribbler Lee Kang-in stands out in defeat
If you watched South Korea's match against Mexico, one moment probably stood out. Young player Lee Kang-in made a feisty "yapping" hand gesture at an opponent, seemingly telling him to stop talking. South Korea came away empty-handed against Mexico in a 1-0 loss, but Lee's standout performance and fiery attitude gave Korean fans a reason for optimism ahead of the team's crucial final Group A match against South Africa next week. With the top spot in Group A potentially on the line, the two sides
Seoul stocks take breather after 6-day rise on profit-taking
Seoul stocks took a breather Friday after enjoying a surge for the past six consecutive days, as investors cashed out their gains built on an artificial intelligence boom amid revived Iran uncertainties. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 11.42 points, or 0.13 percent, to 9,052.42 after rising as high as 9,385.59. Trade volume was heavy at 511.1 million shares worth 65.3 trillion won ($42.7 billion). Losers outnumbered winners 115 to 784. Retail investors
Burnham Wins in Makerfield - So What Happens Now?
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Burnham wins Makerfield by-election, paving way for leadership challenge against Starmer.
Osaka Itami Airport named Asia’s best in new travel rankings
Fukuoka Airport and Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport rounded out Japan's top three airports graded on punctuality, passenger experience and facilities.
An absence of drama means the G7 summit was a success
This year, the G7 once again muddled through. It avoided the worst outcome — a public display of disarray
OpenAI to introduce ads to ChatGPT in Japan
The ads will appear on the free version and the Go plan, priced at ¥1,400 per month, but will not be shown to users under 18 or who subscribe to higher-priced tiers.
Cardinal George Koovakad, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, met with President Ilham Aliyev and religious leaders in Baku during his 15–19 June visit, underlining the importance of tolerance, multiculturalism, and continued cooperation between the Holy See and Azerbaijan to strengthen peaceful coexistence among different faith communities.
Wyndham Clark takes first-day lead at suspended U.S. Open
Clark will have to return early Friday to complete the round and then begin his second round.
Step into this season's styling point: Open-toe socks and leg warmers
Bare feet feel too plain. Full socks feel too warm. For shoppers caught between the two this summer, retailers say the answer is open-toe socks. The cropped socks, which cover the top of the foot but leave the toes exposed, are gaining ground alongside flip-flop socks and sheer leg warmers this summer. An early heat wave has brought the season for sandals and flip-flops forward, lifting demand for the items. Summer shoes such as mules, slides, and flip-flops saw sales rise 80 percent from May 31
Families crumble, debts build, kids go without therapy. Stories from Alberta’s waitlist for disability support
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An estimated 20,000 Alberta kids are on a waitlist for the Family Support for Children with Disabilities program. In the meantime, parents are losing their jobs or are unable to find work because children are being banned from daycare. They are taking on debt to fund therapy. They report stress to the point of burnout.
Trump expressed regret for not resolving NK nuke issue sooner: Lee
US President Donald Trump expressed regret for not taking steps before North Korea became effectively a nuclear-armed state, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Friday. “(Trump said) it is regrettable that measures were not taken before North Korea effectively possessed nuclear weapons,” Lee said during a briefing on his trip to Europe. Lee and Trump met during the gala dinner for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. According to Lee, Trump also told him that he had posted the photogr
'I'd be put off if he asked to split it': Who should pay on a first date?
Some insist on splitting the bill, others say the asker should pay, while many still see a man paying as romantic.
One injured after 'light' helicopter crash north of Auckland
The incident involved two people flying a privately owned helicopter, the Civil Aviation Authority says.
Ex-defense minister gets 3 years for leaking military secrets tied to martial law bid
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was sentenced to three years in prison Friday for leaking a list of military intelligence personnel, in a case tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched martial law bid in 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of leaking personal information to former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sang-won — who had been dishonorably discharged six years earlier — after conspiring with then-Defense Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho and oth
With beer and poutine, Canadians celebrate first World Cup win in Niagara Falls
The gathering, organized by Niagara Parks, welcomed hundreds of people just steps away from the cascading waterfalls.
Gov't to seek dismissal of heads of 2 public firms following review
South Korea will seek to replace the heads of two public institutions following a regular performance review while issuing warnings to those whose organizations experienced fatal workplace accidents, the finance ministry said Friday. The Ministry of Finance and Economy decided to seek the removal of the heads of the Government Employees Pension Service and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, based on the evaluations made by the Ownership Steering Committee, tasked with assessing the perf
SpaceX shares fall as post-IPO frenzy loses steam
Shares of SpaceX dropped more than 6% last night, as the post-IPO frenzy that briefly placed Elon Musk's rockets-to-AI firm among the world's top five most valuable companies appeared to fizzle out.
Strikes reported in Lebanon after ceasefire reached
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Fighting flared anew in Lebanon with authorities reporting 47 killed in Israeli airstrikes and Israel announcing the deaths of four of its soldiers.
Robots pour cocktails and run marathons, but still can’t multitask
Many are either run by a human with a remote control or stuck doing one narrow task.
For Korean singles, cleanliness matters most in a future spouse
When it comes to choosing a future spouse, cleanliness may matter more than a stable job or a healthy bank account for many young South Koreans, a survey indicated Friday. Some 32.5 percent of the respondents said cleanliness is the most important lifestyle factor they consider in a potential marriage partner, according to a recent survey by marriage agency Gayeon. The survey was conducted on 163 unmarried adults, 72 men and 91 women. Attitudes toward sharing household chores came next at 26.4 p
ETF trading tops 30% of market turnover on strong retail demand
Exchange-traded funds now account for 30 percent of trading value on the Korean stock market, driven by surging demand from retail investors, according to a report by the Korea Investment Securities on Friday. Retail investors were net buyers of 64.3 trillion won ($41.9 billion) worth of listed shares and 55.3 trillion won worth of ETFs so far this year. By contrast, foreign investors were net sellers of about 111 trillion won worth of listed shares and ETFs combined. The scale of retail investo
Holiday pay fix costs hit $190 million for Health NZ
Unions have criticised the spend on fixing errors and say the process is frustrating but Health NZ says it's complex work.
Evanna Lynch 'happy' new Potter stars will live the magic
Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch has said she will be "a little envious" but "happy" for the young cast of the new Harry Potter series when it premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.
L'Oreal, OpenAI team up to advance AI-powered beauty
L'Oreal Group said Friday it had unveiled a strategic collaboration with OpenAI at Europe's Viva Technology conference on Thursday, aiming to use artificial intelligence across beauty shopping, research and marketing. According to the French beauty giant, the collaboration will center on two areas: AI-powered consumer experiences and accelerating innovation across research, product development and content creation. Consumers will be able to discover and interact with beauty products more natural
Intel hires former SK hynix chief Lee Seok-hee to lead advanced packaging
Intel has appointed former CEO of SK hynix and SK On Lee Seok-hee as a senior vice president in its foundry business, amid the US chipmaker’s push into advanced semiconductor packaging. Intel announced Thursday that Lee will oversee advanced packaging, system integration, back-end technology development and back-end manufacturing at Intel Foundry. He will report directly to CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Intel Foundry is establishing advanced packaging as a focused business with dedicated leadership, a directi
Nearly all serious adverse reactions among plasma donors in past decade involved for-profit sites, data shows
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Data obtained by CBC News reveals multiple people were left in life-threatening condition, hospitalized or requiring other medical intervention after donating plasma over the past decade.
Car hits house in Auckland's Stanmore Bay
One person has been seriously injured in the crash.
Not over yet. South Korea’s route to round of 32 explained
South Korea’s 1-0 defeat to Mexico on Thursday may have ended their perfect start to the World Cup, but it has done little to dent the team’s chances of reaching the knockout stage. With only one group-stage match left against South Africa on Wednesday at 7 p.m., the Taegeuk Warriors have three points from two games after opening their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Czechia, leaving them in contention for a place in the round of 32. Mexico’s second straight win sealed first place in Group A, l
Dancers and musicians lighting up Cork Midsummer Festival
As the countdown to the longest day of the year gets under way, dancers, musicians and performers have been busy in Cork, building up to the summer solstice with the Cork Midsummer Festival.
Lee asks Pope Leo XIV to visit N. Korea
President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that he asked Pope Leo XIV to visit North Korea and the Demilitarized Zone, a buffer area between the two Koreas, when he met with the pope this week at the Vatican. Lee unveiled the request at a press briefing on the results of his 10-day trip to Europe that ended Thursday. Lee met with the pope Monday at the Vatican. The president said that Pope Leo XIV responded that he would actively pursue the proposal. (Yonhap)
S. Korean goalkeeper shoulders blame for costly miscue
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu pointed a finger at himself for a miscue that cost his team in a 1-0 loss to Mexico in Group A action at the FIFA World Cup on Thursday. The match's lone goal, scored by Luis Romo in the 50th minute at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, came off a preventable misplay inside the South Korean box. Kim jumped to grab an innocuous header by Raul Jimenez but then crashed into the back of his own defender Lee Gi-hyuk on his way down. The ball was poked loose toward R
Meet Merlin the Duck: Mexico's World Cup 'ambassador'
The BBC’s Will Grant was amongst the crowds swarming to meet Merlin, a pet duck who went viral for waddling around Mexico City in the Mexican team's jersey.
Bill easing referendum procedures for constitutional amendments clears Lower House
While the bill addresses concerns about counting votes and public service announcements, the question of legislating internet and social media commercials about amendments remains.
Police confirm human leg found in Incheon was mistakenly discarded by hospital
Incheon police officials said Friday that a leg found last week at a recycling center had been mistakenly disposed of as recyclable waste by a local hospital, confirming a report submitted by hospital staff two days earlier. Officials at the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station told reporters that the leg had been amputated from a female patient in her 80s at a nursing hospital in Jung-gu, Incheon. The leg was initially categorized as medical waste, but a member of the cleaning staff in their 60s disca
Thousands killed in US-Israeli war on Iran - but experts say true total may never be known
Experts say internet, media and government restrictions have all hampered casualty reporting across the region.
Die-hard Scotland fans fly 22 hours in tiny plane to World Cup
David Smith and Fraser MacIntyre flew across the Atlantic, with stops in Iceland, Greenland and northern Canada.
BOJ’s Himino sees risk of price trend rising above 2% target
The central bank deputy governor warned that it could be forced to conduct more rapid interest rate hikes later on if it is late with necessary adjustments.
Traitors star says he lost life savings to a scam
The former contestant of BBC show The Traitors is speaking out about falling victim to the scam.
Riize earns 4th million-seller with 2nd EP ‘II’
Riize has added another million-selling album to its growing catalog, as the group’s second EP, “II,” surpassed 1 million copies sold within four days of its release. According to SM Entertainment on Friday, Hanteo Chart revealed the day before that the six-member group’s latest release exceeded 1 million cumulative sales, marking the fourth million-selling album of Riize’s career. The achievement follows Riize’s 2023 debut single, “Get A Guitar,” their first 2024 EP “Riizing” and the group’s fi
Several Covid-19 cases among patients at Porirua's Kenepuru Hospital
Teams are well-practiced in managing the illness, the hospital says.
This U.S.-Iran MOU will likely be a ‘memorandum of misunderstanding’
In conclusion, this MOU is, at best, a product of compromise, if not a failure.
Body found after search for Tauranga missing man
The body is believed to be that of 56-year-old man Aaron Franklin, who was reported missing earlier this month.
We only found out we had the same sperm donor dad when we were in our 20s
Natasha, Gemma and Helen say finding each other has been a "fairy tale".
London Marathon to be two-day event in 2027
The London Marathon will be held across two days in a special one-off edition of the event in 2027, organisers have confirmed.
New space for LGBTQ+ young people opens in Dublin
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A new space for LGBTQ+ young people has just launched in Dublin city centre.
Scallop scarcity: Some P.E.I. restaurants removing the dish from menus as prices soar
Pan-seared scallops have been a top-selling menu item at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers — second only to lobster.
This couple’s car was stolen with their dog inside. They took matters into their own hands
Maggi MacDonald and Peter LeBlanc had just spotted their stolen vehicle driving right in front of them and prayed their dog Tim was still inside. What happened next was a dramatic roadside showdown as MacDonald and LeBlanc confronted three people in an attempt to recover their car — and their dog.
North Korea says treaty with Russia ‘essential legal weapon’ for stability
North Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Russia, describing their treaty on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” as an “essential legal weapon” for securing strategic stability, as the two countries marked the second anniversary of the pact. In an article titled “The power of the DPRK-Russia alliance is being demonstrated more strongly,” Rodong Sinmun on Friday said that their ties have strengthened through the treaty that provides “a powerful legal framewor
Eleven people taken to hospital following fire at Tokyo elementary school
The fire started around 11 a.m at Takinogawa Daisan Elementary School in Kita Ward.
Ukrainian drone-makers target Asia as Taiwan tensions spur demand
Ukraine has developed a reputation as a master of drone warfare, which has helped an otherwise-outgunned Kyiv hold out for more than four years against Russia.
Sleep and light: the science behind Qantas’ bet on 20-hour flights
The airline has unveiled plans for a "wellness zone," extra legroom and animated lighting on its flights from Sydney to London.
Otoki expands export capacity with Ulsan logistics hub
South Korean food company Otoki said Friday it has completed a new automated logistics center in southeastern Korea that is designed to strengthen its supply chain as international demand for its products grows. The five-story facility in Ulsan can store nearly 10,000 pallets and is built to handle the full logistics process — inbound and outbound handling, labeling and order picking — with warehouse management and control systems intended to reduce processing times and improve operational accur
Sir John Curtice: Burnham's win against Reform represents remarkable personal success
Andy Burnham not only retained the share of the vote Labour won in the seat in 2024 but increased it.
The sudden death of judicial reviews in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee can now certify anything as "endangering national security" and thus restrict freedom of expression.
Navy drills near NLL, major ports to bolster combat readiness
South Korea’s Navy concluded a four-day fleet combat drill Friday in the Yellow Sea and southern waters, involving about 20 surface vessels and air assets. The drills are aimed at sharpening combat readiness near the Northern Limit Line and around major ports. The Yellow Sea, which borders North Korea and China, has long been a sensitive maritime theater for South Korea, as it includes the de facto inter-Korean sea border repeatedly challenged by Pyongyang: the Northern Limit Line. The area has
Mexico edges South Korea to win Group A and punch ticket to knockout stage
The victory gave Javier Aguirre's side six points from two matches and ensured its first knockout game would be played in Mexico City on June 30.
Emperor talks with students at Leiden University on Netherlands visit
The oldest university in the Netherlands, established in 1575, is the only one in the country offering Japanese studies.
'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier' director denies alleged comments on dating rumors involving main cast, including Park Ji-hoon
Jo Nam-hyung, the director behind hit drama "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier," has publicly denied rumors that he made comments about alleged romances between cast members Park Ji-hoon and Jeon So-young, and Lee Sang-yi and Han Dong-hee. Jo addressed the controversy on social media, writing, "Stop fabricating things. I have never sent a DM (direct message)." His statement came after a social media user on Thursday shared what they said was a screenshot of a private conversation with the director.
Can a hotel bring you good fortune? Some Koreans think this one can.
People preparing for a crucial job interview, launching a business or planning a wedding have been visiting one hotel in particular. Grand Hyatt Seoul has drawn attention on social media as a spot said to bring good fortune, with some posts drawing hundreds of thousands of views. One post went much further. A user who visited after hearing that a cup of tea in the hotel lounge brings luck with work posted a video saying four work offers came in afterward. The post drew more than 3 million views
When AI remakes images, photographers turn back to reality at Kukje Gallery
What can photography still do in the age of artificial intelligence? Two exhibitions at Kukje Gallery offer a chance to contemplate the question, bringing together nine Korean photographers and the late American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in a broad exploration of photography's enduring relationship with form, observation and material reality. The centerpiece is "Objects in Oscillation," a group exhibition curated by acclaimed Korean photographer Koo Bohn-chang, featuring works by nine con
Hyundai Rotem secures electric train maintenance project in Morocco
Hyundai Rotem signed an agreement with Moroccan national railway operator ONCF on electric train maintenance on Thursday. Hyundai Rotem CEO Lee Yong-bae and ONCF Director General Mohamed Rabie Khlie participated in a signing ceremony held on the same day in Rabat, Morocco. Prior to the agreement, Hyundai Rotem had secured a 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion) electric car supply project from ONCF in February. The cars supplied by Hyundai will connect key areas in Morocco to Casablanca ahead of the 203
Doosan, LG CNS link up for data centers, robotics and AI
Doosan Corp. said Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with LG CNS to secure global competitiveness in data centers, hydrogen drone logistics and the artificial intelligence and robot transformation sectors. Doosan Corp. President Yoo Seung-woo and LG CNS President Hyun Shin-gyoon participated in a signing ceremony held at LG Science Park in western Seoul, Thursday. Under the agreement, the two companies will partner on data center and cloud businesses. They are to establish a busi
Canadian sniper rifles openly flaunted in Yemen, Sudan, Libya — which are all under arms sanctions
Trump routinely trashes the Obama-era Iran nuclear agreement. How is his deal different?
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The memorandum of understanding signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday to end the war on Iran has sparked comparisons to the 2015 deal signed by the Obama administration and other nations.
Celebrations. Lineups. Ticket struggles. Is the FIFA Fan Festival worth it?
For some, the fan fest is nothing but joy. It's a special celebration that Toronto has the opportunity to host, bringing together global food, fandom and music. But other fans say the event has its issues.
Frank Stronach could learn fate in sexual assault trial on Friday
An Ontario judge could render her decision Friday on whether Frank Stronach is guilty of any of the sexual assault charges against him, four months after the Canadian businessman went on trial in a Toronto courtroom.
Police acknowledge 'impact and harm' on whānau of 11yo handcuffed over mistaken identity
A top Waikato officer says police's role in misidentifying an 11-year-old with autism was "unfortunate, and has caused a lot of impact and harm".
'Deeply concerning': On-duty taxi driver allegedly blows six times over legal alcohol limit
A senior sergeant says "I shudder to think" what could've happened if police weren't notified of the taxi driver's behaviour.
Iran plans to meet with US officials in coming days
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A planned meeting between Iranian and US officials in Switzerland has been postponed, with arrangements under way for talks in the coming days, Iran's Foreign Ministry has said.
Korea expands insurance coverage for treatment of severe hair loss
The state insurance program will start covering prescriptions for Olumiant tablets, used to treat spot baldness (alopecia areata), for specific severe cases next month, the South Korean government said Friday. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said the revision for the National Health Insurance benefits will be effective on July 1, regarding the medication baricitinib, acting as an inhibitor of janus kinase. Patients using this specific product for hair loss treatment can now be covered by thei
Le Sserafim’s Chaewon to resume activities
Kim Chaewon of Le Sserafim will rejoin her bandmates from next week, Source Music said Friday. The artist has taken a month off to treat neck pains, and has recovered enough to resume activities, according to the agency. The leader of the group has been absent from promoting “Boompala,” the focus track from the group's second studio album “Pureflow Pt. 1.” The LP has been on the Billboard 200 for three weeks, having entered at No. 10. The single ranked No. 176 and No. 108 on the Global 200 and G
Monsta X’s Minhyuk releases 1st solo music
Minhyuk of Monsta X will put out the solo digital single “Reaching” on Friday, Starship Entertainment has announced. This marks the first official solo music he is publishing, although he dropped mixtape “Ongshimi,” produced by bandmate Jooheon, in 2019. The performer portrays taking one step at a time to reach his fans through the modern rock tune. Singer and songwriter Ha Hyunsang participated in the lyrics and melody of the song. Meanwhile, Monsta X concluded the Latin American leg of “The X:
TXT Yeonjun’s 2nd solo EP to serve up ‘Ice Cream’
Yeonjun of Tomorrow X Together disclosed the title of the main track from his second solo set through a short video clip via Big Hit Music on Friday. He appeared with an ice cream truck and gazed into the camera before the song title filled the screen in the 16-second video, titled “Ice Cream Is Coming.” The singer is bringing out the EP “No Labels: Part 02” on July 10, with the lead single dubbed “Ice Cream,” hinting at an ambition for a summer anthem. The upcoming extended play is expected to
Rory McIlroy pleased with reduced green speeds at windy U.S. Open
McIlroy could not take full advantage, however, firing a 1-under par 69 and twice squandering the lead.
S. Korea falls to host Mexico 1-0 in World Cup group stage
South Korea lost to Mexico 1-0 in its second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday (local time), falling to second place behind the host nation in the race for the knockout stage. Luis Romo of Mexico eluded Korean defenders to net the match's first and only goal five minutes into the second half at the game held in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in western Mexico. After a scoreless first half, South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with his teammate Lee Gi-hyuk and lost the bal
Taegeuk Warriors don purple mugunghwa jerseys for Mexico clash
The Taegeuk Warriors brought a touch of Korea to the World Cup stage, taking the field against Mexico on Thursday night in purple uniforms adorned with the country's national flower, known as the mugunghwa, or rose of Sharon. The game, which was widely expected to be the de facto Group A decider, kicked off Thursday night — or 10 a.m. Friday in Korea time — at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico. Mexico was leading the group on goal difference after beating South Africa 2-0 in its ope
EU leaders warn on China imbalances but respond cautiously
Without mentioning Beijing, leaders directed the European Commission to "develop and eventually complement" the bloc's toolbox of trade defenses.
From public squares to pubs, Korea cheers as one
National flags fluttered and chants rang out, from city squares to pubs and parks across South Korea on Friday, as fans rallied behind the Taegeuk Warriors against Mexico. With the top spot in Group A up for grabs, Thursday night's match being played in Zapopan, western Mexico, kicked off locally at 10 a.m. on Friday. Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square was awash in red on Friday, as nearly 20,000 supporters gathered to cheer on the national team, waving national flags and chanting “Daehan Minguk,” a pop
Satellite observations detect ‘urban pulse’ of six global cities
Researchers looked at Dubai, Lagos, Mexico City, Mumbai, Seattle and Shenzhen using a new way to document dynamic changes unfolding in each of these cities in near real-time.
Underdogs holding own against soccer royalty early at World Cup
The performances have challenged predictions that the expanded finals would be full of one-sided contests.
Japan’s GCAP push signals a new security role beyond the U.S. alliance
The renewed GCAP backing comes less than a week after the apparent failure of the Future Combat Air System — a program led by France, Germany and later Spain.
‘Wingman’ drones center stage as Europe looks to bolster its defenses
Investment in the technology comes as Europe faces a debate over reducing reliance on the United States.
Macron’s Versailles diplomacy wins mixed results over decade in power
The French president's efforts have often failed to yield lasting strategic gains, though his vision of European Union "strategic autonomy" is gaining traction.
Explainer: Four people have died in shark attacks in Australia this year - should we be worried?
Explainer: A terrifying shark attack on a popular Sydney swimming beach has people asking, are shark attacks getting worse? And what's the reason behind them?
S. Korea, Mexico goalless at halftime
South Korea and co-host Mexico went scoreless in the first half of their Group A battle at the FIFA World Cup in western Mexico on Thursday. The teams traded some jabs without either side landing a big blow in the opening 45 minutes at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan. The winner of this match will win Group A with one match to spare and book a ticket to the knockout stage. South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo made one lineup change from the previous match, with wingback Kim Moon-hwan drawing in f
Majority of South Island under weather warnings and watches with flooding, slips possible
MetService says a front, preceded by a strong northwest flow, is moving over the south of the South Island, heading north over the weekend.
Minister wrote to Psychotherapists Board about whistleblower concerns ahead of mass resignation
The former board members say no formal investigation occurred and they resigned after a breakdown in trust and confidence between themselves and the ministry.
NZ risks undermining health outcomes in the Pacific with 'misguided' tack on WHO
The New Zealand government is being warned that continued political antipathy towards the World Health Organisation risks undermining health outcomes in the Pacific.
Burnham allies 'want Starmer to set out agenda to leave'
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Andy Burnham's allies believe British Prime Minister Keir Starmer should set out a timetable to hand over the premiership in September to avoid jeopardising Labour's prospects in the Greater Manchester mayoral race, it is understood.
Major failures led to autistic 11-year-old being sedated in adult ward, two reports find
The girl was mistaken for an adult and restrained and injected with drugs at a Waikato Hospital mental health unit, and her family says it's had a "lasting and traumatic impact".
Crunchyroll launch could reshape Korea's anime market
Crunchyroll, one of the world's leading anime streaming platforms, is set to launch in South Korea later this year, a move industry observers say could reshape the country's anime distribution landscape. The expansion was revealed by Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini during a keynote conversation at the APOS entertainment and technology summit in Bali, Indonesia. Purini said the service will officially launch in Taiwan this summer, followed by Korea later in the year, although a specific launch
Global church donates $250,000 to Christ Church Cathedral restoration
An international Christian church is donating $250,000 towards the restoration of Christchurch's Anglican cathedral.
Illegal dumping shows 'complete lack of respect', South Wairarapa council asks community to report it
South Wairarapa District Council wants the community to dob in suspicious vehicles after large piles of bitumen were illegally dumped.
UK actress charged with importing meth worth almost £157m into Australia
Emaa Hussen, 34, faces life in prison for allegedly trying to smuggle 320kg of meth hidden in bags of charcoal.
Diesel spill caused cars to slide on busy road in Auckland's Takapuna
Several motorbikes, cars and cyclists slid on the substance on Lake Rd.
Clark leads as darkness descends on Shinnecock Hills
Wyndham Clark seized the lead at the US Open as the delayed opening round finally ran out of light at Shinnecock Hills.
Luigi Mangione withdraws mental health defence for trial
Luigi Mangione is for now withdrawing plans to introduce evidence at trial that he was undergoing an extreme mental health crisis at the time he shot dead a health insurance executive in New York.
Hot air balloon crash in Methven leaves one person with minor injuries
Two people were looked over by paramedics following the crash, but only one needed medical attention.
Five tips to keep your kids cool this weekend
Temperatures are set to rise over the next few days, and children can be especially vulnerable - so read on for tips to protect them.
Appeal to conserve water amid 'unsustainable' usage
Uisce Éireann has urged households across the country to help conserve water in the coming months, saying demand can quickly increase as temperatures rise.
Labour's Andy Burnham wins byelection, setting up showdown with Keir Starmer to lead Britain
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Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a special election for a seat in Parliament that puts him in a position to challenge embattled British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
New hydrogen power unit trialled at Dublin data centre
Data centre company Equinix has trialled a new hydrogen power unit at one of its data centres in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
Zelensky urges EU to fast-track Ukraine membership
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing an EU summit, said the future of Europe was being shaped by the defence of Ukraine and the best guarantee for the future would be to grant Kyiv fast-track EU membership.
The pressure on the Church of England to ditch its slavery reparations plan
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Will the Church's commitments still be delivered, or do shifting political winds mean there is no longer the will to do so?
Sudden death in Waikato's Tokoroa overnight investigated by police
The woman was found dead at an address on Tokoroa's Hinau St just before midnight.
Man missing from remote fishing spot in Taharoa
Dilane Harding didn't return home from a day of fishing at Paparoa Rock on Thursday.
Luigi Mangione won't assert a psychiatric defence in state trial, after all, his lawyers say
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In a stunning reversal, Luigi Mangione's lawyers told a judge Thursday that he will no longer be asserting a psychiatric defence at his state murder trial in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Swimbappé the goldfish predicts Canada's 1st FIFA World Cup win | The Moment
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Tim Glenn, a creative director at OneMethod, tells The National about the moment their goldfish Swimbappé predicted Canada's first-ever FIFA World Cup victory over Qatar.
Experts warn of lower maths achievement under new curriculum
The Education Ministry's Curriculum Insights study showed a quarter of Year 3s and Year 8s, and a third of Year 6s met expectations last year.
After three years of planning, a decommissioned fishing trawler took just 10 minutes to sink
A 60-year-old decommissioned fishing trawler has been intentionally sunk off the coast of Hawke's Bay to create an artificial reef and dive site.
Introducing Azuki Bean, the Wellington cat that loves to break and enter
Wellington has a new local celebrity cat, his roaming nature attracting hundreds of followers on social media.
Advocate calls on Oranga Tamariki to fix meeting no-shows
A children's advocate is urging Oranga Tamariki to sort out issues that are leading to them missing critical meetings.
Better to solve cat problem with education than punishment - bird advocate
A birdsong advocate is welcoming plans to bring in new obligations for cat owners - even if they are not actively enforced.
Injury to Ismaël Koné in victory over Qatar dampens Canadian men's joy of historic 1st World Cup win
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A game that had the Canadian crowd roaring fell suddenly silent when the key midfielder shattered his leg.
Senator among six Irish on invite list of secretive Dialog group
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At least six Irish people, including one member of the Oireachtas, have been invited to an upcoming event in Wicklow organised by Dialog
At Issue | Carney's G7 hits and misses
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At Issue this week: Mark Carney's mixed-bag G7 trip wins big interest in Canadian oil, and another snub from Donald Trump. Analyzing the big challenges facing the Liberals in the fall. And the Conservatives call out Carney for skipping Question Period.
Cuban lawmakers approve sweeping reforms to privatize vast swath of economy
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Cuban lawmakers unanimously approved sweeping reforms backed by the Communist Party and former leader Raúl Castro that would privatize a vast swath of the country's socialist economy in a bid to survive punishing U.S. sanctions.
Over 1 million university grads needed to fill labour market needs, Ontario universities report projects
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More than one million university graduates will be needed to fill labour market needs over the next decade, with the highest demand coming from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, a report from the Council of Ontario Universities projects.
Senior aide of Alberta premier says First Nations should focus on own problems, not accuse premier of treason
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The executive director of Premier Danielle Smith's office says that instead of criticizing her, First Nations chiefs should fix their own communities, describing them as entrenched in poverty, drugs and violence.
Masterful magician O'Connor searching for latest trick
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Whether it be tactical adjustments or mindset recalibrations, Jack O'Connor has proven time and time again that he can get Kerry back on track after the wheels start to bend.
Police say nothing stopping FENZ from 'investing in their own helicopter' after frontline tensions
The police also told their minister that the search and rescue system was going well and needed no big changes, just two weeks before they agreed to big changes.
Grassy Narrows demands apology from Carney, action on mercury poisoning
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A Grassy Narrows First Nation woman who suffers from mercury poisoning is adamant that Prime Minister Mark Carney must apologize for saying he could "outlast" her during a March protest.
Former schoolteacher jailed over 132 sexual offences
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A former schoolteacher who indecently and sexually assaulted 19 victims over 25 years has been jailed for six and a half years at Donegal Circuit Criminal Court.
Gaza death toll since ceasefire reaches 1,000 - ministry
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The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in Gaza has reached more than 1,000 since a US-brokered ceasefire last October, Gaza's health ministry said.
Paint already peeling after Trump-ordered spruce-up of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
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The paint on Washington's newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Thursday was peeling away from the bottom and into the algae-tinted water, less than two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the job's completion.
Grassy Narrows residents demand Carney apologize for comments made about protest
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A Grassy Narrows First Nation woman who suffers from mercury poisoning is insisting that Prime Minister Mark Carney apologize for saying he could "outlast" her during a March protest.
Weekly quiz: Where will Prince George be going to school?
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How much attention did you pay to what happened in the world over the past seven days?
EU credibility 'undermined' if no strong stance on Israel
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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the credibility of the European Union is at stake if there is a failure to take strong action against Israel for breaches of international law and what he described as war crimes on a number of fronts.
Pope remembers Cardinal Ruini as a 'wise and diligent shepherd'
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Pope Leo XIV presides over the funeral Mass for Cardinal Ruini, a key figure in the Italian Church for decades, who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 95.
Union leader warns 'no basis' for public sector pay talks
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Industrial unrest in the public sector could be on the way after lead union negotiator Kevin Callinan warned that there is currently "no basis" for formal negotiations on a new public service agreement.
Medicine Hatters coming to grips with death on field trip
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Parents, teachers and city staff are expressing grief and anxiety after an 11-year-old boy died in a suspected drowning during a field trip to a city-run swim lake this week. Fundraising is underway and emotional support is being offered.
Lack of endometriosis awareness adds years to diagnosis, report finds
The research found the most common way respondents first learnt about endometriosis was through family members or friends.
Some 'struggling to keep pace' with food costs - report
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The ongoing rise in food costs has placed "significant pressure" on household budgets, particularly for lower-income families who spend a larger share of their income on food.
Man held as boy 'ends up in crocodile enclosure' in UK
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A man has been arrested in the UK on suspicion of attempted murder after a three-year-old boy ended up in a crocodile enclosure at a zoo.
‘Complete magic’: Taylor Hall’s former Windsor billet parents witness his 1st Stanley Cup win
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When Carolina Hurricanes left winger Taylor Hall lifted the Stanley Cup on Sunday night in Las Vegas, in the stands cheered on his Windsor billet parents.
'When people commit crimes, they shouldn't be in this fancy-dancey jail,' Ontario premier says of new facility
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford faces criticism for comparing the planned Thunder Bay Correctional Centre to a Four Seasons Hotel. His comments come after the inquest for Kevin Mamakwa, who died in the old jail in 2020. He was the nephew of Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, who said the premier's comments expose "the real Doug Ford."
Here's the scoop on Japan's alleged ice cream cartel accused of price-fixing cool treats
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Japanese government fair trade watchdog officials have inspected six major ice cream makers on suspicion of price-fixing, with local media calling it a cartel.
Hegseth orders review of U.S. troops deployed to NATO in fiery Brussels speech
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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth put NATO allies on notice Thursday, announcing a Pentagon review of America's military commitment to Europe and warning some countries will fail the assessment.
Two men jailed for 24 years for human trafficking
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Two men from Eastern Europe have been jailed 13 and 11 years for human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation - the first conviction of its type in the State.
Carney announces $200M for new school, updated health centre in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
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Carney says $100 million will come from the province, and $100 million from feds. He also announced other major infrastructure projects in B.C., including $50 million for coastal communities such as Prince Rupert and Terrace.
Lidl opens its first 'Middle Ale' bar near Belfast
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Supermarket chain Lidl has opened the doors to its first pub - in Northern Ireland.
Mexico dig out scrappy win to reach knockout phase
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Mexico booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage as Group A winners and secured home advantage for the Round of 32 after Luis Romo's second-half strike earned the tournament co-hosts a 1-0 win over South Korea.
Canada's historic rout of Qatar marred by Koné injury
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Canada claimed their first World Cup win in style with a 6-0 thrashing of nine-man Qatar in front of a raucous home crowd in Vancouver – although a serious-looking injury to Ismael Kone threatened to overshadow the result.
Alberta judge reserves decision on whether to set aside ruling that threw out separatist petition
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The ruling last month found that the Stay Free Alberta petition shouldn't have been issued and that Premier Danielle Smith's government neglected its duty to consult First Nations.
These Gaza sisters won an environmental prize for turning war rubble into bricks
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In this issue of our environmental newsletter, we learn how two young innovators are recycling war rubble into something to build back with; see how fungi help restore ecosystems after a wildfire; and hear why young people are suing the federal government over its approach to climate change.
New Gender Pay Gap Portal opens
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The Government has launched the public side of the Gender Pay Gap Portal, which allows people to see, compare and review employer data on gender pay gaps.
Female players need support after having children - study
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Just 3% of elite intercounty female players have children, the Gaelic Players Association has said.
Scrum battle could decide evenly poised URC Grand Final
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Neil Treacy previews this evening's BKT United Rugby Championship final, as Leinster host the Bulls at Croke Park for the second year in a row.
Canadian shot and killed in apparent accident in South Africa's Kruger National Park
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A Canadian tourist has been shot and killed at the Kruger National Park in South Africa, according to officials there.
Ivory Coast says striker Elye Wahi will be allowed into Canada for team's next World Cup match
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Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, under investigation for alleged betting-related offences, has received authorization to enter Canada for his nation's World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said Thursday.
Special election in UK could hasten rise of Andy Burnham, end for Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot, but the U.K. prime minister’s future is on the line in a special election on Thursday. Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker, and the leading contender is Andy Burnham of the governing Labour Party, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and oddsmakers’ favorite to be the next prime minister. If Burnham defeats a candidate from the anti-immigration party Reform UK and wins the seat for Labour, he’s almost certain to challenge the embattled Starmer for leadership of the party, and the country. Burnham has pledged that “if people put their trust in me, I will change politics” — a big promise for a politician who, if he wins, will be just one of 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons. But the scores of journalists from around the world who have flocked to Makerfield during the campaign are evidence that this is no normal by-election. In an election-day video, Burnham said he would take the fight for change “as high as I can possibly take it.” Polls close at 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results due earl
Pentagon chief lashes out at NATO allies and announces a review of US forces in Europe
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at NATO allies on Thursday, announcing a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe whose outcome will depend on how fast the Europeans take responsibility for their own security. The threat of a review was yet another surprise for European allies and Canada as they learn to deal with an increasingly unpredictable ally. U.S. officials and senior military officers had promised to coordinate closely with the Europeans as America draws down. Just weeks ago, the Trump administration said that it would no longer provide as much military support should any NATO member come under attack, leaving them scrambling to find equipment to plug any gaps. In recent months, U.S. President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have sent conflicting signals about whether America is reducing or increasing its military footprint in Europe, as well as threatening to annex Greenland , a semiautonomous island that is part of ally Denmark. “This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading
NK leader's sister slams G7 call for denuclearization, defends nuclear arms as 'means of self-defense'
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday denounced international calls for denuclearization, describing the country's nuclear weapons as its "core interests" and denuclearization as a "line of no retreat that can never be crossed," Pyongyang's state media reported. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Yo-jong criticized the United States and its allies for making what she called "anachronistic" demands for North Korea's denuclearization. Kim's remarks came in response to a joint statement issued by leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations at their summit in Paris on Wednesday, which reaffirmed their commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions. Dismissing the G7's demand outright, she said denuclearization was "an irreversibly finalized agenda" that "can never be realized." "Nuclear weapons are powerful means of defending sovereignty and cornerstone for ensuring peace, defined by the law of the DPRK," she said, claiming its nuclear arsenal is "a means for self-defens
LNG leak in southern Seoul forces 130 to evacuate
A liquefied natural gas leak on Thursday in southeastern Seoul's Songpa District prompted the evacuation of about 130 residents. No injuries were reported. According to fire authorities, a report of a gas leak was received Tuesday at around 2:46 p.m. near Exit 4 of Hanseong Baekje Station on Seoul Metro Line 9. Firefighters dispatched 10 vehicles and 38 personnel to secure the scene, blocking the station's exits and surrounding roads. Immediately after the incident, both directions of traffic were fully restricted on the road stretching from Exit 4 of the station toward Bangi Market. Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution. After the leak was contained, all traffic restrictions were lifted and vehicle flow returned to normal. Safety measures related to the city gas system have also been completed. Fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of the leak and the circumstances of the incident.
KHNP CEO reviews Dukovany project in Czech Republic
State-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) CEO Kim Hoe-chun met with Czech industry officials on Thursday (local time) to review progress on the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station project, marking one year since the two sides signed a landmark construction contract. During his two-day visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday and Thursday, the KHNP CEO joined Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek, and key engineering partners for a Dukovany Steering Committee meeting to review the project's progress. Participants reviewed progress on the project to build two nuclear reactors in the Dukovany region and discussed next steps, focusing on ensuring the project remains on schedule and strengthening bilateral cooperation. On Thursday, KHNP separately hosted a Korea-Czech nuclear industry partnership event in Prague to celebrate the contract’s first anniversary, where Korea Electric Power Corp. Engineering & Construction (KEPCO E&C) and the Czech firm Energoprojekt Praha signed a design support services agreement. "The Dukov
S. Korea conveys concern to China over N. Korea's silence on denuclearization
The South Korean government reportedly raised concerns with China over growing speculation that Beijing is tacitly condoning North Korea's nuclear weapons, a perception fueled by China's recent silence on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. According to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nam Jin, director general of its Northeast and Central Asian Affairs Bureau, met Wednesday with Director-General Liu Jinsong of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Liu was visiting Korea, and the two discussed the North Korean nuclear issue and other matters. Speculation that China is effectively tolerating North Korea's nuclear arsenal gained traction after the North Korea-China summit in Pyongyang this month did not publicly address denuclearization. The South Korean government reportedly conveyed its position that theories suggesting China is condoning North Korea's nuclear weapons are undesirable and unhelpful to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Despite these concerns, the government reportedly believes China is not condoning North Korea's nuclear weapons, citing Beijing's c
Gold's unusual price swings leave investors at crossroads
Gold, a traditional safe haven asset, has recently confounded investors with price movements that defy conventional market expectations, according to market watchers Thursday. Prices fell during a period of escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, only to rebound after the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement, challenging the long-held assumption that gold rises during wars and declines once conflicts subside. Unusual movements in gold prices have fueled debate among investors over whether the recent correction signals further losses ahead or a buying opportunity. According to the Korea Exchange, the domestic spot gold price rose for four consecutive trading sessions, climbing from 208,820 won ($137) per gram on Monday to 209,640 won on Tuesday, 209,700 won on Wednesday and 210,530 won on Thursday. Gold prices had fallen below the 200,000 won mark, touching an intraday low of 196,780 won on June 11 as the Middle East conflict continued. They later rebounded after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on June 14 that an agreement had been reached with Iran to en
Classic K-dramas turn into reunion shows
Iconic K-dramas from the mid-2010s are returning to small screen, but not as reruns or a retrospective. Instead, they're coming back as show spin-offs. Networks tvN and KBS2 announced upcoming 10th-anniversaryspecials for their 2016 hit series "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" and "Love in the Moonlight." The announement reflects TV networks leveraging legacy intellectual property to capture both nostalgic older fans and younger streaming audiences. Local broadcaster tvN will premiere "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God – 10th Anniversary" on July 4. For the event, original cast members Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na reunite and revisit the show's famous filming locations, including Jumunjin Breakwater in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Teasers showed the actors returning to the seaside with original props from the show, including the drama's signature red scarf. "It was the most brilliant winter for me," actor Gong, who took the role of a cursed 939-year-old goblin who is looking for his bride so that he can stop being immortal, said in a promotional clip, reminisci
PM nominee's confirmation hearing set for June 25-26
The ruling and opposition parties agreed Thursday to hold a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook next week. A special parliamentary committee on Han's hearing passed a plan to hold a two-day confirmation hearing from next Thursday. In Korea, the appointment of a prime minister is subject to parliamentary approval following a confirmation hearing. If confirmed by the National Assembly, Han would become the first female prime minister under the Lee Jae Myung administration and the country's second female prime minister since Han Myeong-sook, who held the post from 2006-07.
No formal request made to Korea for participation in Iran reconstruction fund: sources
Korea has not formally received any request from the United States or other parties regarding participation in a proposed post-war reconstruction fund for Iran, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. On Wednesday (U.S. time), U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled the text of a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which Washington and Tehran agreed to negotiate a final agreement within 60 days to end their monthslong war. The document also included Iran's reaffirmation that it will neither acquire nor develop nuclear weapons. The MOU outlines provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while stating that the U.S. will work "with regional partners to develop a definitive, mutually agreed plan with at least $300 billion" for Iran's reconstruction and economic development. According to foreign media reports, more than half of the proposed private-sector fund has already been committed, with companies from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the U.S. said to be among those that have pledged participation. "The proposed reconstruction fund is linked to negotiations on
Pentagon chief lashes out at NATO allies, announces review of US forces in Europe
BRUSSELS — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at NATO allies on Thursday, announcing a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe that will depend on how fast they take responsibility for their own security. “This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” he told his NATO counterparts in Brussels. Hegseth lambasted European allies for failing to provide U.S. forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran, calling it “shameful.” “These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all,” he said. His remarks came a few weeks after the United States told its allies that it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft if one of them comes under attack. European allies and Canada are trying to work out how to plug the gaps. “NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War re
Israel in talks with US over continuing its Lebanon troop deployment, officials say
JERUSALEM — Israel is holding negotiations with the U.S. as it seeks to continue its deployment of troops in southern Lebanon, two Israeli officials including a senior Israeli official close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Reuters on Thursday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, made the comments a day after the U.S. and Iran signed an interim pact that calls for parties to ensure "the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon." Israel expanded its invasion of southern Lebanon after the Lebanese militia Hezbollah opened fire at Israel on March 2 in support of its ally Iran. It has since staged a devastating air and ground campaign that it says aims at rooting out Hezbollah. Israel describes the territory it has seized in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria as "buffer zones" between it and its enemies, a core facet of Israel's recent security policy. Netanyahu has rejected calls for Israel to withdraw from those territories. The senior Israeli official told Reuters that Israel was "conducting stubborn negotiations" with Washington over
Thai startups pitch to Korean investors at Seoul-Thailand Startup Innovation Space
The Thai Embassy hosted the inaugural Seoul-Thailand Startup Innovation Space (STSiS) at the ambassador's residence in Korea, Wednesday, bringing together Thai startup founders, Korean investors and accelerators to explore new opportunities for cross-border collaboration and expansion. Jointly organized by Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), the program featured startup pitching sessions, networking activities and a luncheon designed to connect promising Thai startups with Korea’s investment and innovation ecosystem. A total of 10 Thai startups selected through a competitive screening process participated alongside 10 Korean investors and startup accelerators. The event is part of the entrepreneurs' week-long program in Korea that includes training sessions, networking events and attendance at NextRise, billed as Asia’s largest startup and venture capital event, in Seoul from Thursday to Friday. The STSiS event is the first time the initiative has been held in Korea, following similar programs in Malaysia and Singapore last year as part of NIA’s efforts to help Thai sta
DPK factional divide becomes more visible after local elections
A simmering factional divide within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has become increasingly visible nearly two weeks after the June 3 local elections, with loyalists of President Lee Jae Myung and party Chairman Jung Chung-rae exchanging mocking labels that lay bare the depth of the rift. The antagonism has proved more entrenched than many had assumed. Those aligned with the president have sought to disparage pro-Jung figures with a derogatory acronym: "Moon-Cho-Teol-Rae-Rhyu." The acronym, which references former President Moon Jae-in and four of his notable associates, including Jung, is crafted from syllables of their names and well-known personal traits of Moon and his allies — Cho Kuk, Kim Ou-joon, Jung and Rhyu Si-min. The former president remains a potent force within the DPK despite Lee having taken control of the party before being elected as president in June 2025. Cho served as Moon's justice minister, while Kim, a left-leaning journalist and broadcaster, is known for his trademark thick beard, earning him the nickname “teolbo,” or bearded man, from which the
Recognition or sidelining? Reactions mixed as Grammys unveil Asian pop category
The Grammy Awards will add a Best Asian Pop Music Performance category, a move read as recognition of Asian music's global reach after years of criticism that the show favored English-language acts and lagged behind the times. The Recording Academy, which runs the Grammys, announced the rule change on its website Tuesday (local time). The new category takes effect at the 69th Grammy Awards next year, alongside four others — Best Latin Song, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance and Best Traditional Folk Album. For Korea, the Asian pop category was the most welcome news of the bunch. BTS and other K-pop acts have topped Billboard's main chart and sold out world tours for years, yet the Grammys remained the one stage they could not crack. Because Grammy wins were especially hard to come by, some saw the change as a milestone cracked open by years of persistent knocking from K-pop music. "Now that there is finally a category where K-pop artists can be officially recognized, it opens the door for far more artists to enter the conversation t
Chip giants push KOSPI past 9,000, masking broader market weakness
KOSPI set another record on Thursday, surpassing the 9,000 mark for the first time on a strong rally in large-cap semiconductor and IT stocks. However, the broader market continued to show signs of deepening polarization, with small- and mid-cap stocks increasingly left behind. According to the Korea Exchange, the benchmark index closed at 9,063.84, up 2.25 percent from the previous session. The index briefly rose as high as 9,106.07 before paring some gains ahead of the closing bell. Foreign investors led the rally, buying a net 1.44 trillion won ($942.6 million) worth of shares. Retail and institutional investors, meanwhile, offloaded a net 543.9 billion won and 680.3 billion won, respectively. The secondary Kosdaq market closed at 1,000.93, down 3.01 percent. The index was dragged lower by foreign and institutional selling, despite retail investors’ net purchases. The exchange rate stood at 1,527.1 won per dollar, with the Korean currency depreciating by 13.7 won from the previous session, driven by dollar strength following the hawkish Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting o
POSCO accelerates low-carbon steel transition with Korea’s largest electric arc furnace
POSCO has completed construction of Korea’s largest electric arc furnace (EAF) at its steelworks in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province with an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons, marking a major step in its transition toward low-carbon steel production. The largest single EAF installation in Korea, which began construction in February 2024, is part of the company’s broader strategy to respond to tightening global decarbonization policies and rising demand for low-emission steel products. It was built with about 600 billion won ($392.6 million) in investment, with a cumulative 270,000 workers involved. Unlike traditional blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace operations, which rely on iron ore and coking coal, the EAF uses recycled steel scrap as its primary raw material. POSCO estimates the process can cut carbon emissions by up to 75 percent compared with the average emissions generated by its conventional blast furnace operations between 2017 and 2019. To enhance the quality of EAF-produced steel, the company is advancing its proprietary hot metal-scrap mixing technology, whi
Seoul launches state-run body to implement $350 bil. US investment pledge
State-run Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corp. (KUIC) officially set sail Thursday with the task of implementing Korea's $350 billion investment pledge to the United States in return for lower tariffs, the finance ministry said. "Through the launch of the KUIC, the alliance between Korea and the United States has developed beyond the economy and security to strategic industries, further advancing our solid partnership," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said during the opening ceremony in Sejong. "Korea and the U.S. will combine each other's strengths to leap forward together as an indispensable hub in the global supply chain," Koo added. The new company, based in the central city of Sejong, was launched after the National Assembly passed the Special Act for Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Management in March. In October last year, Seoul and Washington reached an agreement on Korea's $350 billion investment pledge. Under the law, the new company will operate for 20 years, with the government providing 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion) for its establishment. "The U.S., with the world's most advan
President to host dinner for diplomatic corps next Tuesday
President Lee Jae Myung will host a dinner reception next Tuesday for heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations in Korea, the presidential office said Thursday. The reception, to be held at Cheong Wa Dae, will bring together ambassadors representing all 118 resident diplomatic missions in Korea and delegates from 30 international organizations, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. Among the guests will be Chafik Rachadi, Morocco's ambassador to Korea, who serves as dean of the diplomatic corps. Since 1998, Korea has regularly held presidential receptions for the diplomatic corps at Cheong Wa Dae to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening ties with foreign governments and to seek support and cooperation for major policy initiatives. This year's gathering will take place in Nokjiwon, a garden within the Cheong Wa Dae compound, for the first time since 2019. The presidential office returned from Yongsan District in central Seoul last year. Kang said the upcoming gathering reflects efforts to restore regular communication
All-in-one apps emerge as new battleground among financial groups
Major financial groups are stepping up efforts to consolidate banking, securities, card and insurance services into single mobile platforms, intensifying competition to build all-in-one financial apps, industry officials said Thursday. The latest move came from Shinhan Financial Group, which on Wednesday unveiled its new integrated financial platform, Shinhan Super SOL, as part of a broader strategy to unify services across its banking, card, securities and insurance affiliates. According to the company, the upgraded platform allows customers to access banking, card, securities and insurance functions through one application, reducing the need to repeatedly log in or switch between apps. The launch reflects a broader industry trend as major financial groups seek to strengthen customer loyalty and increase user engagement within their digital ecosystems. Other financial groups are pursuing similar strategies. Earlier this year, Hana Bank overhauled its Hana One Q app to integrate deposits, loans, foreign exchange and card-related services into a single platform. Woori Bank has expanded the
National Assembly launches probe into ballot shortages as NEC scandals mount
The National Assembly approved a sweeping parliamentary investigation into the June 3 local election ballot paper shortage, paving the way for a broader probe into irregularities at the National Election Commission (NEC), an institution long insulated by constitutional guarantees of its independence. The special committee on the Ninth Nationwide Local Elections Ballot Paper Shortage and Election Management Reform was officially launched on Thursday after legislators adopted the investigation motion and its 45-day plan in a plenary session, with 250 of 251 lawmakers present voting in favor. The probe will run in parallel with a separate criminal investigation that has already begun calling in election workers. The 18-member committee is made up of nine lawmakers from the ruling liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), seven from the People Power Party (PPP) and two from minor parties, with PPP lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun as chair. “The committee pledges before the people that it will do its utmost to uncover the full truth and to pursue sweeping reforms of election management, so that the
BMW Korea launches iX3 electric SUV with revamped design
BMW Korea has launched its highly-anticipated all-electric SUV — the iX3 — featuring the carmaker’s next-generation Neue Klasse design language, the company said Thursday. The vehicle comes with symbolic significance as the carmaker’s first mass-produced model built on the completely revamped exterior design. The premium electric SUV blends a modern reinterpretation of BMW’s iconic 1960s heritage with futuristic innovations spanning design, digital integration and electrification technology, the carmaker said. Powered by the sixth-generation BMW eDrive system, the new iX3 introduces the brand’s first cylindrical cell battery technology. Utilizing a “cell-to-pack” manufacturing method that integrates battery cells directly into the pack without modules, the vehicle has achieved a 20 percent increase in energy density and a 30 percent boost in driving range. Equipped with a 113.4 kilowatt-hour high-voltage battery, the flagship iX3 50 xDrive model boasts a single-charge driving range of up to 611 kilometers under Korean certification standards. Its 800-volt architecture enabl
Korea rises 6 spots to 21st in world competitiveness rankings
Korea rose six places to rank 21st out of 70 countries in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Ranking, marking its second-highest position since it was first included in the evaluation in 1997, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said Thursday. Among countries with per capita incomes of more than $30,000 and populations of more than 50 million, Korea ranked second after the U.S., up from third place. The annual ranking is regarded as one of the most representative indicators of national competitiveness, the ministry said. Covering 70 countries, including OECD members and emerging economies, the IMD assessment evaluates the capacity of nations and businesses to increase wealth and improve quality of life. Korea’s previous highest ranking was 20th in 2024, while its lowest was 41st in 1999. Across the four main categories, sharp gains in business efficiency and infrastructure drove Korea’s overall rise. Government efficiency remained unchanged from the previous year, while economic performance edged down. Business efficiency saw the biggest j
Ministries clash over whether to call North Korea 'principal enemy'
The Ministry of Unification on Thursday challenged the defense ministry’s position that North Korea remains a "principal enemy," saying the Lee Jae Myung administration’s goal of peaceful coexistence cannot be reconciled with treating Pyongyang in such terms. The remarks exposed a rare policy divide within the government as the Ministry of National Defense prepares its 2026 Defense White Paper, the first to be issued under the Lee administration. “The peaceful coexistence of the two Koreas is a firm policy goal of the Lee Jae Myung government,” a unification ministry official told reporters during a background briefing. “One cannot pursue peaceful coexistence with North Korea while defining it as a principal enemy.” The comments came hours after the defense ministry rejected media reports suggesting it was considering dropping references to North Korea as an enemy in the upcoming white paper. “The report is not true,” Lee Kyung-ho, deputy spokesperson for the defense ministry, said during a regular briefing. “Our position that the North Korean regime and the North Korean
First heat wave alerts of year issued for Seoul, surrounding areas
The state weather agency on Thursday issued the first heat wave advisories of the year for Seoul and its surrounding areas. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) put the alerts into effect at 2 p.m. for southern Seoul, parts of the surrounding Gyeonggi Province and Ganghwa County in Incheon, west of the capital. Earlier at 11 a.m., separate advisories were also issued for Gyeonggi's Hanam and Yeoju, alongside the country's southeastern regions of Gyeongsan, Yecheon and Gunwi, the KMA said. A heat wave advisory is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain at or above 33 C for two or more consecutive days.
Bye-bye left and right: Korea's politics needs a new vocabulary
If you have been following the protests at Seoul's Olympic Park over election mishandling, you will know that the protesters insist they are neither left nor right. Many commentators have welcomed this as evidence of a younger generation's independence from old political loyalties. I think the protesters are onto something more profound: a reality that much of political commentary has yet to recognize. The routine description of Korean politics as a contest between a progressive left and a conservative right no longer describes what is happening. More accurately, it never really did. The two main sides in politics today are descendants not so much of competing ideologies as of two political tribes that originated in historical circumstances that have largely disappeared. A generation ago, when many of today's political leaders were university students, Korean politics was defined by two intersecting divisions. The first separated an authoritarian government that claimed Korea was a "liberal democracy" from a democratic opposition determined to make it one. The ruling establishment justifi
Trump's hollow victory in Iran
Trump's hollow victory in Iran
Joseon-era marketplace returns to life in downtown Seoul
The bustle of a 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty-era marketplace is returning to the heart of Seoul this weekend, as artisans, merchants and traditional food vendors transform the grounds of the Seoul Museum of History and nearby Gyeonghui Palace into a sprawling celebration of Korean heritage. The Seoul Museum of History said it will host the traditional craft market festival "Seoyeokbak Marketplace" from Friday through Sunday, bringing together 92 traditional brands for one of the city's largest culture-themed outdoor events. Organized in partnership with the social planning company Project Question, the festival reimagines a traditional Joseon marketplace for modern audiences, offering visitors a chance to experience Korean crafts, traditional attire, food and merchant culture in a single venue. The event will feature two "yukuijeon" (referring to the six items exclusively sold in these royal shops), 27 licensed market stalls, four taverns, three artisan villages, 46 street vendors and 10 itinerant merchant groups modeled after the trading culture of the Joseon era. Visitors will be able to b
Seoul rolls out market rewards program
Shoppers browsing neighborhood markets across Seoul next week will have a new incentive to fill their baskets: spend more to get something back. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will launch the 2026 Seoul Household Support Payback Week from June 24 to June 30, offering consumers refunds of up to 30,000 won ($20) in digital Onnuri gift certificates for purchases made at traditional markets and shopping districts across the city. The weeklong campaign will take place at 120 traditional markets and shopping areas in all 25 districts of Seoul. City officials said the program is designed to ease household spending burdens while helping traditional markets and small business districts attract more visitors and boost sales. Under the program, shoppers who make purchases during the event period can receive digital Onnuri gift certificates based on their total spending. Consumers who spend at least 15,000 won will receive a 5,000-won certificate. Those spending 30,000 won or more will receive a 10,000 gift certificate, while purchases of 60,000 won or more qualify for a 20,000-won certific
Suburban Seoul walking trail finds its rhythm under banner of Czech icon
Seoul’s Seocho District has launched a new music-themed walking trail along Yangjae Stream, combining natural scenery with curated audio content to create a unique recreational experience for residents and visitors. The project, called the Havel Music Walk, stretches along the upper embankment trail between Havel Bench and Yeongdong 1 Bridge. The route takes its name from Vaclav Havel, the late playwright, dissident and first president of the Czech Republic, whose legacy of human rights and cultural diplomacy is memorialized along the stream. The starting point features a "Havel’s Place" installation — a public memorial bench and table design found in major global cities to promote dialogue and democratic ideals. District officials said the initiative is designed to transform Yangjae Stream from a simple walking path into a cultural waterfront destination where nature and the arts can be enjoyed together. The trail's theme, "The Melody of Culture Flowing on the Waves of Yangjae Stream," is reflected in a series of audio installations positioned along the route. The system is desig
Switzerland says talks planned for Friday between Iran, US
ZURICH — Initial talks between the United States and Iran are planned at the Buergenstock mountaintop resort in Switzerland on Friday, following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington, the Swiss government said on Thursday. "As things stand, the plan is still for the U.S. and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other involved countries, to meet tomorrow at Buergenstock for initial negotiations about implementing the agreement. "No further information is currently available regarding the schedule and details of this meeting," the Swiss foreign ministry said in a statement.
Can Pop Mart sustain the Labubu juggernaut as China sales cool?
Chinese toymaker Pop Mart recorded its first year-on-year decline in domestic online sales since 2024 in May, raising fresh questions about the sustainability of demand for its intellectual property (IP) portfolio, including its blockbuster Labubu character. Domestic online sales fell 5 percent from a year earlier and 14 percent from April, according to Moojing e-commerce data tracking transactions across Tmall, Taobao and Douyin. Sales were also 25 percent below the average monthly level recorded in the second half of last year. "This confirms our earlier prediction of mounting sales pressure in Pop Mart's domestic market from the second quarter of 2026 onwards," said Deutsche Bank analyst Sammi Xu. "We believe this pressure could intensify in the second half of the year, driven by a higher comparison base and waning IP popularity in China." Shares of the Hong Kong-listed company fell 2 percent to close at HK$171.30 on Wednesday. "We think the earlier frenzy surrounding Labubu has cooled, while intensifying competition is likely to weigh on revenue growth in 2026," said Jeff Zhang, an a
Seoul opens 6 Han River park pools, water playgrounds for summer season
Seoul will open six outdoor swimming pools and water playgrounds along the Han River starting Friday, offering residents and tourists a popular urban escape from the summer heat. The facilities — located at Ttukseom, Yeouido, Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji and Yanghwa parks — will operate through Aug. 30, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The sites are part of the city's extensive Han River park system, a major recreational destination that stretches across the capital. The city said more than 552,000 visitors used the facilities last year, a 77 percent increase from 2024, highlighting growing demand for affordable outdoor leisure activities in Seoul. Most locations will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended evening hours until 10 p.m. from July 3 through Aug. 30 at selected venues, including Ttukseom, Yeouido, Jamsil and Nanji. Operations may be suspended during severe weather events, including typhoons, heavy rainfall or poor air quality conditions. City officials have also prepared special summer programs, including live acoustic guitar performances, orchestral
Meritz's funding condition pushes Homeplus closer to bankruptcy
Meritz Financial Group has approved 100 billion won ($66 million) in emergency financing for Homeplus, the struggling retailer currently undergoing court-led rehabilitation, the company said Thursday. However, confusion continues to deepen as the blame game intensifies between MBK Partners, Homeplus' largest shareholder, and Meritz over the latter's conditional loan offer. The approval falls short of the 200 billion won sought by Homeplus. Meritz also stipulated that the funds can only be drawn if MBK Partners, the private equity firm that controls the retailer, and MBK Chairman Michael ByungJu Kim provide legally valid and enforceable joint guarantees, casting doubt on whether the financing will ultimately be disbursed. The conditions have heightened concerns over Homeplus' restructuring prospects, with industry observers warning that the retailer could face bankruptcy if it fails to secure sufficient funding before a key court deadline in July. According to Meritz, its board approved the 100 billion won debtor-in-possession (DIP) loan at a meeting on Wednesday. Rather than being disburs
US Fed's hawkish hold strengthens case for BOK rate hike in July
The U.S. Federal Reserve's hawkish signal has reinforced expectations that the Bank of Korea (BOK) will raise interest rates as early as next month, market observers said Thursday. With inflation concerns persisting in both countries, monetary officials in Washington and Seoul are increasingly focused on restoring price stability, potentially marking the start of a renewed tightening cycle in both economies. The Fed held its benchmark interest rate steady Wednesday (local time) in its first policy decision since Kevin Warsh became its chair. The U.S. central bank unanimously left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent, marking its fourth consecutive pause. The latest dot plot showed that nine of the 19 Federal Open Market Committee participants expected interest rates to be higher than current levels for the rest of this year. Warsh did not submit a rate projection. The Fed's hawkish stance has added to pressure on the BOK to tighten its policy, as officials here seek to contain inflation and limit the impact of a wide interest rate gap with the United States. Mar
Baritone Matthias Goerne, pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon bring Schubert's songs to Seoul
German Baritone Matthias Goerne and pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon will guide Seoul audiences through the stark emotional landscape of Schubert’s “Winterreise” on Sunday, bringing the wintry song cycle to life during the sweltering Korean summer. The concert is part of the Hansae Yes24 Foundation’s “Hansae Classic Lied” series, which aims to popularize the German art song repertoire by pairing leading international vocalists with top Korean pianists. This year’s edition reunites Schubert’s 24-song masterpiece with one of its most acclaimed interpreters and a homegrown star pianist who calls the composer “the most personal and human” in his music world. “For me, Schubert is maybe, next to Bach, the most important composer,” Goerne told reporters at a press conference in Seoul Thursday. “Without Shubert, I think I would say I never would have become a singer.” The baritone recalled discovering the composer’s music as a child and now estimates he has performed it at least 250 times for nearly four decades on every continent. Goerne described “Winterreise” as a “re
Korea, Czech Republic tighten nuclear, robotics ties
Bolstered by one of the largest energy infrastructure initiatives in Central Europe, Korea and the Czech Republic moved this week to expand their partnership from nuclear engineering into the frontier sectors of robotics, electric vehicle batteries and future mobility. The diplomatic push was cemented during a series of high-level bilateral meetings in Prague, where Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-kwan met with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlicek Wednesday and Thursday. The sessions served to solidify both nations' commitments to the multibillion-dollar Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project. During the second assembly of the Dukovany Steering Committee — a specialized regulatory body established in February — officials confirmed that Team Korea, the corporate consortium tapped for the project, remains on track. The ministers reviewed critical licensing and regulatory documents that were submitted, and proactively addressed systemic logistical challenges, including labor shortages and the transport of heavy cargo. To ensure local
Shin Ramyun leaves spicy impression at major Mexico City festival
Thousands of festivalgoers in Mexico City are getting a taste of Korea's signature spicy noodles as Nongshim ramps up its overseas marketing push at one of the country's largest cultural events. Nongshim said it is operating a Shin Ramyun promotional booth Thursday at Campo Marte 26, a major festival being held in Mexico City from June 11 to July 19. The event combines Mexican food and cultural experiences, art exhibitions, concerts and fan activities, drawing large crowds from Mexico and abroad. At the festival grounds, visitors can sample Shin Ramyun by using instant noodle cooking machines installed at the booth. The company is also distributing hand fans featuring SHIN, the brand's mascot, to help attendees cope with the city's summer heat while strengthening familiarity with the brand. Nongshim said it plans to further expand the visibility of Shin Ramyun by continuously airing promotional videos on large screens installed throughout the festival venue. The company has already seen strong interest from visitors. On Wednesday, the first day Nongshim operated a booth at the festival, mor
POSCO International launches PT.PAR, strengthening integrated palm oil value chain
POSCO International has completed the postmerger integration of Indonesian palm oil company Sampoerna Agro, which it acquired last year, and unveiled a new corporate identity for the business under its new name, PT Prime Agri Resources (PT.PAR). The company held a launch ceremony for PT.PAR on Wednesday in Jakarta, Indonesia, formalizing the new brand and signaling a strategic milestone in its agribusiness expansion into a fully integrated palm oil value chain spanning seed development, plantation operations and refining. POSCO International secured management control of Sampoerna Agro through an investment of approximately 1.3 trillion won ($854.9 million) carried out from 2025 through early 2026. The acquisition added 128,000 hectares of plantation across Sumatra and Kalimantan, significantly expanding the company’s upstream production base. It also enabled the company to acquire Indonesia’s second-ranked palm seed business, along with its research and development capabilities. The deal expands POSCO International’s palm oil operations beyond plantation management into seed devel
Nexen Tire ramps up European logistics footprint
Nexen Tire is expanding its logistics footprint in Europe, opening a larger automated warehouse at its manufacturing plant in Zatec, Czech Republic, as the company seeks to strengthen supply stability and respond more quickly to customer demand across the region. The company said Thursday that the expanded finished-goods warehouse has begun full-scale operations at its European production facility. The investment comes as Nexen Tire increases production capacity in Europe and looks to build a more efficient supply chain for customers across the continent. Nexen Tire launched the first phase of operations at the Czech plant in 2019 and expanded the site with a second production facility in 2024. The plant now has annual production capacity of about 10 million tires, prompting the company to expand its storage and logistics infrastructure to accommodate rising output and growing regional demand. Construction of the expanded warehouse began in October 2024. The new facility has a total floor area of 7,104 square meters and stands 51 meters tall. With the expansion, tire storage capacity increa
Iran's reconstruction & US allies
Reports that a postwar memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran may include a $300 billion reconstruction fund, with contributions expected from allied nations and their corporations, raise important questions about responsibility, burden-sharing and the future of international cooperation. While the U.S. government has not officially confirmed the details, multiple media reports suggest that the proposed agreement would combine sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and the creation of a massive reconstruction fund designed to rebuild Iran's economy and infrastructure after years of conflict and isolation. Of particular concern is the suggestion that much of the financing would come not from the United States itself, but from investments by companies based in allied and partner countries, including Korea. If these reports are accurate, the proposal deserves careful scrutiny. Economic reconstruction is an essential component of lasting peace. Yet there is a significant difference between inviting international participation in rebuilding efforts an
Lotte Giants sign Japanese pitcher Iimura as new Asian quota player
The Lotte Giants announced Thursday they have signed Japanese pitcher Shota Iimura as their new Asian quota player. In a corresponding move, the Giants released their ex-Asian quota hurler Masaya Kyoyama. Iimura, 28, will make $70,000 for the rest of the season. The right-hander has spent time with Japanese corporate club KMG Holdings and then with Taichung Taiwan Life in the semi-pro Taiwanese league. The Giants said Iimura can touch 153 kph with his four-seam fastball and his arsenal also includes a slider, curveball, two-seam fastball and splitter. Iimura posted a league-leading 0.93 ERA over 29 innings in the spring league with his Taiwanese club, the Giants said. The Giants ranked ninth among 10 teams in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) through Wednesday's action at 26-39-1 (wins-losses-ties). They have the third-highest ERA in the league at 4.74, and their bullpen ERA is the worst at 5.53. Starting this year, the KBO allowed clubs to sign a player from an Asian country or Australia, in addition to the usual cohort of three foreign-born players. Kyoyama only pitched 10 2/3 innings
Korea rebrands as weekend getaway to draw returning Chinese tourists
A growing number of Chinese travelers are turning Korea into a weekend destination, and tourism officials are moving quickly to capitalize on the trend with new marketing campaigns aimed at encouraging shorter but more frequent trips. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it is strengthening promotions tied to expanded multiple-entry visa programs, highlighting weekend travel, regional tourism and solo travel experiences for visitors from China and Southeast Asia. Since March 30, Korea and the Ministry of Justice have eased visa requirements for travelers who have previously visited Korea, issuing five-year multiple-entry visas to eligible Chinese and Southeast Asian nationals and 10-year multiple-entry visas to residents of 14 major Chinese cities, the ministry said. According to data from Korea Visa Application Centers in China, the number of general tourism multiple-entry visas issued in April rose 10 percent from March following the policy change. Chinese online travel platform Ctrip also recorded an 80 percent increase in multiple-entry visa applications in April compared
Lee to give press briefing on results of Europe trip
President Lee Jae Myung plans to give a press briefing this week on the results of his 10-day trip to Europe that included visits to Belgium and Italy, and his attendance at a Group of Seven (G7) summit, his office said Thursday. Lee, who returned from the trip earlier in the day, will brief reporters at Cheong Wa Dae at 2 p.m. Friday, according to his spokesperson, Kang Yu-jung. During the trip, Lee expanded his administration's diplomatic outreach to Europe and sought global support for inter-Korean peace through his meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. At the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, he held a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings with world leaders. In a brief exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump, he discussed the Korea-U.S. alliance and issues related to the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.
Shinsegae seeks to create World Cup magic under giant screen in Seoul
A historic retail district in the heart of the capital is preparing to transform into a massive outdoor stadium this month, as one of Korea's premier luxury department stores pivots from high fashion to international sports. Shinsegae Department Store will host large-scale public viewing events for the Korean national football team's upcoming World Cup matches at Shinsegae Square, a giant digital media facade attached to its flagship store in central Seoul. The company said it will broadcast Korea's matches against Mexico on June 19 and South Africa on June 25 live on the venue's massive outdoor screen. Visitors will be able to watch the games from designated cheering areas and participate in a range of fan events. Shinsegae Square is a 1,300-square-meter media facade installed on the exterior of Shinsegae Department Store's main branch in Myeong-dong, one of Seoul's most popular shopping and tourism districts. The site has become known for showcasing digital content such as music videos by major pop artists, and has emerged as a prominent destination for visitors to the Korean capital. Sh
Why young Koreans are turning to bus-driving jobs
A young man who left a job at a semiconductor company to become a bus driver is drawing attention after sharing why he believes the career switch improved his quality of life. Lee Seung-jun, a bus driver in his 20s, appeared on the popular tvN talk show "You Quiz on the Block" on Wednesday, where he spoke about his decision to leave the corporate world and take the wheel of a city bus instead. His story has resonated with many young Koreans at a time when growing numbers are reconsidering traditional career paths and placing greater value on work-life balance, job security and workplace culture. Host Yoo Jae-suk said applications from people in their 20s and 30s for bus driver positions have surged in recent years, citing figures showing a 43 percent increase over the past three years. Lee said he was the only bus driver in his 20s when he first entered the profession, but several young drivers have since joined his company. "When I became a bus driver, I was the only person in my 20s," Lee said. "Now there are six of us, including me." Asked why the job is attracting younger workers, Lee
Overcharging hotels risk losing star rating under new rules
Hotels found to have overcharged customers could face a 30-point deduction in their rating evaluation, a penalty steep enough to cost a hotel its star rating. The move signals a tougher stance on price gouging, penalizing such offense three times more heavily than most other violations. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday that it had issued advance public notice of a proposed revision to the guidelines governing hotel grading operations. Under the revised plan, tourist hotels face a new 30-point rating deduction for overcharging customers, compared with a 10-point deduction for most other violations, including hotel fires, illegal activity and administrative sanctions from sanitation or fire inspections. With up to 1,000 points given under the rating system and only a 100-point gap between five-star and four-star thresholds, overcharging violations could push a hotel below its rating tier. The new criterion came after a price gouging controversy surrounding BTS' concerts in Busan, when many accommodations throughout the southern port city simultaneously raised their
Mirae Asset Group crosses $1 tril. mark in client assets
Mirae Asset Group's client assets have surpassed the $1 trillion mark, a milestone that reflects the firm's transformation from a domestic financial company into a global investment player, according to company officials Thursday. As of the end of May, the group's domestic assets totaled 1,140 trillion won ($757.1 billion), while overseas balances reached 390 trillion won. Mirae Asset Securities accounted for roughly 800 trillion won of the total, followed by Mirae Asset Global Investments with 680 trillion won. Mirae Asset Life Insurance and other affiliates managed a combined 50 trillion won. The growth trajectory has accelerated markedly in recent years. Customer assets climbed from 666.5 trillion won in 2022 to 777.9 trillion won in 2023, 906 trillion won in 2024 and 1,158.7 trillion won in 2025. In the first five months of this year alone, the increase exceeded the gain recorded during all of last year. The group's capital base has expanded in tandem. Its equity capital stood at 26.3 trillion won at the end of March, up 2,630-fold from the 10 billion won with which the company was f
OpenAI's Sam Altman postpones visit to Korea due to daughter's birth: sources
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's visit to Korea, originally scheduled for earlier this week, has been postponed due to the birth of his second daughter, sources here said Thursday. Altman had been set to arrive in Korea on Sunday for a two-day trip that included meetings with major technology companies, including Samsung Electronics, to discuss potential cooperation in artificial intelligence. During the visit, Altman was also expected to meet executives from portal operator Naver Corp. and mobile platform operator Kakao Corp. "The postponement appears to have been driven by family priorities rather than any business-related issues," an industry insider said on condition of anonymity. "In the United States, it is generally considered natural to adjust schedules for family events, such as the birth of a child." OpenAI previously said it hopes Altman will be able to visit Korea in the near future and meet local partners in person.
