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  • Lionel Messi Reflects on Fathers Passing in Emotional Message
    Lionel Messi Reflects on Father's Passing in Emotional Message Lionel Messi shared a heartfelt message following the passing of his father, Jorge Messi.On August 11, Messi posted on his social media, saying, "I still can't believe that Dad is gone. It's hard to imagine that I can no longer see or talk to him. There was still so much left for us to enjoy together, and he left too soon."He added, "Dad asked me to make sure to play in the last World Cup," but noted that "his condition worsened just days before the tournament began."Messi recalled telling his father, "We will make it to the final, and you can come then." He waited for his father's messages after each match, realizing the seriousness of the situation only later. "I wanted to buy time somehow so that Dad could see at least one game in person," he said.However, Jorge was unable to attend the matches. Messi expressed, "I wanted to win and bring the trophy to Dad and show him a new one, but I couldn't. This time, I tried to fight against physical limitations, but it was impossible. My legs had no strength."When he visited his father after the World Cup, Messi recounted, "When I arrived, Dad thought we had lost in the final by penalty shootout. I couldn't tell him everything that had happened. He couldn't enjoy anything."Messi reflected, "Dad doesn't know how much we enjoyed every game. Once again, he was right. I should have been there, and I should have played in the World Cup."He also expressed uncertainty about his future without his father, saying, "I don't know what to do or how to keep going without him. I just played soccer, but now I'm not sure if I can continue this for much longer."Messi lamented, "You were with me from the beginning, and there was so little time left. Why couldn't you hold on a little longer to finish this together?"Jorge Messi passed away on August 8 at the age of 68 in Rosario, Argentina.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 07:40:00
  • Mirae Assets Q2 Profit Approaches 2 Trillion Won, Outpacing Shinhan Financial
    Mirae Asset's Q2 Profit Approaches 2 Trillion Won, Outpacing Shinhan Financial Mirae Asset Securities reported a nearly 2 trillion won net profit for the second quarter, significantly surpassing its competitors. The firm achieved a net profit of 1.9052 trillion won for the second quarter, marking a 369.4% increase from the same period last year and a 90.2% rise from the previous quarter.In the first quarter, the company recorded a net profit of 1.0019 trillion won, making it the first in the securities industry to exceed 1 trillion won in net profit for two consecutive quarters. For the first half of the year, the cumulative net profit reached 2.9072 trillion won, a 337.8% increase year-on-year, while pre-tax profit soared to 3.8863 trillion won, up 348.6%.Mirae Asset's performance outstripped that of its rival, Korea Investment & Securities, which reported a net profit of 1.7311 trillion won for the first half, leaving a gap of 1.1761 trillion won. In terms of second-quarter results, Mirae Asset also surpassed major banks, including Shinhan Financial Group (1.8201 trillion won) and the five largest banks: Shinhan Bank (1.3015 trillion won), Kookmin Bank (1.1240 trillion won), Hana Bank (1.0213 trillion won), and Woori Bank (842.7 billion won).The key driver behind this impressive performance was the evaluation profit of 1.6242 trillion won from its investment in SpaceX, which accounted for 64.2% of the second-quarter pre-tax profit. This investment has been credited with giving a significant boost to the company's overall results.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 07:32:00
  • U.S. Stocks Rise on AI Investment Hopes; SK Hynix ADR Jumps 9%
    U.S. Stocks Rise on AI Investment Hopes; SK Hynix ADR Jumps 9% The U.S. stock market rose, driven by strong performances from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure companies and inflation data that met expectations. As concerns about a slowdown in AI data center investments eased, semiconductor stocks like Nvidia and Micron showed strength, with SK Hynix's American Depositary Receipts (ADR) soaring over 9%.On August 12, the S&P 500 index closed up 20.30 points (0.26%) at 4,748.50. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 143.04 points (0.54%) to finish at 26,588.49. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 21.58 points (0.04%) to close at 33,770.27.Strong earnings from AI infrastructure firms fueled the rise in tech stocks. According to Reuters, AI cloud company CoreWeave reported second-quarter results that exceeded market expectations and raised its revenue and capital expenditure forecasts for the year, leading to a stock surge of over 19%. AI server company Supermicro also provided a revenue outlook for fiscal year 2027 that surpassed market predictions, resulting in a nearly 19% jump in its stock.As expectations grew for continued investment in AI data centers, semiconductor stocks rallied across the board. Nvidia rose 3.0%, while Micron increased by 4.9%. