Latest by
-
Glen Hansard of 'Once' Dies in Motorcycle Accident at Age 56 Irish singer-songwriter and actor Glen Hansard, known for the film 'Once,' has died at the age of 56. According to reports from BBC and other outlets, Hansard passed away on July 29 in a motorcycle accident in Dublin, Ireland. ATC Management, his music management company, announced, "It is with great sadness that we inform you of Glen Hansard's passing due to a traffic accident in Dublin early this morning." The statement continued, "His family is in shock and mourning, and they ask for privacy during this difficult time." Irish and British media reported that Dublin police are seeking witnesses to the single-vehicle motorcycle accident that occurred on Lucan Road in west Dublin. Born in April 1970 in Dublin, Hansard was a busker-turned-musician. He formed the rock band The Frames and appeared in the 1991 musical film 'The Commitments.' Hansard gained international fame in 2007 for his role in the musical film 'Once,' alongside Czech singer Markéta Irglová. Their collaborative project, The Swell Season, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" at the 80th Academy Awards. 'Once' was also well-received in South Korea, where Hansard and Irglová performed multiple concerts. Their 2009 concert in Seoul attracted 2,784 attendees at the Sejong Center. In the 2010s, Hansard continued his solo career, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album for his 2015 release 'Didn’t He Ramble.' Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach of Ireland, expressed his condolences on X, stating, "He was a talented musician and actor who made significant contributions to Irish culture over the years." He is survived by his wife, poet Myra Sweeney, and their son.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 08:08:00 -
Kim Jong-kook Addresses Wedding Controversy: 'I Couldn't Retrieve Gifts' Singer Kim Jong-kook revealed details about his wedding during an appearance on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' on July 29.When host Yoo Jae-suk mentioned Kim's marriage, Kim responded, "It hasn't even been a year yet. There are still a couple of months to go."Yoo Jae-suk noted, "I attended the wedding to celebrate, but it was held very privately." In response, Kim clarified, "I informed everyone about the wedding venue and date, but it seems there was a misunderstanding that I didn't share that information."He added, "Above all, I thought it might be burdensome for someone who has lived their life as an individual to suddenly be known as someone's wife, so I wanted to keep it low-key. I didn't hide everything."Yoo Jae-suk acknowledged, "We understand, but some viewers might think it's a bit excessive."Kim explained, "I minimized the scale of the wedding, inviting only 50 guests for each side. I could only invite about 20 of my friends. Since debuting with Turbo in 1995, I've attended many weddings. I can't even count the amount of wedding gifts I've given. I couldn't retrieve any of it, and I accepted all of that."Kim Jong-kook debuted in 1995 with the group Turbo and gained significant popularity with hits like 'Recall,' 'White Love,' 'Twist King,' 'One Man,' 'Stagnation,' and 'Lovely.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 08:08:00
-
Shinhan Securities Raises LG Household & Health Care Target Price on North American Growth Shinhan Investment Corp. on July 30 raised its target price for LG Household & Health Care from 279,000 won to 335,000 won, citing continued growth in overseas sales, particularly in North America, and an improvement in performance. The firm also upgraded its investment recommendation to 'buy.'Park Hyun-jin, a researcher at Shinhan Investment, stated, "The growth rate of overseas sales, centered on North America, achieved an earnings surprise for the second consecutive quarter. We expect a clear performance turnaround based on the recovery of domestic profits due to the revival of duty-free channels and increased export demand in North America."For the second quarter of this year, LG Household & Health Care reported consolidated sales of 1.6574 trillion won and operating profit of 102.8 billion won, marking increases of 3.3% and 87.5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. The operating profit significantly exceeded Shinhan Investment's estimate of 63.8 billion won and the market consensus of 75.2 billion won. Even excluding a 15 billion won customs refund from the U.S., the results surpassed market expectations.By business segment, cosmetics sales rose by 4%, household goods by 5%, and beverages by 1%, indicating growth across all divisions. The cosmetics segment turned profitable with an operating profit of 44.4 billion won, while the operating profit for household goods increased by 23%. However, the beverage segment saw a 15% decline in operating profit due to cost pressures.Regionally, North American sales surged by 47% year-on-year, driving overall growth. Domestic sales, as well as sales in China and Japan, saw declines of 1%, 5%, and 1%, respectively, but the extent of the declines was reduced. Notably, the expansion of online and offline export demand for the hair care brand 'Dr. Groot' was identified as a key factor in North American growth. The share of Dr. Groot's cosmetics sales rose to 8%, and additional revenue growth is anticipated with the upcoming entry into all North American Sephora stores in the second half of the year.Park added, "While there may be increased marketing expenses and rising raw material costs in the third quarter, the improvement in profit margins due to channel mix enhancement will continue. We have raised our 2026 net profit estimate by 20%, leading to a 20.1% increase in the target price."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 08:08:00