Vice N. Korean FM vows deeper cultural cooperation with China at Chinese Embassy event
A senior North Korean diplomat has pledged to deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation with China during an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang, according to the embassy Thursday. The reception held on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations was attended by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong, officials from the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and foreign diplomats stationed in Pyongyang, among others. In his remarks shared at the event, Kim said North Korea is willing to work with China to elevate bilateral friendly and cooperative relations to expand cultural exchanges, taking the recent summit in Pyongyang between the leaders of the two countries as an opportunity, according to the embassy. Proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 80 countries, the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, which falls on June 10, was established through its adoption at the United Nations General Assembly in 2024. Kim also said the establishment of the U.N.-recognized observance day has contributed to promoting exchanges among countri
Almonty confirms molybdenum reserves in Gangwon Province
Almonty Korea Tungsten Corp. (AKTC) is on a fast track to producing molybdenum — an important earth mineral — in Gangwon Province at a scale the company says could be sustained for more than 60 years. AKTC said on Thursday it has confirmed the volume and quality of a molybdenum reserve at the Sangdong mine in Yeongwol County that it now operates. The discovery, according to the company, was “similar to what we had seen through a past sampling process.” The latest update comes as AKTC has accomplished 37 percent of drilling inside the mine for the estimation of scale and quality of molybdenum ores. The company has so far drilled 26 locations and the bored tunnels now altogether extend to 12 kilometers in length. AKTC said it will begin producing the mineral as soon as the estimation process is complete. The company added that it plans to accelerate its molybdenum production schedule beyond earlier timelines. “The early results from this campaign are highly encouraging. With approximately 37 percent of the program complete, the grades we are encountering are consistent with our h
American appetite for plant-based protein boosts Pulmuone Foods USA sales
Even as a sluggish retail environment weighs on American consumer spending, Pulmuone Foods USA, the domestic subsidiary of Korean food conglomerate Pulmuone, is finding a lucrative growth market in U.S. supermarkets. The company said Thursday that its U.S. tofu revenues rose 16.8 percent year-on-year through May, reaching 107.8 billion won ($71.3 million). The surge reflects a broader shift in American eating habits, as grocery shoppers increasingly pivot toward healthier, plant-based proteins to reduce meat consumption. The growth was led by Pulmuone’s Water Pack line — a firmer style of tofu packaged in water that accounts for roughly 70 percent of its total tofu revenues. Sales for the line jumped 24 percent to 79.9 billion won, a spike primarily driven by a major new retail account secured last fall. Meanwhile, high-protein varieties rose 13 percent, and processed, pre-seasoned options tailored to Western palates grew nine percent. To keep pace with demand, Pulmuone has aggressively expanded its manufacturing footprint. In March, the company completed a significant expansion of i
K-pop’s biggest stars head to Incheon as Seoul Music Awards goes global
Incheon is set to become the center of the K-pop world Saturday as many of the industry’s most prominent acts gather for the 35th annual Seoul Music Awards. The ceremony, a long-standing fixture of the Korean music calendar, is expected to reach audiences in some 150 countries through an ambitious global livestreaming operation. Local officials and the Incheon Tourism Organization said the event will take place at the Inspire Arena, a sprawling venue widely recognized as the country’s largest indoor entertainment complex. For the western port city that has spent years developing its infrastructure to capture a larger share of the lucrative international event market, the awards show represents a high-profile test of its municipal capabilities. The ceremony, hosted by newspaper Sports Seoul and overseen by the event’s organizing committee, determines its winners through a metric-driven formula that balances digital streaming data, physical album sales, panel evaluations by industry experts and popular sentiment gathered through global fan voting. This year’s lineup features a gen
Free EV safety inspections expanded to electric buses, motorcycles
Amid the rapid proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) and persistent public concerns over battery-related fires, the government announced Thursday a significant expansion of its annual EV safety inspection program. For the first time, the free initiative will cast a wider net to include electric buses and motorcycles. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said the expanded effort builds upon a proactive fire prevention campaign initiated in 2023, which had previously focused almost exclusively on passenger cars. By extending the inspection program to public transit and two-wheeled vehicles, officials hope to mitigate hazards across a broader swath of the country’s transportation network. Thirty-four manufacturers have committed to participating in this year's program, comprising 15 makers of passenger vehicles, six bus manufacturers and 13 motorcycle companies. The importance of the government’s safety campaign is underscored by its recent track record. In 2025, technicians inspected more than 300,000 EVs nationwide. During the routine inspections, mechanics identifie
Korea can win Group A with win over Mexico, help from others
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea can become the first team to win their group at this year's FIFA World Cup by beating Mexico this week and getting some help from other teams. Korea and Mexico will go into their Group A showdown Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, knotted at three points each. Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 last week, currently occupy the top spot thanks to their superior goal difference, with Korea in second place after defeating Czechia 2-1 to begin their campaign. For Korea, a combination of their win and a win or a draw by Czechia against South Africa on Thursday will secure them the top seed in Group A, regardless of the outcome from Korea's final group stage match against South Africa next week. In this scenario, Korea will improve to six points and Mexico will remain at three points. Czechia will either grab three points or one point. Even if Korea and Mexico both finish with six points at the conclusion of the group stage, Korea will hold the tiebreak edge over Mexico by virtue of their victory in Thursday's meeting. The head-to-head record be
Trainees from overseas visit redevelopment site for field study hosted by University of Seoul
Trainees from 11 countries visited a housing redevelopment project site near Hansung University Station in Seoul on June 5, as part of a field study organized by the International School of Urban Sciences at the University of Seoul. The university said Wednesday that the site visit was conducted under the Master’s Program in Urban Development Smart Infrastructure Policy (MUDSIP). MUDSIP is a long-term invited master’s degree training program supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the International Contractors Association of Korea. The on-site program was organized for the eighth cohort of MUDSIP trainees, who are expected to lead urban and infrastructure development in their respective countries. The university said the trainees had the opportunity to observe firsthand Korea’s innovative urban regeneration and housing redevelopment models, which have helped address housing challenges caused by rapid urbanization. They also exchanged views with field professionals on the implementation processes and technical aspects of urban renewal and redevelopment pro
Senate committee supports S. Korea-US cooperation on sub manufacturing in report
WASHINGTON — A Senate committee has expressed support for South Korea-U.S. cooperation on submarine manufacturing and directed the Pentagon to provide security and other assessments of Seoul's efforts to secure nuclear-powered submarines, a congressional report showed Thursday. In a report on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, the Senate Armed Services Committee mentioned the two countries' cooperation over Seoul's push to secure conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, pointing to its potentially "positive" security implications. The allies have been cooperating on Seoul's submarine project, as Washington expressed support for it in a joint fact sheet released in November following a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump the previous month. "The committee supports bilateral cooperation on submarine manufacturing with South Korea and acknowledges the potential positive implications for stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region," the committee said in the report. The committee directed Defense Secre
Hyundai Motor to build green hydrogen power system at Antarctic research station
Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday it will introduce a clean hydrogen energy circulation system at Korea's Antarctic research station to support sustainable scientific operations. The initiative is part of a memorandum of understanding signed with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Polar Research Institute, aimed at reducing the facility's reliance on diesel-generated electricity. The green hydrogen grid is a renewable energy-based power system that produces hydrogen through water electrolysis using electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar power. Because Antarctic research stations are not connected to external power grids, they have traditionally relied on diesel generators, which are relatively easy to transport and fuel, and can be used to ensure a stable energy supply for long periods. Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group will develop an Antarctic-specific green hydrogen grid that uses surplus solar energy to produce and store hydrogen. The stored hydrogen will then be converted back into electricity through fuel cells during periods when solar p
ENHYPEN returns as 6-member group after major lineup change
After months of speculation following a member's departure, K-pop boy group ENHYPEN is set to make its first comeback as a six-member act. ENHYPEN — Jungwon, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo and Ni-ki — will release a new album in August, marking the group's return to the music scene after seven months. The upcoming release will be ENHYPEN's first since its seventh EP, "THE SIN : VANISH," which came out in January and further cemented the group's global popularity. The comeback is drawing particular attention because it will be the group's first promotional cycle since Heeseung, now known by the stage name EVAN, left the group in March. The lineup change sparked widespread discussion among fans, making the August return one of the most closely watched K-pop comebacks of the second half of the year. ENHYPEN previously achieved its fourth double-million-selling album with "THE SIN : VANISH." The release also spent 10 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200, Billboard's main albums chart in the United States, underscoring the group's growing international reach. Industry sources said the group
Human leg found at Incheon recycling facility likely belongs to nursing hospital patient
A human body part found at a recycling facility in Incheon is highly likely to be the leg of a patient receiving treatment at a nursing hospital, police said Thursday. "The body part found at the resource recovery center is highly likely to be the left leg of a patient at a nursing hospital in Incheon," the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station said, adding that it had requested an urgent DNA analysis from the National Forensic Service to compare genetic information. Police said that if the DNA of the recovered body part matches that of the patient, they plan to investigate the hospital on suspicion of violating regulations governing the disposal of medical waste under the Waste Control Act. At around 2:00 p.m. on June 10, an employee sorting recyclable materials at the Southern Regional Resource Recovery Center in Songdo-dong in Yeonsu District discovered part of a human left leg and reported it to police. The body part was wrapped in bandages when it was found, and was partially decomposed. Officials at the center said, "Mannequins occasionally arrive here, so we initially thought it was part o
KOSPI tops another historic milestone 9,000 on chip rally
Seoul stocks crossed another round-number milestone of 9,000 for the first time in their history Thursday, buoyed by an extended rally in chipmakers and other artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks, in the face of a hawkish stance by the U.S. Federal Reserve and Iran uncertainty. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 129.42 points or 1.46 percent to 8,993.66 as of 1:52 p.m., after rising as high as 9,040.52. It took less than a month for the index to top the new milestone, after breaking the 8,000-point mark on May 26. The index had delivered a record-breaking run for five straight sessions since last Thursday on the peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran, as well as extended optimism for the AI sector. The KOSPI broke above the 3,000 mark on June 20, 2025, and surpassed 4,000 points on Oct. 27, 2025. On Jan. 22, it hit 5,000 points and touched 6,000 points on Feb. 25. The benchmark index was led by the country's two chip giants — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix — on continued confidence over AI and related sectors. Shares of Samsung Ele
Taiwan needs US weapons to defend against China threat, diplomat says
WASHINGTON — Taiwan needs to purchase American weapons to ensure its self-defense in the face of a growing threat from Beijing, the island's top diplomat in the U.S. said, adding that he has seen no change in Washington's policy toward the self-governing island that China claims as its own. A $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan is still in limbo after President Donald Trump returned from Beijing in May and said he had discussed the proposal “in great detail” with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, heightening anxieties in Taiwan and raising concerns among lawmakers on the Capitol Hill. “We need those arms for defensive purposes,” Alexander Yui Tah-ray, who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday in Washington. “We're trying to increase our defense expenditure. We try to increase our ability to defend ourselves better and survive times of crisis.” The Trump administration has not moved forward with the $14 billion weapons sale proposal after approved by senior lawmakers earlier this year. Trum
Africa's Ebola outbreaks complicated by victims who prefer traditional healers
BUNDIBUGYO, Uganda — Whenever Ebola comes, some of the afflicted choose the road to the nearest hospital. Others take the path to the shrine of a traditional healer, often with devastating consequences. Many view the onset of hemorrhagic fever as a spiritual affliction and seek out herbs and prayers instead of going to the hospital. This is the case now in Congo, which is suffering its seventeenth outbreak of Ebola since 1976, when the virus was first identified in the rich Congo Basin ecosystem. Five decades later, the virus continues to mystify many of the sick in Africa while turning religious leaders into first responders in a deadly emergency. The current outbreak’s victims include health workers without protective gear as well as pastors and worshippers who gathered while Ebola was spreading, according to humanitarian workers and others who spoke to The Associated Press. Ebola spreads through close contact with sick or deceased patients’ bodily fluids. The current outbreak is particularly worrisome in a region where many are distrustful of health workers and refuse to seek m
Co-chair of presidential commission on climate crisis to attend London Climate Action Week
A co-chair of the Presidential Commission on Climate Crisis Response will travel to London next week to attend London Climate Action Week 2026, Europe's largest annual climate festival expected to draw more than 75,000 people from around the world, his office said Thursday. Lee Chang-hoon, the civilian chairperson of the commission also co-chaired by the prime minister, plans to attend key climate conferences and hold bilateral meetings with senior officials of other countries during the five-day trip starting Monday, the commission said. It will be Lee's first overseas trip since the commission was newly launched in January from the previous Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth to play the role of a control tower for the government's climate policies and plans and their implementation. Lee plans to use the trip to promote South Korea's achievements in climate governance reform while building a foundation for cooperation with climate commissions of major countries, as the London climate week is expected to serve as an agenda-setting occasion ahead of November's
Lee returns home following 10-day trip to Europe
President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Seoul on Thursday after wrapping up his first trip to Europe aimed at expanding South Korea's diplomatic landscape beyond Asia toward Europe. The presidential plane carrying Lee landed at Seoul Air Base, just south of Seoul, following his 10-day three-nation trip. The trip, which began last week, first took the president to Belgium and then Italy, where he sought to enhance the country's relations with the European nations, as well as the European Union. In Brussels, Lee held summit talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, followed by a summit with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, president of the European Council. In Italy, Lee held summit talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, agreeing to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership, while also meeting with Pope Leo XIV, where he confirmed the Vatican's continued support for Seoul's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the presidential office. Lee's European trip concluded in Evian-les
Namkoong Min, Jin A-reum expecting 1st child
Celebrity couple Namkoong Min and Jin A-reum are expecting their first child, Namkoong's agency said Thursday. "The two are preparing to welcome a new family member of their family with gratitude and excitement, while putting the highest priority on health and stability," 935 Entertainment said. "We ask that you join us in warmly congratulating actor Namkoong Min and his family on this precious blessing," the agency added. Namkoong, who made his debut in the 2001 film "Bungee Jumping of Their Own," has appeared on the TV series "Hot Stove League," "My Dearest" and "Good Manager." Jin, who made her debut as a model in 2008, has ventured into acting, appearing on the film "The Royal Tailor." The couple got married in a private ceremony in 2022 after seven years of dating.
Protests over ballot shortage during local elections enter 14th day
Protests demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections marred by ballot paper shortages continued for the 14th day Thursday at a ballot counting site amid sweltering heat. Under the scorching sun, protesters chanted slogans claiming election fraud outside SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's southern ward of Songpa, which was used as a ballot counting center for the elections. The protests began June 5, two days after ballot shortages temporarily suspended voting at 26 polling stations. Some protesters could be seen cooling themselves off with fans while guarding the entrance of the gymnasium in a move to prevent election officials from removing ballot boxes inside. While the National Election Commission (NEC) has apologized for the ballot shortages, it says they do not warrant a rerun under the election law. A joint team of police investigators and prosecutors has been investigating the NEC over the shortages. Meanwhile, police have booked a man in his 30s who was taken into custody after brandishing and swinging a sharp weapon near the gymnasium on Wednesday. The man, who injured h
Korea plans new map for travelers, guided by K-drama scripts
Korea’s booming television industry has usually acted as an accidental travel agent, turning quiet provincial corners into bustling tourist hot spots overnight. Now, tourism officials and studio executives are trying to codify that cultural alchemy into a deliberate economic engine. The Korea Tourism Organization signed a joint agreement Wednesday with Studio Dragon, the country’s largest television production house, aimed at systematically channeling global fandom directly into regional economies. Under the new agreement, the two organizations plan to integrate a tourism strategy directly into the preproduction phase of upcoming dramas. Rather than capitalizing on a show's location after it becomes a hit, scenic regional backdrops and narrative elements will be mapped with travel in mind before a single scene is shot. The cornerstone of the initiative is the creation of the “Hallyu Olle Trail,” a network of curated travel routes across Korea's provinces. The project aims to link filming locations nationwide using symbolic installations and interactive spaces, effectively mappin
U-Know Yunho of TVXQ announces 1st solo concert tour across Asia
U-Know Yunho has been anchoring packed stadium shows for the last 20 years as one-half of the seminal K-pop duo TVXQ!. Now, the veteran K-pop star is stepping into the spotlight entirely on his own, announcing a highly anticipated solo concert tour that signals a new chapter in a remarkably enduring career. His agency, SM Entertainment, unveiled Thursday the itinerary of the tour, titled “U-KNOW PROJECT 26 : SCENE#1.” The announcement immediately ignited a flurry of excitement across social media platforms, underscoring the singer’s continuous draw in an industry notorious for its rapid turnover of talent. The tour is scheduled to open in Seoul with a three-night residency at the Ticketlink Live Arena in Olympic Park from July 17-19. Demonstrating his formidable power as a standalone act, tickets for all three initial dates sold out immediately upon release. Following the Seoul engagement, the 40-year-old artist will embark on a sweeping regional tour across seven major Asian markets. The itinerary includes stops in Macau on Aug. 8, Singapore on Aug. 15, Bangkok on Aug. 29, Taipei
BTS expands world tour to 88 shows, adding Jakarta, Bulacan
BTS has added two concerts to its ongoing “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG,’” expanding the trek to a total of 88 performances, the group said through global fan platform Weverse. The newly announced dates include additional shows in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Dec. 29 and in Bulacan, the Philippines, on March 16 next year. The Jakarta stop had originally been scheduled for Dec. 26 and 27 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, but demand prompted organizers to add a third night on Dec. 29, according to the announcement. In Bulacan, the group had been set to perform on March 13 and 14 at Philippine Sports Stadium before adding the March 16 concert. The latest additions continue a series of expanded stops across the tour as BTS draws strong demand in multiple markets. The group previously added one extra performance each in Tampa, Florida; Stanford, California; and Las Vegas in the United States, as well as in Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Melbourne, Australia. BTS recently completed its stop at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Friday and Saturday, performing for approximately
Hefty fines loom for Baemin, Coupang Eats as FTC rejects self-correction bids
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has rejected self-correction proposals from the country's top two food delivery platforms, Baedal Minjok, informally known as Baemin, and Coupang Eats, paving the way for fines that could amount to tens of billions of won over allegations that they abused their market dominance, the antitrust watchdog said Thursday. The regulatory authority rejected the companies’ applications for a consent decree — a mechanism that allows firms to resolve antitrust cases without admitting liability by offering voluntary remedies — ruling that they did not meet the legal requirements to initiate such a settlement process. The fines expected to be imposed on Baemin and Coupang are estimated at 239 billion won ($157 million) to 510 billion won, and 25 billion won to 42 billion won, respectively. Following the latest decision, the watchdog will resume its formal review to determine the illegality of the practices and the scale of sanctions. The watchdog’s probe into the two companies has focused on finding alleged anti-competitive practices, including unfair treatment
AI-generated complaints create new headaches for insurers
A recent customer complaint filed with one of the top three life insurers in Korea appeared convincing at first glance. It cited what seemed to be relevant laws and argued that the company had misinterpreted them. There was one problem: The law did not exist. "Sometimes customers cite statutes that simply aren't real," a company official said. "Other times the law itself exists, but the interpretation is completely off. We're seeing more grievances that sound plausible on the surface but don't hold up under scrutiny." At another big-name non-life insurance firm, claims handlers encountered a different telltale sign of artificial intelligence (AI). One submission still contained the asterisks that ChatGPT typically uses for emphasis. "People can put a few details into ChatGPT and ask it to draft a complaint for them. We are definitely seeing cases like that," an official at the insurance firm said. These episodes illustrate a growing challenge for the country's insurance sector as more consumers turn to generative AI tools to draft complaints and appeals. While chatbots can help explain com
Queer art finds home in Seoul: Inside ‘Spectrosynthesis’ and collector's vision
Sunpride Foundation founder and executive director Patrick Sun likes to joke about his last name. But at Art Sonje Center in Seoul, he is doing more than beaming — he is shining light on queer histories, long scattered and half-hidden in the city, helping them slowly come into public view. Art Sonje Center is currently hosting “Spectrosynthesis Seoul,” the first large-scale institutional exhibition in Korea devoted to queer art, featuring works by 74 artists and collectives from Korea and beyond. The show is the fourth edition in Sunpride’s touring “Spectrosynthesis” series — following Taipei, Bangkok and Hong Kong — and brings together pieces from the foundation’s collection and new commissions to sketch a queer cartography of Seoul. Blending “spectrum” and “synthesis” in its title, the exhibition invites multiple voices and perspectives on queer life to respond directly to the city’s shifting social and political landscape. Curated by Art Sonje artistic director Kim Sun-jung and media culture scholar Lee Yong-woo, the show spills out from the main galleries
FRIDAY, June 19, 2026
1306-The Earl of Pembroke's army defeats Robert the Bruce's Scottish army at the Battle of Methven 1829-Robert Peel introduces the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 into Parliament to establish a unified police force for London, the city's first modern police force 1862-Slavery is outlawed in U.S. territories 1865-Union General Gordon Granger declares slaves free in Texas, now the date the end of slavery is celebrated across the U.S. as Juneteenth 1944-Day one of the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea, U.S. naval forces defeat the Japanese fleet in World War II 1991-Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar surrenders to police
Popular TV analyst sees Son Heung-min as key player vs. Mexico
Lee Young-pyo, a FIFA World Cup hero turned analyst, predicted Wednesday that Korea captain Son Heung-min will play a crucial role in the Taegeuk Warriors' upcoming match against Mexico. Lee, who provides commentary for KBS, used data from Korea's 2-1 win over Czechia in their Group A opener last week to build his case. "Son Heung-min had 40 percent of Korea's shot attempts against Czechia," Lee told reporters at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, western Mexico, where the national team trained for Thursday's match against the World Cup co-host. "Son reached 35 kilometers per hour with his top sprint speed, and it was the fifth-best mark in the entire tournament. The top four players were all in their early 20s and Son was the only one in the top five in his 30s." Son, who will turn 34 in July, faced persistent questions about his decline in the weeks leading up to the tournament. He arrived in Mexico not having scored in league play for Los Angeles Football Club this season. Son had some good looks against Czechia but failed to find the back of the net before being subbed out for forward Oh
US, Iran sign initial deal to end war, ease sanctions and open strait as nuclear talks continue
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran on Wednesday that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and waives U.S.-backed sanctions on the country, immediately allowing Iran to sell its oil freely in a major concession from Washington, according to details released by both countries. The initial deal to end the war takes “immediate effect” after leaders from both countries signed it, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who helped mediate the agreement, said online. The agreement calls for a permanent end to hostilities and starts a 60-day negotiating clock to reach a final deal on the future of Iran's nuclear program, though Trump left the door open to resume attacks. It appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return. The deal has been shrouded in secrecy and confusion for days. U.S. officials refused to disclose the terms even after saying Trump and Vice President JD Vance digitally signed it over the weekend. Trump signed a physical copy Wednesday while dining with French President
Boy group CORTIS' 'RedRed' tops 100 mil. Spotify streams
Rising rookie boy group CORTIS has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify with its latest hit "RedRed," its agency said Thursday. The track, the lead single from the group's second EP, "GreenGreen," crossed the milestone Tuesday, just 57 days after its release on April 20, according to BigHit Music. With the feat, the quintet became the fastest K-pop boy group that debuted within five years to hit 100 million streams, according to the agency. The group has performed "RedRed" at a range of venues, including university festivals and a street cheering event for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square. Riding the track's popularity, Cortis has sold out all nine dates of the Incheon and North American legs of its first tour, according to the agency. After North America, the group is scheduled to continue the tour in Seoul and Yokohama, Japan, until early September.
SK hynix ships 12-high HBM4E samples to customers
SK hynix said Thursday it has shipped samples of high-bandwidth memory 4E (HBM4E) for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) processors to major customers. The company said it delivered 12-high HBM4E samples on schedule, and will work closely with partners for mass production “in a timely manner.” HBM4E is the seventh generation of HBM, a high-performance DRAM designed for rapid data processing and used in graphics processing units (GPUs) and other AI accelerators that require massive computing power. The previous version, HBM4, is set to be used for Nvidia’s Vera Rubin AI supercomputer, which will be released in the third quarter. HBM4E is also expected to be used for Vera Rubin Ultra platform next year. SK hynix said the 12-high HBM4E delivers improvements in both performance and power efficiency. The product offers a maximum data transfer speed of 16 gigabits per second (Gbps) per pin and more than 20 percent higher power efficiency compared to previous models. The HBM4E reduces data transfer latency through its latest interface and design optimization while maintaining sta
Korea asks Azerbaijan to support Korean firms' participation in development projects
Korea has asked Azerbaijan to support greater participation by Korean companies in infrastructure and development projects in the Caucasus nation, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. Vice Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae made the request during the fifth Korea-Azerbaijan policy consultation meeting, held the previous day in Baku and attended by Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov, according to the ministry. Wednesday's meeting marked the first of its kind in four years. During the talks, Chung highlighted the significant potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment and called for the Azerbaijani government's active support to facilitate the participation of Korean companies in various projects under way in the country. Mammadov expressed hope for increased investment by Korean firms in Azerbaijan, citing their advanced technological capabilities, according to the ministry. The two sides also exchanged views on developments on the Korean Peninsula, in the Caucasus region and the Middle East, and agreed to maintain close communication on various regional issues. Ch
MZ Generation's politics
Thousands of Koreans protested in Seoul to demand a revote after a shortage of ballots in the June 3 local elections restricted some people, including youths, from voting. The election was the first nationwide vote since President Lee Jae Myung took office following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose 2024 martial law bid led to his impeachment. President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the ballot shortage. Young people in different countries, from Seoul to Kathmandu, react in surprisingly similar ways when the system fails them. In Korea, millennials and Generation Z — commonly referred to as the MZ Generation — have grown up with high speed internet, economic pressure and skepticism of older political elites. When polling stations ran out of ballots recently, many young voters protested on social media. They organized quick grassroots checks. Some filed formal complaints. This was not a riot. It was civil resistance. Recent youth protests in Nepal, initially triggered by anger over a brief government ban on social media, were fueled by
N. Korea holds commemorative event marking observance for people with disabilities
North Korea has held a commemorative event to mark an annual observance dedicated to people with disabilities, state media reported Thursday. North Korea held its annual Day of Persons with Disabilities observance event at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang on Wednesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Attended by public welfare officials and families of disabled people, various support programs were introduced at the event, with awards handed down to those who have participated in various sponsorship programs. The country has annually held such events since adopting a law on the protection of persons with disabilities in 2003, with June 18 designated as the day of observance. In a separate article, the KCNA said public awareness of issues involving disabled people has increased while highlighting policies aimed at supporting their education, medical care and employment. The report also noted the activities of organizations for disabled artists and athletes in the North, including the Korean Art Association of the Disabled and the Korean Sports Association for the Disab
US may shift toward tighter monetary policy: financial authorities
Washington may shift toward a tighter monetary policy as the U.S. Federal Reserve underscored its commitment to taming inflation, South Korea's financial authorities said Thursday. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol made the assessment alongside Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Shin Hyun-song, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon and Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin as they discussed the outcome of the overnight Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday (U.S. time) held its benchmark interest rate steady in its first rate decision since Chair Kevin Warsh took office last month, with at least half of policymakers anticipating higher rates later this year. The U.S. central bank decided unanimously to leave the rate unchanged at a range of 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent, marking its fourth consecutive pause. The "dot plot" projection chart showed that nine of the 19 FOMC participants expected borrowing costs to be higher by year-end. Warsh did not submit a dot plot projection. "The global financial market had expected the FOMC to hold
SF Giants' Lee Jung-hoo ends homer drought after suspended game resumes
Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants has gone deep for the first time in more than a month. Lee belted his fourth home run of the season to help the Giants defeat the Atlanta Braves 7-2 at Truist Park in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time). The game had been suspended due to rain Tuesday and resumed the following day in the bottom of the second inning, with the Giants up 3-2. The Korean outfielder had driven in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first Tuesday. Then in his second trip to the plate after Wednesday's resumption, Lee popped out to the Braves' Korean shortstop, Kim Ha-seong, to lead off the top of the third. In the fifth, Lee went back-to-back with Rafael Devers, following Devers' solo shot with a solo blast of his own off left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd. Lee hammered a first-pitch sinker that hung over the middle of the plate and drove it 373 feet into the seats in right field at a launch angle of 23 degrees. The ball left Lee's bat at 102.6 mph. It was Lee's first homer since his inside-the-park home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 14. The
Korean midfielder happy to draw attention from opponents
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — After being named the Player of the Match in a 2-1 victory over Czechia last week by recording a goal and an assist, Korean midfielder Hwang In-beom is expected to draw plenty of attention from Mexico in their upcoming match. And it suits Hwang just fine. "I hope they pay a lot of attention to me," Hwang said Wednesday at the prematch press conference at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, the site of the Group A match showdown between the two countries at 7 p.m. Thursday (local time), or 10 a.m. Friday (Korean time). "We have many players that are better than I am, and they will end up getting opportunities if the focus is on me," Hwang added. "I have faith that our attackers will capitalize on their chances. The important thing for us is to execute our plans to the best of our abilities." Korea went down in the second half against Czechia before Hwang netted the equalizer and then set up the go-ahead goal. But Hwang said he isn't content with just winning the first match. "I tried to forget about the first win as quickly as possible and instead focus on t
Missouri's costly cut to young readers
When it comes to preparing young children for successful lives, few factors weigh more heavily than early reading. A Harvard Graduate School of Education study found that reading to children starting very early — even as babies — gives them measurable advantages later over those who don’t have that exposure. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that “reading together with infants and young children … lays the groundwork for school readiness and long-term benefits throughout life.” Providing kids with that early benefit is surely even more crucial in a state like Missouri, with its chronically underfunded and underperforming education system. Yet, in the latest stark illustration of the skewed priorities of our state’s leaders, Missouri’s new budget guts a nationally lauded, modestly priced book-gifting program for young kids to achieve $4 million in savings — an inconsequential sum in the state’s bigger budget picture. Gov. Mike Kehoe and the Legislature can and must undo this shortsighted mistake. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a renowned program that
G7 Summit and Trump
G7 Summit and Trump
Korea to apply zero tariffs on LNG, LPG under quota scheme to tackle inflation
Korea plans to apply zero tariff rates on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) within quotas in the second half of 2026 as the country seeks to tame inflation amid lingering global energy price volatility, the finance ministry said Thursday. The Ministry of Finance and Economy said tariff rates on LNG, LPG and crude oil used for the production of LPG will be lowered to zero in the second half, noting the measure is expected to help stabilize consumer prices by lowering utility and transportation costs. The government earlier planned to lower tariff rates on LNG to 2 percent in the third quarter and 1 percent in the fourth quarter while dropping those on LPG and crude used for LPG production to 1 percent in the second half. "We conduct commissioned research every year on whether the tariff-rate quota system puts downward pressure on consumer prices, and the findings consistently show that it has had such an effect in the energy sector," a ministry official said. Korea's consumer prices rose 3.1 percent in May from a year earlier amid global energy price volatility
Seoul stocks up late Thursday morning on extended chip rally
Seoul stocks were trading higher late Thursday morning, as retail investors snapped up semiconductor heavyweights. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was trading up 64.35 points, or 0.73 percent, to 8,928.59, as of 11:20 a.m. The index trimmed earlier gains on foreign selling, after nearing the 9,000-point mark in early trading. Investors are remaining cautious over the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy direction, after the central bank decided to keep the country's policy rate steady for the fourth consecutive time, and hinted at a rate hike this year to tame inflation. In Seoul, most large-cap shares were trading lower, while semiconductors gathered ground. Samsung Electronics rose 0.94 percent, and its industry rival SK hynix advanced 4.05 percent. In contrast, top carmaker Hyundai Motor shed 1.94 percent, nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility fell 1.84 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace dipped 1.39 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,524.5 won against the U.S. dollar, down 11.1 won from the previous session.
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Korea coach voices regret over drone incident
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo on Wednesday voiced his regret over a recent appearance of a drone at his team's FIFA World Cup training site during a session being held behind closed doors. Hong ran a 90-minute session without any media at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, western Mexico, on Tuesday, two days before Korea's Group A match against Mexico. During the World Cup, teams are typically afforded one day to train behind closed doors, and Hong picked Tuesday to work on his tactics without prying eyes. While the players were warming up at the start of the session, a national team security official spotted a drone above the training ground. The official notified the Mexican military forces on duty at Chivas Verde Valle, and they intercepted the drone and brought it down. According to the Korea Football Association (KFA), two men believed to be the operators picked up their drone and fled the scene before the Mexican authorities could catch them. The KFA has asked the local police to investigate the situation and also notified FIFA of the incident. "I learned of the d
Senate confirms Michelle Steel as US ambassador to S. Korea
WASHINGTON — The Senate has confirmed Michelle Steel, a former two-term Korean American congresswoman, as the United States' ambassador to South Korea. The upper chamber approved Steel in a 55-39 vote on Wednesday (U.S. time), clearing the way for her to take the ambassadorial post as Seoul and Washington face a series of joint tasks, including "modernizing" their alliance and implementing bilateral security and trade agreements. In April, U.S. President Donald Trump nominated her for the ambassador post, which has been left vacant since former Ambassador Philip Goldberg left Korea in January last year. Steel would become the second Korean American to serve as the U.S.' top envoy to South Korea, following former Ambassador Sung Kim, who served in Seoul as ambassador from 2011–2014. The South Korean government granted agrement on Thursday, the host country's prior consent for the appointment of a foreign envoy, for Steel's appointment, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. With administrative procedures on both sides effectively completed, observers say Steel is likely to take up her
Ukraine’s cheap drones and combat robots offer hope for the good guys
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Washington and Europe expected a quick Russian victory. Russia’s population was more than three times that of Ukraine, its military four times larger and gross domestic product 10 times bigger. The power imbalance was just too great. That Russia was entirely in the wrong meant little. Any realist would tell you Ukraine would fall. Then President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to flee, and Russia couldn’t take Kyiv. Observers decided that Ukraine just might be able to stave off defeat, as long as generous U.S. military assistance kept coming. Ukraine faced steep losses but stayed in the fight. Then Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency in January 2025. He had spent years blaming Ukraine for being invaded and covering for Vladimir Putin’s war crimes, so it now seemed inevitable that U.S. support would end and Ukraine would lose. U.S. assistance nearly dried up, and Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms. Observers in Washington and European capitals began to debate exactly how much territory Uk
Fake news: Paradox of democracy
Korea was once regarded as one of Asia’s most remarkable success stories. Having endured Cold War division, authoritarian rule and a difficult transition to democracy, it came to symbolize the possibility that political freedom and economic prosperity could advance together. Today, however, Korea has entered an age of deep distrust. Public debate has become increasingly polarized. Questions surrounding the integrity of electoral administration continue to fuel public controversy and deepen political distrust. Trust in the media, the judiciary and public institutions has weakened. How can democratic debate function when citizens no longer trust the same institutions or even agree on the same basic facts? In many respects, that may be the most serious challenge facing Korean democracy today. The government has identified false and manipulated information as a serious threat to democracy and has moved toward stronger regulation. The revised Information and Communications Network Act, scheduled to take effect in July, includes penalties for the circulation of false or manipulated informat
South Korea coaching hoping team will go beyond semifinals
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — During his illustrious playing career, South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo captained the country to an unlikely semifinal berth at the 2002 FIFA World Cup that South Korea co-hosted with Japan. No Asian country has gone that deep into a World Cup since. More than two decades later, Hong now hopes his current squad will go beyond the final four this time. Having defeated Czechia 2-1 in their first Group A match of this year's tournament, South Korea will take on co-host Mexico for the second match at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, at 7 p.m. Thursday (local time), or 10 a.m. Friday (South Korean time). The winner will be all but assured of a spot in the knockout phase. "We beat Czechia because our players didn't give up until the end, and all did their part really well. Their confidence is running high, and I hope it shows on the pitch tomorrow," Hong said at his prematch press conference at Estadio Guadalajara. "We reached the semifinals in 2002, and I hope the players here will break that record." Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 to begin their home
Korean universities rise in QS rankings as internationalization, graduates' reputation improve
Korea's universities have climbed in world rankings, backed by improvement in internationalization and graduates' reputation with employers. But they still lag behind Asia's top performers due to weak academic reputation and research impact, a global ranking agency said. Korea saw 43 universities place in the QS World University Rankings 2027, with four in the global top 100 and seven in the top 200. Their improvement was reflected in rising numbers, with 53 percent of the universities reaching higher rankings than the previous assessment and only 18 percent falling. This marks the third-best net improvement in Asia behind Hong Kong and mainland China, where 78 percent and 72 percent of schools showed rises in the rankings. Among Korean schools, Seoul National University (SNU) topped the national rankings, placing 38th globally, followed by Yonsei University at 42nd and Korea University at 52nd. The dominance of the three universities, known in Korea as “SKY,” remained intact but the gap is narrowing. While SNU held steady in the global top 50, Yonsei University and Korea University h
Fed holds key rate steady under new Chair Warsh; policymakers project rate increase this year
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark interest rate steady in its first rate decision since new Chair Kevin Warsh took office last month, with at least half of its policymakers anticipating a higher rate later this year. During the two-day Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, the central bank decided unanimously to leave the rate unchanged at the 3.5-3.75 percent range, marking its fourth consecutive pause, amid lingering concerns over the economic fallout of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. According to the FOMC members' new median economic projection, the federal funds rate is expected to be cut to 3.8 percent at the end of this year, up from the March projection of 3.4 percent, suggesting a higher year-end rate than previously projected. The "dot plot" projection chart showed that nine of the 19 FOMC participants expected borrowing costs to be higher by year-end. Warsh did not submit a dot plot projection. The meeting came a week after the U.S. Labor Department reported that the consumer price index rose 4.2 percent in May from a year earli
US releases Iran MOU text, including 60 days of no-charge Hormuz transit
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday unveiled the text of a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ending the Iran war, which includes safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz with no charge for 60 days. In a press call, a senior U.S. official read out the text of the 14-point MOU in the administration's first public disclosure of the deal. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have electronically signed it, with an official signing ceremony set for later this week. The MOU includes the declaration of an "immediate and permanent" end to military operations "on all fronts," a commitment to negotiating a final deal in 60 days extendable with mutual consent, and Iran's reaffirmation that it will not procure or develop nuclear weapons. It also includes the United States' commitment to work with regional partners to develop a "definitive" mutually agreed-upon plan with at least US$300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of the war-damaged Islamic Republic. Th
From Labubu to Chagee, Chinese lifestyle brands find growing market in Korea
On a recent afternoon in Seoul's Yongsan I'Park Mall, dozens of customers lined up for drinks from Chinese tea chain Chagee. Inside the same mall, other shoppers browsed shelves stocked with Labubu, the quirky collectible dolls that sparked a buying frenzy among young consumers last year. The scene highlights a notable shift in Korea's consumer landscape. While anti-China sentiment frequently surfaces in political and diplomatic discussions, Chinese food, toys, travel destinations and lifestyle brands are becoming increasingly familiar parts of everyday life for Korean consumers. Industry experts say the trend is being driven by changing consumer preferences in an era where social media, travel and global cultural exchanges increasingly shape purchasing decisions. Children in Korea grow up eating "malatang," a spicy Chinese noodle soup dish, and "tanghulu," a traditional Chinese snack made of sugar-coated fruit skewers. Young adults are visiting cities such as Shanghai and Chengdu in growing numbers and bringing home consumption trends they discover there. Older generations have long emb
US stocks waver after Fed officials indicate rate hike possible this year
NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market is wavering Wednesday after several officials at the Federal Reserve indicated they may raise interest rates before the end of the year. The S&P 500 fell 0.6 percent and erased an earlier, modest gain after the Fed released projections showing policymakers see the federal funds rate ending this year and the next two at higher levels than they had been forecasting a few months ago. Higher interest rates can keep a lid on inflation, but they also slow the economy and hurt prices for investments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went from a gain of 281 points before the Fed's announcement to a dip of 86 points, or 0.2 percent, as of 2:25 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite slipped 0.6 percent. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose after nine of 18 policymakers at the Fed said they are projecting at least one increase to the federal funds rate by the end of this year. One policymaker did not submit a forecast following the first meeting by the Fed since Kevin Warsh took over as chair. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which influences rates for mort
Fed begins Warsh era by keeping rates on hold, sees one hike later this year
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, but policymakers expect a hike in borrowing costs later this year amid growing concerns about inflation lodged above the U.S. central bank's 2 percent target. New quarterly projections showed nine Fed officials now anticipate a hike in rates by the end of 2026, and an updated policy statement removed language that had been used to flag the likelihood of further reductions in borrowing costs this year. Indeed, the statement, in an early sign of new Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh's influence, removed any guidance about future rate moves altogether, with a revised format that simply stated the rate decision and reaffirmed the central bank's intent to keep "ample reserves in the banking system." The shortened document, a return to a format similar to that used by former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, was approved by a unanimous 12-0 vote by the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee. The statement showed other signs of Warsh's early influence on the debate as he takes over after being appointed earlier this year by Pre
Lee recounts 90-minute chat on Korean Peninsula, golf invitation from Trump
President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that he and U.S. President Donald Trump held a 90-minute discussion on peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Korea-U.S. alliance during the Group of Seven (G7) summit, where Trump also invited Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung to play golf. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, after boarding his flight home from Europe, Lee shared a photo with Trump and said they spent about 90 minutes talking during the G7 leaders' dinner in Evian-les-Bains, France. "During dinner with President Trump, we had an in-depth conversation for about 90 minutes about peace on the Korean Peninsula and Korea-U.S. relations, and made significant progress," Lee wrote. "Perhaps he remembered receiving the pen I was using during our first summit," Lee wrote. During a summit at the White House last August, Trump reportedly asked for the pen Lee had used to sign the guestbook, and Lee gave it to him. According to Lee, Trump also raised the possibility of playing golf together with Lee and Kim. Lee said his wife secured a "pinky promise" from Trump during dinner and that the U.S. pres
Trump says Iran accord to be signed 'shortly', 'maybe' Thursday or Friday
EVIAN, France — U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he expected the accord with Iran ending the Middle East war to be signed "shortly" but cast uncertainty over the exact date. "The deal we reached with Iran on Sunday will be signed shortly, tomorrow (Thursday), maybe the next day (Friday)," Trump said at the G7 summit, after previous announcements that it would be signed on Friday in Switzerland with Vice President JD Vance representing the United States. "We are going to most likely sign a deal," he added. Trump told reporters at the final press conference of the G7 that he was prepared to "bomb the hell" out of Iran if they violated the agreement. "If they are not behaving they will be hit again," he said. But he added: "They don't want to get bombed, they don't want to get hit." Trump said he "might" stay in Europe for the signing but added that as a memorandum of understanding "it might not be the kind of a document I should be signing". Asked if sending Vance to the signing rather than going himself was to avoid blame if it did not work out, Trump replied: "I like that idea."
The interim US-Iran deal leaves the fate of Tehran's nuclear program still to be negotiated
WASHINGTON — The interim deal between the United States and Iran is supposed to usher in a two-month period that would address the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries — Tehran's nuclear program. Preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear bomb is a key reason that President Donald Trump said he launched the war alongside Israel in February, but the tentative agreement he has trumpeted leaves little runway to negotiate the long-running sticking point. The previous nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, from which Trump pulled the U.S. in his first term, took many months to negotiate. Under terms of the initial deal, Iran would immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global oil shipments and would be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, U.S. and regional officials say. The accord, due to be officially signed Friday in Switzerland, also envisions Iran receiving at least $300 billion to rebuild after the war and says the U.S. would work to end all American and U.N. sanctions imposed on Tehran. That is if a final agreement addressing Iran’s
G7 leaders reaffirm commitment to 'complete denuclearization' of N. Korea in joint statement
WASHINGTON — The leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) countries reiterated their commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea in a joint statement released Wednesday, as they held a summit in France this week. The leaders of the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy issued the statement on geopolitical issues concerning the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and Ukraine, following their meeting in Evian-les-Bains from Monday to Wednesday. "We express deep concern about North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions," they said in the statement. They also urged Pyongyang to "immediately" resolve the issue of abductees, who are thought to have been kidnapped by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, and reiterated the need to jointly address North Korea's cryptocurrency thefts and cybercrimes. In addition, they highlighted the importance of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law in an apparent expression
Court issues arrest warrants for ex-Shincheonji officials over suspected ties to PPP
A Seoul court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for three former senior officials of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions they forced followers to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) between 2021 and 2024. The hearings for Goh Dong-ahn, former No. 2 leader of Shincheonji, and two other former officials took place at the Seoul Central District Court earlier in the day after a joint prosecution and police team filed for their arrest warrants Friday. The court granted the warrants following the hearing, citing concerns that the suspects could destroy evidence and flee. The three are accused of violating the Political Parties Act that bans forcing people to join or quit political parties. The former officials are suspected of forcing Shincheonji members to join the PPP to influence the results of the party's primaries held between 2021 and 2024 ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections at the time. South Korea held a presidential election in 2022 and parliamentary elections in 2024. The joint investigation team believes that
Lee heads home after wrapping up trip to Europe
GENEVA — President Lee Jae Myung headed home Wednesday, wrapping up his first trip to Europe that included his attendance at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. The presidential plane carrying Lee and his entourage took off from Geneva Airport, the main gateway for the G7 summit, en route to Seoul. The trip, which began last Tuesday, earlier took the South Korean leader to Belgium and Italy, where he sought to enhance his country's relations with the European nations, as well as the European Union. In Brussels, Lee held summit talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, followed by a summit with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, president of the European Council. In Italy, Lee held summit talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, agreeing to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership, while also meeting with Pope Leo XIV to confirm the Vatican's support for his peace policy toward North Korea. On the final leg of his trip in France, Lee attended the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains a
Rain, altitude and 45,000 home fans: Korea braces for toughest World Cup test against Mexico
The Korean men's national football team faces what could be its toughest challenge of the World Cup group stage as it takes on host nation Mexico, as they must overcome a partisan home crowd, high altitude conditions and rainy weather in pursuit of a historic victory. Led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, Korea will face Mexico in its second Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 19 at Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan, Mexico. After defeating the Czech Republic in its opening match on June 12 to secure the country's first World Cup opener victory in 16 years, Korea can clinch its first-ever two-win start to a World Cup and lock up first place in the group with another victory. The task, however, comes with significant obstacles. The most immediate challenge will be the sea of green filling Guadalajara Stadium, which has an official capacity of 45,664. Shin Yeon-ho, head coach of Korea University and a member of Korea's celebrated semifinal team at the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico, described Mexican supporters as among the most passionate in world football. "The entire
Why pay $120? Guadalajara's streets are filled with $12 World Cup jerseys
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — During the FIFA World Cup in North America, Guadalajara has become a paradise for counterfeit football jerseys. A large share of the jerseys sold on the streets — and worn by local residents — are imitation products rather than official merchandise produced by Adidas. In the city where South Korea's group stage matches are being played, shops selling counterfeit jerseys are easy to find. Unlike in Korea, where such products are often concentrated in specific shopping districts, vendors in Mexico sell imitation jerseys almost everywhere — from supermarkets and street corners to areas outside national teams' base camps. Price is the biggest factor behind their popularity. Counterfeit jerseys typically sell for 200 to 500 pesos, compared with around 2,000 pesos (about $120) for an authentic shirt. Some knockoffs are considered higher quality than others, with prices varying depending on factors such as breathability, stitching quality and the materials used for team crests and logos. Despite their prevalence, many local residents see little problem with buying
Anthropic opens Seoul office to expand ties with Korean AI ecosystem
U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic opened its Seoul office on Wednesday, as the operator of Claude seeks to expand its ties with Korea’s AI ecosystem. “Korean companies and institutions recognize innovation and safety as goals that must go hand in hand, not a contradicting value,” Anthropic Korea Representative Director Choi Ki-young said during a press conference. “Various organizations in the country are using Claude to create positive changes in the lives of millions of people around the world, and the opening of the Seoul office reflects our commitment to build a long-term foundation for collaboration with those leading Korea’s AI ecosystem.” Choi, who joined Anthropic two weeks ago, is a seasoned expert in Korea’s digital infrastructure industry, having served in leadership roles at Google Cloud, Microsoft Korea, Adobe and Snowflake. Anthropic International Managing Director Chris Ciauri said Anthropic believes its ultimate responsibility is AI safety, aligning the company with the Korean government and its AI Framework Act, a law designed to address risk
IN PHOTOS | Knicks championship celebration
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New Yorkers held a ticker-tape parade and victory rally on Thursday for the Knicks men's basketball team that brought home the NBA championship after a 53-year drought.
Men jailed over work for Chinese intelligence in UK
They were found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service, an offence under the National Security Act.
First Russian shadow fleet tanker enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding
Forwarder, a Russian-flagged ship which left port in Primorsk last week, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening.
Eligible doctors in Alberta can work in both public, private systems starting this fall
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In order to be eligible for dual practice, doctors must do a minimum number of hours in the public system first. The province says those hour requirements along with other safeguards will protect the public system.
Deal at ending Iran conflict signed
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U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at ending the conflict.
'Stunningly beautiful' blue sea creatures appear on Welsh beaches
Velella velella, or by-the-wind sailors, have been spotted on beaches at Anglesey, Gwynedd and Tenby.
Six Nations calls out Brantford, Ont., councillor who refused to give land acknowledgment before meeting
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Six Nations of the Grand River elected council says it "strongly rejects" recent comments by a Brantford, Ont., city councillor who said he doesn't believe in land acknowledgments and thinks they're "virtue signalling."
'Full closure' following Kenneally death, say survivors
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Two survivors of Bill Kenneally's abuse have said that the convicted paedophile's death has given them some closure.
Firefighter recalls girl's pink shoes at scene of attack
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A firefighter who was one of the first at the scene of the stabbings at Parnell Square in November 2023, has said he still remembers seeing a little girl's pink shoes and a woman with a huge injury to her back.
Interest rates held as Bank warns of impact of high energy prices
The Bank last cut interest rates in December but upheaval in the Middle East has stalled any further reductions.
"Shoot the People": Meet Misan Harriman, Celebrated Photographer & Outspoken Advocate for Palestine
The new documentary Shoot the People profiles the Nigerian British photographer and activist Misan Harriman, the first Black photographer to shoot the cover of British Vogue and an outspoken advocate of Palestinian rights. We speak to Harriman in New York City ahead of the film’s U.S. premiere, about his work, the repression and criminalization of pro-Palestine protest in the United Kingdom — including the unprecedented sentencing of four activists with the group Palestine Action as terrorists — and more. “I genuinely believe that through art and culture, we can see that the sum of all of our parts is stronger than the powerful few,” says Harriman.
DOJ Takes Elon Musk's Side in NAACP Lawsuit Against xAI for Polluting Black Neighborhoods
The Department of Justice has intervened in a legal case involving the world’s first trillionaire, Elon Musk, asking a Mississippi federal court to toss a lawsuit from the NAACP against Musk’s company xAI, a subsidiary of SpaceX. The NAACP says xAI is violating the Clean Air Act by running dozens of unpermitted gas-burning turbines in majority-Black neighborhoods to fuel its data centers in Memphis, Tennessee. The Department of Justice, however, is arguing that the lawsuit violates national security by “seeking to shut off the power supply for artificial-intelligence innovation that supports the Department of War’s military operations.”
“We should be concerned about this type of authoritarian rule,” says NAACP attorney Abre’ Conner, who adds that communities themselves “should be the ones to make the decisions about our health, about pollution in communities, about stopping sacrifice zones from being furthered because of an agenda that does not serve everyday people.”
Jury sent out to consider verdicts in Jeffrey Donaldson's sex abuse trial
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.
G7 Summit Highlights Global Economic System "Captured" by Billionaires: Oxfam
World leaders are returning home from the annual G7 summit, having failed to address issues such as income inequality, climate change and territorial conflict, while entertaining the wealthy executives of the artificial intelligence and fossil fuel industries. Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar calls the G7 “a club of the super-rich super-elites” and slams the summit’s focus on business, and business as usual, at the expense of humanitarian efforts and improving the lives of “the common people.”
Taoiseach to join EU leaders for two-day Brussels summit
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will join EU leaders for a two-day summit in Brussels this evening, the last European Council meeting before Ireland takes over the EU presidency in July.
This photographer is on a mission to capture fans from every single World Cup country
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Toronto photographer Joseph Howarth has been photographing World Cup fans in Toronto for 20 years. He’s aiming to capture fans from every country, showing off the city’s diversity and passionate fandom.
No formal request made to S. Korea for participation in Iran reconstruction fund: sources
South Korea has not formally received any request from the United States or other parties regarding participation in a proposed post-war reconstruction fund for Iran, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump unveiled the text of a 14-point memorandum of understanding under which Washington and Tehran agreed to negotiate a final agreement within 60 days to end their monthslong war. The document also included Iran's reaffirmation that it will neither
PM nominee's confirmation hearing set for June 25-26
The ruling and opposition parties agreed Thursday to hold a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook next week. A special parliamentary committee on Han's hearing passed a plan to hold a two-day confirmation hearing from next Thursday. In South Korea, the appointment of a prime minister is subject to parliamentary approval following a confirmation hearing. If confirmed by the National Assembly, Han would become the first female prime minister under the Lee Jae Myung adminis
Pope Leo receives the President of the Republic of Peru
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Pope Leo XIV receives the President of the Republic of Peru, Mr. José María Balcázar Zelada, in the Vatican on Thursday.
England will face Greece in round one of the 2027 Women's World Cup play-offs, with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales also learning their opponents.
Trump's War on Iran Ends with a "Triumphant" Tehran and a Diminished U.S.: Vali Nasr
The United States and Iran have officially signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war in Iran. The 14-point agreement includes an immediate end to fighting on all fronts including Lebanon, an end to the U.S. naval blockade on Iran and the full resumption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. It also proposes easing oil sanctions on Iran, unfreezing Iranian assets and launching a $300 billion investment fund to rebuild Iran, all while tabling the question of Iran’s nuclear program, which is instead set to be negotiated over in the coming months.
“The United States is more eager for this war to end than Iran is,” says professor Vali Nasr, who teaches at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. “In Iran, they’re very triumphant.” We discuss the long-term effects of the war, from the growing U.S. distrust of Israel, to the new generation of political leaders in the Islamic Republic, to the evolution of Iran into a major power player in an increasingly multipolar world.
Most shots? Best dribbler? World Cup so far in numbers
Now every team has played once, BBC Sport take a look at who has been the best and worst players so far according to the stats.
Fermentation, flavour and the future of food: Making sustainability delicious
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Words like “sustainability” and “healthy” shouldn’t take the joy out of eating. As elite chef Jaume Biarnés has been explaining to UN News, sustainable gastronomy can be delicious, exciting and fun.
Climate shocks accelerating as El Niño threat looms over already vulnerable regions
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Millions of people already facing hunger, displacement and economic hardship could soon face another major climate shock, as UN agencies warned on Thursday that extreme weather risks are intensifying across some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
UN upholds freedom of movement for peacekeepers in Lebanon
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The United Nations has again called for freedom of movement for its peacekeepers in Lebanon who continue to closely monitor developments in the south of the country, including in the wake of the recent provisional agreement signed by the United States and Iran.
Libya’s political process regains momentum, but window for action is narrowing, UN envoy warns
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Libya has been mired in political dysfunction since the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, which shattered State institutions and triggered recurring struggles over legitimacy and power.
From ‘media deserts’ to the invisibility of women, rights experts spotlight latest trends
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From the invisibility of women and girls to “media deserts” amid an artificial intelligence (AI) tsunami, dozens of UN independent experts have been shedding light on the battle for equal rights worldwide as the Geneva-based Human Rights Council continued its 62nd session on Thursday.
Security Council LIVE: Gaza in the spotlight as dire conditions continue
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The Security Council debated conditions in Gaza at the request of its 10 elected members amid concern that the territory's humanitarian crisis is being overshadowed by wider regional developments. The meeting took place under a ceasefire that has existed in name since October 2025 – but nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, and most Gazans remain displaced. Relief chief Tom Fletcher told ambassadors that “fragile gains” since the truce are “the bare minimum of what Palestinians need.” Full coverage here, and wider Meetings Coverage can be found here.
US makes $1 billion contribution to UN child rights and food agencies
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Two United Nations agencies have together welcomed more than $1 billion in assistance from the United States to support their operations targeting millions of children and hungry families in more than 40 countries.
US-Iran deal: technical work can begin, says atomic energy agency
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The head of the UN-affiliated atomic energy agency on Thursday welcomed the signing of an initial Iran-US memorandum aimed at ending the war, before proposing “to sit down” with both parties to assist with concrete measures such as verification of Iran’s nuclear programme, a key sticking point.
‘Stop this madness’: Rights chief warns of impending atrocities as militia closes in on El Obeid, Sudan
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The UN’s top human rights official has issued an urgent warning that an imminent offensive against El Obeid, the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state, carries the risk of serious international crimes and threatens to deepen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
Headlines for June 18, 2026
Trump and Pezeshkian Sign Memorandum Aimed at Ending U.S. War on Iran, Israel Attacks Lebanon, Killing One and Wounding Three, Despite U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Deal, Ukrainian Drones Attack Moscow, Sparking Massive Oil Refinery Fire, Israeli Attacks on Gaza Have Killed Over 1,000 Palestinians Since October “Ceasefire”, Rep. Ro Khanna Is First U.S. Lawmaker to Sign Anti-AIPACPEACE Pledge, Peace Activists Celebrate as Maryland Public Pension System Divests from Israeli Bonds, U.N. Says Gang Violence Has Displaced 1.5 Million Across Haiti, Haitian Immigrants Call on Supreme Court to Toss Case Seeking to End Protected Status, Advocates Say Jailed Immigrants “Disappeared” After Transfer from “Alligator Alcatraz”, Georgia GOP Rejects Trump’s Push to Redraw Legislative Maps Ahead of 2028 Elections, Trump Administration Sues to Halt Reparations for Black Residents in Chicago Suburb, Bill Pulte to Become Acting U.S. Spy Chief After Trump Calls Off Hearing for Nominee Jay Clayton, Pentagon Releases Names of 8 People Killed in B-52 Crash, “Pure Retaliation”: FTC Sues Trans Health Association over Gender-Affirming Care
Trade unionist Ogle in new equality claim against Unite
Trade unionist Brendan Ogle is pursuing a new case under workplace equality law against Unite after having a disability discrimination action dismissed by the Labour Court last year.
British man dies in paragliding accident in Spain
Authorities in Catalonia confirmed that the 63-year-old died in the Palau de Noguera area on Wednesday.
Ivory Coast's Wahi denied entry to Canada
The Ivory Coast football federation have announced their forward Elye Wahi has been denied entry to Canada for their next World Cup game.
Athletes head to Dublin for Special Olympics Summer Games
Hundreds of athletes from around the country are making their way to Dublin for the start of the Special Olympics Summer Games.
Tribunal hears of 2nd wording error in Aer Lingus report
A senior Aer Lingus manager has said that a second passage in a disciplinary investigation report, where he again seems to side with a pilot later demoted by the airline, only reads that way because he used the wrong word a second time.
South African Council of Churches calls for human dignity, justice and solidarity
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The President of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka, has called for urgent action to address violence against African foreign nationals while urging South Africans to reject hatred and embrace the values of human dignity and solidarity.
'Grief has not faded' - €35k for family over baby's death
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A family who sued the HSE over the death of their newborn son at University Maternity Hospital Limerick have been awarded maximum costs of €35,000 at the High Court.
US Open Day 1 recap: McIlroy's 69 as Clark gets hot
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The US Open gets underway at Shinnecock Hills with Rory McIlroy ending one-under par after his first round. Follows our updates.
Hydration boos and surprise results - World Cup talking points
BBC Sport takes a look at the talking points from the first week of World Cup.
Charity launching bid to broaden understanding of ADHD
ADHD Ireland is launching a five-year strategy to help the condition be better understood, accepted and supported.
Kim Yo-jong slams G7's denuclearization call, says North Korea's nuclear status is irreversible
North Korea on Thursday denounced the Group of Seven's renewed call for its complete denuclearization, with Kim Yo-jong, the #influential# sister of leader Kim Jong-un, insisting that the country's nuclear status is irreversible and beyond negotiation. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, criticized the G7 leaders for once again advocating North Korea's denuclearization during th
Amber heat health alerts issued with UK temperatures set to soar above 30C
Very warm weather is set to return to parts of the UK with temperatures of 30C plus expected, as Europe experiences a 'heat dome'.
Ireland must beat Belgium or Poland to reach World Cup
Republic of Ireland must overcome Belgium or Poland again if they are to qualify for the 2027 World Cup following the play-off draw this morning.
Pope to ROACO: Church builds future; war destroys the present
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Pope Leo XIV encourages Eastern rite Catholics to enrich the Church with its spiritual riches, and condemns the instability caused by war that forces Christians to flee their native lands.
UK rapper thanks Linkin Park for 'changing my life' with freestyle shoutout
Mike Shinoda from the band says he spotted Megan Da Savage's rap on an independent music platform.
Jury in Donaldson trial sent home for day
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The jury in the Jeffrey Donaldson sex abuse trial has begun considering its verdict.
Pope authorises beatification of 20 Spanish martyrs
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Pope Leo XIV approves the beatification of 20 priests martyred in hatred of the faith during the Spanish Civil War and recognises the heroic virtues of five Servants of God whose lives were marked by missionary zeal, charity, prayer, and faithful service to the Church.
Risk of cervical cancer death near zero after early jab
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Children who receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at age 12 to 13 have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30, a UK study has found.
€1.3bn spent on school prefabs in five years, PAC hears
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The Public Accounts Committee has heard that €1.3 billion has been spent on modular buildings for schools in the past five years.
Lisa Nandy 'not satisfied' with Channel 4 response on Married at First Sight UK
BBC Panorama reported rape allegations from two cast members, allegations the men involved have denied.
Church of England apologises for role in forced adoptions
Thousands of unmarried women were pressured to give up their babies between 1949 and 1976.
Moscow hit by largest Ukrainian attack since start of Russia's full-scale war
A refinery and a shopping centre were burning after almost 200 Ukrainian drones struck an area to the south-east of the Russian capital.
Tactical analysis: England look exciting but how can they tighten up?
England produced some exciting attacking football while beating Croatia 4-2 but why did they look so shaky defensively?
Bostonians bemused as Scotland fans decorate city's statues with traffic cones
The practice is familiar to anyone from Glasgow, where the Duke of Wellington statue has been wearing a jaunty orange hat since the 1980s.
2 tornado warnings in an hour for eastern Ontario Thursday
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Environment Canada has now ended a red tornado warning for the Gananoque., Ont., area east of Kingston. It was the second tornado warning of the afternoon in eastern Ontario following one near Alexandria.
19-year-old arrested in connection with U.S. Consulate shooting in Toronto
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A 19-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting at the U.S. consulate in March, said police.
Pope to Hebrew University of Jerusalem: 'Be artisans of true peace'
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Pope Leo XIV meets with representatives of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and encourages them to be beacons of hope, peace, and unity in a world marked by violence and division.
Some artists feeling 'blue dot fever,' fans say, as high ticket prices make concertgoers more selective
Ancient 'Robin Hood' tree is dead, experts say
The Major Oak is thought to have stood for more than 1,000 years in the heart of Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest.
Govt leaders at odds with TDs on sensitive abortion issue
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The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have found themselves at odds with the majority of their TDs on the politically sensitive issue of abortion.
O'Callaghan did not want to 'unpick' 2018 abortion scheme
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said he believes the three-day wait period in accessing abortion services was part of the package of proposals that was approved in the 2018 referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
Lawmaker calls for fixes amid overcrowding in off-post military exchanges
A South Korean lawmaker called for improvements in military post exchanges located outside military bases, as the increase in the number of people authorized to shop there has triggered overcrowding in such installations. According to People Power Party Rep. Yu Yong-weon's office, the number of those authorized to enter the military exchanges ― which sells everyday products like dairy goods and alcohol at a discount exclusively for military personnel ― amounted to 7.85 million this year, while t
Hot bet summer? Soon Canadians will be able to trade on prediction markets
Canadian retail investors will be able to access prediction markets through a Canadian company this summer, after the platforms had been banned for years. Prediction markets are experiencing explosive growth, and seen as both a financial vehicle and as gambling.
More aspiring K-pop idols are retiring in their 20s
More aspiring K-pop idols are retiring in their 20s as unstable incomes, uncertain career prospects and mounting mental strain push many lesser-known artists to leave the industry early. CLC member Kwon Eun-bin made her retirement official Tuesday, announcing that the girl group's concert in Taipei in July, marking the 11th anniversary of its debut, will be her final activity as a singer. The 26-year-old first gained public recognition through the survival audition program "Produce 101" before d
One seriously injured after three-vehicle crash in Flat Bush
The road is closed and police advise motorists to avoid the area.
Detroit automakers, union set to open bargaining against backdrop of tariffs, CUSMA review
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Unifor, which typically uses pattern bargaining for its auto sector negotiations, will go toe-to-toe with Ford first , just as it did three years ago. Talks with Stellantis and GM are expected to follow.
Whanganui scabies outbreak a real head scratcher
The city has been beset by the highly infectious skin disease for about a year.
Young women now have 'close to zero' risk of cervical cancer death after HPV jab
A new study finds that hundreds of lives have been saved since school-age girls were offered the HPV jab in 2008.
Tankers cross Strait of Hormuz after Iran deal signed, while Israel strikes Lebanon
Three Saudi-flagged supertankers carrying six million barrels of crude sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal with Iran to end the war that has disrupted global energy supplies.
Eight police pups named after Three Lions stars
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It is hoped the eight puppies will emulate the success of their namesakes.
As gender boundaries blur, K-pop experiments beyond traditional boy-girl group formulas
For years, K-pop’s image-building playbook relied heavily on gendered archetypes. Boy groups were often associated with powerful, masculine concepts, while girl groups were expected to emphasize beauty, elegance, femininity or cuteness. That formula, however, appears to be evolving. As audiences become increasingly receptive to gender-fluid fashion and self-expression, a growing number of K-pop acts are challenging traditional expectations surrounding gender presentation. Boy groups such as NCT
Louis Vuitton stars Jung Ho-yeon in final chapter of Na Hong-jin film series
Louis Vuitton has released "Destiny is a Journey," the third and final episode of its "Spirit of Travel" film series directed by Na Hong-jin to mark the 130th anniversary of the house's Monogram. The chapter stars actor and Louis Vuitton house ambassador Jung Ho-yeon, who plays a traveler making her way through a snow-covered forest toward an unfamiliar world. Set against still snowfields and dense woodland, the film follows her as she searches for a path across unknown terrain. Louis Vuitton fr
Convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally dies in prison
Bill Kenneally has died in prison while serving a 19-year sentence for historic abuse of boys in Waterford.
Korea rises to 21st in IMD competitiveness ranking
South Korea ranked 21st among 70 economies in the Institute for Management Development's World Competitiveness Ranking, rising six rungs on the ladder and marking its second-highest position since it was first included in 1997, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said Thursday. The latest results put South Korea behind only the United States among the "30-50 club" of economies with per capita income of more than $30,000 and a population of over 50 million. The US ranked 10th overall, followed by
Church of England apologizes for its role in decades of forced adoptions
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The Church of England apologized Thursday for its role in forced adoptions as recent as the mid-1970s, acknowledging the painful experiences of many unmarried women at so-called mother and baby homes in the United Kingdom that were affiliated with the church.
Terrorism peace bond imposed on youth who planned school violence in Saskatoon
A 14-year-old who was making plans to carry out a school shooting in Saskatoon will be under a terrorism peace bond for the next year.
An estimated 20,000 Alberta kids face waiting years to get therapy for disabilities
An estimated 20,000 children are stuck on Alberta’s Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) waiting list, facing years of delays to get speech, behavioural and other treatment or therapy for autism and various disabilities.
Trump signals renewed interest in North Korea, but Tehran playbook may not apply: experts
There is growing concern that US President Donald Trump could turn his attention to North Korea following the ceasefire deal with Iran, but experts say that Pyongyang presents a different set of challenges in comparison. Speculation has intensified following Trump's social media post last week featuring a photograph from his 2018 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his exchange with President Lee Jae Myung at the G7 summit in France this week. According to the presidential office in
Alleged inappropriate behaviour by Horowhenua College teacher under investigation
Principal Grant Congdon did not provide details of the allegations and the board of trustees declined to comment.
First heat wave alerts of year issued for Seoul, surrounding areas
The state weather agency on Thursday issued the first heat wave advisories of the year for Seoul and its surrounding areas. The Korea Meteorological Administration put the alerts into effect at 2 p.m. for southern Seoul, parts of the surrounding Gyeonggi Province and Ganghwa County in Incheon, west of the capital. Earlier at 11 a.m., separate advisories were also issued for Gyeonggi's Hanam and Yeoju, alongside the country's southeastern regions of Gyeongsan, Yecheon and Gunwi, the KMA said. A h
Korea's summer beach season kicks off
Beaches across Korea are opening in waves this summer, from early June through mid-July, as regional governments finalize their schedules. The first beach to open this year was Ayajin Beach on the east coast in Gangwon Province, which welcomed swimmers on June 12. Jeju Island is opening its 12 beaches on June 24. They include Geumneung, Hyeopjae, Gwakji and Hamdeok. In South Gyeongsang Province, 26 beaches will open on a staggered schedule. Geoje and Changwon go first on July 4, when 17 beaches
'Moscow will burn too,' Zelenskyy warns, as Ukraine and Russia exchange airstrikes
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Ukraine hit a major Moscow oil refinery for a second time in a week, sending huge plumes of black smoke over the capital and and disrupting hundreds of flights at its airports in one of its biggest drone attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion over four years ago, officials said.
Korea bets on regional universities as student pool shrinks 40%
An old joke in Korea says colleges will close in the order the cherry blossoms bloom, starting with those farthest from Seoul. For more than a decade, the saying has illustrated the growing anxiety over South Korea’s shrinking college-age population and the widening gap between universities in the capital region and those elsewhere. Many regional universities face mounting financial pressure and the risk of closure as student numbers continue to decline. The concern is not only that some schools
Worker at former Marsden Point refinery flown to hospital after medical emergency
A worker at the former refinery has been taken to hospital.
Counting of votes under way in crucial UK by-election
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The counting of votes is under way in Makerfield in northwest England, after voters took part in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history.
Voting under way in UK by-election as Burnham eyes seat
Voting is under way in Makerfield in northwest England, where constituents are taking part in what could be one of the most consequential by-elections in British political history.
Auckland businesses call for meeting over treatment of Heart of the City's CEO
Dozens of businesses have called for the special meeting to ask the board to explain itself and possibly ask members to stand down.
Voters head to the polls for Makerfield by-election
There are 14 candidates vying to be the Greater Manchester constituency's new MP.
CSOP launches Hong Kong's first Kospi 200 ETF
CSOP Asset Management, Hong Kong's largest issuer of exchange-traded funds, on Thursday launched the city's first ETF tracking Korea's benchmark Kospi 200 Index, betting on growing global demand for Korean equities. The CSOP Kospi 200 ETF began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the only ETF listed in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region outside Korea that tracks the Kospi 200. Investor demand appeared strong from the outset. According to CSOP, trading volume exceeded 30 billion
Kospi breaks 9,000 milestone
South Korea's benchmark Kospi breached the 9,000-point threshold for the first time on Thursday, driven by a rally in chip heavyweights as foreign investors shrugged off the US Federal Reserve's hawkish stance and snapped up more than 1 trillion won ($650 million) in local shares on the main board. The index closed at 9,063.84, 2.25 percent higher than the previous session. After opening at a 0.23 percent gain on-session, it extended its gains to break above the 9,000-point mark for the first ti
Gaon Cable rides US AI infrastructure boom
Gaon Cable, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, said Thursday it has supplied transmission cables worth millions of dollars for a solar power grid project in the US, as surging artificial intelligence-driven electricity demand fuels investment in power infrastructure. The rapid expansion of AI data centers has intensified concerns over power shortages in the US, driving demand for new power generation facilities and grid upgrades. Industry observers expect investment in US energy infrastructure t
US Fed's hawkish shift pressures BOK
The US Federal Reserve signaled a higher interest-rate path as it kept its benchmark rate unchanged Wednesday, increasing pressure on the Bank of Korea to move toward monetary tightening. In his debut Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Fed Chair Kevin Warsh kept the target federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5-3.75 percent, but struck a notably hawkish tone, citing continued price pressures. While the Bank of Korea had already been widely expected to raise its benchmark rate soon, the Fed's ha
K-food's hottest new export is ice cold
The Korean food craze has been red-hot. Now it's cooling palates with frozen treats. Korean ice cream is turning up in summers around the world as the latest beneficiaries of the K-food boom, with exports surpassing the $100 million threshold for the first time last year. Frozen dessert exports continue that climb this year, rising 14.1 percent on-year to $49.8 million in the first four months, according to Korea Customs Service data. The US remained the dominant market, taking more than 40 perc
No-fault eviction ban should be reconsidered - committee
The Government should consider reintroducing an emergency ban on no-fault evictions to help tackle homelessness, according to a report by the Oireachtas Committee on Housing.
Developer withdraws plans to build northern Ontario AI data centre over public opposition
A developer has withdrawn its plans to build a two-megawatt artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Armour Township, Ont., due to public opposition to the project.
South Korea is weighing whether to extend national health insurance coverage to common hair-loss treatments, a proposal that has sparked growing backlash from doctors and patient advocacy groups. The debate centers on whether male-pattern hair loss, a common form of androgenetic alopecia, should be covered by the country’s public health insurance system, which is designed to prioritize medically necessary treatment. Health and Welfare Minister Jung Eun-kyeong recently named expanded insurance co
Assembly probe launches as S. Korea reels from June election fiasco
A special parliamentary probe into the National Election Commission and its regional branches has begun, with the rival parties having agreed to pass a proposal to execute a 45-day investigation on Thursday. The motion to launch the probe won 250-1 votes in the plenary session Thursday. The probe is expected to last until Aug. 1, but the investigation can be extended if the Assembly grants approval at a future plenary session. This follows a special committee meeting Thursday morning that greenl
Lee returns from Europe with Trump rapport, trade and defense deals in focus
President Lee Jae Myung returned home Thursday from his first European tour since taking office, during which he renewed momentum in diplomacy with the United States, managed trade pressure from Europe, and supported Korean defense firms pursuing a major Canadian submarine contract. Lee arrived in Seoul from Geneva, Switzerland, after attending the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. The trip — which also took him to Belgium, Italy and the Vatican — was part of the Lee administrati
Military moves to harden key facilities against drone swarms
South Korea’s military is moving to strengthen protection against large-scale, simultaneous drone attacks, as officials assess that existing radar- and missile-based air defense systems may not be enough to block such threats. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday, the military recently commissioned a study to improve counterdrone protection for major military facilities, including ammunition depots, fuel storage sites, air bases and command-and-control facilities. The study reflect
Don't call Shin Min-a a rom-com queen
There is hardly anything about "The Eyes," the upcoming Korean remake of Spain's 2011 chiller "Julia's Eyes," that will catch you off guard. The twists can be seen from a mile off, while the last act serves up no shortage of histrionics and knock-down, drag-out brawls. There's so much you can see coming — which is ironic, given that this is a movie about a woman who cannot see much of anything. What blindsides you is how much the lead, Shin Min-a, has to offer. Pulling double duty as twin sister
Matthias Goerne, Sunwoo Yekwon, to bring Schubert’s 'Winterreise' to Seoul stage
German baritone Matthias Goerne and Korean pianist Sunwoo Yekwon join forces Sunday for a piece they each fell in love with: Schubert’s “Winterreise.” The two will perform the song cycle at Lotte Concert Hall in a concert organized by the Hansae Yes24 Foundation as its second classical music performance. After presenting its inaugural “Winterreise in Summer” in September 2024, the foundation chose to offer the same program again because of the significance the work carries, according to Baek Soo
Enhypen to return in August: report
Enhypen will bring out a new album in August, according to a local media report on Thursday. Agency Belift Lab confirmed the timeline but did not provide any details. The upcoming endeavor comes about seven months after the seventh EP “The Sin: Vanish,” which spent ten weeks straight on Billboard 200, peaking at No. 2. The extended play sold over 2 million copies, making it the group's fourth consecutive set to do so. It will also mark the first new music since Evan, formerly known as Heeseung,
Tom Hanks congratulates boy, 8, on Toy Story 5 artwork
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Tommy, from Blackpool, will have his artwork shown at the UK screenings of the new Disney Pixar film.
Samsung leans on AI, cost cutting to revive consumer business
Samsung Electronics used its twice-yearly strategy meetings this week to map out a turnaround for its consumer products business, betting on artificial intelligence and a retreat from low-margin markets to revive a division dwarfed by its booming chip operation. The meetings ran on Tuesday and Wednesday at Samsung's Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, campus under co-CEO Roh Tae-moon, who heads the Device eXperience division that includes the smartphone and TV business, working through the mobile, visual
Flooding, slips possible in South Island amid heavy rain warnings
More warnings and watches could be issued over the weekend, MetService says.
Gwangju officials rig system to get ‘golden’ license plates
A supposedly random license plate system in Gwangju was manipulated hundreds of times by district office employees to secure coveted “golden numbers” such as 7777 and 5555, an internal audit found. Gwangju’s Seo-gu Office said Thursday that it would seek disciplinary action against employees who improperly reserved and assigned highly sought-after license plate numbers between 2023 and February 2026. The audit, conducted between February and last month, examined 16 employees in the district’s tr
Posco International expands palm business with PT.PAR launch
Posco International, the trading and energy arm of Posco Group, said Thursday that it had completed the integration of Indonesian palm oil producer Sampoerna Agro and launched a new corporate identity under the name PT Prime Agri Resources, or PT.PAR. The company held a ceremony at the Raffles Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday to mark the completion of the post-merger integration process and officially unveil PT.PAR's corporate identity. PT. PAR finalized its legal name change in January
Why a Gen Z Londoner can graze sheep on land in the Welsh valleys
Caleb Tutt travelled from Lambeth to a hilltop in Llantrisant to claim his ancient birthright.
Dublin firms reporting difficulties over waste collection
Some Dublin city centre businesses are reporting difficulties with the new waste collection system introduced to deal with a ban on bin bags in the capital's core.
Government announces more funding for pharmacies to prescribe common treatments
The government says the $6.9m boost will help more New Zealanders get timely healthcare closer to home.
