North Korea's official Workers' Party newspaper
Chinese President Xi Jinping has visited Pyongyang for a two‑day summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, pledging closer strategic, economic and people‑to‑people ties. The trip has followed Pyongyangs growing alignment with Russia and announcements of accelerated nuclear and naval programmes; Beijing is moving to reassert influence over its treaty ally.
South Korea is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Yangsan records 42.5C, the hottest on record; Seoul and other cities face severe heat warnings. Authorities have activated new disaster measures, deploy cooling efforts, and warn residents to stay indoors and hydrate as power demand and health risks rise.
South Korea faces a brutal heatwave that has killed dozens of people, with crops across Gangwon province suffering. Affected farmers report ruined harvests as temperatures reach record highs; officials warn of ongoing heat and rising food prices ahead of Chuseok.