Thailand approves $5.8 billion cash handout to boost economy

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - The Thai government has approved a 145.6 billion baht ($5.8 billion) cash handout program for 14.5 million vulnerable citizens in an effort to stimulate the economy. Starting Sept. 25, low-income individuals with welfare cards and disabled persons will receive 10,000 baht ($400) directly into their bank accounts. This initiative is a scaled-down version of the Pheu Thai Party's election promise to distribute 10,000 baht to every Thai citizen. The orig

September 18, 2024

Sharp unveils electric vehicle prototype with living room-like interior

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Sharp Corp., a Japanese electronics manufacturer, revealed its inaugural electric vehicle (EV) prototype on Tuesday, featuring a spacious interior design reminiscent of a living room. The vehicle, named "LDK+," was developed in collaboration with Sharp's parent company, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., and Kyoto-based EV startup Folofly. It boasts a 65-inch display screen in the rear, capable of transforming the vehicle into a mobile entertai

September 18, 2024

Samsung's 'Galaxy Watch5' used in civilian spacewalk project

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' smartwatch "Galaxy Watch5" was used for body composition monitoring research during the "Polaris Dawn project," the first civilian spacewalk mission, the company said Wednesday. This research, led by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, involved astronauts wearing the Galaxy Watch5 with advanced bioactive sensors to monitor human reactions and health in space environments, helping prevent risks related to

September 18, 2024

SK Group provides $300,000 for Viet Nam's typhoon recovery

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - SK Group, which has maintained a strong cooperative relationship with Viet Nam, will donate $300,000 to assist in the recovery efforts following the recent typhoon damage in the Southeast Asian country. The group announced Wednesday that it plans to deliver the $300,000 donation to Viet Nam's Fatherland Front Central Committee later this month. The funds will be used for local relief supplies and aid activities. Recently, northern Vietnam has bee

September 18, 2024

China's updated law emphasizes enhanced national defense education in schools

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - China approved revisions to the Law on National Defense Education on Friday, placing greater emphasis on defense education in academic institutions and highlighting the supportive role of military organizations in students' military training. The revised law, consisting of six chapters, was passed during the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing. It enhances provisions for students' m

September 18, 2024

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles into East Sea

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from a launch site near Kaechon City some 72 kilometers (45 miles) north of Pyongyang, five days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a weapons-grade uranium enriching facility, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday. According to the JCS, North Korea fired multiple SRBMs northeastwards from Kaechon at about 6:50 a.m. (2150 GMT) on Wednesday. The missi

September 18, 2024

Autonomous robot collects recyclables and patrols in Seoul park

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - An autonomous robot developed by Robotis is collecting recyclables and patrolling for safety at a park in Yangcheon, a district in southwestern Seoul, the Korean robot manufacturer said Tuesday. The robot named Gaemi arrives at the designated location to collect recyclables when called via QR codes. Equipped with separate bins for plastic, paper and cans, it automatically returns to its charging station after collection and heads to a depot to unload recy

September 17, 2024

Blinken heads to Egypt for new cease-fire proposal

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Egypt on Tuesday to push forward a new cease-fire proposal for Gaza. The U.S. is working with Egypt and Qatar to finalize this plan, which seeks to establish a truce between Israel and Hamas and secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas. No specific date has been set for the proposal's release. While in Cairo, Blinken will also co-chair the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue alongside Egyptian Foreig

September 17, 2024

Chinese lieutenant general calls for enhanced risk management with US

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - At the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum (BXF) on Friday, Lieutenant General He Lei, former vice president of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences, emphasized the need for China and the United States to improve risk management, particularly concerning China's core interests. He emphasized that this is crucial for the two nations to advance towards peaceful coexistence. Speaking at the special session "The Right Way fo

September 17, 2024

Yamaha Motor CEO wounded in alleged knife attack by daughter

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - The chief executive officer of Japanese automobile parts manufacturer Yamaha Motor suffered an arm injury on Monday in what police describe as a knife attack by his adult daughter at their residence in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, authorities reported. Law enforcement officials said that they have taken into custody Hana Hidaka, 33, on suspicion of attempted murder of her father, Yoshihiro Hidaka, 61. The incident allegedly occurred around 3:00 a.m. local

September 17, 2024