Senate confirms Michelle Steel as next US ambassador to South Korea
The US Senate on Thursday confirmed former Congresswoman Michelle Steel as the next US ambassador to South Korea, filling the post that has been vacant since early last year amid a period of significant alliance coordination between Seoul and Washington. Steel, a Korean American Republican who represented a California district for two terms in the House of Representatives, was approved in a 55-39 vote. US President Donald Trump nominated her for the position in April. Her confirmation comes as t
Ex-Busan mayoral candidate investigated over alleged campaign attack hoax
Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok apologized Thursday after it emerged that a former Busan mayoral candidate from his party was under police investigation over allegations that he staged an attack during the local election campaign. In a Facebook post, Lee said he felt “infinite responsibility” for the investigation involving Jung Yi-han, who ran as the minor centrist party’s candidate, and pledged full cooperation with authorities. He also addressed the case during the party’s leadership meeting
World Cup puts Korean defender on Europe’s radar
A new generation of players often makes their names shine at the World Cup. And South Korea may soon see the rise of a new global icon. Interest in Lee Han-beom, who plays center back for Danish club Midtjylland, is growing across Europe, with clubs in England’s Premier League and Germany’s Bundesliga reportedly keeping tabs on him ahead of the summer transfer market, according to reports on Thursday. Ben Jacobs, a renowned Premier League commentator for Talksport, reported that clubs in England
Lyttelton Port owner considering lease proposal
RNZ has asked the Dubai-based company involved in the proposal for comment.
From one to 48 - every World Cup team ranked after first game
All 48 teams at the World Cup have now played once. BBC Sport's experts have ranked them all, from best to worst. Who is top? Not defending champions Argentina.
LG Chem partners with UK's LabGenius on AI cancer drugs
LG Chem said Thursday it signed a joint research and license option agreement with UK-based biotechnology company LabGenius Therapeutics to develop next-generation multispecific antibody therapies for cancer using artificial intelligence. LabGenius has developed EVA, an AI-powered drug discovery platform that combines machine learning with automated high-throughput experimentation to design and optimize therapeutic antibodies. Under the agreement, LG Chem will provide an upfront payment and rese
Pulmuone's US tofu sales jump 17% on rising demand
Pulmuone said Thursday that cumulative tofu sales at its US subsidiary had reached 107.8 billion won ($70.6 million) through May, up 16.8 percent from a year earlier, as rising consumer interest in plant-based protein has boosted demand across its product lineup. The company attributed the growth to products tailored to US consumer preferences and expanded production capacity, which helped support rising sales through major retail channels. Pulmuone's tofu products are sold at about 15,000 store
Winston Peters clashes with Palestine protestors at Parliament
Speaking to media afterwards, Winston Peters said the protest was an abuse of Parliamentary procedure.
Why K-pop companies are betting on India
As K-pop companies expand into India in search of their next growth engine, veteran songwriter Alex Karlsson believes the country could become one of the world's five largest music markets within a decade — a development that could reshape the trajectory of the Korean music industry. The Swedish American producer, whose songwriting credits include BTS' "We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal," SuperM's "Tiger Inside," Enhypen's "Fever" and Ateez's "Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers)," said India represents
Korean hospitals dominate Newsweek’s Asia-Pacific specialty rankings
South Korean hospitals topped nine of the 10 specialties evaluated in Newsweek’s latest Asia-Pacific hospital rankings, with Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center and Seoul National University Hospital leading multiple categories. According to Newsweek’s “Best Specialized Hospitals Asia-Pacific 2026” rankings released Wednesday, Asan Medical Center ranked first in five specialties: cardiology, cardiac surgery, neurology, endocrinology and orthopedics. Among the hospitals included in the ev
Ronaldo's Portugal falls short in Congo draw
HOUSTON (AP) -- Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a pretty forgettable performance in the first match of his sixth World Cup. After Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all scored in their opening matches, the 41-year-old Ronaldo couldn't find the net Wednesday in Portugal's 1-1 draw with Congo. With players like Vinícius Júnior, Christian Pulisic, Viktor Gyökeres and Harry Kane also all scoring early in this year's World Cup, Ronaldo being held scoreless stands out even more. However, the P
What will change for Wellington when Tiaki Wai takes over the delivery of water
For the first year, the average water charge for households is estimated to be $2377 per year.
Lilo & Stitch voice actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35
Actress Daveigh Chase, who voiced Lilo in Disney's animated film Lilo & Stitch, has died aged 35.
Leave it to the beavers: How the industrious mammals are helping to stop a London tube station from flooding
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A family of beavers that came to London in 2023 is thriving in west London, and preventing flooding by doing what they do best — building dams.
Ontario's legislature is set for its shortest sitting in decades. Here's what it means for the Ford government
Premier Doug Ford’s government is on pace to sit for the fewest days of any Ontario government over the past five decades in a year when voters aren’t headed to the polls.
And experts warn the decision to shorten the calendar at Queen’s Park comes with its strategic benefits — and pitfalls — for the Tories as the legislature settles into a 21-week break.
60 years ago, Agent Orange was sprayed at CFB Gagetown. Vets want to know: are toxins still in the soil?
Sixty years after Agent Orange got sprayed at CFB Gagetown, veterans, military family members and some U.S. lawmakers are still raising concerns these herbicides could linger in the soil. They are calling for more testing as Canada redevelops the base.
Hydro-Québec powers up New York exports amid tightening energy reserves
Hydro-Québec has begun exporting electricity to New York City under a long-term contract that critics say comes at an awkward time, as Quebec grapples with growing demand at home and lower-than-usual reservoir levels.
[팟캐스트] (802) MZ세대 사로잡은 효소찜질
진행자: 홍유, Tannith Kriel Enzyme baths heat up as latest wellness trend 기사요약: 중장년층의 건강 요법으로 인식되던 효소찜질이 최근 붓기 완화와 피로 회복, 정신적 휴식을 찾는 20~30대 사이에서 인기를 얻으며 새로운 웰니스 트렌드로 자리 잡고 있다. [1] Buried up to the neck in warm, fermented rice bran, a new generation of Koreans is sweating out the stress of daily life. fermented: 발효된 [2] Enzyme baths, a heat therapy long associated with middle-aged and older Koreans, are drawing customers in their 20s and 30s, who see the treatment as a way to reduce puffiness, flush o
A Korean media empire is unraveling. The movie business is paying the price
When five subsidiaries of JoongAng Group — the media empire behind streaming sensations like the Netflix cooking-competition hit "Culinary Class Wars" — filed for court-supervised restructuring this week, the damage was expected to spill into the country's film business right away. Two of the units seeking protection sit at the center of an industry that's been on its back foot since the pandemic emptied theaters: the multiplex chain Megabox and its distribution arm, Plus M Entertainment. Indust
Heat-related ER visits rise sharply as Korea braces for hotter summer
South Korea has already seen 300 people visit emergency rooms for heat-related illnesses this summer, a sharp increase from the same period last year, as weather authorities project hotter-than-usual conditions in the months ahead. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday that it had recorded 300 heat-related illness patients as of Tuesday through its monitoring system covering 516 emergency rooms nationwide. The figure is up from 192 during the same period in 2025. On Tuesd
Medical costs push low-income households deeper into poverty: study
Low-income households are far more likely to be pushed into poverty by medical expenses because they have limited access to private insurance and other health-related financial protections, a study showed Thursday. A low income was identified as a major risk factor that can drive households into chronic poverty due to long-term medical expenses, according to the study conducted by researchers from the National Health Insurance Service and Kyung Hee University. Other risk factors included chronic
Hospital says amputated leg found in recycling waste was discarded by mistake
A nursing hospital in Incheon told police that a human leg recently found at a recycling center may have come from the hospital, investigators said Thursday. According to police, the hospital reported that the leg found at a public recycling facility in Songdo, Incheon, appeared to be waste discharged from the hospital. The leg is believed to have been amputated from a woman in her 80s who was being treated at the hospital after necrosis developed in her left leg. The hospital reportedly said th
TWS supports missing children campaign
TWS is pitching in to support a campaign to find missing children, agency Pledis Entertainment said Thursday. The group will use its show, “TWS: Club,” to raise awareness. The show will carry information about children who are missing as well as messages from the group members. The campaign was launched by the National Center for the Rights of the Child. The idea came from Shinyu, who recently appeared on a program about searching for missing children. He said he wanted to find a way to contribu
Kia set to exit large bus business after 55 years
Kia is preparing to exit the large bus business, a move that would bring to an end more than five decades of production dating back to its predecessor, Asia Motors. According to Kia's labor union on Wednesday, the company informed workers at a labor-management employment stability committee meeting that it plans to discontinue production of the Granbird large bus within the next one to two years. If implemented, production of large buses within Hyundai Motor Group would be consolidated under Hyu
Psychotherapists in the dark over board's mass resignation
The Association of Psychotherapists says it has received no information about the reasons for the mass resignation.
Nongshim's Shin Ramyun heats up Mexico City
Nongshim is bringing Shin Ramyun to global consumers through a promotional campaign at Campo Marte 26, a monthlong cultural festival in Mexico City that began June 11 and runs to July 19. The festival combines food, cultural experiences, art exhibitions, concerts and public viewing events, attracting large crowds throughout the event period. Nongshim opened its first promotional booth on June 11, drawing about 4,000 visitors, and planned to launch a second booth Thursday to further boost awarene
Cortis’s latest single logs 100m Spotify streams
Cortis garnered 100 million plays on Spotify with “Redred” on Tuesday, according to label Big Hit Music on Thursday. The rookie boy group achieved the feat in 57 days, the fastest time for a song from a boy group that debuted in the past five years, the company said. The quintet has not even been around for a year, but has already amassed 800 million streams on the platform with 13 tracks. “Redred” fronted its second EP “Greengreen,” and the single ranked at No. 94 on Spotify’s Weekly Top Songs
Castro gives crucial backing to Cuba reforms
Cuba's powerful ex-president Raul Castro on Wednesday threw his weight behind liberal reforms aimed at reviving the collapsing economy in the face of a crippling US blockade. The Cuban government has announced a series of fast-track reforms to open more sectors to private investment, attract more capital from Cubans living abroad and shrink the state. President Miguel Diaz-Canel has presented the measures -- some of which are set to be approved by the National Assembly on Thursday, just a week a
Brazil's Lula warns Trump not to meddle in Brazilian elections
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned US President Donald Trump on Wednesday not to meddle in Brazil's October presidential election after Trump made his latest criticism of Brazil over judicial moves against Lula's political rivals. The remarks show the escalating tensions between Brazil and the US after the Trump administration proposed further tariffs against the South American country and recently classified two drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations — move
Popular TV analyst sees Son Heung-min as key player vs. Mexico
Lee Young-pyo, a FIFA World Cup hero turned analyst, predicted Wednesday that South Korea captain Son Heung-min will play a crucial role in the Taegeuk Warriors' upcoming match against Mexico. Lee, who provides commentary for KBS, used data from South Korea's 2-1 win over Czechia in their Group A opener last week to build his case. "Son Heung-min had 40 percent of South Korea's shot attempts against Czechia," Lee told reporters at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, western Mexico, where the national
'I'm the boss,' Trump says at G7, as he warms to Ukraine's war aims
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday told a roomful of global leaders "I'm the boss," as he and other G7 heads acknowledged Ukraine's improved battlefield fortunes with a unified pledge of support and fresh sanctions against Russia. Trump's comment -- a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of an unspoken truth hanging over the June 15 to 17 summit of the Group of Seven Western powers in the French resort of Evian-les-Bains -- followed a joint leaders' statement that could bolster Kyiv's growing lev
Netanyahu set to face voter fury over Iran deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hopes of clinging to power in an election this autumn have long been shaky, but the interim US deal with Iran has added yet another complication. US President Donald Trump has opted to end the wars in Iran and Lebanon long before Israel's goals were accomplished, and Netanyahu's boast in March that "we are changing the face of the Middle East" looks increasingly empty. Already facing corruption allegations, domestic political controversies and critici
What do Iran and US stand to gain from deal?
CAIRO (AP) — The interim deal reached by the US and Iran to end their war will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring the two adversaries back to the negotiating table over Tehran’s nuclear program. It will also give Iran an immediate benefit, allowing it to sell its oil freely again, according to a text of the accord read by US officials. Besides the new oil revenue for Iran, the two sides are more or less back where they were 3 1/2 months ago — before Israel and the US on Feb. 28 launched their
What's in the US-Iran agreement?
The 14-paragraph memo includes an end to fighting, an agreement that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and a $300bn redevelopment package for Iran.
Ukraine launches largest drone attack on Moscow in years
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Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, sparking fires, hitting a major oil refinery and forcing evacuations at the country's largest airport.
Armed police swarmed Christchurch street, arrest one person
One person has been arrested and no-one has been hurt, police say.
An ultra-rare Star Wars Lego collection went missing - it's sparked viral conspiracies
Bricks & Figs shops around the US have been receiving threats due to the missing Star Wars Lego set, the company says.
The kids bringing joy to the elderly, one pool noodle at a time
Every two weeks a bus of pre-schoolers turns up at one resthome, ready to bring some loneliness-busting laughs for the residents.
Majority of adults support U16 social media ban - survey
Almost three-quarters of Irish adults are in favour of a social media ban for under-16s, according to new research.
US forces lift blockade of Iranian ports following deal
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The US has lifted a blockade of Iranian ports imposed during the Middle East war after President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict.
Trump: Critics of deal to end Middle East war are 'fools'
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US President Donald Trump has hit out at critics of an agreement to end the Middle East war, describing them as "fools".
Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site
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The structure consisted of two posts that lined up with the solstices 5,000 years ago.
'We had to get out of the way': The backlash over delivery robots
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As the delivery vehicles increasing take to US streets, bans and protest groups are springing up.
Central Bank warns of 5% inflation in 2027 in severe case
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The Central Bank has revised upwards its forecasts for inflation for this year and next, and warned of the possibility of it reaching almost 5% in a severe scenario in 2027.
Action plan to tackle financial crime, money laundering
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The Government has launched an action plan to strengthen the State's response to financial crime, money laundering, and terrorist financing.
Teen dies after being thrown from horse-drawn carriage in New York's Central Park
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A teenager thrown to the ground Wednesday when a Central Park carriage horse bolted away from its driver has died, according to police.
Officer accused of possessing objectionable publications to keep name secret for now
The Wellington-based officer appeared in the Wellington District Court for the first time on Thursday.
Kane-inspired England outgun Croatia to make flying start
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England got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start as they beat Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday thanks to two goals from captain Harry Kane and one apiece from Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford.
'I don't have a life': The physical and emotional toll of caregiving for a loved one
A 70-year-old woman caring for her mentally disabled husband all by herself says she doesn't have a life anymore and no longer feels like an individual.
Fatal helicopter crash: Fence wire around tail rotor brought down chopper
Pest control contractors 54-year-old pilot Joseph Keeley and 25-year-old hunter Cole Ritchie died while culling feral goat and deer along Transmission Gully in January.
Jill Biden reveals how she really felt about Joe Biden’s health whilst he was president
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And Trump wants to give America’s top legal job to his former personal lawyer
Body found on shore of Lake Tekapo
The discovery of the body is the second such incident at the site in the last week.
Harry Kane explains the strategy behind his stuttered penalty run-up
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Harry Kane was able to give England the lead against Croatia from the penalty spot - but only thanks to the video assistant referee.
Fórsa members at Oberstown to take industrial action
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Members of the Fórsa trade union working at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus will commence industrial action next week in a dispute over staffing, safety and capacity concerns.
Belfast stabbing victim out of induced coma, family says
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The victim of the Belfast stabbing is out of an induced coma but may lose sight in his right eye, his family have said.
Principal resigns after allegations she failed to protect the safety of children
The former principal also faces allegations she failed to recognise and manage conflicts of interest.
New survey seeks to fill 'knowledge gap' in rural women's wellbeing
Academics say there's little research into the wellbeing needs of rural and farming women.
World Cup 2026: England 4-2 Croatia recap
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England begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with an eye-catching 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas where Harry Kane (2), Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford were among the goals.
Ex-Calgary councillor directed use of personal phone over freedom of information concerns: docs
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While investigating allegations of corruption at Calgary city hall, police say they uncovered text messages sent by former councillor Sean Chu to a man now accused of offering money for council votes in which Chu said to “keep conversations to his personal phone” because his work phone was “subject to Freedom of Information” disclosure.
Has Trump achieved his goals in the war with Iran?
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After more than three months of war, with a preliminary peace deal in place, what has Donald Trump achieved?
People are getting bowel cancer in their 30s or 40s - Here's what to know
Jodie Collins was 44 when she got the news that changed her life. She had the "old person's cancer".
Garret Ahearn appointed leader of Seanad
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Senator Garret Ahearn has been appointed as the leader of the Seanad.
Man died outside partner's home after severe head trauma
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A pathologist has told a murder trial that a 44-year-old postman suffered such a "forceful blow or blows" that his jaw was broken into fragments whilst the subsequent inhaling of a large amount blood to the lungs rendered him unable to breathe.
New Plymouth District Council fuel costs soar, but not expected to affect rates
It paid $111,157 for fuel over March, April, and May - compared to $77,955 over the same period in 2025.
B.C. allows retail and online sales of non-prescription hearing aids
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The provincial government says in a statement that adults with mild to moderate hearing loss can now buy over-the-counter hearing aids without a prescription.
Remember the heat dome? It changed everything
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Five years after the historic heat dome over British Columbia, CBC’s Johanna Wagstaffe checks in on the ecosystems that were pushed past their breaking point. From the intertidal zones of the Strait of Georgia to the forest canopy, the latest data reveals a reshuffling of nature’s "winners and losers." While some species are locked in a slow-motion collapse, others are showing surprising resilience, providing a critical blueprint for who survives the next extreme heat event.
Tropical storm to bring life-threatening floods to Texas
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Tropical Storm Arthur formed near the Texas coast and is expected to bring life-threatening flooding across portions of the southeastern US, the country's National Hurricane Center said.
Blue Jays place Max Scherzer on the 10-day injured list with back spasms
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Max Scherzer is back on the injured list. The Toronto Blue Jays placed the three-time Cy Young winner on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with back spasms. The move came hours before Scherzer was scheduled to start against the Boston Red Sox.
Iwi leader Mike Smith asks UN to intervene before government introduces new climate law
The government is introducing legislation to prevent companies from being sued over damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Fact check: Is this Iranian soccer player real or AI?
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This image circulated during the Iran-New Zealand FIFA World Cup match, but is it real? CBC’s Fact Check team breaks down how to tell.
Podcast: Will Andy Burnham make it in Makerfield?
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An election on Thursday in the UK could ultimately determine who leads the country.
'A risk to life': Social workers called out for no-shows on keeping kids safe
Chief victims advisor Ruth Money says it is infuriating Oranga Tamariki isn't sending social workers to critical meetings for keeping abused children from harm.
Residents breathe sigh of relief over progress on fixing Bromley plant stench
The stink has plagued Christchurch's eastern suburbs since a fire almost five years ago.
Vancouver Goldeneyes pick American defender Caroline Harvey with 1st pick of 2026 PWHL Draft
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Generational American defender Caroline Harvey is a member of the Vancouver Goldeneyes. The 23-year-old was selected first overall by Vancouver at the 2026 PWHL Draft in Detroit on Wednesday night.
Living on Taranaki's penguin superhighway
Edyta Materka fell in love with kororā during a zoo visit, but had no idea she'd be living among them when her family moved to Ōākura.
More than 1,000 Palestinians killed since Israel-Hamas ceasefire, says Gaza Health Ministry
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Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip have killed 1,005 Palestinians since Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire last October, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.
What is in the 14-point draft of the US-Iran deal?
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The United States has so far not released the full text of the interim US-Iran agreement to halt the war in Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz.
When you have a name people say is 'too hard'
Ever felt pressured to pick up a nickname because, frankly, it's just easier than people changing your name or leaving bits of it out altogether?
The battery boom is here!
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Record-breaking battery storage, India's climate impacts, and how to start impact investing
Playing tennis heavy hitters 'surreal', says Dubliner
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Ireland's Conor Gannon has said playing against some of the biggest names in Tennis has been "surreal", following his defeat in the Dubliner Challenger event to former World Number 3 Grigor Dimitrov.
NATO wants 'credible' spending plans from members at next month's summit
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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says member nations must arrive at next month's summit with credible plans to meet the alliance's new five per cent defence spending benchmark. The demand intensifies pressure on Canada, which has faced sharp criticism from Pentagon officials over the absence of a detailed roadmap for future military spending.
Iran and U.S. to open final talks after peace memorandum
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Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says negotiations on a final agreement with the United States will begin on Friday.
Alberta will pay $100 energy rebate to about 3.4 million residents
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Twenty years after then-premier Ralph Klein gave every Albertan a $400 cheque, the current Alberta government is giving each eligible resident a one-time payment of $100.
Why some homeowners are falling into a mortgage payment trap they can't escape | About That
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Many Canadian homeowners took advantage of historically low mortgage rates during the pandemic to lock in for five-year terms. Andrew Chang explains the perfect storm happening now as these terms come up for renewal at much higher rates at the same time as a depressed housing market.
(Photo credits: The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images)
Buddhist Council wants reputation protected amid rise in scam involving fake monks
There has been a rise in reports of individuals dressed as monks fundraising aggressively in Auckland and other parts of the country.
World Cup 2026: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo recap
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Read how it all unfolded as DR Congo got a deserved point against Ronaldo and co
'This is happening every day': Experts raise alarm after recent human trafficking arrests in Sask.
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Two men tied to a trucking business in the RM of Edenwold are facing human trafficking charges after a months-long RCMP investigation. Expert are speaking out about the need for education about labour trafficking and how to spot red flags.
Canadian government should 'indefinitely exclude' people with mental illness from MAID, committee recommends
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A special parliamentary committee is recommending that the federal government "indefinitely exclude" people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness from applying for medical assistance in dying (MAID).
Starmer’s Warning To Andy Burnham
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PM warns Burnham against immediate leadership challenge if he wins by-election.
Worry, hurt after mosque vandalized in Trois-Rivières, Que.
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The windows of the Mauricie Islamic Cultural Centre were smashed in an act of vandalism early Wednesday morning in Trois-Rivières, Que.
Boy 12, charged with attempted murder of Toronto police officer, 2 other boys also charged
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A 12-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly struck a Toronto police officer while driving a stolen vehicle in the city's east end Sunday night, police say.
Trump says he'll delay nomination for Clayton to be his next intel chief
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U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday derailed the confirmation process of his own nominee to head the nation's intelligence agencies, an extraordinary move that upended Senate efforts to renew a crucial surveillance program that expired last week and fuelled fresh tensions with fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill.
Families call for full inquiry into Creeslough tragedy
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The families of the 10 people who died in the Creeslough tragedy say they've been failed by the Government, and are demanding a public inquiry into the incident.
U.S. Federal Reserve leaves interest rate unchanged, but some policymakers expect hike this year
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The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, but policymakers expect a hike in borrowing costs later this year amid growing concerns about inflation lodged above the U.S. central bank's two per cent target.
What happens when the Strait of Hormuz reopens?
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The vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane is expected to reopen on Friday after nearly four months, following the signing of a US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war.
All you need to know: Ireland's World Cup play-off draw
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The draw for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-off semi-finals and final takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday morning, 11am Irish time. Here's all you need to know.
Layla Wright investigates Rachel Fulstow's life sentence
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Layla Wright’s investigation into the conviction of a ‘killer couple'.
End alumina exports to Russia - Belarus opposition leader
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The leader of the exiled Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has urged the EU to end alumina exports to Russia.
Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen among star-studded list performing at Obama centre's opening
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Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, U2's Bono and the Edge, Eddie Vedder and Bruce Springsteen are among the musicians scheduled to take the stage celebrating the opening of the Obama Presidential Center’s Grand Opening Ceremony in Chicago's South Side.
Snake takes surprise trip to seaside in car engine
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The corn snake is thought to have travelled around 17 miles from its owner's house in Bridlington.
Vancouver bar nearly drank dry by FIFA fans as World Cup brings surge in business to Granville Street
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Vancouver bars are rushing beer and staff to the front line of the World Cup's war on thirst.
G7 countries to produce long-range missiles 'under licence' in Ukraine
EVIAN, France — European G7 nations and the United States are to grant licences for Ukraine-based companies to produce long-range missiles and air defence systems, a diplomatic source said Wednesday, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirming the move. The announcement comes during a three-day G7 meeting in the French town of Evian of the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, who pledged to intensify pressure on Russia to end more than four years of war against Ukraine. "We are going to produce under licence not only air defence systems, but also deep-strike capabilities," said the diplomatic source. Merz confirmed the decision, telling reporters: "We are all currently producing too little, and this can be offset by granting licences to companies that have these production capabilities, including European and Ukrainian firms." U.S. companies will, in particular, be able to grant licences for this purpose to European manufacturers, Merz said, adding he was "grateful" to U.S. President Donald Trump "for this great willingness to cooperate.
KHNP selects candidate sites for new nuclear reactors
The state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said Wednesday it has picked candidate sites to host two new nuclear reactors to be built by 2038. Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, was selected as the candidate site for two nuclear reactors with a total of 2.8GW capacity, and Busan's northeastern Gijang County, was picked as the site to host a 0.7GW-generating small nuclear modular reactor (SMR). The move came as the government confirmed plans to build two large-scale nuclear reactors between 2037 and 2038. Reversing an earlier stance opposing the construction of new nuclear power plants, the government decided earlier this year to stick to the country's plan to build additional nuclear reactors, citing growing power demand driven by the growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and the need to increase the use of clean energy. The two candidate cities have shown interest in hosting the new nuclear reactors, according to the nuclear power operator.
Iran will reopen Strait of Hormuz and can sell oil freely under deal with US, officials say
DUBAI — Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. to end the war is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement that officials say broadly matches the document. The accord, due to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, also envisions Iran receiving at least $300 billion to rebuild after the war and says the U.S. would work to end all American and United Nations sanctions imposed on Tehran — if a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program is reached. The U.S. and Israel went to war on Feb. 28 in part to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon — although U.S. President Donald Trump's goals in the conflict have repeatedly shifted. The interim deal stops the war before that aim is secured — instead opening a two-month period for nuclear negotiations — and appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return. The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all
Trump vows to play role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues: Seoul official
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his commitment to playing a role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues while speaking with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, a senior presidential official said Wednesday. Trump made such a pledge while exchanging remarks with Lee, who sat next to him during an official G7 dinner the previous day, according to Oh Hyun-joo, third deputy national security adviser. "President Trump expressed a strong will to play a necessary role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues" after Lee said he expected Trump's attention and engagement in building peace on the peninsula, Oh told a press briefing here. Trump said he would seek ways to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula, pledging to cooperate closely with Lee on that matter, the official added. During the conversation, the two leaders also discussed ways to enhance "mutually beneficial cooperation," including in the shipbuilding sector, while sharing the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan based on a solid South Korea-U.S. allianc
Zelenskyy says G7 leaders pledge more vital help for Ukraine against Russia
Ukraine has won key pledges of further support for its fight against Russia from world leaders attending the Group of Seven summit in France, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday. The leaders of the world’s leading industrial economies promised to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and ensure its energy supply, as well as step up international economic pressure on Moscow, as Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s all-out invasion stretches into its fifth year with no end in sight. “The G7 Summit in France delivered important results for Ukraine. Most importantly, we agreed on additional strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense,” Zelenskyy, who attended the gathering, said on X. “Our partners will ensure support for our defense and energy resilience,” he said, adding they will also introduce new sanctions on Russia. The Ukrainian leader has spent a lot of time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 trying to secure international support for his country and diplomatically isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy was expected to attend a Euro
Dollar on edge ahead of Warsh's first meeting as Fed chair
The dollar inched higher against most major peers on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's first policy decision under chair Kevin Warsh, which could see some volatility as investors adjust to a new style of policy making and communication. The euro was down 0.16 percent on the day at $1.1591, while the pound shed 0.15 percent to $1.34, as the dollar took a small safe haven boost from remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that the memorandum of understanding on Iran was not final, and that he could resume a bombing campaign if he did not like it. But the big event of the day, the Fed meeting, is still to come, and left investors hesitant to take on large positions. The Fed is widely expected to stand pat at Warsh's debut meeting. The statement, economic projections and news conference, however, will be scrutinised for any signals of the Fed dropping its easing bias as officials grow more hawkish on inflation risks. "There have been many central banks meeting this month, but this is the one that's overshadowing everything," said Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank.
IEA sees significant 2027 oil surplus after Hormuz recovery
LONDON — The oil market will move into a significant supply surplus in 2027 after recovering from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly oil market report on Wednesday. The U.S. has announced an interim agreement to end its war with Iran, which includes Iran reopening the strait and the U.S. lifting its naval blockade of Iran, potentially bringing an end to the largest oil supply disruption in history. The war is estimated to have blocked more than 14 million barrels per day (bpd) of Middle East oil output according to the IEA. The oil market will then fall into a significant supply surplus next year, the IEA said in its first look at 2027, as supply is set to surge by 8 million bpd while demand rises by 2 million bpd. A large supply surplus in 2027 could "provide a welcome respite to the market and an opportunity to replenish depleted inventories, or to build new strategic reserves, as countries review their energy strategies and policies in response to the crisis," the IEA said. Flows through the strait were already rising by early Jun
Trump threatens to resume bombing campaign if Iran does not 'behave'
U.S President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that an interim accord with Iran was not final, and that he could resume a bombing campaign if he did not like it or if Tehran did not "behave." "It's a memorandum of understanding. And if I don't like it, we'll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs on their head. If I don't like it, if they don't behave, we'll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head, OK?" Trump said on the sidelines of a G7 summit in France. Trump said the Iran memorandum of understanding did not include immediate sanctions relief for Iran. Trump heaped praise on the framework agreement that his administration had negotiated, saying: "That's a very strong deal. Nobody knows what it is, but it's very strong, and most people seem to be very happy." He said the agreement would be a boon for markets. "There's nothing so smart as the market, and the market loves it beyond anything that I've actually seen," he said. "The alternative would be a worldwide depression."
USPEER returns with revamped lineup on 1st mini album
Rookie K-pop girl group USPEER dropped its first mini album, "BITE DISTRICT," Wednesday, about a year after debuting with "SPEED ZONE." The six-member group — Soee, Sian, Seoyu, Daon, Chaena and Roa — met with press just hours before the release at Myeonghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo District, southern Seoul, to talk about the new album and behind-the-scenes stories. "It's been a year, so this feels less like a comeback and more like a redebut," Chaena said. "We worked hard to show a different side of ourselves that fits the new concept." "I want to thank everyone who waited for us," Daon said. "I'm excited and a little nervous." The girl group debuted last June as a septet, but the lineup changed to six in May when the group's former leader, Yeowon, left the team. Agency MW Entertainment said Yeowon had been taking time to rest and recover since the second half of last year, and the two sides agreed she would end her activities with USPEER. "Yeowon left for personal reasons," Sian said. "I was elected leader right after she stepped down, and it was difficult at first. I thought that
Has Trump achieved his goals in war with Iran?
WASHINGTON — Shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, U.S. President Donald Trump laid out a host of objectives, from destroying Iran's ballistic missile capabilities to ensuring Tehran can never have a nuclear weapon. More than three months later, with a preliminary peace deal in place, what has Trump achieved? Missiles, drones Before the war, Iran held the largest ballistic stockpile in the Middle East, with between 2,500 and 6,000 missiles of different types. Some were capable of reaching Israel, with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), and some carried cluster munition warheads that are harder to defend against. Iran is also a major manufacturer of long-range drones - in particular, the one-way Shahed drone that has been used by Russia against Ukraine, as well as by Tehran. Roughly one month into the war, U.S. sources told Reuters that one-third of that arsenal was destroyed, with another third likely damaged, destroyed or buried. U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper told Congress on May 14 that Iran's ability to build and stockpile missiles and long-
Veteran cartoonist, food TV host Huh Young-man goes on hiatus over health concerns
Veteran cartoonist and television personality Huh Young-man, 78, will suspend all public activities due to health concerns, including his nationally beloved food program, “Huh Young-man’s Food Travel,” which features trips across the country and introducing viewers to local restaurants for the past seven years. The production team behind the TV Chosun food travel show announced Wednesday that the program will conclude its first season and go on hiatus due to concerns over Huh’s health. “With Huh’s health as our top priority after years of working without pause, we have decided to bring the season to a graceful close and take a break,” the production team said. Huh's agency also released a statement, noting Huh had recently developed a health issue and is currently focusing on treatment and recovery on the advice of his medical team, and that he plans to suspend all public activities for the time being and take time to rest. Huh started his career as a cartoonist in 1974 with “In Search for Home” and went on to create a string of nationally acclaimed works, including “
Korea unveils plan to transform regional universities into tech hubs
d Korea’s push to rebalance growth beyond the capital region took a major step forward Wednesday as the government unveiled a plan to select three flagship national universities for intensive support, aiming to transform them into regional powerhouses tied directly to strategic industries and artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Education said that it finalized its 2026 package support university selection plan during an interagency meeting at Government Complex Sejong. The initiative is part of the government’s “10 Seoul National Universities” strategy, which seeks to strengthen flagship national universities as hubs linking industry, academia, research institutions and local governments. Under the plan, three universities will be chosen this year for concentrated support across undergraduate education, graduate programs and research institutes connected to regional growth engines and AI development. The ministry said the selected universities, together with partner institutions participating in a regional university-sharing system, are expected to receive roughly 100 bi
PPP urges dismissal of Seoul police chief over senior police official's alleged violence against lawmaker's aide
The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday called for the immediate dismissal of the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), accusing a senior police official of using physical force against a legislative aide earlier this week. "The head of the SMPA's security division committed violence by twisting the arm of a National Assembly aide and grabbed him by the neck during a lawmakers' visit," PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig said at a general meeting of the party's lawmakers. "President Lee Jae Myung must immediately dismiss the SMPA chief and the head of its security division," he added. On Tuesday, an apparent scuffle broke out as PPP lawmakers visited the SMPA to protest remarks by Park Jeong-bo, the agency's chief, who warned that demonstrators protesting the ballot shortages reported during the June 3 local elections could face serious consequences if they "take part in illegal activities and are found to be accomplices." A video posted online by a PPP lawmaker showing the brief scuffle involving the senior police official and the aide d
Airport authority clarifies ID check rules after Wonyoung controversy
What began as a routine airport departure for K-pop star Jang Wonyoung has unexpectedly sparked debate over airport security procedures in South Korea, prompting the Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) to pledge clearer guidance for passengers. The controversy erupted after a video circulated online showing the IVE member briefly lowering her mask during an identity verification process at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport before departing for Shanghai on May 30. As the clip spread across social media, some internet users questioned whether the singer had received special treatment, while others argued that airport staff had followed standard procedures. The KAC issued an explanation on Tuesday, saying it would strengthen public guidance regarding identity verification procedures through its website and other channels. The statement came in response to a public complaint requesting greater transparency about identity check standards at Gimpo Airport's international terminal. According to KAC, identity verification at Gimpo and 13 other airports nationwide is conducted under the same aviation sec
'Wide Cup' fuels World Cup fever among Korean fans
Major liquor company Oriental Brewery (OB) is ramping up fan engagement for this year’s FIFA World Cup with the launch of “Wide Cup,” a new football-themed promotional campaign. The event follows Cass becoming the only Korean alcoholic beverage brand selected as an official sponsor of the tournament. Cass has served as an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup since 2014, giving the brand a long-standing association with the world's biggest football event. Wide Cup participants compete to see how wide they can open their mouths while cheering for the Korean national football team during group-stage matches. The event takes place at designated restaurants and pubs in Seoul that serve Cass, where fans gather to watch the match together. The top six participants from each match are selected through artificial intelligence-based technology that automatically measures how wide their mouths are open based on photos taken at the venue. Winners receive cans of nonalcoholic Cass Zero equivalent to their measured mouth opening in millimeters. The first Wide Cup was held Friday during Korea's
Hanwha Ocean faces mounting costs from blocked icebreaker delivery to Russia
Hanwha Ocean is saddled with hundreds of millions of dollars in financial burden, as a fleet of six icebreaking liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers remain undelivered at a domestic shipyard due to sanctions on Russia’s Arctic project, according to industry sources and a report. The specialized vessels, built for Moscow’s high-stakes Arctic energy expansion venture, have turned into a costly asset for Hanwha Ocean, leaving the Korean shipbuilder with few viable options beyond waiting indefinitely for new buyers or selling the ships at steep discounts. The company secured a massive order to construct six highly sophisticated Arc7-class LNG carriers for the Arctic LNG 2 project pushed by Russian gas producer Novatek. Under the project, Hanwha Ocean was supposed to deliver three of the vessels for Sovcomflot, the largest shipping firm in Russia, and three for Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines. All were scheduled for delivery by the end of July 2023 for the Arctic project, according to a report by the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent
Ballot shortage issue fuels PPP infighting
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is descending into open infighting over how far to push its challenge on the local elections after ballot shortages in several key electorates caused disruptions to voting, with PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok facing mounting calls to step down and accusations that he is using the controversy to prolong his own political career. At the center of the dispute is the leadership’s decision to lodge election complaints seeking partial revotes in seven constituencies where ballot papers ran out during the June 3 elections, followed by Jang’s move to escalate demands for a nationwide rerun. Senior party members such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and floor leader Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig have dismissed Jang’s remarks, saying they are his own personal stance rather than a party position. Jang made a social media post Tuesday, writing, “The goal is clear. A nationwide rerun. The petitions are only the beginning.” Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Oh — who himself scraped through to win the Seoul mayoral race by a narrow margin — said Jang’s leade
Hyundai Steel, LSU partner on next-gen steelmaking research
Louisiana State University (LSU) and Hyundai Steel have signed a Master Research Agreement to support research, technology development and workforce training tied to Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion steel mill project in Louisiana. Signed Tuesday (local time) in Baton Rouge, the agreement creates a framework for collaborative research and jointly developed technologies across metallurgy, materials science, energy, robotics, automation and environmental engineering. It is also intended to help develop talent for Hyundai Steel’s planned North American production facility in Ascension Parish, about 50 kilometers from LSU’s main campus. The steel mill, slated for completion in 2029, will be one of the first fully integrated electric arc furnace (EAF)-based steel plants of its kind in North America. Located on an 1,800-acre site in RiverPlex MegaPark, the facility is expected to create about 1,300 jobs and support thousands more indirectly. The research pact complements workforce training efforts already underway through River Parishes Community College and Louisiana Economic Development
KOSPI hits record closing high as SK hynix extends rally
The benchmark KOSPI closed at an all-time high of 8,864.24 on Wednesday, moving within striking distance of the 9,000 milestone after rebounding sharply from early losses. SK hynix led the surge, hitting a fresh all-time high above the 2.5 million won ($1,653.66) mark, backed by expectations for expanded shareholder returns, a strong growth outlook for high-bandwidth memory and hopes for a U.S. listing of American depositary receipts. According to the Korea Exchange, the benchmark KOSPI finished at 8,864.24, up 1.58 percent from the previous session, closing at an all-time high. It fell short of the intraday record of 8,933.62 set on June 2. Foreign investors sold a net 990 billion won worth of shares. But institutional and retail investors bought a net 577.7 billion won and 543 billion won, respectively, helping the index reverse early losses and close higher. Despite a plunge in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index in the U.S., SK hynix extended its winning streak to a fifth consecutive session, closing at 2,521,000 won, up 5.84 percent from the previous session. Samsung Electronics cl
Shinsegae official questioned over Starbucks Korea's 'Tank Day' promotion
Police said Wednesday they were questioning the head of Shinsegae Group's audit team over allegations that its affiliate Starbucks Korea insulted victims of the 1980 pro-democracy movement in Gwangju with its controversial marketing campaign. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency called in Yang Jong-hwan to question the results of the group's weeklong internal inspection of the incident in May. Starbucks Korea, operated by E-Mart Inc., launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on May 18, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement. The coffee franchise launched a discount event for "Tank" tumbler sets, along with the controversial phrase, "Put it on the table with a sound of 'Tak!'" The promotional event drew criticism, as the word "tank" evoked memories of the military violently clamping down on pro-democracy protesters. The word "Tak" also sparked backlash, as it reminded people of student activist Park Jong-cheol, who died in 1987 after being tortured. Announcing the results of the internal probe last month, Shinsegae Group said it found no evidence backing allegations that
Daewoo E&C launches sales for Jangwi Prugio Mark One with 1,032 units
Construction firm Daewoo Engineering & Construction (E&C) is set to launch sales this month for Jangwi Prugio Mark One, a large-scale apartment complex being developed as part of the redevelopment project of Jangwi-dong in Seongbuk District, Seoul. The project will comprise 23 residential towers, rising from five basement levels to 35 stories, with a total of 1,931 units. Of the total, 1,032 units, sized between 39 and 114 square meters, will be available for general sale, marking one of the largest private housing offerings in Seoul in the first half of the year. The development benefits from strong brand recognition under Prugio, its large-scale residential community, convenient subway access and direct proximity to an elementary school. Unlike many redevelopment projects, where general-sale units are concentrated on lower floors, most of the units offered to the public at the complex are located on the fifth floor or higher, a factor expected to appeal to end-users seeking better views and living conditions. The complex is part of the broader redevelopment project in Jangwi, one of th
What Korean football team’s interview boycott reveals
Korea’s national football team has effectively turned its back on parts of the domestic press just days before a World Cup showdown with Mexico, a rare and public rupture that exposes a deeper trust crisis between players and legacy media in a country where fans now fact‑check reporters in real time. The rupture did not begin with tactics or results. It began with contempt, caught on a hot mic. On June 7, during a light pretraining jog at the national team’s camp, two male Korean journalists mocked some of the players, including captain Son Heung‑min. The footage, laced with sneers about military service exemptions and leadership, later surfaced on the YouTube channel of the TV network JTBC — the local holder of broadcasting rights for this year's World Cup — turning their backstage banter into public record. The Korea Football Association (KFA) reportedly summoned the reporters two days later and issued a reprimand behind closed doors. No clear, immediate apology came from the journalists, and the rift widened even as the team beat the Czech Republic last Friday. On Saturday
Internal power struggle stirs up DPK
Politics and elections in Korea can often be dynamic. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is coming apart at the seams even after it won 12 of the 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races. Its approval ratings dipped to 38 percent, surprisingly tailing the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) for the first time since President Lee Jae Myung took office. The president's approval ratings dropped to 51.5 percent, according to a Realmeter survey conducted in the second week of June and announced Monday, while another poll conducted by Jowon C&I showed Lee's approval rate at 47.7 percent, the lowest since he took the presidency. Factional strife may be at work in the DPK. The arrogance of the liberal ruling party, with its current grip on the government and the legislature, leaves it unable to read the sentiment brewing and spreading among young voters. DPK leader Jung Chung-rae is in a tough spot, with the party losing the critical Seoul mayoral race during the June 3 local elections. The president has suggested that Jung take responsibility, saying on social media Sunday
Problem of combating fake news in a globalized world
Korea has engineered some of the most stringent anti-fake news measures among the world's democracies. Recent revisions to election laws impose severe fines and prison terms on those who create or distribute political deepfakes during election campaigns. Other legislation allows courts to impose substantial punitive damages on those who deliberately spread false information. In addition, Korea's long-standing defamation laws punish individuals who disseminate false information that harms others' reputations and, in some cases, even truthful statements deemed damaging. These laws target not only organizations but also individual creators and distributors of misinformation. Together, they reflect Korea's broader willingness to regulate harmful information that threatens the healthy functioning of democracy. Given the seriousness of misinformation in modern society, such laws are understandable and, in many respects, necessary. During elections, false information can distort public understanding, manipulate voters and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Yet these measures have al
Inflation to remain above 3% in 2nd half despite US-Iran deal: BOK
Korea's consumer inflation is expected to remain around 3 percent in the second half of the year as the impact of elevated oil prices stemming from the Middle East conflict continues to filter through the economy, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Wednesday. Although a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran has raised hopes for an end to the monthslong war, the BOK said price pressures fueled by higher energy costs are likely to spread beyond petroleum products to other goods and services in the coming months. "Although geopolitical tensions have eased somewhat following the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, upside risks to inflation remain," BOK Gov. Shin Hyun-song said during a press briefing. "It could take considerable time for energy supply chains to normalize and for oil prices to stabilize. Higher energy costs could also gradually spill over into other goods and services," he said. Despite recent declines in oil prices as expectations rise that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will normalize, Shin said the central bank would look beyond short-term mark
Defense ministry to redraw Civilian Control Line near inter-Korean border
The Ministry of National Defense unveiled Wednesday a sweeping overhaul of military facility regulations, including plans to redraw the Civilian Control Line and release portions of military protection zones near border areas. The measures are expected to ease or remove restrictions across approximately 720 square kilometers, an area roughly 240 times the size of Yeouido, Seoul’s main financial district. The move reflects changes in the security environment, including a shrinking pool of military conscripts and advances in weapons systems, according to the ministry. Announcing the plan, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back described the initiative as a major overhaul of a long-standing regulatory framework. “Today, the defense ministry seeks to present a milestone that changes the paradigm of military facility regulations maintained for decades,” Ahn said. He added that regulatory reform had become “an inevitable choice” to respond to changing security conditions and allow the military to focus on its core missions. At the center of the plan is a proposed adjustment of the Civilian Con
Lee to attend G7 summit sessions on global economic imbalances, AI emergence
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Korean President Lee Jae Myung was set to attend an expanded session of the Group of Seven (G7) summit Wednesday in the French town of Evian to discuss global economic imbalances. The second expanded session of the 2026 G7 summit will bring together leaders of G7 member countries, invited nations and the International Monetary Fund, among others, the Korean presidential office said. The participants will discuss ways to address global economic imbalances and promote cooperation to support economic growth worldwide, according to the office. During the session, Lee plans to emphasize the need to promote coordinated responses to globally shared challenges, while joining discussions on mid- to long-term responses to energy supply disruptions caused by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Later in the day, Lee will join a working lunch to be attended by the chiefs of major artificial intelligence (AI) companies to discuss cybersecurity and the protection of minors, according to the presidential office. During the session, the president plans to stress that AI should no
Busan Mobility Show pivots to land, sea, air
Signaling a major shift in how the global automotive industry interfaces with the public, municipal planners in Busan are turning the southern port city into an open-air testing ground for next-generation transport. Under the banner "Moving Tomorrow," the 2026 Busan Mobility Show will open next week, stretching far beyond the traditional convention hall to embed historic auto exhibits, robotics expos and experiential test drives directly into the city's prominent cultural and tourist corridors. The Busan metropolitan city said Wednesday that the 2026 Busan Mobility Show (BIMOS 2026) will open its doors at the BEXCO convention center from June 26 through July 5. Marking its 25th anniversary under the forward-looking banner "Moving Tomorrow," the biennial event is pivoting away from the traditional showroom spectacles. Instead, it will serve as a vast multidisciplinary festival bridging land, sea and aerospace technology. The expanded footprint of this year's show signals an aggressive push to integrate industrial transformation with urban culture. Beyond the core exhibition halls, downto
Busan prepares to turn its main stadium into global K-pop hub
Busan is preparing to turn its main stadium into a weeklong showcase of K-pop, regional culture and global fandom as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship festival, a milestone that organizers say signals the city’s evolution into a major cultural export hub. Busan Metropolitan City said Wednesday that the 2026 Busan One Asia Festival with NOL will be held across multiple venues beginning Friday, with a headlining “Big Concert” scheduled for June 27 and June 28 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The festival, which launched in 2016, has grown into one of Korea’s largest K-pop-centered cultural events, combining live performances with exhibitions and interactive cultural programming designed to attract international visitors. A separate “Park Concert” will take place Friday at Hwamyeong Ecological Park, offering a free daytime program featuring local musicians and mainstream artists performing against the backdrop of the Nakdong River. The Big Concert will bring together a broad lineup of K-pop artists over two nights, including AKMU, Yunho of TVXQ, Treasure, Haechan of
Munich’s iconic Oktoberfest is coming to Seoul — with official approval from Germany
The spirit of Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest is set to arrive in Seoul this fall, as organizers prepare to bring Germany’s celebrated folk festival to the Korean capital, with official authorization to use the Oktoberfest name. Deutsche Oktoberfest Korea said Wednesday that Oktoberfest Seoul 2026 will take place from Sept. 11-20 at the Oil Tank Culture Park in Seoul’s Mapo District. The organizer said it recently obtained approval from the City of Munich to use the “Oktoberfest Seoul” name, marking a significant step in its effort to recreate the traditions and atmosphere of Germany’s largest cultural festival. The event is intended to introduce the heritage of Oktoberfest, one of Bavaria’s best-known cultural traditions, while expanding cultural exchanges between Korea and Germany. Visitors will be able to sample beers associated with Munich’s Oktoberfest, including Paulaner, alongside traditional Bavarian foods such as schweinshaxe, or pork knuckle, pretzels and weisswurst, or white sausage. The festival will also feature German folk music performances, appearances by
Kia’s PV5 electric van wins top UK honor
Kia’s PV5 Passenger, an electric multipurpose vehicle that blurs the line between family transportation and commercial mobility, has been named Best Large Car at the 2026 Autocar Awards, a recognition that underscores the company’s growing influence in the global electric vehicle market. Kia said Wednesday that the PV5 Passenger received the award from Autocar, one of Britain’s best-known automotive publications, which praised the vehicle’s futuristic design, refined driving experience and efficient use of interior space. The judges said the model establishes a new benchmark for electric multipurpose vehicles and light commercial vehicles by combining strong performance, competitive driving range and value for money on Kia’s dedicated E-GMP.S platform. Autocar also highlighted the vehicle’s innovative interpretation of commercial mobility, pointing to its advanced styling, intelligent cabin layout and overall quality. Mark Tisshaw, editor of Autocar, said the PV5 delivers an exceptional mobility experience through its spacious and versatile interior while offering a surprisin
18-month prison term sought for Seoul mayor on charges of accepting illegal funds
A special counsel team on Wednesday sought an 18-month prison term for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on charges of accepting illegal political funds in connection with opinion polls he received ahead of the mayoral by-election in 2021. The team of special counsel Min Joong-ki also sought a forfeiture of 33 million won ($21,800) at the Seoul Central District Court after indicting Oh in December on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. Oh is suspected of having his political supporter, Kim Han-jung, make payments for opinion poll results he received on 10 occasions from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the by-election in April 2021, which he won. "Despite being in a position to follow the Political Funds Act more than anyone else as a prominent politician, Mayor Oh undermined the legislative purpose of ensuring transparency of political funds by making a third person pay for costs of opinion polls closely related to political activities without following legal procedures," the team said. The team also sought a one-year prison term for Kim, Oh's supporter, and former Se
Taihan Cable lands $97 mil. deal as Korea overhauls its power grid
Taihan Cable & Solution has secured a 146.3 billion won ($96.5 million) contract for a key national power transmission project, strengthening its position in the fast-growing high-voltage direct current, or HVDC, market as Korea pushes to expand long-distance electricity networks. The company said Wednesday that it won an order for the second phase of Korea Electric Power Corp.’s 500-kilovolt HVDC Donghaean-Dong Seoul transmission project. Under the turnkey contract, Taihan Cable will manufacture, supply and install 500-kilovolt HVDC XLPE cables and related equipment for the project. The Donghaean-Dong Seoul HVDC network is designed to transport electricity generated by nuclear, thermal and renewable energy facilities along Korea’s east coast to the Seoul metropolitan area, where power demand remains concentrated. As part of the project, Taihan Cable will supply and install approximately 86 kilometers of 500-kilovolt HVDC XLPE cable systems. The contract marks another milestone in the company’s effort to expand beyond conventional transmission systems and deepen its presence in adva
Kim Woo-bin's sweet show of support for Shin Min-a draws attention
Actor Kim Woo-bin is drawing attention after showing support for his wife, Shin Min-a, at a preview event for her upcoming film, “The Eyes.” On Tuesday, Kim uploaded photos to social media from the VIP premiere of “The Eyes,” held the previous day at CGV Yongsan in Seoul. The photos showed Shin and the film’s other cast members standing onstage and greeting the audience. For fans, the post was a heartwarming moment, not only because Kim attended the premiere to support his wife, but also because it marked the first public appearance by the couple since their marriage. “The Eyes” is a suspense thriller starring Shin as Seo-jin, a woman who is gradually losing her sight because of a hereditary condition. While investigating the mysterious death of her twin sister, she is drawn closer to the unsettling truth behind it. Ahead of its release, the film has teased a tense, immersive story centered on Seo-jin’s increasingly dangerous search for answers. Kim and Shin dated for about 10 years before marrying in late December. The actors reportedly first met in 2015 while working as
Everland’s famous twin pandas become Korea's newest travel guides
Korea’s obsession with its resident giant pandas is moving out of the bamboo enclosures and onto the open road. Everland, the country’s largest theme park, announced Wednesday the launch of “Rui & Hui’s Journey Across Korea,” an expansive, monthslong marketing campaign that aims to convert raw fandom into domestic tourism. The initiative centers on the park's beloved twin giant pandas, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, positioning the animals as fictional travel guides spearheading a nationwide tour of six distinct provinces. By blending regional storytelling with limited-edition merchandise, the project seeks to entice urbanites into exploring the country's lesser-known locales. The introductory leg of the campaign strikes a deeply nostalgic chord for the twins' massive following. The tour begins in Jeolla Province — the hometown of Kang Cheol-won, the veteran Everland zookeeper affectionately known by fans as "grandpa panda." Timed to capitalize on the summer vacation season, this opening chapter embraces the trend of "chonkangseu," a trendy Korean portmanteau that combines the word ch
POSCO completes Korea's largest electric arc furnace to cut carbon emissions
Korean steelmaker POSCO said Wednesday it has completed construction of an electric arc furnace (EAF) on the nation's southern coast as part of efforts to advance its lower-carbon steelmaking. The nation's largest EAF, with an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons, was built in Gwangyang, about 360 kilometers south of Seoul, following more than two years of construction and an investment of about 600 billion won ($396.7 million). Unlike conventional steelmaking processes that rely primarily on iron ore and coal, EAFs recycle scrap metal and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 75 percent compared with blast furnaces, according to the company. POSCO said it is also working on hybrid steelmaking technologies, such as mixing molten iron from blast furnaces and EAFs to maintain steel quality while reducing emissions, under a goal of mass-producing automotive steel sheets and electrical steel by 2030.
Lee urges Trump to solve North Korea issue after Middle East deal
President Lee Jae Myung asked U.S. President Donald Trump to take the lead in peacefully resolving the North Korean issue, during a brief conversation on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, the presidential office said. Senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Trump asked Lee about recent developments in inter-Korean relations in a written briefing, Tuesday. Lee replied that he hoped Trump would lead efforts for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean issue, just as he had helped conclude the Middle East conflict. Kang was referring to the tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal announced Sunday, which ends more than three months of war in the region. "President Trump responded by expressing his willingness to work toward resolving the North Korean issue," Kang added. The exchange took place during a group photo session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where South Korea was invited as a guest country to the annual gathering of the seven member states — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the U.S. As leaders assembled for the photograph, Lee
IITP recognizes domestic AI chip ecosystem growth as Korea's top R&D achievement
The growth of Korea’s domestic artificial intelligence (AI) chip ecosystem is recognized as the country’s top research and development achievement in the field of information technology, the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) said Wednesday. During a media conference, IITP, the policy-planning and management arm of the Ministry of Science and ICT, selected Korean firms’ improved presence in AI computing infrastructure, AI model developments, expanded AI transformation and nurturing researchers as noteworthy policy achievements. "Research and development, along with talent cultivation, are key drivers of Korea's competitiveness in AI and ICT," IITP President Hong Jin-bae said. "We will further strengthen our performance-oriented R&D support system to ensure that the AI and information and communication technology achievements accumulated over the years translate into industrial growth and tangible benefits for people's lives." Since 2020, the government has been making R&D investment worth over 470 billion won ($310.7 million) in the f
Edward Lee, Faker named global ambassadors for K-food
Celebrity chef Edward Lee and the country's League of Legends superstar Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok have become Korea's official global ambassadors for K-foods, the government said Wednesday, as it seeks to expand exports and raise the profile of Korean cuisine overseas. The two are among seven newly appointed ambassadors tasked with promoting Korean food in key overseas markets, including the Americas, Europe and Southeast Asia. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Wednesday that Lee, a Korean American fine dining guru, will be at the forefront of promoting Korean gastronomy across the United States and Canada. Showcasing his cooking using Korean food products and ingredients at local and international food shows in North America will be a basic manual for the chef hailing from Louisville, Kentucky. Faker, six-time world champion and 10-time winner of domestic leagues for the multiplayer online battle arena game, will be K-food's face across Chinese-speaking markets worldwide. He will promote Korean food through esports events in the regions. The appointments were dec
Shinhan Financial Group introduced its new integrated financial platform, Shinhan Super SOL, on Wednesday as part of a broader strategy to unify services across its banking, card, securities and insurance affiliates. The group also unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered financial assistant system and a new hybrid banking-securities account in preparation for what it describes as the emerging era of agent-driven finance. Speaking at the platform's launch event at the group's headquarters in Seoul, Chairman Jin Ok-dong said financial services have traditionally been spread across multiple platforms despite being offered under the same corporate umbrella. "Customers were often required to move between multiple applications and service channels depending on the type of transaction they wanted to perform," he said. "The upgraded Super SOL platform was designed to address that inconvenience by bringing a wide range of financial services together in a single digital environment." According to the company, the latest version of Super SOL goes beyond simply linking services from differe
Tehran can immediately sell oil upon signing US-Iran deal, US official says
WASHINGTON — The U.S. will allow Iran to immediately begin selling oil and fuel under the memorandum of understanding the two sides reached to end the war, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday. The provision for waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales takes effect once the agreement is signed this week and also covers services including banking, transportation and insurance to facilitate the sales, the source said. The U.S. official said the agreement has conditions. “This is a performance-based agreement," the person said on condition of anonymity. "Iran can only access any benefits of the MOU if they abide by all of the points they agreed to – including no nuclear weapon, neutralizing its enriched material, and not interfering with the free flow of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” The administration of President Donald Trump re-imposed sanctions on the OPEC member in 2018 over Tehran's nuclear program and support of militant groups across the Middle East. Iran has always said its nuclear program is for civilian purposes. Brett Erickson, a sanctions expert and managing princ
Public approval of Korea’s corporate giants hits record high
Public favorability toward domestic businesses has climbed to its highest level since tracking began in 2003, according to an annual survey released Wednesday by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The business lobby’s Corporate Favorability Index — a comprehensive barometer tracking public sentiment across seven distinct categories — rose 3.9 points from a year earlier to land at 60.1 out of 100. It marks the first time the index has crossed the symbolically important 60-point threshold. The upswing was remarkably broad-based, with all seven sub-indexes posting year-on-year gains for the first time in the survey's history. Global prestige led the charge: International competitiveness registered the sharpest spike, jumping 6.8 points, followed closely by environmental management and industrial productivity. Yet, old anxieties linger. Ethical management, despite a modest 3.1-point uptick, remained the sole category trapped below the favorability waterline, scoring 47.1. Lee Won-jae, a professor at KAIST's Graduate School of Culture Technology, noted that this long-te
Court holds arrest warrant hearings for ex-Shincheonji officials over suspected ties to PPP
A Seoul court on Wednesday held arrest warrant hearings for three former senior officials of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions they forced followers to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) between 2021 and 2024. The hearings for Goh Dong-ahn, former No. 2 leader of Shincheonji, and two other former officials took place at the Seoul Central District Court after a joint prosecution and police team filed for their arrest warrants Friday. The court is expected to have its decision as early as later Wednesday. The three are accused of violating the Political Parties Act that bans forcing people to join or quit political parties. The former officials are suspected of forcing Shincheonji members to join the PPP to influence the results of the party's primaries held between 2021 and 2024 ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections at the time. Korea held a presidential election in 2022 and parliamentary elections in 2024. The joint investigation team believes that more than 50,000 Shincheonji followers joined the PPP as a result. Th
Hwang In-beom: No longer an unsung hero
One of the best things about the World Cup is that billions of fans around the world are introduced to players that they may not be familiar with. Indeed, one British journalist was disappointed to find that midfielder Hwang In-beom was not some young prospect for the future but a 29-year-old who plays for Feyenoord in the Netherlands. While Koreans fans have long appreciated Hwang’ s talents, internationally he has fallen under the radar. However, that overlooked status officially ended on June 11 in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, as the Daejeon native turned heads with his performance in Korea's 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. With the Europeans ahead 1-0 midway through the second half, it was looking bleak — but then Hwang scored an equalizing goal of real skill and composure before setting up the winning goal for Oh Hyeon-gyu ten minutes before the end of the game. If Hwang is in the same form against Mexico on Friday morning (Seoul time) then Korea could find itself in the knockout stages with one Group A game still remaining. The Mexicans will be keeping a close eye on the
NY ice cream brand Van Leeuwen to open 1st Korea store in southern Seoul
Van Leeuwen, a New York-based premium ice cream brand, will open its first Korean store near Gangnam Station on July 3, operated under a master franchise agreement with Korean dessert cafe chain A Twosome Place, the company said Wednesday. Founded in 2008 when siblings Ben and Pete Van Leeuwen and Laura O'Neill launched a yellow ice cream truck in Brooklyn, Van Leeuwen has grown into one of the fastest-expanding ice cream brands in the United States, with more than 100 company-owned scoop shops and distribution through over 10,000 retail channels as of January. The Gangnam Station flagship will serve the brand's full lineup, including French-style classic ice cream made with more than double the egg yolks of conventional recipes and no artificial stabilizers, dairy-free vegan varieties using oat, coconut and cashew bases, American-style sundaes and milkshakes. Signature flavors include vanilla bean, Sicilian pistachio and Earl Grey tea. A Twosome Place plans to open a second location inside Shinsegae Department Store's Gangnam branch and a third near Sinnonhyeon Station, both targeted f
LS Electric wins $70 mil. North American data center contract
LS Electric, the Korean industrial conglomerate’s unit specializing in power grid infrastructure, electrical equipment, and automation solutions, said Wednesday that it has secured a contract worth 106.4 billion won ($70.43 million) to supply a 38-kilovolt power distribution system for a large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data center project spearheaded by a major North American tech firm. Under the terms of the agreement, equipment delivery is scheduled to take place between August and November this year. The new order pushes LS Electric’s cumulative data center bookings from North American tech clients to nearly 1.2 trillion won. The company has surpassed its 2024 tally of 800 billion won in just the first six months of 2026, highlighting the explosive demand for specialized power infrastructure driven by the global AI boom. According to LS Electric, the order came from an existing client that is actively expanding its server capacity. LS Electric noted that this pattern of repeat business reflects the solidification of its role as a core power infrastructure partner for hy
Court increases sentence for Korean husband who poured boiling water on Thai wife
A Korean man who intentionally poured boiling water on his Thai wife’s face, leaving her with severe burns, received a prison sentence longer than the term sought by prosecutors. Judge Kim Jun-young of the Uijeongbu District Court on Tuesday sentenced a Korean man in his 40s, identified only as “A,” to three and a half years in prison on charges of special bodily injury. A was indicted on charges of pouring boiling water from an electric kettle onto the face and neck of his Thai wife, who is in her 30s, while she was asleep at their apartment in Howon-dong on Dec. 3, 2025. He initially claimed that he tripped and spilled the water accidentally, but later admitted to the charge during the trial and appealed for leniency. “Deliberately pouring boiling water onto his sleeping wife’s face was a violent crime that would be difficult for an ordinary person to comprehend,” Judge Kim said in the ruling, adding that the victim had suffered “considerable physical and psychological trauma.” The court also pointed to the victim’s vulnerable circumstances at the time of the attack.
Stock rally halts Korea's pension reform debate
Korea’s national pension reform appears to have been put on the back burner after a strong stock market rally bolstered the National Pension Service’s reserves and delayed the fund’s projected depletion, industry officials said Wednesday. According to the National Pension Service, its fund reserves rose from 1,036 trillion won ($684.3 billion) at the end of 2023 to 1,458 trillion won at the end of 2025. Market observers estimate that the figure had grown to 1,800 trillion won by May. The fund’s rise is largely due to the meteoric performance of the benchmark KOSPI, which ranked first among G20 nations in stock market gains. In 2025 alone, the fund delivered a record-high return of 18.82 percent. Professor Kim Yong-ha of Soonchunhyang University, a former president of the Korean Pension Association, recently told local media that if the fund posts an average annual return of 5.5 percent, its depletion date could be pushed back by 24 years, from 2071 to 2095. Pension reform has long been considered a key task for presidential administrations, but its political sensitivity has kept
Kolon Industries signs AI research agreement with University of Seoul
Kolon Industries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Seoul Tuesday to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated research and development for advanced materials, the company said Wednesday. The agreement pairs Kolon Industries' expertise in high-performance chemical materials — including products designed for waterproofing, sound insulation, durability and heat resistance — with the university's AI research capabilities in areas such as deep learning and machine intelligence. The partnership aims to accelerate what the company calls "AX," or AI transformation, across its new materials development process. Under the agreement, the two organizations will establish a joint research system for AI-integrated research and development, share research facilities and technical information, and work together to develop industry-ready talent with expertise in both materials science and artificial intelligence. Kolon Industries said it has already been applying AI across several research and development functions, including literature research, data anal
Lee says agreed with Indian PM Modi to advance bilateral ties to new level
Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have agreed to advance their countries' bilateral ties to a new level, referring to their recent conversation on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France. "(We) agreed to strengthen cooperation between Korea and India across all areas, including the economy, culture and society, while building a new relationship between the two countries," Lee wrote on his X account. Both Lee and Modi are attending the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains as leaders of invited countries. In his X post, Lee said cooperation between the two countries had remained very weak compared with their economic size and potential, while sharing a post Modi posted on his own X account about their conversation. In his own post, Modi said he "had a very good conversation with the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Lee Jae Myung," adding, "Our nations are working together in trade, commerce and many other futuristic sectors."
Kookmin University to run master’s program jointly with International University Sports Federation
Kookmin University has signed an agreement with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to jointly develop and operate a new master’s degree program in sports education, the school said Tuesday. The agreement was signed by Kookmin University President Jeong Seung-ryul and FISU Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund at the university campus in northern Seoul on Monday. Kookmin University Foundation Chairman Kim Ji-yong and FISU Master Director Delise O’Meally also attended the signing ceremony. “This agreement marks a meaningful starting point that will expand the connection between international university sports and higher education, extending beyond a conventional institutional partnership,” Jeong said. “We expect the combination of Kookmin University’s educational capabilities and FISU’s global platform to create synergy in nurturing future leaders in the sports field.” After the ceremony, officials of the university’s College of Physical Education and the FISU held a working-level meeting to discuss how to launch and run the FISU master’s program. T
Hyosung launches hyperscale AI data center in Seoul
Hyosung Group is expanding its push into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure with the launch of a hyperscale data center in Seoul, marking its entry into Korea’s fast-growing data center market. The company announced Wednesday that Hyosung-STT GDC, a joint venture between Hyosung Heavy Industries and Singapore-based operator ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), opened STT Seoul 1, a 30-megawatt data center, in Geumcheon District, Seoul, the previous day. Designed to support cloud and AI workloads, the new facility combines Hyosung’s power infrastructure expertise with STT GDC's global standards in data center design, operation and service management. The facility is capable of accommodating increasingly power-intensive and high-density computing environments driven by generative AI applications. The company explained that one of the center's biggest advantages is its location in Seoul, where securing large-scale power capacity has become increasingly difficult due to energy regulations and grid constraints, providing low-latency connectivity to major business districts
Interim US-Iran deal leaves thorniest issue still to be negotiated: Tehran's nuclear program
WASHINGTON — The interim deal between the U.S. and Iran is supposed to usher in a two-month period that would address the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries — Tehran's nuclear program. Preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear bomb is a key reason that President Donald Trump said he launched the war alongside Israel in February, but the tentative agreement he has trumpeted leaves little runway to negotiate the long-running sticking point. The previous nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, which Trump pulled the U.S. from in his first term, took many months to negotiate. Few details have been publicly released about the initial deal , set to be officially signed Friday in Switzerland, but it generally calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global oil shipments, financial incentives for Iran if it meets certain benchmarks, and a 60-day period for talks on ending the country's nuclear program. There is deep skepticism among both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, pro-Israel advocates and Israel itself that the deal is realistic, workable or would have any
Korean researchers develop blood and urine test for early colorectal cancer detection
A research team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has developed a plasmonics-based liquid biopsy platform capable of detecting cancer-related gene mutations in the blood and urine of patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, paving the way for less invasive cancer diagnosis, KIMS said Wednesday. The research team, led by Lee Min-young, senior researcher at the Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division, and Park Sung-kyu, director of the Global Top Research Consortium, developed a new testing platform capable of detecting KRAS mutations, a key genetic driver of colorectal cancer, with very high sensitivity. To test the technology, the researchers analyzed tumor tissue as well as matching blood and urine samples from patients with stage 0 and stage 1 colorectal cancer. The results showed more than 90 percent agreement across the different sample types, suggesting that the method could serve as a reliable alternative to conventional tissue biopsies. The study builds on KIMS' earlier work detecting lung cancer-related gene mutations in blood samples. This t
Seoul to transform Han River into giant water park
Urban rivers are usually reserved for scenic strolls or sunset picnics, but Seoul's municipal planners are taking a decidedly more hands-on approach to beating the early summer heat. As temperatures climb and summer settles over the city, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is turning the banks of the Han River into a sprawling oasis. This Saturday, the city’s Future Han River Headquarters will host the 2026 Floating Stage Water Festival at Yeouido Hangang Park. The seven-hour event is designed to transform the popular public waterfront into an interactive, all-ages playground where families can cool off. Rather than relying on standard city park sprinkler pads, the festival introduces heavy-duty infrastructure to maximize the splash factor. The venue's dedicated Water Zone features massive swimming pools, towering water slides, giant water rollers and a stylized fishing pool to keep visitors cool and safe. To make sure that nobody stays dry, municipal staff will coordinate recurring water cannon blasts, foam play areas and organized water gun fights throughout the afternoon. But the ev
Former Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram pursues acting career
Kim Ga-ram, who departed girl group Le Sserafim four years ago amid school bullying allegations, is pursuing an acting career. According to Management Koo, it has signed an exclusive contract with Kim, who aspires to become an actor. “We have watched Kim’s YouTube activities and were deeply impressed by her sincere attitude and potential as an actor,” the agency said in a statement. “Her relentless daily efforts toward her dream played a major role in our decision.” Kim, 21, debuted as a member of Le Sserafim in May 2022 but suspended activities two weeks later after school bullying allegations surfaced. A school violence review committee found her to have been a perpetrator and issued a Level 5 disciplinary measure, which required the student to complete a special disciplinary program geared toward correcting violent behavior. Kim left the group in July 2022, and her contract with her then-agency Source Music, under HYBE Labels, was terminated. Management Koo said Kim has been training to sharpen her acting skills and has shown notable growth in a short period. It added that sh
Hyeri slams online body shaming, strict beauty standards
Actress and Girl's Day member Hyeri pushed back against recent online body shaming, questioning why strict physical standards are equated with professionalism. The response, posted Tuesday on a fan platform, revealed her feelings as she addressed a barrage of online comments on her appearance. "Actually, I like myself, but the people watching might think it is unprofessional," Hyeri said. "But I don't know why one must absolutely be slim to look professional, but still, if 'Hyerumi' (her fandom) wants it, I will try hard. Exercising healthily." Emphasizing her point, she said, "All of us are beautiful just the way we are." The online comments followed the kickoff of her Asia meet-and-greet tour, held Saturday at Ewha Womans University's Samsung Hall in Seoul, where she showcased various dance numbers. As footage of the fan meeting spread online, critics claimed a specific outfit highlighted her midriff, sparking intense scrutiny over her physique and widespread body shaming. With some internet users accusing her of failing to maintain her physical appearance, Hyeri tackled the criticism he
Yunchan Lim embraces ensemble role in all-Mozart program
What might have been going through Mozart's mind as he sat at the keyboard composing a concert aria for British soprano Nancy Storace? Watching pianist Yunchan Lim's performance on Monday, perhaps it was simply the hope that her voice would shine. Appearing at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on June 15 with Austria's Camerata Salzburg, conductor Masato Suzuki and Korean soprano Lim Sun-hae, Lim deliberately set aside the image of the commanding solo virtuoso. Instead, he presented himself as an attentive ensemble musician, embracing the orchestra and vocalist with uncommon sensitivity. Even his appearance reflected a change. Having cut the long hair he wore during his recital tour last month, Lim took the stage with a shorter hairstyle and a classic brooch pinned to his jacket. The program was devoted entirely to Mozart, featuring Piano Concertos No. 25 and No. 24, with the concert aria "Ch'io mi scordi di te?" between them. In an unusual format, the featured soloist remained on stage from the opening work through the encore. Performing with around 30 musicians, Camerata Salzburg played on m
Samsung Electronics' largest union to hold confidence vote on leader after wage deal
Samsung Electronics' largest labor union said Wednesday it will hold a confidence vote on its chief union leader following backlash over a recently concluded wage agreement with management. The vote on whether to reaffirm Chairman Choi Seung-ho will begin next Wednesday and run for one week, the union said. The confidence motion will pass if it receives support from more than half of participating union members. Under the wage agreement reached in May, Samsung will provide a special semiconductor performance bonus equivalent to 10.5 percent of business performance earnings. The bonuses will be paid in company stock over a period of at least 10 years and will be tied to performance targets for the chip division. However, dissatisfaction over the distribution of the performance-based bonuses has fueled an exodus of union members, as many workers argue that the deal primarily benefits employees in the semiconductor business. The union, whose membership is concentrated among semiconductor employees, at one point surpassed 76,000 members during wage negotiations and secured majority union sta
Grammy Awards to add Asian pop category
The Grammy Awards announced Tuesday (U.S. local time) the creation of a new category for Asian pop music, following previous nominations of K-pop stars BTS and BLACKPINK member Rosé in major categories. The Recording Academy, the organizer of the prestigious music awards, said it will add the Best Asian Pop Music Performance award. Other additions include Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Latin Song. Earlier this year, "Golden" from the hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" won Best Song Written for Visual Media, becoming the first K-pop song to receive a Grammy Award. BTS, meanwhile, became the first K-pop act to perform at the awards show and earn a Grammy nomination when the group's song "Dynamite" was nominated in the Best Pop/Duo Performance category in 2020. The global stars have since earned multiple nominations in the succeeding years. BLACKPINK's Rosé also made Grammy history for being the first K-pop artist to open the awards ceremony when she performed her global hit "APT." with pop
Stray Kids’ Felix to become face of hanbok’s modern redesign
Traditional attire has long wrestled with a stiff, museum-piece reputation, but Korea's cultural policy officials are betting that a dose of high-octane K-pop stardom can turn centuries-old garments into the next global streetwear trend. This week, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that Felix, the deep-voiced, ethereal member of the chart-topping boy band Stray Kids, has been officially crowned as the face of the "2026 Hanbok Wave." The annual initiative pairs contemporary design houses with top-tier Korean wave luminaries to aggressively rebrand the hanbok — Korea’s traditional dress — for a modern, international audience. Now in its seventh year, the campaign boasts an enviable roster of past muses, including figure skating legend Kim Yuna and screen stars Suzy, Kim Tae-ri and Park Bo-gum. But selecting Felix marks a sharp, tactical pivot toward the hyper-globalized Gen Z fandom. Stray Kids commands a massive, intensely loyal international following, making their front man the perfect vessel to break through Western fashion barriers. The government is launching a
University of Seoul holds youth flag football championship
The University of Seoul and the Korea American Football Association (KAFA) co-hosted a flag football championship for youth and children at the university’s campus in northeastern Seoul, June 6. The university said the 2026 University of Seoul President’s Cup Youth and Children Flag Football Championship was organized to promote the development and popularization of flag football. “American football and flag football are sports that emphasize teamwork and collaboration,” said Won Yong-kul, president of the university. “I hope this championship will provide all participating young athletes with cherished memories and serve as an opportunity for them to take another step forward in their growth.” “With flag football having been adopted as an official sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we expect significant growth potential for the sport in Korea as well. KAFA has set a goal of developing 1,000 flag football teams nationwide,” said KAFA Managing Director Hong Dong-hyuck. He added, “We ask the University of Seoul to continue supporting the establishment and expansion
Trump ends G7 summit facing questions on Iran
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — U.S. President Donald Trump wraps up talks with world leaders at the Group of Seven summit on Wednesday where he's been trying to sell his tentative agreement with Iran as a pact that will ensure the Islamic Republic never develops a nuclear weapon — even though he's offered scant specificity about how that would be implemented. Trump and his fellow leaders are closing the formal talks of the leading industrial nations at a lakeside resort in the French Alps on Wednesday with sessions on the future of artificial intelligence and fostering economic growth. The U.S. leader also plans to make a stop for a glitzy dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside of Paris before he jets back to Washington. But first, Trump finds himself trying to quell skepticism about the Iran agreement, a difficult task given that neither the White House nor Iran have released the text of the deal. He also faces jitteriness from key ally Israel about ending the conflict under these terms. “It’s a great document,” Trump said of the memorandum that has yet to be revealed, even tho
Seoul’s tap water gets hip riverside makeover
Municipal authorities have long faced a notoriously tough public relations challenge: how to convince skeptical urbanites to ditch plastic bottles and actually drink from the tap. This weekend, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is gambling that the answer lies in the city's favorite summer pastime — lounging by the Han River with a cold drink and a stash of limited-edition merchandise. Starting Friday, the Seoul Waterworks Authority is launching a sprawling, ultramodern pop-up store titled "Aridapda, Arisu" (Beautiful Arisu) at the Yeouido Hangang Park Event Square. Nestled alongside the river, the three-week installation aims to rebrand "Arisu" — Seoul’s heavily filtered municipal tap water — from a bureaucratic utility into a trendy lifestyle choice centered on sustainability. The phrase Aridapda, a play on the Korean word for beauty and grace, is the centerpiece of a fresh campaign designed to highlight the city's rigorous water-quality standards in a way that resonates with a younger, eco-conscious crowd. Rather than bombarding visitors with dry technical charts, the pop-up t
Foreign tourist spending in Korea tops $1.3 bil. for 1st time
Foreign tourist spending in Korea has shattered historical records, surging past the 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion) mark in a single month for the very first time. According to data analyzed by the Korea Tourism Organization, international visitors spent a staggering 2.12 trillion won in Korea using credit cards this past May. The figure represents a massive 67.1 percent jump compared to the same period last year, marking the highest growth rate the country has seen since 2023. The explosive growth was the result of a tidal wave of Chinese visitors, whose card usage skyrocketed by more than 200 percent year-on-year. However, analysts say the real story is that tourist habits are sharply bifurcating, with younger visitors hunting down local lifestyle trends while other tourists, mostly from China, concentrate on shopping for high-end luxury goods. For the younger crowd, tourism has evolved from checking off traditional landmarks to mimicking the daily routines of Seoulites. In the trendy alleys of Seongsu-dong and the shopping blocks of Myeong-dong, "gorpcore" fashion — the art of styli
Transit card upgrade promises to take guesswork out of commuting
Commuters in Seoul are about to get a major upgrade to their wallets, courtesy of a bureaucratic marriage designed to eliminate transit card confusion. Starting July 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is merging its wildly popular, unlimited transit pass — the Climate Card — with the federal government’s nationwide discount program, "Modu Card" (also known as the K-Pass). The result is a turbocharged hybrid dubbed the "Climate Card Plus." For the past two years, local straphangers have been forced to play an exhausting game of transit math. Commuters had to weigh whether they traveled enough to justify Seoul’s fixed-rate unlimited card or if they were better off using the federal government's pay-as-you-go cashback system. The new "Plus" card solves this dilemma by introducing a touch of automated logic: It calculates your monthly journeys and automatically applies whichever billing method saves you more money. If your monthly transit bill stays below 62,000 won ($45), the card acts like a federal K-Pass, refunding a baseline of 20 percent of your expenses — and up to 53.3 pe
Iran and World Cup
Iran and World Cup
Korea becomes 4th country to forge AI security alliance with OpenAI
Korea became the fourth country to forge a security partnership in artificial intelligence (AI) with OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, according to the science ministry Wednesday. Under a memorandum of understanding, Korea's AI safety institute (AISI) and OpenAI will work together to prepare a global framework to evaluate AI security, the Ministry of Science and ICT said. The two sides will also exchange technical information to develop an AI safety assessment framework that reflects the Korean language and the country's social context, the ministry added. OpenAI had previously signed agreements with AI security labs in the United States, the U.K. and Japan. The latest agreement is expected to strengthen Korea's position in the global cooperation network aimed at verifying risks of advanced AI and establishing risk assessment standards, the science ministry said. AISI and OpenAI plan to hold a working-level meeting to finalize details on their cooperation.
