Capital of South Korea, a dynamic global city and hub of technology, culture, and governance.
Global climate talks COP31 see a push to double rooftop solar adoption to 300 million homes by 2030, with endorsements from multiple countries and calls for rapid grid upgrades and subsidies to turn pledges into action.
South Korea has said it is coordinating with Washington to enable a possible US–North Korea meeting after President Trump said he plans to meet Kim Jong Un later this year. President Lee has also ruled out sending troops to the Strait of Hormuz and said Seoul will protect its merchant ships with minimal measures.
The incident has prompted a Pentagon investigation into how cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door parts from an Australian F-35 ended up in Hong Kong. Australia says it is assisting in the inquiry; there is no public evidence of deliberate Chinese diversion, and officials stress the parts are not considered highly sensitive.
Zelensky has told the UN that Ukraine has transferred two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. He says North Korea is using soldiers as currency to support Russia, while Kyiv seeks humanitarian and legal pathways amid international scrutiny.
A shipment of unserviceable F-35 components, including a radar‑coated cockpit canopy and a weapons‑bay door, has been unexpectedly rerouted from Australia to Hong Kong and remains unreturned. The Pentagon, Lockheed Martin and Australian authorities have opened investigations and are working to retrieve the parts as Congress presses for answers.
KFC has opened Open House in McKinney, Texas, a test restaurant offering breakfast, late hours, table service, and new menu items. The concept aims to learn what works for guests and rolls out successful ideas system-wide. The restaurant features digital kiosks, table service, dual drive-thru lanes, a photo booth and merch counter.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has demanded an apology after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly said Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea. Seoul says the transfer was meant to be confidential and accuses Ukraine of breaching an agreement; Kyiv denies any nondisclosure pact and calls the matter a diplomatic misunderstanding.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded that North Korean mines south of the DMZ caused explosions that wounded three South Korean soldiers. The finding, conducted with the UN Command, underscores an armistice violation and triggers discussions of corresponding measures as Pyongyang denies responsibility and tensions rise.
A joint South Korean–UN investigation has concluded that North Korean mines caused a September 21 blast in the DMZ that wounded three South Korean soldiers. Seoul has demanded an official apology and is conducting mine-clearing; Pyongyang has denied responsibility and has launched a ballistic missile from Wonsan, escalating tensions.
Officials have kept the 3.5-meter shark, nicknamed Bukangi, confined to a canal as they adapt tactics to guide it back to open water. Thousands of visitors have flocked to North Port to watch, with health and safety checks ongoing as authorities prepare a larger net to redirect the animal toward the sea.
Japan hosts a delayed, chaotic Asian Games with logistical issues shadowing standout performances. China leads in diving and tennis through young stars like Yu Zidi and Wang Xiyu; Japan and other nations show flashes of talent while organisers face criticism over accommodation and transport.
South Korea is evaluating a proposed $50 billion Alaska LNG project as part of a broader $200 billion investment package announced with the United States. While Washington touts the deal as a boost for energy infrastructure, Seoul is weighing commercial viability and legal compliance amid concerns about the project’s cost, timelines, and long‑term LNG demand.
South Korea has demanded an apology and recalled its ambassador after Ukraine’s president revealed Kyiv transferred two captured North Korean soldiers to South Korea in January 2025. Seoul says the disclosure violated a confidentiality agreement and risks Pyongyang retaliation; Ukraine says the matter is a diplomatic misunderstanding.
Kim Joo-hyung has won a tournament at Kasugai Country Club in Nagoya, closing with a six-under 64 to finish three strokes clear. The 24-year-old has secured a military-service exemption under South Korea's rule that grants exemptions to Asian Games gold medallists, allowing him to avoid the usual 18–21 months of service after brief basic training.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed seven nations have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics: Qatar, India (Ahmedabad), South Africa, Germany (Munich), Hungary, Turkiye (Istanbul) and South Korea. The IOC has set an Oct. 31 deadline for other entries, will assess feasibility by March 2027 and expects a final host vote in 2029.
The Guardian has found that in July and August, over 176,000 tonnes of diesel and other fuels loaded at South Korean ports were shipped on seven tankers to Russia’s Far East, including vessels under UK and EU sanctions. South Korea says its laws were not violated and will review vessel routes and declarations. Ukraine calls this a breach of sanctions amid escalating tensions with Seoul.
North Korea has reportedly conducted underwater-launch tests from a submarine that could carry ballistic missiles, signaling a push to deploy a submarine-based nuclear deterrent. South Korea and the United States detect launches, while analysts warn the tests aim to advance Pyongyang’s maritime combat capabilities and pressure for diplomacy.
North Korea has fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast. Seoul and Washington are analyzing the missiles’ specifications after some flew over 900 kilometers. The launches come amid heightened tensions following a DMZ landmine incident and a flurry of Pyongyang missile tests, including a hypersonic weapon. Diplomats and leaders reaffirm calls for restraint as military readiness increases.
The New Yalu River Bridge is set for a ceremony linking Dandong in China with Sinuiju in North Korea. Since 2014 the opening has been delayed amid questions over Pyongyang’s willingness to deepen economic ties with Beijing. Analysts say the project could gradually boost bilateral trade while affecting broader Beijing-Pyongyang-Russia dynamics.
Saudi cinema gains global attention as Taibah’s film, A Matter of Life and Death, is Saudi Arabia’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards, while the wider film festival circuit highlights local talent amid new industry initiatives.
