Record floods hit Chiang Mai; Bangkok on alert

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - Severe flooding has hit northern Thailand, with the city of Chiang Mai experiencing record-high water levels. The Ping River, which runs through Chiang Mai, reached a historic peak of 5.3 meters on Saturday night, submerging popular tourist areas like Tha Pae Gate and Night Bazaar under a meter of water. Three people have died from electrocution and landslides, while many residents have been evacuated or left stranded. The flooding has disrupted transportat

October 8, 2024

'Indian companies step in as U.S. excludes Chinese firms from solar market'

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - Indian companies are stepping into the void left by Chinese firms being excluded from the U.S. solar energy industry, Sumant Sinha, CEO of ReNew, India's largest renewable energy firm, said. In an interview with the Financial Times on Monday, Sinha said there will be demand for Indian-made solar components as the U.S. reduces its dependence on China during the energy transition. He also noted that ReNew is considering exporting products manufactured i

October 8, 2024

U.S. calls for safety of UN peacekeepers as Israel expands operations in Lebanon

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - The United States has stressed the need to keep U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon safe, including protecting them from any potential threats from Israeli actions, according to the State Department. U.S. officials emphasized the critical role the peacekeeping mission plays in maintaining stability in Lebanon. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted that while Israel's ground operations in Lebanon remain limited, Israeli forces seem poised to expand

October 8, 2024

Israel commemorates one year since Hamas attack amid ongoing conflict

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - Israel recently held memorials to honor those killed and abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, as fighting continues in Gaza and Lebanon. The attack resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnappings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent such assaults in the future, highlighting the military's ongoing efforts to enhance security in the region. Since the attack, Israel's Gaza offensive has led to nearly 42,000 deaths, according

October 8, 2024

Four Chinese officials disciplined for misconduct  

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China announced on Monday that four officials have been punished for disciplinary violations, as part of the country's ongoing anti-corruption campaign. This is part of wider efforts to strengthen key sectors and ensure sustainable development. One of the officials, Tang Yijun, former chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consult

October 8, 2024

Tourism surge during 'Golden Week' signals economic optimism, experts say

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - China's National Day holidays, commonly known as "Golden Week," saw a significant rise in tourism, with a noticeable increase in passenger trips across the country and a strong surge in both inbound and outbound travel, according to official data and reports from major Chinese travel booking platforms on Monday. Crowds at tourist spots nationwide, backed by data, further highlight the steady growth in China's tourism and consumption markets

October 8, 2024

OPINION: Nobel prize in medicine awarded for discovery of microRNAs, molecules that control our genes

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - Two scientists, Victor Ambros (UMASS Chan Medical School in the U.S.) and Gary Ruvkun (Harvard Medical School in the U.S.), have won the 2024 Nobel prize in medicine or physiology. They received the prestigious award for discovering tiny molecules in our cells called microRNAs. This discovery has not only changed our understanding of how our bodies work, but opens up a whole new area of science as well. It even extends into new treatments. These molecules

October 8, 2024

SK Bioscience to acquire stake in U.S. biotech firm

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - SK Bioscience, developer of Korea's first domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine, said Tuesday it will invest $3 million to acquire a stake in U.S.-based Fina Biosolutions. Fina Biosolutions possesses key technologies for conjugate vaccines that prevent diseases such as pneumococcal, meningococcal and typhoid fever. The company holds proprietary technology for manufacturing the CRM197 protein carrier, crucial in developing conjugate vaccines. SK Biosc

October 8, 2024

Key Suu Kyi ally dies shortly after junta amnesty

SEOUL, October 08 (AJP) - A close associate of Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has died Monday, shortly after being granted amnesty by the military junta. Zaw Myint Maung, a former governor of Mandalay region and key figure in Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, died at the age of 72 after being released from prison due to deteriorating health. Myint Maung, who had served as vice-chairman and acting chairman of the NLD, was sentenced to 29 years in

October 8, 2024

Saudi wealth fund considers increasing stakes in Japanese gaming firms: report

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is contemplating raising its stakes in Japanese gaming companies as part of a strategy to diversify the kingdom's economy away from oil, Kyodo News reported Monday. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud, vice chairman of PIF's gaming entity Savvy Games Group, was quoted as saying, "It's always a possibility," when asked about potential additional investments in Japanese gaming firms.

October 8, 2024