Your soundproof car windows could trap you, new study finds
Automakers have increasingly turned to laminated acoustic glass to drown out highway noise and keep modern cabins whisper-quiet. While excellent for a peaceful commute, a new study by Korea's National Institute of Fire Service reveals that this luxury upgrade poses a hidden danger during an underwater emergency. The very material designed to protect you from exterior noise could trap you inside a sinking vehicle. The classic automotive survival playbook — grabbing the seat headrest and smashing the side window with its metal prongs — is dangerously outdated. The institute's survival simulations showed that on standard tempered glass, using a headrest prong is incredibly difficult because the car's rubber molding and window frame absorb the brunt of the impact. However, if you use a dedicated emergency tool like a rescue hammer or a spring-loaded punch, tempered glass shatters relatively easily, provided you avoid the center and aim repeatedly for the corners. If your vehicle is equipped with laminated acoustic glass, you are facing a literal brick wall. Because of a tough, plastic s
PPP to file petitions challenging local election results
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) was set to file election petitions with the election watchdog Wednesday over a shortage of ballots reported during the June 3 local elections. The PPP is considering filing petitions in up to nine metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races, including in six regions where the shortage of ballots were initially reported, a party official told Yonhap News Agency. The PPP will hold a general meeting of its lawmakers at 2 p.m. to discuss details before filing the petitions. Under Article 219 of the Public Election Act, election petitions for the local elections must be filed within 14 days of the election date. If the National Election Commission accepts the petitions, a revote must be held within 30 days from the date the decision is notified. If rejected, the PPP could take the case to court. On Monday, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok convened an emergency supreme council meeting and decided to file election petitions in six regions — Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Ulsan, Busan and Gwangju-South Jeolla Province. The PPP is mulling adding three m
Korea joins Europe in landmark joint review of biopharmaceuticals
In a milestone move toward cross-border regulatory alignment, Korea’s drug safety watchdog said Wednesday that it completed its first international joint review of a biopharmaceutical product alongside European and global regulators. The breakthrough is poised to substantially ease the regulatory bottleneck for multinational pharmaceutical companies seeking multimarket approvals. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said that its evaluation arm, the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, concluded a simultaneous scientific assessment under the "Opening our Procedures at EMA to Non-EU authorities" (OPEN) framework. Spearheaded by the European Medicines Agency, the initiative brought together regulatory experts from Korea, Switzerland and the World Health Organization to jointly review a changes-to-permits application for a recombinant biological medicine. Launched initially as a pilot in 2020 to accelerate the evaluation of COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines, the OPEN program operates by standardizing evaluation requirements across participating countries. Historically,
Lionel Messi ties Klose's World Cup scoring record with unforgettable hat trick for Argentina
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick while matching Miroslav Klose's career tournament scoring record Tuesday night, giving thousands of Argentina fans packed inside of Arrowhead Stadium for a match against Algeria a moment they will never forget. Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes off a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second early in the second half, and the third moments before subbing out to a standing ovation. The goals came 20 years to the day that Messi made his World Cup debut for Argentina in a match against Serbia and Montenegro — he scored in that one, too — and made him only the second player to score in five editions of the tournament. Messi has 16 goals in his six World Cup appearances, and it seems inevitable that Klose's record will fall in the coming weeks. The hat trick was the 61st of his career and his 11th while playing with the national team. It was the fifth straight World Cup game in which Messi has scored. The hat trick also upstaged two of soccer's other big stars — Kylian Mbappé
New suicide prevention chief puts responsibility on state
Korea must treat suicide not as an individual failing but as a government responsibility, said Jung Yoon-soon, chairman of the state-run Korea Life Respect and Hope Foundation. In a recent interview with The Korea Times, Jung, who took office last month, pointed to the persistently high number of Korean people who take their own lives. The rate has consistently been higher than other OECD member countries since 2003, and Jung said that blaming individuals’ “personal problems” is not tenable. “This is not about a few people making bad choices,” Jung said. “It is a structural failure, and the government must take primary responsibility for fixing it.” According to official data, the 2024 suicide rate was 29.1 per 100,000 people, with 14,872 deaths — an average of 41 lives lost every day. Although preliminary figures for 2025 suggest a modest decline of around 6.5 percent, Jung cautioned against premature optimism. Fixing it requires a whole-of-government response, he noted. The suicide rate should be read not just as a mental health statistic but as a key indicator of how K
Korea to deepen police ties with Thailand, Malaysia to combat transnational crime
Korea is ramping up law enforcement cooperation with Thailand and Malaysia to address cross-border syndicates involved in online scams, cyber gambling and illicit drug trafficking. The Korean National Police Agency said Wednesday that Park Jun-sung, director general of the International Bureau, met with foreign affairs officers from the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok. The bilateral talks aimed to fortify joint strategies against a "balloon effect," where criminal syndicates shift locations across national borders following localized law enforcement crackdowns. Both nations formalized plans to enhance operational collaboration. Key initiatives include tracking major fugitives, exchanging data on evolving criminal methodologies, ensuring the safety of overseas nationals and broadening Official Development Assistance programs in public safety. The meeting builds on reciprocal successes in high-profile extraditions. Law enforcement officials lauded the recent arrest and extradition of a Korean drug-trafficking suspect named Choi Byung-min, also known as the "Cheongdam CEO," from Thailand, alon
Korean stroke expert elected to World Stroke Organization board
Professor Kim Beom-joon of the department of neurology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital has been elected to the board of directors of the World Stroke Organization (WSO), marking an achievement for Korea’s stroke research community. According to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Kim will serve on the WSO board as a representative of the Korean Stroke Society. His four-year term is scheduled to begin in October. "Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and reducing that burden depends on collaboration that crosses borders, disciplines, and health systems," Kim wrote on his LinkedIn posting. "I am grateful for the chance to contribute to that effort on a global stage and to help carry the voice of the Korean and Asia-Pacific stroke community into it." The WSO is the world’s largest international academic organization dedicated to stroke. It plays a leading role in establishing global standards across stroke prevention, treatment, research, education and health care policy. The organization’s board of directors serves as its
Former Marines, special forces teachers volunteer for real-life 'Teach You a Lesson' team
Korea’s debate over classroom disruptions is so urgent that a vigilante-style Netflix drama is shaping policy, prompting Gyeonggi Province education superintendent-elect Ahn Min-seok to cite the series and emphasize the need to protect teachers' authority and students' right to learn. Ahn appeared on Korean broadcaster CBS Radio on Tuesday to discuss the hit series "Teach You a Lesson." Noting the Netflix series' popularity, Ahn said he met the minister of education Monday. "The minister told me he watched up to the fifth episode. I think it is time for the ministry to make a decision as well," Ahn said. The series centers on the fictional Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, but Ahn stressed its methods cannot be replicated. "The drama's bureau cannot exist in reality, and we must never use violent punishment," Ahn said. Instead, Ahn proposed creating a teacher protection agency to protect teachers and students. Ahn said he received messages from educators volunteering to become real-life versions of Na Hwa-jin, the drama's protagonist and the fictional bureau inspector played by
Police to investigate woman over solo blockade of vote counting center entry
Police plan to investigate a woman who staged a solo blockade of a gymnasium used as a ballot-counting center for the June 3 local elections in southern Seoul, officials said Wednesday. The woman, whose identity was not immediately known, prevented sports officials from entering the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on Tuesday by physically blocking the entrance after protesters, who have blocked access to the facility while demanding a re-run of the local elections, agreed to let them inside. Sports groups under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee have been unable to access their offices inside the gymnasium since June 5, when the protesters began a blockade to prevent the removal of ballot boxes. The Seoul Songpa Police Station said it plans to investigate the woman who stood in front of one of the gymnasium's gates and refused to move until measures were taken for the preservation of ballots and ballot boxes inside. The sports officials ultimately withdrew from the scene after the solo blockade continued for about two hours. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Part
Why Korea's new dating shows keep surviving in an overcrowded market
Korea's dating reality TV market has long been described as oversaturated, with viewers frequently complaining that too many programs feature ordinary people searching for love. Yet despite predictions that the genre had reached its limit, several newer dating shows have done what many industry observers considered difficult: secure a second season. Rather than relying on conventional romance formats, these programs have found audiences through increasingly specific concepts — from lifelong singles looking for their first relationship to divorced women meeting inexperienced men, and even matchmaking shows involving parents and family members. The trend suggests that while viewers may be growing tired of traditional dating programs, they are still willing to embrace new formats that offer fresh stories and emotional connections. One of the latest examples is MBC Every1 and E Channel's "Romance School: First & Again" (Dolsing N Mosol), which wrapped up its first season on June 2. The show drew attention before its premiere with its unusual premise of pairing divorced women with men who ha
Korean football team stages media blackout over Son Heung-min insults
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Korea’s preparations for Thursday’s World Cup match against Mexico have been overshadowed by a rift between the players and the country's media following disparaging comments about captain Son Heung-min. The spat reportedly led to the resignation of one of the team’s media officers on Tuesday. The national team has yet to confirm the resignation, which has been reported by some of the media covering the Korean squad in Guadalajara. Access for the media had apparently been cut off after the comments against Son were caught on camera. Players reportedly refrained from speaking to Korean media outside official World Cup commitments, and scheduled interviews with players were canceled. Mexican media said there was a meeting between the team's media officers and the Korean media to discuss the incident. There was no media access scheduled on Tuesday. The pre-match news conference is scheduled for Wednesday. The Korean soccer association said it regretted “the inappropriate remarks made by some media personnel during the national football team’s training at the
Sejong University wins A+ rating in Seoul RISE Project evaluation
Sejong University has received an A+ rating, an excellent grade, in the first-year evaluation of the Seoul Regional Innovation System and Education (RISE) Project. The university said Tuesday that its RISE Project was highly recognized in the evaluation for its strong alignment between the Seoul RISE Project’s strategy and the school’s own implementation strategy. In addition, the university scored high marks for exceeding most of its performance goals compared with the targets through systematic performance management. The evaluation was the first official performance assessment conducted for 28 universities participating in the Seoul RISE Project. It was aimed at comprehensively reviewing the achievement of performance goals and the implementation processes of each university, while improving participants’ project management system and fostering collaborative outcomes between municipal authorities and universities. The Seoul RISE Project is a Seoul Metropolitan Government-supported program aimed at strengthening cooperation among universities, industries and communities. It seeks
Korea, Mongolia discuss ways to accelerate economic ties, trade talks
Korea and Mongolia discussed ways to accelerate economic cooperation, including progress on a trade agreement under negotiation, as the two countries seek to bolster cooperation in supply chains for key minerals, the trade ministry said Wednesday. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Jadambyn Enkhbayar, Mongolia's minister of economy and development, in Ulaanbaatar, where the two sides exchanged views on the progress of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. A CEPA is a type of free trade agreement that emphasizes a broad scope of economic cooperation and exchanges in addition to market opening. Korea and Mongolia launched the first round of negotiations in 2023. The trade ministry said Mongolia is rich in minerals vital for cutting-edge industries, including copper, molybdenum and rare earth elements, and plays a key role in Korea's efforts to establish stable supply chains. "The CEPA between Korea and Mongolia will serve as a key institutional framework not only for the expansion of trade and inv
Auto exports down nearly 6% on auto parts supply disruptions
Korea's auto exports decreased nearly 6 percent in May from a year earlier, data showed Wednesday, amid disruptions in the supply of auto parts following a fire at a local factory. The combined value of automobile exports came to $5.83 billion last month, down 5.9 percent from the same month last year, according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Outbound shipments to North America, Latin America and the European Union fell 1 percent, 3.6 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. Those to the Middle East dropped 4.2 percent. Exports to Oceania and Africa, on the other hand, shot up 20.1 percent and 16.1 percent, respectively. The ministry said exports of eco-friendly automobiles maintained solid growth, expanding 9.9 percent on-year to $2.4 billion. Domestically, 127,315 vehicles were sold last month, down 10.3 percent. Sales of locally manufactured cars fell 14.2 percent to 96,240, while those of imported cars rose 4.8 percent to 31,075. The data also showed that domestic automobile production contracted 8.2 percent on-year to 329,559 units. Production at Hyundai Moto
THURSDAY, June 18, 2026
618-Coronation of Chinese governor Li Yuan as Emperor Gaozu of Tang, the new Emperor of China, initiating three centuries of Tang Dynasty rule over China 1812-War of 1812 begins when the US declares war against Britain 1815-Battle of Waterloo: Napoleon Bonaparte and France are defeated by British forces under the Duke of Wellington and Prussian troops under Field Marshal von Blücher 1928-American aviator Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean (as a passenger), landing at Burry Port, Wales 1940-Winston Churchill gives his "This was their finest hour" speech to the House of Commons, urging perseverance in the war after the Dunkirk evacuation and the fall of France 1973-Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev visits the US and President Nixon 1983-Space shuttle Challenger 2 launches the first American woman into space, astronaut Sally Ride 2010-"Recovery" 7th studio album by Eminem is released (best selling album worldwide 2010)
Samsung Display showcases next-generation XR displays at AWE USA
Samsung Display is stepping up its push into the extended reality (XR) market by showcasing its latest RGB OLED on Silicon (OLEDoS) technology at AWE USA 2026 in Long Beach, California. The world's largest XR-focused exhibition opened Tuesday (local time) and will run through Thursday. The company said Wednesday it will present a range of RGB OLEDoS displays for mixed reality (MR) headsets and augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, highlighting the technology's high brightness, color reproduction and suitability for next-generation wearable devices. A centerpiece of the exhibition is a dark-room installation dubbed "The Big Dipper," where seven display panels recreate the constellation. Two of the panels feature Samsung Display's 1.3-inch RGB OLEDoS display capable of reaching 40,000 nits of brightness, allowing visitors to compare its performance with conventional displays. The company is also demonstrating prototype AR smart glasses equipped with a 0.62-inch RGB OLEDoS display. Through AR-based applications, visitors can access functions such as real-time translation, navigation and we
How should we live in an age of anxiety and exhaustion?
Alexis de Tocqueville once observed a peculiar melancholy lingering amid abundance. Nearly two centuries later, his insight feels relevant to contemporary Korea. Recently, I came across a social media post titled, “I love Korea, but I also dislike Korea.” It captured a familiar tension — affection for the warmth of "jeong" and the efficiency of everyday life, alongside discomfort with a culture marked by sharp competition, status-consciousness and the quiet normalization of social indifference. Beneath Korea’s success lies a question many are asking: What kind of society have we become? For generations, Koreans pursued self-improvement with determination, seeing hard work and discipline as pathways to dignity and social mobility. Yet beneath this achievement lies a persistent anxiety about inequality, insecurity and the future. These pressures shape institutions but also what sociologist Robert Bellah described as the moral and cultural dispositions that quietly guide how people think, value and relate to one another. In the Korean context, cultural critic Jin Joong-kwon identif
Gov't to ease civilian-restricted inter-Korean border boundaries for wider public access
The defense ministry on Wednesday rolled out a plan to ease the boundaries of the military-controlled buffer zone along the inter-Korean border to allow wider civilian access and spur regional growth. The Civilian Control Line (CCL), a buffer zone that lies within 10 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) that runs through the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, will be reduced to an average of 6 km in distance, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said in a briefing. "The CCL was established to restrict civilian access and guarantee military operations, but there have been growing calls for a need to complement its actual control measures," Ahn said. "We have come up with an adjustment plan for the CCL to adapt to future security environments amid shrinking military manpower, while ensuring operational conditions," he said. The CCL was established in the wake of the 1950-53 Korean War to restrict public access and protect military installations along the heavily fortified inter-Korean border. It currently extends up to 7 km south of the MDL along the western front an
LG Innotek to co-develop large AI substrate with Big Tech firm
LG Innotek said it is working with a North American Big Tech company to develop large semiconductor substrates for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, with the company expecting "tangible results" by the end of this year. The company announced its substrate business road map during a press conference at its headquarters in western Seoul, Tuesday, noting that it plans to achieve over 1 trillion won ($662.6 million) in annual operating profit from the business by 2031, which is nearly a 10-fold growth compared to last year’s 128.9 billion won. However, it did not disclose the identity of its U.S. partner due to contractual restrictions. During the conference, Cho Ji-tae, head of LG Innotek's Package Solution Business, and Myeong Se-ho, vice president of development for the unit, said the company is developing large flip chip-ball grid array (FC-BGA) substrates and is discussing joint development plans with North American customers. "We are now working with North American customers to jointly develop over-100-body FC-BGA," Cho said. "These are customers that have made financial com
Gov't to review tax incentives for young workers at SMEs: finance minister
Korea will review measures to offer income tax cuts for young workers at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in line with efforts to revitalize regional economies, the finance minister said. "We will review applying differentiated income tax reduction rates and benefit periods for workers at SMEs," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol told reporters during a press event held in the southwestern city of Gwangju on Tuesday. "In order to achieve economic growth led by regional areas, we will review providing preferential treatment for such regions through tax policies," Koo added. Currently, Korea offers a 90 percent income tax reduction for young workers at SMEs for a period of five years. Koo's latest remarks indicate the country may offer additional benefits to those based outside the greater Seoul area. "Our focus is on providing greater benefits to those based farther from Seoul, where living conditions are more challenging, and ensuring that such benefits are provided to workers rather than companies," Koo said. Touching on the economy, Koo said the recent decline in global crude oil p
Navy chief stresses expanding use of AI tech to lead future warfare
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul said Wednesday the Navy is pushing to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its operations to prepare for future warfare and increase operational efficiency. Kim made the remarks during a seminar on the Navy's vision to accelerate its AI transformation by adopting innovative AI-related technologies from the private sector, according to the service. "The Navy has drawn up a comprehensive AI transformation plan and is reinforcing related organizations to enable the swift and proactive adoption of AI technologies across all mission domains," Kim said in his opening speech, while vowing to develop an AI-driven manned and unmanned teaming combat systems. The seminar, which included discussions on intelligent information, cyberspace and electromagnetic capabilities, brought together some 900 personnel from the defense ministry, academia and the private sector.
Ajumma queers step into spotlight: Middle-aged women reshape Korea's LGBTQ landscape
Rainbow flags ripple through downtown Seoul every June, but this year, some of the loudest, sweatiest and most determined faces of Korea's LGBTQ community were not young, cosmopolitan gays. They were 30- and 40-something women. At this year's Seoul Queer Culture Festival (SQCF), a truck blasting remixed early-2000s K-pop rolled into the parade route, trailed by dancing marchers and a surprising number of parents. Banners displayed the logo of the 3040+ Jumma Queer group, a loose collective of lesbian, bisexual, queer and gender-nonconforming women in their 30s and 40s who came together last year. Their message was pointed at their own community. In lesbian circles, there is a persistent assumption that “everyone either leave the community for heterosexual marriage or disappear into domestic life by mid-30s.” The truck spoke to “break that script and invite lesbians pushing strollers, women who feel too old for bar meetups and self-desribed ajumma queers — to be visible, noisy and together in the streets. Instead of sleek pop divas and polished choreography, the truck leaned into
South Korea, Australia can learn from each other over nuclear submarine pathways
Australia and South Korea are both acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines, a parallel step-change in their conventional deterrent capability. Though their discrete pathways to realise this common goal reflect different strategic circumstances and problems, they can still usefully learn from each other’s experience and cooperate. Viewed from Australia, where AUKUS still stirs controversy five years after the tripartite initiative was announced, South Korea’s recently announced framework to acquire nuclear powered submarines is a refreshing contrast. Unlike Australia, which is acquiring 2 different types of nuclear-powered submarine in close partnership with the U.S. and U.K., President Lee Jae Myung’s administration is seeking a largely made-in-Korea solution, with limited assistance from the U.S. To be fair, Seoul had no other realistic choice. Despite claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Korea’s future nuclear submarines would be built in Philadelphia, following the surprise announcement on the sidelines of last October’s APEC summit in Gyeongju, Seoul has since pi
Korean 2-way prospect signs with Diamondbacks
A Korean two-way prospect has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, forgoing a domestic league draft where he was projected as a top-three pick. The Diamondbacks announced Tuesday (U.S. time) that they have landed the 18-year-old player Eom Jun-sang during their international signing period. MLB.com reported that Eom agreed to a signing bonus of around $1.5 million. Eom's Seoul-based agency, Leeco Sports Agency, also confirmed the teenager's signing. "I'm really honored to have a chance to pursue my dream of playing in Major League Baseball," Eom said in a statement released by Leeco. "I want to thank the Arizona Diamondbacks organization for this great opportunity. I still have a lot of work to do, and I will take it one step at a time to reach the big leagues." Eom has excelled as a shortstop and a pitcher for both Duksoo High School in Seoul and Korea's junior national team. So far in 2026 for his school, Eom has batted .317/.443/.556 with three home runs and 20 RBIs in 18 games. On the mound, the right-hander has pitched to a 2.77 ERA and a 1-1 record in five outings covering 12 2/3 i
Seoul stocks rebound late Wednesday morning despite tech slide
Korean stocks gained ground late Wednesday morning, but major tech companies continued to trade lower following a tech slide in the U.S. market overnight. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched up 11.31 points, or 0.13 percent, to 8,737.91, as of 11:20 a.m. After opening over 1 percent lower, the index entered into positive territory as retail investors snatched up market heavyweights. On Wall Street, major stock indexes closed lower as investors took a breather ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate setting meeting on Wednesday (local time). Investors were also cautious over artificial intelligence (AI) chip giant Nvidia's first debt sale in five years of $25 billion. In Seoul, market heavyweights were trading mixed. Chip giant Samsung Electronics fell 1.82 percent, while industry rival SK hynix rose 1.34 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 2.66 percent, major financial firm KB Financial declined 1.63 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace advanced 5.75 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1,513.4 won against the U.S. dollar, down 1.8 won from the previ
No need for Team Korea to fear Mexico
Korea heads into the lion’s den to take on Mexico in Guadalajara late Friday morning Seoul time. Ever since the draw was made for the 2026 World Cup in December, everyone knew that this would be the toughest game. However, it is not as daunting as it could have been, as the Taegeuk Warriors have three points in the bank after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic last week. With its final game against South Africa to come next week, Korea is in a good position. Had the opener ended in a loss — and that was a possibility before Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeong-gyu scored to negate a Czech lead — then the team would have desperately needed a result against Mexico and been under real pressure. Now, a draw would be fine, and even a defeat, as long as the performance was OK, would not be the end of the world — or the World Cup. A win, however, would be spectacular and a real statement against a Mexican team ranked 13th in the world, eight above Hong Myung-bo’s men. It would help Korea become the first team to secure a place in the Round of 32 in the new expanded format. There’s more. In i
Cognition for sale
DUBAI—In his seminal 1956 paper “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two,” American psychologist George Miller made a deceptively simple argument: our working memory can hold only seven pieces of information at once. In effect, Miller identified a hard constraint on the human mind’s processing capacity, showing that short-term cognition operates within surprisingly narrow limits. At roughly the same time, the Nobel laureate economist Herbert A. Simon arrived at a strikingly similar conclusion. His theory of bounded rationality held that decision-makers never optimize in the sense that classical economics imagines, because cognition itself is a scarce resource. Faced with more variables than they can simultaneously process, human beings do not search for the best possible answer. Instead, they settle for an answer that is good enough within the limits of their cognitive resources. As Simon put it, “A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention.” In the 1980s, educational psychologist John Sweller pushed this logic further with his cognitive load theory. Sweller
Korea vows tailored job support measures for individual sectors
Korea plans to roll out tailored job support measures for different sectors, including manufacturing, construction and agriculture, amid the fallout from the Middle East crisis, the finance ministry said Wednesday. The Ministry of Finance and Economy held discussions with the labor ministry as the country lost 40,000 jobs in May from a year earlier, marking the first decline in 17 months, as the impact of the prolonged Middle East war weighed on the economy. "Recently, a peace agreement was reached regarding the Middle East war, but uncertainties have not yet been fully alleviated, and challenges in livelihoods and the job market persist," the finance ministry said. During the meeting, participants discussed ways to overcome three major challenges in the job market, namely demographic changes, the growing preference for experienced hires and the Middle East crisis, vowing to devise measures to revitalize youth employment. The employment rate for people aged 15 to 29 came to 43.8 percent in May, down 2.4 percentage points from a year earlier. The government added it will additionally utili
Culture to security: The strategic evolution of Korea-Indonesia relations
For many Indonesians, Korea first arrived through the infectious beats of K-pop, the emotional hooks of K-dramas and the overarching phenomenon of the Korean wave, also known as hallyu. The establishment of the Korean Cultural Center in Jakarta in 2011 institutionalized these connections, introducing the Korean language, arts and cinema to a wider Indonesian audience. Today, however, the relationship is entering a fundamentally different phase. President Prabowo Subianto’s historic state visit to Seoul from March 31 to April 2 marked an important milestone in the evolution of bilateral relations. During the visit, both countries agreed to elevate their ties from a Special Strategic Partnership to a Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This upgrade signals a deeper, far more calculated commitment to security and economic resilience. The upgrade represents far more than a diplomatic gesture. It reflects a growing recognition in both Jakarta and Seoul that traditional trade frameworks are no longer sufficient to navigate modern geopolitical realities. The state visit yielded 16
Olympic Park rallies: Peace is more powerful than violence
Korea’s younger generations have demonstrated how collective action can unite a community rather than divide it. Their creative, caring rallies offer a glimpse of hope in an increasingly fragmented world. While protesting what they view as violations of citizens’ voting rights in the June 3 local elections, they have organized rallies that are interactive and engaging. At Olympic Park in Seoul’s southern Songpa District, tens of thousands of citizens — many in their 20s and 30s — have gathered daily since June 4, the day after local elections were held nationwide. They chant slogans urging politicians to overhaul the National Election Commission (NEC) and demanding that local elections be redone. Instead of carrying professionally printed banners, many participants hold handwritten signs. When the rallies conclude, volunteers collect trash and clean the venue, helping to keep the area safe and welcoming. Olympic Park has evolved into a caring community. A man who introduced himself as having a science Ph.D. offers free math tutoring to school-age children accompanying their par
Korea taking on co-host Mexico in pursuit of 2nd straight win
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Korea will try to win consecutive group stage matches for the first time in their FIFA World Cup history when they face Mexico this week. The kickoff between world No. 25 Korea and 14th-ranked Mexico will be at 7 p.m. Thursday (local time) at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, or 10 a.m. Friday (Korean time). Both teams won their first matches in Group A last week, with Mexico, one of the three co-hosts of the tournament, shutting down South Africa 2-0 and Korea coming from behind to beat Czechia 2-1. The winner of the upcoming match will be in the driver's seat to win Group A, with winnable matches against two clear underdogs — South Africa for Korea and Czechia for Mexico — on the horizon next week. History doesn't appear to be on Korea's side, though. Korea have never won their second match of a World Cup in their 11 previous tries, with four draws and seven losses. The drought includes a 2-1 loss to Mexico at the 2018 competition in Russia. The Taegeuk Warriors have won back-to-back matches at any point at a World Cup just once. In 2002, they be
'Teach You a Lesson' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chart for 2nd week
The Korean school drama "Teach You a Lesson" retained its position at the top of Netflix's non-English show chart for the second consecutive week, the streaming platform announced Wednesday. Released June 5, the series accumulated 21.1 million views during the tracking week ending Sunday, marking a more than threefold increase from the 6.4 million views recorded during its debut. The show claimed the No. 1 spot in 46 countries and regions, including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and Brazil, and reached the top 10 in 91 others, according to Netflix. Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the action-packed series follows a team of inspectors at the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau, which receives full-fledged support from Education Minister Choi Gang-seok, played by Lee Sung-min. Under Choi's leadership, who believes the bureau exists "not to fight students but to fight monsters," the inspectors — played by Kim Mu-yeol, Jin Ki-joo and Pyo Ji-hoon (also known as P.O of K-pop boy group Block B) — set out to teach the bullies a lesson. The narrative features extrajudicial punis
Trump goes after Netanyahu as he pursues deal with Iran, putting their friendship to test
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump last year that he was the “greatest friend Israel ever had in the White House." Now, as Trump tries to finalize a deal to end the war with Iran, he's unloading on Netanyahu with rhetoric that no other American leader has dared to use publicly. He claimed credit for Israel's existence — “without me, there would be no Israel” — and cursed his judgment in interviews. He even described him as “crazy.” Netanyahu’s tenure as prime minister spans four U.S. presidents, and he's frustrated all of them at one point or another. But none has voiced that as openly as Trump, who started the conflict in tandem with Netanyahu. The tension comes as Trump criticizes recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon, which threatened to jeopardize negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Trump has been pushing for a deal as he faces political blowback at home, where the war is unpopular and has driven up gasoline prices. “If Netanyahu gets in between something Trump really wants, and that’s out of this war, he’s prepared to use t
Male Korean stars under pressure to lose weight
Male celebrities in Korean entertainment are adopting high-profile weight-loss regimens ranging from marathon training and lifestyle overhauls to the use of obesity medications to redefine their public images. While weight loss among female celebrities has long been a focal point in Korean entertainment media, recent trends show male celebrities as the focus of health management. Singer Shindong, comedian Kwak Bum and singer Sung Si-kyung are drawing attention for recent weight loss. Shindong, a member of veteran K-pop boy band Super Junior, recently posted photos from a trip to Beijing. "I really had fun in Beijing — eating delicious food, sightseeing, taking pictures and riding amusement park rides," he said. The singer had previously discussed regaining weight after earlier diet attempts. He said he used the obesity treatment Wegovy but stopped after he did not get the results he expected. Shindong later continued his efforts to lose weight. Comedian Kwak Bum is combining medical assistance with exercise. He said during a recent broadcast of SBS Radio's "Yoo Min-sang's Hungry Radio"
Koreans lose interest in crypto trading
When bitcoin's price hit an all-time high of $126,210 last October, Lee Roo-da made up her mind. She would bet big when the next bear market came. That bear market has indeed arrived, but she remains hesitant. "Semiconductor stocks have been performing extremely well. Come to think of it, semiconductors are an industry with real earnings, whereas bitcoin isn't," the 33-year-old office worker told The Korea Times. "What if this is the end? Even if it isn't, how long will I have to wait for the price to go up?" Korea has long held a strong presence in the global crypto market, backed by enthusiastic retail investors, widespread internet access and a tech-savvy population. Many crypto projects refer to Korea as the "El Dorado of liquidity," as local investors have poured money into both bitcoin and altcoins. But recent data suggests that Korea's retail-driven crypto boom may be losing momentum amid a broader global slump, even as the country remains one of the world's most active retail markets. According to TRM Labs, a global blockchain intelligence firm, Korea ranked second in retail cryp
Koreans train behind closed doors with Mexico looming
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Korean players trained behind closed doors Tuesday, two days before their second group stage match of the FIFA World Cup against Mexico. According to the Korea Football Association (KFA), Korea worked out for about 90 minutes at their training facility, Chivas Verde Valle, in Zapopan, near Guadalajara in western Mexico. The Taegeuk Warriors also trained behind closed doors two days prior to their first Group A contest against Czechia last week and went on to win that match 2-1. With Mexico having beaten South Africa 2-0 to begin their tournament as a co-host last week, the winner of the upcoming match will likely determine who will advance to the knockout round as the top dog out of Group A. The kickoff is at 7 p.m. Thursday (local time) at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, or 10 a.m. Friday (Korean time). The eve of the match will include the official prematch press conference for head coach Hong Myung-bo and a player to be named later, plus a training session open to media. According to KFA officials, Korea concentrated on sharpening their defensive and offensive ta
Integrated resorts under pressure to reinvent themselves ahead of Japan's megacomplex
Korea's tourism and casino industry faces a critical turning point as it races to overhaul its public image and ease regulatory burdens before Japan opens its massive integrated resort in 2030. Industry experts and academic figures gathered at The Korea Times' roundtable discussion in Seoul on Thursday to share survival strategies against Japan's upcoming integrated resort in Osaka, which could trigger a massive outflow of tourists and capital. Kang Sung-sook, a professor at Tezukayama University in Japan, stressed that the Osaka development is designed to be much more than a simple gaming venue. "The Osaka integrated resort is not merely a facility to attract tourists," said Kang, who joined the meeting online. "It aims to become an innovation hub for international conferences, exhibitions and corporate activities." The Osaka project is spearheaded by a consortium where U.S. entertainment giant MGM Resorts International and Japanese financial services group Orix each hold an investment ratio of about 44 percent. The remaining 12 percent is backed by 22 local minority shareholders. The ma
Busan rock band Daisy Gun wants you to put down the phone
When you go to a concert these days, it seems like everyone around you has their cellphone out — capturing what everyone else is recording, messaging friends or maybe just doomscrolling on social media. With the new single "Square Eyes," the Busan-based rock band Daisy Gun takes aim at this culture that is consumed through smart devices. "It's a bit of a political number, and is basically about how people spend too much time on their phones making them susceptible to a whole lot of nonsense," Louis Cilliers, the band's South African guitarist and vocalist, told The Korea Times. "After a few heated arguments about not trusting everything you read online, I started writing the lyrics with the idea of disinformation spreading through social media. People are very comfortable in their echo chambers and are naive enough to believe anyone with a strong enough rhetoric." He added that the lyrics also touch on our overreliance on phones. "There's a phrase in the chorus, 'with square eyes, and a turtleneck,' that references the posture that develops from the overuse of phones," he said. But he wa
Nasdaq, S&P 500 slip while Dow hits record high
The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 lost ground on Tuesday under pressure from technology stocks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average touched a record high and SpaceX surpassed Amazon's market value to become the fifth-most valuable U.S. company. After rallying sharply on Monday on optimism about a U.S.-Iran peace deal, investors in the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq took a breather even as oil prices fell to their lowest levels since early March. Shares of SpaceX climbed more than 10 percent, helping the AI and rocket company surpass Amazon's market value and briefly top Microsoft's value as its blistering surge continued after its initial public offering. While falling oil prices offered some support to equities, Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia, said building on steep gains in the heavyweight technology sector was too difficult. Luschini said investors are cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy update due on Wednesday afternoon. "We had a big move yesterday in the market," said Luschini, alluding to the S&P 500's 1.65 perc
Iran deal includes $300 bil. fund, more than half of which already committed, source says
DUBAI — A $300 billion private fund designed to trigger investment into Iran is outlined in the U.S.-Iran framework agreement and more than half that sum has already been committed, a source with direct knowledge of the deal told Reuters. The fund is designed to give both sides an economic incentive to conclude a final deal, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has not yet been announced as Washington and Tehran prepare to sign on Friday. U.S. and Iranian officials said on Sunday they had agreed on a framework to end their war, which began when U.S. and Israeli forces attacked Iran on February 28, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for global oil and gas. The new fund is a private investment vehicle, not a reconstruction or reparations program and will not include any government money or grants, the source said, adding that companies based in the U.S., the Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America and Africa have agreed to commit financing. Investments pledged span energy, logistics, manufacturing and transpor
Why do Korean protesters wave American flags?
SEATTLE — As protests over Korea's ballot shortage controversy continue, many foreign observers are asking an unusual question: Why are American flags being waved at a protest over a Korean election? Images from the demonstrations show participants carrying U.S. flags alongside Korean national flags, renewing a long-running debate over the symbolism of the Stars and Stripes in Korean politics. The question has surfaced across social media platforms including Reddit, X (formerly Twitter) and Threads, where expatriates and international observers are debating why a foreign flag has become a recurring feature at some Korean political rallies. "It's so bizarre seeing so many American flags," one user wrote. "It's not really about America," one commenter responded, arguing that the flag has come to symbolize anti-communism and conservative political identity in Korea. Others pointed to the history of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the Korean War, saying the flag has long been associated with support for the alliance and opposition to North Korea. Several commenters said the symbolism has e
Iran says deal to end war with US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement, leading to the resumption of all-out war. The deal, which is between the U.S. and Iran, has not been made public, and officials have sometimes offered contradictory interpretations of what is in it. While Israel is not party to the agreement, it is part of the war: It joined the U.S. in launching strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and has since fought the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon and seized large swaths of that country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the deal. “Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi said. A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss outlines of the agreement, has said the deal did not call for an Israeli
Hormuz shipping muted despite Iran war accord: trackers
PARIS — Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stayed at a trickle Tuesday, maritime trackers indicated, two days after the U.S. promised to reopen it under an agreement with Iran to end their war. As of 1500 GMT on Tuesday, tracking platform Kpler had detected just four crossings of the strategic waterway that day by vessels carrying raw materials. Five were detected on Monday — a similar rate to traffic during the week before the US-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war, announced late Sunday. "The Strait of Hormuz continues to operate below normal commercial levels, despite signals of diplomatic progress," Kpler said on X. The Iranian government said on Tuesday that the U.S. military's counter-blockade of Iranian ports, imposed on April 13, had been lifted ahead of the formal signing of the agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that ships were starting to come out of the strait. He said it would "completely" reopen as soon as the accord is signed on Friday. Shipping groups have warned however that uncertainty remains about the steps towards reopening and how long
Lee says ties with Canada advancing quickly in mutually beneficial manner
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — President Lee Jae Myung held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, saying bilateral ties are advancing briskly in a mutually beneficial manner. The meeting came on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, which Lee is attending for the second consecutive year as the head of an invited country. The two leaders met ahead of Canada's expected selection of a preferred bidder for its submarine acquisition project, worth 60 trillion-won ($39.8 billion), in late June. A consortium of Korea's Hanwha Ocean Co. and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. is competing with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for the deal. "As like-minded countries, relations between our two nations are briskly advancing in a mutually beneficial manner," Lee said in his opening remarks. "As we have a lot to cooperate on, let us discuss more detailed areas of cooperation," the Korean president added. Carney highlighted the deepening partnership between the two countries, citing defense, investment and culture as areas in which Korea and Canada have bee
Lee calls for efforts to advance Korea-Germany ties to 'new level'
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — President Lee Jae Myung held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in France on Tuesday, calling for efforts to advance their countries' bilateral relations to an unprecedented level. The two leaders met on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, as Lee attended the event for the second consecutive year as the leader of an invited country. "I think Korea and Germany are countries that could cooperate in many fields and create synergy through cooperation," Lee said, opening the talks. "I hope that Korea and Germany will work together to advance (their relations) to a new and different level," the Korean president said. The German chancellor called bilateral relations "pretty good" and said Korea is highly regarded in Germany. "The cooperation is on a very high level. So I am very much looking forward to my visit to your country by the end of October," Merz said, referring to his planned visit to Korea.
G7 finds 'unity' on upping Russia pressure to end Ukraine war
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — G7 leaders agreed on Tuesday to intensify pressure on Russia to end more than four years of war against Ukraine, with US President Donald Trump saying Moscow should "make a deal" and indicating Washington could re-impose waived sanctions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined the summit at the French resort of Evian, with both increased sanctions and the possibility of a face-to-face meeting between the Ukrainian leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin in discussion. Analysts say Ukraine is increasingly holding up well on the battlefield but its cities are still the target of deadly Russian attacks in a conflict that has now lasted longer than World War I. The summit of the G7 group of world powers notably brought Zelensky together with Trump, who has sought to reach out to Putin but also showed signs of losing patience with Moscow. "Russia should make a deal" to end the war against Ukraine, Trump said after meeting Zelensky. He pointed to the high casualties on both sides in the conflict, the deadliest on European soil since World War II. "The whole
Lee asks Trump to spearhead resolution of NK issues at G7 meeting
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday and had a brief encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump during a photo session. Emmanuel Macron, president of host France, welcomed Lee to the summit venue. The South Korean president responded, "I am so happy," after Macron asked, "How are you?" During a subsequent group photo session for leaders of participating countries, Lee had a brief encounter with Trump for about 30 seconds, a livestream of the event showed. Lee and Trump were seen eagerly speaking to each other through who appeared to be an interpreter. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung later said in a briefing that Trump asked Lee about the latest developments in inter-Korean ties during the conversation. Lee asked Trump to spearhead a peaceful resolution of North Korean issues, as he did with the war in the Middle East, to which the U.S. president responded by expressing his intention to work toward such a resolution, according to the spokesperson. This year marks the second cons
Rare Bae Yong-joon sighting revives interest in Korea's most reclusive celebrities
A recent public sighting of actor Bae Yong-joon, one of the biggest figures of the Korean wave's early years, has sparked a wave of online discussion in Korea and renewed interest in celebrities who have largely disappeared from public life. Photos of Bae and his wife, actress Park Soo-jin, surfaced this month after the couple was reportedly spotted traveling in Singapore with actors Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon and their children. Singaporean media outlets reported that the two families arrived at Changi Airport before later boarding the Disney Adventure cruise. The images quickly drew attention because Bae, once known as one of Asia's most recognizable Korean stars, has rarely been seen in public since stepping away from the entertainment industry. In the photos, Bae appears in casual clothing with long hair tied back under a cap, while Park is seen looking after the couple's children. As the images spread online, a netizen who claimed to have seen the families aboard the cruise shared additional impressions of the actor. "Other than his hair turning gray, he looked very well-maintain
'A leader' - tributes to cyclist, 16, killed in crash
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The cyclist who died in Waterford has been named as Shane O'Brien, who had represented Ireland on the international stage.
G7 backs Canada as major global energy supplier to lessen reliance on Strait of Hormuz
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Canada is poised to become a key and reliable supplier of energy to the G7 after leaders meeting in France embraced this country's potential to deliver "significant additional capacity" to global markets to reduce dependence on oil and gas coming through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Croatia players England should look out for
England face Croatia in their World Cup opener. BBC Sport takes a look at the Croatian players to look out for.
Kenya: Bishops lead Inter-diocesan peace and reconciliation Mass
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Catholic bishops from Kenya's North Rift region have renewed their call for peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion during an Inter-diocesan Mass celebrated recently, in Chemolingot, Baringo County, an area that has experienced recurring insecurity and intercommunal conflict.
Donaldson sex abuse accusers 'not sufficiently reliable' for a guilty verdict, jury told
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.
"Journacide: The War on Truth." New Film Investigates Israel's Killing of Reporters in Lebanon
Israel has killed over 260 journalists and media workers in Gaza and 28 in Lebanon since October 7, 2023. Irish filmmaker Seán Murray investigates Israel’s killings of journalists in his new feature documentary Journacide: The War on Truth. He says the term “journacide” applies to Israel’s military actions because of the “explicit nature of the targeting and killing of journalists” as a way to silence the truth. Murray calls it “the Gaza doctrine that is now being applied in Lebanon.”
2 Koreas, not external actors, should lead peninsular issues: unification minister
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Wednesday that South and North Korea, not outside powers, should lead in resolving security issues on the Korean Peninsula. "The leading players on Korean Peninsula issues are South and North Korea. That is the constant," Chung said at the fourth meeting of the ministry's peace advisory council held at the Office of Inter-Korean Dialogue. "Other countries are only variables," Chung said, "But they have come to override the constant. That is a tragedy."
Government to apologise to victims of forced adoptions in England
An apology will be issued on behalf of the state over the historic practice, the education secretary says.
Pope Leo remembers the late Cardinal Ruini as a wise brother
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In a telegram, Pope Leo XIV offers his condolences for the passing of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General Emeritus of the Diocese of Rome and important figure in the Italian Church, expressing his “gratitude to the Lord for the gift of this esteemed man of the Church.”
Trump vows to play role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues: Seoul official
US President Donald Trump expressed his commitment to playing a role in advancing Korean Peninsula issues while speaking with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, a senior presidential official said Wednesday. Trump made such a pledge while exchanging remarks with Lee, who sat next to him during an official G7 dinner the previous day, according to Oh Hyun-joo, third deputy national security adviser. "President Trump expressed a strong will to play a necessary r
Harry and Meghan to bring children to UK next month
It will be the first time the Duke of Sussex has brought his children to the UK in four years.
Has Trump Had Enough of Netanyahu? Israel Defies U.S., Vows to Continue War in Lebanon
The United States and Iran are set to formally sign an agreement Friday to end military hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin negotiations on a long-term peace accord between the two countries.
According to terms of the memorandum of understanding obtained by CNN and other media outlets, there is to be “an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon.” The leaked text also promises sanctions relief for Iran and access to the country’s frozen assets held abroad, as well as a $300 billion fund for reconstruction and development. The memo reiterates Iran’s long-held position that it will never produce nuclear weapons, with the fate of its nuclear program delayed until further negotiations.
Israel has vowed to ignore the U.S.-Iran agreement and maintain its occupation of southern Lebanon, with many Israeli leaders and commentators expressing outrage about the apparent terms of the deal for being too conciliatory to Iran. President Trump, meanwhile, has expressed criticism of Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
“Trump’s had enough,” says Israeli political analyst Ori Goldberg, speaking to Democracy Now! from Tel Aviv. “He hasn’t had enough because he cares about the Palestinians or about Lebanon. He’s had enough of Netanyahu’s disrespect. He’s had enough of the notion that it’s actually Netanyahu who’s calling the shots.”
Romeo Beckham fined for using phone behind wheel of Porsche 911
The model, 23, was spotted in Westminster at a red light with a dog loose in the supercar.
"The Point Is to Spread Fear": DOJ Charges 15 with Conspiracy for Anti-ICE Protests in Minnesota
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have announced criminal charges against 15 people in connection with anti-ICE protests in the Twin Cities. The defendants are accused of “conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers” and of allegedly “violently” impeding immigration enforcement in Minneapolis during Trump’s so-called Operation Metro Surge, during which thousands of federal immigration agents were deployed and fatally shot two U.S. citizens.
The indictment focuses on Direct Action Minnesota, or DAMN, a broad activist coalition that prosecutors have linked to anti-fascist, or “antifa,” groups. Last fall, President Trump categorized antifa as a “domestic terror organization” even though it is not an actual group.
“All 15 of the defendants are members of the community, active in mutual aid, union members, workers, neighbors,” says defense attorney Bruce Nestor, who represents one of the 15. “The point of this is to spread fear to try to divide us.”
Abuse hurled at judge as first group of rioters sentenced for Ely disorder
The deaths of teenagers Kyrees Sullivan and Harvey Evans in 2023 sparked hours of violence and vandalism.
Rex Heuermann, Long Island-based serial killer, sentenced to life in prison
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Rex Heuermann, a New York architect who murdered women for at least 17 years until police realized their deaths were the work of a serial killer, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole.
Decision on Enoch Burke inquiry to be delivered on Friday
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A decision will be delivered on Friday in an application by Enoch Burke to recuse the Chair and the panel put in place to consider allegations of professional misconduct against him.
Hull could face points deduction in Premier League
Winning the play-off final means Hull must sell players before the end of the month to avoid a potential points deduction in the Premier League.
‘Darkest chapter’: Record child violations in 2025, with national forces leading the way
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For the first time, soldiers and Government forces were responsible for more grave violations against children in armed conflict than non-State armed groups – and 2025 set a grim new record for the total number of child victims.
Rights defender killings hit record high as UN pushes to shore up humanitarian action
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Attacks against human right defenders have reached record levels over the past year, according to a new report issued on Wednesday by the UN human rights office, OHCHR.
Hate speech is ‘first step down the path of dehumanisation’
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As online platforms continue to fuel a surge in real-world violence against vulnerable communities, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is warning that freedom of expression must never be used to justify hate speech.
Worsening hunger could push millions closer to famine in 13 global hotspots
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Millions of people across some of the world’s most vulnerable regions are expected to face worsening hunger in the months ahead, as conflict, economic pressures and shrinking aid budgets exacerbate long-running crises.
Ebola treatment capacity expands in DR Congo as WHO issues new guidelines
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Treatment capacity for the rare and deadly Bundibugyo species of Ebola is expanding in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that community mistrust remains a major challenge to ending the outbreak.
Lebanon: 12 children killed, maimed daily, despite Hezbollah-Israel truce
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More than 100 days of war reveals a shattering snapshot of life for civilians in Lebanon amid Israeli strikes and forced displacement, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Wednesday.
Security Council LIVE: Open debate on women, peace and security
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The UN Security Council met in New York Wednesday for its annual open debate on women, peace and security, in line with a 25-year-old resolution. The Secretary-General’s most recent report on the issue shows that in 2024, women made up only seven percent of negotiators on average worldwide, and nearly nine out of 10 negotiation tracks included no women negotiators at all. Follow live coverage below, and for daily coverage, check out our full meetings coverage here.
Headlines for June 17, 2026
Israel Kills 4 in Lebanon Despite U.S.-Iran Deal to End War, Israeli Drone Hits Journalist in Southern Lebanon, Israeli Supreme Court Rejects Appeal by Detained Palestinian Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, U.S. Strikes Another Boat in Pacific; Pentagon Officials Admit Past Strike May Have Killed Victims of Human Trafficking, Federal Conspiracy Charges Filed Against 15 in Minneapolis Who Opposed ICE Crackdown, Police Fatally Shoot 1-Year-Old After Shoplifting Call at a Walmart in Mississippi, DOJ Moves to Block NAACP Suit Against Elon Musk’s Data Center, Citing National Security, FBI Says It Disrupted Extremist Plot to Attack White House During UFC Fight, U.N.: Drone Strikes in Sudan Have Killed Over 1,000 So Far in 2026, Doctors Without Borders Dismisses 18 in Chad Tied to Sexual Abuse of Sudanese Refugees, Guardian: U.S. Military Strike in Somalia Killed 12 Civilians, Including 8 Children, Africa CDC Warns Ebola Outbreak in DRC Could Become Worst on Record, Texas Faces Screwworm Outbreak a Year After DOGE Cut Funding for Key Program, Elections Held in Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia, Sacramento Gov’t Body Agrees to Fully Fund Access Sacramento TV Station
TV personality Ashley Cain accused of using sexist and misogynistic language
The former footballer is known for presenting BBC Three's Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone.
Snap unveils £1,995 smart glasses after previous flops
The augmented reality glasses from Snapchat's parent company are expected to ship in autumn.
Jupiter Venus Conjunction
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Jupiter slipped into the empty circle in that curved cloud. Venus smiled, and so did I. The image above is my favourite of all three conjunction nights.
High profile sportsperson discharged without conviction following drink driving charge
The man shed tears at times when he appeared in the Wellington District Court for sentencing today.
KHNP picks Yeongdeok, Gijang for new nuclear projects
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced Wednesday that the sites selected for two new large-scale nuclear reactors and one small modular reactor are Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang Province and Gijang in Busan, respectively. The decision was made following a comprehensive review by a site selection committee composed of external experts. The committee evaluated candidate locations in Yeongdeok and Ulju, Ulsan, which had bid to host the large-scale reactors, as well as Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Prov
Women in Donaldson case 'not reliable enough', jury told
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The jury in the trial of former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has been told that two women who have alleged that he sexually abused them while they were children are not sufficiently reliable for them to reach a guilty verdict.
How sweltering Scotland can handle World Cup heat
With Scotland's World Cup games expected to take place in temperatures of around 30C, Steve Clarke and his team will have to battle the conditions as well as Morocco and Brazil.
As it happened: SF abortion bill discussed in Dáil
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Coverage of political developments including a Dáil vote on Sinn Féin's proposed legislation to remove the three-day wait period for an abortion in early pregnancy.
CAP funding for farmers among 'priorities' for presidency
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One of Ireland's "central priorities" during the country's European Union (EU) presidency will be to progress discussions on the future of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding for farmers, the Agriculture Minister has said.
Man took knife from Parnell Square accused, court told
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A Brazilian healthcare worker who was studying English in Ireland said he saw a man stab three children on Parnell Square East on 23 November 2023.
Sherpa travels thousands of miles to thank children for help after earthquake
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A Nepalese Sherpa travels thousands of miles to thank children for their fundraising efforts.
Heo Nam-jun sets next project with period romance 'Whale Star'
After his breakout performance in hit drama "My Royal Nemesis," Heo Nam-jun is set to headline tvN's period romance "Whale Star" (tentative title) alongside K-drama heavyweights Choi Woo-shik and Moon Ga-young. Set to premiere in 2027, "Whale Star" is set in colonial-era Seoul in 1926 and follows a generation of young people against the backdrop of the country's independence movement. Heo stars as Song Hae-su, a resolute independence fighter who has lost his family. A fateful incident leaves him
'Absolutely ludicrous': Meth pipes easily available to purchase in shops across Northland
Drug and addiction services frustrated by the easy availability of meth pipes are calling on retailers to pull drug utensils from their shelves - and for the law to be enforced.
Visitors to Japan fall 3.6% in May
Japan saw visitors from South Korea, Taiwan and the United States hitting their respective highest levels for May.
Burkina Faso-Niger: Bishops call for strengthening Small Christian Communities
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Gathered in Ouagadougou recently, for their plenary assembly, the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina Faso-Niger (CEB-N) reaffirmed their commitment to peace, the vitality of Small Christian Communities (SCCs), and the renewal of Catholic education.
Luigi Mangione seeks 'extreme emotional disturbance' defence in CEO killing case
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Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down a health insurance executive in Manhattan, plans to argue at trial that he was in a state of "extreme emotional disturbance" when he allegedly committed the crime, a judge revealed at a court hearing Wednesday.
FIFA hydration breaks spark backlash and blamed for killing momentum at World Cup
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FIFA's new hydration breaks midway through each half — a novelty for this World Cup — were introduced to help players deal with the summer heat in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But critics say they're having unintended consequences, ruining the flow of the game and giving coaches a chance to tactically shift momentum in their team's favour.
Rohl leaves Rangers for Salzburg - is McInnes arrival imminent?
Danny Rohl leaves Rangers after eight months in charge to become Red Bull Salzburg's head coach.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, will now spend several weeks recovering in hospital.
More warnings as fake monk scam reports escalate
Auckland Council is urging people to not engage if they're approached by someone dressed as a monk and aggressively demanding money.
Can Bellingham become England's superstar once more at the World Cup?
After tough love from England head coach Thomas Tuchel, Jude Bellingham's World Cup build-up points to a special talent who can be a key figure in their quest to win the World Cup.
Israel launches fresh strikes on Lebanon despite Trump criticism
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump said Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu needed "to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon".
'They came with machetes' - deadline looms for migrants to leave South Africa
Protesters have set 30 June as the date for all undocumented migrants to leave the country.
How is Donald Trump's MAGA coalition feeling ahead of midterm elections?
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Ahead of the midterm elections in November, some of U.S. President Donald Trump's MAGA base is turning away. Some are citing the war in Iran, while others are growing frustrated with the cost of living in the United States.
Slowest food price rises in nearly a year and a half help keep UK inflation at 2.8%
Higher petrol prices were offset by slower price rises for meat, dairy and vegetables, according to the ONS.
Men guilty of violent disorder near asylum hotel
The defendants, from Essex and Hertfordshire, will be sentenced in August.
Real Madrid sign Silva on free transfer
Bernado Silva, who left Manchester City at the end of the season, links up with new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.
Group planned to attack White House UFC event using snipers and drones, FBI says
In newly unsealed court filings, the government says the group allegedly expressed grievances about corruption, the Epstein files, and data centres.
Donegal school chosen as 'Ireland's favourite building'
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The RIAI said the Little Angels School building in Letterkenny captured the imagination of the public with its "immense practicality".
Lawsuit against Costco's popular rotisserie chicken 'fatally flawed,' company's lawyers say
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A proposed class-action lawsuit that says Costco "systematically cheated" customers by advertising its hugely popular Kirkland Signature seasoned rotisserie chicken as containing no preservatives is "fatally flawed" and should be thrown out, lawyers for the company say.
South Korea to ease civilian curbs along border with North Korea
Residents welcomed the move, saying it would allow freer farming activities in the area and boost development and tourism.
EU approves 'return hubs' migration reforms
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The European Parliament has approved tougher migration rules that will grant authorities much broader detention powers and allow for the creation of deportation centres outside the bloc.
10 Nippon Yusen freighters still in Persian Gulf
"The situation is beyond what a private firm can handle," Takaya Soga said at an annual general meeting of Nippon Yusen shareholders in Tokyo.
BYD to launch first plug-in hybrid in Korea later this month
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is set to launch its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in South Korea later this month, broadening its lineup beyond battery-powered vehicles as it enters the country's hybrid market. BYD Korea on Wednesday unveiled its Dual Mode Intelligent technology, or DM-i, at a briefing in Seoul ahead of the debut of its first DM-i-equipped model for the Korean market at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show, scheduled for June 26 to July 5 in Busan. Industry sources expect th
Toronto Maple Leafs hire Jim Hiller as head coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Jim Hiller as head coach, the club announced Wednesday.
PM warns Burnham against immediate leadership challenge if he wins by-election
Keir Starmer says Labour should focus on a subsequent Manchester mayoral race if Andy Burnham wins in Makerfield.
Winnipeg-born Canadian released from U.S. immigration detention after 7 months in 'hellhole'
Status quo at Jerusalem's holiest site under threat as Israeli nationalists flout rules
Israeli nationalists are increasingly flouting a convention on how faiths share the al-Aqsa mosque compound.
Pope welcomes US-Iran agreement, calls for mutual trust in Middle East
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Pope Leo XIV expresses his hopes for peace in the Middle East as the US and Iran prepare to sign an agreement, and appeals for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Grammys to add best Asian pop music performance category in 2027
The new Grammy category gives J-pop, K-pop and C-pop acts greater opportunities for international recognition.
FBI says plot to attack White House fight night thwarted
US law enforcement said it had foiled an alleged plot to attack the White House during a crowded mixed martial arts event attended by President Donald Trump.
Seoul mayor faces 18-month prison request over campaign polls
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon faced a request for an 18-month prison sentence Wednesday over allegations that he illegally arranged for a supporter to pay for opinion polls during his 2021 mayoral campaign. The request was made by a special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki during Oh’s final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. The team also sought forfeiture of 33 million won ($22,000). Oh is accused of instructing Kim Han-jung, a supporter, to pay for opinion polls conducted by political broke
Music Awards Japan levels up and looks ahead
Japan's largest music award ceremony moved to Tokyo for its second year, with a night of electric performances and artists honored in 78 categories.
Grieving sister used tracker to catch memorial thief
Georgia Shaw found the man who repeatedly removed her brother's roadside memorial.
Man charged with murder of Noreen Daly in Waterford
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A 33-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Noreen Daly in Co Waterford on Sunday.
Pope at Audience: 'I was comforted by the faith and joy of the Spanish people'
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During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflects on his Apostolic Journey to Spain, which saw him visit Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands.
Ballet star Jeon Min-chul returns to Korean stage in 'Swan Lake'
Mariinsky Ballet first soloist Jeon Min-chul will return to the Korean stage this summer as a guest principal with Universal Ballet. The 21-year-old ballet sensation will perform the role of Prince Siegfried in "Swan Lake," which runs at the Seoul Arts Center from Aug. 14 to 23. The guest appearance carries added significance as Universal Ballet's production follows the Mariinsky Ballet's choreographic tradition. Jeon will be partnered by Universal Ballet principal Hong Hyang-gee, who will dance
‘Violence begets more violence:’ US Catholics seek abolition of death penalty
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As the United States saw a sharp rise in executions of people on death row in 2025, the Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network calls for US Catholics to uphold the Church’s teaching on human dignity, from conception to natural death.
Fresh landfill work begins in Cape Henoko for U.S. base transfer
The reclamation work is being done for the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma air station from another city in Okinawa.
British couple describe having warning shots fired near them by Russian warship
The retired couple tell BBC Newsnight they tried to show the warship they had changed course in the English Channel before the shots were fired.
Seoul to host official Oktoberfest celebration in September
A large-scale Oktoberfest celebration modeled on Munich’s world-famous beer festival will be held in Seoul this September, bringing Bavarian culture, food and music to the Korean capital. Deutsche Oktoberfest Korea said Wednesday that the city of Munich recently granted the usage of the name “Oktoberfest Seoul,” marking a significant step in establishing the event as an officially recognized cultural festival inspired by Germany’s iconic tradition. According to the organizers, Oktoberfest Seoul
Government employees in Japan express reluctance to relocate for work
The National Personnel Authority urged government agencies to reassess whether relocations carried out largely as a matter of custom are still necessary.
South Korea’s Lee asks Trump to lead peaceful diplomacy with North Korea
South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung asked U.S. President Donald Trump to lead efforts to resolve the North Korea issue peacefully, as he had done with the war in the Middle East.
Foreign shoppers fuel Musinsa Seongsu's early success
The Musinsa Megastore Seongsu, which opened in April, surpassed 7 billion won ($4.6 million) in cumulative sales within its first 50 days. Purchases by foreign customers accounted for more than 3 billion won, or over 40 percent of total sales. The share of foreign shoppers has continued to rise. Between June 7 and June 13, overseas customers accounted for an average of 56 percent of purchases, peaking at 66 percent on June 9, underscoring the store's growing appeal among international visitors.
US Catholic journalists gather in Atlantic City for annual conference
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Catholic media professionals are participating in the Catholic Media Conference in the United States, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of evangelization in today's media landscape.
U.S. and Iran sign deal that includes plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz, 2-month window for nuclear talks
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Senior U.S. officials dictated the memorandum of understanding with Iran to journalists Wednesday after days of secrecy, and Iran suggested that its deal with the United States could be signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Firefighters extinguish apartment blaze in central Wellington
Police and fire crews have blocked the street outside of the apartment block.
Gulf Harbour body trial: Notes left on bed, pushchair to 'serve as a warning'
One of the notes read: "If we have to do this again, we must cooperate better. I mean if, I hope this will not happen."
Hyundai Steel partners with LSU on US mill project
Hyundai Steel said Wednesday it has signed a master research agreement with Louisiana State University to accelerate technology development and workforce training, as it builds a $5.8 billion steel mill in the US. The agreement establishes a framework for joint research across areas including steelmaking, materials science, energy, robotics, automation and environmental engineering, allowing projects to move forward without negotiating separate terms each time. Hyundai Steel is currently constru
'It's easy to romanticise toxicity' says star of film about step-siblings' relationship
The stars of Your Fault: London discuss their film's BookTok fandoms, online fame and toxic relationships.
From the Vatican Observatory Faith and Science pages (Younger Readers) — Maria Mitchell: The Soul of an Astronomer
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From the Faith & Science Resource Center (Younger Readers): “Every formula which expresses a law of nature is a hymn of praise to God.”
Alcohol risk guidelines may need to be changed - HIQA
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Irish guidelines on what constitutes low-risk alcohol consumption may need to be reconsidered, according to a new report from HIQA.
How advanced drones, surveillance towers are helping to tackle remote Alberta crime
High-tech surveillance cameras, police drones and AI analytics are changing how law enforcement responds to property crime at remote, hard-to-access industrial sites across Alberta.
Tokyo launches scholarship program for students bound for top global universities
Only students with Japanese citizenship who are currently enrolled in a Tokyo metropolitan high school and reside in the city are eligible to apply.
Iran to gain major financial relief under interim deal with U.S.
As part of the agreement, Iran will be able to sell oil immediately, tap a $300 billion development fund and get eventual access to its frozen assets.
Thousands of cases adjourned over legal aid withdrawals
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It is estimated that thousands of court cases have had to be adjourned due to the withdrawal of legal aid work by solicitors across the country.
Investigators probe deadly business jet crash on Texas highway
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Investigators combed through wreckage Wednesday for clues to why a business jet crashed on a Texas highway, killing one person on board, after its pilots reported mechanical problems while requesting an emergency landing at a nearby airport.
Pope Leo: Safeguarding minors 'is a mandate' for the Church
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Pope Leo XIV meets with representatives of the Centro de Investigación y Formación de Protección al Menor, a Latin American organization focused on safeguarding minors, saying this protection 'is a mandate for everyone in the Church' and expressing his wish 'that all spaces in the Church, whether physical or virtual, may truly be places for a fruitful encounter with Jesus Christ, free from fears, suspicions, or distrust.'
Police in Quebec municipalities issued thousands of fines for insulting officers
Quebec City police have largely driven the numbers, issuing 11,092 fines in six years. Now Montreal is mulling a bylaw of its own regulating interactions between police and citizens, but advocates say it could exacerbate tensions and police misconduct.
Jeremy Clarkson reveals prostate cancer diagnosis on farming show
The former Top Gear presenter did not clarify what type of cancer he had been diagnosed with.
Posco boosts green steel, chip supply chain
Posco on Wednesday completed South Korea's largest electric arc furnace and launched a high-purity rare gas production plant, advancing its push into low-carbon steelmaking and strategic semiconductor materials. The company held a completion ceremony for its new electric arc furnace in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Posco Group Chairman Chang In-hwa and other government and company officials. Built with an investment of about 600 billion won ($400 mill
Prices of chicken and eggs in Japan hit record highs
The national average price of chicken rose has risen to ¥155 per 100 grams while that of a packet of 10 eggs is now at ¥309.
Brazil’s Nikkei fishers offer lessons for ocean governance
Japanese immigrants and their descendants did not simply copy Japanese coastal practices but adapted them to local environments and social conditions.
Extraordinary Messi makes more history in masterclass for the ages
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland both enjoyed a fine start to the World Cup - but on a day packed with superstars, Lionel Messi still took top billing.
Sanseito submits bill to create agency on policies related to foreign nationals
After submitting the bill, Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya expressed his dissatisfaction with the government's policies on foreign nationals.
The Iran war and the global debt shock it fueled
Once again, a global crisis is disproportionately burdening countries that did not cause it.
Myanmar Catholics celebrate return of Loikaw Cathedral
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The return of Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw marks a significant sign of hope for Myanmar’s Catholic community after months of military occupation, and Bishop Celso Ba Shwe says the Church’s mission remains centered on accompanying hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people.
Seoul stocks extend winning streak to 5th day on chip rally
South Korean stocks extended their winning streak for the fifth consecutive session on semiconductors, while investors remained cautious of the US Federal Reserve's rate-setting meeting later this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 137.64 points, or 1.58 percent, to 8,864.24, inching closer to the 9,000-point mark. After opening lower, the index entered positive territory in the afternoon, boosted by buying pressure from retail and institutional investors. The two groups
South Dunedin resident blindsided by possibility of property acquisition to tackle climate change
Between 1100 and 1700 properties might need to be bought to make way for specific public works, land raising or new green spaces.
Nobody noticed, but China just rewrote the rules of global business
At first glance, the two regulations feel like one more step in the steady escalation of trade sanctions between China and the United States.
Daewoo E&C to launch 1,032 homes in Jangwi New Town
Daewoo Engineering & Construction said Wednesday it will begin sales this month for Jangwi Prugio Mark One, a large redevelopment project in northern Seoul that will offer more than 1,000 homes to the public. The project, located in Jangwi-dong, Seongbuk-gu, is part of the broader Jangwi New Town redevelopment district. The complex will consist of 23 residential buildings ranging from five basement levels to 35 stories above ground, with a total of 1,931 units. Of those, 1,032 units will be avai
Springtime in Pyongyang: Inside the DPRK’s post-pandemic reality
While much of the world focuses on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Korean War — which began in 1950 — remains quietly unresolved. Held in check only by a fragile 73-year-old armistice, millions on both sides of the Demilitarized Zone continue to live under a perpetual state of war. As a bilingual, Korean-born North American photojournalist, I have spent decades documenting this divided peninsula. After more than three years of negotiations following the publication of my book,
One dead after car crashes into shopping centre in Auckland
The vehicle crashed into a food outlet at the shopping centre
Keir Starmer is headed for a NATO humiliation
In March, ministers tried to reassure voters that the U.K. had everything it needed to defend the country. It wasn't true and Healey knew it.
U.S. politics is reaching peak paranoia
The paranoid style begins with a simple proposition: The world is divided between good and evil.
Jeremy Clarkson reveals cancer diagnosis
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Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Canada's $43b submarine choice: Korean readiness or German innovation?
South Korea’s naval ambitions are facing their most significant overseas test yet as Hanwha Ocean vies for a deal that could be worth up to 60 billion Canadian dollars ($42.88 billion). The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, or CPSP, aims to acquire up to 12 diesel-electric submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy, operating across the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean-led consortium is up against Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as finalists, with industry offic
New Grammy category could boost BTS’ chances of first win
BTS may be closer than ever to winning its first Grammy Award after the Recording Academy on Tuesday announced the introduction of five new categories beginning with the 2027 ceremony, including a category dedicated to Asian pop music. Among the additions is best asian pop music performance, a category created to recognize outstanding performances in Asian pop music by artists from Asia or those recognized within Asian music markets. The new award immediately positions BTS as a leading contender
Cultural aspects dominate coverage as sumo enthralls Paris
Sumo's trip to Paris offered a vivid reminder that the sport's rituals and symbolism can resonate as strongly as the action in the ring.
JoongAng heads to court in fight to weather debt crisis
JoongAng Group's battle for survival enters court next week, with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court set to question representatives of five affiliates that sought rehabilitation after broadcaster JTBC defaulted on short-term debt. Legal sources said Wednesday that the court would question representatives of JTBC, JoongAng Holdings, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng and JoongAng P&I on Tuesday. It is expected to examine the scale of their liabilities, liquidity conditions and possible debt restructu
[Photo News] Shinhan's super app
Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong introduces Super SOL, the group's new all-in-one financial platform, at its headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. The app consolidates services across Shinhan affiliates and includes an AI agent that recommends and manages financial products through conversation. (Shinhan Financial Group)
Starbucks in South Korea to close all stores early for history training
The move comes after a promotional event sparked harsh criticism from customers and politicians, including President Lee Jae Myung.
US-Iran cease-fire raises new questions for Seoul
The US-Iran ceasefire agreement is set to ease economic pressure on South Korea, but observers say the deal could present Seoul with a new set of challenges ranging from military contributions to pressure to participate in a multibillion-dollar reconstruction initiative. US President Donald Trump said this week that the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely open" from Friday, as Washington and Tehran prepared to formally sign a ceasefire memorandum of understanding in Geneva. US officials have d
Travelling 530 miles so our son can have a haircut
How a very special hairdressing salon in Lowestoft is cutting it when it comes to neurodivergence.
Court presses FTC on Coupang founder designation
A Seoul court has demanded that the Fair Trade Commission clarify the reason behind its decision to designate Coupang founder Bom Kim as the firm’s controlling figure, or “same person.” The Seoul High Court questioned the basis of the FTC’s changed stance on Kim after its on-site inspection of Coupang during a hearing on Tuesday, asking the FTC to provide clear grounds on how the antitrust regulators confirmed that Kim’s younger brother, Kim Yoo-seok, a Coupang vice president, took part in Coupa
Police officer uses axe to rescue driver in submerged car
Police say they had only moments to act when the vehicle was quickly pulled under water at the local boat ramp on Monday afternoon.
Lee pitches Korea’s role in bolstering Canada’s security
President Lee Jae Myung pledged South Korea’s readiness to help strengthen Canada’s security capabilities during talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Seoul’s presidential office said Wednesday. Lee met Carney on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, where the two leaders agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in defense, security, energy and critical minerals, according to the presidential office. “Amid a reshaping of the global order, South Korea
Eximbank backs Doosan's Thai AI plant
The Export-Import Bank of Korea will provide $110 million in financing for Doosan's planned copper clad laminate production facility in Thailand, the policy lender said Wednesday, as it seeks to support the expansion of AI-related supply chains beyond China. The plant, which will manufacture high-end CCL used in AI networking equipment, is scheduled to begin construction this year at the Araya Industrial Park in Thailand. The funding follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Korea Exi
China’s pet owners splurge on preschools to pamper puppies
As declining birth rates alter lifestyles, pets are increasingly treated as members of the family.
Unlike in France, Korea’s unions back higher retirement age. Why?
In many advanced economies, efforts to raise the retirement age have triggered fierce opposition from labor unions, as seen in France in recent years. In South Korea, the opposite is happening. The country's two largest labor federations have joined forces to demand a higher retirement age, arguing that workers face a growing income cliff between retirement and pension eligibility. The debate reflects the pressure facing the world's fastest-aging society: People are being pushed out of work befo
Kim Jae-joong, between many worlds
"When you sign onto a cross-border project like this, that's bait you can't resist," Kim Jae-joong says of "The Shrine: Whispers of the Evil Spirit." "I figured something would come out of it that you couldn't get any other way." The man across the table at a cafe in central Seoul on Tuesday has been a fixture of the Korean entertainment landscape for so long, it's easy to forget how many lives he's lived inside it. He broke through in 2003 with TVXQ, broke away to form JYJ, then went solo acros
Japan enacts bill overhauling guardianship system
The revision will allow people to opt out of support under the adult guardianship system based on their needs.
Inside Ukraine’s kill zone
The last stretch of road to the frontlines in the Russia-Ukraine war is often called the kill zone. It’s swarming with drones, littered with burnt-out vehicles, and populated by residents continuing to live their daily lives.
Korean investors snap up W1.2tr of SpaceX shares on debut
South Korean retail investors snapped up more than 1 trillion won ($661 million) worth of SpaceX shares on the company's stock market debut, underscoring the intense local appetite for the Elon Musk-led space firm. It is rare for a single US-listed stock to attract more than 1 trillion won in net buying from Korean retail investors in a single session, making SpaceX one of the biggest overseas stock purchases by Korean retail investors in recent years. According to financial industry sources Wed
High-street designs and skateboard tracksuits - what England's off-pitch looks say about the team
What experts make of the men's team's official off-duty fashion as they prepare for their first World Cup match.