North Korea has tested two underwater-capable missiles in eastern waters, aiming to showcase the Navy’s ability to carry out strategic missions and reinforce its nuclear deterrent, according to state media. The tests follow a string of weapon demonstrations, including hypersonics, and come amid stalled diplomacy with the United States and South Korea.
Global markets are volatile as AI-linked shares retreat amid funding risks. SK Hynix’s Solidigm reviews have been halted due to market conditions, while other AI infra players face investor scrutiny. The Kospi, Nasdaq, and European indices are all showing declines as inflation and rate expectations fuel selling.
North Korea has renewed threats and expanded fortifications along the border, warning of a strong response to South Korean provocations. Seoul reports multiple border incidents and warning shots as both sides escalate military measures amid a longstanding standoff.
South Korea is withdrawing additional diplomatic staff from Kyiv as safety concerns rise amid Russian hostilities. Kyiv maintains diplomacy must prevail, while Seoul asserts Ukraine has failed to take constructive steps after Zelenskyy’s prisoner transfer disclosure.
A 59-year-old man carried out a stabbing attack at an Incheon shopping mall. Bystanders subdued him with chairs; eight people are injured, one in cardiac arrest. The suspect, wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, has a history of violence and mental illness. Investigations are ongoing to determine motive and assess supervision of electronic monitoring.
Investors are re-evaluating the AI hardware boom as neoclouds struggle with debt-funded expansion. Companies such as CoreWeave face scrutiny over finances, while the broader sector faces higher financing costs and cautious lending. The market shift follows mixed results from AI infrastructure players and softening sentiment after a string of debt-fueled capex plans.
Shark Bukangi, a three-meter female dusky shark, has been guided toward open water after weeks in Busan’s canal. Authorities report health concerns due to cooler waters; a final attempt to ensure safe release is underway as the animal remains near the canal mouth. The incident has drawn millions of visitors and raised questions about warming seas.
A South Korean team has matched Van Gogh’s Starry Night to a predawn sky over Saint-Rémy-de-Provence around July 22, 1889, suggesting the painting may reflect a real sky rather than pure imagination. The study, published in Scientific Reports, notes three possible dawns fit the crescent Moon above Venus and the Hyades; July 22 is the closest match, though not conclusive. Leading institutions challenge the dating, citing June 1889 as the painting’s creation.
North and South Korea engage in renewed discussions on restoring military communication and clarifying the land Military Demarcation Line amid rising border fortifications. Seoul proposes talks, potentially including the United Nations Command, while Pyongyang maintains a hard line and warns of consequences.
Kim Jong Un has visited China, signalling closer ties with Beijing and Moscow as North Korea seeks economic and political support amid global tensions. The New Yalu River Bridge has opened, potentially boosting trade and signaling a strategic alignment ahead of regional milestones.
North Korea has displayed new attack drones, held weapon tests and has called for rapid expansion of unmanned aeronautical technology, state media report. Seoul has detected recent missile and drone launches and has reorganised its own forces to prioritise drone and counter-drone capabilities as tensions remain high after border incidents.
Swiss Vice President Cassis has visited North Korea on a three-day trip, reopening a Swiss diplomatic office and signaling a push for regular political dialogue. North Korea remains under sanctions; Switzerland aims to strengthen direct contacts and regional stability. The visit follows recent engagements by other Western states and regional tensions.
AMD has reported better-than-expected earnings driven by data center demand, with revenue up 45% year over year and data center sales nearly doubling. The company forecasts fourth-quarter revenue around $17 billion, with a gross margin near 55%. Analyst concern centers on demand trends and Intel’s guidance, as the AI chip race accelerates.
North Korea has launched several missiles toward the Sea of Japan, marking a fourth such test in a month. Seoul says the launches come as Pyongyang pushes for leverage in diplomacy with Washington. Kim Yo Jong has rejected FBI findings linking Pyongyang to the Binance hack, calling them a provocation. Binance says hackers stole more than $6 billion in the heist.
South Korea has moved to extend the Cheonghae naval unit's mandate to waters near Duqm, Oman, expanding its noncombat duties. The motion requires cabinet and presidential approval and would add personnel and assets, including a P-8A patrol aircraft, while keeping operations out of Iran’s territory.
YEON’s latest film Paradise Lost revisits the AI-driven surrogate for a missing son, exploring grief, memory, and the ethics of synthetic relationships. The story follows a mother who spends nine years with an AI version of her child, before the real Sun-woo returns, forcing a reckoning on what constitutes identity and connection.
The Nasdaq 100 has fallen sharply, erasing trillions in value as AI-heavy tech leads the sell-off. Nasdaq down for the session; Nvidia and Tesla are among the hardest hit as regional and global markets wobble amid regulatory and growth concerns.
Japan has unveiled a 2026 package to strengthen cyber defences, using AI to identify vulnerabilities, expand expert-response teams, and fund victim support. The move follows a string of high-profile hacks and aims to raise cyber resilience to the world’s top standards.
The New York Times has published details of restrictive contracts signed by NewJeans when members were aged 14 to 17, revealing bans on an “insincere attitude,” relationships, and aggressive exit terms. The articles show how the band later left Ador amid disputes, highlighting industry practices in K-pop contracts.
The European Union faces pressure as Germany signals a tougher stance on China with possible new trade tools. Berlin tours Brussels for alignments while signs point to Beijing adapting to Europe’s de-risking stance. EU officials plan coordinated trips to Beijing to press for currency adjustments and trade protections amid a growing Sino-European rift.
North Korea is preparing for a dynastic transfer of power to Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, with defectors and experts saying public appearances signal a grooming process. The next leader faces a stern test governing a nuclear state under tight surveillance while North Koreans have little political freedom.