Sep 21, 2026
US first lady Melania Trump is set to lead key cultural diplomacy events during the coming official state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, marking their first visit to the White House since 2015. According to an official itinerary released by the first lady’s office, the three-day visit, scheduled from September 23 to 25, will feature extensive ceremonial honours alongside dedicated cultural exchanges highlighting Sino-American relations. Melania will join US...
Soybeans are the notable exception, revealing Beijing’s selective approach to fulfilling trade commitments ahead of the summit between President Trump and Xi Jinping.
There were no winners of the major lotto jackpot draws on September 21, 2026, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced on Monday.
Voters may experience longer queues in the 2028 National and Local Elections (NLE) if 9,300 voting machines are excluded from the 2027 national budget.
Jeonbuk National University has partnered with 15 defense companies and related organizations to offer a career-linked industry-academia cooperation program covering education, scholarships, field training and employment. The university said Friday that its Department of Advanced Defense Technology and Industry hosted a workshop titled “Customized Talent Development and Recruitment-Linked Cooperation Program for the Defense Industry” at Shilla Stay Jeonju on Thursday. The workshop was attended by university officials and representatives from defense companies and related organizations that signed a memorandum of understanding with the university in June. A university official noted that the workshop was organized to translate the memorandum of understanding on the cooperation program, signed June 26, into tangible outcomes in education and recruitment. Fifteen defense companies and related organizations are participating in the partnership. The participants included Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries, LIG Defense & Aerospace, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, Danam Systems, DN Sol
Kim Sung-wan, a journalist-turned-political commentator, has been appointed as the new presidential spokesperson, the presidential office said Monday. Kim — a former reporter with Media Today and later a radio host and political analyst —officially assumed his duties as presidential spokesperson on Monday, according to Cheong Wa Dae. "I have often had my words passed along to others, but knowing that I am now speaking directly to the media makes me feel a heavy sense of responsibility … As President Lee Jae Myung has said, I will do my best to communicate more with the public with humility," Kim told reporters. The post has remained vacant since April, when former presidential spokesperson Rep. Jeon Eun-su stepped down to prepare for the June 3 local elections. Kim's appointment adds to the current two spokespersons — Kang Yu-jung and Ahn Gwi-ryeong.
The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed Monday to take a lenient approach to minor violations identified in an ongoing national farmland survey while cracking down on clear acts of land speculation. The country launched the comprehensive nationwide survey earlier this year in an effort to determine actual ownership of farmland and prevent it from being used as a speculative asset. The move, however, has faced criticism from the main opposition People Power Party, which has argued the survey has caused anxiety among farmers and could infringe on their property rights. "If the purpose of speculation is clear, (we) will take corrective action under the law and principles," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a policy meeting with DPK officials. "For minor or routine violations identified in the field, (we) will provide guidance or take alternative measures, such as making improvements to the system." The minister said the government would focus on ways to restore the intended purpose of farmland rather than immediately taking action against violations. Rep.
President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose for the first time in 10 weeks last week, helped by his clarification of key political issues during a press conference, a pollster said Monday. In a poll conducted on 2,507 adults nationwide from last Monday to Friday, positive assessments of Lee's job performance rose by 1 percentage point from the previous week to 34.8 percent, while negative assessments rose 0.1 percentage point to 63.4 percent, Realmeter said. It marked the first time in 10 weeks that Lee's approval rating rose following a 48.9 percent rating on July 13. There was a gradual increase throughout the week from 32.9 percent Tuesday and 32.1 percent Wednesday to 35.3 percent Thursday and 37.2 percent Friday, the day he held the press conference. "At the start of the week, his approval rating continued to decline due to controversy over personnel vetting and the repercussion of the confirmation hearings," the pollster said. Lee's approval rating was beset by controversy surrounding the qualifications of Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality Minister nomin
Singer and actor Suzy, long known in South Korea for her soft, youthful image, has sparked divided reactions online after stepping out with a dramatically different slicked-back hairstyle. Suzy attended an event for a skin care brand in Seoul's Seongdong District on Friday, wearing a crisp white shirt paired with understated jewelry. But it was her hair that drew the most attention. Instead of the softer hairstyles she is usually seen with, Suzy wore her hair completely swept back from her face. The style fully exposed her facial contours and highlighted her small face and defined features. Suzy has been celebrated for her looks since early in her career and became widely known in Korea as the "nation's first love," a nickname that took hold following her appearance in the hit 2012 romance film "Architecture 101." Her latest transformation, however, prompted unusually mixed reactions online. "She looks beautiful no matter what she does," one commenter said. Others said, "She even pulls off slicked-back hair," "Everything suits her" and "I'm tired of even saying how pretty she is." Some, how
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Monday the government will make seamless preparations to realize the country's "Global AI Hub" initiative, including selecting the best location for the envisioned hub through fair and transparent procedures. In May, Korea unveiled its vision to launch the Global AI Hub in the country in an effort to bring together the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of global organizations to address challenges, such as disease control and climate change. The envisioned hub seeks to promote cross-border cooperation in the AI sector with nine global organizations and five multilateral development banks and is expected to serve as a platform to provide AI-based solutions to pending issues under the vision of "AI for All, AI to Solve Global Challenges." "The time has come for us to take action beyond declaration," Han said during the first meeting of the preparation committee. "The government will make seamless preparations to launch the Global AI Hub by swiftly establishing a dedicated support system and selecting the optimal location through fair and transpar
TWICE's Nayeon showed just how dramatically styling can change an overall impression, stepping out in two contrasting minidress looks just eight days apart. On Sept. 10, Nayeon attended an event marking the launch of a new fragrance product in Seoul's Seongdong District, where she embraced a bright, playful look in a white strapless minidress. She paired the dress with light blue shoes and wore her hair tied up, with bangs across her forehead and softly waved strands framing her face. The combination highlighted the cheerful, youthful image for which the K-pop star is well known. Eight days later, however, Nayeon appeared with a noticeably different vibe. At a flagship store opening photocall at Loca Cheongdam in Seoul's Gangnam District on Friday, she opted for a brown halter-neck mini dress that created a more sophisticated look. The dress featured gathered detailing around the neckline and a fitted silhouette, while her long, straight hair and white heels added to the polished styling. Although both outfits were minidresses, the different colors, silhouettes and hairstyles created strik
More than 1,300 members of the Korean diaspora are set to converge in Incheon’s Songdo district next week for a five-day program bringing together political, business, cultural and community events. The Overseas Koreans Agency said Monday that World Korean Week will begin Sunday and run through Oct. 1 at Songdo Convensia, ahead of Oct. 5 World Korean Day. The program links the World Korean Association Leaders Conference, World Korean Business Convention, Future Leaders’ Conference and Korean Festival in one week. Participants include Korean community leaders and professionals working in business, culture, science and education, with organizers seeking to connect generations and industries while creating opportunities for dialogue with residents in Korea. The World Korean Association Leaders Conference will open Sunday and run through Tuesday, bringing community leaders from around the world together to discuss regional issues and share operating practices. For the first time, a private-sector steering committee representing the overseas Korean community will oversee planning and opera
