Viet Nam's GDP growth forecast slashed by 0.15 percent following Typhoon Yagi's $2 billion damage

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Viet Nam's government has reported that Typhoon Yagi caused about 40 trillion dong ($2.1 billion) in damages, potentially reducing the country's GDP growth forecast by 0.15 percentage points this year. The super typhoon, which made landfall on Sept. 7, has claimed 281 lives and left 67 people missing in Viet Nam alone. The hardest-hit provinces, including Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Thai Nguyen, and Lao Cai, could see their growth rates decline by more

September 17, 2024

LG Energy Solution to showcase high-voltage mid-nickel battery at German trade fair

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution will showcase its pouch-type, high-voltage Cell-to-Pack (CTP) battery with a mid-nickel composition at IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover, starting Tuesday for a six-day run. The battery offers a maximum range of 600 kilometers for large trucks, making it suitable for long-distance travel. It can be charged up to 5,000 times before performance begins to decline. These batteries have a nickel content of 40 to 60 percent and increased

September 17, 2024

Indian police detain over 100 Samsung workers during strike at factory

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - Indian police have detained 104 striking workers at Samsung Electronics' plant in southern India. Unionized workers at the Samsung factory in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, planned a march demanding wage increases on Monday. The local police apprehended them at the wedding hall later that day. The police denied the permit for the march, citing the presence of schools, colleges, and hospitals in the surrounding area. Hundreds of workers at the Sripe

September 17, 2024

3 fishermen killed in boat accident near southwestern port city

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Three fishermen were killed and five were rescued in a fishing boat accident near the southwestern port city of Gunsan, the Gunsan Coast Guard said Monday. According to the Gunsan Coast Guard, the crew members of the 35-ton-class 77 Daeryeong -- the captain (71), chief engineer (53), and an Indonesian crew in his 40s, were pronounced dead after being transferred to a nearby hospital. The remaining five foreign crew members (three from Viet Nam, two f

September 16, 2024

Thai baby hippo 'Moo Deng' captures hearts across Asia, sparks tourism boom

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A baby hippopotamus named Moo Deng, born in June at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has become an internet sensation across Asia, reminiscent of South Korea’s beloved panda Fu Bao. The calf's endearing appearance has led to a surge in visitors, with the zoo experiencing twice its usual attendance and implementing a five-minute viewing limit per person due to overwhelming crowds. The zoo has capitalized on Moo Deng's popularity, featuring

September 16, 2024

Dubai princess launches perfume after making a bold statement

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - A Dubai princess who made headlines for her Instagram divorce has returned to the platform to launch her new perfume, “Divorce.” Princess Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai ruler and UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has shared several photos of herself holding the perfume bottle over the past two days. This follows a teaser post five days earlier, promoting her perfume brand Mahra M1, along with

September 16, 2024

Japan's elderly population reaches new peak, workforce participation rises

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Japan's population aged 65 and above has reached a record 36.25 million, constituting 29.3 percent of the total population, according to government data released on Sunday. This figure represents an increase of 20,000 from the previous year, further solidifying Japan's position as the country with the highest proportion of elderly citizens globally. The data, published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ahead of Respect for

September 16, 2024

N. Korea deploys about 120 waste balloons

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Since Sunday, North Korea has sent approximately 120 waste balloons towards the South, with around 40 landing in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday. The JCS confirmed that roughly 40 of these balloons were identified in Seoul and its surrounding areas. "The contents of the balloons included household waste such as paper, plastic, and vinyl, with no harmful substances detected," the

September 16, 2024

China set to gradually increase retirement age over next 15 years

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) -China's top legislative body approved a plan to incrementally raise the country's statutory retirement age last Friday. Starting in 2025, the retirement age for men will increase from 60 to 63 over a 15-year period. For women, the age will rise from 55 to 58 for cadres and from 50 to 55 for blue-collar workers, as reported by Xinhua News Agency. This decision, made during the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People

September 16, 2024

INTERVIEW: Norwegian researcher says technology alone can't solve aging crisis

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Technology often feels like the magic bullet for society’s biggest challenges, but J. Artur Serrano, a prominent researcher from Norway, insists it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. "Technology is a tool," Serrano, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, told AJP. "But real change starts with us—our mindsets, our policies, and our willingness to embrace responsibility." Serrano, an expe

September 16, 2024