China bar exam row sinks Trump press secretary Katie Zacharia after just 5 days

South China Morning Post - Oct 16, 2026

Katie Zacharia was “let go” as White House press secretary on Friday, a White House official said, five days into a tenure dominated by questions over her claimed legal career in China, where she said she had passed a bar exam. Her exit came on the same day Beijing invited her to visit China more often, responding to her remark that the country “doesn’t even have proper toilets”. US President Donald Trump said he had urged her to reconsider the job but denied firing her. “I told her: ‘I think...

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A night of elegance, influence and compassion 

Oct 16, 2026

A night of elegance, influence and compassion 

Glamour, sophistication and generosity took center stage at the 23rd annual awards night of the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP), held at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City.  The event brought together distinguished personalities, influential leaders, style icons and philanthropists united by a shared commitment to fashion, charitable causes and social responsibility.  The evening honored individuals across several categories, including Best Dressed Women, Men of Influence, Style Icon, Ambassador for Life and Youth of Influence. The awards recognized personalities whose achievements, leadership, personal style and commitment to making a difference continue to inspire their respective communities.  One of the evening’s highlights was the induction of Shy Tan into the Best Dressed Women Hall of Fame. The distinction recognized her contributions to the organization’s legacy and added significance to an occasion that celebrates not only elegance but also generosity and social responsibility.  Over the years, BDWP has established itself as more than an annual celebration of fashion and prestige. It recognizes individuals who understand that influence carries responsibility and that success becomes more meaningful when shared with those in need.  Congratulations to the organizers of the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines for another successful and meaningful awards night. May their work continue to inspire more men and women to embrace philanthropy, champion cancer care and use their influence to make a positive difference in society.

Prosecutors end evidence presentation vs. Marcoleta on first day of trial, says Remulla 

Oct 16, 2026

Prosecutors end evidence presentation vs. Marcoleta on first day of trial, says Remulla 

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that prosecutors have finished presenting their evidence against Senator Rodante Marcoleta in the plunder case lodged against him --on the first day of trial.

Deadly School Roof Collapse in Pakistan Raises Questions Over Regulation

Oct 16, 2026

Deadly School Roof Collapse in Pakistan Raises Questions Over Regulation

A roof collapse that killed 32 children and a teacher in northwest Pakistan has prompted safety inspections of schools across the region.

A US scholar’s take on how shifts in US-China relations are felt in a Tsinghua classroom

Oct 16, 2026

A US scholar’s take on how shifts in US-China relations are felt in a Tsinghua classroom

China and America are talking again. There are leaders’ meetings, phone calls and a new channel for discussing artificial intelligence. Officials are cautiously trying to keep the relationship from veering into crisis. And yet some of the hardest questions remain untouched. Neither side is giving much ground on advanced chips, export controls remain a battlefield and neither Washington nor Beijing appears ready to slow its race to develop increasingly powerful AI. So what, exactly, does it mean...

Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

Oct 16, 2026

Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday refuted a claim by North Korea's missile chief that questions Seoul's recent test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Earlier in the day, Jang Chang-ha, director-general of North Korea's Missile Administration, claimed that South Korea's test of the HGV may not have achieved hypersonic flight because its outside appearance was "not stained with any soot," according to the North's Korean Central News Agency. Jang cited photos provided by South Korea after last Thursday's test, but Seoul's defense ministry countered by saying the vehicle has advanced thermal-protection technology and the visible appearance of "soot" is impossible during hypersonic flight. South Korea's military "plans to further develop technologies involved in the weaponization process of the HGV," the ministry said. In a rare public disclosure of the development of key military assets, Cheong Wa Dae unveiled South Korea's first test launch of the HGV. The test came amid rising inter-Korean tensions following the recent explosion of a land mine in the border area that inju

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

Oct 16, 2026

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

A fierce battle over artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which are increasingly being seen as unwanted facilities, is erupting around the world among governments, companies and local residents. Korea, which is also moving quickly to expand AI data centers as one of the government's three megaprojects, is no exception. Where can we find clues to resolving these conflicts? To find answers, a Hankook Ilbo reporting team traveled to Australia Aug. 7-14 for a field investigation into how the country is preparing for the future with AI data centers. Australia is seeking to make AI data centers its next major growth industry after minerals and wool. Residents are banding together to make their voices heard and searching for rules that will allow people and AI data centers to coexist. In August, winter fog in the Southern Hemisphere swallowed the morning sunlight, leaving a farm in darkness as cattle awoke to the familiar voices of an elderly couple. "Did you have any trouble during the night?" "Did you sleep well?" Every morning at 7 a.m., Paul Brackenreg, 61, and Rosalind "Rose" Murphy, 7

