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Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee Prioritizes Citizen Safety Amid Bridge Repairs Han Dae-hee, the mayor of Gunpo, emphasized on July 31 that "protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the top priority" as he inspected the damage at the Geumjeong Overpass. On this day, Mayor Han commenced emergency repair work to ensure the safety of the Geumjeong Overpass. He visited the construction site to monitor the progress of the repairs and instructed officials to minimize inconvenience for residents while ensuring safe construction practices. Previously, on July 18, Mayor Han confirmed damage to the slab and expansion joints of the Geumjeong Overpass, leading to a complete closure of vehicle traffic and an urgent safety inspection for the sake of public safety. Based on the inspection results, the city has allocated approximately 1 billion won for substantial repair work, including slab reinforcement, LMC pavement, and the reinstallation of expansion joints. During his site visit, Mayor Han reviewed the construction area and plans, directing officials to ensure thorough safety management and prompt recovery efforts. This initiative has been praised as a proactive safety measure by the Gunpo city government, which acted swiftly to block traffic and conduct detailed inspections and emergency repairs upon discovering potential hazards. Mayor Han plans to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of the Geumjeong Overpass in the second half of this year, aiming to establish fundamental safety measures for the entire bridge after the emergency repairs are completed. Additionally, he will collaborate with relevant agencies to manage the construction schedule, targeting a full reopening by August 31. Given the unavoidable detours during the construction period, traffic management measures and detour guidance will also be implemented to reduce congestion during peak commuting hours. While citizens continue to experience inconvenience due to the closure of the Geumjeong Overpass, there has been a positive response to Mayor Han's swift actions prioritizing safety. Residents have expressed that, "Although there are traffic inconveniences, it was appropriate to act quickly to control the situation in a facility used by many citizens," adding, "It is important to secure safety before hastily reopening the bridge." Other citizens noted, "It is reassuring to see the mayor personally checking the construction progress and overseeing the recovery efforts," and expressed hope that this repair will lead to systematic management and inspections of the entire Geumjeong Overpass. Meanwhile, Mayor Han Dae-hee urged, "As citizens are experiencing significant inconvenience due to the complete closure of the Geumjeong Overpass, please ensure safety while thoroughly managing the construction to complete the repairs as soon as possible."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:52:00 -
AI-Focused Hedge Fund 'Situational Awareness' Reports 67% Loss in July The U.S. hedge fund 'Situational Awareness,' which has heavily invested in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, reported a loss of approximately 67% in July alone. Following a sharp decline in stock prices that triggered a margin call, the fund sold off most of its holdings and halted leveraged investments.According to the Wall Street Journal on July 30, founder Leopold Aschenbrenner expressed in a letter to investors, "I disappointed you this month," while explaining the losses incurred in July.Situational Awareness had been aggressively investing in AI stocks, utilizing borrowed funds. However, as AI stocks plummeted in July, losses quickly mounted, prompting the firm to secure cash in response to margin calls from lenders.Ultimately, the company sold most of its holdings to Citadel, an investment firm led by Ken Griffin. Aschenbrenner stated, "We have eliminated all leverage using borrowed money from our current investment assets."Despite the significant losses in July, the fund still maintains an approximate 80% return for the year, thanks to substantial gains earlier in the year. By the end of May, the fund's return for 2026 had reached about 270%.Aschenbrenner claimed that short-sellers betting against the fund's key investments exacerbated the losses. He likened the situation to a 'bank run,' where depositors withdraw their money all at once.While most publicly traded stocks have been disposed of, investments in private companies like AI firm 'Anthropic' remain intact.Founded nearly two years ago, Situational Awareness has grown its managed assets to over $20 billion. Aschenbrenner, who lacked professional investment experience, quickly gained market attention through aggressive investments in AI-related companies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:40:00
