OPINION: Fed slashes rates by a half-point – what that means for economy and presidential election

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - In a widely anticipated move, the Federal Reserve announced on Sept. 18, 2024, that it was cutting its benchmark interest rate by half a percentage point to a range of 4.75 percent to to 5 percent – the first time the cost of borrowing has been lowered in four years. The move marks an important pivot point, signaling that central bankers believe they have finally won their battle against inflation. It is also significant in timing, coming just month

September 19, 2024

OPINION: Will exploding pager attack be the spark that ignites Israel-Hezbollah war?

SEOUL, September 19 (AJP) - The alleged Israeli attack on members of Hezbollah via their pagers is another ominous development propelling the Middle East towards a full-scale regional war. It leaves Hezbollah with little option but to retaliate with the full support of the Iran-led "axis of resistance." The sophistication and impact of targeting the pagers is unprecedented. The attack resulted in at least 11 deaths, including some of Hezbollah's fighters, and up to 3,0

September 19, 2024

Samsung's 'Galaxy Watch5' used in civilian spacewalk project

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics' smartwatch "Galaxy Watch5" was used for body composition monitoring research during the "Polaris Dawn project," the first civilian spacewalk mission, the company said Wednesday. This research, led by the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, involved astronauts wearing the Galaxy Watch5 with advanced bioactive sensors to monitor human reactions and health in space environments, helping prevent risks related to

September 18, 2024

SK Group provides $300,000 for Viet Nam's typhoon recovery

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - SK Group, which has maintained a strong cooperative relationship with Viet Nam, will donate $300,000 to assist in the recovery efforts following the recent typhoon damage in the Southeast Asian country. The group announced Wednesday that it plans to deliver the $300,000 donation to Viet Nam's Fatherland Front Central Committee later this month. The funds will be used for local relief supplies and aid activities. Recently, northern Vietnam has bee

September 18, 2024

North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles into East Sea

SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - North Korea has fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from a launch site near Kaechon City some 72 kilometers (45 miles) north of Pyongyang, five days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a weapons-grade uranium enriching facility, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Wednesday. According to the JCS, North Korea fired multiple SRBMs northeastwards from Kaechon at about 6:50 a.m. (2150 GMT) on Wednesday. The missi

September 18, 2024

Autonomous robot collects recyclables and patrols in Seoul park

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - An autonomous robot developed by Robotis is collecting recyclables and patrolling for safety at a park in Yangcheon, a district in southwestern Seoul, the Korean robot manufacturer said Tuesday. The robot named Gaemi arrives at the designated location to collect recyclables when called via QR codes. Equipped with separate bins for plastic, paper and cans, it automatically returns to its charging station after collection and heads to a depot to unload recy

September 17, 2024

LG Energy Solution to showcase high-voltage mid-nickel battery at German trade fair

SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - LG Energy Solution will showcase its pouch-type, high-voltage Cell-to-Pack (CTP) battery with a mid-nickel composition at IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover, starting Tuesday for a six-day run. The battery offers a maximum range of 600 kilometers for large trucks, making it suitable for long-distance travel. It can be charged up to 5,000 times before performance begins to decline. These batteries have a nickel content of 40 to 60 percent and increased

September 17, 2024

3 fishermen killed in boat accident near southwestern port city

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Three fishermen were killed and five were rescued in a fishing boat accident near the southwestern port city of Gunsan, the Gunsan Coast Guard said Monday. According to the Gunsan Coast Guard, the crew members of the 35-ton-class 77 Daeryeong -- the captain (71), chief engineer (53), and an Indonesian crew in his 40s, were pronounced dead after being transferred to a nearby hospital. The remaining five foreign crew members (three from Viet Nam, two f

September 16, 2024

N. Korea deploys about 120 waste balloons

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Since Sunday, North Korea has sent approximately 120 waste balloons towards the South, with around 40 landing in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday. The JCS confirmed that roughly 40 of these balloons were identified in Seoul and its surrounding areas. "The contents of the balloons included household waste such as paper, plastic, and vinyl, with no harmful substances detected," the

September 16, 2024

INTERVIEW: Norwegian researcher says technology alone can't solve aging crisis

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Technology often feels like the magic bullet for society’s biggest challenges, but J. Artur Serrano, a prominent researcher from Norway, insists it’s just one piece of a larger puzzle. "Technology is a tool," Serrano, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, told AJP. "But real change starts with us—our mindsets, our policies, and our willingness to embrace responsibility." Serrano, an expe

September 16, 2024