-
KBS YouTube Channel 'Donseontae' Deleted Amid 'Musubno' Controversy KBS's YouTube channel 'Donseontae' has reignited the controversy surrounding Lisenne member Woni's 'Musubno' remarks, leading to the channel's deletion. Following the decision to make a pre-released video private, the channel's disappearance has further fueled the debate.On July 29, a pre-released video featuring Woni aired at 6 PM, where host Kim Seontae directly addressed the past controversy over Woni's 'Musubno' comments.In the video, Kim Seontae stated, "As the saying goes, 'Good fortune brings many words,'" referencing the 'Musubno' controversy. Woni responded, "It was terrifying to suddenly be in the news. Since then, I've felt I need to be very careful with every word I say. I realized that even if I didn't intend it, others could interpret it differently."Woni explained that 'no' was a word he often used as an exclamation, to which Kim Seontae remarked, "That was a level of controversy created out of nothing." However, he followed up with, "Did you ever think it was viral?"Woni expressed concern that his name in the news might harm the group, while fellow member Minami also mentioned feeling flustered by appearing in the news.Later, Kim Seontae requested Woni to say something in dialect, to which Woni replied in Gyeongsang dialect, "I don't even know what that is," and "I just said it. Look at it nicely."After the video was released, viewers criticized the decision to revisit a settled controversy, suggesting it was an attempt to boost viewership.As the backlash grew, the production team modified the video thumbnail and hashtags, and deleted critical comments.However, criticism persisted, and the pre-released video was made private on YouTube just four hours after its release.Online, criticism directed at host Kim Seontae continued.Netizens questioned, "I don't understand why someone who emphasized political neutrality would ask a politically controversial question to an idol," and suggested that he prioritized controversy over protecting the guest, stating, "It seems he exploited sensitive issues for viewership."Particularly, a previous episode of the YouTube channel 'Salon Drip' featuring Lisenne was also revisited.During that episode, host Jang Do-yeon expressed her hope that the members would not get hurt, shedding tears, which led some netizens to comment on the stark contrast in how the guests were treated.Additionally, related complaints were submitted to the KBS viewer petition board.The petitioner stated, "Revisiting a controversy that has already ended is akin to re-traumatizing someone who has been victimized," questioning the necessity for a public broadcaster to revisit politically sensitive expressions.They also noted, "While the circumstances during filming are understandable, airing that scene without editing was inappropriate," and requested that such content not be included in the main broadcast.Meanwhile, some netizens argued that this issue is not unique to KBS but reflects a broader problem within legacy media that sensationalizes provocative topics. 2026-07-30 08:04:00
-
Korea's factory sentiment hits 4-year high on AI chip, shipbuilding boom SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) - South Korea's manufacturing confidence climbed to its highest level in more than four years in July as a wave of AI-related semiconductor investment, data-center construction and strong shipbuilding and defense orders boosted factory activity, Bank of Korea data showed Thursday. The manufacturing Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) rose 2.0 points from June to 103.2, its highest reading since June 2022 and the third straight month above the long-term benchmark of 100. Unlike April's improvement, which was largely driven by easing inventory burdens, July's gain reflected stronger underlying demand. New orders contributed 0.8 point to the increase, followed by business conditions (0.7 point), production (0.6 point) and funding conditions (0.4 point), while inventories remained a slight drag. The data suggest manufacturers are benefiting from expanding production rather than simply clearing excess stock. Demand was particularly strong across industries tied to the AI supply chain. Other machinery and equipment makers reported a six-point improvement in business