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Gyeongsang National University Expands Inter-University Cooperation for Future Industries Gyeongsang National University is accelerating the establishment of a super-regional cooperation system for the development of future strategic industries through successive agreements with Pukyong National University and Sunchon National University. The initiative aligns with the government's policy to cultivate local talent linked to key regional industries through enhanced education and research collaboration.The Ministry of Education's 'Growth Engine Linked Local Talent Development Plan' aims to create a virtuous cycle that fosters specialized talent needed for strategic industries through collaboration among local universities, municipalities, businesses, and research institutions, leading to local settlement and employment.On July 22, Gyeongsang National University signed a memorandum of understanding with Pukyong National University to collaborate in the fields of aerospace, defense, and artificial intelligence (AI). Under this agreement, the two universities plan to expand industry-academia-research linked educational programs, operate joint curricula, conduct collaborative research with businesses, and support the AI transformation (AX) of local industries through integrated education and research.Earlier, on July 20, Gyeongsang National University also established a cooperation framework with Sunchon National University. The two institutions aim to promote joint research in aerospace and advanced materials, focusing on the development of the South Coast Aerospace Industry Belt, and collaborate on regionally tailored talent development linked to the Glocal University project, as well as jointly plan national and international research and development (R&D) projects.Through these agreements, Gyeongsang National University will enhance cooperation in aerospace, defense, and AI with Pukyong National University in the southeastern region, while strengthening collaboration in aerospace and advanced materials with Sunchon National University in the southern coastal region, thereby establishing a super-regional cooperation network centered on strategic industries.Gyeongsang National University President Kwon Jin-hwa stated, "This agreement will further solidify the cooperation foundation connecting the southeastern region and the southern coastal region. We will cultivate talent to lead future key industries such as aerospace, defense, AI, and advanced materials, creating a sustainable cooperation model that grows together with the region."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:36:00
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Intensifying Drought in Daegu and Gyeongbuk: Climate Minister Calls for Proactive Measures The government is taking steps to address the worsening drought as water levels in major dams in the southern regions decline. Recent rainfall in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas has reached only 70% of the average for the past month, prompting the Wunmun Dam to enter a 'serious' drought stage. As a result, relevant agencies and local governments are activating a joint response system.On July 31, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment will hold an emergency meeting via video conference at the Han River Flood Control Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to discuss drought response measures in the southern regions. The meeting, chaired by Minister Kim Seong-hwan, will include participation from the Korea Meteorological Administration, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Daegu Metropolitan City, and Gyeongsangbuk-do, among other local governments affected by the drought.This meeting comes amid growing concerns about the prolonged drought in the southern regions. As of July 27, the rainfall in Daegu and Gyeongbuk was only 70.8% of the normal level for the past month. Consequently, the Wunmun Dam has entered a serious drought stage, while the water levels at the Miryang Dam and Seomjin River Dam have dropped to 34.4% and 26.6%, respectively.During the meeting, the ministry will review recent rainfall conditions and forecasts, the current status of water supply from major dams, and collaboration strategies among agencies. Notably, it has been confirmed that the Wunmun Dam is currently able to supply water for domestic and industrial use without issues, thanks to reductions in river maintenance water and alternative water sourcing from the Nakdong and Geumho Rivers. If the drought persists, discussions will also include measures to ensure stable water supply through the operation of the Geumho River diversion.Proactive measures will also be implemented for the Miryang and Seomjin River Dams. The ministry anticipates that the drought management stage for these dams will be raised to 'alert' by early August. Plans will be discussed to replace domestic and industrial water supplies with river water and to reduce agricultural water use within limits that do not disrupt farming.Minister Kim Seong-hwan stated, "Through this meeting, we will strengthen the cooperation system among relevant agencies and ensure thorough preparedness for the drought in the southern regions through proactive measures. We will continuously monitor the status of major dams until the drought situation improves to prevent any disruptions in water supply."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:32:10