[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

Oct 16, 2026

[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

About 20 people gather every morning in front of Geumcheon District Office in southwestern Seoul, holding signs and staging protests. Most are in their 50s and 60s and live in a large apartment complex identified only as "L," home to more than 1,700 households. Their protest, which they say is the first demonstration they have ever taken part in, marked its 203rd consecutive day on Sept. 21. They might be expected to be tired by now, but it is anger rather than fatigue that shows on their faces. The protesters are vehemently opposed to a data center. About 100 meters from the entrance to their apartment complex, construction of an eight-story data center has been underway for 11 months. Ko Young-chan, 33, a two-term member of the Geumcheon District Council who lives in L Apartment, said, "It seems data center developers came here thinking, 'Land prices in a place like Geumcheon District make the project worth trying.'" He also claimed that the data center itself would not generate tax revenue for the district. The situation is not unique to Geumcheon District. Data center projects are

President Lee's approval rating rises after dipping to lowest level: poll

Oct 16, 2026

President Lee's approval rating rises after dipping to lowest level: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose slightly to 39 percent after weeks of decline, a weekly poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,003 people aged 18 and older, showed that positive assessments of Lee's performance increased 2 percentage points from the previous week. The figure marks a slight recovery from his record low of 37 percent recorded in the previous two Gallup polls, following a downward trend since late August. Those who disapproved of Lee's handling of state affairs rose by 1 percentage point on-week to 52 percent. Among those who positively assessed Lee's performance, 20 percent cited diplomacy, followed by economic and livelihood issues at 11 percent. Real estate policies, along with economic and livelihood concerns, were among the main reasons cited by those who disapproved of Lee's performance. Support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea rose 1 percentage point to 36 percent after marking the lowest figure since the launch of Lee's administration last week. Support for the main opposition People Power Par

Seoul city blames ex-mayor's policies for weak long-term housing supply

Oct 16, 2026

Seoul city blames ex-mayor's policies for weak long-term housing supply

The Seoul city government on Friday blamed policies pursued under late former Mayor Park Won-soon for weakening the foundation for long-term housing supply in the capital. The municipality made the assessment in a report analyzing the city's housing policies over the past 20 years, as recent shortages in the capital have contributed to sharply rising home prices. The report said that between 2012 and 2020, while the late Park served as mayor, 389 of the 683 areas designated for city improvement projects were canceled, eliminating the opportunity to supply roughly 430,000 homes. Park, who was a member of the now ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), prioritized "urban regeneration" projects that focused on preservation over large-scale redevelopment or reconstruction. The report comes as current Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party has faced criticism from DPK lawmakers over his private-led housing supply policy. The city government under Oh plans to break ground on about 310,000 housing units by 2031 through redevelopment and reconstruction projects to respond to t

Seoul weighs expanding Cheonghae Unit operations toward Strait of Hormuz

Oct 16, 2026

Seoul weighs expanding Cheonghae Unit operations toward Strait of Hormuz

Korea is considering expanding the operating area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy unit from the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, as it prepares to seek parliamentary approval to extend its deployment. The government is also reviewing a proposal to add a maritime patrol aircraft to the unit, according to local media reports. No decision has been made on either proposal. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul told lawmakers Thursday the ministry was reviewing various options concerning the unit’s mission and deployment extension. The current parliamentary authorization expires Dec. 31. The Cheonghae Unit, deployed off Somalia since 2009, escorts commercial vessels and helps protect shipping routes. Its current deployment consists of a 4,400-ton destroyer, a helicopter, up to three rigid-hull inflatable boats and no more than 320 personnel. One option under consideration is deploying a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to expand surveillance coverage. The review comes after Washington requested military contributions from allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz am

Main opposition slams gov't over S. Korea-US gap on OPCON transfer

Oct 16, 2026

Main opposition slams gov't over S. Korea-US gap on OPCON transfer

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Friday criticized the government over what it called apparent differences between South Korea and the United States on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), calling it a "serious diplomatic blunder." The criticism came after U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said earlier this week that "conditions have changed" and that calls for new standards in the OPCON transfer, citing North Korea's recent missile launches. During a parliamentary audit of military courts on Thursday, Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul said that the requirements for the OPCON transfer remained unchanged and that Seoul has conveyed its concerns to Washington. "Instead of reviewing the warning, the Lee Jae Myung administration and the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) made a series of intimidating remarks directed at the USFK commander," Rep. Kim Tae-kyu, the PPP's chief floor spokesperson, said in a commentary. Rep. Kim also criticized the defense ministry's spokesperson for saying at an official press briefing that the transfer would never

Ex-lawmaker referred to prosecution over daughter's hiring at university

Oct 16, 2026

Ex-lawmaker referred to prosecution over daughter's hiring at university

Former opposition lawmaker Yoo Seong-min and three university officials have been referred to the prosecution for possible indictment over allegations of preferential treatment in the hiring of Yoo's daughter as a professor by Incheon National University (INU), police said Friday. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said Yoo, INU President Lee In-jae and two INU professors were sent to the prosecution without detention on charges of obstruction of business. Lee and the two professors were also charged with violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The four are suspected of obstructing the university's recruitment process when Yoo's daughter, Yoo Dam, 32, was hired as a faculty member in its trade department in the second semester of last year. Lee and the two professors are also suspected of receiving improper solicitations concerning the hiring of Yoo's daughter, although investigators found no evidence that they had accepted money or valuables, the police said. The police announcement came after an investigation that began in November last year. They also questioned Yoo's d

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