conditions and a 10-point jump in new orders as demand from the shipbuilding, defense and semiconductor industries accelerated. Medical and precision equipment manufacturers posted a nine-point increase in production and a 14-point surge in new orders, supported by overseas data-center construction and semiconductor manufacturing equipment demand. Fabricated metal producers also reported improving business conditions as orders from shipyards and industrial plants strengthened while raw-material costs eased. The broader improvement was reflected across key activity indicators. The sales BSI rose five points to 96, production gained three points to 93 and new orders increased four points to 92. Domestic sales posted the largest increase, climbing eight points to 93, while export sentiment improved two points to 98. The recovery also broadened beyond Korea's largest exporters. Business sentiment among exporters rose 1.1 points to 107.5, matching its highest level since June 2022, while manufacturers focused on the domestic market reached 100.0 for the first time in more than two years. Small and medium-sized manufacturers gained 1.9 points to 97.6, their strongest reading since July 2023, compared with a 0.8-point increase among large companies to 105.3. Manufacturers also reported easing cost pressures. The raw-material purchase price index fell 11 points to 129, while the profitability index rose six points to 79. The share of manufacturers identifying higher raw-material costs as their biggest challenge declined 5.9 percentage points to 21.8 percent. However, concern over economic uncertainty increased 2.5 points to 20.6 percent, suggesting geopolitical and global trade risks continue to cloud the outlook. Confidence outside manufacturing remained subdued. The all-industry CBSI edged up 0.8 point to 98.5, still below the historical average, as nonmanufacturing sentiment slipped 0.2 point to 95.2 after a sharp decline in June. Transportation and storage companies cited weaker maritime cargo volumes and higher operating costs, while engineering firms reported softer project orders. Wholesale and retail businesses also faced mounting merchandise costs as elevated shipping rates squeezed margins. Looking ahead, manufacturers grew more optimistic about August. Their outlook index rose 2.3 points to 100.5, the highest since September 2022, with export-oriented manufacturers reaching 105.0 and large companies climbing to 103.2, both their strongest readings in about four years. The broader Economic Sentiment Index, which combines business and consumer confidence, rose 1.1 points to 97.9 as improving corporate financing conditions and stronger household income expectations offset lingering weakness in services. The Bank of Korea surveyed 3,193 companies, including 1,783 manufacturers and 1,410 nonmanufacturers, between July 14 and 22. 2026-07-30 07:51:15 -
Seoul mulls 20% cap on single-stock leveraged ETFs SEOUL, July 30 (AJP) -South Korea's financial authorities are moving toward tougher curbs on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds, proposing to limit such products to a fixed share of retail investors' portfolios after a sharp selloff exposed the risks of heavy speculation in semiconductor stocks. At an emergency meeting among key financial policymakers on Wednesday, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, Bank of Korea Gov. Shin Hyun-song, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon, Financial Supervisory Service Gov. Lee Chan-jin and presidential economic adviser Ha Joon-kyung agreed to pursue additional measures aimed at containing volatility that has intensified in recent weeks. Under discussion is a 20 percent of an individual's total investment assets as an illustrative ceiling, although the final threshold has yet to be determined. The move follows a violent correction in South Korean equities, where leveraged bets concentrated in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have amplified market swings through mandatory end-of-day portfolio rebalancing. "The participants shared the view that single-stock leveraged ETFs have contributed to stock market volatility and agreed to swiftly pursue additional measures," the Ministry of Finance and Economy said after the meeting. Authorities are also considering imposing higher trading costs on investors engaging in excessive order activity by extending a surcharge mechanism currently used in the futures market to single-stock leveraged ETF trading. In addition, regulators plan to require simulated trading alongside the existing mandatory investor education program before retail investors can trade the products. The government will also seek legal authority to temporarily lower leverage ratios during periods of market stress, similar to Hong Kong's variable leverage framework. Under such a system, regulators could reduce the leverage of a 2x ETF to 1.5x if volatility becomes excessive. Officials said implementation details and the timetable would be finalized after consultations with regulators and industry participants. The latest measures come on top of restrictions unveiled earlier this month. Beginning Friday, investors seeking to purchase additional single-stock leveraged ETFs will be required to maintain a minimum cash deposit of 30 million won ($20,600), up from 10 million won. The requirement will apply to both domestic and overseas single-stock leveraged ETFs. From August, mandatory investor education will be extended from two hours to three hours, while trading from November will be limited to increments of 20 shares to discourage excessive turnover. 2026-07-30 07:31:33 -