'Buldak' now officially belongs to Samyang
Samyang Foods has won domestic trademark rights to "Buldak," the name of its flagship noodle brand once considered too generic for exclusive ownership, handing the firm a stronger legal footing as it fights an expanding field of copycat products overseas. The Ministry of Intellectual Property approved registrations on Tuesday for the English-language "Buldak" and its Korean-language equivalent after a 30-day objection period passed without challenge. The registration covers "Buldak" in English f
Lionel Messi ties men's World Cup goals record with a hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria
With a brilliant hat trick in a 3-0 win over Les Fennecs, Argentina's Lionel Messi moved into a tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the career scoring record at the men's World Cup.
Hyosung opens first AI data center in Seoul with Singapore’s STT GDC
Hyosung Group said Wednesday it has launched its first AI data center in Seoul with Singapore-based ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, targeting Korea’s rapidly growing data center market — projected to reach 20 trillion won ($13.2 billion) by 2030. Hyosung-STT GDC, a joint venture between Hyosung Heavy Industries and STT GDC, on Tuesday opened STT Seoul 1, a hyperscale data center designed to support cloud computing and AI workloads, in Geumcheon-gu, southwestern Seoul. The opening ceremony was
Seoul to ease military restrictions near inter-Korean border
South Korea's land-use restrictions near the inter-Korean border are to be eased, opening up as much as 260 square kilometers for civilian use and development, the Ministry of National Defense said Wednesday. The move, which will ease restrictions in an area just under half the size of Seoul, is part of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s push for civil-military coexistence. Seoul is about 605 square kilometers. Under the plans, the Defense Ministry will ease military land-use restrictions near t
Australia must be ‘monocultural,’ One Nation’s Hanson Says
Australian Sen. Pauline Hanson has said the shortage of housing and rising property prices and rents in the country are due to the increasing number of migrants.
Waste firm chases fast-track nod for Dome Valley dump
The new Auckland dump would replace the Redvale landfill, consented to take rubbish only until the end of 2028.
Politicians clash over best way to fix health system
Labour and National had differing opinions on how to fix the system - but both agree the biggest issue is access.
'Teach You a Lesson' tops Netflix's global chart for second week
Netflix Korean original "Teach You a Lesson" continues to dominate the streamer's global charts. According to Netflix's Tudum top 10 rankings, the series generated 21 million views during the June 8-14 tracking period, securing the No. 1 spot on Netflix's weekly list of most-watched non-English TV series for a second consecutive week. The drama premiered June 5. The title also demonstrated significant international reach, ranking in the top 10 across 91 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Fr
Hokkaido tour boat operator sentenced to five years’ jail over fatal 2022 sinking
Eighteen passengers and two crew members died after a tour boat sank on April 23, 2022, off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido, with six passengers still unaccounted for.
'I don’t make coins': Korean YouTuber Kwak Tube dragged into crypto debacle
South Korean YouTuber Kwak Tube suffered collateral damage in the fallout from a cryptocurrency crash after a Hong Kong-based project founder replaced his social media profile photo with an image of the creator. The confusion followed a hack targeting Humanity Protocol, a cryptocurrency project whose token recently lost more than 80 percent of its value, leaving investors facing heavy losses. As criticism mounted online, Humanity Protocol founder Terrence Kwok changed his profile picture to a ph
'My dog Gertie saved my life by helping to find my breast cancer'
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Lesley Goodburn is hoping her story will encourage others to check for signs of the cancer.
Man with possible tokuryū ties arrested over mobile payment fraud
The man reportedly told police he got involved in the scheme when he applied for a job a few years ago after seeing a recruitment notice on X.
More than a meal: Temple food feeds students in body and mind
Cheongnyeon Bapsim, run by the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare, offers university students free lunches of healthy temple food, meant to nourish the body and mind as much as to ease their meal costs. The name joins the word for youth with "bapsim," the energy a person draws from a bowl of rice. Before the 100 students ate at Yeonhwasa on Tuesday, Ven. Seonjae put the idea to them herself. "A grain of rice endures a cold spring, a hot summer and the cold winds of autumn before passi
Three 12-year-old boys sent to juvenile facility under rare emergency order
Three 12-year-old boys, who are exempt from criminal punishment because of their age, have been placed in a juvenile classification review center under rare emergency measures taken by law enforcement. Officials at Cheonan Dongnam Police Station said Wednesday that the boys are being held at the facility, which temporarily houses and assesses underage offenders before a court makes a decision on their case. The assessment can significantly affect the court’s decision. The three elementary school
Lee asks Trump to lead peaceful resolution of North Korea issue during brief G7 meet
President Lee Jae Myung held a brief exchange with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit Tuesday, during which Lee asked Trump to help lead efforts toward a peaceful resolution of North Korean issues, according to the presidential office here. The two leaders spoke for about 30 seconds during a group photo session for participating leaders at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. According to a written briefing by Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, Trump initi
Sara Duterte ally loses Philippine senate leadership ahead of her trial
Lawmakers have elected Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as president of the Philippine Senate, replacing Alan Peter Cayetano, who took over the post last month.
Stock bonuses triple at Korea’s top companies
Stock-based compensation at Korea’s top listed companies more than tripled year-on-year in the first five months of the year, driven largely by major chipmakers and the growing use of restricted stock units, a report showed Wednesday. Executives and employees at Korea’s 100 largest companies by market capitalization received a combined 2.3 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in stock-based compensation between January and May, according to corporate tracker CEO Score. The amount was 3.3 times higher tha
Korean-born Danish adoptee turns silence into language
In one scene from "The Interpreter," a Danish Korean adoptee sits with an interpreter and her birth family. As questions and answers pass around the table, Korean reaches her only as silence — an absence she can hear but not understand. The interpreter and I look at each other and smile. My father says ______? My interpreter says, "He asks if you're still writing." I say, "Tell him yes, I am." My interpreter says ______. My father says ______. My interpreter says, "He hopes you'll become a famou
Criticism as Israel extends detention of Gaza doctor
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A decision by Israel's top court to deny the release of a prominent Gaza doctor has been condemned as a "profound moral and legal failure".
World-first burn treatment helps Western University student recover from injuries suffered in fire
A Hamilton hospital says it has become the first in the world to use an experimental exosome treatment on a burn patient, helping a Western University student recover from severe injuries suffered in a London fraternity house fire.
Rare antique N.S. pharmacy signs auctioned off for $32,500
Six pieces of signs advertising for a pharmacy in southwest Nova Scotia were sold at an auction for over $30,000. Auctioneer said the techniques, design and the history they carry made them hot commdity.
[Treasures from National Museum of Korea] White Porcelain Jar with an Openwork Peony and Scroll Design
Period: Joseon Materials: Ceramics, white porcelain Category: Flower vase Dimensions: 26.5 cm tall This 18th-century white porcelain vase is a rare example of elaborate craftsmanship in Joseon ceramics. The vessel consists of two parts, with an openwork outer layer encasing a cylindrical inner jar. A vine motif encircles the neck, while a relief design of a ceremonial scepter (yeouidumun) appears near the foot. The body is densely decorated with an intricate openwork peony pattern. Covered with
Pentagon restores U.S. military’s Pacific Command moniker, dropping ‘Indo’
The command's vast area of responsibility "remains exactly the same," the Pentagon said, with the move coming amid soured U.S.-India ties.
BHC chicken cooking class open to foreigners
Cook your own batch of BHC’s iconic sweet and salty Purinkle chicken. Seoul Gangdong Foreign Resident Center is inviting 25 people to join a cooking class with BHC, one of Korea’s most popular chicken franchises with more than 2,000 stores nationwide. Foreign residents of all ages who are interested in cooking Korean chicken are eligible to apply. Both children and adults can join. The class will be conducted in Korean, so participants are expected to understand the instructor’s directions. In t
Farm animals need a new home as SPCA seeks fosters
Pigs, goats, and miniature horses are on the list of animals looking for homes, as well as hundreds of cats and dogs.
Parent prosecuted for truancy fails to show at court hearing
The associate education minister says 36 parents have been liable for prosecution over child truancy.
From 'Guardian' to 'Love in the Moonlight,' K-drama reunions are having a moment
A growing number of beloved K-dramas are reuniting their original casts a decade after their initial broadcasts, underscoring Korean entertainment's increasing reliance on nostalgia-fueled programming anchored by recognizable franchises. "Love in the Moonlight," the breakout KBS historical romance led by Park Bo-gum and Kim You-jung, is the latest title set for a cast reunion. The 2016 series follows Ra-on (Kim), who enters the royal palace disguised as a eunuch and becomes entangled in a romanc
BTS’ ‘Swim’ extends Billboard Hot 100 run to 12 weeks
BTS continued its strong run on the US charts this week as the lead track from its fifth album “Arirang” entered its 12th consecutive week on Billboard’s Hot 100. According to Billboard’s latest chart dated June 20, “Swim” ranked No. 43 on the Hot 100. “Arirang” placed No. 11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The song also continued to perform strongly on Billboard’s Global Excl. US chart, where it ranked No. 2. Over the past 12 weeks, “Swim” has alternated between No. 1 and No. 2 on the chart,
Registration for free summer concert opens in Seoul
A mini summer concert is coming to Seoul for a dazzling summer night. “Dear Summer, Seoul” invites people to make unforgettable memories with friends, family and loved ones. The concert will be held July 3 at Assa Art Hall, near Magongnaru Station on Line No. 9. Registration is open to everyone who wants to enjoy performances ranging from NANTA to K-pop, hip-hop and rock. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Up to two tickets are available per registration, and seats will be offered o
Lionel Messi ties Klose's World Cup goals record with his first hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria
KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) -- Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick while matching Miroslav Klose's career tournament scoring record Tuesday night, giving thousands of Argentina fans packed inside of Arrowhead Stadium for a match against Algeria a moment they will never forget. Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes off a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second off an opportunistic rebound early in the second half, and the third on a crisp stri
Rebuilding efforts continue after N.L. wildfire destroyed nearly 200 homes last year
Almost a year after a devastating wildfire tore through the north shore of Conception Bay, destroying nearly 200 homes, people are rebuilding and taking stock of what was lost and isn't so easily replaced.
Dead fish washing up on Korea's east coast may be linked to tuna surge, warming seas
An unusual sequence of fish die-offs along South Korea's east coast is raising questions about whether one of the region's most productive fishing grounds is undergoing a significant ecological shift. Officials and local media said Wednesday that hundreds of fish, including mackerel and herring, were found dead along Yeongok Beach in Gangwon Province. Some carcasses were seen floating offshore before being pushed onto the sand by waves, leaving behind a strong odor and prompting complaints from
Donald Trump has defended his interim agreement with Iran, saying it had averted a global economic catastrophe.
Australian firm's involvement in school curriculum rewrite comes under scrutiny
NZ companies were not offered the job because the ministry was already working with Learning First, the Education and Workforce Select Committee has heard.
Mirae Asset tops $1 trillion in client assets
Mirae Asset Financial Group said Wednesday that client assets under management had surpassed $1 trillion as of the end of May, reaching approximately $757.1 billion in domestic assets and $259 billion overseas. By affiliate, Mirae Asset Securities accounted for about $531.3 billion in client assets, while Mirae Asset Global Investments managed roughly $451.6 billion. Mirae Asset Life Insurance and other affiliates held around $33.2 billion as of the end of April. The milestone caps several years
Young dancers seek freedom in Korea's growing street dance scene
As music blasted across the Han River on a recent breezy Saturday afternoon, a crowd formed a circle beneath the open sky. Dancers took turns stepping into the center, testing their skills in battles in front of peers and spectators. The atmosphere was unmistakably competitive. Cheers erupted after particularly creative exchanges. Participants hyped each other up from the sidelines. Passersby stopped to watch. Yet unlike many formal dance competitions, the boundary between dancer and audience fe
Is it okay to click-clack keycap keychains in public?
What began as a popular stress-relief accessory is quickly becoming a source of frustration in subways, offices and other shared spaces. As keycap keychains gain popularity among younger people, complaints about their constant clicking and clacking are also growing. Keycap keychains are small keyboard-inspired gadgets that click when pressed. They come in various designs and provide tactile feedback and audible clicks, making them popular as stress-relief and fidget items. However, many people s
Fifa invites Korean YouTuber targeted by racist gesture to match against Mexico
A Korean YouTuber who was targeted by a racist gesture during a recent World Cup match has been invited by FIFA to attend South Korea's group-stage match against Mexico. In a statement released Wednesday, the football governing body said Yoon Su-jin, known as YouTuber Inocat, had accepted its invitation to attend the match between Korea and Mexico in Guadalajara. Though kickoff is on Friday morning in Korea, it is June 18 in Mexico, the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. FIFA said it
He hadn't heard the news about Hockey Night in Canada. Then came the orders for his merchandise
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NHL fans will now have to pay to watch games on Sportsnet. What that means for Rogers — and CBC
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Canadians grapple with loss of Hockey Night in Canada's 'grand tradition'
Greek fishers struggle to keep up with puffer fish invaders
The warm-water invasive species, first spotted in Greek waters some 20 years ago, is wreaking havoc with Greece's fishing industry.
Dáil approves abortion bill, most Govt TDs vote against
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The Dáil has voted in favour the Sinn Féin bill to remove the three-day mandatory wait for access to abortion services. The vote was carried by 86 votes to 70.
Matchmaking and cash: South Korea's plan to avoid population decline
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Canada also faces a record-low fertility rate, and experts are looking to South Korea to see what they're doing right after years of plummeting birthrates.
Dáil to vote on SF abortion bill to remove three-day wait
The Dáil will vote on Sinn Féin's proposed legislation to remove the three-day wait period for an abortion in early pregnancy.
Companies question cost of AI as tokenmaxxing spending adds up
Prominent tech businesses pushing to use AI intensively have been stung by sky high AI costs, especially for agentic chain-of-thought purposes. Now, they're looking at getting beyond experimentation to tokenomics: really breaking down the return on investment for big AI spending.
Messi hat trick equals goalscoring record as Argentina beats Algeria
Norway striker Erling Haaland also announced his arrival at the World Cup in typically emphatic fashion, with two goals in a majestic display against Iraq.
'Unprecedented' El Niño on the cards - could exceed previous events
Earth Sciences NZ's Chris Brandolino said conditions developing in the Pacific had the makings of one of the strongest El Niños on record.
Trump says he had good talks with Putin and Zelensky
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US President Donald Trump has said that he has had good talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in France.
Formal warnings issued by Department of Internal Affairs in money laundering crackdown
The department detected the non-compliance of the companies, which include six law firms and one real estate agency, during its thematic review.
JR East recasts Tokyo’s Ueno Station as a cultural gateway
The station, which acts as a gateway linking Tokyo with northern and central Japan, will offer visitors opportunities to view artworks and interact with digital art.
Doctors warn of 'backwards step' after Medical Council leadership shake-up over 'ideological agenda'
The health minister's move is a "troubling example of political interference in what should be independent health regulation", says the NZ Resident Doctors' Association.
South Dunedin residents find out their homes could be up for acquisition during public briefing
The South Dunedin Future programme has presented three proposals for how the low-lying community can adapt to climate change.
LG Innotek hopes AI boom can power W1tr chip substrate profit by 2031
LG Innotek, the South Korean components-maker best known for camera modules used in premium smartphones, wants its semiconductor substrate business to generate more operating profit by 2031 than the company as a whole earned last year. The unit, called package solutions, aims to raise its operating profit to 1 trillion won ($662 million) by 2031, from 128.9 billion won last year, with revenue rising past 3 trillion won by 2030, nearly double the 1.72 trillion won it booked in 2025. The profit ta
As his centennial nears, Osamu Tezuka gets a global reintroduction
Japan reveres Osamu Tezuka. As his centennial approaches, a slew of events hope to show why the rest of the world should, too.
Ateez floats teaser for 14th EP
Ateez unveiled the final batch of teaser photographs for the release of its upcoming EP, “Golden Hour: Part 5,” via agency KQ Entertainment on Wednesday. Both in individual and group shots, the eight members exude playful energy tinged with mischievous vibes, hinting at the ambience of lead single “Bad,” a Brazilian punk tune with groovy beats. The octet demonstrates its ever-expanding music spectrum on four more tracks, from Latin number “Mamacita” to electronic dance track “Fallin’.” The EP, t
Public plea for information after 'much loved' dog Rory killed
The city council is investigating after Rory was mauled to death on a popular riverside walkway in Palmerston North.
Murder charge after man fatally stabbed in Auckland CBD
The man accused of murder has been granted interim name suppression
Netflix’s ‘Teach You a Lesson’ turns teachers’ rights into real policy debate
Newly elected Gyeonggi Provincial Education Superintendent Ahn Min-seok on Sunday called for a public debate on creating a teachers’ rights protection bureau, turning a fictional agency from Netflix’s hit drama “Teach You a Lesson” into a real-life policy proposal. The proposal has pushed the drama’s central question into the real world: whether schools need stronger institutional protection for teachers, or whether a punishment-centered approach risks further damaging the trust among teachers,
K-beauty's 2nd boom: How indie brands, manufacturing powerhouses are rewriting the industry
South Korea's cosmetics industry is in the midst of a second global boom, powered not by legal conglomerates but by fast-moving indie brands, sophisticated manufacturers and the growing influence of social media. Once dominated by legacy giants such as Amorepacific Co. and LG Household & Healthcare Co. and driven by demand in China, the K-beauty industry is now expanding its foothold in the United States and Europe on the back of a new generation of players. As a result, South Korea has become t
'Do the right thing': Police urge partner of missing Christchurch woman Rowena Walker to speak
It has been more than 10 months since Rowena Walker went missing in the Christchurch suburb of Burwood.
Veteran activist John Minto gets $10,000 from police after unlawful arrest
But John Minto remains concerned police "have not accepted responsibility for [the officer's] thuggish behaviour".
'He embodied the values of Moriori culture': Tommy Solomon statue restoration hits a major milestone
The restoration of the statue of Moriori leader Tommy Solomon has been awarded a grant of $60,000 from the Rātā Foundation.
Alleged offenders came from overseas, police say, as $200,000, 10kg of meth seized
Eleven Chinese and Taiwanese nationals linked to a transnational organised crime cell have been arrested and are facing charges.
'Monks' target shoppers, demanding money for bracelets and trinkets
Members of the public have described strange interactions with people dressed as monks, sometimes aggressive and confrontational.
What the arrival of El Niño means for the Pacific Islands
An El Niño event occurs when the ocean becomes warmer than usual, affecting rainfall and wind patterns.
'We need help': Food rescues facing risk of closure
The food rescue and food bank sector is calling on the government to develop a national policy around food security as many charities risk facing closure.
Several Israeli strikes hit south Lebanon - media
US President Donald Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Israel's military tactics in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah militants, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to hunt militants.
Waitaki District councillor Sven Thelning receives death threats following rates rise
The District Council will raise rates by an average of 22 percent on 1 July.
Major study uncovers 'hidden pandemic' of lung complications after surgery
The four-year trial involved nearly 3500 patients across 44 hospitals in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
The bikers battling extreme heat and armed conflict to smuggle Iranian fuel to Pakistan
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It's so hot the fuel can catch fire - the bikers tell the BBC they must live with the risk of injury and death.
Mount Maunganui landslide report delayed till end of July
The review by retired High Court Judge Paul Davison KC was commissioned by the Tauranga City Council.
Social media ban could shut the door on future talent, say teen influencers
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the ban will give children more time, security and freedom to grow up. But how do under-16s feel?
What is happening at the farewell for Dame Jools Topp?
Everyone is invited to say farewell to legendary Dame Jools Topp.
Carney says he's seen U.S.-Iran framework to end war, calls it a 'game changer' in CNN interview
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Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's seen a copy of the preliminary deal struck between the U.S. and Iran to end hostilities in the Middle East and is calling it a "game changer."
'We believe our daughter was abused at Muckamore hospital for 17 years - now we want answers'
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Laura, 41, was admitted to Muckamore Abbey Hospital when she was 16 and lived there for more than 17 years.
Several people in court charged with shoplifting offences
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Several people have appeared before Dún Laoghaire District Court charged with shoplifting offences across south east Dublin.
Ireland 'exposed' over use of fossil fuels for transport
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Ireland's dependence on fossil fuels in transport is leaving the country exposed to repeated fuel price shocks as global energy markets remain disrupted, the Climate Change Advisory Council has warned.
No improvement to water quality standards in 2025 - EPA
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Data on the quality of Ireland's waters shows no major improvements were achieved in 2025 and standards are still unsatisfactory in many areas.
Doubling hotel levy in Dublin 'sends wrong signal' - IHF
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A move by Dublin City Council to double the development levy on the construction of new hotels, hostels and aparthotels has been criticised by the Irish Hotels Federation.
Refrigerant emissions control scheme revealed
A new scheme to control how refrigerants are handled and disposed of will help reduce emissions, the trust involved says.
'A real shot of joy': Hurricanes campaign a 'bright spot' for Wellington, as final sells out in minutes
The tin is most certainly full, and Wellington's leaders say the Hurricanes jubilant campaign to reach the Super Rugby finals is a glimmer of brightness amid a tough few months for the capital.
How a satirical Bosnian song about the American dream became a World Cup anthem
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When Bosnian band Dubioza kolektiv released U.S.A. in 2011, they never imagined their tongue-in-cheek song about disillusionment with the American dream would be repurposed into a certified World Cup hit.
Urgent work on medical scanning systems months overdue
The radiology information systems that underpin scanning have been so fragmented they have posed serious clinical risks for years.
Police use of AI restarted after officers used unapproved models
One of the AI systems was 45 percent inaccurate on Māori and Pacific languages, but was still used by officers.
Auckland police warn against 'monk' scam
Police are warning those in the city centre not to engage with people dressed as monks reportedly demanding cash for bracelets.
Alberta judge dismisses bid to stall closure of supervised drug sites
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A judge has dismissed a last-ditch legal effort to temporarily halt the closures of supervised consumption sites in Calgary and Lethbridge, citing a similar effort to stall another shuttered site.
Dawn Aerospace rockets to $335m valuation after latest raise
The spaceplane company has raised US$25 million (NZ$43m) in its latest funding round, rocketing the company to a US$195m (NZ$335m) valuation.
Erling Haaland scores twice, adds assist in World Cup debut as Norway tops Iraq 4-1 in Group I
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Erling Haaland scored his first two World Cup goals, including one off a defensive blunder, and added an assist in his tournament debut Tuesday to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I.
Boy dead after crash involving bike and parked lorry
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A boy has died after a crash involving the bike he was cycling and a parked lorry in Lismore, Co Waterford this morning.
Extreme weather part of 400% hike in Alberta home insurance premiums over 20 years: StatsCan
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New data from Statistics Canada suggests homeowners' insurance in Alberta increased nearly five times in a 20-year period — the highest increase of any province.
Government announces $79m funding boost for aged residential care services
The Minister of Health says the boost will help older people who are waiting too long to get the care they need.
Airport access blocked after two-vehicle crash on SH20 in Auckland
Two lanes are blocked causing a siginficant build-up in traffic, police say.
Pasifika women still face breast cancer inequities - researcher
A New Zealand oncologist and researcher says the country's health system needs to be easily accessible and culturally safe to help narrow inequities in breast cancer care.
Pope: May US-Iran memorandum be "truly a solution to the war"
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Pope Leo answers questions from journalists on topics including the US-Iran war and his recent visit to Spain.
Kenneally survivors to be offered formal State apology
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The survivors of convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally are to be offered a "full and formal" State apology.
New Royal Canadian Navy boss says service must grow by up to 40%
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The Royal Canadian Navy's sweeping modernization plans hinge on a challenge that can't be solved in a shipyard. Vice-Admiral Dan Charlebois says the service must grow by as much as 40 per cent to crew a new fleet of destroyers, submarines and support vessels now taking shape.
Canada government sued over climate inaction
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Three young women and two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government seeking to force it to develop an action plan to meet its key climate goals.
'Somebody will get hurt' - Dublin jarveys call for regulations
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Horse-drawn carriage operators in Dublin say the practice is "out of hand" and needs to be regulated
World Cup 2026: France v Senegal recap
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France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, begin their World Cup with a clash against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Follow the action as it happens.
Brooke van Velden directs Internal Affairs to explore new FENZ funding model
Fire and Emergency is mainly funded by a levy taken from insurance premiums, but Brooke van Velden questions whether that is the right avenue.
Teachers warn draft secondary subject curriculums are too crowded
Consultation closed this week on draft curriculums for Years 11 to 13 in 26 subjects including English, maths and science.
Injunction for Silk Road Café over EU presidency closure
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The owner of The Silk Road Café in Dublin Castle has been granted an injunction restraining its landlord from closing it down for security reasons for the six-month duration of Ireland's presidency of the European Union.
Swiss US-Iran deal venue a playground for leaders, stars
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The Bürgenstock resort perched high above Switzerland's Lake Lucerne provides the dramatic setting for Friday's planned signing of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding to end nearly four months of war.
Dunedin poet Ian Loughran died after clinicians failed to provide follow-up care, coroner finds
Ian Loughran's mental health care fell below standards in ways that contributed to his death, a coroner says.
Trump spent $14M US to make reflecting pool look blue. Now the water is green
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U.S. President Donald Trump believed he had a solution to the reflecting pool's algae problems: painting its bottom a particular shade of blue. Less than two weeks after the repair work finished, the algae is back.
Canada's Max Crépeau doing his part as goalkeepers coming up big in World Cup
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In the early days of this tournament, goalkeepers have found themselves the subject of hotter attention, the 18-yard box a proving ground more than a sanctuary.
Kylian Mbappe sparks France with two goals in 3-1 win over Senegal at the World Cup
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Kylian Mbappe scored twice to move past Pele and Lionel Messi with 14 World Cup goals, Bradley Barcola added another and France rebounded from a surprisingly poor first half to beat Senegal 3-1 Tuesday in New Jersey.
What is the G7 summit and what's on the agenda?
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The group of seven wealthy nations have met in the French lakeside resort of Évian-les-Bains to discuss wars in Ukraine and Iran, global economic imbalances that threaten financial stability, and the irrepressible rise of AI.
Toronto man to plead guilty to conspiring to smuggle cocaine for drug network allegedly tied to Ryan Wedding
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A Toronto man arrested for his role in conspiring to smuggle cocaine for a drug network allegedly tied to former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has taken a plea deal in the U.S.
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey loses bid to enter Canada for World Cup
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A Federal Court judge has dismissed Thomas Partey's bid for emergency relief after Canada denied the Ghanaian midfielder entry for the FIFA World Cup.
Initial probe finds 'electrical non-compliances' at B.C. water park where 12 were injured
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Criminality not suspected after 12 kids sent to hospital in electrical incident at B.C. water park
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'Time for change' on children's social media - EU chief
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EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned it was "time for change" on children's access to social media as a new survey showed their exposure to violence, hate speech and other harmful content online.
Russian warship fired warning shots near U.K.-registered yacht in English Channel
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A Russian warship fired warning shots near a U.K.-registered pleasure yacht in the English Channel on Tuesday, authorities said, an incident that caused no damage but illustrated heightened tensions between the two countries.
11-year-old dies in suspected drowning during school field trip near Medicine Hat, Alta.
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An 11-year-old child has died of a suspected drowning during a field trip to a regional park near Medicine Hat, Alta., on Monday. That led to a shutdown of pools across the city the following day.
Pope prays for parents mourning loss of child in Day for Life Message
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Pope Leo XIV offers prayers and encouragement to parents grieving the loss of a child in a Message for the 2026 Day for Life, highlighting the dignity of every human life from conception.
From The Gambia to the Canary Islands: Ousman’s journey
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During his visit to the Canary Islands, Pope Leo met with hundreds of migrants in the port of Arguineguín. Among them was Ousman, a 38-year-old father from The Gambia. This is his story.
McAleese criticises use of Irish flags to intimidate
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Former president Mary McAleese has criticised the use of the Irish flag to intimidate and compared it with the experiences of some Irish people who emigrated to the US and the UK.
Russian ship fires warning shots at yacht near UK waters
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Sailors on a Russian warship have fired warning shots at a UK-registered yacht that came near it in the English Channel.
Court grants Irish Times access to Ramamoorthy references
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The Court of Appeal has granted the Irish Times access to character references filed on behalf of a one-time government adviser convicted of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old boy.
Hundreds of families return home after crews bring West Kelowna, B.C., wildfire under control
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The Grammys add 5 new categories, announce changes to best new artist
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The academy on Tuesday announced the addition of best Asian pop music performance, best traditional pop vocal performance and best Latin categories, plus changes to the R&B and folk categories. The Grammys will also now allow artists to submit in the best new artist category four times, up from three.
Man tracked using 'find phone' feature jailed for theft
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A man with 117 previous convictions has been jailed for stealing an iPhone after gardaí used the "find my phone" feature to track him down.
Cardinal Napier: The Church must stand with “the widow, the orphan and the stranger” amid South Africa’s migration tensions
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Speaking to Vatican News after a social cohesion dialogue in Durban, Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier OFM calls on the Church to defend migrants and refugees, promote dialogue, and pray for peace as anti-migrant tensions escalate across South Africa.
Hero's welcome as GAA superfan visits every Donegal club
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A Donegal GAA fan with additional needs has completed the final leg of a journey that began two years ago - visiting every one of the 40 clubs in the north west county.
How Will The Social Media Ban Change Children’s Lives?
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Education secretary joins Newscast to discuss social media ban for under-16s.
Work officially begins on National Cricket Centre
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Work has officially begun on the construction of the National Cricket Centre at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin.
There is an emerging pattern around the country of breaches of the public-only consultant contract, the Dáil has heard.
Galway plant sales firm owed Revenue more than €106m
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A Co Galway plant sales company was found to owe Revenue more than €106.6m following an investigation by the tax authority.
Pico: 'I think I've always been a dreamer'
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Pico Lopes is still walking on air after starring in Cape Verde's stirring performance to shut out Spain at the World Cup on Monday, but there's little time for the Shamrock Rovers defender to take it all in with the games coming thick and fast.
Rome Safeguarding Dialogues advance efforts to protect minors and end abuse
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Rome Safeguarding Dialogues open a new chapter in collaboration for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons with the commitment to continued collaboration and concrete measures to strengthen protection across the Church.
Russian artist critical of Putin shot dead in Poland
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Polish police are investigating the murder of a Russian artist known for his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lee says dialogue, encounter essential paths toward peace: report
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday described dialogue and encounter as essential paths toward peace, highlighting South Koreans' longing for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. The president made the remarks in an exclusive statement released to Fides News Agency, the Vatican's news agency, on the theme of World Youth Day 2027, which is set to be hosted by Korea next year. Lee "presented dialogue and encounter as essential paths toward peace," the news agency reported. "Our peninsula remains divided, and we understand deeply the longing for reconciliation and lasting peace," he was quoted as saying. He noted that World Youth Day's focus on encounter and dialogue speaks to a universal truth, saying, "Peace begins when people meet, listen to one another and recognize their shared humanity." Noting the ongoing division of the Korean Peninsula, the president added, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula and peace in the wider world are deeply connected." The president highlighted that Korea looks forward "with great anticipation" to welcoming Pope Leo XIV, noting his pr
Asian Games goes digital: Virtual taekwondo added for 2026
Virtual taekwondo is officially heading to the Asian Games, marking a major milestone for the digital discipline just days after a high-profile showcase in Italy. World Taekwondo announced Monday that virtual taekwondo has been added to the official program for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The inclusion was ratified by the Asian Games Organizing Committee Board and approved by the Olympic Council of Asia. The Asian Games competition is scheduled for Oct. 2 at the Toyohashi City General Gymnasium in Japan. It will feature a 16-player, single-elimination bracket open to male and female athletes between the ages of 17 and 35. Unlike traditional taekwondo, the technology-driven format is designed to remove traditional barriers such as weight class, age and gender. By focusing on technique and speed rather than raw physical force, it creates a structure that allows diverse athletes to compete on even terms. Competitors face off in a 4-by-4-meter physical space wearing VR headsets and five motion sensors on their upper bodies, knees and lower legs. Real-time motion-tracking technology t
Lee arrives at Geneva Airport for G7 summit in France
President Lee Jae Myung arrived at Geneva Airport on Tuesday en route to Evian-les-Bains, France, to attend a Group of Seven (G7) summit. France is the final leg of the president's European trip, his first visit to the region since taking office a year earlier. Lee was scheduled to attend G7 sessions in Evian later in the day and again Wednesday as the leader of an invited partner nation. The summit is expected to address a wide range of issues, including the wars in Ukraine and Iran, global financial instability and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). Lee will return home Wednesday, wrapping up his 10-day Europe trip.
Kim Si-woo seeking major success at US Open in midst of best PGA Tour season
Enjoying the best season of his career on the PGA Tour, Kim Si-woo will tee off at the third major tournament of the season in search of elusive success on the game's biggest stages. Kim will be one of three Koreans in the field at the U.S. Open starting Thursday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Kim, a four-time PGA Tour winner, is the top-ranked Korean player at No. 18, the highest position of his career. He has set a career high with eight top-10 finishes this season in 16 starts, including a pair of runner-up showings. Kim is No. 4 in the FedEx Cup points standings, the only player inside the top five without a victory in 2026. The 30-year-old has mostly been a non-factor at majors throughout his career, with just one top-10 finish in 36 appearances. This will be his 10th U.S. Open start, and his best performance to date came in his debut in 2017, when he tied for 13th at Erin Hills. He has missed the cut four times at the U.S. Open. The two other Koreans teeing off this week will be Im Sung-jae and Tom Kim. Im will make his ninth consecutive U.S. Open start. He h
Korea, UAE discuss energy supply ties amid supply chain uncertainties
Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) discussed strategic cooperation in the energy sector, including joint oil reserves and nuclear power plants, the industry ministry said Tuesday. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chief executive officer (CEO) of upstream at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, to discuss the stable supply of crude oil, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. During the meeting, Korea was briefed that imports of the 24 million barrels of crude oil secured from the Gulf nation under an agreement reached in March were proceeding smoothly. The two sides also discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral energy cooperation, including establishing a new supply route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz through large-scale infrastructure projects. Kim additionally asked for the UAE's support and attention for competitive Korean firms seeking to participate in energy projects in the Middle Eastern nation. The industry minister also met with Sharif Salim Al Olama, undersecretary for energy affairs at the UAE's energy ministry, to d
Value of SK Group's listed firms exceeds W2000 trillion
The combined market value of SK Group's listed firms exceeded 2,000 trillion won ($1.3 trillion) for the first time Tuesday, mainly fueled by the recent surge of its memory chip maker, SK hynix Inc. The market capitalization of 19 listed firms making up the business conglomerate stood at some 2,019 trillion won, up 2.51 percent from the previous session's close, according to the Korea Exchange. In particular, SK hynix soared 4.11 percent to close at about 2.38 million won per share. The market value of the company stood at 1,697 trillion won, accounting for 84.06 percent of the conglomerate's total. Meanwhile, the combined market value of Samsung Group, which has Samsung Electronics Co. under its wing, rose 1.81 percent to 2,552 trillion won.
Mirae Asset Securities considers compensation over failed SpaceX share allocation
Mirae Asset Securities has officially apologized to domestic investors who participated in pre-subscription for SpaceX shares, and said it is considering monetary compensation. According to sources, Mirae Asset Securities Vice Chairmen Kim Mi-seob and Heo Sun-ho sent messages to investors Monday, explaining that the company proceeded with the subscription process after meeting all legal qualifications and requirements to offer IPO shares to domestic clients. Mirae Asset Securities was listed as an underwriter in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Form S-1 filing. “We made every effort to secure an allocation until the very end, but due to the final decision made at the discretion of the lead U.S. underwriter, no shares were allocated,” the message read. “We once again offer our deepest apologies for having to deliver such a disappointing outcome to the customers who participated in this subscription,” it added. Mirae Asset Securities had participated as a global co-underwriter for SpaceX, which was listed on the U.S. stock market Friday. The brokerage had initially pla
What makes Netflix's 'Teach You a Lesson' so popular globally
The Netflix original series "Teach You a Lesson" is taking the world by storm. The drama follows the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a fictional government-sanctioned vigilante squad deployed to reclaim classrooms ruined by out-of-control teenagers and toxic parents. It has firmly established itself as a massive hit, drawing passionate audiences across Asia, Europe and South America alike. According to the global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol, the show claimed the top spot worldwide on Tuesday, ranking No. 1 in 44 countries, including Korea, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Highly relatable Many viewers have found the drama relatable. Taking to social media to share the educational realities in their own countries, viewers worldwide noted with a mix of comfort and dismay that Korea's struggles are identical to their own. "I expected this to be just a simple story of bullies getting their comeuppance, but the dialogue, characters and sense of justice are incredibly relatable," wrote one U.K. viewer on Reddit. "Even though it's a Korean sho
Slovakia strengthens its position as hub for Korean investment in Europe
As Korean companies accelerate their expansion into Europe, Slovakia is emerging as one of the continent’s most attractive gateways, leveraging its strategic location, advanced manufacturing base and growing cooperation with Korea in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and research. Officials from the Embassy of the Slovak Republic and Slovakia’s investment promotion agency say bilateral ties are entering a new phase, moving beyond traditional manufacturing into high-value sectors such as AI-driven automation, semiconductors, industrial robotics and joint research. “Slovakia’s goal is not simply to attract more factories, but to bring in investment with added value,” Michal Dutko, head of the Slovak Investment Office in Korea under the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), told The Korea Times at the Slovak Embassy in Seoul. “That is why we are focusing on robotics, AI, semiconductors and cooperation between universities and research institutions,” Dutko said. Robotics has become a strategic priority for Slovakia as the country prepares its workforce fo
Alumni group of Army academy urges gov't to reconsider push to merge military academies
An alumni association of the Army's military academy on Tuesday criticized the government for "hastily" pushing to integrate the academies of the three military branches, calling on the government to reconsider the move from scratch. The Korea Military Academy Alumni Association expressed "deep" concerns about the Lee Jae Myung administration's push to establish an integrated military school comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force, citing the possible weakening of national security. The group claimed the government was pushing to merge the three military academies and relocate them to the county of Jangseon in South Jeolla Province by 2028. "The Korea Military Academy Alumni Association expresses deep concern over the weakening of national security that the government's current hasty plans will bring," it said. "Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back does not know what he is doing, given his lack of experience in the military," Park Pan-joon, president of the association, said, adding the group is reviewing filing damages claims for the "hasty" integration that it claimed may neglect due process.
Lawmakers fight to stop the Trump administration's dismantling of $386 mil. ocean observatory project
SEATTLE — A group of Democratic senators and one Republican, as well as two Democratic House committees, sent letters Monday to the National Science Foundation asking it to reverse course on its plan to dismantle a sprawling ocean monitoring network, with House lawmakers going further and accusing the agency of acting illegally. The Ocean Observatories Initiative is a network of more than 900 ocean sensors built at a cost of $386 million. Over the last decade it has tracked ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, climate change and extreme weather , producing data freely available to the public and informing more than 500 scientific publications. The project was slated to run another 15 to 20 years. The National Science Foundation had directed the removal of most of the system’s instruments from waters off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina and Greenland by 2027 — a decision scientists said came with no warning and no scientific review. The independent federal agency, which was established by Congress, described the move not as a cancellation but as a “descoping” aligne
700-year-old St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague inaugurates new organ
PRAGUE — Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral had its new organ inaugurated on Monday, giving the 700-year-old building, the largest in the Czech Republic, a proper instrument to accompany religious services and concerts. Prague archbishop Stanislav Pribyl was set to bless the organ at a ceremony as part of a mass, with music played by the Czech Philharmonic and featuring “The Luzany Mass” by Antonín Dvořák and works by Georg Friedrich Handel, Camille Saint-Saens and Joseph Haydn. “St. Vitus Cathedral has gained a new voice,” Pribyl said in a statement. “A voice that will not speak with words but will still speak to the heart.” A series of eight concerts to present the new instrument will follow in the days to come. The instrument with four keyboards was build in the workshop of Gerhard Grenzing in El Papiol near the Spanish city of Barcelona. The renowned German organ builder has constructed almost 140 organs and reconstructed more than 90 historical instruments in many countries. Once completed in Spain, the new organ was disassembled and its parts were gradually transported t
Some Iranian Americans wave protest flags, others cheer as Iran play World Cup opener
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Iran kicked off their World Cup in Los Angeles on Monday, drawing 2-2 with New Zealand in front of a crowd that consisted of both fans cheering them on and Iranian Americans waving symbols of protest against the Tehran government. The run-up to the match had been one of extraordinary drama off the pitch, with the team playing on U.S. soil barely 24 hours after a peace deal was announced to end the war that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February. The footballers had flown into the U.S. on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico. In Los Angeles — home to the biggest Iranian community outside Iran, many of whom fled the country after the Islamic Revolution — Iranian American football fans said they had been left torn between excitement at seeing the team on the world's biggest stage, anger at Tehran's crackdown on protesters and concern about Washington's bombing campaign. Though most Iran fans at the stadium passionately backed their team, many signalled opposition to the government in Tehran by holding up pre-revolutionary flags — t
Manager for KBO's best team in June trying to stay in present
Trying to return to the postseason in South Korean baseball this year after missing out in 2025, the Doosan Bears have put themselves in the thick of the race by winning five consecutive series. They have the best record in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) so far in June, with an 8-3-1 (wins-losses-ties) mark entering Tuesday's game against the KT Wiz. At 33-31-2 for the year, the Bears are holding down the fifth and final postseason spot. Before hosting the second-ranked Wiz at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, Bears manager Kim Won-hyong tried to stay on an even keel. "Obviously, we're playing better than earlier in the year," he said. "But the important thing is we haven't even played half of the season yet." After the Wiz, the Bears will take on first-place LG Twins on the weekend. "People say this week will be a tough test for us, and I think every week will be hard from here on," Kim said. "I think we're firing on all cylinders with our pitching and hitting at the same time. I just hope this will continue as we take on some really good teams." In addition to owning the KBO's bes
Hanwha raises KAI stake to 9.04%, becomes No. 2 shareholder
Hanwha Group has increased its stake in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to 9.04 percent, further strengthening its presence in the nation's aerospace and defense sector. Hanwha Aerospace said Tuesday in a regulatory filing that it secured a 6.5 percent stake in KAI, achieving ahead of schedule its previously announced plan to invest 500 billion won ($331 million) in the company by the end of this year. Hanwha Systems also expanded its holdings in KAI to 1.53 percent through an additional 125 billion won investment. Combined with the 1.01 percent stake held by Hanwha Aerospace USA, Hanwha Group now owns a total of 9.04 percent of KAI, making it the company's second-largest shareholder after the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea, which holds a 26.41 percent stake. Also on Tuesday, Hanwha Aerospace's board approved an additional 500 billion won investment to acquire more KAI shares by year-end. Based on KAI's closing price of 154,900 won, the purchase would raise Hanwha Aerospace's stake to about 9.81 percent, bringing Hanwha Group's combined ownership in KAI to more than 12 percent. H
Big Mac shock in Mexico: A reporter's World Cup reality
My first meal in Mexico got off to a rough start. After arriving in Guadalajara on June 8 to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I headed to a nearby shopping mall restaurant with a junior colleague from my company. Because of a long layover during our flight, we had skipped lunch, and I wanted to treat her to a proper meal upon arrival. I still regret that decision. We ordered tacos, a quesadilla, a Coca-Cola and a bottle of Corona beer. When the bill arrived, it totaled 755 pesos (about 73,000 won), not including a 10 percent tip. At that moment, my heart started racing to the rhythm of a salsa beat as a terrifying thought crossed my mind: What if the company refuses to reimburse this expense? Determined to repent for my extravagance, I vowed to survive on the instant noodles and microwavable rice meals I had brought from Korea. Then I found a lifeline. At a traditional market in Zapopan — Zona de Fondas Mercado Municipal de Zapopan — tacos were selling for just 15 pesos (about 1,450 won) each. Delighted, I bought four of them for roughly 5,800 won. A few days later, I went on a quest to c
Weak won fuels demand for dollar-denominated insurance, but FX risks persist
When a life insurance agent recommended a dollar-denominated annuity earlier this month as a way to benefit from strong U.S. currency, a Seoul office worker immediately signed up, attracted by the prospect of tax-free returns and potential foreign exchange gains. Soon after, however, the worker found himself scouring online forums, questioning whether undisclosed fees and future currency swings could erode the promised benefits. “Since the first premium has not yet been collected, I’d like to cancel the policy if there are major drawbacks that weren’t fully explained to me," he wrote on Blind, an anonymous community app. His concerns highlight the double-edged nature of dollar-denominated insurance products: A stronger greenback can enhance returns, but currency fluctuations can also magnify costs and reduce eventual payouts. Demand for U.S. dollar-denominated insurance products has jumped this year as the Korean won continues to trade at historically weak levels against the dollar. Under these policies, both premiums and payouts are made in dollars. They typically offer higher retu
2026 World Cup hydration breaks turn into ad breaks as criticism mounts
FIFA’s newly introduced hydration break system for the 2026 World Cup is increasingly coming under fire, as criticism mounts that the breaks have essentially become cash-grab opportunities for broadcasters to air advertisements. British daily The Guardian reported Monday that a broadcasting mishap occurred during the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, when U.S. broadcaster Fox cut to advertisements during a hydration break and failed to return to the game in time, resulting in viewers missing 10 seconds of play after the match resumed. Hydration breaks were first used at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when temperatures during matches rose above 32 degrees Celsius. At this year’s World Cup, FIFA decided to introduce three-minute breaks in each half of every match, regardless of the temperature, as a measure to protect players. But the breaks soon came under a critical gaze when broadcasters began using the breaks to air commercials. By simple math, three-minute breaks in each half amount to six minutes per match. Multiplied by 104, the total number of games, that adds up
Iranian official says end of war includes end of Israel’s occupation of Lebanon, state TV reports
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s top diplomat was quoted as saying Tuesday that the end of the Iran war included the end of Israel’s occupation of Lebanon. Iranian state television quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi making the comment to foreign diplomats in a briefing. It did not air the remarks, but put them in an on-screen graphic. It also quoted Araghchi as saying that Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran. It remains unclear what is in the interim agreement as it has yet to be released publicly in full.
Korea in consultations with US, Iran on Hormuz transit following peace deal
Korea has begun consultations with the United States, Iran and other relevant countries regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz following the signing of a preliminary deal aimed at ending the monthslong war in the Middle East, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf inked the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would extend the countries' ceasefire for 60 days, during which negotiations will take place to address nuclear and other issues to reach a final peace deal. A large number of vessels, including two dozen Korea-linked ships, have been stranded in the waterway, which Iran has effectively choked off with threats of missile and drone strikes amid the war. "We are assessing the details related to maritime transit and have begun necessary communication with relevant countries, including the U.S. and Iran," ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a regular press briefing. According to Park, the government is closely monitoring a range of factor
Seventeen's The8, Vernon to launch new unit V8 with debut EP
The8 and Vernon, both members of K-pop boy group Seventeen, will debut a new subunit, V8, later this month, the group's agency, Pledis Entertainment, said Tuesday. The duo will release its first EP, "V8," on June 29 as the group's sixth official unit following BSS, Jeonghan x Wonwoo, Hoshi x Woozi, S.Coups x Mingyu and DK x Seungkwan. The album explores themes of recovery and growth discovered through wandering and confusion from the past, the agency said. It will feature eight tracks, including lead single "singasong," an electronic song rooted in hyperpop, and co-composed by German DJ and producer Mechatok alongside the two members. Other tracks include "Friend," "Beat," "Mia," "Coloring," "girlsnboys," "8DM" and the digital-only "rat race." "Girlsnboys" was written, composed and produced by Pharrell Williams, a 14-time Grammy Award winner, with longtime Seventeen collaborator and producer Bumzu also contributing to the track. V8 will hold its first standalone concerts on July 11-12 at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang, west of Seoul, in what will be the first Seventeen unit show t
Prospects of US-Iran deal open door for Korean builders, tech firms
The prospects for a peace deal between the United States and Iran are raising hopes for Korean firms to participate in postwar reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country, with opportunities spanning the construction, energy and consumer electronics sectors. It is said that the Donald Trump administration plans to ease sanctions on Iran and also create a $300 billion investment fund to support the country's economic recovery. Should sanctions be eased, Iran's infrastructure and domestic economy could see renewed growth, creating opportunities for Korean companies to return to a market they once actively served. According to industry officials, major Korean construction companies, energy firms and consumer goods companies are reviewing potential opportunities linked to Iran’s reconstruction. The International Energy Agency said key energy assets had been damaged in more than 40 locations across nine countries, while independent research company Rystad Energy estimated the reconstruction market to be worth as much as $58 billion. Given their extensive track record in the region,
Jeju Forum seeks to invite North Korean UNESCO official to participate remotely
The organizers of the Jeju Forum, an annual event held in Jeju Island on themes of peace, are seeking to invite a North Korean UNESCO official to participate remotely in this year's edition, which is set to take place next week. If realized, the official will become the first North Korean to take part in the South Korean-hosted forum since its launch in 2001. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification, the forum organizers are working to invite Chang Gwang-chol, chief of the Education Policy Section at UNESCO’s Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, as a speaker for a session titled “UNESCO and the Future of Education: Challenges and Prospects” on June 26. The unification ministry said forum organizers had filed a notification in advance to communicate with Chang. Under South Korean law, contact with North Korean nationals requires prior approval from the unification ministry, even if the communication is related to participation in an academic or international event. “The organizers submitted the contact report in advance, and we a
State auditor considering accounting audit of election watchdog over ballot shortages
The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) is considering conducting a financial audit of the embattled National Election Commission (NEC) that has been under massive criticism over ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections, sources said Tuesday. The state auditor is cautiously weighing the accounting audit option, while monitoring the progress of joint police and prosecution investigations, as well as a parliamentary probe, the sources said. The election watchdog is an independent constitutional organization that is not subject to a full-fledged performance audit, a measure aimed at shielding the agency from political influence. But an accounting audit is deemed permissible because it carries no political implications. Should an accounting audit happen, it is expected to focus on whether the budget for printing ballot papers was appropriately allocated and executed. It could also help determine where the responsibilities lie for the shortages. "We're monitoring the situation while looking into various possibilities," a BAI official said. Calls have been mounting for the NEC's dismantle
UN secretary-general candidates to speak at Jeju Forum next week
The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity opens on Jeju Island next week, bringing together candidates for the position of the next United Nations secretary-general alongside policymakers and scholars to debate cooperation in an increasingly divided world. The 21st edition of the annual international security forum runs from June 24-26 at Haevichi Hotel & Resort Jeju and Jeju Stone Park, under the theme "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World." The three-day program includes up to 68 sessions spanning U.S.-China power games, artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the Korean Peninsula security situation, climate change and the role of local governments in global affairs. A plenary on June 25 titled "Reimagining Multilateralism: A Dialogue with U.N. Secretary-General Candidates" is among the most closely watched events on the agenda. Confirmed participants include Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and former U.N. high commissioner for human rights; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former president of the 73rd U.N. General Assembly and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuad
GS launches AI training program for young job seekers
GS Group is joining a government-led initiative to train young job seekers in practical artificial intelligence (AI) skills, as Korea accelerates efforts to build a workforce ready for an AI-driven economy. The group announced Monday that it will launch its youth training program, 52g ReBoot Camp, in July as part of the public-private initiative led by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The program is designed to offer hands-on experience in applying AI tools in the real world to participants who are facing challenges in employment. It will recruit around 120 participants from Seoul and Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, for a total of 520 hours of training. Its goal is to strengthen participants’ AI capabilities while equipping them with the problem-solving skills required by the industry. “As AI technology continues to expand across industries, it is becoming increasingly important for young people to develop practical AI skills and problem-solving experience that align with real-world business needs,” a group official said. “By le
Lee wraps up visit to Italy, heads to France to attend G7 summit
President Lee Jae Myung left Italy on Tuesday en route to Evian-les-Bains, France, to attend a Group of Seven (G7) summit. The presidential plane carrying Lee and his entourage took off from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport for Geneva, from where the Korean president will travel by land to the French resort town of Evian, the final stop of his ongoing trip. The president has been in Europe since last Tuesday, his first visit to the region since taking office a year earlier, to expand Korea's diplomatic outreach to Europe. In Italy, the second stop of his trip following his earlier visit to Belgium, Lee held talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, agreeing to elevate their countries' bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership and explore cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and other strategic areas. He also held talks with Pope Leo XIV and reaffirmed the Vatican's support for Seoul's efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula. In Evian, Lee is scheduled to attend the G7 summit later in the day and on Wednesday
Rival parties agree to launch 45-day parliamentary probe on election ballot shortage
The rival parties agreed Tuesday to conduct a 45-day parliamentary investigation into the National Election Commission over ballot shortages reported during the recent local elections, party officials said. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) agreed to put the plan to a vote at a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday. The special parliamentary committee will be chaired by the PPP, according to the officials from both parties. Ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the June 3 local elections, temporarily disrupting voting and prompting protests. Last week, the DPK and the PPP separately submitted requests for a parliamentary probe, though they differed over the scope of the investigation and the number of seats to be allotted to each party on the committee.
JTBC files for court receivership as costly World Cup, Olympics deals push JoongAng Group into crisis
A court froze the assets of five JoongAng Group subsidiaries and affiliates, Monday, after they filed for court receivership amid a financial crisis driven largely by the Korean media conglomerate's costly bids for exclusive broadcasting rights to major international sporting events. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court issued preservative measures and a general prohibition order against JoongAng Holdings, the group's parent company, as well as JTBC, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng and JoongAng P&I. The JoongAng, the group's flagship newspaper, is said to pursue a restructuring workout process following the rehabilitation filings by the parent company and its affiliates. The preservative measures bar the companies from disposing of assets or making preferential repayments before formal rehabilitation proceedings, while the general prohibition order freezes creditor claims, blocking enforcement actions, attachments or auctions until then. Last week, JTBC defaulted after failing to repay a 20.6 billion won ($13.6 million) debt coming due, citing a sharp contraction in the television advertisi
US-Iran peace deal unlikely to cool BOK's rate-hike bets
A tentative ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran has fueled hopes of lower oil prices, but expectations for a Bank of Korea (BOK) rate hike remain largely unchanged as inflation risks persist, analysts said Tuesday. The BOK has maintained a hawkish tone in recent months, citing inflationary pressures fueled by the Iran conflict. The U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement, announced Monday and expected to include plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, has eased immediate concerns over energy supply disruptions in the Middle East. Analysts cautioned, however, that the implications for Korea's inflation outlook remain uncertain and will require closer monitoring in the coming months. Even if shipping through the key waterway returns to normal, damaged energy infrastructure in the Middle East could take time to recover, and global supply chains may not immediately return to pre-Iran war conditions, they said. Analysts also noted that changes in oil prices typically take time to feed through to consumer inflation, meaning any easing in price pressures is unlikely to be immediate. Joo Wo
KOSPI climbs for 4th session on ceasefire optimism, though momentum weakens
KOSPI continued its upward trajectory Tuesday, following news of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, though the pace of gains slowed compared with the previous session. The country’s benchmark index opened at 8,696.55, up 150.57 points, or 1.76 percent, extending its winning streak to a fourth consecutive session. The rally, however, lost momentum as trading progressed, with the index briefly falling to 8,540.41 around 10 a.m. It later rebounded to close at 8,726.60, up 180.62 points, or 2.11 percent. The gains were notably more modest than Monday’s 5.20 percent surge. Overnight on Wall Street, all three major indexes ended higher as investor sentiment improved after Washington and Tehran agreed to formally sign a peace accord in Geneva on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.92 percent to a record close. The S&P 500 added 1.65 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 3.07 percent. Oil prices also fell sharply as geopolitical tensions eased. Brent crude and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures declined 4.9 percent and 4.8 percent, resp
Lee grapples with headwinds following local elections as party rift, ballot shortage issues deepen
President Lee Jae Myung is grappling with a difficult political moment at home, as a widening rift with ruling party leadership and a public backlash over ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections are pulling down his approval ratings. These political headwinds prompted Lee to remain focused on developments at home even during his diplomatic tour in Europe, leading to him convening an unprecedented virtual meeting with senior presidential aides in Seoul and commenting on political issues through social media. The unease between Cheong Wa Dae and the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has grown following the party's less-than-satisfactory local election results. The DPK won 12 of the nation's 16 metropolitan mayoral and provincial governorship elections. However, it lost the Seoul mayoral race — widely regarded as the bellwether of national elections. The outcome, coupled with defeats in closely watched battleground districts in the parliamentary by-elections held concurrently with the local elections, fueled criticism of DPK Chairman Jung Chung-rae and trigge
Upstage launches AI agent strategy with new ecosystem push
Upstage unveiled an ambitious push into artificial intelligence (AI) agents on Tuesday, launching a new corporate structure that integrates its proprietary models, an agent platform and a major consumer-facing portal service. The startup announced the launch of Upstage Company, a group comprising Upstage and its recently acquired companies, AI agent platform Timely and internet portal Daum’s operator AXZ. The move reflects the company’s strategy to vertically integrate AI models, agent technologies and large-scale user platforms into a single ecosystem as part of its vision of pushing AI for all. “The launch of Upstage Company marks a meaningful first step in connecting, for the first time in Korea, a powerful AI model, agents and a platform used by everyone,” Upstage CEO Kim Sung-hoon said during the company's media day in Yeouido, Seoul. “We will move beyond enterprise AI and usher in an era of AI for everyone.” Central to the strategy is Upstage’s focus on AI agents, in which autonomous and workflow-based agents carry out complex tasks, rather than standalone chatbot ser
Thai Embassy rolls out events marking 68th anniversary of Korea-Thailand ties
The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul is rolling out a series of high-profile bilateral events over the coming weeks, spanning startup diplomacy, cultural exhibitions, a cabinet-level visit and a business forum, as the two countries mark the 68th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The first event takes place Wednesday, when the embassy launches the Seoul-Thailand Startup & Innovation Space at the Thai ambassador's residence. The platform is designed to connect Thai and Korean entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. The launch program includes a reverse pitching session by Korean investors — among them SparkLabs, BlueTide Capital and the Korean Business Angels Association — followed by pitches from 10 Thai startups and one-on-one business matching sessions. Next, Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2026, with the theme of "Creative Life and Creative Heartbeat," takes over Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul on June 20-21. The two-day public event will feature Thai cuisine, pop music performances, traditional dance, arts and crafts, and tourism promotions. National Assembly member Kwak Sang-eon is
Sungkyunkwan University research team designs crystal for artificial neuronal cell mimicking
A Sungkyunkwan University research team has developed an optoelectronic synaptic device that mimics the functions of human neurons and synapses at the device level, the university said Tuesday. The team led by Kim Tae-sung, professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, has designed a van der Waals (vdW) crystal through a single-step sulfurization process using mixed plasma. The developed device operates under optical stimuli, offering a structural solution to configure semiconductor materials for brain-inspired computing. A van der Waals crystal is a type of layered material in which atoms or molecules are held together mainly by van der Waals forces rather than strong chemical bonds such as ionic, covalent or metallic bonds. The team’s research findings were published online in the international journal Advanced Materials on June 3, under the title, “Designable van der Waals Crystal for Artificial Neuronal Cell Mimicking.” Professor Kim is the corresponding author of the study. Co-first authors include Lee Jin-hyoung, Kim Gun-hyoung, Lee Dong-ho, Son Seo-woo and Seok Hyun-ho.
Kumho Petrochemical invests in migratory bird conservation
Major chemical conglomerate Kumho Petrochemical Group is expanding its environmental stewardship efforts through a habitat restoration project for migratory birds in Korea's southwestern coastal region. The group said Tuesday that five affiliates — Kumho Petrochemical, Kumho P&B Chemicals, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, Kumho Polychem and Kumho T&L — are participating in the initiative in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. The project involves paddy fields surrounding Yeosu Gasari Ecology Park, a key habitat for migratory birds. Kumho plans to invest 260 million won ($172,000) over the next three years in partnership with Thanks Carbon, a provider of corporate environmental project solutions. Under the project, the company will transform idle paddy fields into seasonal wetlands that can provide food and shelter for migratory birds during the winter months, when farming activities are suspended. Wetlands created on fallow farmland are widely recognized as an effective ecological restoration method because they support biodiversity while enhancing soil carbon storage capacity, helping mitigate cli
NMIXX’s Sullyoon reveals health condition after breaking down in tears on stage
NMIXX member Sullyoon has opened up about suffering from back pain after fans expressed concern over her recent emotional appearance during the group's world tour. Through a fan communication platform, Sullyoon addressed the incident in which she was seen crying during a performance. “I think I may have overexerted myself during the dress rehearsal before the show. It started hurting then,” she said. “I put on a pain relief patch and took some medicine before going to sleep, but when I woke up, it had gotten a little worse.” The singer revealed that she is currently receiving various treatments, including laser therapy. She also explained that both her agency and medical staff had advised her to rest. “Both the company and the hospital told me it would probably be best to take a break, but I really wanted to perform on stage, even if only for a little while,” she said, emphasizing that it was her own decision to continue performing. Sullyoon also shared some details about her treatment. “I got an injection while lying face down, and I ended up crying so much that the bed was
FitFlop expands in key Korean market
British premium footwear brand FitFlop is stepping up its expansion in Korea, a market it sees as a key growth driver. Operating through 5,500 stores and 2,000 retail partners across 88 countries, the company is now focusing on raising its profile in Korea. Central to that strategy is a new partnership with Samsung C&T Fashion, the fashion arm of Samsung C&T. Korea has emerged as a key market for FitFlop globally, according to FitFlop Chief Commercial Officer David Schuttenkopf. In an interview with The Korea Times, he highlighted the distinct preferences of Korean consumers compared with those in other markets and explained how the company is tailoring its products to meet their specific footwear needs. "Korea is super important. It is at the intersection of fashion, innovation and culture," said Schuttenkopf at FitFlop's newest pop-up store in Seoul's trendy Seongsu area on June 10. A day before its public opening, the store hosted K-pop stars Nayeon of TWICE and YoungK of Day6, who were invited by Samsung — not to mention hundreds of fans outside. "Korean consumers are amongst the
Jang Wonyoung airport footage: IVE star's behavior fuels debate over politeness in Korea
A short video of IVE member Jang Wonyoung has sparked debate online over her conduct at Gimpo International Airport, with critics questioning her interaction with airport staff and supporters saying footage from another angle showed more context. Videos of Jang at the airport circulated widely online after she left Korea on May 30 with other IVE members for a scheduled event in Shanghai, China. The debate began after footage appeared to show Jang standing in front of an airport employee with her arms crossed and receiving her passport with one hand, a gesture considered impolite in Korea. Some online users also criticized her because the footage seemed to show her wearing a hat and not lowering her mask all the way during an ID check, a mandatory part of departure procedures. Some critics said the airport employee had asked Jang to remove her mask and hat for identity verification, but that she did not appear to fully comply. Comments on YouTube and other platforms included "Why is she acting like that when they are checking her identity?" and "How would she feel if she were that employ
Toyota Motor Korea launches RAV4 with bolstered hybrid lineup
YEONGJONG ISLAND, Incheon — Toyota Motor Korea has launched the all-new RAV4 flagship SUV, introducing a bolstered eco-friendly lineup that features a new motorsport-inspired plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant aimed at capitalizing on the surging demand for hybrid vehicles here, the Japanese carmaker said Tuesday. The revamped six-generation RAV4 highlights the automaker’s willingness to shift its focus away from traditional gasoline models into hybrid and PHEV options. The highlight of the latest model is the addition of the PHEV GR Sport trim, which blends Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsport identity with SUV practicality. The performance-oriented trim boasts specialized tuning to minimize microscopic vibrations and body roll during cornering, complemented by the carmaker’s Electric Power Steering mapping that delivers an intuitive, firm steering response. The emphasis on hybrid technology reflects Toyota’s cautious approach to the absolute electric vehicle transition in Korea. The automaker is well-positioned to absorb residual demand for Japanese vehicles in the domestic market, pa
Samsung Electronics to hold executive meeting to discuss business plans for H2
Samsung Electronics will kick off a global strategy meeting Tuesday to discuss key business strategies for the second half of the year, according to industry sources. Samsung holds global strategy meetings every June and December, bringing together top executives and heads of overseas subsidiaries under the leadership of each business division. The meetings come as the Korean tech giant seeks to expand companywide support for its transformation initiative driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The company earlier announced plans to fundamentally transform its work processes and corporate culture by fully integrating AI across its operations. According to the sources, Samsung will begin the three-day meetings with its mobile business division Tuesday. The mobile business is expected to discuss supply chain conditions and global demand prospects following the end of the Middle East conflict amid concerns over a weaker earnings performance in the second half of the year. Samsung's ongoing AI transformation efforts are also expected to be a major agenda item, with the company seeking to buil
Kosdaq firms struggle with rising workload amid shareholder reform push
Complaints are mounting among investor relations officers at listed companies as workloads surge amid the government’s push to enhance corporate value and strengthen minority shareholder rights, industry officials said Tuesday. They said compliance pressure has intensified due to a series of new requirements, including expanded English-language disclosure obligations, mandatory reporting of shareholder meeting voting outcomes and stricter executive compensation disclosure standards. The government has been advancing sweeping reforms to the corporate disclosure framework as part of broader efforts to upgrade the local capital market and narrow the so-called Korea discount, which refers to the chronic undervaluation of Korean equities. Financial regulators have gradually expanded mandatory English disclosures since January 2024. Earlier this year, the requirement was extended to all KOSPI-listed firms with assets exceeding 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion). Under the initiative, all companies listed on the benchmark market will be required to provide English-language disclosures starting in
Korea’s youngest-ever local election candidate to debut as idol in Japan
A young Korean man who once sought to become the country’s youngest local council member is now preparing to debut as an idol in Japan. Oh Shin-haeng, who drew national attention four years ago when he ran in the local elections as an independent candidate at age 18, finished fourth in the Japanese audition show “Produce 101 Japan Shinsekai” on June 9. The result earned him a place in the program’s final group and a chance to begin a new career as a Japanese idol. In 2022, Oh became the youngest candidate in Korean history to run for elected office after a revision to the Public Official Election Act lowered the minimum age for candidates from 25 to 18. The change applied to elections for the National Assembly, heads of local governments and local councils. Then 18, Oh ran for a seat representing Muan County Council’s second electoral district in South Jeolla Province in the first local elections held under the revised law. However, he finished last with 990 votes, or 5.88 percent of the vote. All four seats in the district went to candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea
6.7 magnitude earthquake shakes part of Indonesia, causing scattered damage
PALU, Indonesia — A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook part of central Indonesia’s Sulawesi island Tuesday, causing scattered damage and rattling residents of a city devastated by a quake and tsunami eight years ago. The strong shaking sent people fleeing into open areas in and around Palu, a city of about 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province. Several hospitals evacuated patients, some with IV drips, outdoors as a safety measure. Images from the area showed heavily damaged structures with partially collapsed roofs, shattered walls and debris scattered across the streets. The National Disaster Management Agency said information on the damage, possible casualties and displaced people was still being gathered. “We have evacuated all guests from the hotel, including several guests who remained in their rooms,” said Effendi Natali, a general manager of a four-star hotel in Palu. “They all panicked, which is a natural reaction during an earthquake, but everyone is safe,” Natali said, adding that the hotel sustained only minor damage. The initial quake was centered
Han River triathlon draws 893,000 as Seoul pushes inclusive sports model
A sprawling summer festival along the Han River has drawn nearly 900,000 visitors, transforming Seoul’s waterfront into what city officials are calling a new model for inclusive public sports. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday that the third edition of the “Relaxed Han River 3-Event Festival,” held June 5 to June 7, attracted 893,272 visitors across Ttukseom and Jamsil Hangang Parks. The event blended swimming, cycling and running with large-scale cultural programming, positioning itself as one of Seoul’s signature summer gatherings. City officials said 25,000 participants completed the triathlon-style course, which emphasized finishing over competition and was designed for a range of fitness levels from beginner to advanced. The festival expanded this year to include foreigner-only swimming events, a children’s triathlon segment called “Iron Rookie,” and a disability swimming competition, reflecting what organizers described as a broader commitment to accessibility. A foreign participant in the swimming event said the experience was more difficult than expected
El Nino bad season forecast
El Nino bad season forecast
A papal visit as peace messenger
President Lee Jae Myung's meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican last week may ultimately be remembered as more than a diplomatic courtesy. By formally inviting the pontiff to South Korea for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, Lee has created an opportunity not only for a landmark religious event but also for a renewed international effort to advance peace on the Korean Peninsula. The significance of a papal visit to South Korea should not be underestimated. As the spiritual leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the pope commands a unique moral authority that transcends national borders and political divisions. His presence in Seoul during World Youth Day — a global gathering of young people from across the world — would shine an international spotlight on South Korea's democratic vitality, cultural dynamism and commitment to global engagement. Yet it is not the prospect of a visit to Seoul alone that has captured public attention. More consequential is the possibility, however distant, of a papal visit to Pyongyang. According to officials, Lee and Leo discussed peace o
KAIST unveils breakthrough that could slash AI data center cooling power
As artificial intelligence systems demand ever more computing power, a team of Korean researchers says it has found a way to tackle one of the industry’s most expensive and stubborn problems: heat. Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said Tuesday they have developed a liquid cooling technology capable of reducing the power needed for semiconductor cooling to roughly one-tenth of current levels while delivering significantly higher efficiency. The team said the technology integrates microscopic cooling channels, thinner than a human hair, directly into semiconductor chips and combines them with a manifold structure that distributes coolant through multiple pathways. The design is intended to shorten the distance coolant must travel, reducing energy losses while improving heat removal. Researchers said previous manifold microchannel cooling systems often suffered from uneven coolant distribution, with some channels receiving more flow than others. To address that problem, the team optimized the structure so that coolant moves more evenly throughout the sy
Conflicting recordings bring new twist to Kim Soo-hyun controversy
A new television report has added another twist to the controversy surrounding actor Kim Soo-hyun, claiming that the same informant provided conflicting audio recordings to different parties before allegations against the actor gained widespread attention. MBC's investigative program "Straight" reported Sunday that an informant who later supplied an audio file to YouTube channel HoverLab, also known as Garo Sero Institute, had previously approached Kim Soo-hyun's agency with a recording that allegedly contained the opposite account. The report focused on police findings related to materials that were publicly released as evidence supporting allegations that Kim Soo-hyun had dated Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor. The allegations became a major topic in South Korea last year after HoverLab head Kim Se-ui released what he said was an audio recording of late actor Kim Sae-ron discussing a past relationship with Kim Soo-hyun. The recording was widely circulated online and cited by some as a key piece of evidence supporting claims that the relationship began while she was underage. According
G7 leaders open summit talks on Ukraine, Middle East as Zelenskyy joins in France
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined world leaders at the Group of Seven summit of major industrialized nations Tuesday for talks on ending the war in Ukraine after more than four years of conflict sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Zelenskyy was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a morning working session with G7 leaders to discuss the war. The Ukraine talks come on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement to end the 3 1/2-month-old U.S. war against Iran. Trump said he had good conversations on Sunday with both Zelenskyy and Putin. “Now that this (Iran) is finished, we’re going to be focusing on that,” he said at the G7 summit. Five of the seven leaders, representing Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan, were huddled in conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the start of the first session on Ukraine. Trump was missing. Macron, too, hadn’t arrived yet because he was with Zelenskyy. In recent weeks, the Iran conflict has overshadowed the war in U
Korean missile maker, Rheinmetall eye joint venture as Europe races to bolster air defenses
A leading Korean defense company and one of Europe’s biggest military suppliers are moving to deepen ties as demand for air defense systems accelerates across the continent. LIG Defense & Aerospace (LIG D&A) said it has entered a strategic partnership with Rheinmetall Air Defence to pursue advanced air defense opportunities in Europe and among NATO members, including discussions on establishing a joint venture in Europe. The agreement was signed Sunday at the Eurosatory international defense exhibition in Paris. The companies said they are exploring ways to provide integrated air defense solutions tailored to growing European demand for multilayered protection against a wide range of aerial threats. As a first step, the two companies are holding detailed discussions on creating a joint venture that would support localized development, production and sales activities in Europe. The collaboration would combine LIG D&A’s medium- and long-range air defense missile systems with Rheinmetall’s expertise in very short-range air defense systems. The companies also plan to jointly develop a ne
Seoul taps delivery riders to spot, report danger early
The people who know Seoul’s streets best are being asked to do more than deliver food. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday it has launched the 2026 Seoul Citizen Safety Guardians program, enlisting 20 delivery riders to help identify hazards such as potholes, flooding risks and damaged infrastructure before they lead to accidents. The initiative, which officially began with a launch ceremony Monday at Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall in Jongno District, will run through September and is designed to strengthen citizen-based safety monitoring across the city. City officials said the program draws on the mobility and on-the-ground experience of delivery riders, who travel dozens or even hundreds of kilometers each day and are often among the first to encounter potential dangers in neighborhoods and along major roads. Participants will receive training on safety reporting procedures and emergency response measures before beginning field activities. While carrying out delivery work, riders will report potholes, flooding, fallen objects, damaged facilities and other hazards through Seoul
Red Velvet sets August return, ending 2-year wait for full group comeback
After more than two years away from group promotions, Red Velvet is preparing to return to the spotlight with a new album and a fan concert timed to the anniversary of its debut. SM Entertainment said the five-member group will make its comeback in August, marking its first full group release since “Cosmic,” which was released in June 2024. The announcement immediately fueled anticipation among fans, who have been waiting for the return of all five members together. The company also unveiled details Sunday for “2026 Red Velvet FAN-CON 'A Day in Red & Velvet,'” a two-day event that will bring the group together with fans as it celebrates its 12th debut anniversary. The fan concert will take place at Korea University’s Hwajeong Gymnasium on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2. According to SM Entertainment, the performances will feature a selection of songs spanning Red Velvet’s career, along with interactive segments designed to engage fans. The opening night carries particular significance as it marks the anniversary of the group’s debut. The event is expected to serve as both a celebration of
Korea expands multilingual lifeline for migrant women facing violence
Migrant women experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking or other forms of violence in Korea will soon have easier access to help in their native languages under a new government outreach effort announced Tuesday. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it has produced web posters in 11 languages to raise awareness of support services available to migrant women affected by violence, including information on eligibility, available assistance and reporting procedures. The posters are available in Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Mongolian, Russian, Thai, Khmer, Uzbek, Japanese, Lao and Nepali. The ministry said the materials will be distributed through 20 immigration and foreigner offices nationwide, seven regional labor offices and local administrative welfare centers to ensure that migrant women are aware of available support regardless of language barriers or immigration status. The ministry said all migrant women who experience violence, including marriage migrants, migrant workers and undocumented migrants, are eligible for assistance. Women affected by domestic viole
Hyundai Wia makes European defense debut with AI-based weapon system, mobile artillery
Hyundai Wia is taking its defense ambitions to Europe, unveiling a lineup of artillery and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weapon systems at one of the world’s largest defense exhibitions as the company seeks a bigger role in the continent’s military modernization drive. The company said Tuesday it is participating for the first time in Eurosatory 2026, a major international defense exhibition being held from Sunday through Thursday at the Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre in Paris. More than 2,100 companies from 70 countries are taking part in this year’s event, according to Hyundai Wia. At the center of the company’s display is a lightweight 105mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on a light tactical vehicle. Hyundai Wia said the system weighs less than half as much as wheeled self-propelled artillery currently deployed by the Korean military while maintaining a maximum firing range of 18 kilometers. The system is designed to operate alongside a fire-control vehicle and an ammunition transport vehicle, allowing rapid deployment and battlefield support. The company said the pla
Why Korea’s accession to CPTPP is important
With the U.S. tariff regime and the rise of protectionism, as well as supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, regional and plurilateral trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are gaining more steam and importance in keeping free trade flowing, diversifying trade, supporting growth and maintaining economic resilience. Countries such as Costa Rica, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand either have started the accession process or are considering it, following the United Kingdom's successful entry in 2024. Business leaders of Korea and Japan have also expressed their collective view on the significance of Korea joining the 12-member CPTPP at the annual Korea-Japan Business Council on May 20 in Tokyo. Amid this new trade environment, media reports last week indicating that the Korean government is set to apply for membership in the CPTPP in late June are encouraging. Equally encouraging is that Japan will reportedly support Korea’s accession to the CPTPP without requiring Seoul to lift the
Free BTS concert gift bags flood secondary markets at exorbitant prices
Free gift bags that BTS gave to fans at its Busan concerts flooded secondary markets within a day, with some overseas listings topping $400. Dozens of listings appeared on eBay and Korean secondhand trading apps Danggeun Market and Bunjang under titles such as "BTS Arirang Busan Concert Gift Set" and "BTS Busan Fan Gift." Sellers on eBay priced some listings at about $460 without any confirmed sales, Tuesday. On Danggeun Market and Bunjang, the sets traded for 100,000 won ($66) to 250,000 won. The gift bags included a clear PVC swim bag, an official BTS umbrella, a hand towel set, perfume, sheet masks and several photo cards featuring messages and signatures from BTS members. The photo cards, selling separately for 50,000 won to 120,000 won, made the sets highly coveted among fans. Sellers sought to cash in on the demand. One overseas eBay seller described the bag as "a product that has never been sold to the general public, an ultra-rare collectible that any fan of (BTS) must own." Another overseas seller said the item is "in very good condition as it is unopened" and offered worldwide
[PHOTOS] Fans prove just as passionate as players at 2026 World Cup
Fans of Argentina take part in a prematch rally in support of the Argentina national soccer team in New York's Times Square, June 15. AP-Yonhap
How far back does 'Hipdang-dong' go?
