Asians
-
Thai leader in hot water over Korean-inspired heart gesture
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has found herself at the center of a political storm after making a "finger heart" gesture during an official photo session on Saturday. The new prime minister, wearing her civil service dress uniform, crossed her thumbs and index fingers to form a heart shape - a popular gesture in K-pop culture. The incident has drawn criticism from Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a serial petitioner known f
September 11, 2024 -
Workers go on strike at Samsung Electronics plant in southern India
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Employees at a Samsung Electronics factory in southern India, have gone on strike, causing some disruption to production. Reuters reported Monday, hundreds of workers at the Samsung plant in Sriperumbudur have initiated an indefinite strike, demanding wage increases and improved working hours. The factory employs fewer than 2,000 people and produces refrigerators, washing machines and other home appliances. Sources cited by Reuters indicated that the
September 11, 2024 -
Egypt's urban inflation hits 26.2% in August
SEOUL, Sept. 11 (AJP) - Egypt's annual urban inflation rate rose unexpectedly to 26.2 percent in August, up from 25.7 percent in July, according to CAPMAS data. On a monthly basis, prices increased by 2.1 percent, a sharper rise compared to the 0.4-percent growth in July. Food prices, which had decreased by 0.3 percent in July, jumped by 1.8 percent in August and were 29-percent higher than the previous year. Analysts had forecasted inflation to ease to a median of 25.1 perce
September 11, 2024 -
Japan's JR East to introduce autonomous bullet trains by 2028
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - East Japan Railway Company (JR East), one of the country's largest railway operators, announced on Tuesday its plans to introduce self-driving bullet trains on a section of its Joetsu Shinkansen Line by fiscal year 2028. The autonomous service, which could be the world's first for high-speed trains, will initially operate with a driver onboard for emergencies. The 55.7-kilometer stretch between Nagaoka and Niigata stations in northwest Japan wi
September 11, 2024 -
Typhoon Yagi death toll surpasses 150 in Viet Nam, Hanoi partially flooded
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Typhoon Yagi has wreaked havoc across northern Viet Nam, leaving 87 dead and 70 missing. The storm, which made landfall on Sept. 7, has triggered severe flooding and landslides, leading to a surge in fatalities as heavy rains continue to batter the region for the third consecutive day. Hanoi, the capital city, faces significant challenges as the Red River's water level reached a 16-year high of 9.5 meters, with forecasts predicting a further rise to 1
September 11, 2024 -
Chinese congress considers proposal to gradually raise retirement age
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee has begun reviewing several bills, including a proposal to gradually increase the retirement age. This development, reported by Xinhua News Agency, is seen as aligning with international trends and addressing China's changing demographics and socioeconomic landscape. Experts suggest this adjustment could maximize the potential of China's increasingly educated population, helping t
September 11, 2024 -
Lebanon's ex-central bank governor remain jailed amid embezzlement charges
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - A Lebanese judge ruled that Riad Salameh, the former central bank governor, will remain in custody as he faces charges of embezzling $42 million from state funds. Salameh was detained last week after being questioned by Lebanon's top prosecutor on several financial crimes. He has maintained his innocence throughout. Judge Bilal Halawi issued an arrest warrant for Salameh, ensuring he stays behind bars while the trial proceeds. Judicial officials alleg
September 11, 2024 -
China's foreign trade sees steady growth in first eight months of this year
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - China's total merchandise trade amounted to 28.58 trillion yuan ($4.02 trillion) in the first eight months of 2024, reflecting a 6 percent year-on-year increase, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Tuesday, showing continued steady growth. Exports reached 16.45 trillion yuan, a 6.9 percent rise, while imports grew by 4.7 percent to 12.13 trillion yuan. This resulted in a trade surplus of 4.32 trillion yuan, whi
September 11, 2024 -
Myanmar military airstrikes escalate, causing spike in civilian deaths
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Myanmar's military junta has intensified its aerial bombardment campaign, resulting in a sharp rise in civilian casualties. This escalation follows a warning of retaliation by the junta's leader, Min Aung Hlaing, who accused rebel groups of using government buildings and innocent civilians as shields. The military's increased aggression comes in response to significant territorial gains made by ethnic armed organizations in the northeastern Sh
September 11, 2024 -
University of Tokyo plans first tuition hike in two decades
SEOUL, September 11 (AJP) - Japan's renowned academic institution, the University of Tokyo, announced on Tuesday its intention to raise tuition fees for new students enrolling from April 2025, marking the first increase in 20 years. The annual tuition will rise by about 107,000 yen ($751) to 642,960 yen, a move prompted by declining state grants and aimed at enhancing educational facilities. President Teruo Fujii told the press that improving the educational environment is an
September 11, 2024
-
SK Group provides $300,000 for Vietnam's typhoon recovery
-
China's updated law emphasizes enhanced national defense education in schools
-
N. Korea fires multiple SRBMs into East Sea
-
Autonomous robot collects recyclables and patrols in Seoul park
-
Blinken heads to Egypt for a new cease-fire proposal
-
Chinese lieutenant general calls for enhanced risk management between China and U.S.
-
Yamaha Motor CEO wounded in alleged knife attack by daughter
-
Viet Nam's GDP growth forecast slashed by 0.15 percent following Typhoon Yagi's $2 billion damage
-
LG Energy Solution to showcase high-voltage mid-nickel battery at German trade fair
-
Indian police detain over 100 Samsung workers during strike at factory