Microsoft Reports 18% Revenue Growth, Azure Sees 43% Increase Amid AI Investments Microsoft (MS) has exceeded market expectations with strong earnings driven by growth in its cloud business. The company significantly increased its investments in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and the rapid growth of its core cloud service, Azure, has raised hopes that these large-scale AI investments are translating into actual revenue growth.On July 29, Microsoft announced that its revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026 (April to June) rose 18% year-over-year to $90 billion, surpassing market expectations of approximately $87.6 billion.Operating income increased by 18% to $40.6 billion, while net income rose 31% to $35.8 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) stood at $4.81, and the adjusted EPS, excluding certain investment effects, was $4.74, exceeding the market forecast of $4.24.The cloud business was the primary driver of these results. Total cloud revenue reached $59.3 billion, a 27% increase from the previous year. Notably, Azure and other cloud services saw a 43% surge, outpacing the market's anticipated growth rate of around 40%.For the first time, Azure's annual revenue surpassed $100 billion. The paid accounts for Microsoft 365 Copilot, an enterprise AI service, exceeded 30 million, marking a more than 50% increase from 20 million in the previous quarter.As demand for AI grows, investments in data centers and servers have also expanded significantly. Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter, including costs for equipment rentals, reached $41 billion, more than 70% higher than the previous year. Although this figure was a substantial increase from $31.9 billion in the prior quarter, it fell short of the market expectation of $42.37 billion.Due to these large investments, the actual cash remaining with the company has decreased. The free cash flow, calculated by subtracting capital expenditures from cash generated from operations, was $19.6 billion, a 23% decline from the previous year. However, this was significantly above the market expectation of $13.44 billion.Microsoft plans to invest approximately $190 billion this year in data centers and AI infrastructure. The company anticipates that the demand for AI services will continue to grow rapidly, leading to a persistent shortage of data centers and servers to meet this demand through the end of the year.Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, stated, "Azure's annual revenue has surpassed $100 billion for the first time, and the number of paid accounts for Microsoft 365 Copilot has also exceeded 30 million."Following the earnings announcement, Microsoft’s stock rose about 4% in after-hours trading.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 07:20:00
-
Gijang County Launches Task Force to Combat Corruption and Waste Gijang County in Busan has launched a dedicated organization to prevent corruption and budget waste, and is conducting joint inspections of coastal blind spots with the county council to enhance transparent and accountable governance.The initiative aims to ensure fairness in administrative procedures while increasing effectiveness through on-site communication.On July 29, Gijang County officially launched the 'Task Force for Comprehensive Investigation of Corruption and Wasteful Projects' to enhance the fairness of various projects and build trust among residents.Led by the deputy county mayor, with the head of the audit team as deputy, the task force is composed of professionals from the administration, civil engineering, and construction sectors. They will comprehensively review ongoing and completed county projects.Key areas of inspection include: △ legality of project implementation △ appropriateness of budget execution △ potential favoritism and vested interests △ wasteful budget expenditures.If any illegal or inappropriate matters are discovered, the county plans to take strict action in accordance with relevant laws and implement institutional improvements to prevent recurrence. Additionally, a new reporting channel for residents will be established on the county's website to significantly enhance external oversight.Woo Seong-bin, the county mayor, emphasized at the task force launch ceremony, "The budget of Gijang County belongs to all 180,000 residents and should be used solely for their benefit. We will thoroughly investigate projects suspected of favoritism to ensure that