Opinion: Artificial intelligence meets genuine judgment

KENOSHA, June 27 (AJU PRESS) - "I’m sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that." That is Hal 9000, all-purpose spaceship computer, declining an order from an astronaut to open the reentry doors. The scene is from the 1968 film “2001 – A Space Odyssey.” David Bowman (actor Keir Dullea) remains trapped in a small module, facing death. The theme of machines taking control from people, eventually destroying them, is at least as old as the Indus

June 27, 2024

Opinion: Social media platforms are blocked in Iran. Candidates in this week's presidential election are embracing them anyway

SEOUL, June 27 (AJU PRESS) - After Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash on May 20, the Iranian government had to schedule an early election to choose a new president. The regime has approved six presidential candidates to run in the election on June 28. The pool includes four hardliners, one centrist and one reformist. The main competition is expected to be between two hardliners and the reformist candidate. One of the hardliners is Saeed Jalili, the s

June 27, 2024

Opinion: Julian Assange will be freed after striking plea deal with US authorities

SEOUL, June 26 (AJU PRESS) - Julian Assange has reached a deal with the United States Department of Justice to allow him to return to Australia after pleading guilty to violating American espionage law. Assange, 52, was released from London's Belmarsh Prison, where he has spent more than five years and later was seen at a London airport boarding a private plane. He left around 5 p.m. on Monday London time. Australia's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Stephen Smith, i

June 26, 2024

Opinion: Escalating Israel-Hezbollah clashes threaten to spark regional war and force US into conflict with Iran

SEOUL, June 25 (AJU PRESS) - Months of relentless exchanges between Israel and Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah have seen mass civilian evacuations and widespread death, injury and destruction. The violence has worsened since early June, accompanied by increasingly heated rhetoric. Both sides have prevented the tit-for-tat attacks from escalating into a full-blown war, recognizing the likely catastrophic consequences. The question is whether this fragile containment can hold i

June 25, 2024

Opinion: why Kim-Putin deal is coded message aimed at China and how it worries Beijing

SEOUL, June 24 (AJU PRESS) - The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, paid a visit to Pyongyang this week and signed a defense pact with reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as he looks for new allies who can help him increase Russia's supply of munitions for the war in Ukraine. As part of this mutual aid deal, the two leaders promised that each country will come to the defense of the other if attacked. Kim also promised North Korea's full support for Putin's invasi

June 24, 2024

Opinion: Amid scorching heat, 900 people died this week in Saudi Arabia. Climate change has made Hajj pilgrimage more risky

SEOUL, June 21 (AJU PRESS) - Each year, millions of Muslims from across the world embark on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The mass migration is unparalleled in scale, and pilgrims face numerous health hazards. Mecca is considered the holiest city for Muslims. And Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it a mandatory religious duty for Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially capable. The 2024 Hajj pilgrima

June 21, 2024

Opinion: Putin-Kim summit has roots in an alliance of 'isolated' nations built over decades

SEOUL, June 20 (AJU PRESS) - The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has spent two days in Pyongyang, meeting with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, and signing a "comprehensive strategic partnership." Few details are being released about this deal and its expected ramifications for rearming Russian forces stretched by the Ukraine war. But the Kremlin said the agreement would mean each country would come to the aid of the other if attacked. At the top of the agenda fo

June 20, 2024

Opinion: Denmark bans noodles for being too hot – what you need to know about chilli heat

SEOUL, June 19 (AJU PRESS) - Chilli peppers – love them or hate them, they've got a heat that's hard to ignore. Recently, their fiery nature has even caused a bit of a stir in Denmark, where Buldak Ramen noodles have been banned for being dangerously spicy. So, what's behind the burning sensation we experience when we bite into a chilli pepper, and why do some people seek out the masochism of a super hot curry or Korean instant noodles? The culprit: capsaicin

June 19, 2024

Opinion: TikTok star Munya Chawawa takes on N. Korea in new documentary – it follows a long tradition of western media poking fun at Kim family's regime

SEOUL, June 18 (AJU PRESS) - Munya Chawawa, who is best known for his satirical comedy sketches aimed at educating and entertaining a Gen Z audience, has made a new documentary about Kim Jong-un's North Korea. "How to Survive a Dictator" premiered at Sheffield's DocFest on June 13, and will be broadcast on Channel 4 later this year. The documentary attempts a fresh take on North Korea. It includes serious interviews with experts, activists and escapees from the c

June 18, 2024

Opinion: Unemployment and economic travails loom large over Modi's third term

SEOUL, June 17 (AJU PRESS) - After a year-long spectacle of grand roadshows spanning the nation and heated debates with rival parties, Narendra Modi, leading the coalition of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured victory in national elections, ensuring the way for his historic third consecutive term as India's Prime Minister. However, his victory falls short of expectations. The NDA alliance won 292 seats combined, far behind his bullish target of 400 seats. Modi&rsqu

June 17, 2024