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index also climbed approximately 2.5%.SK Hynix's ADR, which has drawn significant interest from domestic investors, surged over 9%, reaching the $154 range. This increase is seen as a response to renewed expectations for expanded investments in AI servers and data centers, following a recent significant correction in memory stocks.Inflation data also supported investor sentiment. The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July rose 0.1% from the previous month, aligning with market expectations. The year-over-year increase was 3.4%, down from 3.5% in June.Excluding food and energy, the core CPI rose 0.2% from the previous month and 2.5% from the same month last year, both in line with market forecasts.With inflation not exceeding expectations, concerns about the Federal Reserve implementing an additional rate hike in September have diminished. The market is increasingly reflecting the possibility of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintaining the current interest rate in September.Among the 11 sectors of the S&P 500, eight saw gains. The real estate and information technology sectors rose by over 1%. The Chicago Board Options Exchange's volatility index, known as the fear gauge, fell to 14.45.International oil prices rose slightly amid ongoing uncertainty in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Brent crude traded at $88.98 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed at $83.27.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 07:16:00
  • Musk Predicts AI Revenue Will Soon Surpass Starlink and Space Operations
    Musk Predicts AI Revenue Will Soon Surpass Starlink and Space Operations Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has projected that the company's artificial intelligence (AI) revenue will exceed the combined revenue of its Starlink and space operations as early as next month. He also announced plans to train the company's AI model, Grok, using various information held by SpaceX.According to Business Insider on August 12, Musk stated during an all-hands meeting, "AI is a very important part of SpaceX's future," and added, "AI revenue will definitely be greater than the total revenue from the rest of the business next month." He anticipates that the gap will widen further in the fourth quarter.Currently, the most lucrative segment for SpaceX is its communications division, primarily driven by Starlink. In the second quarter, the company reported total revenue of $7.8 billion, with the communications sector contributing $4.291 billion, accounting for more than half. The AI segment generated $2.561 billion, while the rocket launch and spacecraft business brought in $962 million.If Musk's predictions hold true, AI will soon surpass the communications sector to become SpaceX's largest business.Musk plans to utilize SpaceX's proprietary information to enhance Grok's learning. He told employees, "We will train Grok based on all the information SpaceX has," and referred to them as the 'parents of AI,' explaining that their thoughts, ideas, and beliefs will also influence the AI. However, he did not disclose which employee information would be used in the actual training.Musk also forecasted that within the next five years, the amount of internet data exchanged by AI will reach 1,000 times the amount generated by humans.On the same day, SpaceX's stock showed strong performance. According to Barron's, shares rose approximately 11% during trading on August 12, reaching $148.44.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 07:08:00
  • U.S. Missile Stockpile Depleted by Iran Conflict, Risks in Potential China War
    U.S. Missile Stockpile Depleted by Iran Conflict, Risks in Potential China War The United States has significantly depleted its stockpile of interceptor missiles due to the conflict in Iran, raising concerns that it could exhaust its supply within days in the event of a large-scale war with China.According to a report from the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation on August 12, senior researcher Jim Payne analyzed that the U.S. stock of the latest Patriot interceptor missiles (PAC-3 MSE), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and naval interceptor missiles SM-6 and SM-3 is insufficient for a prolonged conflict with China.The report estimates that the U.S. has not secured even 10% of the interceptor missiles needed for a long-term engagement with China. It warns that even a limited missile strike on U.S. military bases by China could lead to the depletion of interceptor missiles within days of the conflict's onset. Key U.S. military installations, such as Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, could be rendered ineffective early in the conflict.The Iran conflict has exacerbated the U.S. missile shortage. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that between February and July, the U.S. used approximately 65% of its Patriot interceptor missiles, and the stock of THAAD missiles has decreased by at least 38% compared to pre-war levels. The exact inventory of U.S. military weapons remains classified.Production rates also pose a challenge. The Heritage Foundation noted that maintaining current production capabilities could take up to 86 years to secure the necessary stockpile for a war with China, depending on the type of weapon.The U.S. Department of Defense is taking steps to increase production. The Army has requested funding in the fiscal year 2027 budget for 2,798 PAC-3 MSE missiles and 857 THAAD missiles, a significant increase from the 320 PAC-3 MSE and 25 THAAD missiles requested for fiscal year 2026.The Heritage Foundation recommends that the U.S. expedite the production and stockpiling of interceptor missiles while also preparing rules of engagement to allow for preemptive strikes on missile launchers and related facilities before China can launch an attack. Additionally, it calls for the utilization of naval interceptor missiles and air defense capabilities, as well as the expansion of production facilities by defense contractors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 07:04:00
  • Israel Strikes Gaza Again After Reducing Attacks Under Trump Pressure
    Israel Strikes Gaza Again After Reducing Attacks Under Trump Pressure Israel resumed airstrikes on the Gaza Strip after a week of reduced attacks, following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to implement a peace plan.On August 12, local time, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes in Beit Lahia, located in northern Gaza. The military stated that the strikes targeted a Hamas commander who was allegedly planning to attack Israeli forces operating in the area.Palestinian medical personnel and witnesses reported that a man was struck while riding a tricycle. The Israeli military claimed the attack was aimed at eliminating a threat to its troops and asserted that it made efforts to minimize civilian casualties.This airstrike occurred amid Trump's push for a peace plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza. The plan includes the disarmament of armed groups like Hamas, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the transfer of security responsibilities to an international stabilization force and a new Palestinian police.Since the announcement of the peace plan, Israel had significantly reduced its attacks on Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed a withdrawal, insisting that Hamas must be completely disarmed first.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 06:52:00
  • Trumps Truth Social Faces Lawsuit Over Paid Access to Policy Announcements
    Trump's Truth Social Faces Lawsuit Over Paid Access to Policy Announcements A lawsuit has been filed seeking to halt a service on Truth Social that allows paying customers to access policy announcements from President Donald Trump before the general public. On August 12, local time, The Intercept and the nonprofit organization Freedom of the Press Foundation reported that they filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against President Trump and others. The controversial service is the 'Truth API,' a paid service launched by Trump Media this month that delivers posts from major accounts, including President Trump, to customers in increments of one-thousandth of a second. The subscription fee ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 per month, targeting financial firms such as high-frequency trading and algorithmic trading companies. The plaintiffs argue that since President Trump announces policies that can influence markets—such as tariffs, trade, diplomacy, and security—paying customers could gain an unfair advantage by receiving government information before others. They claim this infringes on the public's right to access official presidential announcements simultaneously and are asking the court to prevent the government from posting information exclusively on Truth Social or providing it first to paying customers. Trump Media responded by stating that the paid API is a common data provision method used in the financial and information sectors. They also noted that President Trump's statements are made public through various media outlets and platforms. Concerns about conflicts of interest have also been raised. Trump Media, which operates Truth Social, is 41% owned by a trust that designates President Trump as a beneficiary. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., exercises voting rights and investment authority. The plaintiffs contend that the paid service leveraging presidential announcements could ultimately benefit President Trump's financial interests.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 06:44:20