For years, a sign above a side street next to Exit 1 of Sindang Station on Seoul Metro lines 2 and 6 announced that visitors were entering the “Seoul Central Market Furniture District.” Then, in 2023, this was replaced by a new sign reading “1946 Hwanghak Furniture Street.” The sign raises several questions, particularly as an accompanying information board outlining the history of the area's furniture and rice markets fails to explain why it bears the date 1946. It explains that in 1950s and 1960s the area was known as the "largest grain wholesale and retail market in the country" which “prospered to the extent that it distributed over 70% of the rice consumed by Seoul citizens at the time,” and also notes that it was at a rice shop there in 1938 that Hyundai founder Chung Yu-yung first honed his business skills. It also notes that the area was once known for “specializing in furniture for newlyweds,” though now it “primarily deals in commercial furniture,” particularly for the food service industry, but makes no mention of the fact that furniture stores and factor
Election protesters agree to allow sports officials to enter ballot-counting center
Election protesters agreed Tuesday to allow sports officials inside a gymnasium used as a ballot-counting center for the June 3 local elections, potentially ending a 12-day standoff between the sides, the leader of the main opposition party said. Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) announced the deal after meeting with the protesters in front of the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in southern Seoul, where they have been demanding a rerun of the elections tainted by unprecedented ballot shortages at 26 voting stations across the nation. Officials from sports organizations under the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee have been unable to access their offices inside the gymnasium since June 5, when the protesters began the blockade to prevent the removal of ballot boxes that were brought there for vote counting. The vote count for the local elections has already been completed. Under the agreement with the organizations and the police, two members per organization will be able to enter the gym at a time to retrieve items they need for their work, Jang said. The
An American general's statue
In Korea, June is designated as the "Month of Patriots and Veterans," a time to honor those who sacrificed for the nation’s survival and freedom. For many of us, however, remembrance often feels abstract, confined to ceremonies or history books. Yet sometimes, related memories come back to us in usual surroundings. In my case, it was during a routine walk through the Children’s Grand Park in my neighborhood. Amid playgrounds and shaded paths, I noticed a statue I had long passed without much thought: the bronze figure of John B. Coulter (1891–1983). He was a U.S. Army general whose name is unfamiliar to most Koreans today. As the deputy commander of the Eighth U.S. Army during the 1950-53 Korean War, he played a crucial role in combat operations. Still, unlike generals such as Douglas MacArthur and Walton Walker, whose fame mainly rests on battlefield victories, Coulter distinguished himself by his commitment to Korea’s recovery. After the war, he was deeply involved in stabilizing civilian life, supporting concrete and practical reconstruction as the agent-general of United Nati
Bank of Japan hikes interest rate to 31-year high
TOKYO — The Bank of Japan hiked interest rates to a 31-year high Tuesday as it battles inflation caused by the Middle East war, even after Washington and Tehran agreed a peace deal. The central bank for the world's fourth-largest economy raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points to 1.0 percent, the highest since 1995 and marking the first increase since December. The widely expected decision followed rate increases by the European Central Bank and Bank Indonesia last week after the conflict caused economic havoc and rising prices worldwide. With U.S. inflation at a three-year high, expectations are growing that the Federal Reserve will follow suit, albeit not at new boss Kevin Warsh's first rate-setting gathering this week. Officials at the Reserve Bank of Australia — which has hiked three times this year — and the Bank of England are also tipped to stand pat when they decide over the coming days. The United States and Iran agreed a deal at the weekend to end their three-month Middle East war on all fronts and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of world oil pas
Dongwha Natural Maru becomes 1st Korean wood flooring brand to receive carbon storage certification
Dongwha Enterprise's building materials brand Dongwha Natural Maru said Tuesday it has received official certification from the Korea Forest Service for the carbon storage capacity of its wood-based flooring products, becoming the first domestic wood flooring brand to receive such recognition. The certification is issued under Korea's wood product carbon storage labeling system, which measures and discloses the amount of carbon dioxide sequestered in wood products made from domestically harvested timber. The scheme is grounded in the Act on the Sustainable Use of Timber, which promotes carbon storing and other environmental functions of wood. Five products received certification: the Gangmaru line's Jin Origin, Jin Grande, Jin Grande Square and Jin Terra; along with the laminate flooring line Crogen. The products store between approximately 34 and 38 kilograms of carbon dioxide per 3.3 square meters — roughly equivalent to one pyeong, a traditional Korean unit of floor area. Installing Jin Origin or Jin Grande Square across a typical 84-square-meter apartment is estimated to sequester
Seoul Donghaeng Store reopens after monthlong renovation
Seoul Donghaeng Store, a farmers' cooperative store run by the city near Anguk Station, reopens Tuesday following a month of renovations aimed at improving visitors' shopping experience and expanding programming. The permanent store — located on the first floor of the Anguk Building annex in Jongno District — sells agricultural and regional specialty products sourced from small farms and producers across Korea, offering city residents competitively priced goods while providing producers with a reliable sales channel. For the reopening, the city has reorganized product displays, added category signage to help shoppers navigate the space faster and installed new digital signboards visible from outside the store. A companion Naver Smart Store will reopen June 29 with updated product listings. To mark the reopening, the store will hold events from Tuesday through June 19, including free rice cake giveaways for all visitors, a prize draw for purchases of 30,000 won ($20) or more and tastings of local fruit ade beverages. Apple, white peach and blueberry farmers will visit the store in per
Tourists in Seoul trade World Cup fever for taekwondo
While much of the world had its eyes glued to the 2026 World Cup, a small plaza in central Seoul filled up on Sunday instead with the sound of “kihap” as visitors lined up to kick, punch and bow their way through a hands-on taekwondo class. Under a summer sky at Namsangol Hanok Village, tourists from different parts of the world followed an instructor’s count — “One and two, easy, good!” — as they practiced basic stretches and front kicks on a mat laid out in front of a traditional Korean pavilion. Some in sneakers and shorts tried to mirror the black belt teacher leading the session, while others laughed as they struggled to keep their balance. This class came after a 30-minute taekwondo showcase featuring wooden board-breaking, traditional dance and K-pop-style choreography, before the performers waved visitors onto the mat to try the moves themselves. All participants, especially the children, appear to have enjoyed it. Vince Ward, an American from Kansas City whose parents were in town visiting, said he signed up as soon as he spotted the program being advertised. “We
LS Electric to showcase ultra-high-voltage transformers, DC solutions at Munich energy expo
LS Electric said Tuesday it will exhibit its full lineup of power infrastructure products at EM-Power Europe 2026 in Munich next week, targeting a European market where electrification policy is driving a sharp rise in grid investment. The Korean electrical equipment maker will participate in EM-Power Europe — one of four trade shows under The smarter E Europe, Europe's largest energy industry expo — at Messe Munchen from June 23-25. The company's exhibit theme is "Total Solution Provider for a Smarter Power System," encompassing products ranging from ultra-high-voltage transformers down to DC distribution solutions. The centerpiece of LS Electric's booth will be a 132kV, 90MVA ultra-high-voltage transformer. The company has been accelerating its push into Europe's high-voltage segment after signing a 62 billion won ($45 million) supply contract for 400kV-class transformers with a German energy firm earlier this year. Also on display will be a 1,500kVA cast-resin transformer and a 35kV medium-voltage switchgear unit. LS Electric obtained Europe's Environmental Product Declaration cert
Seoul to roll out hidden-camera YouTube series promoting tap water during World Cup
Seoul city is launching a two-episode hidden-camera YouTube series featuring Korean comedians to promote Arisu, the city's tap water, during public World Cup viewing events. The series, titled "Muldeun Akma Eungwondan" — loosely translated as the "Water-Bearing Cheering Squad," a play on the Red Devils, Korea's official football supporters' group — stars comedians Shin Gyu-jin and Kim Yong-myung. The concept is inspired by the hydration break, a stoppage introduced at this year's World Cup around the 22nd minute of each half to allow players to rehydrate in hot conditions. The city says the same principle applies to fans at outdoor viewing events. The first episode was filmed June 12 during Korea's group-stage match against the Czech Republic, in which the national team rallied for a 2-1 comeback win. The two comedians posed as pub staff and served Arisu to spectators, later revealing their identities and conducting on-camera interviews about hydration habits. The second episode, to be set during Korea's June 19 match against Mexico, will feature the pair roaming the Gwanghwamun publi
Seoul to host character game event at Mount Nam
Seoul will host an outdoor game event at Mount Nam — one of the capital's most popular recreational spaces — this Saturday, centered on the city's official mascot characters and promoting the ecological value of the urban mountain. The event, titled "Game Challenge with Haechi and Soul Friends!", will take place June 21 near the octagonal pavilion at the summit of Mount Nam and is open to all visitors free of charge. Haechi is Seoul's mythical guardian mascot, and the Soul Friends are a group of companion characters associated with the four cardinal guardian deities of traditional Korean cosmology — Jujak (Vermilion Bird), Baekho (White Tiger), Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon) and Hyeonmu (Black Tortoise). The event is part of the city's ongoing Sustainable Namsan project and is designed to help visitors engage with the mountain's ecosystem in an interactive, lighthearted way. Participants can pick up a stamp card at the information desk and try four themed mini games, one per character: a shooting game targeting invasive species, a jigsaw puzzle, a trail etiquette game and a water-flow c
Gov't launches anti-corruption training for Zimbabwe officials
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) began a four-day anti-corruption capacity-building training program for Zimbabwean government officials Tuesday, jointly organized with the Korea International Cooperation Agency. The training, running through June 19, is a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2025 between the commission and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Twelve officials from the Zimbabwean body are taking part, ranging from a minister-level commissioner to bureau directors and working-level staff. The program is designed to share Korea's internationally recognized anti-corruption systems and build participants' capacity to design and implement anti-corruption policy from the ground up. On the sidelines, ACRC Chairperson Jeong Il-yeon is set to hold a bilateral meeting with ZACC Commissioner Patrick Tendai Mukorera to discuss deepening cooperation between the two countries. Korea has become a widely cited model for simultaneously achieving rapid economic growth and improving public sector integrity. The country's ranking on Trans
Seoul selects 4 cities to receive urban policy transfers under ODA program
Seoul has selected four overseas cities to receive transfers of the capital's urban policies under its 2026 Seoul ODA Challenge, the city's official development assistance program for developing-country municipalities. The selected cities and projects are San Salvador Centro in El Salvador and Banda Aceh in Indonesia, both for an outdoor library program; Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan for a community fitness program; and Bangkok in Thailand for pedestrian crosswalk design consulting. The Seoul ODA Challenge, launched in 2024, draws on the city's policy expertise — built across fields including transportation, smart city systems and water infrastructure — to help cities in developing countries address urban challenges. Since 2006, Seoul has run 128 ODA projects with 87 cities and organizations across 49 countries. This year marks the first introduction of a "Project Track" for soft-infrastructure initiatives, expanding beyond the program's traditional hard-infrastructure consulting focus. The outdoor library and fitness programs were drawn directly from Seoul's top-rated citizen policies of 202
Korea Startup Forum inks MOU with Indian chambers at K-Founder Network debut
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups held the inaugural "K-Founder Network in India" forum in India on Monday, bringing together roughly 70 Korean startup founders, local venture capitalists, accelerators and government officials. The K-Founder Network is a government-backed initiative designed to help Korean entrepreneurs operating abroad build self-sustaining communities. The ministry plans to connect early-stage Korean startups with established founders already active in target markets, reducing the trial-and-error of overseas expansion. India is the pilot country, with expansion to France, China and the United States planned later this year. The network, launched in April, is chaired by Lee Cheol-won, CEO of Affinit, a Korea-founded fintech company operating in India. "Connecting Korean founders in India is the most important thing," Lee said. "This network creates the foundation for startups that previously had no knowledge of each other to exchange ideas and collaborate." On the sidelines, the Korea Startup Forum — the private association running the program — signed a memorandum o
N. Korea touts economic achievements ahead of key party meeting
North Korea's state media outlets on Tuesday highlighted economic achievements ahead of a key party plenary meeting later this month, in an apparent bid to rally workers behind the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday that industrial output has climbed 105 percent since the WPK's ninth congress in February, attributing the achievement to the drive and determination of workers and factory managers across the country. The KCNA cited the Sangwon Cement Complex in North Hwanghae Province as a model for what the party expects from workers nationwide. The complex, a facility with an annual production capacity of 2 million tons, reportedly hit 107 percent of its daily production target throughout March and met its quotas in the two months that followed. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the plant March 1, marking his first inspection of an economic site since the congress. A local coal mine also drew praise, with the KCNA report claiming it exceeded its production target by more than 1,000 tons. Similar gains were cited in chemicals a
University of Seoul, Hanyang University researchers develop wearable electrical stimulation suit
A research team at the University of Seoul has developed a textile-based electrical stimulation suit capable of delivering both full-body tactile stimulation and therapeutic functions in collaboration with Hanyang University researchers. The findings were published in April in the international scientific journal Nature Communications under the title, “A lightweight durable full-body electrical stimulation suit for haptic feedback and therapeutic applications.” The University of Seoul said the study has been highly recognized as a next-generation neural interface technology that integrates electrophysiological stimulation-based tactile interfaces with therapeutic functions. The university’s team was led by Kim Sun-hong, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Park Dong-wook, professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Hanyang University team was led by Jung Yei-hwan, professor at the Department of Electronic Engineering. The developed suit is a wearable system designed to deliver electrical stimulation throughout the human body, enabling who
BTS concert boosts foreign spending at Busan's traditional markets
Foreign tourist spending in Busan rose during the week of BTS' concert in the city, with traditional markets among the biggest beneficiaries, according to data released by BC Card Tuesday. The card company analyzed spending by about 54,700 foreign visitors who used overseas-issued payment cards at affiliated businesses in Busan during the June 7-13 concert week. BTS marked its 13th anniversary with a large-scale concert in Busan on Friday and Saturday, drawing about 55,000 fans to the stadium. City officials estimated that about 200,000 foreign visitors traveled to the city before and after the event. During the concert week, total foreign card spending in the city increased 5.7 percent from the previous week and 73.3 percent from the same period a year earlier. The number of transactions rose 38 percent from the previous week and 97.3 percent from a year earlier. Traditional markets saw particularly strong gains. Spending by foreign visitors at traditional markets nearly doubled from a week earlier, rising 99.8 percent, while the number of transactions increased 16.1 percent. These figure
Citi becomes 1st to launch tokenized depositary receipt service for private shares
Citi has become the first to launch a blockchain-based depositary receipt service for shares in private companies, aiming to make it easier for issuers to reach investors and for investors to access private market opportunities, the company said Tuesday. The launch comes as private companies remain unlisted for a longer period of time, prompting many to seek alternative ways to provide liquidity to shareholders without relying on often fragmented secondary markets. The new offering, called the Digital Depositary Receipts, applies Citi’s traditional depositary receipt framework to private company shares. Using blockchain infrastructure operated by SIX, a Swiss financial market operator and one of the world’s first fully regulated digital central securities depositories, the service tokenizes depositary receipts backed by private market equity. Under the model, Citi acts as both issuer and custodian of the digital receipts, handling issuance, settlement and safekeeping. The company said the structure is designed to simplify transfers of ownership and broaden investor access while allo
Next generation of climate orators head to Songdo for Green Project 2026
Amid deepening global concerns over climate change, up to 200 Korean students will gather in Songdo next month to pitch concrete environmental solutions — entirely in English. The Korea regional round of the Green Project Public Speaking Championship (GPPSC) 2026 will be held July 25-26 at the University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, Incheon. Hosted by New Era Academy, a Seoul-based debate and public speaking education firm, and sponsored by The Korea Times, the two-day tournament challenges young speakers to combine classical oratory with substantive environmental policy. Rather than simply lamenting ecological decline, this year's prepared speech division requires participants to address a specific prompt: "An Environmental Solution." Competitors must formulate, articulate and defend actionable strategies for sustainability, testing both their rhetorical skills and structural thinking on complex climate issues. The format demands that speakers survive rigorous impromptu rounds as well, where they must synthesize arguments on tight deadlines. The competition is divided into two age
Appeals court upholds acquittals of former officials accused of cover-up in 2020 NK border murder case
An appellate court on Tuesday upheld acquittals of a former senior presidential official and a former Coast Guard chief over an alleged cover-up of the 2020 murder of a South Korean fisheries official by North Korea. The Seoul High Court found former National Security Adviser Suh Hoon and former Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Hong-hee not guilty on charges of drafting false public documents in connection with the alleged cover-up. In September 2020, the fisheries official, Lee Dae-jun, was fatally shot by North Korean troops near the de facto maritime border in the Yellow Sea after going missing while on board a fishery inspection ship. His body was later burned by North Korean soldiers. At the time, then President Moon Jae-in's administration said Lee had sought to defect to the North, but prosecutors have argued the announcement was driven by concerns the incident could worsen inter-Korean relations. In its ruling, the appellate court said that while the Moon administration's announcement contained "rash" or "definitive" language, it could not be seen as drafting or distributing
Singer Lim Young-woong donates $132,200 to help low-income patients
Singer Lim Young-woong donated 200 million won ($132,200) to Korea University Medicine on his birthday Tuesday to help low-income patients, the hospital said. Lim and his agency, Mulgogi Music, each contributed 100 million won and made the donation in the name of his fanbase, known as "Hero Generation." The singer has marked his birthday each year with donations to support the vulnerable, disaster relief efforts and programs for children and adolescents. The hospital said the money will be used to help cover treatment costs for low-income patients at its Anam, Guro and Ansan branches.
Nearly half the world's children exposed to three or more climate risks: UNICEF
UNITED NATIONS, United States — More than one billion children face at least three overlapping climate hazards, UNICEF warned Monday, while highlighting the disproportionate impact in some regions of the world. For the report, the UN agency cross-referenced data showing where the roughly 2.4 billion children on the planet live with the geographic distribution of the eight most common climate impacts. They are coastal flooding, river flooding, drought, tropical storms, heat waves — at least three days above a high temperature threshold, which varies by country — extreme heat, wildfires and sandstorms. The report primarily focuses on the 1.1 billion children who are exposed to at least three risks, with the most common combination being drought, extreme heat (above 35 degrees Celsius) and heat waves. That combination affects some 296 million children, including 74 million in Nigeria, 34 million in Pakistan and 32 million in India. The number of children in this three-or-more category has increased sharply over the past 20 years. Almost all children — some 2.3 billion — are exposed
Europe’s new economic playbook gives S. Korea larger strategic role
The agreements announced during President Lee Jae Myung’s June 10 summit in Brussels suggest that the European Union increasingly views South Korea as more than a conventional free trade partner. The Digital Trade Agreement attracted the most attention, but it was only one part of a broader shift in the relationship. The agreements announced in Brussels suggest that Seoul and Brussels increasingly view economic cooperation through the lens of economic security, technological competitiveness and geopolitical uncertainty. That shift does not mean that South Korea is becoming an insider in Europe’s economic system or that bilateral trade disputes have disappeared. Seoul’s ongoing efforts to secure favorable treatment under new EU steel restrictions demonstrate that economic interests continue to diverge in important areas. What has changed is the context in which those disagreements take place. Europe’s approach to international economic relations is evolving, and South Korea appears to be one of the countries most likely to benefit from that change. A different category This week’
Korea launches $2.2 mil. fund to boost indie K-pop labels
The Korean government is stepping in to fortify the "backbone" of the K-pop industry, launching a new initiative aimed at helping midsized and small music agencies expand globally. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Creative Content Agency, said Tuesday they selected 10 indie K-pop groups for the inaugural "Global Leap Forward Support" project. Under the initiative, each selected agency will receive up to 300 million won ($218,000) annually for up to three years to finance international promotions, music videos and overseas tours. The intervention comes amid growing concerns over market polarization. While global K-pop exports surged 32.4 percent year-on-year in 2025, the market remains heavily dominated by a handful of conglomerate-backed "Big Four" entertainment giants. According to government data, major conglomerates spent an average of 43.1 billion won on music production in 2023, compared to a meager 1.49 billion won on average for smaller agencies. Furthermore, major label acts performed abroad 20 times more frequently than their indie counterparts. T
Korea, Uzbekistan discuss bilateral ties, energy cooperation at policy consultation meeting
Senior diplomats from Korea and Uzbekistan have held a bilateral policy consultation meeting and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in energy, critical minerals and other areas of mutual interest, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae and her Uzbek counterpart, Mirvohid Azimov, convened the 18th Korea-Uzbekistan policy consultation meeting in Tashkent on Monday, according to the ministry. Both sides discussed ways to enhance practical cooperation in energy, transportation, infrastructure and various other sectors, and also pledged to expand collaboration in critical minerals, healthcare, digital technology and climate response. The officials discussed preparations for the successful hosting of the inaugural Korea-Central Asia Summit, scheduled for Sept. 16-17. "Chung requested Uzbekistan's continued support and cooperation for our policies and efforts aimed at achieving peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, and the Uzbek deputy minister expressed his understanding and support," the ministry said. Following the meeting, Chung paid a courtes
Trade minister discusses measures addressing US forced labor-linked tariffs
Korea's trade minister on Tuesday discussed countermeasures against Washington's proposed tariffs on dozens of countries, including Asia's fourth-largest economy, over their alleged failure to enforce import bans on products made through forced labor. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with officials from related ministries to discuss the progress of Seoul's talks with Washington regarding the issue, as well as follow-up measures, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, without elaborating on details. The discussions came as the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently proposed imposing tariffs of 10 percent or 12.5 percent on products from 60 trading partners over their alleged failure to enforce import bans on products made with forced labor. Korea is among the dozens of economies that would face the 12.5 percent levy. "The government will work closely with related ministries, with national interests as the top priority, while enhancing the competitiveness of our businesses and diversifying export markets," Yeo was quoted as saying by the ministry. During
'Colony' sweeps box office charts across Asia
Director Yeon Sang-ho's zombie thriller "Colony" has swept the box-office chart in countries across Asia, becoming one of most-watched Korean films in some countries, the film's distributor said Tuesday. The Korean film had attracted 1,511,802 admissions in Malaysia as of Sunday, becoming the most-watched Korean film in the local box-office chart to date, according to Showbox. Yeon's previous zombie thrillers "Train to Busan" (2016) ranked second, followed by "Peninsula" (2020) at No. 3, it added. In Indonesia, "Colony" attracted 1,062,394 cumulative admissions, becoming the second most-watched Korean film in the country, while the film garnered 347,438 admissions in the Philippines to also become the second-most watched Korean film in the country. The film ranked among the top five most-watched Korean films ever released in Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. "Colony" is the latest zombie thriller from director Yeon. It follows biotechnology professor Se-jeong (Jun Ji-hyun) and a group of survivors who fight to escape a building locked down by a virus outbreak. The blockbuster also stars Koo
Jeju’s ‘Vitamin C diplomacy’ revives dormant model of North Korea engagement
For years, North Korea has rejected all dialogue with Seoul, denouncing reunification and spurning offers of aid. But Jeju Island’s announcement this week that it sent medical equipment, citrus saplings and other supplies to North Korea suggests that another channel for engagement may still be open: South Korea’s local governments. While North Korea has not confirmed the transfer, local governments have long served as alternate pathways to exchanges with Pyongyang, from Jeju’s “Vitamin C diplomacy” to tourism projects pursued by border provinces. Jeju’s latest success could provide a template for renewed cooperation. However, experts caution that it is still too early to gauge Pyongyang’s openness to engage with South Korean local governments based solely on this initiative, despite the glimmer of hope it offers after years of stalled inter-Korean ties. The Jeju deal The Jeju government said Monday it had provided North Korea with roughly $100,000 worth of medical equipment, hallabong citrus saplings and other goods, after engaging in discussions with a North Korean organiza
Seventeen's Joshua to speak at UNESCO headquarters in Paris next week
Joshua of K-pop boy group Seventeen will deliver a speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris next week as a youth goodwill ambassador of the organization, his agency said Tuesday. The appearance on June 25 will be part of the "Going Together — For Youth Creativity & Well-Being" program, a global youth initiative launched jointly by Seventeen and UNESCO, according to Pledis Entertainment. The Korean American will speak on behalf of the group to deliver a message of support to young people worldwide. The event will be attended by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and livestreamed on the organization's official YouTube channel. Seventeen was appointed a youth goodwill ambassador for UNESCO in 2024 and donated $1 million to establish a global youth fund. The fund supports projects aimed at strengthening youth confidence and resilience through music, arts and sports, fostering creative youth communities and promoting mental health. Last year, the group also donated proceeds from a charity auction to mark the International Youth Day.
Korea's first homegrown KF-21 fighter jet has received a flight safety certification from the government, the state arms procurement agency said Tuesday. The KF-21 fighter jet earned the airworthiness certification on Monday, following the completion of a series of tests from April 2021 to 2026, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). A DAPA review committee approved that the aircraft had met all 745 requirements across 14 assessment areas, including electronic systems and aircraft structure. The decision comes after the fighter jet had passed a combat readiness evaluation in May. Korea plans to deliver 120 KF-21 jets by 2032, with 40 initially produced aircraft focused on air-to-air capabilities to be delivered by 2028, followed by 80 additional jets with air-to-ground and air-to-ship capabilities. It will deliver the first batch to the Air Force in the second half of this year, with additional units to be delivered in phases.
Rebuilding Korea Party elects new floor leader
Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the Rebuilding Korea Party was elected floor leader of the minor political party Tuesday with unanimous support from all 12 lawmakers. Kim, the party's chief policymaker, was the only candidate in the election held during a general meeting of the party's lawmakers at the National Assembly. He previously headed the foreign ministry-affiliated Korea National Diplomatic Academy during the Moon Jae-in administration, before entering politics by winning a proportional National Assembly seat in the 2024 parliamentary elections. He also serves as a member of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. The minor party is set to hold a national convention next month to pick a new leader after former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, who founded and led the party, stepped down this month following the June 3 local elections. Cho failed to secure a seat in the Pyeongtaek-B constituency in Gyeonggi Province, where he ran in a parliamentary by-election held alongside the local elections. The minor party also failed to win any of the 16 key mayoral and gubernatorial posts
TXT's Yeonjun to release 2nd solo album in July
Yeonjun of boy band Tomorrow X Together (TXT) will release his second individual album next month, his agency BigHit Music said Tuesday. The EP, titled "No Labels: Part 02," is set to drop July 10 at 1 p.m., marking the first release from Yeonjun in about eight months after his first solo record, "No Labels: Part 01." The upcoming album is expected to further highlight Yeonjun's musical identity and personal storytelling. In his previous release, Yeonjun took part in songwriting, composition and creating the choreography, proving his potential as a rising solo artist beyond his activities with TXT. TXT, meanwhile, is currently holding a special concert series, titled "2026 TXT Moa Con in Japan," to mark the group's seventh debut anniversary. The tour, spanning eight shows across four Japanese cities, has sold out in advance. Following performances in Fukuoka on Tuesday and Wednesday, the group will wrap up the tour in Hyogo on June 23 and 24.
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US says Hormuz to be toll-free under Iran deal
WASHINGTON — The United States said Monday that ships will move toll-free through the Strait of Hormuz under an Iran peace deal signed by President Donald Trump, and insisted Tehran would have to fulfill its commitments before getting any economic benefits. They included a possible $300 billion reconstruction fund for the war-battered country, but the release of funds will be "tied to performance," a senior Trump administration official said in a call with reporters. Trump, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf electronically signed the so-called memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday, the officials said. "The president wanted to sign it personally because he wanted to show his dedication to the process," one of the US officials said on condition of anonymity. But Vance admitted the brief outline deal kicks the thorniest issues — especially Iran's nuclear program — down the road. "The MOU is about a page and a half, so it is a very general document," Vance told CNN. Vance will lead technical talks this week and attend a physical sig
From Epic Fury to the future: Korea advised to look beyond weapons exports
The opening hours of Operation Epic Fury may ultimately be remembered not for the number of targets struck, but for what they revealed about the changing nature of modern war. According to reports, U.S. and Israeli forces were able to identify, prioritize and engage a vast number of targets across Iran within an extraordinarily compressed timeline. The significance was not simply the use of advanced aircraft, precision-guided munitions or long-range strike capabilities. Modern militaries have possessed such platforms for decades. The more important development was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), data fusion, cloud computing and decision-support systems into the operational process. For more than a century, military power was measured primarily in ships, tanks, aircraft and missiles. Epic Fury suggests that military advantage in the 21st century may increasingly be measured by something less visible: software, data and the speed of decision-making. This should be of particular interest to Korea. While Korean defense exports continue to achieve remarkable success around t
Seoul stocks trade higher late Tuesday morning on US-Iran deal optimism
Seoul stocks were trading higher late Tuesday morning, as investor sentiment was lifted following a U.S.-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 145.52 points, or 1.7 percent, to 8,691.5 as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, U.S. stocks rallied after U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the conflict with Iran had already been signed and the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely opened" Friday. The S&P 500 rose 1.7 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 gained 3.1 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached a record high. Oil prices retreated. Brent crude fell 4.76 percent to $83.17 per barrel, while U.S. WTI dropped 4.87 percent to $80.75 per barrel, easing concerns over inflation. Market top-cap Samsung Electronics edged up 0.89 percent, while industry rival SK hynix rose 2.91 percent. Defense firm LIG D&A jumped 18.82 percent after announcing a partnership with German defense firm Rheinmetall to cooperate in air defense systems. Daewoo Engineering & Construction surged 22.71 percent on expec
Inequality in Évian
RIO DE JANEIRO — Nestled between mountains and a pristine lake, Évian-les-Bains, the French town where G7 leaders are gathering this month, evokes an image of stability and prosperity. Yet beyond the summit venue lies a world marked by deepening economic insecurity, political fragmentation, climate change, and distrust in institutions. And at the center of these interconnected crises is a challenge that governments continue to treat as an afterthought: rising inequality. This G7 summit puts “global imbalances” at the top of its agenda, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that the international economy is becoming a theater of confrontation rather than cooperation. But if G7 leaders are serious about addressing that problem, they must tackle inequality head-on. That means abandoning the mistaken view that inequality is primarily a problem for developing countries. Extreme disparities in income, wealth, opportunity, and political influence have become a defining feature of the global economy, affecting rich and poor countries alike. In OECD countries, the wealthiest 10 p
Protecting the First Amendment
The First Amendment needs all the help it can get these days. Many progressives want restrictions on “hate speech,” while Democrats weren’t shy about pushing private companies to censor “misinformation” during the pandemic. Meanwhile the FCC under a Republican president has threatened to use its licensing authority to punish broadcasters over perceived political slights. It is against this backdrop that unlikely bedfellows Sens. Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, and Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, last week introduced the JAWBONE Act, formally known as the Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach and Expression Act. The authors argue that their proposal is necessary to “hold government accountable for censorship and violations of the First Amendment.” The bill would make it easier for U.S. citizens to sue over federal government infringements of free-speech rights. “Evidentiary and doctrinal hurdles preclude remedies even in cases where the government clearly bullied companies into censoring speech,” Sens. Cruz and Wyden note. Under the legislation, government age
The Griffin MSI and Obama center are creating a new chapter on the South Side
We come to this moment from different directions. But today we stand in the same park, seeing the same thing: Something extraordinary is happening on Chicago’s South Side. For almost 100 years, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has been a place where generations have come together to learn, imagine and see themselves as part of something bigger. And on June 19, the Obama Presidential Center joins in that tradition, attracting new energy, new visitors and new opportunities to the South Side. As neighboring institutions that share deep commitments to education, public service and community impact, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and the Obama Presidential Center are already working together to ensure the best start possible for the new museum. The museum will close to the public on June 18 to help the Obama Presidential Center prepare for its grand opening. And then, on June 19 and beyond, we’ll jointly welcome thousands of visitors to this singular place — a place that’s already full of natural beauty and now will be even more accessible. Consider what is now a
Injured players return to training for S. Korea ahead of Mexico match
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — With a couple of injured players back on the field Monday, South Korea trained as a full squad for the first time since arriving in their World Cup base camp in western Mexico. Defender Kim Tae-hyeon and midfielder Bae Jun-ho were both full participants in the training session at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, with the Taegeuk Warriors gearing up for their second Group A match against Mexico. The kickoff is at 7 p.m. Thursday (local time) at Estadio Guadalajara, or 10 a.m. Friday (South Korean time). Bae had been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on May 30 in Utah. Kim picked up an ankle injury of his own while training last Tuesday for the group stage match against Czechia. National team officials initially ruled Kim out of the remainder of the group stage, but the center back has recovered to a point where he will be available against Mexico. He is one of just two left-footed center backs on the team, along with Lee Gi-hyuk. With Kim not available, Lee played the full match against Czechia. Kim n
N. Korea's Kim congratulates Xi's 73rd birthday with message, flowers
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a congratulatory message and flower basket to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his 73rd birthday, Pyongyang's state media said Tuesday. Kim wished Xi "good health and greater success in leading the cause of socialist construction in China" in the message delivered the previous day through North Korea's ambassador to China, the Korean Central News Agency reported. A ribbon on the flower basket read, "I warmly congratulate Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping on your birthday," according to the report. The gesture follows Xi's two-day state visit to Pyongyang last week, his first trip to North Korea in nearly seven years. During the visit, the two agreed to deepen cooperation across politics, economy and culture, pledging to strengthen high-level communication and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Seoul 'melting pot' for global music talent, says producer behind BTS hits
A Swedish music producer who has worked with the biggest names in K-pop — BTS, SuperM, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM and ATEEZ — said Seoul has become a "global melting pot" for music talent, surpassing creative hubs like Stockholm and Los Angeles, as top songwriters worldwide increasingly look to Korea for the best opportunities. "I saw an opportunity that seemed more impactful by coming to Seoul rather than going to the States, and not by a small margin," Alex Karlsson said at a music industry conference hosted by the French Embassy in Seoul, June 8. Karlsson was speaking at "From K-pop to Global Pop: Rethinking Music Without Borders," the opening panel of "Fête de la Musique+ 2026," a Korea-France cultural exchange event held in Seoul. For Karlsson, Korea's appeal as a creative base comes down to access and structure. He said the country draws top-tier global talent at a scale unmatched by European music hubs, while its systemized approach to music production offers a creative framework he finds valuable rather than limiting. "Koreans love their systems, and I think t
10th Korean Refugee Film Festival returns with focus on refugee-led storytelling
After a year's absence, the anticipated 10th edition of the Korea Refugee Film Festival (KOREFF) is back with four major films made in Korea and Europe. The festival, founded in 2015 to bring refugee stories to the Korean public through cinema, is also part of the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention this year. This year's festival will feature two film premieres: “Allies in Exile” by Syrian refugee filmmaker Hasan Kattan, and “A Lighter Between Invisible Bars” by Liam Han, a refugee from Myanmar living in Korea. The program is rounded out by two European productions, “Green Border” (2023) by Agnieszka Holland, and “Souleymane's Story” (2024) by Boris Lojkine. Over the past decade, the festival has provided a platform for filmmakers, activists, refugees and members of the public to explore the realities of forced displacement through culture and storytelling. Stefan Maier, deputy representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Korea, said the festival’s central theme this year is “Festival of Refugees,” or the idea that refuge
KIS makes its move into digital asset industry
Korea Investors Service (KIS) continues to monitor the digital asset landscape in Korea and is exploring the feasibility of market participation, subject to the establishment of a regulatory framework, according to CEO Patrick Yoon. KIS, one of Korea's leading credit rating agencies and an affiliate of Moody's, has established a dedicated digital assets team and is developing methodologies that could be used to assess Korean won-backed stablecoins once legislation is in place. "Once won-backed stablecoins are created, an ecosystem needs to be built to ensure they can be used effectively. They need to function well not only in Korea but also overseas for a proper stablecoin system to take shape. We believe there is a role that KIS can play in that process," Yoon said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "If we can establish a stablecoin assessment system tailored to Korea, the digital asset market can be evaluated more transparently and various risks can be managed more effectively," he added. The preparations come as lawmakers and financial regulators continue discussions on a leg
What to know about deal to end Iran war
ISLAMABAD — Iran and the United States are trumpeting their tentative agreement aimed at ending their war as a victory. But so far there is no word on what’s actually in it. The memorandum of understanding, brokered mainly by Pakistan, starts with the simultaneous lifting of Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports, according to Pakistani officials. The two sides will then begin 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and the potential lifting of sanctions, they told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because the text is being kept confidential. That would leave the adversaries more or less where they where they were 3 ½ months ago — before Israel and the U.S. on Feb. 28 launched their war on Iran, which has left thousands dead across the region, triggered a global energy crisis and shook the American economy with an inflation surge. Much remains unknown, including whether the deal says anything about Iran’s missile program or support for its regional allies like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, two issues that the U.S. and Is
Trump arrives with Iran deal to meet wary world leaders at G7 summit
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — U.S. President Donald Trump joined global leaders on Monday at the Group of Seven summit at a French lakeside resort, where relief over a deal to end the Iran war was tempered by unease over new U.S. tariff threats aimed at France. Trump was met at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains by Emmanuel Macron's chief of protocol ahead of a bilateral meeting with the French president. According to a prior planning document, Macron had been due to welcome Trump himself. "Everything is very nice, thank you," Trump told reporters as he arrived, just hours after securing a preliminary deal with Iran that is one of several issues G7 leaders will wrestle with during the June 15 to 17 summit. They will also seek common ground on the war in Ukraine, tackling global economic imbalances and sourcing critical minerals outside of the dominant supplier China. Leaders wary of Trump Global leaders are increasingly wary of the United States and, underscoring the tensions, Trump told the New York Post before leaving for France he would "have no choice" but to apply 100% tariffs on Frenc
US officials say Iran pact signed, Hormuz traffic will rise significantly
WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end a near four-month war, senior U.S. officials said on Monday, adding that a formal signing ceremony would take place on Friday and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz would significantly but gradually ramp up. The memorandum of understanding has been signed by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, one U.S. official said. After weeks of negotiations, the news that Washington and Tehran had agreed to end the war brought relief to markets, although risks remain given the pact defers potentially complicated talks on containing Tehran's nuclear program. While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough toward resolving the conflict that has killed thousands and upended energy markets since it began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. The MOU will provide a structure for how the U.S.-Iran relationship will operate in the future, said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity in a briefing
Global shippers cautious on Hormuz transit despite US-Iran deal
TOKYO/COPENHAGEN — Shippers in Asia and Europe said confidence in resuming transit through the Strait of Hormuz could take weeks to rebuild and navigation will only restart once safety is assured, after the U.S. and Iran agreed a framework deal to reopen the waterway. U.S. and Iranian officials are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding to end their war and reopen the strait on Friday. Global oil prices fell about 5 percent on Monday in response. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that ships loaded with oil are starting to move out of the strait, "going along the Southern 'Highway,' which is totally safe, secure, and pristine". There were no significant tanker crossings visible in vessel-tracking data on Monday, aside from one LNG carrier, however ships have been quietly moving barrels along Oman's coast for weeks, sailing "dark" with U.S. navy support. The data, which captures only vessels actively transmitting their positions, showed dozens of tankers clustered on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz. Shippers welcomed news of the deal, but are waiting for more
Trump celebrates 80th birthday with Iran deal and UFC cage fights at White House
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump marked his 80th birthday on Sunday by hailing an initial agreement to end the war in Iran and staging a once unfathomable cage-fighting show on the White House's storied South Lawn. Trump had been touting the emerging deal for weeks and the continuing conflict threatened to overshadow the UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants inside a wire-mesh Octagon tried to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission. Ahead of the event, however, the president said an agreement to end the conflict “is now complete." He declared that the U.S. will end its blockade of Iran, and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. Crucial details still need negotiating over the coming weeks, however. Top administration officials and Republican leaders attended the fights, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Polish President Karol Nawrocki was also at the White House. It started with Trump and UFC chief Dana White walking together from the Oval Office to the Blue Room Balcony to survey the Octagon, standing for th
Lee vows to ensure proper overseas voting rights of Koreans abroad
ROME — President Lee Jae Myung on Monday pledged efforts to ensure proper overseas voting rights for Koreans abroad, calling administrative issues in preventing such rights a "serious problem." The president made the remarks during a meeting in Rome with South Korean residents in Italy, part of his first European tour since taking office in June last year. "South Korean voters being unable to exercise their voting rights due to administrative issues ... constitutes a serious problem," Lee said. "I will work to resolve the problem as soon as possible." The remarks came amid ongoing protests in South Korea demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections after ballot paper shortages at some polling stations partially disrupted voting. The president emphasized South Korea's enhanced national stature, saying the country had transformed from once an imperial colony of Japan into a democracy respected around the world, while pledging support for the protection of South Koreans overseas.
Oil falls 5% to 3-month low as US, Iran reach deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
HOUSTON — Oil prices slumped 5 percent to a three-month low on Monday amid a broad selloff after the U.S. and Iran said they agreed terms to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell $4.38, or 5.02 percent, to $82.95 a barrel by 10:54 a.m. EDT (1455 GMT) and U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $80.28, down $4.60, or 5.42 percent. Both contracts fell to their lowest levels since March 10 on Monday after tumbling more than 3 percent on Friday. WTI futures fell as much as $5 during the session. The U.S. and Iran will sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, said the prime minister of Pakistan, whose country has served as a mediator. Trump said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz would be open "toll free" and that a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports would also end, though it remains in effect pending completion of the ceasefire agreement. Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency said the draft deal called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under Iranian arrangements. "With a wall of oil supply very possibly on the way, the
From wild grasses to traditional crafts, Korean gardens trace deep roots of K-culture
The letter “K” seems to be used everywhere these days for nearly anything Korean. Yet long before the Latin alphabet reached the Korean Peninsula, there were mountains and flowers and people who lived alongside them. That is why gardening, bringing together traditional culture and Korea’s natural landscape, is emerging as a new language of Koreanness. The theme for this year's competitions, held as part of the Seoul International Garden Show, was “The Wave of Seoul.” The show, which opened May 1 and runs through Oct. 17, challenged participants to capture Seoul’s identity and cultural appeal through the language of gardens. Winners were selected in three categories: international, student and citizen. Although they each presented interpretations of their own, all the participants agreed that their inspiration came from Korea’s landscapes and traditional culture. Putting overlooked wild grasses center stage Gardening is increasingly becoming less confined to landscape specialists and more accessible as a hobby for ordinary citizens. The winners of the citizen category, Cho Ki
Lee welcomes US-Iran ceasefire deal, hopes for resumption of safe Hormuz shipping
SEOUL/ROME — President Lee Jae Myung on Monday welcomed a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope it will help restore regional stability and allow vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to resume safe operations. In a post on X, Lee described the agreement as "an important step" toward resolving a situation the international community has long sought to address and praised U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the parties involved and other relevant countries. "Through this agreement, I look forward to the swift restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East, and the establishment of a foundation for the safety and prosperity of the people of the region," Lee said in the post written while visiting Italy, part of his first European tour since taking office in June last year. He also expressed hope that global energy supplies will stabilize and that all vessels, including Korean ships and sailors affected by navigation restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, will be able to safely resume operations as so
A reporter's quest for rare 'Sonny cup' in Mexico
Son Heung-min’s popularity has surpassed that of David Beckham, at least in the World Cup host city of Guadalajara, Mexico. The proof was not found in a poll or a marketing report, but on McDonald’s shelves. Among the collectible cups featuring some of football’s biggest names, the Korean national team captain’s edition was the one that kept selling out. At 11 a.m. Saturday, I headed to a McDonald’s near where I was staying with one goal in mind. I wanted to secure a "Sonny cup." My motives were not exactly noble. I had heard that the Son edition had not been released in Korea, which made it seem worth collecting and reselling before I had even seen one. I quickly did the math. If I could buy one in Mexico and resell it on secondhand marketplace app Karrot Market, it might help with household finances. As a father of two young children, I allowed myself to call it household budgeting. The cup's absence in Korea appeared to stem from local advertising arrangements. Son is the commercial face of Domino’s Pizza in Korea, which likely made it difficult for McDonald’s, a rival
FBI says it foiled a plot to attack UFC event at White House
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Law enforcement officials disrupted a planned attack targeting the UFC show staged at the White House this past weekend, according to court papers unsealed Tuesday and a social media post from FBI Director Kash Patel.
37-year-old convicted in 2006 Sask. fatal stabbing receives maximum youth sentence of 7 years
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The now-37-year-old was sentenced to four years in custody followed by three years of supervision.
Paddington musical set for Broadway debut
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The production will launch in the US at New York's Al Hirschfeld Theatre in March 2027.
Dáil debates Sinn Féin abortion bill on three-day wait
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TDs have debated the Sinn Féin motion to remove the three-day mandatory wait for an abortion ahead of tomorrow's Dáil vote.
SF confident abortion legislation will pass in Dáil
Sinn Féin has expressed confidence that its legislation to remove the mandatory three-day wait period for abortion in early pregnancy will pass through the Dáil.
'Brave' man punched Parnell Square accused, court told
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A man described as "extraordinarily brave," has told the Central criminal Court he punched another man who was trying to cut little children with a knife on Parnell Square in November 2023, as he needed to be "put down".
Joint declaration signed in Geneva against use of AI in warfare
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The World Council of Churches is among the 226 signatories of a document calling on technology companies and governments to “cease supplying” artificial intelligence systems for use in the “military kill chain” and to “take all necessary measures” to prevent violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
AI to be used to identify plants at risk of extinction
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AI has been identified as a potential turning point in the "race against extinction" faced by botanists trying to save plants.
Aughinish probe will not overshadow EU presidency - Burke
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has insisted the start of Ireland's EU presidency on 1 July is not a deadline for when the initial investigation into the Aughinish Alumina controversy must provide answers.
Swedish man jailed for four years for coercing wife into sex with 120 men
The 61-year-old was found to have coerced his wife into sexual acts with men he found online in exchange for payment.
Hungary's MPs block return of Orbán, limiting rule of PM to eight years
The vote fulfils a promise by new PM Péter Magyar to stop his predecessor from becoming prime minister again.
'Borgo Dialogues' launched in Castel Gandolfo
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The 'Borgo Dialogues', a new international forum for dialogue on care for our common home, are set to be inaugurated in the papal gardens of Castel Gandolfo.
Hands Off the Arts: Fired Kennedy Center Artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph Speaks Out as Trump Name Removed
President Donald Trump’s name has been removed from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., after a judge ruled its addition was illegal. The Kennedy Center’s board, which was handpicked by Trump, voted to add Trump’s name to the center late last year. The battle over the Kennedy Center’s name comes during a broader push by Trump to overhaul the institution, which is closed for “renovations” amid mass cancellations by artists.
“We, the American people, have rarely been afforded the decency of a public conversation or process,” says Marc Bamuthi Joseph, who was fired from his role as vice president and artistic director of the Kennedy Center’s Social Impact initiative in March 2025. “There were no procedural protocols in the affixing of this person’s name on a national memorial, and so … this does feel like a small victory for the rule of law.”
The removal of Trump’s name “really does mean something. We have been fighting for it since it went up in December,” says Mallory Miller, who was fired from her job as assistant manager of dance programming at the Kennedy Center in August 2025. Miller is the co-founder of Hands Off the Arts, which has been rallying outside the Kennedy Center every week. “This is just the first step in rebuilding the trust that has been lost,” says Miller, pointing out that Trump “is still the boss” at the Kennedy Center and that workers at the center are still being fired.
Donaldson sex abuse trial jury asked to recall visible 'pain and hurt' of accusers
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader, is on trial for 18 sex abuse charges, including one count of rape, all of which he denies.
"Land Grab": Trillionaire Elon Musk Sued in South Texas to Block SpaceX's Takeover of Wildlife Refuge
Elon Musk became the world’s first trillionaire on Friday with the largest initial public offering in stock market history for his rocket and AI company SpaceX. The company is based in South Texas in a city controlled by Musk known as Starbase, which SpaceX has operated from since 2014. Environmental and conservation groups recently filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block a land swap approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would give SpaceX more than 700 acres of a national wildlife refuge in South Texas.
With Starbase, “SpaceX has already burned down dozens of acres of wildlife habitat, is dumping polluted water on our beach, has sent rocket debris into our communities, into communities in Mexico,” says Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, which is part of the lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Elon Musk is using our impoverished community as his laboratory to blow up dangerous experimental SpaceX rockets.”
While groups like the South Texas Environmental Justice Network are organizing opposition to Musk’s operations in South Texas, local officials are ignoring constituents’ complaints that SpaceX is degrading the environment and their quality of life, says Hinojosa. “We’ve seen elected officials take money from SpaceX here and lobby in favor of more bills that benefit SpaceX.”
Thames Water closer to nationalisation after government objects to rescue deal
The environment secretary says the deal does not do enough for consumers or the environment.
Country rock star Jelly Roll and podcaster wife, Bunnie Xo, file for divorce
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American rapper and singer Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from his wife, podcaster Bunnie XO, citing "irreconcilable differences." Jelly Roll had credited his wife for helping him in his recovery from addiction and crime.
Prince George to attend Eton College from September
He will follow in the footsteps of his father, the Prince of Wales, who also attended the private school.
Trita Parsi on What May Be in the U.S.-Iran Peace Deal & Being Threatened with Deportation
The U.S. and Iran reached a memorandum of understanding on Sunday extending the ceasefire by 60 days. It is set to be formally signed in Geneva on Friday. The text of the agreement has not yet been released, but Iran has agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. will lift its naval blockade. According to Iran, the deal calls for a permanent and immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. But Israel, which is not a party to the agreement, says it plans to keep troops in parts of southern Lebanon. “The Israelis are trying to destroy this deal, and they will continue to try,” says Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. “It will require persistent, consistent pressure by Trump on the Israelis in order to hold them back.”
We also discuss how The Free Press, founded by Bari Weiss, published an article last week claiming the State Department had opened a probe into Parsi that could lead to his deportation. The State Department issued a statement just hours later claiming that it had “no plans to revoke the green card of Mr. Parsi at this time.”
“I do believe that there were elements inside the State Department that wanted to move in this direction,” says Parsi. “They thought that this hit piece would help move things forward, but I think, frankly, it backfired.”
Social media firms face €35m fines over AI nudifier tools
Social media firms will face fines of up to €35 million by the end of this year if they continue to allow their AI tools to be used to create non-consensual sexual images of men, women and children online.
Campbell says she was 'deceived' in charity ban appeal
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British supermodel Naomi Campbell told a tribunal, "I'm here because I have been deceived", as she gave evidence in her appeal against a five-year ban from being a charity trustee.
Will gaming sites be included in under-16s social media ban?
A ban is coming - but it's still not clear what it will mean for sites including Roblox, YouTube and WhatsApp.
Man bailed after woman pushed into path of bus on Putney Bridge
A man is bailed after being arrested in the case of a woman who was pushed into the road in 2017.
Giving Ukrainian children hope that strengthens hearts in times of war
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The Secretary of the Youth Commission of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine speaks to Vatican News about faith formation during wartime, large-scale diocesan gatherings, children’s letters to the front line, and personal sources of spiritual resilience.
Monica Juma: Steering global cooperation at a time of converging threats
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Criminal networks are moving faster, reaching further and blurring the lines between threats. Into this shifting landscape steps Monica Juma, taking on one of the UN’s most demanding security and justice portfolios.
World News in Brief: Reduced violence in Lebanon, shortages in Gaza, rising debt impacts development funding
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Although United Nations peacekeepers continue to observe violence and exchanges of fire in Lebanon, the level is significantly reduced when compared to the weekend, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday.
Global fish production hits new high, but climate threats loom
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Aquaculture now supplies most of the fish people eat, a landmark report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals, but rising temperatures and overfishing are putting the future of the industry at risk.
A turning point for Haiti? New security force takes fight to powerful gangs
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Passengers look out of the back of a brightly-coloured shared pick-up style taxi, known locally in Haiti as a “tap tap” as it makes its way along the Boulevard du 15 Octobre in the east of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
UN urges adherence to mine ban treaty
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Countries must uphold international law limiting the use of anti-personnel mines, which kill and maim civilians long after conflicts have ended, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, said in a report published on Tuesday.
Resettlement remains out of reach for millions of refugees
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As millions of people continue to flee their countries due to war or persecution, UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, called on Tuesday for an urgent expansion of refugee resettlement programmes, warning that available places continue to fall short of global needs.
UN officials call for urgent action in Yemen to push peace, reduce hunger
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Top UN officials called for bolstered efforts to stave off rising hunger and foster a path towards permanent peace in Yemen as they briefed the Security Council Tuesday morning.
‘Some question if Ebola is real’: How trust is central in fighting DRC outbreak
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In Ebola-stricken Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), winning the race against the disease requires earning the community’s trust first and foremost, humanitarians said on Tuesday.
Headlines for June 16, 2026
Israel’s Netanyahu Says He Won’t Withdraw from Lebanon, Defying Terms of U.S. Deal with Iran, Israeli Attacks on Gaza Kill Four, Including Paramedic and His Son, Israeli Settlers Try to Burn Palestinians Alive in West Bank Arson Spree, Israel Jails Palestinian American Student Sama Safi Without Charges, Ukraine Strikes Moscow Oil Refinery as Kyiv Begins EU Accession Process, Haitian Immigrant’s Death Ruled a Homicide After ICE Abandons Her at Pittsburgh Bus Stop, U.S. Deports Belizean Immigrant Who Led Hunger Strike at Adelanto ICE Jail, Activists Demand Release of Milwaukee Muslim Leader Salah Sarsour from Indiana ICE Jail, NYT: White House Debated Suspending Habeas Corpus and Invoking Insurrection Act, U.K. to Ban Children Under 16 from Accessing Social Media, British Appeals Court Upholds Government Ban on Palestine Action Under Terrorism Act, South African Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, Who Wrote Anti-Apartheid Anthem, Dies at 91
Singer Bonnie Tyler faces long road to recovery after emerging from induced coma
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Singer Bonnie Tyler is no longer in a coma but remains "very unwell" in intensive care, an update on her official website says.
The Grammy-nominated pop star, 75, was hospitalized last month on Faro, Portugal, where she lives, for emergency intestinal surgery. She was later placed in an induced coma.
Livramento's World Cup in major doubt after injury
England defender Tino Livramento could miss England's World Cup campaign after suffering a fresh injury on the eve of the Three Lions' tournament opener.
S. Korea, UAE discuss energy supply ties amid supply chain uncertainties
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates discussed strategic cooperation in the energy sector, including joint oil reserves and nuclear power plants, the industry ministry said Tuesday. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with Musabbeh Al Kaabi, chief executive officer of upstream at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, to discuss the stable supply of crude oil, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. During the meeting, South Korea was briefed that imports of the 24 million barre
Trump’s Anthropic crackdown sets off AI alarms for U.S. allies
U.S. allies must now confront a future in which the White House can pull the plug on AI sales abroad as it pleases.
High school student under probe for leaving semen and urine in teacher's classroom
A high school student on Jeju Island is being investigated for allegedly entering an elementary school teacher's classroom on multiple occasions and leaving behind semen and urine, police said Tuesday. According to Seogwipo Police Station and the Jeju Teachers' Union, the student allegedly sneaked into an elementary school near his high school in April and left semen in a teacher's personal tumbler kept in a classroom. On June 4, the student came back to the same classroom, where he urinated on
Iran says Israel must withdraw from Lebanon to sign tentative deal to end war with U.S.
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Iran's top diplomat said Tuesday that the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement, leading to the resumption of all-out war.
No reason for Donaldson complainants to lie, court told
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There is no reason for two women who alleged they were abused by former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson as children to lie about what they experienced, his trial has been told.
Airport identity check controversy over Ive's Jang Won-young prompts stronger guidance
A recent controversy involving IVE's Jang Won-young during an airport identity verification check has prompted Korea Airports Corporation to strengthen guidance on passenger screening procedures. Korea Airports Corporation said Monday it will step up efforts to inform travelers about identity verification procedures, including by posting related information on its website. The K-pop star drew criticism online after a video showed her lowering her mask only briefly while undergoing an identity ch
Man calls treatment for enlarged prostate a 'gamechanger'
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A man who underwent a new treatment for enlarged prostate has called it a "gamechanger".
Tuchel's England deal includes performance clause
Thomas Tuchel's England contract extension is subject to a performance clause, says FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
Magnitude 5.5 quake jolts Tokyo area
The quake, measuring a lower 5 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, struck southern Ibaraki Prefecture at 7:46 p.m. There was no threat of a tsunami.
Police probe Gunpo obstetrics clinic over newborn's death
Police have launched an investigation into possible medical negligence at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, where a newborn who suffered respiratory distress shortly after birth died nearly two months later. According to the Gunpo Police Station Tuesday, the infant was born at the clinic on April 15 and was transferred to a university hospital after developing breathing difficulties of unknown cause. The baby was later diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
When will social media ban start, and which apps will be affected?
The measures will see apps including TikTok and Snapchat banned for UK teens early in 2027.
Starmer pleased 'justice has been done' after arson attacks on property connected to him
The prime minister said he was "very pleased for my family's sake" that two men had been convicted of the 2025 arson attacks.
Russian artist and Putin critic shot dead in Poland
Robert Kuzovkov, who used the pseudonym Semyon Skrepetsky, has been known for his caricatures of politicians including Vladimir Putin.
Hot mic moment at G7 catches Carney, Trump talking about Chinese EVs
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Prime Minister Mark Carney may not have a bilateral meeting planned yet with U.S. President Donald Trump, but a hot microphone caught them talking about trade at the G7 leaders' summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.
European trade union leaders meet in Dublin
Senior trade union leaders from across Europe are meeting in Dublin to discuss a plan to develop trade union capacity in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Zelenskyy, G7 leaders work to persuade Trump 'tide is turning for Ukraine'
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U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Russia should make a peace deal with Ukraine, adding that he would do what he could to end the war after a "very good" meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and G7 leaders at their summit in France.
Pope Leo to visit UN World Food Programme in Rome
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Pope Leo XIV will visit the headquarters of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) on June 22, according to the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
Serena Williams is given a wildcard to play alongside older sister Venus in the Wimbledon women's doubles.
Architect Byoung Cho debuts as artist
Architect Byoung Cho, known in Korea as Cho Byoung-soo, has long been celebrated for his earthbound architecture, earning him the nickname “the architect of the earth.” “My parents always told me that I should know where I came from,” Cho said Wednesday during an interview at BB&M Gallery in Seoul. “Every school vacation, they would send me to our family’s rural hometown in Sangju. Although I grew up in Seoul, there was a period when I preferred the countryside.” "I especially loved the smells a
University of Canterbury Students' Association admits charge for mass food poisoning
More than 100 Canterbury University students became unwell after eating a chicken souvlaki dinner at two halls of residence.
Injured Dutch hiker rescued from Seoraksan by helicopter
A Dutch hiker was rescued by helicopter from Seoraksan on Monday after an ankle injury left her stranded in the mountain. Local fire authorities said the 24-year-old hiker called emergency authorities at 7:14 a.m. after injuring her ankle near the Heeungak Shelter on Seoraksan in Inje, Gangwon Province. Unable to access the area by vehicle or land a helicopter, the Gangwon 119 Special Rescue Team carried out an aerial rescue, lowering rescuers from a firefighting helicopter to reach the hiker. S
'Daylight robbery but worth it' - what fans are spending
Fans in the US, Canada and Mexico are spending big on tickets, transport and accommodation - is it worth it?
Congo Ebola outbreak could be 'worst ever'
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The head of Africa's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned that the Ebola outbreak in Congo could be the worst ever.
Boy, 5, and mother injured in Kerry firepit incident
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A five-year-old boy and his mother suffered severe burns following a fire at a social gathering in a housing estate in Co Kerry at the weekend.
Newsreader Tina Daheley to leave Radio 2 breakfast show
The move comes just a couple of weeks before Sara Cox takes over the show in July.
In Lim Yunchan's Mozart, the left hand carries the feeling
Pianist Lim Yunchan closed a five-concert, all-Mozart tour of Japan and Korea at Lotte Concert Hall on Monday, alongside Camerata Salzburg under Masato Suzuki. The collaboration was Lim's own idea. The 22-year-old, who in 2022 became the youngest winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, proposed the series to Camerata Salzburg, the ensemble long resident at the Salzburg Festival and Mozart Week, on a single condition: that the music be all Mozart. The program paired two concert
Pope: The environmental crisis is a facet of the socio-economic crisis
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In a video message for the Tenth Austrian World Summit, Pope Leo XIV highlights faith, hope and love as themes that can help reflect on the climate crisis, which goes beyond simple environmental matters, but touches on social, ethical and economic issues.
Austria score twice in the last 15 minutes to defeat debutants Jordan 3-1 in Group J in California.
Watch: California wildfires rage near passing vehicles
The fires in Riverside County cover over 2,000 acres, say authorities.
Watching son at World Cup 'an out of body experience'
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Judy Lopes, the mother of Cape Verde footballer Roberto 'Pico' Lopes, has said watching her son playing in the World Cup yesterday was like an "out of body experience".
World Cup 2026: Argentina 3-0 Algeria recap
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Lional Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina's World Cup defence began with a straightforward victory over Algeria.
Carney announces new sanctions against Russia following G7 meeting with Zelenskyy
SpaceX allocation fallout draws FSS probe
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service is examining Mirae Asset Securities and several asset managers, including Korea Investment Management, over SpaceX-related investment products after they failed to secure IPO allocations despite marketing them as vehicles for gaining exposure to the highly anticipated listing. According to industry sources Tuesday, the FSS initially launched an on-site inspection of Mirae Asset Securities before escalating it into a formal examination. The probe also c
Hanwha raises KAI stake to 9%, becomes No. 2 shareholder
Hanwha Group affiliates have raised the group's stake in Korea Aerospace Industries to 9.04 percent, becoming the second-largest shareholder after the state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea and further solidifying Hanwha’s ambitions in the aerospace and defense sectors. Hanwha Aerospace, the group’s key defense unit, said Tuesday it acquired 3.02 million shares of KAI for 499.9 billion won ($332 million), bringing its total holdings to 6.33 million shares, or a 6.5 percent stake. Another affiliat
'Little hero', 12, rescued drowning friend from the sea by her hair
Tamika and Sofia-Ann were cut off by the tide and pulled under water by the waves at Abergele.
Upstage bets on full home-grown AI stack as Korea pushes 'sovereign AI'
South Korean firm Upstage said Tuesday it will pull its model, its workplace AI tools and a web portal into a single operation. The bet is that a home-grown AI system built end-to-end can compete without leaning on American or Chinese technology, a pitch the company is making as it prepares to go public. The ambition is not Upstage's alone. It is one of five firms the government picked last year to develop Korea's own AI models rather than rely on foreign ones, a push officials call "sovereign A
India blocks Telegram before retest exam to curb cheating
India blocked access to Telegram ahead of a retest of a nationwide medical college entrance examination, after a scandal last month over a question paper leak.
Bank of Japan takes rates to 1%, the highest level since 1995
Inflation and the weak yen forced its hand and made it difficult to wait and see any longer.
National Assembly to launch probe into ballot shortages, NEC reform
South Korea’s National Assembly is set to launch a parliamentary probe into ballot shortages reported during the June 3 local elections, after the rival parties agreed to pass an investigation plan at a plenary session set for Thursday. Rep. Cheon Jun-ho of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Kim Seung-su of the main opposition People Power Party, the senior deputy floor leaders in charge of parliamentary operations, reached the agreement Tuesday. The bipartisan move comes amid growing
Labor, businesses clash over industry-specific minimum wages
South Korean labor and business groups clashed Tuesday as the state wage-setting panel opened talks on a variable minimum wage, a proposal backed by employers and fiercely opposed by unions. The talks came a day after labor groups proposed raising the 2027 minimum wage by 16.3 percent to 12,000 won ($7.93) an hour. The sixth plenary meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission in Sejong focused on proposals to have different minimum wages depending on industry, one of the most divisive issues in this
Riize exudes confidence on ‘Do Your Dance’ comeback
Riize released its second EP, “II,” featuring the lead single “Do Your Dance,” on Monday. The album highlights the group’s free-spirited energy and confidence in six songs that include “Soar,” “D-D-Done,” “Overdrive,” “Like a Bomb” and “In a Loop.” According to SM Entertainment, “II” sold more than 910,000 copies within a day of its release, debuting at No. 1 on Hanteo Chart’s daily album chart. It also topped the digital album sales chart on China’s QQ Music and earned a Triple Gold certificati
Doctors referred to prosecutors over fatal Daegu ER refusal
Two doctors have been referred to prosecutors over allegations that they refused to treat an emergency patient without proper justification, leading to the patient’s death in Daegu three years ago, police said. Police sent the case to prosecutors in April after a three-year investigation into the March 2023 incident, in which several hospitals allegedly refused to accept the patient or provide first aid. The patient, a 15-year-old girl, had fallen from a four-story building in Daegu and suffered
Libyan crypto broker faces removal after losing suit over W94b scheme
A Libyan national who led an illegal cryptocurrency transfer scheme worth 94 billion won ($62 million) faces removal from Korea after a court upheld an order requiring him to leave the country. According to legal sources Tuesday, the Daejeon District Court recently ruled against the man, who had filed an administrative lawsuit against immigration authorities over the order issued last year in connection with crypto-related financial crimes. The court rejected his claim that he should be allowed
Concerns raised over minister's replacement of Medical Council leadership
ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton says the minister's move set a dangerous precedent in political interference with a regulatory body.
Deal may be seen as 'betrayal' in Israel, says former PM
Former prime minister of Israel Ehud Olmert has said that the potential peace deal between Iran and the US may be seen as a betrayal in Israel.
Affinity revives sale of Burger King Korea operator
Hong Kong-based Affinity Equity Partners has launched a sale process for BKR, the Korean operator of Burger King and Tim Hortons, reviving a divestment plan that was shelved four years ago, industry sources said Tuesday. According to the sources, the private equity firm has hired Deutsche Bank to explore a sale of its entire stake in BKR, which operates about 550 Burger King stores and 25 Tim Hortons locations in Korea. "The firm is considering a sale and evaluating various options, but no decis
Number of bookstores in Japan drops below 10,000 for the first time
Japan had 9,993 bookstores as of the end of March 2026 — just over 40% of its peak in fiscal year 1998.
Nikkei 225 breaks 70,000 on hopes for peace and after rate increase
The U.S. and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Gulf Harbour body trial: Recordings reveal defendants discussing body disposal
Recordings played in court reveal residents at a house were discussing how to deal with Shulai Wang's body.
Optimism after Trump's 'very good' meeting with Zelensky
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Donald Trump said Russia should make peace with Ukraine after a "very good" meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, in comments that sparked cautious optimism among G7 leaders.
G7 leaders agree to 'increase pressure' on Russia
The G7 group of leading world powers agreed to up the pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine through more energy sanctions, a French diplomatic source has said.
The toll on Afghanistan of five years of Taliban rule
Afghans are asking the world: How long and to what extent must the Taliban continue internal repression and support for terrorism before the world recognizes the threat?
Sneaking a look at World Cup? Koreans find ways to watch on duty (or don't)
For years, South Korean soccer fans were used to pulling all-nighters to watch World Cup games after work. But this year is different. With all three of Korea’s Group A matches kicking off at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. on weekdays, people are finding themselves juggling work or school, while trying to follow the sport’s biggest spectacle. As the Taegeuk Warriors are set to face co-host Mexico, the favorite to top Group A, at 10 a.m. Friday, fans are once again trying to find ways to squeeze the "Brunch
One person taken to hospital in critical condition following alleged assault
Cordons are in place in Auckland CBD as police investigate the incident.
Jeju culinary travel show airs in Japan
A travel program set in Jeju Island and featuring actor Yutaka Matsushige is set to air in Japan today as the island steps up efforts to draw more Japanese tourists. The hour-long program features Matsushige, who plays the lead in the popular Japanese food drama "Solitary Gourmet" and is widely recognized in Japan, alongside Hiroe Igeta, who appeared in "If You Like What You Hear," a Japanese TV series about chain-restaurant fare. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the Jeju Tourism Organizati
Takaichi proposes G7 framework for stockpiling critical minerals
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pitched a plan for coordinating critical mineral stockpiles among the group and like-minded nations, amid China's tight grip on key supply chains.
Lee to meet G7 leaders as hopes grow for end to Iran conflict
President Lee Jae Myung began the final leg of his trip to Europe on Tuesday, bound for Evian-les-Bains, France for the Group of Seven Summit, held just as the anticipation grows for an end to the war in the Middle East. Lee's trip there from Tuesday to Wednesday comes as South Korea seeks to expand its role on the international stage and amid rising speculation about US President Donald Trump's intentions regarding North Korea. Lee will kick off his official activities at the G7 meeting upon hi
Iran's military warns Israel over attacks on Lebanon
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Iran's military has said that Israel should expect a hard response from the Iranian armed forces if it did not stop its attacks on southern Lebanon.
Fujitsu chairman quits following ‘woman-related’ improper behavior
Fujitsu said it has withdrawn Hidenori Furuta's candidacy as a nonexecutive director in the annual shareholders' meeting slated for later this month.
Iran 'most oppressed' team in tournament, head coach says
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei says his Iran side are the "most oppressed in the World Cup" after having last-minute travel restrictions imposed on them.
Japanese researchers find new ways to detect cyanide poisoning
The study, conducted by researchers from institutions including Kindai University and the Aichi Prefectural Police Department, was published in a toxicology journal in May.
Seoul stocks up for 4th day to finish above 8,700 on US-Iran deal optimism
Seoul stocks shot up by more than 2 percent Tuesday, extending their winning streak to a fourth day on optimism over a US-Iran deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The local currency weakened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 180.62 points, or 2.11 percent, to close at 8,726.6. Overnight, US stocks rallied after US President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the conflict with Iran had already been signed and the Strai
Australia declares possible strongest El Niño in decades
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Australia's weather bureau has warned that an El Niño weather pattern could intensify to become one of the strongest in decades.
Wellington's Johnsonville line to reopen after train derailment
Track repairs have now been completed after a derailed train crashed into a concrete safety barrier on 6 June.
Serena and Venus Williams to play doubles together at Wimbledon
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Serena and Venus Williams are bringing their doubles partnership back at Wimbledon. The All England Club announced a doubles wild card invitation on Tuesday for the sisters to the tournament which starts in less than two weeks.
Kenya: Sisters of Mercy transform lives in Turkana East, changing status quo
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In the arid and remote landscape of Lokori, in the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar, the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy is transforming communities and restoring dignity among some of Kenya’s most vulnerable populations, many of whom are semi-nomadic.
Meet the Iraq player set to make history for Pakistan
Zidane Iqbal, a former Manchester United player, will make history when he plays for Iraq this summer, becoming the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature at a men's World Cup.
China’s Xi backs Myanmar’s president as two leaders meet in Beijing
Min Aung Hlaing is in China for a five-day state visit, his first trip to the country since the former Myanmar junta chief formalized his grip on power.
Sweden’s ‘good behavior’ law to revoke residency permits for legal behaviors
The Swedish government won the 2022 election on a promise to reduce immigration and crack down on crime.
Tributes to 'kind, caring' woman found dead in Waterford
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A woman who was found dead at her Co Waterford home has been described as a "kind, caring and generous" person.
Tunisia sack head coach just one game into World Cup
Tunisia sack Sabri Lamouchi one game into their World Cup, with former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard replacing him.
Japan’s FTC raids six ice cream makers over allegedly creating price cartel
The companies raising suggested retail prices may have affected wholesale prices and raised costs for consumers.
Eight die in B-52 bomber crash during test mission in California
The aircraft had been on a "routine test mission" when the crash occurred, according to a statement from Edwards Air Force Base, which added that an investigation was underway.
Pacific Bishops' delegation visits Vatican to strengthen seminary formation
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A delegation from the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific, led by its President Archbishop Ryan Jiminez, presents recommendations to Vatican Dicasteries from a comprehensive review of the Pacific Regional Seminary, in its effort to bolster priestly formation across Oceania.
Government urged to review paternity leave supports
A men's charity has called on the Government to establish a Paternity Leave Working Group to examine issues such as length of paternity leave, payment rates and workplace culture.
With war likely over, Iranian rulers must face demands of embittered population
Iran's powerful hard-liners and ordinary people both have high expectations, conflicting demands and little patience.
Hyundai Motor ruling expands bargaining rights for subcontracted workers
South Korea’s labor authorities have ruled that Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Ocean are legally responsible as employers for some subcontracted workers for collective bargaining purposes, a move that could significantly expand labor-management negotiations across the country’s manufacturing sector. The Ulsan Regional Labor Relations Commission ruled Monday in favor of 10 subcontractor labor unions seeking direct collective bargaining with Hyundai Motor, recognizing the automaker's “employer status” i
'It weighs on our mind': Midwives welcome Labour's maternity plans
Midwives say Labour's plan will help them sleep better at night, but ACT is unimpressed.
Can Korea afford a 12,000 won minimum wage?
South Korean labor and business groups clashed Tuesday as the state wage-setting panel opened talks on industry-specific pay floors, a contentious proposal backed by employers and fiercely opposed by unions. The talks came a day after labor groups proposed raising the 2027 minimum wage by 16.3 percent to 12,000 won ($7.93) an hour. The sixth plenary meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission in Sejong focused on differentiated rates, one of the most divisive issues in this year's negotiations. Labor
Eyes set on DP chair's future
Public attention is turning to Rep. Jung Chung-rae’s future ahead of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's national convention set for August, as competition for power within the party intensifies. The four-term lawmaker is facing mounting pressure to resign from his post. Jung has chaired the party since August 2025, filling in for Lee Jae Myung, who stepped down after winning the presidential election in June 2025. Calls for his resignation intensified after June 10, when, in response to Lee’
BTS shows shine light on flaws in Busan's event management
BTS played two sold-out concerts at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Friday and Saturday, drawing approximately 220,000 fans over two days as part of its ongoing “Arirang” world tour. While the concerts concluded without major safety incidents, they brought long-standing issues surrounding major K-pop concerts into the fore, including crowd management, accommodation pricing and illegal ticket resales. The most immediate controversy emerged on opening night, when the concert began approximately 75 min
What does the future hold for Rashford?
Barcelona decided not to trigger the option that would have allowed them to sign Marcus Rashford for £26m, so what does the future hold for the England World Cup star?
Majestic Messi matches World Cup record in Argentina win
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Lionel Messi equalled Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals with a hat-trick as Argentina began their title defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City.
Jeju Uprising drama 'Hallan' heads to New York Asian Film Festival
Ha Myung-mi's "Hallan," a mother-daughter survival tale set during one of the darkest chapters of modern Korean history, will screen at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, local distributor Whenever Studio confirmed Tuesday. Director Ha and lead actor Kim Hyang-gi will both attend the festival for talks with the audience, the studio said. The invitation comes paired with an off-screen tie-in: in partnership with the Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation, the festival will host an exhibition in New York s
Department stores' hottest item this year: Their own shares
South Korea's department store operators have become some of the market's standout performers, as luxury shoppers and foreign tourists return in force, turning the once-stagnant sector into an investor favorite. Over the past six months, shares of Shinsegae, Lotte Shopping and Hyundai Department Store have surged 166.5 percent, 146.1 percent and 97.2 percent, respectively, as of Monday's close. Shinsegae stands apart, up more than 300 percent over the past year, far outpacing its peers. Industry
Why Korea's chip boom is stirring hopes far from Seoul
Across Korea’s southwest, politicians have spent the last week hinting that the country’s two chip giants may be preparing investments there. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix say they know nothing about it. The promise was put most plainly on June 6, when Min Hyung-bae, the incoming leader of the new unified Gwangju region, told a forum that the prime minister had leaned in and told him, quietly, that "something is coming." That something, he indicated, was a share of the semiconductor boom that
'10 years of no water': Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., father waits for needed home repairs as daughter recovers from surgery
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Chris Dryneck says the deteriorating conditions of his Behchokǫ̀ home need repair, due to worsening issues and the pressing situation of his daughter recovering from a spinal surgery. Dryneck says with his 14 year-old daughter being disabled and himself being blind, the opportunities to fix the home himself are extremely slim.
A changed Iran emerges from war
In what shape does Iran’s military, leadership and society find itself after 100 days of war and a preliminary peace deal?
Incumbent in Winnipeg's mayoral race has yet to make a campaign promise
One quarter of the way through Winnipeg's mayoral campaign period, incumbent Scott Gillingham has yet to make an election promise.