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Russia Destroys U.S. Drone Factory in Kyiv, Marking First Attack of Its Kind Russia has destroyed a drone factory owned by a U.S. company in Kyiv, Ukraine, using a ballistic missile. This appears to be the first instance of Russia targeting a U.S. corporate facility in the ongoing conflict.According to the British daily The Guardian on July 30, the attacked facility is owned by the U.S. defense contractor Terminal Autonomy. While the factory was destroyed, there were no reported casualties.Terminal Autonomy produces long-range attack drones that can operate despite Russian jamming efforts. Its flagship model, the AQ-400 Scythe, utilizes artificial intelligence and visual and terrain data to fly even when GPS or communication links are disrupted, with a maximum range of 750 kilometers.Russia has confirmed the attack on the facility. State news agency TASS reported, citing the Defense Ministry, that it struck a drone assembly and storage site in southwestern Kyiv, where experts from a Ukrainian-American joint venture were involved in the production of drones, including the AQ-400 and AQ-100 models.However, Russian sources did not mention that the facility was owned by a U.S. company.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:32:00
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Jeju Launches First Home Heating Electrification Project with Heat Pump Installation The first household to benefit from the heating electrification support project has been established in Jeju. The government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by converting kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers to high-efficiency air-source heat pumps, expanding the foundation for distribution primarily in single-family homes in warm regions.The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that Deputy Minister Lee Ho-hyun will attend a plaque ceremony for the first installation of the heating electrification support project on July 31 at a residence in Yeongpyeong-dong, Jeju City. This ceremony marks the confirmation of the first household equipped with an air-source heat pump under this year's newly launched heating electrification initiative, signaling the start of widespread heat pump distribution in the Jeju area.The heating electrification project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated during building heating and hot water supply processes by converting existing fossil fuel boilers, such as kerosene and LPG, to high-efficiency air-source heat pumps. This year, the ministry is investing approximately 14.5 billion won in national funds to support heat pump distribution in single-family homes in warm regions, including Jeju.After the plaque unveiling, the deputy minister will review the installation and operational status of the heat pump and gather feedback from residents on its performance and convenience. He will also check the conditions for project implementation, including electrical upgrades and safety inspections, in collaboration with relevant agencies such as Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.Following the ceremony, the deputy minister will visit a demonstration site for Samsung Electronics' integrated heating and cooling heat pump located in Donam-dong, Jeju City. This integrated heat pump utilizes outdoor air heat to provide cooling, heating, and hot water from a single system, representing a high-efficiency electrification technology that can reduce fossil fuel use in buildings. The ministry plans to gradually establish a foundation for heat pump distribution in the building sector by assessing the applicability of different residential types and product forms.The installation of this first household is significant as it represents the initial case of transferring carbon reduction efforts in the building sector to everyday life. While carbon neutrality policies have primarily focused on the power and industrial sectors, heating electrification aims to reduce fossil fuel use in homes through boiler replacements. Notably, regions like Jeju are considered relatively advantageous for verifying heat pump efficiency and developing distribution models.Deputy Minister Lee stated, "This first household marks a meaningful step in transitioning home heating from fossil fuel boilers to high-efficiency electric systems. We will carefully listen to the voices from the field to ensure that citizens can experience the benefits of heating electrification in their daily lives and work with relevant agencies to establish a stable foundation for the expansion of heat pump distribution."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:32:00
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BTS' quiet Grammy boycott speaks volumes SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - It is hardly Grammy season, but BTS brought the awards debate into the middle of summer with a quiet boycott that produced loud repercussions. On July 29, all seven members of BTS posted the same message on their Instagram Stories within minutes of one another. There was no press conference, no statement from HYBE and no explanation beyond a few lines translated from Korean: they would not submit their comeback album, ARIRANG, for consideration at the 69th Grammy Awards. They thanked ARMY, their global fanbase, for standing by them. Then they said nothing more. The silence spoke volumes. Just a month earlier, the Recording Academy had unveiled five new Grammy categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, intended for songs originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets that make meaningful use of an Asian language. Fresh off another chart-topping comeback and widely viewed as the overwhelming favorite to become the category's inaugural winner, BTS instead chose not to enter at all. What might otherwise have been a routine awards-season decision quickly evolved into a wider debate over whether the Grammys were expanding representation—or simply creating a separate lane for Asian artists. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. responded within a day, saying he was "saddened" by the decision but respected the band's choice. He insisted the new category was intended to broaden recognition rather than divide artists, stressing that performers competing in the Asian Pop field would remain eligible for the ceremony's top honors, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. The Academy has also removed BTS' previous Grammy performance videos, including Butter and Dynamite, from its official website, a move that further fueled speculation among fans despite no public explanation. For many ARMY members, however, the issue is not whether BTS is capable of winning a Grammy. It is where they are expected to win one. Park Jung-bin, a 31-year-old BTS fan, said her concern is less about being overlooked outright than about what happens if the group wins the new category instead. "If BTS wins Best Asian Pop, it technically counts as a Grammy," she said. "But it comes with an asterisk. This is a group whose music, commercial success and global influence stand alongside any Western act. Once they've won a niche category, the Academy can simply say, 'We've already given BTS a Grammy.' After that, they can leave the group out of the major categories forever and consider the issue settled." Beneath the strategic concern lies a simpler question, she added: if music transcends language, race and nationality, why should awards continue to divide artists along those lines? The Grammys have faced similar criticism before, albeit from different communities. In 2020, rapper and producer Tyler, the Creator accepted Best Rap Album while criticizing the Academy for routinely funneling genre-crossing Black artists into rap or "urban" categories regardless of their broader musical identity. The backlash contributed to the Recording Academy renaming Best Urban Contemporary Album to Best Progressive R&B Album later that year, while quietly replacing the long-criticized "World Music" category with "Global Music." The Weeknd's complete shutout at the 2021 Grammys, despite Blinding Lights becoming one of the most successful songs in Billboard history, prompted him to boycott the awards altogether, denouncing what he described as opaque nomination procedures. Beyoncé became the most-awarded artist in Grammy history while repeatedly falling short in Album of the Year, reinforcing long-running criticism that artists of color still face an invisible ceiling in the Academy's most prestigious categories. Adele famously dedicated her own Album of the Year victory to Beyoncé in 2017, saying Lemonade deserved the honor instead. To critics, those episodes are less about individual snubs than about an institution that has repeatedly struggled with defining who qualifies as a "universal" artist. Viewed through that lens, BTS' decision carries significance beyond one award cycle. The group has received five Grammy nominations since 2021, including three consecutive nods for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, yet remains without a win. Rosé's "APT." also fell short this year, while the soundtrack hit "Golden" from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters received only a narrowly defined visual media award. No K-pop act has ever won a Grammy outside such specialized categories despite the genre's three-decade global expansion. Not everyone within the Recording Academy agrees with that criticism, including some of those who helped establish the new category. Zeena Koda, a Grammy member and co-founder of the Asian American Collective, defended the award in a series of Instagram Stories after BTS announced its boycott. She said she had personally advocated for the category through Academy committees and stressed that it was never designed with an established global superstar like BTS in mind. Instead, its purpose was to provide long-overdue visibility to Asian artists who remain underrepresented despite growing international influence. According to Koda, the category resulted from years of work by music professionals who "genuinely, deeply" care about representation rather than an attempt to isolate Asian artists. Watching that effort criticized by one of Asia's biggest acts, she said, was painful for many who had fought for its creation. Her comments underscored the Academy's dilemma: even supporters of greater Asian representation disagree over whether separate recognition promotes inclusion or institutionalizes distinction. South Korean music critic Lim Hee-yoon offered a more measured interpretation. Decisions involving a company the size of HYBE, he noted, are rarely driven by a single principle alone, and BTS' choice likely reflected multiple strategic considerations. Still, Lim argued, the controversy raises a legitimate question about whether one group should be expected to represent an entire musical genre. That concern echoes what scholars describe as tokenism: recognition granted through a separate category that, intentionally or otherwise, diminishes the likelihood of equal recognition in the main competition. Many ARMY members expressed the same sentiment online, arguing that creating a separate Asian category was less an act of inclusion than a form of institutional tokenization. Coverage overseas reflected that divide. Trade publications including