Pope calls for genocide investigation over Gaza attacks

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Pope Francis has called for an investigation if Israel's attacks in Gaza qualify as genocide, according to excerpts from an upcoming book released on Sunday ahead of the pontiff's jubilee year. This is the first time the Pope has openly addressed allegations of genocide related to Israel's military campaign. He previously described Israel's attacks in Gaza and Lebanon as "immoral" and disproportionate, arguing they exceed the rule

November 18, 2024

South Korea's business chamber sends delegation to COP29 climate talks

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - South Korea's business lobby Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced on Monday it has dispatched a delegation to the United Nations climate conference COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The delegation includes representatives from major South Korean conglomerates SK Group, LG Group, and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., who will participate in discussions through Nov. 23 at the conference attended by about 40,000 participa

November 18, 2024

Super typhoon Mayi strikes Philippines, marking sixth storm in a month

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Super typhoon Mayi hit the Philippines' eastern province of Catanduanes before moving to Luzon island on Sunday, bringing winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour, with over 750,000 residents evacuated from vulnerable areas, civil defense authorities reported. Roberto Monterola, a disaster response official in Catanduanes, described the rain as light but said the winds were powerful, producing an eerie howling sound. Monterola also noted that storm sur

November 18, 2024

Former Japan governor wins reelection despite abuse claims

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Motohiko Saito, the former governor of Japan's Hyogo Prefecture who was ousted over allegations of power abuse, has won back his position. Saito, 47, defeated his main rival, Kazumi Inamura, 52, the former mayor of Amagasaki city, on Sunday in a race that highlighted deep divisions within the region's political establishment. The election followed Saito's automatic removal from office in September after a unanimous no-confidence vote by th

November 18, 2024

Laos inflation soars past 30% as national debt weighs on economy

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Laos is experiencing severe economic hardship with inflation rates surging from 23 percent in 2022 to 31 percent in 2023, with projections showing 25 percent for 2024, the Asian Development Bank reported on Sunday, as prices of basic necessities like rice, sugar, oil, and chicken have nearly doubled. The Southeast Asian nation's national debt has surpassed $13 billion, reaching 108 percent of GDP, largely due to Chinese loans funding the $6 billion Chi

November 18, 2024

Japan PM postpones Trump meeting over legal concerns

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's planned meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been postponed due to legal restrictions. "We are considering holding a meeting as soon as possible at a time that is most convenient for both sides," Ishiba said on Saturday while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru. The Logan Act, which prohibits private citizens from conducting diplomatic negotiations with fore

November 18, 2024

Fire at Indian hospital claims lives of 10 newborns

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - A fire broke out in a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in India, resulting in the deaths of 10 newborns and leaving 16 others critically injured. According to news reports on Saturday, the fire occurred at 10:45 p.m. the previous day at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, about 450 kilometers south of New Delhi. Local fire authorities reported that 49 newborns were in the hospital at the time of the incident. The fire

November 18, 2024

India successfully test-fires hypersonic missile

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - India has announced that it successfully test-fired an indigenously developed hypersonic missile. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter) that the test launch had been successfully conducted the previous day from Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, eastern India. Singh said, "This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such cri

November 18, 2024

Xi pledges cooperation with Trump at final meeting with Biden  

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a commitment to work with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during his last meeting with the outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden last week. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru last Saturday. Xi outlined China's goals, sending a message to Trump and the next U.S. administration. In a statement released afterward, Xi emphasized that "a new Cold War

November 18, 2024

OPINION: Brazilian presidency of G20 is likely to end with limited results

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The G20 Leaders' Summit takes place on Nov. 18 and 19, in Rio de Janeiro, with the presence of leaders of the member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will not attend. Putin faces arrest if he travels abroad on a warrant accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine, issued by the International Criminal Court, and will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In a simple metaphor, Brazil&#

November 18, 2024