Southeast Asian markets surge as global investors anticipate Fed rate cut

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Global investors are shifting their focus to Southeast Asian markets as the U.S. Federal Reserve's pivot on monetary policy approaches. Bloomberg reports that four of the top five performing Asian stock indices this month are from Southeast Asia, with Thailand leading the pack. Foreign capital has flowed into these markets for five consecutive weeks, pushing the MSCI ASEAN index near its highest level since April 2022. The index has outperformed the M

September 13, 2024

Typhoon Yagi death toll surpasses 270 in Southeast Asia

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Super Typhoon Yagi's devastating impact on Southeast Asia continues to escalate, with the death toll now surpassing 270. Viet Nam, the hardest-hit country, has confirmed 226 fatalities, 104 missing, and around 800 injured. The storm's aftermath has left millions struggling with flooding, power outages, and widespread infrastructure damage. In Viet Nam alone, over 250,000 hectares of farmland have been affected, and UNICEF estimates that more than

September 13, 2024

Samsung plant strike in southern India enters 5th day

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Unionized workers continued their strike Friday at Samsung Electronics' plant in southern India for the fifth day, demanding wage increases and improved working hours, news reports said. Hundreds of workers at the plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, began an indefinite walkout on Monday in one of the largest labor disputes in India in recent years. Tamil Nadu's labor minister, C.V. Ganesan, met with union representatives and Samsung officials o

September 13, 2024

Japanese, US researchers win Ig Nobel for anal breathing study

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - A team of Japanese and American scientists has been recognized for their groundbreaking research on intestinal breathing in mammals. The group, led by Professor Takanori Takebe of Tokyo Medical and Dental University, received the Ig Nobel physiology prize on Thursday for their work demonstrating that certain mammals can respirate through their intestines. The study, published in the journal Med in 2021, explored the potential of intestinal oxygen exchange

September 13, 2024

WHO leads largest Gaza medical evacuation to UAE

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on Wednesday that 97 critically ill and injured individuals from Gaza were airlifted to Abu Dhabi, UAE, for urgent medical treatment. This large-scale evacuation, the biggest since October 2023, was conducted amidst heavy Israeli attacks. In a statement, Tedros explained that WHO, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, successfully evacuated the patie

September 13, 2024

Chinese premier visits UAE to strengthen bilateral ties

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), responding to an invitation from UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Upon arrival, Li highlighted the robust growth in China-UAE relations over the 40 years since establishing diplomatic ties, noting the strengthening friendship between the two nations. Li referenced the recent meeting between Chin

September 13, 2024

Putin, Wang Yi hold talks in Russia

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) -Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met in St. Petersburg, Russia on Thursday. Putin extended warm wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed enthusiasm for China's involvement in the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The leaders highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Russia and China, emphasizing equality and mutual benefit. They noted positive progress in bilateral exchanges and coopera

September 13, 2024

Japanese firm plans second lunar landing attempt in December

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - Tokyo-based lunar exploration company ispace announced on Thursday its intention to launch a second Moon landing mission as early as December, following an unsuccessful attempt last year. The mission will utilize the company's Resilience lander, which is set to carry a rover named Tenacious to the Moon's northern hemisphere. The launch is scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. If successful, ispac

September 13, 2024

Biden's military aid to Egypt faces backlash over human rights record

SEOUL, September 13 (AJP) - The Biden administration has decided to release $320 million in military aid to Egypt, despite the funds being previously linked to the country's human rights improvements. This brings the total U.S. military assistance to Egypt for the year to $1.3 billion, making Egypt the second-largest recipient of such aid after Israel. The decision, announced to Congress, was made after Secretary of State Antony Blinken used his authority to approve the aid, inc

September 13, 2024