Latest news
-
Indonesia's forest under threat from biomass export push to Korea, Japan
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Indonesia is accelerating deforestation of its pristine forests to produce biomass fuel, primarily wood pellets, for export to South Korea and Japan, raising environmental concerns over the impact on wildlife habitats, AP reported on Friday. Environmental group Auriga Nusantara revealed that over 14,000 square kilometers have been licensed for biomass production, with 97.4 square kilometers already cleared -- much of which serves as critical habitat for end
October 28, 2024 -
Storm Trami forces Vietnam to close airports, Philippines death toll hits 130
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Viet Nam shuttered four major airports and halted maritime traffic as tropical storm Trami made landfall in the central region on Monday, with forecasts predicting up to 700mm of rainfall in Quang Binh and Quang Nam provinces. The Civil Aviation Authority closed airports in popular tourist destinations including Da Nang International Airport, Phu Bai, Dong Hoi, and Chu Lai, while authorities evacuated residents from low-lying areas and suspended tourism act
October 28, 2024 -
Japan's Onagawa nuclear reactor resumes operation after 13-year hiatus
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Japan's Tohoku Electric Power is set to restart its Onagawa No. 2 nuclear reactor on Tuesday, marking the first reactor reactivation in eastern Japan since the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The utility company invested about 570 billion yen ($3.7 billion) in safety enhancements, including raising seawalls to 29 meters and reinforcing earthquake resistance measures. The boiling water reactor, wh
October 28, 2024 -
Korea Zinc, Bain acquire 11.26% of company shares amid battle over control
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Korea Zinc and U.S. investment firm Bain Capital have acquired a combined 11.26 percent of company shares through a tender offer in a battle over control of the world's largest smelter. In a regulatory filing Monday, Korea Zinc announced that it had secured 9.85 percent through a buyback program that closed on Wednesday, while Bain Capital acquired 1.41 percent. Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom and Bain Capital aimed to acquire up to 17.5 percent an
October 28, 2024 -
Hong Kong delegation to visit Saudi Arabia to enhance financial cooperation
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Paul Chan, the financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), will lead a delegation from the financial, innovation, and technology sectors to Saudi Arabia on Monday. Analysts believe this visit will strengthen cooperation between the HKSAR and the Middle East across various areas, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a global financial and commercial hub. The delegation includes over 110 members, consisting of leaders or repr
October 28, 2024 -
China's industrial profits exceed 5 trillion yuan in first three quarters
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Major industrial enterprises in China posted combined profits of 5.23 trillion yuan (735.41 billion U.S. dollars) from January to September, marking a 3.5 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Sunday. Sectors driven by high-tech manufacturing have seen rapid growth, demonstrating resilience in the industrial economy, noted NBS statistician Yu Weining. Several factors have influence
October 28, 2024 -
Russia 'transporting North Korean troops' to battlefield
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - North Korean troops are expected to be deployed to the battlefield as early as this week. Russia is "transporting North Korean soldiers to the front lines via trucks," the Kyiv Independent reported last Sunday, citing a source from the Main Directorate of Intelligence . "Russian police officers on Oct. 27 stopped a Kamaz truck with civilian license plates on the Kursk-Voronezh highway," the Ukraine English-language online newspaper sa
October 28, 2024 -
Japan ruling coalition loses parliamentary majority in shock defeat
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Japan's ruling coalition suffered a major setback, losing its majority in the lower house of parliament, as a widening political funding scandal eroded voter confidence in Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's leadership. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior partner Komeito secured 215 seats, fewer than the 233 seats required for a majority in the 465-seat House of Representatives in Sunday's election, according to the national broadcaste
October 28, 2024 -
Netanyahu faces mounting pressure as ceasefire talks resume in Doha
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at a memorial for the Oct. 7 attack victims was disrupted by protesters as ceasefire talks on Gaza resumed in Doha, Qatar. Netanyahu stood quietly while some attendees shouted "Shame on you," and one protester repeatedly called out, "My father was killed," causing him to pause briefly. Initially, the event did not plan for bereaved family speeches to avoid government criticism, but t
October 28, 2024 -
OPINION: US presidential election remains very close
SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - The United States presidential election will be held on Nov. 5. In analyst Nate Silver's aggregate of national polls, Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump by 48.6–47.4, a gain for Trump since last Wednesday, when Harris led by 48.8–47.2. Harris' national lead peaked on Oct. 2, when she led by 49.4–45.9. The U.S. president isn't elected by the national popular vote, but by the Electoral College, in which each sta
October 28, 2024
-
PHOTOS: Red Cross holds charity bazaar in Seoul
-
South Korean man held in China on alleged espionage charges
-
VISUALS: Korea marks 2nd anniversary of Halloween crowd crush
-
Rosé of BLACKPINK makes top 10 entry on Billboard singles chart
-
Israel's allies call on Israel to rethink proposed ban on UNRWA's vital aid
-
North Korea's troops in Russia moving to frontlines, spy agency speculates
-
POSCO, JSW Group to build steel mill in eastern India
-
Egypt to lead ceasefire mediation amid Israel-Hamas conflict
-
North Korean foreign minister travels to Russia amid deepening military ties
-
Zelensky warns of 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia 'soon'