India rejects Apple's request to withhold antitrust report

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - India's regulatory authority has rejected Apple's request to withhold a report investigating the company for alleged violations of antitrust laws in the Indian app market. According to news reports on Monday, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) denied Apple's request to withhold a report investigating alleged violations of antitrust competition laws. With the rejection, authorities have decided to continue the legal proceedings related

November 26, 2024

Japan, Italy sign military cooperation pact

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Japan and Italy signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in Rome, establishing a framework for mutual military supply and service support between the two nations, the Japanese foreign ministry said. The agreement, signed on Monday by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, enables the exchange of ammunition, fuel, and maintenance services during joint military exercises, UN peacekeeping operati

November 26, 2024

Tourist boat sinks off Red Sea coast, 16 missing

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - A tourist boat sank near Egypt's Red Sea coast, leaving 16 people, including 12 foreign nationals, missing, according to local authorities. The vessel, carrying 44 individuals — 31 tourists of various nationalities and 13 crew members—capsized during a diving trip on Monday near Marsa Alam. It is reported that 28 people were rescued with minor injuries, such as bruises, none requiring hospitalization. Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi suggeste

November 26, 2024

PHOTOS: Shantytown residents protest for housing rights as redevelopment looms

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - Residents of Guryong Village, the last remaining shantytown in Seoul's affluent Gangnam district, are demanding their housing rights as the village is slated to be redeveloped into an apartment complex, requiring their relocation. They erected a five-story tower in front of their village to demonstrate their resolve and staged a protest over the weekend. They are seeking assistance in finding new homes or moving into a new apartment complex that will be built

November 26, 2024

China unveils plans to combat food waste

November 26 (AJP) - China has revealed a set of plans to tackle food loss and waste, aiming to establish a comprehensive system by 2027. The plans, released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Monday, called for improvements in data collection, standards, and monitoring of food waste, according to the country's state-run Xinhua News Agency. Food loss during production, storage, transport, and processing will be reduced to below internati

November 26, 2024

OPINION: BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - BRICS+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar and the euro. The forum for cooperation among nine leading emerging economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates – emphasized this determination at their 16th summit in October 2024. Economist Lauren

November 26, 2024

Landslides, floods kill 16, leave 6 missing in Indonesia's Sumatra

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - At least 16 people have died and six others remain missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and floods across Indonesia's Sumatra island, according to local media reports, Monday. In North Sumatra's Karo region, six people died and four others, including two children, went missing after landslides buried several hillside villages, while in Padang Lawas area, a family of four, including two children, died when their house collapsed. Addition

November 26, 2024

Hyundai, Toyota chiefs meet to discuss hydrogen collaboration

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - The leaders of South Korea's largest automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. met for the second time in a month to discuss potential cooperation in hydrogen vehicle technology, marking a significant shift in the relationship between the world's first and third-largest automakers. Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun and Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda convened at the final round of 2024 World Rally Championship held in Toyo

November 25, 2024

Opposition leader cleared of perjury charges, but legal battles continue

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was cleared on Monday of charges that he had pressured a witness to provide false testimony in his favor. The Seoul Central District Court found Lee not guilty as there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations that the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party had coerced a former mayoral secretary into committing perjury on his behalf. In a series of legal battles that could threaten his

November 25, 2024

Pakistani director wins best director award at Indian film festival

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Pakistani director Iram Parveen Bilal was honored with the Best Director Feature Film award at the 5th Yellowstone International Film Festival for her film Wakhri, meaning "one of a kind" in Punjabi. The movie takes inspiration from the life of Qandeel Baloch, a murdered Pakistani social media star. In the movie, Baloch appeared as Noor, a schoolteacher who becomes a social media sensation after losing her spouse. She faces unexpected chall

November 25, 2024