taxpayer money is not wasted and is returned to the residents responsibly." In addition to ensuring budget transparency, the county is also strengthening its on-site administrative capabilities.Gijang County and the county council conducted a joint inspection of coastal areas to assess the current status and verify major development projects.The inspection team traveled along a maritime route from Daebyeon Port to Gilcheon Port, directly observing unauthorized coastal occupation and illegal facilities that are difficult to identify from land.Particularly, they closely examined the progress of the long-awaited 'Jukseong-Hakri Road Construction Project' from a maritime perspective.The plan is to comprehensively review the topographical characteristics of the construction site, the impact on the marine environment, and the harmony with the landscape to proactively prevent potential issues during the project process.The county council stated, "The safety and convenience of residents are our top priorities," adding, "We will continue to maximize the effectiveness of administration through legislative activities that seek answers on-site."Woo Seong-bin also stated, "We will respond strictly to illegal activities along the coast to protect Gijang's waters and ensure that major issues such as road construction projects proceed without disruption."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 07:12:00
-
Mother of Trot Singer Jang Yoon-jung Charged with Investment Fraud The mother of trot singer Jang Yoon-jung has been indicted while in custody on charges of fraud.On July 29, Yonhap News and the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office announced that Jang's mother, identified as Yook, has been charged with defrauding acquaintances of millions of won under the pretense of investment.Yook is accused of receiving several million won from a friend as an investment but failing to return any profits.Previously, police received a complaint from the victim and tracked Yook's whereabouts, obtaining an arrest warrant from the court in mid-July.Although police initially struggled to locate Yook due to difficulties in verifying her mobile phone and credit card usage, they eventually secured her custody and confirmed the details of the alleged crime, leading to the case being forwarded to the prosecution.Meanwhile, on July 16, Jang Yoon-jung shared an update about her life on her YouTube channel, 'Jang Gongjang Jang Yoon-jung.'On that day, she said, 'I know you might be wondering how I’ve been. I’m managing to get by.' She added, 'I have a lot to say, and I think I’ll turn it into a song. I’m grateful and will return with fun and warm content that provides comfort.'* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 07:12:00
-
Meta Reports 28% Revenue Growth but Profits Fall Short Amid AI Investments Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reported second-quarter revenue growth but fell short of market expectations for profits and third-quarter forecasts. The company's significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure have led to a more than 90% decline in usable free cash flow.On July 29, Meta announced that its second-quarter revenue reached $60.8 billion, a 28% increase from the same period last year, surpassing market expectations of $60.17 billion.However, expenses grew at a faster rate than revenue. Total costs for the second quarter amounted to $42.03 billion, a 55% increase year-over-year, which included $2.4 billion in litigation costs and $1.18 billion in severance costs related to restructuring.As a result, operating income decreased by 8% to $18.78 billion, and net income fell by 14% to $15.85 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) were $6.18, significantly below the market estimate of $7.22.The core advertising business continued to grow, with ad revenue reaching $59.36 billion, a 27% increase from the previous year.Looking ahead, Meta's third-quarter revenue forecast also fell short of market expectations. The company anticipates revenue between $61 billion and $64 billion, with a midpoint of $62.5 billion, lower than the market estimate of $63.15 billion.Investment in AI infrastructure has also increased. Meta's capital expenditures (CapEx) for data centers and servers in the second quarter reached $31.08 billion. Consequently, free cash flow (FCF), which is the cash generated from operations minus investment costs, plummeted 91% from $8.55 billion last year to $784 million.Meta has also adjusted its capital expenditure outlook for the year, raising the lower end of its forecast from $125 billion to $130 billion, while keeping the upper end at $145 billion.Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, stated, "AI is currently accelerating growth in our core business, powering next-generation products, and opening new business opportunities."Following the earnings report, Meta's stock fell 1.31% during regular trading and dropped an additional 6% in after-hours trading.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-07-30 07:12:00