  • NVIDIAs Jensen Huang Named Top CEO in the U.S. by Employees
    NVIDIA's Jensen Huang Named Top CEO in the U.S. by Employees Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, the world's leading company by market capitalization, has been named the top CEO in the United States by his employees.On August 12, Glassdoor announced its list of the "50 Best CEOs of 2026," with Huang achieving a remarkable employee approval rating of 99%.NVIDIA employees praised Huang in anonymous reviews, describing him as a "dynamic and authentic leader," a "visionary leader," and a "rock star."In second place was Jason Johnson, CEO of car wash company Quick Quack Car Wash, followed by Kevin Lobo, CEO of medical device company Stryker, both with an employee approval rating of 93%.In the tech sector, Bill McDermott, CEO of ServiceNow, ranked 13th, while Vlad Kliatchko, CEO of Bloomberg, was 35th, and Apple’s Tim Cook came in at 37th. A total of nine CEOs from tech companies made the list of 50.This evaluation was based on anonymous employee reviews submitted to Glassdoor from May of last year to May of this year. Companies with over 1,000 employees that received at least 75 reviews for their CEO and senior management were eligible.NVIDIA also ranked third in Glassdoor's "2026 Best Places to Work," following car wash company Crew Carwash and In-N-Out Burger. Google was ranked 11th, Micron 59th, and Apple 77th.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 06:36:00
  • Trump Claims Full Control of Hormuz Strait as Ships Favor Iranian Routes
    Trump Claims Full Control of Hormuz Strait as Ships Favor Iranian Routes President Donald Trump asserted that the United States has achieved "full control" over the Hormuz Strait and will maintain that control. However, actual shipping data indicates that vessels are increasingly opting for Iranian-managed routes over those protected by the U.S.On August 12, Trump stated on social media platform Truth Social, "The United States has completely taken over the Hormuz Strait and will continue to do so." He referred to the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran as a "steel wall," claiming that Iran is unable to respond.Despite Trump's claims, shipping traffic through the strait has significantly decreased. On August 11, only about ten vessels were recorded passing through the Hormuz Strait, a stark contrast to the pre-war average of over 130 vessels per day.The Wall Street Journal analyzed that, contrary to Trump's assertion of "full control," Iran continues to exert influence over shipping operations by leveraging the threat of drone and missile attacks.According to shipping tracker Kelper, of the 166 transits through the Hormuz Strait this month, nearly half utilized Iranian-managed routes. A significant number of vessels were found to be operating with their location signals turned off, making their exact routes unclear. Only two instances of vessels confirmed using the U.S.-supported Oman route were recorded.Shipping companies appear hesitant to use U.S. Navy-protected routes due to concerns over potential Iranian attacks. Iran and Oman are in ongoing negotiations to establish new safe routes through the Hormuz Strait, but both the U.S. and Iran maintain firm stances regarding control of the strait and conditions for reopening it.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 06:28:00
  • Trump Claims U.S. Fully Controls Strait of Hormuz, WSJ Disagrees
    Trump Claims U.S. Fully Controls Strait of Hormuz, WSJ Disagrees President Donald Trump stated that the United States has complete control over the Strait of Hormuz and intends to maintain this authority.On August 12, Trump expressed on social media platform Truth Social, "The U.S. has total control of the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "I believe we will continue to maintain this."He further claimed that the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran is referred to by everyone as a "steel wall," asserting that Iran can do nothing in response.Trump remarked, "Iran has no navy or air force. The remaining soldiers are not even being paid, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is in disarray and fleeing," stating, "Their leadership is, to put it mildly, in a state of uncertainty."He added, "They have no money. The country is in ruins," and noted, "All they have left are fake news and 300% inflation, and the situation is getting worse."Trump concluded, "Iran talks a lot but takes no action," declaring, "They are no longer the bullies of the Middle East."These comments come amid ongoing negotiations between Iran and mediating countries in the Middle East regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting a continued tension with Iran, which claims effective control over the strait.However, The Wall Street Journal pointed out that Trump's assertion of control over Hormuz does not align with the realities at sea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-13 06:28:00