Risks of conflict, disease rise when homeless encampments encroach on urban coyote habitat, study cautions
Potential risks to human and animal health rise when people experiencing homelessness are forced to seek shelter in the same secluded, inner-city landscapes as urban coyotes, a new study cautions.
Japan set to enact bill criminalizing vandalism of the national flag
Backing from the opposition Democratic Party for the People paves the way for the bill's passage through the upper house, where the ruling bloc is a minority force.
After detention reform, migrants still face locked doors and long waits
At the National Human Rights Commission of Korea headquarters in Seoul, a former detainee at Hwaseong Immigration Detention Center recalled the day he was taken into custody. “Immigration officers stormed into my company cafeteria, stopped our meal, threw away our food, handcuffed all the undocumented workers and took us by bus to the detention center,” he said during a press conference Tuesday. The testimony added to rights groups’ broader criticism that Korea’s immigration detention system rem
After IPO setback, Korean ETF managers rush into SpaceX
South Korean asset managers are rushing to increase exposure to SpaceX through exchange-traded funds, as investor demand for the newly listed aerospace company remains strong. Leading the pack is Ace US Space Tech Active ETF, managed by Korea Investment Management, with SpaceX accounting for 26.41 percent of its portfolio as of Tuesday. The fund had initially sought to secure initial public offering allocations through Mirae Asset Securities but pivoted quickly to open-market purchases after the
Kim Hye-seong, Kim Ha-seong rank high in MLB All-Star voting
In the fan voting for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, two Korean players -- Kim Hye-seong, who is currently playing in the minors, and Kim Ha-seong, who has been struggling badly at the plate -- have ranked surprisingly high. According to the interim results of the American League and National League All-Star fan voting released by MLB headquarters on Monday, Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers has received 345,924 votes, placing fourth among National League second basemen. Kim Ha-
Lotte pushes AI agents across workplace
Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin took part in the group's "CEO AI Academy" earlier this month, building AI-powered services and developing an AI agent himself as the conglomerate accelerates its artificial intelligence transformation. The two-day program, held June 5-6, brought together the CEOs of 50 Lotte affiliates to review the group's AI transformation strategy and discuss future business applications of AI. During the training, Shin created AI services using vibe coding and developed an
North Korea slams Japan’s live-fire drill as rehearsal for reinvasion
North Korea on Tuesday slammed the recent large-scale live-fire drill carried out by Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, claiming the drill was part of plans to complete what it called Japan’s capability for reinvasion. Nodong Sinmun, the North’s main Rodong Workers’ Party newspaper, said in an article published Tuesday that Japan’s "counterstrike" capability is “in essence, a preemptive attack capability.” The paper took issue with the drills conducted by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force on Jun
Doughnut shop shuts down after back-to-back break-ins
The first time, the till was stolen. The second time it was an Uber Eats tablet. The owner is now fed up.
Oldest Birthday Honours recipient is 'delighted'
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Pat Knifton Hough is recognised for 57 years being involved with Nantwich Players in Cheshire.
Why Kante is still crucial for France - Giroud
France's World Cup winner Olivier Giroud explains why N'Golo Kante is still an important part of Didier Deschamps' squad, eight years after planning to retire from international football.
Travel Korea market lands at Paris museum
The Korea Tourism Organization staged the 2026 France B2B Travel Mart in Paris and Lyon over two days from June 10, courting about 130 French travel industry figures as Korea and France mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The opening day in Paris unfolded at the Guimet Museum, where the agency tied its sales pitch to two Korean exhibitions on view there, "K-Beauty. Korean Beauty, Story of a Phenomenon" and "Silla : Gold and the Sacred. Royal Treasures of Korea." Juliette Morillot
Why more bears are entering urban areas
Five deaths have already been reported this year as of the beginning of June, with bears showing a growing willingness to roam closer to where people live.
Nexon CEO says context will define gaming winners in AI era
Artificial intelligence may be lowering barriers to game development, but Nexon Korea co-CEO Kang Dae-hyun believes the industry's most valuable asset remains difficult to automate: context. In a keynote speech at the 2026 Nexon Developers Conference on Tuesday, Kang identified "context" and "compound interest" as the two critical factors that will determine success in the AI era. "Now, games must compete through the depth of context, not based on how well they're made," he said. Kang presented
For Cha Jin-yeob, dance begins with conversation and ends with care
A group of travelers traverses an endless range of mountains with bundles slung over their backs. They sweep across the floor on their knees, shifting from side to side, and stooping under invisible burdens as they labor forward one step at a time. Then, as if momentarily released from gravity itself, they burst into free, weightless runs. At times, they move hand in hand. Moments later, they scatter across the stage, each tracing a different path. As bodies overlap and intertwine, they merge wi
MapleStory enters cinemas with 'Dear My Hero'
South Korea's hit massively multiplayer online role-playing game MapleStory is making the leap to the big screen with the release of its first animated film. "Dear My Hero" follows Aidan, a new recruit in the Cygnus Knights who joins the order out of admiration for the legendary Adversary. The story traces Aidan's journey as he confronts his limitations and forges his own path. The 32-minute film is rated PG-12. Tickets are available through Lotte Cinema's website and mobile app, and priced at 5
Emperor Naruhito visits palace museum in Netherlands
The emperor viewed exhibits such as paintings by court painters and toured rooms and a chapel while receiving briefings from the museum's head, the Imperial Household Agency said.
Park Ji-hoon isn't worried about hitting pause with military enlistment
The first half of 2026 marked a distinct shift in scale for Park Ji-hoon. Coming off his performance as the tragic young king Danjong in the historical epic "The King’s Warden" — which broke box-office records to become the second-highest-grossing Korean film of all time — the actor has found himself at the center of Korea's entertainment landscape. But rather than cash in on that momentum with another heavy dramatic vehicle, Park made a creative pivot with his follow-up project. In the comedy s
Serious concerns about maternity unit raised in NHS report days before landmark baby death case
A previously unpublished report details problems in Nottingham's maternity units before a major review.
Nearly half world's children exposed to climate risks: UNICEF
More than one billion children face at least three overlapping climate hazards, UNICEF warned Monday, while highlighting the disproportionate impact in some regions of the world. For the report, the UN agency cross-referenced data showing where the roughly 2.4 billion children on the planet live with the geographic distribution of the eight most common climate impacts. They are coastal flooding, river flooding, drought, tropical storms, heat waves -- at least three days above a high temperature
Polymarket traders clash over $345 million Iran peace market
Bets on a peace deal are in limbo because it was not clear if the announcement was enough to meet the conditions written into Polymarket's contracts.
Truck fire that blocked lanes on Auckland motorway extinguished
Motorists had been urged to keep windows closed and air conditioning off as the material of the rubbish on fire was unknown.
Internet banks join household debt clampdown
South Korean lenders are tightening access to unsecured borrowing as concern grows over surging household debt, with internet-only banks joining a pullback that started with major commercial lenders. K Bank went furthest among online lenders, suspending all new overdraft accounts through July 31, the company said Tuesday. It has also capped daily credit loan applications and plans to lower limits for high-income borrowers. Kakao Bank, the country's largest internet-only bank, said it will cut th
Medical care out of reach on 60% of inhabited islands
Six in 10 inhabited islands in South Korea have no medical facilities, leaving residents in many areas dependent on medical service vessels, government data showed Tuesday. Only 192 of the 480 islands with permanent populations had either public or private facilities providing medical care in 2024, according to a report compiled by the National Assembly Research Service based on data from the Korea Island Development Institute. Medical facilities as defined by the report do not include pharmacie
U.S. at odds with allies over how easy it is to reopen Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz will be "completely open" by Friday. But at the G7 summit, it's clear that his European allies don't share his optimism.
Woman left traumatised by swinging says website 'facilitated abuse'
She wants to warn others after her husband pressured her into sex she did not want, she says.
Trust in major brands but news avoidance grows - report
The annual Digital News Report for Ireland 2026 shows that Irish people continue to trust major news brands, but are losing trust in news more generally.
Summer flights to Europe from Halifax up 40% as fewer Canadians choose U.S. for travel
Flights to Europe from Halifax are up 40 per cent for this summer over this time last year, which is significantly higher than other airports across North America.
Indian star Anushka Sen wraps filming on Jeju-set romance
Indian actor and social media personality Anushka Sen has wrapped production on "Jeju Olle" (working English title), a Jeju Island-set romance set for release across India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Producers Lucifer Productions and Storyworks said Monday that filming is nearly complete, with the 30th and final day of shooting slated for Tuesday. Sen has reportedly been based on the island since mid-April. "Jeju Olle" follows Alisha, a singer who comes to the island grieving the loss o
Māori, Pacific people and youth not prioritised in mental health support
Fewer people are able to access kaupapa Māori primary mental health services, and funding for these services has not kept pace with other mental health investment.
Some wave protest flags, others cheer as Iran plays World Cup opener
The run-up to the match had been one of extraordinary drama off the pitch, with the team playing on U.S. soil barely 24 hours after a peace deal was announced to end the war.
Labrador’s 1st Innu nurse receives honorary doctor of laws
Memorial University’s Labrador Campus hosted a historic convocation and recognized the decades of contribution made by Labrador’s first Innu nurse.
Wellington's flood affected residents call for financial support to future proof homes
Residents on Wellington's south coast and neighbouring suburbs woke to find their homes, businesses and cars submerged.
NH NongHyup Bank deepens ties with City of London
NH NongHyup Bank CEO Kang Tae-young met with Lady Mayor of the City of London Susan Langley and British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks on Monday to discuss financial cooperation, digital assets and the bank's expansion in Europe. The meeting, held at NH NongHyup Bank's headquarters in Seoul, focused on ways to strengthen ties between Korean and British financial institutions, explore joint investment opportunities with the City of London and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as t
Starmer says UK to supply enriched uranium to Ukraine
The UK will supply enriched uranium to Ukraine for its nuclear power stations and impose new sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.
Russians juggle phones and VPNs to skirt Putin’s digital iron curtain
The biggest crackdown of its kind has at times disrupted banking, transport and e-commerce, irritating people ahead of a September parliamentary election.
Goldman-backed Go soars 21% after biggest Japan IPO this year
The successful debut of the taxi-hailing app provider offers a much-needed tailwind for Japan's IPO market.
More countries are pushing for youth social media bans. Is the world reaching a tipping point?
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With an increasing number of countries considering or legislating social media bans for young users, there's a growing sense among experts that these restrictions meant to improve online safety are becoming more common and could represent a major reckoning for tech giants.
In good news for coral reefs, scientists identify where the toughest ones are
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New research shows more than 150,000 square kilometres of coral reefs are resilient to the effects of climate change, far more than previously thought.
World Zionist Organization removed from Canada's West Bank sanctions draft before release: sources
An organization that works with the Israeli government to help with the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank was on a draft list of entities Ottawa was set to sanction, CBC News has learned.
Five fall ill from E. coli outbreak at Nagoya Costco store
One of them, a boy under the age of 10, remains in serious condition.
Cape Verde holds Spain to a surprising 0-0 draw in the country's World Cup debut
ATLANTA (AP) -- Tiny Cape Verde, making its debut at the World Cup, pulled off a stunner, holding heavily favored Spain scoreless in a 0-0 draw on Monday. "This means everything for our country," Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitão Brito said. "We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team and we have shown organization and braveness and this is proof of what our country is about -- resilience and to try to overcome hardships." European champion Spain is one of the favorite
Iran deal presents political nightmare for Netanyahu
Donald Trump's ceasefire agreement with Iran leaves the Israeli PM trapped in a new political and security dilemma.
Bolivia roadblocks ease but shortages of basics persist
Roadblocks choking entry into Bolivia's main cities eased Monday but shortages of fuel, food and other basics remained after more than a month of protests against center-right President Rodrigo Paz. The protesters are calling for an end to US-backed Paz's economic reforms, designed to sweep away 20 years of socialist government, and are demanding his resignation. Over the past two weeks roadblocks denying delivery of essentials to cities like La Paz have fallen from more than 100 to 50 on Monday
Ecuadorean candidate to head UN calls for body to be shrunk responsibly
An Ecuadorean candidate for the United Nations secretary-general said on Monday that the world body remains essential but must be shrunk responsibly. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, a former foreign affairs minister and defense minister of Ecuador, is among six candidates to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN chief after his term expires at the end of the year. Guterres' successor will face an enormous task of revitalizing an organization in crisis with declining stature. "I am under no illusion about the
‘Feel Thailand’s creative heartbeat’ in Korea: envoy
From sizzling street food and Thai tea to T-Pop, K-Pop and traditional massage, Thailand will bring the Sawasdee Thai Festival back to Seoul's Cheonggyecheon this weekend. Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat said the festival would give visitors the chance to experience Thailand without boarding a plane, and feel its "creative life and heartbeat." Marking its 11th anniversary this year, the festival runs Saturday and Sunday and is open to the public free of charge. Sangrat told The Korea Herald that t
Cuba quantifies impact of US oil blockade on children's health and daily life
Some of Cuba’s sickest people are feeling the effects of the US energy blockade, with surgeries delayed, kidney dialysis treatments disrupted and children with cancer facing a higher risk of death, according to a report published Monday by Cuban state-run media. The survival rate for children with cancer has fallen to 65 percent from 85 percent before the energy restrictions began in January, according to the report released by Cubadebate. It also said 100,000 children younger than 7 are no long
Iran and New Zealand play out entertaining draw
Iran drew their World Cup opener with New Zealand but emphatically won the support of the Iranian community inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, having overcome unprecedented obstacles just to play at these finals.
Iranian rulers must face demands of population
Iran's theocratic rulers have seen off a US military campaign but their real problems may be about to begin: managing the competing demands of hardliners buoyed by surviving the onslaught and those of an impoverished, angry people. Iran's powerful hardliners are energized by a three-month confrontation they feel Iran has won. They want the leadership to take a tough stance in coming talks with the US and prioritise rearming, confident they can halt any internal dissent with force. Ordinary Iran
Netanyahu and Trump on collision course as US, Iran agree to halt war
Benjamin Netanyahu bet that his joint war alongside Donald Trump would topple Iran's clerical rulers and bolster himself ahead of elections at home, as the architect of a US-Israeli alliance that would reshape the Middle East. Instead, Israel's longest-serving prime minister is on a collision course with Trump as the US president seeks to extricate himself from the war, with both men's goals unmet and Israeli military operations tied down in Lebanon. For now, Israeli officials have been cautiou
Stateless child in Korea granted legal status to stay
A 10-year-old child born in Korea who was stateless for two years after losing her citizenship will be granted a visa to stay in the country, the Ulsan Immigration Office said Tuesday. The child was a Korean citizen at birth. But the family registry was legally closed due to parental circumstances and she lost her citizenship. She was not registered under another nationality because by that point she had become estranged from her mother, a Vietnamese national. The Ulsan Immigration Office has de
Veteran Vozinha the Cape Verde hero as keeper shuts out Spain
Vozinha broke down in tears at the end of Monday's 0-0 draw with Spain after the 40-year-old was mobbed by his teammates following a stunning display.
Japanese government OKs basic plan to raise LGBTQ+ awareness
The plan calls for awareness-raising training programs and improved consultation systems, stating that unjust discrimination must not be tolerated.
Poorest on front line as arsenic hits nine times danger level in Mekong river
Doctors have found elevated levels of toxic arsenic in those who work on the river, which passes through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Online sale scam costs seller $16,700
Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden says scam complaints have increased 18 percent in the first quarter of this year, the first rise since late 2024.
Strike to disrupt output at Australian LNG export plant, Inpex says
The Ichthys plant in Australia's Northern Territory accounts for about 2% of the world's output and has the capacity to export around 9.3 million tons a year.
Trump, Iran and the wily ‘art’ of the digital deal
For Tehran, the lack of ceremony allows it to minimize internal political backlash by portraying the deal as a temporary technical arrangement rather than a binding concession.
Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to join Miami Heat, says report
Talks with the Heat "have intensified over the last 7-10 days" and Antetokounmpo "has focused on wanting to be a member of the Miami Heat," ESPN reported.
Shohei Ohtani leads all players in early MLB All-Star Game voting
Ohtani, 31, is back to a full season of pitching and hitting for the first time since 2023 when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
Police hunt for inmate who didn't return after compassionate leave
The public has been warned not to approach the 29-year-old if they see him.
Labour promises free maternity scans if elected
In addition to three free doctor visits a year, Labour is promising if elected, pregnant women will be eligible for free maternity scans.
No, there’s no plot to make you allergic to meat
Viral conspiracy posts claim there is a secret effort to spread ticks on US farms to trigger an allergy to red meat.
Uruguay held by battling Saudi Arabia in Miami heat
Maxi Araujo rescued a point for Uruguay to deny Saudi Arabia another famous World Cup win as the sides drew 1-1 in Miami.
Short-term lets bill to be strongest in Europe - minister
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The Minister for Housing has said he expects the Short-Term Letting Bill he has brought before the Cabinet will be the strongest legislation on the issue in any country in Europe.
What one country's experiment says about attempts to boost birth rates
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Why did Hungary’s pronatalist approach deliver an early rise in births only then to fall back? And what lessons does it offer to other countries desperate to lift fertility?
Auckland road closed by hazardous substance spill
A truck carrying a container of the hazardous substance crashed on Blockhouse Bay Road.
Married at First Sight Australia allegations 'disturbing', says country's watchdog
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The claims also prompted a response from UK media regulator Ofcom, who called them "deeply concerning".
Trains cancelled between Wellington and Porirua as person runs onto tracks
The "trespasser" caused chaos on the morning commute while police tried to catch them.
Recovery of Ebola patients offers rare moments of joy at epicentre of outbreak
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There are glimpses of happiness in the Democratic Republic of Congo's fight against the virus that has killed more than 170.
Drink driving convictions decline especially amongst young people
Ministry of Justice figures show convictions are down 52 percent for those aged 19 and under and 38 percent for 20-24-year-olds.
Renewed appeal over 1986 murder of Terence McKeever
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A renewed appeal for information has been issued over the murder of a man in Co Armagh 40 years ago.
Councillors 'do not accept' Harris dereliction comments
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The Association of Irish Local Government has said that they do not accept the Tánaiste's comments on dereliction.
Tánaiste: Govt to decide on fuel supports by end of month
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Tánaiste Simon Harris said he hopes to make a decision by the end of the month on whether to continue the fuel support measures.
Eight dead in B-52 bomber crash in California
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Eight people died when a US B-52 bomber crashed and erupted into a catastrophic fire shortly after takeoff at an air force base in California, officials said.
Judge notes Roche's 'appalling' behaviour at sentencing
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A judge has noted how the "appalling" and disruptive behaviour of a violent criminal, who murdered his then partner's father in Co Wexford, persisted right up until his sentencing hearing.
Residents question why Eastbourne ferry included in Labour's transport cap
Even some Eastbourne commuters say subsidised public transport policy should not cover them.
Scottish tourist plays the bagpipes on Toronto subway | The Moment
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Scottish tourists Martin Wilson and his brother John Wilson tell The National about the moment Martin played the bagpipes on the subway in Toronto while en route to watch Scotland compete in the FIFA World Cup.
Wellington's new water entity estimates $25b over 30 years for safe water, clean beaches
Tiaki Wai will spend $800 million in its first year as it takes over ownership and management of the region's water assets from 1 July.
World Cup 2026: Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay recap
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It's Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H after Cape Verde's earlier heroic opening drawn with European Champions Spain.
Investigation after woman's body found in Co Waterford
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An investigation is under way following the discovery of a woman's body in Co Waterford.
World Cup 2026: Iran 2-2 New Zealand recap
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Iran and New Zealand draw in Los Angeles in Group G, after Belgium fought back to earn a draw with Egypt a few hours earlier.
Uruguay's Maxi Araujo scores late equalizer in 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia
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Abdulelah Al-Amri scored on a rebound in the 41st minute for Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay's Maxi Araujo responded with an equalizer in the 80th as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in their World Cup opener on Monday.
Man, 70s, dies after being hit by Luas on Marlborough St
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A man in his 70s has died after being struck by a Luas on Marlborough Street in Dublin.
EU vote to see boost in supports for airline passengers
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Airlines will be legally obliged to seat families with children under the age of 14 entirely together on flights without having to pay extra fees, under proposed law changes put forward by the European Parliament.
'A slap in our face': NZ-Iranian disappointed at peace deal without regime change
A peace deal aiming to end the three-month war between US and Iran
Americanswers… on 5 Live! Is Trump still fit for the job on his 80th birthday?
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Donald Trump is now the second oldest president in US history
Ghana takes Thomas Partey's World Cup entry fight with Canada to Federal Court
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A Federal Court judge is scheduled to hear an injunction application Tuesday from Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, whose bid to enter Canada for the World Cup was denied over rape and sexual assault charges in England.
The U.S. and Iran's deal to make a deal | About That
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The United States says it has reached a deal to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz — but much remains unclear about exactly how it will work. Andrew Chang breaks down statements from both sides to explain what we know about the terms, and the factors that might prevent it from going ahead smoothly.
Images provided by The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images
New privacy bill would give Canadians right to request companies delete AI deepfakes
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The federal Liberal government has introduced a new piece of legislation it says will tighten privacy rules and regulations for companies handling Canadians' data.
Esther Goddard Gets An Asteroid Named For Her!
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Esther Goddard, wife of rocket pioneer Robert Goddard, gets an asteroid named after her!
Prisoners to receive calls directly to cells under pilot
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Prisoners at the women's Dóchas Centre and the Training Unit at Mountjoy Prison will be allowed to receive phone calls from listed friends and family directly to their cells under a pilot project.
'Technostress' causing older people to feel shut out by digital world, research finds
Endless apps, pop-ups, passwords, updates, downloads, and deepfakes - the relentless march of the digital age is enough to make anyone's head spin.
Deportation order issued to man convicted in Bishnoi gang attack at B.C. home of Punjabi musician
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A member of Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board has issued a deportation order to an Indian national convicted of carrying out a fiery attack at the Victoria-area home of Punjabi musician AP Dhillon at the behest of the Bishnoi gang.
Foreign student fees reach all-time high of $1.3b, though student numbers below previous peaks
Universities and private tertiary institutes made more money than ever from international enrolments in 2025.
Wellington Water forges ahead month of overnight works on Holloway Rd despite opposition
Last week locals, the city council and Wellington Water staff held a heated meeting after residents were given less than two weeks' notice of the work.
Sister of 5 children killed in Elmira, Ont.-area crash details 'unimaginable reality' of loss
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People are stepping up to help after five children died and other members of the same family were injured in a crash between a van and an SUV on Friday in Elmira, Ont. The second oldest daughter, who wasn't involved in the collision, is allowing CBC News to share an image of the family.
When it comes to racism and the Quebec government, 'systemic' is still a dirty word
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It's time to take a long, hard look at racism within Quebec City police, advocates say
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Montréal-Nord family alleges abuse of police power after birthday party pepper spraying
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Is it time Quebec's police watchdog make its reports public — like the rest of Canada?
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Protesters gather outside Montréal-Nord police station at centre of racism allegations
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Bell Canada parent company slashing nearly 700 jobs as part of ongoing reorganization
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Bell Canada's parent company, BCE, has confirmed it is cutting another 690 jobs as part of a reorganization effort that began late last year.
Probe into claims nurses told by PSNI to show ID to gangs
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Police in Northern Ireland have urged anyone with information about claims that officers advised nurses to show ID to masked men during disorder last week to report it.
Runaway marsupial on Montreal's South Shore sparks animal trafficking concerns
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For the last few days, a small marsupial has been on the loose on Montreal’s South Shore, after it likely escaped from illegal captivity, say animal rights advocates and Quebec's Environment Ministry.
Lopes stars as debutants Cape Verde claim famous draw
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Shamrock Rovers defender Pico Lopes played his part in a famous night for Cape Verde as the World Cup debutants claimed a famous 0-0 draw with European champions Spain in Group H.
12 youths taken to hospital from B.C.'s Cultus Lake Waterpark after electrical incident
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Twelve youths were taken to hospital after suffering injuries at the Cultus Lake Waterpark in Chilliwack, B.C., on Monday. Ken Hoff with the Coquitlam School District told The Canadian Press students from Minnekhada Middle School were believed to have sustained "unspecified" injuries.
UHW apologises after man dies from reaction to antibiotic
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An inquest into the death of a 41-year-old man, who died due to an allergic reaction to an antibiotic that he was given at University Hospital Waterford, has returned a verdict of medical misadventure.
The Calgary Zoo's difficult history with polar bears
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Polar bears have been at the zoo in Calgary since the 1930s, but there has been a series of mishaps — even deaths — over the decades. CBC’s Josiah Sinanan explains that history, and how the zoo has committed to adhering to new standards with the introduction of its latest bears.
Why drinking alcohol makes you reach for chips and nachos
Why do we sometimes feel an insatiable appetite for junk food while drinking?
Quarter of young people report high levels of psychological distress - report
Access to specialist services has decreased, alongside high rates of declined referrals, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission's report found.
Why did Russia slap this 17-year-old with a travel ban?
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Most teens might be preoccupied with school, sports or a part-team job but Alexander Browder has another thing on his mind: a travel ban forbidding him from entering Russia. It’s part of a sanction the U.K.-born teen is facing from the Kremlin over a passion project he’s launched: an open source database of global cryptocurrency laundering.
Our Changing World: The challenge of making our capital city predator free
Wellington's predator free movement moves into unusual territory.
A 'cheat code': Why Abbey Murphy is the most unique prospect of PWHL draft
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American forward Abbey Murphy blends toughness with game-breaking skill. Those attributes should serve her well as she's expected to be selected in the top three at the PWHL draft on Wednesday in Detroit.
Fans gather to support Pico Lopes in World Cup clash
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Football fans have gathered in Tallaght to watch Cape Verde play Spain in their Group H World Cup opener in Atlanta as Robert 'Pico' Lopes plays for the island nation.
UK teacher found guilty of murder, sexual abuse of baby
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A secondary school teacher in the UK has been found guilty of the murder and sexual abuse of a 13-month-old baby he treated as a "plaything".
Call for ticket revenue safeguards after Tickets.ie folds
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Festivals left hundreds of thousands of euro out of pocket following the collapse of major ticket agency Tickets.ie have called for legal safeguards to protect revenues.
Can Washington force Israel to comply with a U.S.-Iranian deal it rejects?
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A newly announced U.S.-Iran peace agreement faces a threat of collapse as an excluded Israel refuses to withdraw its military forces from southern Lebanon.
Officials say 8 people killed in B-52 crash after takeoff from California air base
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A B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California's Mojave Desert and burst into flames Monday, killing all eight people aboard, military officials said.
Carney 'welcomes' Iran peace progress as he arrives in France for G7 summit
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Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada stands ready to help restore shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if an announced breakthrough in talks between Iran and the U.S. comes to fruition.
Love Island USA's executive producer James Barker has died in Fiji
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James Barker, the executive producer of wildly popular television show Love Island USA, has died in Fiji.
Former garda jailed for six years over fatal hit-and-run
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A former garda who admitted dangerous driving causing the death of a man in Drogheda two years ago has been jailed for six years.
Phoenix magazine to cease operations after 43 years
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The Phoenix magazine is to cease operations after 43 years.
Tyra Banks sues Netflix over America's Next Top Model documentary, alleging defamation
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Tyra Banks has filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix and the directors of its docuseries Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, alleging that the producers stripped down hours of interview footage to construct a false narrative.
Social Media Ban For Under-16s
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Under-16s to be banned from social media Keir Starmer announces.
TDs to get free vote on bill to remove abortion wait time
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Government TDs are to have a free vote on Sinn Féin legislation to remove the mandatory three-day wait period for abortion in early pregnancy.
Gavin Newsom says Trump directed U.S. Justice Department to investigate him
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California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday accused U.S. President Donald Trump of directing the Justice Department to undertake a politically motivated investigation of him and his wife.
Holy See signs agreement for renewable energy project near Rome
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The Holy See signs a Memorandum of Understanding with APSA, Fondazione Fratello Sole and ACEA to advance the development of an agrivoltaic plant, aimed at supporting Vatican City State's energy needs through renewable energy production.
The defence has closed its case in the trial of Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife on sexual offence charges.
World Cup contender Spain and Cape Verde play to surprising scoreless draw
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An impressive performance by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha helped Cape Verde play Spain, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, to a 0-0 draw on Monday. The first scoreless match is the biggest shock of the tournament so far.
Boy, 2, seriously hurt in nursery playground car crash
A 63-year-old woman is arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
France's Macron warns Iran against imposing Hormuz tolls
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday warned Iran against imposing tolls on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying "everything" should be done so fees are not charged for passage through the key bottleneck. Iran's Fars news agency reported earlier that Tehran added a clause on imposing maritime service fees to the framework deal with the United States on ending the Middle East war, shortly before its announcement. "We defend international law and we will do everything in our power to ensure there is no toll," Macron told TF1 television ahead of the G7 summit in France, set to be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump. The details of the agreement have not been disclosed publicly. Macron said the accord had already been signed "electronically" and additional annexes would be "finalized" on Friday. "I don't want to enter into the details," he said. Macron said a joint France-U.K. mission to ensure the Strait opens was prepared to deploy "very quickly," with the French flagship aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle ready to be in the zone "on a timescale
Doosan Enerbility wins 530 bil. won power plant contract in Oman
Doosan Enerbility, a major Korean plant builder, said Monday it has won a 530 billion won ($350 million) contract with a consortium including the state-run Korea Western Power Co. to build a combined cycle power plant in Oman. The company said it has formed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) consortium with China's SEPCO-3 for the construction of the 870-megawatt power plant in Duqm, 550 kilometers south of Muscat, the capital of the Middle Eastern nation. Doosan Enerbility will also manufacture and supply key equipment, including steam turbines and generators. The power plant, scheduled to be completed by 2029, will be built in a special economic zone at Duqm. The plant is expected to help meet the growing demand for electricity in southern Oman and improve the stability of power supply in the region. The project consortium includes Korea Western Power, Qatar's Nebras Power, the United Arab Emirates' Etihad Water and Electricity, as well as Bahwan Infrastructure Services of Oman. "We won the deal based on our experiences in carrying out projects in the Middle East and our
22 police officers disciplined over alleged involvement in martial law bid
Twenty-two police officers were slapped with disciplinary measures over their alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in 2024, police said Monday. A disciplinary committee under the Prime Minister's Office has decided to dismiss two officers and demote four others, as well as suspend 10 from their duties and hand down pay cuts for six officers, the National Police Agency said in a notice. The dismissed officers were two senior superintendent generals accused of playing key roles in blocking access to the National Assembly on the night of the martial law bid, when lawmakers voted to lift the decree. A senior superintendent general is the third-highest rank in the Korean police. Police also demoted Kim Joon-young, a superintendent general — the second-highest rank after the top-ranking commissioner general — by one rank to a senior superintendent, in what is widely considered an unusual move within the police organization. The measure came four months after a police task force requested disciplinary action against the officers in question in February.
Korea welcomes US-Iran peace deal, voices hope for safe Hormuz vessel passage
Korea on Monday welcomed a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their monthslong war, while voicing hope for the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. "Our government welcomes the agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran, and the significant progress made toward restoring stability and peace in the region," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a statement. "We highly appreciate President Donald Trump's leadership that helped bring about the agreement, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the parties involved and relevant countries," he added. The spokesperson voiced hope that all vessels affected in the strait, including 24 Korean-linked vessels, will soon be able to resume safe operations. Seoul will continue to join international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the vital waterway, he added. Currently, 137 Korean sailors are still in the region after Iran blocked passage through the strategic waterway following U.S.-Israeli attacks in late February. Trump earlier said Washington and Tehran reached a peace deal, notin
Lee meets pope
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Monday (local time). During their private meeting, Lee formally asked the pope to visit North Korea during his expected trip to Seoul for World Youth Day in August 2027, urging the Catholic Church to play a role in advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Holy See reaffirmed its unwavering support for inter-Korean peace efforts. Courtesy of Vatican Media
Korea, Qatar discuss energy cooperation amid supply disruptions
Korea and Qatar have discussed cooperation in energy and other cutting-edge industries, Seoul's industry ministry said Monday, amid lingering supply disruptions caused by geopolitical uncertainties. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan met with Qatari Energy Minister Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi in Qatar, where the two sides reaffirmed Qatar's vow to prioritize supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Korea, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Qatar had declared force majeure on its long-term LNG supply contracts with Korea and other countries in March due to damage caused by Iran's missile attacks on its facilities. During the meeting, Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to giving top priority to Korea in the supply of LNG and condensate based on the strong mutual trust between the two countries. Kim also asked for the Middle Eastern nation's proactive support for Korean companies seeking to participate in new energy plant projects set to be launched after the war. In a separate event, Kim also met with Qatari Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, whe
Pope Leo XIV's visit to N. Korea depends on Pyongyang's determination: cardinal
ROME — Whether Pope Leo XIV would visit North Korea depends on how Pyongyang handles the matter, as the pope is willing to play a role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, a South Korean cardinal has said. South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik made the remarks to reporters Sunday as he celebrated a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, attended by President Lee Jae Myung. The remarks came as Seoul seeks to leverage the Vatican's attention in its efforts to ease tensions and build peace with North Korea, including facilitating a papal visit to North Korea. The late Pope Francis had repeatedly expressed willingness to visit the North. "As I see it, it depends on North Korea," You said, adding it is up to the North to invite the pope and set the conditions for the visit. A visit to North Korea by Pope Leo XIV, an American by birth, may help mobilize Catholic support in the United States, which may in turn may make it possible for the Vatican to play a role in North Korea-U.S. relations, You noted. The cardinal also quoted the pope as having
Korean presidential office expresses cautious optimism on US-Iran deal
ROME — The presidential office on Monday welcomed a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran, but said it should wait and see whether the agreement could immediately lead to a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A high-level presidential official made the remarks on condition of anonymity a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said a peace deal was reached to end the monthslong war with Iran. "I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade," Trump wrote on social media. "It is something we welcome," the Korean presidential official said, calling the agreement "progress in the right direction." "It is, particularly, more meaningful to us in that the agreement included an opening of the Strait of Hormuz as part of it," the official noted. But it remains to be seen whether the deal could facilitate an immediate reopening of the strait, the official also said, adding that further negotiations on nuclear issues could affect the ceasefire agreement.
[EXPLAINER] Institutions jockey for position in Korea's crypto market
Korea's crypto market was long defined by retail-led speculation. Now, the center of gravity is shifting to banks, brokerages and tech platforms as they race to secure an early foothold in the institutionalized market before the regulatory framework is finalized. According to Tiger Research, which tracked 196 partnerships across 150 institutions, the Korean market is seeing competition intensify on three key fronts: stablecoins, security token offerings (STOs) and custody. "The current race for partnerships is less about gaining a first mover advantage and more about shaping the regulatory landscape," said Kim Jeong-ho, a research analyst at Tiger Research. "Companies are trying to position themselves before the framework is finalized, so that the structures they establish now can influence future regulatory standards." Stablecoins: high on agenda, but stalled in National Assembly Stablecoins dominated last year's legislative agenda, but none of the related bills passed the National Assembly. Key issues remain unresolved, including issuer eligibility and a proposed 20 percent cap on majo
Seo In-guk, Kim Ji-hyun tackle tvN workplace romance 'See You at Work Tomorrow!'
Actor Seo In-guk is ready to set hearts fluttering once again in the upcoming romantic comedy series, "See You at Work Tomorrow!" Adapted from a hit Kakao Webtoon title that amassed over 200 million views, the drama centers on everyday office workers who faithfully clock in each morning despite emotional burnout and personal storms. By blending witty corporate satire with irresistible romantic tension, the series seeks to deliver the ultimate modern workplace romance. Seo steps into the role of Kang Si-woo, a meticulous team leader at Saeum Electronics who prioritizes logic, principles and efficiency above all else. In the office, Si-woo is notoriously dubbed the "three-no man" — signifying his total lack of smiles, people skills and apologies. "The role immediately triggered my desire to take on a new challenge," Seo said. "While expressing extreme emotions in high-stakes thrillers is difficult, pulling off the natural conversations and understated reactions of everyday life is equally challenging. Si-woo is a highly restrained character who keeps everything under strict self-control
North Gyeongsang designates 6 new wellness destinations for rest, healing
North Gyeongsang Province said Monday that it had newly designated six wellness tourism destinations in response to growing demand for travel that promotes both physical and mental well-being. The new additions are Sono Calm Gyeongju Wellness Pool & Spa in Gyeongju, Seonseonghyeon Cultural Complex in Andong, Sadamjae Stay in Mungyeong, St. Benedict Cultural and Spirituality Center in Chilgok, the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum in Bonghwa and the Uljin Yacht School. The latest designations bring the number of wellness tourism destinations in North Gyeongsang Province to 30. Sono Calm Gyeongju Wellness Pool & Spa, located in the heart of the Bomun Tourist Complex, offers running routes around Bomun Lake, a 1.65 million-square-meter artificial lake, as well as body balance classes, spa treatments and tea ceremony programs. The Seonseonghyeon Cultural Complex in Dosan-myeon of Andong, allows visitors to experience “Hwarinsimbang,” a health guide written by Joseon-era scholar Yi Hwang, and enjoy foot baths under the night sky. Another newly designated site, Sadamjae Stay in Mungyeong, fea
BIGBANG to launch 20th anniversary world tour in Goyang
BIGBANG will launch its 20th anniversary world tour with a concert in Goyang, just northwest of Seoul. Presales for the "BIGBANG 2026 WORLD TOUR IN GOYANG" begin at 7 p.m. on June 24, with a general sale to follow at 7 p.m. on June 25, YG Entertainment said Monday. Domestic tickets will be available through the Coupang Play mobile app, while international tickets will be sold via NOL WORLD. The group will perform three concerts at Goyang Stadium from Aug. 21-23. The shows are expected to draw significant interest, marking the K-pop group's first world tour in nearly a decade. The Goyang performances kick off a tour featuring 31 shows across 18 cities. The concerts promise stadium-scale production, highlighting the act's extensive 20-year discography. The stadium tour announcement follows BIGBANG's recent performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, in April. "We are sparing no effort on the tour's scale and production quality to meet the expectations of fans who have waited so long," YG Entertainment said. The tour spans North America, Europe, Oceania an
Nvidia CEO’s webtoon moment highlights global ascent of K-comics
A recent casual encounter between Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Naver founder Lee Hae-jin has cast a fresh spotlight on the explosive growth and global influence of Korean webtoons, showing how digital comics have become a mainstream cultural medium. During his visit to Korea from June 5 to 9, the leader of the global artificial intelligence (AI) chip giant visited Naver’s 1784 headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on June 8 to discuss massive AI infrastructure partnerships. At a welcoming event prepared by Naver Webtoon, the tech billionaire participated in a unique cultural event by filling out empty speech bubbles in a customized comic strip from the hit webtoon "The Greatest Estate Developer." Standing next to the Naver founder, the Nvidia CEO used the comic format to deliver a witty business message. "The more GPUs (graphics processing units) you have, the more you can work and the more happy you are," Huang said during his visit to the Naver office. He added that "GPU equals happy.” This created a viral moment that highlighted how a webtoon work is now naturally used as a c
Performer and storyteller: Violinist James Ehnes returns to Korea with Bruch concerto
For musicians who are hailed as prodigies from an early age, growing older can be a challenge. Audiences often remember childhood brilliance for decades and continue to expect extraordinary achievements. But world-renowned Canadian violinist James Ehnes, 50, has long viewed talent not as a special gift but as a responsibility. "If you discover something you love and excel at, you have a responsibility to develop that talent as fully as possible," he said in a past interview. Ehnes began studying the violin at age five and made his debut at 13, performing with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal. He sees himself as a musician who continues to grow. On June 16, Ehnes will perform Violin Concerto No. 1 by Max Bruch with the Dresden Philharmonic, one of Germany's oldest orchestras with a history spanning 156 years, at Bucheon Arts Center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Ehnes first came to Korea in 1997 as concertmaster of the Juilliard Orchestra, an ensemble made up of students from The Juilliard School in New York. Since then, he has continued to return for orchestral collaborations, chamb
UK PM announces ban on social media for under-16s
LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday announced a forthcoming total ban on social media for children under 16, saying that such platforms are "making children unhappy". Starmer said that the government "will ban access to social media for all children under the age of 16", warning that these platforms are "exposing them to content that is dangerous" and "designed to be addictive". The government said the ban will "include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X" but not messaging services such as WhatsApp. He added he hoped to pass the regulation by late December and for the ban to come into force in spring next year. The prime minister also said the government would go further and take "world-leading action on gaming services and live streaming platforms". The government said in a statement it would also be considering overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under 18s, and would announce more detail in July. Starmer said the upcoming ban was influenced by the experience of Australia, which in December became the first nation to
Trump's futile war
It is a relief that the war in Iran, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes targeting Iran's nuclear program, is halting. While short of a complete peace agreement, the U.S. and Iran said they will sign a memorandum of understanding Friday in Geneva that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop the U.S. naval blockade. A period of 60 days of negotiations will allow the two sides to discuss the nuclear issue, as well as the easing of sanctions to help rebuild the Iranian economy. This is as close as it gets to a peaceful exit from 106-days of war. The two parties must commit to seeing it through. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media, "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi announced via X, formerly Twitter: “The immediate and permanent end of the war and all military operations on various fronts, including #Lebanon, will be announced starting tonight.” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as representative of the mediator nation, also confirmed with his own post
US-Iran deal eases pressure on supply chain, gov't cautious on fuel price cap
The United States and Iran are set to sign a peace agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over crude oil supplies and broader disruptions to the global energy trade, but the Korean government is taking a prudent stance regarding the full normalization of supply chains. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media Sunday (local time) that “the Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” adding he would authorize “opening of the Strait of Hormuz” and the removal of the U.S. naval blockade. The two countries have agreed on a framework deal to end the war, which is scheduled to be signed on Friday in Switzerland. The agreement is expected to improve crude import conditions for Korea, which sources roughly 70 percent of its oil from the Middle East as of last year, while also reducing pressures on shipping routes that have been strained for months by the conflict. The reopening of the critical oil chokepoint is set to help normalize supplies of petroleum and petrochemical products that faced delays and logistical bottlenecks after the war brok
Woori Bank, Hyosung sign $1.32 bil. financing deal for advanced industries
Woori Bank said Monday that it signed an agreement with Hyosung Group to provide up to 2 trillion won ($1.32 billion) in credit financing over the next five years to support investments in strategic industries. The agreement was signed at Hyosung Group's headquarters in Seoul, with Woori Bank CEO Jung Jin-wan and Hyosung Vice Chairman Lee Sang-woon attending the ceremony. Under the agreement, Woori Bank will provide up to 2 trillion won in financing over the next five years to major Hyosung affiliates, including Hyosung Corp., Hyosung Heavy Industries, Hyosung TNC and Hyosung Neochem, as the group expands investments in advanced industries. A key feature of the arrangement is a preapproved credit limit system, which allows financing capacity to be secured in advance of planned investments. The structure is intended to reduce the time required for companies to obtain funding when investment projects move forward. Under the arrangement, Hyosung will be able to draw on previously approved financing as investment plans are implemented, avoiding the need to repeat loan approval procedures for
Seoul stocks surge as US-Iran breakthrough boosts risk appetite
Korean stocks surged Monday after the United States and Iran reached a preliminary agreement over the weekend that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, removing one of the biggest sources of uncertainty that had weighed on global markets for more than three months. The agreement effectively brings an end to the 106-day conflict that began on Feb. 28, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Switzerland. “The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social before Asian markets opened. “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz ... Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” On the news, international crude prices fell back toward the $80 range as fears of supply disruptions eased. Brent crude, the global benchmark, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude both dropped over 4 percent to $83.53 and $80.58 per barrel, respectively. While still well above pre-Iran war levels, prices have retreated sharply from the peaks above $110 reached during the height of t
Korea weighs role in postwar Hormuz security initiatives
With a tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Korean government's attention is likely to shift to its potential role in postwar initiatives to restore freedom of navigation in the waterway, a key global trade route. While it has remained cautious about joining separate maritime security initiatives, one led by the U.S. and the other led by the U.K. and France, Korea may now accelerate discussions over its participation as tensions in the region are expected to be eased. President Lee Jae Myung, who will attend the G7 summit in France from Tuesday to Wednesday, is expected to discuss the issue with the leaders of participating countries. The Ministry of National Defense said Monday that it is reviewing ways to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the strait. “The government will determine specific options after comprehensively assessing local threats, deployment requirements and operational capabilities,” ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said during a briefing. She added that nothing has been decided regarding whether t
Inspection launched into teachers' training program related to China's Korean War propaganda
The defense ministry said Monday it has launched an internal inspection into how the operator of South Korea's war memorial museum came to include a visit to a facility in China that promotes Chinese propaganda about the 1950-53 Korean War in an overseas training program for teachers. A news report said the Korea War Memorial Organization, which operates the War Memorial of Korea, recently listed a memorial hall in Dandong, China, as part of the itinerary for teachers featuring historic sites related to anti-Japanese movements during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. The memorial hall in China offers public displays centered on the view that Chinese involvement in the war was an effort to assist North Korea in fighting U.S.-led Allied forces that backed the South. "An inspection is under way regarding the program in question, and we are looking into the exact accounts," ministry spokesperson Chung Binna told a press briefing when asked if the ministry views the program as appropriate. "Regardless of the reasoning, the defense ministry deems the itinerary a grave error in the first
SK Group chief, ex-wife fail to reach agreement in court mediation for asset division
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong, failed to reach an agreement in a court mediation session for the division of their assets Monday, putting the high-profile divorce settlement case back to trial proceedings. The two sides had entered mediation for the asset division after the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Seoul High Court last October, while confirming the divorce. They have remained far apart on whether Chey's SK stocks should be included in the division. The Seoul High Court decided to end mediation and hold oral arguments on June 26, as the two sides apparently failed to narrow differences. Chey and Roh both appeared for their second mediation session earlier in the day, which marked the first time the two had faced each other in court since April 2024. Chey's side has argued that the stocks should not be considered as they were inherited or gifted, while Roh's side has claimed that they fall under marital property. In May 2024, the Seoul High Court ordered Chey to pay about 1.38 trillion won ($913 million) in asset division to Roh, recognizing
Trump's captionless Kim Jong-un photo sparks talk of renewed North Korea diplomacy
Hours after declaring an end to the war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a captionless photo of himself with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un — a move experts say signals openness to renewed summit talks with Pyongyang, even if North Korea is unlikely to become an immediate priority for the administration. Trump uploaded the image to Truth Social on Sunday (local time), showing him walking with Kim through a garden in Singapore on June 12, 2018, during the summit at which the two leaders agreed to pursue denuclearization and improved bilateral ties. The post came roughly an hour after Trump announced the U.S. would sign a deal with Iran Monday, an agreement he said would bar Iran from possessing nuclear weapons and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “Barack Hussein Obama’s Deal with Iran, the JCPOA, was an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now. My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON! In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor
'Teach You a Lesson' inspires real-life proposal to protect Korean teachers
A think tank of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea proposed a dedicated agency to protect teachers from complaints and legal proceedings that currently burden them individually, modeled on a fictional body featured in the Netflix series “Teach You a Lesson.” A policy suggestion from the Institute for Democracy proposed bringing to life the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a fictional squad in the drama deployed to salvage classrooms from unruly students and toxic parents, sometimes through vigilante violence. The proposal envisions it as an education activity protection bureau within the Ministry of Education, handling protective procedures, conflict mediation and shared accountability. “The buzz around the Netflix drama 'Teach You a Lesson' reflects how popular culture is capturing the anxiety felt on school grounds ... The fictional agency in the drama is a fantasy, but teachers having to personally bear complaints, reports, investigations and lawsuits is a very real problem,” said Lee Gyeong-a, a research fellow at the institute. “The core is to prevent indivi
Who has the most symmetrical facial features at 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico, an unusual ranking has drawn attention alongside the tournament's on-field action. Using facial analysis technology, artificial intelligence (AI) researchers compiled a list of the competition's "most attractive" players based on facial proportions. According to reports from Britain's Daily Mail and other media outlets, AI company DreamAI SRL analyzed the faces of select World Cup participants and found that Argentinian midfielder Rodrigo De Paul topped the list with a score of 74.18. Germany forward Kai Havertz finished second with 74.10 points, followed by England winger Noni Madueke in third with 73.29. Egypt captain Mohamed Salah ranked fourth with 73.27, while Brazil striker Endrick placed fifth with 73.25. Korean captain Son Heung-min recorded 73.24 points, placing sixth overall and finishing just 0.01 points behind Endrick. Fellow Korean Lee Kang-in ranked 15th. Ronaldo came in 45th with 70.98 points, while Brazil's Vinicius Junior was ranked 46th. The study
Netflix comedy 'Husbands in Action' promises big laughs, chemistry
The Netflix movie "Husbands in Action" is an action-comedy that follows the hijinks of a rescue operation put together by the ex-husband and current husband of a woman kidnapped by a criminal organization, according to director Park Gyu-tae as he introduced the film, Monday. "I've focused on situational comedy from clashing groups in my past works, but the biggest difference in this film is the action," Park said during a press conference in Seoul. The director, known for the 2022 comedy "6/45," added that the action sequences unfolding across various locations will be a key point for the audience to watch. The movie follows a desperate rescue mission by the elite narcotics detective and ex-husband Choong-shik (Jin Sun-kyu) who teams up with his former wife's handsome young veterinarian husband Min-seok (Gong Myung). Together they chase down a criminal group that has kidnapped Shi-nae (Kang Han-na), Min-seok's current and Choong-shik's former spouse. Throughout the movie, the two leads try to overcome their awkward relationship to navigate a series of dangerous situations while fighting
Benchmark rate for banks' mortgage loans up for 2nd month in May
The benchmark rate for banks' mortgage rates increased for a second consecutive month in May amid expectations that the central bank may raise its key rate down the road, data showed Monday. COFIX, or the Cost of Funds Index, a benchmark lending rate for mortgage loans, came to 2.90 percent last month, up 0.01 percentage point from the previous month, according to the data from the Korea Federation of Banks. COFIX is calculated based on the funding costs of eight domestic banks in Korea. They include Nonghyup Bank, Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank and Citibank Korea. At its latest rate-setting meeting last month, the Bank of Korea (BOK) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent, marking the eighth consecutive on-hold decision. But the BOK said it would determine the timing of a future rate hike based on inflation trends as semiconductor-driven exports continue to support economic growth.
Unification ministry vows to press on with peace drive despite Pyongyang's rebuffs
The unification ministry said Monday it remains committed to respecting the North Korean regime and will not engage in hostile acts, after North Korea slammed South Korea's peaceful coexistence policy as a disguise of peace. "The unification ministry will unwaveringly proceed with measures to rebuild inter-Korean trust in support of President Lee Jae Myung's commitment to peace," Yoon Min-ho, the ministry's spokesman, said at a regular press briefing. He cited a string of goodwill gestures as evidence of Seoul's sincerity, including halting loudspeaker broadcasts along the border and moving quickly to express regret over drone flights into the North. "These reflect Seoul's resolve for peaceful coexistence," he said. The remarks came after a weekend of sharp accusations from Pyongyang. North Korea on Saturday lashed out at Seoul over its denuclearization goal, declaring South Korea is "an invariable enemy state obsessed with hostility and confrontation." The outburst came after South Korea and the European Union jointly condemned Pyongyang's military cooperation with Russia and its nuclear
Annual bastion of French busking marks diplomatic milestone in Seoul
For a single afternoon this month, the bustling student enclave of Sinchon will trade its typical K-pop soundtrack for Parisian jazz and French indie rock. The Seodaemun District Office said Monday it will host the 2026 iteration of the French street music festival Fête de la Musique on Saturday. The open-air event, co-organized with the Embassy of France in Korea, carries elevated diplomatic weight this year as Seoul and Paris mark the 140th anniversary of establishing formal diplomatic relations in 1886. Inaugurated in France in 1982 to celebrate the summer solstice through free, decentralized public performances, the Fête de la Musique concept has since expanded to roughly 120 countries worldwide. Seodaemun District adopted the template in 2017, transforming Sinchon — a neighborhood historically anchored by student activism and youth culture — into an annual hub for bilateral cultural exchanges. The festival schedule deliberately blends European and domestic sensibilities. The main stage will open at 5:00 p.m. with preliminary showcases by the local K-pop dance troupe Shining an
SK Telink, KEPCO, Starlink Korea launch satellite network initiative for power grid emergencies
SK Telink, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and Starlink Korea have launched a three-way partnership to deploy low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications technology across Korea’s power infrastructure, aiming to strengthen emergency communications capabilities during natural disasters and network outages. The companies said the initiative will begin at KEPCO’s headquarters in Naju and expand in phases toward a nationwide emergency communications network covering all 15 regional headquarters. The project is being positioned as a model for integrating global satellite communications technology into Korea’s public infrastructure systems. KEPCO operates thousands of facilities nationwide, including headquarters, regional offices, substations and field work sites. Maintaining communications during emergencies such as typhoons, wildfires and large-scale power outages has long been a challenge because terrestrial networks can be disrupted. The partners said LEO satellite systems provide a physically independent communications path that remains available even when ground-based infras
RIIZE doubles down on performance for highly anticipated return
K-pop group RIIZE returned Monday with its second mini album, "II," presenting a sharper, more self-assured sound that the members say reflects months of rehearsal and rising confidence on stage. In a distributed interview ahead of the release, the SM Entertainment group described the title track, "Do Your Dance," as a statement meant to be felt rather than interpreted. Below is an edited Q&A with the six-member group. Q. How does it feel to make a comeback? Wonbin: The album is filled with strong songs, and we feel confident returning to the stage. We want to show our music through performance rather than words. Sohee: It has been seven months since our last comeback, and we’re really thankful to fans for waiting. We’re confident in this album and hope many people enjoy it. Q. How would you describe “II”? Sohee: It’s a fun album from start to finish. I hope that feeling of enjoyment reaches fans as well. Anton: It represents a shift into a more active phase for RIIZE, moving from thinking to doing. Eunseok: It feels like a box of many colors, with each track showing a different sty
Gwanghwamun turns into stadium as Jongno hosts epic World Cup gatherings
In the heart of Seoul, one of Korea’s most iconic civic spaces is being recast as an open-air stadium, where thousands of fans are expected to gather to watch World Cup qualifiers together on a screen that normally carries advertising and cultural content. Jongno District said Monday that it will host three large-scale street cheering events at Gwanghwamun Square on June 19 and June 25, using the KT WEST digital display in Gwanghwamun Square’s advertising zone to broadcast matches featuring Korea’s national team live. The district said the kickoff event, held on Friday, marked the first time sports content was transmitted through the Gwanghwamun Square advertising zone, a system typically reserved for commercial and cultural media. Officials said the square and adjacent public areas, including Yukjo Madang and Nori Madang, will function as a unified viewing zone where fans can join to watch the games. The broadcasts will be accompanied by K-pop performances, artificial intelligence-driven stage effects and promotional giveaways, as the district seeks to turn matches into broader cu
Korea brings traditional arts to Busan stage for global heritage audience
As the southern port city of Busan prepares to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting next month, Korean cultural officials are moving aggressively to position the summit as a premier international stage for the country’s performing arts. Rather than presenting traditional heritage as static museum artifacts, a pair of major performance initiatives aims to prove that Korea's ancient performance rituals remain a dynamic, living commodity. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Monday a dual-track cultural blitz designed to captivate arriving foreign diplomats and international dignitaries. The centerpiece of the campaign, titled “Intangible Heritage Festival in Busan,” will run from July 20 to 29 at the BEXCO convention center. The festival breaks new ground for the industry by introducing the inaugural "Intangible Heritage Performance Art Market," a trade-fair model featuring 26 showcases aimed at establishing commercial distribution networks for traditional Korean performing arts both domestically and abroad. The festival’s artistic centerpiece is "Sanhwab
CJ CheilJedang to roll out land-grown Korean seaweed
CJ CheilJedang will roll out land-grown Korean seaweed through a new commercialization facility, as the company looks to capitalize on growing global demand for Korean seaweed while responding to rising seawater temperatures and other climate change-driven disruptions. The company said Monday it will establish the land-based farming facility in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in August. The move marks a commercialization stage following the company's development of Korea’s first seaweed land farming technology in 2018, successfully cultivating seaweed in a 3-ton tank in 2021 and securing a dedicated seaweed variety in 2022. The facility is scheduled for completion in the first half of next year, and seaweed products produced there will be marketed under the Bibigo Seaweed brand. To support the project, CJ CheilJedang will establish cooperation programs with local governments and fishing communities. The facility will be equipped with multiple tanks and cultivation systems. Based on its proprietary seaweed variety, seaweed life cycle control technology and integrated quality manage
Hip Buddhism and Korea’s generational rupture
It’s not entirely inaccurate to link Korea’s post-war industrialization and headlong dive into capitalism with the rise of Protestantism. Its ascendancy eclipsed the traditional and indigenous religious landscape of Korea across a vast swath of Korea’s society, especially among the well-to-do and wanna be’s. This dominance extended into the Korean diaspora. Growing up in Paraguay when I was little, I remember hiding my parents Buddhist religious artifacts from other Korean friends who came to play since I knew that every Korean in Asuncion was a devout Christian with avowed hatred of Buddhism, which seemed backward and superstitious. Based on that trend line, Buddhism should be on its last legs in South Korea. The country is one of the most wired, urbanized, and secular societies in the world. Young people are delaying marriage, abandoning organized religion, and spending more time online than in temples. Yet one of the most unexpected cultural stories of the past two years has been the rise of “hip Buddhism.” In fact, the Korea Times recent published an article titled, “F
Seoul showcases its drinking water in Singapore
Municipal governments have long struggled with a persistent, deeply psychological public relations hurdle: convincing urban residents that the water flowing from their kitchen taps is genuinely safe to drink. Seoul is taking its domestic solution to that problem onto the global stage, using a major international exposition here to market its "Arisu" brand tap water while scouting for artificial intelligence (AI) to manage its future infrastructure. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that it will anchor a prominent "Seoul Water" promotional pavilion at the Singapore International Water Week Water Expo, which runs Tuesday through Thursday at the Marina Bay Sands convention complex. The exhibition is among the most influential industry fixtures in Southeast Asia, expected to draw more than 1,100 companies and roughly 20,000 public and private sector participants from over 100 countries. For Seoul officials, the gathering offers a high-profile forum to elevate the international prestige of Arisu. Korea has spent years aggressively upgrading its treatment facilities and running p
Korea offers bus discounts to move foreign tourists beyond Seoul
For the millions of foreign tourists who visit Korea each year, the boundaries of vacations are often defined by the limits of the capital's subway system. Venturing into the provinces has long meant confronting a fragmented, deeply analog intercity bus network whose digital reservation platforms remain largely inaccessible to holders of foreign passports and overseas credit cards. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Tourism Organization, announced a coordinated monthlong campaign on Monday to dismantle these transit barriers. Partnering with international travel booking platform Klook and fintech firm Hanpass, the government will subsidize tickets and provide digital perks from June 15 to July 14 to encourage independent travelers to explore the country's rural interior. The initiative addresses a persistent bottleneck in Korea's tourism infrastructure. While the country fully integrated international credit card processing at bus terminals in July 2024, the government notes that awareness of English-language online booking channels remains critically low
As virtual idol groups multiply, can any match PLAVE's success?
The virtual idol market is expanding fast, and the field is getting crowded. A string of new groups have debuted in recent months, staking a claim in a space that one act has come to define — and none of them are close to catching it yet. OWIS, a five-member girl group under All My Anecdotes, the label founded by Kiss of Life creative director Lee Hae-in, debuted on March 23 with EP "Museum." While the real identities behind the virtual avatar members — Serene, Haru, Soi, Summer and Yuni — have not been officially confirmed, it is widely reported to include former NMIXX member Jini, former Lovelyz member Ryu Su-jeong, BigHit Music producer Adora, "Produce 101" contestant Lee Ruri and Lee Hae-in herself. B:DAWN under Duri Entertainment followed on May 6 with debut single "Beom." The group's five members — Dojin, Ion, Kangho, Woorim and Hansol — are built around the concept of former competitive athletes. The latest entry is MiiWAN, a five-member boy group under Abyss Company, whose debut album "Middle.i" drops Tuesday. A pre-release track, "Pluma," is already out. Emulating PLAVE
British Business Awards recognize innovation, excellence, community leadership
The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea honored companies and organizations advancing bilateral trade, sustainability, workplace inclusion and public health at its second annual British Business Awards on Friday, highlighting the growing role of business in strengthening U.K.-Korea ties. The awards, held Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul alongside the chamber’s annual King Charles III Birthday Dinner and in partnership with Dwight School Seoul, recognized organizations and initiatives across five award categories. This year's judging panel included The Korea Times' publisher and president Oh Young-jin, Dwight Seoul Head of School Tom Ferguson and British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks. Intralink, an international business development consultancy, received the U.K.-Korea Trade Award for its effort in helping British companies enter the dynamic Korean market by providing deep local expertise and prioritizing relationship-building, cultural bridging and long-term strategic partnerships over transactional wins. The company also helps Korean businesses gain their foothold in Britain
Shinsegae chairman to receive history lesson over 'Tank Day' fiasco
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin will sit for a “history lesson” after the conglomerate’s Starbucks Korea rattled the country last month with its controversial “Tank Day” tumbler marketing campaign, which caused an outcry among the public and victims of the bloody crackdowns on key pro-democracy uprisings against a military junta in the 1980s. Shinsegae said on Monday that Chung will sit for a lecture on June 24, together with presidents of the group's nearly 50 subsidiaries. The lesson will be in two parts, covering historical consciousness and social sensitivity, delivered by professors from Sungkyunkwan University’s departments of history and sociology. Executives of Emart, which runs Starbucks Korea operator SCK Company, will hear the same lectures on Wednesday. Shop managers and store employees of more than 2,110 Starbucks cafes in Korea will hear it on June 22. To accommodate the class simultaneously for the cafe employees nationwide who number roughly 23,000 in overall, the company will close all Starbucks locations at 3 p.m. and play a recorded video of the le
Lee invites Pope Leo XIV to visit S. Korea for World Youth Day 2027
VATICAN — President Lee Jae Myung on Monday invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea next year on the occasion of the country's hosting of World Youth Day 2027, a presidential official said. Lee offered the invitation during his meeting with the pope at the Vatican, held during the president's visit to the Holy See as part of his broader trip to Europe. The two leaders agreed to cooperate closely to ensure a successful hosting of World Youth Day 2027, and Lee "officially invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea on that occasion," national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a press briefing. Lee also gave a briefing to the pope on South Korea's initiative to build peace on the Korean Peninsula, and the Vatican reaffirmed its unwavering support for facilitating peace on the peninsula, Wi noted. Another senior South Korean official said separately that the meeting between Lee and the pope also covered inter-Korean issues, with both sides sharing the view that cross-border dialogue and cooperation should be pursued despite difficulties in political situations. Lee and Pope Leo XIV also
Honoring doctor who led Korea’s nurses to Germany
In the mid-1960s, Korea was a nation reeling from the devastation of war, short on foreign currency and desperate for economic survival. Thousands of miles away, West Germany was experiencing its postwar Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle), but faced a crippling shortage of medical labor. The man who bridged that gap was Lee Su-kil, a pediatrician whose structural legacy is being reexamined six decades later. The Overseas Koreans Agency on Monday named Lee (1928-2023) its "Overseas Korean of the Month" for June, marking the 60th anniversary of the historic migration he single-handedly orchestrated. While working at Mainz University Hospital in Germany in the early 1960s, Lee recognized an opportunity to simultaneously alleviate Germany’s nursing shortage and provide economic relief to his homeland. In 1965, operating largely on his own initiative, he mailed letters to roughly 10 German hospitals to gauge their willingness to hire Korean staff, subsequently coordinating the logistics with the Korean government. His efforts bore fruit in 1966, when an initial cohort of 128 Korean nurses
Netflix schedules live world tour for 'KPop Demon Hunters' to leverage global fandom
Netflix announced a live world tour for its blockbuster animated musical film "KPop Demon Hunters," a move expected to expand the entertainment giant's global monetization structure. Rather than concluding with the streaming success of a single title, the strategy establishes a multilayered business model extending to live musical performances, commercial merchandise, interactive fan events and brand collaborations. Netflix confirmed in May the global tour for the 2025 animated feature. The streaming company said the live performance "will bring elements of the two-time Oscar-winning film to life in spectacular ways," adding that host cities, dates and ticket information will be released in the second half of 2026. Released in 2025, the film broke streaming records and achieved global prominence, winning Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, the 83rd Golden Globes and the 31st Critics Choice Awards. Netflix partnered with AEG Presents, a global live entertainment promoter whose portfolio includes the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and int
KT rolls out AI store assistant to break language barriers for int'l customers
For foreign nationals and travelers in Korea, setting up a mobile phone plan has long been a notorious bureaucratic gauntlet, complicated by rigid registration laws and a steep language barrier. KT Corp., one of the country’s dominant telecommunications carriers, is betting that artificial intelligence (AI) can solve this persistent friction point at the retail counter. The company said Monday that it is introducing an "AI Multilingual Counselor" across its retail stores, a first for the Korean telecom industry. Developed to assist foreign customers in their native tongues, the digital assistant handles inquiries regarding complex pricing structures, data plans, contract terms and corporate membership perks. The system launches with support for more than 20 languages, including English, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese. The initiative is part of a broader push by Korean conglomerates to apply AI in customer-facing operations, a trend the industry terms "AI transformation." Rather than replacing human capital, the digital counselors are designed to act as on-floor co-pilots. At high-traff
Korea deserves transparent, trusted election watchdog
A police-prosecution task force will summon election officials this week as part of its investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) over ballot paper shortages during the June 3 local elections. Last week, investigators searched the NEC headquarters and six related facilities, seizing documents and computer servers. According to media reports, the probe will focus on identifying the root cause of the ballot shortages and determining who was responsible for the decision to print enough ballots for only 50 percent of the total number of eligible voters in some electorates. The task force must conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the election commission. It should also expand its probe to examine other issues and suspicions that have emerged since the local elections. The ballot shortage is merely the tip of the iceberg in an NEC-created scandal that has shaken the nation. Various irregularities have been reported. In the Incheon mayoral race, the vote totals for two candidates — one from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the other from the main oppos
Korean firms express relief for eased uncertainties over US-Iran peace deal
Prospects of an imminent peace agreement between the United States and Iran have injected a wave of optimism into Korea's petrochemical, aviation and key manufacturing industries, as uncertainties surrounding oil prices and global logistics are expected to ease in the short term. The breakthrough comes as U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that a formal peace memorandum of understanding is slated for signing on Friday. Trump also said the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint for global oil and cargo shipments, would be fully reopened immediately after the signing ceremony. The development has eased concerns over prolonged geopolitical risks for Korea's petrochemical industry, which has borne the brunt of the Middle East conflict among Korea's industries. The Hormuz blockade had severely disrupted the supply of naphtha, a key petrochemical feedstock, forcing domestic naphtha cracking centers (NCCs) to cut operating rates to as low as 50 percent and declare force majeure to overseas customers. Though structural challenges, including oversupply from Chinese rivals, remain, ma
Pete Hegseth dramatically changes the Pentagon
Pete Hegseth dramatically changes the Pentagon
Korea's media watchdog vows bold regulatory reforms
The chief of Korea's media watchdog vowed to foster a healthy media environment through bold regulatory reforms during a press conference held Monday. "We plan to foster a healthy media environment through bold improvements of old and unreasonable regulations, such as those related to broadcast advertisements and broadcast programming," Kim Jong-cheol, the chairperson of the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC), said at a press conference to mark his first six months in office. The media watchdog is also planning to push forward with the establishment of a media development committee tasked with improving policies related to the media industry, Kim said. Some of the agendas to be discussed at the public-private committee include the restructuring of the funding systems for broadcasting, media and telecommunications sectors, the media watchdog chief added. Kim mentioned that his organization is keeping a close watch on the local broadcaster JTBC after two companies related to the broadcaster filed for bankruptcy later last week. Regarding the progress on the enforcement of some
Citibank Korea marks community day with neighborhood clean-up
Citibank Korea employees, their families and staff from client companies took part in a volunteer program on Saturday as part of Citi’s annual Global Community Day initiative, the lender said Monday. Launched in 2006, Global Community Day is Citi’s flagship volunteer campaign, bringing together employees worldwide for community-based service projects. More than 1.2 million volunteers have participated since its inception. Citibank Korea CEO Yoo Myung-soon joined employees in a neighborhood clean-up around Jeong-dong in central Seoul, home to the bank’s headquarters. The group picked up litter near historic sites and took part in a guided walk exploring the district’s cultural and historical significance. “Citibank Korea is committed to supporting local communities through Citi’s global volunteer initiatives,” Yoo said. “It was especially meaningful to have not only employees and their families, but also staff from our client companies, join us this year.” This year’s campaign began with the outdoor Harmony Concert on May 27 and has since expanded into a monthlong seri
South Korea back at work with Mexico on horizon
ZAPOPAN, Mexico — After enjoying a day off, South Korea returned to training Sunday to prepare for their next group stage match of the FIFA World Cup against Mexico. Both South Korea and Mexico won their first matches of Group A last week, with the former beating Czechia 2-1 and the latter blanking South Africa 2-0. South Korea and Mexico will square off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, western Mexico, or 10 a.m. Friday (South Korean time). The winner will be in a prime position to progress to the knockout phase as the group winner. South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo ran his players through light recovery work Friday, the day after the opening win, and gave them a full day off Saturday. Sunday's session started with some conditioning work, followed by passing and shooting drills. A national team official said tactical work got under way in earnest Monday. Two players working their way back from ankle injuries, defender Kim Tae-hyeon and midfielder Bae Jun-ho, rode stationary bikes on the sidelines and didn't participate in the full session. Both players may be available
PM promises extraordinary financial support for companies moving to regional areas
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok promised extraordinary financial support Monday to help facilitate corporate investment in regional areas as part of the government's push to create economic growth engines in non-metropolitan areas for balanced development. Kim made the remark during a meeting of the committee formed to promote balanced regional development, saying the government will mobilize all possible means to support corporate investment to create growth engines in eight regions, known as "five poles and three specials." The five poles refer to the capital area, the southeastern region, North Gyeongsang Province and Daegu, the central region and the southwestern region, while three specials refer to the three special autonomous provinces -- the island of Jeju, North Jeolla Province and Gangwon Province. "We will greatly expand support for research and development led by local regions while increasing investment in industrial startups," Kim said. "In order to support this, we're going to enact a special law on mega special regions." Kim also promised dramatic improvement in education, cu
Luxury hanok reshapes high-end tourism deep in mountains of Gangwon Province
For global jet setters, Korea’s cultural footprint is typically defined by Seoul’s neon-lit corridors and K-pop spectacle. But a quiet enclave tucked deep into the rugged mountains of Gangwon Province is making a bid to redefine the country’s luxury travel market, offering a slower, deeply traditional alternative to the urban rush. The Hanok Heritage, a sprawling 337,000-square-meter cultural complex in Yeongwol, about 100 miles east of Seoul, recently served as a primary host for "Explore Seoul with Connections 2026." The high-concept tourism initiative, organized jointly by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the international luxury travel network Connections, aimed to introduce a side of Korea rarely featured in slick promotional campaigns. Over a three-day familiarization tour, travel advisors and agency executives from the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Lithuania and Hong Kong bypassed standard five-star hotels to stay in hanok — traditional Korean homes. The itinerary focused heavily on regional culture, preservation, gastronomy, architecture and wellness. Gu
Life after the curtain falls: What 'Wild Sing' asks of former idols
The performance has ended, but life must go on. The humor in "Wild Sing" begins when actors Gang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo and Park Ji-hyun subvert familiar screen images of bodies that might once have commanded a stage reduced to ordinary survival. Director Son Jae-gon turns the desperate comeback of the fictional Triangle, a once-popular 1990s co-ed trio that disbanded overnight, into a road movie. Through the collision of absurdist comedy with financial precarity, the film turns laughter into social recognition. The comedy soon dives into the realities of life. The group’s leader drifts from one minor gig to another, while another, crushed by debt, swallows his pride for a paycheck. These scenes move beyond comic humiliation to expose the damaged dignity of people pushed offstage and left to survive without applause. Most poignant is the group's only woman, who has traded her glamorous past for a suffocating marriage, only to escape back toward the stage. Their journey confronts an uncomfortable truth: The industry that once consumed these performers as commodities offered them no real
Smilegate, ‘GTA’ creator take stage at Tribeca to tease next big game
Korean video game publisher Smilegate stepped into the North American entertainment spotlight last week, anchoring a featured panel at the Tribeca Festival alongside Absurd Ventures, the new creative studio helmed by Grand Theft Auto co-creator Dan Houser. The joint appearance underscores a deepening alliance between the Seoul-based gaming heavyweight and the veteran storyteller, following Smilegate’s deal last year to secure global publishing rights for an unannounced high-budget, open-world action-adventure game based on Absurd’s original intellectual property, "A Better Paradise." The session, titled "Luminaries: Dan Houser's Absurd Ventures" and held during Tribeca’s Storytelling Summit, focused on how companies are navigating transmedia strategies — the practice of stretching a single narrative universe across video games, audio fiction, comic books and film. Lee Yi-jae, a Smilegate director overseeing global partnerships, joined Houser and his longtime creative collaborator Lazlow on stage. Lee detailed how the Korean firm evaluates intellectual property with cross-platfor
Korea eyes safe exit for 24 ships in Hormuz, weighs role in securing waterway
As the United States and Iran have reached a peace deal aimed at ending their war, South Korea is expected to put its diplomatic priority on securing the safe passage of 24 ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday (U.S. time) that the two sides had reached a peace agreement, with the strait set to reopen once the deal is formally signed Friday. The announcement followed months of hostilities that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and which effectively choked off the waterway. The 24 vessels, with a total of 137 Korean sailors onboard, have been pinned in ports across Qatar and the United Arab Emirates since the war shut down the waterway, one of the world's most critical shipping lanes for oil, fertilizer and other commodities. For South Korea, the closure hit hard as it depends on the strait for energy imports. Seoul has kept a back channel open with Tehran, pushing for secure safe passage for its vessels through a waterway thick with mines and military tension. The effort has been not without results. Last month, the HMM-operated U
Actor-singer Lee Jun-young to begin military service, leaving behind packed roster of projects
Korean actor and singer Lee Jun-young will enlist in the military on July 21, temporarily sidelining a surging television career that has made him one of the country's most popular young stars. Lee, 29, shared the news Sunday in a handwritten letter posted to his social media accounts, writing that he wanted his fans to hear about the enlistment directly from him. Conscription is mandatory for nearly all able-bodied Korean men, who must serve roughly 18 to 21 months, depending on the branch of the armed forces. The announcement comes at a creative high point for Lee. He is currently starring in the hit JTBC weekend drama, "The New Employee, Chairman Kang," which began with a modest 3.7 percent viewership rating but has steadily broken its own audience records each week. In the series, Lee plays a young man navigating a body-swapping mishap, a performance that local critics have praised for its grounded nuance despite the outlandish premise. While military service typically stalls a rising actor's momentum — a phenomenon known locally as the "military hiatus" — Lee has meticulously st
Protests over ballot shortages continue for 11th day
Protests demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections marred by ballot shortages continued for the eleventh day Monday, though the number of protesters sharply declined from the weekend. About 200 protesters were rallying around SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul's southern ward of Songpa as of 10 a.m., according to an unofficial police estimate. As many as 20,000 people had gathered in the area over the weekend. Protesters began gathering at the stadium, which served as a ballot counting site, on June 5, days after ballot shortages at some polling stations, mostly in Seoul, disrupted voting during the local elections. According to the National Election Commission (NEC), voting was temporarily suspended at 26 polling stations across the nation, and some voters reportedly returned home without casting their votes due to the lack of ballot papers. While the NEC apologized for the debacle, it said the ballot shortages do not warrant a rerun under the election law. A joint team of police investigators and prosecutors have been investigating the NEC over the shortages. The protesters at
[INTERVIEW] Life sciences company bBHC bets on regenerative medicine through Energy Water, novel stem cell platform
Life sciences company bBHC is seeking to position itself at the forefront of regenerative medicine through two technologies developed over decades by its founder and Chairman Lee Kye-ho: Energy Water, a proprietary structured water platform, and KHCs, a novel pluripotent stem cell technology. Founded in 1989 as a life sciences research company, bBHC has spent more than four decades developing technologies that Lee believes could contribute to both environmental sustainability and next-generation human healthcare. “At the center of our work is the idea that life itself can be influenced by the structure and behavior of water,” Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times at the company’s headquarters in Seoul. According to the company, Energy Water is a next-generation water platform developed through proprietary molecular structure control technology designed to enhance stability and functionality. The company says studies in livestock and agricultural systems have demonstrated the potential to improve productivity and growth efficiency. The technology is currently being comme
US-Iran deal offers relief to Korean economy, but lower energy prices may take time
A ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran and plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have eased one of the biggest external risks facing Korea's economy, but oil prices could take time to stabilize and return to pre-war levels, experts said Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump announced Sunday (local time) that Washington and Tehran have reached a peace deal aimed at ending their monthslong conflict, saying that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will reopen once the agreement is formally signed later this week. International oil prices retreated after the announcement. Brent crude fell to around $87 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped to around $84 per barrel, down from levels that had at one point approached $100 during the conflict. The latest development is particularly significant for Korea, which imports virtually all of its crude oil, with roughly 70 percent originating from the Middle East and much of it transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this year, the country scrambled to secure alternative crude supplies and shipping routes. Ex
Prosecutors seek warrants for HD Hyundai Oilbank employees in fuel-price collusion probe
Prosecutors are seeking arrest warrants for two employees of HD Hyundai Oilbank as part of an investigation into allegations that the country's four major refiners colluded to manipulate fuel prices, according to legal sources, Monday. The sources said the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested the warrants for two employees in the company's pricing division over allegations that the four refiners — SK Energy, GS Caltex, S-Oil and HD Hyundai Oilbank — coordinated in advance to raise or freeze prices of fuel and petroleum products sold in the domestic market. Prosecutors are expected to expand the investigation to other refiners once a court decides whether to approve the arrest warrants for the HD Hyundai Oilbank employees. The investigation centers on suspicions that the companies took advantage of heightened tensions in the Middle East to keep fuel prices at inflated levels. Prosecutors already searched the headquarters of the four refiners and the Korea Petroleum Association in March. The probe comes after President Lee Jae Myung called for a crackdown on illegal mark
Innocean, SBVA partner to support growth of AI, tech startups
Innocean, the marketing and advertising arm of Hyundai Motor Group, has partnered with venture capital firm SBVA to launch a corporate backing initiative for growth-stage tech startups, the companies said Monday. The program, dubbed “UP 2026,” marks a strategic shift for Innocean as it attempts to diversify beyond its traditional advertising roots into artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, data analytics and brand consulting for emerging tech players. The initiative pairs Innocean executives with more than 10 startups from SBVA’s portfolio. Participants include Blind, the popular anonymous professional social network; KREAM, a limited-edition sneaker and collectible resale marketplace; and Ohouse, a major home interior platform. Other companies involved span women's wellness app Queenit, on-demand service Laundrygo, and AI health care platform Gravitylabs. SBVA, which manages approximately 2.5 trillion won ($1.8 billion) in assets, rebranded in 2024 from its previous identity as SoftBank Ventures Asia. The firm has backed more than 100 global startups across AI, smart robotics an
Korea, Cambodia vow to expand economic ties building on FTA
Korea and Cambodia discussed ways to expand bilateral economic ties building on their free trade agreement (FTA), the trade ministry said Monday. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol in Seoul, who is visiting Korea for the Incheon-Cambodia Investment Roadshow set to be held Tuesday in Incheon, west of the capital, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including the achievements of the bilateral FTA, which went into effect in 2022, as well as cooperation on official development assistance (ODA) programs. The combined trade volume between the two countries came to $1.19 billion in 2025, rising sharply from $966 million in 2021. During the meeting, the Cambodian deputy prime minister noted that Korea's ODA projects in the Southeast Asian nation have been making significant contributions to its economic development, expressing hope for closer ties in the future. "Based on continued cooperation with Cambodia, the government plans to expand bilateral exchanges and support t
SK Plasma builds plant in Turkey to boost drug self-sufficiency
SK Plasma has broken ground on a plasma-derived therapeutics manufacturing plant in Turkey, moving a long-planned project to localize production of critical medicines into the execution phase. The company said Monday that it held a groundbreaking ceremony at the plant site in Çubuk, Ankara, through Proturk, a joint venture established with the Turkish Red Crescent. Under the project, Proturk will build a facility with annual plasma-processing capacity of 600,000 liters and a total floor area of about 36,000 square meters. The plant is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2028, with commercial production targeted for 2030. The facility is expected to produce albumin, intravenous immunoglobulin and factor VIII products, creating a domestic production base for plasma-derived medicines that Turkey has largely relied on imports to obtain. The project follows a shareholder agreement signed in November between SK Plasma and the Turkish Red Crescent covering construction of the plant and establishment of the joint venture. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated in the cerem
Exploring historical sites of Dokdo
In May 1881, amid growing foreign encroachment on the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), King Gojong appointed military officer Lee Gyu-won as inspector of Ulleungdo to respond to the illegal settlement of Japanese nationals on the island. Lee left Seoul on April 10 the following year, spent 15 days inspecting Ulleungdo and returned to Changdeok Palace on June 5 to report to the king. According to Lee’s "Uldosan Sea Records," the Japanese had erected markers without permission on Ulleungdo and written "(Great Japan’s) Songdo" — in Japanese, Matsushima — on them. "Those people are cunning and deceitful," Lee told Gojong, saying Joseon should send an official letter to Hanabusa Yoshitada, the Japanese minister, and another to Japan’s foreign ministry. Gojong’s reply became the starting point for a long trail of records, monuments and territorial claims. "Now that I see this, we cannot leave it neglected even for a moment," he said. "Even a single piece of land cannot be abandoned." Lee answered that he would deliver the royal instruction to senior ministers, saying even an inch of ance
LG Energy Solution courts battery experts in Chicago
LG Energy Solution said Monday it held a conference in Chicago to share its future vision and attract battery technology experts. The company hosted more than 40 researchers from leading U.S. universities and institutions at the Battery Tech Conference in Chicago on Saturday. The event served as both a technology showcase and a recruitment program, featuring LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung and other senior executives. "Today, batteries are no longer just a product. They have become critical infrastructure powering virtually every aspect of the global energy ecosystem," Kim said in his opening remarks. "We organized this event to meet talented individuals who will help shape the future of the energy industry alongside us." Participants included master's and doctoral students, as well as researchers, from leading U.S. universities and research institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory. They represented a diverse range of disciplines, including en
Labor groups demand minimum wage of $7.90 in 16.3% increase
Labor groups on Monday demanded a legal minimum wage of 12,000 won ($7.90) next year in what would be a 16.3 percent increase from this year's rate. The country's two umbrella labor unions — the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions — disclosed their first minimum wage proposal during a press conference, saying the average increase of the past three years was less than the average inflation rate over the same period. The minimum wage is set each year by the Minimum Wage Commission, which is made up of labor, business and public interest representatives. The commission has been meeting regularly since April to decide on next year's rate, with the sixth plenary session scheduled to take place Tuesday. This year's minimum hourly wage is 10,320 won, up 2.9 percent from last year. The business circle has yet to announce its proposal, but market observers expect them to call for a freeze or a smaller increase.