Billboard and Rolling Stone largely focused on the procedural implications, noting the irony that BTS' English-language Billboard Hot 100 topper "SWIM" likely would not have qualified for the new category because it requires meaningful use of an Asian language. The Guardian described the boycott as a "soft but forceful rebuke" of the Recording Academy, while NME reiterated its long-held view that popular music should not be sorted according to geography, language or ethnicity. Opinion writers went further, with one widely shared column arguing that the new category amounted to segregation presented as progress—an attempt at inclusion that ultimately preserves the idea that non-English and non-Western music belongs outside the industry's true mainstream. Support for BTS also emerged from influential figures within Korea's cultural and business communities. Hyundai Card Vice Chairman Chung Tai-young questioned why artists such as Bad Bunny or Ricky Martin are not separated into equivalent regional categories despite recording primarily in Spanish. BTS itself, he noted, performs much of its catalog in English, raising a fundamental question about what the category actually measures: language, nationality, ethnicity or something else entirely. KPop Demon Hunters director Maggie Kang publicly applauded the band's decision, while producer Mike WiLL Made-It, who has worked with BTS, also voiced support. For BTS, this is hardly unfamiliar territory. The group has spent years positioning itself as one of Asia's most visible cultural ambassadors, including its 2022 visit to the White House at President Joe Biden's invitation to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes and representation. Against that backdrop, this week's understated Instagram statement resonated as something larger than dissatisfaction with an awards show. Whether the Recording Academy changes course or not, BTS hardly needs the Grammys to validate its legacy. The group holds 19 Guinness World Records, seven Billboard 200 No. 1 albums and the record for the most cumulative weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 among all groups. It has topped Billboard's Boxscore touring chart four times—joining only Beyoncé, Coldplay, Elton John, Bad Bunny and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra—and ARIRANG delivered the biggest opening week for any group album in a decade while setting the largest vinyl debut since modern tracking began in 1991. Jungkook's "Seven" remains the longest-charting song by any Asian solo artist on the Billboard Global 200. Yet after five Grammy nominations, the band's trophy cabinet remains empty. With each new record BTS sets elsewhere, that gap has become increasingly difficult to explain away. By declining to compete in a category created specifically for Asian artists, the group has transformed what could have been another awards-season campaign into a broader debate over how the world's most influential music institution defines inclusion—and whether true recognition comes from creating new lanes or removing the need for them altogether. 2026-07-31 13:25:24 -
Chip bonanza translates into tax bumper for Seoul SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) -South Korea's stock boom, which saw the main index KOSPI double in the first half, has delivered an unexpected windfall for government coffers, lifting tax revenue by 33 trillion won ($23.8 billion) above last year's level as trading activity, corporate profits and performance bonuses surged. National tax revenue reached 223 trillion won in the January-June period, up 17.4 percent from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Friday. The collection pace reached 53.7 percent of this year's supplementary budget target of 415.4 trillion won and is the second-highest first-half collection ratio in the past five years. The bumper tax haul was driven primarily by a surge in securities transaction taxes, income taxes and corporate taxes as the AI-fueled rally in semiconductor and technology shares spilled over into the broader economy. Securities transaction tax revenue more than quadrupled to 6.8 trillion won, an increase of 5.2 trillion won, or 338.7 percent, from a year earlier. Listed share trading value ballooned to 1,911 trillion won in May, nearly five times the 390 trillion won recorded a year earlier, while the restoration of the securities transaction tax rate further boosted receipts. The related rural development tax also climbed 175.1 percent to 10.1 trillion won, reflecting the sharp rise in KOSPI trading volumes. Income tax receipts increased 10.4 trillion won, or 15.9 percent, to 75.7 trillion won, supported by larger performance bonuses, higher payrolls and increased capital gains taxes as housing transactions recovered. Corporate tax revenue rose 9.6 percent to 49.3 trillion won on improving corporate earnings, while value-added tax collections increased 12.2 percent to 44.8 trillion won, helped by stronger imports and lower tax refunds. Customs duties also rose 5 percent from a year earlier as import values expanded. The ministry said the first-half figures have yet to reflect the record profits now being generated by South Korea's semiconductor industry. "Semiconductor-related operating profits and the performance bonuses associated with them have not yet been reflected in tax revenue," a ministry official said. "They will begin to be incorporated through August's interim corporate tax payments." That suggests the government's tax windfall could grow further in the second half as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix book combined second-quarter operating profits of around 150 trillion won, equivalent to roughly 6 percent of South Korea's annual nominal GDP. 2026-07-31 13:24:21 -
