India investigates fire at iPhone component manufacturer

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Indian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of a fire at an iPhone component manufacturing facility in southern India, according to news reports. The fire broke out on Saturday at the Tata Electronics plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. No injuries were reported, as all employees present at the plant were safely evacuated. The investigation is expected to delay the resumption of production at the facility, which employs around 1,50

September 30, 2024

Qoo10 CEO questioned in e-commerce fraud probe

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) -- The prosecution investigating a payment delay scandal involving e-commerce platforms Tmon and WeMakePrice on Monday questioned the chief executive officer of their Singapore-based parent company, Qoo10 Group. The two Korean firms have been embroiled in a financial crisis since July, unable to settle payments with merchants on their platforms. Qoo10 CEO Koo Young-bae is suspected of diverting funds from the companies to assist with corporate acquisitio

September 30, 2024

BTS member Suga fined 15 million won for drunk driving

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - BTS member Suga was fined 15 million won (US$ 11,463) on Monday for driving under influence earlier this year. The Seoul Western District Court ordered the 31-year-old rapper to pay the fine. Suga, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service with a public-sector desk job, was caught riding under the influence after falling off his electric scooter near his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan on Aug. 6. At the time of the accident, his

September 30, 2024

UAE's Sharjah attracts expats with affordable prices

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - As rents in Dubai, UAE skyrocket, many expatriates are looking to Sharjah, a city with ancient roots just north of Dubai, as a more affordable alternative. Sharjah has begun attracting investors after a recent law allowed foreigners to buy property in specific areas. Developers are responding by building thousands of new homes to meet growing demand. "Sharjah offers lower living costs, and we're seeing a migration from Dubai where rents have beco

September 30, 2024

China, Russia conclude joint naval exercise

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - China and Russia wrapped up an 18-day joint naval exercise in East Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk last week, immediately transitioning to their fifth joint maritime patrol in Pacific waters. Experts anticipate increased military collaboration between the two nations in the future. The PLA Navy reported that the closing ceremony for the Northern/Interaction-2024 exercise was held aboard the Chinese destroyer Xining at the joint operation headquarters last Frid

September 30, 2024

Israel's strikes on Lebanon and Yemen ignite humanitarian crises

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Israel's airstrikes have likely displaced up to one million people in Lebanon, according to Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who described it as potentially the largest displacement event in the country's history. The Lebanese health ministry reported that more than 50 people were killed in Sunday's strikes, which followed the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israel. In retaliation, Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Isr

September 30, 2024

Japan's incoming PM Ishiba eyes Oct. 27 election

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Japan's incoming Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is planning to call a general election on Oct. 27, according to senior officials from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Ishiba, who secured the LDP leadership on Friday, is set to be formally appointed as prime minister on Tuesday in an extraordinary Diet session. The former defense minister is reportedly assembling his cabinet and party leadership team, with several key appointments already in c

September 30, 2024

Chinese central bank lowers mortgage rates to bolster property sector

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - China's central bank revised the mortgage rate pricing mechanism on Sunday to ease financial pressure on homeowners. This decision prompted the country's leading commercial banks to announce adjustments to interest rates on existing personal housing loans. Analysts view this policy shift as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the real estate market and stimulate consumption, contributing to positive market sentiment. The People's Bank o

September 30, 2024

Giant pandas return to China after 13-year stay in Japan

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - Two giant pandas have been returned to China after spending 13 years at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens, zoo officials said on Sunday. The pandas, Ri Ri and Shin Shin, both 19 years old, were transported to a reserve in China's southwestern Sichuan Province for medical treatment. The pandas, who arrived in Tokyo in 2011, had been receiving medication for age-related high blood pressure, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government. Their departu

September 30, 2024

OPINION: Shigeru Ishiba will be Japan's next prime minister. What should we expect?

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - In a vote to replace Fumio Kishia as head of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), party members have elected Shigeru Ishiba as their new leader. Given the LDP's majority in parliament, the party leader will become prime minister by default. Ishiba, aged 67, joined the parliament in 1986 and held key cabinet posts throughout his career, including director of then Defense Agency (now Ministry of Defense). Amid growing public opposition

September 30, 2024