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South Korea: Ruling on DP presidential candidate's election law violation case on Thursday

South Korea: Ruling on DP presidential candidate's election law violation case on Thursday

The South Korea's Supreme Court said on Tuesday that it will rule on the election law violation case of the Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung later this week.

The ruling will be made at 3 pm Thursday, the court said, just four days after Lee won the DP's primary for the June 3 presidential election.

The announcement comes after prosecutors appealed a high court ruling last month that acquitted Lee of lying as a presidential candidate during the 2022 election and overturned a lower court's sentence of a suspended prison term.

The case has posed a major legal hurdle for Lee, who is considered the front-runner in the upcoming presidential election.

Iran condemns US lethal airstrikes on Yemen

Iran condemns US lethal airstrikes on Yemen

Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the US deadly airstrikes on Yemen's capital of Sanaa and Saada province, including a centre where African migrants were kept.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denounced Sunday's bombings, which killed at least 78 people, including 68 African migrants held at a detention centre in Saada, and wounded dozens of others.

Baghaei described the US military attacks against civilian targets, vital infrastructure and people's houses in different parts of Yemen as "war crimes," "which have killed hundreds of innocent people."

He criticised the United Nations and international human rights organisations for their "silence and indifference towards this flagrant law-breaking and the frequent violations of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Failure to observe safety principles caused port explosion: Iran

Failure to observe safety principles caused port explosion: Iran

The Committee set up by the Iranian Authorities to investigate the cause of the massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in the Hormozgan province, which claimed 70 lives, reported that there was a "failure to observe safety procedures" at the port.

In a statement on Monday evening, the Committee to Investigate the Causes of the Fire Incident in Shahid Rajaee Port stated that after conducting several meetings with experts in different fields, it was concluded that the reason for the tragic incident was "the failure to observe safety principles and passive defence standards" as confirmed to the committee members, the semi-official News Agency reported.

"There have been discrepancies in some cases, and the security and judicial bodies are seriously seeking to identify the wrongdoers," it added.

"Determining the cause of this incident requires a thorough and fully-fledged investigation of its various aspects, which, due to expert requirements, requires technical and laboratory processes; however, without wasting time, its implementation steps are being pursued, and the final results will be revealed to the public as soon as possible," the committee concluded.

Strong dollar may exert short-term inflationary pressure in South Korea: KDI

Strong dollar may exert short-term inflationary pressure in South Korea: KDI

The recent depreciation of the South Korean won against the US dollar may add short-term pressure on inflation, but its overall impact is likely to be less significant than that of domestic factors, a state-run think tank said on Tuesday.

The won-greenback exchange rate has remained above the 1,400-won level -- a threshold not seen since 2009 -- following the shocking, albeit brief, martial law imposition by ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December. The rate has faced further pressure following new tariff measures implemented by the Donald Trump administration.

"The impact of a strong U.S. dollar on import prices tends to diminish over time, while domestic factors behind the won's depreciation generally have a more lasting and pronounced effect on consumer prices," the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in its latest report, reports news agency.

In March, the country's consumer prices, a key indicator of inflation, rose 2.1 percent on-year, remaining in the 2 percent range for the third consecutive month.

Philippines slams China for 'desperate and cheap stunts' around Sandy Cay

Philippines slams China for 'desperate and cheap stunts' around Sandy Cay

The Philippines on Monday condemned the latest Chinese activities around Sandy Cay, emphasising that the area is part of its territory and no Chinese provocation will change that.

Chinese personnel reportedly raised a Chinese flag and conducted inspection activities on Sandy Cay, a sandbar located near Pag-asa Island, which is within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Philippines, Romualdez termed the Chinese actions as "desperate and cheap stunts" designed to mislead and bolster illegitimate claims, state-run news agency PNA reported.

"I strongly denounce the latest actions of the China Coast Guard (CCG) in and around Sandy Cay, an area well within the Philippines' EEZ and unquestionably part of Philippine sovereignty," Romualdez said in a statement.

One dead as authorities declare 'mass casualty' after boat crashes in US

One dead as authorities declare 'mass casualty' after boat crashes in US

One person died, and several others were injured on Sunday when a boat collided with a ferry off the Memorial Causeway Bridge in Florida's Clearwater, US, before fleeing the scene, authorities said.

The Clearwater Police Department announced on X that there were multiple injuries and that the crash had been declared "a mass casualty incident" by the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department due to the number of people hurt.

All those injured were aboard the ferry, which was carrying more than 40 passengers at the time of the crash. Police have not yet released any details about the person who died in the incident.

Financial crisis hit Bangladesh as banks stop circulating new currency

Financial crisis hit Bangladesh as banks stop circulating new currency

Bangladesh is grappling with an economic crisis under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as the banks are unable to circulate new currency notes to meet the demands in the country, local media reported on Monday.

The crisis emerged with the political transition after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following a violent uprising last year.

The new notes in the hands of Bangladesh banks are not coming to the market because all types of money and coins feature the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, according to a report by the leading Bangladeshi daily, Prothom Alo.

Due to this situation, citizens are facing financial losses as they do not have access to new notes. Shops and banks are also being flooded with torn and old dirty notes.

Trade minister vows all-out efforts to boost foreign investment, reshoring firms

Trade minister vows all-out efforts to boost foreign investment, reshoring firms

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said on Monday the government will make all-out efforts to attract more foreign investment and support the return of local firms from overseas.

Cheong made the remarks during a policy coordination meeting with local government leaders and officials from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, reports news agency.

"Expanding foreign direct investment (FDI) and supporting reshoring companies are keys to enhancing national industrial competitiveness and revitalising regional economies, even in the face of abrupt changes in global trade conditions," Cheong said.

He further pledged continued policy support in close cooperation with local governments and free economic zones. In 2024, South Korea attracted a record high US$32.57 billion in FDI, the highest since records began in 1962, according to the ministry.

11 dead in Vancouver car rampage, suspect charged with murder

11 dead in Vancouver car rampage, suspect charged with murder

At least 11 people have died and several others were injured after an SUV drove into a crowd celebrating the Lapu Lapu Filipino festival in Vancouver, Canada, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said on Monday (Indian time).

The police stated that the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Kai-Ji Adam Lo, has been charged with murder. The black SUV was driven into the street festival of the Filipino community at E. 41st Avenue and Fraser Street shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday (Indian time).

"Eleven people have now died as a result of the mass-casualty event at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival. Our hearts are with all of the victims, their loved ones, and everyone who has been impacted by this act of violence. This is the darkest day in our city's history," the police department said in a statement.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai revealed that the driver has a significant history of interactions with police and healthcare professionals related to mental health.

Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

A Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt's Cairo on Saturday to discuss efforts toward reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In a press statement, Hamas said the delegation has started meetings with Egyptian officials to present the movement's vision for a comprehensive deal, which includes a Gaza ceasefire, a prisoner exchange with Israel, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the launch of reconstruction efforts.

The delegation is also expected to discuss with the Egyptian side the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and the urgent need to facilitate the entry of food and medical supplies, read the statement.

Hamas further indicated that the discussions would address the formation of a community support committee to manage Gaza's civil affairs and other internal matters.

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