Korea Expressway Corporation Launches Bidding for Eight Pilot Highway Rest Areas The Korea Expressway Corporation announced on July 31 that it has begun the bidding process for eight pilot highway rest areas, following the restructuring plan for rest area operations announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on July 9.The pilot rest areas include Yeoju (Incheon direction), Daecheon (Seoul-Mokpo direction), Gunwi (Busan direction), Jangyu (West Busan direction), Wolchulsan, and Hapcheonho (Hamyang-Ulsan direction). The pre-bid specifications for leasing specialized stores will be available through the Korea Expressway Corporation's electronic procurement system from July 31 to August 6.The new pre-bid specifications aim to improve the existing commission structure, which involved a chain of contracts from the Korea Expressway Corporation to operating companies and then to stores. Under the new plan, the corporation will directly contract with food courts, snack shops, coffee corners, and convenience stores. Bidding will be conducted either individually or in a consolidated manner, taking into account sales volume, location, and operational characteristics of each rest area.The selection process for operators will also undergo a complete overhaul. Instead of focusing solely on rental price bids, the evaluation will now consider food quality, service, and reasonable pricing proposals. Factors such as compliance with recommended business types, proposed product pricing and implementation plans, and hygiene certifications will be combined with bid prices to determine the highest-scoring bidder.To enhance fairness in the bidding process, measures have been implemented to exclude certain participants. Corporations represented by individuals who have retired or are currently employed by the Korea Expressway Corporation, as well as their spouses and direct family members, will be strictly barred from bidding. The corporation is also working to amend its articles of incorporation to prohibit participation from companies established by retired employee groups. Additionally, the evaluation committee responsible for assessing service capabilities will consist entirely of external experts to ensure professionalism and impartiality.The Korea Expressway Corporation aims to launch the pilot operations in December, with plans to complete the selection of operators by September following the bidding announcement in August. A briefing for interested bidders will be held on August 6 at 2 PM at the Korea Expressway Corporation's training center auditorium in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.A representative from the Korea Expressway Corporation stated, "The release of these pre-bid specifications marks the first step in restructuring rest area operations. We will conduct the bidding preparation and operator selection process fairly and transparently to ensure noticeable service improvements at the eight rest areas for the public."Meanwhile, the Korea Expressway Corporation's board of directors recently decided to establish principles for direct contracts for each corner, aiming to improve pricing and service quality by eliminating the multi-tiered operational structure in rest area management.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:24:20
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Bank of Japan Holds Interest Rate at 1%, Leaves Door Open for Future Hikes The Bank of Japan has decided to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 1% this month, following a hike last month. However, it has indicated that further increases may be possible if inflation continues to rise.According to reports from Reuters and the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting, which took place over two days, resulted in a vote of 8-1 to keep the short-term policy rate at the current level.Policy board member Hajime Takata argued for a 0.25 percentage point increase to 1.25%, citing the need to prepare for the possibility of inflation rising more than expected, but his proposal was not accepted.The Bank of Japan reiterated its existing stance that it would consider further rate hikes if the economy and inflation develop as anticipated. Factors such as energy prices influenced by Middle Eastern tensions and fluctuations in the yen's value are expected to impact future rate decisions.Last month, the Bank raised the benchmark rate from 0.75% to 1%, marking the highest level in 31 years due to increased inflationary pressures from rising energy prices. Market expectations leaned toward a rate hold at this meeting, given the recent hike. However, continued yen weakness could lead to higher import prices, potentially reigniting inflation and leaving the door open for additional rate increases.A Reuters survey indicated that many market experts expect the Bank of Japan to raise the benchmark rate to 1.25% at least once more by the end of the year.Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon to explain the rate decision and outline future policy directions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-31 13:20:10