46 drown during Hindu festival in India

SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) – At least 46 people, including 37 children, have drowned during a Hindu festival in eastern India, according to news reports. The incident occurred between Tuesday and Thursday across 15 districts in Bihar state, where Hindu devotees were bathing in rivers and ponds as part of the festival celebrations. The victims lost their lives while performing ritual baths in rivers and ponds swollen due to recent flooding, according to a disaster management off

September 27, 2024

Pope urges release of Suu Kyi, offers Vatican refuge

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Myanmar's ongoing crisis has drawn international attention, with Pope Francis calling for the release of detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. According to Reuters on Wednesday, during his recent Asia tour, the pope revealed he had requested Suu Kyi's release and offered her safe haven in the Vatican. Suu Kyi, who led the National League for Democracy to victory in the 2020 election, has been imprisoned since the military coup in February 20

September 26, 2024

India reports first case of variant mpox

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - India has reported its first case of the mpox variant, a viral disease spreading primarily in Africa. Formerly known as monkeypox, the disease transmits through close contact with an infected person or animal. Indian authorities announced on Monday that a recently reported mpox case in the Malappuram region in southern India belongs to the new variant, clade 1 strain. The patient is a 38-year-old man who recently returned from the United Arab Emirat

September 26, 2024

Israeli troops ready for ground invasion after Hezbollah missile attack

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Israel's military chief, Herzi Halevi, told troops on Wednesday that ongoing airstrikes in Lebanon are aimed at dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure and preparing for a possible ground invasion. Speaking from Israel's northern border, Halevi explained that the strikes are part of efforts to weaken Hezbollah's capabilities and lay the groundwork for Israeli forces to enter Hezbollah-controlled areas. The operation's goal, according

September 26, 2024

Indonesia's new capital secures first foreign investment

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, has attracted its first foreign investor as Chinese real estate firm Dellonix Group broke ground on a mixed-use commercial complex Wednesday. President Joko Widodo attended the groundbreaking ceremony, praising Dellonix as a pioneering foreign investor and expressing hope that it would inspire confidence in other potential investors. The company is investing 500 billion rupiah ($31.7 million) to build hotels, shoppi

September 26, 2024

High-level exchanges to enhance China-Australia relations, experts say

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - A recent meeting on Tuesday between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in New York signals continued improvement in China-Australia relations. Experts note that increased high-level communication helps prevent misunderstandings between the two nations. Wang and Wong met during the United Nations General Assembly. Their discussion focused on building a more stable and productive partnership, with Wang emphasizing th

September 26, 2024

New warplanes to make debut at airshow in China

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force announced on Wednesday that China will showcase some of its latest warplanes at the country's top airshow. Experts are expecting the debut of next-generation fighter jets and domestically made aero engines. At a press conference, Lieutenant General Yu Qingjiang, vice commander of the PLA Air Force, revealed that newly developed warplanes will be making their first public appearance during flight demonst

September 26, 2024

Japan's naval vessel traverses Taiwan Strait for first time

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - A Japanese naval destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time, a move likely to raise tensions with Beijing, news reports said. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel Sazanami made the transit alongside ships from Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday. The narrow waterway separates China from Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The passage comes amid escalating regional tensions, with China intensifying its milita

September 26, 2024

New Zealand, UAE forge stronger trade ties with comprehensive economic partnership

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - New Zealand's dairy exports to the UAE reached $718 million, accompanied by $237 million in industrial products, $46 million in red meat, $44 million in horticultural products, and $31 million from tourism. In return, New Zealand imported $152 million worth of goods and services from the UAE, including plastics, carpets, travel services, and glass. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between New Zealand and the UAE eliminates tarif

September 26, 2024

Arbitration panel backs Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - An arbitration panel has ruled in favor of Japan's Nippon Steel Corp.'s proposed acquisition of United States Steel Corp., despite opposition from the steelworkers' union, the U.S. company said on Wednesday. The non-binding decision was made by a Board of Arbitration, whose members were chosen by U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers union. The union had previously called for scrutiny of the deal, citing financial concerns. "With the

September 26, 2024