Ex-JCS chief attends arrest warrant hearing over alleged martial law role
A former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff appeared before a court Monday to attend his arrest warrant hearing over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid. Kim Myung-soo is accused of having played a key role in an insurrection during Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, when he served as the nation's highest-ranking military officer. Special counsel Kwon Chang-young's team has alleged Kim stood by as martial law troops were deployed to the National Assembly at the time and he took part in the establishment of a martial law command. The Seoul Central District Court will review the need to issue a warrant for Kim's arrest after hearing arguments from both sides. A decision on his arrest could be made as early as later in the day. Kwon's team believes Kim had been aware of the illegal nature of Yoon's martial law bid and the deployment of troops at the time, arguing that he did not take appropriate measures as the nation's top military officer. Kim's side has rejected the allegations, claiming then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun took ov
Shinsegae to provide historical awareness training after Starbucks promotion backlash
Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, along with executives and employees of Starbucks Korea, will undergo training aimed at improving historical awareness and social sensitivity following a controversial promotion linked to the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju, the company said Monday. Starbucks Korea, operated by E-Mart, a Shinsegae affiliate, launched an online "Tank Day" promotion on May 18, the anniversary of the Gwangju democratic uprising. The event was suspended within hours after drawing widespread public criticism. According to the company, Chung and the chief executives of Shinsegae affiliates will participate in the training ahead of a meeting of affiliate heads scheduled for June 24. Executives of E-Mart-affiliated companies and employees at Starbucks Korea's headquarters will attend a training session on Wednesday. Partners, the company's term for store employees, will receive the training next Monday. All Starbucks stores nationwide will close early at 3 p.m. The coffee company launched the discount event for "Tank" tumbler sets, along with a controversial phrase,
Container shipping costs to Middle East rise for 3rd straight month in May amid lingering tensions
Container shipping costs from Korea to the Middle East extended their gains to the third consecutive month in May, the customs agency said Monday, amid tensions involving Iran. The average shipping charge for a 40-foot container from Korea to the Middle East rose 4.9 percent from a month earlier to 6.81 million won ($4,520) in May, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. It marked the third consecutive monthly increase since the figure stood at 3.72 million won in February. U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said Sunday (U.S. time) that a peace deal with Iran is now "complete," announcing his authorization of the "toll-free" opening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and the "immediate" removal of a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. The average shipping charge for containers bound for the U.S. west coast rose 10.1 percent from a month earlier to 5.43 million won, while that for the east coast increased 9.9 percent to 5.63 million won. Shipping costs to the European Union gained 1.3 percent to 3.71 million won. The figures include freight rates, commissions and other charges
Corporate America is no meritocracy. Just ask women
Back in 2008, there were 12 women running Fortune 500 companies. Even though that equaled a measly 2.4 percent, it was still progress. A decade earlier, that number was 0.4 percent, or just two women (Jill Barad at Mattel Inc. and Marion Sandler at Golden West Financial Corp.). I remember these stats well because at the time I had just started at Fortune Magazine, where one of my first assignments was working on its Most Powerful Women in Business list that tracked the comings and goings of the handful of women who had managed to claw their way into the C-suite. Since then, I’ve used the count of female CEOs as a telling — albeit imperfect — measure of the advancement of women in corporate America. This year’s number has just been published and it’s alarming. Women run 55 Fortune 500 companies, or 11 percent. Objectively, this is an improvement. But if the growth continues at the same pace, it would take about 100 years for women to reach parity with men. What concerns me even more is that the number, while tied with last year’s record, didn’t even move an inch. If corpora
TUESDAY, June 16, 2026
1779-Spain declares war on Great Britain in support of France and the USA, starting the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which lasts 3 years, 7 months, and 2 weeks 1858-Abraham Lincoln says "A house divided against itself cannot stand" accepting Illinois Republican Party's nomination for the Senate 1904-Bloomsday, the date of the fictional events in James Joyce's novel "Ulysses" 1963-Soviet space mission Vostok 6 is launched with Valentina Tereshkova onboard, who becomes the first woman in space 1999 -Thabo Mbeki is elected second president of a democratic South Africa 2000-Israel complies with U.N. Security Council Resolution 425 after 22 years, which calls on Israel to completely withdraw from Lebanon. Israel withdraws from all of Lebanon, except the disputed Shebaa Farms.
Korea to run promotion booth at int'l defense exhibition in Paris this week
Korea will participate in a large-scale international defense and security exhibition in Paris this week to promote exports of homegrown arms products, the state arms procurement agency said Monday. Eurosatory 2026, slated to run from Tuesday to Friday in France, will be attended by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), its affiliate research institute and the Korea Defense Industry Association. The biennial event is the world's largest land arms exhibition, attended by some 2,000 companies and bringing together a delegation from over 90 countries and 76,000 visitors. This year, the Korean booth will showcase real-life arms products from 12 small and medium-sized companies for potential overseas buyers. Separately, 21 Korean defense firms, including Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Defense & Aerospace, along with defense component manufacturers, will display a range of weapons systems near the main booth. During the exhibition, DAPA is also expected to arrange a "Korea Day" event featuring quizzes on weapons systems to lure participation. DAPA said it will continue to support the
Korea's currency strengthens on US-Iran peace deal
The Korean won rose to a nearly two-week high Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump has said Washington and Tehran have reached a peace deal. The won opened at 1,511.4 won per dollar, up 8.4 won from the previous session's close, and further gained ground to 1,504 won per dollar at one point in morning trading. In terms of intraday trading, it was the strongest level since June 1, when the won was traded at 1,500 won per dollar. As of 9:48 a.m., the won was traded at 1,506.8 won per dollar, up 7.9 won from the previous session's close. Trump announced the deal on social media, raising expectations that the war in the Middle East is nearing an end and the Strait of Hormuz would be soon reopened. Although the stance from Israel remains unclear, global oil prices dropped on the U.S.-Iran deal announcement. The won's strength also came after Korean Deputy Finance Minister Moon Ji-sung held talks with U.S. counterparts last week over recent conditions in the foreign exchange markets.
Korea, EU strike deal on sharing passenger data
Korea has signed an initial agreement on sharing passenger name record (PNR) data with the European Union (EU), marking the first deal of its kind by an Asian nation, the customs agency said Monday. The Korea Customs Service said PNR data includes the date of ticket issuance, flight itineraries, accompanying travelers and baggage information, which are essential for screening high-risk travelers at the border. The agency said the sharing of such information with EU authorities had previously been limited due to personal data protection regulations. "As only a limited number of countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia, have similar agreements with the EU, the latest progress indicates Korea has established a crime response system in line with advanced nations," the agency said in a release. The agency said the agreement, once officially signed and implemented, will help Korea more effectively address attempts to smuggle hazardous materials, including drugs and firearms. Korea and the EU will make efforts to officially implement the agreement in the first half of 2027, the
KBO's best team in June set for duels against title contenders
Having been the best team in Korean baseball in June, the Doosan Bears will have their mettle tested this week against a pair of title contenders. The Bears, in fifth place in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) at 33-31-2 (wins-losses-ties), will open the new week with a three-game series against second-place KT Wiz (38-25-1) at home, Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, from Tuesday to Thursday. Then it will be followed by a three-game set against the Jamsil co-tenants, the KBO-leading LG Twins (41-24-0), from Friday to Sunday. The Bears own the best winning percentage this month at 8-3-1, a run powered by the pitching staff that has put up a league-best 2.67 ERA. They have lost four out of six meetings so far against both the Wiz and the Twins this season. The Twins hold a two-game lead over the Wiz for the top spot, with both of them having won two straight games. Before taking on the Bears, the Twins will visit fourth-place Kia Tigers (34-31-1) in the southwestern city of Gwangju. The Wiz will play the Tigers for the weekend series at their home in Suwon, just south of Seoul. Elsewhere
Seventeen's Hoshi to drop new digital single during military service
Hoshi of K-pop boy group Seventeen, currently serving his mandatory military duty, will release a new digital single titled "Snapback" on Monday, his agency Pledis Entertainment said. The track, unveiled to coincide with the singer's birthday, blends old-school guitar sounds with a polished rhythm to create an upbeat mood. It playfully captures an irresistible attraction toward his love interest. Hoshi participated in both the lyrics and composition of the song set for release at 6 p.m., the agency added. The K-pop star enlisted in September last year and is serving as an active-duty soldier in the South Korean Army.
The first trillionaire
The first trillionaire
'Colony' breaks 5 mil. admissions, tops weekend box-office chart for 4th week
The Korean zombie thriller "Colony" broke 5 million admissions during the weekend as it reigned atop the weekend box-office chart for the fourth straight week, data showed Monday. The film added 301,053 admissions over the weekend, logging 5,212,824 accumulated admissions as of Sunday, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council, which compiles admissions from Friday through Sunday for its weekend chart. It is the second movie released this year to accomplish the 5-million milestone, following the Korean history drama "The King's Warden." "Colony" is the latest zombie thriller from director Yeon Sang-ho, known for "Train to Busan" (2016). It follows biotechnology professor Se-jeong (Jun Ji-hyun) and a group of survivors who fight to escape a building locked down by a virus outbreak. The blockbuster also stars Koo Kyo-hwan as a lone wolf researcher who controls zombies and Ji Chang-wook and Kim Shin-rok as survivors battling the zombies, alongside Jun. On the weekend chart, "Wild Sing," a Korean comedy film starring Gang Dong-won, ranked No. 2 as it attracted 205,100 admissio
KRX issues buy-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp rise
Korea's bourse operator Monday activated a buy-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the index spiked sharply, boosted by a peace deal agreement reached between the United States and Iran. Program trading for the KOSPI-listed shares was suspended for five minutes shortly after the market opened, according to the Korea Exchange (KRX). The KOSPI rose 327.7 points, or 4.03 percent, to 8,451.32 as of 9:07 a.m. The KOSPI sharply gained ground as investors scooped up blue chip tech shares after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran have reached a deal to end their monthslong war in the Middle East and reopen the Hormuz Strait. A formal signing ceremony is expected to take place Friday. A buy-side sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index increases 5 percent or more for at least one minute.
Oil, gas supplies could take months to return to normal after Iran deal, energy experts say
NEW YORK — High oil and gasoline prices and energy supply problems won't be solved overnight, despite an agreement to end the Iran war and open the Strait of Hormuz announced Sunday. It will likely take months before energy companies can resume operations to the point of meeting the world’s demand, according to energy experts. The slow pace of the process of shipping and refining crude oil, and doubts about the security of traveling through the strait mean the effect won't be seen immediately, they said. Ships loaded with crude oil have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for more than three months, unable to safely travel through the waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gasoline supplies typically traveled before the war began. “It’s going to take time for people to feel comfortable and for insurance to be in place ... particularly to get people on the ground to restart some of these assets,” said Daniel Evans, global head of fuels and refining research at S&P Global Energy. First, ships that have been stranded will have to exit the strait, and then new
Seoul stocks sharply higher late Monday morning on US-Iran deal
Seoul stocks were trading sharply higher late Monday morning, as market sentiment improved after the United States and Iran reached an agreement to end their monthslong war, which includes the reopening of the Hormuz Strait. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 386.85 points, or 4.76 percent, to 8,510.47 as of 11:20 a.m. U.S. and Iran's agreement to extend their ceasefire for 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, provided relief to investors who snatched up market heavyweights. Market top-cap Samsung Electronics advanced 3.95 percent, while industry rival SK hynix jumped 5.81 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 6.59 percent, defense giant Hanwha Aerospace moved up 3.15 percent, and major financial group KB Financial climbed 7.88 percent. The Korean won was quoted at 1,513.2 won against the U.S. dollar, up 6.6 won from the previous session.
A tale of two Republicans who crossed Trump
For those of us struggling to understand today’s Republican Party, this past week’s primary elections in South Carolina offered a useful case study. The key developments were these: Rep. Nancy Mace — a former conservative rising star who seems tailor-made for the Trump-era attention economy — finished fifth in her state’s Republican primary for governor. Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham — who seems like a relic from an earlier time in the Republican Party — easily dispatched a wealthy “America First” primary challenger. At first glance, none of this makes sense. Making matters more confusing, when it comes to the defining “issue” of our time — Donald Trump — Graham and Mace have both spent years criticizing him and then crawling back to him. Until, that is, one found the door locked. In 2026, Graham flourished, while Mace crashed and burned. Every zig and zag that led them here was all about Trump. Graham once was one of his fiercest critics. During that first presidential campaign, he called Trump a “demagogue,” “the world’s biggest jackass” and a “race-
Trump's 80th birthday presents: Iran deal and UFC fights
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump marked turning 80 on Sunday by hailing an agreement to end the war in Iran hours before a birthday celebration that once would have seemed unfathomable: a cage-fighting show on the storied South Lawn of the White House. He had been touting the emerging deal for weeks, and last-minute strikes in the conflict had threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza — where combatants sealed inside a wire-mesh octagon try to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission. Hour before the fights began, the president said an agreement to end the conflict “is now complete" and declared that the U.S. will end its blockade of Iran and that Strait of Hormuz would reopen, potentially easing high oil prices and skittish global markets. But the crucial details are still to be negotiated. Word of the deal will allow the president to be especially jubilant as he walks out of the White House for the fights. Cabinet leaders, Republican lawmakers and 4,000-plus spectators screaming themselves hoarse will join him in a tempo
Motives behind Xi’s visit to Pyongyang
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day visit to North Korea raises numerous questions. Many observers are confused about his goals — why at this time, and what he achieved from the meeting. They believe Xi was concerned about Pyongyang’s connection with Moscow being too tight for Beijing’s diplomatic standing in their trilateral relationship. Does North Korean leader Kim Jung-un play China off Russia? Why was North Korean or Korean Peninsula disarmament not discussed? Could Beijing be acknowledging Pyongyang as a nuclear weapon state? My conclusion is no to the first two questions and yes to the last. After Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pyongyang in April, rumors spread that Xi would visit North Korea soon. Many thought a July visit would be a better option politically as it would mark the 65th anniversary of the friendship treaty between the two countries. No Chinese leader has visited on the event. After the foreign minister returned, Xi would then visit two months later. It would be odd to delay the visit beyond two months diplomatically. Naturally, a question ar
$7 is the new $4.5
$7 is the new $4.5
Lee Jung-hoo collects 2 hits, flashes leather for SF Giants
Lee Jung-hoo has returned to the hit column for the San Francisco Giants after going blank for two straight games, while also flashing the leather in right field for a defensive gem. Lee batted 2-for-4 and scored a run to help the Giants defeat the Chicago Cubs 5-1 at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sunday (local time). Lee had gone 0-for-7 in the past two games following the end of his career-best 18-game hitting streak. This was his 24th multihit game of the year. Batting seventh in the lineup, Lee led off the bottom of the third with a single and then got an infield single to third in the fifth. Lee's biggest moment of the game came on the field in the top of the eighth inning, with the Giants up 4-1. With two outs and a runner at second for the Cubs, Michael Busch smoked the first pitch he saw from Logan Webb toward the right field corner. Lee chased it down with a running catch and held on to the ball as he crashed into the wall and then tumbled to the ground. The South Korean outfielder returned to the dugout to the chants of "Jung Hoo Lee!" from the stands. The Giants pulled ahead wi
N. Korea, Vietnam hold talks over cooperation on public security, law enforcement
The security ministers from North Korea and Vietnam held talks in Pyongyang over the weekend to discuss ways to expand cooperation on public security and law enforcement, Pyongyang's state media reported Monday. The North's Public Security Minister Pang Tu-sop met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Luong Tam Quang, on Sunday, and they exchanged "the successes and experience gained by the public security organizations … in the field of law enforcement," according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). They also "discussed the issues of expanding and developing bilateral exchange and cooperation," the report said. The Vietnamese delegation arrived in Pyongyang on Saturday, the latest in a string of Hanoi officials to make the trip to North Korea. Last month, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung visited Pyongyang, meeting Jo Yong-won, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly's standing committee, and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. That visit followed a summit in October between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Vietnamese President To Lam — the first visit by a top Vietnamese
Trump says interim deal reached to end Iran war, Strait of Hormuz to reopen
ISLAMABAD — The United States and Iran have reached an initial agreement to end their war and open the Strait of Hormuz, offering relief to the Gulf region and global economy more than three months since fighting began. Details of the deal were not immediately released and Iran signaled implementation would not start until the signing, which key mediator Pakistan said would occur Friday in Switzerland. It was expected to extend the tenuous ceasefire reached in April so that negotiators can try to resolve thorny issues such as Iran's nuclear program and related sanctions. There was no immediate word from Israel, which together with the U.S. started the war on Feb. 28 but has expressed skepticism about the negotiations. But even as it became clear the parties still have days to influence what lies ahead, the announcements had an air of relief. “Congratulations to all!” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media, adding: “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States N
Korean duo finishes 2nd at LPGA team event
The Korean duo of Choi Hye-jin and Kim Hyo-joo has finished in second place at an LPGA team event, leaving the former in search of her maiden title on the tour. Choi and Kim ended up two strokes behind the American tandem of Gina Kim and Yana Wilson at 15-under 265 at the Dow Championship at the par-70 Midland Country Club in Midland, Michigan, on Sunday (local time). The South Koreans posted a bogey-free round of five-under 65, but it wasn't good enough against Kim and Wilson, who carded a 62 in the final round with six birdies and an eagle. The first and the third rounds had the alternate shot, or foursomes, format, in which teammates took turns hitting the same ball. The second and the final rounds were played in the fourball format, where players each hit their own ball and the better score of the two became the team's score on each hole. Choi and Kim began the final round with a one-stroke lead over Kim and Wilson at 10-under, as they were trying to become the second straight South Korean duo to win the Dow Championship after the tandem of Im Jin-hee and Lee So-mi. Choi and Kim went
Trump says Iran deal complete, Strait of Hormuz to reopen upon signing Friday
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States and Iran have reached a peace deal to end their monthslong war, noting that the crucial Strait of Hormuz will reopen once they sign the deal later this week. Trump announced the deal on social media, capping grueling negotiations to end the hostilities that started with the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28, as Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a key mediator, said that the official signing ceremony for the deal will take place in Switzerland on Friday. "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" Trump wrote on Truth Social." "I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!" In a separate post, Trump cast the deal as a "great" one that will bring peace to the "whole" Middle East region. "Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me. The Leaders
When lies summon ancient tribe: Musical ‘The Tribe’ explores joy of being oneself
The Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater is bringing back its original musical “The Tribe” with a significantly scaled-up second edition that sharpens its focus on “being true to yourself” and the power of solidarity. The show, which premiered in 2024 at the Sejong Center of the Performing Arts’ S Theater to strong word-of-mouth and solid ticket sales, now returns through June 27 with expanded choreography, music and character arcs that push the central questions of identity and honesty to the fore. The work began as a graduation project by Jeon Dong-min at the Korea National University of Arts before being developed into a full staging last year when it charmed audiences with its playful premise: Whenever someone lies, an ancient tribe appears and dances, exposing hidden truths. In the musical, that setup drives the story of Joseph and Chloe, characters who have long tried to match themselves to the roles that society expects. When they accidentally break an ancient mask on display in a museum, they trigger a strange phenomenon in which the tribe appears each time they lie, dan
Gaon Cable gains traction in US AI data center power infrastructure market
Gaon Cable, a subsidiary of LS Cable & System, is emerging as a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence (AI) data center boom in the United States, as its U.S. subsidiary LSCUS secures a series of power infrastructure contracts linked to projects by global tech giants including Google, Meta and Amazon. LSCUS has been winning bus duct supply contracts for AI data centers since last year and recently secured additional projects worth about 4 trillion won ($2.9 billion), accelerating its expansion in North America. The growing attention surrounding the company centers on bus ducts, a product that has traditionally received less attention than cables, transformers or switchgear but is increasingly recognized as a critical component of AI-era power infrastructure. Bus ducts are high-capacity power distribution systems designed to efficiently and reliably deliver large volumes of electricity. Unlike conventional cable systems that rely on multiple bundles of wires, bus ducts use copper or aluminum conductors enclosed within a metal housing, enabling the stable transmission of large ele
Indie music festival answers Busan's calling
Five music venues across Busan will unite to host over 30 live music acts for the first-ever Busan Calling Music Festival on Friday and Saturday. Although seemingly only in its first year, the festival is actually a rebrand of last year's Debaser Fest, run by Jamie Finn, editor of Debaser Magazine. "I was never super keen on the name Debaser Fest. It was a decision made with deadlines approaching. So, to keep things simple, I named it after the mag," Finn admitted. "We've called it Busan Calling to reflect the aims of the fest, which is to build a bridge between the really underrated Busan music community and other musical places." Finn has been heavily active for years supporting the local music scene across Korea, publishing his own magazine, running a massive English-language Kakao group chat and organizing music festivals. As well as Busan Calling and Debaser Fest, he's also been running Block Party, a similar multivenue event in Seoul, for the last four years. Finn added that planning has already begun for Block Party's return to central Seoul's Haebangchon and Gyeongnidan in Septemb
Should chip tax bonanza be shared with workers, society?
Korea’s debate over how to share the spoils of a historic semiconductor boom is intensifying, with the government claiming the need for a new mechanism to share unexpected gains from chipmakers — including tax revenues and excess profits — even as business and labor clash over how far the state should reach into corporate earnings. Several top policymakers, including President Lee Jae Myung himself, have recently suggested a national-level — or even international — debate on how to use excess corporate gains, as part of efforts to narrow the pay gap between large and small firms. At the International Labour Organization conference in Geneva last Wednesday, Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said that gains from the chip boom driven by artificial intelligence (AI) demand should serve as many as possible. “The benefits of AI should not be concentrated only in a few countries and companies, but should also translate into new opportunities for all nations and workers,” he said. Those gains are the result of a semiconductor boom that has sent profits soaring at Samsung Electronics an
Beyond stereotypes: New book delves into N. Korea’s real language culture
North Koreans' language habits may seem familiar even to those who have never witnessed them firsthand. Through portrayals of North Korean soldiers in films, comedians imitating North Korean speech, and television programs featuring North Korean defectors, many South Koreans feel they already have a sense of how North Koreans speak. Since the South Korean government reclassified the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, as general public material late last year, anyone can now easily access authentic examples of North Korean written language. Yet fully understanding the "Pyongyang Cultural Language," North Korea's version of the standard language, remains far from easy. Even the word for "mutual" has changed. While both Koreas once commonly used "sangho," North Korea now exclusively uses "hosang," rejecting the former as a South Korean-style expression found in terms such as the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. One can understand the desire to replace foreign loanwords with native Korean terms, but seeing even well-established vocabulary altered i
Owners of Santo Domingo nightclub to stand trial over roof collapse that killed 236
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The sibling owners of the Santo Domingo nightclub where a roof collapse killed 236 people and injured more than 100 last year will stand trial for involuntary manslaughter, a judge ruled Monday.
McCullum worried for Stokes, no captaincy backing
Brendon McCullum refuses to be drawn on Ben Stokes’ future as England captain, but repeatedly speaks of his “worry and concern” for the all-rounder.
Russia was behind arson attacks targeting PM, BBC reveals
Evidence shows Russians directing the plot and stoking tensions with fake far-right and Muslim groups.
Cox and Baker to make Test debuts in second Test
Essex batter Jordan Cox and Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker will make their England debuts in the second Test against New Zealand.
US and Iran agree deal to end war; signing expected Friday
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The US and Iran have agreed a deal to end the war, which mediator Pakistan says will be signed in Switzerland this week.
Fifa seeks explanation over VAR official's hand gesture
Fifa is seeking an explanation over a hand gesture made by video assistant referee Shaun Evans before Germany's 7-1 win over Curacao on Sunday.
DOJ Approves Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Amid Fears Trump Allies Will Tighten Grip on Media
The Trump administration has approved media conglomerate Paramount’s $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros., one year after Paramount and Skydance Media signed a similar merger that placed Paramount’s movie studio, streaming service and broadcast network CBS under the control of the multibillionaire Ellison family, founders of Skydance and close allies of Donald Trump. The Warner Bros. merger, if completed, would bring an even larger slice of the industry’s market share into Ellison control. It’s been contested for months as a likely violation of antitrust laws amid a wider trend of corporate consolidation in the media and entertainment industry. “This has been one of the most shallow and corrupt merger review processes we’ve ever seen,” says Craig Aaron, co-CEO of the advocacy organizations Free Press and Free Press Action (not to be confused with Paramount Skydance’s conservative news outlet The Free Press), about the Justice Department’s greenlighting of the merger.
The deal will place two of the largest U.S. broadcast news networks — CBS News and CNN — under the control of a single company that “has shown it is willing to warp and manipulate news coverage to please the president,” Aaron says. He warns that the many violations of press freedom committed by CBS News since its acquisition last year could soon be seen at CNN, including “getting rid of independent journalists asking hard questions [and] spiking stories about crimes being committed by the Trump administration.” In a consolidated media landscape, he adds, “we get fewer and fewer choices, and we get more and more of the same kind of cookie-cutter content produced.”
Palestine Action ban is lawful, Court of Appeal rules
The Home Office had challenged a High Court ruling that the group's proscription should be quashed.
Social media ban - bold and blunt, but no silver bullet
The BBC's technology editor Zoe Kleinman on the big changes coming down the line for young people online.
S. Korea welcomes U.S.-Iran peace deal, voices hope for safe Hormuz vessel passage
South Korea on Monday welcomed a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their monthslong war, while voicing hope for the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. "Our government welcomes the agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran, and the significant progress made toward restoring stability and peace in the region," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a statement. "We highly appreciate President Donald Trump's leadership that helped bri
How soon could the economy go back to normal after a US-Iran deal?
Experts warn the impact of the war will continue to affect the global economy for months to come.
Major Antiracist Rally Held in Belfast to Condemn Anti-Immigrant Riots Egged On by Elon Musk
Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman is in Belfast, where several days of racist riots have targeted immigrants and ethnic minorities with violence, threats and property destruction. It is the third consecutive summer of organized mob violence against immigrants in Northern Ireland, with roots in the extant paramilitary structures that remain there after decades of sectarian warfare. Our broadcast from the Northern Ireland capital features guests Sinéad Marmion, an immigration lawyer, and Patrick Corrigan, the Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International UK. Both were among the tens of thousands who attended a recent rally in Belfast condemning racism and standing in solidarity with immigrants. “The vast majority of people in Belfast, as across Northern Ireland, are antiracist and very welcoming to the people who have come here to make their lives from around the world,” says Corrigan. “We wanted to send, most importantly, a message to them, to say, 'You are welcome. This is your city. This is your home, just as much as it is ours.'”
As mob violence drives residents from their homes and leaves many fearing for their lives, “it’s the community that has picked up the pieces. It’s women in the community, it’s migrant women in the community, that have organized and mobilized the response. And our authorities have been left wanting,” says Marmion. “We have political parties that are stoking the flames and encouraging what they call a 'legitimate concern on immigration,' … and the conversation, resultingly, is always toxic.”
Stones goes from brink of retirement to World Cup 'pure joy'
John Stones' selection for England's World Cup squad may have raised a few eyebrows but the player says he had to "dig deep" to secure his place in the 26-man travelling party.
Accused 'hell-bent' on attacking children, trial hears
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A childcare worker has described how a man accused of the attempted murder of three children came at one of the children in a crouched motion and began ferociously stabbing her.
France star Mbappe vows to increase defensive work
French captain Kylian Mbappe vows to increase his defensive efforts at the World Cup in the face of criticism.
Will Israel Blow Up Trump's Deal? Jeremy Scahill on Iran Talks, Strait of Hormuz, Nukes & More
More than 100 days into hostilities, Iran and the United States say they have reached a preliminary deal to end the war. Israel, however, is not a party to the tentative deal and says it plans to keep occupying areas of southern Lebanon — a position still contested by Iran and the key sticking point to the partial ceasefire deal agreed to by the U.S. and Iran in April. Although the new agreement is set to be signed Friday, Israel’s unrelenting assault on Lebanon could once again spoil any deal.
“This is going to become the center of whether any actual agreement takes place,” says Drop Site News's Jeremy Scahill, who joins Democracy Now! to break down what we know about this latest round of diplomacy. As the U.S. now intends to end the war without accomplishing its initial goals of regime change and nuclear capitulation, it appears that Trump has “finally accepted some version of his manufactured and almost entirely false victory narrative.” Scahill, who has spoken extensively to Iranian officials about the negotiations, says it remains to be seen if Iran can successfully “decouple” the U.S.-Israeli alliance from Israel's expansionary front in Lebanon, or whether it has relinquished too much of its own “strategic leverage” by agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Shamrock Rovers set to face Floriana, Derry to meet CSKA
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Shamrock Rovers will face Maltese side Floriana in the first round of Champions League qualifying.
Russian strikes kill 11 and set historic cathedral in Kyiv ablaze
A Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian city of Tula, south of Moscow, killed three people.
Recurring delays in spinal treatment at CHI - review
A review of governance and equity in patient access and waiting lists management at Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has found there were recurring delays in treatment for orthopaedics, including spinal operations, as well as delays in urology and respiratory medicine.
Trump and thousands of others watch UFC fight on White House lawn
Justin Gaethje beat Ilia Topuria to win the lightweight championship in the main event.
Triple climate threats affect nearly half the world’s children
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Drought, extreme heat and heatwaves are the most prevalent trio of hazards endangering millions of children globally, warned a newly released climate report by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Ukraine: Latest Russian attack kills civilians, damages cultural landmark
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Several civilians were killed and dozens more were injured in the latest wave of overnight attacks in Ukraine that targeted the capital Kyiv, the city of Kharkiv and the country’s history and cultural heritage, the United Nations said on Monday.
World News in Brief: Risky return home in Lebanon, displacement in Gaza, emergency funding for Somalia
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Despite the agreement announced on Sunday between the United States and Iran, displaced people in Lebanon continue to face difficulties in returning to their communities, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported.
WHO commends Uganda’s Ebola response, urges vigilance and regional cooperation
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The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has praised Uganda’s response to an Ebola outbreak that has spread from neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while warning that continued vigilance and cross-border cooperation will be critical to stopping transmission.
WHO and Brazil urge world leaders to finalise Pandemic Agreement to prevent future global health crises
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Global officials are calling on world leaders to finalise a crucial international agreement aimed at preventing future pandemics, according to a joint letter issued on Monday.
Sudan civilians trapped by fear, disappearance and detention: rights experts
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As Sudan’s conflict enters a fourth year, civilians are increasingly trapped not only by frontline violence but by fear, disappearance and detention, according to an update by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan to the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
While world waits for details on Iran-US accord, UN calls for Hormuz aid corridor
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As representatives of Iran and the United States reportedly prepared to sign a new peace agreement at the end of the week, the UN on Monday stressed the urgent need to open an aid corridor to transit the choked-off Strait of Hormuz and prevent a global hunger crisis.
Headlines for June 15, 2026
U.S. and Iranian Negotiators Say They’ll Sign a Deal on Friday to End the War, Israel Strikes Lebanon After Trump Touts Emerging Peace Deal with Iran, Gaza Death Toll Tops 73,000 as Israel Continues Daily Ceasefire Violations, Four Activists Sentenced as “Terrorists” for Sabotage at Israeli Arms Factory, Russian Attacks Kill 11 in Ukraine, Set Fire to Centuries-Old Monastery, Afghan Police Open Fire on Protesters Opposing Gender Apartheid, Killing Two, Lawmakers Demand U.S. Halt Plans to Deport Afghan Refugees to DRC, Trump Claims U.S. Strike Inside Venezuela Killed Gang Leader, Cuba’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as U.S. Blocks Delivery of Desperately Needed Fuel, Thousands March in Albania’s Capital to Oppose Jared Kushner’s Luxury Resort, Trump Celebrates 80th Birthday with UFC Cage Fights on White House Lawn, DOJ Clears Paramount’s Acquisition of Warner Bros., Claiming It Will “Increase Competition”, Donald Trump’s Name Removed from Facade of Kennedy Center
Man arrested for allegedly pushing woman in front of bus in 2017
A 44-year-old man is in custody over the incident where a woman appeared to be shoved into the path of a bus.
Police investigating after flagpoles flying Pride flag cut down in Ontario's Perth County
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Ontario Provincial Police are looking for two persons of interest captured on surveillance cameras after flagpoles with Pride flags were cut down and rainbow flags were stolen from multiple Perth County schools. The Avon Maitland District School Board is calling it "a targeted, costly, and hateful act of vandalism."
EU children's social media ban being examined - Taoiseach
The Taoiseach has said that his preference would be for a social media ban for children to be implemented at EU level.
Irish man 'very wary' after Sydney shark attack
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Sydney's Coogee Beach has reopened under the watchful eyes of lifeguards and drone surveillance, after a shark attack over the weekend left a woman critically injured.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to N. Korea depends on Pyongyang's determination: cardinal
Whether Pope Leo XIV would visit North Korea depends on how Pyongyang handles the matter, as the pope is willing to play a role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, a South Korean cardinal has said. South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik made the remarks to reporters Sunday as he celebrated a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, attended by President Lee Jae Myung. The remarks came as Seoul seeks to leverage the Vatican's attention in its efforts
Drug dealer jailed for 10 years over threats to families
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A 33-year-old violent drug dealer who admitted intimidating and threatening drug users and their families for money has been jailed for 10 years at the Special Criminal Court.
Another 10 crested ibises released in Ishikawa Prefecture
This brought the number of crested ibises, a special natural treasure of Japan, set free in Honshu to 18.
Norwegian crown princess's son found guilty of two counts of rape
Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette Marit, has been sentenced to four years in jail.
From the Tomb to the Resurrection: A split crossing between two shores
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A parishioner of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, now a refugee in Jordan, reflects on the toll the war has taken on the people of Gaza and on how the struggle to find peace and healing continues.
Lee invites Pope Leo XIV to visit S. Korea for World Youth Day 2027
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea next year on the occasion of the country's hosting of World Youth Day 2027, a presidential office said. Lee offered the invitation during his meeting with the pope at the Vatican, held during the president's visit to the Holy See as part of his broader trip to Europe. The two leaders agreed to cooperate closely to ensure a successful hosting of World Youth Day 2027, and Lee "officially invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South
New attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales
Lauren Edwards says she will bring the exact same bill which was narrowly passed by the Commons but ran out of time in the Lords.
Pope welcomes the President of the Republic of Korea to the Vatican
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In the morning, Pope Leo XIV welcomed President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea, who then met with Cardinal Secretary of State to discuss the good relations between the two countries.
Fresh Wicklow searches over Dullard, Jacob disappearances
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Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murders of Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob have been searching a piece of open ground on the Wicklow-Kildare border.
JR Tokai to run Disney shinkansen starting Friday
The Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen train will make up to two round trips a day mainly for Hikari and Kodama services between Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station until mid-March 2027.
Pope to grandparents and elderly: God's loving eyes are upon you at all times
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The Vatican releases Pope Leo XIV's Message for the Sixth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, to be held on the fourth Sunday of July, on the theme “I will never forget you (Is 49:15)."
Brazilian woman dies after rope-jumping instructors fail to attach cord
Three men have been arrested after instructors failed to attach a rope to her before helping her jump from a bridge.
Award-winning investigative journalist Roger Cook dies aged 83
The New Zealand-born reporter was credited with having invented the doorstep interview technique.
Pope encourages Syro-Malankara faithful in Europe to be messengers of hope
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Pope Leo encourages Syro-Malankara Catholics living in Europe to remain rooted in their ecclesial heritage, and become "messengers of hope” as their Church prepares for its centenary.
EU eyes options for ban on goods from Israeli settlements
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The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said she will ask the European Commission to bring forward options on an EU-wide ban on the sale of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
SIPTU to support members who won't assist Israel game
SIPTU has said it will support members who refuse to assist in any way with the holding of football matches involving Israel.
Lee received by pope at Vatican
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, on the second leg of his Europe visit. He was scheduled to depart for France later in the day, where he will attend the G7 meeting. After his audience with the pope, Lee was to subsequently meet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Lee held his first talks with the pope since his inauguration in June 2025. The last meeting between a South Korean president and the pope was when President Moon Jae-in met later P
Australia demands answers after girl taken hostage is shot dead by Pakistan police
Pakistani police said the nine-year-old was mistakenly shot as they pursued a group of armed robbers.
World Cup hydration breaks - who are the winners and losers?
They have become a regular feature at World Cup games - but who are the winners and who are losers of the mandatory hydration breaks?
Pope Leo: 'Nostra aetate took a firm stand against antisemitism'
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Pope Leo XIV meets with representatives of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York on Monday, thanking the organization for work to help vulnerable populations, and stressing that in a world still wounded by division and conflict, the Vatican II Declaration 'Nostra aetate' called us "to move beyond past misunderstandings toward collaboration for the common good."
It comes after recent reports that millions of dollars had been spent subsidising travel for retired politicians over the last decade.
Mayor of Ibaraki city found dead in drainage ditch
Ibaraki Prefectural Police believe, based on surrounding circumstances, that Toyoji Sudo killed himself.
Govt probe into Aughinish to conclude in weeks - McEntee
The Government's investigation into the Aughinish Alumina refinery would conclude within weeks, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said.
Canadian lynx one of big cat sightings in Welsh countryside
Fifteen "big cats" were reported to authorities in Wales between January 2020 and July 2025.
Lee vows dialogue with North Korea on June 15 declaration anniversary
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday pledged continued efforts to engage North Korea, saying peaceful coexistence is the only path to mutual prosperity for the two Koreas. Lee, who is currently on a state visit to Europe, made the remarks in a written congratulatory message sent to a ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the first inter-Korean summit, held at the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University in Seoul. The message was read by Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik. “The government
Untreated wastewater discharged on Wellington's South Coast
The wastewater being is discharged into Tarakena Bay and is likely to be travelling along the coastline.
Parties move to file election petitions
South Korea's political parties are moving to file petitions with the election authorities to hold an election do-over before the Wednesday deadline. On Monday, floor leader Rep. Chun Ha-ram and supreme council member Kim Jung-chul of the minor conservative Reform Party filed election petitions challenging the local election results of 18 jurisdictions, including those for Seoul and Busan mayor, and the Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial election. Though many have reportedly filed related complaint
Global stocks soar and oil prices drop as U.S., Iran reach tentative deal to end war
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Oil prices fell more than $4 US a barrel on news of a deal to end the fighting, as world markets responded positively to the developments. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite all rose in early trading on Monday.
Museums and galleries struggle to balance books without govt funding
One museum's board chair tried to swim Cook Strait to raise funds for sprinklers earlier this year.
Man dead, four injured in two-car crash in Limerick
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A man in his 40s was killed and two people were seriously injured in a collision in Co Limerick last night.
JTBC, key JoongAng Group affiliates file for court rehabilitation
JoongAng Group's flagship broadcaster JTBC has filed for court-supervised corporate rehabilitation, following four other affiliates of the Korean media conglomerate that have sought the same protection. The filings come after the group made a costly bet in 2019 on exclusive FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games broadcasting rights. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court will review whether the five companies — JTBC, JoongAng Holdings, JoongAng P&I, Megabox JoongAng and ContentreeJoongAng — have sufficient prospe
The mystery of Venezuela’s missing petrodollars
Venezuela's oil production is rising, yet its currency is depreciating, inflation is accelerating and foreign exchange remains scarce.
Labor Ministry seeks foreign human rights leaders
The Ministry of Employment and Labor is recruiting “Foreign Resident Human Rights Leaders” to help prevent basic human rights violations in workplaces and build a standing system to better protect foreign workers. Foreign residents with a strong understanding of living and working in Korea will be selected as human rights leaders. They will help identify possible human rights violations, provide guidance on remedy procedures and support foreign workers in seeking help. The human rights leaders w
David Seymour apologises after using violent rhetoric in email to abuse victim
The email exchange began with the woman raising concerns about an MP's spending and ended with Seymour saying: "Are you ready to accept you've just had a beating?"
Papal visit inspires Barcelona parish to continue mission of service and hope
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Fr. Faustin John Mlelwa, an Augustinian priest and parish priest of Sant Augustin Parish in Barcelona, Spain, has described the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to Barcelona and, in particular, to his parish as a blessing. Tanzanian-born Fr. Mlelwa shared the story of his priestly mission in Barcelona with Vatican News.
Amid the disruptions caused by the US-Israeli-Iran war, countries have begun adapting to life with less oil.
Your favorite webtoon could finally win big
If you've ever rage-scrolled the comments under your favorite web comic series wishing it would get the recognition it deserves, now's your chance to have your say. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency opened nominations for the 2026 World Webtoon Awards on Monday, and they've reworked how it all starts. There's no separate submission process this year; instead, the entire shortlist will be built from readers' picks. Anyone, anywhere can nominate up t
Britain to introduce legislation to ban under-16s on social media, Starmer says
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Britain will ban children under 16 from using a range of social media apps including Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube to protect young people from harmful content and excessive screen time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday.
Who’s afraid of ‘Japanese neo-militarism’? Nobody
More countries see a stronger Japan not as a danger, but a counterweight to China's actions and growing U.S. untrustworthiness.
What is the hottest Gen-Z tech trend? Anti-AI
Many of the models now being hunted online were released before their new owners were born.
Nikkei average closes above 69,000 for the first time
Expectations that turmoil in the Middle East would subside following the announcement of a deal to end the U.S.-Iran conflict led to broad-based buying of Tokyo equities.
Dublin set to host Donegal in Croke Park on Sunday
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Reigning champions Kerry will welcome Armagh to Killarney and Donegal travel to Dublin in the standout All-Ireland SFC Round 3 ties to be played this weekend.
Former Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley is the new chair of the Waitangi National Trust
The former PM replaces Tania Simpson, who was the first female chair when she was appointed in July last year.
Dutch defense chief says Chinese naval encounter won’t deter Europe in Indo-Pacific
The Netherlands will continue its regular military deployments to the Indo-Pacific, Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius has said.
Lebanon fighting eases after U.S.-Iran deal but displaced warned not to rush home
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Fighting in Lebanon eased significantly on Monday but did not halt completely despite a U.S.-Iran deal to end the wider conflict, with an Israeli strike killing one person and Hezbollah firing at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.
New cooling products launched ahead of above-average summer heat
A survey of 1,000 people conducted in April and May found that one in four respondents felt the measures they took last year to cope with heat were "insufficient."
[Gianluca Benigno] The chair who can't cut
On June 16 and 17, Kevin Warsh will lead his first meeting as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. President Trump finally has the central banker he spent the better part of a year pursuing, confirmed in May by the narrowest Senate vote any Fed chair has ever received, 54 to 45. And the first thing the new chair will almost certainly do is disappoint the man who appointed him. He will not cut interest rates. That is not defiance. It is what the data now require. When Trump chose Warsh in January, th
Japan displays resilience in hard-fought stalemate with Netherlands
The 2-2 draw showed that even amid an injury crisis, the Samurai Blue can still trouble elite opponents.
'Zombies' and 'alien language': main opposition infighting continues
Internal friction in the main opposition People Power Party continues to escalate as more calls for a leadership overhaul are met with pointed fingers. Former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja — who now sits on the People Power Party’s supreme council — called for the party’s leadership to take responsibility for the local election results and to resign. “The majority of the public and (party’s) supporters likely expected all leadership to step down after the election results,” Yang said at a People Power
Son of Norway's crown princess found guilty of rape
The stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon was found guilty of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison after a seven-week trial.
All-Ireland Football Championship draw recap
The Round 3 draw for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship has taken place on RTÉ's Morning Ireland as well as the Tailteann Cup semi-finals. Read back on how it happened.
Seoul stocks up for 3rd day to land above 8,500 on U.S.-Iran deal
Seoul stocks closed sharply higher Monday to extend their winning streak to a third day, landing above the 8,500-point mark on the back of an agreement between the United States and Iran to end their monthslong war. The Korean won rose sharply. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed up 422.36 points, or 5.2 percent, to 8,545.98, after rising as high as 8,603.48. "The Kospi broke the 8,500-point mark as the breakthrough in peace talks opened a risk-on rally," said Lee Kyoung-min,
Now-37-year-old sentenced as youth in 2006 fatal stabbing of 19-year-old in Sask.
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Pavelick was 19 years old on May 21, 2006, when he was stabbed during a graduation party at the Kinookimaw Campground near Regina Beach, about 45 kilometres northwest of Regina.
Myanmar’s president arrives in China seeking stronger trade ties
Myanmar has been diplomatically isolated since a 2021 military coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Hurricanes storm past Golden Knights in Game 6 to grab Stanley Cup
Rod Brind'Amour became just the fourth person to both captain and coach a franchise to a Stanley Cup.
US musician Oliver Tree dies as two helicopters crash mid-air
The singer-songwriter is among six people presumed dead in air crash over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Fertilizer prices rise in Japan due to Strait of Hormuz squeeze
While shortages like those for naphtha have yet to emerge, warnings of an international shortage have been issued amid uncertainties in the Middle East.
Panel to consider expanding victims’ involvement in criminal proceedings
There is currently no legal provision allowing victims in Japan to participate in or observe pretrial procedures.
Illicit tobacco: NZ govt needs to take swift action - Retail NZ
A tobacco industry report claims a third of tobacco in NZ was comprised of illicit products, but an anti-smoking advocate says the numbers do not add up.
Former Mazda engineer leads sports car museum project in Hiroshima
The hope for the museum is that it becomes the centerpiece of a broader initiative aimed at turning the surrounding area into a gathering place for motorsports fans.
Politically active youth find community at Seoul protests
As demonstrations over ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections entered their second week, the rallies in Jamsil in southern Seoul began drawing attention for another reason: the growing presence of young participants who say they are finding a rare sense of community among people with similar concerns. The gatherings, held near a vote-counting center, began after ballot paper shortages at polling stations triggered accusations that voters’ rights had been infringed. Election authorities h
Summer skin care is all about managing temperature, oil and sun
Summer has arrived, and skin starts to behave differently. Makeup that once lasted all day fades by the afternoon, and familiar products can suddenly feel heavy. Hot, humid weather raises skin temperature and pushes sebum production higher, which makes the season especially difficult for oily and combination skin. The core of summer skin care is managing heat rather than simply adding moisture. A rise in skin temperature increases sebum output and activates collagen-degrading enzymes, so even th
Move-on orders will 'criminalise children experiencing homelessness' - public health experts
The move-on Bill could create "a new pathway into the criminal justice system", according to a new briefing.
Graham Potter's journey from last-chance saloon to World Cup redemption
For a manager who was dismissed by West Ham in September after failing at Chelsea before that, few would have expected Graham Potter to be steering a nation to a winning start in the World Cup this summer.
Foreign tourists to get cheaper bus trips beyond Seoul
South Korea is launching a monthlong discount program for overseas tourists using intercity and express buses, as the government seeks to make regional travel easier and reduce the concentration of tourism in Seoul. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said Monday that they will offer discounts on long-distance bus tickets for international visitors from June 15 through July 14, in partnership with global travel platform Klook and cross-border payment se
With Europe closed, migrants stalled in Mauritania limbo
Document checks, mass expulsions, coastal surveillance and smuggler arrests have caused migration from Mauritania to plummet over the past year.
Trump’s critical minerals pricing plan faces skeptical G7, divided industry
Negotiations for a Western trading bloc are stumbling over concerns about the plan's cost and governance.
When safety speaks 20 languages: Day in the life of foreign workers at building site with AI as their assistant
Yun Seung-uk, a safety team leader at Lotte E&C, stood at the podium as some 600 workers were getting ready for their morning meeting at a construction site in Seoul on Thursday. As he prepared to read the rundown of the day’s workload, large screens to his right and left, as well as 16 additional monitors, displayed images, action plans, and a window titled "AI translator." Once he began speaking, the window filled with three languages — Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese — almost in real time. For
Macron’s G7 legacy hangs on fickle AI funding and data centers
The French president is positioning France as Europe's AI powerhouse by leveraging on the nation's abundant supply of nuclear energy for data centers.
Watching World Cup in class? Schools beset by clashes over priorities
The classroom television was once part of the magic. For many Koreans, watching a World Cup match or one of Kim Yu-na's Olympic figure skating performances with classmates remains a vivid school memory — students gathered around a screen, cheering, shouting and sometimes crying together. That tradition has returned with the World Cup. South Korea’s opening match against the Czech Republic kicked off at 11 a.m. Friday, Korea time, and the team’s remaining group-stage matches are also scheduled du
Norway crown princess's son sentenced to 4 years in prison after rape conviction
Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison Monday after being convicted of rape.
Interim Iran deal eases key risk for Korea's export-driven economy
The US and Iran's agreement to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz has raised hopes in export-dependent South Korea of a normalization of global energy supplies and a resumption in shipments by vessels stranded for months in the Persian Gulf. But industry officials remain cautious, as uncertainties remain ahead of the formal signing of the agreement, and it will take time for maritime traffic to return to prewar levels. US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that a peace deal had b
Government to review fuel duty cuts as oil prices fall
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Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris says that the Government will consider whether it should continue temporary cuts on petrol and diesel in the next two weeks.
Driver in custody after alleged near misses on Auckland's southern motorway
A Mercedes-Benz was reportedly seen swerving across southbound lanes, narrowly missing several vehicles.
Kim Moo-yul asks what 'true education' really means
When a social media post from retired wrestling star John Cena unexpectedly crossed paths with the success of Netflix's "Teach You a Lesson," actor Kim Moo-yul found himself unsure how to respond. The moment stemmed from a viral online joke comparing Kim to Cena, a resemblance that gained traction as the series soared in popularity. The joke reached a new peak on June 10, when Cena shared a photo of Kim on his Instagram account. "I spent a long time wondering whether I should post something and
SpaceX miss exposes Korea's weak hand in global IPO race
Mirae Asset Securities' failure to secure any SpaceX initial public offering shares for its clients has reignited concerns that Korean brokerages remain at a disadvantage in the global IPO market, just as a new wave of blockbuster artificial intelligence listings, led by OpenAI and Anthropic, loom on the horizon. Industry officials said Monday the episode highlighted the limited influence Korean firms wield in the final allocation process of highly sought-after global offerings, potentially leav
Sogang Univ. to offer full scholarships to refugee-background students
Two refugee-background students will receive full scholarships to attend Sogang University each year starting from the 2027 spring semester, under a new agreement signed Monday between the university and the Justice Ministry. The ministry said it marks the first time a Korean university has partnered with the government to provide higher education support specifically for refugee-background students. The term refers to foreign students who have received humanitarian stay permits or have been rec
Ukraine and Moldova to begin EU accession process
The European Union will open the first part of the process for Ukraine and Moldova to join the bloc, following Hungary's lifting of its veto on the accession of Ukraine.
Kospi surges 5% as US-Iran deal to end war lifts energy fears
The South Korean benchmark Kospi surged over 5 percent Monday after the US and Iran announced an interim deal to end the war, easing concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies. Following the announcement, which included provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the Kospi surged 4.95 percent at the open, triggering a buy-side sidecar, a five-minute trading curb. The index gradually extended gains throughout the day as normal trading resumed, closing 5.2 percent higher at 8,545.98. W
His colon cancer was originally misdiagnosed. Now he's encouraging screening as Ontario boosts capacity
Starting next month, Ontarians who are 45 years old will be eligible for colorectal cancer screening. Some patients and advocates question whether the province is ready for the additional pressure on the system, but Ontario says it's boosting capacity.
Air Force says no plans to purchase presidential plane, Air Force One lease likely to be extended
South Korea is expected to extend the lease for its presidential jet for another five years after the current contract expires, according to a document shared Monday. The document submitted by the Air Force to Rep. Kang Sun-young of the People Power Party states the Air Force plans to extend the lease of the presidential aircraft, known as Air Force One. The government also has no plan to purchase a presidential aircraft under the current administration, the Air Force added. South Korea's govern
Lee calls for restraint in election protests, rejects rigging claims
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday called on protesters rallying over the June 3 local election ballot shortages to avoid infringing on the rights of others, revealing that he has ordered authorities to deal sternly with those violating regulations. “Protesters should be careful not to let their expressions of opinion go so far as to infringe on the rights of others,” Lee wrote on X. Lee made the remarks while sharing a local news report that said sports organizations with offices inside Olympic
Nine killed, historic monastery on fire as Ukraine faces major Russian attacks
The fresh strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump and discussed efforts to achieve an end to the conflict.
Russian attacks kill 11 across Ukraine, set centuries-old religious site in Kyiv ablaze
Russia fired hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine's biggest cities in a nighttime bombardment that killed at least 11 people and set fire to a renowned religious site, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials said Monday.
Japan welcomes U.S.-Iran peace deal
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed hopes for a final agreement on outstanding matters, including on Iran's nuclear issue, to be reached as soon as possible.
The 'Extreme Job' duo is back — and Netflix is betting their dumb fun goes global
The whacky cop comedy is the stuff of Korea's most reliable crowd-pleasers, a playbook run into the ground by everything from "Veteran" to the "Roundup" franchise. Upcoming Netflix original "Husbands in Action" locks right into that groove, then leans on the warm-fuzzies by reuniting the two leads from that genre's high-water mark: "Extreme Job." The 2019 smash hit — about a narcotics squad that runs a fried chicken joint as a stakeout front — drew more than 16 million admissions and still ranks
Hamilton earns 106th career victory at Spanish GP
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton captured his first win of the 2026 season Sunday, winning the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the 106th victory of his career. The 41-year-old Ferrari driver crossed the finish line in 1:32:28.105 after completing the 66-lap race, ending a nearly two-year wait since his last victory at the Belgian Grand Prix in July 2024. It was also Hamilton's first win since joining Scuderia Ferrari following his move from Mercedes-AMG Pet
SK chief's divorce payout hinges on quadrupled chip stock
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and his former wife, Roh Soh-yeong, failed to settle their property dispute in mediation on Monday, sending the case back to formal arguments over a contested question that now controls its size: To what date should the stock price be pegged? Since the couple last argued the case in April 2024, shares in SK Inc., the holding company at the top of South Korea's second-largest conglomerate, have roughly quadrupled, lifted by SK hynix and global demand for memory chip
Ethnic communities back Labour candidate Rakesh Naidoo
Community leaders seek to know why the police ethnic manager's character has been questioned so publicly before any review has been completed.
Daichi Kamada's late goal gives Japan a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in World Cup opener for both
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Daichi Kamada and his Japanese teammates were minutes away from a World Cup -opening loss that wouldn't have been unexpected considering the opponent. His tying goal will be remembered for a long time in his homeland, especially if the country with some soccer momentum reaches the round of 16 again. Kamada scored when a header by teammate Koki Ogawa deflected off his head into the Dutch goal in the 88th minute, sending the Samurai Blue fans into a frenzy and giving Japan
As it happened: Trump says Iran war deal 'all signed'
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Follow live reaction after the US and Iran announced they have agreed on a peace framework with a deal set to be signed on Friday.
Michael Sanderling finds a common 'soul' in Sibelius, Tchaikovsky
When Michael Sanderling returns to South Korea this month with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, he will lead the Swiss ensemble from a podium he reached via an unlikely route: nearly two decades as a principal cellist and not a single conducting lesson. The 59-year-old German conductor spent nearly 20 years as a principal cellist with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra before he turned to conducting full time. Those years in the orchestra, he says, allow him
Why was Seoul chosen as part of Pompidou's expansion abroad?
Centre Pompidou is undergoing a major transformation ahead of its 2030 reopening. In the meantime, the renowned French institution has increasingly looked beyond France for international partners, with Seoul emerging as one of the most significant. “The choice of Seoul as a partner city is no coincidence,” Centre Pompidou President Laurent Le Bon said in a recent written interview with The Korea Herald, citing the rapid growth of Korea’s cultural landscape and its increasing global influence. As
‘Customer harassment’ continues in Japan despite moves to end it
While ordinances have been helping many businesses across the nation to combat "customer harassment," they haven't been a silver bullet for such abuse.
Opposition polls above ruling party for first time during Lee's tenure
The conservative main opposition People Power Party's approval rating has overtaken that of the ruling party for the first time since President Lee Jae Myung took office last year, buoyed in part by the discontent over June 3 local election ballot shortage. According to a poll by Realmeter released Monday, the People Power Party's favorability came to 44.3 percent, up 3.2 percentage points from the previous week. Monday's figure was the highest since the fourth week of January in 2025, when form
Unregulated international streaming services devastating local broadcasters, screen content creators
The government is investigating charging international streaming platforms a levy, having a local content quota, or requiring direct investment into New Zealand production.
Kim, Choi fall short at Dow Championship
Kim Hyo-joo and Choi Hye-jin narrowly missed out on the title at the Dow Championship after surrendering the lead in the final round of the LPGA Tour event on Sunday. Kim and Choi carded a 5-under 65 in the fourth and final round at Midland Country Club in Midland, recording five birdies in the tournament, which carries a purse of $3.3 million. The South Korean duo had held the outright lead through the third round, but finished at 15-under 265 overall after being overtaken on the final day by t
Emperor and empress watch World Cup match with Dutch royals
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Dutch side suggested the two couples watch the group match, held in Arlington, Texas, together on television.
LG Energy Solution hunts global talent in AI, next-gen batteries
LG Energy Solution said Monday it held its Battery Tech Conference in Chicago, stepping up efforts to recruit top global research talent in next-generation battery technologies, energy storage systems and artificial intelligence. As the company’s key platform for recruitment, the BTC was attended by more than 40 graduate students, doctoral candidates and researchers from leading North American universities and research institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford U
Trump seeks Iran exit, but risks loom
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- With an agreement on a framework for a peace deal with Iran, US President Donald Trump may have found a way to begin extricating himself from an unpopular war while setting global markets on a path toward easing energy prices that have spiked during the crisis. But he has settled for a deal that appears short of many of the goals he outlined in the early days of the conflict, potentially opening himself up to attacks from hawks in his own party and leaving the US looking
Rangers get off to hot start, hold off Red Sox
Willson Contreras homered twice on his 3-for-4 night and Masataka Yoshida went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored to lead the Red Sox.
Takaichi and Starmer use talks to push Japan-U.K. ties toward ‘quasi-alliance’
The two leaders also pledged more support for an embattled next-generation fighter jet project involving their countries and Italy.
Dig unearthing Ireland and Norway's Viking past
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A team of archaeologists from Ireland and Norway are aiming to unearth more of the two countries' shared Viking past at an archaeological dig near Waterford city.
OnlyFans 'agents' control and threaten creators while taking half their earnings, BBC finds
Dozens of women on OnlyFans describe being exploited by managers who promised to help maximise profits.
Inside the OnlyFans machine
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Amber Haque reveals how OnlyFans models suffer widespread exploitation by their managers.
Stuff stuns with ‘bold’ call on new Post editor
Analysis - Stuff has startled the media - and some customers - by picking former political strategist and lobbyist Matthew Hooton .
Fighting at the White House as fighting ends in Iran
Donald Trump last night got the 80th birthday present at the top of his wish list, when he, Iran and mediator Pakistan announced that both sides are closer than ever to ending the war.
G-Dragon dresses Korea for the World Cup
Soccer kits have long spilled over from the field to the streets, with big names in fashion having an increasing role in what players wear. For this World Cup, labels have rolled out national-team gear, collaboration collections and boots reworked for the street. One of the biggest collaborations unites Nike, G-Dragon's PeaceMinusOne and the Korea Football Association. Called "Tigers of Asia," the capsule pairs the KFA's signature design elements with PeaceMinusOne's daisy motif, framing the ide
Alcohol flush may not raise kidney disease risk, study finds
People who flush easily after drinking carry a genetic trait that makes them more vulnerable to higher risks of certain alcohol-related diseases, but a long-term Korean study suggests that the trait might not increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. The study found that people carrying the ALDH2 rs671 variant, which reduces the body’s ability to break down acetaldehyde, were not at a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Acetaldehyde is a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism and
Shinsegae rolls out history education after 'Tank Day' controversy
Shinsegae Group said Monday it is launching groupwide education on Korean history and awareness of social issues for employees of Starbucks Korea and other Emart affiliates — including Chairman Chung Yong-jin — in an effort to rebuild trust following a marketing controversy. The move follows the backlash over Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" campaign, which critics say referenced language associated with the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, a pivotal moment in South Korea's pro-democracy movement
SK Plasma breaks ground on Turkey plasma plant
SK Plasma said Monday it has begun construction of a plasma fractionation plant in Turkey, as the Korean biopharmaceutical company accelerates efforts to build a global manufacturing network. The facility, to be operated through a joint venture with the Turkish Red Crescent, will process up to 600,000 liters of plasma annually and produce key plasma-derived medicines including albumin, immunoglobulin and Factor VIII concentrate. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the project site in Cubuk,
Atlas moves closer to real-world autonomy, KB says
Hyundai Motor Group's humanoid robot ambitions are accelerating as Boston Dynamics' Atlas nears the level of autonomy needed for industrial deployment, according to KB Securities. In a report released Monday, KB Securities analyst Kang Sung-jin said recent videos from Boston Dynamics, Hyundai Motor Group's US robotics subsidiary, suggest the company has made significant progress toward developing "general intelligence" for humanoid robots. General intelligence refers to the ability to adapt to u
Baby whose body was found on side of rural road was stillborn
Police still have concerns for the mother's welfare.
Coal-rich Mongolia aims to boost China trade ties despite dependence risk
Two-way trade is expected to reach $20 billion this year, President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Deoksugung's Seokjojeon to host annual concert
A guitar and harp concert will be held on June 24 at Seokjojeon in Deoksugung, the palace's management office said Monday. Seokjojeon, the first Western-style stone building commissioned by King Gojong during the Korean Empire, was completed in 1910. Records show that Korea's first pianist, Kim Young-hwan, performed before the emperor there during a royal birthday banquet. The annual Seokjojeon Concert, launched in 2015 in partnership with the Kumho Cultural Foundation, draws on that musical leg
Innocean, SBVA launch startup growth platform
Innocean, the advertising and marketing arm of Hyundai Motor Group, said Monday it is partnering with venture capital firm SBVA to launch UP 2026, a growth platform designed to foster collaboration with high-growth startups and identify new business opportunities. SBVA, formerly known as SoftBank Ventures Asia, is a global venture capital firm affiliated with SoftBank Group. The firm invests in more than 100 startups across sectors including artificial intelligence, internet of things, and robot
BTS gift bags hit resale sites, angering fans
Gift bags handed out to those attending BTS’ Busan concerts have quickly appeared on secondhand trading platforms, prompting anger among fans after some concertgoers failed to receive them. Posts offering the bags for resale on platforms such as Karrot and Bungaejangter, as well as on social media, appeared soon after the BTS “World Tour Arirang” concerts at Busan Asiad Main Stadium held Friday and Saturday. The bags were given to fans as welcome gifts during the concerts. Packaged in a transpar
Yen short bets jump to nine-year high as carry trade revives
Leveraged funds increased their bearish positions on the yen to over 115,000 contracts in the week through June 9, the highest level since November 2017, data has shown.
Police struggle for clues as Incheon mutilated body probe enters sixth day
An investigation into a mutilated body part discovered at a public recycling facility in Incheon entered its sixth day on Monday, with police yet to identify the victim or determine where the remains were originally discarded. Officials have obtained dashboard camera footage and vehicle operation records from eight waste collection companies that delivered recyclables to the facility and are reviewing them to determine the initial disposal site, according to the Incheon Metropolitan Police and t
Sweden demolishes Tunisia 5-1 to seize control of World Cup group
Earlier in Group F, Japan scored late to draw 2-2 against the Netherlands.
Man crashes bike after hitting 'deliberately' placed rocks on Wellington's Te Ara Tupua path
The man says he removed six rocks weighing between five and seven kilograms from Wellington's Te Ara Tupua path.
S. Korea, UAE discuss AI, digital education cooperation
Education Vice Minister Choi Eun-ok met with United Arab Emirates Education Ministry Undersecretary Mohammed Al-Qassim in Seoul on Monday to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in education, the Education Ministry said. The meeting held at Lotte Hotel Seoul in Jung-gu, central Seoul, focused on follow-up measures to education-related plans included in a joint declaration adopted by the two countries’ leaders in November 2025, during President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to Abu Dhabi. Du
China's strike capacity over Australia set to expand, think tank says
China's ability to militarily strike Australia will grow markedly over the next decade, though the most immediate threats will come through cyberattacks and the cutting of undersea communications cables, a report from the Lowy Institute think tank said Monday. A new long-range stealth bomber currently under development and the possible deployment of missiles and aircraft to bases closer to Australia could "quickly and dramatically" increase the long-term threat, the Sydney-based non-partisan
For Chinese automakers, markets like Canada are more important than ever
As China’s powerhouse EV industry continues to dominate the globe, data shows demand is slowing domestically due to a reduction in government subsidies and a sluggish economy. This means export markets are more important than ever if the country’s automakers want to keep up production at its current pace.
War, sports collide as Iran's World Cup kicks off in Los Angeles
A divisive collision of geopolitics and sports is playing out in a community with emotional ties to two countries at war, setting the stage for drama and protest that will go beyond the pitch.
How do you get rid of 110 vats of smelly fish sauce? This Newfoundland town is finally getting an answer
It’ll take about 200 trips with a standard-sized dump truck to put an end to a stinky problem that has plagued the town of St. Mary’s, N.L., for the past 25 years.
Women with traumatic brain injury 26 per cent less likely to receive trauma care than men, Ontario study finds
New Ontario research shows women with traumatic brain injuries are far less likely to be admitted for trauma care than men, raising questions over why patients with similar, life-altering injuries may be receiving less-specialized treatment.
'She outworks everyone': Inside the rise of top PWHL prospect Caroline Harvey
The American defender was MVP at the Olympic tournament this past February. Now, she's likely to start her pro career in Vancouver, where the Goldeneyes have the first-overall pick.
Toronto Port Authority says Billy Bishop expansion would be self-funded. Some experts are skeptical
The Toronto Port Authority's CEO says expanding Billy Bishop Airport could cost $4 to $5 billion and would be self-funded. Some experts say it's unlikely a project of such scale would see a return on investment, given what the port authority’s financial statements reveal about the airport’s revenues.
Councillors call on Manurewa board member to resign after SFO referral
Two councillors urge Marshal Ahluwalia to resign after concern about his ability to serve amid ongoing allegations.
Russian strikes kill 11 and set Kyiv monastery alight
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Russia fired a barrage of missiles at several major Ukrainian cities, setting Kyiv's historic Dormition Cathedral on fire and killing 11, while Ukraine strikes claimed three lives south of Moscow.
Colombians face stark choice on economy as runoff vote nears
BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) -- Colombians eyeing a runoff election face two starkly different economic models against a backdrop of messy government finances. Right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella wants a leaner state with pro-business policy while leftist Ivan Cepeda is pushing for greater government spending on social programs in the runup to the June 21 election. Outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro is finishing his four-year term with high approval ratings among low income people beca
Trump turns 80 and celebrates with UFC cage fighting
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fueled by a dose of high-octane patriotism, US President Donald Trump and UFC boss Dana White walked out from the Oval Office to the Blue Room Balcony to chants of “USA!” “USA!” as fighter jets streaked overhead — before they settled in for a night of cage fighting on the White House lawn. A long-time fight fan with a 25-year professional relationship with White, Trump turned 80 on Sunday and military members and political dignitaries gathered on a blustery night on the South L
When could Iran deal bring petrol prices down?
News of a deal between Iran and the US is likely to be good news for petrol prices and interest rates - if it sticks.
China’s strike capacity over Australia set to expand, think tank says
The report said China can already strike northern Australia with missiles deployed to its South China Sea outposts.
BoyNextDoor sells 1m copies of 1st LP
BoyNextDoor’s first studio album, “Home,” sold over 1 million copies in the first week, its agency KOZ Entertainment announced on Monday. The LP is the group's fourth back-to-back million-selling set, after its third, fourth and fifth EPs “19.99,” “No Genre” and “The Action.” All six members participated in writing the songs, a first for the group, adding layers of personal experiences and feelings to four of the songs on the album. The LP debuted atop Oricon’s Daily Album Ranking upon its relea
Porirua councillor Mike Duncan remembered for his generous spirit and eye for detail
Council staff say Mike Duncan was open-minded, warm and friendly, and someone who cared about representing his community around the council table.
The search for Osamu Dazai’s memory in his hometown Mitaka
The novelist's hometown honors his memory, but with many buildings demolished, a pilgrimage is an exercise in imagination.
Samsung's Rainbow Robotics pilots warehouse robot at Coupang
Rainbow Robotics, the robot maker controlled by Samsung Electronics, has placed its mobile dual-arm robot RB-Y1 inside a Coupang fulfillment center, where the e-commerce company is running a trial to see whether the machine can handle warehouse work, according to a report Sunday by ETNews. The test checks how reliably the robot runs and how efficiently it sorts and moves goods, ETNews said, citing industry sources. A large order is expected to follow if the robot passes. None of the three compan
Man gets suspended sentence for throwing puppy from 15th floor because 'owner was late'
A man in his 20s received a suspended prison sentence for killing an acquaintance’s puppy by throwing it from the 15th floor of an apartment building after the dog’s owner was late for an appointment. According to the Cheongju District Court on Monday it has sentenced the man to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, on charges of violating the Animal Protection Act. The man was indicted for throwing a 2-month-old puppy owned by a younger acquaintance out of a 15th floor window in an a
Death of stowaway twin Joanne Ingham ruled natural causes
The 43-year-old was found unresponsive in a Wellington emergency housing complex.
UK to ban social media for under-16s
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Children under age 16 will be banned from social media in the UK, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said.
Store-made deli meats recalled in South Island over possible presence of glass
The recalled items are ready-made chicken meals, available at New World Greymouth, New World Rolleston at Pak'n'Save Riccarton.
World Cup 2026: Sweden 5-1 Tunisia recap
Sweden burst into life to down Tunisia 5-1 to move top of Group F.
North Canterbury school mourns death of student in crash
The Rangiora High School year 11 student was remembered as a "fantastic young man".
Unclear if US-Iran agreement will provide respite to Lebanon
Pakistan says the deal includes Lebanon, but recent ceasefires there have failed to take hold.
New OCD therapy a 'gamechanger' for 17-year-old
Psychologists are hoping the four-day intensive therapy, which costs thousands, will become part of the system.
One in six young people face sexual harm - report
The numbers also showed just over one in 10 have been exposed to violence by an adult in their home.
Giant's Causeway formed faster than previously thought
Scientists have made a new discovery about the history of the Giant's Causeway rock formation in Co Antrim.
The toll of living for years in a motel to get dialysis
As John Jensen's kidneys began to fail, his only option for treatment was to live separated from his wife Shirley in a Christchurch motel.
